Fashionably Chic Condo, part 2

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

Fashionably Chic Condo, part 2

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

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Design deja vu ... the printed word recycled

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

Design deja vu ... the printed word recycled

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

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Favorite fall flower ... Autumn Joy

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

Favorite fall flower ... Autumn Joy

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

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I SPY ... the printed word recycled

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa0byIS2BZII7KWGrU67EDeRyr9Ih9wbo3EYvN5EXB50Q_OKjdppqS2g0RtLxq7t9jRBi4KHZLrReKLW21flOKCy-uFQRlZ5W9fwfBduOFSflJYTLxLKa9Pjbk6njdWB-6PEv2Hmdb44/s1600-h/magazinevasesplateHG.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382041130697931410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa0byIS2BZII7KWGrU67EDeRyr9Ih9wbo3EYvN5EXB50Q_OKjdppqS2g0RtLxq7t9jRBi4KHZLrReKLW21flOKCy-uFQRlZ5W9fwfBduOFSflJYTLxLKa9Pjbk6njdWB-6PEv2Hmdb44/s400/magazinevasesplateHG.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Spotted this week at my local HomeGoods</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">eye-catching containers fashioned out of recycled magazines<br />that would look very cool on a desk in a home office.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have been clearing the clutter from the 2nd floor space above my garage this week. Basically, it is a storage area gone wild ... full of toys, books, seasonal clothing, furniture found on the side of the road to be transformed (when???) into something beautiful, and TONS OF DESIGN MAGAZINES! While I can never part with a good magazine (I seriously have a problem letting my little photo-filled friends go!) I did run across a couple of sites that feature printed materials repurposed for decorative use.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw0qzFKoXAXBXzjZWNepncQZHngjH55vSbHbm6wTj0I8J78hBsYGteG3YEhm132JxBea7b-O-ZMbrgs67v0I0dKd8LgDiu11SIWT71EVeouwmbdF47LAq5PRpKz3U1o1prBcVSjyc75A/s1600-h/Recycled+Magazine+Round+Mirror.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382141736067977426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw0qzFKoXAXBXzjZWNepncQZHngjH55vSbHbm6wTj0I8J78hBsYGteG3YEhm132JxBea7b-O-ZMbrgs67v0I0dKd8LgDiu11SIWT71EVeouwmbdF47LAq5PRpKz3U1o1prBcVSjyc75A/s400/Recycled+Magazine+Round+Mirror.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 372px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.mirrorsource.com/Linon-Recycled-Magazine-Round-Mirror-AOTO-MIR030RD.htm">Recycled Magazine Round Wall Mirror</a><br />by Linon available online at<br /><a href="http://mirrorsource.com/">mirrorsource.com</a></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhBQvqOyn7WU9N7DLw7r2T2CnVKtHwu7G-dBAQfnurlZNl_y_djHhmZVMkBW7OUcMiMB_JXtNnsE492tsgNMgB5x0TEQ9xFjFf2EMt4SgacBz0F_Um4GzggzyuNmSEebUnwO7zqvbFYo/s1600-h/yhst-20493720720238_2072_97464173.