North Shore Kitchen Tour, Oct. 3rd

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWebZDysQdXkvgWn_T77rzVTRwFMYhxVyg4ufQr5_fOzrHl4M0UXlEXDVDxV56CxgjoEALiwOM7PfDNYryloB-U4KKMtexsiH8CEuoRlxg5GKVcnEWE4XSLgSCOyMA2h-pvwPaS4KBfts/s1600-h/kitchentableYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386967852477212274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWebZDysQdXkvgWn_T77rzVTRwFMYhxVyg4ufQr5_fOzrHl4M0UXlEXDVDxV56CxgjoEALiwOM7PfDNYryloB-U4KKMtexsiH8CEuoRlxg5GKVcnEWE4XSLgSCOyMA2h-pvwPaS4KBfts/s400/kitchentableYB.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Not on the tour ... this kitchen from our last home.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">View some spectacular classic kitchens<br />with modern styling during the 2nd Annual<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><a href="http://www.wenhammuseum.org/adults_programs.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Heart of the Home Kitchen Tour</span></a><br />this Saturday, Oct. 3rd from 11 am to 4 pm.</span></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Tour kitchens in Hamilton, Wenham, Beverly Farms and Prides Crossing. Tickets are on sale now at the <a href="http://www.wenhammuseum.org/index.html">Wenham Museum</a>. Also on the tour is the c. 1690 Claflin-Richards House hearth at the museum. Take a peek at how generations past used to gather with (or as we say “entertain</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">”</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">) family and friends. You are sure to return to your own hearth with inspired design ideas, along with an appreciation for the modern conveniences that we have available to make our lives easier – and more pleasant – in the kitchen.</span><br /></span><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlm8fU85SdMUXAruElZ2-CHKzgTBHAIMPbw-F5_KcvbSTvHniMv9Q0x8rQ_J1o5hAh2DpyXrdWMOA3ikRXLOm1vdevtq1G3k7sZwSfOOu3IBO509giFa7xE1Kq3-wWp3WJvczEvO3zhw/s1600-h/kitchenwindowYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386975107847372530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlm8fU85SdMUXAruElZ2-CHKzgTBHAIMPbw-F5_KcvbSTvHniMv9Q0x8rQ_J1o5hAh2DpyXrdWMOA3ikRXLOm1vdevtq1G3k7sZwSfOOu3IBO509giFa7xE1Kq3-wWp3WJvczEvO3zhw/s400/kitchenwindowYB.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Missing my “old” newly renovated kitchen: shiny granite,<br />stainless steel, <a href="http://www.vikingrange.com/consumer/index.jsp">Viking</a> stove,</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.fisherpaykel.com/dishwashing/"> Fisher & Paykel</a> dish drawer,<br />tumbled marble back splash, lighting that sparkles. *Sigh!*</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />My husband and I joke that <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/03/waiting-for-spring-and-something-new.html">our current kitchen</a> would be a great “before” kitchen for this tour. No need to post scary pictures, but let’s just say we almost took a sledgehammer to it a couple of times over the summer (we would still have a grill to cook on, right?) Fortunately (or should I say hopefully?) it is moving its way up our very long remodeling to-do list (basically as a result of six years of wear and tear from our four rough & tumble/always hungry boys!).</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />While I would design it differently than we did for our last house (we are in a Colonial farmhouse now, and before owned a Cape Cod style home) there are some features that I miss: plenty of space to cook and entertain, tons of cabinets and counter space, plus everything was pretty, shiny and new. I will be posting images specific to kitchen remodels in the next few weeks as I begin to commit to making changes in our own space. File this post under “I can dream!”</span><br /><br /></div>

North Shore Kitchen Tour, Oct. 3rd

Not on the tour ... this kitchen from our last home. View some spectacular classic kitchens with modern styling during the 2nd Annual Heart ...

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A peek inside ... Boston Design Center

