When Mom and I started Design Chic in 2010, we thought we were going to blog for one year. The major purpose of Design Chic was going to be to share things that we loved with each other. We certainly never expected anyone to actually read it or anything crazy like that. Nine years and several hundred thousand followers later we never in a million years could have imagined that we would have met so many incredible, talented, amazing people through this website.
One of our favorite people we’ve met in the last nine years? Hands-down, Marshall Watson, whose stunning East Hampton home we are touring today.
We have long been amazed by Marshall’s ability to shift from one style to another very different one with effortless ease, making each home uniquely suited to its owners, for years. Nowhere is that fact better evidenced than in his gorgeous book, The Art of Elegance. (If you don’t have it, treat yourself today! You’ll thank us!)
When Marshall and his husband Paul Sparks made the trek all the way to Beaufort, NC, where I live, to speak about The Art of Elegance, we recognized immediately that Marshall was as gracious and kind (and fun!) as we had thought.
Even still, we never could have imagined what happened next.
Marshall was incredibly instrumental in making me a part of East Hampton Authors Night a few weeks ago, and even more amazingly, he opened his home for the most idyllic dinner party you could imagine. A long table spread across Marshall and Paul’s porch, steps from their enviable garden with the cool late summer breeze coming off of Gardiner’s Bay, which sparkled just beyond.
And, if you think Marshall and Paul’s home is stunning in pictures, you should see it in real life. The couples’ finds are paired with beautiful pieces from Marshall’s own collection–like these intricately designed end tables and coffee table–to create a truly one-of-a-kind look that is supremely elegant.
Marshall never forgets about the ceiling, as is evidenced in almost every room of his home,
And unique, well thought out touches, like this antique chandelier that creates a candlelit wonderland, reflect the couple’s sentiments and style.
Lovely Delft tiles grace many of the rooms in the home, creating unity and a nod to the sea beyond the door.
Among the glamour, though, this house doesn’t ever take itself too seriously.
Lyrics of Marshall’s father’s favorite song, Blue Skies, add a meaningful and slightly whimsical element to the well-appointed chef’s kitchen.
Guests are treated like royalty in a truly lovely guest bedroom, complete with Swedish furnishings–
And luscious linens.
Even in the bathrooms, not a single detail is overlooked.
And in the gorgeous master, the view beyond the windows of idyllic Gardiner’s Bay is the most stunning focal point imaginable.
This is hands-down my favorite shot of our incredible evening, taken at the very end of the night. It makes me laugh every time I see it!
Marshall at the helm of the gorgeous table he created. Many of the flowers are from Marshall and Paul’s garden and the delicious meal–cooked by Marshall–was also largely grown in their own backyard. Amazing!
Mom and me having a blast!
Needless to say, we hope to return to East Hampton very soon. Marshall and Paul, thank you so much for opening your stunning home to us–and for sharing it with Design Chic readers today!
Thanks so much for making Design Chic a part of your day! We always love seeing you here!
Five Days of Giveaways!
We’re celebrating Feels Like Falling with five days of giveaways! To enter ALL FIVE giveaways, simply:
PreorderFeels Like Falling from you favorite independent bookstore or online retailer.
You will be entered in ALL FIVE giveaways–and will receive upcoming freebies when they’re available such as deleted scenes from Feels Like Falling, exclusive interviews, fun printables, great recipes and more!
We’re Giving Away:
Tuesday, August 20: 1 Signed Copy of Happy Hand Lettering, the fabulous new book by one of my favorite NC gals, Maghon Taylor of All She Wrote Notes! *WINNER ANNOUNCED OVER ON INSTAGRAM @kristywharvey! Wednesday, August 21: A pair of Sassie Rocks Beach Babiesbracelets for you and your BRF! (That’s your best reader friend.) Thursday, August 22: One dozen gorgeously decorated, undeniably delicious cookies from Southern Sugar Bakery! Friday, August 23: THE VERY FIRST advance copy of Feels Like Falling! (To be shipped on Sept. 20.) Saturday, August 24: A signed pillow from Craig Conover of Southern Charm’s Sewing Down South Collection–from Beaufort Linen Co.‘s August 24th in-store event! (I’ll be there. Hope to see you!)
