Mellow Yellow

I love a beautiful bathroom....and yellow makes everyone happy.
Roll into one of these spaces first thing in the morning... it may be hard to leave.
Yellow, or mimosa is the it color this year so, I'm featuring a few yellow bathrooms that offer
lots of new decorating ideas to glean from... Enjoy.....

The yellow and read check tiles add a French or Spanish old world charm.

image: House Beautiful

Yellow warms the stainless sink that dominates this space.

image: HGTV

Yellow with a retro feel


Yellow and rustic...how fun !

O No Domino !

I Can't Believe it! A domino effect is happening in print media, especially shelter magazines. Domino is folding. The Conde Nast publication launched in April 2005 had been
rumored to be on the chopping block. Now it's official....How sad... Are hard copy publications on their way out? They've definitely hit a snag and this economic downturn isn't helping.
All you design bloggers....hang on to your back issues of everything... Print media seems to be going the way of the dinosaur.

White House Style

Now that Michael S. Smith is in charge of decorating the residential quarters of the White House for the Obama's we expect to see some changes....Personally I can't wait! I absolutely love change especially when it comes to beautiful rooms. Based on his work Mr. Smith coming to Washington is a good thing! His style is often heaped in tradition but with a lighter more modern touch. I've never seen one of his rooms I didn't absolutely love. Refreshing, light, serene, modern are a few words that describe the feel of his work. I like the term modern
traditional. I want to know what his plans will be for the Yellow Oval Room on the second floor of the residential quarters. This room dates back to before the Roosevelt days... not Franklin, but Teddy. I'd love to see it come more fashion forward... It may be hard, but I can wait.

Yellow Oval Room: 1909

Yellow Oval Room: 2006

This Michael S. Smith room is heaped in traditional
style yet it isn't heavy. The color pallet is light and sophisticated.

Laura Bush host a guest in the Yellow Oval Room
on the 2nd floor of the residential quarters. This room has evolved
over administrations.

President Obama isn't changing the Oval office decor...at least
not now...stay tuned

Outgoing First Lady Laura Bush invites incoming First Lady Michelle Obama
to tour the White House. The fan window makes a beautiful focal point but the feel of
the west hall sitting room could use an update....2008


The Regan's host Prince Charles and Princess Diana in the
Yellow Oval Room: 1985

The Kennedy's in the Yellow Oval Room: 1963

Model Inspiration

Today I needed inspiration. It was overcast and cold all day when I decided to get out with my camera... I pulled on my knit brown hat, gray wool coat and jumped in my car. I headed to close by communities I'd passed many times and knew there were model homes waiting to fill me up with inspiration and ideas. The following beautiful models are pictures I took at Courtland and Ryland Homes in northern Virginia.

What a wonderful organic setting!

Most models stick to neutrals, but the ethereal blue adds a soothing touch.



Who wouldn't welcome hydrangeas on an overcast day?



A swag valance frames the window beautifully.



Chairs should always make a statement.



What a wonderful reading corner in the living room.



Patterned accent pillows add visual interest to a solid couch.





So... the next time you're stuck on a project or looking for a bit of eye candy....
try a bit of Model Inspiration.

Black and White Style

Decorating with black and white always seems so sophisticated and glamorous.
These are some of my favorite rooms stored in my design files. These rooms give me inspiration and a place to draw from for creative ideas.... I hope you like them as much as I do.


Black wing chairs with white welting... Hounds tooth accent pillows add a punch - Century Furniture





If you want to bring a bit of whimsy to a traditional space..... How about a black and white cow chair?.... It relaxes the room.


Still in love with black and white?... Bring in custom draperies in "Fern Tree"
fabric from the Kelly Weartsler collection by F. Schumacher


Black and white animal print accent pillow pop the white settee - The Drawing Room


Love the designs of Windsor Smith


Brown can always be switched out for black... Brown on the rug, walls and bedding bring harmony to the space.

In the Workroom

My spot for straight stitching

I'm in the workroom with Mary so I haven't had time to put up a decent post.
This project must be installed this week, tricky fabric too, so I've been helping out and hope to
post the finished installation by FRIDAY !!... just got a call from school... sick
kid...got to run... check back by week end...Fay

Mary pressing brown banding

Mary checking our progress...this project is labor intensive but it will be Beautiful.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

I can't say that I'm sorry to see 2008 end. I'm ready to turn the page. 2009 offers so much promise. In the beginning we may have to search deeply to see it, oh, but it's there. We will have to make mental and spiritual adjustments about who we can become as a nation but I believe we are ready.

This year I will look for inspiration in more places....seasons, light, color. I will look for projects that challenge and excite... It's going to be a good year!