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Sw7FoKsg65dCMrWTB0wibHjLRLx2QqazaW53rq5cBJOz4JxGIWMtOzDVG3I4yJNRyr_XuEEMz6M3e87v1H0f7Y2p4MUluaFg-iPTKYtCWK3jrNrNuDe5hJfcfVZl4Q2ZHGV6fYXg1Uo/s1600-h/bdc.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385420304821320514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Sw7FoKsg65dCMrWTB0wibHjLRLx2QqazaW53rq5cBJOz4JxGIWMtOzDVG3I4yJNRyr_XuEEMz6M3e87v1H0f7Y2p4MUluaFg-iPTKYtCWK3jrNrNuDe5hJfcfVZl4Q2ZHGV6fYXg1Uo/s400/bdc.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Everyone always asks “what do they have inside the <a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/about-us/">Boston Design Center</a>?” Here is just a tiny sample of what I saw while visiting the <a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/showrooms/">showrooms</a> yesterday to attend <a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/db2009/">Design Boston</a>. A couple of friends and I sat in on a number of design seminars (Recasting Historic Colors for Contemporary Settings sponsored by <a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/showrooms/farrow-ball/overview/">Farrow & Ball</a>, Choosing Luxury Furnishings sponsored by <a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/showrooms/grange-furniture/overview/">Grange</a>, but sadly missed Textiles 101 sponsored by <a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/showrooms/donghia/overview/">Donghia</a> since we were sitting in dreadful traffic on the way in to Boston.) Upon entering the building (filled with eight floors of the best luxury brands in the design industry) I couldn’t help myself from stopping to admire the landscaping ...</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYxGk3BLGMat9J-qTVWc4n6sZPQH5AtpaMeSs0Zv0z76KCH3Rn__YiF0S9tZYKKpah5ubdvhIbvCdtHGH-e_j9V8x2nDB2J9rq3bJUfTm_8Q_2IwA6U69ZQNk4_CJf1P4cifBkobqtAo/s1600-h/bdc-grasses.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385413068983923618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYxGk3BLGMat9J-qTVWc4n6sZPQH5AtpaMeSs0Zv0z76KCH3Rn__YiF0S9tZYKKpah5ubdvhIbvCdtHGH-e_j9V8x2nDB2J9rq3bJUfTm_8Q_2IwA6U69ZQNk4_CJf1P4cifBkobqtAo/s400/bdc-grasses.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">If you have empty spaces in your yard that you just don’t know what to do with, consider planting large groupings of perennial grasses. They are dramatic throughout several seasons and require virtually no maintenance. These also look great in containers and can be left out all winter to be enjoyed again come early summer. I love how they sway softly with the breeze.</span><br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTamBm_MGS5bCgUfuASm2Aw9SlsnKecPhF779_ZFxrnel21d5WvOfLMaUaubvbxzHYrmqFmb2PMtp3PDptnoRhKFbM17pEYvC77bYYh_cW2skCRjAL-Nv82Gwl150DUBPu44DRLCpK1xM/s1600-h/janusetcie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385413321682361426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTamBm_MGS5bCgUfuASm2Aw9SlsnKecPhF779_ZFxrnel21d5WvOfLMaUaubvbxzHYrmqFmb2PMtp3PDptnoRhKFbM17pEYvC77bYYh_cW2skCRjAL-Nv82Gwl150DUBPu44DRLCpK1xM/s400/janusetcie.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >The outside is in.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Had to post a pic of one of my favorite “I want to be in there” rooms at the BDC. <a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/showrooms/janus-et-cie/overview/">JANUS et Cie</a><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-secret-garden-room.html"> </a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">has to-die-for quality outside furnishings.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> I found myself longing to take some home for </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-secret-garden-room.html">my garden room</a>.<br />Maybe next season??? </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufX_JymTzy1n0cqdiFcshKf5_UN2_zarAZCNYQnywPKOEQUa4czl5gXMSo3fydBGBWK5M3Us4B45KJI5LTo8zn65bKjgoJb1XG36BUl5LNPuThPfG-Zosfu7I465zi0HRvH8g-WbB7VY/s1600-h/bdcgiftbag.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385418618178744706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufX_JymTzy1n0cqdiFcshKf5_UN2_zarAZCNYQnywPKOEQUa4czl5gXMSo3fydBGBWK5M3Us4B45KJI5LTo8zn65bKjgoJb1XG36BUl5LNPuThPfG-Zosfu7I465zi0HRvH8g-WbB7VY/s400/bdcgiftbag.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Inspiration in a bag</span><span style="font-size:130%;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">With registration, we each received a shopping bag full of product showroom brochures. Love the <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/09/color-stories-back-to-school-palette.html">yellow and black</a> graphics! Inside I found:</span><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/design-inspiration/cybele-magazine.php" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385430599027869906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiF5KLXYyYs0hHMZwF82AEchZCDaqpQqj1Xsl2iu5KqtCybugKhJNA3mGi1b403K7eyEoQk_EX9NB1vF0EjiKMJknBy7EfNrI9hYONH5TSu5qrEO-ay4oEzhMzcQpv6uxNle1a6oJOsA/s400/cybelemagazine.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/design-inspiration/cybele-magazine.php">Cybele</a> is the official magazine of the BDC. You can <a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/design-inspiration/cybele-magazine.php">view it online</a> or order your own copy of this quarterly publication that covers “the local design industry, special events, new products and design trends.”<br />Kinda like my blog, no?</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwM7m-68vF_UGHED8M3UEuGA67k0kLzZMYHljOhp_z4iLa6XIabjrOm28jMt-ZvGpritS7AANGcVcjwgSkFQtyVWLANNRHHAcob8fWOldGumiXs3ff0rCuyELYMdAVF9E9WMHHf4Mdljw/s1600-h/powell&bonnellcard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385413341940627074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwM7m-68vF_UGHED8M3UEuGA67k0kLzZMYHljOhp_z4iLa6XIabjrOm28jMt-ZvGpritS7AANGcVcjwgSkFQtyVWLANNRHHAcob8fWOldGumiXs3ff0rCuyELYMdAVF9E9WMHHf4Mdljw/s400/powell&bonnellcard.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Great textures and colors on a postcard<br />featuring pieces from <a href="http://www.powellandbonnell.com/">Powell & Bonnell</a>.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS6yWbfI0T_pl5gd0hx6Tt05qQlTimJc7r0yLiJZHrq31z4HwZJ4tmq_i39EfQf-3MnOWieNbO-H338hjLSjs_79gg-An477cISrhyphenhyphenjM3KnHPrupI5wogrw0kko6qD6p0kB8lNMaL1gw/s1600-h/osbornelittlepaper.