Ivy de Leon Design | Decorating and Life Style

Gardening Giveaway

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

Now that we are fortunate to have Spring weather in March, I have the gardening bug. I’m getting on my gardening shoes and putting on my gloves and apron.

Gardener's Wellies Women's Eco-Smart Work Gloves

Boots and gloves available through Gardener’s Supply Company.

I’m so excited to get outside and garden that I am giving away, to one lucky winner, two Gingham 5 pocket Garden Aprons, made by Two’s Company, because it’s more fun to garden with a friend.

Here’s how to enter to win: Leave a comment on this post, provide your email, and follow me on Twitter.

Entry period closes at midnight EST on Monday, March 12, 2012. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be announced on Tuesday, March 13, 2012.

Happy gardening and good luck.

Thanks for stopping by.

At 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 11, we set our clocks ahead one hour. Daylight savings time arrived with the expectations of longer, light-filled days, into the evening. No time wasted here at home. We had a fun game of field hockey, planted pansies in the outside urns, and turned on the Weber Grill to kick off the season.

Have a wonderful Monday.

Thanks for stopping by.

Follow me on Twitter: @idhomedecor

Posted in Decorating, Gardening | Tagged Spring | Leave a comment

Meeting Fabulous Designers Via Project

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

The best thing about blogging is the people I meet along the way. I was delighted to see yesterday’s post on the blog Demystifying Design by Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke. I sent them the Jasper pillow made by Isabel Huelbig of Isabel Huelbig Textiles and they were thrilled. Head over to their site for the full story. If you are interested in purchasing one of Isabel’s unique pillows, they are currently available at Perennial Home, 119 West Ward Street, Hightstown, New Jersey 08520, 609-448-8830. Perennial Home is owned by Karen West. She carries a large selection of beautiful home accessories. For custom orders and pricing, please contact Isabel Huelbig at isabelhuelbig@gmail.com.

Thanks for stopping by.

Follow me on Twitter: @idhomedecor

Posted in Decorating | Leave a comment

Thirfting

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

One of the places I like to visit on thrifting Wednesday is my local library. I love books. You could find great books on interior design, cook books, gardening, etc., in the books for sale section, at a fraction of the original cost. Interior design books offer inspiration, exciting interiors, and essential information for design scheme. I was lucky to find The New York Times Book of Interior Design and Decoration, by Norman Skurka. Price: $4. Among the designer homes is John Dickinson’s own home, a converted firehouse in San Francisco. His living room displays his popular side tables, now seen in 1stdibs. The book is available through Amazon.com. You’ll find that everything old is new again.

Next stop, I found two wing-back chairs, marked “High Point,” upholstered in an off-white fabric, $250/each. I had no place for them, but it was a great find. Congratulations to the lucky buyer. Spring brings showers. I’m on the hunt for an umbrella stand to add to the mudroom. The front entryway has an umbrella stand already, but it’s essential to have both entryways function for guest and family. At my next stop, standing in a dark corner of the room, was a bamboo umbrella stand made in Spain, Price $10. Mission accomplished. It’s fun to find an item with character at a reasonable price.

Looking forward to next week’s hunt.

Thanks for stopping by.

Follow me on Twitter: @idhomedecor

Posted in Decorating | Tagged 1stdibs, amazon, books, John Dickinson, mudroom | Leave a comment

Design Bloggers Conference Part II

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

The fabulous Jason Oliver Nixon was the master of ceremony for the awards presentation at the Design Bloggers Conference. His energy and humor energized the attendees as he announced the awards for the Best Blogs. The winners included:
Best New Blog—Meredith Heron
Best Writing on a Blog—Peak of Chic
Best Graphics, Presentation—Coco+Kelley
Best Overall Design Blog—Tobi Fairley

Traditional Home’s Ann Maine, Editor, and Beth Brenner, Publisher, revealed the 10 New Trads of 2012 , along with the bloggers who nominated them. The announcement will be in the May issue of Traditional Home and their projects in the Spring issue of TRADhome.

The evening cocktail parties were great to meet bloggers, designers, and view products.

In attendance, at the Design Bloggers Conference, were designers and bloggers from over 36 states, which allowed us to connect to 2.5 million individuals through social media. Our sponsors understand the powerful platform of bloggers and social media to bring their products to a specific audience.

Thanks for stopping by.

Follow me on Twitter: @idhomedecor

Posted in Decorating | Tagged Alex Mason, Coco+Kelley, Design Bloggers Conference, Jason Oliver Nixon, Joe Lucus, Meredith Heron, New Trads of 2012, Peak of Chic, Tobi Fairley, TRADhome | Leave a comment

Design Bloggers Conference Part I

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

The Design Bloggers Conference was held this week in Los Angeles at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. The stage was beautifully decorated by Currey and Company. The amount of positive energy and passion for design was felt throughout the room. We were all engaged with the line up of great inspiring and motivating speakers: Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Bunny Williams, Lisa Robison and Kim Turner of Dwell With Dignity, Hardy Wallace of Dirty South Wine and Tobi Fairley to name a few. Bunny Williams, Lisa Robinson and Kim Turner received a well deserved standing ovation. There was networking and some fun cocktail parties, and more networking.

If you didn’t attend the conference, here are few notes:

Bloggers are no longer just bloggers, they’re trend-spotters, tastemakers, sources for inspiration.

Bloggers have helped me elevate my career. Nothing more fabulous than being copied — Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

Design is recycled … it’s how we put together what we’ve seen that makes us unique. Good design is not about throwing out everything and starting from scratch every year. Buy things you love and grow with them. Work within your community, collaborate with other designers and bloggers; work for someone else to gain experience.–Bunny Williams

Take advantage of affiliates programs to grow your business. Collaboration between brands, clients and bloggers is on the rise.

1 out of every 5 minutes is spent on social media, listen to your audience.

Do what you do well. Be authentic. Take online relationships into real life connections.

Post a video, no more than 2 1/2 minutes.

All the speakers were gracious with their time. Posing with Bunny Williams. I made coffee for both of us — coffee with milk, no sugar. Glad to give back.

In the lobby of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, on our way to the TRADhome and Kravet Blogfest Party. Stay tune for Part 2, with more highlights and pictures.

Glad you stopped by.

Follow me on Twitter: @idhomedecor

Posted in Decorating | Leave a comment

Gardening Bliss

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

It’s windy and cold in New Jersey today. Looking forward to gardening and warmer weather.

via Traditional Home English-style garden Photographs by Tria Giovan

Thanks for stopping by.

Follow me on Twitter: @idhomedecor

Posted in Gardening | Tagged Gardening, Traditional Home. | Leave a comment

HomeGoods Happy

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

I’m getting ready for Design Bloggers Conference. I am very excited to be able to attend and meet bloggers who share my passion and amazing interior designers. Last year, watching Millionaire Dollar Decorators on Bravo TV, I took notes and watched the show diligently. I promised myself that I stop watching and start doing more. Thanks Martyn Lawrence-Bullard for inspiring me. I headed to Southampton Showhouse last summer to experience Tobi Fairley’s designs. Thanks Tobi for giving me confidence through your blog and designs. Bunny Williams, I love your designs. As a native of the Dominican Republic, I share your appreciation for the beautiful land and wonderful people. Jason Oliver Nixson, I’m looking forward to seeing you and discovering more gardens. I am so happy to be following my passion and meeting wonderful people along the way.

Here is my pick of the week from HomeGoods. Get Inspired!