Today’s Style Blueprint Deal allows you to spend just $20 and receive a $40 voucher for one of our favorite stores, Nest Interiors!

Click here to see this deal!

NEST INTERIORS is always changing as owner, Stephanie Van Hoesen, ensures a store filled with fabulous items – but a low inventory of each – and many are one-of-a-kinds.  We love that every time we stop by Nest, there are always new wonders to see.

Nest Interiors is that go-to place for finishing your home and claiming it as your own. Put your individual style into each room with the finishing touches found here: the perfect chandelier, side chair, pillow, throw, artwork or coffee table…. Nest has it.  Love the store so much that you want design advice?  No problem: the owner is an Interior Stylist so ask away.

Fun artwork and pillows

The gorgeous doors at Nest are just the perfect way to start your shopping experience

This store just seems to always have that "perfect" thing!

We also love the gifts — and price points — that we find at Nest.  Many gifts are in the $20-$40 range.  An amazing amount of the store is under $100.

Click here to see this deal!

Enjoy your time at Nest while embracing one of Nashville’s most fun shopping districts: Edgehill Village.

The Style Blueprint Deal: “the best of the best.”

© 2011, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

Chandelier at Beckwith Interiors

www.beckwithinteriors.com

Restoration Hardware

www.restorationhardware.com

Side table by Oly Studio

www.olystudio.com

Hand-blocked fabric from Galbraith and Paul

www.galbraithandpaul.com

A firescreen at Margi's Chair and Chair Alike

www.margischair.com

Modern Peacock Painting by ModernArtHouse on ETSY

www.etsy.com

The frame of a huge mirror at Merridian

www.merridian.com

Hanging spheres at Nest Interiors

www.nestnashville.com

Mirror at PD's in Franklin

Available at the www.RecycledGlassTileSite.com

www.RecycledGlassTileSite.com

Onyx Sphere Lamps by Oly Studio

www.olystudio.com

Chandelier at Beckwith Interiors

www.beckwithinteriors.com

Teak Trunk side tables, Viva Terra Catalog

www.vivaterra.com

I absolutely adore this Thibaut fabric: Suzani in Aqua and Citron

www.thibaut.com

To decorate for fall, these spherical shapes will be brought inside:

This time of year, Hedgeapples can be found on neighborhood streets all over town.

Bittersweet vine - perfect for autumn decor

Miniature pumpkins

Are you now circle obsessed as well?

-Liza

© 2010 – 2011, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

Vote for your Nashville favorites! We'd love your vote for Best Local Blog, under media, if you are so inclined!

Dear StyleBlueprint:

I have always stayed far away from perfumes, but lately I’ve found myself on a quest to find the perfect one.  For me this means one that is not too flowery and, simply stated, not too “perfume-y”.  I hate that overwhelming perfume smell that follows some women around, but I have noticed that a nice pure scent is actually very appealing.  Could you help me find a starting point as my trip to a department store left me empty handed.

Thanks!

Joy, Nashville

Joy,

Perfumes are hard.  They are harder to write about as perfumes are all about smell and that scent changes with each person who wears it! Usually, the display that the company uses to attract customers predicts what the scent is meant to invoke when worn.  Fussy bottles = fussy scents.

Two perfume lines I recently came across attracted me by the clean display used.  These two lines of perfume are available at Nest Interiors: CB I Hate Perfumes and Histoires de Parfums.  Nest sells the lines in partnership with Anne Herron of Note De Tete.  Anne is highly trained in the world of perfumes and Nashville is lucky to have her.  She teach classes on perfumes and even is hired by people who are intrigued by the idea of perfume, but need help finding that one signature scent.  If this is you, and it sounds like it is, it may be worth the investment of hiring Anne to help.

CB I Hate Perfume Bottles

Stephanie, the owner of Nest, is also a former perfume hater.  She convinced me that these two lines would change my mind, as I am not a fan of perfume.  I guess I should say, I WAS not a fan of perfume.  In fact, everyone in this post comes from a place of once not liking the perfume experience, but now is embracing it.

The CB collection, at $80 per bottle, was created from the founder’s early desire to be an artist or a chemist.  He also had a brief stint as a taxi driver and this is when the tagline “I Hate Perfume” popped into his head.  Unable to get away in his cab, he was forced to breath in some terrible perfumes.  This makes me love the concept of the collection since my general dislike of perfumes comes directly from my 3rd grade teacher’s choice of scent and being stuck in the trailer classroom with insufferable heat mixed with the smell of this baking perfume.

The entire CB line is made with the intention of nostalgia.  Each scent is made with smells that you have experienced at one point in your life.  Since smell is the sense that most conjures up memories, simply smelling all the different fragrances in this line is like a trip down memory lane.

