Inspired by the coast ...

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iR7aoLFm3R90sA0O_im__EodYmwPUZORBpWQ-DFJ0nOBLNC1RZqCk7yfpnti8NmLDAXRURD66-LQNTFtRua8uUe3Ji_g0omSSOzbztRgDTdCR6j089X89Y_eA7Iw-esdgdwanvUPMy8G/s1600/Hawkinssketch-sm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632247149028927986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iR7aoLFm3R90sA0O_im__EodYmwPUZORBpWQ-DFJ0nOBLNC1RZqCk7yfpnti8NmLDAXRURD66-LQNTFtRua8uUe3Ji_g0omSSOzbztRgDTdCR6j089X89Y_eA7Iw-esdgdwanvUPMy8G/s800/Hawkinssketch-sm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Temperatures rose above 100 degrees in New England today. It is the time of year during mid-summer when one longs to spend it cooling off along the line of the seashore. We are very fortunate that there are so many beaches within driving distance that we can visit to find relief from the heat. It is always worth the trip (as long as there is parking available ; )<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Interior designer <a href="http://design4seasons.blogspot.com/">Katherine Hawkins</a> enjoys the beaches of New England not just for their ability to cool, but for the inspiration that she finds there. An avid collector of sea glass, she is constantly on the lookout for these ocean-hued treasures. Read her article on incorporating the colors of the seashore in her article “<a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/newenglandfinerysummer2011/13">Sea Glass Serenity</a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> in the summer issue of <a href="http://www.newenglandfinery.com/">New England Finery Magazine</a>. And when you click on her illustration, you will be directed to the decorative pieces she has chosen to represent her vision of a room inspired by the water’s edge.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTcrEZ7htBhH0idbz4T1gcdBEBXpVdx0YGAPTwoQZw3eXIewawnXT3BpCpy0SMgxvvLrcbIzFZCZYcSh8HT5pgeauquafdNBxZxGakwMqKG5v-0uNpOrsw5JY0YWnNLUN4h4V_3ceWn_k/s1600/Sea+Glass+Treasures-sm.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632302078089037970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTcrEZ7htBhH0idbz4T1gcdBEBXpVdx0YGAPTwoQZw3eXIewawnXT3BpCpy0SMgxvvLrcbIzFZCZYcSh8HT5pgeauquafdNBxZxGakwMqKG5v-0uNpOrsw5JY0YWnNLUN4h4V_3ceWn_k/s400/Sea+Glass+Treasures-sm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">photograph by Katherine Hawkins</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cottageandbungalow.com/ra--505-522.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632248822736183426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldahrNOuSMHUAbvgxqzo-cXRwGfej3PHxA1m3u-3eRYuwxpUxKhyphenhyphenR9OHEcxg8gQmy8EvJLcE5poIsrg1IKP3hk-LO1M6jV32AZWEa0DAUgAL1u1nPHSlSzvqbanWf3lyo4RI_xVu0_z7F/s400/abalonechandiCottage%2526Bungalow.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://www.cottageandbungalow.com/ra--505-522.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Abalone Waterfall Chandelier</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.cottageandbungalow.com/ra--505-522.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">from Cottage & Bungalow</span></a><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJK6yhoer9hZfmnoKSxRLrhIgla-NTkSBrrCPt8BGrmKE5BzncsY-lfXuhGXwKKwhxDbzfblhpj_DrBeTjFgAvmsrG86a5E1eyCbd-vMyx0z9XHTfmL94RDQEwVKWFyUATIxbmkkCqbjP/s1600/potterybarnpillows"><span><span></span></span></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6pAnAPCvwYGQaX4j-Jp6ff2C9l__-e8me4i9m11w_jyOB-PogXFl7cuxt0EQA1gmwN_WvDCnADnOUbV7WZSLzti5idu__18MVqU8YqyVOkXwofDPuBAypZ54dQf69S9A8W2TE1jfZwNT/s1600/seahorselampKichler.jpg"><span><span></span></span></a>

Inspired by the coast ...

Temperatures rose above 100 degrees in New England today. It is the time of year during mid-summer when one longs to spend it cooling off al...

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Playing dress-up ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com/images?q=glinda,+wizard+of+oz&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=ZBXKTJX8EMP48Aay9tiHAQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CEIQsAQwAA&biw=1860&bih=1022" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533257413441679362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_r-PUtw_Ossg2trJnlMwYP83NCgHi9xY4b4iYNTkiRm6FSaXIP73NRm3W0lOplQ6yWTMKw_ji10Hj-PZSh5d6VQS14JcpL1ZKfCJ5jQQ3YkvDEEWqb0AsIGHY11_UhtzWvzrQHJsD96b/s400/glenda" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The beautiful and magical <a href="http://www.google.com/images?q=glinda&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=VnXKTJyDOcL38AbYhJm8AQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=2&ved=0CD4QsAQwAQ&biw=1860&bih=1051">Glinda</a>, “the good witch</span><span style="font-style: italic;">”</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">from the classic movie, <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Wizard of Oz</span></span> </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Yesterday I took my littlest three guys to the Halloween store to pick out costumes for this weekend’s trick-or-treating adventures.<br /><br />After over a decade of celebrating this be-whomever-you-want-to-be fantasy holiday with children of my own, I now have plenty of suitable costumes on hand <span style="font-weight: bold;">for boys only</span> (with the exception of my<br />childhood costumes, which I have been<br />saving for way too long now!)<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3825eu4W0AkzsYFqrglX71s7FyP7j1EKG_4qkZS-hjRqMIs36o3RQ5-CplaEYNnCJTEteMWwUZpfwXBCWnF8BstCgSaepc_AnLrnuoGobdksy2Y-ZA7KBgbajbWSKn923S3LjIvC7P1gq/s1600/threepirates.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533344352668524898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3825eu4W0AkzsYFqrglX71s7FyP7j1EKG_4qkZS-hjRqMIs36o3RQ5-CplaEYNnCJTEteMWwUZpfwXBCWnF8BstCgSaepc_AnLrnuoGobdksy2Y-ZA7KBgbajbWSKn923S3LjIvC7P1gq/s320/threepirates.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />In stock, I currently have three pirate suits, </span><span style="font-size:130%;">at least four ninja costumes, </span><span style="font-size:130%;">numerous skeletons, assorted Power Rangers, a variety of Batmen (both classic and dark) and a make-shift Robin (very hard to find a<br />Boy Wonder costume for some reason.)<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEhnnDb7cWiBv17scUbG1IjCXJM5ow3y5xPq5RgQDO7V-xyZ61GCur1r2tdGpd32Ow8JV8egMSS01qF3HJ2gwd-bYZgM-cNItIdUq_Ry5H9fqQkueHUOOeHN7xWgFZpiYQ28UlcPuP8z3/s1600/threepirates.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqL9h8S27WJ0LVYQvKAg-pUO-ZAmdz339aWdIRp6t0u-bIM9UlLMZ-yUdHNGN6LDNiMAhTSaVxcyx4vBJ6l3ELA7utRgSA1-X5mvHffQnB_FByTPCUMUCngvbyQUlsLZhFQM6m8V2E3Fk/s1600/neighborsbench.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533334971742793810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqL9h8S27WJ0LVYQvKAg-pUO-ZAmdz339aWdIRp6t0u-bIM9UlLMZ-yUdHNGN6LDNiMAhTSaVxcyx4vBJ6l3ELA7utRgSA1-X5mvHffQnB_FByTPCUMUCngvbyQUlsLZhFQM6m8V2E3Fk/s400/neighborsbench.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 329px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">One neighbor hands out candy the easy way</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzIrb_NloD-jOfZi7qCQXkpNQ79mo7cSd8NABAJxmnAkTVi0fvAjfAfyDkET155rN33H87KTOr1YFfgUz9r7mB2ijZwMHNdDeOR3Q9Kjzl8azaHaO4QE9lF24ItiLAzYy2TjDpO1n-J_4/s1600/bunnyupclose.jpg"><br /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Hunting for an age-appropriate costume seems to be our biggest challenge these days. Walking past aisle after aisle of gruesome get-ups and “don’t go there, that’s the grown up section</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> made me long for<br />the times when I got to choose the costume.<br /><br />My favorites are still <span style="font-weight: bold;">home-made bunny with felt carrot</span> from year one and <span style="font-weight: bold;">bright and cuddly Tigger</span> from year two. Now that everyone is old enough to use their own imagination when it comes to dressing up, I usually brace myself for the worst,<br />then try to talk them out of the costumes<br />that are too ugly to photograph.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQF-MuMfMGsxLh9gnIZlZuh2iurcTFYMI-I0wrjQOtDjxyK5_ygZJ6-NUry9rr8pfY_dMzPnX7MFfGQwyFR8xtKCEBU9jrawa-ZIy6u-hQ167UO1D7L3pQPv2idgLBV22WT0ytQPbOZqb0/s1600/white+mask.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533353967317420466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQF-MuMfMGsxLh9gnIZlZuh2iurcTFYMI-I0wrjQOtDjxyK5_ygZJ6-NUry9rr8pfY_dMzPnX7MFfGQwyFR8xtKCEBU9jrawa-ZIy6u-hQ167UO1D7L3pQPv2idgLBV22WT0ytQPbOZqb0/s320/white+mask.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This year we actually came to a costume compromise where I gave my approval to classic white face masks (that will be accessorized with black capes that we already have), one doctor’s overcoat, some bloody gauze and one weapon of destruction (I lost that battle!) Of course when we returned home, my youngest decided he no longer wanted the white mask, but instead was inspired to recycle an ensemble of all black items discovered in the costume bin (which<br />was what I wanted to do in the first place!)<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxcEn9F-fXuxPMeBe-NBgeK4K7jAqM4NhkLy6z7dncVwd0F76giofmMvlOuqIZgtcMpkhxRQGhA9kR2x2ITDBw33yZMUPfFKWRbQkXfZpd3WayU8oynAHoEPQCCtqT9jgF7vLimDI8oOM/s1600/candyart.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533341684741949026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxcEn9F-fXuxPMeBe-NBgeK4K7jAqM4NhkLy6z7dncVwd0F76giofmMvlOuqIZgtcMpkhxRQGhA9kR2x2ITDBw33yZMUPfFKWRbQkXfZpd3WayU8oynAHoEPQCCtqT9jgF7vLimDI8oOM/s400/candyart.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Last year’s loot, artfully arranged </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">After enduring the chaos of situating everyone with their costumes, I sat down at the computer to check e-mails, etc. I ended up receiving <span>a special <span style="font-weight: bold;">treat</span> ...</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://design-sherpa.com/contest/details/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533343905992779010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQFQnk5zu2pedfTpeCiwbkiChzmwICMD9nFLjn2nc94y0w6VxgbTPVj8Mloy-J1gWiDWez38oLQThEz8dD_eA98uR0Hq_-nVjyeQp0flqKQGGD1_VKR70CpcxlaQ0ZI4rvrCuF-HdWIl9/s320/WhatinspiresyouLOGO.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 187px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My submission to the <a href="http://design-sherpa.com/about-design-sherpa/">DesignSherpa</a> “<a href="http://design-sherpa.com/contest/details/">What inspires you?</a>” contest has officially been posted as one of the top 100 entries! This is <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-york-state-of-mind.html">the big news</a> I mentioned awhile back. I am actually in the running to win a really cool prize which I </span><span style="font-size:130%;">am </span><span style="font-size:130%;">still almost<br />too afraid to say out loud! Curious?</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3261474&CAWELAID=234009968"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533335835766882690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pCeFUQk6eAUV0sQdC4uusGA4k4IS2F03TsUzqRCq2SGaCJPEYEThcJFVhFxIwJavTEMpOM2keZBuw4bfEYbgjuWFywjjwIkzAJzBarGdre0B27SgURlQKql-CSU03BIhgwdoU-1lp6sK/s400/rubyslippersTRU.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 220px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">“<a href="http://design-sherpa.com/featured/what-inspires-yvonne-blacker-of-yvonne-blacker-interiors/">Click two times ...</a>”</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" ><a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3261474&CAWELAID=234009968">{Ruby slippers available at Toys R Us}</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />I hope you have a safe and happy Halloween<br />filled with more treats than tricks!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><br /></div>

