It's All Fun and Games Until You Can't Leave Your House

Hello friends! What an unbelievable week it’s been being sheltered in place. This has been a scary time dealing with so much uncertainty surrounding our health, finances and future. Most people are worried about job security and for my husband and I who are both entrepreneurs we are no different. It’s been really difficult to remain calm and distance ourselves from the outside world.

While technology has been a great crutch to lean on during this time, it’s also good to know that we are all craving more personal interaction with the world. It’s so strange to watch people on tv and in movies do things that we took for granted weeks ago. I can’t wait to hug a friend at a favorite dinner spot, sweat it out at the gym or get back in front of clients touching fabrics together.

As I navigate my business through Facetime, email and Zoom meetings I do appreciate the time I’m getting in with my family. Although…. SO. MUCH. TOGETHERNESS. Seriously, I am grateful that I do not have to do this alone. We’ve spent countless hours playing board games so I thought it might fun to curate a list of board games that aren’t boring. Click on the pc, sources are linked up. Enjoy, stay healthy and check on friends and family that may be getting lonely.

XO Annette

Bob Ross Quotes Playing Cards $37.39

We all can use some inspirational quotes right now! Bob Ross will help you forget your coronavirus troubles.

Lucite Tic Tac Toe $166

Drop this pretty little game on top of a stack of coffee table books. It looks great and can spark an impromptu game. I love when accessories of a room create an interesting interaction or create a conversation.

Shagreen Backgammon Game $2750

We play a lot of backgammon at home. It’s a big part of Greek culture, they call it Tavli. This luxe version has shagreen pieces wrapped in gold accents on a burled wood board.

Custom Printed Monopoly $1350

This is by far the Goopy-est Monopoly game I’ve ever seen. You can customize the colors, shape of the base and finish of the pawns. As pretty as it is, I will keep my standard Target game, thank you very much!

Foosball Table, White $7999

Not technically a board game, but this contemporary piece would look great in your gaming area and be a lot of fun.

Acrylic Tic Tac Toe $155

Tic Tac Toe is a game for all times and all ages. It’s quick, fun and the rules are simple.

Fredricks and Mae Playing Cards $10.85

What a beautiful rainbow of cards. I love the way they arrange the diamonds, hearts, spades and clubs. Truly one of a kind.

Glossy Black Chess Game $551

Beautiful honey colored onyx and black marble make a stunning combination. The shape of the pawns make this a work of art

Turquoise Blue Ombre Puzzle $20

Without an image this puzzle looks incredibly hard! After completing one in 3 different colorways, frame them up for your gameroom.

Retro Edition Uno Game $13.86

I love the 80s vibe this game is giving! Uno is played on repeat at our house.

Monogrammed Jenga Tower $3050

This is no longer available but Louis Vuitton released this beautiful luxury Jenga in July. Too beautiful not to share.

Lucite Jenga Jumbling Tower

Just as beautiful as the LV version without the hefty price tag. This is another beautiful game that you can keep on display.

Clue Classic Luxury Edition $249

The style of this is more traditional than I would normally like, but I love all of the little room vignettes. I bought this version before having kids and I don’t even let them touch it!

Custom Aluminum Dominos

Growing up with an uncommon name gave me a complex because I could never find anything with my name on it! It’s given me a love affair with monogramming. Anything I can monogram I do! This would be great with initials, a last name or an estate name. Get creative!

Lacquer Backgammon Set $395

Jonathan Adler makes so many beautiful versions of this, there is a colorway for everyone.

High Point Market Fall 2019

Last week I travelled to High Point Market. If you are unfamiliar, High Point Market is the largest home furnishings trade show in the world with 12 MILLION square feet of exhibition space over 130 buildings. It happens twice a year in High Point, North Carolina where designers and buyers descend on this otherwise sleepy town to find new vendors and see new introductions from vendors we’re already familiar with. There is so much to see and digest - and I don’t just mean all of the complimentary food and drinks! I have designer friends from all over the country it is so nice to connect with and share challenges, ideas and lots of laughs. I want to share with you a few things that were trending at the fall market.