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385413335275531554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS6yWbfI0T_pl5gd0hx6Tt05qQlTimJc7r0yLiJZHrq31z4HwZJ4tmq_i39EfQf-3MnOWieNbO-H338hjLSjs_79gg-An477cISrhyphenhyphenjM3KnHPrupI5wogrw0kko6qD6p0kB8lNMaL1gw/s400/osbornelittlepaper.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">How cute is this complimentary pad of paper? I grabbed a pencil as well from the <a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/showrooms/osborne-little/overview/">Osborne & Little</a> showroom, who had their own bag of drool-worthy images from some of their product lines (<a href="http://www.designersguild.com/">Designers Guild</a> and <a href="http://www.ninacampbell.com/">Nina Campbell</a> were favorites of mine). I saw a lot of traditional settings covered floor to ceiling with BOLD colors, patterns and fabric combinations in the 2009 collections. Velvets, silks, pattern on pattern, and almost circus-like embellishments went from<br />“not difficult to imagine ...</span>”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2umgCrxqDNGBY-0dw6OR0EV2Wf0G_WW-6_MHQ_rqIS9qrDFWvJvrgfp1P6B45um7QFD5L9NxzrNi3jsU199KFgIzZPJBm1tC-zt-MJzfuP-DHpmDagb9KejmsSVsodmNDy9rFNoW-wbo/s1600-h/designersguildorsetti.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385426594842782674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2umgCrxqDNGBY-0dw6OR0EV2Wf0G_WW-6_MHQ_rqIS9qrDFWvJvrgfp1P6B45um7QFD5L9NxzrNi3jsU199KFgIzZPJBm1tC-zt-MJzfuP-DHpmDagb9KejmsSVsodmNDy9rFNoW-wbo/s400/designersguildorsetti.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Orsetti trims from Designers Guild</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">to “I’ll need time to think about that<br />... </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >but I think I love you.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV5AUjzl8EEp3tfEwMNTEoQdNwdCVuTC-L5t4Moy7n5GjTvVNGT03nL98t8spkRK-7xo0aslulbAm4kjUrYZSrsCLY69l972IajWkLY7R08-D9HgWuqM0lpWbmuV_DmOKdF3246wnqLA/s1600-h/designersguildfretz.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385413096026303090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV5AUjzl8EEp3tfEwMNTEoQdNwdCVuTC-L5t4Moy7n5GjTvVNGT03nL98t8spkRK-7xo0aslulbAm4kjUrYZSrsCLY69l972IajWkLY7R08-D9HgWuqM0lpWbmuV_DmOKdF3246wnqLA/s400/designersguildfretz.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NkpIfpiy3OXfgkUmgRu42c2StZITjAfa7ShvawkVzDx8HGQNE2HRmfPp3sCN-hgBqzI938pXhpLbFxs5EQ6jwBz8__DKKDDaRGdavKTVVhkVjyBotN8es0isz6u4Ej5md6B3pILTY74/s1600-h/rochester-moss-cushion-Main.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385413475693427762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NkpIfpiy3OXfgkUmgRu42c2StZITjAfa7ShvawkVzDx8HGQNE2HRmfPp3sCN-hgBqzI938pXhpLbFxs5EQ6jwBz8__DKKDDaRGdavKTVVhkVjyBotN8es0isz6u4Ej5md6B3pILTY74/s400/rochester-moss-cushion-Main.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 182px;" /></a><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpxbOkrRmuCmDRZSGJ64P5_yR07hSdKxa2CY6GMpoWOOtp94SrkE7DIdEmMLu5zzJgE5wKqWzVcMR2Myyf2KBQRhDibC29crGhpeUokkXHDtnjXrW7YVKK_rJNsJ7wuqz_ZJqpzkImfM/s1600-h/darlyDG.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385430591580066066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpxbOkrRmuCmDRZSGJ64P5_yR07hSdKxa2CY6GMpoWOOtp94SrkE7DIdEmMLu5zzJgE5wKqWzVcMR2Myyf2KBQRhDibC29crGhpeUokkXHDtnjXrW7YVKK_rJNsJ7wuqz_ZJqpzkImfM/s400/darlyDG.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYw-ONChWrhvpuVUs_7z_ab8YlkD-SUFEfWuLpcCAB9aftO3Hcl4MGGwAtMol1QqU_k01djzJEY8Nb9YGbEoqZJC6c1qe15FSZKNomweZW2-Mc2OBPWxGiHtX6XqmlqE7xAUawMSn1bUM/s1600-h/arabellawallcoveringsDG.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385458471627961506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYw-ONChWrhvpuVUs_7z_ab8YlkD-SUFEfWuLpcCAB9aftO3Hcl4MGGwAtMol1QqU_k01djzJEY8Nb9YGbEoqZJC6c1qe15FSZKNomweZW2-Mc2OBPWxGiHtX6XqmlqE7xAUawMSn1bUM/s400/arabellawallcoveringsDG.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 326px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Find these stunning images and</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> more<br />like them at </span><a href="http://www.designersguild.com/" style="font-style: italic;">designersguild.com</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">If you aren’t quite sure if you can handle this much juicy visual stimulation, how about adding a dramatic flower (like the one on the low cocktail table above) to punctuate a space as I did in this bath that I designed for my last home ...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHwskt9v6kAdXWiq4TkqjLXD3x-9crfJCYsJR_2UG9oeICKohzXUcdxrKzSMXAQcHhkmosSsaR7WkCO3UmyiRy4f9ezce5fWNVDZJOc9vtbyFBApHyZOF3eJJXuLm8u3lQDLTQs0XurA/s1600-h/bathflowers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385419984543764402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHwskt9v6kAdXWiq4TkqjLXD3x-9crfJCYsJR_2UG9oeICKohzXUcdxrKzSMXAQcHhkmosSsaR7WkCO3UmyiRy4f9ezce5fWNVDZJOc9vtbyFBApHyZOF3eJJXuLm8u3lQDLTQs0XurA/s400/bathflowers.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Round, lavender alliums are a photo-stylists favorite</span>.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPPdEZl7P_MwAvK3IEBidqJvVB_cKKagwWZlefpR0mbc9i-FKVN4RuyX9O_MrZpoBGw8rZb0ZVRP9RB897XamhsaDb6LUm44FYhYlTEZeJUhQFDUD6kD7nXrD00BhGp_UIJExjt0Sbu4/s1600-h/osbornelittlebowl.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385413327444598706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPPdEZl7P_MwAvK3IEBidqJvVB_cKKagwWZlefpR0mbc9i-FKVN4RuyX9O_MrZpoBGw8rZb0ZVRP9RB897XamhsaDb6LUm44FYhYlTEZeJUhQFDUD6kD7nXrD00BhGp_UIJExjt0Sbu4/s400/osbornelittlebowl.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 397px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />This image on a brochure for <a href="http://www.osborneandlittle.com/">Osborne & Little</a> reminds me of a stylish bowl that I selected for a client’s home a couple of years ago ...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGV2lCqEgvwyhTT-3-jtvNoBjPPsHHbyn5F_e_ZrFYtrXwu-3ChjMqSt-peLkrbGexNuAirO6797UcMKptyIZS_9tr3Ny4LUh1CtEiG0D8KYy-MnE5HgGh9UZ_6z6dgMefBB60qm3xpw/s1600-h/bowlfireplace.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385425548464060738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGV2lCqEgvwyhTT-3-jtvNoBjPPsHHbyn5F_e_ZrFYtrXwu-3ChjMqSt-peLkrbGexNuAirO6797UcMKptyIZS_9tr3Ny4LUh1CtEiG0D8KYy-MnE5HgGh9UZ_6z6dgMefBB60qm3xpw/s400/bowlfireplace.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVFUQLU1vNtOvsGp1tYMVS4qRsJ_5IKUq340wIapvSDvQuchUueDkV74wgHduxa-UnXp7IFuZ9yaCd6rtJvYeBHcG9gu0UzLEpWF5Ane-uxIntIxn5Py1QjSmxMwy53_Ak5rjR-8i6CI/s1600-h/villaromo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385488915762534530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVFUQLU1vNtOvsGp1tYMVS4qRsJ_5IKUq340wIapvSDvQuchUueDkV74wgHduxa-UnXp7IFuZ9yaCd6rtJvYeBHcG9gu0UzLEpWF5Ane-uxIntIxn5Py1QjSmxMwy53_Ak5rjR-8i6CI/s400/villaromo.