Home Ideas - Modern Home Design: green decorating

Showing posts with label green decorating. Show all posts

A green point-of-view

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBjSr_iy96tF8hrcasg53GBP4kOMZTt2rkkH42vFA8W6c4N9dGfFx4s0r0cRtS1Hz__X05cnA-6fjxPYyMYk0VseXJWUpEqGV6EODCkjcINq9NnV8YPF_if1XU2mWhyM9JwyCdJQUR8n1/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-08+at+7.40.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBjSr_iy96tF8hrcasg53GBP4kOMZTt2rkkH42vFA8W6c4N9dGfFx4s0r0cRtS1Hz__X05cnA-6fjxPYyMYk0VseXJWUpEqGV6EODCkjcINq9NnV8YPF_if1XU2mWhyM9JwyCdJQUR8n1/s800/Screen+shot+2012-01-08+at+7.40.21+PM.png" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Designer: <a href="http://www.concordgreen.blogspot.com/2011/12/we-made-cover-design-new-england.html">Lisa Kauffman Tharp</a> : Window Treatments: <a href="http://acorninteriorsdesigncenter.com/">Acorn Interiors</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.ericrothphoto.com/">Eric Roth</a>: <a href="http://digital.designnewengland.com/designnewengland/2012012#pg80">Design New England Magazine Jan./Feb. 2012 p.82</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have you seen the latest issue of <a href="http://digital.designnewengland.com/designnewengland/2012012#pg2">Design New England Magazine</a>? This lovely space designed by Concord, Massachusetts designer <a href="http://www.ktharpdesign.com/">Lisa Kauffman Tharp</a> was featured inside, plus the equally gorgeous bath from this eco-friendly home made the cover.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lisa, an expert on incorporating green choices into her interior designs, was <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/45">one of our eco-links</a> in the April issue of <a href="http://newenglandfinery.com/">New England Finery Magazine</a>. She was actually brought to my attention by Paula Bakies of <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef_winter_2011/3">Acorn Interiors</a>, who has done window treatments for my own design projects. Paula did the treatments in the above photo. I love the clean, quiet, textured look of the space.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Enjoy reading the entire article <a href="http://digital.designnewengland.com/designnewengland/2012012#pg80">by clicking here</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>

A green point-of-view

Designer: Lisa Kauffman Tharp : Window Treatments: Acorn Interiors Photo by Eric Roth : Design New England Magazine Jan./Feb. 2012 p.82 Hav...

