Home and Garden Design Mid-Coast Maine KDB-Karen Dominguez

Decorating Your First Home...

2011-08-05T21:41:00.003-04:00

When you get it together and finally are able to buy your first home, most of us are so excited to create the home of our dreams. I would like to share some tips on how to design on a dime, and plan for resale. This is your first home, not your forever home. A good mantra, write it down.
The decisions you make need to take into account the people who will purchase your home within the next 5 to 10 years.
Now let's start with appliances.
If you need to buy appliances, buy middle range. They look great, will last during the duration you own the home and will be energy efficient. Also you may want to think of brushed steel. It shows no fingerprints and goes in most any decor.

Another important subject is paint, here are a few of my color tips. Bright or deep colored might be a sweet song in your heart but a high percentage of future buyers do not have the ability to see past a Tangerine kitchen or a Cranberry Great room. So here are your painting tips.
First, always prep and prime your walls. Second buy a high quality paint with a bit of a luster finish. Your paint job will still look great after five years and because you chose a luster finish, you can easily wipe of scuffs and marks without damaging the paint.
House Beautiful Magazine is very big on color. They have partnered with Benjamin Moore and have a vast collection with an easy application that takes the guess work out of how a room would look when painted in your chosen color.
I think for easy living and for resale the compromise is simple, lean towards the lighter versions of the colors that speak to you.
Instead of a deep Tangerine for a kitchen, how about a light Cantaloupe? It is the same warm family, just not as intense. Save your deep or bright splashes of color for your Art, Mixmaster, Toaster, Towels and Dishes.
Are you thinking a deep Blue for a library. Wow, yes that would look dramatic, however your room would feel smaller and absorb the light, not reflect it. Also for resale, a neutral Taupe or Griege (Grayish Beige) is not only very popular but quite lovely.
I am a fan of subtle reflective colors that change with the weather and the light. Sherwin Williams Paint company has a palette that I use consistently. My top favorites are Frostwork, Copen Blue, Opera Glass, Relaxed Khaki, and Sea Salt. These colors work well with different trim colors and all react to the light, making the room color, different at all times of the day. I have used these colors in Homes and Offices on both coasts. I am asked often about these colors and others who use them seem to be as happy with this simple palette as I am.
The fun part is choosing the art and accessories that can make a room POP.

Furnishings. A great sofa is an investment. An okay sofa can be $1200 and will last about 10 years. A great sofa will last 20+ years and cost $1800-3000. Find a sofa that is comfortable, neutral, well made and if you can swing it has down wrapped cushions.

Choose a fabric that will work with many colors. Preferably a textured fabric that will be comfy and hold up well as your family grows. Your taste will change over the years, a classic sofa will change with you. Another beautiful aspect of a high end sofa is that you can have a new slip cover made to reflect your next homes style.
Remember it is better to have one fabulous piece of furniture than a room of furniture that is poorly made and not attractive. Less is fine, you can always save and buy the matching chair next year and for the time being make do with a few of your other pieces, or none at all.

Curb appeal. It is important to drive up to your home and have it feel as beautiful as you had dreamed it would. Some easy fixes can be a paint job, shutters, a colorful door and fresh plantings.
Planting beds that are in good condition and have some nice mulch with no dirt showing will looked well cared for and save you big money on your water bill!
Perennials and foundation plantings are less expensive than bright colored annuals in the long run. If you choose your plant material wisely they will also require less care, water and maintenance. Consider a garden, front and back, that features tall perennial grasses and the various varieties of sedum mixed with some low maintenance Carpet Roses. If you live in a warm climate plant a few trees such as fruitless Olives or Pepper Trees. They will provide shade, will not require much water, care or trimming. They also have smaller root systems that do not get into the sewer and water pipes. This is really important advice.
My own Maine garden has an Apple Orchard, Wild grasses, some perennials, and Rosa Rugosas. We were also blessed with a wide variety of trees including for 200 year old Maple trees and Woodland areas with fantastic varieties of Moss and Fern.
Lets talk garden color. Keep it neutral, with a bit of a flair and lots of texture and contrasting leaf colors.
If you would like to learn more, google Garden Design Magazine, they feature many lovely examples of gardens for your area of the country that will thrive. You can also click and go to my "Garden Portfolio" Design site. There are alot of great ideas to borrow. From Hardscape to Garden Structures and Pools. You may also want to take some time and walk the neighborhood or the local Botanic gardens and see what plants and trees are growing with little effort and much ease. Take the time to google Drought tolerant and Eco-Friendly or Green and Sustainable Gardens. Click on images and then go to the sites that interest you the most.
A great tip is to hire a designer to walk your property with you and give you tips, tricks and ideas about what you can do. Expect to pay around $300.00 for a consult. You will save much more by not making mistakes and doing it right the first time. One last tip. Use great compost, lots of Bone & Blood Meal, ground Sea Kelp & Rock Phosphate.

These simple items used consistently will make for a high PH balance, healthy plants and bugs in balance. We live in the natural world and the full spectrum of insects and birds is very important. Strive to keep the circle unbroken, everything depends on each other, really.

Enjoy your home. Have fun feathering your nest. Make sure you include your partner, they really do like to be part of the process. Welcome to home ownership and may your next home be your forever home.

Ojai Olive Oil, Regalo A True Gift...

2011-01-13T15:34:00.003-05:00

The Blizzard of 2011 brought a special gift. I had a bit of time to check out an old friends website, featuring her family Olive Farm called Regalo in Ojai, California. Rosalyn was always interesting, funny and creative. Many years ago she met a wonderful man and they visioned an Olive Farm, planted the Olive Trees and now are pressing and selling their fantastic Olive Oil.

An interesting note, all of the profits from this Olive Oil venture are given to local charities. Not only are they making a difference in the world of cuisine but they also are making a huge difference in their local community.
Hats off to Rosalyn and Jeffrey Luttrull and their wonderful Oil.
Now a bit about the Oil.
The Regalo Story...
"A few years ago we decided to so something different on the family farm in Ojai’s East End. So we took out our oranges and planted olive trees, European varieties chosen as the best for making premium extra virgin olive oils. Prior to our first harvest we decided to give all the profits to local poverty-related charities, and Regalo Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Inc. was born. At Regalo (meaning “gift” in both Italian and Spanish) we make two classic extra virgin olive oils: “Amelia”, our unique Tuscan blend; and “Caterina”, our pure Arbequina Spanish varietal.

Unlike grape growing and wine making, the most important factor in producing the highest quality extra virgin olive oil is not where the olives are grown, but how quickly they are pressed following picking.

At Regalo, our olives are hand harvested with the help of family and friends. Our olives are then promptly cold-pressed on the estate, producing the very highest quality extra-virgin olive oils. Regalo extra-virgin olive oil is pesticide-free.
Caterina: Regalo Caterina is famously smooth with a clear note of olive, and remarkably consistent year to year. This year is no exception, but with an especially bountiful harvest! Once again Caterina is fruity, smooth and buttery, with a definite olive note and peppery finish.
Amelia: As as blend, our unique Tuscan mix of Frantoio, Coratina, Leccino and Maurino olive oils changes year to year, as one variety tends to ripen before another in unpredictable but delicious ways. This year we harvested a bit later, and with a very small harvest at that. (This year in California many growers of Italian olive varieties produced no olives at all!) Although small, this year's Amelia is especially good; clean, grassy, with a classic Italian bitter edge and nice peppery finish.

Enjoy. Share the Gift." It is super easy to get this oil, you can go to Williams Sonoma or you can click, to Order your Olive Oil directly from my friends in Ojai. Enjoy, yummm.

Mindful Gardening, Bugs are Your Friends...

2010-07-18T12:43:00.013-04:00

Summer is the season we all wait for, especially in the state of Maine. In October of 2008 we moved into our home in Topsham Maine. Unfortunately the gardens had been managed chemically. This was a very quiet property, during our first garden season of 2009 . Very few birds or butterflies graced the landscape. On our property we have adopted a policy of "All living things matter." I believe it is important to welcome Birds as they will eat alot of the bugs. Spiders not only bring good fortune (they say) but also take care of many flying insects who get caught up in their webs and later become a meal for those web spinning spiders. We planted liberal amounts of Bee Balm, Echenecia, Cleome, Cosmos, Joe Pye Weed and Day Lillies as well as Apple Trees and Blueberry Bushes to encourage and attract all of our winged friends. We let the formally mowed lawns go wild and cut paths that now meander through these meadow gardens. We now sport an Upper Meadow and a lower Woodland Meadow.
Today I would like to talk a bit about the upper meadow garden. It has a wide range of Grasses (5 varieties), Clover, Equisetum, Millet and Wheat. Within the meadows we have walking paths and a scattering of blooming Rudibeckia, Verbena Borenesis, Cosmos, Bronze Fennel, Milk Weed and a few Artichoke plants. Full sun, organic amendments and periodic big rains have brought this part of the garden to an officially ALIVE status. Birds, Butterflies, Bees, Spiders, Moths and other various flying and crawling creatures show up and add to the beauty of this now thriving, organically managed Meadow. We feed with Bone and Blood Meal and Seaweed Compost and wowza the difference is palpable from that first "Silent Spring" of 2009.
Gardening can seem like a mystery but if you listen to the lay of the land, the light & topography, the mystery will reveal itself, with many of your questions answered, by sheer observation. I think that if you pay special attention to the individual plants that make up the whole garden you will not only be successful you will be blessed with a garden that is a natural living oasis. The circle of life in the garden starts with the microbes in the soil. Organic amendments and proper watering will not only change your PH to a higher thriving level but will support plants that are so healthy they do not attract bugs or disease. All bugs in balance are a good thing, after all we live in the natural world. Living in harmony is the easy, breezy approach and certainly less stressful for you and your garden. Ants, Aphids, Caterpillars, Beetles are commonly thought of as pests. However in balance with all other living things in the garden they take care of each other and you will have to give up very little of your flowers and vegetables to the cause of a chemical free landscape.
Mindful Gardening is in the long run, the easy way.
If you would like to view Organic Gardens I have designed, click here for the portfolio.
Some of my organic sources you may want to check out.
The Invisible Gardener. Andy Lopez is a brilliant gardener with harmonious ideas and approaches to living as one with our gardens. Do not be put off by his presentation, the information is garden gold.
Remineralize The Earth. Joanna Campe is a champion of adding "Rock Dust" to the earth by enriching our soil with minerals. Easy, inexpensive and terrific for the health of your property.
She is doing great work all over the world.
Rodales, As the publishers of Organic Gardening Magazine they are the old time experts. Their breadth of knowledge and online resources that are unmatched. Rodale Publishing is in the business of selling the idea of living in absolute harmony with the earth.
You can also google "Organic Gardening" and surf around to find natural methods to follow in your garden.

Building a Garden...

2010-02-24T09:31:00.010-05:00

This is the time of year I wistfully contemplate the garden. What area will I choose to tackle this year? Do I need to think about paths, patios, walls, sitting areas or am I just going to enjoy a field of Sunflowers, perhaps. The possibilities are endless. I always study the area that is about to be transformed. I like doing the work one time! I carefully consider the end use and ask myself the following questions. Will the area be used for entertaining or is it a quiet spot on the north side of the house that is only viewed from a window? Possibly it is an area that would make a perfect kitchen garden later to be filled to full with Herbs, Vegetables, maybe a focal point of a henhouse for fresh eggs and other treats to be incorporated into Summertime meals. Maybe this is the year a pool or water source is seriously considered and will be integrated into a meditation garden or a main family area. In the end it boils down to several factors.
1. How the space will be used.
2. How much future maintenance will be required.
3. Money. Money. Affordability.
That about covers the basic three considerations, after the big three there are other points to be thought of.
1. Resale, will you be in this space long enough to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
2. Are your ideas practical and compatible to the needs of your family and the pets in your household?
3. Will you use the space as much as you anticipate?
Having taken our garden dream and put a pragmatic yet logical spin on the conversation can be sobering (reality, hmmm.) However this particular way of looking at your outdoor spaces can also be enlightening. You will be fully aware of the garden path you are traveling down and will not be surprised at the outcome.
Enjoying your own garden with your family and friends is a wonderful connecting experience and once you start, you will only want to expand your outdoor living spaces.
The spirit of balance lives within each of us, a garden heightens that sense of well being.

Build a garden it is a worthwhile experience.

The Aesthetic Lifestyle, Beauty Matters...

2010-01-27T10:23:00.008-05:00

The definition of Aesthetics: A guiding principle in matters of artistic beauty and taste; artistic sensibility: or an underlying principle, a set of principles, or a view often manifested by outward appearances or style of behavior.
I like to think that I am a citizen of the "Country of Aesthetics". Yes, my belief from a young age has been, "Beauty Matters". Indeed, an aesthetic life is made up of deliberate choices that are made everyday. The designer and guru of the Arts & Crafts movement, William Morris says, "Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." I live and design by these simple, brilliant words. This is such a precise statement that it could be the motto for the "Country of Aesthetics".

The question is how to embrace this philosophy of Aesthetic as a lifestyle. The answer although simple takes discipline.
1. Do not bring anything into your Home or Garden environment that you do not LOVE. Anything!
2. Explore and understand what colors, styles and textures you are attracted to.
3. A great way to ascertain your own personal style is make a list of your favorite colors. Take a trip to to your local bookstore and purchase (yes purchase) a pile of Home and Garden design magazines. Now here is the deal, as you flip through these magazines, tear out (you can do it) the pages that have images that appeal to how you would like your house to look, in general.
4. At this point you should be aware of your likes and dislikes. Now the fun part. Go through your home and remove, remove, remove all of the items that you now know in your newly conscious and aware heart that do not honor the Country of Aesthetic philosophies and principles.
5. Congratulate yourself, you have just finished the absolute hardest step, letting go of stuff that does not matter, is no longer useful or is not beautiful. MMMMMMM feels good.
6. I keep myself on track by not settling for something, but waiting until I can afford or find exactly what it is I see in a room or in my personal space, indoors and in the garden.
7. Repeat, Beauty Matters. Because it truly does.

Summer Salad Composition...

