Passion

For as long as I can remember this has been my life quote, a saying in the back of my head that has guided me through most decisions, through most crossroads, and down life's paths.

Sometimes it has meant squeezing my eyes, straightening my spine and saying "yes" when my mind screams 'oh no you don't!' or 'you can't do that!'

All of which leads me to thinking about a topic close to my heart...... passions and how it goes hand in hand with my quote. Your passions, my passions, that strong devotion and desire we have for an object or activity that never fades away.

Often women contact me seeking advise on pursuing their passions.
"How do I get started....... (I am afraid.)  How did you do it......... (I am afraid.) What if I am not a success..... (am afraid).........."
No, they are usually not verbalizing fear but it permeates into every dream, thought and tenuous resolve.

Twenty four years ago I opened my first shop, knowing absolutely nothing about retail nor the services I was offering, Landscape Design.......more guts than sense!  I was pursuing a dream.
During my grand opening, a highly respected businessman I had invited, pulled me aside, I could not wait to hear what he had to say! "You are cutting edge, you are ahead of your time, this is a great concept, you will go far!"

No, he did not say any of those things.
He took my hand and said "Buy out your lease and get out while you can."
I was devastated. Consumed with doubt, I was embarrassed, and feeling the fool, I wanted to fold.

A crossroad.
After careful consideration, the decision was made to look forward, to follow through, to take that leap......          'I am the net', I told myself.

The ultimate decision was to believe in myself. What I did to make that happen and to not go into  any debt, would make for an interesting story, another day. I will say it takes single-minded determination, laser focus, very hard work and guts.

An excellent read is at Deborah Thomas' blog 'Boxwood Terrace'  as Deborah ponders following her dream of owning a brick and mortar shop and what that journey might entail. While there read some of the comments. They come in as either fear filled or joyous for her prospects, either or. 

What advise would you have for Deborah? What would you say to the dreamer within you?

For me, 'at the end of this line' i want to revel in what was, not question 'why didn't I?' 

Be it a seismic career career change or learning a new skill

In yourself..........

xo Debra

Need encouragement? Drop me a line. Took the leap? Please share in the comments!

A Tulip planter surprise!

It's getting closer.............

Maybe some of you have already turned to tulips. certainly not here in Chicago, but my shops say spring!

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But this new variety has me gobsmacked....... RUBBER tulips!  

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Rubber? And I am excited?    Oh yes..........these beauties;  leaves and flower, are the most lifelike tulips I have ever seen in the faux category

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The reason for the euphorbia? The can go outdoors, and they will last for YEARS!

The faux silks, of just yesterday, were great but always have the look of, well, silk

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One could always add real tulips to your outdoor containers, but as you know real tulips last a week, depending on the weather. The warmer it gets, the quicker their demise. 

And now, instant and enduring spring. 

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Elegant solo

Or in a mixed composition. Just add your cool season annuals (filler) and ivy(spiller), insert the tulips 

and viola! (instant thriller)

We have a good stock, while supplies last

and now......the number generator chose 13 as the winner.  Jennifer, of Pink Pagoda blog, will receive the book, the 'Scottish Country House'

Surely I wished I could have sent each of you a copy. You shared heartwarming stories and your love of this hauntingly beautiful country

Love to all,

Debra

Scotland + Give-away

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I wish I could share my escapades in Scotland to explain my absence, but that would be a fantasy.
I wish I could say I did not break my New Years resolution about regular posting, but I did.
I wish I could say I have been using the winter to catch up on rest, but I haven't

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Instead I have been racing around like a mad woman.......

The good news is that we have gained several new interior design clients, due to our decorating at the Christmas show house, that we are currently working with. I can honestly say they are all dream clients.

A wee bit ago, for a special birthday Mr. 5th said we could go on a trip. "you pick", he said

And the dreams began; Africa, Bali, Norway........  Narrowing it down to Scotland or the Galapagos Islands, I eventually chose the latter. "Heck, I can get to scotland anytime!"... I told myself.

 Well, 7 years on, I have yet to go. But a girl can dream while reading a gem of a book.....

