Home Ideas - Modern Home Design

Showing some love for Nate Berkus

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Nate-Berkus-Last-Oprah-Show" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482470198036881586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjlvZw1weRnWmrzcUNlA-g9yO9bmJ2rMrUR17sgS258rqIOSoSdRfOrhweRJHFaekloe5VXKW4nXqWq8v88D10swXhXpH3m0hRqX-Zq8rfrrn4uTtneXC4sB4Orbjd9ntJglOmzdm7QQ/s400/nateberkusO.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 168px;" /></a>Nate’s <a href="http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Nate-Berkus-Last-Oprah-Show">Oprah Show Farewell</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">When my boys were all little (and before I had DVR ; ) I spent many an afternoon from 4pm to 5pm, tuned in to the <a href="http://www.oprah.com/index.html">Oprah</a> show. Like many other stay-at-home moms, a really good day would involve a guest appearance by “cutie-pie decorator” (as Oprah calls him) Nate Berkus. If Nate was on, I would telephone other friends who were home (we did not talk via email or text back then) and I would snuggle on the couch (usually with a baby in my arms), put my feet up (without a bit of guilt!) and dream of Nate knocking on my own door some day! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeW6VzeGOJ3tFj3CTDlSbzeiIxUKSH76T7PKz5QiWsO_gpO7WWqurALcCwzwO6AI90fwuUVqQ_lzuywUZGbKgkVfmHePGDLrKH1JIIJE6D_ayDTvvlXArmLoukg81FR4opFLKWsZ4dMk/s1600/bostonaptNB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482469255422295938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeW6VzeGOJ3tFj3CTDlSbzeiIxUKSH76T7PKz5QiWsO_gpO7WWqurALcCwzwO6AI90fwuUVqQ_lzuywUZGbKgkVfmHePGDLrKH1JIIJE6D_ayDTvvlXArmLoukg81FR4opFLKWsZ4dMk/s400/bostonaptNB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" /></a>{Image From Nate’s book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Rules-Transform-Place-Youll/dp/1401301371/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276489345&sr=8-1">Home Rules</a>} Photograph by John Bessler <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Nate-Berkus-Best-Makeovers/1#slide">Nate’s first makeover</a> for the Oprah show, in which he gives a tiny Boston apartment star treatment, is still one of my all-time favorites. His philosophy of appreciating what you have to work with – and making it work for how you live – is what made me fall in love. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeW6VzeGOJ3tFj3CTDlSbzeiIxUKSH76T7PKz5QiWsO_gpO7WWqurALcCwzwO6AI90fwuUVqQ_lzuywUZGbKgkVfmHePGDLrKH1JIIJE6D_ayDTvvlXArmLoukg81FR4opFLKWsZ4dMk/s1600/bostonaptNB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"> </a> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Rules-Transform-Place-Youll/dp/1401301371/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276489345&sr=8-1" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482470207290689986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WIYNVsq6TKfxW8HacL89EXhvxby-ZwJByky_0UAARurG0cmQ7kqxctXXV23IS_3jwH52aC2WuWdMKIGdISKH0LFBR1xw1mMgePArEGdNecrxXrItL999aLqU3Q_DZMsSR7VTB6lQDWk/s400/natesbook.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Rules-Transform-Place-Youll/dp/1401301371/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276489345&sr=8-1" style="font-weight: bold;">Home Rules</a> by Nate Berkus Photograph by Fernando Bengoechea </div></div> While Nate has only been a “virtual” guest in my home, I actually have seen him in person at Oprah’s “Live Your Best Life” tour when it came to Boston. I wasn’t blogging back then, but if I was, I surely would have made every effort to get a snapshot with one of my favorite design stars! Instead, my sister and I listened to him share his decorating tips and techniques, and when it came time for the audience to ask him questions I was TOO SHY to raise my hand (what would you have done????) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvCkhPC3pypjaf8eG84gU61bgXwp5TTm0mASfm7BIysrbH1fGFh5_O3Pl7Vo5UnZ3GTTM1skhB8a_vThJ4tE3siInpEaDE1Qm6cjQhE9vgZjtVqORxq051KokATbHGZrbwPTSTFbHaVw/s1600/signaturestylew:bunny.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482530439067527426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvCkhPC3pypjaf8eG84gU61bgXwp5TTm0mASfm7BIysrbH1fGFh5_O3Pl7Vo5UnZ3GTTM1skhB8a_vThJ4tE3siInpEaDE1Qm6cjQhE9vgZjtVqORxq051KokATbHGZrbwPTSTFbHaVw/s400/signaturestylew:bunny.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" /></a>Nate’s book was a part of my designed space at the <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/05/designers-before-and-after.html">North Shore Design Show: Favorite Spaces</a> I do have a copy of Nate’s book, however, and here are a few photos of my favorite Nate-designed spaces ... <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3iDlkmbNTF5rX6M5EnQ-mwF7XnceSyA005Pys3UiPQK6_4du6V4Jx7oiU09esD4U3Uzl4b5JcKFJB59gHrdZ-xT_9w9Yq5pJ5llulwh8EADTkb4pV6DY0yaENwN2bZ9tq7E1rV32rg4/s1600/pinkdiningroomNB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482469264677996946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3iDlkmbNTF5rX6M5EnQ-mwF7XnceSyA005Pys3UiPQK6_4du6V4Jx7oiU09esD4U3Uzl4b5JcKFJB59gHrdZ-xT_9w9Yq5pJ5llulwh8EADTkb4pV6DY0yaENwN2bZ9tq7E1rV32rg4/s400/pinkdiningroomNB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px;" /></a>{Image From Nate’s book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Rules-Transform-Place-Youll/dp/1401301371/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276489345&sr=8-1">Home Rules</a>} Photograph by John Bessler </div> Even Trading Spaces host, <a href="http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/meet-the-team/paige-davis.html">Paige Davis</a>, knew Nate could help her live beautifully. He combined her love of modern and rustic in a big way when he made over her small space apartment. Using organic items to decorate a space is a common feature in Nate’s work. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mMU8n7mrG1DoNEIVn7N2_aHZwL0K6KcXlQv3oBi-UEf4Xr97KCVONgn1_PYxvMZqTGFtKcg2-rFDrRmimwsxc5y7gZvw3qMGYGq6zqvPvVvCL532wpz-d1BD7JM9gH17Bcmqgo6T20U/s1600/boysroomNB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07sA03_KNFUYe99zUIgB-fUJbjpEr_DgUHJtIUFh_j7_-nF7wahdMK0joKltfZTFy3KWqiVcR_hh4dQ44CrsHhSyKhX89lRPOu6cWt3enMDzFtJfSfDVubMQKUN0u4_3GfroSzMkNLqg/s1600/featherasartNB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482476328108762466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07sA03_KNFUYe99zUIgB-fUJbjpEr_DgUHJtIUFh_j7_-nF7wahdMK0joKltfZTFy3KWqiVcR_hh4dQ44CrsHhSyKhX89lRPOu6cWt3enMDzFtJfSfDVubMQKUN0u4_3GfroSzMkNLqg/s400/featherasartNB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" /></a>{Image From Nate’s book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Rules-Transform-Place-Youll/dp/1401301371/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276489345&sr=8-1">Home Rules</a>} Photograph by Fernando Bengoechea This makeover incorporated sacred moments to celebrate the passed life of a loved one. <a href="http://www.oprah.com/home/Let-the-Sun-Shine-In/2#slide" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482473703188035618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIS2OcS6wv2ZdMTe4yb2mqIouW2PDar_prga898YV-kRBLK-lBqDFgy1PvPVKl9xG2QsiWzopTgnOr4-omy-Jlfu6CWFmSCdZg4nw7e1uyMWoFaB1rbHS7IBnLw2Ud84bH_xSIRRUNzQ/s400/letthesunshineinNB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 253px;" /></a><a href="http://www.oprah.com/home/Let-the-Sun-Shine-In/2#slide">Let the sun shine in</a> featured on Oprah.com Photograph by Fernando Bengoechea Recently Nate announced on Oprah that he will be launching his own talk show on September 13th. The Nate Berkus Show “will apply his approach to decorating to every part of life.” Sign me up! What I have always loved the most about Nate is that his style is always about people and not things. Objects are cherished for the memories that they represent. Every space is more about the unique presence of individuals than it is about following trends or having the latest and the greatest. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mMU8n7mrG1DoNEIVn7N2_aHZwL0K6KcXlQv3oBi-UEf4Xr97KCVONgn1_PYxvMZqTGFtKcg2-rFDrRmimwsxc5y7gZvw3qMGYGq6zqvPvVvCL532wpz-d1BD7JM9gH17Bcmqgo6T20U/s1600/boysroomNB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482469387138556050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mMU8n7mrG1DoNEIVn7N2_aHZwL0K6KcXlQv3oBi-UEf4Xr97KCVONgn1_PYxvMZqTGFtKcg2-rFDrRmimwsxc5y7gZvw3qMGYGq6zqvPvVvCL532wpz-d1BD7JM9gH17Bcmqgo6T20U/s400/boysroomNB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px;" /></a>{Image From Nate’s book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Rules-Transform-Place-Youll/dp/1401301371/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276489345&sr=8-1">Home Rules</a>} Photograph by John Bessler I love that this child’s room is super sophisticated, yet visually playful at the same time. <a href="http://www.oprah.com/home/Go-Inside-Nates-Home/7#slide" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482472304338742866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ps6wI92IdPt66D5hUNyOVQMhSKbvfaumnPcW6Fs27_HbliBlXb4r8wp-nQ8e9FwEEi_KfbnVoczIXkQBk6d1d0EcGlzZbGgKCLIUhkG89vdbuMl0Iqgqh1xqYGku8WJnUy-DoWkK2zo/s400/nateshome.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 349px; height: 262px;" /></a><a href="http://www.oprah.com/home/Go-Inside-Nates-Home/7#slide">Go inside Nate’s home</a> as featured on Oprah.com Nate’s own home appears thoughtful and subdued. I am beginning to appreciate his desire for white walls! </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pK5RA2BkTdtAA_a4EOR88vsn2guGuZ60DNkWAYjytrh9To5pQX1EQTyAFHwPi-7Y5dtZC-wsGECUGD-zS2TNW6WxmSgZ-5jiNctTnXWp8toSTg1hJjzdxNsqJr2dEK23GZSdcWrF9to/s1600/containersNB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482469278941975970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pK5RA2BkTdtAA_a4EOR88vsn2guGuZ60DNkWAYjytrh9To5pQX1EQTyAFHwPi-7Y5dtZC-wsGECUGD-zS2TNW6WxmSgZ-5jiNctTnXWp8toSTg1hJjzdxNsqJr2dEK23GZSdcWrF9to/s400/containersNB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" /></a>{Image From Nate’s book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Rules-Transform-Place-Youll/dp/1401301371/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276489345&sr=8-1">Home Rules</a>} Photograph by John Bessler </div> <div style="text-align: center;">Nate is an avid collector and loves to shop the antique markets. For his new venture, I hope that he plans to take us along for the ride on his shopping - and life - journeys. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgDKGmLMQ2VWwvlem0M_GbmBWQQkvR9YcYU24aBwJAM8N_DmdLKuUcf5ZbnHyCioFxzLn1VoJzI9o5mb7tbe6fK9_ofyzdWDn5QSpDjLDhxKvsOSHDUc0ST4vS7SbCobR1Zy78jJIqAc/s1600/linen+woodboxNB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482479391842738210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgDKGmLMQ2VWwvlem0M_GbmBWQQkvR9YcYU24aBwJAM8N_DmdLKuUcf5ZbnHyCioFxzLn1VoJzI9o5mb7tbe6fK9_ofyzdWDn5QSpDjLDhxKvsOSHDUc0ST4vS7SbCobR1Zy78jJIqAc/s320/linen+woodboxNB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" /></a>In my own home: a pretty, yet functional, Nate Berkus item from a collection that he designed for <a href="http://www.lnt.com/home" style="font-style: italic;">Linens-N-Things</a> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://home-decor.hsn.com/nate-berkus-50-x-70-herringbone-throw_p-5838311_xp.aspx?webm_id=0&web_id=5838311&sf=hd&dept=hd0003&cat=hd0021&attr=5936&ocm=hd%7C5936%7Chd0003%7Chd0021&prev=hp%21sf%21dept%215936&ccm=hd%7C5936%7Chd0003%7Chd0021" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482469248232582066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5M9FgVRo-gRt66yB5wtgGL925GKuih9TcUb6mBpIj-YTlswzJ8GBje5mgdZSBFqpvSm5JUZr_mLKFFaTBReSkYVlnavLaVsWuV3ELmnJWGIhMCPc2bR2mBlkV3K-doCFcYwQWaNiR-0M/s400/nateberkusthrowHSN.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 293px;" /></a><a href="http://home-decor.hsn.com/nate-berkus-50-x-70-herringbone-throw_p-5838311_xp.aspx?webm_id=0&web_id=5838311&sf=hd&dept=hd0003&cat=hd0021&attr=5936&ocm=hd%7C5936%7Chd0003%7Chd0021&prev=hp%21sf%21dept%215936&ccm=hd%7C5936%7Chd0003%7Chd0021" style="font-style: italic;">Herringbone Throw</a> from Nate’s collection </div><div style="text-align: center;">for the Home Shopping Network. Love it! Nate has certainly been very busy over the past eight years, taking on over-the-top decorating makeovers to small space challenges to creating products for us at home to hosting a talk-radio program and even a charitable reality show (remember <a href="http://www.oprah.com/oprahradio/Oprahs-Big-Give-Host-Nate-Berkus">Oprah’s Big Give?</a>) I am sure that whatever Nate takes on next will be guided by his warm and caring nature and his “big ole heart” (another Oprah quote!) Best of luck and heartfelt wishes to you, Nate! Your devoted audience awaits and is so ready to cheer you on : ) </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://twitter.com/Nate_Berkus" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482532184295079362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFouG0dfvlHmylCtAqEumEKmLpoh0wyvtUdYyrSI3Hd_4q23EnY0pv2umtci43TWbLFg0c_gZxHyt-VSlAQ-vbDMUSf0CA8tOJ-Koeu9_wa_qiovWA5uDNhPufduCK7U7Xk7Ber1D5Os/s320/NB-grn_shirt-lowres.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" /></a>To keep up with Nate, follow him on twitter by <a href="https://twitter.com/Nate_Berkus">clicking here</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/moggitgirls" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482532884175750946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2sq1GhCQv04Rs2JgZQpTEzHY5IjCL-xNz8crAuiIrXBqrEgBH7tDrB70EyTx3afXGtiJEI-YxVcd7BcGJfOmeUYLU11c9773_fajVrFyNmMdYbgSxC8OGaPJH_KXmmlEsAGvYaf-HjA/s200/thisone.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 178px;" /></a> For a list of design bloggers who are sharing their love for Nate today, <a href="http://urli.st/NSZdiuaV">click here</a>. The list is being posted by Joy and Janet of the <a href="http://www.moggit.com/">Moggit</a> girls, who strongly suggested that the audience at Nate’s first show should be completely filled with design bloggers ... nice! <a href="http://twitter.com/CreateGirl" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482623892025281778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDYCjfaT8YAqWi5sXQZoZDbXjaXMbnqiktbhc2P-cfoyJG8jkkPqT0Ax5dAW3DNq6KTCYHoSPa3HLts6_-BncBuGMQnThsszivPZOwtjAKs2bewQu6hpmOgC0fntTS5fgAv9JeW9YzZ8/s320/140.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 145px;" /></a> And be sure to follow Boston-based design blogger <a href="http://creategirl.blogspot.com/">CreateGirl</a>, designer Julieann Covino of <a href="http://www.jaceinteriors.com/">Jace Interiors</a> by <a href="http://twitter.com/CreateGirl">clicking here</a>. She was the one with the bright idea to designate today as #NateDay on twitter. Smart! And to follow me on Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/yblacker">click here</a> : ) <a href="https://twitter.com/yblacker" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482534552966664690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1FpoT4HXKTjhaDDebxTzuas6r69cko7knuG__8lVsOWG8bTslgQsLNLgM4z1aq6AIlnApKhHzVJ28fsPCIN91QpoQ8CGwRet7MFepGcCyCA4PuvtCxdigGhi4fUpHQNn8m-1tTRSr54/s320/YBwebSm_bigger.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 73px; height: 73px;" /></a> </div>