Playing dress-up ...

The beautiful and magical Glinda , “the good witch ” from the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz Yesterday I took my littlest three guys to th...

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Alphabet Walk: the letter Y

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://onesydneyroad.com/2010/06/alphabet-walk-blog-hop-2/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493916411813283378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOuBE3rt1aq0YdBcec-LamU4eb-GYbXx34lk-rwPE9eqGbc9mQ6i_Wf9JmkDLn22tTqlf9GZ7i9rppEuwnK0SnXKFO3oerAhsaoYmj1egqNeUS242-kFy7Q3eoll-8TQV7kD_TLHqENw/s400/alphabetwalk.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 227px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />In case you have not heard of the<a href="http://onesydneyroad.com/2010/06/alphabet-walk-blog-hop-2/"> </a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://onesydneyroad.com/2010/06/alphabet-walk-blog-hop-2/">Alphabet Walk blog hop</a>, </span><span style="font-size:130%;">it is an online event staged as a photographic journey in alphabetical order being hosted by aspiring boutique owner/design enthusiast <a href="http://onesydneyroad.com/about/">Piper Toth</a> of <a href="http://onesydneyroad.com/">One Sydney Road</a>. Since Monday of this week, a group of around <a href="http://onesydneyroad.com/alphabet-walk/">75 bloggers</a> have been representing the letters of the alphabet with photos. I volunteered to take on the letter <span style="font-weight: bold;">Y</span> (obviously a favorite of mine!) This has been a fun event to participate in, along with being a great way to discover some new blog personalities! I decided to base my post on a designer <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">F<span style="font-weight: bold;">Y</span>I</span> ... kind of a look-book that shows who I am using images that begin with<br />or include the letter Y.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqgtiMjDFrtpkYsL0i3saDF3LXZ0RMTk8WTtiBxC6ABg_VSPfQBwSe-1z8dZWmYGj3vKJWj6SwPesKk99j20pH57XoRW5HLymQ2fzDNJb0ol1IDr-IbiqGQCIwwnusQyNZ5WIhwRUQSI/s1600/YBatbelmer.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493918947297061730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqgtiMjDFrtpkYsL0i3saDF3LXZ0RMTk8WTtiBxC6ABg_VSPfQBwSe-1z8dZWmYGj3vKJWj6SwPesKk99j20pH57XoRW5HLymQ2fzDNJb0ol1IDr-IbiqGQCIwwnusQyNZ5WIhwRUQSI/s400/YBatbelmer.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 336px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Y</span><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">VONNE</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In case we have never met before, my name is </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">vonne. I am an interior decorator and I write this blog to share the images, people and events that inspire me. In this photo I am relaxing at the Belle Mer in Newport, RI. See how beautifull<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> peaceful it is by <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/06/seaside-glamour-at-belle-mer.html">clicking here</a>.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJhC0lR43B0rPE3lcRAlMU4gzbhi3QtKCZGXbvlOusbp45rBE6ail3Rhcg1hTDJLL-CLxR5Yfkrr2Yw54W3UoaTbtTUIn68-BIzwSU28ys_BDoi_I4DmRZUDdhYXySvkS7Z4qdwvQl9g/s1600/roseinYcup.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493921047302331266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJhC0lR43B0rPE3lcRAlMU4gzbhi3QtKCZGXbvlOusbp45rBE6ail3Rhcg1hTDJLL-CLxR5Yfkrr2Yw54W3UoaTbtTUIn68-BIzwSU28ys_BDoi_I4DmRZUDdhYXySvkS7Z4qdwvQl9g/s400/roseinYcup.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">Y <span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">CUP WITH DESIGN TOOLS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I began my career as a graphic artist, illustrating newspaper ads for a local gift shop when I was 16, later art directing ad campaigns for a number of Boston-based advertising agencies. I have always been fascinated with t</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">pography and photograph</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, and have relied on my artistic e</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">e to make a living (a fun one for sure!) It has alwa<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span>s been a dream of mine, however, to work behind the scenes of a great magazine, so I guess this blog is m<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> wa<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> of attempting to take on the role of art director, photo st<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span>list, interior decorator, writer (and editor ; ) all at once!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=78404&navAction=jump&search=true&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS" style="font-style: italic;">Monogrammed mug</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> from Anthropologie</span></span><br /></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzRxJqJDaVpMO3YIRp-CDICLbuBwr_sLN_CjeoyC6OwfH5CllE3EfsJwXl-ts7nOT78vNRPLLP1w1y-JHjMSjkqAaRXU-eElghw0SIu6iF4KSc4yqtRzpdG-MdsxaXxHblgTVfoZP8Ws/s1600/woodenmodelYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493917493697666626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzRxJqJDaVpMO3YIRp-CDICLbuBwr_sLN_CjeoyC6OwfH5CllE3EfsJwXl-ts7nOT78vNRPLLP1w1y-JHjMSjkqAaRXU-eElghw0SIu6iF4KSc4yqtRzpdG-MdsxaXxHblgTVfoZP8Ws/s400/woodenmodelYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 382px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">Y<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">B ...</span> <span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">MY INITIALS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I created this vignette featuring </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">B on a bookcase shelf, filling it with some of m</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> favorite things for the <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/05/designers-before-and-after.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">North Shore Design Show</span></a> held this past Ma<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> at the Wenham Museum. On my summer to-do-list: see the movie </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >eclipse</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> as I have </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">et to finish the book!</span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqgtiMjDFrtpkYsL0i3saDF3LXZ0RMTk8WTtiBxC6ABg_VSPfQBwSe-1z8dZWmYGj3vKJWj6SwPesKk99j20pH57XoRW5HLymQ2fzDNJb0ol1IDr-IbiqGQCIwwnusQyNZ5WIhwRUQSI/s1600/YBatbelmer.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OfiLp2zentsF444d3dK1PD-58-h-bTjhzt49cqhpHIOhSdaMBE-3qodeJLBZfJWDA6YywXR8dinobQ62gnq6R_Uet9qGqmeRbqMx_nsZ7Q3maO95Y3BxVIIkpUSg35riOkCnd3WPhEw/s1600/fencewithflowers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTnCPiEB8RX4EIZYnygsBffUuR5teu5bJ6CdanSKR7oM1V_Es4POLi0XS2Met80K1S1E6asPaVX0PrjPB2nsfkSYZATD4GFlwd1Yte_NcXt8zfb1el8L3mvwwAcn_D0-fiQ1icrSoPoE/s1600/barnfenceflowers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493920564560927330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTnCPiEB8RX4EIZYnygsBffUuR5teu5bJ6CdanSKR7oM1V_Es4POLi0XS2Met80K1S1E6asPaVX0PrjPB2nsfkSYZATD4GFlwd1Yte_NcXt8zfb1el8L3mvwwAcn_D0-fiQ1icrSoPoE/s400/barnfenceflowers.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">Y<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">ELLOW FLOWERS<br />IN </span>Y<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">ORK, MAINE</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ork Beach, Maine is where I have spent summer vacations for most of m</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> life. I took this photo on Monda</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> after a meeting with m</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> first decorating client in </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ork (photos to come!) For now, <span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span>ou are welcome to <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/07/more-from-york-seaside-cottage.html">visit m<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> mom’s <span style="font-weight: bold;">Y</span>ork cottage by clicking here</a>. And if </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ou are in the area, check out the <a href="http://www.oldyork.org/visit/showhouse.html"><span>Old </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Y</span>ork Decorator Showhouse</a>. It opens Jul<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> 17th and runs through August 14th. A couple of m</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> friends are participating (<a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/search/label/Nicole%20Yee">Nicole <span style="font-weight: bold;">Y</span>ee</a>: Dining Room and <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/search/label/Acorn%20Interiors">Paula Bakies</a> for<br />Mary O’Neill: Guest Bedroom) so I will be<br />stopping in to see them soon.