The Baroness of Art...

Nancy Barron is a painter. She is inspired by nature and her personal surroundings. It is a delight to visit her studio and her personal space. She has made her home on the shores of the Kennebec River in the little town of South Gardiner. She lives in a lovely Victorian beauty with many wonderful rooms and a terrific porch overlooking the river. I have spent many an afternoon on that porch watching the Eagles fish, the Crows spar and Robins scaring up some grub on her grassy front lawn area.
Her studio is in an older part of her home. It is filled with projects, finished and in progress.




She shows her work occasionally at the Harlow Gallery in Hallowell, Maine. You can also find her there on the occasional afternoon and most weekends. She also shows at other local venues. I am a fan of Nancy and her Art. I am lucky enough to own several of her paintings. Her approach is always thoughtful and fresh.


She uses a variety of mediums, always has fun and what I love best is that her work is drawn from nature and is always a little love letter to her special corner of the world. Thanks for the beauty you create Nancy, you are a treasure!
If you are interested in her work you can email Nancy Barron at nkbme@hotmail.com

Isabella's Springtime Courtyard

Isabella had the right idea. Her first big soiree' at the Villa in Boston was a cold winter night in 1903. She had turned her home into a public museum. She delighted in the company of interesting people and beautiful objects of art. The Villa was designed around a courtyard. All of the inner windows open onto this courtyard. All of the windows are over-sized and feature tall french doors with balconies. My favorite spot is on the third floor in the south facing wing. I like to stand at the window looking into the courtyard and listen to the sound of water from the fountain below. On Saturday when I visited the smell of Freesia's filled the air. That peppery sweetness mixed with a bit of citrus. MMMM intoxicating. I must have stood in the window for a half hour. The temperature was a warm and blissful 75. Plenty of sunshine was pouring through the glassed in roof and lulling me into a false sense of an early spring! You see on this particular day in Boston, outside it was low 40's with a brisk wind and not so pleasant.
Isabella has created the environment of an Italian Villa. Lovely.




Her museum is filled with art and furniture as well as a large collection of ecclesiastical antiquities (altars, crosses and biblical paintings).She collected these pieces from all over the world. She felt it was important to make sure her collection could be viewed into perpetuity and she properly endowed her museum so that could happen. She was a visionary and lover of beautiful things. I would have loved to have known Isabella she was interesting, fun, outgoing and not afraid of taking life and making it her own. You can learn more about her by visiting her museum in the Back Fens of Boston (near MFA) or log onto Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Perfume: Ooh LaLa...

I am almost out of my perfume. Gasp! Rest assured I will place my order after I post this article. From a very young age I was aware of fragrance. More specifically my parents personal smell. My Mother smelled like Faberge's Aphrodesia and my Father always left the imprint of Old Spice. In my mind you choose a fragrance and stick with it. I ascribe to this way of thinking.

Personal fragrance has been popular since the beginning of time. People used to use cologne or scented waters to keep a fresh smell about them. The fragrances were heavy and strong, because in the day it masked an unwashed body. Colognes and Perfumes were derived from natural Essences and Oils extracted from plants and flowers. Perfume making has not really changed all that much. However many fragrances are chemically produced. The big drawback with this process is that often times this type of cologne can cause allergic reactions headaches and such and not smell as nice or linger on your skin as long. When I was a teenager and in my 20's I always wore the classic fragrance called Shalimar. It was light and flowery but not cloying. Later I switched to Antonia's Flowers which was created by a florist from East Hampton New York. This fragrance had notes of Freesia and Citrus. Peppery/Spice with a hint of sweetness. But several years ago I switched to Melodie. It has a different dimension than my past fragrances. However it shares both of the qualities. I love it. People often stop and ask what kind of perfume are you wearing? That is when you know it is a perfume that creates a divine alchemy with the individual chemistry of your body. This past year I had to find a new Fragonard fragrance, they had stopped making Melodie, I now spray on Capucine, similar and smells great. I visited the Parfume House of Fragonard in Grasse, France back in 2003. This little town in the Cote' De Azur is known for perfume making. People have been buying their parfume from the many manufacturers in Grasse for centuries. I was lucky enough to take the tour and saw the Perfume making process from beginning to end. Very scientific, and most of the creative work is done in a bright white lab by Alchemist's of the first order! What a delight. Fragonard creates all of the scents for Chanel and Guerlain to name a few. Most of the Fragonard's perfume's essential oils are derived from the flowers and plants that grow in Southern France. Specifically in and around the town of Grasse. The gardens and fields of flowers surrounding this town are breath taking. Absolutely wonderful. Consider this, do you have a signature fragrance? Are you looking for a change? Has your body chemistry changes? Should you think of a new twist in how you smell? All fun questions with really fun answers. Go to your local Department Store, try a few be brave and have fun. All of the stores have paper strips to spray the fragrance onto. Bring a Coffee Bean and in between sniffs take a whiff of your bean. It cleanses your nose so you can smell all the nuances the high notes and base notes. When trying different perfumes make sure that your choices are derived from natural oils, this is where the sales person will be able to help you to discern which is what. Remember to always buy Toilet Water or Perfume. These have more oils and less water. They will stay with you most of the day. Cologne is fleeting fragrance there for just a moment and then poof it is gone. Have fun and take a friend for an extra opinion and a good time. Enjoy, Jolie'!

