Designers Holiday Show House Sneak Peek!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcKvMOjOPLfnOck20ENt-OC7Jt0x6OtFxqtPtO9zOck5skrvZR3kQV1AacZ2rJ-4VPjC8-XgXPeKg8vHlmwlMga-omzX4SUaxe-Tgt0CjuTtui7zPMlLiC3epE2Lzc6Tz9ZvrWG3Z1lKG/s1600/roses+preview+@glenmagna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcKvMOjOPLfnOck20ENt-OC7Jt0x6OtFxqtPtO9zOck5skrvZR3kQV1AacZ2rJ-4VPjC8-XgXPeKg8vHlmwlMga-omzX4SUaxe-Tgt0CjuTtui7zPMlLiC3epE2Lzc6Tz9ZvrWG3Z1lKG/s800/roses+preview+@glenmagna.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>flower arrangement by Laura Thomson Design for one of my rooms</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>at the Glen Magna Farms Designers’ Holiday Show House</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">For the past month, I have truly enjoyed traveling down the long unpaved drive that leads to the grand Endicott Mansion located at <a href="http://www.glenmagnafarms.org/">Glen Magna Farms</a> in Danvers. I have spent the last four weekends working on my suite of rooms there (with lots of help during the week from a list of others), transforming these spaces and furnishings from worn and weary to show house ready. And with each visit, every time I took the first turn off of Centre Street to follow the signs to Glen Magna Farms, I felt a little bit like I was heading home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am not exactly sure why the property has this strong affect on me. Perhaps the emotional imprint is simply because I worked there for a number of <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-this-butlers-pantry-changed-my-life.html">summers in my twenties,</a> enjoying the view of the landscaped grounds and the fleeting luxury of being a part of the mansion lifestyle.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Even still, there is something about passing the open fields, stone walls, and tall mature trees leading up to Glen Magna that just feels right to me. Most likely this strong association is a result of being New England born and raised, but there is also a part of me that tends to imagine that perhaps I lived there hundreds of years ago during a time when every day was unplugged and people dressed for dinner and danced in the evenings to live music in the ballroom. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDY5WEWOOqnvshOM2P_y_KGFKiB1qS1AMEFDxAHApW8idTqxGrmB-hVS_SjUrv__nrS1yUEFDBjd5kWw126lSVnbG74-dcY5Jo3tqcinfW6SEaZp-PH5m2yLsmHzMeK6O8kWLS_ycg9i6/s1600/GlenMagna+gala+entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDY5WEWOOqnvshOM2P_y_KGFKiB1qS1AMEFDxAHApW8idTqxGrmB-hVS_SjUrv__nrS1yUEFDBjd5kWw126lSVnbG74-dcY5Jo3tqcinfW6SEaZp-PH5m2yLsmHzMeK6O8kWLS_ycg9i6/s800/GlenMagna+gala+entrance.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This past Saturday night was the </span><span style="font-size: large;">preview gala at Glen Magna, and it truly felt like a step back in time. There were elegant gowns and well-tailored tuxedos, sparkling champagne being served on silver platters, a harp playing classical music mixed with traditional holiday favorites in the foyer. A large tent (heated) was set up just off the back porch where designers and guests could mingle before heading in for the guided tour.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbgldrLQhZfl1Mor0R7z_ypZHQwjPc7U399DYtCV7KQQKYljmrLOxOcuQfp5Cy_9LMG60BzmMenfesy82CHLTS4E0VtBG1m5kG2vJkYpD9CFspl618bOZWqbEg61xVJPwJwoxRcTPDM4h/s1600/harp@glengala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbgldrLQhZfl1Mor0R7z_ypZHQwjPc7U399DYtCV7KQQKYljmrLOxOcuQfp5Cy_9LMG60BzmMenfesy82CHLTS4E0VtBG1m5kG2vJkYpD9CFspl618bOZWqbEg61xVJPwJwoxRcTPDM4h/s800/harp@glengala.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGl_T6Xy2e0k6A7rlCdwENa-Hi9UCp_RaUdBWhIskUza9lz3zBZz429ZNntpYuZufbCtI7YqyW18oXl4EAqPexDVXSp8AlObx0MPRGF4xP3oz2fk_zNY217kGA3IZH3h_fvA5mhT7JnMn/s1600/yvonne+john@glengala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGl_T6Xy2e0k6A7rlCdwENa-Hi9UCp_RaUdBWhIskUza9lz3zBZz429ZNntpYuZufbCtI7YqyW18oXl4EAqPexDVXSp8AlObx0MPRGF4xP3oz2fk_zNY217kGA3IZH3h_fvA5mhT7JnMn/s800/yvonne+john@glengala.