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzRxJqJDaVpMO3YIRp-CDICLbuBwr_sLN_CjeoyC6OwfH5CllE3EfsJwXl-ts7nOT78vNRPLLP1w1y-JHjMSjkqAaRXU-eElghw0SIu6iF4KSc4yqtRzpdG-MdsxaXxHblgTVfoZP8Ws/s1600/woodenmodelYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio90BgwLFjrgi2C7NItZTVcyEiDsqozutKxdVxBzl-dW9anGY2ZOoHzPr65mUpM4TStLVK9o3LjeSf4dQlAEkdqdzPNqY8TkpvjTUZYy7fZeJr-gMyhowXmiIz6k07Oy6RDr3uyWSltG8/s1600/yellowbagYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493916332418381650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio90BgwLFjrgi2C7NItZTVcyEiDsqozutKxdVxBzl-dW9anGY2ZOoHzPr65mUpM4TStLVK9o3LjeSf4dQlAEkdqdzPNqY8TkpvjTUZYy7fZeJr-gMyhowXmiIz6k07Oy6RDr3uyWSltG8/s400/yellowbagYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">Y<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">ELLOW, DO-IT-</span>Y<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">OURSELF, REC<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Y</span>CLE</span><br /></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJhC0lR43B0rPE3lcRAlMU4gzbhi3QtKCZGXbvlOusbp45rBE6ail3Rhcg1hTDJLL-CLxR5Yfkrr2Yw54W3UoaTbtTUIn68-BIzwSU28ys_BDoi_I4DmRZUDdhYXySvkS7Z4qdwvQl9g/s1600/roseinYcup.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ellow was alwa<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span>s m</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> favorite color when I was little. I guess it still is because I have been surrounding m</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">self with it a lot latel</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">! This </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ellow bag was an I-can’t-believe-I-got-it-at-this-price bargain. I</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> had it with me on the day I met Barcla</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Butera at the Boston Design Center (<a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/10/inspired-by-barclay-butera.html">read about it here</a>). Rec</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">cling also tops m</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> list of what is most important to me. In my </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ellow fo</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">er alone, I have three items side by side that were all rec</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">cled into something new and improved: refinished ladder back chair, <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/10/first-weekend-at-design-studio.html">mirror turned chalkboard</a>, sewing cabinet with designer st</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">le (for more of my design <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/search/label/before%20and%20after">before and afters click here</a>).</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0r3ChtwZ4V5iwqHB2fXgRwCJ8jduo2i-qDiv_uzh9PUiJlYjoFnJ8VjTCC2tHvE4tkF_jmhOdOrF3qZNbfjp9VBo9mxIC_YBzbqIqfecfE-S8_Va2yo7KZCgXztUuwPW95TVTPs4gRs/s1600/yellowbird:wateringcan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493929905801419650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0r3ChtwZ4V5iwqHB2fXgRwCJ8jduo2i-qDiv_uzh9PUiJlYjoFnJ8VjTCC2tHvE4tkF_jmhOdOrF3qZNbfjp9VBo9mxIC_YBzbqIqfecfE-S8_Va2yo7KZCgXztUuwPW95TVTPs4gRs/s400/yellowbird:wateringcan.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 358px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">M<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">Y</span> </span>Y<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">OUNGEST WITH A<br /></span>Y<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">ELLOW BAB</span>Y<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);"> BIRD</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Y</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">ellow watering can and </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ellow fledgling perched on the finger of my </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">oungest, Ben. See more photos<br />from this <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/06/entertaining-unexpected-guests.html">special visit b<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> clicking here</a>. To<br />see more of my <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-secret-garden-room.html">garden room, click here</a>.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrJNUC5s0DG6NJJpqoNq9gFGN6r6j65WZMRBYAIHWswKLeNDF2rplop41nT1GJtvekpa3bArAuEKHljshbNVxdPIjelNrTlOZwJ1GJeYA0Kla2iJOacPxu2Jxqk1Z2ZmSAav0nZ9zuYQ/s1600/yarrow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493922860708884818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrJNUC5s0DG6NJJpqoNq9gFGN6r6j65WZMRBYAIHWswKLeNDF2rplop41nT1GJtvekpa3bArAuEKHljshbNVxdPIjelNrTlOZwJ1GJeYA0Kla2iJOacPxu2Jxqk1Z2ZmSAav0nZ9zuYQ/s400/yarrow.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">Y<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">ARROW IN MY </span>Y<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">ARD</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">arrow flower with a </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ucky ant (look real closely!) photographed in m<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ard </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">esterday. I reall<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> love flowers, gardening and nature in general. These elements seem to influence my design st</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">le more than any other (and I write about them often!) Here are a few of my favorite <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/03/glimpse-of-spring-designing-with-art.html">tips on how to create arrangements</a> to coordinate with works of art.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpbMSk-7TmguOcy6ReHK258Z-ue0fRSHx_VJTY8rkP9tj2c-K0zqeL1rPTCUzc3zwNhKKnTM0hyphenhyphenjFi2YSbHRCUY8GkJLMGbBFK4Bdmou5AXdpS3aiG9CvexJmFuxmZyuEzvJLcrnhbVM/s1600/polyvoregap8.17.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493971194823923474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpbMSk-7TmguOcy6ReHK258Z-ue0fRSHx_VJTY8rkP9tj2c-K0zqeL1rPTCUzc3zwNhKKnTM0hyphenhyphenjFi2YSbHRCUY8GkJLMGbBFK4Bdmou5AXdpS3aiG9CvexJmFuxmZyuEzvJLcrnhbVM/s400/polyvoregap8.17.png" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">ST</span>Y<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">LE</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />As a designer, I am often asked what m<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> particular st<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span>le is. Of course the answer to that question reall<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> depends on the project and the client, but the direction I take alwa<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span>s comes from who I am as a person first. Looking at these photos that I have selected for the Alphabet Walk, I see a definite pattern that to me reads: laid-back traditional with a focus on color, organic forms, and artistic expression. What do </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ou see? Visit my <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.embedder=971780&.mid=embed&id=971780">polyvore mood boards</a><br />for more samples of my “st<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span>le.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/07/design-show-preview-party-in-danvers.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493963126881311042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmayVhD8-OOW-M6PnEmtwnHAIWgVVPzC61Wwub8b_cW3XnFyuX6gZliQ25pHxWbbEx9h6OwIrNLg7Ufx10AU7MUpqAXPYPLHD3osrh690xTGJHdVaUslP9fzIn8_2nL3vE54cUs-247o/s400/DHSdesignshowbanner.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 171px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(192, 192, 192);"><span style="font-size:180%;">NOW PLA<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Y</span>ING @ TAPLE<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Y</span> HALL</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);"></span></span><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">If you live near Boston’s North shore, you can get a first hand look at my design st<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span>le at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Reflecting on Danvers History through Interior Design</span>, a dozen+ designed vignettes staged in Taple<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> Hall to benefit the Danvers Historical Society. Open to the public, admission is just $10 at the door.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/06/danvers-design-show-sneak-peek.html">Click here for details</a>.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">THANK </span>Y<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">OU ...</span></span><br /><br />for visiting me on this final da<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alphabet Walk blog hop</span> (and thanks to those who have been following all along!) Be sure to check out the other blogs virtually strolling through the letters of the alphabet (<a href="http://onesydneyroad.com/alphabet-walk/">click here for the full list</a>). Please stop b<span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> again and leave a comment if <span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span>ou feel inspired!<br /><br />xo <span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span>vonne<br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio90BgwLFjrgi2C7NItZTVcyEiDsqozutKxdVxBzl-dW9anGY2ZOoHzPr65mUpM4TStLVK9o3LjeSf4dQlAEkdqdzPNqY8TkpvjTUZYy7fZeJr-gMyhowXmiIz6k07Oy6RDr3uyWSltG8/s1600/yellowbagYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a>

