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Container Home Design

Architecture Home Design : Container Home Design Container Home Design Big Boom Home Design | Home Interior | Living Room Design | Bedro...

5:17 AM

Choosing paint colors: girls rooms

<span style="background-color: white; color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;">“The space upstairs is amazing – better than I could ever imagine. Besides the space we gained –  the colors in the rooms are the first thing people react to. It is perfect. My girls are so happy.” – my client of 6 years</span><br /><div class="p1"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I promised to start sharing more of my design work so I am starting with some recent consultation projects. First up is a pair of girls rooms. My client decided to raise the roof on her Cape style home, and in the process she was able to add a full size bath where there was none, and the two existing bedrooms were expanded to include lots more wall space (bye bye slanted ceilings and window dormers!) plus two generous sized walk in closets (one in each room).</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Well you can imagine that any girl of any age would love this new arrangement, and these pre-teen girls were no exception. While mom had plenty of design ideas of her own, I was called in to help finalize the color choices based on bedding that each of the girls had chosen. I also offered some space planning tips and ideas for accessorizing. I’</span><span style="font-size: large;">m not going to show the entire rooms just yet, as they are still a work in progress (our last meeting involved window treatment ideas), but I really liked how the color combinations came out so here they are ...</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">{ Younger daughter’s room }</span></div><br /></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Yef4Jb7-XBJLZvsFa4JTJAHAg5JE3Okyk5cr101GUF9i7XOSLgwDPAmEFnGrh5M78rktP6SqSlNgNtOqPzMX6pzFsKV-vLKe6IX-WTjDlze-zcSDNB5DxWw6hPl9uJ7pFE0N-zKV68Tg/s1600/girls+room+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Yef4Jb7-XBJLZvsFa4JTJAHAg5JE3Okyk5cr101GUF9i7XOSLgwDPAmEFnGrh5M78rktP6SqSlNgNtOqPzMX6pzFsKV-vLKe6IX-WTjDlze-zcSDNB5DxWw6hPl9uJ7pFE0N-zKV68Tg/s800/girls+room+1.jpg" width="450" /></a><br /><i><a href="http://www.anniesloan.com/index.html">Annie Sloan Chalk Paint</a> in Bright White on a vintage vanity set</i><br /><br /></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA7YTcJw2VxHcIhLVeg1s9OmqVq88xZv206cZChp76f3bVmqmstrU9dCho629lgrcOS_WqUCAuoMo9t0I3swnhJ_N8cVUV8RUnGz8POtpO8mx-eoiw2jJ6ENPQwQwH8NSYxZjUKhhu-8q/s1600/bedding-beverly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA7YTcJw2VxHcIhLVeg1s9OmqVq88xZv206cZChp76f3bVmqmstrU9dCho629lgrcOS_WqUCAuoMo9t0I3swnhJ_N8cVUV8RUnGz8POtpO8mx-eoiw2jJ6ENPQwQwH8NSYxZjUKhhu-8q/s800/bedding-beverly.jpg" width="300" /></a><br /><i>Clients daughter chose the bedding</i><br /><i><br /></i><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z1irY1peDVfDbwtFcjILr0ymze1cm3NB3kH4ydewiSwJpJgXaaj9dgUm9Ia-85uqUB7aW-AF-V4tUATXTaaQh0UzQYVjH16kY8fYJBLS5X3wNr3Zq7iq4ns404T2CsxJW-HOs6GNbusf/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-14+at+9.05.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z1irY1peDVfDbwtFcjILr0ymze1cm3NB3kH4ydewiSwJpJgXaaj9dgUm9Ia-85uqUB7aW-AF-V4tUATXTaaQh0UzQYVjH16kY8fYJBLS5X3wNr3Zq7iq4ns404T2CsxJW-HOs6GNbusf/s800/Screen+shot+2013-04-14+at+9.05.25+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><i>Wall: <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/luscious">Benjamin Moore Luscious 1369</a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: start;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFSjr7wklyPIV_X-oEIhUCLL8c1DfIW5s3xSwPbXwe2zDERd4IUgqXR-N17FPMNgNjM93AgqxpmbEPTrqZx_nq2H73IYQb0jtEB3j16gUfFKGzwFUO22P7Dbj0BZ0xNfx1bxwnKXvp88r/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-14+at+9.05.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFSjr7wklyPIV_X-oEIhUCLL8c1DfIW5s3xSwPbXwe2zDERd4IUgqXR-N17FPMNgNjM93AgqxpmbEPTrqZx_nq2H73IYQb0jtEB3j16gUfFKGzwFUO22P7Dbj0BZ0xNfx1bxwnKXvp88r/s800/Screen+shot+2013-04-14+at+9.05.58+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><i>Inside closet: <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/surfnturf">Benjamin Moore Surf n Turf 598</a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">{ Oldest daughter’</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">s room }</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-u0kK1vZe1XP_g8zJPnUlaQc2AwSJNtFW4tm8ZX8MEdfKeyO0uqPeunzuMGIpup4r3xgSYSwNQSDyemDn1snJjg3pAbmv0t7Rn3IQ716prJoXuqO6VUo9kwWCgi7VfutLcfBkH6WizwjO/s1600/girls+room2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-u0kK1vZe1XP_g8zJPnUlaQc2AwSJNtFW4tm8ZX8MEdfKeyO0uqPeunzuMGIpup4r3xgSYSwNQSDyemDn1snJjg3pAbmv0t7Rn3IQ716prJoXuqO6VUo9kwWCgi7VfutLcfBkH6WizwjO/s800/girls+room2.