Cerused Wood

Last season showed a lot of cerused wood and it continued this market. If you’re unfamiliar with what that is, it is done by putting liming wax on the wood which turns the grain white. Then you can add any stain, you can see the variation in these photos. I’ve also attached a photo of my daughter’s crib which I limed myself in 2005.

Terrazzo

Terrazzo is nothing new, it’s been around since the 18th century. It’s a composite material, poured in place or precast and chips of marble or granite are added. Terrazzo has been popping up in flooring and countertops lately and this market it’s creeping more and more into furniture and home goods.

Oversized Lighting

I saw tons of oversized pendants, unfortunately it’s not always easy to understand the scale in a photo! Seeing the scale of these pieces is why as designers it’s important to go to High Point and see things in person. Adding statement lighting can add a lot of drama to a room.

Petrified Wood

This is not new this season but there was a lot more of it at market this year. Basically it’s wood that has been fossilized. The cracks are filled with a colored epoxy to create a smooth finish. it’s a great way to give new life to wood that would otherwise not be used. Each one is unique and can be a conversation piece.

Woven Leather

This showed up in just about every showroom in blacks, whites and camels.

Feathers and quills and hides, oh my!

Lots of feathers in lighting, accessories and artwork. For furniture and designers animal print was huge. If you weren’t wearing leopard print did you even go to market??? This is just my excuse to throw in my pic with Kelly Wearstler.

Caning, Rattan and Woven

Again, not new to this market but these finishes used to be reserved for tropical climates. Now they’re popping up everywhere. There was more than last fall and with the addition of more blacks and colors. It showed up in blues, pinks, reds and metal versions of caning.

Fun Sofas!

The general public either picks a straight sofa or a sectional. Sofas come in all shapes and sizes! Mix in a wood piece into the middle of a sectional, mix up the fabrics. Don’t be the least interesting sofa to look at. Here is some sofa inspo fo you including some fun edge details.

Color

Blues and greens are still trending, including in painted casegoods. Beige is back, blushes got more pink. This market was heavy on rusty oranges and yellows varying from mustard to neon. No question that color dominated. Buh-by gray!

There were so many more things to show you but I’m exhausted. Please disregard my ametuer photography, I just get so excited in every showroom. If you want to see more, chick out my HPMKT19 Instagram story. Like what you see? Call me, I’ll hook you up!

These Will Make You One Happy Camper.

School is officially out for summer and I dropped off two kids on Sunday for a fun filled week at camp.  The sights and smells of camp alway bring back childhood memories of those long summer days filled with swimming and fishing, fireflies and lemonade.  I picked some accessories inspired by all the summertime fun of cabin life.

Check out the slideshow for shopping details.  Click through to purchase.

Mid Century Show Wood Chair $999

Light side chairs are easy to move around depending on the how many people come up for the weekend.

Explore Off The Grid Key Ring $8

These vintage motel inspired key rings will remind you to unplug and get back to nature.

Twin Camp Blanket $149

A warm wool throw will keep you warm gathering by the fire at marshmallow time.

Shadow Box Coffee Table $1049

Multi level coffee tables are great because you can display pretty vignettes on the lower shelves while still being able to use the top level for more functional things.

Jonathan Adler Ceramic Relief Vases

The  finish on these vases add a rustic touch while the distinctive Jonathan Adler shapes keep it modern.

Striped Wood Acacia Trays $69-$79

Trays are great for everything. They can group objects together, carry drinks or hang a decorative one on a wall. Monograms always add a custom quality to anything.

Tulum Cement Tile

Cement tiles are perfect for entries, mudrooms, kitchens and bath.  This pattern gives a nod to all of the camps here in the midwest with the hard to pronounce American Indian names.

Warm Amber 21" Mirror

A rustic piece of leather adds a nice texture and detail to this mirror.

The Only Resolution I've Ever Kept

Holiday 2015 is officially over.  It's back to the studio today to dive into work.  As I sit at my desk beginning a fresh new year, I'm reflecting on how much has changed in the past 12 months.