2009-07-16T13:32:00.005-04:00

There is nothing I love more than a sunny summer morning and an outing to my local Farmers Market. Yum. The possibilities for the evening meal are always an inspiration and a delight.
I am impressed by the heirloom varieties of most vegetables, however recently carrots have caught my fancy. Did you know carrots come in many more colors than plain orange? Such as pale yellow, maroon with an orange interior, a creamy white and even a subtle orange. Each color even tastes a bit different. Indeed these are not the carrots of our youth or even the produce aisle of the supermarket!
Summers in Maine are much cooler than the rest of the country, the lettuces, peas, and herbs do not "bolt" (rush to flower, rendering the lettuce especially, bitter) and seem to last longer due to the lack of heat and humidity. So selections for interesting salads are readily available this time of year.
This Summer Salad Composition is easy.
Mixed Greens (about 3 cups)
Nasturtium Greens & Flowers (From the garden) about 1-2 cup
Basil, Dill, Parsley (one or all of this combo) a small handful
Young tender Snap Peas, gently sauteed to a bright green. about 1 cup
Many colors of heirloom Carrots about 3-4
Dried Figs, a large handful
Spring turnips (sliced thinly) These are small, about 7 or 8
Roasted Beets (Golden, Ruby Red or Orange) about 1 cup chopped
Artisan Goat Cheese (York Hill-Garlic & Dill if you can find it) about 1/4 of a cup
Drizzle with Balsamic Vinegar Reduction

Grab a large platter and cover with the mixed greens
Next tear the Nasturtium leaves and scatter over mixed greens
Julienne the Carrots, scatter artfully
Scatter Beets and Sliced Turnips and Nasturtium Flowers
Crumble the goat cheese place sprinkle on top
Drizzle the Balsamic Reduction vinegar.
Yummy, you now have a salad for 4.
This is excellent with some grilled, Fish, Chicken or any roasted meat.
We had a family dinner last night and enjoyed this salad last night with Lobster, which at 3.99 per pound is 1/2 the price of organic Chicken!

Home At Last...

2009-06-23T18:17:00.024-04:00

Dorothy said it best, "There is no place like home." It feels good to put down roots, dig in and call this spot in Topsham, Maine, home. This is my new Home Laboratory for Design, Gardening, Cooking and Entertaining. Our home is also where we work. I work in my studio painting, creating and keeping up with blog writing.

My partner, Neil, has his law office on the property as well. It is always interesting. People dropping by, walks to take, dinners to cook and plants to tend to. This place is filled with energy and life.

The inside of our Maine house is coming along. I have enjoyed the process of observing the light and how it shifts and moves during the seasons and day to day in this new Home Laboratory.
We have been noodling around with many projects since late Autumn. Painting, painting, and repairing. The furniture is in place, the art is hung, the orchids are growing and this house sparkles with happiness and light! A color palette has evolved, in the past several months, beautiful hues of gold and shady pale greens which is lovely paired with rich creams, natural wood and crisp whites. The windows let in much light and the trunks of the mature Elms and Pines with the gardens beyond are quite wonderful to look out onto. The leaves on the trees, plants and lawn are a brilliant green this time of year.

I have enjoyed studying this piece of land, creating paths where whole lawns used to be, planting herbs, vegetables and sunflowers. A magical woodland garden has emerged in the lower front area. When I am in this wooded and mossy wonder, it reminds me of walking on Monhegan Island in the Cathedral Woods.

When two people come together and set up a home, it can be a challenge. I am happy to report we have blended our stuff and lives together quite nicely. Our home is comfortable and reflects both of us, our interests, families, travels and the things we love best. Our home is happy, sunny and cozy. All is right with the world.

I have put together a slide-show of some of the rooms.

Families and the Graduation Ritual...

2009-05-31T18:01:00.013-04:00

Late Spring is the time of year when we celebrate our children and friends as they graduate from Middle School, High School, College and Graduate School. I love the circle of life, it continues to go round and round, never seeming to end. I always get a little catch in my throat watching all of the attendees at these events. I like to check out these proud Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Brothers, Sisters and Moms & Dads at these affairs. It truly delights me that the families show up always clapping and cheering the graduates on, year after year. I think about the parties and dinners or lunches that they will be sharing after the commencement is over. This tradition is time honored, I think, because it gives our young people the ballast to go forth and create their own lives and work knowing they have the full support of their families behind them. The most important component in our life is “family” and the understanding, that it really does take a village of folks to move each one of us forward to that next level in our lives.

We just returned from a “Graduation Adventure” for Sabrina, the daughter of my partner Neil Shankman. She graduated with honors from the Graduate School of Journalism at UC Berkeley. What a terrific several days, his three grown children, Conor, Cody, Sabrina and her partner Andrew were a delight. We roamed around town, ate amazing food and explored the campus all the while listening to stories and insights about Berkeley and journalism. Later in the trip we hung out with Sabrina’s Mom and her family. Lovely. Wow, this is the age of integrated families and lifestyles and the Shankman’s do it well. I think it is more important than ever to try to be flexible, open and giving during these family events, well all the time really. It makes for smooth sailing and a future filled with other harmonious family gatherings.

Click on arrow to view slideshow.
Congratulations to all of the graduates and the families who have supported their endeavors, Spiritually, Financially and Emotionally. Good job.
Life is good and our children are a gift.

Some thoughts on photographing your family event.

I believe it is important to document the moments that mark the milestones of our lives. This is an important moment in time, not only for your loved one but also for the entire family.
Here are a few tips for organizing and being prepared to get those perfect shots.
Make sure your camera or handheld video camera has batteries and is in good working order.
Take the time to think about the kind of shots you want to record, before the big event. Why? Because you can be thinking about those intimate family shots that integrate the young and the old. Take a moment and think about who you would like in separate shots and of course where you will stage the ever popular group shots.
When you are considering your photographic approach think about the finished product. Do you want images to print and frame, post on Facebook, or put into an album? Will you be using some type of photo-share site such as Photobucket or Fliker ? If you haven’t used this service for sharing photos, there is no downside. You can easily create a free account and then upload the images to your album. You can then send to everyone on your list, it is that easy. Whatever your finished goal will be, you do need to consider your future use and options, before you click the shutter on your camera.
It is also important to remember to let folks know when you are taking a picture. This simple courtesy prevents closed eyes, opened mouths and folks generally not paying attention and not looking their best and everyone deserves the opportunity to look as great as possible. Lastly, what could be better than seeing the look of joy, relief and a sense of accomplishment on the shining faces of all the graduates who collectively have achieved the honor and title of “Graduate”. Priceless.

Setting Up a New Home...

2009-05-06T11:02:00.016-04:00

Time flies when you are in transition. It seems that for the past few years when Spring rolls around I am compelled to move to a different location. In 2007 I moved from the "Blue Door Church" to my other home in Bath, Maine (which has since sold!). Then in 2008 a big move to Charlotte, North Carolina. Oh my, what an incredible year and quite an adventure. I loved living high up on the 24th floor in the Airee, it was my "Magic Year". A time filled with reflection, Art, fun folks, extraordinary family, adventure and ending in love, (which brought me back to Maine). Yes, magic indeed. It was great to gain perspective on life and figure out what the next several decades could be filled with! I was inspired to start painting again. I painted 24 pieces last year and am currently showing my work in a gallery in Charlotte.
I have been slowly moving into the home I now share with my partner, Neil. It is lovely space. We started the process last Autumn and now as of last week I live totally in Topsham, Maine. I have engineered our space for casual living and entertaining. We integrated the fabulous 1930's Magic Chef stove, which started it's journey in Malibu and now is folded into the kitchen of this 1799 home. Perfect. We will be cooking and entertaining with that stove for years to come.
Neil's Law office is also on the property and we recently completed the build-out, but that is a whole story for another day!
It is wonderful to be in this space, physically, emotionally and spiritually and it is exactly comfortable on all levels.

After setting up this house I have found "Home" and am so happy to be here.

So, readers, thanks for being patient during my "mini" hiatus. I am back and will be posting Home, Design and Lifestyle articles once again. Check back and see what's up.
I will be documenting the new gardens and the progress of my new "Home Laboratory".
By the way, this is my #101 article written for this blog which I started in December of 07!
Thanks!
KDB

Orchids, Easy As 1, 2, 3...

2009-01-09T20:40:00.005-05:00

I am a fan of Orchids and once you figure out how SIMPLE they are
to grow, you will be too. There are a long list of Orchids that are
not only easy to care for but easily purchased. You can walk into almost any Grocery Store and find them sitting in the flower department waiting for you to take them home. I also find my Orchids at Big Box Superstores and the occasional Nursery. Orchids are mass produced and relatively inexpensive. Typically I will pay 15-20 dollars for an Orchid. I expect them to bloom for several months, they never disappoint me.
Here is the deal, they love morning sunshine or a bright, bright light filled room. In nature they grow in steamy jungles attached to sides of trees, catching streams of sunshine and rain filtered through the canopy of leaves from above. The best part is this, at home the only required effort is to put them in the sink every few weeks, soak them with warm water and gently water the leaves. The rest of the time they hang out just enjoying the day and look lovely. I have never had bug problems or mysterious die backs. I believe it is because I do not "over love" them, I give them their space and pay attention to them only a few times a month. They are the perfect choice if you travel and like to come home to flowering beauties.
My favorites are Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchids), Cymbidiums and Oncidiums. All are hardy, inexpensive and beautiful.
My Orchids bring me joy every day.
When they are not blooming I put them together in long cachepots so they can rest and recharge. The best part of resting is 6 months later when they burst back into bloom. Oh happy day!
Give Orchids a try you will be happy you did.
To learn more, click here.

Golden Light, Liquid Gold...

2008-12-07T10:17:00.007-05:00

I love a good project, especially one that has such fine bones.
The foyer is south facing and the light pours in most of the day, heaven. The space also features warm hued pumpkin pine floors, a warm and creamy yellow trim and a stairwell that is worthy of Scarlett O'Hara. Yes good bones indeed. The challenge was to pull it all together, add carpet to the stairs and a color that would reflect the history (the home was built in the early 1800's) and help to make the space sing with warmth, color and sophistication.

The carpet on the stairs is a palette of rich gold and creams, is wool and features a classic and timeless design. Perfect and it also helps with the overall "glow factor". The color chosen for the walls is a rich caramel with a satin finish, from Sherwin Williams, I love their paint colors and finishes. Often times they have sales and it is a good idea to shop during the sales as it can be a substantial savings more paint for your buck! Paint is now "Green" which is a good thing however it can be a pricey investment.

Adding a few well chosen pieces of art and sculpture help to keep the space peaceful and well appointed, yet livable, approachable and above all warm and friendly.

Family, Friends and a Feast...

2008-11-27T20:26:00.015-05:00

Thanksgiving Celebration. The food? Wonderful. The table arrangements? Fabulous. My favorite part? Everyone who gathers around that very special table. I love to listen to their stories. I like to think of all of the Thanksgiving Dinners each person has been a part of since they were young.

Collectively when each of us sits down for the big dinner we bring our own traditions and memories with us.

I think of how many folks are no longer with us and the love and camaraderie we have shared with so many friends, family and neighbors over the decades. Time moves quickly and it brings tears of joy and a bittersweet note to my memories of this special day of sharing, breaking of bread and just being. I was blessed to be able to have a dinner made by my Mother, she loves to get up early and make the stuffing and cook the Turkey. My darling sister hosted this years celebration. It was lovely, of course. We set the table, cut a few boughs of Magnolia Leaves, such a glossy green with that fabulous copper underside, we then mixed in a sprigs of variegated euyonomous and added a bit of ribbon for color and for good measure added a few antique Czech birds. We had the pleasure of a sunny almost 70 degree day and some wonderful moments hanging out on the sun-drenched veranda. Lovely. I hope your day was as beautiful.

PS:Prayers to dear Niki who passed away today, she is my brother-in-laws mother and grandmother to my nephews, Geoff and Zachary. We received the news at supper. Warren was surrounded by a table of family and friends who love him. Life is a circle.

Thanksgiving Traditions ...

2008-11-14T15:52:00.010-05:00

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It is filled with camaraderie, beautiful table settings and the some of the most lovingly prepared food of the year. I have always loved the annual ritual of catching up with friends and family.

When I was a girl, my Mother hosted legendary Thanksgiving dinners. Relatives from both sides of the family regularly attended. The list of guests always included great grandmothers, ancient aunts, grandparents, uncles, cousins, babies and friends as well as assorted orphans who had nowhere else to go. A truly memorable and predictable scene was an elderly Uncle who showed up with a pie carrier, which he designed and built himself. His tradition was to spend the several days before Thanksgiving making pies. Oh, they were yummy. Ahhh, I sigh when I remember the feeling of goodness associated with this magic day.

When I became an adult I continued the Thanksgiving tradition. For years my husband and I hosted dinners of up to 50 people. It was fun, fun , fun. I know it sounds like a set up for everything to go wrong and be a disaster, but it never was, it was always a four day, joyful, weekend adventure. We relived this tradition for over a decade at our farm in Malibu, California. We usually had our dinner at tables set up under a 500-year-old oak tree that shaded the back patio. The day was always golden. Lovely sunshine with a few puffy clouds and the sound of chickens clucking in the distance mixed with laughter and the clinking of wine glasses.
Yes, Thanksgiving perfection.

Last year I had an even dozen at the table, it was indoors, lovely and fun. Maine does not offer the outdoor dining experience as late into the year as Malibu. This year my sister in North Carolina is hosting the big celebration. I believe there will be a dozen folks, all coming together for shared laughter, storytelling and an amazing meal.

Since I am a guest this year I started thinking about bringing a side dish that is elegant and does not require oven space. The kitchen activity is always at a breakneck pace for the last 20 minutes before the meal is served. With this in mind I have decided I will bring a fresh, organic and interesting salad. I will take it out of the fridge 1 hour before the meal to bring it up to room temperature and add the dressing just before it is ready to be served.
I am a fan of simple greens such as Arugula, Baby Romaine or even an Herb Salad mix. I will toss in some almonds, a bit of dried blueberries, some sliced mushrooms, and some homemade croutons. Later when I dress the salad I will use a light homemade vinaigrette composed of olive oil, herb vinegar, (my special stash) some fresh cut basil and a bit of fresh parsley, some pepper with a generous amount of ground garlic. This dressing is simple, fresh and a perfect addition to all of the other traditional dishes.

Enjoy this special holiday and take a moment to remember what you are thankful for. At our family table we always have each person stand up and share with the group what they are thankful for during this past year. It is a wonderful tradition. Bon Appetite.

An Apple a Day...

2008-10-29T07:36:00.009-04:00

Apples and Autumn are two words that define a season. Whether you are picking your own apples in an orchard or buying them at a local farmstand or your grocery store, apples are always yummiest this time of year. I am a year round fan of apples and eat two a every day. They have the full spectrum of fiber and nutrition and I think they do contribute to overall good health. My personal favorites are Fuji Apples, they are sweet and juicy. For baking I like to use the orchard grown Macintosh, Braeburn and a variety of heirlooms.
There is nothing like a pot of peeled and cubed apples simmering on the stove, filling the air with a sweet aroma and steaming up the windows. I always throw in some cinnamon and a bit of grated nutmeg to give the apples a bit of spice, then I smash the heck out of them and am able to enjoy many days of homemade applesauce. It is the perfect side dish to a Pork Roast.

