our Living Room REDO

So as some of you know, my hubby and I had the house on the market for a while, but recently took it off the market for a while. We decided to embrace our little historic colonial for a couple more years! Since we decided to stay, I said "we MUST redo the livingroom!". We started out with a few hand-me-downs and added a few pieces of our own. I'm ready for a change and with that comes new paint, furniture, colors and accessories. As I'm typing, I hear the hustle bustle of the painters working away at

our new paint color for the livingroom, piano/sunroom and main hallway.

Here's our paint color from Benjamin Moore { Crystalline }.

Still trying to decide on what color scheme to coordinate with the wall color, but I love the idea of incorporating NAVY. Thoughts?

Love this Rug in Navy Stripe Striped Rug from Ballard Designs:

Now for the couch. This has been a struggle because our furniture shopping in Savannah is very limited for the type of look we're going for. We want a clean look on the edges and shape, but want it to be comfortable and deep-set. Here's one we found online at one of our local retailers,24e. They have another one in the window that I just love so looks like we might be going there this weekend!

Also, love this one from Pottery Barn, but does anyone know if this is super comfy?

Like...the kind of comfy that you just sink dow

n into and want to read a book?

And maybe throwing in a little orange? or what accent color? Perhaps kelly green?

I dream about this Nixon throw from Jonathan Adler:

This pillow from ZGallerie:

This pillow from local Savannah's Number Four Eleven {FAB store by the way!}

and an Accent Chair beside my banana leaf plant!

Twist Paper Designer Profile

Thank you for all of your support so far with my launch of Twist Paper with Whitney English!

Check out their blog to see all of the other talented designers and their recent post - a Q+A about yours truly!

http://englishpapercompany.blogspot.com/2010/04/designer-emily-mccarthy-of-twist.html

bbq-themed rehearsal dinner invitation

Vintage Family Photos

I just love looking at vintage photos from my grandparent's house! Before my mother's parents downsized to a smaller home, I opened up their cabinets of old 4x5 negatives, photograph mini-books and albums to go exploring. At this time in my life, I had started my photography courses and was experimenting in the darkroom and medium format photography. Of course, I was thrilled to find these little gems hidden behind my favorite white couch in the formal livingroom. Here are just a few of my favorites. I have a few others that I have hanging in my office that I will have to share later when I get motivated to take them down and scan them in for your viewing pleasure!

The first few are of my Nana and Papa (Lillian and Jack) who met and fell in love at a canoe club in Canada and later came to Tennessee where they raised my mom and her brother and sister. My Nana is the reason for becoming an artist and musician. It was her baby grand piano that she taught lessons on that I have in my livingroom today. The bottom photo is actually of my great-grandmother with my grandmother who just passed away. I fixed up the photo a while back for my grandmother and added some hand-tinting to bring back the color. They were both born and raised in Atlanta and my great-grandmother helped start the Magnolia Festival which Atlantans are very familiar with! Enjoy!

loren hope designs = fabulous jewelry!

In looking at my recent followers on Twitter, I discovered Loren Hope Designs and boy, am I glad I did! Her work is SO fabulous! If you're a friend of mine, you know that I love chunky jewelry that makes a statement. There are many pieces on her site and I might have to be purchasing someday soon!

This coral necklace would look great with my new White Lilly tunic with gold greek key trim!

Click here to shop her collection!

holiday card spotlights

Just wanted to share a few of the most recent holiday cards this year!

What a precious family - twin girls! This client chose a folded 5x7 card with printed envelopes. Our friends in the New Hampshire/Maine area wanted a card with a nautical flair! This client wanted a coastal chic theme - we printed this on a shimmery pearl stock and it was gorgeous!

This client wanted a herringbone classic!

HT Creative wanted a holiday card with her signature colors but also sticking to her corporate branding!

Such a cute theme with the truck and 'loads of fun'! This client did a 5" square folded card.

Check out this newlywed's card with elegant swirls!

One of my favorite Texas customers with their precious twins!

You know this card for Sarah Buck Photography had to be spectacular! Thank you for a wonderful year Sarah!

And last but not least - my own personal holiday card with my precious family!

emma j design published in The Knot : Georgia

Check out the latest edition of the Knot {Georgia}! Thanks to Melissa Livingston of M. Livingston Events and Christine Hall Photography, I had the opportunity to be featured in a highlighted wedding that took place here in Savannah, Georgia. Check out the personalized table cards, menu cards, program and reserved seating cards. Thank you ladies for this amazing collaboration!

daily inspiration { shine by s.h.o }

I just LOVE the pieces from shine by s.h.o! Thanks to fellow blogger, Oh Joy!, I recently discovered a new love for these designs! Check out some of my favorites:

Would love to have an all white room with turq accents like this:

LOVE the base of this table:
love the detail of this cabinet!

love the shape of this table!

love the unique shape of the back!

Holiday Photo Cards + Invitation Highlight

Our realtor has an annual holiday party and I'm always so excited to work on the invitation! It's fun to come up with a different theme every year! Check out this year's card : peppermint delight!

One of my favorites this year! Trellis inspired!

Custom Holiday Cards

Just about to wrap up most of my holiday photo card orders so I wanted to share a few!

{ my client added a grosgrain bow to the top of the gifts! Also, the present on the top for her upcoming arrival says "To Ford: Don't open until January 8th! which is his due date - so cute! }

{ Such a cute greeting! "The reason for the season is not forgotten, way down yonder in the land of cotton! }



{ A classic card with one of my favorite fonts, Burguess! }

{The client also wanted holiday labels!}