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382149611855258146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhBQvqOyn7WU9N7DLw7r2T2CnVKtHwu7G-dBAQfnurlZNl_y_djHhmZVMkBW7OUcMiMB_JXtNnsE492tsgNMgB5x0TEQ9xFjFf2EMt4SgacBz0F_Um4GzggzyuNmSEebUnwO7zqvbFYo/s400/yhst-20493720720238_2072_97464173.gif" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.greenergrassdesign.com/gecko-market.html">Eco-Weekender Recycled Market Bag</a><br />These totes made from recycled rice and feed bags lined with cotton, are a green-fashion-statement and a real steal at $25.00 each<br /><a href="http://www.greenergrassdesign.com/">greenergrassdesign.com</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I love this site!</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> xoxo</span><a href="http://www.magazine.org/environment/21345.aspx"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzf9IyKE_bv900mLOjjaRqC6gMofFIFvA2uTDdNaXAxROehZ7BZOdg44US7dBvwwbLOyLdHlZXtPthuE_m83ANpQQhc32prASei8WxPiXEOcXGppJJdk2FQoxQ9o038Sjq0djQTpAciaA/s1600-h/NewspaperTote.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382045269110566194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzf9IyKE_bv900mLOjjaRqC6gMofFIFvA2uTDdNaXAxROehZ7BZOdg44US7dBvwwbLOyLdHlZXtPthuE_m83ANpQQhc32prASei8WxPiXEOcXGppJJdk2FQoxQ9o038Sjq0djQTpAciaA/s400/NewspaperTote.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 201px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=16233&source=related_bn">Recycled Newspaper Market Bag</a><br />from <a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/">uncommongoods.com</a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><br />A little pricey at $52.00 each, but they remind me of how my mom always wrapped our birthday gifts with the comic section of the Sunday paper. She still wraps gifts in this offbeat way, using the front of a card, magazine spreads and even junk mail (stickers and gift cards from charities, it all gets put to use)! I wish I had a photo of the refrigerator that she decoupaged when I was little. It was AMAZING. She covered the entire front of a vintage fridge with magazine clippings and then shellaced the entire collage. Hmm, I might just have an idea for those magazines I have been saving after all! </span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7M_RDk_kAMWwGazX4cj6awyy-X8OLBf_THQ6eucAcqObOS9qYaBmdFgzBmUXx8xmTkmkwhO4D454dC4wt30LvykWHAwdcwmydA67qfHiMiCYahE504A0QX4IGXX6MPNsiKEO8KGZvyUI/s1600-h/wildthing.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382135625931583026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7M_RDk_kAMWwGazX4cj6awyy-X8OLBf_THQ6eucAcqObOS9qYaBmdFgzBmUXx8xmTkmkwhO4D454dC4wt30LvykWHAwdcwmydA67qfHiMiCYahE504A0QX4IGXX6MPNsiKEO8KGZvyUI/s400/wildthing.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 340px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />In the meantime, </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I discovered a worn-to-bits, but much-loved copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Wild-Things-Maurice-Sendak/dp/0060254920/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253131994&sr=8-1"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where the Wild Things Are</span></a> by Maurice Sendak in a box of books that I had put away. I surprised my boys by framing a page for their bedroom (of course then they wanted to read the whole story -- minus one page -- oops!). Luckily, the movie version of this story is being released in just a few weeks.<span style="font-style: italic;"> 6 (recyclable) tickets please!<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/83785/6_ways_to_recycle_old_magazines.html?cat=25">Find a way to recycle your magazines</a><br />and this post (forward to a friend!)</span><br /><br /><br /></div>

