I love color and beautiful pattern.
While I do love the neutral palettes, I always gravitate toward rooms
with beautiful color, texture and pattern.
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of touring two Designer Showhomes
in two different states. Yes, I get around!
One in Birmingham, Alabama and one in Cashiers, N.C.
We shall begin with the one in Birmingham, Alabama.
THE SOUTHERN LIVING IDEA HOUSE 2016
THE DINING ROOM
I love the beautiful colors of the corals, rose, blues and greens.
I was thinking of my master bedroom colors while I was taking photos of this room.
I so love the pattern of the drapes.
They are Wentworth by Cowtan and Tout and
how about that beautiful banquette.
The dining room is quite large
and it was filled with many beautiful furnishings
that complimented the exquisite dining room table and chairs.
The dining room was designed by Margaret Kirkland.
I love how she mirrored the tables and mirrors on both sides of the room.
To me, the dining room had a beautiful Southern Plantation feel.
Especially with these lovely louvered doors.
It’s all about the details.
The table was of course exquisitely set.
China by Royal Limoges.
The table linens are by Julia B. Couture Linens
Oh how I wish I could have taken this fabulous antique garden table home with me!
But, I do have the Pottery Barn basket in my dining room 🙂 holding my Fiddle Leaf Fig trees.
Now on to the other Designer Showhouse Dining Room
THE CASHIERS, NORTH CAROLINA HISTORIAL SOCIETY DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE
THE DINING ROOM
As you wil see the Cashiers Designer Showhouse dining room
is quite different from the Southern Living Idea House.
I feel as if I am in an elegant garden party setting.
Beautifully done bringing the outdoors in.
Bright green floral patterns, accessories, the simply elegant chandelier
and the wonderful live greenery so lend to the garden party setting.
I noticed on this place setting, the name Candler was on the place card.
Since the designer, Liz Williams is from Atlanta and the name Candler
is associated with the Coca-Cola family . . . I wondered hmmmm…a name associated with Atlanta?
On each side of the window are matching tables and matching mirrors.
Kim was eyeing this antique lidded basket
underneath this table.
On the other side of the room was this gorgeous antique chest.
All of the furnishings and most of the accessories
in the Cashiers Showhouse were for sale.
I think this is one of my favorite areas of this dining room.
The sweet bench in the bay window between the two antique tables.
By the way, it was sold.
I know this post is heavy on the photos; however,
allow me to show you three more photos. Some of my favorites.
They are of a second story balcony of the Cashiers Showhouse.
The balcony had a gorgeous small garden party table set up.
It made you want to grab your straw summer hat, some clippers and a basket
and start clipping away to gather flowers for the house.
And how about this magnificent live greenery chandelier?
Who wouldn’t want to sit here and enjoy the view for hours on end.
As the door opens it would probably say, “Come sit with me and have some tea. …. Sweet tea that is!”
I hope you loved the tour of these fabulous Showhouse dining rooms that I visited this past weekend.
Both so different, and having one thing is common . . . Beauty!
So which one would you prefer if you had a choice of re-decorating your dining room?
That is, if you are a fan of color like I am!
Have a most beautiful day!!
P.S. Blogger Friends Update!
I also got to spend some time with great friends this weekend.
Stayed with my dear friend Kim (who is also a blogger as you know) and Mr. Savvy.
We traveled to Cashiers, NC. together to see the Cashier’s 2016 Designer Showhouse
This “foggy” photo was taken in the patio of the Showhouse.
My hubby and I then traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to see the 2016 Southern Living Idea House.
My blogger friend Pam of Everyday Living and her sweet hubby met us for a late lunch
after we toured the Idea House.
I have never met Pam before and it was great to spend time with her and her hubby.
Pam is a delight!
And then, about 2 months ago, when we were in Louisville, KY, I met up with
sweet Sheila of My Kentucky Living and her hubby.
Notice my outfit….I am going to call it the “meet my blogger friends for the first time outfit”
Again, have a beautiful day!!
SWOON Shirley! Both houses are gorgeous but the garden table in Cashiers is calling to me! What beautiful little oasis of green and table to escape to during a hot summer. Fun you got to meet up with Pam, Sheila and Kim while touring too 🙂
I knew you would choose that garden themed dining room Mary…it definitely says “you”!
We had so much fun together and even though I have not see the SLH yet I loved the Cashiers dining room. And yes, I wanted that basket, but way over what I’ll pay for one!
Oh my goodness, I so love seeing corals in decor. Love the Cashiers centerpiece with ferns especially. And Candler is a small town near here, but not sure that would be the connection. They are both gorgeous and unique with the blend of traditional with some modern elements, which I love.
Shirley, you were so close to us — maybe 30 minutes away:-)
Oh my Anita!…if I had known that we would have called you and had a meet up!!!!….Next time! And yes, the name on the place card could have very well been after the town too!