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 355px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">More graphic boldness from </span><a href="http://www.romo.com/" style="font-style: italic;">Villa Romo</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">through </span><a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/showrooms/" style="font-style: italic;">Webster & Company</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkCZR3fgdEhDhEVl-sRLDd1npW0GiavgeFdelIXE0TWy4mZ-MhZUzZgFjP4CF3erMBVLokKSHrp_2GZxap7kqcIABJZNcDlaO1b5lNik2nAQR87xCbvCgOpXuD86D0Hj784BKimP0494/s1600-h/SWAN+LAKE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385459678654281938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkCZR3fgdEhDhEVl-sRLDd1npW0GiavgeFdelIXE0TWy4mZ-MhZUzZgFjP4CF3erMBVLokKSHrp_2GZxap7kqcIABJZNcDlaO1b5lNik2nAQR87xCbvCgOpXuD86D0Hj784BKimP0494/s400/SWAN+LAKE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I had to smile when I saw Nina Campbell’s <a href="http://www.ninacampbell.com/wallpaper/autumn-2009/sylvana-swan-lake-wallpaper.html">Sylvana Swan Lake</a> collection ... it reminds me of my high school senior art project (now be gentle — I copied this painting from a card and my mom still has it hanging up for all to see) ...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQzt0vG_i5uoMazh1S7dCt5Rn2KmNhyJVtTM-O41KjHsLxPt4XTBdk9PudcRf1ZcHdJjpEXTtSn2GaAzg9VZ7XLRg476LiiMzwW03tV1fIEGQ56ZvavSPMI23kp2jq53_CESh05JRCTo/s1600-h/swanlakeartYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385462648595326418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQzt0vG_i5uoMazh1S7dCt5Rn2KmNhyJVtTM-O41KjHsLxPt4XTBdk9PudcRf1ZcHdJjpEXTtSn2GaAzg9VZ7XLRg476LiiMzwW03tV1fIEGQ56ZvavSPMI23kp2jq53_CESh05JRCTo/s400/swanlakeartYB.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm242VLqW-78-Jl-gKxgvfzwysly-3ihJFKEa5xUe3XCRbwJGk_SQdlER0NG9O5KJ800M9WWRzaPP5CMIMj92tKbP0u_TNfobzuRGHTJBfgc-08ve8R1PiWE3PLwoAB86_Q3RaY4o1n_I/s1600-h/rudin688.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385413346001804290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm242VLqW-78-Jl-gKxgvfzwysly-3ihJFKEa5xUe3XCRbwJGk_SQdlER0NG9O5KJ800M9WWRzaPP5CMIMj92tKbP0u_TNfobzuRGHTJBfgc-08ve8R1PiWE3PLwoAB86_Q3RaY4o1n_I/s400/rudin688.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 389px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Graceful style that anyone could live with</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />from A. Rudin at </span><a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/showrooms/m-geough/overview/" style="font-style: italic;">M-Geough</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Still feeling design shy? Try accenting a classic piece like the chair above with a brightly colored silk pillow like this one from Designers Guild (unless you have young kids, then just forget about the silk for a decade or so!) ...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Kn2LgFmfk_bZqgnZhM22zeaf6L4qykO8d0bdjU59KD99hMCpB8AOYRkJXvQ-MyzYGZuI62Brw4GhkRMb5lLZ2zwTeaJURmqWfMgZIdTTES0oNjIhG7HBvScojlz7dK9eWH7wdRt_kZ4/s1600-h/DGpillow.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385450539072265154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Kn2LgFmfk_bZqgnZhM22zeaf6L4qykO8d0bdjU59KD99hMCpB8AOYRkJXvQ-MyzYGZuI62Brw4GhkRMb5lLZ2zwTeaJURmqWfMgZIdTTES0oNjIhG7HBvScojlz7dK9eWH7wdRt_kZ4/s400/DGpillow.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 372px; height: 260px;" /></a><a href="http://www.designersguild.com/home-accessories/cushions/designers-guild/letourney-cocoa/">Letourney Cocoa</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Of course, walking through the soothing-design-magazine-like atmosphere of the BDC made us crazy with I-have-to-have-that-desire, and if I can’t have it, at least give me something good to eat ...</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFk9tHk6-5r1qv8OjOWuOXyHyJkGkTg7g6JGgMgwdXD-ToUAxAblyI8II2U0zMzL0H44NMt6XB5BsKneW63BAG5uRxwzD3e5HrY8omA8j18rMAisQ1lTABsnz0Zd8DrnuN7IOfnXNKUPY/s1600-h/containergardentree.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385413083359287490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFk9tHk6-5r1qv8OjOWuOXyHyJkGkTg7g6JGgMgwdXD-ToUAxAblyI8II2U0zMzL0H44NMt6XB5BsKneW63BAG5uRxwzD3e5HrY8omA8j18rMAisQ1lTABsnz0Zd8DrnuN7IOfnXNKUPY/s400/containergardentree.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gorgeous for fall: sweet potato vines, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">ornamental kale,<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">mums, </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">and towering palms combine to create a<br />dramatic centerpiece under the luncheon tent.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Lunch was served al fresco by <a href="http://thecateredaffair.com/Splash.html">The Catered Affair</a> (and sponsored by <a href="http://www.nehomemag.com/">New England Home</a> magazine — thank you!). The food was delish and the presentation was oh-so-stylish. I had orzo pasta with finely chopped vegetables, and an apricot chicken salad (yum!) on fresh greens. Both were served (separately) in these great </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.wasserstrom.com/restaurant-supplies-equipment/Product_611230">double old fashioned cosmopolitan glasses</a>. I am thinking of ordering a set or two for myself to serve small bites of great food or end-of-the-day cocktails. I think my kids would get a kick out of pasta presented in one of these ... and I will serve myself a lemon-drop martini while I am doing my back-to-reality dishes!</span><br /><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385416644842027266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTJqPqTIWe0RNyN6GO5UG6vSPEt4frz6abblid6ZzOCk8DwgtaS44aZSYC0dnYiuJz9bSBg8rgoWuol6LRjspOfFCw96UIFGQ3FaBuz_30FhfGcz41WyL0-recmxO7RPOgWERJp8BHfE/s400/cosmodbleoldfashWasserstrom.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 225px;" /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Image from </span><a href="http://www.wasserstrom.com/restaurant-supplies-equipment/AboutUSView" style="font-style: italic;">Wasserstrom.com</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lemon-drop-cocktail-recipe/index.html">How to fill it ... click here</a>. Cheers!</span><br /><br /><br /></div>

