I always love finding a new designer who is doing cool things so I can get inspired. The other day I was introduced to Michele Smith Boyd [we will be speaking on a panel together in NYC for Spring Market, stay tuned] and was wowed by his style. What I love is that he took his NYC experience straight to Atlanta and killed it. This is what I want to do in Austin, he totally inspires me. Check out his swanky interiors. Soft color palates, luxurious layers, pretty patterns, unique accessories and sexy shapes.

Get the Smith Boyd look:

metallic accents:

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smith boyd interiors

I've been hinting at a paint project with Valspar Paint that I've working on and I am so excited that now I'm finally getting around to sharing it with you. So, I decided to jump on the Love Your Color Guarantee campaign, I just love that commercial with the little chameleons. When they contacted me, I jumped at the chance because my family home has this overlooked guest bedroom that my grandmother usually stays in and its in desperate need of an overhaul. Hence the above photo & the before. I can't stand this room for her, she is such a chic little woman and I really feel she needs something a little more her speed. Instantly I thought this is the perfect opportunity to do a teal room. I just love the way this teal looks with white moldings & doors.

I decided to go shopping for colors and saw this ad for teal wall colors and noticed this Valspar Gypsy Teal color and how gorgeous and rich it is. As with all projects, I set out to create a mood board to really get me in the mind space for creating the design. I noticed that when I put together all the images that gave me the vibe that I wanted, I was leaning more towards a deep sea blue color, and less towards the hard teal. I think it has something to do with that gorgeous library that Steven Gambrel created featured in the latest House Beautiful. I love teal, but since my grandmother loves blue, I started to gravitate towards that color. Navy looks great with white molding too.

This room by David Hutton really stole my heart away. How wonderful are the pops of green? Now I am on the right track. Definitely a deep sea blue is the way to go. I decided to go with Newport Gray because its blue with hints of grey and green which is just what we are looking for. Finding a paint color you love is easier with Valspar. If you don’t love the first color you choose, you can have another on them. It’s as easy as, love your color, or change your color, thats the Love Your Color Guarantee! Now the painting begins. Stay tuned for the bedroom reveal.