Dining Room Design

My Practically Free DIY Intaglios

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5yaw4UxeMJc03MauJ_D0ofn8SKE2EmbPDMqCd33WeyQKlN60bTnkutfs5BVO71tIwHczydDd5HLR7NJ0oyLh78JrlxlWVyqqf9yIo-4T9H9zgAK3k4dVogGhzHphbJXc_CPd2LczAzMr/s1600/IMG_2052.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770733904232894002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5yaw4UxeMJc03MauJ_D0ofn8SKE2EmbPDMqCd33WeyQKlN60bTnkutfs5BVO71tIwHczydDd5HLR7NJ0oyLh78JrlxlWVyqqf9yIo-4T9H9zgAK3k4dVogGhzHphbJXc_CPd2LczAzMr/s400/IMG_2052.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> First I should mention that I bought these intaglios from <a href="http://www.plastercraftinteriors.co.uk/">PlasterCraft</a> 2++ years ago for $32. The stumbling block was trying to figure out how to frame them inexpensively (which was the original point) considering their thickness requires enough clearance. Then early this summer a neighbor who had sold his home put this frame out for the trash.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDDDQasFbmziWVHl5xE47j9NPdhkZ7mPeqtnoKX70MOMoufU6mEB3kYT3Zbc_EJNbP9y4J9_HKxCVlVXcLZeDCei6a2xXWhANsvGo_YGsGnqp9QlA49LK5XG0uTSsDJBmKoRBfxQnn7ME/s1600/P1130486.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5750360339584586018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDDDQasFbmziWVHl5xE47j9NPdhkZ7mPeqtnoKX70MOMoufU6mEB3kYT3Zbc_EJNbP9y4J9_HKxCVlVXcLZeDCei6a2xXWhANsvGo_YGsGnqp9QlA49LK5XG0uTSsDJBmKoRBfxQnn7ME/s400/P1130486.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> What immediately caught my eye was that the deep inset mat - perfect for accommodating an intaglio.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKXCs8GPlATmmGTgSqupJlmuWA0nzwoVcDvduAxgxpMvlyMdA8IoFl7lXxm8jxzumhoIRhiuRe31iNZpORnHabltiDhmGG3Ky_nnh7LsGEJFp-PNls83B_MVlZ4h6WZPyZje4OcmTe-uu/s1600/P1130522.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5750360017387008450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKXCs8GPlATmmGTgSqupJlmuWA0nzwoVcDvduAxgxpMvlyMdA8IoFl7lXxm8jxzumhoIRhiuRe31iNZpORnHabltiDhmGG3Ky_nnh7LsGEJFp-PNls83B_MVlZ4h6WZPyZje4OcmTe-uu/s640/P1130522.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>For the background I covered the board with a leftover ice blue Barbara Barry fabric that has a nice sheen and texture to it. To add a bit of depth, I painted the sides of the intaglios black. I prefer the ones I painted with both gold and black but those didn't work as well w/the silver inset of my free frame.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjudMacLenTLA9-_r9AxHv3hFSJBVRIpDdhyylv8M_2fGwZ_uUYUp5A3A_G46RaG9uUrgzBS036eV8b5qqor2rRCr-vJBYddI8GSFe5TfLRFR-J-HSFI2PTAbZdVQUPNsxY6njalDaKzR/s1600/IMG_2053.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770733504170497330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjudMacLenTLA9-_r9AxHv3hFSJBVRIpDdhyylv8M_2fGwZ_uUYUp5A3A_G46RaG9uUrgzBS036eV8b5qqor2rRCr-vJBYddI8GSFe5TfLRFR-J-HSFI2PTAbZdVQUPNsxY6njalDaKzR/s400/IMG_2053.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3N2VheiD_qHWpRErlWEsaGzx-ieAeaMmjc_WcJlZJTOXku5wbaSSZBdG8M79Xt9rM9mCfjStFN371fJbbAjebBRI4lWf9reUbU2UHZSPHd8RA9fl0oV9e-X3lPaAGB2hh469OxewCR09/s1600/P1130493.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5750360042589306642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3N2VheiD_qHWpRErlWEsaGzx-ieAeaMmjc_WcJlZJTOXku5wbaSSZBdG8M79Xt9rM9mCfjStFN371fJbbAjebBRI4lWf9reUbU2UHZSPHd8RA9fl0oV9e-X3lPaAGB2hh469OxewCR09/s400/P1130493.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqzIDV9d5FbBFLR5LY10tgbYZPitzFLaL8dbRWpq0H5BZmU9AakSeBsyXJchLebaS-LLufMcZPQHQWPK3bPuhmOEWwO4NObldymRNKaogsJc2jTcMBGWIbKR6joTXkW5EQPoySmjAiRUw/s1600/IMG_2047.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770734630182358914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqzIDV9d5FbBFLR5LY10tgbYZPitzFLaL8dbRWpq0H5BZmU9AakSeBsyXJchLebaS-LLufMcZPQHQWPK3bPuhmOEWwO4NObldymRNKaogsJc2jTcMBGWIbKR6joTXkW5EQPoySmjAiRUw/s640/IMG_2047.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a> The final frame. I find both these photographs a bit disappointing as I think it looks so much better in person and it's not hung quite as high as it looks above the bar cart.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFySUDOe8EGdqxu0JlPWR-v_puOoDB-4Yo4Kp9ya2NV4cbM8KE5gATEBF2dMnHP4HvBD9pNYV1Uq5IyK1EIgip6zdKfswG15z3CTGIQYk29fuWLSZiFk1xZf5PFW0YujLy9PnHf7WRMb6/s1600/IMG_2051.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770734149318467122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFySUDOe8EGdqxu0JlPWR-v_puOoDB-4Yo4Kp9ya2NV4cbM8KE5gATEBF2dMnHP4HvBD9pNYV1Uq5IyK1EIgip6zdKfswG15z3CTGIQYk29fuWLSZiFk1xZf5PFW0YujLy9PnHf7WRMb6/s640/IMG_2051.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />The bar cart in the room (former dining room which now has the new stairs to the lower level) that connects the living room to the family room and the kitchen off to the right.<br />I still have about 30 intaglios left - and a plan to convert the 6 blackboards I bought for $9 each into future frames with the traditional matting where just one or two intaglios are featured. Hopefully that won't take another 2+ years!