A peek inside ... Boston Design Center

Everyone always asks “what do they have inside the Boston Design Center ?” Here is just a tiny sample of what I saw while visiting the showr...

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The Stevens Estate receives a design update

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy52jmzbjsNWDTj5SBauHaEUTVvN0fujIkBrdUbSWJcQibMCMzxssBnVFp17t5KvcsTp94VJaL_ieUppKe-XFhNEvmFtpkF2tXb8IaVMs45mOC_41ptl_RVqiuzxH91iK84B4oakAt-7M/s1600-h/benchcushionpillowsSE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384272110089630658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy52jmzbjsNWDTj5SBauHaEUTVvN0fujIkBrdUbSWJcQibMCMzxssBnVFp17t5KvcsTp94VJaL_ieUppKe-XFhNEvmFtpkF2tXb8IaVMs45mOC_41ptl_RVqiuzxH91iK84B4oakAt-7M/s400/benchcushionpillowsSE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://friendswhodesign.com/Custom_Embroidery.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Embroidery by Threads Couture</span></a></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The first floor inglenook at <a href="http://www.stevensestate.com/facilities.html">The Stevens Estate</a> in North Andover has recently received a mini-makeover courtesy of <a href="http://yvonneblacker.com/">myself</a> and designers: Nancy Faye Glass, <a href="http://renaissanceinteriors.com/">Linda Hentschel</a>, <a href="http://www.finn-martensdesign.com/index.html">Patricia Finn</a> and <a href="http://thetaylordroom.com/index.htm">Linda Diorio</a>. Separately and as a team, we have been consulting and providing decorating updates since the beginning of the year to this stately mansion (owned since 1995 by the town of North Andover) that functions as a special event and conference center.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBXPlDY3POcQrIJhkPjgeUKFdKrkbwof0U4dWbQc_6nMnuUoO3jkfcuMST_P4IRfmXho8b_NwZAG8W91KZ7f-sbqAMmgkv513HNoC0P-3ulvzG881ggkS1uPrGYZ9swj9rVWgg6mbXBg/s1600-h/osgood+coat+of+arms.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384272136858585106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBXPlDY3POcQrIJhkPjgeUKFdKrkbwof0U4dWbQc_6nMnuUoO3jkfcuMST_P4IRfmXho8b_NwZAG8W91KZ7f-sbqAMmgkv513HNoC0P-3ulvzG881ggkS1uPrGYZ9swj9rVWgg6mbXBg/s400/osgood+coat+of+arms.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 323px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I found this image online of the <a href="http://www.osgoodancestry.org/index.html">Osgood Coat of Arms</a>. I plan to have it reproduced and framed in honor of Charlotte E. Osgood whose family gifted this property to her and new husband Moses T. Stevens in 1853. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">New fabrics for the inglenook were chosen based on the colors from this coat of arms, along with the colors in the original stained glass featured in the stairway.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6nV_zqIpp9goZF4wWHjbtSWf3jc66uwKnq-Y2xiAkU7aPt8KpSuqhrmEciOWNxtzLV8WGRgCqInRCybOcI7MC0N-PTSmZ_hq9hqRLbQnF0gleu2DOr-KSA1guT0D0iF9HJd8_CcaXhI/s1600-h/stainedglassstairwaySE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384517792290151522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6nV_zqIpp9goZF4wWHjbtSWf3jc66uwKnq-Y2xiAkU7aPt8KpSuqhrmEciOWNxtzLV8WGRgCqInRCybOcI7MC0N-PTSmZ_hq9hqRLbQnF0gleu2DOr-KSA1guT0D0iF9HJd8_CcaXhI/s400/stainedglassstairwaySE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The inglenook cushions </span><span style="font-size:130%;">BEFORE ...</span><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda3BYHSdXdUgWKxrF82ejhjUpJvrkzh_mYxVeywG0GzOV3EeftVqtE9q47YALe8MwptqfTyp3AXHlaXq69WjsHekcYz-XJoL61jOdm5dP3zUGClo_Ffg6mVlQ7sIUueRoKrZpWoMhx2c/s1600-h/benchcushionb4SE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384421574245374498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda3BYHSdXdUgWKxrF82ejhjUpJvrkzh_mYxVeywG0GzOV3EeftVqtE9q47YALe8MwptqfTyp3AXHlaXq69WjsHekcYz-XJoL61jOdm5dP3zUGClo_Ffg6mVlQ7sIUueRoKrZpWoMhx2c/s400/benchcushionb4SE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSMu-vK0jGmvVE4tZi585ToWVI3w-Y8_Q83qA5_6Evc4Q15IyedF0_NIUE5LSJHWUEr2Y2YsVcbgyPbwj5p5U3z0caRJP9CJERWopTYW9z3JBcoeZAxiyFPDRFzkSxwtTSWc8PUOQuhw/s1600-h/benchcushionsafterSE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384421591473489378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSMu-vK0jGmvVE4tZi585ToWVI3w-Y8_Q83qA5_6Evc4Q15IyedF0_NIUE5LSJHWUEr2Y2YsVcbgyPbwj5p5U3z0caRJP9CJERWopTYW9z3JBcoeZAxiyFPDRFzkSxwtTSWc8PUOQuhw/s400/benchcushionsafterSE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span>AFTER ... they are newly dressed.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">My personal design goal for this project is to create the feeling of a boutique hotel by incorporating a signature look to promote the Stevens Estate brand identity. We received a generous donation of fabrics, one of which</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">– a beautiful gold linen by <a href="http://www.kravet.com/">Kravet</a> – I had monogrammed to add a personalized touch to these public spaces</span><span style="font-size:130%;">.<br /><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltgqG35NSWApe_NLvb2q2Blbhx9xaroaZmS8CboDDtm6I37FGT-xuz5uNz1MVPZsRFH_t1BvWRPNP3pCkx5gvqezpC8xTb4j0e7ObfP-hfMwzNUG5RdlJYCcAc8aSh1dhw5Lp7XQ93kw/s1600-h/SpillowSE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384422596097555090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltgqG35NSWApe_NLvb2q2Blbhx9xaroaZmS8CboDDtm6I37FGT-xuz5uNz1MVPZsRFH_t1BvWRPNP3pCkx5gvqezpC8xTb4j0e7ObfP-hfMwzNUG5RdlJYCcAc8aSh1dhw5Lp7XQ93kw/s400/SpillowSE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The second floor bridal suite is branded with</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">a smaller scale version of the “S” pillow.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">BEFORE ... the hall runners were too narrow and<br />the colors did not speak to the new, lighter palette.</span><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRc30xcVWvMQZxxtq4SQOT6_jt8wYhgYV2l8_sUf5FnBnrE9LmKswjHOAA1Ijqfs-64qjWiERXELUWDnbrwoMnSumC0Su4ff-zT46YcufSFwhoaHFwNuqnd3bKSekueeNIBT63OjF_SSI/s1600-h/hallrunnerb4SE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384421605953458274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRc30xcVWvMQZxxtq4SQOT6_jt8wYhgYV2l8_sUf5FnBnrE9LmKswjHOAA1Ijqfs-64qjWiERXELUWDnbrwoMnSumC0Su4ff-zT46YcufSFwhoaHFwNuqnd3bKSekueeNIBT63OjF_SSI/s400/hallrunnerb4SE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LBEtU-uYeYYk4EiXNEP7ix2RNL2Jm6MD46b9pCWl3wQtRe7Hcotmk6OeyPv-PYbKVAejZTiK1g8DhiRTu2FpSurQue5Hitl-2gcgyuRVEIeTqoBvhnzqu89aGjj3HFdbS2XqD1N0UXU/s1600-h/newrunnerSE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384272128430915474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LBEtU-uYeYYk4EiXNEP7ix2RNL2Jm6MD46b9pCWl3wQtRe7Hcotmk6OeyPv-PYbKVAejZTiK1g8DhiRTu2FpSurQue5Hitl-2gcgyuRVEIeTqoBvhnzqu89aGjj3HFdbS2XqD1N0UXU/s400/newrunnerSE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />AFTER ... this custom-sized runner allows<br />more room for couples to stroll side by side.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span>BEFORE ... the fireplace in the<br />banquet room was overlooked.</span></span><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUkrzg__SnFZfxDpWu4xVaBXxj5J8TF41SpXb2_K-GoW2cqRFTQ6iEmkLo6uvFBVPXF5kSKktjlMfLRkam3pnrearx7xtxXn8oH0gynr3EscJ4o6eed8PaWJ0lUP_D0tZ2tP1PYc0suw/s1600-h/fireplacebanquetb4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384416107707123586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUkrzg__SnFZfxDpWu4xVaBXxj5J8TF41SpXb2_K-GoW2cqRFTQ6iEmkLo6uvFBVPXF5kSKktjlMfLRkam3pnrearx7xtxXn8oH0gynr3EscJ4o6eed8PaWJ0lUP_D0tZ2tP1PYc0suw/s400/fireplacebanquetb4.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtJM47QZH2ZHj6gVeOZ-5V4vKUHx7TdpzZLVjuqOBnSYIaYzvj68QqAJlCE9oedNnDV93q-AFkdD71kxI8KNkNj2Ci-i6yClHuI2mebK3xADFv8QuFgy8N5PxfTpm0cmJkXanLPsgdZc/s1600-h/birchlogsbanquet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384272116554253458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtJM47QZH2ZHj6gVeOZ-5V4vKUHx7TdpzZLVjuqOBnSYIaYzvj68QqAJlCE9oedNnDV93q-AFkdD71kxI8KNkNj2Ci-i6yClHuI2mebK3xADFv8QuFgy8N5PxfTpm0cmJkXanLPsgdZc/s400/birchlogsbanquet.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">AFTER ... adding some life and light with a stylish</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">grouping of bright white birch logs goes a long way.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxOwvR9rxIhcHbBpgMwEp8tzzpEPYDHqMRNZ7WBjJ1xEroxh6H0x2lxu9rAiB-F2z5kFDqS6_jxBvQbQXsu-WLLxd5P7hWlyAKilg19oW5g59DQeagojPpj8zlvPXkrqFLiJL2YjfJMI/s1600-h/cherubstainedglassSE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384502187412987842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxOwvR9rxIhcHbBpgMwEp8tzzpEPYDHqMRNZ7WBjJ1xEroxh6H0x2lxu9rAiB-F2z5kFDqS6_jxBvQbQXsu-WLLxd5P7hWlyAKilg19oW5g59DQeagojPpj8zlvPXkrqFLiJL2YjfJMI/s320/cherubstainedglassSE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Be sure to check back for future updates ...</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A special thanks goes to ...<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.milesriversewing.com/">Miles River Sewing</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> in Danvers<br />and Nancy N. of Melrose for<br />professional workroom services<br /></span>and fabric donations, and to<br />Donna Dreher of <a href="http://www.threadscouture.com/Home_Couture.html">Threads Couture</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">for the custom embroidery.<br /></div>

The Stevens Estate receives a design update

Embroidery by Threads Couture The first floor inglenook at The Stevens Estate in North Andover has recently received a mini-makeover courte...

