Loving the Trellis

Trellis patterns on fabric always speak to me. " Use me in a contemporary room, use me with a floral, use me with a toile print". The screaming is endless. I admit they are striking, but always blending at the right moment. When I am overloaded with pattern and still need a punch, trellis to the rescue. If it is a sleek room bordering on boring, trellis is there. Yes they can be a bit fresh and sometimes overbearing but I think they will always be here to stay.

Winter Whites

When I think of decorating in white visions of summer, hot days, beach houses, feeling cool usually come to mind. I have to reprogram my thinking to include winter whites. It's a blank canvas and can feel really cozy. It is easy to decorate with color as it becomes a distraction and can hide a lot of flaws. When you use just white every choice , every accessories, every piece of furniture chosen is important. White can also tie a room together, mismatched furniture painted the same hue of white can harmonize the space. Some of my best whites, Benjamin Moore Linen White- it is a soft warm shade that is perfect for trim in any decor. Benjamin Moore White- is a clean white that reflects color around it. One of my favorite combinations for a master bedroom, Linen White matte finish on the walls, White high gloss on the trim and color White rain ( a very soft blue green ) on the ceiling. ( all right I used a little color, can't help it) So imagine sitting in your all white room watching the snow fall on a January day.

I Love the New Year

This was a Christmas gift commissioned by one of my favorite friends Mitch for his partner Mark. It was a huge success and I feel really proud to have been a part of this. O. K. it is not quite done but I am picking it up today to finish, and then we will have it framed. Painting is my first passion and painting dogs ( Otto and Dudley) my second. Can you guess which one is Otto and which is Dudley? That is Mitch in the background. Biggest compliment: his sister said she knew it was her brother when she saw his hands.




I always think powder rooms should be like little jewel boxes. It is always a challenge to come up with new and exciting ideas. Pretty proud of this one. The walls are crackled in a off white over gold. The touch of leopard was done with a stencil. Metallic paints created the interior design.





The before pictures. A little paint does make a difference.



I am feeling really good this morning. Today is the real start to all my resolutions. Holidays are over, and I am going to make a difference this year. I started with steel cut oatmeal topped with fresh blueberries, Christine"s suggestion. You must read her blog " High Heels and Sneakers " for the most up to date hints for clean eating. I feel a little like she has cameras set up watching me (we know Christine). That's good cause it might keep me on track. Have not started exercising yet, still need to get over being sick. Besides, " remember" we need to go easy on ourselves. Thought you may be interested in seeing pre holiday projects that I am pretty proud of.

I have been in hiding

The dogs all got snuggies for Christmas, as usual Spike was excited.
Not so sure about the others.

Spikes favorite gift "The Cave" he just dove in.
Jason is into hunting this year, thank you B.C. now he is away every weekend.
Christine loves EVERYTHING Jason gives her.
Are black puffy coats in style?
The mess
and I am sickI am sure I can find one more present, just one more.

It's New Years Eve and I have been sick since before Christmas. I mean really sick and I have not even had a cold in the last 10 years. So I was not avoiding everyone just needed some rest. It was a great Christmas and we took a family vacation skiing for four days. O.K. it wasn't my year to ski but the kids had fun. Reading all my January magazines by a fire wasn't bad either. Next year I will hit the slopes. I think I may have pushed a little to hard before the holidays and picking up three new customers , and two commissioned paintings due pre holiday may have set me over the edge. So I started thinking about some new resolutions for 2011. Went back to my diaries from previous years and all my resolutions were the same year after year. Don't procrastinate, lose 10 lbs., use my time better, draw each day, stop sweating the small stuff, be a better person, blah, blah, blah, . Apparently I don't keep them or I would not need to repeat them each year. This year I am taking a different approach and I WILL stop being so hard on myself. I will include five fruits and vegetables in my diet daily, no diet just healthy eating. I WILL put everything I take out back in it's proper place. No more shoving things in the cabinet thinking I will go back and straighten it later. No more, I'm tired I will pick things up in the morning. This should make me a little more organized and my life a little easier. After all life should be easy not stressful, and I need to enjoy it more. So have a happy and fun filled New Year, and let your resolution read : Be kind to yourself.

First Snow

"Winter came down to our home one night/ Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow ..."
Bill Morgan Jr.

The Christmas Card is Done

The Ornament of a House is the Friends Who Frequent it..... Ralph Waldo Emersom


On the drawing board.

Since I have lived in N.J. I have hand painted my Christmas Card every year. It is a labor of love that someday I will complete in August. But for now, I hope my message of how much I appreciate each and every one of you, and I treasure you as friends, not just customers. You bring joy and purpose to my life , firing all my creative juices. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.