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>with my honey, John, who I met while working</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>summers at Glen Magna over 20 years ago</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfRAhUs0e0DXCbENylDI78c7ZOF16JgBAn63eUG_cbaYu3aiEHZgTQqT1C-Rxuo1my210KWeYXlosasCvI2q3XL94zUvI7foISS7_mi9F6vQ14zNnpT1cxuxP2qzOsAnrrsOAFAuTCTEC/s1600/Linda+Kurt@GlenMagna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfRAhUs0e0DXCbENylDI78c7ZOF16JgBAn63eUG_cbaYu3aiEHZgTQqT1C-Rxuo1my210KWeYXlosasCvI2q3XL94zUvI7foISS7_mi9F6vQ14zNnpT1cxuxP2qzOsAnrrsOAFAuTCTEC/s800/Linda+Kurt@GlenMagna.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>my dear friend and designer of the Bride’s Room</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Linda Hentschel with her husband Kurt</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjRjG39dE-6sCAwJTZPJYZ5YJMjxf1CSqVuja3dIUwC3gFRlV8xhrRi525tLtyKP5tQUlatlIJ2wcsJfaZdXnAxOVnxdMGcKiVkcMEsawbKX8fOVTBHMgHSSkEr34SSYYukTxVTtcXtsj/s1600/yvonne+candy+jennifer@glengala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjRjG39dE-6sCAwJTZPJYZ5YJMjxf1CSqVuja3dIUwC3gFRlV8xhrRi525tLtyKP5tQUlatlIJ2wcsJfaZdXnAxOVnxdMGcKiVkcMEsawbKX8fOVTBHMgHSSkEr34SSYYukTxVTtcXtsj/s800/yvonne+candy+jennifer@glengala.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>with new friends, fellow Glen Magna Farms Show House designers</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Candy Weston and Jennifer Dunn Coen in the dining room</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsp1shIqZti2GqL29g8LZ7IHeNp3bBTVpSgAz0H69kl9zX2Xy1Z108DSQ6kfH1I_HutUwo3BUGIbwsgbqVu2CHCMgfmGlEWz9tc2Q0aXHAB9AZVDiiAmM6WbgeU_JtTWdIKz0DEhK8EMI0/s1600/matt+heather@gala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsp1shIqZti2GqL29g8LZ7IHeNp3bBTVpSgAz0H69kl9zX2Xy1Z108DSQ6kfH1I_HutUwo3BUGIbwsgbqVu2CHCMgfmGlEWz9tc2Q0aXHAB9AZVDiiAmM6WbgeU_JtTWdIKz0DEhK8EMI0/s800/matt+heather@gala.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Matthew Martin, Buildings and Grounds Restoration Manager</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>with Heather King, Glen Magna Farms Special Events Manager </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZpV-pF7um-_rC7d32thNWPp9xx-ZB6AbYoeiux8QNUnbLZeySPQqJUMnA1HRlLfBOpjRqQ_IAoQgsZAHobGU0y1eKev_hcbSVqGCgAXTx1g8QetZWhSoayrNAn0VOLdlA_ApXezYGn3n/s1600/glen+designers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZpV-pF7um-_rC7d32thNWPp9xx-ZB6AbYoeiux8QNUnbLZeySPQqJUMnA1HRlLfBOpjRqQ_IAoQgsZAHobGU0y1eKev_hcbSVqGCgAXTx1g8QetZWhSoayrNAn0VOLdlA_ApXezYGn3n/s800/glen+designers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A press day photo in the two story foyer at Glen Magna Farms. From left to right ...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Front row: Caitlin Flynn, Diana Kennedy, Linda Hentschel, Jennifer Dunn Coen, Donna Terry. </i><i>Back row: Elyse Parkhurst, William Ralph, myself, and Michael Carter. Missing from photo: Candy Weston</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Designer Candy Weston and decorative artist Karen Ward received the “traveled the farthest</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> prize for making many trips back and forth to Glen Magna from their homes in Vermont and Nantucket. While my ties to Glen Magna began a couple decades ago, Candy’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s history to the estate goes back much further (and was somewhat of a surprise to her). You will have to come see the estate for yourself to hear and see the details!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will post room photos after the show closes on December 15th. Please consider visiting the show and taking in the holiday and design inspiration while helping to raise funds to continue the renovation and preservation of this lovely historic property that all are able to enjoy today and for years to come.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://danversshowhouse.blogspot.com/">Ticket Info Here</a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Designers Holiday Show House Sneak Peek!

