Shaq up with Coke

Have you all seen that Shaq superbowl commercial? It's actually for Vitamin Water - a Coke product. If you haven't seen it - you should check it out cause there ain't nothin funnier than a man bigger than his horse :)

For all you history buffs out there - Coca-A-Cola actually hailed from the Great State of Georgia. SHOUTOUT A.T.L! Not only invented here but first sold here, Coke is as natural to a native Georgian as hot boiled peanuts at a Braves Game.

Sorry about rabbit-trail (although Atlanta does totally rule!).

Back to the Point -

The title today should actually say "SHACK UP WITH COKE" because today I want to share (I am very excited about this) how many great home decor magazines are available under the MyCokeRewards program.

I personally collect Coke points and have been for a while. I have about 1000. So I went to see how many more millions of points I would need to get something cool and I realized...nothing really cool was to be had. I would have to collect for the next decade to be able to get the Rachel Ray cookware...and that was all that I was really interested in.

(pretty right?!)

That is until I went to the lower point categories. I discovered that for the same number of points to receive a Pirates of the Carribean Poster, I can get a YEARS subscription to a home magazine!

After I stopped hyperventilating, I knew I had to share this info with my three blog readers (Yes - my sister also now reads this - welcome Lori!)

So here are the options if you also want to share in the paperback wealth -

1. Veranda - all about home design and interior decorating
2. Architectural Digest - international magazine of interior design
3. Ready Made - a magazine for people who like to make stuff
4. O at Home - get all the inspiration you need to make your home a reflection of you
5. Good Housekeeping - most trusted online source for advice about food, diet/nutrition, women's health and your home
6. Better Homes & Gardens - ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden plus recipes and entertaining ideas
7. House Beautiful - a magazine of style to inspire your own
8. Traditional Home - how to transform a home into a victorian home, create a comfortable second home, interior design ideas, and how to make a sassy sorbet
9. Country Living - home decorating, recipes and antiques and collectibles
10. Country Home - country lifestyle magazine with features covering antiques, decorating, weekend projects, travel, food and gardening

I think I am going to get four of them - wanna guess which ones?

Yip Yip Yoorah!

When I was a teen I would watch Trading Spaces and just pray quietly that the least annoying family would get to receive a room designed by Vern Yip. His clean and preppy style made me weak in the knees. And it was so refreshing compared to the "king of country" Frank Bielec or Doug Wilson, whose main goal was to reduce the homeowner to tears....of remorse.

His new show on HGTV, Deserving Design is one of the best for Before & Afters. Not only does he reward deserving families but doesn't pollute the world with bad design. Do you think he would approve of our living room makeover?

Of course, I only became more excited when I found Vern was based in, drumroll please.... ATLANTA, Georgia! Icing on the cake.

Here is some of my favorites from Deserving Design -

beautiful new nursery - makes me want a baby!

Love the supersized prints - anyone know where I can get my own?

I love the wheatgrass centerpiece as well as the design painted on the back wall.

I think I know a few people that would trade their pinky toe for those wall-mounted fish tanks.

Small space? No problem...Vern Yip to the rescue!

Tell me those floors were hiding under the carpet - why can't that happen to me?!

Notes:

Watch Deserving Design

Copy all Vern Yip's moves

Decorate with Bower Power

Love Atlanta Designers

Summer Simplicity - 2008 Designer Showhouse

I am proud to be from Georgia - but seeing the Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles 2008 Designer showhouse makes me proud to be southern.







The fantastic architect and interior designers, Beth Webb and Nancy Pendergrast did a doozy on this Lake Keowee property. Boasting more than 7000 square feet of livable space, this vacation home is HUGE! More than 3000 square feet are dedicated to covered porches and terraces and I know even Martha Stewart would appreciate that! Talk about entertaining room! And I think the article nailed it on the head when he called the home article "Summer Simplicity".

Here are a few favorites from the slideshow.






How can you incorporate this style into your own home? Well, I did some observations and here is what I came up with.


SIMPLE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE LIKE "SUMMER SIMPLICITY"

• Incorporate harmonious palettes. The whole house is gray, white, taupe, and sand with a splash of dark browns and blacks. You can do this to tone down your own home and evoke an attitude of chill.

• Hang some curtains on a bedroom wall. This simple task of draping fabric the length and width of your wall will make your boudoir into a cocoon. After your nap, you will emerge a beautiful butterfly :) And not only adding to the rest factor, it helps keep out sound and light - and that is key for hibernation.

• Declutter. This simple (and heartbreaking) chore is extremely difficult...but trust me, clasp onto some Bower Power and sock the extra fifteen knick-knacks away. Your house and stress-level will thank you.

• Buy something that is "neutral rustic". Be it an antique dresser that has the white paint chipping off, an old watering can or a natural fiber rug that looks worn, this item will add southern charm to your space.

• Enjoy nature. With the show house every room has spectacular views. Yea, my house doesn't exactly have that kinda scenery either. But we can fake it by opening those shades, dragging a super comfy chair out to the deck, and plan for a spectacular outdoor room. If you are lucky to have a "sunrom" or covered porch - go ahead, keep the plush stuff there and you will find yourself enjoying your 100 square feet of outdoor space 100% more.

• Go international. Look for clean lines, soft contemporary pieces, soft palette, and spa-like accessories. The summer simplicity style calls for a Belgian incorporation. This is being called the new "French Country". I like french fries and I like belgian waffles, so it's cool with me.

LASTLY...

• Hide your stuff. The great thing about the showhouse is that each room flows into the next...I didn't even realize that the last of my favorite pics featured the kitchen in the background. Why did I not see it? Because all the kitchen "stuff" was hidden with smart design. The cabinets go clear to the ceiling, cabinets are hiding the exhaust hood, the appliances have integrated fronts to blend in and the plentiful storage can let you stash all your gadgets that clutter the countertop. GENIUS!

I am off to paint something gray! Have fun creating your own "summer simplicity" room!