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Good morning, readers! We hope your Tuesday is off to a great start! I’m heading to Birmingham this morning for some fun meetings for my next novel, The Southern Side of Paradise, and I couldn’t be more excited to visit one of my favorite cities. (Plus, I got hubby some of those awesome noise-cancelling headphones for Christmas and I might or might not have snuck them into my suitcase…)
I’m a bit of a homebody, (which is kind of ironic since I travel for weeks at a time now!) so it was sort of shocking to me when, on my first trip to Mountain Brook, my favorite Birmingham suburb, I decided that I could really move there and be as happy as a clam. That’s saying something!
Finding new places to love is probably the best part of book tour–and I found out a few years ago that I’m a big fan of our our biggest state: Texas!
I am so, so thrilled to be taking my very first trip to Dallas–home of the beyond fabulous designers of Jenkins Interiors– this May.
If the rest of Dallas is anything like their gorgeous work, I think I’m in for a treat!
When we think of Texas, we think of making a statement, of doing something just a little bit out of the ordinary in the best possible way.
We think these designers excel at that very thing,
Good morning, readers! We hope you are having a fabulous 4th of July week! Either way, it’s about to get better! A chic mix of antiques and modern furniture with vibrant, well-placed accessories, art and pops of color make each of VSP Interiors‘s spaces statement making. From luxurious living rooms to cute kids’ rooms, there’s something for everyone!
Thanks so much for stopping by today. We always love seeing you here!
Thanks so much for making Design Chic a part of your day. We always love seeing you here!
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If you’re looking for something to read, make sure to grab a copy of The Southern Side of Paradise , one of Southern Living‘s best beach reads, to slip in your tote. And take an EXTRA 15% Off at Barnes and Noble
If you haven’t started the Peachtree Bluff Series yet, now is the perfect time! The first book in the series, Slightly South of Simple, has released in mass market paperback–and it’s #14 on the bestseller list! Pick it up at your favorite bookstore, local grocery store, drugstore or retail store
Each perfectly orchestrated area of this family house makes it feel like home.
We think it would be nearly impossible to pick a favorite room, a favorite detail. But if we had to, we think the bathroom in this dream home might take the cake!
What is your idea of a dream home? Is is luxurious, modern and spacious like this or something a little simpler? We’d love to know!
We hope you had an amazing weekend and are so grateful that you stopped by Design Chic to spend a bit of your Monday with us. We always love it when you do!
If you’re like us, your bar stools get a lot of use. From a quick on-the-way-to-school breakfast to cocktails after work, the heart of the home is one of our favorite gathering spots–and there’s a lot of sitting, leaning and general wear and tear that happens around our bar stools, so they need to be chic yet durable. Check out a few of our favorite looks to make the space around the kitchen island even more beloved.
Which bar stools are your favorite? Thanks so much for making Design Chic a part of your day! We hope it’s terrific!
Resolving to read more this year? Pick up your copy of Slightly South of Simple, the first novel in my Peachtree Bluff series, and preorder book 2, The Secret to Southern Charm, releasing April 3! I have the best readers in the whole wide world! Thank you so much for your support.
Thanks so much for making Design Chic a part of your day!
THE 2018 SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM TOUR:
Feb. 1: “Literacy is Key: A Book & Author Event,” 3700 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN; Sponsored by Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association; tickets are $55, purchase tickets online at memphis.kappa.org; 10:00 am-2:00 pm, open to the public
March 15: Official Launch and Fundraiser for Pat Conroy Center at the home of Alison and Mark Guilloud, Beaufort, SC, cocktail buffet, portion of proceeds to benefit the Center, 6:00 pm
March 21: Westminster Towers, 1330 India Hook Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732, tea with accompaniments, tickets are $20, reservations at 803-328-5000, must pay by check or cash before event; 4:00 pm, public