Last year on the morning of New Year's Eve I went to the gym for my usual 9:45 class.  The instructor asked what my New Years Resolution was.  I said "to apply myself".  She laughed and said "you have 4 kids, how much more can you apply yourself!"  I saw that note on so many report cards when I was a kid.  So obviously it was something I should be doing anyway.  What the hell does "applying myself" even mean anyway?  To me '"applying yourself" means that when I'm doing something I'm going to give it everything.  One hundred percent.  When I'm playing with my kids, that's what I'm going to be doing.  I'm not going to be scrolling through my phone or planning what's for dinner.  I'm just going to be playing with my kids.  I didn't know how applying myself would impact my life, but I was going to give it a go.

I started to apply myself at everything.  Out with friends, they had all of my attention.  Whether I'm at the grocery store picking up produce or driving the car, I'm only focusing on that.  The first thing that I learned is that applying yourself is counterintuitive.  You're told to multitask your whole life!!!  Doing one thing at a time is just not what women do.  What I learned next was amazing.  The more time I spent focusing on what I was doing, the more I decided HOW I wanted to spend my time.  Don't waste any of it.  I wanted to spend my time with great people, great food, great books and creating.  I realized how much I missed interior design.  On May 22nd June Eight Studio was born.

I know a lot about design, but what in the hell did I know about running a business??  Nothing.  But I applied myself.  I found a great community of people who were figuring out all of the same things.  I tackled one task at a time.  Every day I get to my office and create.  Often in my pajamas!   I'm so proud of the work that I'm doing and having a great time doing it.  Success can only follow when you do what you're passionate about.  Business started out slow, but momentum is building.  I'm going to keep building this dream, one room at a time.  June Eight Studio has lots of goals to crush in 2016.  

Life isn't perfect and of course you're going to have to do stuff that you don't want to do.  But if you can minimize that, do it.  Spend your time with the people you love the most, people that inspire you and bring out your best.  Do the things you love and and it will love you back.  APPLY YOURSELF.  Cheers to a fulfilling 2016.

Falling For Autumn Doesn't Have To Mean Orange

After two consective weekends enjoying some good old fashioned Fall fun like apple picking and chili cookoffs, we must reluctantly admit that summer has come to an end.  But why does fall have to bring on pumpkin spiced everything??  As much as we love the warm glow of the color orange, there are more ways that you can warm up your space for the cooler months to come.  Fall is about adding deeper colors and textures, they don't necessarily have to be orange.  These ten accessories will help your rooms fall into place.

Faux Fur Pillow Cover, Chevron $79

This pillow cover was the inspiration for our fall update.  It adds the warm hues and textures of fall to any sofa or chair.

Brenner Teal Blue Pillow $44.95

Add plush texture to mix with your patterned pillows

Acacia Circular Tray, %$79

These warm acacia wood trays are perfect for any type of display of books, candles or to serve a great bottle of red.

Mohair Striped Throw, $119

This luxurious mohair throw is perfect to put on during those cooler days and nights and curl up with a good book.

Midwest Firewood Candle, $15

Setting the tone is about all of the senses.  Nothing says fall more than a good bonfire.

Family 3 in 1 Game Set, $99

Put down your smartphone and tablets and get into some old school gaming as you begin to spend more time indoors.

Sea Turtle Shell, $299

This sea turtle shell has lots of those rich tortoise shades of brown as well as adding a natural element to your space.  Keep your walls fresh by swapping things out once in a while.

Gita Fireplace Screen, $912

Get ready for those after dinner fires by layering it with a beautiful screen.

Clio Vases $26.95-32.95

Jewel toned vases for late summer buds or a sprig of beautiful fall leaves.

Cedar Wood Soap

Adding a beautifully scented soap to a powder room or kitchen is a great way to keep those harder to accessorize rooms in season.

Don't Buy One More Boring Tie

Father's Day is around the corner.  You don't have to get the dad in your life one more boring tie.  How about giving him his own space to sprawl out to watch the game and drink beer? Which coincidentally gets him out of YOUR space sprawling out and watching the game. June Eight Studio Online can design one for you all for an affordable flat fee!  Click through the links to find out where to get these mancave ready pieces.  

Arden Fabric Sofa $2199

This bold sofa was the inspiration for this room.  The pattern says manly hunter while it's modern shape is for the guy who'd rather watch Duck Dynasty than actually go out into the woods.