My Practically Free DIY Intaglios

First I should mention that I bought these intaglios from PlasterCraft 2++ years ago for $32. The stumbling block was trying to figure out...

7:20 PM

Making Lemonade

You know the old saying, "What do you do when life gives you lemons?" Well, my lemonade came in the form of a new mirror and some rearranging and painting. Before I get to the photos of my reinvented dining room, I want to thank everyone for their kind words and condolences over the death (or possibly just injury) of my pagoda mirror. A few of you mentioned having it fixed/repaired. I did check into that. One restoration guy quoted me three to five times what I paid for the mirror. So, I'm still not sure what I'm going to do, but I have kept all the bits and pieces in a safe place when I decide to tackle that project. But, for the time being here is my alternative . . .<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoo3KlafmoMLQ-r3ytFoRZ6zv9LvZl6ZKYcH5kvkVDBddCnoxzZjL9gl0qrcO1hfz8zDbPBO_w0vp4L8UyTPs3czcfrOpKzXfRP8WK_PAtPQNsmnOZ6n_8OC4fX_sXHk2-oWvIWiDtBtr/s1600/IMG_1756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoo3KlafmoMLQ-r3ytFoRZ6zv9LvZl6ZKYcH5kvkVDBddCnoxzZjL9gl0qrcO1hfz8zDbPBO_w0vp4L8UyTPs3czcfrOpKzXfRP8WK_PAtPQNsmnOZ6n_8OC4fX_sXHk2-oWvIWiDtBtr/s640/IMG_1756.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1jC1br-qsgFfPn86YCRY4RQdJ_PHlqUjINicw8kP_pLGBijg01vASQJUnqHUQufi2qOC-sy-u6pBQ6IQp_xeAyUC5wHnoeiH7F4PbPhkk8KrM1NFqXiWgSRrJ-NV0dI6UKi9brzDzOEx/s1600/IMG_1757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1jC1br-qsgFfPn86YCRY4RQdJ_PHlqUjINicw8kP_pLGBijg01vASQJUnqHUQufi2qOC-sy-u6pBQ6IQp_xeAyUC5wHnoeiH7F4PbPhkk8KrM1NFqXiWgSRrJ-NV0dI6UKi9brzDzOEx/s400/IMG_1757.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The mirror is one I've had my eye on for a long time at my friend Jennifer's shop, tag. It's actually a modern take on a pagoda form. Since it is a lot smaller in scale than my former mirror, I added some sconces on either side. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnh8jjS3ngcfkqN6SptU4Tfz0O08nlbbyucSe6VvYpREv-qfnU1l0f767Ehgg4E-lLfIkCMHHmfZviwxYOrzNmtjc2u_T76ZP2Z9kJgGGJkz2sydZOPUrxYRgg_9bB_LEajOoHeK3fAZl/s1600/IMG_1760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnh8jjS3ngcfkqN6SptU4Tfz0O08nlbbyucSe6VvYpREv-qfnU1l0f767Ehgg4E-lLfIkCMHHmfZviwxYOrzNmtjc2u_T76ZP2Z9kJgGGJkz2sydZOPUrxYRgg_9bB_LEajOoHeK3fAZl/s400/IMG_1760.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I've had these sconces stashed in a closet for a while, and they were originally kind of a greige Restoration Hardware-looking finish (sorry, I was in too much of a hurry to take before photos). I decided to go with black and gold since the gold mirror has black flecks on it. I just spray painted them black then painted on details with gold leaf paint. All during the afternoon before the party Saturday night . . . nothing like the last minute. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then, I just moved my white porcelain lamp with the black shade in from the other room to add more of the black and white combination. I also finally got around to hanging my creamy curtains from an estate sale.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssSJx5dQeqJrU7qsAUVdStw8F72d1VaXyXRGJZ95QxwpHxM6trPSDhPUUY_j48LEcW8q1qIXzQ0BarXI_jvNu3gKEYxcTEP7fxRSqbN2y2w0AjMz_GllODsCMnTvzbAlNz-aG7hAby0ia/s1600/IMG_1793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssSJx5dQeqJrU7qsAUVdStw8F72d1VaXyXRGJZ95QxwpHxM6trPSDhPUUY_j48LEcW8q1qIXzQ0BarXI_jvNu3gKEYxcTEP7fxRSqbN2y2w0AjMz_GllODsCMnTvzbAlNz-aG7hAby0ia/s400/IMG_1793.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoe had to get in the photo.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">I tacked on some decorative trim which I will have properly sewn on soon, but this worked for the party . . . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhjjr_hKMwYzsMgR0D5cF8UdcoCUAYpHGN2pGgNQo30fAc_Jov1W4mqMgCbal1J1uFPJO3wwShQjrG_7QDfUxBd-_G2TE8JKxbPObbUmNOlzwYYB9ekzqwwQkRVEG4knzBxRxFFNJFEAM/s1600/IMG_1764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhjjr_hKMwYzsMgR0D5cF8UdcoCUAYpHGN2pGgNQo30fAc_Jov1W4mqMgCbal1J1uFPJO3wwShQjrG_7QDfUxBd-_G2TE8JKxbPObbUmNOlzwYYB9ekzqwwQkRVEG4knzBxRxFFNJFEAM/s400/IMG_1764.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also finally got around to getting a fiddle leaf fig tree . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbID7tOAd22ZjOQ5kKoaUde0AgekJCAEIfHa1HjxDgURxkdo_wqlMxsFB1aU1t8AZTS_I_RDGEuRaIT2aPK8rp8tPmuJxbz30cytG-YyA4oCp3mH9MFACS6Cbnqn2dwiMJtZtKU3uL5wQC/s1600/IMG_1761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbID7tOAd22ZjOQ5kKoaUde0AgekJCAEIfHa1HjxDgURxkdo_wqlMxsFB1aU1t8AZTS_I_RDGEuRaIT2aPK8rp8tPmuJxbz30cytG-YyA4oCp3mH9MFACS6Cbnqn2dwiMJtZtKU3uL5wQC/s400/IMG_1761.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nothing like a party to get you motivated to spruce up your house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpGxOc3BS_OHEz8qgH_gd7vUJ3ebOxZ_v_PWCC6ajnw85RIlClsmLlTzP4ED20qJ99aQhuEpA3tdQH_i7YFMTR-O8vwLtpe-DkWIvLHrR5J8rFwIlZBthKb3PUiD55ZoyBUqOvTSjGQQW/s1600/IMG_1794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpGxOc3BS_OHEz8qgH_gd7vUJ3ebOxZ_v_PWCC6ajnw85RIlClsmLlTzP4ED20qJ99aQhuEpA3tdQH_i7YFMTR-O8vwLtpe-DkWIvLHrR5J8rFwIlZBthKb3PUiD55ZoyBUqOvTSjGQQW/s400/IMG_1794.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, that's it for now, but I will share photos of my new French doors/living room soon so stay tuned (if you follow me on Instagram you may have already seen them . . . I'm having a hard time getting a decent photo of them however).  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Making Lemonade