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.anniesloan.com/index.html">Annie Sloan chalk paint</a> in Paris Gray mixed </i><i>with Pure White</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>on both the standing floor mirror and vintage cabinet</i></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKeKljv2Y2rfts6oOe9Ul7EhZmRZILNE6r-56HOsiJz0ZYj72UYZ2fCISX5xx45TWoyM5tUe94v5ASAEeQPgw5QSNjDxag4sOfTZkS6TgZal-reD7gTicAOx39PIzIXZxJR0OW81NCkX-/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-14+at+9.14.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKeKljv2Y2rfts6oOe9Ul7EhZmRZILNE6r-56HOsiJz0ZYj72UYZ2fCISX5xx45TWoyM5tUe94v5ASAEeQPgw5QSNjDxag4sOfTZkS6TgZal-reD7gTicAOx39PIzIXZxJR0OW81NCkX-/s800/Screen+shot+2013-04-14+at+9.14.49+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Bedding is currently in a classic blue toile print</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>(not this exact pattern, but very close)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gexaPjqLuShfTOdNcLDAicOUSX3b3yjGobIwVGp1GTkgA6wKx4G6f1mvxhYdNTG4ivAS68gnyhQ7hFqOeWWViWoIPi9xpGiBLW-HNHqL_6bCokp-IOs61hwOzZItlWDrFNQm1mNHla7P/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-14+at+9.04.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gexaPjqLuShfTOdNcLDAicOUSX3b3yjGobIwVGp1GTkgA6wKx4G6f1mvxhYdNTG4ivAS68gnyhQ7hFqOeWWViWoIPi9xpGiBLW-HNHqL_6bCokp-IOs61hwOzZItlWDrFNQm1mNHla7P/s800/Screen+shot+2013-04-14+at+9.04.17+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><i>Top portion of wall plus ceiling: <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/dalila">Benjamin Moore Dalila 319</a></i></span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupdez1oQdlWLeb2xFrnUlqAWBCoh8JIHHVPoJOeTiHQbM4GgdmGPNV9pWf7oO5acbFFqMTp9RwpcGgZ0MyQANv9pRn-y-vk57DioGU8ZW9ymrPpRe5qHyLX6rez1qslJVj2r26gXCwecr/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-14+at+9.04.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupdez1oQdlWLeb2xFrnUlqAWBCoh8JIHHVPoJOeTiHQbM4GgdmGPNV9pWf7oO5acbFFqMTp9RwpcGgZ0MyQANv9pRn-y-vk57DioGU8ZW9ymrPpRe5qHyLX6rez1qslJVj2r26gXCwecr/s320/Screen+shot+2013-04-14+at+9.04.52+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><i>Inside closet: <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/sheerromance">Benjamin Moore Sheer Romance 837</a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">{ Before }</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt5gxF7rJV_BE_t4Z3dx0gLCyVqtMmoAeMS3VvPvkbnNB1z_bq9JCWvQT9wJbm5ZCm_KEpE2ZGYJekDUOVSc2dCECztEFdpBpoUesJhp1MY6JGOEjgF5X3T58_jdPoYMC6mV7tM-lmQ1C/s1600/IMG_4636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt5gxF7rJV_BE_t4Z3dx0gLCyVqtMmoAeMS3VvPvkbnNB1z_bq9JCWvQT9wJbm5ZCm_KEpE2ZGYJekDUOVSc2dCECztEFdpBpoUesJhp1MY6JGOEjgF5X3T58_jdPoYMC6mV7tM-lmQ1C/s800/IMG_4636.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9GT-V-PpxbAcceMfVyapbh3VplIU26pgo-1PXmz1IwZXpq8V7H6A8zxHtu435SFxsfhnCwEa5QGSOzW5FiMTaHFm59Ba0B42boERNv36sgdRzAplM-XUkOxcHLKdnXj51W0EEHMNRmPX/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-15+at+12.09.39+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9GT-V-PpxbAcceMfVyapbh3VplIU26pgo-1PXmz1IwZXpq8V7H6A8zxHtu435SFxsfhnCwEa5QGSOzW5FiMTaHFm59Ba0B42boERNv36sgdRzAplM-XUkOxcHLKdnXj51W0EEHMNRmPX/s800/Screen+shot+2013-04-15+at+12.09.39+AM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/paleseamist">Benjamin Moore Pale Sea Mist 2147-50</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The girls shared a room back in 2007 when I first started consulting with this adorable young family. The chosen look was more shabby chic at the time, with matching white iron twin beds covered in charming floral fabric quilts for these little ones who were barely in elementary school. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I recommended a soft spring green for the walls and suggested that the original slanted ceiling be painted in the same color. This makes such a big difference in a dormered room in creating a space that looks and feels more expansive. At the time, this one little painting tip was something my client had never thought of, and she was very nervous about doing it, but then very happy to have taken my advice. We</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">’</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">ve been working together ever since  : )</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I still get asked to schedule color consultations on a regular basis from both new and previous clients. These are some of my favorite projects, because the results are so immediate. If you need help selecting a color, give me a call. I</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">’</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">d be more than happy to help you decide!</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="p1"><br /></div><br />