I SPY ... the printed word recycled

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

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Color Stories: Back-to-school palette

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArUgHwMcMyvG1qLtjSH9amrXbBTIou17ctr1zZ7DX3Ag4xCrAAMJsr6R9kHAKiv3brXIFSydFmTRFp3bZvFh-GkdCXqLCErktPRY0dTc5de1MuH3XBFHwp1r7u2tLfvA9zYYEvA0oqR4/s1600-h/bus.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380301901569556482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArUgHwMcMyvG1qLtjSH9amrXbBTIou17ctr1zZ7DX3Ag4xCrAAMJsr6R9kHAKiv3brXIFSydFmTRFp3bZvFh-GkdCXqLCErktPRY0dTc5de1MuH3XBFHwp1r7u2tLfvA9zYYEvA0oqR4/s400/bus.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 237px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">With the start of the school year officially well underway, the color yellow is looking pretty good to me! Here are some design choices in back-to-school colors that make me smile ...</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJO-xgTn67gwDivHg6-B90FzYjWipkG6zJOD6Gb7TWW3IUSs5vtnau5uB5jqyzxTUx-Csv_nxcZuICN7BSwG2lCxMlnJSvrDueTcQFX8xUiW8TeP8gkTlRYMvtltn3ntjLGWOnxMjlqE/s1600-h/yellowgroundFB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380319292686451234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJO-xgTn67gwDivHg6-B90FzYjWipkG6zJOD6Gb7TWW3IUSs5vtnau5uB5jqyzxTUx-Csv_nxcZuICN7BSwG2lCxMlnJSvrDueTcQFX8xUiW8TeP8gkTlRYMvtltn3ntjLGWOnxMjlqE/s400/yellowgroundFB.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 208px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size:180%;">Paint colors from Farrow & Ball ...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Yellow Ground 218 combined</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> with Pitch Black 256</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_2Jp5R0ra2vfIrUPF35_W3kp1704D0tMrohMLPM9kZA2ROuLiYYsf-iswcpr4goaO9Lt9LOZEnFtcork3jhbbWn7AKPuGJmUp8GDHQuMBwt5QGD50xvf_MbeyArn9yIDynvWslBDirE/s1600-h/pitchblack.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380340073973091266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_2Jp5R0ra2vfIrUPF35_W3kp1704D0tMrohMLPM9kZA2ROuLiYYsf-iswcpr4goaO9Lt9LOZEnFtcork3jhbbWn7AKPuGJmUp8GDHQuMBwt5QGD50xvf_MbeyArn9yIDynvWslBDirE/s400/pitchblack.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWDTXwI5Id9-T0U28QNm60RSBCCm8_uLcXbBQScU2TcLvjddDzBJejqTBvMV7FDEPscHuX-pTH2n9sTmmu8GsGNzOZbrn4HlMfWAdnd264NsHeaKEwuM0jViVeULjk3CobhCLW5tSjFE/s1600-h/yellowblackcottagetablesCF.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380324336228531010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWDTXwI5Id9-T0U28QNm60RSBCCm8_uLcXbBQScU2TcLvjddDzBJejqTBvMV7FDEPscHuX-pTH2n9sTmmu8GsGNzOZbrn4HlMfWAdnd264NsHeaKEwuM0jViVeULjk3CobhCLW5tSjFE/s400/yellowblackcottagetablesCF.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 360px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />A basic piece done with class ...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.circlefurniture.com/catalog/details.html?x=252&t=table-occasional" style="font-style: italic;">Maine Cottage Occasional Tables</a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />from Circle Furniture</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_rQITfaE5tK34K6jFOWysSrWd6gdn02-0uEXQ5d8TMCUywNpbVddOwaEXifMMH32ZgDB5VGKXJpV76ZKR54_tCygidAK2m0gvAAlW68CL92mDHXrgpajeoXEY4aZw6koQX1xHmOUBsg/s1600-h/ponychairARW" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380335127227886850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_rQITfaE5tK34K6jFOWysSrWd6gdn02-0uEXQ5d8TMCUywNpbVddOwaEXifMMH32ZgDB5VGKXJpV76ZKR54_tCygidAK2m0gvAAlW68CL92mDHXrgpajeoXEY4aZw6koQX1xHmOUBsg/s400/ponychairARW" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Best dressed ...