Ally's Local Loves: Sweet Edition

Ally's Local Loves

I love passing along my local favorite finds to others, whether it's a fabulous new restaurant, retail space, or even my go-to coffee shop (shout out to Summit Coffee in Davidson, NC!) It's always nice to refer my clients and friends to my tried and true spots. I recently stumbled upon a little chocolate shop owned by two of the sweetest sisters, Caryl Leone and Regina McGrath. South Main Sweet Shop is quickly gaining a following, simply by referrals, from locals and tourists to the quaint Davidson area. 

It's so nice to go into a store where the children can head right for the wall of M&M's and the adults can purchase some of the most delectable artisan chocolates available. The great thing about South Main Sweet Shop is you can come in to purchase a gift box already preassembled with seasonal treats, or stay and linger, choosing rich temptations of your choice. In the meantime you can learn all about the small batch designer truffles on display. There is something to be said for these unique, owner driven sweets that just calls you to savor each bite. Each sugary confectioner strives to obtain the freshest local, and most organic (when possible) ingredients to add to their recipe. Choosing only a select group of artisans, Caryl and Regina scoured to find the most eclectic mix of chocolates that each tell a story. In fact, they carry a line of gourmet truffles that were featured in the famous Hunger Games trilogy.

I love chocolate just like the next girl, however when you let one of these gourmet chocolates melt in your mouth it's like drinking a fine wine. You know how you can always tell the difference between Two Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's (which is no longer two bucks???) and an aged merlot? Same principal here with these incredible delights. One of my favorites was a caramel lavender truffle (it was gone so fast it didn't make it into the pictures). The caramel was rich and gooey and was followed by a sweet note of lavender. 

If you are looking to give a gift to someone or maybe you just need a special treat at the end of a long day, let South Main Sweet Shop be your answer. In my opinion, there is never a wrong time for chocolate.

Mention that you saw South Main Sweet Shop on our blog and receive a 10% discount off of your purchase. Tell Caryl and Regina the staff at AWD says hi as well!

South Main Sweet Shop

428 South Main Street, Suite A

Davidson, NC 28036

704.997.5767

Caryl Leone and Regina McGrath

L to R: Dark chocolate with chili spice and Passion Fruit (caramel with tropical passion fruit)

L to R: Rosemary (caramel with fresh rosemary in dark chocolate shell) and French Champagne (milk chocolate ganache with fresh champagne)

Pre-made chocolate assortments

L to R: Earl Grey Tea dark chocolate shell, Pumpkin (milk chocolate ganache with pumpkin spice and pumpkin pie spice, Port with Fig & Plum (milk chocolate ganache, port wine, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon in a dark chocolate shell)

Many chocolate bars featured at South Main Sweet Shop are from equal trade artisan chocolate makers

A wall full of retro candy to tickle any adult's tastebuds

A special room just for a wall of bulk candy and bulk bin 

The perfect stocking stuffers

Does it get any better then a salty potato chip covered in milk chocolate?

Nostalgic and fun soda kept ice cold

Scenes around the shop

This holiday season has been busier than ever before which is a good thing. It allows us to work off all those extra Christmas cookies which find their way into the shop. Speaking of the shop, Simplicity Interiors has all sorts of goodies that have arrived lately. If you live locally come on in and we will be sure to give Santa your wish list. If you live beyond driving distance remember most all pieces can be shipped as well. There will be a surcharge for Reindeer food though.

Here is one of my holiday tables

I love the idea of mixing rustic with elements of refinement 

I love this piece for the unique rod iron design on the side. It's a great height for behind a sofa as well.

I'm always on the hunt for unique barstools...these fit the bill.

Here is a more detailed look at the seats- love them.

One of my favorite coffee tables. This style is great if you have little kids- no sharp edges and also fits in with a lot of different design styles.

I love the look of greenery on a coffee table. A simple way to bring the outside in.

These candles. I can't even begin to describe how incredible they make the shop smell. My favorite brand for my house and as a fabulous gift.

*Please contact us for pricing at: scott@simplicity-interiors.com

Mantel vs. TV- The Age Old Dilemma

It's a common conundrum that occurs normally right around the holiday season. You find yourself browsing Pinterest late one night and come across "the perfect mantel decor." The insatiable desire to have the most festive holiday wonderment extravaganza on your mantel is quickly overshadowed by the monstrosity sitting above it. You know the one I'm talking about. That huge eyesore that you allowed into the house to appease your hubby so you could take full range of the master closet. It's there ladies and gents, and you know it's not going anywhere.

So that got me thinking about this commonplace problem. I often get asked my opinion on a TV placed above the mantel. In fact, my team did a recent pole on our Ally Whalen Design Facebook page to see which side of the fence our followers were on in regards to this unfortunate enigma. Turns out many of you feel pretty strongly that a TV above the fireplace is a dire sin. My first inclination is to agree, however it truly does depend on your space and style of living. 

In fact, a new client of mine recently requested me to start work on her mountain home in Boone, NC and here is a perfect example of a space issue making the decision for us. 