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Fashionably Chic Condo, part 2

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnlyUXUOfnl2u8-XdgYXh29D7rpGQg2hMofW2E3COqNex1nPDs2t86V3RZohTkPgBH1KcU0fcFpfW2zSYzw-jc1iNzoeMLcPMxOMZfO3SQszjnx50wZxw_HEMpfOLpRPZfyO9NLDKpxo/s1600-h/kitchenflowers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383899504866503650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnlyUXUOfnl2u8-XdgYXh29D7rpGQg2hMofW2E3COqNex1nPDs2t86V3RZohTkPgBH1KcU0fcFpfW2zSYzw-jc1iNzoeMLcPMxOMZfO3SQszjnx50wZxw_HEMpfOLpRPZfyO9NLDKpxo/s400/kitchenflowers.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I love how the pretty-in-pink flowers look against the Sandy Hook Gray<br />(Benjamin Moore) wall of the kitchen. Framed print from <a href="http://www.art.com/">Art.com</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">My favorite decorating project is when I can coach someone else to design on their own. My sister, Linda, (who has also inherited an eye for design) is a great example of a “client</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> who with just a little style guidance can </span><span style="font-size:130%;">“</span><span style="font-size:130%;">take it from here.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> This summer, I helped Linda select the palette for her new condo based on some of her favorite colors. We then spent several afternoons shopping for big ticket items like a sofa and ottoman, and then the important finishing touches like carpets, end-tables, art and lighting. Since my <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/08/design-tv-and-fashionably-chic-condo.html">last post</a>, she has continued to add personal layers to define her new space. </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">From uninspired ...</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zjwP3w1xT4qGgVt9ovfpNdn-P2DF2ksmC_Fz4AyXbjmAE5il2j91iEYVRiVDRENETjuhGzug7vCYhgO-DlzkMpwT5iF89lm4qF25H6esNHxLARExXKuBwkRVVEIUuNu7Wc5fBnPlICw/s1600-h/musicbefore.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383899420156870130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zjwP3w1xT4qGgVt9ovfpNdn-P2DF2ksmC_Fz4AyXbjmAE5il2j91iEYVRiVDRENETjuhGzug7vCYhgO-DlzkMpwT5iF89lm4qF25H6esNHxLARExXKuBwkRVVEIUuNu7Wc5fBnPlICw/s400/musicbefore.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">to intentional ...</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFq91U68bcZ3MRfLScbi-AF7udgGo1wREWpxIB1UfkdgGWLG8uKGaj9GAzF5VcAysjQyoN94uPQe6UbI6VM6e24h58zjG8Z5RkIvVkzxc-5jPcja8pEPRVQwX9OOnmzPlRoY0xt5kYX8/s1600-h/den-music.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383899400858134658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFq91U68bcZ3MRfLScbi-AF7udgGo1wREWpxIB1UfkdgGWLG8uKGaj9GAzF5VcAysjQyoN94uPQe6UbI6VM6e24h58zjG8Z5RkIvVkzxc-5jPcja8pEPRVQwX9OOnmzPlRoY0xt5kYX8/s400/den-music.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />We draped this antique piece with a stunning teal pashmina that was too pretty to leave tucked away in a drawer. Above the music must-haves, she created an eye-catching shadow box of images from a special trip to New York with friends.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Den before ...</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRdnyrJOQKTvbEB7Q7wS1qckL9-Plvdqz9YZLoq_oTcWNjdY9Zk6ydmxhTWLzGq_N7VlzuS1qQ6-qIR6XFQpyZyhF7MxwFaHZCdIjQ3W4mmaJiCTGAFbc9R_6i_tEtWh4Pc6zkU2Dw1E/s1600-h/futonb4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383899413549743522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRdnyrJOQKTvbEB7Q7wS1qckL9-Plvdqz9YZLoq_oTcWNjdY9Zk6ydmxhTWLzGq_N7VlzuS1qQ6-qIR6XFQpyZyhF7MxwFaHZCdIjQ3W4mmaJiCTGAFbc9R_6i_tEtWh4Pc6zkU2Dw1E/s400/futonb4.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Den during ...</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrMIzL9ecuLtYa6PSGd_gLvWT-xN1-kyL3efTQ-mWWDr2qdUa5OEO7xsct-PW-z8AAVuhlk66C2Sdlc5RM853ox80wABu4QEIOOULRYWAYRmRGKV9aYbsKpnt5dXS7hvP3SdhvG7zmMQ/s1600-h/futonafter.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383913052131405346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrMIzL9ecuLtYa6PSGd_gLvWT-xN1-kyL3efTQ-mWWDr2qdUa5OEO7xsct-PW-z8AAVuhlk66C2Sdlc5RM853ox80wABu4QEIOOULRYWAYRmRGKV9aYbsKpnt5dXS7hvP3SdhvG7zmMQ/s400/futonafter.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br />Den after ...</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43GZCC3RHb0TrPAgH3fFrmZB9V3-z8u3_LFaJ52oSwtwLmEYyjorHLKz-WKnGgMU0Qf320MccdA_LgD8yn3KY9bOxyCBIURdGUJ5Vz9VXwQf02SD5hUNEVFEpCDX3dWu6SAOi8aqU2O0/s1600-h/den-photocollage.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383899406781350130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43GZCC3RHb0TrPAgH3fFrmZB9V3-z8u3_LFaJ52oSwtwLmEYyjorHLKz-WKnGgMU0Qf320MccdA_LgD8yn3KY9bOxyCBIURdGUJ5Vz9VXwQf02SD5hUNEVFEpCDX3dWu6SAOi8aqU2O0/s400/den-photocollage.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">She added a couple more pillows </span><span style="font-size:130%;">in a soft linen-like texture </span><span style="font-size:130%;">to my “you-must-have-this-pink-ruffled-number</span><span style="font-size:130%;">!”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> A thoughtful collage of family photos (frames selected at <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/">Pottery Barn</a>) add personal warmth and visual interest. One gold star for hanging them all on her own without making swiss cheese of the newly painted wall (visit PB for the tips she used to create a <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/stylehouse/decorate/mem-wall/">memory wall</a>). The pretty watery blue wool carpet is still one of my favorite finds for this tranquil setting.<br /></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRmgHVmIH1LGQvhNsabOdBFRYiMW5zOaRW9ger9dziBXamsJLDNIRfIsDxjHoKuIfy5pAjB93CLKmwlzqXce_-fhiA3py8I3s3rPj74T-6ODD-IwD5xvsYWLh-qQS4N8vSG1cu6z9bV4/s1600-h/powderroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383899430258647426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRmgHVmIH1LGQvhNsabOdBFRYiMW5zOaRW9ger9dziBXamsJLDNIRfIsDxjHoKuIfy5pAjB93CLKmwlzqXce_-fhiA3py8I3s3rPj74T-6ODD-IwD5xvsYWLh-qQS4N8vSG1cu6z9bV4/s400/powderroom.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Not to be overlooked ... the powder room is modernized with a deep Smoke Gray (Benjamin Moore) on the walls to compliment (and upstage) the less-than-modern yellow tile. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Lots of brushed silver and chrome add new sparkle, while s</span><span style="font-size:130%;">umptuous towels from <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/category/category_sub_w_products.jsp?navAction=jump&navCount=1&categoryId=cat1500022">Restoration Hardware</a> add a luxurious touch. I think the banded tissue holder that she found is just fabulous, along with the framed pic of a little black dress – a great visual as she prepares for a night out!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Check out my previous post</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> featuring this </span><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/search/label/fashionably%20chic%20condo" style="font-style: italic;">chic condo</a><br /><br /></div>

