Summer Inspiration

With the last few glorious days of summer upon us, it seems prime time to soak up what's left before the air goes crisp and the leaves turn red. 

One the reasons summer is my favorite season are the colors.
Orange lillies in bloom, red tomatoes ripening on the vine,
juicy blueberries begging to be picked off the bush.

I've found these fantastic colors of summer playing into my designs all season!

my studio space one day as I was waiting on a contractor to arrive to a job site!

It's easy when my clients live in such beautiful areas!! 

It is no secret that we love repurposing old things to make them new again! 

My favorite example of this has to be the old parsonage doors in my studio. 

These doors from the carriage house were slated for the town transfer station.
Today they have a new life in our Studio!

So, I've found a company that brings two of my great inspirations together!

 EchoChic creates stunning and colorful upscale furniture from reclaimed materials. 

They have both indoor and outdoor furniture in a variety of shapes and sizes. 

Originally drawing inspiration from pieces of fishing boats left over from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, EcoChic uses the bright wood from tropical fishing boats and iron from long gone bridges to bring this unique style to life. 

My favorite thing about it all, is that each piece is different! 

Be sure to check out the rest of their line here: EchoChic, and make sure to enjoy these last few weeks of summer!! 

Summer Dish on Fish

It's summer in New England. Here in Connecticut, that means a lazy day enjoying the cool water of the Sound and nights taking advantage of the fresh seafood that the coast has to offer.

So jump on board today as we explore some fishy fixtures for your home.. and some for your stovetop too!

In the past, I've designed plenty of pool houses, but last year was my first yacht!

Indoor/outdoor fabrics today are a dream, maintaining a natural texture while still being durable enough to stand up the weather. Sometimes I even use them in kids rooms! The bright colors and enduring quality of the fabric make it perfect for messy little hands.

This fabric from Duralee is also Indoor/outdoor. I could totally see this pattern embracing a deck chair.. especially because it comes in three other fantastic colors! 

These color combonations are a delightful break from some of the other outdoor fabrics that are on the market today. 

This fish lamp from Jonathan Adler is just too adorable.  

While not indoor/outdoor, this Kravet fabric has dainty seashells that can bring the magic of the ocean into your home every day. I might use this linen fabric for some window treatments! 

These swordfish pillows from Eastern Accents are a great accent piece to any couch! Throw one on either end with a colorful solid in the middle and you'll have a whole new aesthetic! 

As a New Englander,  I just love a good mussel. My favorite way to make them is to steam them with some white wine... That way there's plenty left over to go with dinner. 

Steamed Mussels with White Wine

• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• 1/4 onion, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" cubes
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 4 1/2 pounds mussels, scrubbed, debearded
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

Place shallot, onion, wine, butter, and vinegar in a large heavy pot. Add mussels, cover, and bring to a boil. Cook, gently shaking pot once or twice, until mussels open, 3-5 minutes (discard any mussels that don't open).

Set a strainer lined with a double layer of cheesecloth over a bowl; set aside. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mussels to a large bowl. Pour mixture in pot through prepared strainer. Season broth with pepper and pour over mussels. Sprinkle with parsley.

Fourth of July: The Most American Things EVER.

This Forth of July, like all Fourth of Julys, we celebrate what makes America great. 

Take a look at the list we've complied!! 

Apple Pie

Pillow from Eastern Accents

Patriotism 

Fabric from Andrew Martin

George Washington

Sculpture from Jonathan Adler

Rodeos 

Bull from Global Views

American Made

Montclair and Bedford chairs from Thibaut, all american made. 

Red, White, and Blue

Honfleur Stripe from Ralph Lauren Home

Have a safe, happy (And dry!) Fourth of July. 

Happy Spring!

It's finally here!! Tulips are sprouting, birds are chirping, and the sunshine is warm! 

We're so happy we could jump for joy.. much like these adorable Holsteins. 

I'm  taking a break from Ashley's teenage time travel to bring to you a few fun ideas for spring.

Just a little something to make you smile :-)

Nothing says spring to me more than the Forsythia bushes in bloom. Try filling your vases with wine corks, sliced lemons, or colored glass beads for a fresh effect. 

Speaking of lemons...

I love how this brings the sunshine in!

Nothing to fill those jars & vases? Lemons. 

They'll brighten up your kitchen and last a bit longer than flowers. 

Oranges and limes are also wonderful for adding bursts of color! 

These lidded hurricane jars are a staple for me in my sesonal decorating. 

Mason jars are one of my little design secrets. They're incredibly versitile!! 

