My Secret Garden Room

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFb0_CQQteHFMcXR2FRxZrKmvTEV5SajaT25_-_k47uw_j_4yuBm6DnJTlRW01VcCNI9adDed-IBGn0yrGSIiHo7IYt2jgeedoScaxDH4_3GQbTqncwVnw8U5ZLWThPRz8wjiBnhuTyM/s1600-h/gardenroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370414672375235458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFb0_CQQteHFMcXR2FRxZrKmvTEV5SajaT25_-_k47uw_j_4yuBm6DnJTlRW01VcCNI9adDed-IBGn0yrGSIiHo7IYt2jgeedoScaxDH4_3GQbTqncwVnw8U5ZLWThPRz8wjiBnhuTyM/s400/gardenroom.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">My favorite spot in my house this summer actually isn’t in my house at all. I have been taking my coffee each morning (and a glass of wine many evenings) in this newly designed garden room. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The inspiration for this outdoor living space has been hanging on my refrigerator since I ripped it out of </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.southernliving.com/">Southern Living</a> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">magazine in May of 2008. While they went with a black background for their garden room, I chose the opposite. The feeling of being surrounded by lush plantings and a green view remain the same.</span><br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIG5MIlq3Bw_58dF3OKchEw008yX785O52_n7t2CZYgtnMGReMv6kMppn3Rt3Xz2fWVbNxLxj3-zNZl0NDwDv6yuB5lWJBoavkwjJLj5QyWgBLSwbGih9M27oT1sofqNWVR0LwQ7Y4s0/s1600-h/SLMay08.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370396145125073074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIG5MIlq3Bw_58dF3OKchEw008yX785O52_n7t2CZYgtnMGReMv6kMppn3Rt3Xz2fWVbNxLxj3-zNZl0NDwDv6yuB5lWJBoavkwjJLj5QyWgBLSwbGih9M27oT1sofqNWVR0LwQ7Y4s0/s400/SLMay08.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Southern Living, May 2008</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Photograph by Van Chaplin<br />Styling by Scott Martin</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">When I first saw this photo, the green striped chairs reminded me of the <a href="http://www.winstonfurniture.com/">Winston Patio</a> set that my husband and I bought over a decade ago for our last house. While the chairs are still in great shape, the cushions could use a little freshening up.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrCLKcaBUGeejKx6xjUxIphHJF9j5Uw6HHJUoIzpId0EagAloCxS0gH0aFTLFioofKl4GI0M9qtTTksKvwSGApo_yUdJNUdkWMJc9TNaUlZzA7OJisqGLKlSJfYfMKZXid8Lhe_QP6-M/s1600-h/stripedchair.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370397184188053330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrCLKcaBUGeejKx6xjUxIphHJF9j5Uw6HHJUoIzpId0EagAloCxS0gH0aFTLFioofKl4GI0M9qtTTksKvwSGApo_yUdJNUdkWMJc9TNaUlZzA7OJisqGLKlSJfYfMKZXid8Lhe_QP6-M/s400/stripedchair.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Some fabrics I have been looking at ...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCzaC1mZVbLTQnPPjlN4fuhN51V056VfLHWqrF-RJkRek0igZGfkSHBVSHvNJEwFixYWFZmq8OEJctQZvCqw3U3cLoZmc7B7po0jvLpd8Omny9W4HZwb5MxByrJR9Hnnf_O-O6vd0jQo/s1600-h/marakesh.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370782837788540338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCzaC1mZVbLTQnPPjlN4fuhN51V056VfLHWqrF-RJkRek0igZGfkSHBVSHvNJEwFixYWFZmq8OEJctQZvCqw3U3cLoZmc7B7po0jvLpd8Omny9W4HZwb5MxByrJR9Hnnf_O-O6vd0jQo/s320/marakesh.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 316px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.winstonfurniture.com/WinstonFabFin.aspx"><span style="font-style: italic;">Winston Marrakesh Palm</span></a></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I love this pattern. It reminds me of the unopened buds of a hydrangea blossom. My design plan is to keep a neutral color palette on the chairs, but change up the colors in tablecloths and accent pillows to match the flowers that are in bloom at the time.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> These perennial hydrangeas (in pots right now) will later be planted in my garden.</span><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3prLZgL7ikaB2A_0mvES8z-ZggMMmnn_yFPvbVib5qxRztgKmdSZJAEZtMDgnrHssHna8bO5NffhBAtXd5nZ8JlA-4Ja0bKcah2dxhwtQcWArFbRnvb4bSrxow0OIvsolv0gxtNhzy4/s1600-h/hydrangeacolors.