Alphabet Walk: the letter Y

In case you have not heard of the Alphabet Walk blog hop , it is an online event staged as a photographic journey in alphabetical order bei...

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Blog writing and a tribute

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Zbth8ifR7UwpLVhVrAWiKEKWnHc_soSwDVMUfbrT1bVshcEkN-DivjnMnxcuBQBkTiafecWNI7kd2fjK93EtoPrQxHx5qd9fMAQnJ4jPEnytMc1Tp9gYk2VF5v8WZUYz3Yfgabyyb7k/s1600/whiterosehydrangeas.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span><span></span></span></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXhRweC3drnhTHmfVg12mmw0krD3JeyfAqJfTxWaf0tfl-h8cggWxjqFdihMqXLV_LuzIEvgoNHlCceS1BVki882tF5aybKtvE0e8dTuxhnNC3iqVn0PfbOb78I2d0leSZ012R6sU4sg/s1600/rememberingmarija.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493378999908263250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXhRweC3drnhTHmfVg12mmw0krD3JeyfAqJfTxWaf0tfl-h8cggWxjqFdihMqXLV_LuzIEvgoNHlCceS1BVki882tF5aybKtvE0e8dTuxhnNC3iqVn0PfbOb78I2d0leSZ012R6sU4sg/s400/rememberingmarija.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 202px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photos borrowed from <a href="http://holdingcourtblog.blogspot.com/">Holding Court</a> by Marija Stephens<br /><br /><br /></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Yesterday I learned of the tragic death of a woman I have only known by her first name, </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://holdingcourtblog.blogspot.com/">Marija</a>, </span><span style="font-size:130%;">the posts that she has written, and </span><span style="font-size:130%;">the comments that she has left behind</span><span style="font-size:130%;">. I remember once receiving a comment that she left on a post that I also commented on (it was on a blog we both followed: <a href="http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/2010/02/tidy-up.html">absolutely beautiful things</a>). I was happy just to see her name in my inbox even though the comment was not actually addressed to me. We always seemed to be following the same path ... I would see the icon from her blog, <a href="http://holdingcourtblog.blogspot.com/">Holding Court</a>, pop up everywhere I went. Her comments were always worth reading and she had a charming and effortless way about her. Her blog was full of well written observations on both style and life. Marija’s death has deeply touched many people who have only met her virtually, along with leaving a hole in the hearts of those who truly knew and loved her.<br /><br />Reading over the many chapters in the chronicles of </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Marija’s</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> blog have left me welled up with tears and especially reflective ... why do we put ourselves out there to write our personal stories on a blog?<br /><br />For me, it is a creative outlet, a way to connect with other people who share the same interests, and a valuable resource to my growing design business. The many opportunities to create new friendships through blog writing has been an unexpected bonus.<br /><br />Here are just some of the reasons<br />why Marija began her blog ...<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">“<a href="http://holdingcourtblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/im-marija-this-is-my-blog.html">I’m Marija. This is my blog</a>.”</span></span><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In Marija’s memory, I promise to try to let more of my virtual/blog friends know that their words have made an impression on me. It is these connections with others (even if they only start out as a quick text left at the end of a post) that keep me inspired.<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyFsAkyvjHCob522F9GqtIYXgtAmfnbkqylA5X5M6a1mpolO2vwKWhkGuxKIe3V0rsIEa97vnyi0HGRvVLkiTZwsEtVM6eJE75lsvxUkC5lU5dvym_NDbm865f-508JyhZLab5fgDOdQ/s1600/angelingarden.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493390487311939474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyFsAkyvjHCob522F9GqtIYXgtAmfnbkqylA5X5M6a1mpolO2vwKWhkGuxKIe3V0rsIEa97vnyi0HGRvVLkiTZwsEtVM6eJE75lsvxUkC5lU5dvym_NDbm865f-508JyhZLab5fgDOdQ/s320/angelingarden.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div>

Blog writing and a tribute

Photos borrowed from Holding Court by Marija Stephens Yesterday I learned of the tragic death of a woman I have only known by her first n...

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A designer’s before and after ...