Henry & Marty's, Yum....

I had the pleasure of dining at one of my favorite Maine restaurants on Wednesday night. What fun. I do dine here on a somewhat frequent basis and never have I been disappointed. Sometimes I have drinks with a friend, other times a wonderful dinner.But I always feel welcome and valued as a guest in their restaurant.
What I love about Henry & Marty's is the local food and fresh, really fresh , produce and fish. The Chef consistantly serves dishes inspired by a country, a place or some other inspired theme. Always a delight.
If you want to check out Henry & Marty's they are located at 61 Maine St. in Brunswick, Maine. You can call for reservations, 207.721.9141(a good idea as most evenings in the High season are packed) This treat of a place gets the KDB100% rating. Yummy, fun, friendly and fresh. Go and check them out tonight!

Bluebirds...

Springtime, things are gearing up for the growing season ahead. But another magical ritual is the birdies. They are coming back to their nesting areas. A friend of mine in the Carolinas sent me a sweet note the other day. He lives on a farm and is a great observer of nature. I am posting that note. Enjoy.

"New life was also on the wing as the sun drifted to light the balance of our world. The yard is wide, open, with the Oak tree budding in preparation of creating a canopy which that will create amazing shade all summer long. These Oaks are also nesting places for Blue Birds. The seven houses were cleaned out on Saturday in preparation for this year’s families. What a life, no mortgages to qualify for, nor rents to pay and no jobs to distract them from the task at hand. They share the story of a true couple living together, working together and sharing nest time. Their one Mission is to raise their clutch and do it well.
Three couples flew into town (my farm) and put on a show few have ever seen before. They flew from house to house. The male would fly up put his head in the hole and fly away. The female would approach look inside, go inside the home and fly out. All three did the same thing not once but twice. One wonders what she was looking for today, but I think know. As in many relationships the male says, there is a roof and four walls let’s move in. No, says the female, as always the deeper thinker. She knows the location must be right for her family to be after all their survival depends upon it."

Roses, A Few Top Picks...

I love Roses and I delight in a garden filled with them. It is fun to fill the house with their graceful beauty and wonderful fragrance.I was thinking, Hmmm what are some of my top picks? The following are easy to grow and terrific performers. I particularly like the English and Antique Roses. However I have been known to slide in a few hybrids. Sometimes it is hard to resist the modern variety for their sheer beauty. Although the fragrance often times is not as strong or as richly scented as the older varieties.










This wonderful Rose is called Brass Band. A modern and heavy bloomer. One of Oprah's signature Roses!



This Apricot beauty is called Lady Emma Hamilton, it is a David Austin Rose. I love it for the fragrance, color and easy care. It only blooms prolifically twice a season, but worth the space.




Golden Celebration, indeed. A lovelier Rose is hard to find. Hearty, disease resistant and a good performer. At times it seems to be a bit of a show off in the garden. This beauty also has a terrific, slightly fruity fragrance.







Carefree Wonder is the perfect name for this non-conforming Rose. This gets to be bushy and big, I like to pair it with Rosemary and Lavender. It can grow on hillsides and other wild areas in your garden. It needs to be left alone to do its thing. Not a great cut flower and not terrifically fragrant. However this Rose is a real workhorse and performs most of the season.






Another David Austin Rose. English Garden. This Rose lives up to its name. It is a good performer, and smells yummy. Love it. I like to walk through my Rose Garden in the mornings and snap off a few Blooms, set them on the dashboard of my car and let the sunshine heat them up to release their fragrance all day long. At the end of the day I have a perfectly dried Rose to set in the large ongoing plate or bowl of Rose heads that sit on various tabletops around my home.