I love the blue glass ones, but if non are to be found, they're also incredibly easy to paint with some fresh pastels. (Also very easy to paint old pasta sauce jars!)

I love this adorable moss terrarium idea. Perfect for a kitchen table or mantel top.  

Instead of tossing your bygone blooms in the compost heap because you think they won't flower again, wait for the leaves to die back naturally. Then, plant them in garden and feed them an organic fertilizer. (Narcissus and daffodil bulbs are more likely to respond, and bloom again)

Check back next week as Ashley continues our wild ride through the ages! 

(You won't want to miss our 80's decor!)

Sisterhood of the Traveling Bedrooms (III) ...Sweet Seventies

Every era has a defining characteristic, something that rewinds you to the days gone past. 

For me, it's a teenage girl's bedroom.  
Maybe I'm just missing having Ashley home!  


Really, if you want an accurate portrayal of the trends today,  you should just take a peek upstairs, after all aren't those beautiful babies (hardly babies ...) our future?

Over the next few weeks, Ashley (no longer my brilliant teenager) is going to take you on a journey through the decades via the bedrooms that shaped generations. 

Enjoy my guest blogger.... 
All my best,

Welcome back! 

Get ready to be accosted with bright colors and patterns galore, 

because bedrooms this week are straight from the 70's!! 

This room has everything I love about 70's decor. Pattern, texture, and bold colors! The sassy bejeweled jungle cat is just a bonus. 

Don't you just love when your dress matches your duvet?

Once you get past the bright traffic cone orange, you may notice some delish built in shelving. 

(And another bejeweled jungle cat)

This room is by far my favorite. Nothing like taking a theme and sticking with it! You can even catch a glimpse of what must be an amazing peacock rug! 

Until next week... Stay fab!

Red, White, and Blue all over

Blogging this week in my absence is my beautiful, creative and whitty daughter Ashely ... I hope you find the apple didn't fall far from the tree!  Enjoy the post, and I'll be back next week when I return from my annual missions trip!

Happy Fourth of July!!

In addition to wide open spaces, freedom, hamburgers, and Budweiser, America is..

Red

White

& 

Blue

This adorable bow is from Etsy seller themanebowtique!

Sweet little Needlepoint Stool from Jonathan Adler

Chair No. One Eighty from my favorite company, The New Traditionalists. 

George Washington serving tongs, also from Jonathan Adler.

I hope you all enjoy your Fourth of July celebrations! 

Swing Life Away

Blogging this week in my absence is my beautiful, creative and whitty daughter Ashely ... I hope you find the apple didn't fall far from the tree!  Enjoy the post, and I'll be back next week when I return from my annual missions trip!

The front porch is my sanctuary. It's where I catch my breath, catch up with friends, and catch some Z's on my porch swing.  I truly believe that your outdoor seating spaces should be treated as an extension of your home. 

Outdoor fabric and furniture has come an incredibly long way since the plastic furniture and vinyl cushions of our childhoods.... You can be so creative with colors, textures, and even different finishes.

Fabrics are now not only durable, but also pleasing to the eye and touch. 

Check out these wild patterns!!! 

What's even better, is what you can put the fabrics on!

Cute Swivel Rocking chair from Pavilion Furniture's Eos Collection. 

An adorable rustic Bar stool from Pavilion's Portico Safari Collection

This overstuffed Lounge Chair is to die for. From Pavilion's Horizon's Collection.

And last but not least, this breathtaking lounger with a traversing canopy!! 

Home Grown Blue Jeans

Is there really anything better than a pair of Classic Blue Jeans?

The answer is simple 

NO 

My ideal outfit is blue jeans, a white t-shirt and of course comfy sneaks....

Here in Connecticut you can now purchase home grown Blue Jeans

 Welcome to HTFD Denim

The company is young... established in 2010, it started out as three great friends...
Luke, Dave & Marshall working out of their parents basements!

They quickly outgrew the basements and have moved to Arbor Street in Hartford.

These boys have big dreams!
Luke, Dave & Marshall would like to eventually grow their own cotton in Connecticut and manufacture the denim here too.....
Their vision is to move into the landmark Colt Building,
what a breath of fresh air that would be!
The classic blue dome would be kinda cool above a classic blue jean company!

HTFD Denim offers much more than just blue jeans

They have expanded in to bags ....

can I just o.m.g.? I need this leather bag ....

Love the shirts..... yes I need one of these, perfect over my white t-shirt!

Here's to Connecticut Grown....

Watch these guys ... they are going places!