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ7BE34grLztCHgJnvfSdvEsk0T8fSImDowiV7d75GKix1-D5LVCyslcQ-qu__jywUkYgM1UneVSFsnEiMsZX-MyUnpdhVoMfqhsE061PjzoFJZ_FiR3sdQpihTFfMe1JdNG3igcQCzA/s1600/favoritespacesNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ncZaYZbk6zCJqzdbN-0oX5NHtWVVER82dn-kGPPXqCVWsfLaSRwl8H3rM0r6jDZugfZ2iEyb4DBue4cBPw_LShXtmxuj865iCDEOPH49blMJU8IFyZOxPmvdN1MIcwL3w8zCeh1X_2Q/s1600/waverlyfabricNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /><br /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gnGsOjOBKau3AsE2nHATOr3qzLFVGkky0UQldPlvdFV94J61lM_QF6HZpvf9ArQfT1BnH4ta-T13-C4i3LDhZAqDuGrDokB4VdvoOXhO5P2hGwR4y8oa8LKtcvyWInLOaTXSK4y7CS0/s1600/frenchboard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474816907240545122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gnGsOjOBKau3AsE2nHATOr3qzLFVGkky0UQldPlvdFV94J61lM_QF6HZpvf9ArQfT1BnH4ta-T13-C4i3LDhZAqDuGrDokB4VdvoOXhO5P2hGwR4y8oa8LKtcvyWInLOaTXSK4y7CS0/s400/frenchboard.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWyr7LwfAymUCRwJ0PjoawMTQm_7zlKNIVV45-TNsaqE53-_tJRR0nEaC2s5EdlyR9Ze_L9y_-iWY8SOyNV6cy2kJHNtayL_AT48I18KzEKGeXQWCXku4sP4qQYh341owPStfQt0livU/s1600/sign+for+blog.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475698605743129682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWyr7LwfAymUCRwJ0PjoawMTQm_7zlKNIVV45-TNsaqE53-_tJRR0nEaC2s5EdlyR9Ze_L9y_-iWY8SOyNV6cy2kJHNtayL_AT48I18KzEKGeXQWCXku4sP4qQYh341owPStfQt0livU/s400/sign+for+blog.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUSzb1tWPp-BBRBeEb6GQomji0h7TxmknqROIQLs4US7FhGZ0xUswUmjWWNM9AAE55pd96is4DmQohxKMPA4E2S6f24Hyxy3sJq7PAIWNNcVDUbDb7smdWvFB_fCAO1V35r5oVc08WWM/s1600/yvonne@deskNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474816895173050258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUSzb1tWPp-BBRBeEb6GQomji0h7TxmknqROIQLs4US7FhGZ0xUswUmjWWNM9AAE55pd96is4DmQohxKMPA4E2S6f24Hyxy3sJq7PAIWNNcVDUbDb7smdWvFB_fCAO1V35r5oVc08WWM/s400/yvonne@deskNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Welcome to my “room!”</span><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The story behind this vignette is an easy one to tell as it is my own. When asked to provide a concept for our designed space at the Wenham Museum’s <span style="font-weight: bold;">North Shore Design Show</span>, we were encouraged to create a space that reflected our personal design aesthetic. On the ride home from that first meeting, I was already planning visual ways to interpret <span style="font-weight: bold;">“creative resourcefulness”</span> as my theme.</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUuC1aMg-XqJzg04P8FEb4-Sjtpd4DpUsNG2VLdi2v7VQJvIBjiGsZGwtTtebOYIo5UlLYpBTXp7zOPYVCClvdvrngnaPkusXi1OMXzjxC2kjqn5tcIaTY-9NiCxs3BWDTjvAOtN9Wyo/s1600/vintagewaverlyfabricNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475782898889194930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUuC1aMg-XqJzg04P8FEb4-Sjtpd4DpUsNG2VLdi2v7VQJvIBjiGsZGwtTtebOYIo5UlLYpBTXp7zOPYVCClvdvrngnaPkusXi1OMXzjxC2kjqn5tcIaTY-9NiCxs3BWDTjvAOtN9Wyo/s400/vintagewaverlyfabricNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The inspiration fabric for my space: a vintage</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Waverly print, found at </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Vintagesteph-Fab-Finds/100000180859680#%21/profile.php?id=100000180859680" style="font-style: italic;">VintageSteph</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">There is <span style="font-weight: bold;">a lot of buzz</span> these days about recycling, reusing what we have, designing with sustainable materials and shopping locally in an effort to be environmentally conscious. The plan for my space was to use my personal story as a way to highlight the current trend toward <span style="font-weight: bold;">green decorating</span>, and do it in a way that looked fresh and modern while using inspirational items from my past and present. The best part for me? I did not have to go far to find inspiration. I combined many items from my personal collections (curated over the past 30 years or so) with items from<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">craigslist, vintage stores, ebay and favorite local places to shop</span> to design a space dedicated to creative pursuits. For each time period, I used inspiration boards to show <span style="font-weight: bold;">design trends</span> that more often than not repeat themselves.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ76NoB_U7Dm_-2q1h1WCdseHEo2AhmyNDoCAoK45rsrYv2FbitTht-tcV87RtMWKXgld8dY24Cr0SwnjpKi1u2f_KIGhQY3mr3PHRQTsMnvpw6TN6cp3ZHj3CmOh37GYz9M4uzYwBFc/s1600/Before&AfterYB_NSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475379245596176610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ76NoB_U7Dm_-2q1h1WCdseHEo2AhmyNDoCAoK45rsrYv2FbitTht-tcV87RtMWKXgld8dY24Cr0SwnjpKi1u2f_KIGhQY3mr3PHRQTsMnvpw6TN6cp3ZHj3CmOh37GYz9M4uzYwBFc/s400/Before&AfterYB_NSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">From a student desk surrounded with</span></span><span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> cherished objects from childhood, to a sophisticated grown-up space with a touch of nostalgia, my room was filled with items and images that inspire me.</span></span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25Vx3cgQzbiUIDP4sdAjO-KsS6b3HJWbRkSj25N0HXUlhDBDx6BhTsiNQ2RI-6uAiwF2m0sPIWNb9ei31O2DYQYIxqVzcqPtJGgWDdciCUhSUMp3vfLhdqboTS3wYD_FoCGRO_rU9jF4/s1600/chair+windowAI4NSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475684995451714930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25Vx3cgQzbiUIDP4sdAjO-KsS6b3HJWbRkSj25N0HXUlhDBDx6BhTsiNQ2RI-6uAiwF2m0sPIWNb9ei31O2DYQYIxqVzcqPtJGgWDdciCUhSUMp3vfLhdqboTS3wYD_FoCGRO_rU9jF4/s400/chair+windowAI4NSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Window treatments and seat cushion:<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/acorninteriors"> Acorn Interiors</a>, </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Andover, MA</span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Chair seat: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pentucket Furniture Restoration</span>, Haverhill, MA<br /><br />Turkish rug from the 1930’s - 1940’s: <a href="http://firstrugs.com/html/about_us.html">First Oriental Rugs</a>, Danvers, MA<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Let’s start with a quick visit<br /><br />to the 70’s and 80’s ...</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0RD1iqOEY_DaJjbMgSA_NOlIzLJwAlwOaJ48hhPqKTlcq7NKYw38UvofN5SiFEI5_Fzuq4f2IgtMnaD-efrs1yDMUChq3xf1bXvdBXPn2EbDr4C0enOvn07PuII2Es4dYFlnWkYOm34/s1600/birthdaywishesYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475758100851912850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0RD1iqOEY_DaJjbMgSA_NOlIzLJwAlwOaJ48hhPqKTlcq7NKYw38UvofN5SiFEI5_Fzuq4f2IgtMnaD-efrs1yDMUChq3xf1bXvdBXPn2EbDr4C0enOvn07PuII2Es4dYFlnWkYOm34/s320/birthdaywishesYE.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyOLEH7ZyqiA9XIEw9wagGvddJqVBDLc6m8HQZI3ps2FITrsiDr78NBQ26ofF0AbvuuvQT1akLN6aihrVBIicFscTwmk_fg4SEicy9MKl-COUb177p2G4I8zeB2_Koco5BEouDO8qAQE/s1600/dollinorange.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474816905079387634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyOLEH7ZyqiA9XIEw9wagGvddJqVBDLc6m8HQZI3ps2FITrsiDr78NBQ26ofF0AbvuuvQT1akLN6aihrVBIicFscTwmk_fg4SEicy9MKl-COUb177p2G4I8zeB2_Koco5BEouDO8qAQE/s400/dollinorange.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I got this doll for 10 cents at a neighbor’s yard sale. My mom made the dress out of an old curtain (see my 6th birthday photo above). The white cat on the preppy colored chair (from my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40830098/wallpaper-art-set-of-four">wallpaper as art</a> collection) looks a lot like my childhood kitty Tomasina.</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ4iV-w9SXt_0KZZ6hVnRIIfHOGqY0WzeZR7TsMd5U5vEiZqNDZnK7VvvSlKgTQzC5cJjU3SzBDHuJjH2WyW1xvNE1R6A4gt8CxMW_sY7vdi1Qc7NaEHudbNid8Pa_X9xYo3BNgHqHA0/s1600/bookdicefly.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475402510981401138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ4iV-w9SXt_0KZZ6hVnRIIfHOGqY0WzeZR7TsMd5U5vEiZqNDZnK7VvvSlKgTQzC5cJjU3SzBDHuJjH2WyW1xvNE1R6A4gt8CxMW_sY7vdi1Qc7NaEHudbNid8Pa_X9xYo3BNgHqHA0/s400/bookdicefly.