Good morning, chic readers! As the world spins faster and we get busier, it becomes increasingly important for our homes to be the soothing retreats we need to unwind. There’s no place where that is more important than in the first place you see in the morning and the last place you visit at night: the master bathroom. Take a peek at some of our favorite tips for creating a spa-like master bathroom retreat.
Maximize Light. If you have the luxury of a bathroom free from neighbors, natural light is one of the fastest ways to make a bathroom feel open, airy and spa-like.
2. Invest in Quality. There are some rooms in the home where you can get by with scrimping, but, in the bathroom, where everything from floors to faucets to hardware get a ton of use, it makes sense to invest in the best quality you can afford.
3. Glam it Up. From beautiful brass or stainless accents to pretty light fixtures, a little glamour can go a long way!
4. Don’t Forget Storage. There’s nothing worse than creating a stunning bathroom only to have it filled with clutter. Plenty of storage ensures that hair irons and toiletries stay out of sight but readily available.
5. Make it Feel Like Home. Depending on what kind of feel you want your bathroom retreat to have, incorporating vanities that feel like furniture and comfort items like chairs from other rooms can really make your bathroom comfortable and in keeping with the tone of the rest of your home.
6. Make a List of Must-Haves. In any room, it’s important to focus on your priorities. For us, it’s always the bathtub and the light fixtures, but whatever your priorities are, make sure to put them in the budget first so you know where to splurge and where to save.
7. Don’t Forget the Architectural Details. As with any room, it’s the details that really make a room memorable. In a spot with so much moisture, art can be tricky, so focusing on fabulous molding and woodworking details adds interest.
8. Make it Comfortable. Maybe it sounds obvious, but any room that you want to feel like a sanctuary should be comfortable! We love this sweet and cozy vanity stool!
9. Play it up with Pattern. Let’s face it. Bathrooms can be boring. In a room where you want to stick with a simple palette, a little bit of pattern can go a long way toward defining a space.
10. Keep Your Favorite Essentials on Hand. Our favorite tip is the simplest: Make sure keep your favorite spa-like essentials on hand. Pretty sponges, favorite bath salts and that shampoo that makes your hair feel like you’ve just had a keratin treatment are inexpensive luxuries that add so much to your bathroom without a bit of demo!
What are your favorite ways to make your bathroom feel like a retreat?
Speaking of Southern Charm, if you haven’t checked out my Peachtree Bluff Series, beginning with Slightly South of Simple and continuing with my latest release, The Secret to Southern Charm, what are you waiting for? Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to get up to day on the Murphy girls and Peachtree Bluff, Georgia, a town where the breeze is warm, the sun is shining, and nothing is ever quite as simple as it seems!
If you’re planning your Summer vacation, make sure to grab a copy of THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM , one of Southern Living‘s best beach reads, to slip in you tote.
June 13: Raleigh, NC Read & Go program, Tour of Salisbury, NC based on Lies and Other Acts of Love, Raleigh Parks & Rec,(919)996-4723
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 11: Coral Bay Club Book Club, Atlantic Beach, NC, 12 pm
July 17: Ladies Day Luncheon at Dunes Club, Atlantic Beach, NC, 12 pm, private
July 25: Country Club of the Crystal Coast Author Dinner, Pine Knoll Shores, NC, 5 pm
DON’T FORGET, THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM IS AVAILABLE BY CALLING YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE, ANY OF THE FABULOUS BOOKSTORES ABOVE OR AT INDIEBOUND, AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE OR WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD!
For more inspiration visit our Instagram and Pinterestand our Top Ten Posts of 2017 here!
One of our Favorite Artists, Kendall Boggs, hosts 40% off Sale in Time for Mother’s Day! Follow her on Instagram at @kendallboggs or email kbdr @ aol.com.