Choosing paint colors: girls rooms

“The space upstairs is amazing – better than I could ever imagine. Besides the space we gained – the colors in the rooms are the first thin...

9:15 PM

When designers work together ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdTTlBtqtGsrC61AeFqoN4IVUjfOXbGdj31kHwDCvU4OILDbevTi4FWf_9LRhASh8lWJU-qer9lmOG9wCMpqakboHxiZqKrFDwvL_Jt55zW0zIUSETFru10eSC3T2FfSz7K0WGXu2ghU1/s1600/registration@LYHevent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdTTlBtqtGsrC61AeFqoN4IVUjfOXbGdj31kHwDCvU4OILDbevTi4FWf_9LRhASh8lWJU-qer9lmOG9wCMpqakboHxiZqKrFDwvL_Jt55zW0zIUSETFru10eSC3T2FfSz7K0WGXu2ghU1/s800/registration@LYHevent.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lauren Carelli of Northshore Magazine checking in guests at Thursday’s</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>“Love Your Home</i><i>”</i><i> Design Event at Landry and Arcari in Salem, MA</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday evening was the Northshore Magazine “</span><span style="font-size: large;">Love Your Home</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Design Event at Landry and Arcari. For the past few months the event sponsors worked as a team to plan a social evening that included the reveal of several homeowner submitted design challenges that were solved by the participating home design experts (<a href="http://designerbath.com/">Designer Bath,</a> <a href="http://howellcustombuild.com/">Howell Custom Building Group,</a> <a href="http://www.sueadamsinteriors.com/home.html">Sue Adams Interiors,</a> <a href="http://lucialighting.com/">Lucia Lighting and Design,</a> <a href="http://www.landryandarcari.com/">Landry and Arcari).</a> I will be posting the floor plans and design selections that were featured that evening on the<a href="http://designerbath.blogspot.com/"> Designer Bath blog</a> later this week. For event photos, visit the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DesignerBathMA">Designer Bath facebook page.</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This event was a great example of how as a group, design/build experts collaborate to create a finished space that is driven by a shared vision. Behind each “</span><span style="font-size: large;">after</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> photo, there are usually many hands and minds that come together to bring to life an inspired home that suits the needs of the people who live there. From new floor plans designed by Howell Custom Building Group to designer Sue Adams selecting new fixtures, lighting and carpeting from each showroom, the team effort resulted in three homeowners receiving individual plans to improve the way they live in and enjoy their homes.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS9A-kCpz29nNfLQOvHai302q7UKaQou63Xb8qZzBn-gMO54cJLJzzvGtk6ZoghmVRkp56rFDIPkB9fH5clV0vsuHuxtAzoHQAJaPJp6z5Q-KnYud-6T_KT4QOx-cMrb25BG0q26xPOWn/s1600/rosanne-katherine-yvonne@LYHevent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS9A-kCpz29nNfLQOvHai302q7UKaQou63Xb8qZzBn-gMO54cJLJzzvGtk6ZoghmVRkp56rFDIPkB9fH5clV0vsuHuxtAzoHQAJaPJp6z5Q-KnYud-6T_KT4QOx-cMrb25BG0q26xPOWn/s800/rosanne-katherine-yvonne@LYHevent.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>with Rosanne Palazola and Katherine Hawkins at Landry and Arcari</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am excited to announce that I, too, will be part of a special design team with a couple of my friends this spring and summer. As a group – <a href="http://triodesignshowhouse.blogspot.com/p/about-trio-design.html">Trio Design</a> to be exact – Rosanne Palazola, Katherine Hawkins and I submitted a couple of design proposals for the <a href="http://www.oldyork.org/Visit/showhousepreshow.html">Museums of Old York 24th Annual Decorator Show House</a> and we were selected to participate! </span><span style="font-size: large;">I have always enjoyed attending the York Show House and this will be the first time I will </span><span style="font-size: large;">be part of the transformation. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Rosanne, Katherine and I have been attending and participating in other shows together for years. We are already having a great time pooling our creative thoughts and resources together to solve the design problems that we saw on our initial walk-through of the seaside property located in Kittery, Maine that will be home to the month long show (mid July through mid August).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0lxW5sHL4AavB1-0sOpv15o0KYIZZ39fHRLUFtcLcVhfLTV1RDglkC8yrl_2kyBeMTVZEB2E6elPDlMqkEP0ie-QX4vimQI3uCJ9HC8uObpNePQWicUndm7U5IUOIxSuA3y5WHEIiTAQ/s1600/secret+cove+show+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0lxW5sHL4AavB1-0sOpv15o0KYIZZ39fHRLUFtcLcVhfLTV1RDglkC8yrl_2kyBeMTVZEB2E6elPDlMqkEP0ie-QX4vimQI3uCJ9HC8uObpNePQWicUndm7U5IUOIxSuA3y5WHEIiTAQ/s800/secret+cove+show+house.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>24th Annual York Decorator Show House // 2 Lawrence Rd, Kittery, ME</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>photo courtesy Museums of Old York</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Starting in late April, Rosanne, Katherine and I will begin physical work on our four spaces: a teen bedroom with full bath, plus a mudroom and adjoining powder room. We each will get a chance to showcase our individual design aesthetics (I will be focusing on the bath spaces with the help of Designer Bath) but we are all working together to finalize our selections and execute our plans. Last night we got together with our husbands to make pizzas and then have a quick business meeting. I am hoping that the constructing of the rooms will be easier than the pizza making (who knew pizza dough was so finicky??) At least we had some skilled pie builders in the group, so none of us went hungry. Team effort + wine = happy designers : )</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Below are the before pictures of our four spaces ...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGlfDRVWj6Xjv4-i9_LmdvkhrHaVjlI6mfT8Bg8fHrigp2RPEr63vhsy9HcZmLEcPn618UCUehZWTth17vDhKCyxzp6Rgdw9gPEUOtpUkCSglcYPYdyvuxrJToCHm5Nt7wuwH8A9GBG35/s1600/teen+bath+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGlfDRVWj6Xjv4-i9_LmdvkhrHaVjlI6mfT8Bg8fHrigp2RPEr63vhsy9HcZmLEcPn618UCUehZWTth17vDhKCyxzp6Rgdw9gPEUOtpUkCSglcYPYdyvuxrJToCHm5Nt7wuwH8A9GBG35/s800/teen+bath+before.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>York Show House 2013 // teen bath “before</i><i>”</i><i> photo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50K2cweA536H1FKhBQVqCET_4hL0zR1kaufjBOts1H853I3coegE828MrA7xStDsbndqSdAdsfz6lmFA1sJTDY7seQSsyLs_xW_e1zSnNGw5bfsuVJeFsqOjqQUFZRxXphsWc-DoOkDZ6/s1600/teen+bedroom+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50K2cweA536H1FKhBQVqCET_4hL0zR1kaufjBOts1H853I3coegE828MrA7xStDsbndqSdAdsfz6lmFA1sJTDY7seQSsyLs_xW_e1zSnNGw5bfsuVJeFsqOjqQUFZRxXphsWc-DoOkDZ6/s800/teen+bedroom+before.