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370393268853908754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3prLZgL7ikaB2A_0mvES8z-ZggMMmnn_yFPvbVib5qxRztgKmdSZJAEZtMDgnrHssHna8bO5NffhBAtXd5nZ8JlA-4Ja0bKcah2dxhwtQcWArFbRnvb4bSrxow0OIvsolv0gxtNhzy4/s400/hydrangeacolors.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This chocolate brown, green and pink outdoor fabric with white ferns would be nice as a table topper or on a set of pillows. It looks very much like the one in the inspiration photo above. Maybe I would pair it with a more subtle pattern on the chair like the stripe in the Winston Cedarkey Kiwi.</span><br /><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqmvIrord9TULT78HQORCnJQVxqwOo55Sc5nub_6aforCLpqBkCunb-ThbeIYrH8tJTw3AozG1EQGY4ipkg66dczajLBBCQ-byuOHPvXTEQ3z8amqsX-TfAlYHk7EPmyVrVV9I8VdREs/s1600-h/whitefernfabric.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370392894292549650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqmvIrord9TULT78HQORCnJQVxqwOo55Sc5nub_6aforCLpqBkCunb-ThbeIYrH8tJTw3AozG1EQGY4ipkg66dczajLBBCQ-byuOHPvXTEQ3z8amqsX-TfAlYHk7EPmyVrVV9I8VdREs/s400/whitefernfabric.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Available at JoAnn Fabrics</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpIIE1pvAigvbxFg8Ins8QODxeG45nIrANXnqHo3yc9x_LTgvYkinSQR1qtnJrjsYK2NyqH09Cft5u4ez5-B-gupBtFD58n8dwDCH62dm8ml_NHcCl91Ei_Hekp0F0jujt6o2aDMNCl4/s1600-h/cedarkeykiwiW.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370783839440677970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpIIE1pvAigvbxFg8Ins8QODxeG45nIrANXnqHo3yc9x_LTgvYkinSQR1qtnJrjsYK2NyqH09Cft5u4ez5-B-gupBtFD58n8dwDCH62dm8ml_NHcCl91Ei_Hekp0F0jujt6o2aDMNCl4/s320/cedarkeykiwiW.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 320px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.winstonfurniture.com/WinstonFabFin.aspx"><span style="font-style: italic;">Winston Cedarkey Kiwi</span></a></span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOsa_BiZkQjjg7JKCXSr9lL4ZwmZZo4u5JqL_dRkqSlCGF-1RF7Vh0sUVmExWcYcyr-rGMWi5-_iAzQ5o86U4N9jR1M9xpgHBI6bdiqlYTiOtCLm5_tK5Es7sxub0NVw_VoMRCU-R0RE/s1600-h/tealplantfabric.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">We chose to cover the walls with a barn-board like MDF that comes in huge vertical sheets and is pre-primed. Since the room is adjacent to our garage that is next to our barn, it seemed appropriate. Painting the entire corner room in brilliant white gives the vertical siding a more glamorous appearance. I love how pristine it looks, and hesitate to put anything on the walls. For now, I am using dark accents to contrast with the white backdrop.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0NioGsFq2K140p6HpC7rvBqR7fY-gQo58kMi2NOKS9LXwtgftPFYb9OSlko7toS_MrtxHPpt4hO9gmSBeXjDwFWx3mUUgyLynWI3fS2TvymqbsIDWrEDsSC5JZNuGHPkeNuvJxC3mLA/s1600-h/cherubcandles.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370392559010847490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0NioGsFq2K140p6HpC7rvBqR7fY-gQo58kMi2NOKS9LXwtgftPFYb9OSlko7toS_MrtxHPpt4hO9gmSBeXjDwFWx3mUUgyLynWI3fS2TvymqbsIDWrEDsSC5JZNuGHPkeNuvJxC3mLA/s400/cherubcandles.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Set of two Parisian Luminaries available<br />through <a href="https://www.southernlivingathome.com/wbslah/skins/s02/index.aspx?repid=568216">Southern Living at Home</a></span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This tablescape with its iron cherub and fretwork candle holders inspires this fabric choice for the chairs ...</span><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi169EW7k5-fgTXtZpWYUur3gdxWuUPMt2mIpZZDqQ-sMzn-R04TQw5EEnQ40D05nNZOqgqYQhIC4-9Liuw1LDKdVj8a1rmSYngSkGxHd-tcCNJljFY3qC0EbsIuWqFCf3eRi_MWbi2jTc/s1600-h/antiquefret.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370782830848603266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi169EW7k5-fgTXtZpWYUur3gdxWuUPMt2mIpZZDqQ-sMzn-R04TQw5EEnQ40D05nNZOqgqYQhIC4-9Liuw1LDKdVj8a1rmSYngSkGxHd-tcCNJljFY3qC0EbsIuWqFCf3eRi_MWbi2jTc/s320/antiquefret.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://www.winstonfurniture.com/WinstonFabFin.aspx"><span style="font-style: italic;">Winston Antique Fret</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">If I decide to have slip covers made through my workroom, I might use this outdoor fabric in a similar pattern (but available at a much lower price point than brand new cushions):</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtuv0xTBzlSak59EzirgP5swjRJfo7VKF_i6zfT00IcQe0o9F0Ziq64_nTCltZTKu4P_vOPnMC_51mBpooTVbuXJDg-mMslF77tulIQ972fGXpn_R_81-MVXEFyFF-4cLUQsVmHgb44I/s1600-h/tanfabric.