Designer Crush: Rotate

I really can’t say enough about this line except that (the children need to go back to the classroom so that the world can open back up again so) we need to have cocktail parties and other fun social gathers again!!! That’s right. Doctors and nurses have to go to work, grocery store stockists, clerks and cashiers do too, restaurant workers have to (try to) work, while us artists and other self employeed folks are practically drunk from pivoting on a reduced income, so IT. IS. TIME. for schools to reOPEN. Not that I have time to get drunk, at least give me the option of getting drunk on something tasty and fun with other people in cocktail dresses and heels and jackets and ties!!!

I love the entire Rotate line so much, and the first party I attend I want to wear that dress up there in the top left corner, and you better believe I will be on the dance floor. To quote one of my all time favorite risk takers, “If anybody else wants to come with me this moment will be the moment of something real and fun and inspiring in this God-forsaken busines, and we will to it TOGETHER. Who’s comeing with me? Who’s coming with me? Who’s coming with me?! (So, who knows that line/movie?) Now come along, won’t you?

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Designer Crush: Zimmerman

But seriously, when was the last time you DIDN’T love all things Zimmerman? The Sydney based brand was founded by sisters in 1991 when they launched their collection fusing sweimwear with the fashion world. You’ve seen that Ladybeetle Mystic Mini Dress that Liza wore in Natalie’s house. You know, the one I NEED for my Rodeo debut. And have you ever seen a fringe purse so divine in all your life? Who am I kidding? I NEED it all! You say you do too, eh? Well you can instantly shop my looks below or by following me on the LiketoKnow.it shopping app!

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Designer Crush: Rodarte

Limited but mighty this season’s Rodarte collection on the Moda Operandi Trunk Show didn’t stop me from loving EVERY. SINGLE. PIECE. of it. Goodness. Gorgeous. Gracious. The fact that designers keep cranking out anything, but less the crazy good designs IN A PANDEMIC just amazes me. Flowers, lace, ruffles…. I just mean! This ruffled floral-print silk maxi dress is an absolute feminine dream. Add pink and hearts and even more ruffles, I just don’t even know what to say about this one! Then THISSSSSSS… OMG. That’s all.

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Designer Crush: Ulla Johnson

What can I say, but Ulla strikes again. If there is one brand that continues to turn out aspirational yet all the while wearable designs season after season, impressing all the rest, Ulla Johson keeps on remaining right up there at the top. Girly and flowy meets trailal and bohemian for a carefully clever mix. Cult-like individual pieces range from instantly indentifiable to cute but steady Sally staples that will remain in the forefront of your wardorbe for years and years to come. Shop all of these designer crush looks by clicking on the below images.

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Designer Crush: Cult Gaia

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Just when you think it couldn’t get any edgier, funky fun, that’s what you get for thinking! Cult Gaia just keeps on bringing the heat, and so I’m sharing with you here some of my favorite top picks by the designer, complete with equally chic home accessories. The Gateway Arch looking top gives me ALL the photo shoot dreams! Yes, I have ordered it for myself. Talk about All Dressed Up And Nowhere To Go at its most rad. Click on the item to Shop The Post + Get The Look! Yes, I want it all!

Designer Crush: Ashley Delapp Interior Design

Happy almost weekend friends!  Ashley is a brand spanking new friend (and neighbor!) of mine who I'm so excited to feature on today's Designer Crush.  Here's how we met... I noticed two boys about the ages of the Precious Peanuts hop out of a car and enter into the newly sold town home across from ours. We have tons of kids in our neighborhood, but Hank and Worth are the only in our court... (except for the fact now that Wendy and Kris next door are expecting a baby in just a few weeks!)  Backing up to the boys, I noticed they were both wearing Selwyn shirts... the same school as ours!  With great delight for two boys right next door, the three of us went over and welcomed our new neighbors. Their mom, Ashley, apologized for not inviting us in just yet as they were in the midst of gutting their home.  Design obsessed, I was very intrigued.  As it turns out, Ashley was an interior designer.  Take a look...

I told ya she was good.  (Are she and Jonathan Adler secret twins?)  Back to our first meeting, and oh goodness, she is probably going to think I am crazy stalker neighbor.. I wanted in her house right that second.  Our town homes were built in the early 1970's, with great angles, nooks and rooms, all varying in some slight way. I had been in her home when the last owners lived there. It was dated but with mirrored walls throughout the main level and intimate spaces, full of potential.  I couldn't wait to see what a designer would do.  Fast forward a few weeks while I was bopping around on Instagram one night.  I see my new neighbor Ashley on my great artist friend Windy O'Connor's page. 

