Design Crisis: Now 100% Internet Syphilis Free

Sorry about all the drama with that login crap on our site... happy to report that is has been fixed up and we are planning to use condoms from now on. Seriously, what is up internet? How come you keep infecting us with your dumb herpes? Turns out the code in one of the pictures we used was pointing to another site. So rude. Anyway, I'm still staring at the fireplace and running through various permutations to determine the most excellent outcome. I had almost decided to tear half of that monstrosity down when Karly rekindled an idea first sparked by this picture:

This is commenter MB From Dallas' gorgeous home (featured in entirety at Head Over Heels -- check out the landscaping!!!). I keep thinking about how that fireplace extends all the way to the ceiling and wishing hoping wondering if I could possibly do that too.

A reminder of the horrifying vision that greets us every day. The ceiling actually keeps going for several more feet up there, so extending the fireplace would be quite a job.

Love the ziggurat of white brick, but I think we'd be better off just continuing the fireplace up in a straight line.

So what do you peeps think? Tear half of the fireplace down? Build it all the way up?

Shake me to my senses and say, "just paint the damn thing already!"?

Back 2 Life, Back 2 Reality

Now that I have implanted a devious musical seed in your collective head that will surely germinate and take over the rest of your day, let me just say that it's good to be back. New Orleans was fantastic! Amazing! Splendiferous! But we're still in the process of home renovations, last minute repairs, and the inevitable move which is scheduled for next week. That's right -- D Day is one week from today and I'm shaking in my boots (because it's 56 windy degrees this morning and I can wear them -- who dat?!). We have NOTHING ready. Nothing. So, while I would love to regale you with tales of my trip, with pictures of my new floors, and with a big reveal of Sander's handipaintwork, I just can't this morning. Because I have to pack up my entire life into tiny boxes, taking care to leave toothbrushes and undergarments accessible at all times. Excuse my tres gauche patois here, but it's going to be a clusterfuck, y'all.

Nevermind all that. Let's look at this beautiful house designed by Tyler Dawson, shall we?

I don't get House Beautiful but I should, because the November issue was pretty swell. Thanks to my decor obsessed hairdresser Lisa for letting me slobber all over her copy.

I'm really trying to work up some nervy color palettes for New House. I think the paint color was a huge step in the right direction, but now what???

A colorful rug would be a chic, family friendly choice since pattern hides dirt (and strawberry jello) so well. I am obsessed with this Chinese deco rug. There are a few on craigslist I've been stalking for a while, but I have yet to find one under a grand. I'm also considering a non neutral couch...

I may even get some patterned curtains for the kid and guest rooms. I know? Who the bleep am I???

Perhaps I am experiencing some residual delirium from all the absinthe and jambalaya, but I don't think so.

What do you think about non neutral large pieces like couches and rugs? Crazy or crazy good?

The Tudors

We're still (eternally) shopping for houses, and I need your savvy input. What do you think of Tudor home design?

Sure this sucker is wearing way too much eyeliner, but is there anything that could be done to save it -- to modern it up while retaining its vintage English charm?

I mean, I really always imagined myself in something more like so, but Daddy Warbucks hasn't adopted me yet. What if I did up that Tudor more like this?

And less like this?

Could it work?

[Elle Decor, AD, Living Etc]