Inspiration + a Gift

Inspiration........comes in many many forms, let's explore a few

We are beyond excited to welcome the talented Kristy Woodson Harvey to the shop for a Southern Soiree celebrating the release of her third book, Slightly South of Simple.     

 As she travels on her book tour, we are very very lucky, Kristy is only visiting 2 spots in Illinois, WOO HOO! 

Many know Kristy as the co-uthor of the renown interior blog,  Design Chic.

These days, I have limited time to read, sadly. So my go to is typically non-fiction. The reviews for Kristy’s first two books were resoundingly positive with glowing reviews. So, yes, I have begun this novel…..and cannot put it down!

This will be fun, please come and help us receive Kristy!

Instagram                      

Ok, Ok, I’ll do it!

I have been a hold out, with the constant refrain, “I am too busy to add one more ‘social media’ to my schedule.

 As many of my favorite bloggers kept disappearing from the blog scene, I knew where they were.

Then I received a letter from an “Angel”,

“I have noticed you are not on Instagram, I love your shop, and we can help each other. More about this woman later.

Well, here I am. And l o v i n g every bit of this, Utterly hooked! I can follow and engage with some of my favorites around the world of Design, Landscaping, Antiques, Travel......and they respond!

Here are a few of my favorites .........

SHAMELESS............  HERE IS MINE.  

To anyone that joins me from now, until Friday the 5th, you will be entered to win, the prize shown way below

      .......... Soul Style ..........

Twice a month, I send out an email called 'Soul Style',

This is separate from my blog, it is silent, a visual diary of images that appealed to me. I would love if you joined us.

Another chance to win…….anyone that sends their email to receive our “soul style’ posts, is eligible to win

drop me a line……,debra@scentimentalgardens.com

Here is a portion of the most recent..........white

The Gifts? Two people will be eligible to win the latest invention by NEST candles, a liquidless diffuser. The silver holder is the vessel for highly scented sticks. One stick for a powder room, 2+ for a large living room, these last & last, and last……., simply replace the sticks.  Choose your scent, Bamboo, Grapefruit or Moroccan Amber. Value, $60.00 Thank you for visiting! Debra

JOIN US IN WELCOMING    KRISTY W. HARVEY       May 8th, 5:30-7:30 blogger of DESIGN CHIC & author     reserve your signed book             ................630.232.1303..................... A southern soiree with  regional foods & libations.........                                                        FUN!

Cheers from England

"Are you crazy!"   (mad as a hatter)

"You cannot go away now, this is busy season!"

"What were you thinking?!?!" 

I was not seeking permission, really,  I had already booked a flight at the cusp of our busy season,.......I am going to call it my personal Self Care tour.  

Before madness reigns when landscape season begins and collides with my interiors business.

Sometimes an escape is all one needs in the end……ahem, literally. Stepping off, pulling back, changing scenery can not only lift one's spirits, but calm the mind and stir creativity, by leaps.

This Clematis was in full, glory. Spring in England is stunning

Visiting with my friend, Fleur, to see the garden in spring. On our garden tour this is one of our stops, the full extent of her garden, then a tour inside the cottage, with tea & coffee. Fleur is also a fine artist, her paintings are on full display. This is a treat as she mentioned a looming retirement with a move to the city & sadly an end to this favorite

Sylvia and I are busy planning our two tours this year;

 Gardens and Antiquing Sept. 13th - 22nd

         London Design & Antiquing 
                Oct.4th - 11th

I am excited for this maiden tour, loving every activity planned.

                                                                                           




       

     
         

                                                                       

               

                         B   

  WATCH THIS SPACE

     A PAIR OF RENOWN TASTEMAKERS ARE JOINING US.....

       I CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE!!!

Need a creativity dose? JOIN US!

Do consider the madness excuse when you too need a get-away....so important for the soul.                                
NOW, sigh......coming home to a back log.....well worth it!

          Want to get away?  debra@scentimentalgardens.com

                                   Cheers!
                                    Debra

 LOCAL NEWS……Look who is coming!  

Kristy Woodson Harvey, along with her mother, Beth Woodson, writes the blog DESIGN CHIC, and chic it is! 

I am thrilled to meet Kristy and welcome her to my shop on her long book tour cross country.

A celebration in all things southern, we are welcoming this renown woman on the launch of her third book.......

‘Slightly South of Simple’.  Limited signed editions are available on a first come basis, call to reserve  630.232.1303

I WANT MY HOME TO LOOK FRENCH!

But I live in a Georgian Colonial!

A favorite aspect of my career is updating home exteriors. I remember as a child being endlessly entertained in the back seat of the car because I was looking at houses; what I liked, disliked, what I would do differently......I am still at it today, but would admit to having a more critical eye :-)

TRAITS OF A GEORGIAN COLONIAL STYLE HOME

Very linear, rigidly symmetrical

Center door

Dentil moldings

Proportioned windows

Hip roof with Dormers

Typically brick

Pediments

TRAITS OF A FRENCH STYLE HOME

Brick, stone or stucco

High and steep hipped roof

Flared eaves

Typically symmetrical 

Arched doors

curves
                       
Where to start? You can hire us 😁 or follow some of these guidelines.............

1.   Start a file of inspiration images. Toss in everything that appeals to you. The images can be the entire home or a single element, say the light fixture. You will begin to see a pattern

Once collected, begin to edit, drastically. Keep going, and narrow it down to one or two images representing each aspect of the exterior details, an overall image will appear. Depending on a minor refresh, or an extensive remodel, keep in mind how far you are willing to go

This is what I am presenting to our client
note. the above home is not hers, but close, hers comes later

2.  Colorways...........love this homeS COLOR SCHEME

    Body; SeaShell

As in the home above, the recommendation is BM City Shadow

for the window trim and surround, a pair of shutters and the front door

Should we opt for an accent, this is BM Rhine River

3.  Finish......A Lime wash with the BM Seashell, the red brick is decidedly un-French!

4.  More fun.........the architectural elements
  A limestone surround vs the existing pediment and columns. It could be a simple surround, more like a frame, but our client loves, and i so agree, this style. The addition of a curve, will emphasize French

Take note of the container, a massive olive jar. The scale is proportionate and the style laser focus

These boxes would also work.......the Versaille planter

Dentil molding......so American colonial. I would chat with a contractor and see what the least expensive option is;

-remove and add a new face board?

or

-box them in

or 

-paint with a dark color for a fade effect

5.  Lighting. 

This style for either side of the front door. Love the look and aged copper turquoise! This option would blend nicely with the BM color, Rhine River, above.

6. Copper Gutters with baskets, ooh la la!

7.  Would shutters work? If yes, where? Let's keep this in mind as a consideration. If she says yes, my recommendation is for the window over the door. Over scaled, real shutters that add depth and dimension and possibly the accent color above which would marry well with the light fixture and the eventual aging of the gutters.

                 Finished?

Never! That is until the landscaping is complete, in the style of your new home

                          Finished?

Yes, now sit back and enjoy!

Here is the finished design. Slightly different from the above suggestions, but I think they both work!

 Here is our drawing showing some of the changes and the new landscape. Currently the landscape consists of massive yews all across the front. As is always the goal, the architecture and the garden are one

Here is the left of the front door as shown above. This area too is nothing but overgrown yews. We added a little courtyard. 
Here are images of the recommended accessories. 

A concrete bench in the color of limestone, cool isn't it? Look at the details. Zero maintenance

Large wire spheres in the planters

The pot & plinth

We would love to assist you. Drop me a line, we offer this service long distance online and local 

Cheers,

Debra
debra@scentimentalgardens.com