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>York Show House 2013 // teen bedroom “before</i><i>”</i><i> photo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJjzO4LYDDULSHi9ZBysGOsqGc4WTGwwB6Jvqo78p6PwJjmDsQAd1Zwi1YdQxJWpEym-aIMdmaLPdBjO4U6OIOVveRt-78Gmx9cqpQPVVK6RYLWlQGlcn66Kfvzwni218inO5_8khfKXS/s1600/mudroom+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJjzO4LYDDULSHi9ZBysGOsqGc4WTGwwB6Jvqo78p6PwJjmDsQAd1Zwi1YdQxJWpEym-aIMdmaLPdBjO4U6OIOVveRt-78Gmx9cqpQPVVK6RYLWlQGlcn66Kfvzwni218inO5_8khfKXS/s800/mudroom+before.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>York Show House 2013 // mudroom “before</i><i>”</i><i> photo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGHRKMI3Zs5672zjV3izhcRY7fQC11AXOvJRtWBKzh-6LcKC4-cLoYyogIBgoiSoXjv8o3rPH6_RQyodfvbxAdCbswz9VKF5A2VE9L1Q7PkFnBAqRAoUExQPhyphenhyphenJZxmlzXJRvj9tHpr8x5/s1600/powder+room+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGHRKMI3Zs5672zjV3izhcRY7fQC11AXOvJRtWBKzh-6LcKC4-cLoYyogIBgoiSoXjv8o3rPH6_RQyodfvbxAdCbswz9VKF5A2VE9L1Q7PkFnBAqRAoUExQPhyphenhyphenJZxmlzXJRvj9tHpr8x5/s800/powder+room+before.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>York Show House 2013 // powder room “before</i><i>”</i><i> photo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to mark your calendar for a road trip this summer to see the transformed home in its entirety, including an adorable guest cottage, some great porches, and lots of more. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCsw3QhFtQuoDnBkAIPcwXLZI9eo5DuOFsr7RyA6tQLVk7v0c-mbp5WHpy0a-9_F14OwCYErsYl5qpvbnjwraWv7HVwqjJoussK-nXGVly7QV22iKRKgrdx5fkzKWzAgae3rCHiSPngg9/s1600/guest+cottage+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCsw3QhFtQuoDnBkAIPcwXLZI9eo5DuOFsr7RyA6tQLVk7v0c-mbp5WHpy0a-9_F14OwCYErsYl5qpvbnjwraWv7HVwqjJoussK-nXGVly7QV22iKRKgrdx5fkzKWzAgae3rCHiSPngg9/s800/guest+cottage+before.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>York Show House 2013 // guest cottage “before</i><i>”</i><i> photo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>space will be designed by Ann Cowenhoven</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6VR0XhzQUnBUJmeuaI_2pB0_aR-eOq7f8HCXd8NsPFTGba8RW0qxq7r2DrxUGxpYzuwg_h9mDjOSgdFbANVISjGEWTxp5Z3fVO-uu-1-NOhfBVGJfU51eHe26SogA-hfzArCF95qVAPq/s1600/side+porch+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6VR0XhzQUnBUJmeuaI_2pB0_aR-eOq7f8HCXd8NsPFTGba8RW0qxq7r2DrxUGxpYzuwg_h9mDjOSgdFbANVISjGEWTxp5Z3fVO-uu-1-NOhfBVGJfU51eHe26SogA-hfzArCF95qVAPq/s800/side+porch+before.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>York Show House 2013 // cove view porch “before</i><i>”</i><i> photo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>space will be designed by my friend, Barbara Elza Hirsch</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of years ago, I featured the York Show House in <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef_4_autumn_2011">New England Finery.</a> It is one of my favorite issues! Frank Hodge</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s Gentleman</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s Library is on the cover. He will be doing a Study in this year</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s show, which I am sure will be equally fabulous! I am really looking forward to spending time preparing for this show with the cast of talented designers that are participating this year. I will keep you posted on our progress! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1hZc3P_wL_r3zlttXh-GXuIXCiPLvwt6NeawSOzLGSBAH1ES5dFJYLoHB-pkFPn1yErC4vKYtv35pXydTbz2GBdJZViDQOmvNIerSMXKryB09h-eXoy656hvXzTEFK_pdlSsQ0NJrDLl/s1600/nef4+cover+-+Hodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1hZc3P_wL_r3zlttXh-GXuIXCiPLvwt6NeawSOzLGSBAH1ES5dFJYLoHB-pkFPn1yErC4vKYtv35pXydTbz2GBdJZViDQOmvNIerSMXKryB09h-eXoy656hvXzTEFK_pdlSsQ0NJrDLl/s800/nef4+cover+-+Hodge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>New England Finery Magazine, Autumn 2011</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>cover photo Michael J. Lee</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>New England Finery Update ...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Having the York Show House on my plate along with my full-time job, spending time with my family, plus handling weekend decorating clients, I am putting the publishing of New England Finery on hold for now. While I have loved working as editor and creative director of an online magazine, I realize that to keep publishing them I really would need to commit to a full time schedule with a dedicated team to achieve this goal. I had hoped to put forth a spring <a href="http://newenglandfinery.com/">Celebrations issue</a> this year, but my time is not as free as it used to be.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I realize I have been very fortunate to be able to work with many talented photographers, writers and contributors to put together six issues of New England Finery over the past couple of years – half of which were done while working full-time – and I couldn’t have done it without them, but to coordinate all of those creative contributions requires lots of time and attention.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I don’t have the time to focus on a 75+ page full length issue with supporting advertising, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I will, however, be happy to create mini-magazines (4 to 12 pages or so each) for individual New England based businesses who would like to increase their online presence via the <a href="http://newenglandfinery.com/Resource_Library.html">New England Finery resource library.</a> I don</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">t want to shelve New England Finery completely, and this is one way I can continue to promote local design businesses in a manageable way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I often run into people who ask me when the next issue of New England Finery will come out, so it was not an easy decision to stop publishing them. Luckily, I do get plenty of opportunities to work with local design magazines as Marketing Director at Designer Bath, as I did with the Northshore Magazine “Love Your Home” Event, the recent <a href="http://designerbath.blogspot.com/p/passport-to-design.html">Passport to Design</a> program via Boston Home Magazine plus numerous monthly ad insertions, so I do not feel like I am missing out at all. And who knows, maybe this year my design work will be featured in one of my favorite glossies instead of just being shared on this blog. Which reminds me, I really should share more of my client decorating projects on my blog ...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next post, I promise!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br />

