Monday, April 30, 2012

Growing Orchids

I have been growing orchids for as log as I can remember. From the dying  $99cents ones I bought
at Lowes on the clearance shelf to the clearance ones at the grocery store. All the need is a little
mothering and feeding every other week. At the farm in Goochland, the loved all the french doors
on the back of the house, in Richmond, they loved the sun room. Here, it is the bay window in
the living room in the winter and the screen porch in the summer.See how well they are doing




for yourself.  

Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Beauty of Spring Flowers


The beauty of Spring flowers-

Iris and Allium



Columbine in the many varieties from single form to triple form, different shapes and colors.
Columbine is a favorite flowers of mine, I have many varieties . The last picture is  of a
type of Thistle. Next post, my indoor orchids that are getting ready to go out side on
the porch. And another post of my favorite things in my home.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Brooke Aster

Today I am reading my new Traditional Home for May and came across a picture
of the late Brooke Astor's famous library decorated by Albert Hadley. It remined
me of a couple of pictures I had saved from  my magazines. I save pictures of things
I like and then file them in categories like chairs, dens, gardens and even foods recipes.
Some may think this is strange, but it helps me with my design work, entertaining, etc.

Any who, I saved a few of these pictures to post in Mrs. Astor's honor.
These pictures were taken by Annie Leibovitz and were for an article about
suits. Yes, her outfit is impeccable, but that's not what got my attention. I am
looking at the beautiful room decorated by Sister Parish. Notice the well suited
pastel of the Afro American hanging on the wall to the left and the beautiful
skirted table with the floral chintz french chairs, the marble topped gilt demi-
lume table with the faux bois wood box under neath. This must have been a
beautiful room to be in. The next picture shows Mrs. Aster at her best. Well dressed
again and I am not just talking about her, a room can be well dressed too. In the bottom
photo you see the same floral chintz on the club chair, the large gold chippendale mirror,
and the collection of green  foo dogs and temple jars. A lovely room again. Entertaining
in this room must of been over the top. The last photo in the upper left hand corner
is the picture of the library I mentioned earlier. Timeless style and not a wide screen tv
in site!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Chinese Chippendale Bench

I recently purchased a Chinese Chippendale bench from an establishment down the street.
With my discount the bench came to $63.00. I probably paid to much, it has good bones,
but will need to be totally redone. There was a piece of plywood and fabric screwed to the
top of the bench. You could barely see the beautiful bench underneath.  I gave the bench
a good coat of Cabot's wood stain in ebony to cover the nicks and dings. See the before


and after. This is only one coat of two, pretty nice huh? I want a Chinese Chinoiserie
Pagodas fabric for the seat, my guy Marvin, will create a box 2" - 3" seat to the top
and reinforce the frame for a small fee. Next I am posting three fabric choices. The last
Kravet , Indo Day fabric and greek key trim are my favorite, it all depends on how much
all this is going to cost. I try to keep my costs down in my store, I will add up the expenses



of doing this and times it by two, then sell it in the store.  So, the magazine photo with
the bench circled is my inspiration. The first fabric shown (sorry it is so faded0 is a
discontinued Clarence House, reg. $66.00/ now $19.95, the second is a very small
and bad picture of a Thomas Paul for Duralee at my cost of $35.75 and the last one
I am waiting for the prices from the Designers Market. Any suggestions?

Monday, April 23, 2012

Butterflies

Even though today is cold and rainy, and yes they are calling for
a chance of snow in the mountains. I have started to see some
butterflies around. I love butterflies, they are so pretty. Their
colors are such an inspiration. I am posting some butterfly objects
from my store. Butterflies are great to decorate with. They add






just a little bit of interest to anything.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

New Lighting, Brighter Day







On this rainy day, you brighten a room with a new lamp, sconce, chandelier, etc.  Check out my store's
new fixtures.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Detailed Chairs

I love chairs, I could buy chairs everyday, especially chairs in pairs. The key to creating
o one of a kind chair is attention to detail. By adding a special trim, a fun paint color, a









great fabric or a decoration like a monogram. I love, love, love, chairs!  And I even posted one
twice.