You know the old saying, "What do you do when life gives you lemons?" Well, my lemonade came in the form of a new mirror and some ...

2:49 PM

Hamptons Designer Showhouse - Color Drenched

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsLC38hWIDNkuQcTOTY_LMJhrOGnFEPJEmLqlWTmTXUz-9oGxYDN-JBVC0PPqiS3QQVgEZ1Ih1tdz36-vI4xj-UlZ7ZEBN3tTKn47nAC0lCz0Nf6EQBj_jATXZuHfL922rpqOPAlaECno/s1600/hamptonKateSingerden.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5769546768481677826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsLC38hWIDNkuQcTOTY_LMJhrOGnFEPJEmLqlWTmTXUz-9oGxYDN-JBVC0PPqiS3QQVgEZ1Ih1tdz36-vI4xj-UlZ7ZEBN3tTKn47nAC0lCz0Nf6EQBj_jATXZuHfL922rpqOPAlaECno/s640/hamptonKateSingerden.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="http://www.vtinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-favorites-from-hampton-design-house.html">VT Interiors</a> just did a wonderful post on the Hampton Designer Showhouse 2012 and it's drenched in happy, fresh color. Not wanting to duplicate Viera's post, I've chosen other shots but just couldn't resist this first one, the den by designer Kate Singer. What a gorgeous collection of blue abstracts and landscapes. For more, head <a href="http://www.vtinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-favorites-from-hampton-design-house.html">here</a>. <span style="color:#333333;">(Images via </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151060636253117.458215.70613248116&type=1#!/media/set/?set=a.10151060636253117.458215.70613248116&type=1"><span style="color:#333333;">Facebook</span></a><span style="color:#333333;">, all photography by Eric Striffler)<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF6AR_MeRRUDs948iJo0CPXe3_Nk1mxWrXnGomgbHV7vwTrUXzcqL25wuwdR2I0YxmcLpNYYLNvxzr40DanWHa1xsk2lKLOjBVKs1Wk73MZ1KWNeOEUfOwZ70iimJGzDxcXWiLGrC3u5G/s1600/hamp1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5769546417814146242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF6AR_MeRRUDs948iJo0CPXe3_Nk1mxWrXnGomgbHV7vwTrUXzcqL25wuwdR2I0YxmcLpNYYLNvxzr40DanWHa1xsk2lKLOjBVKs1Wk73MZ1KWNeOEUfOwZ70iimJGzDxcXWiLGrC3u5G/s640/hamp1.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Designer Lillian August, Great Room<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1NWV404d_Xjx2CU_RQAwPaJM6g02fCZydx-lswZuYeIXOjKFpnw3tCpgdsWtvMS6P_r_BJ1PjnuQbfzIebTilFbliZ3VbQ84ZrOMfnfAzGCpB4rMxXcs_SbSnh5SEB4yb32ddCB6wMsC/s1600/hamptonRobertPassalmasterbed.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5769543888409262034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1NWV404d_Xjx2CU_RQAwPaJM6g02fCZydx-lswZuYeIXOjKFpnw3tCpgdsWtvMS6P_r_BJ1PjnuQbfzIebTilFbliZ3VbQ84ZrOMfnfAzGCpB4rMxXcs_SbSnh5SEB4yb32ddCB6wMsC/s640/hamptonRobertPassalmasterbed.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Designer Robert Passal, Master Bedroom<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CO_JIWXAq2Iq2amyWw-i-4eL0aTjmzu65eAXnvrIEskikGMfKlKQK6FkUaQPJOxIKS2QP5t34bwjmDyZXJzuDaFmZh-3p7BP2wE2-8diI7-T2RWTlZKVZsgLoeoocEJyST7aiccch4li/s1600/hamptongregmckenzieLounge.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5769543648736535826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CO_JIWXAq2Iq2amyWw-i-4eL0aTjmzu65eAXnvrIEskikGMfKlKQK6FkUaQPJOxIKS2QP5t34bwjmDyZXJzuDaFmZh-3p7BP2wE2-8diI7-T2RWTlZKVZsgLoeoocEJyST7aiccch4li/s640/hamptongregmckenzieLounge.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Designer Greg Mckenzie, Lounge<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpakpiAR0mgO6V6xIrG5ZXKbj62cg7WKtXzcX8W5xT8GeDxky75VtMAPVS23HaXzW9FAbYNpQDGMQ_U26FH1SCB3l0oVt2t63nbTQzex-QFfTA83DubG-V5rXdUE88oKQdz0gPBnFULWmn/s1600/hamptonLibbyLangdonfunroom.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5769543333793431506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpakpiAR0mgO6V6xIrG5ZXKbj62cg7WKtXzcX8W5xT8GeDxky75VtMAPVS23HaXzW9FAbYNpQDGMQ_U26FH1SCB3l0oVt2t63nbTQzex-QFfTA83DubG-V5rXdUE88oKQdz0gPBnFULWmn/s640/hamptonLibbyLangdonfunroom.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Designer Libby Langdon, Fun Room

Hamptons Designer Showhouse - Color Drenched

VT Interiors just did a wonderful post on the Hampton Designer Showhouse 2012 and it's drenched in happy, fresh color. Not wanting to ...