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 365px;" /></a><br /><br />Girly-girl favorites: butterflies and friendship pins.<br /><br />Butterfly cup by <a href="http://www.bethhylan.com/Home_Page.php">Beth Hylan</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbKzQ38th1FKvR1nzgy6t8vsh96aXbVrrv77-jXuly-9ywaOaijdWXKjuvY-68xq0-gRIJrgdJFD0xv_xIDouCV4Z4C5Vd6Xw6xjbGAgdJ0sXVSX1LaHa0_xkSCqXK4MyjWoxN_x8tr0/s1600/toeshoespappagalloNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475378615666148690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbKzQ38th1FKvR1nzgy6t8vsh96aXbVrrv77-jXuly-9ywaOaijdWXKjuvY-68xq0-gRIJrgdJFD0xv_xIDouCV4Z4C5Vd6Xw6xjbGAgdJ0sXVSX1LaHa0_xkSCqXK4MyjWoxN_x8tr0/s400/toeshoespappagalloNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 400px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Do you remember pet rocks and Pappagallos?<br /><br />One year on pointe shoes was enough for this dancer.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH3d259a6FKDKJoTXN1Ewe227Yj0NQLFZ_fasoHm54Ag_vhFhajErapN9Zo8y3TAWh4fR9y31Pos7z6ne3ok8Y2wrH9y5i8Bfmu-A5jICfOIBL6NxdFNA3xPSRQa3mqrfh686OYUBXd4/s1600/childhoodfavoritesNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475378619648245842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH3d259a6FKDKJoTXN1Ewe227Yj0NQLFZ_fasoHm54Ag_vhFhajErapN9Zo8y3TAWh4fR9y31Pos7z6ne3ok8Y2wrH9y5i8Bfmu-A5jICfOIBL6NxdFNA3xPSRQa3mqrfh686OYUBXd4/s400/childhoodfavoritesNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 392px;" /></a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Some of my favorite books, that I read over and over again, made it to the show. I think I will reread “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mandy-Julie-Andrews-Collection-Edwards/dp/0061207071/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274925317&sr=8-1">Mandy</a>” one more time. Written by <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Sound of Music’s</span> Julie Andrews under the pen name Julie Edwards, it is a charming story about an orphan girl who longs for a place to call home. </span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iSKvV1LR3APsaTFCOKZ_Q2rsPCjbmDTUJuaOS_j4CStg26tzSvJ6iT4K3RSCc_eT9yLzJJCdJgpvFTatdeQX0tyEeTHTyhXnWshS8bPtiv56UINWr5emp6PgFXdULF0cuOeSfhd3bxs/s1600/pencilcup.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475379626477515410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iSKvV1LR3APsaTFCOKZ_Q2rsPCjbmDTUJuaOS_j4CStg26tzSvJ6iT4K3RSCc_eT9yLzJJCdJgpvFTatdeQX0tyEeTHTyhXnWshS8bPtiv56UINWr5emp6PgFXdULF0cuOeSfhd3bxs/s400/pencilcup.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsThHT_gr8vzQkNuU0L7wvtogmd3d0Wud6Zepi9FULuGwAbrxZbpZ2SzWydsxjqpPAvlL6Fnr6QnBlyAfWgJ-fN4NlTRVhw8-x3H8L3L__ECAEkSDFlDdZGm5aCILH1ctTGISg33r5WgE/s1600/snoopydiscoballNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475413444076479794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsThHT_gr8vzQkNuU0L7wvtogmd3d0Wud6Zepi9FULuGwAbrxZbpZ2SzWydsxjqpPAvlL6Fnr6QnBlyAfWgJ-fN4NlTRVhw8-x3H8L3L__ECAEkSDFlDdZGm5aCILH1ctTGISg33r5WgE/s400/snoopydiscoballNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">A journal cover of mine, quite obviously from the eighties, and the inspiration for the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/eParty-Unlimited-12-Mirror-Ball/dp/B000HQJXVY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1274925192&sr=8-1">disco ball</a> hanging above my space ; )</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrBCVm_DpqIjgeY1N-dP5C3aTxOASTb0AYdNyyBruf9dJmMmrng_S8oYWZE6yYAR4l2k410UHqlJxROiP3-pJ0mNBv4PwMOxIdiUUXmiIfCxOwCfp3yMtXgXNV5v5q2JlzOv9RonBiL0/s1600/seventeenondeskNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475378887202609714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrBCVm_DpqIjgeY1N-dP5C3aTxOASTb0AYdNyyBruf9dJmMmrng_S8oYWZE6yYAR4l2k410UHqlJxROiP3-pJ0mNBv4PwMOxIdiUUXmiIfCxOwCfp3yMtXgXNV5v5q2JlzOv9RonBiL0/s400/seventeenondeskNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Dear Blog Visitor, </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span>You may not know this about me, but I have always written in a journal of some sort.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> My first diary</span> was red with gold trim and it had <span style="font-weight: bold;">a key</span>. I think my brothers still managed to open it from time to time, but I cherished having a secure spot for my private thoughts (like who I had a crush on that day!) The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Diary-Journal-Closure-Fucshia/dp/B00154VQ44/ref=pd_sim_k_3">diary I used for the show</a> was hot pink velvet and is available through Amazon.com.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">I used to read <span style="font-weight: bold;">Seventeen Magazine</span> religiously during junior high and high school. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The December 1982 edition used for my show with “Think Pink!</span><span style="font-size:130%;">” on the cover was a must have. I paid $20 for it on <a href="http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=seventeen+magazine&_sacat=See-All-Categories">ebay</a> which was money well spent to travel back in time!<br /><br /><br /><br />I have had a <span style="font-weight: bold;">pen-pal</span> (her name is Sandy) since 1976. The card on the desk is one of her many letters that I have saved over the last few decades. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">We are now friends on </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Facebook</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, and she actually came to visit me and my family for the first time a couple of years ago. She still lives on a real working farm in Indiana and has a family of her own.<br /><br /><br /><br />Thank you for letting me re-live my childhood memories. Did you see any favorite objects that you recognized from your own childhood?<br /><br /><br /><br />xo<br /><br />yvonne<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">PS Did you know <span style="font-weight: bold;">smiley faces</span> are making a comeback? : )</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSgqVLKeIgUpvXASs_e93xlYB2GjFBJfzBiYL8lhdmLgrCVezEUAYbPfFyikFFG0xg0TW7ew7a7jxJbwSK80kl_96SabtVNmkHpgczqs7pZL6WwEvP6PVMHqfBj8QbKasomHJOAIBtHc/s1600/MonkeesNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475745975339235250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSgqVLKeIgUpvXASs_e93xlYB2GjFBJfzBiYL8lhdmLgrCVezEUAYbPfFyikFFG0xg0TW7ew7a7jxJbwSK80kl_96SabtVNmkHpgczqs7pZL6WwEvP6PVMHqfBj8QbKasomHJOAIBtHc/s400/MonkeesNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Back to 2010 ...<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></div><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0g_cOnGHKaCfrwZztWDCAlsrglq5YybAshknCdd0LNsfZbOKZ-gazOj-s0xDrVMpDHSyHKMPCM9FRvth2UrNmZsIMDgXSKYfwGRMs5Co8ZmkeO4dgVK4-XM2FeWsHPwWfusgEEKCsN4E/s1600/bloggingatNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475378283580864226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0g_cOnGHKaCfrwZztWDCAlsrglq5YybAshknCdd0LNsfZbOKZ-gazOj-s0xDrVMpDHSyHKMPCM9FRvth2UrNmZsIMDgXSKYfwGRMs5Co8ZmkeO4dgVK4-XM2FeWsHPwWfusgEEKCsN4E/s400/bloggingatNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">As an adult, I now use my blog to pen my thoughts about design and creating an inspired life. I still like to surround myself with cherished objects ... cherished for their ability to remind me of a person, place, time or thought that is important to me.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZvHcaWlPvtELxGA3QKhfq3N1EXWaq6CqlEq_N780qX47LQOLVK-7o-AjyZkD0OKKNhAgPm0qcWQHrlyS-EOepFjqDc-Vse9YVlML4p-0lVRiKVqTwM7bnC0-KD6ISKzlcthksD7zoe0/s1600/YcuponbooksNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475378601199718914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZvHcaWlPvtELxGA3QKhfq3N1EXWaq6CqlEq_N780qX47LQOLVK-7o-AjyZkD0OKKNhAgPm0qcWQHrlyS-EOepFjqDc-Vse9YVlML4p-0lVRiKVqTwM7bnC0-KD6ISKzlcthksD7zoe0/s400/YcuponbooksNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /></span> <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This glass paperweight was used in <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/05/fairy-tale-event.