Tag Archives: The Couture Chateau Life

Monday Matters: My Top Three Myths About Purchasing Luxury Custom, Guest Posting on Custom Made!

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Monday Matters: My Top Three Myths About Purchasing Luxury Custom Inteior Design. Guest Posting on www.CustomMade.com

The link is HERE:  http://blog.custommade.com/portfolio/three-myths-about-custom/

The first time I found their site…I squealed in our Side Door Studio “I FOUND MY PEOPLE” ;)!

Check us out. Pin, Comment, Share…because we’d like to do MORE of this custom collaboration.

The Blog Post is titled: My Top 3 Myths About Purchasing Custom

“Live a custom life. There is only one you.™”

xo Ann

Tuesday Tidbit: My Custom Lining Habit on all things Design

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Tuesday Tidbit: My Custom Lining Habit on All Things Design

Ok…so you know I love couture details

I liked this…kind of fun!

I have kind of an obsession with fabulous and personalized linings.

Hot pink, green silk, wild pattern, unexpected uses…

I found this pleated pink silk on Pinterest. Photo linked. Love it!

Am sure it all started in the – get ready – 1980’s (!) – before I was born…not…

when designing in NYC & then Los Angeles

At the time it was very chic to custom design all the lamp shades with pale pink hand dyed silk so that the glow from the light bulbs would be flattering to women in a room

This is a picture from a silk lamp shade site that I found. The pic is linked back to the creators’ site. What I noticed was the level of detail. All hand done. Even if it’s not your style, the talent required to execute this craft is supreme.

How wonderful! I wanted to live like the people we were designing for :)!

I couldn’t afford it…so I thought, well – heck, maybe I could “Custom DIY” it…

Pink Paint ! What could go wrong ;)?…..hummm…..

Saved up…bought a can of pink paint

Customized every single lampshade inside of our microscopic apartment with what I thought was the “perfect” pale pink

Mind you – I painted in broad daylight

Let me just say…daylight isn’t always the best light to use…designer (duh Ann)…especially when the product you are “creating” will NEVER be used in daylight :)!!

I was so excited to see the results…

Evening lands…

evening…the real test…I was SO excited…ugghh…thank God for humor!

And our crappy small apartment looked like the inside of a bottle of Pepto Bismol.

Design Epic Fail # 112!

I laughed – and cried – mostly because I couldn’t afford another can of paint…and learned then and there that two things REALLY matter when dealing with LINING things and the COLOR of lining things:

1. Composition of Material: Paint on cheap cardboard is NOT the same as hand died pale silk 🙂

2. Saturation of Color = Reflective Quality

(!)

Needless to say, I still love custom lining and have spent years delighting in clients who don’t mind an epic fail every now and then while we get that amazing green underlining “just right” to reflect off a polished floor when you are walking up a staircase and happen to “glimpse” the underside of a chair!

I do believe custom linings are a fingerprint from the designer. A touch of whimsy. And they show intent. You cannot rush when you are lining things.

Louboutin Lining is known the world over…it is just fun!

Live a custom life. There is only one you.™

Check out our Pinterest Board on Linings here & let me know if you have any fabulous lining stories we can share!

xo Ann

Saturday Sunshine: Reminded of one of my Favorite Quotes…

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Saturday Sunshine: Reminded of one of my Favorite Quotes

Comparison is the Thief of Joy

“Comparison is the Thief to Joy”

As the founder of a Company who’s motto is: Live a Custom Life, There is Only One You, I had to remind myself of that this week!

Some AMAZING Women at Fashion Week! Denise McGaha, Stacy Naquin, Jennifer Reynolds, Edyta Czajkowska (Not pictured, more friends: Lisa Mende and Traci Zeller…also AMAZING women!)

As several of my friends were in NYC for a fabulous time at Jason Wu’s working and learning alongside Brizo.

Photos Courtesy of Denise McGaha’s Facebook Page. You can Follow Denise HERE.