11:14 AM

More Eye Candy

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkzGIyz9AtTx8lRaCMWrgRbdddckBnd1V87OZIc87oqOpqizEPvfJ9BWRtXf6qmIxZLidUjkMpiAtPA8SPMJPrWwebZ5hhh3wNr9vbSjUKHDvI6cGtyck9i4M841NU1tE0BLT8UgmnO1F/s1600/raul-martins.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766332969661650562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkzGIyz9AtTx8lRaCMWrgRbdddckBnd1V87OZIc87oqOpqizEPvfJ9BWRtXf6qmIxZLidUjkMpiAtPA8SPMJPrWwebZ5hhh3wNr9vbSjUKHDvI6cGtyck9i4M841NU1tE0BLT8UgmnO1F/s640/raul-martins.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Came across this fabulous bathroom by Raúl Martins via a<a href="http://www.paroisdouche.com/tag/ferrures-en-acier-inoxydable"> French website</a>. That one line of black tile running up the wall makes all the difference. Here's some more of his work via the very chic publication Nuevo Estilo. (More images <a href="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/407/407_1_4.shtml">here</a>.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdgYHUsyoJ9fcj0BaLtqpZ7aIQGjUJRlVIjLr1US11Oba7WecV61PDYA4Pd-35g_DCD4FY603b2o3TNRcF3t4-cBSIABRt3hdCFhilrvTgBegbqYvS8nSGiDc20E8DV9ax9OeBiIitVPz/s1600/ne1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766329507823838642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdgYHUsyoJ9fcj0BaLtqpZ7aIQGjUJRlVIjLr1US11Oba7WecV61PDYA4Pd-35g_DCD4FY603b2o3TNRcF3t4-cBSIABRt3hdCFhilrvTgBegbqYvS8nSGiDc20E8DV9ax9OeBiIitVPz/s640/ne1.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_aZ8S6f9ATkasj0LnGGmDUYYpLqqNtYVsAL_BkZ8KIwUuVdF_BpVe_6ZL5V1wwiZh-vqzjaQ0QNLfIamRVEydaQ38HD4LFSaFHrKTuQvoPev-y-qqCRSeU3SpWVrXzB-pv09TN8DOIAB/s1600/ne2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766329402392861522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_aZ8S6f9ATkasj0LnGGmDUYYpLqqNtYVsAL_BkZ8KIwUuVdF_BpVe_6ZL5V1wwiZh-vqzjaQ0QNLfIamRVEydaQ38HD4LFSaFHrKTuQvoPev-y-qqCRSeU3SpWVrXzB-pv09TN8DOIAB/s640/ne2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqX5KKBCbvCX-l7sNqAVMuDYzQoocamwuFHRTXP3ssq__l0wqm30eBnVdZ3XFMAZwstZtSErGsYZauYe3bUfPWuOlGB0PmjWeDk-pPeP526t0G8qUHZnvyIYAQN1CWNiRuybGUO9M-28mQ/s1600/nedr.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_576632929685266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqX5KKBCbvCX-l7sNqAVMuDYzQoocamwuFHRTXP3ssq__l0wqm30eBnVdZ3XFMAZwstZtSErGsYZauYe3bUfPWuOlGB0PmjWeDk-pPeP526t0G8qUHZnvyIYAQN1CWNiRuybGUO9M-28mQ/s640/nedr.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Hope you're having a great week. I'm easing back into the work routine after a very nice break from it all. Thanks to everyone for all the nice birthday wishes! Michele

More Eye Candy

Came across this fabulous bathroom by Raúl Martins via a French website . That one line of black tile running up the wall makes all the di...

