Blogger News

Lots of new happenings are going on in design bloggerland:

First - The Washington Post has started a new Blogwatch column. Recently named as blogs to watch: Girl Meets Glamour, The Peak of Chic, Style Court, Mrs. Blandings, and Things That Inspire, among others. Congratulations to you all!

And more kudos go out to Jennifer of the very popular design blog - The Peak of Chic. Peak was recently voted by Atlanta Magazine as Best Design Blog. And to top that off, another magazine,

Romantic Homes, did a feature on Jennifer and things she finds romantic for their Valentine's Day issue. Pick up a copy to see what makes her life romantic, though she confessed to me that her life really doesn't feel too romantic these days. Who's does?

And, Canadian Patricia Gray of the blog Patriciagrayinc was featured in this month's Canadian House and Home magazine. Patricia gives her New Years resolutions - including the promise to buy "fewer things, but better quality." I watched her try to live up to that promise in Dallas last week. Not sure she's following through after almost buying out the shoe department at Nordstrom's. But, she's trying!

Lately, two new bloggers have caught my eye and the attention of a lot of other people too:

Topsy Turvy writes on design from her home in Tampa, Florida. Her blog is bright and interesting, written through the eyes of an interior designer. It is peppered with beautiful photographs on home, fashion and jewelry design. Topsy is busy getting her house ready for a photo shoot and I'm anxious to see the finished pictures.

Topsy wrote this entry on geishas which featured pictures of subtle and exotic beauty.

Another entry featured pictures of all white subject matter. These snow pictures capture the still beauty of a gray, winter day.

Another entry by Topsy featured hand crafted jewelry, including this blue coral necklace. Isn't it stunning? I would love to own it! Be sure to visit Topsy Turvy if you haven't already.

Another new blog is Julie Neill's, Bayou Contessa.



If you love New Orleans, you will love Bayou Contessa. Written with intelligence and joie de vie, Julie takes her reader on a sensuous tour of her home town before and after Katrina. Julie, a designer of gorgeous lighting fixtures (who is pretty gorgeous herself), also has a web site you need to stop by and drool over. I've already sold one of her chandeliers to a client and I'm working on a second. Enjoy these recent photographs from her blog:

The French Quarter of New Orleans with its typical silk curtains and antique furniture.



Another interior shot from The Bayou Contessa. Love the skirted table! ;)

And here is Julie's Elizabeth chandelier, one of my favorites (wonder if the name has anything to do with it?). More wide than long, it makes a great choice for lower ceilinged rooms.

And lastly, ever wonder what Anna Spiro of the luscious blog, Absolutely Beautiful Things, looks like?

Anna recently posted a photo of herself for the first time and wow - she's looking great - all tanned from the Australian summer sun while we suffer with winter! ABT is one of my favorite blogs of all time. It was one of the first ones I ever read and so I have a special affection for all things Anna. Her pictures are always dreamy and truly are absolutely beautiful. Never, ever has she written a word of negativity - it's all positive on ABT and that's refreshing to say the least.

For Anna's 30th birthday, she set the table with white daisies. Isn't this the cutest table ever? Notice how she ties her napkins into bows.


Another tablescape by Anna, this one in her beach house in Australia. I love the shells in a basket. Anna's style is all about bright colors such as hot pink and kelly green.