Showing some love for Nate Berkus

Nate’s Oprah Show Farewell When my boys were all little (and before I had DVR ; ) I spent many an afternoon from 4pm to 5pm, tuned in to the...

4:15 AM

Painting pink ...

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziXeJTeYyUR4gR4L9JaLfsiuGeAXO3SHhvPQtQimLkaaBSSpxelBrk5iQA6ECG_hALHfvkoKbju81NXwezK9OQxgDcYBgYf4CCacaBacoUkFu_uZpbG0gGsjDmX1sur_estbEfMRCfDY/s1600/fendiartyvonne.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481193858856790274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziXeJTeYyUR4gR4L9JaLfsiuGeAXO3SHhvPQtQimLkaaBSSpxelBrk5iQA6ECG_hALHfvkoKbju81NXwezK9OQxgDcYBgYf4CCacaBacoUkFu_uZpbG0gGsjDmX1sur_estbEfMRCfDY/s400/fendiartyvonne.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfknFEGVxKa6Bx1lmceknm-BErYEH5CL0UlvjfKTOC35J51rgpgyCp8Jo8qDuC7o81HkIy_0m0De-Pr5umTIGUQG7voaLuSbwQI4D8hTvHnV7r0UBMHSoV4leVEn9_xu-8oEL4WV6j3gg/s1600/pinkpalette.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"> </a><div style="text-align: center;">Whenever I first sit down to paint, it takes awhile to push away the thoughts. Then there comes a turning point where I am just enjoying the process of combining colors on canvas. Pink has been speaking to me lately. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzjxDPx3YJIRdxv4AN0mpVHn89NLBAREwau-5fLFl2IVdIeEM9jPxO2Wn33yTHgVVhXNDt9iWWpY9xhuC-exwXueRzvaLhfc3pt7SCkCGOAYV-vcsqHSI-axzNlATcHlakSA09OqSz-s/s1600/fendiarrangement.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481189819813926226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzjxDPx3YJIRdxv4AN0mpVHn89NLBAREwau-5fLFl2IVdIeEM9jPxO2Wn33yTHgVVhXNDt9iWWpY9xhuC-exwXueRzvaLhfc3pt7SCkCGOAYV-vcsqHSI-axzNlATcHlakSA09OqSz-s/s400/fendiarrangement.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px;" /></a> This was the still-life set up at the studio today by instructor/friend <a href="http://taggartstudio.com/">Mary Taggart</a>. I even like how my palette turned out ... <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfknFEGVxKa6Bx1lmceknm-BErYEH5CL0UlvjfKTOC35J51rgpgyCp8Jo8qDuC7o81HkIy_0m0De-Pr5umTIGUQG7voaLuSbwQI4D8hTvHnV7r0UBMHSoV4leVEn9_xu-8oEL4WV6j3gg/s1600/pinkpalette.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481190850976859394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfknFEGVxKa6Bx1lmceknm-BErYEH5CL0UlvjfKTOC35J51rgpgyCp8Jo8qDuC7o81HkIy_0m0De-Pr5umTIGUQG7voaLuSbwQI4D8hTvHnV7r0UBMHSoV4leVEn9_xu-8oEL4WV6j3gg/s400/pinkpalette.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 400px;" /></a> Now that I am loosened up, I am going to take out my biggest brushes and try to get some painting projects done around my house ; ) P.S. My art teacher, Mary, recommended today that we all check out the <a href="http://carolmarine.blogspot.com/">blog of Carol Marine</a>, an artist from Texas who works on a painting a day that she later posts on her blog and then lists on ebay. I just discovered she is actually visiting New England right now for an <a href="http://www.bluecloudstudios.com/workshops.html">artists workshop</a> that she just finished in Newburyport (too late to sign up for that one!) Check out her work and you will see how committing to an artful life on a daily basis has served her talent well. Some of her paintings even made it to the big screen (Letters to Juliet)! I think she is on to something, and I may give this painting on a daily basis a shot (if nothing else, it is very meditative). </div>

Painting pink ...

Whenever I first sit down to paint, it takes awhile to push away the thoughts. Then there comes a turning point where I am just enjoying the...

