Architectural recycling and restoration

Taken as an insert from a cabinet door, I suspect, this piece was hand carved with much care. I have stripped it and lathered it in tung oil to reveal the glorious patina of the wood. It adds architectural interest to a grouping on a wall.

Merry Christmas...hope yours was a good one!

Current needlepoint project. Little sheep catching snowflakes on his tongue.

Forgetting Mr. Bilhuber

Goodness, I forgot to post on the lecture presented by Mr. Jeffrey Bilhuber. Shameful.

Mr. Bilhuber made an impressive appearance several weeks ago in Jacksonville, Florida. Using a slide show which featured mostly snapshots of his personal properties dashed with a number of inspirational quotes, JB described his approach and highlighted a number of his projects. With no formal training in design principles, he acknowledges “one client” for giving him the opportunity he required to embark on his work. This initial project combined with the fact that he paid all of his bills along the way, has permitted him to attain a soaring level of accomplishment and world-wide exposure.

It was very much apparent that his young son is the source of much joy for Mr. Bilhuber these days. He mentioned a number of tales of parenting and even shared with attendees a photo of the darling youngster.

on being safe on Facebook

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Think security with these uncomplicated five suggestions.

Designer of luxurious spaces: Barry Dixon of Warrenton, Virginia

Last week, I journeyed in to the Jacksonville Art and Antiques Show which proceeds benefit the local children’s hospital. Typically the lecture series which accompanies the show features some attention-grabbing speakers. This year, Barry Dixon and Jeffrey Bilhuber presented as well as several others.

Generous with the particulars of his projects, most of which are featured in his latest book, Mr. Dixon was graciously informed that his time was up. He seemed to truly be taking pleasure while sharing with his listeners. A delightful and engaging lecturer, BD shared his theory of design in the 20th century: mixing styles, vintage and contemporary, pricey and moderate in a bespoke manner. Careful consideration of personalities, admiration and interests of those are significant to him when working with a client. His finished work reflects the individuality of the client, not necessarily a signature style of the designer.

I took particular note of the following while he spoke:

• BD has traveled broadly and as a horseman, is a participant of a hunt in Northern Virginia.
• Strongly considers the location of the home to integrate into the look he generates.
• Uses series and groupings of artistic pieces, both natural and man-made, and collections for wall interest.
• Revealed that no idea is truly exclusive to a designer, rather a redirection or reinterpretation of an inspiration.
Mr. Dixon told a clever account of when he received 5.5 yards, rather than the 55 yards of a specially ordered textile, from Italy, I believe. No doubt, this must have been merely a typographical inaccuracy. There not being sufficient time to re-order, he cautiously cut the prominent design from the minimal yardage and appliqued it onto a solid background to create a striking and bespoke drapery. Genius!

Tomorrow, I will post on the presentation of Mr. Bilhuber.

Snappy shoes

Love the new shoes.

ralphlauren.com

Happy wishes on this Thanksgiving Day!

Edgy and witty, cunning and slick: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Who does not love Roald Dahl's writings?

Today, a Pixar interpretation opens across the nation.

Looks like a good one.

A Salute to Veterans across the Nation

The Korean War Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.

Here is my personal favorite on the Mall which honors our Veterans. It is best viewed in the night as it is uplit to reveal the soldiers as they would have been maneuvering about in the dark while in Korea.

A salute to all Veterans on this day.

Free at last~!

I lived in Frankfurt, West Germany when "the wall" came tumbling down. Citizens were frantic with excitement flooding to the marktplatz in each and every town across the country to celebrate with a bier in hand. Over-sized German flags could be seen waving out of the sun roofs of cars, honking horns like fans of the team that had just only won the Super Bowl.

Then, the roads began to fill with the Trabi's...small autos made of fiberglass with very small engines and made in the DDR as the East Germans began to assimilate in their new Germany.

It was an exciting time and a moment in history for me. Twenty years ago today.

Lovely Illuminated Initials

These dandies can be found at Daily Drop Cap.

Additions posted daily, the dazzling letters can be used in a million ways.

The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show

Volunteering at The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show this weekend.

Should be fun!

put your feet up awhile...

I recently completed this needlepoint project. The mosaic pattern is original; created as I went along using a variety of highly patterned stitches. The stool was a flea market find, stripped and finished with tung oil.

color hunter

Create and locate color palettes from your photos and pictures using color hunter. I have switched up the colors using the header picture as an inspiration.

Very cool.

Summer hats

Time for the summer hats to be put away.

Harvest Moon

On Sunday night, I spotted a mellow, glowing Harvest Moon, and a beauty it was.
Oct. 4, 2:10 a.m. EDT

Can you see me now?

It was time for new readers. I chose eyebobs and chose well.

Naive and bourgeois...

An Education appears to be a good one.

Opens on October 9th.

Birdies and pars for the POTUS...almost

Photo Credit: Steven Senne/AP

Yesterday was a beautiful late summer day in the Washington DC area. A day that one must take advantage of and get outside all day, as the winter months are soon to arrive. It was also the day for the annual Husband-Wife Golf Championship at the Club. The Colonel and I participated, though sadly, not to the best of our abilities.



While practicing on the putting green, I observed a number of men in jackets, dark glasses and ear wires as well as a few black vehicles lurking around. This can mean only one thing, based on past occurrences with Bill Clinton having played golf at our course; President Obama must be heading over soon for a round of golf. Unfortunately, no tee time availed as the course was busy with members and their spouses, and the President would not be able to chase the little white ball around here on this afternoon.



Try again, Mr. President. Bring your sticks, balls and tees for some great fun! Much better than bowling. Trust me.

Arnie turns 80!

Tomorrow, Arnold Palmer will celebrate his 80th birthday and the best of wishes to him on his day. All this week, the Golf Channel is hosting a series chronicling the life of this thoughtful and admirable man. Even if golf is not your thing, tune in for sure.

Mad Men Captivation

Mad Men has my attention. I am spellbound with the visual journey back to my youth. Parents smoking while attending their children's recitals. Cocktail lunches and well-stocked bars situated on a credenza in every office. Scarlet red lips, acicular and tapered brassieres...yes, I remember all these things very well.

Dresses like Sally is wearing, with Peter Pan collars and crinoline petticoats underneath, were the outfits worn everyday to school. Footwear included black velveteen oxfords.

Janie Bryant deserves much recognition for the success of Mad Men, for sure.

The Swan House

Swan House is located on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center in the Buckhead section of Atlanta.

Not only are the grounds a pleasure to wander, the interiors and architectural style reflect the essence of high décor in the 1920’s, which was largely influenced by that initiated in Europe.

Often chosen as the background for many photo shoots, Swan House provides a depiction of the well heeled life of this era. A tour of the interiors is suggested.

Located on the east facade, this niche features an urn which conceals

the window of a water closet.

Essential scalloped awnings, green in color, deflect the hot Atlanta sun.

Numerous urns in the gardens are filled with an overflow of sponge stone, also known as "Pompeian pumice" which resembles igneous rock formations.

Beautiful Baroque-styled gardens

A view from the gardens of a screened porch which was filled
with wonderful period wicker pieces.

A wrought iron garden bench

Scrolled iron brackets anchor this lantern.