4:27 AM

Decorating Disaster & Delight

Okay, so it's a lame title, but I've basically got some good news and some very bad news to share. First, the very bad news. I must warn you . . . those with a weak stomach might want to look away as this photo involves decorating carnage. I'll let the photos do the talking . . .<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69N3zownNXnH07sN79Q6pOeXN2aJVifC2InFr4HTf6pFdGL6znjYdGLC1H9D4I3LUGjv6wzfrNX6ldPaIOX8LOQcO9I3uH4vFAIQhzl0_DbumeGrgs1abdx7llPeM-1nj1W2zPhrUmICx/s1600/IMG_1743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69N3zownNXnH07sN79Q6pOeXN2aJVifC2InFr4HTf6pFdGL6znjYdGLC1H9D4I3LUGjv6wzfrNX6ldPaIOX8LOQcO9I3uH4vFAIQhzl0_DbumeGrgs1abdx7llPeM-1nj1W2zPhrUmICx/s400/IMG_1743.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Lh_Wz1Teu-8gxl0AA4sww89B4PFN0tBP-JVn34j0urR4-1uZyyW9QylDZ1Pwjb3NkI7PzJ04_LH0hiUJCSw_m6M9Jvdo2pIPsijGTutd1fgxq65IQImW57kFxpvfYNlHuyKChUbHKJ7o/s1600/IMG_1748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Lh_Wz1Teu-8gxl0AA4sww89B4PFN0tBP-JVn34j0urR4-1uZyyW9QylDZ1Pwjb3NkI7PzJ04_LH0hiUJCSw_m6M9Jvdo2pIPsijGTutd1fgxq65IQImW57kFxpvfYNlHuyKChUbHKJ7o/s400/IMG_1748.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggX8s3dPSbrP1BftFkr75xJ3rkJAwM8qr1uzfcn9ciEIj53Jb9IvzpqlhtaePGeSQWpc2cv_x_vDfvma_R0Zfm_tO1Fuwc25ZiwTInTo1SSnqePK3gnCCUdnR0fy8fla3emmmzUqsB34N/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggX8s3dPSbrP1BftFkr75xJ3rkJAwM8qr1uzfcn9ciEIj53Jb9IvzpqlhtaePGeSQWpc2cv_x_vDfvma_R0Zfm_tO1Fuwc25ZiwTInTo1SSnqePK3gnCCUdnR0fy8fla3emmmzUqsB34N/s400/IMG_1749.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZaThBugSk9wzB11brUyKSstq2Vwha5Vbj_s6S3PgWE6KYtl3Bkq-SOQJ02SE_SMMat2R93jqvNwfoNH7rFTMUqfXhyphenhyphenP0cZgkGPmymXBz-JAv9RKJI0LT5X5zGeuLKID-NDNPDkCuoW84/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZaThBugSk9wzB11brUyKSstq2Vwha5Vbj_s6S3PgWE6KYtl3Bkq-SOQJ02SE_SMMat2R93jqvNwfoNH7rFTMUqfXhyphenhyphenP0cZgkGPmymXBz-JAv9RKJI0LT5X5zGeuLKID-NDNPDkCuoW84/s400/photo.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, people, the pagoda mirror died a very unnatural death. And I don't think there's any way Humpty can be put back together again. Too many small broken pieces, too much weight (it weighs a ton, seriously). Like my beloved mirror, I'm broken. Heartbroken. If you have no idea what it used to look like, here's a reminder of the mirror in all its glory . . . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctjjxfFddJCERNrcQeBKKE3UZWAxcGt9QkCAei9Il32_2rO_pmDIkCVf7eGvP_leoZQdKPwb2jGNpWlDTdis06NjoYLMHPYKoOI2U2a379a2zavhL7Wqe5BNcA5DWLdgAuUViFPEV0aTI/s1600/IMG_0742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctjjxfFddJCERNrcQeBKKE3UZWAxcGt9QkCAei9Il32_2rO_pmDIkCVf7eGvP_leoZQdKPwb2jGNpWlDTdis06NjoYLMHPYKoOI2U2a379a2zavhL7Wqe5BNcA5DWLdgAuUViFPEV0aTI/s640/IMG_0742.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, what happened? I have no idea really. I was sitting in the adjoining living room when I heard the most ungodly noise and about jumped out of my skin. I looked up just in time to see the pagoda fly across the room and thud on my newly refinished floor leaving a gash and some white paint. My best guess is that when the floor guys took down the mirror while refinishing the floors and then re-hung it, it wasn't on the hanger very well allowing it to work its way out of the wall. The crash happened almost a week after they re-hung the mirror, but there's a pantry door on the hallway adjacent that is often opened and closed which I'm assuming jarred it loose. Tragic. The miraculous thing is that it didn't break the mirror portion or the glass table below. It scratched the hell out of my dining room table however and took out my lampshade (different lamp than pictured above):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqGKx9ZCEr_v69LOc7rzJdi-Kp0bBZBcI4aLxY4x7QGj0Lc2iEQrx6F5ghCSyphfAOB4sM0xBvWgfs2omFM5vhY67KYI-zMkudVcMPwE9Fb5Bl7NG9_sRlDdmLxa28FcB2oSCLAX-jMn8/s1600/IMG_1745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqGKx9ZCEr_v69LOc7rzJdi-Kp0bBZBcI4aLxY4x7QGj0Lc2iEQrx6F5ghCSyphfAOB4sM0xBvWgfs2omFM5vhY67KYI-zMkudVcMPwE9Fb5Bl7NG9_sRlDdmLxa28FcB2oSCLAX-jMn8/s400/IMG_1745.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, of course this leaves a gaping hole on the wall just in time for my husband's 40th birthday party on Saturday. I need a placeholder at least for now. I've got some ideas brewing so stay tuned. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And the good news? There's a great tag sale coming up hosted by two of my local blogging buddies, <a href="http://cha-gogo.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chateau A GoGo</a> and <a href="http://theinsanedomain.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Insane Domain</a>! You must check it out if you live in or near the Nashville area (it's in Brentwood, specifically) because these ladies have great vintage finds. Here are the deets . . . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJCuiygjmsybhjeOT1MGu172D72yyM0KM2WMx59cNe5S0ef-awt_pCUxZ5jJstzfB112UYj4DhAhmRV8xmPdGleOxmhsp1N4SsYnO_ZA7-mmjbV5Q44pUstcE5u7FT83nsVYY8u1NmUBD/s1600/poster-01+%283%29.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJCuiygjmsybhjeOT1MGu172D72yyM0KM2WMx59cNe5S0ef-awt_pCUxZ5jJstzfB112UYj4DhAhmRV8xmPdGleOxmhsp1N4SsYnO_ZA7-mmjbV5Q44pUstcE5u7FT83nsVYY8u1NmUBD/s640/poster-01+%283%29.png" width="412" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, check out their blogs for previews of some of the items up for sale. You won't want to miss it!</div>

Decorating Disaster & Delight

Okay, so it's a lame title, but I've basically got some good news and some very bad news to share. First, the very bad news. I must ...

8:48 AM

Eye Candy & A Vacation

Eye Candy & A Vacation

Love the exterior of this home via High Street Market's post on crushed stone driveways. It's a bit grand but still approachable. I...

6:25 AM

Haute Fabric's Tent Sale July 20th - 31st!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY555IuMBxejxqBxsZlHIgB_SkV4dckgmF_Dk6WWszI2HYOTKPoxkbABoUq57cFvKbMV3LaIAbXhnMMwn67hTWCogpZxUSmJTJv2h_4wu_McHOBf1PlCNvtNtCnRM4EJJVOA0kTftWYn61/s1600/2012-07-17-fabric-thumb-620xauto-42660.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766322123969309506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY555IuMBxejxqBxsZlHIgB_SkV4dckgmF_Dk6WWszI2HYOTKPoxkbABoUq57cFvKbMV3LaIAbXhnMMwn67hTWCogpZxUSmJTJv2h_4wu_McHOBf1PlCNvtNtCnRM4EJJVOA0kTftWYn61/s640/2012-07-17-fabric-thumb-620xauto-42660.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I just blogged about this event for Washingtonian Open House blog - check out the full story <a href="http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/openhouse/home-design-shopping/fabric-lovers-youre-in-luck-haute-fabrics-tent-sale-is-back-this-friday.php"><strong>here</strong></a>. Haute Fabrics is one of my favorite sources for designer fabrics at great prices. The tent sale runs from July 20th - 31st, Monday through Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday 1 to 4.<br /><br />Haute Fabrics. 8393 W. Main St., Marshall, Virginia; 540-364-1221.