10:26 AM

Style and Substance with Margaret Russell

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hVpt-uYYiC0OwA5G8Gpqq4hvcjrSkmA0ifqm_EuQ3HW1bvD78fvWs70WX9YWXDAB31DpNGQELXCBTGdHbpEvdDe7XyueBIeiorEHUICXv5R0FqtACkElk7k_gfsdb_4qMFMkWVmARS8/s1600/yvonneandmargaretBDC.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480771837174093618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hVpt-uYYiC0OwA5G8Gpqq4hvcjrSkmA0ifqm_EuQ3HW1bvD78fvWs70WX9YWXDAB31DpNGQELXCBTGdHbpEvdDe7XyueBIeiorEHUICXv5R0FqtACkElk7k_gfsdb_4qMFMkWVmARS8/s400/yvonneandmargaretBDC.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px;" /></a>With Margaret Russell of Elle Decor at the Boston Design Center </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIW3izujhCiErYso3xCJVinKlkcb2BfJFarvFaPmu4eCzTO06Jh9_LysScGNzHzoBXo_6pkC0pbwpofK9kBjkeFSfu5CIrSWEC2MLapDAowstXCq3xy13FK4t26s5EXRG1clcyAlU-NAs/s1600/redsofakravet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480780400676031138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIW3izujhCiErYso3xCJVinKlkcb2BfJFarvFaPmu4eCzTO06Jh9_LysScGNzHzoBXo_6pkC0pbwpofK9kBjkeFSfu5CIrSWEC2MLapDAowstXCq3xy13FK4t26s5EXRG1clcyAlU-NAs/s400/redsofakravet.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> The <a href="http://www.bostondesign.com/showrooms/kravet-fabrics/overview/">Kravet</a> showroom at the <a href="http://www.bostondesign.com/about-us/">Boston Design Center</a> hosted a designer lunch and book signing yesterday with Margaret Russell after she presented some of her favorite images from her numerous years as editor-in-chief at <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> magazine, images that are now found in the pages of her new book,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Style-Substance-Best-Elle-Decor/dp/1933231602/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276099378&sr=8-1"> Style and Substance</a> published by Filipacchi. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU61svHcfYqBiVTIoHPkZReLZBwv8uu4WhIQKCHJ_Yon1v9bWiKBQDcMjj-wNgebTqTsSjhZGdzcJ9xr1mdYkRR2J_HDNyCUBejiJkuUJ8xr8CxTwETVcL0gMmijFC6RkEW3HlYM1CkM/s1600/styleandsubstanceMR.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480788200059702002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU61svHcfYqBiVTIoHPkZReLZBwv8uu4WhIQKCHJ_Yon1v9bWiKBQDcMjj-wNgebTqTsSjhZGdzcJ9xr1mdYkRR2J_HDNyCUBejiJkuUJ8xr8CxTwETVcL0gMmijFC6RkEW3HlYM1CkM/s400/styleandsubstanceMR.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 400px;" /></a> This image of a space designed by <a href="http://www.victoriahagan.com/">Victoria Hagan</a>, photographed by Michael Mundy, sold the most copies in Elle Decor history when it graced the Aug./Sept. 02 cover. </div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRf6RpYGbR5sszNN74cv1Fk7BX6evc3Frivi9HGhiAfNVTkQ_CNu4s8d_ykvICLUCgHwfpoEk0mgua-bH4yNKo76PHmk1Lri3Fu8RsTfy1WrQ751z3iAIyvYFjAvkalK_x4affVDy94L0/s1600/style:autographed.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480788217582630834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRf6RpYGbR5sszNN74cv1Fk7BX6evc3Frivi9HGhiAfNVTkQ_CNu4s8d_ykvICLUCgHwfpoEk0mgua-bH4yNKo76PHmk1Lri3Fu8RsTfy1WrQ751z3iAIyvYFjAvkalK_x4affVDy94L0/s400/style:autographed.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 400px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;">One of Margaret’s favorite images from the book ... </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocA3ZSHxCQ12heFOnFFLQtjS5x8aqFAFMmhFrNPLEa3IRMa6XQWVhxVFmAzmd4fxMMQep69PsLWB4eozUil088-7e4NOWAVA2biFraaKeH8tgjuP-MZNWZHI2AxoCVaPwTRRhv529E7Y/s1600/wolfdaybed-ED.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480789464993081746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocA3ZSHxCQ12heFOnFFLQtjS5x8aqFAFMmhFrNPLEa3IRMa6XQWVhxVFmAzmd4fxMMQep69PsLWB4eozUil088-7e4NOWAVA2biFraaKeH8tgjuP-MZNWZHI2AxoCVaPwTRRhv529E7Y/s400/wolfdaybed-ED.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px;" /></a>Interior designer <a href="http://www.vicentewolf.com/">Vincente Wolf</a> Photographer Peter Estersohn (Dec./Jan. 95) And here are some of my favorites ... </div><div style="text-align: center;">I found the image below quite striking. It even incorporates a few ideas I had for my kitchen remodel ... gray counters, white cabinets, white walls. And while I hadn’t considered turquoise ostrich leather (by <a href="http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/Home-10551-10051">Coach</a>) on the chairs, I like it! </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKDB5B49NQ_TVhK5qckqff-3px6m75SFF8WKIzGgEj9Jk2RTWPIlLcS_4wj2XOFDBFq63byWaSAzLN1DL84z-4lOiV6CrsmXRy-28DIfDFVExmHPNBA6RT41ioQCnvrGHeHxP8uudv1c/s1600/krakoffkitchen-ED.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480789333182848482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKDB5B49NQ_TVhK5qckqff-3px6m75SFF8WKIzGgEj9Jk2RTWPIlLcS_4wj2XOFDBFq63byWaSAzLN1DL84z-4lOiV6CrsmXRy-28DIfDFVExmHPNBA6RT41ioQCnvrGHeHxP8uudv1c/s400/krakoffkitchen-ED.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 400px;" /></a>Kitchen designed by Delphine Krakoff Photographed by <a href="http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/genWCM-10551-10051-en-/Coach_US/CompanyInformation/InvestorRelations/IR_ExecutiveOfficers">Reed Krakoff</a> (Sept. 06) </div> <div style="text-align: center;">I keep coming back to this elegantly subtle room ... </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJDpWRDSy3bZYYmL7l-n2THAxP2dxWgP2bPzqDG_9hmWqyJyaB56xhkJo3BqwH11GPW6qtlKFbTEkWZamm_o1ujCiq55T-VO5ElVMI49ANUl0wdgGnFIxgusvfbpEAYkGmFMwwPJpJUI/s1600/fisherLR-FND-ED.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480829177720540722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJDpWRDSy3bZYYmL7l-n2THAxP2dxWgP2bPzqDG_9hmWqyJyaB56xhkJo3BqwH11GPW6qtlKFbTEkWZamm_o1ujCiq55T-VO5ElVMI49ANUl0wdgGnFIxgusvfbpEAYkGmFMwwPJpJUI/s400/fisherLR-FND-ED.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" /></a>Designed by <a href="http://foxnahemdesign.com/main.html">Fox Nahem Associates</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Photographed by Laura Resen (May 01) </div> <div style="text-align: center;">Oooh la la I love it ... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDlB3T1amSvGS3RA6Q0hJlkqzVP-3PcfACX1dT58cvwjzZKg-wvk9NcaP0ylXKhmbDqKy8jafeWADnP2CmG2kEG3FIxqtEGbHSZQeETUnD2crLb6O1aeAg_eY81W9g8oD3uK8NuQJH7o/s1600/pinkwall-ED.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480788975261776050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDlB3T1amSvGS3RA6Q0hJlkqzVP-3PcfACX1dT58cvwjzZKg-wvk9NcaP0ylXKhmbDqKy8jafeWADnP2CmG2kEG3FIxqtEGbHSZQeETUnD2crLb6O1aeAg_eY81W9g8oD3uK8NuQJH7o/s400/pinkwall-ED.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 400px;" /></a>Designer <a href="http://www.srgambrel.com/">Steven Gambrel</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Photographed by William Waldron (June/July 04) The contrast of hot and cool always gets me ... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEpAejhcSf1FWkITEoJ0xj3wGZp7hdomqdfrSmX_-X99KygrSSrTt3QDrEulN1WcorMf1WBM-Ih6wMMLmBZsori7pJWsbLqkoi3_pXo8gbmspsy2Cf9oPfq4gJHniLbTQWQ5Dhg2dgzI/s1600/creelscaraniDR-ED.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480788245876187010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEpAejhcSf1FWkITEoJ0xj3wGZp7hdomqdfrSmX_-X99KygrSSrTt3QDrEulN1WcorMf1WBM-Ih6wMMLmBZsori7pJWsbLqkoi3_pXo8gbmspsy2Cf9oPfq4gJHniLbTQWQ5Dhg2dgzI/s400/creelscaraniDR-ED.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" /></a>Paris dining room of <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/decorating/articles/paris_match">Creel and Scarani</a> Roger Davies (Dec. 08) </div> <div style="text-align: center;">And here is a perennial blog favorite: the dining room of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick with that amazing antique Egyptian chandelier ... </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsgBIkJpeoXm30cISmx0_z-EsOchhqayHDv7tv43eBv3DiJ6TvqSjfUwcqs0_JQN9-2LUCZ7mkMM4YJutbKV3Dephyphenhyphenlf9sI9EAGFmG8XuW6fJS5_2_DtXaWvmund5eB-6iWbY5gcT4IM/s1600/bluechandi-sjp-ED.