Lovely Moment...

I love a nest, under glass. I collected this nest several winters ago. I enjoy the quirky display of the nest under a glass cloche with a faux egg, of course!

A Magical Dinner Party...

Dinner parties can be magical. I attended a great one last night. All the guests arrived around six. Everyone came bearing gifts of wine and were in very good spirits. Our hostess and dear friend, Pasha, took our coats and ushered us into the living room.
She had candles lit, flowers in low vases and appetizers filling a large round center table. Yummy. She had put together an interesting group of folks. Some of us had known each other for 20 years! We visited, laughed, talked and relaxed. After about 30 minutes we moved on to the dining room. The table was set beautifully. She used a color way of Blue with dashes of Purple. Placemats, napkins, water goblets and wine glasses, candles tall and short, everything sparkled with the love, thought and the intention she had used while putting this lovely table together. She had invited eight guests. I think this is the perfect number. It is small enough to still be intimate, yet large enough to say “Wow that was some party!” We were treated to a terrific meal of Seafood and an amazing Curry dish, followed by an organic Salad and then Berries and Cake. We laughed, talked and toasted to each other, our memories and our lovely hostess. A good time was had by all. Thanks Pasha.

A Wonderful Spring/Easter Treat...

Yesterday I was at the "Daybreak Manor" in Wiscasset, Maine. My friend Heather Livingston owns this dream of a property and has been busy with this endeavor for several years. She is a woman who is not only talented but an ambitious planner and very hard worker. She has fresh cut Flowers in the Spring and Summer, Hydrangeas and Bittersweet in the Autumn and Wine and Honey year round. The property also features an Antique shop, this converted barn is filled to full with French and English antiques.
Her latest venture is blown eggs. She has a handful of beautiful French Chickens who lay Green, Blue and Brown eggs. On a trip to France she saw eggs that had been blown out, and carefully placed in vintage glass jars, Antique Urns and baskets. She brought the idea and concept home to Maine and tried her hand at it this Spring.
She gathers the eggs from the hens and washes them. She then drills and makes a hole in either end. The next step is to blow the egg out, ever so carefully. She uses a needle and air compressor for this portion of the process. When the eggs are cleaned out she cleans out the inside with water, then air dries them for several days. She said she has many recipes for eggs these days! If you are interested in purchasing a dozen or even half a dozen Gayle at Ornament Home in Bath, Maine is carrying them. These are totally beautiful and could be a year round addition for decoration in your home. Yes let us think of the possibilities.
Fun, fun!

Estate Sale or Tag Sale?

I think I have been in the midst of the longest running Estate Sale ever or at least it feels like it! I am moving from Maine to North Carolina. I like “Stuff” and have collected alot of it. Luckily many years ago I adopted the motto of “Live with what you love, and is truly beautiful”. So fortunately I do not have junk. I love Antiques. Furniture, Mirrors, Art, Pottery, Platters, Ironstone, Silver plates, Trays, and Candlesticks. I have spent decades collecting them from many different places around the country.
When I decided to leave my 23 year marriage and relocate I thought long and hard about what I wanted my new life to look like. Having a such a large collection does not reflect the side of me that is striving to be free. I would like to be able to travel on a moments notice, to live in a smaller space and not have the responsibility of managing my collection. My thought was this; stuff takes time, energy, thought and a willing person to manage a collection. I am no longer willing. My new motto is “Less is enough”.
So let’s get back to the intention of this article. What is the difference between a Tag Sale and an Estate Sale? Simple. An Estate Sale typically has items and objects that a person has accumulated in a lifetime, usually the person is going to a Rest Home or is no longer living. A Tag Sale may have a few antiques and collectibles but mostly it is average stuff that people just do not want or can no longer use.

I have marketed this sale in an interesting way. I first invited my friends who like the same type of things. I then invited a slew of antique dealers. I then had a general open to the public Estate Sale. The first day of my official Estate Sale was on my birthday in January. I thought it interesting to have an Estate Sale while alive, cognizant and in the middle of life. I feel like I am giving myself permission to have a second life. A life filled with more spirit, memories and authentic living.



I had the downstairs of my home filled with items for sale. I am down to one room of beautiful objects for sale. Yeah! Look closely at the photos, I have photographed what is left for sale. I will add a few common Garden Items, and Household items and re-invent my Estate Sale into a Tag Sale. It will be held in a few weeks. Then I am off for the next chapter or is it a new book, of my life. It will be an adventure. I am leaving 20 days from today. I am nervous, excited, happy and sad. I keep reminding myself, no matter where you go, there you are. I am a happy person and will be satisfied with the journey. I live life in the present, and the present is always a gift.