Wow, eye candy! The second one is more my taste. The balcony area is really pretty – love the live greenery chandy!
Always fun to meet up with other bloggers. You look adorable – it’s a cute outfit on you!
Hands down I LOVE the Southern Living dining room best. Not to say the other one is not lovely but I, too, love the colors!!! Also it is so elegant!!! And HUGE!!! I wish I had such a beautiful dining room. The furnighings in the Cashiers room were beautiful, loved that chest especially! The garden party balcony table was fabulous!!!!! You were very fortunate to meet up with 3 blogging friends!!!!!!!
I love the green dining room SO much more than the first one shown. It’s restful, calm and much less frenetic. I sure wouldn’t want to have to dust those louvered doors.
Love everything about the Cashiers room – all that restful green and in unexpected places. That chandelier is killer…wow! Nice to see the contrasts in the two rooms. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
What beautiful rooms! I, like you, love color, and everything I read tells how color and pattern are making a big comeback in design. It would be hard to choose a favorite room. I really like the second one though. However, there are also things I loved about the first room. I love the tables mirroring each other on each side of the room. What a beautiful statement. I am with you on that beautiful garden side table. I would love to have that in my home! Thanks for sharing your trip with us. It sounds like you had such a fun time! I hope that you have a Happy Tuesday!!!
Shirley, I wish I had known you were at the Southern Living Idea House. I would have loved to meet you. I live just across the road from Mt. Laurel. So many things I like in both of the houses!
I love that area Patti…yes, that would have been nice to have met you!
Shirley,
You certainly DO get around! LOL I know everyone was thrilled to hang out with you! I love both dining rooms but the one in NC? BIG SIGH! I love the informality of it and how it flows out to the porch. Just beautiful! Thanks for taking us along on the tour!
What beautiful photos, Shirley!! That garden party on the balcony could very easily have been on your veranda! I had to do a double take! How fun that you got the chance to meet up with your blogger friends. I am sure you had a great time!
They are both beautiful but I much prefer the Cashiers dining room design, it is very organic and more soothing. I think it would not take me long to tire of the Birmingham room…a little too over decorated for my taste. Just my opinion.
Both homes had some pretty decor But….that balcony at Cashiers NC was just So pretty!!! Love all the greenery! You do get around Shirley…glad you got to meet bloggers.
Oh Shirley, be still my heart. They were both stunning, but I liked the second one the best. That table out on the terrace was also so very pretty.
Oh how fun to meet up with friends and meet fellow bloggers.
Thanks so much for taking us along on this great tour.
Mary
Both houses have so many nice features. I especially like the linens and all the table settings used on the tables. My favorite is the outdoor table on the balcony. The ferns, flowers and accessories are so pretty. Thanks for sharing these tours with us.
Enjoyed seeing Shelia, Pam, Kim and you with your husbands.
Well,I love color and the color in these houses! So much eye candy that I can’t pick just one. Well, maybe the beautiful drapes. I love gorgeous fabric and beautifully made window treatments. You sure do get around lady! How many miles have you logged this summer. Ha! ? At least you know what to wear the next time you meet another blogger friend! Keeps it easy that way.
Hi Shirley,
Love the second one. The dining room is gorgeous and I love that table. Glad you had fun with Kim and Mr. Savvy. You and Tom are so much fun to hang with. Glad you are getting to meet other new bloggers too. Love that you have a meet the bloggers outfit lol! Too cute. Have a great rest of the week.
Kris
I love all three tables! I did notice that both of the larger tables had gorgeous linens too as an added feature! Sounds like you had a very wonderful weekend!
Gorgeous tables! I love getting to know fellow bloggers, don’t you? (Cute outfit, BTW.)
Both dining rooms are really gorgeous! I love rooms with lots of color, I used to have lots of bold colors in my own home. Now I prefer a softer palette. Glad you were able to meet up with friends….
~Des
Shirley, hopefully I won’t lose this comment! What a pleasure to meet you and your sweet husband! I loved reading the comments on the two houses. Having seen the Southern Living Idea House, I love all the color in that dining room. I think the art work is definitely a modern approach and fun, I wouldn’t have personally used it for myself. The lush window treatment fabric is almost identical to the fabric in a guest room in my home. That was the first thing I noticed when I stepped into the room, my fabric was made by Schumacher and is at least twelve years old! The dining room in Cashiers is also lovely with the verdant green, I do love the fabric on the windows…this room appears to be English in style, which I love. The antique English chest is a real beauty! Pam @ Everyday Living
Hi, Shirley. The balcony on the Cashiers home is beautiful, especially the wonderful chandelier!
Both dinning rooms are amazing, but I do like the white in the first set… Exquisite…