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480780292280620562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsgBIkJpeoXm30cISmx0_z-EsOchhqayHDv7tv43eBv3DiJ6TvqSjfUwcqs0_JQN9-2LUCZ7mkMM4YJutbKV3Dephyphenhyphenlf9sI9EAGFmG8XuW6fJS5_2_DtXaWvmund5eB-6iWbY5gcT4IM/s400/bluechandi-sjp-ED.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px;" /></a>Designed by <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/image/tid/5657?page=9">Eric Hughes</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Photographed by William Waldron (Oct. 05) </div> <div style="text-align: center;">And look what I found around the corner from Kravet at the <a href="http://www.bostondesign.com/showrooms/grange-furniture/overview/">Grange</a> showroom ... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL3InEA5KF2QO77Z3_2AOjSHFMiZZ_FJy-jrfRJhx-G76GlmXS0dgoAyG-cZmyjJjLVPnj5LR3N5stkiA6_qnkGU3iklNen4weKn48GNSS34D651DDvdxCZG4XFNKIRAr5k3zUPZxNwU/s1600/sarachandeliergrange.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480788169214622930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL3InEA5KF2QO77Z3_2AOjSHFMiZZ_FJy-jrfRJhx-G76GlmXS0dgoAyG-cZmyjJjLVPnj5LR3N5stkiA6_qnkGU3iklNen4weKn48GNSS34D651DDvdxCZG4XFNKIRAr5k3zUPZxNwU/s400/sarachandeliergrange.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 238px;" /></a>The Sara Chandelier </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVEutId3K1_FkCWPc4yH4esKH0pvLN-k9OvnCY9hmBw4AujGQdlLVL7emM1qpov3TwubDLAEwi3SAofGKh-LrWBKnvNemCKiP7DF05qsgP7wzLfy6eZM1-pdSyTDAPP6Xvz_jqOJFMYc/s1600/roseanneandmargaretBDC.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480771822059071538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVEutId3K1_FkCWPc4yH4esKH0pvLN-k9OvnCY9hmBw4AujGQdlLVL7emM1qpov3TwubDLAEwi3SAofGKh-LrWBKnvNemCKiP7DF05qsgP7wzLfy6eZM1-pdSyTDAPP6Xvz_jqOJFMYc/s400/roseanneandmargaretBDC.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;">I took this photo of Margaret with designer <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/06/tablescapes-spotlight-tuttle-and.html">Rosanne Palazola</a> who I met last year at the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1920048&id=73210453062">North Shore Design Show</a>. This year, Rosanne will be designing a space (as will I) for Danvers Historical Society’s <a href="http://eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=DHS">Reflecting on Danvers History through Interior Design</a> showhouse at <a href="http://danvershistory.org/buildings/tapley.html">Tapley Memorial Hall</a> which will take place July 11th through August 1st. I will post more info about this event later! For now, here are some stylish spaces that I discovered during my BDC visit to <a href="http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com/default.aspx">Ralph Lauren</a>, whose actual home was featured a number of times in Margaret’s slide show. This season, the RL showroom is decorated with a clever mix of equestrian-themed prints and furnishings, dazzling lighting, and cozy fabrics. I loved it all! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8WsWTLV4Jicvff4fGz39bjPmQ-v5EeRZ1HibKg4-qlDnEqXFc115UCYphrU5S5UB3LNSy5AlEPtZJHms3XQt5ARqBTA-qX-unt_lIyNJlDB913fOBD5Po64Wr18EwwBhKWbwYCeEAPY/s1600/RLHwhitehorses.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480830156083664850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8WsWTLV4Jicvff4fGz39bjPmQ-v5EeRZ1HibKg4-qlDnEqXFc115UCYphrU5S5UB3LNSy5AlEPtZJHms3XQt5ARqBTA-qX-unt_lIyNJlDB913fOBD5Po64Wr18EwwBhKWbwYCeEAPY/s400/RLHwhitehorses.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 338px;" /></a> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiGfsH7AaqbBQV-iDTAsKAPPpr3-p7FQYy9iuanFU7J1KIw9UsgGsHu77Pf-c7eNJkM7fT-1Y5_08ObQ-8jmzgN-p1lxva8u1gn9vxoHwN-e2KHA8MN81jwhhhK8gEs9pkLRMyTTVU8Y/s1600/RLHhorses.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480796704928958626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiGfsH7AaqbBQV-iDTAsKAPPpr3-p7FQYy9iuanFU7J1KIw9UsgGsHu77Pf-c7eNJkM7fT-1Y5_08ObQ-8jmzgN-p1lxva8u1gn9vxoHwN-e2KHA8MN81jwhhhK8gEs9pkLRMyTTVU8Y/s400/RLHhorses.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 341px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEHsiWCnXUxpFFH1PR82RFrLagobjL2wMKJaRLtUYUyA0ggSFqpvUwu-9wbaoHJqLSqYuvNLiTImuhY6QI6Y9pOOZn6AUe6dLVVstATZMv_pXezrejc5S85K9_eTnqD6ufGgzM1bNPxk/s1600/darkhorseRLD@BDC.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480796550767544898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEHsiWCnXUxpFFH1PR82RFrLagobjL2wMKJaRLtUYUyA0ggSFqpvUwu-9wbaoHJqLSqYuvNLiTImuhY6QI6Y9pOOZn6AUe6dLVVstATZMv_pXezrejc5S85K9_eTnqD6ufGgzM1bNPxk/s400/darkhorseRLD@BDC.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIW3izujhCiErYso3xCJVinKlkcb2BfJFarvFaPmu4eCzTO06Jh9_LysScGNzHzoBXo_6pkC0pbwpofK9kBjkeFSfu5CIrSWEC2MLapDAowstXCq3xy13FK4t26s5EXRG1clcyAlU-NAs/s1600/redsofakravet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxPPZr_cPv4MC9eb6dJ5PZqmH5m06SLl-r0TqCmqm0uWXoI6mpuqPHp600i41LRHO6QRnX7vp8cTux6tFnBHWJ7jgmMo-_2pPeqVVxwb0xZHOGtFKd3_45TAohhehOKYkM0eyCoSpCsw/s1600/ralphlaurenspindleBDC.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480796847716206050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxPPZr_cPv4MC9eb6dJ5PZqmH5m06SLl-r0TqCmqm0uWXoI6mpuqPHp600i41LRHO6QRnX7vp8cTux6tFnBHWJ7jgmMo-_2pPeqVVxwb0xZHOGtFKd3_45TAohhehOKYkM0eyCoSpCsw/s400/ralphlaurenspindleBDC.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MYuYIs6ZCA6oXIU65AJbY89eI3GOHr9Ld9eLCqflB4JBxk4sZO8zaOr0_h6dlSyEMMP4gau3Jrx33cwt2TiKghIU7nNV7pc1Zwu3wuib9qeiH701CaFU3anBr0vkiy_Zls51vs0Xp3s/s1600/RLHwhitehorses.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"> </a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWi9JDUn_mJDwgBTuht7fewvwy5tX45lNG6ACdjytjdFVtjYxgkUNYje2bzDoZD30j9c-NkMHpC4opHrHWiOkMFftbBCrecKvHqXYmBFHXipx_p7KResykwD5fKj_rXVR2A-irlZLIzv8/s1600/RLHsofa:artBDC.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480797935819576050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWi9JDUn_mJDwgBTuht7fewvwy5tX45lNG6ACdjytjdFVtjYxgkUNYje2bzDoZD30j9c-NkMHpC4opHrHWiOkMFftbBCrecKvHqXYmBFHXipx_p7KResykwD5fKj_rXVR2A-irlZLIzv8/s400/RLHsofa:artBDC.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a>The collection of artful sketches above a velvet sofa was captivating in its stylish simplicity. </div> <a href="http://www.art.com/products/p13463865-sa-i1683683/pablo-picasso-head-of-a-woman.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=0&dimvals=0&ui=f30c1f0800274797bb84a52f2258b3a2" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480798842544242226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MUQmPai6dvBk5ERVR12m_lu-pb4nQ_TeAJupkgoDth38z7GyVzteUUOkCOLWU7TjunoFA3kUnk71xdC0CvTzfohxOjBqxZ2jgquHW-5yGf3Ug-XewvmOf9gJ6Cv_Ivo11jupJv2ZXj4/s400/picasso@art.com.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 362px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVEutId3K1_FkCWPc4yH4esKH0pvLN-k9OvnCY9hmBw4AujGQdlLVL7emM1qpov3TwubDLAEwi3SAofGKh-LrWBKnvNemCKiP7DF05qsgP7wzLfy6eZM1-pdSyTDAPP6Xvz_jqOJFMYc/s1600/roseanneandmargaretBDC.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"> </a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.art.com/products/p13463865-sa-i1683683/pablo-picasso-head-of-a-woman.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=0&dimvals=0&ui=f30c1f0800274797bb84a52f2258b3a2">Head of a Woman by Picasso available at Art.com</a> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">As Margaret explains, good design is timeless, strategic, mindful and creative. Having the eye of an editor plays an important role, as well! </div>

