so after a few wrong turns and a much longer drive than i anticipated, i finally made it to Atchison and YALL, it is a beautiful little town. I am such a dork because i was so excited (i am actually getting excited typing about it)…it was cold and rainy and i am a little “rushed” as I barrelled into the store and who is standing there looking all serene???? MARY CAROLE herself..so sweet and charming, just the ultimate shopkeeper as one of the commenters said on the previous post. I’ve even read she doesnt even have an office at her stores???? anyway, she hugged me and signed my book and i told her “i’ve come all the way from Texas” and she was just super nice. The sad part was i had to rush though the store because of time and there are (or were) THREE stores, the main Nell Hills store, the store with bedding in the old bank (name??) and the “big furniture pieces, not merchandised” store (my fave)..lots of neat old Art Deco buildings..LOVE THIS TOWN..it is on the banks of the Missouri River (right?) and just picturesque..i totally want to go back one day and do the Christmas tour… for those of you have been…i am jealous!;; and if you have been and have pictures to share, please link in the comments.

One last thing, i have to say the things i love the most about the entire Nell Hill “brand” are not just the books or the items for sale in the store but really the way it is all merchandised and the stores themselves..the black awnings, the urns, the logo..just the way it is all pulled together really appeals to me..i think deep down i would love to have a store..just not the responsibility!

and what did i buy? a cute little black tole looking tray (everything is reproduction in her stores pretty much..lots of smalls and qty because she has a massive demand but that is ok), some chunky glass knobs i have on my changing table AND the most genius thing you can buy RIGHT BEFORE YOU BOARD A PLANE…a little knife set..little antler not cheap knife set…brilliant! so on my way to the KC airport it dawns on me “knives, 9/11, they will throw them in the TRASH!” so i swooped in to a TINY post office in small town on the way to the KC airport, Kansas, and MAILED them to my home address! I am sure that little town postmaster thought i was nuts because i was in a rush, have i mentioned i was rushing! ha!

And now Mary Carole has an online store with some great decorator items that give a wonderful traditional and collected look for a great price point. She also has paint now i think! so check out her online store!

check back over the weekend for more Christmas eye candy, my gifts picks/faves list which will all be pretty cheap and will include some baby/children’s items, and more next week on that ‘keeping it simple’ thing!;; It is snowing in Texas (well sort of) yall stay warm!

On the way home from Thanksgiving we stopped by Barnes and Noble, isnt that the perfect place for a pit stop?..starbucks AND a thomas train table and BOOKS. I purchased this one…

From Mary Carol Garrity of the fab Nell Hill’s store in Kansas.
and it is a large, beautiful book. with wonderful images like this!

in fact, all of her books are great..I particularly love the first one Nell Hill Style.

another photo in the Christmas book that i just love! so fresh. love her dramatic colors.

lots of inspiration in the Nell Hill books…like how to use ribbons with wreaths for a fresher less fussy look etc…

Stop by tomorrow and i will dish about visiting the stores a few years back and meeting the gracious and lovely Mary Carol!

Kate lives in a traditional home in Connecticut. She works at a day school and her husband commutes into NYC daily, they have an active family and busy schedule. Kate has commitment issues when it comes to design..she likes everything..this is something i understand so we totally get one another. SOOO we are working on her entry..the walls are a nice creamy butter, slate tile dark floors, pretty railing and she wants the entry to set the tone for their home..on a tight budget for this space but we want to achieve a nice traditional,interesting look…so we are brainstorming and this is what we’ve come up with so far…i love the light, it is on sale right now at PB…she is unsure because she has some brass fixtures in other areas of the home..i say SO WHAT..go for the new finish…the prints and other little accessory ideas from Nell Hill are a great value..she has so much more in her online store now..check it out…

Why the leopard flats?? because Kate sent me a picture of her room and i could see her little shoes peeking out on the edge of the image (and i actualy think a touch of leopard would be great in here..maybe a tortious frame or box or little pillow or seat of a side chair)..so funny…i LOVE my clients.

IN fact, can i just tell yall what a fun bunch of people email me for help.they are funny, have great taste, many are working or busy at home moms and yall all just really inspire me. they dont care that my blog posts and/or emails have typos and lack capitalization…they know i dont have time to proof and/or i am typing while i am holding a baby..so they dont care..why? because many times they are too…and when they see an email dated at 4 am they smile and think to ask why i was up so late “did the baby not sleep”…they understand if i dont reply right away because of something at school or a sick child..often they have to take a break from the design process for the same reason..in fact, they even occasionally tell me “get off the internet and go rest or snuggle with your babies” my clients are the greatest. THANK YOU! I love that they are interested in creating a beautiful home for their families but at the end of the day, their priorities are in awesome order and if they have to leave it for a few days or week to give care to kids and family they are ok with that..they are patient in creating their homes., that encourages and teaches me so much..so thanks for allowing me in to your homes and for being such dedicated moms and women!

ok so back to Kate, we are not using this black cabinet, she has one similar and the blue and white transferware..just there for an idea..we need to find a big cheap blue and white repro bowl for keys and such or a blue and white stool to beside the her little black cabinet.

oh and Target has those leopard flats for $20 if you dont want to buy the Tory Burch;;

{note: i dont know why my polyvore is saving so small..if anyone is an expert please email me.i have played with this program a lot and thought i had it down but i have hard time getting things to “stay big”}