Interviewed over at DC Metro Mommy

Check out DC Metro Mommy for an interview I did with Claudine! DC Metro Mommy is a blog for DC- area moms full of great ideas and resources. Thanks so much to Claudine for the interview! You can read it here.

Thanksgiving a Week Early

Next Thursday I'll have the joy of sharing the Thanksgiving table with family I love and who love me back. The day after starts the holiday season. Crazy as it may be, the whole month is full of kind gestures and gifts - a constant reminder of being loved and cherished.

A recent email from Meg of Pigtown Design reminded me that this experience is not shared by everyone. Blogger and treasure finder extraordinaire in her free time, by day Meg is the Director of Development for Woodbourne, a private non-profit dedicated to the treatment and education of children who are in great need. While the staff at Woodbourne provide so many things for the children in their care, they do not have the budget to purchase any birthday or holiday presents. They depend on us for that.

Here's an excerpt from Meg's email:

"The boys really want hoodie jackets, especially in sizes XL and XXL – the bigger the better – and anything with a sports team logo, especially Ravens gear! The kids while away the hours between school and activities with hand-held electronic games. They spend time watching videos and DVDs, but they should be suitable for kids, like box sets of TV shows. Wrist-watches are a big thing with the kids here, since they can’t have cell phones to tell the time. Also, basketballs, footballs and Nerf-type balls are always popular.

Think back to your childhood and remember how you anticipated the holidays. Unfortunately, most of the children in our care have not had this experience. They come from families in desperate poverty and from abusive homes. Please open your heart and help Woodbourne make this a happy holiday for our children."

Donations can be sent to or dropped off at: 1301 Woodbourne Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21239

Cash donations can be made at the Woodbourne site HERE.

Please consider joining me in donating to Woodbourne and Giving Thanks a week early. I know that Meg, one of best value shoppers out there, will make the most out of any and all donations.

Meeting Grant and Scot & Sue Fisher King

It's always great fun when a business trip can include a wonderful design-focused diversion. A few weeks ago I was in San Francisco for work and was very happy to have a chance to meet Grant Gibson and Scot Meacham Wood. As a long time fan of their work and their blogs, I really appreciated their willingness to take time out of their day to meet-up at Sue Fisher King and then on to a cafe for coffee and conversation. Charming, funny, interesting and a great pleasure to talk with - it was the highlight of my trip. Thanks Grant and Scot!
Sue Fisher King seems to top everyone's list for a must-visit while in San Francisco. Grant mentioned it in his piece in Rue magazine and the store has an impressive and beautifully selected range of linens, towels, bedding and other wonderful home accessories. I don't think I've ever seen a wider selection of cashmere throws in one place.


Genius packaging.
Love this fresh, light table setting. Some people are sticklers for white candles, but colored candles, like these blue ones, are really beautiful here.
Outside there's a display of Lavastone tables and samples of the range of saturated color options for both tabletops and counters.
This was my 4th trip to San Francisco but my first trip to Sue Fisher King. I really missed out those other 3 times!

Nov. 7th - really?

This morning I woke up in the dark and googled when daylight savings time would start. I was really hoping it would be soon as I'm not one of those people who does well waking up in the dark & having it stay dark for a while (Although I don't like having it get dark early either. Shortened daylight is a huge downside to fall and winter for me.) Anyway, we don't get to set our clocks back until Nov. 7th. Last year it was Nov. 1st. Sorry for the whining on a Monday morning. Hope these images from Maison Interiors make up for it.

All images from here.Speaking of sleep, here are some of the fun designers and bloggers I got to catch up with at Ronda Carmen of All the Best's SFERRA event at Timothy Paul Bedding. From left to right, designer Barbara Franceski, Stefan Hurray of Architect Design, designers Heather Safferstone and Sally Steponkus of Sally Steponkus Interiors and Daniela Shuffler of Aesthetic Oiseau.

SFERRA has launched a campaign called Lose Count to increase awareness that there are other important elements to high quality bedding in addition to thread count. Check it out here as there's also great info on putting together a beautiful bed.

Upcoming Design Camps with Tobi Fairley

Maybe you've seen this but interior designer Tobi Fairley is hosting more Design Camps in Little Rock. They look like great fun & as well as highly informative (wish my schedule would allow me to go!) The Basic Design Camp on November 6th and the Advanced Camp on November 12-13 have been officially confirmed and there's still a chance to secure one of the remaining seats. In addition, there's a third offering of a Blog Camp on Friday December 10th. Go here to get more details and hear what former campers have to say about the experience.

A Pearl at the Oyster

...The Oyster Box hotel to be exact (Durban, South Africa). I haven't been this taken by a hotel's design since first seeing the interiors of the J.K. Capri two years ago. For me the shell chandelier, diamond patterned fabric and the star shaped in-laid table are jaw dropping gorgeous.

Love these oranges and reds with the dark panelling and brass light fixtures.
I think I'd turn these chairs the other way...what a view.