5:30 PM

Refreshing a Master Bedroom

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9UWavpGY7c1nLB5S3jMSy7sqKpvHgq10bqoielkqeoY-zgB5viLN_ASh6htKlXqnpY0qTMoPSVBvxkJapDZJE5kd2KGre7hO9IgS5ihoVqmLo-2G8bzJRGVXcPeKOz4rxuTRgSEwWkG1/s1600/chair:pillow:km.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537318726228410610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9UWavpGY7c1nLB5S3jMSy7sqKpvHgq10bqoielkqeoY-zgB5viLN_ASh6htKlXqnpY0qTMoPSVBvxkJapDZJE5kd2KGre7hO9IgS5ihoVqmLo-2G8bzJRGVXcPeKOz4rxuTRgSEwWkG1/s400/chair:pillow:km.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>AFTER: soft spring green combines with plum, yellow, white and gray to create a fresh color palette for a master bedroom. Recently I made it back to check on the end result of a decorating project that I planned for one of my clients. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Fd7nyGyajtvp_SZ8DCs9HPjRHWIqx1V9ZbT5O27fot6jf9q4ODNptJbVc2onSLXhx9xTtfTkkGmvqsW02JQSP7iAJla80mF2Wzb3K3bPCdQFBZBKbvqBYh3zf1C7AsFiySM8Ae5-ZzO-/s1600/twochairs-km-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537318715126501730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Fd7nyGyajtvp_SZ8DCs9HPjRHWIqx1V9ZbT5O27fot6jf9q4ODNptJbVc2onSLXhx9xTtfTkkGmvqsW02JQSP7iAJla80mF2Wzb3K3bPCdQFBZBKbvqBYh3zf1C7AsFiySM8Ae5-ZzO-/s400/twochairs-km-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> Her decorating goal was to freshen up her master bedroom by painting the walls, adding fabrics in cheerful colors, and at the same time improve the layout while reusing the existing furniture. I was happy to help! </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuVXZRgt-b5rE2SKhGZA55vqCQjn4_x-nhXpnmL32Wk8y5wsNIRnS1Ga24tRlrTZNiRrUumasa8p_OvSDpeAox2qPvk0YBHsnOvvvcM9NAQ4ONlZqsE33GR3a_kGxGEN_B2ZZOCyuC6OX/s1600/toileMBR-b4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537318523141718322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuVXZRgt-b5rE2SKhGZA55vqCQjn4_x-nhXpnmL32Wk8y5wsNIRnS1Ga24tRlrTZNiRrUumasa8p_OvSDpeAox2qPvk0YBHsnOvvvcM9NAQ4ONlZqsE33GR3a_kGxGEN_B2ZZOCyuC6OX/s400/toileMBR-b4.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 400px;" /></a> Here is the before shot of the room: lots of traditional fabrics in neutral colors – black and white toile combined with a tan plaid and medium sized check – nice enough, but she was tired of the look. Accessories seemed to be all in the same color resulting in little to no contrast. The gray walls seemed drab next to the warm color of the furnishings, and the decorative painting over the arched window and doorways did not help to create a sense of calm in this area of rest. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Fd7nyGyajtvp_SZ8DCs9HPjRHWIqx1V9ZbT5O27fot6jf9q4ODNptJbVc2onSLXhx9xTtfTkkGmvqsW02JQSP7iAJla80mF2Wzb3K3bPCdQFBZBKbvqBYh3zf1C7AsFiySM8Ae5-ZzO-/s1600/twochairs-km-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynH95KRna8QEPj9cGWG0SSHyUJMM4MkLK-_06aDmCBksNifCT_SEUczgX84gxjGCROg0VcuSl57TceOjcBkp9FbPinj0CAm7fcylFkK-wg5HKL1rs9x3acoRGI201O67NrPOWOscn0xvb/s1600/toileroommakeover.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537323997126724770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynH95KRna8QEPj9cGWG0SSHyUJMM4MkLK-_06aDmCBksNifCT_SEUczgX84gxjGCROg0VcuSl57TceOjcBkp9FbPinj0CAm7fcylFkK-wg5HKL1rs9x3acoRGI201O67NrPOWOscn0xvb/s400/toileroommakeover.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 316px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;">First we addressed the layout. By rotating the bed to the left-hand wall in front of the smallest window, we were able to open up the room considerably. The pair of chairs with ottomans were moved over to the corner making a more intimate seating area positioned by the window for natural light. We moved the television onto a corner unit stand that could now be viewed both from the chairs or from the bed. Two dressers and a favorite curio cabinet also were repositioned along walls more suited to their sizes. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteovYA6gPyZbaBGci58RQ7gQsXFo-P5gwisdXqeW0sKv33eHpJO2pJavrfzsO0cfp_kcnbUrA-PVYkIHeGucLRVZ6rlyJPDJ9BBiIECnUrcAn7nkS7ZXvMURa9SUwzT3kNdvcisezBD3G/s1600/toileroom:mirror:b4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537325497260973378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteovYA6gPyZbaBGci58RQ7gQsXFo-P5gwisdXqeW0sKv33eHpJO2pJavrfzsO0cfp_kcnbUrA-PVYkIHeGucLRVZ6rlyJPDJ9BBiIECnUrcAn7nkS7ZXvMURa9SUwzT3kNdvcisezBD3G/s400/toileroom:mirror:b4.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>BEFORE: This corner was under-utilized and the view outside the window was not as good as the blocked view outside the palladian window behind the bed. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzuCQtI90CssL758N1BCSoGZphSHHBvnvHsDD_08jiNXGeTe4zfbQbJI6l_zEBfGtqQzka47PAmEPN__3CCfuwcZs83ZOb24-QyFDr0hyphenhyphenFMIBDyF3psruWd9o0zeBXDROighK_QUnnU0J/s1600/bed:pillows:lamps-km.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537318711547531922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzuCQtI90CssL758N1BCSoGZphSHHBvnvHsDD_08jiNXGeTe4zfbQbJI6l_zEBfGtqQzka47PAmEPN__3CCfuwcZs83ZOb24-QyFDr0hyphenhyphenFMIBDyF3psruWd9o0zeBXDROighK_QUnnU0J/s400/bed:pillows:lamps-km.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" /></a>AFTER: Switching the bed to this side opens up the space while being much cozier. </div> <div style="text-align: center;">In the end, only a handful of new pieces were added to the room including a shapely pair of lamps with the perfect colored shade that I found at HomeGoods, a white ceramic garden stool was brought in to add shine and contrast to the warm woods, and the TV stand is also new (sorry, I did not get a shot of it). Items that were taken out included a basket collection, a small painted table, and the candlestick lamps with toile shades. We also incorporated some larger more graphic works of art on the walls to replace the many small framed prints that we edited out. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty2j8O8m93GLcx9UY9qJBTX9gp8f80SScvO9sFTeizEbZFdzOuZ4kSpyGt2jyDnCl7xp8dOrUBKnOy_JHQPHU9G8_MkN4DlRhp0mrHCbusafzUZdS8A-CA8EQ4ENqK748rE-rhksZrdMS/s1600/grayishlavendarpair-km.jpg"></a> </div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PYwG5wQPoIUSF03wK12I14rwxtydotjFpRDLGSF3i1Ee5IM96c-oL1R2O3CbGh6AivIOAKlVOQJI5BtbOuwsSdQBJIYx0c6OsYhV1obXh4Ie1AzqDBeN1h3Dybc4xG8uFn69thBDxvh5/s1600/toileMBR-b4-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537318511315631714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PYwG5wQPoIUSF03wK12I14rwxtydotjFpRDLGSF3i1Ee5IM96c-oL1R2O3CbGh6AivIOAKlVOQJI5BtbOuwsSdQBJIYx0c6OsYhV1obXh4Ie1AzqDBeN1h3Dybc4xG8uFn69thBDxvh5/s400/toileMBR-b4-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGToUgcsPt6SCHm3aFKJc5VlgB5TqnmDs8eXM5-7AZta6QdudiGCwxDaCzH6aQQIUa5983QyEoVt8kS-UoVurM0XiIDJIEFQN1LWptv0fQOlueT_O0YZjroFLEyB91-2kF3R59EnmQkWrU/s1600/bedskirt-km.jpg"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynH95KRna8QEPj9cGWG0SSHyUJMM4MkLK-_06aDmCBksNifCT_SEUczgX84gxjGCROg0VcuSl57TceOjcBkp9FbPinj0CAm7fcylFkK-wg5HKL1rs9x3acoRGI201O67NrPOWOscn0xvb/s1600/toileroommakeover.jpg"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW5063Bioycoy5GTys2Id-iRq4BQsnDkNsOz8hRtwLWhhJTVa9XWvP10QKVzfNRZCUCUtDusyQ0aCJTdup8y9rwqXYkQShxDoe9cAkk1UnZXHroU3QdTmY_3EjGDJjB0xDYcH3zTwBR_W/s1600/room-km-after.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537318525863485810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW5063Bioycoy5GTys2Id-iRq4BQsnDkNsOz8hRtwLWhhJTVa9XWvP10QKVzfNRZCUCUtDusyQ0aCJTdup8y9rwqXYkQShxDoe9cAkk1UnZXHroU3QdTmY_3EjGDJjB0xDYcH3zTwBR_W/s400/room-km-after.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zcYrq1YgQ0UoIXyfQEHufzVK6qXGUTnXZQ9CnlSlyfQNKmHTVt02AJSP1mD05JRRNq-5-VaX-rkapZJuRK6YYm_mijCkOFE4LyJsddnlNPJf2otg-3PPmTlgo3vJ_hXqesAC-Kip4WAc/s1600/endofbed-km.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP7_TpcLdReJwGh1xA6C2YSRozWfAnXOEvYyiCWhPi1kbnBluf-ZfzYR8tKbfULN0twe_xVssN9ijOFm1vcm6rNQJSNd3QQUaS9HvbCumIPCSnilD8cvjYkeWnN4A_Yf8LAzLUn-iJURv/s1600/endofbed-km.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537559696127152770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP7_TpcLdReJwGh1xA6C2YSRozWfAnXOEvYyiCWhPi1kbnBluf-ZfzYR8tKbfULN0twe_xVssN9ijOFm1vcm6rNQJSNd3QQUaS9HvbCumIPCSnilD8cvjYkeWnN4A_Yf8LAzLUn-iJURv/s400/endofbed-km.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGToUgcsPt6SCHm3aFKJc5VlgB5TqnmDs8eXM5-7AZta6QdudiGCwxDaCzH6aQQIUa5983QyEoVt8kS-UoVurM0XiIDJIEFQN1LWptv0fQOlueT_O0YZjroFLEyB91-2kF3R59EnmQkWrU/s1600/bedskirt-km.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537417488006997586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGToUgcsPt6SCHm3aFKJc5VlgB5TqnmDs8eXM5-7AZta6QdudiGCwxDaCzH6aQQIUa5983QyEoVt8kS-UoVurM0XiIDJIEFQN1LWptv0fQOlueT_O0YZjroFLEyB91-2kF3R59EnmQkWrU/s400/bedskirt-km.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDuYbpIvHmDP24RaNghyphenhyphensC8BZ2-ZuI2GKRczgyLJBWpcfUPTga1KxsKMqjy5Olot1ECQRjvx7jdlc1ghUGu6y5vyZNjC7Dz0_TCTPz-77VT31CBCPHb28Tcl4ZxX4LD_Fio5XpFU_6VyU/s1600/pillows-side-km.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537318503650040338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDuYbpIvHmDP24RaNghyphenhyphensC8BZ2-ZuI2GKRczgyLJBWpcfUPTga1KxsKMqjy5Olot1ECQRjvx7jdlc1ghUGu6y5vyZNjC7Dz0_TCTPz-77VT31CBCPHb28Tcl4ZxX4LD_Fio5XpFU_6VyU/s400/pillows-side-km.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;">During the process, I gave my client a few different options on fabric choices and I was glad she chose this modern twist on traditional. By using a confident mix of bold patterns with predominantly solid fabric choices the end result still has personality, but in a more subdued way. I was also happy to see her “go green” by re-dressing her existing furnishings instead of completely starting over, creating a new look while honoring pieces collected over time. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TO1dtK379Jfd4sSwwB6i4E6TLnosIg0DQk9T61myi8-ttA34HJwISX66CV9YnZ4oyVFzot0SBDSX5f04R7dFhXWU-OKaf5txfNt_zz-IW3g36wV7pmQBV3hWlE-_ZhE10EPDtG1q6EtI/s1600/sidetable-km.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537418723989822738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TO1dtK379Jfd4sSwwB6i4E6TLnosIg0DQk9T61myi8-ttA34HJwISX66CV9YnZ4oyVFzot0SBDSX5f04R7dFhXWU-OKaf5txfNt_zz-IW3g36wV7pmQBV3hWlE-_ZhE10EPDtG1q6EtI/s400/sidetable-km.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 400px;" /></a> </div>

Refreshing a Master Bedroom

AFTER: soft spring green combines with plum, yellow, white and gray to create a fresh color palette for a master bedroom. Recently I made it...