Apple Crisp is another favorite, easy to make and rarely are there any leftovers. Martha Stewart has a great recipe, I have modified it to make it dairy free.
Recipe…
Ingredients
Serves 8
* 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
* 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
* 8 tablespoons Margarine, cold, cut into small cubes
* 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
* 3 pounds apples, such as Empire, Gala, or Braeburn, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
* 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together flour, brown sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Cut margarine into flour, using a pastry blender or two knives, until mixture is the texture of coarse meal. Add oats, and use your hands to toss and squeeze mixture until large, moist clumps form. Transfer to freezer to chill while you prepare apples.
2. In another large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, and remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Transfer to a shallow 2-quart, well-oiled baking dish, and sprinkle with topping mixture. Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until golden and bubbling, 55 to 65 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
This is a perfect dish after a long and beautiful day spent in your local apple orchard.

If you are on the go, consider an Apple fast food. You can keep them almost anywhere for easy crunchy access! Storing them is even easier. They ripen less quickly if you leave them in the crisper of your refrigerator. I make sure I have several on the counter that are the perfect ripeness and ready to grab as I walk out the door. I always bring a few Apples with me while traveling. When I am on a plane, they help hydrate my skin and keep me from snacking on junk food.

Top Ten Apple Facts...
1.The apple tree originated in an area between the Caspian and the Black Sea.
2.Apples were the favorite fruit of ancient Greeks and Romans.
3.Apples are a member of the rose family.
4.A medium apples is about 80 calories.
5.Apples are a great source of the fiber pectin. One apple has five grams of fiber.
6.The pilgrims planted the first United States apple trees in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
7.The science of apple growing is called pomology.
8.Newton Pippin apples were the first apples exported from America in 1768, some were sent to Benjamin Franklin in London.
9.The old saying, “ an apple a day, keeps the doctor away ”. This saying comes from am old English adage, “ To eat an apple before going to bed, will make the doctor beg his bread.”
10.In 2005 United States consumers ate an average of 46.1 pounds of fresh apples and processed apple products. That's a lot of applesauce!

If you have not added apples to your daily diet start today, you will be surprised at how different each variety tastes.

Too Much Basil? Time For Pesto...

2008-10-11T06:21:00.007-04:00

This has been a fantastic year for Basil. It must have been a combination of heat and rain. Making Pesto is a yearly tradition, when I lived at the farm we would make a freezer full, now it is a bit more tame and manageable! This year making Pesto was a family affair. It was grown at my sisters house in Charlotte and Mother and I spent a quick hour cutting, cleaning, making and freezing about 5 cups worth of Pesto.
I will tell you that five cups is enough for lots of Minestrone, Grilled Fish and Pasta throughout the winter months. When I make Pasta for Pesto, I like to use Fussilli, it seems to hold the delicate flavors best. The big trick is to freeze the Pesto in small baggies pressed flat, which creates the perfect serving size for any dish serving 4 people.It also stacks well in freezer and is quick and easy to defrost. A little Pesto goes along way!

So here is my easy recipe.
* 4 cups fresh basil leaves (fill a measuring cup to full and press them down with your hand;add more and repeat until packed.)
* 1/2 cup grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese (grated)
* 1/2 cup pine nuts
* 6-8 garlic cloves, finely minced (or 1 tablespoon of prepared minced garlic)
* 1 tablespoon of lemon juice ( this prevents the pesto from turning brown when it is exposed to the air.)
* 1/2 cup Olive oil. It should be the "extra virgin" variety.

The Process:
Use a Food Chopper or Food Processor.
Toss the Garlic in, chop.
Toss the Pine Nuts in, chop.
Add The Basil, chop.
Throw in the Cheese, chop.
Now slowly add the Extra Virgin Olive Oil
until it is a smooth paste.
Makes about 2 cups of Pesto!
All done! Time to bag up and pop into the freezer.
You are now ready to enjoy the taste of summer all winter long.

Color Your Home...

2008-10-04T13:53:00.009-04:00

I love color, all color. Whether it is on a wall or a brightly colored accent in a neutral toned home.
The days are getting shorter and with winter around the corner those bright sunny autumn days will turn themselves over to cloudy, rainy and snowy.
The light is changing and reaching deeper into our homes. SO what are we to do? ADD COLOR. Simple solution. If you have time, money and ability, it would be a great time to think about turning up your color palette. How? Easy, you can paint a room or splash a beautiful shade of red or blue to 'happy up" your door. Pop on over to Sherwin Williams or log onto their site. I love there paints. The finishes are wonderful and color selections and saturation's could not be better. S.W. even has a new series of Enviro-friendly paints. MMMM love it. It is easy to get inspired on their site or in their store.
The second big tip is take a waltz through The Z Gallery, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn or even West Elm. I love to walk through all of these those stores. The layout and presentation is always top notch and the color palettes are cohesive and make sense.You can also browse online which is second to walking through there store environments.

So whether you have a big imagination, or not much of one you will find some good sparky color choices and come home with a feeling of "I can make it through the gloomy season by hunkering down in my home". Set a stage for entertaining your friends and family in style, now is the season.

Turning Your Home Over to Autumn...

2008-09-26T21:31:00.014-04:00

I LOVE Autumn. The sun is at a low pitch in the sky and the light seems to sparkle through the windows as it reaches deeper into our homes. It always reminds me that winter is not far behind. Autumn is a fleeting season filled with magical colored leaves that are jewel-like and create a perfect contrast to the extra blue Autumn sky backdrop.

Driving past all of the garden centers and farm stands filled to full with Chrysanthemum's, Pumpkins, Gourds and various varieties of Squash and other bounties of the season always inspires me. This time of year I turn my spaces over to Autumn and create still-life's reflecting the magic of the season.
After the first hard frost it is always fun to go out into the woods and abandoned fields and collect Bittersweet vines, Acorns and Moss. I love to make Bittersweet wreaths and fill little silver bowls with Acorns lying majestically on a soft bed of Moss. The next major holiday is more than a month away and it has to do with Candy, Witches, Costumes and Pumpkins turned into Jack o' Lanterns. Embracing the next 30 days that embody the alchemy of the season is a tradition I re-visit year after year, it feeds my spirit.
Inside our homes it is time to get out our comfy throws, and deep jewel colored table linens, and warm throw rugs. Decorating by the season keeps me in touch with the inevitable cycle of the Earth it is true alchemy. If you have not embraced seasonal decorating yet, give it a whirl and see if you don't feel the magic. I always do and that explains the perpetual smile on my face!

The Baroness of Art Revisited...

2008-09-19T18:43:00.009-04:00

Nancy Barron is an artist who works in many mediums. Whether she is painting a still life devoted to nature or the human figure she does it with energy and panache. Nancy is the Assistant Director for the Harlow Gallery in Hallowell, Maine. She revels in the daily challenges of working with other Artist's and people who buy the Art. She has a sunny can do personality and enough energy at the end of the day to come home and nurture her school age twins, teenage daughter and darling husband. She makes her home on the shores of the Kennebec River. Nancy is an Artist who embraces the seasons and interjects her art with the colors of the natural world that surround her home. This time of year her Hydrangeas are in full regalia I wonder when she will start creating her Autumn series. Hmmmm.
Nancy can be seen in person at the Harlow Gallery most any day and her work can be viewed in three different adjacent towns.Keep up the inspired work Nancy.You can drop her an email for more info,
or to read more...

Click on arrow to view.

Is Your Glass Half Full?

2008-09-14T16:25:00.003-04:00

Happiness lies within all of us. Is your glass half full? Did life turn out the way you had expected? Has your adventure in living been passionate, fun and delightful?
I have been asking myself these questions most of my life only to make sure I am living up to the mantra of “quality of life”.
The other day I was talking to my mother about a friend who has been going through some tough times lately. She listened and after a few moments she said “you know your life is not easy and is full of challenges”. I laughed and thought about it. I never looked at my life situation as hard or unpleasant. I have spent years living in the world of possibilities and beauty.
My mothers statement made me think hard about what was really happening in my life. I let these thoughts roll around in my brain for a few days. I have always chosen to find the good in a situation, the beauty and the bright side. It has been said that my achilles' heel is being too optimistic. However I do not believe this can be so, I think it is a choice to live a vibrant and positive lifestyle.
I have always viewed things as they are. My personal philosophy is that everything in life is a lesson. I have always taken the opportunity to learn, grow and nourish my soul, my thoughts and my personal being.

I have had the luxury in the past several months to take the time to think honestly and contemplate my past, present and my future. It is a lot of hard work. I have been delighted, uncomfortable, happy, sad, regretful and even remorseful. I think life is best lived in the present with an eye towards the future. Think about this if we drove our cars only looking and obsessing about the rearview mirror it would be impossible not to crash the car. Life is like driving that imaginary car, a cautionary look once in a while is the best policy. Keeping your eye on the road not yet traveled is the key.

I encourage you to stop even if for only a moment. Take a breath. Take the time to contemplate the tender blessings in your life you have many more than you think. The most important thing to realize is your own ability to create a life that makes you happy. You see if you are happy everyone around you is suseptible to your mood and outlook that happiness brings. Living in possibilities, trust and the present is a gift we can only give to ourselves. There is no better time to start than now, your present becomes your past minute by minute. Make each moment count and tell those people you love that you love them. Make it a point to be kind to a stranger, understanding of your family, helpful to your co-workers. Try to be caring and sensitive to the world around you.
You do make a difference, we all do.
After all these years my glass is still half full and my life is filled with beauty.
I am blessed.

Home Is Where The ART Is...

2008-09-06T07:32:00.011-04:00

Pam Fawcett is a very talented artist who now lives in Charlotte N.C. I met her through an "Arty Group" of women. She is fun, delightful and so well versed in many different mediums. I was treated to a tour of her home and studio and was absolutely inspired by her fearless artistic approach. She attends many workshops and applies the knowledge she has picked

up along the way to create magical mixed media canvases and "found object" sculptural pieces.
Her home is filled with her own Art as well as a few other well placed pieces by other Artist's who are her friends or whom she admires. The actual style of her home is eclectic and lovely. The colors are bold and neutral and the furnishings are comfy and inviting. The overall atmosphere is a truly creative and inspiring one. Pam is an artist who loves actually doing all kinds of Art following whatever her inspiration may be on any given day.
Pam I look forward to hanging out in your studio again, soon. You inspire me.

Click on arrow to view the slideshow.

Autumn Gardening Tips...

2008-08-27T08:13:00.008-04:00

Wow, kids are back in school and it seems as if everyone is back in town. The end of summer can be a time of mixed emotion. However this is one of my favorite times of year. The light is shifting towards autumn but we still have the brilliant days of summer. It is a great time to get out into the garden and plant a few new flowering perennials, fruit trees and foundation plantings. Many nurseries have terrific sales this time of year. Plants, Trees and Pots as well as some mulches and amendments can be up to 50% off.
If you live in the south it is also a good time to feed your Roses with bone and blood meal. This will give them the energy to produce blooms for Autumn's last blush in late October. It is also the time of year to figure out which types of bulbs you would like to see in your garden next spring. I have always been a fan of naturalized Daffodils creating mad sweeps in lawns, flower beds and near trees!
Make a point to cut back your flowering perennials and lightly shape your green foundation plantings. Feed your entire garden, to maximize any end of the season growth. Remember to use bark mulch up to 3" in all of your garden beds, it helps to keep the soil cooler/warmer and keeps the water from evaporating. It is a sensible choice to eco-style gardening.

So head on out to your closest Garden Center or local big box store. You will find with the slower economy the selection on their sale items is fairly large this year.
Take advantage and plant the garden you have been dreaming of. Next spring you will be glad you did.

Birdstacks, Eggs & an Elephant...

2008-08-14T19:19:00.008-04:00

I have been on a painting tear. I have created 8 pieces since June.
I think living in the clouds is having an interesting effect on what I am choosing to do with my time.
I am loving the idea of stacking birds, incorporating eggs, and I just finished a piece that is 5 ft square in three sections.

I used an Indian Elephant as the anchor, Butterflies for light and air and the Birds are stacked way up into the starry heavens with a hanging moon.

It is fun to create fanciful images and explore texture, mixed media and image transfers.

Click on the arrow to view the slide show of
Birdstacks, Eggs & an Elephant!

Uptown, Living in the City...

2008-08-08T09:18:00.016-04:00

Living in Uptown Charlotte is always filled with surprises. I usually walk around the city in the earlier morning hours and photograph the light and clouds playing with the skyscrapers. Uptown is all about up. On my walks I am delighted by the unexpected path that leads to a courtyard or a cacophony of song and sound from the birdies nesting in the trees near the Discovery Museum. It is joyful to observe so much nature in such an urban environment. It is interesting to try and understand each architect, their design decisions, shapes, materials and placement of these tall buildings and how they play with the light as well as there actual siting and impact with the other buildings and the overall skyline.
It is also remarkable that the city planners did consider people and how they interface with the city in a keenly aware and conscious way. They have made it a requirement for developers to add art and public spaces to each building and parking structures. (Surprising for any city!) Charlotte is a very livable and walkable city.
Many of the photographs in the slide show are taken from my 24Th floor Loft on the balcony. Usually in the late afternoon or during the sunrise.
Click on arrow to view
slide show of Uptown Charlotte.

I have been living in the clouds since late Spring and I am enjoying the sense of air & light. I love watching the birds soar past my window at the end of the day, I am sure they are off to important spots to roost for the evening.
Watching the city change as day slips into night, and night to day is an event. I am lucky enough to have friends over to share that sunset time of day we unwind and hang out. It is so cool to live high in the sky surrounded by the impact of man and nature!

Summer Vacation...

2008-08-07T14:18:00.017-04:00

I believe that we all have a somewhere that is special to us. Sometimes it is a place we once visited or a familiar vacation destination. The funny thing is when you are there it can often feel like you are at the place your heart calls home.
One of my very special places is the coast of Maine. When I was five I was reading Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey, I loved that story. That little book stole my heart. I knew I would someday walk on those same reaches, islands and rocky beaches collecting shells and picking blueberries
just like Sal! As a young woman I started summering in Maine and continue that tradition today. I have taken many photographs of the light, boats, sandy shore, rivers and lakes over the past few decades. Maine is magic to me.

Summer is a fleeting season. The kids are without schedules and you have the ability to create traditions and memories for each family member collectively and individually. Take time to have a campfire, explore a mountain path or take a bike ride on a trail you have never explored. With the warmer weather it is fun to hang out late into the evening gazing at the stars and if you're lucky you can watch the full moon rise over a lake or the ocean.

Click on arrow to view movie.
Lynn Wedekind's "On the Wing" is
the featured music in this slide-show.

This is also a great time of year to gather up the entire family, drive to a beautiful spot and share a picnic supper. Bring an extra friend and have them photograph all of you, it will make the perfect family Christmas card, oh yes and you will have fun. Summer is about fun, relaxation and enjoying all of the blessings you have in your life. Before you know it school will be back in session and the kids will all be another year older, do not waste these special moments take time to enjoy them.

