Refined

Bringing Back The Vanity...

2009-04-06T21:16:00.010-04:00

There is something to be said about the femininity of a woman having her "nook" in the bedroom, where she can sit and "freshen up" or put on her jewelry. I daydream about having an area like this, yet I am usually putting on the last touches of my makeup while fighting road rage in rush hour traffic and then hoping I applied everything in the right place when I get out of my car!

(all images via Domino Magazine) - sorry the images are small. I could not get the original images since the magazine folded...hmmpf!

Refined is helping to bring back the idea of the vanity with our newest addition, a glossy red wrought iron vanity chair. I just love the lines of this little chair, and it reminded me of Zoey Deschanel's wrought iron bench featured in one of the last Dominos. Check out our site for more information.

(image via Domino Magazine)

~Kathryn

Happy Friday

2009-04-03T15:34:00.003-04:00

Spring has finally arrived...

I took this photo while on a jog today, and I just love tulip trees! I hope you get outside to enjoy the beautiful spring weather this weekend wherever you are! ~ Kathryn
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New Inventory at Refined

2009-04-01T21:28:00.007-04:00

Check out these and other new items available on our website, www.refinedstyle.net

~Anna

Dare Devil Dining Room

2009-03-30T15:04:00.004-04:00

As I was flipping through the January issue of W Magazine, I came across the home of Agnes Gund, a philanthropist and world renowned art collector. I was drawn to her fabulous dining room with its peacock blue walls and the captivating painting by Roy Lichtenstein. I love the juxtaposition between the contemporary, avant-garde painting with the traditional table and chairs. The blue walls seem to harmonize the juxtapositions into a delicious room!

I dream of having a dining room with walls painted this same blue, and maybe these fun chairs?

~Kathryn

A Perfect Friday....in Paris

2009-03-27T11:21:00.003-04:00

~Kathryn

Celerie Kemble

2009-03-05T22:31:00.002-05:00

I was fortunate enough to attend Celerie Kemble's book signing at the Henredon showroom at the Washinton DC Design Center a couple of weeks ago. If you have not purchased her newest book yet, go get it! It's a wonderful compilation of "best practices" for designing interiors and, Celerie shares with the reader photos and memories of the wonderful home where she spent her childhood.

During the book signing, Celerie took time to greet everyone and had individual conversations. She is a delightful person and extremely down to earth. I think we would be best friends! ~ Kathryn
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Not Domino !?!?!

2009-01-23T15:41:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Terri Spienza, a writer at The Washington Post, wrote a great, albeit sad article on the fall of design shelter magazines. I realize the failing economy and 24-hour HGTV have greatly contributed to this sad reality, but when the article mentioned that even Domino has had troubled....well, that was the point when tears started welling up in my eyes!

In the words of Obama, I'm putting my HOPE into him that he can turn this ailing economy around and YES WE CAN save Domino!

Kool Kids

2009-01-07T21:34:00.006-05:00

Lately, there have been several friends that have just had babies or will be having babies this spring. So naturally, as I've been RSVP-ing to baby showers galore, I've been thinking about the great design that has been popping up for babies and kids. Every magazine I reach for these days has an article on great nurseries or kids playrooms. Below are just a few of my favorite items that I will definitely be using when it's my turn to be preggers!

from Walnut Wallpaper

I am obsessed with this whale wallpaper! I might just not be able to wait to have kids in order to use this - I would put this in a bathroom for grownups!

from Home Decorators

How can you not fall in love with this whimsical hamper! It comes as a fish too!

from Fawn and Forest

I love nurseries and playrooms that have murals painted on the walls. But if you don't want to commit to what can be a time intensive and costly project, these great wall decals are easily removable and affordable!

from Cottage Living

A good friend of mine is using this room as inspiration for her nursery. The use of typography on this wall is fabulous!