Without the floor to ceiling mirrors this room could feel claustrophobic. Just noticed the bedside tables have their own "headboards" too.
I found out about The Oyster Box hotel after visiting the Australian based blog Verandah House - this blogger is launching her own line of rattan furniture and accessories for the Australian market and her blog is full of eye candy.

Hope you had a great weekend. Sunday we lost power after a storm ripped through the area in the afternoon but now it's back on - yeah!

WOW - Still Recovering from Chicago!

Back from two terrific events in Chicago - Eddie Ross's WOW event and the opening night party for Debra Phillips new store, SG Grand. Here I am with concrete artist Richard Taylor and Eddie enjoying all the fun. My camera is loaded with interior design & party planning eye candy but my day job is calling. ..more to come later today!
Richard with Debra Phillips
Designer and Material Girl's blogger Julia Edelmann of Buckingham Interiors + Design LLC with Eddie. Julia also has opened a terrific new store next to Debra's - more on that later too.
Me with designer and blogger Marija Stephens of Holding Court - so fun!

22 Years Later - An Interior I Couldn't Forget

22 years ago I fell in love with this apartment interior - it was on the cover of Conran's Living in Small Spaces. Very apropos at the time as my husband and I lived in a one bedroom 1930's 4th floor apartment in Cambridge, MA and Conran's had just opened up a US store down the street on Mass Ave. The store was short lived but I've held on to this book ever since.
Just this past weekend I was google searching Bruce Budd, a designer featured in April's The World of Interiors, and came across pictures of the apartment via a post by The Blue Remembered Hills. It was a thrilling find as the post included the rest of the apartment - images I had never seen!
I learned that this was the Greenwich apartment of architect Lee Mindel of Shelton, Mindel & Associates, and was featured in The World of Interiors, July/Aug 1987, among other magazines. It was considered "fresh and new at the time." 22 years later it still is.
Thank you to the blogger, The Blue Remembered Hills - your post felt like finding a little present. Now I'm off to track down a copy of the July/Aug 1987 World of Interiors...
Do you have any interiors you still think about after many years?
(photography by Dan Cornish)

My Notting Hill Revealed - Before & After on Pure Style Home

First, a huge thank you to Lauren of Pure Style Home for including my pepto-pink "master" bath redo in her guest blogger Before & After series. Why the word revealed in this post title? Well, I still can't believe I actually showed just how bad the condition of this bathroom was before doing something about it.(I promise the peeling paint thing happened mostly all at once...) Go here to see the full post on Lauren's blog - including a cost breakdown. Thank you Lauren!

Scott Fazzini Redesigns a 70's Galley Bathroom

Glancing through the last Washingtpon Post House Calls I came across a terrific 70's bathroom redo. I love the arched tiled inset behind the sink, the black vanity and all the attention to detail, such as the sconces and library light above the artwork. Then I noticed this classic, elegant design was created by DC designer and blogger Scott Fazinni of Domicidal Maniac and I just had to post about it! Please excuse the quality of the image I've posted - go HERE for a crisp image of the rendering and to read all about Scott's design, along with links to the sources.

Scott's design advice for this bathroom includes:

• Replace the bulky built-in vanity with a lighter vanity on legs.

• A black-and-white color scheme will create the illusion of more space.

• Draw the eye to the window by painting the sash a darker color.

• Crown molding will make the space feel grander and more open.

• Large artwork will add visual interest to the long wall.

(image and design advice via Washington Post House Calls, 4/29/10)

Our Tage Sale - Today & Tomorrow!

Our huge TAG SALE is today April 30th from 3pm - 7 pm and Saturday May 1st from 7 am - 12 pm. I ran out of time to take more pictures but here are some of the other items that will be for sale:

- Corner Armoire, painted black
- 2 chair & a half's with twin sleepers - covered in periwinkle blue slipcovers
- 4 green farmhouse style chairs w/rush seating from Italy
- overstuffed upholstered chair (think 80's but super comfortable, great for rec room or family room)
- ottoman
- suede upholstered chair
- blonde maple desk from Hold Everything (went out of a business few years ago)
- silk dupioni drapes (yellow green in color)
- lots of framed artwork - some oversized
- and so much more. You can go this post to see more pics.

To all the bloggers who left comments that you may be coming - thanks! Sorry that I didn't get back to everyone personally. Definitely ask for me when you come to the sale - would love to meet you.

Painting Giveaway from Art by Karena

Just visited Art by Karena's blog and noticed she is giving away this beautiful original 18 x 18 seaside painting. You have until Easter Sunday April 4th at 12 midnight EST to enter. Go here for more info and for a chance to win. Hope you're having a great weekend.