As a girl our family was into camping however as an adult I am not a big fan. It is simply that I prefer a cabin or cottage with a bed to a tent and a sleeping bag. I believe because I was introduced and taught about the outdoors during my childhood I have a great appreciation and understanding for the natural world. So take the time to explore the natural world with your children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren. It does make a difference in who they become. I believe it creates the foundation for them to go out and be good and understanding citizens of the world.

Green is In, Cool & Chic...

2008-08-04T09:44:00.010-04:00

Trends and need have always been the driving force behind the style and features of homes that people purchase. The question is what drives these trends? There are many answers to that question. The first is need. We are now experiencing a “Need” for homes that are energy efficient, and non-toxic. The buzz word is “Green and Sustainable” it is the most common term for the newest trend in home and building design. The coolest thing about design today is certainly the ability to fuse technology and architecture with design.
I was reading an issue of Metropolis magazine and the entire publication was devoted to hip and fun applications of “Green Design” from all over the world. It was a fun to read an article about Buckminster Fuller. He started his rise in design and the philosophy of living in the 1930's. His signature look was futuristic, but the underlying foundation of his work has always been in harmony with the earth, the actual site of the building and the folks who occupy them. In the industry they call him Bucky and he has been a forefront designer for many decades. His thoughts and philosophies have inspired designers all over the world.

I have been a fan of organic gardening and living from a very young age, I am so glad I am no longer alone. It is encouraging to see so many people not only interested but actually doing something about it! Most design magazines now have a monthly section and a yearly issue devoted to “Green and Sustainable”. The philosophy to embrace is this, use less, re-use more, live with what you have and try to have the smallest impact upon the environment that you can.

We all can make a difference starting with small adjustments with what we use, how we live and where and on what we choose to spend our money on. Think about this, if you put in state of the art windows you would have paid yourself back in energy costs within a very few short years, but the ultimate plus is you will use less energy. Putting less of a need on imported energy products this is not a bad thing.

Less chemicals in the garden means a healthier you. How? Poisons can cause disease for people and the critters, bugs and birdies who live in your garden. Also the runoff from your garden goes into the storm drains which then dump directly into your local rivers and ultimately into the sea. This affects all living creatures in the sea, the birds who eat the fish and make their nest’s near the shores of rivers, lakes and estuaries.

I encourage you to click through some of the hyper-links in this article and see where you can make a difference. We all share this planet and we should work together in harmony to keep it in good running order. Our future generations are depending upon us.

Summertime & The Farmers Market...

2008-07-25T12:17:00.017-04:00

"Yesterday a child came out to wonder,
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar.
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder,
And tearful at the falling of a star."
From Joni Mitchell's song, "Circle Game"

Summertime always evokes dreams and memories of my childhood. As a child our family went to the Farmers Market almost every week. It was a scene. Mother had 6 kids, all within 9 years. We were well behaved and no one ever got lost. I remember double yolk eggs, beautiful tomatoes, piles of lettuce, the juiciest strawberries and a range of flowers that was dizzying.

Falling in love with fresh produce at a young age is a great gift a parent can give to a child. I learned about the connection between food, the earth and the humble farmer who would not only grow our food but often times sell it to us.
I was at the Farmers Market this week, as I am most weeks and decided it was perfect light to do a photo shoot. The stunning colors, shapes and textures of the bounty that is given to us from the earth inspires my imagination as a cook and an artist.

So if you haven't been to your local Farmer's Market lately create a new habit and start showing up. The food is fresh, organic, local and affordable. Take the time to say thanks to the folks who work very hard at bringing fresh produce, eggs , cheese and flowers to you on a daily basis.
Mom, thanks for the gift of understanding where food comes from, it is some kind of magic!

Putting Your Intentions Out Into the World...

2008-07-20T08:37:00.010-04:00

Yesterday I spent the day with my nephew Geoff.
He is a charming and smart young man. He is in college now and on an endless quest for knowledge. We were talking about Buddhism and the "Eight Right Steps of Living". This subject led to a lively conversation about living an intentional and conscious life. We also talked about "Intention". Which led to "Tibetan Prayer Flags". In Tibet they have a tradition and practice of hanging out strings of prayer flags which are prayers and sometimes icons of Deities printed onto various types of fabric. They are usually, but not always very bright primary colors. The idea simplified is this, put your intentions into the world, the wind will pick them up and blow them where they need to go. In December I did a posting on "Intention Tree" ornaments which is based on the idea of prayer flags.

On the 2 hour drive home I thought about these flags and the magical/mystic quality of putting intentions into the world via a flag and the wind. I also thought it would be fun to make my own small flags, writing intentions or even drawing a picture or icon of what I wanted to put into the world outside of my own. So here is the process, cut 5 to 12 pieces of fabric all the same size. You could use muslin, silk, cotton or really any fabric that will stand up to the Sun, Rain and Wind. An indelible pen like "Sharpies" would be the optimum tool for writing on the fabric. If you want to have more of a painterly quality you could also go to a craft store and pick up paint that is made to be used on fabric. The next step is to make a list of intentions or prayers you would like to see in the world. Do a sketch on paper of what you would like to see so you have a pattern to follow. Once you have a pile of flags ready to go, attach the finished squares to a very long piece of heavy duty string or rope and tie between two trees, on a porch railing or?? You can use your imagination. I think it would be fun to have some of my favorite friends over and each of us could do a square. Kind of like a quilting party, but oh so different!
So whether you purchase some Tibetan Prayer Flags or make your own remember, as Bob Dylan so eloquently said "The answer is blowin' in the wind".

Orchids: Tips and Tricks for Growing...

2008-07-16T07:42:00.016-04:00

Orchids are so exotic looking that they seem as if they would be hard to grow.
Well nothing could be further from the truth. The biggest trick is good light (not direct sun) and infrequent watering (every other week at the most). I also feed my Orchids one time per season with Superthrive plant food. Buying healthy Orchids is key. I pick up my orchids many places. Some of the best specimens have come from wonderful high end nurseries. I like to spend an hour or so perusing their Greenhouses which typically are filled with Orchids and other interesting plants. The upside is this, the plants have been cared for and there is usually someone who is an Orchid Expert that can answer any of your questions. Now for some "On the Cheap" buying tricks and tips. Trader Joe's and Home Depot both have selections that can at times be terrific or sketchy depending upon the day. However, when they get a good batch of Orchids in they are a true bargain.
You can pick up a Phalaenopsis Orchid for 13-20 dollars! The downside is they have not been cared for as closely as those grown in a local greenhouse so be careful with your selection. Make sure the flower stalk has healthy fat buds that will continue to give you blossoms and that the leaves are a dark and shiny green. The following tip is very important. When you get the Orchid home put it into the sink and water thoroughly with warm water. Then pop the whole container into a zip-lock bag, cover only the container, this becomes a liner so the water does not leak into the cache pot or container you are setting your Orchid into. I always place some Spanish Moss around the base of the plant, it helps to keep the soil/bark moist and it looks like you picked it up at a Florist!
There are many varieties of Orchids some of my favorites are Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium, Oncidium, and once in a while Cattleya's The photos shown in this article are all different varieties of Phalaenopsis.
Many of my Orchids have been blooming for a year or more. They are simple to grow and a joy to collect. Go ahead and start your collection today.

A Garden of Roses...

2008-07-11T09:23:00.014-04:00

Nothing makes me happier than walking through a garden of Roses. The fragrance is intoxicating. Spicy, sweet and sometimes even a light note of citrus. Yummmm. Roses of are at their very best in the early days of summer and early days of fall. But do not discount them from your repertoire, if you grow a wide variety you will always have a few to cut and bring indoors.
Roses are easy to grow and with proper mulching only need to be deep watered a few times a week.

Feed them with a handful of Bone and Blood Meal, add a dash of Epsom Salts and a bit of Kelp Meal. You now have my organic recipe for healthy roses. When you are walking through your Rose Garden sometimes you will see some black spot or mold, I always pull the leaves off at the stem and throw them in the garbage, not the compost pile. A new leaf will grow back fairly quickly and as tempting as a quick fix may seem, poisons do not reverse the damage.

I have always believed that organic gardening mixed with common sense is the way to go. Once in a while I will see an overabundance of Aphids, my remedy is to go to the Nursery Center and purchase a box or two of Ladybugs, I release them at sunset. The Ladybugs have a great time feasting on the aphids, and I think they are oh so sweet!
In January I wrote an article about my favorite Roses. Click on this link to read "A Few of my Favorites" If you have not read this article you will learn quite a bit about the romantic history of the Rose and the many different varieties that are available and even more tips on successful Rose growing techniques.
Roses are fun and easy to grow so do yourself a favor and plant some in your garden. Yummm you will not be disappointed.

Summertime & Cool, Cool Water...

2008-06-30T08:38:00.012-04:00

Cool clear water. Sounds refreshing on a hot summer day doesn't it? Pools and water sources in gardens are an age old tradition. Back in the days of Cloisters, Monasteries and walled gardens a water source in the center of the Herb/Vegetable and Medicinal garden was the style of the day. Towns had water cisterns for drinking, bathing and washing. Public water sources and features gave way to private oasis' in peoples home gardens.

Flash to water features today. Most gardens have at least a birdbath. Water in the garden even a small still birdbath can bring a moment of grace and contemplation and the birdies get to enjoy it in their own joyous fashion. Fountains are the next feature that no garden should be without. The sound of water can create a mood of tranquility and harmony. Another plus is this, the sound will mask traffic and other outside sounds by creating a white noise. Personally I think that there is nothing lovelier than dining near a fountain listening to water and the birdies singing. Heaven? Possibly.
Pools to swim and refresh have become very popular especially in warmer areas of the country. (The south and the west.) Pools bring the water element in to the garden while providing a place for families and their friends to swim, play and be young at heart. I have seen folks with pools actually become more relaxed and centered because they spend an hour or two a day, floating and swimming in their pools. What can seem like a financial luxury actually is an investment in the balancing and quieting of your spirit. Water is healing, soothing and calming. If you cannot afford a pool, Hot Tubs/Spas are another alternative. In our crazy economy and rising prices I believe it is a good idea to have a place to unwind and relax at home. Water is the key. Check out my portfolio of Pools, Hot Tubs, Fountains, and Ponds at www.teamkdb.com.
Now go out and splash around and have some fun.

Flowers in the House, Tips & Tricks...

2008-06-26T10:21:00.013-04:00

Flowers, I cannot imagine a world without them. They bring a sense of grace and beauty into our homes. Flowers are ever changing and can set a tone or mood for any room in the house. My favorite thing about fresh cut flowers is it is super easy to pop into a vase and keep fresh for up to a week. The trick is to process your flowers before you put them into a vase.
1.Consider your vase or vessel. Make sure that the flowers are to scale in relationship to the vase. A good rule of thumb is this, large flowers need a large vase and small flowers will need a smaller one.
2.Remove all of the lower leaves from each stem, this will help to keep decomposing leaves from fouling up the water.

3.Give each stem a fresh cut. Remember they may have been cut several days before you brought them home and oftentimes the stem will seal itself off and not take in water, the fresh cut allows the water to travel freely up the stem.
4.Add a few drops of bleach to your water. This will keep your water fresh for the week.

5.A few things to remember: Fragrant flowers are best put into rooms that are not used for eating or sleeping IE:Bedrooms, Kitchens and Dining Rooms. The fragrance can interfere with the flavor of food and can cause headaches in a closed room. Below I have compiled a list of some of my favorite fragrant flowers and some of my favorite not so fragrant flowers.

6.Top Pick, fragrant flowers: Hyacinth, Lilies, Roses, Freesia's, Lilac's, Peonies, Carnation's, Lavender and Tuberose.

7.Top Pick, not so fragrant flowers: Hydrangea, Calla Lilies, Gerbera Daisies, Daisies, Statice, Bells of Ireland, Campanula, Tulips, Orchids, Alstromeria, Lisianthus and Liatris.

I love to create different arrangements in my home every week. Sometimes a loved one sends me or brings me flowers, other weeks I will stop at a local Farmer's Market or Trader Joe's and spend between 10-20$. Dollar for dollar it is cheaper than going out for a meal and lasts much longer.Oh yes, it brings me many moments of joy, every day!

Designers, a few of my favorites...

2008-06-23T07:21:00.014-04:00

I love Design Books, Magazines and most printed or audio material that features "Designers". These talented folks have shaped the world of Interiors, Gardens & Architecture over the past century and their work continues to influence design today. Design has shaped not only how we look at our world but also how we live in it. Imagine a Chicago that Frank Lloyd Wright had never affected or New York city without the influence of the doyenne of Interiors and high design, Elsie De Wolfe. I have always loved reading the stories of designers because there work still continues to inspire Designers and design aficionados today.Real design principals never go out of style. Designers by nature are eccentric, devoted to design and implementing their craft.
When visiting the gardens of Madame Walska in Montecito,California I can always feel her palpable presence even though she created this extensive garden decades ago. Walking through "Lotusland" is like reading a biography of this incredibly amazing woman. Each garden room opens onto another, her personal story unfolding as you stroll through each space. Telling her story not with words but with plants, trees, lotus blossoms, shells, stone and rolling lawns. The most interesting part of her story and garden is her Cicad Garden. She decided to sell all of her diamonds and create this primeval and quiet, almost hushed space. It is magnificent but the story of selling her diamonds for plants, well it is something that only an eccentric would consider a normal coarse of action!

I also admire the Garden Designer Beatrix Farrand. She was Edith Wharton's niece and quite talented. She was responsible for many premiere gardens near Bar Harbor, Maine. Her work was so timeless that you can still visit some of her gardens today.
Beatrix was a fan of structure, texture and stone. A very different approach for the time.
Another favorite would have to be the over the top designer Tony Duquette he was a Hollywood favorite. His magic was evident in all of his work. Chandeliers in the garden, inside & outside, mixing interiors and gardens were his signature in this crowded world of the creators of all that is beautiful. He also was a highly sought after production designer in Hollywood, he would not only decorate movie moguls homes but would also conceptualize and facilitate the designing of their movie sets and often times the costuming as well.

Frederick Law Olmsted was never formally trained however his outdoor public spaces were and still are some of the premiere properties in America. When Mr. Olmstead was commissioned to create Central Park, in NYC he had never done such a formidable project, as a matter of fact it was his first big job! He excelled and was later commissioned to create public and private gardens up and down the Eastern seaboard. One of my favorite gardens to visit is the Biltmore Estate near Asheville, NC.
I love to research the Designers of yore, I always learn alot and absolutely appreciate the fine attention to detail, scale space and the ultimate sense of place.

Painting, OH what Fun...