When designers work together ...

Lauren Carelli of Northshore Magazine checking in guests at Thursday’s “Love Your Home ” Design Event at Landry and Arcari in Salem, MA Thu...

4:03 PM

On my calendar ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MQ1poE7iUiOjPqt6vS4K1UEGdA0nbGBvM9HWxNzGtbVwXKyu0vA6TOX0LzfZcA3lV2sk8I3QDxLfKXLZ_Rhmy4msRJumtcCoG9-G3Z4DgSjV0_R4CKM2mQomTopEUx3hMXA9mGoiGWel/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-29+at+10.24.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MQ1poE7iUiOjPqt6vS4K1UEGdA0nbGBvM9HWxNzGtbVwXKyu0vA6TOX0LzfZcA3lV2sk8I3QDxLfKXLZ_Rhmy4msRJumtcCoG9-G3Z4DgSjV0_R4CKM2mQomTopEUx3hMXA9mGoiGWel/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-29+at+10.24.45+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sweet swag from Designer Bath.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">March has been a whirlwind ... we have had so many after-hours social events at work that it has been difficult to keep up with posting regularly on my own blog after sharing everything via Designer Bath. If you would like to see photos from the recent ASID Gala at the Mandarin, or if you are curious about the last Passport to Design seminar at Landry and Acari, then please visit the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DesignerBathMA">Designer Bath facebook page</a> and <a href="http://designerbath.blogspot.com/p/passport-to-design.html">design blog</a> to check out my photo recaps. <a href="http://www.bostonmagazine.com/passport/index.html">Boston Home Magazine</a> will be announcing the winner of the $20,000 Passport to Design Sweepstakes next week so stay tuned!  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5V7mci2NikLbiWxnkWrkHT8E-5p4N6Y2VVOmE1KLyL9vW7LPew1k4TRpZ4n1KG_3UKsWIIiFt2z15S_6tsKRmb0qn90kT1DTlm4edhnISwClgc8pHtddVEp4i2YGLsyDp6qVKAA0yuqgW/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-29+at+10.12.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5V7mci2NikLbiWxnkWrkHT8E-5p4N6Y2VVOmE1KLyL9vW7LPew1k4TRpZ4n1KG_3UKsWIIiFt2z15S_6tsKRmb0qn90kT1DTlm4edhnISwClgc8pHtddVEp4i2YGLsyDp6qVKAA0yuqgW/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-29+at+10.12.40+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Passport to Design seminar at Landry and Arcari, March 14th</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>with </i><i>Lynda Onthank, Katherine Hawkins, and Barbara Bradlee</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>photo credit: Barbara Lynch Photography</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNl4QyZ0iyA_ttQKbHUNsRa36uJ5tLoq-Gir15qfDjvv3sPAbbONAeDUlmQnUjWbR2_XYVKmwWOvsaMrK2A8EwOeuBMrc6mlineLuSpcDPKS5xWx_C2p8J4bSlpXB6EQMR-YtSiBOwbLG/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-29+at+10.14.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNl4QyZ0iyA_ttQKbHUNsRa36uJ5tLoq-Gir15qfDjvv3sPAbbONAeDUlmQnUjWbR2_XYVKmwWOvsaMrK2A8EwOeuBMrc6mlineLuSpcDPKS5xWx_C2p8J4bSlpXB6EQMR-YtSiBOwbLG/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-29+at+10.14.11+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Designer Eric Haydel at the Frette showroom pre-ASID Awards Gala</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Boston, March 21st</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4npz5X4aTNcXBuD-WipNP0HOIWDTrK-6tzvJVPjnhXtDtJ0TrGxXZCC9wAHPfxbcCw75yie-A556IKP6Pr14daoSOu-kznu5Ny2RYhM9FHqkag8jKd2BSo1iI3jHD15OkpEc2ShUtaVx/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-29+at+10.20.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4npz5X4aTNcXBuD-WipNP0HOIWDTrK-6tzvJVPjnhXtDtJ0TrGxXZCC9wAHPfxbcCw75yie-A556IKP6Pr14daoSOu-kznu5Ny2RYhM9FHqkag8jKd2BSo1iI3jHD15OkpEc2ShUtaVx/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-29+at+10.20.56+PM.png" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Candice Wu fashion show sponsored by Boston Magazine</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>at the Peabody Essex Museum, March 27th // <a href="http://instagram.com/yblacker">via Instagram</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I may be working a lot of nights lately, but it certainly has been fun (hello signature cocktails, passed hors d’ouevres, and swag bags filled with design goodies!) I’d love to see YOU at our next event at <a href="http://www.landryandarcari.com/">Landry and Arcari</a> in Salem MA on this Thursday night, April 4th, from 6pm to 8pm. Sponsored by <a href="http://nshoremag.com/events/northshore_events/#sthash.ZdLauKUj.dpbs">Northshore Magazine,</a> this will be another really fun event! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNgaSboPlSE6cIAYCHqryuEgtJL0ijeGFXoiyXUXhr1Nz8o9HT_AvE4Q8N6uigGlwR2DpW3N2xb7MIIKOhR-3R6yjkL4VWHa1_qBZijNgXRzuxqW1nUSAeU-xOAK-8N7omB0kjgsu7o7n/s1600/Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNgaSboPlSE6cIAYCHqryuEgtJL0ijeGFXoiyXUXhr1Nz8o9HT_AvE4Q8N6uigGlwR2DpW3N2xb7MIIKOhR-3R6yjkL4VWHa1_qBZijNgXRzuxqW1nUSAeU-xOAK-8N7omB0kjgsu7o7n/s800/Home.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><i>Join me at the “Love Your Home Design Challenge Event”</i></i></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three lucky readers will receive virtual home makeovers and have their previously submitted design challenges solved by local experts. The winners will be unveiled that night. ALL of our guests will have the chance to enter to win a Mini Home Makeover raffle prize valued at $2,500 donated by <a href="http://www.sueadamsinteriors.com/home.html">Sue Adams Interiors,</a> <a href="http://designerbath.com/">Designer Bath,</a> <a href="http://www.howellcustombuild.com/">Howell Custom Building Group,</a> <a href="http://www.landryandarcari.com/">Landry and Arcari Oriental Rugs and Carpeting</a> and <a href="http://lucialighting.com/">Lucia Lighting and Design.</a> All proceeds from raffle ticket sales will be donated to <a href="http://www.merrimackvalleyhabitat.org/">Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity.</a> And if you are a twitter fan, you could win an additional prize that night just by tweeting during the event. To register to attend, <a href="http://nshoremag.com/events/northshore_events/">click here</a>. Dress code? Why spring colors, of course!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUtcFsWefNy2PyK0I0RS4fyc8bpQUYRdDlqf33aErv6F2H4-l3qOTkxXpYypz0oUxpjoEDBkJyHPV-Kpw1CFYiFbDt2D9U8a8_iNZZ7XCLp9wcnp03erDwUcpMMysQcV31cCK4LMkRID-/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-29+at+11.47.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUtcFsWefNy2PyK0I0RS4fyc8bpQUYRdDlqf33aErv6F2H4-l3qOTkxXpYypz0oUxpjoEDBkJyHPV-Kpw1CFYiFbDt2D9U8a8_iNZZ7XCLp9wcnp03erDwUcpMMysQcV31cCK4LMkRID-/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-29+at+11.47.15+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=77211541">Design Vignettes via Polyvore</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>

On my calendar ...

Sweet swag from Designer Bath. March has been a whirlwind ... we have had so many after-hours social events at work that it has been difficu...