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">last year’s design show</span></a>. The <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=78404&navAction=jump&search=true&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS">Y mug</a> was a <span>gift </span>from a sister-in-law (who introduced me to my husband). Bunny Williams’ book “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Affair-House-Bunny-Williams/dp/1584794704/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274918403&sr=8-1">An Affair with a House</a>” reminds me that my home and barn have great potential.</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m-s5wuhJeb8qpcTqrCEkdHmDun4rCMcofVPhNseMXG2XheyjCuahWneDj8fPQ_6Lv9-f9YMStBslZglfKhDnWZZvz2pUiQdArWtwQSH-DuknEol2NMlBBtz-FcDx2QX0aK89A9KWqYY/s1600/woodenmodelYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475378894381054562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m-s5wuhJeb8qpcTqrCEkdHmDun4rCMcofVPhNseMXG2XheyjCuahWneDj8fPQ_6Lv9-f9YMStBslZglfKhDnWZZvz2pUiQdArWtwQSH-DuknEol2NMlBBtz-FcDx2QX0aK89A9KWqYY/s400/woodenmodelYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 382px;" /></a><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I used to <span>sketch</span> this wooden model over and over again back in high school. I love how wallpapers and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tricia-Guild-Pattern-Sophisticated-Show-stopping/dp/0847828921/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274919756&sr=8-1"><span style="font-weight: bold;">patterns</span></a> breathe life into a room (or in this case a bookshelf). My <span>initial</span> has always defined me (and not many others have it!) </span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWzSVi2Joamo4Fww7Ib3Sa6obRDh7YtO6-GuuMY0yCf5XlvjdeUh6R99IrqH2tMjliniRpfnH6eyNhw-8aYjdl_nrDeGX72EmiC9LnsTwy3FsPi998MChdCb4Tw9da0HV6hWTkjkI6KY/s1600/keyonglassvialBH.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475402505065438306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWzSVi2Joamo4Fww7Ib3Sa6obRDh7YtO6-GuuMY0yCf5XlvjdeUh6R99IrqH2tMjliniRpfnH6eyNhw-8aYjdl_nrDeGX72EmiC9LnsTwy3FsPi998MChdCb4Tw9da0HV6hWTkjkI6KY/s400/keyonglassvialBH.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">When I see a key, I add it to my collection. To me, they represent the ability we each have to unlock the door that opens to the world that we wish for ourselves. This vintage piece was created by my friend, <a href="http://www.bethhylan.com/">Beth Hylan</a> who has a shop called <a href="http://liveitathome.blogspot.com/2010/05/creativity-spotlight-studio-b-vintage.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Studio B</span></a> in Concord. </span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_QlgZLAfqtMOvzdCsslpnCzjLt2FZlHGmdLeO9RoNbionLhqN1aVX3qvrZX4L4DN4TQL-cD5dAlhP4xSaPBTkt56Xu7TFzdZKLJPd6f25YLjwhuUbkQwtxlS7vf41F7FkchxZGA0rQQ/s1600/glassjarondeskNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475378883822505234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_QlgZLAfqtMOvzdCsslpnCzjLt2FZlHGmdLeO9RoNbionLhqN1aVX3qvrZX4L4DN4TQL-cD5dAlhP4xSaPBTkt56Xu7TFzdZKLJPd6f25YLjwhuUbkQwtxlS7vf41F7FkchxZGA0rQQ/s400/glassjarondeskNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br />I am always inspired by the creative talents<br /><br />and wisdom of others ...<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6J2utcDg5T6W9Km7RQtFHHpfKl34-R0Rlbi5FchjKI7lxEWX6W5kzOuz5R6Qqj5zbpH0fe1QVIOj7rgDJ6A1KR3n8LQr8nArIHIrQM66nDd935LlhShGpkalwN_nQpzCSCnEwSoBDJEQ/s1600/signaturestylew:bunny.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475379620344513074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6J2utcDg5T6W9Km7RQtFHHpfKl34-R0Rlbi5FchjKI7lxEWX6W5kzOuz5R6Qqj5zbpH0fe1QVIOj7rgDJ6A1KR3n8LQr8nArIHIrQM66nDd935LlhShGpkalwN_nQpzCSCnEwSoBDJEQ/s400/signaturestylew:bunny.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UZjtdQzZgDu8MTCo3dNCgCFt-7yVUYfIfOnjzd743MOuxhk9UG5YyXjUILvRW5lJbA1Lt5no_eZskfOmGf7MtuhZExg0_C4JFWEdQCUPSC18Ko49Ztp9kg6HWPN5-WWLFVoif3eH2no/s1600/designbooks%23NSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475378005952096738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UZjtdQzZgDu8MTCo3dNCgCFt-7yVUYfIfOnjzd743MOuxhk9UG5YyXjUILvRW5lJbA1Lt5no_eZskfOmGf7MtuhZExg0_C4JFWEdQCUPSC18Ko49Ztp9kg6HWPN5-WWLFVoif3eH2no/s400/designbooks%23NSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 378px;" /></a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVauYFQ6psyEkLvhxpwgwM0XYVY3SsEJYNueCgb1n6KZP8VqazfsAfF-silevfMCXQ7NAc47yzHkEouoiCvtukKAbZ9yB4iEiDQjLqeJ3GJpAidyLYxWECfbccXHc6FQ03UjnIjy0va4/s1600/bunnyandbubbleyblacker.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475380286043334866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVauYFQ6psyEkLvhxpwgwM0XYVY3SsEJYNueCgb1n6KZP8VqazfsAfF-silevfMCXQ7NAc47yzHkEouoiCvtukKAbZ9yB4iEiDQjLqeJ3GJpAidyLYxWECfbccXHc6FQ03UjnIjy0va4/s400/bunnyandbubbleyblacker.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" /></a><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I love decorative items that play on scale and add a touch of whimsy. <a href="http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=527&f=4820&fromLocation=search">Bubble balls</a> and <a href="http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=527&f=5813&fromLocation=search">turf balls</a> from <a href="http://www.cb2.com/">CB2</a>. Silver dish from design friend and blogger, <a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/">Linda Merrill</a>. (<a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/01/thanks-skirted-roundtable.html">read about it here</a>). A lot of design bloggers are trend-spotting dramatic black walls and <a href="http://www.wallpaperfromthe70s.com/product_info.php?info=p694_Animal-Farm.html">this wallpaper from the 70’s</a> ...</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDekWfUyuPyoVjnqmoHE_ZNV71Tz4xENL5R7WgwGt5UCLDma4yqk7LMTrRQ0re24O4hAmSk2NRsXRCXOb1CAuVjhlsmIuZKPemIE-Ppf7ULNnSSB2_465QKeETrh22MfjrcxWEiqKvjc/s1600/owleyesNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475377993468865010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDekWfUyuPyoVjnqmoHE_ZNV71Tz4xENL5R7WgwGt5UCLDma4yqk7LMTrRQ0re24O4hAmSk2NRsXRCXOb1CAuVjhlsmIuZKPemIE-Ppf7ULNnSSB2_465QKeETrh22MfjrcxWEiqKvjc/s400/owleyesNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My grandmother used to wear the white owl above<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">on a necklace when she took us to yard sales<br /><br />(I have inherited her love for a bargain!)<br /><br /></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqF90bDUZyzzrP0CdEyaibh7toBkKjwWu8_zKD_GjOWm0BxtJ-XTlZBq4nXTwPPERN9PLAj5_7Duo5bDOweMsVnxO4AyAe5AWZ-EjZjHhfgjXJdCVU2oyzkYeCIU8P99oN9KIbJmXLKs0/s1600/owlonpurseYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475392531339467394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqF90bDUZyzzrP0CdEyaibh7toBkKjwWu8_zKD_GjOWm0BxtJ-XTlZBq4nXTwPPERN9PLAj5_7Duo5bDOweMsVnxO4AyAe5AWZ-EjZjHhfgjXJdCVU2oyzkYeCIU8P99oN9KIbJmXLKs0/s400/owlonpurseYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />I used another pendant that was Nana’s<br /><br />to adorn my purse</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> for the <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/05/north-shore-design-show-preview.html">Preview Party</a>.</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVauYFQ6psyEkLvhxpwgwM0XYVY3SsEJYNueCgb1n6KZP8VqazfsAfF-silevfMCXQ7NAc47yzHkEouoiCvtukKAbZ9yB4iEiDQjLqeJ3GJpAidyLYxWECfbccXHc6FQ03UjnIjy0va4/s1600/bunnyandbubbleyblacker.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /><br /></a><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm12mvPiBRHoFGtjr79Man-A7lQSpWOl3W7tgNB6xBkZNSsprtUNfq91VIfazWvAKK_33Ix1Di2Llj6qpfj2Dlk-Lf4Hs2_cUwbexaJqeqs_KnlAMwq6-BneVTfQP2p2hm1IEKh6B_2S4/s1600/insidesewingcabinet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475379658294978674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm12mvPiBRHoFGtjr79Man-A7lQSpWOl3W7tgNB6xBkZNSsprtUNfq91VIfazWvAKK_33Ix1Di2Llj6qpfj2Dlk-Lf4Hs2_cUwbexaJqeqs_KnlAMwq6-BneVTfQP2p2hm1IEKh6B_2S4/s400/insidesewingcabinet.