Style and Substance with Margaret Russell

With Margaret Russell of Elle Decor at the Boston Design Center The Kravet showroom at the Boston Design Center hosted a designer lunch an...

6:53 AM

A lesson in editing ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlboW7FXyn5Xz77CwdWiylhIHQZ7ofivoOD4BkRN26IQdmRFp7l-qC5_8WicTCtWzI0iA9oMfpbhvkZm71dV1zU1XeBvR7OCAfw1BUNsERTo-kVmx-RbDVI9oExPad5GAn_pmG_yjVYCY/s1600/roomshotDG.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480230532154623378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlboW7FXyn5Xz77CwdWiylhIHQZ7ofivoOD4BkRN26IQdmRFp7l-qC5_8WicTCtWzI0iA9oMfpbhvkZm71dV1zU1XeBvR7OCAfw1BUNsERTo-kVmx-RbDVI9oExPad5GAn_pmG_yjVYCY/s400/roomshotDG.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> We bloggers always like to start with our “after” photos, like this one taken at the home of one of my decorating clients. What I really love about this space is that we were able to design a newly modern look by incorporating graphic fabrics and subtle colors while still using the existing sofa which was in perfect condition. I acted as “design coach” on this project as my client just needed to discuss her ideas and get to the point where she was confident about her decisions. Being a professional window treatment fabricator and installer, she has seen many beautiful homes (and has helped to make them beautiful!), but when it came time to redecorate her own living space, I think she was just a little overwhelmed with all of the design information that she had been exposed to. Here is the “before” photo of her formal living room ... </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLM9WDHLw394wDiNHJsVFSWvCKJCm0_8iZTZvpkUQGVYdN5vk6dlyKVjqkFlXfPVyugKUIiSycE6UGTfCjLc1h24qNjyqkZfu8-CgJSJwvX4tF0jZ887WyBI_B2AgNCTFi7HMSPT5XgU/s1600/whiteroomb4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480215599926995890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLM9WDHLw394wDiNHJsVFSWvCKJCm0_8iZTZvpkUQGVYdN5vk6dlyKVjqkFlXfPVyugKUIiSycE6UGTfCjLc1h24qNjyqkZfu8-CgJSJwvX4tF0jZ887WyBI_B2AgNCTFi7HMSPT5XgU/s400/whiteroomb4.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> In order to freshen up the space, my recommendation was to change the white walls to a soft green. Instead of keeping the traditionally formal, heavily floral window treatments, we discussed creating less complicated drapery panels out of a solid natural linen to hang on decorative wooden rods. The Belgian linen in robin’s egg blue that she found was stunningly perfect, and the soft header looks lush without being overly dramatic. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoVOO5WOOZfQ1sLYi1_F85rv7VXb0O0FbAGbKcEJAI21KGjWEf7-TwZa6NmdwG9an6_n14uTwDvbuYPehjS80S64157B61K16rYda1dg3SHR_oP-nRpg1O6x1P3IC0wK_fHp-ZYc1MHU/s1600/belgianlinen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480232785052994594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoVOO5WOOZfQ1sLYi1_F85rv7VXb0O0FbAGbKcEJAI21KGjWEf7-TwZa6NmdwG9an6_n14uTwDvbuYPehjS80S64157B61K16rYda1dg3SHR_oP-nRpg1O6x1P3IC0wK_fHp-ZYc1MHU/s400/belgianlinen.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHVLruun6MX9nkeJl5MhAHOgdYgZBfFXY0cyLR-L7lfrmVNc2zTRNzar2Z95CV0fOEFzA7bNJ18mOzqY3-1sF7l9S53Y1cShzCabSJT0WHw5g9RcBlJu1ECkfDpi6jHKVdq8QufLtKLc/s1600/behindchairDG.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480230528138264066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHVLruun6MX9nkeJl5MhAHOgdYgZBfFXY0cyLR-L7lfrmVNc2zTRNzar2Z95CV0fOEFzA7bNJ18mOzqY3-1sF7l9S53Y1cShzCabSJT0WHw5g9RcBlJu1ECkfDpi6jHKVdq8QufLtKLc/s400/behindchairDG.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> I just love the blue and white fabric that my client chose to reupholster what used to be pink chairs. By editing the large dose of pink out of her color scheme, the smaller bit of pink in the sofa stripe becomes much more interesting. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoVOO5WOOZfQ1sLYi1_F85rv7VXb0O0FbAGbKcEJAI21KGjWEf7-TwZa6NmdwG9an6_n14uTwDvbuYPehjS80S64157B61K16rYda1dg3SHR_oP-nRpg1O6x1P3IC0wK_fHp-ZYc1MHU/s1600/belgianlinen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"> </a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgh5qucJdnqFozB07oVG3HMIXMlbtD_XM3IHmR5Z5AMIBeGqrADwjExK2F7gJBcUD6elCS8QEoOKD33lF1w0uVENbyeUb750Ounqf0BhLOEKJ-aSyJSvHGQPtMqil9H_2QFf5ihprmAY/s1600/stripedsofa:azalea.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480229790298487090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgh5qucJdnqFozB07oVG3HMIXMlbtD_XM3IHmR5Z5AMIBeGqrADwjExK2F7gJBcUD6elCS8QEoOKD33lF1w0uVENbyeUb750Ounqf0BhLOEKJ-aSyJSvHGQPtMqil9H_2QFf5ihprmAY/s400/stripedsofa:azalea.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 400px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoJZY_b_WmU-8NE5_NBwPLCSBBLR5uTOASLCLEgS2y1GGXKaZKP1gWTkCDhijsc6ulhO-6YPkv92kZLYWkpx-sCV6rkRlJDPVgE4ZRlz3FjnSbZDzOh8nlmUJ_wFfoTFd1Gb4Mh2f8l4/s1600/azalea:stripedsofa.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"> </a> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOuLdYHwr2QJPmCF7B6_j_R9Zcv5Af4J54x3EwnTbWFIcaLunsLhyphenhyphenT_vyTg5i8Yi8kQsObD4GiFiE-m-OA6XMB2QPxN5CnjX8hxg1V4YOs96ALQzcMCUEqg_r2J-_z4XJbjLnEN2mty8/s1600/backofchairDG.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480215606377666642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOuLdYHwr2QJPmCF7B6_j_R9Zcv5Af4J54x3EwnTbWFIcaLunsLhyphenhyphenT_vyTg5i8Yi8kQsObD4GiFiE-m-OA6XMB2QPxN5CnjX8hxg1V4YOs96ALQzcMCUEqg_r2J-_z4XJbjLnEN2mty8/s400/backofchairDG.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 400px;" /></a> And finally, she repeated the graphic pattern on a pair of side chairs, contrasting with a blue sunsuede seat cushion, creating a much more sophisticated look to the grouping. Here are what the chairs looked like “before” being reupholstered ... </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9PLYTHWk66apKKsyLbKGf8jFWob9r5PCqtKyoTvyQMNlT4byaMcSTASv3TByxnOoJkSnrydKK22zY3N3Gtq350Y3MzXp3OCijy_BwhDCwBt4jofO6BIqCmcEsJsTip9ObV-SVDMEJx0/s1600/sidechairsb4DG.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480241875207625154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9PLYTHWk66apKKsyLbKGf8jFWob9r5PCqtKyoTvyQMNlT4byaMcSTASv3TByxnOoJkSnrydKK22zY3N3Gtq350Y3MzXp3OCijy_BwhDCwBt4jofO6BIqCmcEsJsTip9ObV-SVDMEJx0/s400/sidechairsb4DG.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 398px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;">I really enjoyed being asked to help my client move forward with her decorating project. We can all benefit from another set of eyes at times, especially when we have become so accustomed to our everyday surroundings that we no longer are able to see what is right in front of us. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvK4ucRlhhUhwp8Hd071tki57J7sb88vXhvq3LkGmnCK_eTBWMhZ9CyNlXXWMw-e8NuBzpNrfOt15jJ7PZeJXtxsvqc5ZIVwpdIIY2yP3ep3l41dvCbbwY1E_0Uro51rYRhPQzS3Vhmc/s1600/artontableDG.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480248453334514018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvK4ucRlhhUhwp8Hd071tki57J7sb88vXhvq3LkGmnCK_eTBWMhZ9CyNlXXWMw-e8NuBzpNrfOt15jJ7PZeJXtxsvqc5ZIVwpdIIY2yP3ep3l41dvCbbwY1E_0Uro51rYRhPQzS3Vhmc/s400/artontableDG.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;">When you feel that it’s time to reevaluate your own living spaces, contact me to set up a design consultation (in person, or virtually). Together we can add a fresh look to an existing space, making it one you will love to come home to. Email me at yblacker@verizon.net or call 617.899.1226 to set up a design consultation. </div>

