Robert Couturier is My Homeboy

You know what is even more exciting than paint drama? Yesterday Robert Couturier left a comment on this post. I know I just casually typed that all deadpan like, but my heart is seriously trying to escape from my chest right now. The only thing keeping me in check is the restraining order that will most assuredly be issued against me should I become a little too rowdy whilst proclaiming my undying love for RC. Still, the man is a design god so it's not like I can just pretend that I'm not scrawling "Mrs Robert Couturier" over and over inside my "special" notebook. Here's why:

I am obsessed with his sculptural sensibility. The man understands space and how to create an element of surprise.

He knows how to make tradition fresh and livable.

He mixes and matches eras effortlessly.

Rest assured I am taking notes for my own suburban English mini mansion (all 2350 sq ft of it) -- how to strike the balance between overdone and underwhelming?

I think an aubergine sofa may be in order.

Thank you, Robert Couturier, for making my day year.

[Architectural Digest]

Full Spectrum Paint = Sexxxy

If you are a paint snob like moi you know all about full spectrum paint -- paint that uses double the number of pigments and no black to project a magic crystalline rainbow upon your walls. On countless blogs I have heard acolytes preach the holy gospel of Donald Kaufman and Ellen Kennon, but I attend the church of Sanders P. Gibbs III and that meant no fancy full spectrum paint for me... until Monday.

Custom mixed Donald Kaufman color on the walls.

Yes, you busters are probably wondering where your paint update is, because that bizness should already be underway, right? Wrong. Sanders called Monday morning telling me not to panic, but Benjamin Moore just released their line of full spectrum paints, called Color Stories.

Holy $%^$&^*! More choices!!! Well of course I panicked (duh). And then I ordered up a billion samples to complete the crazy quilt that is my living room wall situation.

Verdict: complete and utter obsession. I'm not sure if I just like the colors better, or if I was smitten (once again) with the Aura paint base, or if there truly is something magical and sparkly amazing about full spectrum paints, but I must have it in my life. Must. Have. It.

Here's the color I settled on... no really, I'm sure.

Sander's cut it to a 50% formula for me (by HAND because he doesn't trust the computer!) since it went dark on my walls. At 50%, it's light and airy -- a little orangey, a little pink. Totally peachy keen.

Paintocalypse it scheduled for Thursday. Stay tuned for updates.

Interloper

I'm not gonna lie -- I pretty much just googled "antelope rug" for today's post. In defense of my laziness I would like you to know that our old house is now under contract although we still have 856 people walking through at all hours, home inspectors are crawling up my ass like fire ants, I co hosted a bachelorette party with Karly on Saturday and I am still hung over, and Better Half Ben is home sick with the pukey vomits -- betcha I'm next.

Deep breath. Now look at these damn rugs.

I should probably be embarrassed to bust out this roundup, as a zillion bloggers have already beaten me to it. But since I came across a ton of images featuring creepy camouflaged men cradling dead antelopes during my search for big beautiful pictures, I feel like I have suffered sufficiently for this post.

Oh, and did I mention that the living room is being painted today? Cross your fingers and toes and eyes and pray that no one finds me hanging from the rafters when it's done.

Going to curl up in bed and hide for a few. Toodles.

[Amanda Nisbet, Cote de Texas, Ms. Blandings, Elle Decor, Perch]