I'm having one of "those" days...where I'm on the verge of completely burning out! Between keeping up with my online business, designing, blogging, my husband, family, friends, laundry, our home, bills, and on and on...I'm a little overwhelmed, to say the least! I don't vent very often here on my blog, but I'm sure most of you can relate. How do you keep up with life when it's swallowing you whole?!

On that note, today's post is short and sweet - just a few images that capture the last days of summer...I can hardly believe tomorrow is September. Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with something a little more exciting, I promise :)

IMAGE CREDITS: WE HEART IT & FLICKR

Quote of the Week

"We are grounded, hardwired to enjoy being outside. Even an hour or so outside makes all the difference. Gardens heal; just looking at them helps."

- Ilse Crawford, Home Is Where the Heart Is

IMAGE CREDITS: HOUSE TO HOME & SUNSET

Black Walls = Sexy, Sophisticated & Chic

I included the photo directly below in Monday's post and my mom and sister both went crazy over the black walls, which kind of surprised me (my mom even mentioned painting her powder bath black while my dad's out of town...and my sister decided to talk her husband into doing it for theirs!). For most of us, the thought of painting a wall black, or an entire room for that matter, isn't something we'd ever even consider! I mean, black walls? Won't that make a room feel dark and depressed? Well after scouring the Internet for examples of black interiors, it's quite the contrary. Black paint - matte or high-gloss - can take a space to another level, adding depth and warmth; a feeling of luxury and sophistication. This is what I call designing outside of the box! It requires confidence and a leap of faith to actually do it...but when done right, it may just be one of the best design decisions you've ever made! How do you feel about black walls? Would you ever?

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Have a fabulous weekend! I'm working 1/2 day today to prepare for a huge yard sale tomorrow to clear out the clutter in my apartment and make some extra cash! See you back here next week. XOXO - Julie

IMAGE CREDITS: DECOR PAD; KENNETH BROWN; APARTMENT THERAPY; JULIE THIGPEN (LAST IMAGE)

Kick Things Up a Notch With a Dose of Orange

If your decor needs a little pick-me-up, try adding some flare with the color orange! My apartment is centered mainly around blues and greens, but just the two colors weren't enough - something was missing. I added pops of orange with accent pillows and an accessory and what a difference! Orange looks fabulous alongside green, pink, yellow, blue, turquoise, gray...you really can't go wrong with it, especially when used in small doses. How do you feel about the color?

IMAGE CREDITS: 1) DOMICILE INTERIORS; 2,3,5,6,9,10) DECOR PAD 4&8) METROPOLITAN HOME; 7) MADISON WEST INTERIORS

What's New! Diane von Furstenberg's Home Fabric Line

I was flipping through my Elle Decor September issue and was pleasantly surprised to learn about Diane von Furstenberg's new venture into home decor! This New York fashion designer has been a powerful force in the fashion world for decades, creating beautiful women's clothing in stunning printed fabrics. Now we'll be able to enjoy her lovely fabrics seen on the runway, on an upholstered chair, an accent pillow or bedding! The line will feature bold ikats, animal prints, large and small florals, in a variety of colors, including hot pink, lavender and yellow. “It’s all about mixing—scales, patterns, and colors,” she says. Her new home fabric line is complete with 87 crisp, graphic cottons and debuts early next year. Diane also recently designed 20 guest rooms at Claridge’s hotel in London. This is one talented woman, in more ways than one. I truly admire her work and look forward to seeing her complete fabric collection! What are your thoughts? Are you just as excited?!

looks from the runway - DVF fall 2010 collection

The dress from her fall 2008 collection that inspired the new home fabric China Vine

looks from the DVF fall 2010 collection

 a glimpse into the gorgeous guest rooms decorated by von Furstenberg for Claridge's hotel in London

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IMAGE CREDITS: ELLE DECOR; CLARIDGE'S HOTEL; DVF.COM

Quote of the Week

"Design is all about an open mind, and recognizing the beauty in opportunities beyond what you'd normally think to incorporate."

- Lizzy Bailey (via Lonny Magazine)

IMAGE CREDITS: DECOR PAD