Haute Fabric's Tent Sale July 20th - 31st!

I just blogged about this event for Washingtonian Open House blog - check out the full story here . Haute Fabrics is one of my favorite sou...

6:54 PM

I'd Like a Sink Like This...

I'd Like a Sink Like This...

I'd like a marble sink like this. I'm assuming this is custom. Has anyone ever had one like this made for them? (From the home of de...

6:30 AM

A Guest Post & Chaos

Today you can find me over at <a href="http://sadieandstella.blogspot.com/2012/07/favorite-room-feature-my-interior-life.html" target="_blank">Sadie + Stella</a> where the ever-stylish Lindsay has asked me to share <a href="http://sadieandstella.blogspot.com/2012/07/favorite-room-feature-my-interior-life.html" target="_blank">my favorite room</a> with her readers (you can probably guess which one it is, and probably wish I would shut up about it). If you've never stopped by S+S, you're in for a treat. Lindsay is so cute and always blogs about the coolest stuff! So, go check out her <a href="http://sadieandstella.blogspot.com/2012/07/favorite-room-feature-my-interior-life.html" target="_blank">blog</a> and see some more little tidbits about the room I may not have shared before. In other news, our floors are done and some major painting is going on around here. Oh, and we're getting our new French doors today (hallelujah!). So, as you can imagine, it's a little chaotic and not really photo-worthy but here's a sneak peek of our floors . . .<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kBk1f_Q4TVCQdYVNs7xOZ_MyQyUHdR3Za5eWSCqdHtppLUIc7XMooVegeD3-1RwrT7vzeHHQpupAIzGS87KRTht8gT94Yo-gRDaKpYYiQolqbjljdiAyDgCYMmZvgoiY7z3cmDC6XqjN/s1600/newfloor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kBk1f_Q4TVCQdYVNs7xOZ_MyQyUHdR3Za5eWSCqdHtppLUIc7XMooVegeD3-1RwrT7vzeHHQpupAIzGS87KRTht8gT94Yo-gRDaKpYYiQolqbjljdiAyDgCYMmZvgoiY7z3cmDC6XqjN/s400/newfloor.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay, no more orange floors! Just a nice warm brown. Ahh.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, and here's another little glimpse of something that got painted. Can you spot the new detail?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A3O1veW-PUczg0Fp68kIBv-ZZTgOGgp0DDkD0nW7ZqBHzpfboxVtrWsWwiLU_vjCbM6wzdIv6t_zkCAJbfl-GAL4E1wo2NpYCV_oi8CuJb732-cDfw3ncFJXNDpK6MXEzHqduSlZjFj-/s1600/chaos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A3O1veW-PUczg0Fp68kIBv-ZZTgOGgp0DDkD0nW7ZqBHzpfboxVtrWsWwiLU_vjCbM6wzdIv6t_zkCAJbfl-GAL4E1wo2NpYCV_oi8CuJb732-cDfw3ncFJXNDpK6MXEzHqduSlZjFj-/s400/chaos.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I promise better reveal photos will be coming soon. Happy Thursday!</div>

A Guest Post & Chaos

Today you can find me over at Sadie + Stella where the ever-stylish Lindsay has asked me to share my favorite room with her readers (you c...

6:15 AM

Sunny Yellow Entry

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngMgp4hJelb8nBaXoD7LmEfhYb_90WJfZ_tb8qMRBnGEodyF3S64BbBzGpXpZ7gqjZvX_PV6zqATTFD0Ll2HHJbfdU32oIIy-gHpj_jNj-n1Tl-L92SgYT3XD0OqZbkqOleP2x5udxa6Y/s1600/P1130588.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763723699334163442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngMgp4hJelb8nBaXoD7LmEfhYb_90WJfZ_tb8qMRBnGEodyF3S64BbBzGpXpZ7gqjZvX_PV6zqATTFD0Ll2HHJbfdU32oIIy-gHpj_jNj-n1Tl-L92SgYT3XD0OqZbkqOleP2x5udxa6Y/s640/P1130588.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width; height;" /></a>A bit of exterior eye candy from my recent trip home (Central New York.)  Love this sunny yellow door paired with the light blue exterior.  Terrific wood rail work too!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDYSNkOPb3t28yV2je8KAuUfALvkoQpu4CD3DufjOL9t7o1s0_K5vqCUxYMoKUKlGHwLpSX_m-Ov56RpNhsNm_HD1Lvivdm2ckHsPgrjGbsDhNXxI8mU6nTHdjd9KElRg0TRhwQUaOq0U/s1600/P1130586.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763723343086096098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDYSNkOPb3t28yV2je8KAuUfALvkoQpu4CD3DufjOL9t7o1s0_K5vqCUxYMoKUKlGHwLpSX_m-Ov56RpNhsNm_HD1Lvivdm2ckHsPgrjGbsDhNXxI8mU6nTHdjd9KElRg0TRhwQUaOq0U/s640/P1130586.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width; height;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NzMpsBwhtZJ7FpmaIxwrJJyGrVuRTgzX8w0TN1vNLdBc1dCaVOPtnLi-Rp38OxBCYbeEEJqcvORhYNWwg1qJRm5d48Y0_xOo0tOhyphenhyphenx3W4svn5G0xeZU3gqxY5D9oIFBqndNDFfWyBOts/s1600/P1130563.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763724996091445810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NzMpsBwhtZJ7FpmaIxwrJJyGrVuRTgzX8w0TN1vNLdBc1dCaVOPtnLi-Rp38OxBCYbeEEJqcvORhYNWwg1qJRm5d48Y0_xOo0tOhyphenhyphenx3W4svn5G0xeZU3gqxY5D9oIFBqndNDFfWyBOts/s640/P1130563.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width; height;" /></a>Speaking of yellow, the same day this lovely bridal party was having their pictures taken lakeside. Notice the <b><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#333333;">yellow</span></b> flowers, shoes and pocket chiefs.