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370782852812031378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtuv0xTBzlSak59EzirgP5swjRJfo7VKF_i6zfT00IcQe0o9F0Ziq64_nTCltZTKu4P_vOPnMC_51mBpooTVbuXJDg-mMslF77tulIQ972fGXpn_R_81-MVXEFyFF-4cLUQsVmHgb44I/s320/tanfabric.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Available at JoAnn Fabrics</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMkC9GcnL1Vk598B4ZqKuAWTMg0t1HTwDFf-DjvRH6rSD2qEmf1nXCfDPlDYP7E2vktLENluOkmDnkrwvAI-zTPfzy6CWf8jZA-vi_xP_Ecz6EPQRAmvMmd50xRxGXT_k2l2CpY3rVzU/s1600-h/wisteriachinesegardenstool2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370766871061893762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMkC9GcnL1Vk598B4ZqKuAWTMg0t1HTwDFf-DjvRH6rSD2qEmf1nXCfDPlDYP7E2vktLENluOkmDnkrwvAI-zTPfzy6CWf8jZA-vi_xP_Ecz6EPQRAmvMmd50xRxGXT_k2l2CpY3rVzU/s400/wisteriachinesegardenstool2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Maybe I will add this Chinese Garden Stool from</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.wisteria.com/Metallic-Chinese-Garden-Stool-Gold/productinfo/W2843/">Wisteria</a> for a bit of contrast to the white walls.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0VqYsfl9ehJjYgMUl2fQLdZKI20rv80BS8tRJI17blCNObnCijUI7RHC0omQ-Ed_1H30nH7SahtSyf-aF-zbSkkIN1Snu5Hmd5Rv30AEV8Df99JZQOWakBTQWgzG_6vzYecTciRNSQM/s1600-h/gardenview.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361884301785792434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0VqYsfl9ehJjYgMUl2fQLdZKI20rv80BS8tRJI17blCNObnCijUI7RHC0omQ-Ed_1H30nH7SahtSyf-aF-zbSkkIN1Snu5Hmd5Rv30AEV8Df99JZQOWakBTQWgzG_6vzYecTciRNSQM/s400/gardenview.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And if I want to change up the colors completely, this palette of blues and greens would be nice especially if we decide to add that pool next year we keep talking <span style="font-style: italic;">(or dreaming?)</span> about ...</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWlZoSJmMdM4gVPjiI1aGKQMyOxs4xomdn7C7OajmLzJUDjiBS47hwRuRJBhTIFygx36bCodICQ8WhkkctQ-8zzHTFWR0jnauaDqK37KbzrQP8SIwUuupSTpg8gZGuQohkH1nGs2l8r4/s1600-h/skylineseamist.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370782845999097682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWlZoSJmMdM4gVPjiI1aGKQMyOxs4xomdn7C7OajmLzJUDjiBS47hwRuRJBhTIFygx36bCodICQ8WhkkctQ-8zzHTFWR0jnauaDqK37KbzrQP8SIwUuupSTpg8gZGuQohkH1nGs2l8r4/s320/skylineseamist.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.winstonfurniture.com/WinstonFabFin.aspx" style="font-style: italic;">Winston Skyline Sea Mist</a></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4wOpnDZNCtk4BYQdh2w3sGJr2GWJA6YvfNo7WzWn6eLQs7zrv1EWts-aiI-ZQVVXd9ryx7ZoX35-cGYCbOQDS1RLOH35v8KtTBbDqp7QSejLd98ee0NX0Lqpvzpn6isdZVdTdPgcJoY/s1600-h/aquaturquoise.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370782821472403314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4wOpnDZNCtk4BYQdh2w3sGJr2GWJA6YvfNo7WzWn6eLQs7zrv1EWts-aiI-ZQVVXd9ryx7ZoX35-cGYCbOQDS1RLOH35v8KtTBbDqp7QSejLd98ee0NX0Lqpvzpn6isdZVdTdPgcJoY/s320/aquaturquoise.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.winstonfurniture.com/WinstonFabFin.aspx" style="font-style: italic;">Winston Aqua Turquoise</a></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOsa_BiZkQjjg7JKCXSr9lL4ZwmZZo4u5JqL_dRkqSlCGF-1RF7Vh0sUVmExWcYcyr-rGMWi5-_iAzQ5o86U4N9jR1M9xpgHBI6bdiqlYTiOtCLm5_tK5Es7sxub0NVw_VoMRCU-R0RE/s1600-h/tealplantfabric.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370392902721545938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOsa_BiZkQjjg7JKCXSr9lL4ZwmZZo4u5JqL_dRkqSlCGF-1RF7Vh0sUVmExWcYcyr-rGMWi5-_iAzQ5o86U4N9jR1M9xpgHBI6bdiqlYTiOtCLm5_tK5Es7sxub0NVw_VoMRCU-R0RE/s400/tealplantfabric.