So fun.  I hop on over to Ashley's page, and what a delight it was... bright color, bold design and punchy details, so much pleasure for the visual senses.  Ashley's design work is a fun delight, just like her.  As it turns out, it was time for another One Room Challenge hosted by Linda of Calling It Home.  If you're not familiar with this blog based collaboration, it's a time when design bloggers, interior designers and design enthusiasts come together and participate in a 6 week web based design challenge.  Ashley put in a bid for her master bedroom and Voila!  The results are magnifique!  You can check out the entire reveal here, including the super bright kelly green before!  It's going to be all I can do to not over serve Ashley my favorite prosecco to lure her into my home and accidentally start getting her opinion.  Let's be honest, I already have, sans the bubbly of course. ;)

You can check out the entire reveal here, including the super bright kelly green before!  

Designer Crush: Caroline Constas

What could be more fun to wear in the summer than ruffles?  I have been fawning over Caroline Constas' designs for the last few seasons... stripes and layers and ruffles galore!  All that's missing is the guacamole and a pair of maracas! 

I love the candy stripes against the black background of this bustier gown.  Here's the short version of that dress.  So strong!

If you got gams, this skirt on this dress is so fab, or this one.

I think this tropical number is my favorite.

And in case you were wondering how the pressure washing went yesterday, I did have a little fun writing the Precious Peanuts' initials on the wall.  Once I retired I found myself not haveing a clue what to do with myself (see picture 2).  Generic cinnamon toast crunch + wine + NBA Wives.  Who knew?  Wow, there is a show for everything.  Even though I am not a baller wife I totally should have been cast for this one.  I'd have all the girls dressed in ruffles while they are bleeped dropping the F bomb every 3.5 seconds.  Wow.

Shop all the ruffles below, and shake. Shake. 

Designer Crush: Lindsey Coral Harper

In honor of her recent birthday, this week's designer crush goes to Lindsey Coral Harper.  Long before I could remember her name upon chance meeting in a Starbucks cafe, I have admired Lindsey's work.  This is how that meeting went:  

To Lindsey's coffee date: "Oh hi!  You are 'said name.'  I'm Whitley.  It's so nice to meet you! I believe we have mutual friends." To Lindsey: Long pause, and I think it went something along the lines of... "Hi! ..... You are...... (WTF.  Oh, God. The pressure of a name... Cinda Fu+#ing-rella)... It is sooooo nice to meet you.  I cannot put my finger on your name to save my life.  Your name is the color of your hair, and right now I don't even have a clue what that is."

And there you have it.  I realize Lindsey is a human person, just like me and you.  But I kid you not, every time I meet someone whose work I admire, I carry a freaking watermelon.  Like who am I?  What am I doing here?  I am so dumb.  Not a movie star, not a pro athlete (well that's not true, I did the same thing to Luke Keuchly at Tai Taste) not a cute boy (had to throw that in there), but someone whose work I admire.  It happened with the CEO of one of Charlotte's most exciting companies.  It's happened with another great interior designer, one of my favorite recording artists, and here, one of my favorite interior designers.  I freaking FUMBLE the ball.  Every. Time.  Athletically, I am coordinated.  But I am the queen of brain freeze not made from ice cream.  It is really so mortifying in the moment.  So if I see you and I start speaking Schneek Wah, it's because I greatly admire your work, or I am intimidated by the size of the center of your central nervous system.  

With that, bring on the Lindsey restrained color explosion meets always in check meets Girl Can Mix.  I mean the girl has got it going on.  Oh, and the hair color... Coral.  More champagne please. 

Designer Crush: Katie Ridder

Katie Ridder's work has been a strong influence on my design inspiration since I first laid eyes on it.  The following two photos I recall as being the first of her rooms to make a lasting impression on me.  At the time I did not know who was decorating those spaces, I just knew they spoke to me.  The narrow space below is small but mighty, and the dining room was what inspired me to hang a disco ball in my living room.  Ms. Ridder's work helped me come to the realization that I was drawn to color blocking and strong design.  Most recently her work has lent inspiration to me painting my family room--walls, molding and ceiling--one single color of high gloss grey.  Wallpaper and lacquer are a monetary stretch for me at this time, and so I have found bold colors, all over color and high gloss paint to be the next best way to achieve a high impact look on a budget.

