HELLO?

Anyone still there?  Hellooooo?

Life interfered.....some good, some bad, like all of us really. Let's catch up.....

On the personal front, I have been helping a dear friend diagnosed with cancer, doesn't it seem like cancer is everywhere?

Then my beloved Cooper's health declined, rapidly, in all directions, he now has a dermatologist, optometrist, neurologist, and an oncologist

Yeah, this guy. Fourteen more chemo treatments and all will be well.

To entertain myself at the weekly visit to the vet/specialist/ money pit, I marvel at how many owners look like their dogs, then I looked down, color coordinated! (my right foot is permanently swollen from ankle surgery, ugggh)

On the business front......slammed! Supposed to be good, right? Well, it is a blessing, but YIKES! When landscapes collide with interiors, there is not an iota of time for mischief

Always great fun/hard work is my semi-annual jaunt to Atlanta for market and antiquing

 My favorite market find were these vinyl floor cloths, gasp! The manufacturers scoured old European patterns of tile and linoleum floors then replicated them, wear and all.

 Printed with plastic ink (who knew?) they will not wear from areas of heavy foot traffic, indoors or out. Nor will they slide with their foam backing. Clever!

My inner lighting freak, loved the design and craftsmanship in this baby. The high design elements in the lighting arena remain astounding, like art installments

The reflective glow from the hammered gold backing is mesmerizing.

Blessing beads, available in a multitude of colors, these make a great gift for newlyweds, new homeowners, grads, a friend in need.....For one of my interior clients, the manufacturer is creating a bead curtain to separate a room, ala 1960's

Mmmmm, everywhere was a relaxed European style of bed dressing in velvet, pure cotton, and linens. I found many sheets in linen, have you ever enjoyed such a sleep? This hard wearing organic fabric improves with repeated washings becoming smoother and more luxurious in texture

Then there is always that piece, actually more than that, way more until your eyes begin to bleed. Look at the size of this vase/statue/WHAT!?

Nothing beats the antiquing down south, here are just a few finds that came back to the shop

                                                                   SCORE!
This Louisphile had heart tremors, "please do not be sold, PLEASE", I said to myself. A custom side table from the estate of one of the Gimbel descendants, and her Louis trunk below

 Another vintage oil from a dealer friend that sources original art in Provence. And these beautiful clock faces

 Once again my favorite dealer and good friend Lisa finds the most interesting pieces on her European jaunts. If you have followed this blog her genius comes up again and again. But here we are a bit stumped, (theatre periodicals?!) but the look is oh so goooood!

 I bought all 40+ wooden books. Country of origin, Spain.

 Copper clad boxes/tables

 It goes without saying......I just had to have this duplicated!

 Landscaping........Here is a before, this back yard fronting a garage, has weeds 5' tall, this space will reemerge with stone walls, descending steps (yes there are huge grade changes in there), patio and plantings. Stay tuned.......

 And thoughts of Christmas are not far behind, yes Christmas! Here is a glimpse of the home we are decorating this year for the Geneva, Christmas house walk. A pre-civil war gem. This nook, oh to have such a nook; stone floors, stunning fireplace, vintage harvest table, COZY......The homeowner said many a winter dinners and conversations take place here

The predominant theme in holiday decor? Christmas at Tiffany's; garlands  of pearl, faux gems, rhinestones........I succumbed, so so beautiful

Amy Howard, of the Amy Howard Paint and Decorative Finish line, has a new book out. Targeted to the  creatives among us that dream of developing a business. Trust me it is doable and she maps out guidelines for success.

How about your summer? All you hoped for with some fun sprinkled in?

And yes, off to work one day with my client. Pinch, pinch!

Wishing you good health, and endless inspiration, 

Debra