2008-06-06T16:10:00.016-04:00

I have had a relationship with art since I was a child and I have been a painter and a photographer for as long as I can remember. I have always enjoyed the creative process and have delighted in exploring all of the different mediums and the possibilities they present. The newest series of paintings I have been working on involve canvas, acrylic paint, transferred images and the tools needed to manipulate the paint ( brushes, palette knife, sponges and paper towels). I use a wide variety of paint products. Golden Paints has a wonderful selection of colors with various transparencies and the best gel medium which is great for transferring and applying the images to the canvas. Golden also has a wide and varied selection of molding paste and various gels and finishes. Liquitex, and even a generic store brand paint works very well. Try to stay away from the cheapest canvas' as they may not be primed and can be made in an inferior way. The best bet is to explore all of the choices at your favorite Art Store. A few here in the southeast are Cheap Joe's Art Supply and Binders Art Supply, both have websites and both have quality products at a price that is easy on the pocketbook. Log on and check it out. If you have questions you can also give them a call.

Some Artist friends and I have been exploring the world of image transfers in a scientific way. We have studied many different methods and our findings (which are still being discovered and calculated) are all over the place! The goal is to transfer the ink and not the paper, then apply, in this case to canvas. Many Artists use watercolor paper, and I have in the past, however canvas gives you the ability to add texture behind the image. This can be achieved by applying handmade paper, and various other paper based products which can be painted over and onto. I am still working on my quest for perfect transferred images. It is fun to have friends as curious about the process as I am. So we will try, try again!

Art is fun, art is personal and no matter what you say, everyone has an ability to create. So give it a try, go to a book store and hang out in the art and technique section, check out Somerset Studio Magazine, join an Art group or take a workshop but most importantly explore and let your creative self take over. You will be happy you did.

The 411 on Napkins...

2008-06-03T09:31:00.008-04:00

I have used cloth napkins since I was a young woman first living on my own. Over the last three decades I have learned much about napkins. I love the ritual of folding them and setting the table. Over the past 30 years (yikes where does the time go?) I have created a philosophy about not only the use of them but the design, construction and the best napkin buys on the market.
Like other fine linens, thread count and weight are important for longevity. I is important to buy the best napkin you can afford and add to your collection. Often times after the holiday season many stores have amazing sales. That is when I buy any new napkins for the coming year.

My Top Tips...
#1.Great napkins come from stores that carry quality products. If you can not afford full price, shop the sales. But buy the best, dollar for dollar it is money well spent.

#2.Heavier is better. A nicely weighted napkin will hold its shape and form and not require ironing. (I am not a fan of ironing!)

#3 Always make sure the Color is woven into the fabric and not printed on the surface.

#4 Consider your overall color-way. I usually buy napkins that generally go with each other. Blues and yellows and creams. This color-way goes with my dishes and if I have a large dinner party they always work together because each color works in harmony with one another.

These are my top tips and I follow them diligently, and because I do,
my napkins last for many years.

When you buy something as ordinary as a napkin are you thinking of the future? How long will this napkin last? Is it a color choice that you want to have around for the moment or are you going for longevity? I am still using some napkins from 12 years ago! They are soft and a bit worn however the color still sparkles and they are pretty enough to be used at a dinner party.
I buy napkins that are either made in Portugal or France. They are available at Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table to name a few stores. The cost is around 15-17$ and worth every penny. Think about this, if each napkin lasts a decade, which they will, the actual cost is around 1.50-1.70 per year. WOW now that is cheap for such elegant style.
It is also important to note that unless you are eating fish/lobster you can re-use your everyday napkins for several days in a row. I have always done different things to keep everyones napkin separate and available for the next meal. Each person could have their own napkin hook on a wall or edge of a cabinet. You could give each person an antique silver napkin ring, or you can hang it over the back of the chair each person typically sits in.

I have always had a drawer or shelf devoted to napkins, and nearby in a small chest or adjacent drawer I keep my collection of antique and quirky napkin rings.Life is for living, we eat every day I believe we have a responsibility to make each moment wonderful. Consider cloth napkins and the pleasure of using them every day.

Design Components...

2008-05-19T11:36:00.010-04:00

Living in a loft in a large city is very different than living in a neighborhood.
The logistics of a parking structure and elevators, hallways and public spaces really make you think about what you bring into your living space. I am liking it. This space is a "Clutter Free Zone".
Components is an interesting word, literally meaning separate articles that make a whole. When we think of components in a home we think of furnishings and accessories. What is your style? Tailored, Bohemian, Romantic, Country or City Chic? All of these styles have basic ideas in common. In any living space we need a place to share a meal, have a conversation, and sleep. The personal part is style of the furnishings and accessories, this is where components come in. In a modern space it is important to have clean lines and very little clutter. Art needs to be bold, and simple. Bedding should be clean and somewhat tailored with simple strokes of color, bold or subtle. If you are going for a sleek look, stay away from choices that feature embellishments, lace or other fru fru additions. Remember it is most important to honor clean lines this will go along way in creating a modern look.

I love to bring in nature whether it is plants, Orchids, Bromeliads, Fresh flowers, Nests (under glass if possible), Rocks, Shells and cool Twigs. I also like to incorporate items that feel as if they are drawn or inspired by nature. This "Nature Style" goes with many home styles, the difference is how you display your objects. Fun shelving, cabinets, bookcases, and tables are the usual ways to display articles you would like to live with.

I recently picked up some interesting square cubby style bookcases. What is interesting is that each rectangular cubby is its own little still life. These are cheap and available at Pier One Imports. You can even order them online. By the way I also picked up my Damask Style chairs there, wow affordable, chic home decorating. When you are thinking about what to bring into your space think of these three rules. 1.Does the object, or piece of furniture share something in common with the rest of the style and theme you have adopted into your living space? Style, Color, Texture, something needs to tie it in the whole vision.
2. Is the piece of furniture or object trendy? A few rules, don't pay so much for it, that way when you tire of the bright color or overly cheerful pattern you won't feel like you just can't waste your money and replace it until it is worn out. Trendy is great for throw pillows but not for couches.
3.Do you LOVE it? Yes, always ask yourself this question. If you do not LOVE it, do not bring it into your home. This is also wise because you won't have a lot of clutter around.

I always ask myself these three important questions and adhere to them as my divine design rules. My answers to these simple questions have served me well over the years.

Wing Haven Garden

2008-05-12T08:51:00.016-04:00

Some gardens can be mysterious and magical. I visited The Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary on a recent Saturday morning. I was transported back to a gentler time, when folks gardened with a passion. The couple who created this garden spent decades adding new areas and garden rooms.

Wing Haven has many varieties of Shrubs, Trees, Roses, Herbs and Perennials that form a dense canopy and undergrowth for the many birds who call this garden home. I was reminded of Rosemary Verey's garden at Barnsley House in England. Rosemary was a magnificent designer I had met in England and her gardens were magic and very photogenic. I loved the way the paths in her garden interconnected and created a never ending garden stroll! (Rosemary was Prince Charles Garden Designer) Eddie and Elizabeth Clarkson had a dream and it was to create a garden that would become a sanctuary for birds and fellow gardeners and friends. Lovely, indeed. Creating a garden that fed all of the senses is tricky business and requires a strong vision, passion, time, money and patience. Patience to plant a small tree and understand it's eventual standing in the space in which it lives.It was pure joy to walk in this garden. I was delighted as I strolled down the garden path each curve providing a new view, a water feature or a seating area. Pure alchemy. The sound of water from a fountain, wind rustling in the leaves above, and birdies, yes birdies everywhere, darting in the canopy above or the hedgerow beyond. Sheer heaven. I will be back to visit this little slice of heaven often.

FMI: Log onto www.winghavengardens.com the gardens are located in the Myers Park area of Charlotte and are truly worth the visit, most anytime of year. Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary is open to the public several days a week.

CLICK ON SLIDESHOW OF WINGHAVEN GARDEN

Personal Space, a photographers vision...

2008-05-08T09:18:00.025-04:00

Sarah Szwajkos is a talented photographer, and a very special friend of mine. I admire her work and her passion. She has created a collection of photographs of people's personal space. The photographs offer an intimate glimpse of lives being lived. Her approach is unique. She does not style a shoot, she studies the space and then finds the best angle to tell the story. When I was moving from Green St. she asked if she could come over and shoot my house as I was moving out. I had seen her work and knew she would tell the story of my space and the de-constructing of my home.

Sarah been an Art of Photographer for many years. She has studied with Master Photographers including Amy Arbus, Joyce Tenneson, Jean Pagliuso and Paul Caponigro to mention a few. She is inspired by personal spaces and how people occupy that space and sees photographs wherever she goes. Sarah is a treasure I am impressed with her work and her ability to convey the energy of the objects or space she is photographing. She has slide show galleries on her website and they are fantastic. If you would like to view her collection from the Green St. House, click on Galleries then click onto Green St. Take the time to look at her other collections.
Oh and think about this, wouldn't it be fun to hire her to shoot your personal space?
FMI:
damnrabbitstudios.com
Sarah Szwajkos
207.232.8541
sarah@damnrabbitstudios.com

Alchemy at "The Airee"... Loft Living

2008-05-02T16:45:00.014-04:00

Alchemy, there is no other word for it. Wow living above a city and watching it all happen below you is truly magical. Now I know why birds are always tweeting so happily. It is exhilarating to watch the sun come up from the beyond illuminating the mirrored buildings.

The light reflects around to the inner corners of this 24th floor loft. I am enchanted. The balcony is breezy in the evenings and the city lights are knock out gorgeous. Never have I seen so much from one spot. Funny, me being the organic nature girl. I am really enjoying this place. Interesting observation, nature is everywhere but in a different context from such a high spot.
Birds fly by at eye level, and I have a front row seat to the ever-changing sky. I have had a wonderful time finding the components to furnish this magic place. I decided to create a style that is based in nature. The twist is organic natural shapes in modern materials, with a bit of whimsy and fun thrown in. The look is sophisticated and artistic all at the same time.Sort of Naturalist meets Urban Loft Dweller! I have looked at the history of traditional modern, now that is a contradiction in terms. It really is retro because the first modern architecture was dreamed up by Frank Lloyd Wright at the turn of the last century. For fun look at his architectural drawings and notice the sleek modern lines of his buildings then check out the people he put in the drawings for scale, they are dressed in the clothing of the time, bustles! It is fun to look at and think about, Frank Lloyd Wright was an Avatar and so ahead of his time. The next wave of modern sleek was the late 30's and 40's, it was called Modern. The movement de-constructed the fru of Art Deco and post Victorian and embraced lean lines in furnishings, dishes and accessories. The third go round was in the late 50's thru the late 60's. This incarnation was more futuristic and pop like the popular Jetsons cartoon. Let's flash to now. Modern has resurfaced and shape shifted into not only modern looking but the manufactures of furnishings, fixtures and accouterments are using slick new materials, many of which are Green and Sustainable. What a great time to be a designer. Fun, and interesting. The popular colors are bold and strong.

I am back to blogging 3 times a week, log on often and learn more about urban loft living.

Arty Still Life...

2008-05-02T10:38:00.011-04:00

Today I am going to write about the creative muse that lives within us all. My friend Janice Micek is an incredibly talented artist. Her specialty of the moment is assemblage art. She lives her life in an artful manner. I went to a workshop in her home and asked if I could come back and photograph her "Arty Still Life's".

I was inspired by her love of nature and her ability to tell a story with objects.
Tables filled with silver from a bygone era, shells and other treasures from the sea, a bowl of pieces and corners of old frames, not to mention the charming natural whimsy that was the underlying foundation to her display work. Janice also had a fair amount of nests and all were displayed in a cozy and nesty fashion.
Oh yes, this is a woman I could and will be very good friends with.

She loves art and the natural world and she understands how to integrate them into pieces that are clearly personal and pure magic. You go girl!

Finding a Nest...

2008-04-13T08:31:00.009-04:00

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...

2008-04-09T14:13:00.007-04:00

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....

2008-04-08T06:20:00.006-04:00

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...

2008-04-07T07:13:00.008-04:00

"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...

2008-04-04T15:43:00.007-04:00

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

2008-04-01T08:10:00.006-04:00

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!

The Baroness of Art...

2008-03-27T17:06:00.014-04:00

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

2008-03-26T09:53:00.015-04:00

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...

2008-03-24T06:18:00.011-04:00

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....

2008-03-21T08:54:00.004-04:00

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...

2008-03-18T18:56:00.008-04:00

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...

2008-03-18T14:08:00.017-04:00

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...

2008-03-17T15:08:00.002-04:00

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...

2008-03-17T07:07:00.005-04:00

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...

2008-03-14T12:36:00.015-04:00

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?

2008-03-10T12:07:00.014-04:00

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...

2008-03-07T06:49:00.025-05:00

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...

2008-03-04T14:44:00.006-05:00

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...

2008-03-01T12:39:00.008-05:00

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...

2008-03-01T11:35:00.019-05:00

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!

The Light is shifting Spring is near...

2008-02-26T09:47:00.013-05:00

Spring. Ah yes that magic time of year when the earth seems to slowly be waking up. The first sign of Spring is the light. The sunshine is brighter and warmer. Oh and my favorite, the sun is up earlier every day and so am I! I think the position and strength of the light is one of the most important parts of feeling the nuances of each season. Winter is dark, the days short and the nights cold and long. Spring is filled with promise. The promise of the coming gardening year, days stretching into weeks of basking in the sun, tending the garden, long walks on the beach, collecting seashells, sailing in a stiff wind and not being cold! The image at the top of the page today was in an ad for one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie. I loved the sentiment of a Butterfly emerging from a cocoon and the lovely artistic bent to the illustration. I feel like that butterfly. Every year around this time I know intuitively the steps I will need to take to get ready for the coming season. This year I will be migrating south as well as waking up from the long cold winter on the Tundra. I hope I will be as successful as this butterfly and soar high in the sky, flitting from one flower to the next. Right now my life feels like Spring, filled with hope, light and plenty of magical surprises.

How does your home smell?

2008-02-24T16:17:00.007-05:00

Scenting your home can define how visitors think about you.
Does your home smell fresh? Do you have living plants and flowers in your main rooms? Do you burn incense? Are you a candle person? How do you handle cooking smells? They are not always pleasant and can be lingering. Americans are funny, we go to great lengths to disguise our body smells, but how many folks really take that same care and thought into how their homes smell? When I lived on the west coast I always had boughs of Bay, Eucalyptus and vases of Rosemary scattered about the different rooms. This would give my home a fresh herb-fragrance. I miss that scent. My niece Lu-Lu used to always say she loved the smell of my house and that when she smelled some of the same components in other places it reminded her of my home. Scent is a primal part of who we are. The smell of our parents, grandmas kitchen, a car, the odd smell of a neighbors home. It is all filed in our olfactory memory and we can be walking down the street and be reminded of something quite randomly, because a fragrance triggers that specific memory.
My house is filled with live plants and usually many vases of roses or other seasonal fresh cut flowers. Fresh and clean with a touch of floral would describe the notes of fragrance in my home. I also have a signature candle I use. Capri/Volcano/No.6. I fell in love with this fragrance years ago at an Anthropologie store. The notes are Mandarin Orange and Sandalwood. Yummy scent and easy to become addicted to. Not too sweet and just the right amount of exotic. You can buy them online. They come in a wide range of sizes and the shapes and colors of the jars have expanded over the years and appeal to most everyone now. I am partial to the original cobalt blue jars.
Some tips on scents in the home. Do not burn candles with fragrance in a dining room or in the kitchen when you are cooking or eating. The smell gets in the way of the smell of the food or the beautiful meal you just set on the table. Make sure you buy a quality candle that is created with essential oils. It will burn more evenly, smell better and not cause allergic reactions to folks with a chemical sensitivity.