As stated in her bio, New York Home noted that "yet to call her work eclectic is to miss the point, for while it reflects diverse influences, it's recognizably the product of a single sensibility-one with a distinctive take on color, texture, proportion and scale." Here are several Katie Ridder rooms that leave me staring for days.  What do you think?  Is her "distinctive" style too WOW for you, or does it totally awe-inspire you like it does me?  See more of Katie Ridder's portfolio HERE.

Images via

Designer Crush: One Room Challenge

This week's designer crush includes a group of trained designers, bloggers, DIYers and untrained decorators turned pros participating in the highly anticipated One Room Challenge that was just recently revealed. The bi-annual event, currently in it's 10th season, takes place over the course of six weeks with all participants sharing their redesigned and redecorated room's progress.  I tell you no lie when I tell you that each and every participant's room reveal is an inspiration beyond belief.  Some rooms involve lotsa dinero for the renovation while others can be more modestly priced and achievable for the masses.  Either way, the results are always exhilerating.

You'll have to take a look a look at all of these rooms for yourself, but here are a few that have me wishing I could stare at for days (or really wishing I had a bottomless wallet to get them all for myself!)

This casual comfy dining room by House of Jade Interiors

To Die For Office by Ashley Bell Interiors

The softest, airiest colorful living room space by Jana Bek Design.

It's an office.  No, it's a sunroom.  No, it's a nursery.  No it's ALL three(!) by The Makerista

Who doesn't want a Backyard Dream Shed?  By City Suburb Sanity

Charlotte's own Holly Phillips' new ab fab office over at The English Room

I absolutely love this curtain and rug combo over at Boho Style File

Cassie at Hi Sugarplum! is on fire more and more with every reveal

Check out all the rooms over at Calling It Home, and get ready to be thrillingly inspired!

Designer Crush: Traci Zeller

This week's designer crush hails right from my back yard here in the QC.  Charlotte plays home to so many talented, stylish designers of all types and styles.  It seemed absolutely perfectly appropriate that for this week's designer crush I would highlight a local talent who I have come to admire for many so many reasons, Traci Zeller. 

I love Traci's eye for style and her design aesthetic.  That goes without saying.  The gal's noodle is wicked sharp x 100,000,000. She has a clear, strong sense with her own personal style, which I would image allows her to be so intentional in the work she does for others.  

On a personal note, I've had an interesting month of personal challenge and growth... a disheartening and painful professional experience followed by a gut validating one.  I've experienced great disappointment and great excitement, love, joy, hurt, increased care for an aging parent... all kinds of surprises, twists and turns and self growth opportunities.  With my spiritual focus more than ever at the forefront, I would liken Traci's work much to my favorite daily email devotion by Rick Warren; crisp, clean, to the point, functional, welcoming, stimulating yet comfortable, approachable yet compelling, gracious and lovely. 

If you love Traci's style but design services are not what you need, Traci collaborates with talented manufacturers to create her own line of products including pillows. candles and fabrics.  Additionally, Traci shares her personal eye for style on her blog and includes shopping links for you to snag style ideas for yourself.  These Kelly Wearstler ceramic pop bowls and this Jonathan Adler Trocadero Cabinet in the recent blog post Traci's team member Brooke shared... I mean seriously?!!  Her style gets my visual senses flowing, and heck, my spiritual senses too!  

Designer Crush: Jamie Meares

Since I've moved into a new home and I have home design on the brain big time, I thought I'd share some of my inspiration with you here.  I have not spent nearly as much time gazing at Pinterest as I would if I actually had the time, but I do probably spend 1-2 hours a week studying and saving photos of inspiration.  I'm inspired by so many talented designers.  I want to try to get back to this place, with you, and my goal is to share with you at least one great source of inspiration for me each week.  It's like cake... so much better shared with friends!

I'll start with Raleigh's own Jamie Meares.  I adore this gal and her style and taste for so many reasons.  She's fearless and her style is 100% her own.  It's not to say she's not inspired by others. I'm sure she is, but her work is almost always identifiable.. it's her own!  If you're ever in Raleigh, hop on into Jamie's store, Furbish, and be sure to follow Furbish on Instagram for inspiration galore.  Oh, and while you're at it, definitely subscribe to her blog, i suwanee, via email.  You will look forward to every happy, colorful post!