Fashionably Chic Condo, part 2

I love how the pretty-in-pink flowers look against the Sandy Hook Gray (Benjamin Moore) wall of the kitchen. Framed print from Art.com My f...

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Design deja vu ... the printed word recycled

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">HOT OFF THE PRESS:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Project Runway recycles!<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGiBkNEX4_bkbLMphvt5as17KvK-W0uhRvJNan1z22FBF7M5EZ040muttxqRrB6lb_KBy0DfiE8r5-RmTbZNPIY8UAZqpCeDGTFmCMuKbt0bUs2zxeIfIgnG2h0dkNiOImzDkMeFFMno/s1600-h/yellowpurse.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383225382388644530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGiBkNEX4_bkbLMphvt5as17KvK-W0uhRvJNan1z22FBF7M5EZ040muttxqRrB6lb_KBy0DfiE8r5-RmTbZNPIY8UAZqpCeDGTFmCMuKbt0bUs2zxeIfIgnG2h0dkNiOImzDkMeFFMno/s400/yellowpurse.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Designed by <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway/project-runway-designers/rodney-epperson">Epperson</a><br />Modeled by <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/models-of-the-runway/models-of-the-runway-models/matar-cohen">Matar Cohen</a></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br />I am glad to see that Tim Gunn and the producers of Lifetime’s <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway/about-project-runway"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Runway</span></a> Season 6 are on the same recycling page as me ... check out <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-spy-printed-word-recycled.html">my post from Wednesday</a> of this week.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Here are a few more of my favorite headline worthy designs from Thursday night’s competition. So if you don’t have thing to wear ...</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MTFOiDzeeEI-Af2s8YlE3uoue97LuRFA7xCt0yeVZGOP9NWEqljHh20A0AzHuNtkzYoET4d5R_Rnk5bQUY6LzWkovpvyGliTM2KACzluCMf3HnDsKPrVF3oXhvX9-iTf4z-oTihiPPk/s1600-h/coatdress.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383225363037499602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MTFOiDzeeEI-Af2s8YlE3uoue97LuRFA7xCt0yeVZGOP9NWEqljHh20A0AzHuNtkzYoET4d5R_Rnk5bQUY6LzWkovpvyGliTM2KACzluCMf3HnDsKPrVF3oXhvX9-iTf4z-oTihiPPk/s400/coatdress.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">– Challenge Winner –<br /></span>Designed by <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway/project-runway-designers/irina-shabayeva">Irina Shabayeva</a><br />Modeled by <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/models-of-the-runway/models-of-the-runway-models/kalyn-hemphill">Kalyn Hemphill</a></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYnP56_gmVfmZK1_nBRgDkpXG5ObjZMvtYh0U0Z1Dk9IeMsQ4FQdJfIK50_0O1tpjKJ1hqbuwl5sNSaVREGr2K84UWQ6yw5PIf-ChmpB5Kezm4RKck8ZNMhK3cJGQwudVw_tGznmzsZQ/s1600-h/longdress.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383225374198759650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYnP56_gmVfmZK1_nBRgDkpXG5ObjZMvtYh0U0Z1Dk9IeMsQ4FQdJfIK50_0O1tpjKJ1hqbuwl5sNSaVREGr2K84UWQ6yw5PIf-ChmpB5Kezm4RKck8ZNMhK3cJGQwudVw_tGznmzsZQ/s400/longdress.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Designed by <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway/project-runway-designers/christopher-straub">Christopher Straub</a><br />Modeled by <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/models-of-the-runway/models-of-the-runway-models/katie-sticksel">Katie Sticksel</a></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcbf4BKpzNO_ZPw8b4kxDO61G3kfy1FciVQS-LXaaMKlKB1hvK-JTFBhutCYZIao68PoAvGxAQvAD38cBc9YgD2tdeuJwM5h-9h-QgsXa5KROTTk7CDL-3TgzwjV7CWUg6A1ZlMWAIvg/s1600-h/shortskirt.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383238314629814418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcbf4BKpzNO_ZPw8b4kxDO61G3kfy1FciVQS-LXaaMKlKB1hvK-JTFBhutCYZIao68PoAvGxAQvAD38cBc9YgD2tdeuJwM5h-9h-QgsXa5KROTTk7CDL-3TgzwjV7CWUg6A1ZlMWAIvg/s400/shortskirt.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Designed by <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway/project-runway-designers/ramon-lawrence-coleman">Ra’mon-Lawrence Coleman</a><br />Modeled by <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/models-of-the-runway/models-of-the-runway-models/vanessa-fitzgerald">Vanessa Fitzgerald </a></span><br /></div> </div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway/rate-the-runway/season-6-episode-5?cachepageclear#id=4" style="font-style: italic;">all images from</a><a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway/rate-the-runway/season-6-episode-5?cachepageclear#id=4" style="font-style: italic;"> Project Runway</a><a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway/rate-the-runway/season-6-episode-5?cachepageclear#id=4" style="font-style: italic;"> on MyLifetime.com</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-spy-printed-word-recycled.html"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></a><br /></span></div>

Design deja vu ... the printed word recycled

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Project Runway recycles! Designed by Epperson Modeled by Matar Cohen I am glad to see that Tim Gunn and the producers of ...