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Solarium Tropique Peridot</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknZ2FOfKcQgHiA4-BgIawRv6aDL01_FSAmB88xjH0etUf4v5k4CIRkqgLyiSWse-FMYEEJR0fyMYqze9BicPCFk_iBbTTGwJ82QjHTOPorDVH_B4fjkFzijwar426vtyiiXb0_7J5VfU/s1600-h/copperlantern1stD" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370766170078113618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknZ2FOfKcQgHiA4-BgIawRv6aDL01_FSAmB88xjH0etUf4v5k4CIRkqgLyiSWse-FMYEEJR0fyMYqze9BicPCFk_iBbTTGwJ82QjHTOPorDVH_B4fjkFzijwar426vtyiiXb0_7J5VfU/s400/copperlantern1stD" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">I so love this antique lantern, but it’s not in my budget this year (it lists for $3,500) ... from The Elemental Garden on <a href="http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_search.php">1st Dibs</a>.<br /></span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp9IWBOJl8ItrtSoDamQb9HW2hsWTvOvs1rZvPF7rAXGnbxA2HQYiQ5SK1BqeXyMr4d3Z2GK564RFZOqdyrX4GaGuI2Y_-ETwDdCQinm4kwP4x2uuwUjyNaeXY6GYkzh2hIMig7bHz1g/s1600-h/whitewalls.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370407124413826514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp9IWBOJl8ItrtSoDamQb9HW2hsWTvOvs1rZvPF7rAXGnbxA2HQYiQ5SK1BqeXyMr4d3Z2GK564RFZOqdyrX4GaGuI2Y_-ETwDdCQinm4kwP4x2uuwUjyNaeXY6GYkzh2hIMig7bHz1g/s400/whitewalls.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/AVvXsEjBXan4fEy2cqYjIktMDuOtXKR02LkwsuNLKZUm6nGmmknui8gbhMxEfpoJ59ShGaoz2NpmqZGsRp_FyQP3IY4yZkGysfBNDROpm2nE8ASQIpqg24APwStCZJzjUDC7P8gJqA8QEABThyw/s1600-h/whitewallswithart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A work in progress ...</span><br /><br />With such high ceilings, I feel I should make the space more intimate by adding something to the walls (even though I am loving this blank canvas right now). I have a couple of items that may work ...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcBJ0Owsnk_lwiJwGax7kzdtNTuV22jGfsL4piv7HzResqA0s45fq7bGOb1OoIo1eBcuUuokdR5gH7z0X8ai2H9_HOGtFiFVjJfaTWyyN0ftghxSOLx_sHlLhBv3i5z6OdxUz0fUYMww/s1600-h/plaque.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370396156810510722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcBJ0Owsnk_lwiJwGax7kzdtNTuV22jGfsL4piv7HzResqA0s45fq7bGOb1OoIo1eBcuUuokdR5gH7z0X8ai2H9_HOGtFiFVjJfaTWyyN0ftghxSOLx_sHlLhBv3i5z6OdxUz0fUYMww/s400/plaque.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This garden plaque is simple but elegant.<br />I might put it above the cafe table.</span></span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcE7lTXFktkaXvOv8ZW5Vs9r-TGtAIduQupcX1iE6qu26rcI0FTW3br61JpnWd71aZzuwG24Iwwurd_rXZCaK9S00MHj2qJ2LHyxVr5-rCtuB_c4ebDn_6sazvlCrAHs1gAsPkTGa8yA/s1600-h/scrollwork.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370396157439641202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcE7lTXFktkaXvOv8ZW5Vs9r-TGtAIduQupcX1iE6qu26rcI0FTW3br61JpnWd71aZzuwG24Iwwurd_rXZCaK9S00MHj2qJ2LHyxVr5-rCtuB_c4ebDn_6sazvlCrAHs1gAsPkTGa8yA/s400/scrollwork.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />An ornate iron scrollwork piece matches<br />the colors of the ceiling fan and would<br />fit well above the paired seating.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPuU40svaYY0tG5UnulQuykihtIUIIb5e3OuOOVFpje14P7slpuBwIhcyxXmOIlk5EcWBnfDnizlZ1NW5y6WvkeBrZprDkIjldKqjxzRv0vFNRMfCqgrwFdFp2bobHxe6NOa6O-ppH5A/s1600-h/bodiamgardenurnWAH" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370766155629409618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPuU40svaYY0tG5UnulQuykihtIUIIb5e3OuOOVFpje14P7slpuBwIhcyxXmOIlk5EcWBnfDnizlZ1NW5y6WvkeBrZprDkIjldKqjxzRv0vFNRMfCqgrwFdFp2bobHxe6NOa6O-ppH5A/s400/bodiamgardenurnWAH" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 342px;" /></a><a href="http://store.wellappointedhouse.com/Products/147335-the-well-appointed-house-bodiam-garden-urn-in-stone-finish.aspx"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bodiam Garden Urn in Stone Finish</span></a><br />from the <a href="http://www.wellappointedhouse.com/">The Well Appointed House<br /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">At 22 inches high, this urn could be cool as a cocktail table. I would fill it with moss (we have plenty of that around here) and then cover the top with a piece of round glass just slightly larger than the opening. I think I saw something similar at a design show house but it was filled with shells.