9:30 PM

Green Decorating 101/Design Show Sneak Peek

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0f2fr1dF7YMVuSEZsgD8dpNmh1nEAhcwIlgJSPIDMw6oeGJdnFyOG9leagYucwl3N3qcw_41lDynJSjlIDYimahVbGe7m0cCSPfU7Qg41JD9KtaNdOnu-cr4DivSkL2tpgkFgYpq3g4c/s1600/smallbureaub4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462982977276055410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0f2fr1dF7YMVuSEZsgD8dpNmh1nEAhcwIlgJSPIDMw6oeGJdnFyOG9leagYucwl3N3qcw_41lDynJSjlIDYimahVbGe7m0cCSPfU7Qg41JD9KtaNdOnu-cr4DivSkL2tpgkFgYpq3g4c/s400/smallbureaub4.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" /></a>This piece will be transformed for my room at <a href="http://www.wenhammuseum.org/adults_programs.html">the North Shore Design Show: Favorite Spaces</a> at the Wenham Museum, May 15th – 22nd When I was little, my mom would take us out to search for discarded treasures on the side of the road on “junk days” when it was okay to put large, bulky items (like old pieces of furniture) out for trash collection. Well we did a lot of collecting of our own ... hunting for “that piece is still good!” items before they made it to the landfills. I can still remember when we found an antique student desk on one of our excursions. We could barely fit it in the back of the station wagon (especially with five kids in tow!) but we managed to get it home and it was mine! I did a lot of writing and drawing on that desk. It is now the inspiration piece for my designed space at the <a href="http://www.wenhammuseum.org/index.html">Wenham Museum</a> (come see it at the show!) To this day, I still cannot leave a decent chair on the side of the road or pass up on an offer from a friend who might ask, “Do you want this? Maybe you can do something with it?” like the small sewing cabinet shown above, generously donated to my creative cause by my neighbor. I have already begun to glam it up for the show to look something like this gorgeous writing desk that I saw at the <a href="http://www.bostondesign.com/showrooms/grange-furniture">Grange showroom</a> at the Boston Design Center ... </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhww_tU9Nt6f9VvDGSXc_cXHiatrNMSGbW-xWRI6aBKzo57SVhxOoP9FmtnZ81gALGmGGbVMo2SvgT0lwB5GAkLdCYMD-X4H8ESFFsWnutQGLxDFZm_9HYDaRKaXLCxKaBwEemY9n-u40s/s1600/blackandpinkDCpiece.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462982972212411554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhww_tU9Nt6f9VvDGSXc_cXHiatrNMSGbW-xWRI6aBKzo57SVhxOoP9FmtnZ81gALGmGGbVMo2SvgT0lwB5GAkLdCYMD-X4H8ESFFsWnutQGLxDFZm_9HYDaRKaXLCxKaBwEemY9n-u40s/s400/blackandpinkDCpiece.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a>See more items from Grange in their <a href="http://issuu.com/grangefurniture/docs/grange_winter_2010_lookbook?mode=a">Winter </a><a href="http://issuu.com/grangefurniture/docs/grange_winter_2010_lookbook?mode=a">2010 Look Book</a> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">I plan to display lots of other tips on recycling time-worn pieces in an effort to “be green,” hoping to inspire visitors to take a second look at still useful items before discarding them, while showing that what is old can be new again. Happy Earth Day! xo yvonne </div>

Green Decorating 101/Design Show Sneak Peek

This piece will be transformed for my room at the North Shore Design Show: Favorite Spaces at the Wenham Museum, May 15th – 22nd When I was ...

9:20 AM

A gift for The Stevens Estate

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl3b2frE3KGfD8SvkdmW1ppeNjj-SehfHd-zZwBscclWueFfRdwZbx_WNi0E8BbUt16Uygj6Ec_IFb4ijForeDuagiqSpVkvYDD6dAm_SkgkubeOuZETkneT15ZDwuuJoFrkr0Bpbz_o/s1600-h/inglenookdrapes2sm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420001951088757042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl3b2frE3KGfD8SvkdmW1ppeNjj-SehfHd-zZwBscclWueFfRdwZbx_WNi0E8BbUt16Uygj6Ec_IFb4ijForeDuagiqSpVkvYDD6dAm_SkgkubeOuZETkneT15ZDwuuJoFrkr0Bpbz_o/s400/inglenookdrapes2sm.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a>Stevens Estate design update: new window treatments I am sure you have heard – or maybe even spoken – the words “listen to your mother!” Well, one day while we were talking on the phone, my mom casually mentioned that my aunt had several boxes of drapery panels and sheers that she had put in storage after a recent move, “I think they would look nice at <a href="http://www.stevensestate.com/index.html">The Stevens Estate</a>. Why don’t you give Auntie Marty a call?” I am always happy when my mom tells me that she has read something on my blog (or if anyone tells me they have been reading for that matter!) so when she offers me advice on design projects I always listen. And in this case, especially, I am so glad that I did! My aunt generously donated the beautiful draperies and sheers (thank you!) seen in the photo above, which were a perfect match to the <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/09/stevens-estate-receives-design-update.html">work we had recently done</a> for the Estate. A special thank you also goes to Paula Bakies of <a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/acorninteriors">Acorn Interiors</a> for professionally re-sizing them, along with providing expert installation. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPROzVsDiOXit9F8xtCTkimFx8A_FTvHOsIQC_pdIkkJAJH76Tb8ZFDNlWXhH6SFVmOaW0ZhjI2qobveW3R2KxJriOqR8z31ELkqkLsNPb7TWb22a2ApJWSF3v7q8zASvPXGjDD3ogvM4/s1600-h/benchcushionb4SE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420016596805070386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPROzVsDiOXit9F8xtCTkimFx8A_FTvHOsIQC_pdIkkJAJH76Tb8ZFDNlWXhH6SFVmOaW0ZhjI2qobveW3R2KxJriOqR8z31ELkqkLsNPb7TWb22a2ApJWSF3v7q8zASvPXGjDD3ogvM4/s400/benchcushionb4SE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> Here is a visual reminder of the Stevens Estate inglenook before we began redecorating. Under the new direction of Estate manager Laura Gifford, the redecorating has begun to reflect the historic elegance of this stately North Andover mansion that may be rented for small, intimate parties or large gatherings including weddings, conferences and fundraisers. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBMHGoAkMmCczOOvGSfhrpEYtEECpdfHgghvT_2DLBaJpFXU2cOdrhBgnYf9B2OAA9z1OWTCviiW9BzaPewGQWp9eFx17KoRcmRIgXKM9PYrFf91LDPAKLo5jFtvtJEPNQHlPqnGF6Ag/s1600-h/SEwindowB4dark.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420021588595066610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBMHGoAkMmCczOOvGSfhrpEYtEECpdfHgghvT_2DLBaJpFXU2cOdrhBgnYf9B2OAA9z1OWTCviiW9BzaPewGQWp9eFx17KoRcmRIgXKM9PYrFf91LDPAKLo5jFtvtJEPNQHlPqnGF6Ag/s400/SEwindowB4dark.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 400px;" /></a>BEFORE: The view to the grounds was blocked with ill-fitting sheers. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdot-JB_tv7z-WeFJc-P75oLkldgTaeT4xJaoT0FY-jNz4DJSxqqRbZk-VXgA_RqDJD-ATx0FNW-LoeWsiyitkxwpd1qxvVkKK9h-n8VRiOFdv78OiK7m6XqTe3vopTh5rtUJTUcw7RAA/s1600-h/inglenookwindowsm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420041039458231346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdot-JB_tv7z-WeFJc-P75oLkldgTaeT4xJaoT0FY-jNz4DJSxqqRbZk-VXgA_RqDJD-ATx0FNW-LoeWsiyitkxwpd1qxvVkKK9h-n8VRiOFdv78OiK7m6XqTe3vopTh5rtUJTUcw7RAA/s400/inglenookwindowsm.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 400px;" /></a>AFTER: Properly dressed, the inglenook – which is at the front entrance of the Estate – now provides visitors with an appropriate welcome. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3HdH6JpxEaD4AI2xOt-AUjDXWNkPy7J8hEm5OE5Df5hXqG5dQineioOojtIcmWlPDyx-1J0uuTICbGXunTjSnfc_H-OBGD6tnUAfB6Wz1CsFwYIGUNjWeapnr09wDh-Mg-kM22LnXbQ/s1600-h/bookcasewithartsm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420001927686147010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3HdH6JpxEaD4AI2xOt-AUjDXWNkPy7J8hEm5OE5Df5hXqG5dQineioOojtIcmWlPDyx-1J0uuTICbGXunTjSnfc_H-OBGD6tnUAfB6Wz1CsFwYIGUNjWeapnr09wDh-Mg-kM22LnXbQ/s400/bookcasewithartsm.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" /></a> Another gift: I added this newly framed print of an original architectural rendering of the Estate (Hartwell & Richardson, 1889) that I discovered online to the shelves flanking the window seat. I also brought over a box of old books that my mom had in storage (are you sensing a “we-don’t-throw-anything-away-in-this-family” trend here?) to help fill up the shelves. Attention to details – plus good old-fashioned recycling – makes a world of difference! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWJJvG_CIFqfE7g7Yp_8nHm_funRu34ihfft_zzOvDMMoNaTLS_1DzpgyFtDq034ip3BKwswM5-a19pZ0PdlX60MWdhbFXhGkJvf2y_FDAICRcS2bez3QUhFWvZL_aNdkHpAT6W8chI4/s1600-h/SE+side+chairs.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420048636949181410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWJJvG_CIFqfE7g7Yp_8nHm_funRu34ihfft_zzOvDMMoNaTLS_1DzpgyFtDq034ip3BKwswM5-a19pZ0PdlX60MWdhbFXhGkJvf2y_FDAICRcS2bez3QUhFWvZL_aNdkHpAT6W8chI4/s400/SE+side+chairs.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" /></a>These two chairs from the Stevens Estate are scheduled to receive the next makeover. Check back soon ... Advertisement <a href="http://www.threadscouture.com/Home_Page.php" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420120734267112450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLXTg-_smp-xtpZ5iB9EB93Bi5-0a4qL5h2UWRWNjno-snCPjczDKoUQp4gGtLbcCbB-F00YbwajO7UBYiT60cru-q1g4c3cmoH-SpX2GsyWHEgBCgAX7bdOV9OmiBoc2q6YETequocA/s400/threadsbanner-SE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 143px;" /></a> </div>

A gift for The Stevens Estate

Stevens Estate design update: new window treatments I am sure you have heard – or maybe even spoken – the words “listen to your mother! ” W...