March 22: 2018 Friends of Joyner Library Spring Banquet, East Carolina University fundraiser, Greenville Hilton, 207 Greenville Blvd SW, Greenville, NC 27834 tickets are $75 and include signed copy of The Secret to Southern Charm; (Checks payable to Friends of Joyner Library and mail to Joyner Library, Office of Library Development, 2400 Joyner Library, Mail Stop 516, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858 or online at http://www.ecu.edu/cs-lib/giving/friends.cfm), doors open at 5:30 pm, event from 6:00-8:30 pm
March 31: Sips, Sweets and Southern Charm, Beaufort Linen Co., 331 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 1:00-4:00, free and open to the public
April 2: Rowan Regional Public Library Friends of the Library Meeting, Salisbury, NC
April 3: Launch party at South Main Book Co., Salisbury, NC, 5:00-7:00 pm, free and open to the public
April 4: Holcomb Reading Club in Spartanburg at Spartanburg CC, Spartanburg, SC, 11:30 am, private event
April 4: Afternoon tea, Poinsett Club, 807 East Washington Street, Greenville, SC, ticketed event, open to members, For tickets Stacia Smith, (864) 242-3062, [email protected], 3:00 pm, private
April 5: Kiawah Reads talk and signing, Sandcastle Community Center, 23 Beachwalker Drive, Kiawah Island, SC 29407, beverages and light snacks, Contact Mandi Danker [email protected] for tickets, 11:00 am, open to the public
April 5: Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library, 509 S Dargan St., Florence, SC 29506, Contact Mary Wiser, Friends of Florence County Library, 843-413-7065, [email protected], 6:00 pm, open to the public
April 6: Moveable Feast through Litchfield Books; Litchfield Beach, SC, contact is Vicky Crafton, 843-237-8138, [email protected], 11:00 am with signing at bookstore at 2:00 pm, open to the public
April 6: “The Secret to Southern Charm at Woodhouse Day Spa,” Woodhouse Day Spa, 725 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, wine and nibbles, Contact is Kimberly Powell, 843-203-1772, [email protected], 4:30-6:00 pm, open to the public
April 7: Wine, Women & Wisdom, Southern Style, launch of this luncheon series at Buxton Books, 2A Cumberland Street, Corner of Concord and Cumberland, Charleston, SC 29401, Contact Polly Buxton, [email protected], 843-696-5050, noon-2:00 pm, open to the public
April 8: Southern Sweet Tea Author Talk & Book Signing at Summerville Library presentation Dorchester County Library, 76 Old Trolley Road, Summerville, SC 29485, tea, water, lemonade, and pastries served; Contact is Leslie Koller, [email protected], 842-871-5075 ext. 220, 2:00 pm, free and open to the public
April 9: “Books and Bites” at Fernandina Beach Library, 25 N. 4th St., Fernandina Beach, FL with sandwiches and tea, organized through The Book Loft, 214 Centre St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, “meet and greet” with signing, contact events person is Christy LeLait, [email protected], store: 904-261-8991, 11:30 am, open to the public
April 9: The Bookshelf, 126 S. Broad St., Thomasville, GA 31792, Book Clubs and Beach Reads: A conversation with Kristy Woodson Harvey, wine and cheese provided, ContactAshley Sherlock [email protected], [email protected], 6:30 pm, free and open to public
April 10: “Books and Bites,” Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Gulf County, 110 Library Drive, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456, contact is Nancy Brockman, [email protected], 850-229-8879, 12:00-2:00 pm, free and open to the public
April 10: Sundog Books, 89 Central Square, Seaside, FL 32459, Contact Dwan Dawson-Tape, 850-231-5481, [email protected], 4:00-5:00 pm, free and open to the public
April 11: Dothan Country Club,”Lunch and Learn,” 200 South Cherokee Avenue. Dothan, Alabama, $20 ticket includes buffet and author presentation. Call 334-791-2706 or email [email protected] to rsvp. Ticket paid for at the door , 11:30 am CST, open to the public
April 11: Bay Point Book Clubs’ Cocktails with Kristy, 5:00 pm, private
April 12: St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club Ladies Auxiliary Luncheon, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd, Panama City, FL 32401, 11:30 am, private
April 13: Pfeiffer University Friends of the Library Book and Author Luncheon, Pfeiffer University, Highway 52 North, Misenheimer, N.C. 28109, hosted by Pfeiffer University Friends of the Library, tickets are $30.00 for Friends members and $40 for nonmembers; Tickets will be available on the University’s website in mid-January. They will also be available by calling the Advancement Office at 704-463-3034, event from 11:00 am-1:15 pm, open to the public
April 14: Catawba College Dinner, Salisbury, NC, private
April 15: Signing at High Point Furniture Market, High Point, NC, Details TBA
April 16: The Country Bookshop, 140 NW Broad Street, Southern Pines, NC28387, 5:00 pm, free and open to the public
April 17: SC Entertainment Television talk in Kinston, NC, private
