Jewel colored chandeliers are the perfect unexpected color pop!

Photos:
Antique Chair 
Pink Lemonade
Pale Pink Room
“Flower Kisses” photograph
Pink Kitchen Aid Mixer
Pink and Green Living Room
Pink Decorative Books

Pale pink, blush or for the purpose of this post, bunny ear pink is the perfect color to welcome Spring.

It is that time of year again. Charleston Fashion Week has begun and is dominating downtown’s Marion Square for the sixth year in a row. We like to consider ourselves “judges” for CFW, and we want you to join in with us as well! That is why we have gathered a list of our favorite CFW events and designers for you to be on the look-out for. We’ll be there, will you?

Pop-Up Shop - Tuesday, March 20-Friday, March 23, 11-3p.m., $5
Want to go to Fashion Week without breaking the bank? Hop by the pop-up shops for daily discounts from national and local designers. Experience the fascinating hustle bustle of CFW while learning about 2012′s hottest styles from special guests like NBC Fashion Star Nikki Poulos and hairstylist Paul Mitchell. Feast your eyes on some irresistible creations by Bashful Boutique, Colleton’s Fine Clothing & Colleton’s East, Custard Boutique, Library Vintage, The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens, Suite 33, TanglerOutlet.com, Lew Greene Private Collection, Coral Custom Swimwear, Emma Graham, Groove Girl, Indigo & Cotton and Style Girl Collection.
Photo: Custard Boutique

JLINSNIDER - Wednesday, March 21
Jamie Lin Snider participated in the 2010 Emerging Designer Competition with her ready-to-wear line for the avant-garde. Her eclectic vintage taste has drawn in many of Charleston’s fashionistas to her new storefront located at 539 King St. Jamie Lin not only knows how to please the trendsetters, but she can also throw a mean party–On the first Friday of every month, JLINSNIDER hosts an open-to-the-public party in the courtyard with local artisans, music and DJs. Oh, and did we mention beer and wine? Ms. Snider has taken over Charleston, and we don’t think she’ll be stopping anytime soon. Check her out at 7 p.m.

Spring Bridal Show- Saturday, March 24, 10:30a.m.-2p.m.
Calvin James Bryant, winner of the Charleston Weddings‘ Emerging Bridal Designer competition, touts credentials from Parsons School of Design (The New School), Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein and Swarovski. This brilliant designer gives us the perfect combination of sleek Big Apple concepts and chic, feminine, Southern belle picks.

We are most excited about the Southern-style wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses from LulaKate we’ll get to see on CFW models in the Spring Bridal Show. Inspired by her charming southern hometown, Katherine McDonald continues to create ready-to-wear clothing for women and holds true to the notion of actually WANTING to re-wear a bridesmaid dress. LulaKate has evolved from basic dresses and belts to an alternative line of bridal gowns, which is available nationwide. Be sure to scope out these fabulous designs….you never know, you could be next!

CFW After-Parties
Don’t miss the biggest after-party of the week at the South Carolina Aquarium from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Rain will feature swimwear by Las Olas and celebrity DJs, along with an opportunity to see your favorite models and designers one last time before they pack up. Buy tickets starting at $45.

Charleston’s Top Cocktails, Taste the Winners – Wednesday March 21, 6-7p.m. & Thursday, March 22, 6-7p.m.
We are huge fans of the libations being offered from Charleston hotspots Fish and The Cocktail Club, and now we know that the rest of Charleston agrees! After a series of tastings and judgings, Evan Powell of Fish and Jasmine Beck of The Cocktail Club have won the awards for Charleston’s Top Cocktail. They will be serving the “Gentlemen’s Bet” and the “Antipasto Cocktail” at Wednesday and Thursday’s Style Lounges. Come sip and make the decision yourself!

Love this room! Saturated with color, but you can still breathe!

Super cool kid’s room. Light + Brightness + Functional = Perfection!

A passage of color through the house. A trip I would love to take!