Being well into winter, and still in snuggly mode, I retreat to this luscious tome,' The Scottish Country House', on ten family homes, often still in the original families, spanning from the 17th to 20th centuries. The strength and masculinity of this ancient isle is well represented here, it's architecture, history, decor, heritage and it's gardens.

The rich texture and layers of history of each family adds a personal touch to this countries lore

The romanticism of "seeing" and knowing who went before you, must be, well, it is a feeling I would be unfamiliar with, as do most Americans. In rich detail, we are offered a glimpse of that lifestyle, the influences of the ages and the personalities that made these country houses homes and maintained them for upcoming generations.

A nation of clans, often warring clans, is so evident in the decor of these homes. The bravery fought by the families histories are well displayed.

The richness of nature provided food and sport. So taken into the very fiber of the Scott's being,

  those pursuits are proudly displayed in their decor

An entrance hall, a study in Baroque and the six year odyssey towards completion

Aside from the weaponry and quoined ceilings, this interior would be welcome and appropriately modern today

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Moments of envisioning a Downton Abbey-esque kitchen, bustling with staff and intrigue. Oh the gleam of those highly polished copper pots.

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The 18thc. Murano chandelier gracing the entry of the grand Dumfries House

A grand bed, a la Chippendale style

Of course the gardens, and so forth. Pouring through this book with it's crisp photography and intriguing stories brings alive a distant past timelessly melding into today.

Sadly, my personal obsession is absent; just a minor addition I thought you might enjoy......... 

speaking of enjoy........how about receiving this book in the mail??

All you have to do is comment and one name will be chosen randomly 

But......many say to me personally, "I do not know how"

EASY

At the bottom, center of each post it says "post a comment, or just comments" click on that, follow the prompts and have your say!

(not the email at the top of the page)

I have a CRUSH on those who COMMENT!

Cheers

Debra

 It's looming...... large

How do you feel about New Years Eve? Sad for the passing of another year or thrilled at what lies beyond? I am both.

Time marches on and I think of those who went before us every time I hear 'Auld Lang Syne'. Being a romantic for history and having a respect for tradition I was wondering about the origins as I prepare to host a New Years Eve celebration this year. Then I came across a post from a friend, Brion Judge of 'Bastion and Lark'

Nothing I could write would be as sumptuous as Brian's. Brimming with tales of Scotland, the origins of Auld Lang Syne, the wind torn views of the Highlands and bagpipes, need there be more? Oh yes, one more thing........my next post will be a "visit" to Scotland and their hauntingly beautiful country houses, via a newly published book, for one of you to take home. Until then treat your senses........

See Brions New Years Eve post here 

As I close, I wish to extend a profound thank you to the readers of this blog for visiting, my friends at home and friends made here, my treasured clients and my family (well, make that my Mother). Wishing everyone blessings of joy, peace and harmony in the new year!

With gratitude,

Debra

Our Christmas Showhouse

Whew, where has time gone!
How are you doing with your holiday plans? Decorated, gifts bought, parties planned? Hope you are finally able to sit back and enjoy this magical season with loved ones. As I write this I also hope there are very few out there like me.........still wondering what to buy, resigned that once again I will not get Christmas cards out, etc., etc...... B U T, my clients are happy and that is what matters! 

My primary store, Scentimental Gardens, is located in the quaint, historic town of Geneva, Illinois. We are honored annually to participate in the Christmas House Walk; five homes in their finest holiday dress. People flew in, as far as Texas this year. We heard this home had a 1-2 hour wait most of the time. All then converge at night to walk the business district brilliantly lit, that takes one back to an  old fashioned Christmas era

This particular home is very close to my heart. Over time we designed the landscape and then the interiors, and with a dream of a family. Any of you in design know the value of such a treasured relationship.

The hanging baskets filled with summer ferns were saved and filled with winter greens and battery operated lights. The vintage Santa is from the clients Grandmother. Oddly enough our shop manager, Robyn, had purchased this identical Santa for the walk, never imagining the homeowner possessed the same version, they are at least 50 years old. Anyone want a Santa? 