My favorite scent from CB is Kitchen as with it you really do smell like you’ve been cooking….with fresh herbs and a bit of smoke.  It just makes me feel happy.  With this is a line, I can see owning several scents (I mean you don’t always want to smell like a fresh kitchen, right?  But a day at the beach with Beach 1966 may be perfect for summer, but not quite right for winter.) Check out the description for Kitchen:

CB in the Summer Kitchen

The next line is straight from France: Histories de Parfums.

Beautiful display for the Histoires de Parfums collection

The display looks like a sleek bar…think Patterson House…..but all the varied hues of liquid are perfumes (at a 15% concentrate) not liquor.

Histoires de Parfums.

Check out the labels that run down the other side of the bottle, so not to confuse you in your mad dash out the door:

Color Coded Perfume Bottles

At $185 each, these are obviously a bit more than many perfumes.  However, the attention to detail in the aesthetics and the scent makes you understand why.  Plus, the bottle will last you a very long time: 2-3 years with daily use! With a 15% concentrate, touch-ups throughout the days are eliminated and one spray is all you need.

The most popular scent in this line, and Stephanie’s personal favorite as well (and her former perfume hating husband loves it too!) is 1969.  Stop by to smell this scent and see why.

Nest Interiors, located in the Edgehill Village Shoppes, is one of my very favorite stores in Nashville.  It’s small and intimate and captures a sense of joy, humor and sophistication.   Be sure to check out the McGowan and McClain jewelry line, the lighting, artwork and furniture when you are there.

Good Luck with the quest and let us know if you find your perfect scent!

-Liza

Each Thursday we answer one question from a reader for both StyleBlueprint and the Her Q’s blog found at HerNashville.com. We also answer two questions each Tuesday just on the Her Q’s blog.  Please send us your questions at: email@styleblueprint.com

© 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

I had to move the bench outside to get a picture in natural light.

I also have added them to a basket in my powder room:

Elizabeth has been so taken by napkins lately that she was compelled to take this photo where the napkins steal the show (anyone else instantly notice the McCarty Pottery as well?)

This near addiction has spilled over into a love for cloth napkins as well.  As I’ve popped in so many local stores this summer, I started taking pictures of my favorite hand towels and napkins.  I hope you are inspired as a beautiful hand towel within reach somehow can be that beam of happiness smiling back at you in the midst of the chaos of life.  And at $15-$25 each, they also make a great gift as we often won’t spurge on these beauties for ourselves.  But one rolled and bound with a special ribbon is always perfect.

A quick note, be sure to check out our THIS WEEK section as it was guest written by 365Nashville, a local blog highlighting 365 great things in Nashville!

Available at Digs, these beautiful hand towels are $15 each.

At Digs, linen guest towels, $24 each

See Digs online at Taigan.  If you missed the press release, a Taigan shopping membership is now free! www.taigan.com/shops/digs/

At AshBlue, these fisherman weave oversized kitchen towels are $25

Also at AshBlue, these sets of 4 napkins for $48. I got these for my MIL for Mother's Day.

AshBlue

At A La Maison, these french large kitchen towels are perfect. $22

A La Maison

At Nest Interiors, these oversized napkins are extremely versatile. $18 each

Nest Interiors

Kayce Hughes has a new line of napkins made from her wonderful fabrics. $5 each

Kayce Hughes

© 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

I must admit I ♥ Valentines Day, but it also stresses me out.  I mean you have Halloween, and then Thanksgiving, with Christmas madness coming next.  Throw in remembering my Mother-in-Law’s December 26th b-day, my Sister-in-Law’s January 19th b-day, my oldest daughter’s January 30th b-day and then my youngest’s February 19th b-day…..oh, and I haven’t even touched the surface of bff’s with January and February b-days..and my sweet Godson.  You see?  It’s hard enough with the b-day’s and then a cute little holiday?  And so it goes – Valentine’s Day is for me the holiday of perpetual good intentions with lousy execution.

The worst thing about Valentine’s Day is the the exposure to so many of those Pajam-o-gram commercials.  They make me wince.  I mean that guy patting the bed wearing the silk red boxers with the do not disturb sign…really? Does the sign come with the o-gram?  Oh- just writing o-gram made me see this commercial differently and now I hate it more.  Ewwwww.

So, let’s play make believe for a moment.  Here are some things that I would put on my own list of lusts for this day of love:

Nest Interiors

These heart accessories for the kitchen, from Nest Interiors, simply make me happy: year round happy.  (And they are offering free chocolate and champagne Thursday, Friday and Saturday while you shop!)  How about using that tea strainer with some of the loose variety from Partner’s Tea Co. that I wrote about yesterday?

Heart Measuring Spoons, Heart Tea Strainer, Coffee Spoons and Quotable Measuring Spoons by Beehive (all hand-crafted; lead free pewter and copper) Prices range from $26-67

Tory Burch

Online, I am DROOLING over these two items from Tory Burch (if you spend $300 or more online through February 15th, enter BDAY and get 25% off!:

Wild thing, you make my heart sing. Can we just pretend those are my feet? $325 by Tory Burch.