A lesson in editing ...

We bloggers always like to start with our “after ” photos, like this one taken at the home of one of my decorating clients. What I really l...

9:30 PM

Firehouse Design

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvuuxRcGnygdOXTgHHdHgopLli9Dy2wr7a1Zb2CBg9VizWP-3OrLrY6HhCw7y4rSOAuStD9WjepLx_qyWvj7H03vwmwZzqoJRDpU-XW1VHvSUIO86YMDLOqTdQlA7LUGkapcJ-EA2ZzE/s1600/firehouse44backyard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnmxcH5SHM0qSiB0kAYZMOc1SI5WgR6f0MpPPU-zy3Z2cKukM5zbmhSXNcLqYh4OluGogcJt6sGJtlE1yCkTEP1BH-HTK1KtMGTRdo_qaSnjDJzkaDeiaQDlWprk15BV6uDrsNLnMHm4/s1600/firehouse44copperdoors.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478905358046756418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnmxcH5SHM0qSiB0kAYZMOc1SI5WgR6f0MpPPU-zy3Z2cKukM5zbmhSXNcLqYh4OluGogcJt6sGJtlE1yCkTEP1BH-HTK1KtMGTRdo_qaSnjDJzkaDeiaQDlWprk15BV6uDrsNLnMHm4/s400/firehouse44copperdoors.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" /></a> For those who choose to put their life on the line each day to serve their community, it is only fair that they should come home to rest in warm and comfortable surroundings. Take a look at this restoration of a former San Francisco fire station, Firehouse No. 44, by <a href="http://www.teutonic-cm.com/html/projects.html">Teutonic Construction</a> and <a href="http://www.jfidesign.com/index.html">Josephine Fisher Interior Design</a> (for complete project credits <a href="http://www.firehouse44.com/">click here</a>). The end result of their dedicated teamwork is breathtaking. Enjoy the view! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkvJpE5ajTghO7yVOw7XUb4UqxfkB83ojh3MaVZovys4HT_ZgNB9i3QczauwpUeUbG3rSpvRJHQnMUPQ7sQbseO1bRlgdDmsGYDq3cfqdx3VyqMwAxp-KGYch46m0u3xTpIfRKbgBEWQ/s1600/firehouse44hydrant.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478909113995733554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkvJpE5ajTghO7yVOw7XUb4UqxfkB83ojh3MaVZovys4HT_ZgNB9i3QczauwpUeUbG3rSpvRJHQnMUPQ7sQbseO1bRlgdDmsGYDq3cfqdx3VyqMwAxp-KGYch46m0u3xTpIfRKbgBEWQ/s400/firehouse44hydrant.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-BQ50Mgd7czNTDo8fCakTC752IiX6d2zdaAnFvapk5NUgJgJd6bDZFgpMX4lrmEQDNmPVi4Z19pMfqk9TW_3NVLBgkEdHwmex-dZBc-xyrjiUi8bfugEU0sgCXe0x-4SYgtfuiFsUmQ/s1600/firehouse44kitchen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478904928637135154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-BQ50Mgd7czNTDo8fCakTC752IiX6d2zdaAnFvapk5NUgJgJd6bDZFgpMX4lrmEQDNmPVi4Z19pMfqk9TW_3NVLBgkEdHwmex-dZBc-xyrjiUi8bfugEU0sgCXe0x-4SYgtfuiFsUmQ/s400/firehouse44kitchen.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFCionQs1uQBaFvHf7hTZrEGZxNG3Sd3C8PjKX05gRYXS_1ztA6rxgTlTp3FvnbrP0WfJBE4OwXOKGgk4Ur8sDmOjdAfMKeC_VsWw5M_w4PjHpzxMYxeVMApcSTWClifKcV-8s38KJ4w/s1600/firehouse44dining.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478904951561157602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFCionQs1uQBaFvHf7hTZrEGZxNG3Sd3C8PjKX05gRYXS_1ztA6rxgTlTp3FvnbrP0WfJBE4OwXOKGgk4Ur8sDmOjdAfMKeC_VsWw5M_w4PjHpzxMYxeVMApcSTWClifKcV-8s38KJ4w/s400/firehouse44dining.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxWUwfjSGrBJm2X7QB8D8nr9iAHaY_oAIeHdCVNOzYa4rFkieKH1WwracfBtY-gksGkwF8SB1ies5MVJ3ycHTLoCCjRT4T1TDfA2nTjbO9gcEM507y2IwnUKeCAw_nj_U48y15XeFgr0/s1600/firehouse44living.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478904949222153042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxWUwfjSGrBJm2X7QB8D8nr9iAHaY_oAIeHdCVNOzYa4rFkieKH1WwracfBtY-gksGkwF8SB1ies5MVJ3ycHTLoCCjRT4T1TDfA2nTjbO9gcEM507y2IwnUKeCAw_nj_U48y15XeFgr0/s400/firehouse44living.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvuuxRcGnygdOXTgHHdHgopLli9Dy2wr7a1Zb2CBg9VizWP-3OrLrY6HhCw7y4rSOAuStD9WjepLx_qyWvj7H03vwmwZzqoJRDpU-XW1VHvSUIO86YMDLOqTdQlA7LUGkapcJ-EA2ZzE/s1600/firehouse44backyard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478909757289886226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvuuxRcGnygdOXTgHHdHgopLli9Dy2wr7a1Zb2CBg9VizWP-3OrLrY6HhCw7y4rSOAuStD9WjepLx_qyWvj7H03vwmwZzqoJRDpU-XW1VHvSUIO86YMDLOqTdQlA7LUGkapcJ-EA2ZzE/s400/firehouse44backyard.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmvCkncA00vt4nlRVqdqE8wI140ViNguMG5jkDcA11ZSX6vbGP4TjgQ6mcxJL5I-p5f0YdMZMT2nKegW6nKBxHRzrMRbQuUtIIaQFmGzX4_K4XOP7W_Y6VAMW3Ok7f7wYS51NwjXo3Pg/s1600/firehouse44pole.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9K-SLUpKVIDWmGXJbqrtHsXB18oH8p41g1qk7ygS2zEK1IDsUK7GHEddXqRk_Vzcv2AzATPl3BFFtCDtJ-vs_J0bZUmeUVLXXZWTGvx4gARu7scOG8fssBeGHUhbBTytcutyIi3vIGmg/s1600/firehouse44mediaroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478909095974519362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9K-SLUpKVIDWmGXJbqrtHsXB18oH8p41g1qk7ygS2zEK1IDsUK7GHEddXqRk_Vzcv2AzATPl3BFFtCDtJ-vs_J0bZUmeUVLXXZWTGvx4gARu7scOG8fssBeGHUhbBTytcutyIi3vIGmg/s400/firehouse44mediaroom.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvuuxRcGnygdOXTgHHdHgopLli9Dy2wr7a1Zb2CBg9VizWP-3OrLrY6HhCw7y4rSOAuStD9WjepLx_qyWvj7H03vwmwZzqoJRDpU-XW1VHvSUIO86YMDLOqTdQlA7LUGkapcJ-EA2ZzE/s1600/firehouse44backyard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14UwseuOM92oQH84F9rwKEd4Fcx_iwP_69clRgkXqiIGfrpf9TB6fRaTV5gzAXQT1Qnw4hWh-A4T11PDjcuJuqJX8A4T0QTO0eD1pvvfc5Zj5tb5vxVGyw469dYmez6gVRNLnbzO_8Jc/s1600/firehouse44stairs.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478909749558664882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14UwseuOM92oQH84F9rwKEd4Fcx_iwP_69clRgkXqiIGfrpf9TB6fRaTV5gzAXQT1Qnw4hWh-A4T11PDjcuJuqJX8A4T0QTO0eD1pvvfc5Zj5tb5vxVGyw469dYmez6gVRNLnbzO_8Jc/s400/firehouse44stairs.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJllbw4s6owfJRVF4EzQCqjpDGZNSgcnCjmPXxY6NeyhU4-gz8Ahv7VBrv_6YXWdIvmn78BWyyeijlDfqoOXuGDeiVC7EtJU5QJT3aVgjQN1Y4fa0ucugz3jFl8kQ_SSvOugHOgLfSl3c/s1600/firehouse44bedroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478904941219367858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJllbw4s6owfJRVF4EzQCqjpDGZNSgcnCjmPXxY6NeyhU4-gz8Ahv7VBrv_6YXWdIvmn78BWyyeijlDfqoOXuGDeiVC7EtJU5QJT3aVgjQN1Y4fa0ucugz3jFl8kQ_SSvOugHOgLfSl3c/s400/firehouse44bedroom.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZ8F-tBgPXaC87_SjbBEBmi6yKusjMSIpfjIFg8xzfW3Md4TL5_A82KXEYgPpwyFT9WHMug5m5XlKGY2Kgv796i27a_PwNSM3pqDDv52f0-0tgMXpuxviB8bckP4WVJqqhTkQgglm2VE/s1600/firehouse44glassroof.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478909743150026802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZ8F-tBgPXaC87_SjbBEBmi6yKusjMSIpfjIFg8xzfW3Md4TL5_A82KXEYgPpwyFT9WHMug5m5XlKGY2Kgv796i27a_PwNSM3pqDDv52f0-0tgMXpuxviB8bckP4WVJqqhTkQgglm2VE/s400/firehouse44glassroof.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvuuxRcGnygdOXTgHHdHgopLli9Dy2wr7a1Zb2CBg9VizWP-3OrLrY6HhCw7y4rSOAuStD9WjepLx_qyWvj7H03vwmwZzqoJRDpU-XW1VHvSUIO86YMDLOqTdQlA7LUGkapcJ-EA2ZzE/s1600/firehouse44backyard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZ8F-tBgPXaC87_SjbBEBmi6yKusjMSIpfjIFg8xzfW3Md4TL5_A82KXEYgPpwyFT9WHMug5m5XlKGY2Kgv796i27a_PwNSM3pqDDv52f0-0tgMXpuxviB8bckP4WVJqqhTkQgglm2VE/s1600/firehouse44glassroof.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAE0rvhQmxoItteKnjuenqjmVmeHHxHEyrLaw9s1uhbioyM6Hxn3teTd8GD2AXiuZby2_lcN8sxj5Pkfs9pkxwHX5MI7_nCS8gwiTikwfz1BrNVDIPg63_Q3LhHibKp7jS-TCYhLxnjM/s1600/firehouse44terrace.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478909741468737570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAE0rvhQmxoItteKnjuenqjmVmeHHxHEyrLaw9s1uhbioyM6Hxn3teTd8GD2AXiuZby2_lcN8sxj5Pkfs9pkxwHX5MI7_nCS8gwiTikwfz1BrNVDIPg63_Q3LhHibKp7jS-TCYhLxnjM/s400/firehouse44terrace.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmvCkncA00vt4nlRVqdqE8wI140ViNguMG5jkDcA11ZSX6vbGP4TjgQ6mcxJL5I-p5f0YdMZMT2nKegW6nKBxHRzrMRbQuUtIIaQFmGzX4_K4XOP7W_Y6VAMW3Ok7f7wYS51NwjXo3Pg/s1600/firehouse44pole.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478909755334315938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmvCkncA00vt4nlRVqdqE8wI140ViNguMG5jkDcA11ZSX6vbGP4TjgQ6mcxJL5I-p5f0YdMZMT2nKegW6nKBxHRzrMRbQuUtIIaQFmGzX4_K4XOP7W_Y6VAMW3Ok7f7wYS51NwjXo3Pg/s400/firehouse44pole.png" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" /></a> { In memory ... JFH } </div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAygw4gfe43g9P2e7wBcEuVpb8N_Q9Sqv46aZ4Fs1tEY8rr2bm5o_FavA7ghutuCThlkyKsqOWcKrikVh5sWMLOem6XghqUeqLtvgtYQp_qNbKzg6EyaGGyCn9M6LjzBBghN2zJ1_cwAA/s1600/firehouse44credits.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZ8F-tBgPXaC87_SjbBEBmi6yKusjMSIpfjIFg8xzfW3Md4TL5_A82KXEYgPpwyFT9WHMug5m5XlKGY2Kgv796i27a_PwNSM3pqDDv52f0-0tgMXpuxviB8bckP4WVJqqhTkQgglm2VE/s1600/firehouse44glassroof.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>

Firehouse Design

For those who choose to put their life on the line each day to serve their community, it is only fair that they should come home to rest in ...

