Home Tricks

The leaves are finally off the trees surrounding my house. I had attempted to rake the front yard for the trick or treaters only  for the leaves to keep blowing in my yard.  Although it was fun to watch the kids jump in the colorful foliage, it was not so fun to see the artwork etched with a stick on the side of my Volvo as my back was turned!  My little cupcake princess fairy with her brother,  the cowardly lion as witness proved to me that she could spell her name “really big mommy”.  With a smirk on her face, I did not know whether to laugh or cry!  It’s only a car right?!  I then took the day indoors and we proceeded to go through holiday decorations…

  I can’t believe another year has flown by and it’s time to get our homes ready for the holidays again.. yes again! 

I took this tin skeleton (just for the week) and put it right over the fall wreath… please never leave your Halloween decorations up til Turkey day or your carved pumpkin out til Xmas.  Some people are down right lazy and can’t seem to get the c#+p off their lawns before the next holiday approaches. 

Sometimes old furniture could use a facelift.  If it is structurally sound and a pleasing design, there is no reason to replace it; with a little elbow grease, you can make it beautiful again.  Whether it’s replacing the hardware, painting or refinishing the piece. It takes a little time, but trust me when you are done you will feel like you went shopping for a fraction of the cost! 

With the Holidays creeping upon us, keep in mind not to over do it.. keep it simple.. simple is better and less clean up in the end. 

 

Ordered these depression glass pulls for the yardsale Mahaogany Chest of drawers, this will transform the $5 piece to a $500 dollar look!  we'll see.. pics to come when complete.
 http://www.vandykes.com/ has some fabulous pulls and reasonable prices.






Found this company when searching for glass pulls.

The Daniel Maher Stained Glass Studio in Somerville, MA

and just loved the works of art they produce out of depression glass.

This is one of 14 windows installed in a house in Swampscott, MA. 

Whether playful, provocative or classic in nature, each design reflects true craftsmanship and clever artistry. Visit the gallery page to view a selection



The Williams mantle this week, just need to take away pumkins and it will be ready for Turkey Day.  Can't wait to have a fire and light the candle tonight for the trick or treaters. 
The crisp New England night will be perfect for my below suggestion

The kids new trick this year is to decorate their own pumpkins with Mr. Potato Head pieces.  Makes for easy clean up and fun project.  I was busy getting the big pumpkin ready for Daddy to carve. 

Wine of the Week
 We had a wine tasting at Isabellas last week and this was descibed by all as mouthwatering. 
Bing cherry, blackberry and spice example of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.
 For all you Pinot Noir lovers.. Try this as your next buy.









Breath of energy

Had not been to my 8:00am Sunday vinyasa yoga class in a long time and forgot how much it cleansed my mind, body and spirit. It left me feeling energized for the busy week ahead.  And it will be busy! My Gracie turns 4 this Wednesday and man time flies.. feels like yesterday I was getting the nursery ready and the diapers stacked for her arrival.

Time is moving so fast and I think that it is a blessing for me to be able to spend as much time as I do with my kids.  However, now that they are older I am taking on more and more work these days as I truly miss the drive and determination but mostly the interacting with people over 3' tall!  I hear us all say "there just not enough time in a day" so much lately.  There is enough time for play, the dishes can wait, the laundry will be folded eventually, and the shopping will get done :)

As I write this, my house is being turned upside down. However, I know that my mind will be ready to tackle the next week. It will be loaded with lots of baking, meeting and calling clients and running errands with kids attached to the hip!  This is why I think God created wine and coffee.  Speaking of wine, I have come across some really great bottles now that I have my bartending gig on the side!

 So in the end stay focused, remember to stop and breathe when you are losing your patience,  and most importantly stop to hug your children (and husband) and tell them you love them~ Life is too short not to enjoy what you do.