Sunny Yellow Entry

A bit of exterior eye candy from my recent trip home (Central New York.) Love this sunny yellow door paired with the light blue exterior. ...

6:49 PM

Divine Dining Room

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifPlwJqKsswKKcB0uhZm3MoY_0DIWWqAuFQuXtxt1cFGv3jV3NkL9FfBGWFcT8pNjWA2DZucKJ2b4Wj3O35ircDTcZO0v7rLetCZkHkLBW76fCsnldBFJ1LIVBUnxkNN-KnP23NZ1ZRht/s1600/pstephankarlisch.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762559693503333922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifPlwJqKsswKKcB0uhZm3MoY_0DIWWqAuFQuXtxt1cFGv3jV3NkL9FfBGWFcT8pNjWA2DZucKJ2b4Wj3O35ircDTcZO0v7rLetCZkHkLBW76fCsnldBFJ1LIVBUnxkNN-KnP23NZ1ZRht/s640/pstephankarlisch.bmp" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Why am I posting on Sunday afternoon, an unusual time for me? Gun shy - thunderstorms are forecast and I'm afraid we'll lose power again. I should me more optimistic... Hope you enjoy Lisa Martensen's serene and sophisticted dining room via DHome <a href="http://www.dhome.dmagazine.com/Room-guides/dining-rooms/martensen-dining-room#detail">here</a>. The stone table is by Michael Taylor.

Divine Dining Room

Why am I posting on Sunday afternoon, an unusual time for me? Gun shy - thunderstorms are forecast and I'm afraid we'll lose power a...

1:14 PM

D. Bryant Archie's Newest Textiles

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpvleRCHvkGxAsEPL3ev-GpDnz2Xu41RBRLsTs0Pupkx2Ck5ZbzHjyPoL3Vx9Y0YjB0y-uz4DQRyKy8Kj6n1PLAz7k8w_r4vWZMgpSeYrJ80SSpAzNBHFBU9HNx10iAu6hcIBjt1w-oY9/s1600/qashqai_folded.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762074677230474706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpvleRCHvkGxAsEPL3ev-GpDnz2Xu41RBRLsTs0Pupkx2Ck5ZbzHjyPoL3Vx9Y0YjB0y-uz4DQRyKy8Kj6n1PLAz7k8w_r4vWZMgpSeYrJ80SSpAzNBHFBU9HNx10iAu6hcIBjt1w-oY9/s640/qashqai_folded.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width; height;" /></a><a href="http://www.dbryantarchie.com/">Bryant Archie</a>, one of my favorite people I've met while blogging, has a <a href="http://shop.dbryantarchie.com/artist/what-s-new">new Resort collection</a> of 100% cotton and, of course, it's beautiful. Maybe you saw them mentioned in this month's Elle Decor?  The throws and bedcovers are handmade in Guatemala and the pillows are sewn in NYC. (throw above is Qashqai)  The strips are gorgeous color combinations and come with the braided border trim that I think is a signature feature of Bryant's work.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc9r5iJErHzJ0QBGgpHvo5jIpKLncQNdsG7UhwPYpryPCXkBDkRP_vc1zPGbtiLZ664f9Ti3YBKchiRW84x83fUzYUFz8Z7-t8UGQHRpGyIy98XwB8j2ciZnNz8wCIvNdT2iPF5Q75TDD/s1600/amaleah_flat.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762075215520176098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc9r5iJErHzJ0QBGgpHvo5jIpKLncQNdsG7UhwPYpryPCXkBDkRP_vc1zPGbtiLZ664f9Ti3YBKchiRW84x83fUzYUFz8Z7-t8UGQHRpGyIy98XwB8j2ciZnNz8wCIvNdT2iPF5Q75TDD/s400/amaleah_flat.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>Amaleah<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTiA3bmxkXTbUzcc0nUjDpwBnXmGFLsk-K7wH77B7b4kE-3Kd4F58Ukud-0oYgnMmVrrX9U8nj8G4_uDpkFMZQCw5-KYkpZRwg9X-ybDaWkEL_hyavRtNtCBbSapwahfR6K9sKEXEXT_6/s1600/COBAN_BLUE_PILLOW_17X30.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762079369204419090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTiA3bmxkXTbUzcc0nUjDpwBnXmGFLsk-K7wH77B7b4kE-3Kd4F58Ukud-0oYgnMmVrrX9U8nj8G4_uDpkFMZQCw5-KYkpZRwg9X-ybDaWkEL_hyavRtNtCBbSapwahfR6K9sKEXEXT_6/s400/COBAN_BLUE_PILLOW_17X30.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 355px; height: 400px;" /></a>Coban blue pillow<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3F8471x54Gl_Zh7-1C8g00ArmevdtTIcW5KAtrXLRl1AVLHMiKPLvoFcs9f1IDNUeClyYdKH17Yvmy_RqXSJ2U99xjrI_b4cAZ43-yCn520FNoZh9rucj1vDiBk1Ys8Ta8FbdM5B8nmg/s1600/USONIAN_BLANKET_cognac.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762074399265111570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3F8471x54Gl_Zh7-1C8g00ArmevdtTIcW5KAtrXLRl1AVLHMiKPLvoFcs9f1IDNUeClyYdKH17Yvmy_RqXSJ2U99xjrI_b4cAZ43-yCn520FNoZh9rucj1vDiBk1Ys8Ta8FbdM5B8nmg/s640/USONIAN_BLANKET_cognac.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width; height;" /></a>Recently I bought this beautiful Usonian blanket in cognac/maple/night hand-woven  of 100% baby alpaca in Peru.  To say it's soft is an understatement!

D. Bryant Archie's Newest Textiles

Bryant Archie , one of my favorite people I've met while blogging, has a new Resort collection of 100% cotton and, of course, it's ...