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7aT9fDfwywYkhg6IyXdkknFyRKd1h1bwTthmh4herqHwd-S8nqoQaWn5E9ylgUqphwXEbdQ2mnp37NaVM4IpA-2Y3QgdJjTH-TjMW9mBtpjHJLRT7aCaAi8AxitCGu-ZJxpxR1FfumY/s1600-h/whitebirdcageVS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371693195936517762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7aT9fDfwywYkhg6IyXdkknFyRKd1h1bwTthmh4herqHwd-S8nqoQaWn5E9ylgUqphwXEbdQ2mnp37NaVM4IpA-2Y3QgdJjTH-TjMW9mBtpjHJLRT7aCaAi8AxitCGu-ZJxpxR1FfumY/s400/whitebirdcageVS.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo courtesy of vintagesteph</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This white vintage birdcage from the curated collection of vintage finds available through <a href="http://www.vintagesteph.com/">vintagesteph</a> would be sweet in the corner with a shade loving plant nestled inside. See more cool items like this at <a href="http://johnandstephblog.blogspot.com/">johnandstephblog.blogspot.com</a></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">And just so you can appreciate how far this space has come, here is the before photo taken in early spring of this year (</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">this is actually an improvement from when we first moved in and it was full of dirt, weeds and a rickety door into the garage).</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Before ...</span></span><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFp1nBFkeuwg8shqXWo6_iEoTTdPHRvGCue_ihKERcBbQAAxA6ka6iR4VoVGwkkcH6okzc9UfVkvT1wHPush_ZxBclKr-X4elsKVAha6ggtMM4SsBDvApNCZ2MGY79Ev9bIjuVUM7iC8/s1600-h/spaceb4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370764666160571586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFp1nBFkeuwg8shqXWo6_iEoTTdPHRvGCue_ihKERcBbQAAxA6ka6iR4VoVGwkkcH6okzc9UfVkvT1wHPush_ZxBclKr-X4elsKVAha6ggtMM4SsBDvApNCZ2MGY79Ev9bIjuVUM7iC8/s400/spaceb4.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">After ...</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFb0_CQQteHFMcXR2FRxZrKmvTEV5SajaT25_-_k47uw_j_4yuBm6DnJTlRW01VcCNI9adDed-IBGn0yrGSIiHo7IYt2jgeedoScaxDH4_3GQbTqncwVnw8U5ZLWThPRz8wjiBnhuTyM/s1600-h/gardenroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370414672375235458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFb0_CQQteHFMcXR2FRxZrKmvTEV5SajaT25_-_k47uw_j_4yuBm6DnJTlRW01VcCNI9adDed-IBGn0yrGSIiHo7IYt2jgeedoScaxDH4_3GQbTqncwVnw8U5ZLWThPRz8wjiBnhuTyM/s400/gardenroom.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6XUJ3OhqOFdf4dFmG4RuSZ8Ulz7inDw5XwjYuokYNNFG-41Ya84UONhwGWhsBQVR6sLo-NGzC-fl2OLiC-DGnKBHCDV4qpEeC4IBWgzwZurwJMSOq4aNzyuXyA8U8MAd57rw3Pk0OI8/s1600-h/orangewhiteblack.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370393258881382770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6XUJ3OhqOFdf4dFmG4RuSZ8Ulz7inDw5XwjYuokYNNFG-41Ya84UONhwGWhsBQVR6sLo-NGzC-fl2OLiC-DGnKBHCDV4qpEeC4IBWgzwZurwJMSOq4aNzyuXyA8U8MAd57rw3Pk0OI8/s400/orangewhiteblack.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">View before ... </span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1o_XyN7B2aN-vit1AdCWcituVd6mYmHrHuwBYTM4NF91ZTTxgWGD9S4v-ksO_OkkFKqgw2Noc_2iwfyt0TNGsIUtaBgAk-YXPzK98mthEF_4lhHA7Ji3DRN81ZFjensoeZJXeCdCEIQ/s1600-h/grapevineb4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370392572083191490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1o_XyN7B2aN-vit1AdCWcituVd6mYmHrHuwBYTM4NF91ZTTxgWGD9S4v-ksO_OkkFKqgw2Noc_2iwfyt0TNGsIUtaBgAk-YXPzK98mthEF_4lhHA7Ji3DRN81ZFjensoeZJXeCdCEIQ/s400/grapevineb4.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">View after ...</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkfweaV_N9s4t1Tb9qAUU9uomKb1_5V7WrI9r2svFfLPJRiY-mXu0HOcYjjsQJl27mf-UXuML0wrjvcWDR6R6ObccD3-RCj2Lz08GoImDUfcAeoHRDK6zs1vsEC-sMIUMeNOLpphLQK4/s1600-h/grapevineafter.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371858066464454978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkfweaV_N9s4t1Tb9qAUU9uomKb1_5V7WrI9r2svFfLPJRiY-mXu0HOcYjjsQJl27mf-UXuML0wrjvcWDR6R6ObccD3-RCj2Lz08GoImDUfcAeoHRDK6zs1vsEC-sMIUMeNOLpphLQK4/s400/grapevineafter.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I created a focal point by adding a plant stand plus vintage gate in front of the grapevine arbor. In a former life, the gate was used to secure the eighteen sheep that used to graze this property in their pen. Now it is hard at work holding back the raspberry cane and other weed-like growth!