flower arrangement by Laura Thomson Design for one of my rooms at the Glen Magna Farms Designers’ Holiday Show House For the past month, I h...

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Fall at New England Fine Living ...

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0lBEFjfvIbGGAOOv9c8JMGAzRz9dAzbezYiU0Bm1AU0SL87Npbjvx3Pozu3NtrvGFvJq1nMKNBXqLw-9xquz_I6x-oLv45rKUHdGUXD4bWgc2O6G4K5IGQKx7NhCCUbHybuRBrtPd3cf/s1600/Oct2011%2540NEFL.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658648726981609906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0lBEFjfvIbGGAOOv9c8JMGAzRz9dAzbezYiU0Bm1AU0SL87Npbjvx3Pozu3NtrvGFvJq1nMKNBXqLw-9xquz_I6x-oLv45rKUHdGUXD4bWgc2O6G4K5IGQKx7NhCCUbHybuRBrtPd3cf/s800/Oct2011%2540NEFL.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Last week, <a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/retail-store-hours.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Fine Living</span></a> celebrated one year of being open for business. Owner Linda Smith hosted a wine tasting event with some local blends from <a href="http://www.millriverwines.com/">Mill River Winery</a> of Newburyport. I have to say, the Chardonnay was exceptional! </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x175567127/A-good-year-for-local-vintners" style="font-style: italic;">Read more about Mill River Winery here.</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.writeexpressionmiddleton.com/index.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658658905926712450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YKQPpm4SJ4vTAEmxIoTkhUvwDf_y2GlfWWuRWD0VwBzw_1PdptXV_YsmOrsOHZ8PIjCl1l5-nopmIy2rf0PHTBkYAjB6LISmei9ZNNtn83qERmqyt-vvco1aTZM6fk20us-46e22aIMK/s800/chandelierinvite.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.writeexpressionmiddleton.com/">The Write Expression</a>, which shares retail space with NEFL, had a lot of gorgeous fall invitations on their shelves like the one above.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtiyIP_pr0trL3nEqFYfF0gQzPM8iBWRXgHHBZxm72ajAPcl-MwM980aD2Q3clbUB7Wl7fNrAeQhvp1klaZKHwh4CDeIolytp-2dtEhtv7itnvma2ANMIrWxwyHFMxSlfVD-luV1Y1hV1/s1600/NEFLfrontdoorLBH.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658662609556869650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtiyIP_pr0trL3nEqFYfF0gQzPM8iBWRXgHHBZxm72ajAPcl-MwM980aD2Q3clbUB7Wl7fNrAeQhvp1klaZKHwh4CDeIolytp-2dtEhtv7itnvma2ANMIrWxwyHFMxSlfVD-luV1Y1hV1/s800/NEFLfrontdoorLBH.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">photo courtesy Lorna Bird Hood<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/10/saturday-shopping.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658666379203068738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbzOG4iMASf63HFPH_I230FR5_EdasBlNUhBjVGtttx2zxf6bCkWxvy6X1VXYcOcOUkzOQ88LRzWvQN-u2gkoALriPRWq6weci-Pf6tewseU7l08HR9Uh03obNPLkFI-OaUoHOjCFCivq/s800/gossipbenchYB4NEFL.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/10/saturday-shopping.html">One year ago</a> at the New England Fine Living grand opening</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />It’s hard to believe that the store has been open for an entire year already! One of the best experiences I have had over the past few seasons was creating <a href="http://www.newenglandfinery.com/">New England Finery Magazine</a> to promote the vendors inside this charming historic property.<br /><br />While the format of the store has changed slightly over the course of the year, it still stands as a home base to New England-inspired design. If you are looking to host a fall or winter gathering, stop by the store for seasonal home decor items or to have an invitation made up specifically for your list of guests. And if you need help styling your home for the event, Linda can help you with lots of great ideas. She has some neat autumn vignettes set up in the store so go check them out for yourself : )<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.newenglandfinery.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658669475925799890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12V_IX6mPKl9GEDLdnm0Lg3P3vjHpTRa1BMsIOcWkYnPwg16qrZdnTqeJ5Q0Q7kwk-uTni61x5707-pRjVKh6G_0z2F0aa9I2Hnf1F6Hp7YjviqhCm9TiP6lLP_UvAX9MsCIVs-ofjq9M/s400/NEF+autumn+logo.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 183px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This week I will be busy wrapping up the autumn issue of <span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Finery Magazine.</span> Look for it online by Monday, October 10th. <a href="http://www.newenglandfinery.com/">Sign up here to subscribe</a> and you will be notified by email when it is released. I can’t wait to share it with you!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN07jUZGh8v2oGbuUQ2AEgub3db3WI-1BbEvqpneOjLg0ns4SCuhFnZbsgpV3W7xM1NFwuxjfunLzT_5rPa6cAFUsuSojg7iTVpafQPxxodb0MwZ1wzmRNjkaiIsqlnMJAX7Kq8g-jnjAt/s1600/tastingroom_milesriverwinery.jpg"><br /></a>

