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!! 

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. 

A sweet escape...

It's the fourth heat wave of the summer ... 

16 days total to date of over 90 degree temps. 

As I picked blueberries yesterday,

I thought, how did people back in the day survive these heat waves?

The days before 

 central air

fans 

 ice cream cones

ice cold iced tea 

 crystal clear swimming pools

Before we could escape to..... 

the movies

the mall 

or surprise the kids with a water park

Back then .... life slowed to a snails pace 

and it was truly 

The Lazy Days of Summer 

Let's take a trip back in time... 

and appreciate what we have available to us today! 

Sunbathers cool their feet in Central Park 1961
Courtesy of Time Life Pictures Leonard McCombe 

A man rolls up the legs of his suit, paddles into the water to turn his back on the world and stare out to sea.
 (Photo by Vagn Hansen/BIPs/Getty Images). 1955Courtesy of Vintage Everyday 

New York City Children cooling off with Fire Hydrant
Courtesy of Time Life Pictures Vernon Meritt III

Central Parks Bethesda Fountain 1961
Courtesy of Time Life Pictures Leonard McCombe 

Central Park Summer of 1894
Courtesy of Vintage Everyday 

An ice cream vendor wearing waders sells Bailey's ice cream to two women bathing in the sea at Brighton.
(Photo by George W. Hales/Fox Photos/Getty Images). 7th August 1939Courtesy of Vintage Everyday 

I'm hoping the heat wave breaks soon... and stays at bay for a while.  

I fear if we don't get a break soon, we'll all be taking a trip back in time ... after all how long can our power companies maintain this demand?!

Excuse me while I skip across the street for a refreshing treat ..... 

Durham Dairy Serve ....
Photo Courtesy Jason Neely 

Fried Chicken... and do a little dance!

Earlier this week I shared my Kentucky Missions Trip with you... 

today, for fun, my Fried Chicken...

Just keep in mind, you need to start this the day before 

You'll need...

• 6 cups buttermilk*
• 1/4 cup Kosher salt 
• 4 teaspoons of Kosher salt 
• 2 threeish pound chickens cut for frying 
• 3 1/4 cups flour 
• 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper (fresh preferably)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of Spanish paprika 
• 2 tablespoons baking powder 
• brown lunch bags 
• Vegetable shortening (about 2 lbs)
• Bacon drippings if available 

Night before...

• Combine the buttermilk & 1/4 of salt in a large bowl or air tight container.  Add chicken, make sure all pieces are coated well with the buttermilk combo. Cover tightly and refrigerate over night.

Now roll up those sleeves...

• Preheat the oven to 225 degrees. 
• Combine flour, 4 teaspoons salt, pepper, paprika and baking powder in a doubled brown lunch bag & give it a good shake...do a little dance its fun!! 
• Separate out 1/2 of the mixture.
• One piece at a time place pieces in bag and shake...and do a little dance! Adding flour mixture as needed to keep the pieces well coated. 
•  Heat shortening and bacon drippings in a cast iron skillet over medium heat...roughly 375 degrees...not a rolling boil.
• Place pieces in hot oil to fry for 10 min. The bottoms will get golden brown, flip with tongs and fry for another 10 mins. Rotate the pieces two or three more times for an additional 10 mins or so. 
• Drain chicken on paper towels.
• Transfer to baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. 

Ring the dinner bell...

Serve this fried chicken up with homemade potato salad and sweet tea...

Who knows, your guests may just say......

"Butter my behind and call me a Biscuit! 

I reckon' you gone and made yerselves a darn good Kentucky Style meal!"

* Don't have Buttermilk? No worries make your own!!! Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of milk and let stand for 5 minutes ... stir and there ya go ... Buttermilk!

Vintage Summer Fun!

It was a beautiful weekend. Summer has finally arrived... No spring, just summer!  

90 degrees hot and hummid, wowza! 

Sunday morning, before the temperatures rose and the humity moved in, I indulged myself with an hour on the front porch swing, a large cup of coffee, my iPad, and Pinterest.

As the heat was moved in, my eyes wandered to postings of the beach, picnic lunches, and swimsuits.

Eventually, swimsuits led to vintage swimsuits.
I was delighted to find such an aray of timeless beauties all in one place. 

1910

1927 Sonia DeLaunay Beachwear

1930

1940's

1950's

1960's

Here are just a handful of my favorites, but you can find a complete collection here: Pinterest