Market Highlight

I spend last Saturday afternoon at the AmericasMart hitting up Market in search of new fabulous-ness and to speak about Blogging! It was great, it was packed, and while I found a lot of really great new products and resources, my new favorite is Design Legacy. I walked through their space twice and while the people running the display didn't seem too friendly (granted they had already braved the snowpocalypse and been there for 3 days) I can look past that because they had super fantastic stuff. Think lots of washed linen prints that look super comfortable but still chic, great accessories that have individuality so two will never be the same, fantastic printed pillows, really lovely metal work (tables, case goods, bar stools, etc.) Check out some of the photos of things BPF and I swooned over.


Totally love the illuminated peace sign! Also, check out that huge bird print on canvas to the left of the peace sign, they had a zillion of them and I love them and intend on buying one! I also freaked out over the rug.



I have a thing for butterflies, cliche I know but I can't help it. I loved that case piece and doors are actually upholstered in a butterfly fabric. Upholstery makes everything better.



I forced him to take this picture against his will. But he looked so cute in the orange chair! The chair was cute too.



For more killer finds from Market 2011 check out BPF's rundown for HGTV here.

Hello 2011...I think it's going to be a good year.

I think 2011 is going to be a good year, it's off to a fantastic start already! I am incredibly honored to have been selected as one of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Top 10 Under 40. Truly I cannot explain how thrilled and completely humbled I am. To those who submitted my name for this honor, thank you so much, just to know that you think highly enough of me and my work to consider throwing my name out there is recognition enough. Briefly I would like to thank Azadeh Riaz for teaching me about business and giving me a chance when I was just a teenager. Barry Leach for making me realize, I made the right decision and telling me that I am a gay man trapped in a woman's body (possibly my most favorite compliment EVER) Scott Laslie and Mark Williams for putting up with me and guiding me. Mark--you're one of my best friends and I truly enjoy every day that I get to come to work with you. My father, for telling me I can do whatever I want and be whatever I wanted to be. He has always supported me and taught me what it means to take pride in the work that you do. And finally, to my amazing husband Sandy, thank you for letting me be me, for putting up with my insanity and being so supportive of everything I do. I could not ask for a better partner in crime or in life, thank you for loving me. I am in fantastic company this year including some of my favorite people and some new friends, congratulations to us all and thank you Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles!

Happy Yummy Anniversary!

Wow, I just realized that today has officially been one year since I began Yummy Scrumptious! Happy Anniversary my dear Yummies! Flip back to March 2009 and read some of my first posts! Here is something pretty to look at, it's a lovely snap shot taken by the talented Sarah Dorio when I styled Brian Patrick Flynn's living room photo shoot. I love glass grapes.

Love for Lauren

A few months ago my darling friend Brian Patrick Flynn launched his killer website/blog/online mag Decor Demon. He just featured one of my favorite people ever, my friend Lauren Rubinstein. She has been photographing MWDA work for years and she is one of my favorite people to work with, lunch with, drink with, fill in the blank__________ with. She is incredibly talented and such a joy to work with, but even better then that she is just a fabulous person. Check out Lauren's "Southern Exposure" article on Decor Demon, you will get a glimpse of her beautiful home and get to see some of her amazing work!

Olivia the Ostrich

Ahhhh the magic of DIFFA and the lengths we go to ensure our tables are fabulous. This year's example, Olivia the Ostrich. I had my heart set on some sort of carousel animal, I called every single antique dealer within a 50 mile radius looking for one. And then I stumbled upon this ostrich, she so wasn't what I was looking for, at least not in her current state. She was metallic lavender with metallic teal feathers and covered in sequins. Don't get me wrong, I love myself a sequin but it just wasn't working for me. The only way I was going to want her was if I could paint her. SO WE DID!!! Olivia is now hot pink and amazing! Totally the talk of the table, everyone thinks she's hilarious and she is the reason people seem to like our table, she is the unexpected surprise! This table ended up taking on a much more light hearted feeling then I had originally anticipated, so because of that I couldn't use the awesome artwork I had borrowed, but I feel like Olivia more then made up for it! Take a look at our "Concrete Circus" table!

This is Olivia before her
Raspberry Sorbet Spray Paint Make-Over

MWDA Team & Olivia, we heart her!

I also must say a huge thank you to all of the companies & people who helped with our table this year. Bradley Hughes for making our giant table, Pierce Martin for the Bar stools, Tecnosedia for the Seat Cushions, Gloriosa Design for the Drapes, Brian Patrick Flynn & Armour & Co. for their Jonathon Adler Animals, & Stray Dog Designs for the paper mache happiness!

Kitty Surprise

I would like to introduce you to Kitty Surprise. She technically belongs to Brian Patrick Flynn, but we share custody. Have you ever seen anything so tacky and fantastic all wrapped up into one ceramic bundle of joy?!?! Today Kitty Surprise got her picture taken while she was playing in the garden outside my office. I think she's fantastic in the most awful way!

BPF's Reading Material

So, I hope you all loved the things Brian Patrick Flynn hearts, and now I have him back for more! I feel like design books are always inspiring and always look good. It doesn't have to be interiors, it can be fashion, jewelry, anything that you find interesting...with pretty pictures. Now as a designer I must say I reference books all the time and I am always on the hunt for good ones. I always find it interesting to see what books my fellow designers are drawing inspiration from and I think it's important to share that source. That being said, here are BPF's favorite design books...

She's amazing.

This is just priceless! Vintage Better Homes & Gardens

No surprise here!

Brilliant!

Design Really is for Everyone!

BPF hearts....

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2. Pittsburgh Paints - especially the color "Fog"


3. George Nelson Bubble Lamps



4. Baseball Stitching on Upholstery



5. Large Scale Photography