Dining Out...Top Pick

2008-02-22T09:08:00.011-05:00

Hope and Olive is a truly remarkable restaurant. This place is 100%. Yes, the food is outstanding. They choose only the freshest, organic and in season food available. The second plus is this is no hippie/vegan hang-out, no sir, it is tres' chic. The bar is cool and swank and features an extensive wine list, beers from around the world. They also have some interesting and even some organic choices for various Vodka's, Gin's and Tequilla's. Wow everything you would want for a local watering hole and super coolness! Thirdly, the atmosphere. MMMMM, the lighting is sublime, no points of light, all ambient, and down lighting. This space has perfect illumination. Their furnishings are exactly to the scale of the room, and my favorite, they figured out how to have many groups of guests close to each other, yet masterfully achieve making the space feel intimate and homey. The colors are a warm golden hue and the fabric choices work in perfect harmony and synergy with the lighting and furniture choices. So when I am lucky enough to be in Greenfield, Massachusetts or even near it, I always make a point to dine at Hope and Olive. My favorite Dinner? The Beet and Orange Salad, Grilled Tuna, and maybe some Calamari for an Appetizer are so yummy and the presentation could not be lovelier. I have tried many different dishes here and have never been disappointed. The staff is always warm, friendly and just chatty enough. Yes, I do believe this restaurant rates a KDB 100%. Check it out when you are in Greenfield, or make a special trip and let Hope and Olive be your destination. It is totally worth the journey. Hope and Olive, 44 Hope St. Greenfield, Massachusetts,413.774.3150 or visit www.hopeandolive.com

Sunday Dinner? Easy as 1, 2, 3...

2008-02-20T08:11:00.010-05:00

Sunday Dinner. Seems so retro and Grandma but can I tell you, it is a wonderful quiet event. Sunday is traditionally a day of rest. In this day and age we could use a bit more of that. I think it is important to break bread and share a meal with people that we care about. Family, Friends, Neighbors and fellow community members.
I like to cook a meal that is easy but tastes great, yeah who doesn't right? My favorite dish is a roasted Chicken. I learned how to cook the chicken this way when I was in Provence. Yumm. Tyler Florence a cook who totally inspires me also has some great roasting tips take a moment to check out his thoughts and ideas on his website. Here is my method ... Sunday morning I go to the market and pick up everything I will need for dinner. My preference is an 8 lb. Organic/Hormone Free Roasting Chicken. (If you have not tried the Organic Chickens, you should, the taste is truly superior, and it is better for your overall future health.)
I usually will make a fresh salad and have Asparagas or Haricot Vert as a side dish.
The Chicken is simple. Get out your big roasting pan, rinse your chicken, grab a lemon, squeeze juice onto outside of the chicken. Throw the lemon halves into the cavity. Chop up some fresh Rosemary, Sage and Thyme, scatter and then add pepper, and ground garlic. If you want a super moist bird add a 1/2 cup of White Wine into the bottom of the pan, the meat will be succulent. You then cook the bird at 375 for about 2 hours, use your meat thermometer to make sure it is done. Pull it out of the oven and you have Sunday Dinner, Chicken Salad on Monday and Chicken soup on Tuesday. This bird just keeps on giving.
Hopefully you are inspired to make this a happening tradition at your house.

The Good Life...

2008-02-19T10:29:00.010-05:00

Years ago as a young woman starting out in the Garden Design field there were many people whose writings and philosophies shaped my thoughts, approach and ideas. Helen and Scott Nearing were two of those people. They were the original "Back to the Landers". The book I liked best was "The Good Life". Their philosophies were simple. Do good work, live from the land, less is more and everything we need is within reach. Scott was a professor of Economics in New York City during the depression. In 1935 Scott and Helen had their personal epiphany and chucked it all for a life of living off the land in Vermont. They later sold the Vermont farm and moved to Harborside, Maine. The farm they originally established in Maine they later sold to Lynn Karlin and Stanley Joseph. Lynn and Stanley went on to write a fabulous book filled with photos of living on the farm, the four seasons, the amazing produce and the seasonal events that they hosted and also featured their wreath making venture. You can still pick up "Maine Farm: A Country Year" at Amazon.com. When I moved to Maine I met Lynn, she continues to enjoy her work as a garden photographer. Lynn recently published a book with Rebecca Sawyer-Fay,"Gardens Maine Style".
After the Nearing's sold the first Maine Farm they established another smaller place down the road. They called this "Forest Farm". Scott lived to be 100 and Helen 91! This farm is now a nonprofit center it is called the "Good Life Center" and is administered and financed in part by the Trust for Public Land of Boston, an organization that preserves rural sites and crafts. You can visit and attend the many events, seminars and lectures. So in the end Helen and Scott continue to teach and lead by example, through others who are there to share the magic and inspiration of their passion.

This special area of Downeast Maine on the Penobscot Bay has attracted other influential garden writers who have chosen to call it home. Eliot Coleman and Barbara Damrosch are successful garden writers and two of the gurus of the organic gardening movement. Another powerhouse in the area was Katherine White, wife of E.B. White. She was a very popular writer of Garden books and had a weekly gardening column in New York Times. This corner of the world is a fun area to visit in the summer when the weather is amazing and gardens are at their prime!

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse and Redifine...

2008-02-17T17:09:00.005-05:00

The green scene has hit mainstream. Reduce, recycle, reuse, and redefine these four words open the newest Pottery Barn Catalog. The mass retailers are offering a way to feel "Green" when making a purchase. I think it is wonderful that "Green" is being used as a marketing approach. We need awareness any way we can get it. Wow, think about this the Green Movement is about being more responsible and cognizant of our own carbon footprints, taking personal responsibility for our decisions and understanding the impact of those decisions. In most cases yes indeed it makes sense to purchase items from recycled products, sustainable wood and the newest energy star appliances. But really are you doing the environment a good turn. Consider the word reduce, yes reduce, to use less, have less and require less. Make your footprint and impact less invasive. How you may ask? Well the answer is much easier than you may think. A little bit of change leads to bigger changes. A thoughtful approach is the most effective. Contemplate how you live, what you use and how you can make a difference. It is different for everyone. Walk when you can. Buy Antique furnishings. Recycle your trash.When purchasing new flooring, paints and furnishings consider the materials from which they are made and how they are manufactured. Is your vehicle getting you where you are going using a minimum of fossil fuel? Are you using less water in your garden? Can you keep your home cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer? Can you turn off lights? The answer is yes, it takes a bit of effort, but not much. You can Google "Environment Friendly Products" to learn more. Start reading the New York Times and Dwell Magazine to name a few, these publications have endless articles about living with less impact.You can also check out the weblinks on this blog, under environmentally friendly. Have you watched the Oscar winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth"? Al Gore makes some great points about what we can do make a difference. Bottom line? It is more affordable for us and responsible for the future inhabitants of our planet. We can and do make a difference everyday, one way or the other.

Heart Rocks, in Nature...

2008-02-13T09:36:00.016-05:00

Heart rocks are natures magic gift. They are everywhere you are. Whether you are on a rocky coast, gravel drive or rock strewn path. Somewhere slightly hidden or even in plain sight are these little gifts from the earth. Many years ago I was in Downeast Maine and a friend of mine asked if I collected "Heart Rocks". I looked at him and asked what he was talking about. He said; "Once I tell you, you will never not see them again." He was right. It has become something I do without even thinking. My personal findings with Heartrocks are as follows .

1.Where there is one there is always three. Yes, always and they are within reach of where you are standing. Sometimes they may be behind you or even beside you but I have always found trio's of these little sweeties.

2.You may sometimes see them making up part of a stream, wall or cliff side. This size obviously can be photographed and then left in place!

3.Displaying Heartrocks is a personal affair. I like to scatter them in the pathways leading into my home. I keep a plate of them on my side table. Several usually grace a corner of my desk. They make fun table arrangements, paper weights and are curious pieces of art perched about the home in unexpected ways. No doubt about it Heartrocks are special, fun to find and they make amazing gifts.

I have some friends (mostly the younger set, or young at heart) that like to go Heartrock hunting with me on the rocky coast of Maine. We always find many, many Heartrocks of all sizes. The best part, it's a great way to spend the day, visit, laugh and the big bonus is you get to bring a few of these little treasures home to add to your collection. You can find Heartrocks composed of Granite, Shale, Sandstone, Sea Glass, Tin, Steel and many other materials.

It is a funny thing, I have found Heartrocks in all of these materials and it always fascinates me that these shapes occur through the wearing down and shaping of time. Nature taking its course and creating hearts is a truly magical gift.
So the next time you are out and about, look down and see if maybe a Heartrock isn't looking back up at you. Pick it up make a wish, and then take the time to look for the other two that were living with the one you found.

Todays Featured Artist...Lari Washburn

2008-02-11T17:35:00.000-05:00

Lari is one cool chick. I met her in my studio, she had come by to have me photograph her paintings. We hit it off, like peas and carrots. We have spent the last few months plotting and designing her website, photographing her body of work, which is extensive and having a major amount of fun.

I love to meet people who love what they do and have a passion for the life they are leading.It is always a joy to be around Lari. (Her name is pronounced Larry!) One day in early December I went to her home in Wiscasset, Maine to photograph her studio and some of her other paintings. What a kick. I ended up shooting part of my "Arty Still Life" series in her home that day . She has just launched her new website. Her work is clever, fun and tells the stories of a childhood, magically lived. Take the time to check out her work at www.lariwashburn.com

My Three Top "Organize Your Home" Books...

2008-02-10T17:49:00.002-05:00

I love to organize things. Whether it is a drawer, closet or a whole kitchen. I like the ease of locating whatever it is, when I need it. I know it can be difficult in our harried lives, but can I tell you, I do not spend time looking for anything. Many years ago when I lived on my farm in California I was semi organized. In January of 1994 the big earthquake hit. I guess the shock of seeing everything everywhere jump started me into wanting everything in its place. I remember clearly that moment in time. I have since made it a habit to make sure everything is where it should be. I love my closet, if I need a white shirt, or black jacket, my closet is organized by color so finding what I need only takes a glance. This also helps me to see what I wear the most and what I rarely, if ever wear. (The "one year rule" kicks in) It is a breeze and a pleasure to get dressed. In my Bathroom I have my silver basket of bling. See my Blog posting "Bling on my Counter" Jan.16th. Everything is where I can see it. I find I actually wear my jewelry more often. But I have the most fun organizing my kitchen. It was from the book "A Place for Everything" by Peri Wolfman and Charles Gold that I pulled the foundation of my organizational ideas. Wolfman & Gold inspired me to not only organize, but to display my items in a beautiful way. In the kitchen I use silver vases, antique celery vases, and beakers all together on a colorful tray. They are abundantly filled with silverware, cooking utensils and all of the other items I use on a daily basis. They are displayed in a cool way and easy to see at a glance. Allowing me to see exactly what I will need for the task at hand.

Another great book is Storage and Display published by The Pottery Barn. This photo filled gem is packed with lots of great applications for interesting and sometimes surprising ways to use common items like Bookcases, Credenzas and Armoires. My third favorite book is Real Simple's, The Organized Home. This clever book is packed with great ideas on shelving, closets, drawers and garages. While this book is not poetic, it is highly practical and well thought out. So if you are serious about being an organized gal, this trio of books are must haves. You will find yourself referring to them time and time again. Now for the upside of an organized living space. You will not believe the time dividends that you can cash in if you invest your time on the front end just by getting organized. Think of all of those hours you will have to be even more productive or maybe you can use your gift of time and sip on a cool drink while reading in your hammock. Remember, your time is valuable. You can do this and yes it really is that easy. How do you think I get so much done? Easy, I spend zero time looking for stuff!
Get cracking. These books are available at Amazon.com.

Clutters Last Stand. Make Room for Possibilities...

2008-02-09T19:18:00.000-05:00

Funny isn't it? When it comes to ourselves we are usually the last in line. We are busy raising children, being wives, doing our work and volunteering. Often times somewhere in the middle of our lives a window of opportunity opens and a ray of sunshine pours through. The children go off to college, move away and get lives of their own. A high percentage of us will separate or divorce our spouses. A fair amount of us will decide to switch careers or follow a path that is dear to our hearts. Now is the time to go through our homes. Look closely at those shelves, drawers and closets that are stuffed beyond full with mementos, broken games, old books and boxes filled with things we were going to get to someday. I call this the house of "WHY". Why are we holding onto all of this stuff. Why do we need it? Why do we want it? Why can't we move forward without it? The answer is the "One Year Rule". If you haven't used it in a year, read it in a year, needed it in a year or worn it in a year. Goodbye. Say yes to less. Say yes to an empty shelf, drawer or closet. How can we create something new if we do not have room for it? I know, some of our stuff is sentimental. We say things like, it was my sons, daughters, or other family members. Ask yourself this funny little question. Why are you the caretaker of the collection?
Be ruthless with what you want to carry with you into the second half of your life. Have your kids stop by and make a day of it. Clean things out, revisit good times and fond memories, share a meal, laugh and have some fun. Then send them home with lots of boxes of "stuff". I know myself it feels good to have less. Today, myself and a few other friends got together and helped another friend organize and clean out. We had a purge party. Yes it was alot of work, but we had fun. Our friend had the support and courage to say yes to boxes for the Goodwill, yes to garbage sacks and yes to letting go of the past. I know how hard this must have been. However she seemed pretty happy when we left and can I say, her cupboards, bookshelves and drawers were less cluttered and reflected the woman she has become. I raise my glass to her courage. Try this at home with your friends, you will forge a deeper kinship and lighten your load. Less is more. Pass it on!

Favorite Store - Ornament in Bath, Maine

2008-02-08T09:03:00.000-05:00

I am a fan of "Boutique Home Stores". I am enamored with this fact; usually a woman or group of women have a dream to create the perfect Home and Design store. With all of the terrific books and magazines they almost have a built in clientele. Having made this bold statement, I know myself, being a designer I can never have enough shops to explore, books to read or magazines to peruse to satisfy my endless curiosity about Home and Garden Design. Pure inspiration!

Whenever I travel I stumble upon these gems. Yesterday I stopped in at a favorite haunt, a fab store in Bath, Maine called Ornament. I happen to know the owner. She is delightful and fills her shop with beauty and fabulous finds from around the country. Some old, some new, all have a sense of elegance with a touch of bringing the outdoors in (My Fave!) Gayle Hunt has created an inspirational little shop in the historic shopping district.

