21.june.09

happy first day of summer! albiet here in newport it's rainy, windy, and only in the low 60's.  surfing around the internet last night i uncovered some remarkable interiors that sang of summer- low maintenance, neutral, elegant, and simple. 

linen lamp shade i'm in love with. it sparked an idea of using vintage hats as lamp shades for hanging pendulum lights.

clean lines and an unexpected window dressing

gorgeous linen slipcovers (if only it would stand the wear and tear of three dogs)

the perfect neutral bedroom

two ikea chaise lounges. love the tone on tone art

gorgeous fluttery ceramic leaves

elegance at the table- i think it's the beautiful table linens that drew me in

i love the balance of the ornate mirror with the simple table and glass lamps

26.May.09

Hopefully everyone's 3 day weekend was relaxing and beautiful.  I spent some time on the beach and worked on painting a $30 chair i found in a consignment store. 

a view from my favorite beach in newport.  the house in the background is where the movie Evening was filmed.  it's such a beautiful beach.

My before and after project

14. oct. 08

it's that time. my favorite time. halloween.  it always amazes me, that with so many interesting and beautiful pumpkin choices, i still  - eek, dare i say see- plastic pumpkins along with flannel-bearing  scarecrows and (sigh) phony yellow police tape plastered across front doors.  why people why? i think we can do better. so,  i've scoured the internet for modern, sophisticated halloween decor and projects to inspire you. let's start with pumpkins.

flourish stamps...easy breezy.... and well...kinda cheap.  an entire set of clear fourish stamps at michaels is about $12- $14. i am horrible with linoleum cutters, knives, etc. i also am prone to losing my patience. so i'm always looking for other opportunities.

always hydrangeas...i have hundreds of hydrangeas all over my house.  now is the perfect time for cutting and they dry naturally.  i carry cutters in my car because you never know what you'll see on the side of the road.  just in case. hydrangeas are great fillers and complement all types of harvest items.  personally, i like the delicateness they provide. a nice balance. and of course...old rusty urns. i am forever changing out the contents of the urns in my house.

when in doubt...vignettes.  a vignette is a small picture. for me, it's like frosting on a cake- vignettes provide a little something extra.  and you can incorporate what you already have.  small squash and pumpkins under cloches, old rusty keys, and moss would be interesting grouped on a table.  maybe add an old photo or two or pair of old lace gloves.  spookey without the yellow caution tape!  other items i'm using this fall include shells, empty picture frames, ripped lace, tea- stained cheesecloth, old victorian shoes, branches, and moss...

 for those blessed with amazing patience and skill...ala martha stewart... carve away.  gorgeous 18th century lace patterns hand carved into these beautiful muted shades...elegant.

03. september. 08

busy busy lately.  it's amazing to me what people discard. it's also amazing to me that i have no problem collecting what others leave by the side of the road. (i'm sure my mother would be clutching her pearls in utter disbelief).  one of the beautiful things about living in new england is the age of houses- and the number of them.  practically every weekend i find discarded old, peeling windows by the side of the road.  i have amassed quite a collection in my basement.  after downloading some stencils and pulling out some paint... i've turned them into glass canvasses.  a certain store with an overpriced catalog purchased a few for their window displays and i have a few left.  i'm thinking about selling them.  thoughts?

26. august. 08

someday i would love to own a store and i will showcase beautiful hand crafted findings like these....

lovely hang tags piled in baskets is indeed yummy paper goodness from pacokeco

distressed signs from husband and wife team SignsByDiane...i have some additional ideas for text.

enchanted by the tiny, delicate clay figures in distressed boxes ala oatmealcookie

Hand thrown pottery by Mudstuffing, aka Keith Phillips would be a must have.  understated and elegant.

Elegant and detailed decoupaged glass by Insitu aka Suzanne DeVicaris. i think a grouping on an exposed brick wall would be beautiful.