Downton Abbey Interiors

With season 2 of Downton Abbey wrapping up last night, I thought it only appropriate that we reflect on the beauty that is this Masterpiece Classic. Not only is the upstairs/downstairs period drama so intriguing but it's the attention to detail in this show that makes it especially intriguing.

While the fashion is incredibly impressive, it's the grandeur of the architecture and decor throughout this show that brings such a genuine nature to the Edwardian plot.

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The genuine details of Downton Abbey may have to do with the fact that's it's filmed on a real location at one of England's finest homes, Highclere Castle. Fun little fact...they also do weddings.

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The Great Hall entry sets the tone for this home with flawless architecture and grandeur.

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Source: google.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

The library is also exquisite with from the ceiling to the rug to the rows and rows of books. I also love the red couch.

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You know you're in an insanely cool, historic home when their is a secret door leading into the music room.

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But my favorite room in the whole house is probably the drawing room (where most of the drama happens!). It's a lovely change to the dark, masculine details throughout the other spaces.

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And of course, we couldn't look through the rooms of Downton Abbey without including pictures of the dining room because that's what these upper class types do...eat.

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Source: google.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

What are your favorite rooms in Downton Abbey?

Valentine's Day with Paperless Post

Happy Valentine's Day!

Were you not able to give Valentine's Day cards to everyone you wanted to? Or maybe you're like me and didn't even get a card for your own husband. Well, us procrastinators have a solution with Paperless Post. Paperless Post isn't your typical cheesy online card, they actually have pretty designs and fun sayings. Even better, they're delivered to the recipients email address in an envelope, so it's the closest thing to the physical version.

Find over 150 cards so you can spread the love. Here's just a few of the designs you can choose from.

 

Amelia Bed at High Fashion Home

I can barely contain my excitement over our new king-sized (!!!) bed arriving tomorrow. I had the design plan for our bedroom stored away in my head for a while but in anticipation for the bed's appearance tomorrow, I decided to put together a design board for our bedroom. We're going straight-up Don Draper style with a neutral-colored 60s modern look that includes a bed with an upholstered tufted headboard, sputnik chandelier, mirrored vanity and night table, shag rug and a vintage C. Jere sculpture (fingers-crossed for good e-bay karma) or perhaps just going with the reissued Jonathan Adler C. Jere sculptures (although that feels like cheating and I'm determined to find a better price).

But back to the bed...we went with the Amelia in brussels charcoal from High Fashion Home. I had my eye on the Horchow "Brea" Bed for a while, but the Amelia was so similar (sans nail heads giving it a more modern appearance) and a much better price. I also liked the selection of fabrics you could choose from. I ordered six different swatches and in the end we decided to go with the brussels charcoal color. Due to the neutral color scheme, we liked how the brussels gave off a bit of a shine which provided more interest and kept the room from being too blah.

It also ties in nicely with the Hollywood Wallpaper behind the wall of our bed. The wallpaper is a beautifully hand painted design with very understated colors but gorgeous pattern. I love this wallpaper and wanted to continue letting it be the star in our room, which meant we had to keep most of the colors fairly neutral so as not to distract from the pattern on the wall. But of course, I can't go without any color, so we'll add pops of blue with pillows and a throw.

The rug and chandelier should be arriving at the end of this month, so I'm not too far away from showing the grand reveal. But with the bed's arrival tomorrow, we will begin seeing the whole design come together!

Blog Makeover

If you've been following my blog for a while, you may have noticed that Entertaining Chic got a bit of a makeover last week. Danielle Moss updated the design with one of her amazing templates she offers. It was a quick and easy way to give my blog a much needed update. Danielle also runs one of my favorite blogs, breakfast at toast, and her amazing apartment was featured in Rue Magazine's January issue. And as if that wasn't enough, she is launching a new website in just a couple weeks, The Everygirl, with co-founder Alaina Kaczmarski, which will offer an actionable, in depth perspective on making dreams a reality. I'm really excited for this website to launch and wish both Danielle and Alaina much success with this venture.

As for my blog's update, I'm hoping to do another complete overhaul of the Entertaining Chic blog and Lindsey Meyl Designs website (because having a website read "future home of something quite cool" for close to year is quite uncool) in the next six months. Anything you would like to see on either of these sites? Would love to get some feedback on what you guys would like to see.

Gold Coast Furniture at Urban Outfitters

One of the top searched keywords that brings people to my blog is "Gold Coast Furniture" which is from a post I did last year about a sale on HauteLook. I always feel bad when people arrive at this post because it's not going to help them. As much as I love member-only websites like HauteLook, their sales become irrelevant after a day. That's why I was particularly excited when I came across these pieces on Urban Outfitters. I can't say for sure whether they are definitely from the Gold Coast Furniture line but, boy, do they look similar. There are new fabrics and colors that I think are even better than what HauteLook was offering last year. And if you're looking for this furniture to purchase you don't have to worry about missing the sale, so enjoy!

Go Pats!

So Nate just sprung on me the other day that he wants to host a Super Bowl party. While my Super Bowl inspiration board from last year's post was helpful I wanted to find some new ideas. With only three days to plan, I've called on pinterest for some help and inspiration to throw together a fun little Super Bowl party with neighbors and friends. And of course being that there will be a heavy Pats fan-base at this party, I'm going to incorporate some New England Patriots flare. But the images below are certainly leading me in the right direction.

What are your plans for the Super Bowl?

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Ready for Spring

In anticipation for Ground Hog Day tomorrow and the arrival of Spring, I think my tabletop needed some sprucing up with vibrant colors. What are your favorite Spring colors?