April 17: Sips and Sweets, Community Council for the Arts, 100 N. Queen St., Kinston, NC, 100% of book purchase price will be donated to CCA, to reserve a copy or purchase a copy to pick up at a later date, call (252) 527-2517, free and open to the public
April 19: Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library,269 Hillsmere Dr., Annapolis, MD 21403, event contact is Amanda Spino, 410-222-1770, [email protected], 6:30 pm, free and open to the public
April 22: Reading at ROOT, Manasquan, NJ, please register through BookTowne, Contact is Maribeth Pelly, [email protected], 732-722-7255, 3:00 pm, free and open to the public
April 23: Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., Westerville, OH 43081, free but registration required at 341-282-9232; 7:00 pm, open to the public
April 24: Meet Author Kristy Harvey at Parma Branch Library, 6996 Powers Blvd, Parma, OH 44129, organized by Cuyahoga County Public Library, Contact is Billy Kelly, [email protected], 216.749.9359, 7:00 pm, free and open to the public
April 26: “Books and Bites,” Macon County Library, 149 Siler Farm Rd, Franklin, North Carolina 28734, Light refreshments will be provided, 12 pm, free and open to the public
April 30: The Secret to Southern Charm: Kristy’s tips for living a beautiful life, inspired by Southern interior design and entertaining; Huff Harrington Home Store, 3872 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30342, refreshments provided; Contacts are Meg Harrington and Ann Huff: [email protected], 404-467-0311 , 1:00-3:00 pm, free and open to the public
May 1: Reynolds Plantation Linger Longer Cultural Series, Lake Club, 1000 Vista Dr., Greensboro, GA 30624, contact Marie Garrison, Cultural Arts Director, [email protected], 5:00 pm
May 2: Charleston, SC UNC Alumni Event
May 5: Run for the Roses: Kentucky Derby Party, Elizabethan Gardens, 1411 National Park Dr, Manteo, NC 27954, ticketed event; The classic event of the genteel south comes to The Elizabethan Gardens. Dress in style and enjoy the revels and embellishments of the race at this fundraising extravaganza that benefits three Outer Bank non-profits: The Elizabethan Gardens, Beach Food Pantry and Dare Education Foundation. Sponsored by Outer Banks Blue Realty. Expect a traditional southern affair with mint juleps, live and silent auctions, sumptuous derby pie, a hat contest and an assortment of live music, games and entertainment as you enjoy the beautiful gardens and anticipate the big race to be broadcast live.; Contact Jamie Anderson at Downtown Books, 252-473-1056, [email protected]; 4:00 pm, open to the public
June 17: Raleigh, NC Read & Go program, Salisbury, NC Tour, Contact
June 20: Luncheon with Mary Alice Monroe benefiting Beaufort Historical Society in Beaufort, NC; luncheon at Coral Bay Club; ticketed event, Contact is Patricia Suggs, [email protected]; 252-728-5225; open to the public
July 17: Ladies Day Luncheon at Dunes Club, Atlantic Beach, NC, 12 pm, private
DON’T FORGET, THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM IS AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER BY CALLING YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE, ANY OF THE FABULOUS BOOKSTORES ABOVE OR AT INDIEBOUND, AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE OR WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD!
It is incredible how one piece, used in a different way in a home, can look entirely different. Like, how this antique entrance hall chest, could look stuffy in a room full of other antiques, but, in the hands of Kristin Paton Interiors, accessorized with light, bright, up-to-date pieces, becomes an up-to-date statement.
Or how French sconces, when combined with abstract art, take on a look that is young and eclectic, not stuffy.
That is the real gift, we believe, the mix of finishes and fixtures, textures and tones that defines a room and a home so beautifully and well.
From a bright, window-filled shore escape that is light and spacious,
To a darker office that feels like the perfect place to do business–or play chess,
Kristin Paton is an expert at combining elements to create a statement.
Paton creates signature spaces that ooze with style.
This uniquely chic office is perfect for work or play,
One signature piece of art defining the color scheme.
This aqua and pink scheme is so chic for a bedroom as well. We think it’s safe to say that, no matter where Kristin Paton lends her touch, it turns out beautifully!
With only two weeks until the Slightly South of Simple release–and one week until the tour begins–we can’t wait to meet some of you in person. Thank you so much to Glitter Guide for choosing Slightly South of Simple as an April “Must Read!”