8:00 PM

Designers take to the road.

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CjznUjdfWF7ieL-J8HzO8OyW5CT1P0hoN58zfzqLueBqDj4iuX4CfIRZTy8ED9hFhPOYepjJ_xLJMk_7lOkXXV-bo82Zf6kxg-6ihHpc7ZSYsr1nMibggPK4QiIavRc7AZwI2E-O9L4/s1600-h/SCDshowroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394288353323166210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CjznUjdfWF7ieL-J8HzO8OyW5CT1P0hoN58zfzqLueBqDj4iuX4CfIRZTy8ED9hFhPOYepjJ_xLJMk_7lOkXXV-bo82Zf6kxg-6ihHpc7ZSYsr1nMibggPK4QiIavRc7AZwI2E-O9L4/s400/SCDshowroom.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>Furniture by <a href="http://www.sebastiancarpenter.com/">Sebastian Carpenter Design</a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfPur_DALDY6rYBrEZQB884Ay0teI9hNpEs9dMwyz3umRRKMo2cugLW4Yk2zlCww9-XksoCYH-XTyxLptyTbcXngkdI0dKCp_GukycHFUO-M7XJMJ4ESVQ2kgH0hDtc3o10CKB38ajhc/s1600-h/SCDchairottoman.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394288199856105426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfPur_DALDY6rYBrEZQB884Ay0teI9hNpEs9dMwyz3umRRKMo2cugLW4Yk2zlCww9-XksoCYH-XTyxLptyTbcXngkdI0dKCp_GukycHFUO-M7XJMJ4ESVQ2kgH0hDtc3o10CKB38ajhc/s400/SCDchairottoman.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a>I love how the round feet contrast with the straight edges of this chair and ottoman set, which are dressed in a new-to-the-line geometric print and trimmed in chocolate brown velvet. I had the opportunity to get a sneek peak at this warmly modern furniture vignette that was set up over the weekend at the home of architect/furniture designer <a href="http://www.sebastiancarpenter.com/">Sebastian Carpenter</a>. These pieces (including the very cool sculptural green wall) will go on the road to the <a href="http://www.finefurnishingsshow.com/">Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show</a> being held in Providence, Rhode Island this weekend from Friday, October 23rd to Sunday, October 25th at the <a href="http://riconvention.com/">Rhode Island Convention Center</a>. <a href="http://www.finefurnishingsshow.com/_artists/profiles/Sebastian-Carpenter-Design/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394382071862437138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNhkCGsu0yeudRjEqj5-obgsMiUI_N8VTxfP1Mg1MNwsmztEQixodOiQJBYSZNr2Bz_dLTS8WfDWEHCjUZrVYiPdWnQQ8G4TGnlzMAiliKnhfOyNS7V80eAIe_O1MdKxz4OO7G8E91P0/s400/FFlogo-color.gif" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 139px;" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Admission is only $10 to view over 100 American artists showing and selling handcrafted furniture, accessories, fine art and craft. Get a chance to see a wide variety of pieces – from traditional to contemporary – and talk to the designers themselves, just like I did (I love to hear the stories behind the design process). Here is what I saw this weekend: </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJuxUG4RuHj7dttc9caQoQRCcw-WvSUSlQSxwqaP6Th6IIb9hJkeo94BIaN6Kj-K_utHXqZPyEqyyoBYXsUP4OudyBKdD83pvqt-D3mnl9EpfPZ0mrRRK0UZnf4UrWYpubRjqQYzaMW8/s1600-h/SCDsofatable.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394288343662936194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJuxUG4RuHj7dttc9caQoQRCcw-WvSUSlQSxwqaP6Th6IIb9hJkeo94BIaN6Kj-K_utHXqZPyEqyyoBYXsUP4OudyBKdD83pvqt-D3mnl9EpfPZ0mrRRK0UZnf4UrWYpubRjqQYzaMW8/s400/SCDsofatable.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> Sebastian’s pieces are strongly influenced by his architectural training along with an inherited artistic eye (see my previous post from <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/06/modern-love-sebastian-carpenter-designs.html">June ’09</a>). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAwJuCyzmi5aYilCzrqJgPHHbkAUkWARHC06-jTejandn3GOCv_4caYE5QwzZDscS16zbJpGAWWzugBkkdA-aMKp4MkpTrdx5mlQB6DQIvTqh0i46N0nXpV2j3pgRqm47FEBmFyGvRlA/s1600-h/SCDcouchback.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394288208289287602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAwJuCyzmi5aYilCzrqJgPHHbkAUkWARHC06-jTejandn3GOCv_4caYE5QwzZDscS16zbJpGAWWzugBkkdA-aMKp4MkpTrdx5mlQB6DQIvTqh0i46N0nXpV2j3pgRqm47FEBmFyGvRlA/s400/SCDcouchback.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> He strives to create furnishings that honor the use of natural resources. Many of his techniques, like the rich patina achieved by actually burning the wood of the sofa frame as seen above, employ unique methods to create aesthetic pieces in a “green” way. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbiS4zvOepOQCpap7_hyzg56ac5dFu_OOzTqPN_nD8-EB5p_VOEkkM1taEC1v0ULTwpDVvv9YUw0PyWiHNlrhHW4YFQKCfrCTlpH08bJKRjUdFG_nzow1FSUjCpULwJ1ns7MudVZH8iI/s1600-h/SCDponylamp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394288217393433618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbiS4zvOepOQCpap7_hyzg56ac5dFu_OOzTqPN_nD8-EB5p_VOEkkM1taEC1v0ULTwpDVvv9YUw0PyWiHNlrhHW4YFQKCfrCTlpH08bJKRjUdFG_nzow1FSUjCpULwJ1ns7MudVZH8iI/s400/SCDponylamp.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> His lamps, with shades from <a href="http://www.blanchefield.com/">Blanche P. Field</a>, are elegantly sturdy and would certainly fit in the back of most cars if you are lucky enough to make it to Rhode Island to see the show. These pieces are also available through the <a href="http://www2.bostondesign.com/">Boston Design Center</a> or contact <a href="http://www.sebastiancarpenter.com/">SCD</a> directly to plan in advance for your next fine furnishing purchase. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLN9Bbo1d0PX0KDJO_Tk6acN3p_RyTakLFfhnNeE25i_0ardgOyexvjBQa_tkCY92BvvUIiAgAFVu7bFfsIEpzydY4tmt2HsSmMZnMPtnFv31x80WwOZKRq5WCy7uzWSHUOTO06PW77g4/s1600-h/SCcubesconsole.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394288188230846898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLN9Bbo1d0PX0KDJO_Tk6acN3p_RyTakLFfhnNeE25i_0ardgOyexvjBQa_tkCY92BvvUIiAgAFVu7bFfsIEpzydY4tmt2HsSmMZnMPtnFv31x80WwOZKRq5WCy7uzWSHUOTO06PW77g4/s400/SCcubesconsole.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" /></a>These always make me smile ... a pair of <a href="http://www.sebastiancarpenter.com/" style="font-style: italic;">Pony Cubes from SCD</a>. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1x5zBy68CkAfw1ycsxnvmr-h9zrdIZ4_UzQMa7I4K0mouyHfA7VeJ76KPZIWVcSkT_-qZMllM_dPz9_6P63QFTrckmBghT6hquC96ZNRPDasqNaJgJoIdptPxrlMeRChWQzZ3JCro6N0/s1600-h/RISDpin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394522430707127250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1x5zBy68CkAfw1ycsxnvmr-h9zrdIZ4_UzQMa7I4K0mouyHfA7VeJ76KPZIWVcSkT_-qZMllM_dPz9_6P63QFTrckmBghT6hquC96ZNRPDasqNaJgJoIdptPxrlMeRChWQzZ3JCro6N0/s200/RISDpin.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 144px;" /></a> Also at the show (among other exhibits) will be some incredible work presented by students that are currently enrolled in 3 furniture making programs throughout New England (one being at <a href="http://www.risd.edu/">Rhode Island School of Design</a>). I always wonder if my life would have been different if I had gone to RISD when given the chance way back when. Perhaps one of my boys has inherited my artistic talent and will take that route (although to be fair, BC was very good to me!) Either way, I guess my husband and I should start saving ... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9g-zY_2hqSq_D20ZM-x_JfPCBGr4rYtZXU5Qd9SKQJX1QKOAR8CP7LHF4P79qGCkmY__d2lW-h8QaDaehQDv3ebRG7VwVF3iSbqPbSorlJkAra_P24yWLfK7DhdapreyP0Q8_ZhnCOdA/s1600-h/momandme.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394379664370490994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9g-zY_2hqSq_D20ZM-x_JfPCBGr4rYtZXU5Qd9SKQJX1QKOAR8CP7LHF4P79qGCkmY__d2lW-h8QaDaehQDv3ebRG7VwVF3iSbqPbSorlJkAra_P24yWLfK7DhdapreyP0Q8_ZhnCOdA/s200/momandme.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" /></a>“Mom and me” by Ben, age 5 As for me, this weekend I will be in Reading, MA for the opening of my friend Beth’s new design shop: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAev6JYewBd355ZWwvTfW_LxoqOhUVA5V4Huo42uhc4FhPsMS275mBfZuR9WabspNw2UXYSOqZyuU6Ki4jGGCyCo8zMp4wR6vlwofSqoTqMBIq1-hpKHegflQCEzPXNZGf2SoDqXfceio/s1600-h/ashbldg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394535504058547890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAev6JYewBd355ZWwvTfW_LxoqOhUVA5V4Huo42uhc4FhPsMS275mBfZuR9WabspNw2UXYSOqZyuU6Ki4jGGCyCo8zMp4wR6vlwofSqoTqMBIq1-hpKHegflQCEzPXNZGf2SoDqXfceio/s200/ashbldg.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDfg3HGIU5Rj-5P39TpGq-GgitU3OTwR4cnmNnhBr_mEEe4bQuBS1WRkIMgJ5jsiGFe9XxnTPj6ZTkaYS7rVhJfN5Rf1Y5weQBi6fRA1x_M47XnCDkfc6Ah3hVMmtyqZTQYGHd7rM6Hc/s1600-h/BHDS+logo+banner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394388318702836914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDfg3HGIU5Rj-5P39TpGq-GgitU3OTwR4cnmNnhBr_mEEe4bQuBS1WRkIMgJ5jsiGFe9XxnTPj6ZTkaYS7rVhJfN5Rf1Y5weQBi6fRA1x_M47XnCDkfc6Ah3hVMmtyqZTQYGHd7rM6Hc/s320/BHDS+logo+banner.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 106px;" /></a> Check out her new <a href="http://www.bethhylan.com/">website</a> and <a href="http://bethhylandesignstudio.blogspot.com/">blog</a> (which I designed for her) and be sure to stop by some weekend to see the great stuff that she has put together. She has taken antique paper (that she has been collecting for years) and has combined it in the most amazing ways to create jewelry and home decorating items that are simply inspiring. Beth will also be offering fresh floral arrangements “to-go” along with vintage treasures. Her shop already feels very “Beth” to me. I find that I feel more creative just being around her! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwjcDK-pMMJfW0mDTFntVkSIWi-2n56LD1XieDMHav_Fm3j0WfGZTObCh4dbp0VrKvzyz97Gh21WqsHELWey7QTCnWRu-WGZXOxLZg_5gXBKySUmr4NiZHb7PSTywfMcHLWLSZ4OhLZ8/s1600-h/pumpkinvignette.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394389853454566818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwjcDK-pMMJfW0mDTFntVkSIWi-2n56LD1XieDMHav_Fm3j0WfGZTObCh4dbp0VrKvzyz97Gh21WqsHELWey7QTCnWRu-WGZXOxLZg_5gXBKySUmr4NiZHb7PSTywfMcHLWLSZ4OhLZ8/s400/pumpkinvignette.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy83ymeSnmmKwIOTarqaWZOzXX1JbNBbt9_HEao0k_IdStMxuebKPhwpJlNWkgtGKFlNccrfT30E1oDeVH7PG7MqU-uCtlIs42b92H-aEahd8scIgzH0BppAiu15MTya2Gk2ySJV0Jws/s1600-h/wreathatshop.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394525043784309250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy83ymeSnmmKwIOTarqaWZOzXX1JbNBbt9_HEao0k_IdStMxuebKPhwpJlNWkgtGKFlNccrfT30E1oDeVH7PG7MqU-uCtlIs42b92H-aEahd8scIgzH0BppAiu15MTya2Gk2ySJV0Jws/s400/wreathatshop.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> This week, I will be helping with some prep work on the display areas in the shop for the <a href="http://www.bethhylan.com/Guest_Designers.html">Trunk Shows</a> that will showcase guest designers over the nine weekends that the studio is open. As <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/10/latest-word.html">I have mentioned</a>, design items from my collections will be on display in the store (thanks, Beth!). These pieces have been my own personal field of dreams (if you build it, they will come). In my case, if you are compelled to create art out of fabric and wallpaper, a store will magically appear to sell them! <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/08/yvonne-b-designs-now-on-etsy.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394537117102874626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9GxO594fZYkAbg74NR7_pyf0pJZUo9b-CtX4-uDe1THCx51QDB20SxYznFdjL0zuNQWYNYz4dhbUd7g5uMku5w9D1fvfb54dAzz-0yHDGrs888xCqaJbHuyzk_1-9wG0e_U7EHBYZmI/s320/ybdesignsbanner.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 42px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhy63MkCp-CRjJSgaq9xKmimzV5PlkYg2sh0E7KNXHv0dcvNZ7FvmsMTpO6bdF1-H1C_GdpyKUVBSEasCiOg17Jo0rB6K03FnyaAZGX1aBFSSdoadtIMQw6lbM5QkGS92UgaPd559ODA/s1600-h/dogbolsterYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394389469611182850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhy63MkCp-CRjJSgaq9xKmimzV5PlkYg2sh0E7KNXHv0dcvNZ7FvmsMTpO6bdF1-H1C_GdpyKUVBSEasCiOg17Jo0rB6K03FnyaAZGX1aBFSSdoadtIMQw6lbM5QkGS92UgaPd559ODA/s320/dogbolsterYB.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" /></a>From my “Best Friends” collection. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9H_Cp9djlAWv1qRYB6lYn4X82OoSSvi2KhbgVpC6TlaXHrZXpISZieQsEyJc9tic-Wcj4p0WXN5J9WjQKXy-iNGdIkS6H3Vln1SDQWCGOcVvU0mBYKcV-f4NJ-2_3skm9Bte2bgtoqE/s1600-h/bulldogYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394526549795425138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9H_Cp9djlAWv1qRYB6lYn4X82OoSSvi2KhbgVpC6TlaXHrZXpISZieQsEyJc9tic-Wcj4p0WXN5J9WjQKXy-iNGdIkS6H3Vln1SDQWCGOcVvU0mBYKcV-f4NJ-2_3skm9Bte2bgtoqE/s400/bulldogYB.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px;" /></a> Items like these are looking for a good home ... come check them out for a limited time at: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mVfj_hvNtJwCvCQNTroz7rvMUw6aRKXI33lucwwgeA-2V0_CVOPniC3hdzBunnA4HUYqlemjcwx2uwo25vGb_Gy-9IKSJJP8NJG1fwxLRwncLAwhVbZI2EuskSTDY80JPm5TQ8UYZOA/s1600-h/BHDS+BC.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394539047705339058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mVfj_hvNtJwCvCQNTroz7rvMUw6aRKXI33lucwwgeA-2V0_CVOPniC3hdzBunnA4HUYqlemjcwx2uwo25vGb_Gy-9IKSJJP8NJG1fwxLRwncLAwhVbZI2EuskSTDY80JPm5TQ8UYZOA/s320/BHDS+BC.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 320px;" /></a> <a href="http://www.bethhylan.com/Home_Page.html">Beth Hylan Design Studio</a> 159 Ash Street, Reading, MA Open Saturdays from 10 am – 5 pm Sundays from 12 noon – 5 pm Call 781.246.8552 for more info. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTonSXBdTCB7Qh78v7eKRy_Yjx2RVDSFURVfEYwSz5Dgr2R6dFyTrXlyWLNtRQaD9VkdWPDUza08YVk54rlaJtdcmLHhkr9vSQ7C6OQYwLJHPf5cmWc3hZ7noVFF0zxUSS-lKcTq6-E3E/s1600-h/bunnywcard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394537856707438274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTonSXBdTCB7Qh78v7eKRy_Yjx2RVDSFURVfEYwSz5Dgr2R6dFyTrXlyWLNtRQaD9VkdWPDUza08YVk54rlaJtdcmLHhkr9vSQ7C6OQYwLJHPf5cmWc3hZ7noVFF0zxUSS-lKcTq6-E3E/s200/bunnywcard.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 200px;" /></a> PS... If you stop by the store, please sign my guest book if I am not around to say hi! </div>