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Chair before ... </span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eqgL4qTsxVGnro8216kI5-d8opgSP5Z6mhs92VLuvm1kAa071pbvEqq5cinlri2hPLBAMusJx3A9LUa1bfx7MSxcirT8PqA5-PDlc0oEyBguM5d5mWcHNmBzbD_qaXBsev6ifVYpmPY/s1600-h/heartchairb4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370393738325265698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eqgL4qTsxVGnro8216kI5-d8opgSP5Z6mhs92VLuvm1kAa071pbvEqq5cinlri2hPLBAMusJx3A9LUa1bfx7MSxcirT8PqA5-PDlc0oEyBguM5d5mWcHNmBzbD_qaXBsev6ifVYpmPY/s400/heartchairb4.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Chair after ...</span></span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdyfuDOu38_TKSM9lKbGhlRucCWUyzXvJgYN6bmmk2WXHrrWF2PA2IZ-wi_DkoEBH11OgK1OAv-yrMG-SQCSgMt0xX4ENY0PEj8PyFEg3koIRmnr_OIHyJeDyjct7iJdiaQHjnPCJLQE/s1600-h/chairhydrangea.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370392885443847122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdyfuDOu38_TKSM9lKbGhlRucCWUyzXvJgYN6bmmk2WXHrrWF2PA2IZ-wi_DkoEBH11OgK1OAv-yrMG-SQCSgMt0xX4ENY0PEj8PyFEg3koIRmnr_OIHyJeDyjct7iJdiaQHjnPCJLQE/s400/chairhydrangea.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">A client of mine gave me this set of four chairs along with the cafe table. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">In an afternoon, I recovered the ripped vinyl seat cushions with new foam and outdoor fabric in a verdant green striated pattern. Now I use two of them in the space as end tables or spare seating. I could have spray painted the wire frame, but decided a little vintage patina would be a nice contrast to the new fabric.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN57JaZI1bZiHrt9poDibdEAEuR6B79BEhYxS4J2tfbBk_tv7gZp3hUu7hrKSlTsYcvaIsR0NGY5elT0gGxh0X6viiocU_8iLHlshhvcEiClZ_Vwp9Wg_Q223mDS44sPaV7g4QZWvlGw/s1600-h/orangebirdhouse.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370393264633243522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN57JaZI1bZiHrt9poDibdEAEuR6B79BEhYxS4J2tfbBk_tv7gZp3hUu7hrKSlTsYcvaIsR0NGY5elT0gGxh0X6viiocU_8iLHlshhvcEiClZ_Vwp9Wg_Q223mDS44sPaV7g4QZWvlGw/s400/orangebirdhouse.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />Design inspired by nature ...</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >a perennial favorite.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGH1VyILxebpLVfjdAfuTw-0Ok31oIBVH_vmJ6KO6bwj2GpVMN6sjudmnLihCe_0aYlQejC5erQMZ_uUTE7WMe1c9GVLCyqRIIKMOWajRCtv2rdIlCl4rA7uemwqxlotrJYO5yoCdfYM/s1600-h/orangedaylily.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370393279690106194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGH1VyILxebpLVfjdAfuTw-0Ok31oIBVH_vmJ6KO6bwj2GpVMN6sjudmnLihCe_0aYlQejC5erQMZ_uUTE7WMe1c9GVLCyqRIIKMOWajRCtv2rdIlCl4rA7uemwqxlotrJYO5yoCdfYM/s400/orangedaylily.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e1e4RZmXXRoClmSyHOgO98Ix9ZKAdx4bCvh89yyd_iOuB4kdFJwBQMN8VUhN7fBLCuXFu8QYgvUP4xEvn-NNALiyF_guTND7_WYCl62VZf0Q26K63GMuoOzZIgS8RXK80Zotr04_fqo/s1600-h/whitedaisy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370393255525782914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e1e4RZmXXRoClmSyHOgO98Ix9ZKAdx4bCvh89yyd_iOuB4kdFJwBQMN8VUhN7fBLCuXFu8QYgvUP4xEvn-NNALiyF_guTND7_WYCl62VZf0Q26K63GMuoOzZIgS8RXK80Zotr04_fqo/s400/whitedaisy.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL9v9HJ1ReUVTubJ21r3DM5SFH1mx4bu9J9TJybO6FqXzz3-MrHRvPMCaBktaESL6caoj1l516Di29FXVu_7HHKe49ltN9lPs2T2HMjvZ3dh2ZCI-bBqMqFU9bFKoCEsowHYdJ9E7gzA/s1600-h/coffeecup.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370420473501370626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL9v9HJ1ReUVTubJ21r3DM5SFH1mx4bu9J9TJybO6FqXzz3-MrHRvPMCaBktaESL6caoj1l516Di29FXVu_7HHKe49ltN9lPs2T2HMjvZ3dh2ZCI-bBqMqFU9bFKoCEsowHYdJ9E7gzA/s320/coffeecup.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.southernlivingathome.com/wbslah/skins/s02/index.aspx?repid=568216">Southern Living at Home</a></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Coffee Mug in Provence</span></span><br /><br />A special thank you to my husband who spent a couple of weekends building and painting this room, and to my dad who cleared brush and laid the stone “floor” so that I could enjoy my morning coffee al fresco!<br /></div>

My Secret Garden Room

My favorite spot in my house this summer actually isn’t in my house at all. I have been taking my coffee each morning (and a glass of wine m...

