Backyard Hideaway: An At-Home Retreat

My husband and I tried to plant Bermuda grass about a month or two ago. Well...with 110-degree temperatures and water-rationing out the whazoo—stage 4 to be exact—our attempt was unsuccessful. So now, as I look out my window and watch my 2-year-old play atop cracked soil and sharp, hay-like blades of dead grass, I can't help but imagine a backyard oasis.


I empathize with Clark Griswold's pool obsession in Christmas Vacation. As he looks out into his stale backyard on Christmas Eve, he envisions a grand pool, where his kids play, his brother-in-law overserves himself and his wife sunbathes in a wide-brimmed hat. Supermodel Nicolette Scorsese beckons him from the diving board. He then becomes glued to the window while she taunts him ... that is until he is interrupted by his wire-haired niece-in-law. The booger-nosed interruption to my mirage is the scorching pain in the {bleep} better known as the Texas heat wave. What's a girl to do? Continue to dream, I suppose. Join me!

Hide and Seek: Extraordinary Animal Accents

I'm a sucker for animal hides. Maybe it's a Texas thing, but cowides and zebra skins add depth and character to any room, whether it be contemporary or minimalistic, rustic or rich. In searching for inspiration for my dining room, I stumbled across a few exceptional designs and thought I would share them with you. 

Don't be afraid to use cowhide on top of floor covering. It draws the eyes across the room, whereas the beige patterned carpet would not.

A custom brown zebra rectangle floor covering adds depth to this charismatic indigo room.

If ever there was a way to dress down a powder room, this is it. The cowhide makes this bathroom feel more like a living area.

The homeowner appropriately chose to use a simple white cowhide in this primitive, rustic living area.

I generally don't care for small hides, but this calfhide adds a bit of character to this bedroom's dark painted hardwood floors.

Perfectly poised, this room dons an oversized white cowhide that complements the minimalistic white French-style furniture.

I would have never imagined using a cowhide to cover a daybed, but I'm totally in love with it.

The key attribute in this room is the use of color. But the use of hides was brilliant and not overdone. The zebra mount and zebra-covered bench bring just the right amount of personality and pattern to this master sitting area.

Covering a regency-style chair with cowhide and pairing it with an aqua oushack rug and gold accessories is simply genius. 

Bergere chairs tend to find themselves placed in the most demure of sitting areas. However, covering them in cowhide and distressing the piece's frame allows them to blend perfectly into any setting.

Ride, Baby, Ride: Children + Horse Photography

My baby's first horseback ride >>

I think it's fair to say that children's photography has changed quite a bit since the early 1900s ... and thank goodness for that!

Enjoy this inspirational collection of children + horse photography >>

Photography: Lori Faith Merritt

Photography: Art By Lena Kids

Deshazo Photography

Synda Rorex Photography

Synda Rorex Photography

Red Bubble

Photography: Simplymarvelous.com

Outdoor Eye Candy

While I'm on the subject of DIY Tree Art, I thought I would include a few pieces of eye candy bound to make you smile!

Deep Rooted: DIY Tree Art

My husband and I got married beneath a wild piece of natural art about three and a half years ago {see pic below}. Since then, I've had an undeniable affinity for tree art. So below, enjoy, admire and be inspired by a few whimsical DIY tree crafts. 

Have an artist draw a tree with dozens of far-reaching branches. Then have everyone in or family—or all of your wedding guests—dab their thumb into green, brown or gold ink, and use their fingerprint to create a leaf on your family, or love, tree.

 

Not Your Grandmother's Pearls

Pearls Redefined: Pearls are a staple of vintage glamour, fit for the most demure of outfits ... that was until the Fall 2011 collections reinvented pearl statement necklaces. This season you will find pearls paired with spikes and chains, crystals and gold. Below are eight pieces sure to complement all things prim, proper or punk. 

Kate Spade Pearl Street Statement Necklace, $448

RJ Graziano Pearl Shag Necklace, $250

Lulu Frost Quad Pearl Pipe Necklace, $412

Venessa Arizaga Time At Sea Necklace, $360

Fallon Pearl And Chain Necklace, $250

Bijoux Heart Laque Gold Plated Necklace, $1400

Blu Bijoux Faux Pearl Drop Necklace, $46

Oscar de la Renta Mesh Pearl Necklace, $595