Designers take to the road.

Furniture by Sebastian Carpenter Design I love how the round feet contrast with the straight edges of this chair and ottoman set, which are ...

9:00 PM

I SPY ... the printed word recycled

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa0byIS2BZII7KWGrU67EDeRyr9Ih9wbo3EYvN5EXB50Q_OKjdppqS2g0RtLxq7t9jRBi4KHZLrReKLW21flOKCy-uFQRlZ5W9fwfBduOFSflJYTLxLKa9Pjbk6njdWB-6PEv2Hmdb44/s1600-h/magazinevasesplateHG.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382041130697931410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa0byIS2BZII7KWGrU67EDeRyr9Ih9wbo3EYvN5EXB50Q_OKjdppqS2g0RtLxq7t9jRBi4KHZLrReKLW21flOKCy-uFQRlZ5W9fwfBduOFSflJYTLxLKa9Pjbk6njdWB-6PEv2Hmdb44/s400/magazinevasesplateHG.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a>Spotted this week at my local HomeGoods: eye-catching containers fashioned out of recycled magazines that would look very cool on a desk in a home office. </div> <div style="text-align: center;">I have been clearing the clutter from the 2nd floor space above my garage this week. Basically, it is a storage area gone wild ... full of toys, books, seasonal clothing, furniture found on the side of the road to be transformed (when???) into something beautiful, and TONS OF DESIGN MAGAZINES! While I can never part with a good magazine (I seriously have a problem letting my little photo-filled friends go!) I did run across a couple of sites that feature printed materials repurposed for decorative use. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw0qzFKoXAXBXzjZWNepncQZHngjH55vSbHbm6wTj0I8J78hBsYGteG3YEhm132JxBea7b-O-ZMbrgs67v0I0dKd8LgDiu11SIWT71EVeouwmbdF47LAq5PRpKz3U1o1prBcVSjyc75A/s1600-h/Recycled+Magazine+Round+Mirror.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382141736067977426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw0qzFKoXAXBXzjZWNepncQZHngjH55vSbHbm6wTj0I8J78hBsYGteG3YEhm132JxBea7b-O-ZMbrgs67v0I0dKd8LgDiu11SIWT71EVeouwmbdF47LAq5PRpKz3U1o1prBcVSjyc75A/s400/Recycled+Magazine+Round+Mirror.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 372px;" /></a> <a href="http://www.mirrorsource.com/Linon-Recycled-Magazine-Round-Mirror-AOTO-MIR030RD.htm">Recycled Magazine Round Wall Mirror</a> by Linon available online at <a href="http://mirrorsource.com/">mirrorsource.com</a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhBQvqOyn7WU9N7DLw7r2T2CnVKtHwu7G-dBAQfnurlZNl_y_djHhmZVMkBW7OUcMiMB_JXtNnsE492tsgNMgB5x0TEQ9xFjFf2EMt4SgacBz0F_Um4GzggzyuNmSEebUnwO7zqvbFYo/s1600-h/yhst-20493720720238_2072_97464173.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382149611855258146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhBQvqOyn7WU9N7DLw7r2T2CnVKtHwu7G-dBAQfnurlZNl_y_djHhmZVMkBW7OUcMiMB_JXtNnsE492tsgNMgB5x0TEQ9xFjFf2EMt4SgacBz0F_Um4GzggzyuNmSEebUnwO7zqvbFYo/s400/yhst-20493720720238_2072_97464173.gif" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" /></a><a href="http://www.greenergrassdesign.com/gecko-market.html">Eco-Weekender Recycled Market Bag</a> These totes made from recycled rice and feed bags lined with cotton, are a green-fashion-statement and a real steal at $25.00 each <a href="http://www.greenergrassdesign.com/">greenergrassdesign.com</a> I love this site! xoxo<a href="http://www.magazine.org/environment/21345.aspx"> </a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzf9IyKE_bv900mLOjjaRqC6gMofFIFvA2uTDdNaXAxROehZ7BZOdg44US7dBvwwbLOyLdHlZXtPthuE_m83ANpQQhc32prASei8WxPiXEOcXGppJJdk2FQoxQ9o038Sjq0djQTpAciaA/s1600-h/NewspaperTote.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382045269110566194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzf9IyKE_bv900mLOjjaRqC6gMofFIFvA2uTDdNaXAxROehZ7BZOdg44US7dBvwwbLOyLdHlZXtPthuE_m83ANpQQhc32prASei8WxPiXEOcXGppJJdk2FQoxQ9o038Sjq0djQTpAciaA/s400/NewspaperTote.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 201px;" /></a> <a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=16233&source=related_bn">Recycled Newspaper Market Bag</a> from <a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/">uncommongoods.com</a> A little pricey at $52.00 each, but they remind me of how my mom always wrapped our birthday gifts with the comic section of the Sunday paper. She still wraps gifts in this offbeat way, using the front of a card, magazine spreads and even junk mail (stickers and gift cards from charities, it all gets put to use)! I wish I had a photo of the refrigerator that she decoupaged when I was little. It was AMAZING. She covered the entire front of a vintage fridge with magazine clippings and then shellaced the entire collage. Hmm, I might just have an idea for those magazines I have been saving after all! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7M_RDk_kAMWwGazX4cj6awyy-X8OLBf_THQ6eucAcqObOS9qYaBmdFgzBmUXx8xmTkmkwhO4D454dC4wt30LvykWHAwdcwmydA67qfHiMiCYahE504A0QX4IGXX6MPNsiKEO8KGZvyUI/s1600-h/wildthing.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382135625931583026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7M_RDk_kAMWwGazX4cj6awyy-X8OLBf_THQ6eucAcqObOS9qYaBmdFgzBmUXx8xmTkmkwhO4D454dC4wt30LvykWHAwdcwmydA67qfHiMiCYahE504A0QX4IGXX6MPNsiKEO8KGZvyUI/s400/wildthing.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 340px;" /></a> In the meantime, I discovered a worn-to-bits, but much-loved copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Wild-Things-Maurice-Sendak/dp/0060254920/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253131994&sr=8-1">Where the Wild Things Are</a> by Maurice Sendak in a box of books that I had put away. I surprised my boys by framing a page for their bedroom (of course then they wanted to read the whole story -- minus one page -- oops!). Luckily, the movie version of this story is being released in just a few weeks. 6 (recyclable) tickets please! <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/83785/6_ways_to_recycle_old_magazines.html?cat=25">Find a way to recycle your magazines</a> and this post (forward to a friend!) </div>

I SPY ... the printed word recycled

Spotted this week at my local HomeGoods : eye-catching containers fashioned out of recycled magazines that would look very cool on a desk in...

