Finding a Nest...

Finding a new place to reside is never an easy task. I have spent my life living in fabulous historic homes in wonderful places. I lived many years on a farm which was an amazing experience. However most recently I examined "How I want to live". It was work to really look at all the corners of my wants and wishes. I decided in this phase of my life I wanted to live in the city. Not just any city, but a place with skyscrapers and jazz clubs and a performing arts center. I wanted to live in a city that was walkable. The cool thing is I have found that perfect mix. Uptown Charlotte. What a place. I am going to take a space on the 24th floor of a building called "The Avenue." It has everything I want and a view of the city and beyond by day and the night time view is sparkly and makes me feel like I am on a dreamy movie set. It is exactly what I had envisioned. It feels like an Airee ( an Eagles Nest). Unimpeded views, a south western exposure. Ummm I cannot wait to start furnishing. The space is modern with dark hardwood floors. It will be interesting living in the clouds, living with less and exploring this new and interesting chapter in my life!

Lighting 101...

Lighting is a critical component in good design. Whether you are lighting a room, or a whole house. This is IMPORTANT. Consider how much time you spend in your kitchen, for example. Many hours every week, every month, and every year. The thing is this, if you had optimum lighting you would want to spend even more time cooking, chopping preparing and hanging out in your kitchen. Why? Easy. Task lighting, ambient lighting and general lighting all can work together as a team making it not only a joy to cook but wonderful to experience. Task lighting, for chopping, and seeing exactly what is you are doing utilizing a nice down-light ceiling can that illuminates your work space. Ambient lighting can be quiet sconces, that add to the mood. General lighting could be as simple as the illumination from your fan light. It is imperative that you use rheostat's (dimmers, they are easy to install, Lowes has all kinds of choices and sizes). Why? Simple, they will make your rooms sing with grace and beauty. You will have the ability to turn some of your lighting up and other portions down depending upon your mood and your needs.
At "Fantastic House by the Sea" the lighting is knock out gorgeous. The lighting designer really put his thinking cap on. He anticipated how people would inhabit and use the rooms. I particularly love the sweetly lit piece of Art over one of the Fireplaces. The unusual point is that it is lit from below. This changes how color is perceived and illuminates the Art from an unexpected angle.

Lighting is the magic component of a home that is truly exquisite. This house on the Outer Banks has many great components to enjoy, admire and study. Lighting is one of the pulls this residence together and when paired up with color, furnishings and the overall flow and design of this house the inspired lighting makes a huge difference.

Blue Ceilings, a Little Closer to Heaven? Maybe....

Blue ceilings have quite a history. If you are from the South in the Low Country, you would call the color blue painted on a porch ceiling "Haint Blue" because it is said to ward off evil spirits and keep hags away. In other parts of the South folks believe that typical shades of Porch Blue actually keep bugs away. I spent a few hours researching both of these claims and I can report that both are in the "Romantic Old Wives Tale" genre. However I also know that folks paint their ceilings blue to bring in nature, emulate the sky or to create a heavenly or celestial mood when the look towards the heavens in their homes. I myself find it calming and soothing to look up and gaze upon Blue. No matter what the reason Blue Ceilings are more popular now than ever. Every day folks are choosing different shades of Blue for the ceilings of their porches as well as inside their homes.

At "Fantastic House by the Sea" where I am staying this week. Most of the interior ceilings are various shades of blue. It is amazing because it actually brings in a deeper color reflection of the sea that is so much a part of this home. I have noticed that the blue changes with the light and can be vibrant or quietly reflective depending upon the time of day. The suite where I have been staying is painted a dusty shaded down Blue. The room is very relaxing and soothing to be in. The ceiling is a few shades darker. I remark upon this because typically it would have been painted lighter not darker. It works and it works well. The color schematic in this house was inspired by the sand and the sea. Two colors in nature that are complimentary, calming and a tried and true classic.

If you are thinking of painting your ceilings Blue, inside or out consider a few things. Try to be subtle, use a paler shade of blue, not too dark, bright or verbose. Ben Moore and Sherwin Williams both have knowledgeable color Technicians who can help you to choose the right shade that will work with the predominate color way of your home. Have fun and really trust that blue CAN work for you.

Transition can be fun...

"I'm thinking often of you in your car full of beautiful things and rocks and a crow and 50 wine glasses....the stuff of a great memoir." Senator Lynn Bromley. My dear friend Lynn sent this to me a few days ago. Our friends are dear, our friends are funny, and our friends can sum up the whole of our lives in a single sentence! Lynn is a fun, funny and interesting gal. We laugh, side splitting sometimes. I am lucky to have people in my life who ground us. My friends ground me.