9:08 PM

First day of spring ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegCS_6ge2TVdB2xH-_iz2bUHM9RKNs_rmvNJGSoga2qOjxmLFvMdmYa-W7dVdYCJV3TvA2iUS0u3PHN3srX0g_pu-dTzxqz9rIr5FsU45RmK4gqRLH0RFyMOfn59qTNF5fnwY_bEI-LGK/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-19+at+10.44.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegCS_6ge2TVdB2xH-_iz2bUHM9RKNs_rmvNJGSoga2qOjxmLFvMdmYa-W7dVdYCJV3TvA2iUS0u3PHN3srX0g_pu-dTzxqz9rIr5FsU45RmK4gqRLH0RFyMOfn59qTNF5fnwY_bEI-LGK/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-19+at+10.44.50+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A snow garden by <a href="http://www.heimlichs.com/">Heimlich</a></i><i><a href="http://www.heimlichs.com/">s Nursery</a> at the</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>2013 Boston Flower and Garden Show.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who else is in denial that winter is not leaving New England without a fight? I think we are all getting a bit tired of posting pretty pictures of snow covered landscapes. Let</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s just pretend that spring will actually start on March 20th as scheduled ...  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_fcOP62ImrFSZpla5Zz4BDwHL5Xo0p4GIKlO8PLUkxxKOIKj-4ymqEHQcbWBPh2kcTA9ZXzoVGoI25E4ZaKeIUT9T-EEQiz5LV_1Rrp6kmyfwQx4HGQIYqMLbDPHF4LlEnIju1nq0JCf/s1600/kokedama+at+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_fcOP62ImrFSZpla5Zz4BDwHL5Xo0p4GIKlO8PLUkxxKOIKj-4ymqEHQcbWBPh2kcTA9ZXzoVGoI25E4ZaKeIUT9T-EEQiz5LV_1Rrp6kmyfwQx4HGQIYqMLbDPHF4LlEnIju1nq0JCf/s800/kokedama+at+library.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It felt like spring last week at the Lynnfield Library during the annual Art in Bloom exhibit. As a member of the Village Home and Garden Club, I was asked to interpret a work of art with fresh flowers. My particular inspiration piece was a vibrant cut paper collage titled “</span><span style="font-size: large;">Nicaraguan Volcano</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> by Lynnfield high school student Alisha Fodera. I loved her mix of colors: lemon yellow, ocean blue, and emerald green.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The arrangements that I created for the show appeared (by complete chance) to be both submerged and rising out of the library provided cube-stacked pedestal that I draped with a delicate light blue wrap. Yellow tulips and green Bells of Ireland burst boldly from cylinder shaped glass vessels. The centerpiece of the arrangement was a plant form called “</span><span style="font-size: large;">kokedama.</span><span style="font-size: large;">” We were taught how to make these at our last club meeting. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbkRdRbZFk9H4MP1UaPcHaRQ5lG1PEI3M9UvyO7gmFdvPbXN_GF_5Y0_cMP-zvztRtbaI7sm3mJchbYwzudj59oK9xtlytm_7Xr8F6gmaR_MvOF48UageM8TGwn8e8xzYz_LaCwsLzrRY/s1600/ingredients+for+kokedama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbkRdRbZFk9H4MP1UaPcHaRQ5lG1PEI3M9UvyO7gmFdvPbXN_GF_5Y0_cMP-zvztRtbaI7sm3mJchbYwzudj59oK9xtlytm_7Xr8F6gmaR_MvOF48UageM8TGwn8e8xzYz_LaCwsLzrRY/s800/ingredients+for+kokedama.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Plant root systems are wrapped in a clay-based bonsai soil (akadama) then wrapped in moss and bound with twine to create a living container. Typically the </span><span style="font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-size: large;">moss ball</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> is more rounded, but mine ended up looking more like a triangle, which actually made it an ideal stand-in for the image of the volcano. Thank you, <a href="http://designing44.blogspot.com/2013/02/moss-balls-not-moth-balls.html">Laura Thomson,</a> for introducing us to this unusual technique which we were told is all over Pinterest these days.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RXsrOn9eiMZT1BmR8iwJr7U1bxQXdUxF0V-kUlC-YC6DApDnC5TyOK5ENZqSy5-uPZexFF9tW9aR-Sx2Fy3JfF4ONlJHiawEvIEhd_DedK8KOjCvL3PWYV-z90320leXARcG8l5c7EJA/s1600/kokedama+with+bulb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RXsrOn9eiMZT1BmR8iwJr7U1bxQXdUxF0V-kUlC-YC6DApDnC5TyOK5ENZqSy5-uPZexFF9tW9aR-Sx2Fy3JfF4ONlJHiawEvIEhd_DedK8KOjCvL3PWYV-z90320leXARcG8l5c7EJA/s800/kokedama+with+bulb.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Sunday I attended the Boston Flower and Garden Show and saw kokedamas on display. They were nice and round (although they looked a bit dry – they are watered by either submerging the ball in a dish of water or misting them daily) and inside of each of these was a paperwhite bulb. Kind of a cool idea to create a surprise garden starting with bulbs as opposed to a grown plant like we did (mine is home to traditional ivy).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z3hLXaGfjA2xFXIAl2YgzDCuxLmf_vDd9GTy4knTIj9hVn7xjaOt0ziZb5axc5X2lwTtHuj7LyLjUJKJEUyjqeXF0s-KFfyhrHS6l2eDsmXD095ccyOYsMGitOguuW697ffP9CSTM_CZ/s1600/paperwhites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z3hLXaGfjA2xFXIAl2YgzDCuxLmf_vDd9GTy4knTIj9hVn7xjaOt0ziZb5axc5X2lwTtHuj7LyLjUJKJEUyjqeXF0s-KFfyhrHS6l2eDsmXD095ccyOYsMGitOguuW697ffP9CSTM_CZ/s800/paperwhites.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>paperwhite bulbs at the Boston Flower and Garden Show</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GG74_htolAJvUgM27TlIDiCrt4s-yhyphenhypheno7IoCpF67470jE3auvzk5nWOjSkzgfFbFhEtR2PUx7hNW8vbLo3G94T2N0HWa-VRTwY_qcdIZcEpObqmeRGIKB5JEaV-Cy-DDr3uoAbe_VdY3/s1600/spring+blooms+Flower+Show+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GG74_htolAJvUgM27TlIDiCrt4s-yhyphenhypheno7IoCpF67470jE3auvzk5nWOjSkzgfFbFhEtR2PUx7hNW8vbLo3G94T2N0HWa-VRTwY_qcdIZcEpObqmeRGIKB5JEaV-Cy-DDr3uoAbe_VdY3/s800/spring+blooms+Flower+Show+13.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>boxwood, daffodils, Jacob’s ladder, ferns, azaleas</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were lots of bulb and woodland gardens at the flower show. These first-up favorites say spring to me. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGndu5RSuRjx-UtoNXRjiIox09dHoatc07U1hGchwvXMRlizcWVeBaiquaO1iz5iZ4s3b2LipihhSzZVlrNpquqY2sxWTHbfvKys5aFXYWPrkxmfhuGTcE8Ur2yUSm6a5V8rKGs6a-Janl/s1600/captured+garden+at+flower+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGndu5RSuRjx-UtoNXRjiIox09dHoatc07U1hGchwvXMRlizcWVeBaiquaO1iz5iZ4s3b2LipihhSzZVlrNpquqY2sxWTHbfvKys5aFXYWPrkxmfhuGTcE8Ur2yUSm6a5V8rKGs6a-Janl/s800/captured+garden+at+flower+show.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.thecapturedgarden.com/index.htm">vignette by The Captured Garden, Milton, MA</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will be borrowing this idea for my backyard this summer for sure! Vertical containers made out of aluminum air ducts hold twig gardens and sphagnum moss. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Finally a way to make my husband</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s HVAC supplies look fabulous!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Love it!  