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.artfurnitureontheweb.com/noframe/items/179212nf.html" style="font-style: italic;">Pony Leather Chair</a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />from Art Furniture on the Web</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SQvULQViEGs1fVN04wBkwSyFY71A_dalAa6dZHYNycxdlDoWh_ojrIrgoQRmrWM8_jQqfrtr6vFDpgh97K4oEeCDrLX2XDB3IVPkwkg_33Im7flcJ1CmIpfAmzE9NAxa0V8YbRxZz6c/s1600-h/tangoblackCC" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380336490483993106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SQvULQViEGs1fVN04wBkwSyFY71A_dalAa6dZHYNycxdlDoWh_ojrIrgoQRmrWM8_jQqfrtr6vFDpgh97K4oEeCDrLX2XDB3IVPkwkg_33Im7flcJ1CmIpfAmzE9NAxa0V8YbRxZz6c/s400/tangoblackCC" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">When fabric imitates art ...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.calicocorners.com/product/designer+fabrics+for+the+home/shop+fabrics+by+color/black/tango+positivo.do" style="font-style: italic;">Tango Positivo</a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />from Calico Corners</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeR54e2DZi3Oy99kgIYN_oaHWQJY5L18JMT6RLf9H-Eh-5DqqRdTUYwrv4hufSgZNDS9auG6bv5EQO_EkXfwdqzi6KMQIedxU-jQchMBnT2X7zGnJCqZn_COR7BhpYTynDNVjpjnJpolM/s1600-h/object_utils.display_object.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380180081002803490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeR54e2DZi3Oy99kgIYN_oaHWQJY5L18JMT6RLf9H-Eh-5DqqRdTUYwrv4hufSgZNDS9auG6bv5EQO_EkXfwdqzi6KMQIedxU-jQchMBnT2X7zGnJCqZn_COR7BhpYTynDNVjpjnJpolM/s400/object_utils.display_object.jpeg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 347px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />An educated choice</span><br />(made from recycled wood)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Chalk It Up Wall Bins</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">from </span><a href="http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/%21stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.484184.919994.3891116.page" style="font-style: italic;">Viva Terra</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRbfS_SflV05VlqrcazXJQatLSDvzm-Yi1R7z6QkPs-rm-TGLsIzhE93ZBZPi7Cn6txq73jzJZh5T9CrfUau8yaCycKbhSY5eZrkA8TiFQfm5Oe3iKG3d6v3nwcPkCcW7aAhrbvNqC9c/s1600-h/WSlemonsink" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380332461116990418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRbfS_SflV05VlqrcazXJQatLSDvzm-Yi1R7z6QkPs-rm-TGLsIzhE93ZBZPi7Cn6txq73jzJZh5T9CrfUau8yaCycKbhSY5eZrkA8TiFQfm5Oe3iKG3d6v3nwcPkCcW7aAhrbvNqC9c/s400/WSlemonsink" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;">This water bubbler is </span><span style="font-size:180%;">tres chic </span><span style="font-size:180%;">... </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.homeportfolio.com/catalog/Product.jhtml?prodId=187908&listGridPref=grid" style="font-style: italic;">Linea Pocieta</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> in Yellow Lemeon</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />from WS Bath Collections</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />as shown on HomePortfolio.com</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="manName"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM__bHEZMbVjrBW0CbtiVTglffZJDmQqn_L6GzYyuP1WB6PbXtN-7M2-JVAU9pwAJmeR2L2S1v2IbhXUlsjBEFCUa3zs5OFIC6EXtjhqwwse-oz1fAyreYpFvgFFViAKeT7fqHSi_VCqg/s1600-h/31ZYaOF6CuL._SL500_AA267_.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380190516999161426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM__bHEZMbVjrBW0CbtiVTglffZJDmQqn_L6GzYyuP1WB6PbXtN-7M2-JVAU9pwAJmeR2L2S1v2IbhXUlsjBEFCUa3zs5OFIC6EXtjhqwwse-oz1fAyreYpFvgFFViAKeT7fqHSi_VCqg/s400/31ZYaOF6CuL._SL500_AA267_.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 267px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">A school day is a good day ...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Smiley Happy Face Mug</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />from </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Treasured Designs</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />available on </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smiley-Happy-Face-Coffee-Great/dp/B000MBT8OG/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_b" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon.com</a></div></div><br /></div>