Recession Art

2009-01-05T15:38:00.004-05:00

With the new year and a tough economy, I'm sure many people have made a resolution to tighten their finances (if they haven't already!). However, for design junkies like us, it's hard to cut out the home decor line in our budgets...so I say why can't we have our cake and eat it to? Listen up...

Collecting art may seem to be a hobby only for those with deep pockets, but we have found two great sources in the South that provide unique, original art at a bargain! A little birdie directed me to Anne Irwin Fine Art located in the Buckhead area of Atlant, GA. Anne focuses on up and coming Southern artist, but she also prices the paintings so that young professionals and couples can start collecting art at a young age.

Another wonderful way to collect original pieces of art and to help a great organization is through the Torpedo Factory in Old Town, Alexandria, VA. Each year, the Art League hosts The Patrons’ Show which is the League's biggest fundraising event of the year. The show allows the public an opportunity to acquire quality, original works of fine art at a fraction of the price while supporting a thriving non-profit organization. You can find all the details here, but hurry - the auction is just around the corner!

Pretty pillows.

2008-10-22T21:47:00.005-04:00

From here. Look familiar?

From here.

Refined at Maison Living

2008-10-18T18:15:00.004-04:00

We are excited to announce our new partnership with Jean Pierre at Maison Living in Georgetown! You'll now be able to purchase some items from our collection at this chic and popular home decor shop in Washington, DC. If you're in the area, stop by and look for the "Refined" tag on several of our unique pieces (including the stools and LuLu pillows above).

Incredible Art, For a Great Cause

2008-10-12T10:13:00.005-04:00

So who isn't in need of some original art for their home? Artwork personalizes and warms up a room like nothing else, and you can never have enough of it. However, sometimes it's challenging to find good art that's affordable, especially when you're young and just starting out.

But on Friday, November 7th, there will be an incredible art auction in Wilmington, North Carolina, called "Art To Heart" (www.arttoheart08.com), which will enable you to add to (or start!) your personal art collection while helping out a very worthy cause.

Art To Heart is the creation of Hanna Christian (my goddaughter and cousin), who underwent heart surgery at Duke Children's Hospital last winter for a condition called Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome. A talented artist herself, Hanna developed this event in hopes of both drawing attention to this little-known disease and of raising money for the Children's Hospital that saved her life.

To date, 96 artists have donated original works, so there will be plenty of pieces to choose from. Tickets can be pre-ordered on their website for $15 or purchased at the door for $20. If you're in the area, please come by and support Hanna and Duke Children's Hospital. Your walls (and countless children) will thank you for it!

Hello, again.

2008-10-07T20:30:00.004-04:00

For those of you faithful enough to check our blog regularly, you are
probably wondering what in the world has happened to us over the past
several months. Well - it's been a crazy year since we began the

journey of Refined: a warm introduction from the Washington
Post last November, Kathryn's European travels in the winter, my
(Anna's) cross-country road trip and move back to North Carolina this

summer, new (day) jobs for the both of us and my four-legged addition last
month, Edgar. So it's been a whirlwind of a year. Thank you for hanging in there!

Now that the dust has settled, we are excited to announce our new website (www.refinedstyle.net), offering fabulous new items for sale. We also hope to bring you each week, through this blog, our own design ideas and images that inspire us. Be sure to add us to your bookmarks and keep checking in; we look forward to sharing more of ourselves and Refined with you!

Ron and Kathryn in Italy

Anna and Ryan at the Grand Canyon

The newest Applegate: Edgar!

Reintroducing...refined!

2008-08-21T21:10:00.000-04:00

We are excited to announce refined's second launch!

We have spent the past several months traveling abroad, traveling the
USA, moving to new homes and....taking a step back to plan, strategize
and produce refined's new online boutique of unique vintage
furnishings and accessories. After wonderful success with our blog, we
decided it was time to take refined to the next level and create our online
shop.
Please feel free to contact us with feedback on the site or questions about our pieces
(info@refinedstyle.net). We are always adding new items, so be sure to
check back regularly.

www.refinedstyle.net

All the best,
Anna and Kathryn