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This light was in my grandparents home, I just added a little bling to it with new crystals and a frosted white glass shade. The sewing table was a <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/04/green-decorating-101-and-design-show.html">trash-to-treasure</a> piece inspired by the lovely desk shown below, seen at the <a href="http://www.bostondesign.com/showrooms/grange-furniture/overview/">Grange showroom</a> at the Boston Design Center ...</span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxs_svZBa991a02_36lWvtK03oTcom0awj23EZKgXRQon0otZy_KNdEBkp2biKkEclnP-9dkF1Ifzib4KW2YDXqQmBzB0VxeZ4I4Z2PAKyf2zEPNDU6bKak9uEsR0fsi-tGArHNvkmRw/s1600/blackdeskgrangeNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475402515727392338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxs_svZBa991a02_36lWvtK03oTcom0awj23EZKgXRQon0otZy_KNdEBkp2biKkEclnP-9dkF1Ifzib4KW2YDXqQmBzB0VxeZ4I4Z2PAKyf2zEPNDU6bKak9uEsR0fsi-tGArHNvkmRw/s400/blackdeskgrangeNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRClmwo2Ts4q0IrqqvW9bgSd_9sqLfwRE0lqxh50ITbbnYrWz_peKC3KOqOoVkz2apIZex7lDoq4znKtDEPa86TnhM9q_ySAgC8Ml3Pm_fjQjHZ5kfbegLOpShFxKP3rFI_Z3W9AJDqkM/s1600/orchid.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475379637030823570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRClmwo2Ts4q0IrqqvW9bgSd_9sqLfwRE0lqxh50ITbbnYrWz_peKC3KOqOoVkz2apIZex7lDoq4znKtDEPa86TnhM9q_ySAgC8Ml3Pm_fjQjHZ5kfbegLOpShFxKP3rFI_Z3W9AJDqkM/s400/orchid.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;">Flowers *always* move me. Especially when a $20 orchid from Home Depot looks so fabulous.<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGInQYjgkbnnnPmHH6w7gJ9nCEagfp9Z4aDM022M9bEpL_aYqFnHMhwoNY9iXloodZl_7gSw3jbO2BR6kHFFcQdEsgDWufgtkN3sg59rt7OpTmBACnyOs2EIT9-iZH0PUCodI5-QN5M8o/s1600/squirrelwflowers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475379229295189538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGInQYjgkbnnnPmHH6w7gJ9nCEagfp9Z4aDM022M9bEpL_aYqFnHMhwoNY9iXloodZl_7gSw3jbO2BR6kHFFcQdEsgDWufgtkN3sg59rt7OpTmBACnyOs2EIT9-iZH0PUCodI5-QN5M8o/s400/squirrelwflowers.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Bouquet flowers from Stop & Shop, used to fill this small vase, lasted the entire week of the design show, even under bright lights. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Vintage squirrel from<a href="http://nestingonmain.com/index.html"> Nesting on Main</a>.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=230&f=4446&fromLocation=search">Acrylic tray</a> on table is from CB2. </span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCzxBoet_eNEpyFJ-CuqRbpPa7zCT9ZeA76me5jV2_GQQd0tU7QQUPUTOol2nJBJNfijczPDnmA8rNeLRHzJpSr6MS2eVTqN0CKHsZ1mEmgQZlWotpQtjU_FGrhZGBKnKDEURy3RzGrQ/s1600/endtablewithfabricjpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475379225233620706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCzxBoet_eNEpyFJ-CuqRbpPa7zCT9ZeA76me5jV2_GQQd0tU7QQUPUTOol2nJBJNfijczPDnmA8rNeLRHzJpSr6MS2eVTqN0CKHsZ1mEmgQZlWotpQtjU_FGrhZGBKnKDEURy3RzGrQ/s400/endtablewithfabricjpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 400px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The table itself cost just $5.00 at a yard sale (I added a glass top over a square of remnant fabric). My “blogger’s desk</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> was $80.00 off of Craigslist. The ladder back chair was free ... I found it on the side of the road. Manchester Tan Aura paint from Benjamin Moore ties all of my pieces together.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ7BE34grLztCHgJnvfSdvEsk0T8fSImDowiV7d75GKix1-D5LVCyslcQ-qu__jywUkYgM1UneVSFsnEiMsZX-MyUnpdhVoMfqhsE061PjzoFJZ_FiR3sdQpihTFfMe1JdNG3igcQCzA/s1600/favoritespacesNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475919053004792226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ7BE34grLztCHgJnvfSdvEsk0T8fSImDowiV7d75GKix1-D5LVCyslcQ-qu__jywUkYgM1UneVSFsnEiMsZX-MyUnpdhVoMfqhsE061PjzoFJZ_FiR3sdQpihTFfMe1JdNG3igcQCzA/s400/favoritespacesNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Look closely at my large inspiration board (another DIY project) and you will see lots of photos of my family. They are quite often the reason I do what I do.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wmARWcBECgSlS1_nrrcEgTFYvXQqoxhS7604CxJ29PH7T4OI5cyz0mCR3f0vT0lJOBLjqRgrzDNhVG8yMWUqY46LTgLuPjLIs8K0ETjEBfobrTKETIz2B2ihejLd99ccQfP7PLO48xk/s1600/bensbutterfly.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475751086547738946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wmARWcBECgSlS1_nrrcEgTFYvXQqoxhS7604CxJ29PH7T4OI5cyz0mCR3f0vT0lJOBLjqRgrzDNhVG8yMWUqY46LTgLuPjLIs8K0ETjEBfobrTKETIz2B2ihejLd99ccQfP7PLO48xk/s400/bensbutterfly.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 399px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWzSVi2Joamo4Fww7Ib3Sa6obRDh7YtO6-GuuMY0yCf5XlvjdeUh6R99IrqH2tMjliniRpfnH6eyNhw-8aYjdl_nrDeGX72EmiC9LnsTwy3FsPi998MChdCb4Tw9da0HV6hWTkjkI6KY/s1600/keyonglassvialBH.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">{</span>Butterfly by Ben<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">}</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVauYFQ6psyEkLvhxpwgwM0XYVY3SsEJYNueCgb1n6KZP8VqazfsAfF-silevfMCXQ7NAc47yzHkEouoiCvtukKAbZ9yB4iEiDQjLqeJ3GJpAidyLYxWECfbccXHc6FQ03UjnIjy0va4/s1600/bunnyandbubbleyblacker.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /><br /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVdrWLZI90BOrz7hgZMLrvmokr-i0_HqdXg_y-6NVkktr5J6ffd0JyOTRfzr053Tlcr8V5Sv2Q2pnhm9yOv2uAYCjxNkvJHhdJck3x3IsKlVvVfP8PzgUNQAnDjfD_tuKTwqp6-iZ9tY/s1600/trainroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475751961212840130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVdrWLZI90BOrz7hgZMLrvmokr-i0_HqdXg_y-6NVkktr5J6ffd0JyOTRfzr053Tlcr8V5Sv2Q2pnhm9yOv2uAYCjxNkvJHhdJck3x3IsKlVvVfP8PzgUNQAnDjfD_tuKTwqp6-iZ9tY/s400/trainroom.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My guys enjoying the large train gallery<br /><br />downstairs at the <a href="http://www.wenhammuseum.org/trains.html">Wenham Museum</a>.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J51obMpK39U8n383_XvT49D8U8i9qD3B-4ymfjnhafmrDbP5-BxTXCLm6iEHy28JjDuAyLvTP4zNsbYW7qedkYW5yn_NLaXzv2FdojloyEUjgfKepL2deCXqanPlasLb8SWq7tgFrOk/s1600/trimonchairNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475378019780342722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J51obMpK39U8n383_XvT49D8U8i9qD3B-4ymfjnhafmrDbP5-BxTXCLm6iEHy28JjDuAyLvTP4zNsbYW7qedkYW5yn_NLaXzv2FdojloyEUjgfKepL2deCXqanPlasLb8SWq7tgFrOk/s400/trimonchairNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);font-size:180%;" ><br /><br />The little details in life,<br /><br />woven together, tell our story.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for visiting me – at the museum or online. While this has been my personal story, my goal is always to set the stage for someone to tell their own story in their surroundings. Every home should celebrate the people who live there, showing what is important to them, where they have been and where they are going, while providing a view of that which inspires them.</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhyphenhyphenmO1KFzmqcvOcJdoshaX736oijYfeapBTYOWN4aqmLd2w1RgPnWKKGnNOb8H0S6u3fyM91qfiNhUi0S0kFkZScRh0ri9Vjhxn6QtRUSprl6dE0LrSVrjaF9k0q27o3NdrIS4EQ54c0/s1600/tabletopdisplayNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475756005664892594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhyphenhyphenmO1KFzmqcvOcJdoshaX736oijYfeapBTYOWN4aqmLd2w1RgPnWKKGnNOb8H0S6u3fyM91qfiNhUi0S0kFkZScRh0ri9Vjhxn6QtRUSprl6dE0LrSVrjaF9k0q27o3NdrIS4EQ54c0/s400/tabletopdisplayNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.yvonneblacker.com/Home_Page.html"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);font-size:180%;" >www.yvonneblacker.com</span><br /><br /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span>

A designer’s before and after ...

Welcome to my “room!” The story behind this vignette is an easy one to tell as it is my own. When asked to provide a concept for our des...

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