I like how she breaks up her space into room-like vignettes. Some areas feel like a chic Bath/Powder Room another area is set up as an intimate Sitting room or Bedroom and scattered throughout there are several over-sized tables that become cool Garden Potting Table arrangements.

I am delighted by her merchandise, colors, and expertise. It is fun to have a store that also doubles as a design laboratory. Keep up the good work.

Ornament is located at 11 Centre Street. Bath Maine. FMI 207.442.6636 Stop in when you have a moment you will not be disappointed.

Flowers Under Glass...

2008-02-07T10:43:00.000-05:00

I discovered an interesting trick to making my flower arrangements last longer. It was quite by accident. I have a fondness for glass cloches. (see Blog Listing- Jan.12th- Cloches...Objects Under Glass)
I was fooling around with the arrangement of objects on my Thanksgiving table.

The rose under glass was inspired by the book "Little Prince" written by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. In the story a precious and finicky rose is an overprotected jewel and the glass cloche kept the rose warm at night. I decided I would do the same and really make this little yellow rose a stand-out. It worked. I loved the look and how it made the table feel. It stepped it up a notch. Sometimes an inspiration or amusement can lead to doing something differently and can even change how the object is viewed and thought about. An interesting thing happened. My findings amazed me, that little rose lasted 2 weeks under glass. I had other roses in different vases on that same table only last one week. Sometimes I feel like my home is one big laboratory and I am a scientist!
A few top tips would be:
1. Add a splash of bleach in the water, to keep the water crystal clear. You should do this in all of your arrangements, if you don't already. 2.Choose a small and sweet vase, remember a cloche makes everything look even more interesting and special.
3.Set coins or a two small folded pieces of paper opposite under the edge of the base of the cloche. This will allow a bit of fresh air to filter through. 4.Do not set in a sunny place. It will act as a terrarium and steam up the glass. Give it a try. Cloches are fun and magical. Yo can pick them up at Home Goods, TJ Maxx and select gift stores.

Bookshelves 101...

2008-02-05T13:38:00.001-05:00

We all have bookshelves. Some are formal and built in others movable & modern and sometimes they are antique and funky. No matter the style how you treat each shelf individually and as a whole can and will make all the difference.

I personally am a fan of rooms that have a "Library" feel to them. I think a bookcase is a great medium for displaying not only your favorite books but also your most treasured objects. As kids growing up it was popular for the folks and grandparents to display their favorite objects in Curio Cabinets. This trend has been replaced with the Bookshelf/Display area as a combined concept.

Think about the possibilities, whole shelves devoted to a favorite place, like Paris or New York. Shelves with all the old classics stacked by color and size with a few photos of ancient relatives to round out the feel of history.
Thematic display whether by color or subject is the key. Everything is possible.

I recently redid some shelves in a home office. We worked hard at de-cluttering and displaying in a thematic matter. We even hung a few interesting items on the outside of the shelves adding a dimension that is interesting and a surprise all at the same time. Notice this, they look tidy and professional yet reflect the personality of the person who occupies this space.

Do not be afraid to really personalize and have fun. However to pull this eclectic look off you MUST be organized, and forever tidy. Otherwise your shelves can look, well, a bit crazy. Have fun, be inspired and make some sense of the shelves you have with a personal touch!

Art Clubs and Groups...

2008-02-04T08:50:00.000-05:00

I had so much fun at my sister Sheila's, Art Club. It is a cool trend that is sweeping the nation. Basically it is Artists, and people, mostly women who are interested in socializing and doing some kind of interesting "Art Project" while catching up on news and kids. Friendships are forged and a good time is had by all. Oh and you get to take some sweet artful gem home that you created with your arty pals. No downside there!

The gals who hosted this Arty Afternoon were a delight. These events are usually held in someones home. The interesting thing are the levels of creativity and actual talent vary, however the Art at my Sister's club in Charlotte is mostly different variations on the current craze of "Assembledge".

Joseph Cornell is one of my favorite Assembledge Artists. His work is inspired by nature, mostly. Cool boxes and/or frames with items truly taken from nature. It is a cross between a mad scientist and a naturalist with the creative mind of an artist displaying the many items that surround us in the natural world. I am inspired by his work.

So if you are
interested
in an
Arty Club
in your area, consult Google or your local newspapers for events close to home.

Nests & Nature, Oh the wonder of it all...

2008-01-30T15:32:00.000-05:00

I am a huge fan of the natural world. I fell in love with the outdoors as a child. My passion and devotion has deepened with the years. I love to walk on the beach and pick up shells, big clamshells, mussels and sand dollars. I also love to collect rolled stones that are perfect and beautiful from being tumbled by the tides and the sand. There is another treasure I find on the shore, heart rocks. Yes, you can find rocks that are in perfect shapes of hearts. I know this because I have quite a collection gathered from many different walks on various seashores around the country. They grace my front walkway, sharing space with large clamshells. Every time I walk to my front door I am
reminded of those warm languid summertime walks on the beach.
I am a gardener and observer of nature. Being involved with the seasons so intimately is the key to keeping in tune with the natural world around us. Out in my garden I find many types of feathers and once in a while an abandoned little bird’s nest. I like to display these perfectly woven treasures on silver platters, pedestals and even under glass cloches. They delight me. Often times I will put stones that are shaped like eggs in the nest, or a miniature white pumpkin, an inscribed stone with a message and once in a while faux eggs may even find themselves part of one of my homage to the birds and to nature. When friends come to my home they are enchanted with a close-up look of a piece of nature. It is displayed artfully with a sense of reverence and most of the time with an edge of humor.

I rarely come back from a walk without some little treasure to pull out of my pocket. In the Spring and Autumn like to explore in the forest. I often find beautiful pinecones, colorful and/or fragrant leaves, acorns and the random feather or interesting little rock. Sometimes it is enough to photograph, other times I will carefully and responsibly take a bit of this or that, for my various displays, homage’s and odes to the seasons.

Nature is all around us. Understanding the seasons, the tides and the cycles of life is a magic part of living here on this earth. I like to enjoy each moment. I think I am happiest looking at my funny, odd and interesting collection of found nature objects. So get out, take a walk and really observe what is around you. The magic of nature is just outside your door.

So You Want to Hire a Designer...

2008-01-22T18:18:00.000-05:00

Have you been contemplating hiring a professional to lend a hand with your Home and Garden? I have just completed this cool little Q&A piece for my website and thought I would post it. This knowledge will empower you when you have your meeting with a Design Professional. You will learn what you need to tell them about you, your family, your wants and desires. You will also understand why it is important to be clear about your budget and how a Designer can actually save you money.Lastly I have shared what inspires me as a Designer.
Hiring a Designer can be the best decision you will make … Your Designer will guide you through the process. Making it easier for you to navigate and make the right choice the first time. Most Designers can do a whole house, a specific room or a simple consultation. Many Designers also offer color consultations and can be hired by the hour to shop with you. I offer all of these services.(Visit www.teamkdb.com) A simple example of why you would want to hire a designer could be as follows. When you visit a tile store, you see thousands of choices. When a designer meets you at a tile store they will show you the choices that are pertinent to your project. Probably no more than 5 to 10, making it more manageable to make that very important decision. A designer can also keep you on track and on budget.

Designing your space is all about you…
How do you live? Do you have children and/or pets?
Do you entertain frequently? Are you the kind of family who
has lots of stuff? Do you lean towards clutter or tidy and spare?
What are the most important rooms to you and your family? The Kitchen, Great Room, Media Room or Bedrooms and Bathrooms? Do you want to utilize the outside spaces? Create Outdoor Rooms, Pools, Vegetable & Flower Gardens or a meditation area? Do you want to incorporate Green/Eco-Style into your project or just some of the Green sensibilities? The answers to these questions will determine what style, materials and furnishings you will need for your project.

What is your budget? This is a very important piece of the puzzle. This determines what we as a team are capable of achieving. It is important to prioritize which spaces are most important, look at what you have, what you love, and what you do not and what you want to keep and incorporate into your new look. All of this goes on during our first consultation. If we decide we would like to work together, we start the Client/Designer Relationship.

For someone who wants a big look on a small budget today…
I have done many projects utilizing terrific Internet sources. Lighting, Furniture and Hardware.
I always recommend fresh paint; it is the most bang for your buck! I also believe you should not scrimp on good solid well-designed pieces of furniture. You can always add art and accent pieces later.

Who or what has influenced my style?
I love to travel. I have been influenced by the great homes and gardens of England and France.
The European sensibility of utilizing every square inch of their properties, inside and out is inspiring to me. In every room of these great homes the outdoor spaces are truly part of the interior.
I adore the natural world, and turn to it for color inspiration. I love the colors of an autumn day, a summer afternoon at the Sea or a quiet walk in a mysterious forest. The colors and romance of Impressionist art never cease to amaze me, it is like a whole world of light! The talented designers of the past have always inspired me. William Morris, Elsie DeWolfe, Tony Duquette, Gertrude Jekyl, Frederick Law Olmsted and Julia Morgan.
FMI; www.teamkdb.com

Color; Be Brave, Be Bold and Have Some Fun!

2008-01-21T12:37:00.000-05:00

I love color. Paint is a really fun component to decorate with. Jewel tones of bold reds, bright greens and beautiful blues can really make a room sing. Color can set a tone and a mood. I think one of the best tricks in my designer toolkit is color. Some folks certainly are more comfortable with a muted palette and I agree taupes, paler mossier shades of green and gray can be lovely. However you can then use bright accents of color on a wall and totally change the look, feel and mood of your home. I think often times a room that is painted a bold shade is not only memorable but inspiring. I am a fan of paint because if it is too overpowering (is that possible?Yes.) or has too much personality it is easy to paint over. With a flick of a brush a room can change its tone, its mood and the message it gives to the person or people who live in the space. Did you know some colors can make you hungry others can make you calm and relaxed. The color palettes offered by Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore are absolutely wonderful. Both companies also have line of Eco-Friendly paint check that out when you are choosing your colors and types of paint. Also did you know there are different types of sheens to paint? I like a satin finish because it is slick and reflects the light just enough to make it interesting. It also has a higher resistance to fingerprints and showing every bit of wear so it looks fresher longer. If you want to see some bright colors in action go to the Pottery Barn web site. You will be inspired by example and can actually see how to use these colors to your advantage and in a style you are comfortable with. Go ahead color up your world, after all life is short, the brighter the better.

A Room of One's Own...

2008-01-19T10:17:00.000-05:00

Virginia Wolfe wrote a famous essay with this title. It was her feeling that if a woman had a room of her own she could be a successful writer of fiction. Her essay was a reaction to a story written by William Shakespeare. I do believe that if you carve out a special place in your home that is specifically for you, you will be giving yourself the gift of place and the space you need to grow into who you are. Ah, imagine a room just for you, your thoughts and musings. Maybe you can finally get to writing that great American novel or just read a book in a special place that reflects the colors and furnishings that speak to the inner you, your passions, your hopes and dreams. It could be a room for relaxing, re-grouping or even just thinking about what could be or what once was. Yes I believe Virgina makes a good case for a Room of One's Own.
I adore my own special room, I can set my laptop on a small desk, look upon my favorite art and gaze out the window to the gardens below. I love the colors in my private haven. The color palette I chose is the golden light at the end of the day. Not only are these colors relaxing, at the end of the day the light pitches into this west facing room intensifying the golds and making the space sing with such rich color at the end of each sunny day. I cherish this special space I have carved out for myself in such a harried world.

Bling on the counter...

2008-01-16T18:26:00.001-05:00

We spend so much time collecting fabulous jewelry. Funny antique strings of pearls, rhinestone bracelets, wonderful garnet encrusted pieces to wear on our arms and to adorn our necklines. Not to mention the many amazing watches, shiny earrings and cool odd pieces that look perfect with a black jacket and jeans. So what do we do with these bling-y sparkly wonderment's? Most of us put them in a jewelry case and open it too infrequently to really enjoy the kind of sparkle that delights a Crow!
I decided enough was enough. I had a Victorian silver dish and thought it would look terrific on my dressing counter filled to full with some of my favorite bling pieces. I added a jewel encrusted frame with a photo of my son when he was young. Perfection.
Every time I look at my counter top I fall in love with my jewelry all over again.

Maine Winter Splendor

2008-01-16T13:19:00.000-05:00

Every season has its virtue. Winter can be magical. Some mornings it looks beyond Jack Frost or can have a fairy tale like quality. I like to photograph each season. It has been an interesting project I have been working on here in the state of Maine. As every season starts the one before it has been fading. I never know when the last shot of autumn will happen or the first shot of winter. This year winter came early to the Tundra. There were three major storms in the month of December alone. The old timers say this winter is like the winters of yore. What happened to global warming? This movie is a low resolution feature, due to this blogs capabilities, however grab a cup of hot coffee or cocoa and enjoy the picture show!

Sunflowers.. Easy, Breezy and Fun!

2008-01-14T17:49:00.001-05:00

I woke up this morning and looked out the window at falling snow. The interesting thing was I had visions of Sunflowers in my mind. I stood at the upstairs window looking down into the garden seeing the Sunflowers of last season, now tall dark brown sentinels and totally covered with snow.

The flowers have been long gone for months and the birdies ate the last of the seeds in early November.

I started thinking of the many varieties I love to grow each year. They are the easiest of all flowers and command such attention.

Planting Sunflowers is simple. First go to your favorite garden center. They will have more choices of Sunflower seeds than you can imagine. Look on the back of the package, not all Sunflowers are 8 ft. giants. I always plant the tallest varieties in the back of the garden and the shorter bushier types near the front.

Soil is the most important step, make sure you do not skimp or do in a half hearted manner. Prepare the soil with compost, bone meal and blood meal and make sure you mix together well getting all of the clumps or clods of soil out. Now the fun part, the planting. I always try to borrow a neighbor child or niece or nephew to help with this task, because they are so amazed at how quickly and how very large Sunflowers become. We make holes with the tip of my trusty Smith and Hawkins "Poacher Spade". We make these holes shallow and about 10" apart. We then put three seeds into each hole. The saying is "one for the earth, one for the crow and one is left just to grow" The chosen child and I then cover the holes, and put 3" of small bark mulch on top of the newly planted area. We then water with a gentle stream of water from the hose. Within one week the Sunflowers are waking up and poking their heads out of the soil. It is magic and the process of their journey from flowering to their fruition of large droopy seed heads for all of our birdie friends, is a wonderment of nature that I repeat year after year.

Cloches... Objects Under Glass.

2008-01-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

I am totally smitten with Cloches. They can make an everyday object, special and give a museum style to displaying your favorite things. Goldfish live under glass on a pedestal in my kitchen it is an arrangement that always makes me smile. Some of my guests think it is odd but friends who are young and young at heart delight in the absurdity.

I especially like to display nests with an unexpected object where the eggs should be. A nest with a small white pumpkin makes it not only seasonal, but high style in its own natural way.