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Favorite fall flower ... Autumn Joy

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS9kIoO5Y8chJiwLn5nmuAsS60SIb46jz0fs4SML9fDPdpiFJVdGx028BTiGehf8Ognjv2SIIGHJzExD4nsmniJYzFAPkeJBzwMCa3573JDJetOAhoc1V8yBQie-7mgKSyiMqTqiKKuI/s1600-h/sedumarrangement.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382520477231981906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS9kIoO5Y8chJiwLn5nmuAsS60SIb46jz0fs4SML9fDPdpiFJVdGx028BTiGehf8Ognjv2SIIGHJzExD4nsmniJYzFAPkeJBzwMCa3573JDJetOAhoc1V8yBQie-7mgKSyiMqTqiKKuI/s400/sedumarrangement.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Flower arrangement from my bridal shower featuring</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sedum, Hydrangea, Hostas and Bittersweet<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40kARB5A0UigtLk0SZvkmNzv1MIu_jkJZav50aBZMnxVDLdkQpvcY3XX8Zz0wMGEw71CFnj9Fuy_CLpXbiJSikmx2UUq4bykYHhyphenhyphen_4bGxdKixLj8jBLdcfO2MdZN_Q4xhSVlQglDVt9E/s1600-h/peegeehydrangea.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382646504420409522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40kARB5A0UigtLk0SZvkmNzv1MIu_jkJZav50aBZMnxVDLdkQpvcY3XX8Zz0wMGEw71CFnj9Fuy_CLpXbiJSikmx2UUq4bykYHhyphenhyphen_4bGxdKixLj8jBLdcfO2MdZN_Q4xhSVlQglDVt9E/s400/peegeehydrangea.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><br />Paniculata (or Peegee) Hydrangea at <a href="http://www.stevensestate.com/facilities.html">The Stevens Estate</a> in<br />North Andover where we celebrated my 3oth birthday</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Flowers often remind me of special events in my life. At this time of year, I look to my garden and remember the floral arrangements created for my bridal shower in October of 1996 </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >(has it seriously been that long?)</span><span style="font-size:130%;">. My aunt Evelyn (an event florist) chose flowers of the season to create stunning arrangements for each table.<br /><br />I immediately fell in love with the showstoppers that she selected, especially Sedum “Autumn Joy</span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> which lasts forever in an arrangement (an appropriate choice for a wedding shower, no?) Just seeing them in my garden today can transport me to a time when the promise of the future was in itself the greatest joy.</span><br /><br /></span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzPznUSRYMLAVw926MLJZp1UpmHNMZhUPU3QxX6B1WjbE5cAmKCF7CnpI8NvQlzzBPeKiuHdh5_BbRSTkl8LmV6px1hG_dcgw_VTV4c24zAGszdheqQ4_V59lD49rGE7KMgcc8E7D4cQ/s1600-h/sedumborder.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382520141228989970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzPznUSRYMLAVw926MLJZp1UpmHNMZhUPU3QxX6B1WjbE5cAmKCF7CnpI8NvQlzzBPeKiuHdh5_BbRSTkl8LmV6px1hG_dcgw_VTV4c24zAGszdheqQ4_V59lD49rGE7KMgcc8E7D4cQ/s400/sedumborder.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Autumn Joy pairs with Japanese Painted Fern and</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Solomon’s Seal in my woodland perennial garden</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5C_WgxXYRRe80cug8QvMGIeTeE3scaxVreL9v1lSMDY7s5vl356h1ZrSXw66k8NKxZLSbqSFXUIXgUETnKzXzWw-97pQ8nGBSUQLwMBL3Rv-SU3jZw4ZL7yuiBUcuUuEhbseqvNFmbU/s1600-h/sedumupclose.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382520116752404514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5C_WgxXYRRe80cug8QvMGIeTeE3scaxVreL9v1lSMDY7s5vl356h1ZrSXw66k8NKxZLSbqSFXUIXgUETnKzXzWw-97pQ8nGBSUQLwMBL3Rv-SU3jZw4ZL7yuiBUcuUuEhbseqvNFmbU/s400/sedumupclose.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Showy Stonecrop Sedum just about to blossom</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The Sedum plant is as delicate as it is hardy (a perfect marriage!). It is drought tolerant, will not be offended if you forget to water it, and will cheerfully blossom for a good month or so. In my garden, it is the first flower growing in spring (with beautiful little green buds close to the earth) and the last flower blooming in autumn. Even in winter, the stalks that remain continue to make a design statement.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(I will post these same gardens after a snowfall ...<br />the effect is quite charming).</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqlXlbRnDJScXuC6n3RtlvseVAQEIZqQHsU5t-WP2wECTkSg1R9lcc-0ZQ_zJd6XXoYVhKURkUIjsSVifOtHmECsIChede5llo1AV_Y4XTXIE-yxxMSjpjOv2yQQUu7YNs9siXwQR6Rg/s1600-h/seduminpot.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382520126965213218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqlXlbRnDJScXuC6n3RtlvseVAQEIZqQHsU5t-WP2wECTkSg1R9lcc-0ZQ_zJd6XXoYVhKURkUIjsSVifOtHmECsIChede5llo1AV_Y4XTXIE-yxxMSjpjOv2yQQUu7YNs9siXwQR6Rg/s400/seduminpot.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This trailing Sedum flows from a container<br />that</span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> it happily shares with Wisteria vine</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShYwsldy1PWX1YCF9H4_M31ca_kCfaM7imS6sKzgB64NnlAJ874THLPsobZiSkA_rh6y8sOTtvKdT7UZlcZq3ABIB4ytBegeO67MR6ZM7wfg-13pZku1jwrIoCuxrGEKZXswM6-9xUbA/s1600-h/beesedumfern.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382520114894593682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShYwsldy1PWX1YCF9H4_M31ca_kCfaM7imS6sKzgB64NnlAJ874THLPsobZiSkA_rh6y8sOTtvKdT7UZlcZq3ABIB4ytBegeO67MR6ZM7wfg-13pZku1jwrIoCuxrGEKZXswM6-9xUbA/s400/beesedumfern.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sedum ... loved by bees and yours truly!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I am dedicating this post to designer <a href="http://kimsmithdesigns.com/">Kim Smith</a> who was a guest lecturer this week at the first yearly meeting of the Village Garden Club of Lynnfield. Her slide presentation showing gardens filled with native flowers, butterflies and bees truly inspired me to take a closer look at my own surroundings!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSltxgG952XarsPWcJpkPP7sxWJEDWIfZrBjDfsycOa3XPaPJyk_mndrIQHRA5ed9TlEVKGjLel8Rd3rwfyASW-SfWke5hXLj16K4I7neOVvOFu2Cr7ehjcLZVX8JVZzay4nXiC78gb0/s1600-h/Female+Monarch+Ovipositing+on+Marsh+Milkweed.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382534257568984914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSltxgG952XarsPWcJpkPP7sxWJEDWIfZrBjDfsycOa3XPaPJyk_mndrIQHRA5ed9TlEVKGjLel8Rd3rwfyASW-SfWke5hXLj16K4I7neOVvOFu2Cr7ehjcLZVX8JVZzay4nXiC78gb0/s320/Female+Monarch+Ovipositing+on+Marsh+Milkweed.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo by Kim Smith</span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><br />To see nature through Kim’s eyes, visit her exhibit<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">“Beauty on the Wing: The Life Story<br />of the Monarch Butterfly”</span></span><br /><br />showing now through September 30th<br />at the Matz Gallery of the<br /><a href="http://www.sawyerfreelibrary.org/">Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library</a><br />2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA<br /><br />Admission is free and the show<br />runs through September 30th<br />with a special event on the 26th<br />at 10:30 am just for children.<br /><br />Visit <a href="http://kimsmithdesigns.com/events.php">Kim’s website</a> for<br />more event details.<br /><br /></div>

Favorite fall flower ... Autumn Joy

Flower arrangement from my bridal shower featuring Sedum, Hydrangea, Hostas and Bittersweet Paniculata (or Peegee) Hydrangea at The Stevens ...

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