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
May 10: Children’s Cancer Partners Fundraiser, Cornelius Yacht Club
May 21: Sassee Reads Books Club Chat
June 13: Raleigh, NC Read & Go program, Tour of Salisbury, NC based on Lies and Other Acts of Love, Raleigh Parks & Rec,(919)996-4723
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 11: Coral Bay Club Book Club, Atlantic Beach, NC, 12 pm
July 17: Ladies Day Luncheon at Dunes Club, Atlantic Beach, NC, 12 pm, private
July 25: Country Club of the Crystal Coast Author Dinner, Pine Knoll Shores, NC, 5 pm
DON’T FORGET, THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM IS AVAILABLE BY CALLING YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE, ANY OF THE FABULOUS BOOKSTORES ABOVE OR AT INDIEBOUND, AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE OR WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD!
We’ve said it before, and we’ll probably say it again: Fabulous furnishings are nothing without stunning photography. Perfectly filled bookcases look off balance, ideally proportioned chairs look too small… The list goes on and on and on. But, in the hands of a skilled professional, each room looks just as chicly amazing as it does in real life–and in the mind of the designer who dreamed it. One glance at the amazing photos by Alyssa Rosenheck, and we’re sure you’ll agree!
The juxtaposition of the raw wood ceiling with the crystal chandelier is gorgeous. The entire space makes a one-of-a-kind statement.
And, thanks to the lens that captured it all so well, we are sure you agree. Happy Tuesday, friends!
I just wanted to thank you so much for all of your support during these first few weeks of The Secret toSouthern Charm Book tour. My novel even became a TARGET FICTION BESTSELLER AND A BOOKSCAN NATIONAL BESTSELLER! Thank you, for helping to make my dreams come true, for telling your friends and writing reviews, for hosting and coming to my events . . . I am here today because of you, and, even though we may not have ever met, I count you as one of the people I am most grateful for every day.
THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM TOUR!
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
Apr. 20: Launch of Literary Luncheon series at The Annapolis Bookstore, 53 Maryland Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401, Contact is Mary Owen, 410-280-2339, [email protected]
April 21: Bethany Beach Books, 99 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, DE 19967, Time: 11:00AM-1:00PM
April 21: Browseabout Books, 133 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 3 until 5 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 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
May 10: Children’s Cancer Partners Fundraiser, Cornelius Yacht Club
May 21: Sassee Reads Books Club Chat
June 13: Raleigh, NC Read & Go program, Tour of Salisbury, NC based on Lies and Other Acts of Love, Raleigh Parks & Rec,(919)996-4723
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 11: Coral Bay Club Book Club, Atlantic Beach, NC, 12 pm
July 17: Ladies Day Luncheon at Dunes Club, Atlantic Beach, NC, 12 pm, private
July 25: Country Club of the Crystal Coast Author Dinner, Pine Knoll Shores, NC, 5 pm
We didn’t think the Blue Ridge mountains could get any more gorgeous, but it has happened. Atlanta architect D. Stanley Dixon and interior designer Heather Dewberry have made even more magic in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. We know. We’re really excited too! From the wood elements to the color palette it’s utter perfection at every turn. We hope you enjoy as much as we do!
Thanks so much for making Design Chic a part of your day. We always love seeing you here!
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My latest novel, THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM, releases on April 3, right in the thick of Spring Break! And, Southern Living just named it one of its “Best Spring Break Reads.” Hooray! Now is the perfect time to preorder!
Thanks so much for making Design Chic a part of your day–and don’t forget to enter to win two tickets and a night’s stay at City Loft in Beaufort, SC so that you can come be a part of THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM launch on March 15!
Enter to win TWO tickets to the launch event and 1 night at Beaufort’s City Loft Hotel by doing any or all of the following:
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!
As the year comes to an end, our kitchens begin to take center stage. The heart of home is certainly a vital part of our festivities and day-to-day lives all year round, but never do we realize their importance as much as when we’re cooking those holiday meals. For inspiration on how to live well in your kitchen, from now all the way into the New Year, take a page from Karr Bick Kitchen & Bath.
Wishing you a wonderful day with a bit of time to relax and enjoy .
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If you’re traveling over the holiday weekend, I’d love for you to pick up a copy of Slightly South of Simple! Happy weekend!
Now available in Audiobook – perfect for holiday weekend travels!