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYsSuinOXRaUoInzTgPUUwGg5C_1LZh4tPMNsha4mHQRjFPmUuGWz_vNRXbp8QfZezmAm0uCtKKCbe1ek1iQOB71zGJks_ZLaLmyHeRrmKgk9kCz6y26sxRl4QL4eXfkh2ff0Lw2zxA5Z/s1600/shade+garden+flower+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYsSuinOXRaUoInzTgPUUwGg5C_1LZh4tPMNsha4mHQRjFPmUuGWz_vNRXbp8QfZezmAm0uCtKKCbe1ek1iQOB71zGJks_ZLaLmyHeRrmKgk9kCz6y26sxRl4QL4eXfkh2ff0Lw2zxA5Z/s800/shade+garden+flower+show.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>large leaf hostas, curly willow, fern, vinca // <a href="http://www.crystalbrinson.com/">Crystal Brinson</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gardens are more than just plants ... stepping stones and rocks add interest to a predominantly green shade garden at the show.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmEVcbeuEB3_2Eyhvj4xxecLd1J-ZMSfYVrYL5Y6FTtB1AyLUNQNDoZZd-Ilo1btJ-fQs0k4w5goycaafsdjXE1ybtrVXPjfDkAQX_5JgRtvZRdosehIlosdAnyiqxPME3dgv-mK0P_Px/s1600/grass,+moss,+yellow+florals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmEVcbeuEB3_2Eyhvj4xxecLd1J-ZMSfYVrYL5Y6FTtB1AyLUNQNDoZZd-Ilo1btJ-fQs0k4w5goycaafsdjXE1ybtrVXPjfDkAQX_5JgRtvZRdosehIlosdAnyiqxPME3dgv-mK0P_Px/s800/grass,+moss,+yellow+florals.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>forsythia, gerbera daisy, </i><i>Italian ryegrass, </i><i>birch, ivy, </i><i>billy balls</i><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The show had plenty of garden club variety arrangements, too. This was one of my favorite constructions titled “For the Love of the Game – Tennis</span><span style="font-size: large;">” by Andrea Graveline of the Hopkington Garden Club.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> It won a blue and red ribbon for creativity and design. Playful!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrdDpnbA1DBN511f1mdqf4vVvXM9xINwfIJudygjTxZoziFfRVygVRHKcyOqoQCICACbtIcZ_QBTvHeSmjHe4wWTZIGNHnzrXSfVivIbbseJMsIQp_JZyS2tdeGBXDnz2icTdzakKZ0vB/s1600/circus+table+@flowershow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrdDpnbA1DBN511f1mdqf4vVvXM9xINwfIJudygjTxZoziFfRVygVRHKcyOqoQCICACbtIcZ_QBTvHeSmjHe4wWTZIGNHnzrXSfVivIbbseJMsIQp_JZyS2tdeGBXDnz2icTdzakKZ0vB/s800/circus+table+@flowershow.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This birthday party theme table top arrangement was designed by members of the Wareham Garden Club. I could appreciate their explanation: “Life for a six-year old boy can be a piece of cake, but often looks like a circus!” Yeah, I can attest to that.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6Vqozl7kpxJuQzhGFxFb03OHWTnjzYows31vdxP3AY0IpIhM-XozKcZOdxyo6D4B9fjVcFSNkc-SNJRNsJmth4CkUYzN3aahOQlVNB5YALrsALnjcUWA604SducYHOHGttF2eEtPu2BW/s1600/bamboo+and+moss+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6Vqozl7kpxJuQzhGFxFb03OHWTnjzYows31vdxP3AY0IpIhM-XozKcZOdxyo6D4B9fjVcFSNkc-SNJRNsJmth4CkUYzN3aahOQlVNB5YALrsALnjcUWA604SducYHOHGttF2eEtPu2BW/s800/bamboo+and+moss+garden.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.nelandartisan.com/">New England Land Artisan</a> and <a href="http://www.goshenstone.com/">Goshen Stone Company</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Serenity! If you have trouble growing gardens, why not try starting a collection of moss covered rocks? They are basicaly maintenance-free and verdantly gorgeous, too. And you won’</span><span style="font-size: large;">t find a quicker growing plant to go with them then bamboo. This minimal landscape, artfully arranged, makes gardening look like a simple task.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEC9Wy6npREX0mrVDzri2dCLaSO6mnj58xgqi1RntJMenXPAUaoHBYoAvseIqX4w8LLurn9TzVEiFg4BWCzgBYJxm4iMTTcI_lviFEf9p467VRhH9AjS-xzA71oMdh3DS4iutawWN13VO/s1600/moss+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEC9Wy6npREX0mrVDzri2dCLaSO6mnj58xgqi1RntJMenXPAUaoHBYoAvseIqX4w8LLurn9TzVEiFg4BWCzgBYJxm4iMTTcI_lviFEf9p467VRhH9AjS-xzA71oMdh3DS4iutawWN13VO/s800/moss+garden.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Japanese garden by members of the Newport Flower Show</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you don’t have a lot of room or time, you could start your garden out really small like this Japanese rock garden which was just a few feet across. Sweet. I think I will make one of these in <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-secret-garden-room.html">my patio area.</a> I have plenty of moss, ferns, and pea stone. I love a cost-free plan that isn’</span><span style="font-size: large;">t labor-intensive.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKQNx1-WoII65E0raOV0jG2oLzt0tWc2uEyRAFh8FtAYZbK-1W3n07w_WSxq4S9ruTrjjzQ46a4k_uNTBL_LjTQsledJakgXBVChiaWtCELaXWI3Qx98sVxaaA-SEuWPfRPBxpgA9pC61/s1600/manzanita+display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKQNx1-WoII65E0raOV0jG2oLzt0tWc2uEyRAFh8FtAYZbK-1W3n07w_WSxq4S9ruTrjjzQ46a4k_uNTBL_LjTQsledJakgXBVChiaWtCELaXWI3Qx98sVxaaA-SEuWPfRPBxpgA9pC61/s800/manzanita+display.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>design by Hiroko Matsuyama and Keiko Thayer // Ohara School</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am totally into vertical gardens lately. White mitsumata branches are striking in this Ikebana display (Japanese art of flower arranging) when combined with camellia leaves, yellow oncidium orchids and dripping amaranthus caudatus ‘</span><span style="font-size: large;">Rosary.</span><span style="font-size: large;">’ Thankfully names of plants and materials used are posted beside each arrangement!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrIVgfr3lcvkJEEUXAEIJ7Y5-vokgCEC0R4iXWcN0bSglViDnui1PdjkCW5j-INO8W6yMJauma5sVs0L2RmRKXABvLjxrjxBDdBa6_8SWMdUtc9FpEvkfu_JL17RehnU11fYayYXHsjyj/s1600/electrical+pipe+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrIVgfr3lcvkJEEUXAEIJ7Y5-vokgCEC0R4iXWcN0bSglViDnui1PdjkCW5j-INO8W6yMJauma5sVs0L2RmRKXABvLjxrjxBDdBa6_8SWMdUtc9FpEvkfu_JL17RehnU11fYayYXHsjyj/s800/electrical+pipe+garden.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.angelarose.org/SculptureGarden.html">Angela Rose</a> and <a href="http://www.lavitabellagardens.com/">La Vita Bella Garden Design and Company</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">More vertical fabulousness. Electrical pipe curls and grows out of a white rocked stream surrounded by dwarf mugo pine and spritely English daisies. This flowing sculpture garden is titled “</span><span style="font-size: large;">Beneath</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and is inspired by the forms and textures found on the ocean floor. Delightful!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrZg2-zGBQCOTAO5fW5S0skgIvcmIyprX4FMf8STuEDas2ddieFyoFskoS1uyY9BDZ3n4fHQXvEvlGwsIOh4fyajEz9UBuhIFTLdN_jVTAI_A1muoBNwAAiz4OKkJcSRK_UkRqBCw1cHQ/s1600/daffodils+@flowershow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrZg2-zGBQCOTAO5fW5S0skgIvcmIyprX4FMf8STuEDas2ddieFyoFskoS1uyY9BDZ3n4fHQXvEvlGwsIOh4fyajEz9UBuhIFTLdN_jVTAI_A1muoBNwAAiz4OKkJcSRK_UkRqBCw1cHQ/s320/daffodils+@flowershow.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year I vow to give my garden the attention it deserves. I have been completely inspired! How about you?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