Pyrite Heart Cuff, $295. I love this as hearts are usually "too sweet" for me. But this one is tough, original, and fun while the heart makes is just a teeny bit sweet.

Judith Bright

Judith Bright designs always makes my heart race.  Her ENTIRE site is 15% off right now with the code: HEART Since she lives in Nashville, you can tell your guy to order it with the message “Can I pick this up?”  and my bet is that the answer is “of course”!

$113 but just $84.75 with that HEART code!

Homemade with Love

Lastly, I have had so much fun with my kids making valentines this week:

Art & Invention Gallery

I’m feeling all craftsy – really – and I think I want to make some grown up Valentines all by myself, with no more glitter being added to my house, as it is now EVERYWHERE.  Realistically, I’m still recovering from the consignment sale.  But, you could go for me, make me one or send me some pictures (hint, hint).

Make Your Own Valentines!  Join us at Art & Invention Gallery to create a Valentine’s masterpiece for the one(s) you love.  Decorate a card or wooden heart, or invent your own Valentine’s sentiment from our table of goodies:

If you supply the time, we will supply the materials!

Cost: $ 6.00 per card, $7.00 – $10.00 per wooden heart

Walk-ins welcome:

1106 Woodland Street
Nashville 37206
Phone: 615-226-2070

Friday, February 12,  noon – 8pm
Saturday, February 13, noon – 6pm
Sunday, February 14, noon – 5pm

Reservations a must for groups of 5 or more!

**There’s lots more I’d like to add, and I’ll gladly take anything from my 2009 list: Click here to see that list.**

For some serious Valentine’s Day sales, see one of our favorite local blog fashion sites Stella Shops.

Elizabeth Weighs In:

Whew!  Liza, I’m exhausted after reading your list of “to-do’s” with so many to buy for during the early months of the year.  I have the same challenge, but mine occurs starting in September and ends in late October where EVERY member of my family, except moi, celebrates a birthday.  By the time my husband’s birthday rolls around on the 19th, we all suggest a nice pie — forget the candles.   Throw in an anniversary, some Halloween costumes, class parties and Thanksgiving.  By the time Christmas rolls around, I always feel like I am a day late and a dollar short.  And, I am.

But, let’s face it, holidays for Moms are complete hassles, eh, I mean blissful fun.  Yesterday, Liza said she was going to fore-go buying her kids’ valentines and let them make some at home (have you gone completely mad, Liza?) and I said, “Why the hurry?  Valentine’s Day is on Sunday this year!”  Wrong, all wrong – while that may be true I was suddenly reminded of school parties.  I had forgotten.  Moms are ramping up for Valentines Day right NOW…or yesterday.  I have three kids.  How had I forgotten?

Don’t get me wrong.  I love Valentines gifts – especially when I am the recipient of beautiful things.  Hopefully, if you like some of our ideas, they will find their way to your husbands or boyfriend’s email.  Next year, we may just add a Valentine’s gift registry so you are sure to get what you really want.

So, without further ado, here is my list:

Patricia Mathews

StyleBlueprint has not written about Patricia Mathews’ jewelry before, but I am a huge fan of her work.   Her line is sophisticated, lovely and reasonably priced.   A couple of years ago, I went to a home show she was having and found a ring which I did not buy.  It still haunts me as it was exquisite.  Here is one of my favorite pieces:

J.Crew

Liza loves those fabulous pink shoes, but I think if I wore them, people would whisper behind my back, “Cute shoes, but they are too young for her.” Here are my favorite shoes for Spring and they are from one of our favorite stores, JCrew:

$235 from J CREW. But, I just got this email and if you order online, and spend over $175, you can get 20% off with the code: SHHH - good through Saturday.

Fire Finch

I popped in Fire Finch in Hillsboro Village to pick up a new pair of readers (something I am not too young for!). Their supply of readers was low, but their supply of absolutely darling wallets and clutches was great.  What a great gift for Valentines!  Look at this pretty and pink wallet.   Also, their new shipment of readers is coming in next week.  At $20 a pair, they are the best in town.   By the way, I do NOT want readers for Valentines Day as they fall in the category of unromantic gifts, right up there with small appliances and grocery store roses.

Love this clutch from Fire Finch at about $100

Thomas Darnell

Finally, since everyone is bemoaning the economy and not spending too much cash these days, my last gift is expensive, really expensive.  But, I am absolutely, positively in love with Thomas Darnell’s roses.   The first time I saw his oil paintings at Caldwell Collection, I vowed that somehow, one day, I would own one of his fabulous works of art.

Darnell at work painting...you see why I want one, don't you? Fabulous.

Take your breath away. This is a painting by Thomas Darnell

Liza and I wish all you Valentine warriors and purveyors of Cupid’s dream, a heartfelt and wonderful Valentines Day.  Put your feet up and breathe a sigh of relief, “It’s over.”  Now, let’s get started on St. Patrick’s Day!

© 2010 – 2011, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.