8:10 AM

15 Years . . .

ago, I was here . . .<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhUQHXK8kUXs2UuRWpvxOz0KSfM-nGqp9N8m6vK7S8PBZvxMJDWTao-TItH9BjVZ7vbHiQpoJVYGRyANPvsY6bTqLr-iy9uehVFukBikZBiZCMQEMHKQlwJpC9kJ6kMRC6-JCQnsOOOQo/s1600/OH+SHIT%21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhUQHXK8kUXs2UuRWpvxOz0KSfM-nGqp9N8m6vK7S8PBZvxMJDWTao-TItH9BjVZ7vbHiQpoJVYGRyANPvsY6bTqLr-iy9uehVFukBikZBiZCMQEMHKQlwJpC9kJ6kMRC6-JCQnsOOOQo/s400/OH+SHIT%21.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I swear I wasn't about to bolt. I know my facial expression looks like, "oh #@$!," but I seriously think I was just concerned that Matt was still in the back of the church and might see me before I walked down the aisle. I'm nothing if not traditional. Don't worry, he didn't see me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcSrRHsL3KRKBboGYpZj21v4noE_gTdfrbAPvvEYUBVxpVRrdkQxQi3Geh1rX-6HAOXEfupSl_Rg2XShWYhuxMKIuf23Bg2sIxuFYWsNd1FDYcCj-4O9RIcJHxQhaK7iOiiNwOGaQ-_Gr/s1600/raciting+the+vows.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcSrRHsL3KRKBboGYpZj21v4noE_gTdfrbAPvvEYUBVxpVRrdkQxQi3Geh1rX-6HAOXEfupSl_Rg2XShWYhuxMKIuf23Bg2sIxuFYWsNd1FDYcCj-4O9RIcJHxQhaK7iOiiNwOGaQ-_Gr/s400/raciting+the+vows.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ah, we were such babies, but I'm so glad we took the plunge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqvN5QAXfpv9TlVzeSkYel652sYnbVupm3i9Wt9dYefvzVZdao0UjGLIkzJe0uJB2BmZu2ML3HezP7sMJLF4y19axGqbU6gKVropfy5fRWGe7P8S2VbbqHSkYt-wsBRPqbImyUhzZmoam/s1600/Kathy+&+Matt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqvN5QAXfpv9TlVzeSkYel652sYnbVupm3i9Wt9dYefvzVZdao0UjGLIkzJe0uJB2BmZu2ML3HezP7sMJLF4y19axGqbU6gKVropfy5fRWGe7P8S2VbbqHSkYt-wsBRPqbImyUhzZmoam/s400/Kathy+&+Matt.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">15 years later, and he's still the one I want to share my hopes and dreams with. Happy Anniversary, Matt. I love you so much!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In other news, we are spending our anniversary apart as my children, dogs and I had to escape from this . . . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmigoAh1uy6rtKALCVctm8u7TUFQv1Zpd0uz5Bn0EKwzsIy1M-U9C5g8Q_uwMCJMNfUQVOuVCELyycIDg0XJucanABxJr5xI5yWm2daGdgaHDE7WgFaZ1xNW0qjDws_ZfXdYpvUMTiAeA7/s1600/nakedfloor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmigoAh1uy6rtKALCVctm8u7TUFQv1Zpd0uz5Bn0EKwzsIy1M-U9C5g8Q_uwMCJMNfUQVOuVCELyycIDg0XJucanABxJr5xI5yWm2daGdgaHDE7WgFaZ1xNW0qjDws_ZfXdYpvUMTiAeA7/s400/nakedfloor.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Romantic, right? Well, for me, there's nothing more romantic than new hardwood floors. Here they are in their naked state. Can't wait to see them upon our return!</div>

15 Years . . .

ago, I was here . . . I swear I wasn't about to bolt. I know my facial expression looks like, "oh #@$!," but I seriously think...

3:25 PM

An Electrified July 4th!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-bEbNhQvPfPVUIBw6cpxqWLxH_B8ZnIXgM_STf4aSva8OxzzjLMdtQNvGe9RdJ8LYaSJ8SidENNjBTw1xaqwuI4VN0y-ovuE_128MYwQwqFim_mrpuQnGEdqp7633SHw2nL-iTO2FlmZ/s1600/IMG_1315.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5761105344261912434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-bEbNhQvPfPVUIBw6cpxqWLxH_B8ZnIXgM_STf4aSva8OxzzjLMdtQNvGe9RdJ8LYaSJ8SidENNjBTw1xaqwuI4VN0y-ovuE_128MYwQwqFim_mrpuQnGEdqp7633SHw2nL-iTO2FlmZ/s640/IMG_1315.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width; height;" /></a>The power is back on and I missed all the excitement.  Lucky timing on my part.  While my husband and kids were sweltering post-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2012_North_American_derecho"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#cc0000;">Derecho wind storm</span></a>, I spent those 4 days up in Skaneateles, NY attending my 30th high school reunion (yeah Auburn High Class of '82)...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYzV8yyQB-fxFHFd1tKK-wn36gMCp5kGZEL1AdoHUkH8u2bh05xo4TWUGkYMAvwir8qbi-Pmol7iUkLA5AfbbRwrUUSRQqmuN8dmBRXYN6dJYDLIw8LumohleaZoXC06ma6ZOrs_DPc-V/s1600/sherwood.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5761107909354925122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYzV8yyQB-fxFHFd1tKK-wn36gMCp5kGZEL1AdoHUkH8u2bh05xo4TWUGkYMAvwir8qbi-Pmol7iUkLA5AfbbRwrUUSRQqmuN8dmBRXYN6dJYDLIw8LumohleaZoXC06ma6ZOrs_DPc-V/s640/sherwood.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width; height;" /></a>first at the Sherwood Inn and then here at this perfect spot on Otisco Lake.   <div><b><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5761109457225137186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJd9DMzVKMnEmYRYVl7pi8T6SDbQVu3txoIvRDLHS2TcNxh-8dHo2EdxmHrW_F-tXxkQIpgXOm-sR34E6W3WuonVtHd7zSr0_lIHUd_dqgdUgVphyphenhyphen5vu5OMpCcuxLMHzZMMRS34oCH5u3/s640/otisco.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width; height;" /><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000099;">Hope you have a Happy</span> <span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#990000;">4th of July!</span></span></b></div>

An Electrified July 4th!

The power is back on and I missed all the excitement. Lucky timing on my part. While my husband and kids were sweltering post- Derecho win...

5:29 PM