 

This is probably what would happen if I REALLY let go and gave the kids the reign of the house!  Although, what a great idea for an auction piece. I might have to remember this one next auction I sign up for.  'Chairity'

The Aldridges purchased a vintage chair, had it reupholstered in blank canvas, and then hauled it over to hospital. Armed with Sharpies, the young patients each made their mark on the fabric in vivid, near-fluorescent colors. As soon as they were done, the chair was finished with four coats of lacquer to seal and protect the children’s handiwork, while imparting a rich gloss to the surface. Set to be auctioned by the Careity Foundation, the Aldridges’ “Chairity” is only the beginning—the pair have three more chairs in the works, which they plan on auctionning off on ebay. 

http://seaofshoes.typepad.com/sea_of_shoes/2009/08/chairityfor-branded.html 



This place clears my mind... The Mass Horticulture Society in Wellesley, MA
A walk through Elms Bank Gardens transports you to a relaxed state of mind.
http://www.masshort.org/. 

  

Wino of the Week! try this powerful Red...
The king of wines and the wine of kings.   Today contemporary Barolo is a great full-bodied wine mainly characterized by its balanced and elegant taste, its deep ruby red color with orange highlights, and its intense rose bouquet with scents of licorice and spice.
http://www.suoi.it/welcome_eng.lasso



Stay tuned for the refinishing project from the the $5 yardsale find and the free roadside chairs.  Just need to find the turquoise crystal hardware to make it complete and re-upholster the chairs seats in the chic fabric.

Rain Inspires

We recently had 3 days of pouring rain here in New England and I was trapped indoors with 2 of my favorite children.  Amongst the playdough getting stuck in my dhurrie rugs and the crumbs of snacks coating my floors, I started to dream up the next big project on my list... a full bath remodel.  I have been wanting to re-do this client's bath for years now, so I cannot wait to start gutting!  My ideas are to bring the elements of the outdoors inside through color and texture, keeping it youthful yet transitional.  So, when the rain kept coming, my mind kept pluggin away and here's what inspired me~

Instant stress relief!
 http://www.kositalia.com/

These mosaic tiles are very inviting and transport you deep into the ocean...



 

Love the open channel faucet and will incorporate this sophisticated, yet playful look for the sink. 
May even motivate a child to brush their teeth.
 http://www.peeltile.com/



Let it Rain! 
rain rain by Lavaca
http://www.lavaca.com/



Love the raised sink baisins here and yet another rain locker!
http://www.kitchenbathideas.com/





Home to many happy umbrellas... http://www.umbrellas.net/



FALL into coziness...

Yesterday the family went apple picking in Sherborn, needless to say.. upon arriving home 2 apple pies were made in my cozy french kitchen.  My daughter Grace,  acted as the taste-tester to make sure there was enough cinnamon sugar coating the apples.  After taking them both out of the oven, I felt the crispness of "Fall" in the air come over me!   There are so many ways to bring warm colors into your home during this time of year and prepare your mood for the long haul of winter~ 



Create some fabulous eye-catching drama with rich warm atumn fabrics on the walls, pillows.. runners, just about anywhere.
FROM LEFT: Dedar's overscale cotton/silk "Acanthus" in rosso colorway. Schumacher's acetate/silk "Usak Weave" with suzani medallions. Carole Fabrics' zigzag-patterned "Sari" in paprika. "Legato Figured Woven" overscale cotton blend Deco design by Kirk Brummel at Brunschwig & Fils. Clarence House's red "Selvatico" dotted cut velvet. "Agemina" ribbed-pile floral motif on cotton sateen ground designed by Lori Weitzner for Sahco. photo credit: Anthony Masterson



Time to get out all those beautiful fall sweaters, cozy up with a nice glass of pinot noir and your favorite magazine..
that is if the kids aren't screaming in your ears ladies

.

Having a few decorative glass objects on a table can glamour it up without being too cutesy this season. 

Mantles always make the seasons come alive and give the home a new look in a matter of no time.
 Change them out regularly to keep a fresh look.

  

The end result... warm, crisp, fresh and delicious in everyway.

First Time goes "live"

 This is just the beginning for me with my "blogging" experience.. so with that goes the very first design project in Chestnut Hill, MA dating back to early 2001. A living room in shades of silver and blue hues with touches of color give it the warm and comfortable feel one needs to relax fireside. This room will soon be transformed into a new living room with a television in early 2011.  For now, it will remain one of my first design projects which has led me down the road to many more ~


Slipcovered parsons chairs will add a relaxing look to any room
Topher Cox Photography



 It's all about finding the right tchotchkes to fill a room

Topher Cox Photography

Topher Cox Photography