First day of spring ...

A snow garden by Heimlich s Nursery at the 2013 Boston Flower and Garden Show. Who else is in denial that winter is not leaving New England...

9:27 PM

Winter’s last breath ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9CiCngV6yRceA5XdfTv7s9Fe__JFLsJHyUmJ_ije2TFrfvSUnWMn1CBKkwht-K_aMc1dxBVJe-wUe4BiBjKjYJICsFkOWT5VkO1xFgkv56x46xWBs2Q2-5CssGV7-RVST6lQ8cDH-aom/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+3.42.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9CiCngV6yRceA5XdfTv7s9Fe__JFLsJHyUmJ_ije2TFrfvSUnWMn1CBKkwht-K_aMc1dxBVJe-wUe4BiBjKjYJICsFkOWT5VkO1xFgkv56x46xWBs2Q2-5CssGV7-RVST6lQ8cDH-aom/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+3.42.42+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The snapshot above was taken last Sunday. I was so excited to see these crocuses making their way out of their frozen slumber! Today we are buried under a foot of the white stuff again. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUhxbXf4UbWU_VXcpE7ALnxxRtoa8pNExs6r4BgJLbihLtqm7oJ3GPfzaPmJWPRYBVxdzAMQUXbcH6CTUrEqpKNvhr3tlQPzOOA34Y2JkoMh451HVJsxdGOHbsyuqUyalX94pZVJM0M7s/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+3.52.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUhxbXf4UbWU_VXcpE7ALnxxRtoa8pNExs6r4BgJLbihLtqm7oJ3GPfzaPmJWPRYBVxdzAMQUXbcH6CTUrEqpKNvhr3tlQPzOOA34Y2JkoMh451HVJsxdGOHbsyuqUyalX94pZVJM0M7s/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+3.52.23+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">While a monochromatic canvas exists outside my window, my thoughts drift to colorful bouquets and flower shows ... </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-size: large;">Spring on my mind ...</span></i><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />On Monday night, the annual <a href="http://lynnfield.patch.com/events/art-in-bloom-at-the-lynnfield-library">Art in Bloom</a> exhibit at the Lynnfield Library will be opening. I am hoping to find some pretty spring-like blossoms this weekend to use in my floral interpretation of a local high school student’s artwork. Last year was the first time our garden club opened up the show to student artists. The collaboration was really inspiring and brought a youthful energy to the exhibit. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This year we have even more students participating. I promise to share some favorite photos after the event.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQST9X6J_1exAZjqP9qeB9gVBj-U_tCg1J0KAJfT4ntwAKG7jl3arTuxWBSxfEyp1sFMDncJ4WsX7rwxfa0Fgi7Tpvdok8MdcNGe7DNn163whRDZdlyBiBw9XzG6DUijpHVTMf94i0utV/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.22.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQST9X6J_1exAZjqP9qeB9gVBj-U_tCg1J0KAJfT4ntwAKG7jl3arTuxWBSxfEyp1sFMDncJ4WsX7rwxfa0Fgi7Tpvdok8MdcNGe7DNn163whRDZdlyBiBw9XzG6DUijpHVTMf94i0utV/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.22.56+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“Pastorale” by Beth Aaronson // floral arrangement by Bootie Stevens</i><br /><i><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2012/03/art-in-bloom-2012.html">View Art in Bloom 2012 here</a></i></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">If you are in town, stop by the library between 7:30 – 9 pm to join us for the opening night reception with the artists and members of the <a href="http://lynnfield.patch.com/articles/the-village-home-and-garden-club-builds-on-historic-roots">Village Home and Garden Club.</a> Refreshments will be served and there will be some raffle prizes. Last year someone took home a gorgeous tree from <a href="http://www.northeastnursery.com/">Northeast Nursery</a> to plant in their yard. Art in Bloom is open to the public through Friday, March 15th.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxit25-JZvF_1kCx6jRtBweqM1iKqWk2Hugv-13Xbj9Uc68iai5ZyZM75dIUW8uAm7ecn22wydsXrO2BlBldAwdoKEICM0xEgLs25x0JU5ZdRBDKSeIm49bVdKtiLqVe6HlCANMq0tgdhL/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.08.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxit25-JZvF_1kCx6jRtBweqM1iKqWk2Hugv-13Xbj9Uc68iai5ZyZM75dIUW8uAm7ecn22wydsXrO2BlBldAwdoKEICM0xEgLs25x0JU5ZdRBDKSeIm49bVdKtiLqVe6HlCANMq0tgdhL/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.08.28+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Boston Flower and Garden Show 2011</i><br /><i><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/19">Stone gate and garden by New England Land Artisan of Stratham, NH </a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/19">featured in New England Finery, April 2011</a> </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">The ultimate interior landscape ...</span></i><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I just realized that the <a href="http://www.bostonflowershow.com/">Boston Flower and Garden Show</a> opens next week and runs Wednesday through Sunday at the Seaport World Trade Center. I hope I can make it over there before it ends. Like many of my New England neighbors, I am in serious need of brightly-hued flowers, warm sunshine, and the smell of fragrant blossoms to beckon me back outdoors.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1URE0gX79DBYkgD67DsXpBkk46Xn5eayiVy3kpui7T8wlp4tb2itYrLKoHJjf4Rh546HtRG_wdp2pfkKgWAWVY_ksU7qMImNroB2aKvWlCy-4Jrsu-knGsGdBoq_HkY8Q5FxWl5NoUv3/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.07.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1URE0gX79DBYkgD67DsXpBkk46Xn5eayiVy3kpui7T8wlp4tb2itYrLKoHJjf4Rh546HtRG_wdp2pfkKgWAWVY_ksU7qMImNroB2aKvWlCy-4Jrsu-knGsGdBoq_HkY8Q5FxWl5NoUv3/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.07.50+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Boston Flower and Garden Show 2011</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/11">New England Arts and Flowers of Walpole, MA</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/11">featured in New England Finery, April 2011</a></i></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzpkYdNMr9AgRn1V6kEMD4dHMxJQHUpAEZJwUfyKQk7N4igpMwQRsV9jUn2hFBip2NmH72_vBSbpocMiOitwov_O2NZXiV6boYcHiYBq6BTTC4n8iNeYe62f5QpggLP3EZcVqgEcU_Uab/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.51.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzpkYdNMr9AgRn1V6kEMD4dHMxJQHUpAEZJwUfyKQk7N4igpMwQRsV9jUn2hFBip2NmH72_vBSbpocMiOitwov_O2NZXiV6boYcHiYBq6BTTC4n8iNeYe62f5QpggLP3EZcVqgEcU_Uab/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.51.18+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.landryandarcari.com/GalleryFocus.php?f=Suzani-Ikat-Rug&pic=45&max=68">Suzani Design Rug, Hand-Knotted in Pakistan</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.landryandarcari.com/GalleryFocus.php?f=Suzani-Ikat-Rug&pic=45&max=68">available at Landry and Arcari</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Fabulous florals in silk and wool ...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The final seminar in the <a href="http://www.bostonmagazine.com/passport">Boston Home Magazine Passport to Design</a> series was rescheduled to Thursday, March 14th (canceled from its original night on the 7th because of you guessed it, another snowstorm). I will be at the Landry and Arcari showroom in Salem, MA from 6 to 8pm with my peeps from <a href="http://designerbath.com/">Designer Bath</a> and the rest of the Passport to Design team members. Registered guests will learn how to select fine carpets to decorate their homes. If you would like to attend, please email contact@landryandarcari.com to get your name on the list. This will be the final opportunity</span><span style="font-size: large;"> to enter to win the $20,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes, which could easily outfit any home with a fresh new look for spring.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>

Winter’s last breath ...

The snapshot above was taken last Sunday. I was so excited to see these crocuses making their way out of their frozen slumber! Today we are ...

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