Makeover Winner & Something Very "More"

You may remember the generous giveaway Debra of 5th and State offered last month - an exterior makeover of your home. Debra invited myself, Lauren of Pure Style Home and Deborah of Boxwood Terrace to be the judges. Debra had narrowed down the choices to 10 and the winner is Gay of Michigan! At the time, Debra only shared the photos with us but here is a little more about Gay's story:
"We purchased this house in September 2009 after we found out my husband has leukemia. With the chemo we needed to simplify our lives. This 100+ year old Plain Jane does nothing for us on the outside. I would love to see a porch, plantings for birds, and an interesting landscape in winter..... Color? I am open. Personally I am drawn to an urban country style, more hip and updated."

As Debra began to work with Gay, more of her story unfolded. Here is the "more" in Debra's own words:

"But something else has developed that I did not expect, something profound that could be life changing. Her darling husband needs a bone marrow transplant and there are no matches in the data base, not even his children...A curse I possess..........well, maybe a curse.......is that I am a "fixer". Always wanting to jump in and help, to fix, to make-better. And you know what? Maybe I can and maybe YOU can too...As the blogging community we can spread the word and REALLY help...
Joining the National Bone Marrow Registry. Go here to look up and to sign up. I did and it took 10 minutes of my time. You can offer to donate or for free they will send you a test kit containing a swab to rub inside your cheek of which you return.
And...........imagine the magic if we found a match......the best "giveaway" ever. Are you in?
Blessings, Debra"

Fancy a Swim? & Thank you to Ragland Hill Social

A few hours passed and I hadn't seen my husband around the house. Just as I was wondering where he was I heard, "Come look at what I did!" Dan had made a replica of himself getting ready to dive into our frozen swimming pool. Just had to document this for posterity...

I'd also like to send out a huge thank you to Gwen Driscoll of Ragland Hill Social for featuring my blog in her It's a Small Blog-World series. If you haven't already checked out Gwen's blog, be sure not to miss it. Gwen is a very talented designer and she posts the most incredible collection of images, including ones devoted solely to a singular color. Pink is next on the list! One of my other favorite recent posts was on the design plan for a client's China Seas playroom here. Gwen - so glad you're blogging!

Giveaway - Exterior Makeover of Your Home!

Spring really is, despite all the recent snow storms, just around the corner. The timing couldn't be more perfect for the exciting giveaway Debra Phillips of 5th and State has going on through Feb 24th - a chance to win a customized plan for an exterior makeover of your home. This beautiful Cape Cod style home (above) used to look this (below) before Debra devised a plan to create a welcoming entry and balance the home with dormers and windows in keeping with the architecture and addition of a new wing.

Here is the before of Debra's own 1856 home that previous owners decided to "upgrade" with '70s aluminum siding (above)
and now, with new shingles, trim, landscaping and a completely transformed look and feel. Love this!!
Debra was very kind to include me, along with Lauren of Pure Style Home and Deborah of Boxwood Terrace, as judges for the giveaway. If she hadn't, I would certainly be entering this giveaway. So, don't delay and don't miss out on this chance!

Here are the basics for entering as noted on Debra's blog - go here for all the info:

•email one photo only of the front of your home - debra (at) scentimentalgardens (dot) com
•include a short description of your hopes and dreams
•You can live anywhere, worldwide
•This has a value of $600.00
•Michele, Deborah, Lauren and myself will choose one home to receive a makeover
•Once picked I will send you a five page questionnaire. Included will be email interviews, I will have a load of questions!
•Stephanie Fania, our in-house artist and I will begin the pen and ink rendering with the changes discussed.
•You will receive a completed drawing mailed to you with ornamentation and landscaping suggestions
•Color recommendations
•Included will be a list of sources
•Send your photo, the giveaway ends February 24th!

I'll be in Chicago this coming June and am looking forward to meeting Debra and visiting her Geneva, Il store in person. Here's Debra last June when she hosted a party for Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar at Scentimental Gardens.To check out more of her wonderful landscape work, go here.

Jennifer Sergent's DC by Design!

I was a big fan of Jennifer Sergent's work as Senior Editor at the recently closed Washington Spaces and am so happy to hear she has launched DC by Design! Love Jennifer's description - "I'm a design writer and blogger, recovering from almost 20 years in mainstream journalism..."

DC needs dedicated coverage of talented local designers and knowing the quality of her work, DC by Design is going to be a terrific go-to source for anyone seeking up-to-date info on the design scene in the Washington, DC area.

Having been self-employed for the last 15 years, I'm always inspired when someone launches out on their own to pursue their passion. Congratulations to Jennifer - I have a hunch 2010 is going to be a great year!






First up, Jennifer has some great photos of a new project by DC designer Sally Steponkus. As usual, Sally's interiors are gorgeous - go here to see more. (photography by Annie Seckinger)
There's also a scoop on the designers named for the upcoming 2010 DC Design House in the 10,000 square foot Chevy Chase Beaux Art mansion that was once the site for the Harry S. Truman inaugural party. Jennifer will be covering the Bare Bones Tour on Feb, 27 - which I was dying to go to but am going to be in St. John USVI that week. You know I'll be trying to hunt down internet access somewhere on the island to take a peek at the pics. Go here for more and the listing of designers.