Fall at New England Fine Living ...

Last week, New England Fine Living celebrated one year of being open for business. Owner Linda Smith hosted a wine tasting event with some ...

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A new creative venture ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MAAmJW_S-ZSszNGWJfFJGbMUMV3mdIQLfyccIbLZqj5rDmLhnF-mfDeNjGnjNj9UO4Lpwc8AR5bH4mpBOe8xrSnIymemTF4woIJ-nJ-8WmqCq-3mxyBT3G47ZS10V-3PCmE_-LkrV-cn/s1600/nefinerysneakpeek2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562203090723709906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MAAmJW_S-ZSszNGWJfFJGbMUMV3mdIQLfyccIbLZqj5rDmLhnF-mfDeNjGnjNj9UO4Lpwc8AR5bH4mpBOe8xrSnIymemTF4woIJ-nJ-8WmqCq-3mxyBT3G47ZS10V-3PCmE_-LkrV-cn/s400/nefinerysneakpeek2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo by Yvonne Blacker</span></span><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2011/01/this-month-newenglandhome.html">In my last post</a>, I mentioned my love for picture books (or more specifically design magazines). I have always loved to read, and I remember when the books I read no longer had illustrations in them – it truly saddened me knowing that I could no longer turn the page and see a new picture to accompany the storyline. Even today, when I watch my son – who is just getting the hang of reading out loud – enthusiastically sneak a peek of the illustration on the next page just to see how the plot in the story is going to unfold, I am reminded of why a good picture is worth a thousand words. That is one of the reasons I love reading blogs. There are so many pretty pictures, plus there is usually an interesting story to follow as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Today I have a story for you ...<br /><br /></span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UVkFGadIRus02s4kCpx0tA8os98k93qGsO7Y7MnaI7LL9iv3C2p4a9fjnQjN9CDiv_-8qj0OLyjypqDQpWWjMaQVTNMgxITqfoAz3Ppup6We7p4Ny1PYqJRq9xLt9yt0rvs9dJ2_FxPr/s1600/purseonchair.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562201835399664706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UVkFGadIRus02s4kCpx0tA8os98k93qGsO7Y7MnaI7LL9iv3C2p4a9fjnQjN9CDiv_-8qj0OLyjypqDQpWWjMaQVTNMgxITqfoAz3Ppup6We7p4Ny1PYqJRq9xLt9yt0rvs9dJ2_FxPr/s400/purseonchair.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo by Yvonne Blacker</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />After setting up some of my design items at the lifestyle boutique <a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/index.html">New England Fine Living</a>, I discovered that the owner, <a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/aboutLinda_1.html">Linda Smith</a>, and I have a lot in common – we both love creative design and enjoy sharing our favorite sources with others (her website provides all types of design related content and, yes, lots of great pictures, too!) She has even produced print magazines in the past. I asked her if she would be interested in having a digital magazine that represents the items and vendors in her boutique, but would also provide a lot of great creative content about life in New England. She said “God, Yes!</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyT2z7aS618cRWtD3fH8Ej8mDSkQ8On0tXm6tavzzipjC8-qX1g-kjQUygZuMzZ4Oq-pG85wjmN8B-rIaQhVaMlY8wVB4KUgVI_RcMEWz-BBodLckEqqNndpgeHtNnrky2EsBBJIHymct/s1600/elephant%253Abooks.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562193455922589362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyT2z7aS618cRWtD3fH8Ej8mDSkQ8On0tXm6tavzzipjC8-qX1g-kjQUygZuMzZ4Oq-pG85wjmN8B-rIaQhVaMlY8wVB4KUgVI_RcMEWz-BBodLckEqqNndpgeHtNnrky2EsBBJIHymct/s400/elephant%253Abooks.