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Storyboards online ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen0TEi5G2vLadkWRFocMsN4wJfiB-oTXfWXZ1IBMr9BgIvepOrhH0gK8b_gWAGpNhMGLlhzbZ6ncU7V3AnPUQRbd32YEXCJGisPzo16enOCeC7zUUtGkGKod2EOZUfpmQIDbrggmpCOA/s1600-h/polyvoregap8.17.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371169424544589394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen0TEi5G2vLadkWRFocMsN4wJfiB-oTXfWXZ1IBMr9BgIvepOrhH0gK8b_gWAGpNhMGLlhzbZ6ncU7V3AnPUQRbd32YEXCJGisPzo16enOCeC7zUUtGkGKod2EOZUfpmQIDbrggmpCOA/s400/polyvoregap8.17.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);font-family:lucida grande;" ></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:130%;" >What were you born to do?</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />A storyboard I created to promote <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/gap_jeans_challenge/contest.show?id=94508">Gap jeans</a></span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">In the world of advertising, art directors create storyboards to portray a concept to a client. As an interior decorator, it is a great way to show a collection of items along with the intended mood for a space. I have seen <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/explore">polyvore</a> storyboards on other blogs, and after giving it a shot, I have a new addiction. It is just like working in Photoshop, but SO much easier. Tons of trendy items already silhouetted, neat graphic icons to choose from, cool fonts, and much more. Prices and links are automatically posted with each item.<br /><br />This is my first “set” as polyvore calls it. Expect more to come (along with bags under my eyes from late night posts like this one ... once you get started, it is almost impossible to stop!)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/search.users?query=designvignettes" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">designvignettes</span></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">on polyvore</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.mid=badgecolor&id=971780"><img border="0" height="60" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-colorbadge?.out=png&count=10&src=set_stream&uid=971780" width="120" /></a><br /><br /></div>

Storyboards online ...

What were you born to do? A storyboard I created to promote Gap jeans In the world of advertising, art directors create storyboards to portr...

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yvonne b. designs now on etsy

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmImVPF_xU-VM5gLZcNa7If8QZEnCOdEar43IEuEaCwe_w-LriK6WMUhZtGDE4129_M5wau9aepdJLCQMC7-4C3SYJzWnCbsPXZKXoT_kqoIVirOM7qVZAjhL70iZPbm05-9MsgAMkn08/s1600-h/shellfront.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368580373933251650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmImVPF_xU-VM5gLZcNa7If8QZEnCOdEar43IEuEaCwe_w-LriK6WMUhZtGDE4129_M5wau9aepdJLCQMC7-4C3SYJzWnCbsPXZKXoT_kqoIVirOM7qVZAjhL70iZPbm05-9MsgAMkn08/s400/shellfront.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgRyVTf-YeX3QTnbR1_1PzDdA7j0TFj9nG41kMMsE9SVczvWqV5ws1TxSZVX6dQTAHJRh0qSVFYTLbJxNYSNFRG1nEj3VM4zVLm2E2PyknTkLvhBHu1dfDyPxsHX7Kexb_UjIiDdRKSs/s1600-h/shellaquadot.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368580390457538242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgRyVTf-YeX3QTnbR1_1PzDdA7j0TFj9nG41kMMsE9SVczvWqV5ws1TxSZVX6dQTAHJRh0qSVFYTLbJxNYSNFRG1nEj3VM4zVLm2E2PyknTkLvhBHu1dfDyPxsHX7Kexb_UjIiDdRKSs/s400/shellaquadot.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 233px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQeaJmAHYuoJTWurHr3s0lWy4XrabUz224YXDzuFrzKVpJg2FvKT3vYQS8TU17xFh86QzRdnIAhX9e6cTIqzrXMP4rV3qGRELxTbwE-QXwvKvE9BsZItQSUUNMVpCX1EDiLeUJsQVolM/s1600-h/aquadots.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368580384875268802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQeaJmAHYuoJTWurHr3s0lWy4XrabUz224YXDzuFrzKVpJg2FvKT3vYQS8TU17xFh86QzRdnIAhX9e6cTIqzrXMP4rV3qGRELxTbwE-QXwvKvE9BsZItQSUUNMVpCX1EDiLeUJsQVolM/s400/aquadots.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3G_oBJn5EfrPC_zK0f_mMhx8dIg7WgfGMhmLMdk8gOvuRZzxs8jvuNhqq-vnnJG2-vTNmCxBlnMHVDOQRWqdt4fV2LDZVmHZrhr_l_qvEQoaxcsUAG1wk5_mEaNgcmuRURFdLQXA3MY/s1600-h/trellisgreenvelvetfront.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368580388715490738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3G_oBJn5EfrPC_zK0f_mMhx8dIg7WgfGMhmLMdk8gOvuRZzxs8jvuNhqq-vnnJG2-vTNmCxBlnMHVDOQRWqdt4fV2LDZVmHZrhr_l_qvEQoaxcsUAG1wk5_mEaNgcmuRURFdLQXA3MY/s400/trellisgreenvelvetfront.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ6iU3Cv7YKW5s0ANsDKywgDKAPbLgqYqA0kVDaigF-BawqYiavlNmhGyjbwstecut0OHY7HPmxe_VgUsGI37YHpwnIfWNI-2WUdEyBdSyY6yZkb821rXO_pC00yTz1tvqbDdiN_6uiY/s1600-h/trellisvelvetfront.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368587007621670898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ6iU3Cv7YKW5s0ANsDKywgDKAPbLgqYqA0kVDaigF-BawqYiavlNmhGyjbwstecut0OHY7HPmxe_VgUsGI37YHpwnIfWNI-2WUdEyBdSyY6yZkb821rXO_pC00yTz1tvqbDdiN_6uiY/s400/trellisvelvetfront.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 329px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5555213" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368578662776847426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhq8lTHN_MprjvzJ3NyLXtrkPYlJeAxE89AtuPkUf4Wc7aT03HuNf7GjyyaTaFLlGNskWGyYPo0nHjS0_lx78Fj7TSr8TuIVfV5QAbpxi5JgJzuLQjldpf-fjdwg0uaaRtL-wovCAqCDI/s400/ybdesignsbanner.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 53px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">About a year ago, a friend told me I should list pillows and such from my design collections on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">etsy</a>, an online marketplace for handmade items. Well, I finally did it! Check it out ... I will be adding more items from my “inventory” over the next few days. For now, I have started with my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5555213">Vintage Seaside Collection</a> featured above. Now I have a place to market some fun pieces (sewn by my talented workroom) using fabrics that I love and have collected over the years.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Browse, buy and let me know what you think ...</span><br /></div>

yvonne b. designs now on etsy