While waiting in line one could see the cottage this Father built for his children

Let's go in!

An unused staircase was festooned with greens, garland and a new version of flameless candles. Have you seen these? New to the market these candles have an actual moving, visible "flame". In the shop people are stopped in their tracks then hesitantly run their hands high above the "flame", they are that lifelike! My sick sided sense of humor loves to put these in wood cabinets and watch men in particular gasp :-)

This 1860's home boasts two parlors. We opted for a more contemporary look in the first with a nice mix of new and old. The fabric on this antique settee is from the  Kravet 'Couture' line. The rug is Dash and Albert

The owners purchased from us the two French wine barrels and in this case to house the trees. I took the trees and opened them up, that is instead of a thick tree, cutting many branches away to make them more architectural in appearance, to see the wall behind them and to house the lanterns shown below, glowing from battery votives. The string of lights was strung up the stem and artichokes in a cool green/grey splayed from the top

Looking original to the home, I had found this aged sconce that once graced an antebellum home in Louisiana

For a small space; Louis Phillipe styled acrylic chairs work perfectly

Let's head towards the second parlor

Italianate fireplaces, floor to ceiling windows and all the furniture in these two rooms were reupholstered.

The client made this gorgeous mirror from panels originally gracing a carousel in France

For the weekend we brought in the pair of pedestaled urns and the faux boxwood topiaries and love the effect! My husband's back is feeling the effort

The same Dash and Albert rug pattern in a differing but complimentary color way.

Reupholstered in faux ostrich

Just months ago this cozy dining room had colonial blue walls. Robyn picked out with the clients, while I was in England, the orange grass cloth wallpaper. Don't you love it?

Above each window is a lead valance from France

The four garland strands was attached to the chandelier and then swaged to each corner

Robyn's arrangements of birch and glitter sticks in trophies with greens and the flameless pillar candles

Onwards to the kitchen

As you make your way to the kitchen your eyes are immediately drawn to this castle hand crafted by Chef Alain Roby of Geneva's renown 'All Chocolate Kitchen'

Chef Roby and his wife Esther are treasured friends, he from France, she from Italy

Everything they touch/create is magical. This year's event had them hosting a 50' candy cane pull in the closed down main street. Guinness was there to award this a world record

Our clients found this beautiful prayer. Our in-house artist, Stephania, painted this, the owner created the frame. Have something, anything you want duplicated? Contact me, she refers to herself as a "human copy machine!"

Now the family room where the Ralph Lauren/equestrian theme really takes hold. 

The lamps are vintage, the console is concrete, the armoire was made by the homeowner

Living in an equestrian village, many of my friends had the authentic props........no I do not ride, too busy!

From another vantage point. The client made the planter box from old floor boards, all the wainscoting, coffered ceilings............not his profession but his hobby.

and this entire fireplace surround. See what I mean? This family is a dream to collaborate with!

As we depart through the rear foyer there are many bits I would love to bring to your attention;

-The client crafted the wooden console facing us

-Again, the client added all of the molding shown here

-The plaid on the other console is Ralph Lauren

-I love a gloss finish on ceilings, it reflects the glow of the lighting so beautifully. Additionally a dark ceiling warms a room

-My favorite are the walls, see a close-up below. My friend, Patrick Roullier of Chicago is a master decorative artist. See a previous post on Patrick here. Other than the molding, what appears to be wood paneling is instead hand painted drywall!!! Every knot, every line..........is all Patrick. You want to touch it as your eyes are being deceived!

Out the door is my "new" 1935 Ford truck, perfect in British green for the holidays. It remains elusive to me, the double clutch system that is as I continue to violently stop and start on back roads.....sigh....Anyways, it was fun to decorate, complete with a lit tree in the open back

Yes dear pooch, we are done and out of your hair, come back in!

With 10 days to Christmas, panic is setting in and I did exaggerate, I do have one gift and it is for one of you, next post.  Thank you for visiting!

If we can assist with design, interiors and exterior, just email me, we would love to assist
xo
Debra