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo by Yvonne Blacker</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">With so many traditional shelter magazines out there closing up shop, I have discovered a lot of digital magazines are taking their place, and many are actually being produced by design bloggers (see <a href="http://www.ruemag.com/issues/issue-two/">Rue</a> and <a href="http://lonnymag.com/home">Lonny</a> for example). I figured now was a good time for me to give this new technology a try. I have been blogging about design for about two years now, and while I love decorating interiors, I still enjoy putting visuals together – <a href="http://www.friendswhodesign.com/">both on paper and online</a> – to promote the many creative businesses that I come across. The fact that Linda also loves to promote other businesses as much as she enjoys designing a room or putting together a great event, made me think that we really should combine our creative efforts ...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyT2z7aS618cRWtD3fH8Ej8mDSkQ8On0tXm6tavzzipjC8-qX1g-kjQUygZuMzZ4Oq-pG85wjmN8B-rIaQhVaMlY8wVB4KUgVI_RcMEWz-BBodLckEqqNndpgeHtNnrky2EsBBJIHymct/s1600/elephant%253Abooks.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yZhxfG-pha3S7v2nUvZNg4Mk08-a67iPFHEnPEY4PDnqsPDEd7ojulGrybP3AjgHXr6Y22WGzMlV48Eg6BWkqKnusly4EVgfXLVMNRJnXqK5bVeTiVaNObjpOVT6vWZzuoUi3ISotAhd/s1600/NE+Finery+Magazine_Premiere.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562206174058057650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yZhxfG-pha3S7v2nUvZNg4Mk08-a67iPFHEnPEY4PDnqsPDEd7ojulGrybP3AjgHXr6Y22WGzMlV48Eg6BWkqKnusly4EVgfXLVMNRJnXqK5bVeTiVaNObjpOVT6vWZzuoUi3ISotAhd/s400/NE+Finery+Magazine_Premiere.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 252px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />So today, I am happy to announce that the first issue of <span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Finery Magazine</span> will premiere next month! We have already shot our cover on location with <a href="http://www.elizabethwertzphotography.com/">a professional photographer</a>, and feature stories are in the works.<br /><br />As co-founders, Linda and I are hoping to showcase all that is wonderful about New England ... places to visit, stylish events, local fashion designers, great interiors, and fine products created in or inspired by the historic charm and Yankee ingenuity of New England. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I am so excited to be working on this new creative project, and I know that it will be a great way to help other businesses to increase their exposure online.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">If you have a business or product that is unique to New England and would like to advertise, <a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/contactus.html">contact us directly</a>. Or if </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> there is a New England-based story that you could imagine would be a great addition to the pages of this new online magazine, just let us know! </span><span style="font-size:130%;">We hope to share a little bit of the best of New England with each issue : )</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">P.S. The photos on this post are just a sneak peek of what will be included in the first issue! Stay tuned, there’s more to come ...</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yZhxfG-pha3S7v2nUvZNg4Mk08-a67iPFHEnPEY4PDnqsPDEd7ojulGrybP3AjgHXr6Y22WGzMlV48Eg6BWkqKnusly4EVgfXLVMNRJnXqK5bVeTiVaNObjpOVT6vWZzuoUi3ISotAhd/s1600/NE+Finery+Magazine_Premiere.jpg"><br /></a><a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/contactus.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562456410870883346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphZCGJOv2-4iDyF48U_7LT91gqg3hKE4oHo6WOA4os1MyFgpPfbqDDrLuyl6X3prVxZx1rHhtDG_XDjPmop_1FIbVlnR_TFIC5Gw7URizLd51TL1tD4a4axj7E8U_tPPJ-meuTq13OMnD/s320/fine_living_muse.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 319px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">For advertising rates and information, e-mail<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/contactus.html">Linda@NewEnglandFineLiving.com</a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span> </div>

A new creative venture ...

Photo by Yvonne Blacker In my last post , I mentioned my love for picture books (or more specifically design magazines). I have always loved...

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