Color Stories: Back-to-school palette

With the start of the school year officially well underway, the color yellow is looking pretty good to me! Here are some design choices in b...

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We have a winner!

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgKvJHMWhKbGHDlIUPNeqji2cFiXPFw7pmzU8w1HDGl8ts0wMWcWv_i6xns7ELm6-HjeKiJAR0IXtsh_wEfHOw-01rHWqWs0LZb32q9Ec4RnAuyW-jN8MNmAq1Wio7exJCnZ6aqdPnxg/s1600-h/antonioLR" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381391753653260658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgKvJHMWhKbGHDlIUPNeqji2cFiXPFw7pmzU8w1HDGl8ts0wMWcWv_i6xns7ELm6-HjeKiJAR0IXtsh_wEfHOw-01rHWqWs0LZb32q9Ec4RnAuyW-jN8MNmAq1Wio7exJCnZ6aqdPnxg/s400/antonioLR" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Antonio’s eclectic living room gets my vote</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://my.hgtv.com/judge-the-designs-gallery/Episode-9/Antonios-Design-The-Starr-Home/detail.esi?oid=8096838">Photo from HGTV Design Star website</a></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">As any artist knows, design is a subjective matter. But in the case of </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >HGTV Design Star</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, the winner has to be far more than a thoughtful designer who can get the job done. He (in this case) has to be able to entertain and give viewers a reason to tune in. Who isn’t just a little curious about what Antonio is going to come up with over the course of his own show? I admit I favored Antonio because he is a firm believer in setting a stage, just like I am. Everyone has a unique story to tell – create some star-quality drama and have fun doing it. I find Antonio’s renegade sense of humor refreshing, and love the fact that he looks capable of handling any design challenge from start to finish. While he could use a little help pulling together the small details </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >(need an interior stylist on your crew??)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> I am looking forward to tuning-in to HGTV to see more of his entertaining take on design.</span><br /></div>

We have a winner!

Antonio’s eclectic living room gets my vote Photo from HGTV Design Star website As any artist knows, design is a subjective matter. But in t...

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Who will be the next HGTV Design Star?

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9h2AWyabePx3u9DdjA3bg7JN7IWxGmOyt9PQuxoNncq14mDx58zmyC78vtzT5CTwsUSeiKDCdGxZXOqa0aO0oI2H654XVqUg5oN29C_M8_9Kl53R_8Di9I0Zni0kvAmNjNIFO7olffFw/s1600-h/AntonioDan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381054300983071650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9h2AWyabePx3u9DdjA3bg7JN7IWxGmOyt9PQuxoNncq14mDx58zmyC78vtzT5CTwsUSeiKDCdGxZXOqa0aO0oI2H654XVqUg5oN29C_M8_9Kl53R_8Di9I0Zni0kvAmNjNIFO7olffFw/s400/AntonioDan.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><a href="http://blog.hgtv.com/design-star/"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Image from the HGTV Design Star Blog</span></span></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br />Antonio or Dan ... who would you choose?</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have to admit, I love a good design competition. The </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >HGTV Design Star</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> finale airs tonight at 10pm and I am obsessing over who is going to win. Will it be Dan Vickery, the you-must-stop-giggling 27-year old who has made-for-tv-good-looks along with some really cool design ideas? Or will we get to see more of the surprisingly creative fresh-voiced (I-can-get-it-done-just-don’t-get-in-my-way) talent of edgy and experienced 40-year old set-designer Antonio Ballatore? And of the canceled finalists (9 total) who would you like to see host an online show? Post your picks and get your snacks ready for tonight’s showdown. I know who my design star favorite is ...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxMJlOtgo-IHiNFrajb5B3OfU2vjEmgabVTEYa07mzaOO7bMn-1HLQZADjQIbdgy4U02rQWaJrk672Pxd0fbMwe_JcOI_A6-84lLRlnuRz6nv159aB-s20HMKCcJP4-SIOfQO5_oxCGI/s1600-h/knappaIkea" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381050194483916994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxMJlOtgo-IHiNFrajb5B3OfU2vjEmgabVTEYa07mzaOO7bMn-1HLQZADjQIbdgy4U02rQWaJrk672Pxd0fbMwe_JcOI_A6-84lLRlnuRz6nv159aB-s20HMKCcJP4-SIOfQO5_oxCGI/s400/knappaIkea" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">An HGTV design favorite</span><br /><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60071344"><span style="font-style: italic;">Knappa Pendant Lamp</span></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">from IKEA</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /></div>

Who will be the next HGTV Design Star?

Image from the HGTV Design Star Blog Antonio or Dan ... who would you choose? I have to admit, I love a good design competition. The HGTV De...

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