Does it get more fun than this?! I mean Brizo AND Jason Wu? A Designer’s Dream Team…

I was setting up with our Team for our once yearly Clearance Sale for close Friends, Clients & Designers

Yes, that is 4.5 Yards of Versace Home Fabric ;)!…

I realized that we are EACH where we are supposed to be at any given time

Remembering that these chairs will find JUST the right home…because we are being faithful stewards of the task at hand, and that next season it might be the right time to be somewhere else ;)!!…

As you take some time this weekend, remember, YOU have something unique, special and amazing to bring to the table

A Gorgeous Draw Leaf Table, similar to one we have in the Studio that will be for sale…

Saturday Sunshine: Be YOU!

Lift up those hands and twirl just a bit today ;)!…Even if it’s raining in your life, I promise there is sunshine behind those clouds!!

Live that custom life.

xo Ann

Tuesday Tidbit: My Tiffany Blue Habit

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Tuesday Tidbit: My Tiffany Blue Habit

This image is from Cup of Beautiful Blog

Love it? Leave it?

Even the binder dividers I like!

I simply love it!

Love these!

Our VIP Day Boxes are Tiffany Blue

Ok…yes, we do have grey for our male clients and white for our super contemporary clients, but I always try to start with this color!

The drape walls in my office are Pale Ice Blue (I like to think of them as subtle Tiffany Blue)

Our Studio Drapery Wall: Divides my desk from the conference table area. We can open or close off the space depending on who is in the Studio that day.

It looks great with Black, White, Red, Grey, Yellow…

Even the blanket that sits over my Office Chair is Tiffany Blue…it keeps me warm most days ;)!

Gotta have it!

xo Ann

Monday Matters: Labor Day

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Monday Matters: Labor Day

Happy Labor Day

What do you Labor and Toll at?

Our Studio Space is a mess as we prepare for our Sale…we are laboring to make it right for our friends…!…

Do you feel rewarded for your efforts?

Sometimes this is how we feel…we work long hours and get a “raisin pay”….our heart is to always give the best away to those who work alongside us!

We wanted to take today to say THANK YOU to those who WORK ALONGSIDE US at Couture Chateau

I have always loved this image…it is humble, honoring to work and reminds me that every stitch matters…”Young Woman Sewing, The Artist’s Sister Anna Hammerchøi,” by Vilhelm Hammerchøi, oil on canvas, 37 by 35 centimeters, 1887

We are NOTHING without the skilled men and women who are EXCELLENT at their trade

An Upholstery Shop

We believe in compensating them WELL for their CONTRIBUTION to our lives and homes

Fair Trade…in the USA, it means we use well compensated local workrooms that are as small and local as we can source. It is our belief that skill is a gift and a gift should never be treated as something disposable. Gifts should be honored and rewarded. We are grateful for the gifts our tradesmen and women bring to the table so that we might furnish beautiful spaces for you!

Happy Labor Day!

xo Ann

Sunday Stewardship: Time to Take Care of Self

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Sunday Stewardship: Time to Take Care of Self

The self…how do you see yourself? Love this picture ;)!

Do you love having a long weekend

I like this picture of the hard hat for Labor Day…symbolic of working on ourselves as well…

Sometimes Stewardship is about REST

That sleeping Lion…

Our Spaces – our Couture Chateau’s need to be places & spaces that can NURTURE us

My Family Room Coffee Table…I always feel safe in this room…a glass of wine with friends in the evening doesn’t hurt!

even as grown ups

A Couture Chateau corner in a Client’s home…a place to sit and relax…get ready for the world…

Here’s to a Sunday of Stewarding our SELVES

I love reading books on Sunday afternoon…rain or shine…it calms me for the week…

So WE (You and I) can make our contribution to the world from a place of Safety, Order & Beauty!

Let’s build YOUR Couture Chateau…some of our fabric bolts beautifully piled together on a Couture Chateau settee…like our lives…pieces piled together to make us who we are!

xo Ann

Friday Frugal Finds….Confession of an Ikea Hacker!

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Friday Frugal Finds…Confession of an Ikea Hacker!

Ikea Hackers!

Yes, we are Couture Chateau

This is the Feature Image on our Website…not exactly Ikea…;)!

Layered, Intentional Living…Custom all the way…Private Labels for YOU…

Seriously, we private label & custom make almost everything! Including the FABRIC!

However, I still love IKEA.

This is an Ikea Kitchen!

OK, I’ve lost some of you…but…look!…

THIS is actually the “hack” that stole my heart…I was so happy when it won “Hack of the Year”!