5:12 AM

A decorators Q & A luncheon in York

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXM78SXLc6OGS1hK_0Lq6frzhBA1394MiK2ycciLqjUsDzTr9_Pp8_EaLlBgdJcTvWfSIMg8vDVNQmNUe7vkfO-gk3mEJW1Tc1tX_mLFbYAp9Jb0u8nJ1CoBpGHAKsxFB0reaa-zWk0iA/s1600-h/readingroompc.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367396505389870690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXM78SXLc6OGS1hK_0Lq6frzhBA1394MiK2ycciLqjUsDzTr9_Pp8_EaLlBgdJcTvWfSIMg8vDVNQmNUe7vkfO-gk3mEJW1Tc1tX_mLFbYAp9Jb0u8nJ1CoBpGHAKsxFB0reaa-zWk0iA/s400/readingroompc.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px;" /></a>Postcard image of the York Harbor Reading Room </div> <div style="text-align: center;">Recently I enjoyed a design discussion/luncheon presented by the <a href="http://www.oldyork.org/">Museums of Old York</a> at the <a href="http://www.yorkharborreading.com/AboutYHRR/default.aspx">York Harbor Reading Room</a>. A panel of five decorators from the <a href="http://www.oldyork.org/visit/showhouse.html">McIntire Farm Show House </a>presented tips, techniques and design stories that related to both their work on this year’s show house and the business of design. After the initial introductions of the panel (in order <a href="http://blog.accentmagazine.com/life-in-new-england/fd-hodge-interiors-updates-from-old-york-designer-show-house/">Frank Hodge</a>, Kacey Graham, Michaele Boehm, <a href="http://blog.accentmagazine.com/life-in-new-england/ny-interiors-updates-from-old-york-designer-show-house/">Nicole Yee</a>, and <a href="http://www.joycejordaninteriors.com/">Joyce Jordan</a>) the guests in the audience were able to pose their decorating questions. Here are some questions (and answers) that I thought would be of interest: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJ3LP37dgxEAq_69ZM8wnaDyrmAJWH2qhuFTMlJvHQ4pFxr9fe8iYd1Xt1DQzEj6BJcITDXJOsMMog4GjeGS2DC9ZUldSKQ0zrswi-LmprGAy3KBN_9_Ed79ULZ0c4ZV4nBe7r7AAn5c/s1600-h/seashorepage.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366949616499162738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJ3LP37dgxEAq_69ZM8wnaDyrmAJWH2qhuFTMlJvHQ4pFxr9fe8iYd1Xt1DQzEj6BJcITDXJOsMMog4GjeGS2DC9ZUldSKQ0zrswi-LmprGAy3KBN_9_Ed79ULZ0c4ZV4nBe7r7AAn5c/s400/seashorepage.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 400px;" /></a>A story board I designed around pillows from my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5555213">Vintage Seaside Collection</a> based on colors from the shore: coral, sand, seafoam and beachglass Q. What color did you use in your room? A. When people see a room that makes them feel good, the first question they ask is often about color choice. If you see a room that you like at a show house, don’t be shy ... ask the designer directly. If you see a room that you like on the web or in a magazine, keep in mind that the image is most likely affected by the printing process or monitor settings. Bring a magazine image directly to a paint store, they can color match what you see to get the result you fell in love with. But beware ... a wall color is greatly influenced by fixed variables like lighting, flooring and objects in the space. I always recommend to choose colors for your home while in your home – take a look around and see what colors are already there that will be interacting with a color you saw and loved somewhere else. Also, as most of the panel noted, a good design plan will take into consideration the colors in adjoining rooms for the best overall flow of the space. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJsgqCaIfdsLvFdpFCfHtf141-s5nLNhjMu-o7iGSRGWxwB0outTFgsWjVQUWabsjn9FBnUJ5AMxr8SBM2Aafcwpbsf_UArYsdqiMnS8mbQY51WpaqN-RFP19fHCdYH8yaoj7VBykzBM/s1600-h/bluedining.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367387639477471378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJsgqCaIfdsLvFdpFCfHtf141-s5nLNhjMu-o7iGSRGWxwB0outTFgsWjVQUWabsjn9FBnUJ5AMxr8SBM2Aafcwpbsf_UArYsdqiMnS8mbQY51WpaqN-RFP19fHCdYH8yaoj7VBykzBM/s400/bluedining.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 297px;" /></a>I chose a blue ceiling to make this dining space more intimate. Ceiling: Benjamin Moore Jamestown Blue Walls: Benjamin Moore Yorkshire Tan Q. What are your thoughts on colored ceilings? While some designers prefer white ceilings, others treat the ceiling as an opportunity to add intimacy and/or interest by treating it with a color. A color other than white on a high ceiling can make a room feel much more cozy. Give it a try if you never have. Blue on a ceiling is a lot like looking up at the sky (I loved it with yellow walls in my first baby nursery). Even using a 50% value of your wall color can add a new dimension to the overall look of a space. Something all of the designers could agree upon, however, was to refrain from painting a textured or “popcorn” ceiling with a color. If at all possible, have it scraped down (add a skim coat if necessary to clean it up) and then feel free to highlight with that touch of color. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSJVCkprSXzouY4MCRcJkNWwaIYguel_-5w-OETzLoDQ3VzxF3AwS0djgsThjry8iNrGPfS5S8U05xwlmHdUdreW5Kn3FF6epslpGqdLGr5MUaahhRu-JN31Pkox_8LPb7Lqx7g2bGPM/s1600-h/graynichewithflowers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366943931773368642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSJVCkprSXzouY4MCRcJkNWwaIYguel_-5w-OETzLoDQ3VzxF3AwS0djgsThjry8iNrGPfS5S8U05xwlmHdUdreW5Kn3FF6epslpGqdLGr5MUaahhRu-JN31Pkox_8LPb7Lqx7g2bGPM/s400/graynichewithflowers.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a>From my home, a recently added niche in the foyer painted entirely in Benjamin Moore Aura Paint in Secret Flower arrangement designed by <a href="http://www.friendswhodesign.com/Flowers_and_Jewelry.php">Beth Hylan</a> Q. What are some current design trends? A. The color gray is hot I love grays ... they make everything else pop. Put a bright white in front of gray, furnish with rich chocolate browns, add vibrant colors as accents ... it’s all good! Gray acts as the perfect backdrop to make everything else look its sophisticated best. As the design panel mentioned, gray is the new neutral, replacing beige in a lot of instances. My tip: If your room does not receive a lot of natural light during the day, I would recommend going with a warm gray (more brown in undertones) as opposed to a cool gray (which can be more blue). Well planned lighting will help to keep the space feeling warm, like the recessed light I had installed in the niche above. A. Going “green” is in Green decorating is not just a passing trend. Choosing energy efficient appliances, natural fabrics, paints that produce low emissions (like the Aura paint used above), reducing waste in building materials and re-purposing existing furnishings are now common requests from clients and are highly recommended by designers. While costs in the past have been higher for eco-friendly design, with the increase in green providers we are now experiencing a larger supply of choices that will hopefully drive prices down (so glad I took economics in college!) My advice: start small. It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing way of decorating. Even the smallest green choices can make a difference to our environment while adding to the comfort of your home. Q. How do you deal with a client’s collections? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExBMJ1_mlJm2bJRew-RYPxnysCIINi86QjNp-59cRY_8cXGsIg02D4AbTGZQblAMMxEGNzgRL0_5uThtNHY0eJu8bX-2cM9eJqnTsCJdGxMlFsYpfjA8Q5R48vIS10WkoKFGswHqH_cQ/s1600-h/RDR-+kitchen+after.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366327780927587698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExBMJ1_mlJm2bJRew-RYPxnysCIINi86QjNp-59cRY_8cXGsIg02D4AbTGZQblAMMxEGNzgRL0_5uThtNHY0eJu8bX-2cM9eJqnTsCJdGxMlFsYpfjA8Q5R48vIS10WkoKFGswHqH_cQ/s400/RDR-+kitchen+after.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> I was inspired by my clients collection of pink appliances (she has a great Kitchen Aid Mixer, Blender and more in pink) and her large collection of vintage tea pots, cups and saucers when choosing the colors and fabrics for this kitchen makeover. The china cabinet was painted a shiny black to anchor the space while being the perfect backdrop to the variety of china patterns. The yellow dinette set is the one unexpected color in the space that keeps the palette interesting. Ceiling: Benjamin Moore Pleasant Pink Walls: Benjamin Moore Cappuccino A. Grouping collections together will offer the biggest impact. Collections truly tell the story of the home owner. Whatever your collection is, be proud of it and find a special place to display it. Rotating items in and out of your collection is a nice way to keep the look fresh while not overdoing it. One great tip for starting a collection inexpensively was to add seashells to a space. They come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors and textures, and are extremely accessible. Keep this in mind when strolling the beaches this summer ... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIUE_DIOnUWKPal3aDbcNMgJBDw9Pb_YYSTkfR-KJlIT0fZQndiUCATNalLH7YaGjWpOhxXuspXhcwTy3yM7wPVkbJuos0BGroEbzMAjjKcW1Kh03Q3oPeO5VhQWgfhtEZvgrZtDyzSI/s1600-h/kitchenaidmacys.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367402363556598930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIUE_DIOnUWKPal3aDbcNMgJBDw9Pb_YYSTkfR-KJlIT0fZQndiUCATNalLH7YaGjWpOhxXuspXhcwTy3yM7wPVkbJuos0BGroEbzMAjjKcW1Kh03Q3oPeO5VhQWgfhtEZvgrZtDyzSI/s320/kitchenaidmacys.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 320px;" /></a>If you love pink, embrace it! Kitchen Aid available at <a href="http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=106695&CategoryID=29425" style="font-style: italic;">Macy’s online</a> Q. In your opinion, what are some of the top decorating faux pas? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANsBztU2DS-K4LP6ZyD9hylNL9wskLYP1m1hBvKS8-n9VKXxkQrVvof2J0pwHFUfY8jRupFEgXeZTe5ozGuNJT7S3wAjcENpZK1iZcuMWfKqaxf9IZpDMk3iT79I2blqw0kmdp3PFbOo/s1600-h/CP+-+fireplace+b4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366335233031323586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANsBztU2DS-K4LP6ZyD9hylNL9wskLYP1m1hBvKS8-n9VKXxkQrVvof2J0pwHFUfY8jRupFEgXeZTe5ozGuNJT7S3wAjcENpZK1iZcuMWfKqaxf9IZpDMk3iT79I2blqw0kmdp3PFbOo/s400/CP+-+fireplace+b4.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> A client of mine inherited this room in her new home that was painted with blue walls and a white ceiling that included the slants of the roof lines. Highlighting too many angles created a disjointed look. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYSC-gsmCDk4modIsxL-5TU4UXGeNXAO6p5CsAQebsVwmHtntuUbhnSmUilLd3GFskCEBoMJn4CttMtbAacqWLAHolFO3CrVI5svPzR2TA9DjD8LTKwbhlpCg9-3kxBojOhKW1ghps-g/s1600-h/CP-+fireplace+bottles.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366334745776961202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYSC-gsmCDk4modIsxL-5TU4UXGeNXAO6p5CsAQebsVwmHtntuUbhnSmUilLd3GFskCEBoMJn4CttMtbAacqWLAHolFO3CrVI5svPzR2TA9DjD8LTKwbhlpCg9-3kxBojOhKW1ghps-g/s400/CP-+fireplace+bottles.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a>My advice: By painting the entire room the same color (treat slants as part of the wall, not the ceiling) the angles disappear allowing focal points more prominence. A new collection of colored glass bottles creates interest in what once was a dead corner. Walls and ceiling: Benjamin Moore Timid White A decorating “mistake” that I often run into are slanted walls that are treated as part of the ceiling as shown above. The room will look so much bigger when wall color is applied to the slants, extending the visual dimensions of the room. The McIntire Farm panel mentioned a few of their pet peeves: Overdoing a theme was one. Not editing a space another. Not choosing the right scale of furniture or objects for a space. Special challenges that many clients face today regarding the subject of scale include the wide array of over-sized pieces that have been created to fit in the “great room” scenario. A better way to approach this “how do I fill such a large space dilemma” is to break the room out into smaller conversation areas instead of trying to fill the space with the largest sofa available. <div style="text-align: center;">Q. What are your thoughts on HGTV and do you have a favorite designer? </div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT9hsG_eFIHu-G8hodyr3U71ayXwtuGUmqJ1WBgCZSb5Sr-9yXAdTeev5ier2jxSNwVrtzYWCuzx8NkuApymnQ13bajnr58o8uIuJh2A7PDajQbE7MKQA9GGGYIPxkQG1mHxI9kIsSCw/s1600-h/candace.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366322196182287634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT9hsG_eFIHu-G8hodyr3U71ayXwtuGUmqJ1WBgCZSb5Sr-9yXAdTeev5ier2jxSNwVrtzYWCuzx8NkuApymnQ13bajnr58o8uIuJh2A7PDajQbE7MKQA9GGGYIPxkQG1mHxI9kIsSCw/s400/candace.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" /></a>Candice Olson autographing my copy of her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Candice-Olson-Design-Inspiration-Ideas/dp/0696225840">Candice Olson on Design</a> at a lecture she gave at <a href="http://www.circlefurniture.com/">Circle Furniture</a>. Yes, she is just as tall, gorgeous and funny in person as she is on her HGTV show Divine Design! <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/divine-design/show/index.html">Candice Olson</a> received a lot of nods from our designer panel as an HGTV favorite, and other prominent designers <a href="http://www.barbarabarry.com/">Barbara Barry</a> (love her!) and design legend <a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architects/legends/archive/baldwin_article_012000">Billy Baldwin</a> were mentioned. While a lot of good ideas can come from televised design shows, most of the panel agreed that they present an unrealistic picture of what actually can be done “in a day” and “on a dime.” The largest omission is the cost of labor (and materials) for each makeover, which significantly adds to the reality of a projects bottom line. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV94GFJQpFWZovaAsN-RnkC-nLI6Gy8-o42-AwpX-EdCM-YF5Fj7kfUaN3NBzymUXES_MrxY7vomRUxJ7wrhIFxvIQbuKRkhpDTc0eZX0fK9wKRmBKUVZDgEqWiuQ16rjzCau85ozcv4o/s1600-h/natesbook.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367437453247713474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV94GFJQpFWZovaAsN-RnkC-nLI6Gy8-o42-AwpX-EdCM-YF5Fj7kfUaN3NBzymUXES_MrxY7vomRUxJ7wrhIFxvIQbuKRkhpDTc0eZX0fK9wKRmBKUVZDgEqWiuQ16rjzCau85ozcv4o/s320/natesbook.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 320px;" /></a>My (unsigned *sigh*) copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Rules-Transform-Place-Youll/dp/1401301371">Nate’s book</a> Another favorite design personality of mine is <a href="http://www.nateberkus.com/">Nate Berkus</a> (and not just because he is adorably handsome!) His love of organic objects in a space and creating sacred moments in a persons home is something I firmly believe in. Items do not have to be expensive to be of value. I actually got to see Nate in person at the Oprah Live your Best Life Tour when it was in Boston. The question I wanted to ask him at the time was how he felt about the incredible amounts of money spent on a lot of the decorating makeover shows. While I didn’t get the chance to pose my question that day (honestly, I got too nervous to raise my hand!) soon after that event Nate became the host of <a href="http://abc.go.com/primetime/oprahsbiggive/index?pn=about">Oprah’s Big Give</a>, a show that rewarded the contestants for their creative ability to find ways to help those in need. I think I know what his answer would have been to my unasked question. Creating beautiful living spaces can certainly have a positive influence on one’s overall well-being, but in doing so, it is important to keep in mind that people, and not things, are what truly matter. What design questions would you ask if you had the opportunity to receive free advice? Post your questions on my blog, and I will answer as much as I can with pictures to illustrate if possible. And if you haven’t already, there is still time to visit the <a href="http://www.oldyork.org/visit/showhouse.html">York Decorator Show House</a> (it is open through August 15th). If you are lucky, you just might meet one of the <a href="http://blog.accentmagazine.com/new-england-style/meet-the-designers-update-from-old-yorks-decorator-show-house/">designers</a> mentioned in this post (I thought each of their spaces were truly fabulous and I really enjoyed hearing them talk about their love for the design process – I hope to run into them again soon). Remember, don’t be shy ... introduce yourself and ask them about their work. Half the fun of being in a show house is to see how people react to a designed space (the other half is getting a new client or two, of course!). At the end of the day, a person who designs interiors is very much like a favorite artist ... our canvas just includes four walls, a floor and quite likely a ceiling! </div>

A decorators Q & A luncheon in York

Postcard image of the York Harbor Reading Room Recently I enjoyed a design discussion/luncheon presented by the Museums of Old York at the ...

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