6:06 AM

Kim Smith and Fragrant Gardening

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRVkObFocvHjvKtYo22AndxyE6ZJsQWRwbKM0VZU22dKwXTeL8nwX4XaPfCBVcNruFv47fRgmjh2RxexRsCC8icRL2qOX-wbH4rLbirv9AzWfbhSDYNBijLRg5sYvg3NrWn_Ylmnch9U/s1600/yvonnewithkimNSDS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477780081300721090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRVkObFocvHjvKtYo22AndxyE6ZJsQWRwbKM0VZU22dKwXTeL8nwX4XaPfCBVcNruFv47fRgmjh2RxexRsCC8icRL2qOX-wbH4rLbirv9AzWfbhSDYNBijLRg5sYvg3NrWn_Ylmnch9U/s400/yvonnewithkimNSDS.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 387px;" /></a>At the Wenham Museum with designer Kim Smith One of the best parts of participating in a local design show is meeting other creative individuals who share the same interests. Last year at the North Shore Design Show I met Kim Smith, a super talented designer, author, illustrator and photographer who created a lovely space for Willowdale Estate (<a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/06/tablescapes-spotlight-kim-smith-for.html">see it here</a>) where she works her design magic from the bridal suite to the <a href="http://willowdaleestate.com/Garden.cfm">garden landscapes</a>. While at the show, I really enjoyed talking with Kim about flowers and design (a couple of my favorite things ; ) so I asked Kim to share some of her gardening wisdom with my friends at the Village Garden Club of Lynnfield. She visited with us in September, presenting her tips on growing native plants – illustrated with many gorgeous slides – to our group of garden enthusiasts. While Kim did not participate in the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=171964&id=73210453062">Favorite Spaces</a> design show this year (her daughter was graduating from college – congrats to you both!) she did host a slide show that highlighted the best flowers to plant when designing a fragrant garden. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_E0Y3HpG6EY5PVJ_n_K0w7h_djwuT8bLtPIA_z6F9KNZMLsRklzyiCYIqA_UdgykQKk0mtbcZcAPjK5avglWhGmHVIi7gIyyVIhRPopivY2Ju_PlW7XLTGBNKzpRiDCs6GHmbqHqoLI/s1600/peony.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477793068290122786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_E0Y3HpG6EY5PVJ_n_K0w7h_djwuT8bLtPIA_z6F9KNZMLsRklzyiCYIqA_UdgykQKk0mtbcZcAPjK5avglWhGmHVIi7gIyyVIhRPopivY2Ju_PlW7XLTGBNKzpRiDCs6GHmbqHqoLI/s400/peony.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>Peonies I caught in bloom at a local cafe. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUd9FK2C1FoqDIii0uWKnBydyAw4MxmnmzhZjQ2qjEzR_7YHk_fE29Cn8SEklQ8QlM5H2yhYhUJ7Qv2WTTsTKHIrPW3p4Xoac3WFynarpWZk3jTZMYTjxLqEF5ruDHNWdHApo0zdy3OjM/s1600/shrubroseYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477808797171602322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUd9FK2C1FoqDIii0uWKnBydyAw4MxmnmzhZjQ2qjEzR_7YHk_fE29Cn8SEklQ8QlM5H2yhYhUJ7Qv2WTTsTKHIrPW3p4Xoac3WFynarpWZk3jTZMYTjxLqEF5ruDHNWdHApo0zdy3OjM/s400/shrubroseYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 327px;" /></a>My favorite shrub rose smells heavenly this week. Here are just some of Kim’s fragrant favorites (although I think she loves most every flower!) ... White Lilac (Syringa vulgaris ‘Krasavitsa Moskvy’) White Wisteria (W. sinensis v. alba ‘Jako’) <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/plant/rosa-louise-odier">Old Garden Rose</a> (Rosa Louise Odier) Butterfly Bush (Buddleis davidii) Nasturium (Tropaeolum majus) Oyama Magnolia (M. sieboldii) Moon Flower (Ipomoea alba) Mock Orange (Philadelphus) Peony (Paeonia lactifolia) Her number one tip on choosing flowers with the most fragrance is to look for a white variety as scent is in direct proportion to pigmentation. The more showy, colorful flowers may attract your eye, but the subtle shades of white, cream, pale pinks, yellows and purples will release the most scent. And while you are at it, plant those scented species closest to where you are apt to enjoy them, near a window or along a traveled path. I am going to try my hand at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ROFNFY/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000UZFOJM&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=197Q9WDGD36NWEBE52ZC">Moon Flower</a> this year. I love that it opens at night, just around the time that I will be out in <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-secret-garden-room.html">my garden room</a>, enjoying a glass of something cold and refreshing! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8jiOJLrLbB5OYXhFelwRIKNB9FfYsf0F0SgQAPPkQlZd49T2S6CVbpSrJzRrH8X5ddCQ-_0zag_DqzjsL8Dd0KK_yQq1ZtIzC2ODdmBIQNiJArPMja8tOOn82bHDRMwIoTJ-VTtmga0/s1600/phloxYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477808815838322274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8jiOJLrLbB5OYXhFelwRIKNB9FfYsf0F0SgQAPPkQlZd49T2S6CVbpSrJzRrH8X5ddCQ-_0zag_DqzjsL8Dd0KK_yQq1ZtIzC2ODdmBIQNiJArPMja8tOOn82bHDRMwIoTJ-VTtmga0/s400/phloxYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>Vintage biennial phlox from my garden ... they smell like cinnamon! To receive Kim’s gardening tips via email, visit her <a href="http://kimsmithdesigns.com/">website</a> and <a href="http://kimsmithdesigns.com/correspond.php">sign up for her eColumn</a> which is always chock full of great photos and information. Her <a href="http://kimsmithdesigns.wordpress.com/">blog</a> is another great resource for gardening inspiration. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DDQruy2G-8DPPUVIRlJwvn50p7ouD_CVjn8uJuSp-glmvrgd-QIfOZh5RcA_OhLFHPm_EkMKcFn9aZeMeCDnQTaVg4yPZ1jeI_qngjypA5hPAKnzUEBuMUdoyBMnIzCf1uVzAwlma2g/s1600/whiteflowerKimSmithOGarden.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477808812653506770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DDQruy2G-8DPPUVIRlJwvn50p7ouD_CVjn8uJuSp-glmvrgd-QIfOZh5RcA_OhLFHPm_EkMKcFn9aZeMeCDnQTaVg4yPZ1jeI_qngjypA5hPAKnzUEBuMUdoyBMnIzCf1uVzAwlma2g/s400/whiteflowerKimSmithOGarden.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" /></a>Kim Smith illustration from her book, <a href="http://kimsmithdesigns.com/book.php">“Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities!”</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVWhjUyAo0Hl547hKdkENERTl4skskRLtlO8INiU26jNWIawK99LWWnL4wR78G1RLHrUbffFSxzipOnunKyFB91OGabaEXaWwfyBOKEiSHVAczGL_T1hlSNNAO_2vIt_-SZJX7-MzcD8/s1600/sashabroochSnD.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYmI9M2ePs0AHZ3hKOUePkddGVcqr73EBklp0h_BtWjUCwuqzRoW8n_M8MUMw3nwXVLcNsi21rggIO04xXYjV6-e4jV4yt1IpHUqXaT8K7I_3BpIiYVYHQrCSGK37v8sbh0Hmvu7v6AA/s1600/homepage3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477813369135666946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYmI9M2ePs0AHZ3hKOUePkddGVcqr73EBklp0h_BtWjUCwuqzRoW8n_M8MUMw3nwXVLcNsi21rggIO04xXYjV6-e4jV4yt1IpHUqXaT8K7I_3BpIiYVYHQrCSGK37v8sbh0Hmvu7v6AA/s400/homepage3.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 300px;" /></a>Colorful jewels from <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/brendacataldo" style="font-style: italic;">stella & dot</a> And for those of you who like to wear your love of flowers, I am hosting a stella & dot party online. One of my favorite items (besides the <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/brendacataldo/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=N1016I">Sophia Pearl Bib Necklace</a> that I am wearing in the photo with Kim above) is their <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/brendacataldo/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=BR1000S">Sasha Flower Brooch</a> ... <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/corporate/productcatalog?page=productdetail&selectedLocale=en_US&sku=BR1000S" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477813313473893506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVWhjUyAo0Hl547hKdkENERTl4skskRLtlO8INiU26jNWIawK99LWWnL4wR78G1RLHrUbffFSxzipOnunKyFB91OGabaEXaWwfyBOKEiSHVAczGL_T1hlSNNAO_2vIt_-SZJX7-MzcD8/s400/sashabroochSnD.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" /></a> These pin-on-flowers are all the rage right now, and are the perfect accessory to a summer top, bag or belt. There are so many pretty items in the stella & dot Look Book for Spring/Summer 2010. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/brendacataldo/productcatalog?page=productlisting.category&categoryId=1003">Take a peek at the latest trends</a> and let me know what your favorite is ... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQPUqSMoXtYlP8eKURXfNneb-qLECp2dH277KbV4L6UBkIanVLsjfALvyUzw8fZ4ZWA3WggQ5SMUXGtyKs3Xjdhm-ISEwf3UFqw2thNkRSz4Z3QpKV8qum9-9FaTqJOdzSK9Ial5itLI/s1600/stellandotlookbook.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477817728906610802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQPUqSMoXtYlP8eKURXfNneb-qLECp2dH277KbV4L6UBkIanVLsjfALvyUzw8fZ4ZWA3WggQ5SMUXGtyKs3Xjdhm-ISEwf3UFqw2thNkRSz4Z3QpKV8qum9-9FaTqJOdzSK9Ial5itLI/s400/stellandotlookbook.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" /></a> To purchase a stella & dot item, click <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/brendacataldo/productcatalog?page=productlisting.category&categoryId=1003">on this link</a> and add my name (Yvonne Blacker : ) as the hostess. Have fun shopping ... and gardening! xo yvonne </div>

Kim Smith and Fragrant Gardening

At the Wenham Museum with designer Kim Smith One of the best parts of participating in a local design show is meeting other creative individ...

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