About a year ago, a friend told me I should list pillows and such from my design collections on etsy , an online marketplace for handmade it...

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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><span style="font-style: italic;">Postcard image of the York Harbor Reading Room</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">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></span><span style="font-size:100%;">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 </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><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: </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span></span><br /><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><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >A story board I designed around pillows from my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5555213">Vintage Seaside Collection</a></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >based on colors from the shore: coral, sand, seafoam and beachglass</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Q. What color did you use in your room?</span><br /></span><br />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 <span>fixed variables like lighting, flooring and objects in the space</span>. 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.<br /><br /><br /><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><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I chose a blue ceiling to make this dining space more intimate.</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Ceiling: Benjamin Moore Jamestown Blue<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Walls: Benjamin Moore Yorkshire Tan</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Q. What are your thoughts on colored ceilings?</span><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br /><br /><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><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >From my home, a recently added niche in the foyer</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >painted entirely in Benjamin Moore Aura Paint in Secret</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Flower arrangement designed by <a href="http://www.friendswhodesign.com/Flowers_and_Jewelry.php">Beth Hylan</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Q. What are some current design trends?</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >A. The color gray is hot</span><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >A. Going “green” is in</span><br /><br />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.<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:180%;" ><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Q. How do you deal with a client’s collections?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><br /><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><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >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.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Ceiling: Benjamin Moore Pleasant Pink</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Walls: Benjamin Moore Cappuccino</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><br />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 ...<br /><br /><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><span style="font-style: italic;">If you love pink, embrace it!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kitchen Aid available at </span><a href="http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=106695&CategoryID=29425" style="font-style: italic;">Macy’s online</a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br />Q. In your opinion, what are some of the top decorating faux pas?</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:180%;" ><br /></span><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><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />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.<br />Highlighting too many angles created a disjointed look.</span></span><br /><br /><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><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">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.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Walls and ceiling: Benjamin Moore Timid White</span></span><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Q. What are your thoughts on HGTV and do you have a favorite designer?</span><br /></div><br /><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><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Candice Olson autographing my copy of her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Candice-Olson-Design-Inspiration-Ideas/dp/0696225840"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Candice Olson on Design</span></a> at a lecture she gave at <a href="http://www.circlefurniture.com/">Circle Furniture</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > Yes, she is just as tall, gorgeous and funny in person as she is on her </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >HGTV </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >show Divine Design!</span><br /><br /><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.<br /><br /><br /><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><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My (unsigned *sigh*) copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Rules-Transform-Place-Youll/dp/1401301371">Nate’s book</a></span></span><br /><br />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 <span style="font-style: italic;">Oprah Live your Best Life Tour</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>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"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Oprah’s Big Give</span></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.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:130%;" >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.<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />And if you haven</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >’</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >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! </span><br /></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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