Merry Christmas to everyone...

Christmas Red

You will see in this holiday post the predictable color of red looming large, although the photographs are not typical Christmas.

I was thinking about what I've learned this year and one thing I know for certain is that the right color and the right amount of it balances the art of design.  Red, for that matter, seems to be about as dynamic as one can get but how it’s introduced is so important.  It occurred to me that it’s kind of like life.  You need to know how much to say, when to intervene, when to let things ride, when to be strong, yet exercise grace and manners.  I am having such a wonderful time with the595project and with my incredible clients.  Going forward, I hope to continue to allow the “RED” in me develop and explore the gift of making homes beautiful.

I hope you all find this post inspiring.  Merry “RED”

"Red is the great clarifier-bright and revealing.  It would be like becoming bored with the person you love."

Diana Vreeland

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Cabins, they speak to the soul

My husband and I are lucky enough to have a cabin in the mountains.  With the holidays approaching, it felt like the perfect time to write about how important a cabin can be and what it can teach you.  Once you arrive in the mountains to our cabin, the adjustment is easy and natural.  I know for me, I can feel myself morph to a place, where in my mind, I know I can do with a lot less.  I can chop, rake, labor, cook and adjust to life that seems very simple.  Our cabin doesn't have a heat source other than a pellet stove. This time of year, when it's so cold we have a process that we do together to get the old girl going!  Turn on the water at the pump house, open everything up, fire up the stove and if we did it correctly when we left the last time, all will be good.

 I was inspired by the words of Henry David Thoreau as he wrote about his sojourn to Walden Pond, the cabin where he lived for over two years starting in 1854. The experience he found to be fundamental to his soul and the awakening of his capabilities to live a different life.

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I come to die, discover that I had not lived."

Henry David Thoreau

Cabins have really changed and there are some impressively creative people designing structures that you won’t believe but I bet most of the goals are the same for all of their clients.  A place to rest, congregate, rejuvenate and reflect on life, while, tasting of the bounty!  Where ever you are for Thanksgiving, may it be any or all of the aforementioned.

 

Our Mountain Cabin...

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see”

Henry David Thoreau

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Elegance is gone...

I am on a buying trip so my blog post for last week was delayed due to traveling. While on the road, I heard the news that the world lost one of the most elegant men in the fashion world.  Oscar de la Renta died at the age of 82 this past Monday.  In honor of him, I thought I'd re-post the story I wrote a few months ago.  I promise to get a new post out soon but in the mean time I hope you enjoy the experience I had with this lovely man. 

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Originally posted June 10th, 2014:

I've always loved flowers.  I’m forever creating arrangements from what I see outside and blending the natural greens and branches with whatever I have on hand that comes fresh from the market.  I look forward to the time when Peonies come in to season.  They are one of my all-time favorites.

Many years ago, I had the pleasure of working for Oscar de la Renta.  He was in Seattle Washington to personally introduce his collection for Spring at Fredrick and Nelson.  He graciously greeted every girl that would be walking the runway showing his beautiful pieces.  He shook everyone’s hand and introduced himself.  Slowly and thoughtfully he traveled down the line up of models.  The room where we met him had a huge flower arrangement of Peonies that was simply breathtaking.  It was quite something to see!  His charm made a big impression on me and I became a huge fan after that experience.  As a result, I started following him and his brand has developed into many other categories.  His life clearly is one filled with beautiful things.  Now, whenever I see Peonies, I think of him and the beautiful blossoms I saw that day. 

These following pictures are to pay homage to Mr. de la Renta and his sense of style and of course to the tender, fragile and delicate perfection of Peonies.   

Oscar de la Renta Peonies Dress

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