gather round and give thanks...

 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving for all of you south of here,

and so a table setting with just the right amount of rustic and sparkle...

I particularly like the idea of wrapping glass cylinder vases with birch bark....

lots of impact, but doable, right?

(found via the ever-fabulous Will of Bright Bazaar,

head over there for more details and a few words from the stylist that created this beauty)

Since I won't be posting tomorrow, Happy Thanksgiving, all - 

hope you spend the day surrounded by those you love - x

have at it: ottoman vs. coffee table

think the pendulum may be starting to swing...

 lets' take a vote-

Ottomans.

fantastic to put your feet up on...

but drinks balance precariously atop a tray...

can be very bulky, visually.

Coffee Tables.


shins and toes beg to be bruised every time you venture round...
but that stack of books and little pot of flowers look so, so pretty :)

or do we just want it all?!

(such a silly question :)

source 1 2 3 4 5 
 1 2 3 4 5 6 
1 2 3 4

Which one would grace your dream living room?

an homage to Black Friday

via

Artist: Kim Davies

If you've ever left a comment here, 

you know that "they are my favourite part of blogging"...

that's what it's all about right? 

Sometimes it's hard to hear what others have to say,

but I'd rather hear the bad with the good than hear nothing at all.

Most days :)

So when someone new drops by I try to go by their blog

 to see what wee bit of wonderful is happening over there.. 

Last week Kim Davies left a note about the post, Setting Your walls Free.

She mentioned being an artist, so naturally I went straight over to her blog, Inspired Lines,

(nothing better than procrastinating over art, is there?)

which led to her gallery....

and you are going to be glad I did!

How about this....

and this....

 and this....

and if the eye candy isn't enough to draw you in,

the day I passed through she had posted an online tutorial about line drawing - 

how generous is that?

I've actually never seen an artist offering up the technical bits of their brilliance before. Ever.

Immersed in all this brilliance, I couldn't help myself..

I bought these two drawings (originals!)

and a print of Lip Service...

She also has a giveaway going on....

I'm sure you've all left by now, but if not, hope you have a splendoriffic thursday - x

inspired design: forest lush

A few weeks back I created a design board - lightening love - based on a quilt that inspired me,

and since y'all liked it (and since I'm always freaking out over some piece of art of furniture!)

I thought maybe I'd start to share more of where those inspirations take me...

voila, the inspired design series - posted semi-regularly, of course!

I don't know if you all know who Kathe Fraga is,

but you will want to once yo see her work.

She is a hugely talented artist, 

who paints romantic pieces inspired by France, and nature.

I have the pleasure of being her "friend" on Facebook,

and so see all the beautiful photos she posts

from her glorious world (she lives on Bainbridge Island).

Recently, this one literally took my breath away.

It was taken in Gazzam Lake Preserve,

a place that, sadly, is at risk of being developed.

Aren't the colours incredible?

Aubergine to lilac, tawny caramels, deep mossy green,

and those snowy mushroom caps to punctuate it all so perfectly.

I was inspired..

and so naturally the result was to try and create a space with that same feel...

Grrrreen velvet, an overdyed southwestern carpet (never say never) 

and anthro's Little Owl wallpaper set the scene..

furniture 1 2 3 

art 1 2 3

lighting 1 2 3

accessories 1 2 

But my favourite thing is that insane Paul Mayen coffee table.

so reminiscent of those gorgeous mushroom tops.

What do you think?

Does it have the same vibe as that stunning photo?

thank you

I've been given a few blog awards lately,

and haven't said thank you properly....

For me, blogging is all about getting to know other crazy, creative types...

those people who understand that although I've found 35 different beaded empire chandeliers,

none of them are quite right for my dining room :)

You just get it.

And so I want to thank these lovelies for honouring me with an award:

Carol of The Design Pages

Beatrice of The Crafty Bee

Jo of In The Corners Of My Mind

You guys are peaches :)

I did a post way back when listing the things you may not know about me....

and since the blog was so new, 

most of you probably haven't read it :)

So if you want to know the strangest place I've ever lived, whether I ride motorcycles, or drink tea :)

you can read this....

I'm meeting with a client today to begin the process of re-working her entire home....

such a luxury to be able to go in a whole new direction...

what are you all up to?

Crushing On Colour: Heather from Love Your Space

Happy, happy monday, lovelies!

I hope that it's a bit chilly wherever you are right now,

because this zinger of a post is going to warm you up!

Today's Crushing On Color post is all about raspberry,

and Heather from Love Your Space

 has rounded up some delish pics for you...

enjoy!

Anne-Marie is such an amazing resource on colour, 

I'm constantly consulting her posts for practical advice.  

We've both been collecting photos with today's object of desire

--raspberry--

and I'm so glad she let me put together this post!

My family of four moved into our current house just over a year ago

 when we retruned to the Twin Cities, where I grew up.  

Our house is bigger and more modern than the places we have previously lived,

 and while I didn't come into the space with any preconceived notions about decorating,

 one thing quickly became clear:  

the house wanted Raspberry.  

It started with the guest room curtains, 

made it's way to my daughters' headboards

 and an accent in the living room. 

 And dining room.  

I never considered myself a red person, but raspberry?  

On the cusp of pink.  Both regal and playful.  Definitely rich.

  As masculine as a pink can be.  

And suddenly h-o-t hot 

(as my dad would say when ordering his french fries.)  

Doesn't it seem like it is EVERYWHERE?

I love that raspberry is so versatile.  Surprising, I know, but it truly works in ALL decor.

Raspberry can modernize a traditional interior 

Or wake up a modern, neutral space. 

This is a color with major impact, whether you use a little 

or a lot 

It's a bold color, but no need to be afraid.  

Raspberry is friendly.  

It elevates white 

Plays nicely with jewel tones 

And has an especial affinity for the (also hot) peacock, teal, and turquoise blue. 

(I'm a redhead.  We know blue is our colour.)

As if that wasn't enough, raspberry can quickly impart a global, bohemian vibe.  

So what are you waiting for?  

Surely you need a little raspberry in your life. 

 I'm not sure I have enough in mine, and the living room curtains are just calling for some raspberry trim.....  

Heather

Thank you so much, Heather!

I have been collecting pictures of raspberry infused rooms, 

but I've got to say that yours are better!

That first living room, with it's luxe velvet chairs, is one of my favourite spaces.

And how cool would it be to work in that just a little office?

If you haven't been over to Heather's blog, 

you are missing out on a little bit of fantastic...

she is a decorator with fabulous taste,

and shares her design processes regularly,

as well as bit from her own space

and some great finds.

Today, since we are celebrating all things raspberry,

she is going to show a little fabulousness in action in her own home...

head over and check it out.....

Anne-Marie x