Boone, NC AWD Before

I cannot wait to show you what we have in store for this project (stay tuned!). Now as you can see the living area opens up to this incredible space with nearly floor to ceiling windows and a panoramic view of this:

Can you just imagine what this looks like when all the Fall leaves are at their peak? Gorge. In this circumstance we have a space that is not convenient for any type of media console and therefore we will more than likely be placing the TV above a mantel. We will have to find a new home for the deer as I am sure he will probably not be making a starring appearance in the living area anymore. We've named him Bob.

Now if you are in a similar situation with no perfect spot to host your TV there are a few options out there that may give you back your mantel and still allow your husband to have his "beloved" in the living room.

After doing some scouting I loved these options:

Pottery Barn Holstead Console and Hutch

Restoration Hardware Media Console: French Panel

LizMarieblog.com

I even love the idea of making your own rustic DIY console table...especially if you are dealing with a long wall. It's nice to be able to completely customize the size you need. Check out one of my faves at Liz Marie Blog to see how to do a DIY such as the one above.

If you are looking to keep you TV conveniently located above the mantel, but wanting something a bit more custom here are some great photos that are sure to inspire.

Leo Designs Chicago via Houzz

Digiacomo Homes and Renovations via Houzz

Muskoka Living Interiors

What's your opinion- are you a mantel vs. TV person or do you believe everyone can live in perfect harmony sans a few holiday decorations and an impressive 50 incher?

Fab Finds for the Holiday Hostess

When the holidays come around you know that it's inevitable that a surge of party invitations will come your way. If you're anything like me the first thing you think of is "what am I going to wear?", followed closely by "what am I going to bring?". Remember that great holiday party you slaved over a few years back? No? Maybe you blocked it out of memory since you spent an entire week worrying if you had the right wine and cheese pairing. Or maybe it was so great you don't remember it because the Christmas cranberry martinis were flowing. Either way you remember that hosting a holiday party is no easy feat.

Now with that being said I always make a point to put in effort behind my hostess gifts. It's appreciated when someone brings a bottle of wine to a festive get-together, but do you want to know some of the few gifts that stand out the most? Those would be gifts that your hostess can use for days, weeks, or even years after her party. Christmas comes but once a year, but the goodies below will have your hostess thinking of you year-round. Below are a few of my favorites:

One Hundred 80 degree
modcloth.com
I love this cute little mint number. Cute to use in the kitchen or great for your jewelry too.

Bar tool
worldmarket.com

RabLabs bar tool
laylagrayce.com
These are gorge. A real statement coaster. 

Bar tool
modcloth.com
During a party I always get asked where my bottle opener is... now here is a classic.

Diptyque fig candle
nordstrom.com
One for the living room, one for the office, and one for boudoir. Any hostess would love these.

Tin recipe box
southernweddingshop.com
I love this sweet little recipe box. What a great gift to bring the hostess of a cookie exchange party.

Repurposing a Room

I am all about making use of every square inch of my home and love to repurpose rooms when they aren't being used to their fullest potential.  My most recent project was a new guest room space.  Previously, the bonus room functioned as TV room / playroom / and sadly, guest room.  I really wanted a place my guests could feel comfortable and have some privacy.  So in comes the one room in the house that has been like um….about 6 or 7 different spaces since we moved in 7 years ago.  I once blogged on the many faces of this room- you can read about it Here.

Before we added the addition on the back of the house this was the dining room, but the table was moved to the eat-in area once that kitchen space got larger and this room became very sad:(

Hmmm, I thought, why not make this my guest room- all I need to do is add some privacy doors.  So with all my free time on my hands (ha-ha), I started moving and painting furniture and here's the result:

The privacy french doors that my fabulous carpenter installed for me:

The pretty sea foam green dresser was in my office area and it was black prior to me painting it to coordinate with the room.  This is the 3rd time it's been painted:)  I left the mirror collage because I thought it still worked great in here.  The bedding was in the bonus room, the rug was in storage, the bedskirt I also had in storage, the white slipcovered chair was in my office- so needless to say, I didn't purchase a thing for this room except an "S" hook to raise the chandelier!

 I still need to paint the doors- they're just primed right now- but that is for another day… for now maybe I'll just crawl in the bed and take a nap:)

-Ally

Gray Takes the Lead!

Whites still popular, but Gray takes the lead

At the end of 2013 whites and grays were neck and neck, but as 2014 draws to a close, gray has certainly gained speed and from what I can tell overtaken white for the lead!

Here are a few of my favorite gray kitchen and baths

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Gray and marble… yes please:)

A soft green gray- gorgeous

and one of my all time favorite blue grays:

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So now onto baths:

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Everyone knows I'm a sucker for rustic accents:)...

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Must have this tub!…

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A little dark gray if that tickles your fancy- totally a guy's bath:)

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...and now back to pretty and sophisticated. Yes, this is one of my designs and yes, this is obviously the man's side of the bath with the television:)

Ally Whalen Design

One final note, 

Gray interior doors… love them!

Photo Source

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the week!

-Ally