Clive Bar Cabinet $2499

The cornerstone to The Mancave is the bar.  This cabinet is perfect for the budding mixologist.

Motorcity Swivel Chair $2100

The leather on this chair feels like the perfectly worn motorcycle jacket.

Hexa Hide Rug $4400

This solid black hide rug gives great texture to ground the bolder pieces in the room and somehow stays subtle at the same time.

Addison Coffee Table $799

This handsome wood and brass coffee table has the perfect retro Rec Room vibe.

Mancave Throw Pillow $87

Masculine fabrics, it might as well say "Keep Out".

Studio Tripod Lamp $399

Perfect to illuminate a late night poker game.

Emilio Robba Petrified Wood Table $1800

This petrified wood table is the perfect combination of rustic and luxe.

Faux Antelope Head $144

All of the glory without the guts!

New York Splatter Throw Pillow

David Bowie Ziggy Stardust Poster $174

This vintage print gives into his old bachelor need to tack posters to the wall.  Make sure whatever print you choose, that it is not cheesy and definitely  framed.

Toulouse Dartboard $295

The Mancave is all about fun and games.

Gallery Block

These are example images. Double-click here to replace these images with your own content. Learn more

Last Minute Gifts For Your Interior Obsessed Moms

If the mom in your life is obsessed with home goods, here are a few you might want to pick up before tomorrow!  AND don't forget to call her and tell her how amazing she is!

Tomas Maier: Palm Beach Candle

When your hard working mama doesn't have time to get away, this candle can take you there.

Mark Your Mark Custom Shams $30-35

These custom shams can have a cute knickname of saying that is an inside joke between you and your mom.  So sweet!

555-Gram Cashmere Throw

A luxurious throw to wind down when the kids are in bed.

Petrified Wood Bookends $149

These gorgeous bookends will dress up her shelves filled with her favorite reads.

Jonathan Adler Ceramic Horse Tray $138

This stylish bowl can be filled with anything from jewelry  to fruit.

The Shoe Book $50

There is no such thing as too many shoes.  Or coffee table books.

Photos to Art $79 and up

A custom framed photo of a memorable time you've shared.

A Professionally Decorated Room $599

This gift will keep on giving every day of the year.  She's worth it!

Fresh Spring Accessories to Brighten Up Your Space

Spring is nature's time of renewal.  It's only natural to want to breathe new life inside your home as well.  Check out these 12 accessories that can transform your room this season without a complete overhaul.

Check out the slideshow for shopping details.  Click through to purchase.

Pop Hurricanes $14.95

Add a group to these to a coffee or dining table.  Fill them with a citrus candle or a few buds from your garden.  

Lacquer Rectangle Tray $79

This bright orange tray can brighten up a bar or use it for a catchall in the front hall.  You can have it monogrammed to add a custom touch.  We couldn't resist making it a custom June Eight Studio piece.

Olivia Citrine Fresh Floral, $85

Gift yourself a beautiful arrangement from Olive & Cocoa.  Pink peonies, ruffled roses and bright yellow tulips are an instant pick me up.

Sunflower Wall Mirror $199

Swap out an existing mirror or photo for this unique piece.  Your reflection will be in full bloom.

Instant Happy Book $12.98, Z Gallerie

Add this bright number to your coffee table.  The pages are filled with quick tricks to keep your mood always sunny even on the rainy days.

Chevron Throw Pillow $113, Pure Home

Change out your winter pillows with fun punches of citrus.

Mosaic Jewelry Box $49

This bright mosaic box is a great way to hide unsightly clutter on a desk, dresser or bookshelf.

Curved Basket $54

Use to store pillows and throws for those nights that are still cool.  

Dip Dyed Stools $68

Reclaimed teak stools get a new life dipped in punchy colors.  Use them as seating or as set a plant on them to dress up a dark corner.

Chindi ColorBlock Pillow Cover $54

This Apricot hued pillow can transform the look of your neutral colored sofa.

Garvey Pillow $64

Balance this graphic pattern with other bright pillows to give your neutrals new life.

Woven Raffia Frames $78

Add a texture that speaks spring/summer like raffia.  Fill them with pics of spring break vacays you've gone on.