Images:
1. House Beautiful
2. GetitCut.com
3. Elle Decor

There is a certain “something” about lime green that just works – it packs a punch, while remaining soft – and it looks fantastic with the bold, bright colors that are trending this spring.

When used as a room’s primary color or accent hue, lime green can give a room a clean, refreshing feel.  Some complimentary colors include raspberry, turquoise, black.

Red is the color of love – it hugs the soul and makes your heart happy. Merlot is a shade of red, with a bluish hue, giving the color a richness that is not overwhelming. Throughout my interior design career, I have found that people are actually afraid of color. They don’t trust themselves to incorporate rich hues into their decor and instead stick with whites, off-whites and beiges. Merlot is the perfect shade for the [color] faint-of-heart.

How to Use Merlot in Your Home: Ideas for Everyone

1. Color-Wary: Keep your walls and upholstery neutral. Incorporate merlot into accent pieces, such as throw pillows, vases and art.

2. Color Comfortable: Paint an accent wall merlot, such as a stairwell, and let the color bounce off the neutral surroundings. Paint your ceiling a pale turquoise (yellow or lime green could work here, as well). Incorporate the additional accent color into your accessories.

3. Braveheart: Paint all four walls merlot and use one of the additional accent colors on the ceiling, in a bolder hue. If turquoise is your accent color, try painting your ceiling aqua (Rainwash by Sherwin Williams is a great shade).  Keep your upholstery neutral and toss in a couple pumpkin or yellow colored throw pillows. Keep other accessories neutral.

IMAGES

• Merlot Bed Frame: Luxe Interiors + Design
• Merlot Lamps: Mottega
• Accent Stairwell: House Beautiful
• Kitchen Accent Wall: House Beautiful
• Merlot Dining Room: Jolene Smith Interiors

Last weekend was my cousin Virginia Harper’s wedding to Sean Breen. The two said their vows at First Scotts Presbyterian Church and then had a beautiful reception at the Carolina Yacht Club. I was lucky enough to help with the styling and decor of the reception; my largest project was the 10-foot mantle! While we wait for the professional photos, I figured I would share a few shots I took myself.

48 blocks of oasis, a whole case of sheet moss and an entire forest of smilax, 4 dozen hydrangeas, 150 roses, 30 french tulips, 36 stems of hyperium, berries and several colored orchids.

As I noted in my earlier post, last winter I was up to my ears designing and styling my son and now-daughter-in-law’s wedding, that was held on May 5, 2011. The reception was held in the beautiful historic building, 701 Whaley in downtown Columbia, SC.

The outside of 701 is beautiful, so little needed to be done in terms of decor. I placed boston ferns and lanters along the sidewalk to guide guests to the reception. In the entry-way, I built two white fabric topiaries, which had a line of asymetrical flowers, which matched the line of handmade flowers on the bride, Katherine’s dress. The topiaries stood outside the entrance and oval wreaths wrapped in green satin fabric hung on the entrance doors.

Fabric flowers, of all shapes, sizes and materials played a large role in the design, the inspiration of which came from the hand-made flowers on Katherine’s wedding gown. I started making the flowers using extra fabric I had around my studio. As the project progressed, the fabric flowers took on a life of their own and I had to call in for support! Luckily there are a few local wedding dress designers in Charleston that were kind enough send their fabric scraps my way.

The interior of the historic warehouse has been renovated, but is still a raw space. The Grand Hall is an expansive (6,700 sq feet), open space with windows that reach 12 feet high. The 24-foot exposed-ceilings make the space feel even larger! It is the perfect blank canvas.

Wrought iron centerpieces gave the necessary height, without blocking anyones view. On the tall cocktail tables, we placed tall hurricane glasses with four tall green candles that were lit once it got dark outside. White semi-sheer curtains hung to separate the room between dinner and dancing. Garlands were wrapped around the banister, hung on the windows and decorated the cake table.

Photography done by: Sara Parker Photography