Beauty and Style are not the strongholds of the wealthy…they are strongholds of the soul

Look at this! It’s beautiful! Even if it’s not your style…you must give props to the eye that created it!

CONFIDENCE in our Design Eye is what makes it possible for us to say it’s OK to shop at Ikea

Very cool…wish the pic was better quality, but still…you get the jist!

Seriously…do YOU have enough confidence to buck the “prevailing thought” and TRUST your eye?

Fun. Real life living for a family…

We are here to help! CALL us…the Holiday’s are just around the corner and your VIP Day is waiting!!

Click here to schedule a VIP Couture Chat! 1 Day, 1 Designer, 1 Designer’s Team, 2 Days Studio Work, 1 12-16 Page Write up, 1 Really Cool Box, 1 Happy Client !!

xo Ann

Tuesday Tidbit: My Gold & (Brass) Habit!

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Tuesday Tidbit: My Gold (Brass) Habit!

Sneak Peek…A Gold Panel from the Plaza Hotel in one of our Projects (not yet completed)

So I’ve shared my Herringbone Habit, My Yellow Habit and now, my Gold Habit!

Gold Bracelet

Even when Silver, Oil Rubbed Bronze and Copper were “in – out – all the rage – etc”

Finish Samples

I always looked for ways to incorporate Gold or Brass into my projects

Aged Brass Mirror

Timeless – Truly

Love using these simple Brass single Faucets in unexpected places!

Ages – Naturally

Look at this – Beautiful! I found it on Etsy…click on link below to see if it’s still available!

Love it!

Brass Antique Vase from Benton County Museum Site

xo Ann

Monday Matters: Your Custom Life & Why It’s Important!

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Monday Matters: Your Custom Life & Why It’s Important!

You Can’t Really Fail!

Couture Chateau is all about creating custom spaces to enhance the life our client’s are meant to live

ENTJ…INFP…oy!

I am repeatedly an INFP: Performing Noble Service to Aid Society 🙂

At any price point

Sabrina Soto of HGTV’s High – Low Project

Each of us brings different gifts and talents!

What are YOUR gifts and talents…ARE you USING THEM? Can you find them in your home? If not, then it’s time to re-arrange your space :)!

Have you LOST your Gifts & Talents in a messy home?

Lost your marbles?

In a disorganized closet?

I am a proud member of the National Association of Professional Organizers!

Then it’s time to rearrange your Couture Chateau!

My Couture Chateau Custom Monogrammed Door Handles!

Stay tuned as we roll out those E-Products with Practical Tips & Tricks for You!

Monday Matters…it sets the tone for the week.

xo Ann

Sunday Stewardship: Real Life Living, A Teenage Boy’s Bedroom, Three “Generations” of Furnishings

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Sunday Stewardship: Real Life Living, A Teenage Boy’s Bedroom

Creating a space with Three Generations of Furnishings: Antique, Retro & Modern or New

NONE of which is inherited…and ALL of which is still “in progress”

Real Life: A Teenage Boy’s Room

I think it is so important to share transparently how we live as Designers and Design as Designers for our own Family

A Family!

Stewardship involves a component of TEACHING the next generation to appreciate & enjoy all types and styles of stuff

1. MODERN: New Headboard from Couture Chateau’s Custom Collection, Made in North Carolina by Bentley Churchill

Couture Chateau’s Custom Headboard Made in North Carolina, by Bentley Churchill, Perfectly Sized to Match the Retro Shelving

2. RETRO: Open Shelving Giving the Space a bit of whimsy from the 1970’s

Not exactly like what we found, but I like this one also.

We went shopping for the shelving we found for his room at Consignment Stores. Because the space is small, the 1970’s  wall mounted “Model Home” Shelving is perfect. Kind of the Brady Bunch meets That 70’s Show…very fun. Don’t take it too seriously – teach them to “Mix it up”!

3. ANTIQUE: A drop front Desk

Antique Drop Front Desk, Similar to the one pictured

Practical because it hides his stuff – AND gives him a not so subtle appreciation for working in style.

And to make you feel better – not even a Designer’s kid can make the bed so the plaid on the Ralph Blanket lines up perfectly!

Here’s to REAL LIFE LIVING – Sunday Stewardship Style…

xo Ann