Today it has been one week since I left the Tundra. It makes me think of how blessed I have been to have a true tribe of friends who have become a modern and chosen version of family. This connection has helped me to be strong in the path I have chosen to take. I am in North Carolina, but still am decompressing on the Outer Banks. My sister Sheila and her friend were kind enough to offer me a spot in what I think is a fantastic house. So fantastic in fact I will be writing about this space, from a design perspective most of the week. I feel so lucky to be here. I will take many photos of all of the guests and all of our adventures. Life can be fun, we have to relax, take it in and expect everything to turn out as it is supposed to, because it does.

Thanks to all of you that have emailed, phoned and sent messages. It means so much to this girl in the middle of a life transition. I am OK!

A Gift from the Sea...

Have you ever listened to a piece of music and it was somehow vaguely familiar? I often find that the more I listen the more I understand. The notes, the baseline, the tempo and every instrument that creates the unity of sound, each as important alone as they are together. It oftentimes can feel as if it comes from a place deep within. When I explore a new and different place it can have the same effect on me as music. Cape Hatteras is rugged, moody and at the end of the world. The sound of the sea is a constant rhythmic pulse and can be heard from almost anywhere you happen to be on this long spit of sand that creates a sound and protection from hurricanes for the mainland of North Carolina. The Outer Banks ecologically is very delicate and if the scientists are correct about global warming it is one of the spots that will undoubtedly become a modern day Atlantis, lost to the sea from where it came. The colors on this long reach are subtle. They can range from Sandy Taupe’s, Deep Ocher’s, Bright and Dull Greens to 100 shades of Blue from Tropical to Steely. The seashells are equally as colorful but in a more subtle, tonal palette. Walking on the shore the amount of birds is staggering. I observed Laughing Gulls, Terns, Trumpeter Swans, Warblers, Jays and the ever-present Crows. Waiting to get onto the ferry from Ocracoke Island I marveled at a Tugboat docked in the water, mostly because it was covered with 52 crows roosting on any available surface! I counted, wow that is a lot of Crows hanging out on the water. Those of you, who know me, know that I believe that Crows signify great change, or that change is in the air. I am certain they were there as a Talisman to send me into the newest chapter of the book I call “My Life.”

I am blessed to be able to stay and enjoy this long sandy reach for another week. I will explore the light on the water, in small estuaries and on the ever-changing sandy dunes. I am looking forward to more walks on the beach. I am reminded of Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s book “A Gift from The Sea”. The sea teaches us to be humble and to stay simple; all things in life and in nature come and go. The simple act of picking up a shell can feel sacred. The sound of the waves, a laughing Gull, the gentle breeze blowing your hair and the warmth of the sun, all are gifts from the sea. The sand, the tides and the sea are ever changing. So are we, so am I. Life is a gift, it needs to be lived in the present. Cliché’ but true. I am committed to being the best person I can be and share the gifts I have to offer. A crow is cawing in the distance, yes indeed, change is in the air and I am up for the challenge.

Design, Life and Possibilities

I love the fact that when you leave an area, situation or even a relationship new opportunities always present themselves. Leaving Maine was a difficult decision. I did many things living in the extreme north. Commercial and Home Design as well as setting up displays and merchandising stores, great fun. I was always inspired by the colors of the natural world. Extraordinary sunrises and sunsets and a light that lingers and is reflective in sometimes a mystical way. Austere Yankee architecture. Tight lines, purposeful decorative features, terrific porches, and a winter that never ends. I sure learned alot about different shades of white and I am not being funny! The shadow a Pine tree casts upon the snow has over 100 shades of blue, amazing. Snow in the beginning and end of each day can glow peach or even periwinkle, magic.

Now driving south on this first day of April, changes in the light are palpable. Architecture is a bit different, colors warmer and not as clear.
I am looking forward to working with the Home and Garden palette that the south offers. Interesting, and different architecturally and a wonderful change. People live with more in the south. More in the Gardens and more in their Homes. Funny, I often think that our nation is homogeneous. In a sense that is true. However design can be regional and with all of the popular design magazines those lines are becoming blurred. I would ask you to pick up a Veranda Magazine. Totally southern, filled to full with wonderful pieces, and colors with a flair of English and French design sensibilities as the foundation. Go north and pick up an issue of Accent Magazine and note the color differences as well as furnishings. Less ornate, more about nature and bringing the outdoors in. In an artful way. I love it all and could not ask for a better life than to design in all regions utilizing the local flavor and color palette for inspiration. I am looking forward to walking through newly open doors and the excitement and adventure that lies on the otherside!