blogs we love | elements of style

I have been following the Elements of Style blog for about a year now... and it is amazing/addictive/informative/stylish/everything you would want in a design blog.  Boston local Erin Gates writes daily about interior design, new products, art, home styling, travel, and fashion Fridays.  OBSESSED.

Bookmark & ENJOY!!!

vendor highlight | artist andrea costa

While updating our library of vendors this weekend, JMI came across Lacefield Designs... and the talented Atlanta artist Andrea Costa.

Lacefield Designs is a home accessory line that focuses on high quality, artisanal products with a hand crafted feel.  A peek at their collection of pillows and textiles...

While exploring their website we were reminded of an incredible artist whose work caught our eye at both Round Top and High Point.  Andrea Costa creates hauntingly beautiful original oil paintings that I would LOVE to see in my own house, and of course in a client's abode as well.  Hopefully I can obtain a few for the shop, and maybe take one home with me!  Her collections of paintings below have just been added to THE VAULT (my personal home wish-list).  Perfectly serene for a bedroom or study....

million dollar decorators!

FINALLY had a chance to start my DVR stockade of Million Dollar Decorators!  LOVE it.  It is in a race with Selling New York for first place in high-end living television.  I only wish I lived in California so I could hit up all of the amazing places and vendors they visit!

The decorators are complete caricatures....

MARY MCDONALD, the budget-eating glamazon designer.  Her way or the highway.  Love her, but not sure her clients do when she blows through their budget!

JEFFREY ALLEN MARKS,  hot-pants with hot-pants South African boyfriend.  And he holds the best quote of reality TV... "Sometimes I think my job is more important than the President of the United States."

MARTYN LAWRENCE BULLARD, the delicious DIVA.  We share a common addiction to chocolate, and also a design philosophy that a client's home should reflect the CLIENT!  He's got my vote... oh, wait.  This isn't a competition show?

NATHAN TURNER, the darling.  Can we please be BFF?!?!?

KATHRYN IRELAND, the freewheeling designer who loves her wine (a girl after my own heart).  Something about her confidence and non-apologetic manner makes me like her.  A great entertainment to watch, but I don't think I've actually seen her decorate yet and I am on episode 3.

big day @ big D market

Dallas Market is this week and what a great show!  We found a few new vendors, and have seen beautiful products from our go-to showrooms as well.  Currently I am loving the playful company Cardboard Safari. What a fun way to incorporate animals into a little boys bedroom or a children's play space!  They even have an ENORMOUS "Tex" cardboard longhorn that spans about 8 feet wide... and we are proud to have BIG TEX as the newest addition to JMI :)  Keep your eyes peeled for this funky product in our new shop (opening September)  J. McIntyre HOME.

JMI knows no boundaries!

JMI is excited to have a new client in BEAUTIFUL CHARLOTTE, NC!  We visited with this home-owner during our trip to High Point and have just started designing for their fabulous residence.  If you live outside the DFW area, don't hesitate to call!  Have designs, will travel.

nature's beast | petrified wood

Ever since I saw Monique Lhuillier's home featured on the Jan/Feb 2008 cover of Elle Decor, I have been fascinated with petrified wood.  The melted smooth top of grays and whites, combined with the rough outer shell of that side table... LOVE IT!  I cannot wait to one day find a beautiful piece to fit the perfect place in my home.  If you go after this updated au-naturale look, you better decide where it will go because these stumps (stools) and slabs (table tops) of stone can weigh a TON.

My local go-to spot for checking out the beauty of this wood-turned-stone is Dallas' Big Mango Trading Co. on Riverfront Boulevard.  They have some amazing pieces!  Check out the items below that we found from some online sources...

Petrified Wood Stump Tables, 1st Dibs

Roost Petrified Wood Console Table and Side Table, Velocity Art and Design

Neiman Marcus Janice Minor Petrified Wood Table Lamp, $485

Gado Gado International Petrified Wood Sink

(one of our FAVORITE ways to bring this look home!)

Roost Petrified Palm Wood Cheese Trays, Velocity Art and Design