Cloches have a magic way of telling a story, an apple under glass can evoke images of Snow White.

Something as spare as a single rose in a simple vase seems extra special under a cloche.

You can start your collection at TJ Maxx, HomeGoods and quite a few specialty shops. They can cost anywhere from $15 for a smaller size to $40-50 for a larger to largest size.

Cool Hat & Scarf Rack...

2008-01-10T09:37:00.000-05:00

In the Northeast hats are worn just to stay warm. I have always been a fan of hats after all they can look dashing and mysterious all at the same time. In my home I needed a place to hang all of those hats as well as scarves and coats. I utilized a small hallway near the front door and conviently near the coat closet. I cut a length of pine, and attached to the wall. I then used some antique door knobs I bought just for this project. In less than 30 minutes, a functional and interesting looking wall rack had been created to hold many cool and chic hats of all shapes and sizes.

Roses... Heaven Scent!

2008-01-07T09:30:00.001-05:00

"What's in a name? That which we call a Rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

These words appeared in Romeo and Juliet. Roses have been inspiring Poets, Writers, Painters and Lovers for centuries.

Roses originally came from China. In the Silk Road days of Marco Polo they were brought to Europe and became instantly popular. Can you believe an entire society never having experienced the simple pleasure of smelling a Rose? Let alone gardens, vases and armloads of these beauties readily available.

I once had a collection of over 200 Antique, Heritage and Modern Roses, that brought me much joy. Walking through the garden smelling the heady fragrance on a warm summer day. Oh it is with me now, and that was almost a decade ago! I had Roses growing on Fences, Trellis's, Arbors, Pergolas, sometimes mixed with Honeysuckle, Solanum, Grapes and Jasmine. I grew them organically with an elixir of bone meal, blood meal, sea kelp and a dash of epsom salts. Regular watering and plenty of bark mulch equaled a recipe for success. Often times at sunset I would release lady bugs, they loved to snack on aphids.

January is the month to start thinking about your Rose collection. If you do not have one, it may be time to start! David Austin was truly instrumental in bringing back the old Roses. Some of my favorites for fragrance are Gertrude Jekyl, Golden Celebration, Faust, Evelyn, Sharifra Asma, and Ambridge. These are all very easy to grow, and readily available at finer nurseries. My all time favorite rose, is a heritage rose, hard to find or even come by, it is called Souvenir de la Ma Maison. The story of this Rose is an interesting one. An Englishman was a guest at Empress Josephine's home in France. He was so taken with this Rose that he pinched a cutting, put it in his pocket and brought it back to England. He bred this rose, and then shared with his other Rosarian friends. Once in a while I see this rose at a specialty nursery, and think of this story. This rose has petals that feel like the richest satin, and smell like the sweetest corner of heaven.

A few books on Rose gardening will help you to understand the many varieties and their growth habits. What I did find, in most of the books is that most descriptions are created from studies done in the Northeast and in England. In the Southeast or on the West coast these Rose bushes can be double the size the book says they will be, so keep that in mind.

My Roses have brought me much pleasure. I used to cut the blossom heads and put them on the dashboard of my car in the morning and all day long as I would get in and out of the car I was greeted by the sweet, spicy and fruity fragrance of these divine beauties. At the end of the day I would scoop them up, and bring them indoors to a long porcelain dish on the library table, and there they would finish drying. I would do this everyday, until Rose season was over and at the start of the holiday season my friends would receive Rose potpourri from my garden.

One last tip, when you are smelling a Rose take a moment and check for bees then lightly blow into the Rose this heats up the petals and releases a much more intense fragrance.

I am dreaming of those warm days and the Rose garden I will create this spring.

Cool Store... in Savannah

2008-01-05T08:21:00.000-05:00

Paris Flea Market is my favorite store in Savannah. They have scoured Paris and other Antique Markets in France to stock their shop. The owner has a unique mix of Antique and New. I love the mercury glass items.

They are terrific grouped in a collection on a mantle, table or shelf. There is something divine about the reflected light that happens with the surface of these items. The huge mirrors, over-sized cabinets and shelving, is truly inspirational. Great art, natural world display items, piles of soap, lamps, picture frames,

furniture, books, herbs & spices and fab items for the outdoor rooms in the garden. I always leave Paris Flea Market feeling as if I have visited those out of the way stores on the left bank in Paris. Cool I didn't even have to show my passport! You can visit the Paris Flea Market online at www.parismarket.com

The New Year... Designing your Life!

2008-01-01T08:59:00.000-05:00

It is 9am on the first day of the New Year. I like to think it is just like any other day. A fresh start. When I get up in the morning, any morning it is a choice. I choose what colors I will wear, usually Black, accented with a splash of Green Blue or Teal, once in a while, possibly Red. When I go to the market and buy Produce, Meats and Grains, I am making a choice to feed myself and those I care about in a healthy way. When I care for my plants, I choose to care for them organically and ecologically. Watering only when needed, and preparing their soil so they have nutrients that are coming to them through their roots, on a daily basis. When I have a dinner party I invite people who normally wouldn't know each other. It makes for interesting conversation and we all learn much about each other.Often times new friendships are forged over dinner! In this New Year 2008, I will continue to spend time with people who are interesting, interested and open minded. I love life, it is a vibrant gift to be shared with those we love. I believe it is most important to treat every living thing as if it matters. Lastly in the words of William Morris "Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." I live with this creedo in mind, at all times, try it. My wish for you in 2008 is that you may achieve all that you vision for yourself.

Amaryllis Blooms!

2007-12-29T14:08:00.001-05:00

This lovely Amaryllis blossom is in full bloom in an antique Ironstone bowl on my mantle. When I purchased a large Amaryllis from the nursery last week one of the buds, almost ready to open snapped off. I felt terrible that this had happened. Such beauty, wasted. I decided to place it in a dish of water to see if it would bloom. Boy, it sure did. I was pleasantly surprised to see such exquisite beauty unfold. I may do it on purpose,next time, just to see an Amaryllis blossom from a different perspective.

Winter Garden Structure

2007-12-29T13:39:00.000-05:00

Winter gardens can be as magical as a garden in the Summer. I like to think that every season has its virtue. Winter brings out the structure in any garden. I create Allee's whenever I can. In the Summer they can be dripping with Roses, Hops, Grapes or Wisteria.

In the Winter they add interest and are an important focal point when all of the plants have gone dormant. If you live in a snowy climate, Arbors, Allee's, Trellis' and Fencing gives the snow something to cloak itself upon. Making the garden look like a Winter Wonderland. Blue is the signature color for structures in many of my gardens.

This shade of Blue is strong and vibrant in the winter and playful and fanciful as the backdrop for many varieties of vines and climbers in the summer. The structure also defines the space. The other important structure I consider when designing a garden are trees and shrubs. Evergreen and deciduous both have a place in the garden. Note the Crab Apple still has the red fruit hanging on the branches. In January a small flock of Robin's usually stops by and spends the day in the small orchard I have planted in my side yard. They are delightful and remind me that spring is just around the corner.

Intention Tree Ornaments

2007-12-25T12:12:00.000-05:00

Ah... Christmas, that magic day when everything is picture perfect. I love to see everything just so before the crush of people, paper, presents, champagne glasses, and sometimes the sheer pandemonium of the moment. I have a few special traditions that I have hung onto for many years.

In early December I go out to a field or forest, and cut down a small Fir Tree. The parameters are simple, it must be small enough to fit into the back of my car and perfectly symmetrical. I am never disappointed and always find just the right one. I bring the tree home, place it in a bucket of water, inside of a beautiful urn which is placed upon the table chosen for that year. Next I get out a pile of manila hang tags, that are pre-strung with white string. I place them on a tray with a vase of various colored pens. Next is the real "Christmas Magic'. When guests come over I ask them to create an "Intention Ornament". The instructions are simple, on one side you write 3 wishes. One for the world. One for your community and One for yourself. On the other side of the tag you create a holiday or winter design, and autograph it. Here is the cool thing, the concept is based upon Tibetan Prayer Flags.
I believe as they do in Tibet that if you put your intentions and wishes out to the universe, the law of attraction kicks in and WOW, the world could possibly be a better place. Happy Holidays.

Arty Moments 2

2007-12-23T15:45:00.003-05:00

I have so much fun photographing at my sisters house. Sheila is an assemblage artist. Her work is very personal. She often uses photos of her family, some from many generations ago for the base of her creative endeavors.
She has an interesting home, filled with magic and artistic moments.
Photographing in her home is always interesting, I will usually photograph at the beginning or the end of the day, that is when the natural light reaches deep into the rooms. Sometimes I can find a cool still-life on a book shelf, sideboard or an antique cabinet.

Her bookshelves are an interesting mix of curiosities, and lovely objects, as well as thought provoking reading material. She has a big job, and I am never sure where she finds the time to be so prolific in her creative and artistic works. She is one cool cat.

Making Herb Vinegar is as Easy as 1.2.3.

2007-12-23T07:11:00.001-05:00

When I was first working in the Home and Lifestyle field, I was inspired by many talented Authors and Creators of Design, Herb, Garden, Cooking, Entertaining, DIY, and Crafting books. One book taught me how to make Herb Vinegars. I no longer have the book but I remember the title, "Fancy Pantry". What an eye-opener it was to find out how easy the process was.

I was under the impression it took alot of time and effort to create these beauties. I have come to love the lingering effects of making this treat.When I open a bottle of my vinegar I think of the long summer days, the heady smell of Thyme, Rosemary and Dill. I grow organically so I know what is going into each bottle.
I have always delighted in making this seasonal treat and in giving it for Holiday gifts. (When I was younger I used to sell it at Christmas fairs and Boutiques.)
So here is the 411 on making vinegar in no time at all. During the year save your clear wine bottles,soak off the labels in advance. I also pick up bottles during the year if they are a good price point and lovely I will pick up a few. When Autumn arrives I usually have a good collection. The next item is herbs. You can grow your herbs, pick them up at a farmers market or in the organic aisle at your favorite market. Rinse them well and set aside. I sterilize the bottles by filling them with boiling water from my teapot. I let the water cool a bit, and dump out. (You can put this water into your watering cans,to water your plants with.) I then place the smallest herbs into the bottle, I start with one or a combination of Thyme, Marjoram or Basil. I then add tall stems of Rosemary. I use a chopstick to get the herbs arranged artfully. Beauty does matter. Sometimes I will put a sliced Anaheim Chili, or a few cloves of Garlic. Next grab a funnel and fill to the bottle to the top with Vinegar. Now pop the cork in and you are ready to let steep for a few weeks. After it has steeped, add a ribbon and voila, the perfect present. Your friends will enjoy your thoughtful and clever gift!

A Holiday Table

2007-12-21T07:56:00.001-05:00

A holiday table should be magical, and memorable. Why not? We go to all of the effort to make sure the food is wonderful and the wine is a perfect match. If your dinner party is small (10 and under) it is fun to do a seating arrangement, it takes your guests a bit out of their comfort zone but try sitting them next to someone they may not know.

They will make new connections and the dinner conversation will be lively and fresh. Remember they have You in common, so they will have something right off the bat to talk about! This Thanksgiving I also printed up a menu. It was a cool thing and fun to see exactly what was being served. Several of my guests had contributed a side-dish to the dinner and it was fun for them to see the entire menu including their dishes in the printed word. A good time was had by all!

Snowy Day

2007-12-20T13:31:00.001-05:00

Maine is experiencing the third major snowfall of the season and it is only December 20th. That could mean the Farmers Almanac was right, Big Snows this year. Well how can we turn that into a positive? Snowshoeing, always fun, hanging around a fire with friends, sharing a meal or a drink.

How about tackling some of those home projects, like painting a room, or organizing your closet. My friend Megan (Who lives in LA) has a major winter project. Megan's goal is to cook all of the recipes from Alice Waters newest cookbook, Simple Food. Makes me wish I was in LA and a frequent guest! So no matter where you are, winter is a time to slow down, take stock of who you are, what you have, where you want to go, and how you are going to get there! Enjoy the downtime.

Holiday Traditions

2007-12-20T12:54:00.000-05:00

After I have put away the last dish and straightened up after Thanksgiving Dinner, I turn my creative self over to the "Holiday Season". I like to re-create the placement of these holiday treasures that make their way into various rooms of my home every year around this time.

I pop the Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas CD in and and WOW, it is "Christmas". I find joy in using what I have in many different ways.Some years I go all out, others I use just silvers or golds. The mantels and table top being the main focus. My favorite Holiday Beauty is a wreath I made from a box of antique ornaments I had.

It is a treasure trove of holiday magic. I always notice something different or new when I look at it. These traditions help me to find the joy in the season, and looking upon these holiday decorations always brings a smile to my face and a lighter heart.

Flowers On My Table

2007-12-19T09:42:00.000-05:00

I think unexpected moments with flowers are an artful surprise in any room. I have placed a few narcissus stems in a small vase, under glass, on a cake pedestal and repeated the theme, quietly on either side of the dome/pedestal.I love to pick flowers that I have grown indoors and make fun table arrangements. Adding candles and votives is a nice trick for turning up the romance factor. Let your dreamy side take over and have fun!
Note the dining table has a sofa on one side and an interesting mix of chairs finish up the ensemble. I am totally smitten with this concept. When I have dinner parties, my guests seem to want to linger, longer. It is comfy cozy and chic. It is also fun for afternoon tea, a game of dominos or even signing Christmas cards!

Paper Whites...

2007-12-19T08:59:00.000-05:00

Narcissus are some of the easiest indoor bulbs to grow. Every year I bring my Birdbath from the garden into the house and position in a sunny and warm spot. I fill it with stones and seashells. I then pack it full of bulbs (around 2 dozen).

The trick is to gently screw them into the stone/shell mixture, so the are partially but not fully buried, about a third.You then add water to the top of the rim. Every few days add water. Within a few weeks you will have a fragrant and stunning garden of Narcissus.

A Cool Winter Color Palette

2007-12-18T13:40:00.000-05:00

Maine has had two major storms in the past few weeks, I love the light and the shadows
and how the snow sparkles in the sunshine. The snow lies heavy on the branches, and a few cardinals make for a beautiful winter scene. I like all of the shades of white, and find nature to be a great inspiration for a color palette.

My Current Favorite Shop is...

2007-12-18T12:57:00.001-05:00

WOW, I have so much fun in Anthropologie stores. They are now scattered across the country. I love what they do with the mix of old and new. It is true merchandising alchemy. I always leave with clever ideas on displaying collections of "stuff". By the way, I love stuff. I think someday it would be nice to be a minimalist.

Yikes, it is so hard because there is so much great stuff out there. I am attracted to antique, rather well used and overly loved objects.I like to use color ways, shapes, era, or something that can pull a collection together in some type of logical yet artful order for display.

To find an Anthropologie Store in your neck of the woods, log onto www.anthropologie.com