If you see anything you are interested in, send me an email or call 207 653 9334.

Clam Shells Make Perfect Pathways...

I grew up in Southern California and going to the beach was a way of life. When I was a young girl my favorite beach was in Palos Verdes, we called it Rocky Beach.



It was always so cool picking around in the tidal pools and looking at Sea Urchins, Starfish, and Sea Anenomes. I truly loved those days.


I still go to the seashore, it is one of my personal sacred spots. I have spent the last seven Summers on the coast of Maine.



The beaches are filled with washed up Mussel shells and giant Clam shells. I love to walk on the sand and listen to the tide, as it makes its daily turn from high to low or low to high. The ocean is magic and heady stuff! I decided this past summer to be creative with my Clam Shells and Heart Rocks and they became the newest addition to my front path. The path had been Pea Gravel and Mussel Shells with some Sea Glass thrown in. Changing up the path seemed like it would be a fun and easy project, and it was! So I went down to the Sea several times a week and walked the shore, bucket in hand. I have this funny little cobalt blue bucket that I use to hold the seashells. These shells also look great in pots around the plants, and they also become a mulch layer which helps to keep the moisture in. Have fun and be creative, the path to your home is the first place people walk into your personal space. Is your front path special and uniquely yours? Go ahead be brave, have fun and use your imagination.

Eastlake goes Cottage Chic...

Wow, I had so much fun transforming this Eastlake Style Mirror into Cottage Chic on Saturday afternoon. I decided to paint it white, and add some shells I had collected this summer down at Hermits Island. I think the effect is lovely. Very simple process. I used Titanium White Acrylic Paint, my round #8 brush and about 2.5 hours worth of my time. First I wiped down the frame, and if the finish had been glossier I would have used some liquid Sandpaper for my first coat. However his mirror was in rough shape. Shoot it had been made in about 1880. I was lucky the original glass and most of the medallion features had made it this far! I painted the frame White, then glued the shells onto the bottom, and added the one large shell to the top left. I then painted the shells white. Viola' Cottage Chic. Try it, it is fun! I am happy with my afternoon project, and I know that after breathing new life into it I will enjoy it in a whole new way.

Lovely Spring Moment...

Anthropologie has created a little corner of Spring magic on their website.
Click on the link below and experience the graphic and audio journey
"Metamorphosis of Spring". Birds, Butterflies, Blossoms and a bit of Rain. True Alchemy. Yummy. Click on the link below, when on the site, click on Points of View, then click on Metamorphosis.
Anthropologie.com

Springtime pick me up...

This is the hardest time of year for me. I know alot of you share my angst. It is still freezing up in the north and somewhat chilly in the South and the West. In any case there are a few tricks I incorporate into my life this time of year. First, I like to take frequent trips to Greenhouses and Conservatories. Many local nurseries sport greenhouses with wonderful plants available to take home. There are magnificent public Greenhouses and Conservatories that are always worth a visit. A few on the top of my list are the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, The Greenhouse at Smith College in North Hampton and The Conservatory at the New York Botanical Gardens, in the Bronx.
I have found much pleasure in walking and basking in the springlike environment each of these spots has to offer. Especially in February.


When I lived on my farm in Malibu every year on February 12th or so the 100's of Daffodils would be blooming and the Red Wing Blackbirds would return. It always brought such joy.



I had a wonderful little bird sanctuary/garden sited in the area outside the kitchen windows. What a joy to cook, wash vegetables or bake a cake and be serenaded by their throaty songs and exuberant behavior. The Red Wing Blackbirds have a gurgly quality to their songs, which I enjoy immensely.

I believe spring is one of the most welcomed seasons. To bring some spring into your home try Primrose, Cyclamen, Hydrangea and Orchids. It is fun to use different Containers, Cache Pots and Troughs. Sometimes I like to put them under a glass cloche. If you look around you may find an interesting Urn or Antique Terrarium and go Victorian!




Remember, plants are living things. They respond to light and the energy of the house. Simple to keep alive, really. Water once per week, thoroughly in the sink. Indirect bright light is usually optimum for healthy growth and a happy existence. Spring brought in a little early can cure those end of the winter blues. Today in Maine it is snowing, again, we have had over 100 inches this season. I won't be the only one to rejoice when Spring arrives. Brrrrr. But oh those Daffodils smell so fresh on the mantle!