Memories.....and a spring break, break.

If you have been around for awhile you will remember this sweet cottage - our  'Forever*Cottage' in Minnesota.  We called it home for three years prior to moving back to Portland 2 years ago. So many good memories....such long winters! {this home was featured in Flea Market Style} Tomorrow, what we loved most about Minnesota arrives in Oregon - our next door neighbors!  We...

Guest Bedroom

We have guests coming to visit! Our next door neighbors from our Minnesota Cottagewood  neighborhood are coming to Oregon!  We are SO excited. Nothing gets you moving on a decorating project like the anticipation of guests coming. Our guest bedroom serves dual purposes in our home. First and foremost, the room functions as my husband's office but also needs to accomodate guests...

Professing my love for brass....{once again}.

I am a terrible thrift store shopper {btw, have you hear THE song about thrift shopping?}........I am constantly inspired by other bloggers who obviously have good luck with it....but my need for instant gratification, limited time and a sensitive 'ick' meter that goes haywire upon entering a thrift store have prevented any 'hey look at this $5.00 mid-century modern desk I scored at Goodwill...

The occasional chair.....why you 'need' at least one.

I stopped by a local client's home today to check on some pieces she had reupholstered.  I am in LOVE with this pair of french chairs!  My client already had these chairs, just not in this room.  However, being a big fan of frivolous furniture, especially a quirky/beautiful/fun  occasional chair, I ordered urged her to bring them into her family room.   I really...

Life via Instagram......

Life has been great, but busy..... My little celebrated her birthday - I survived the sleepover! My big girl got accepted into her high school of choice -  I chased the mailman a couple streets over to get the  awaited envelope.  My girl claims she will never be able to face our mailman again because  I embarrassed her so.  However, she was driving me crazy  with...

tgif.....

Never mastered this task! Phew! I can't believe it's Friday already..... This week has flown by, filled with the regular life stuff, birthday celebrations, client work, homework, housework, a hike with friends, a much needed hair appointment for yours truly, sunny warm spring weather....... A fun weekend awaits - my mom visits to celebrate  my girl's birthday,  a sleepover...

eleven......

My baby turns 11 today. Her birthday is always particularly special to me because her pregnancy was.... "special".  I had complications in the beginning that threatened both her life and mine. We both survived....and thrived! My sweet Abigail is so like me.... she is creative, sensitive and serious. She is always eager to help me in the  kitchen and loves to bake! Abigail...

Thank you.....{design board sale!}

Over the last months I have had the pleasure of working with  some of you on rooms in your homes.  It has been such a blessing to me.....I love that the internet can connect us to people we would have otherwise never have met!   I never take for granted that these rooms, in homes I will most likely never visit are personal family spaces.  Opening them up to me and asking...

Spring Curb Appeal.....

via Spring time is the perfect time to rethink the curb appeal of your home.  I know I am re-thinking the color of our front door, a relatively easy update for instant curb appeal! While I would love to paint our entire house - it just isn't  happening this year.  Our home is currently painted SW Sea Salt - a sort of cool grayish bluish.  If you remember, last  year...

An easy, breezy client project.....

I love working with enthusiastic, ready to re-decorate clients! Lisa was definitely READY to bring some much needed style to her family room and was always quick to respond to  any email I sent - so this process went fast!  Look at that beamed ceiling, it  was screaming for a fabulous lantern! 'Before' Lisa's young family needed space to gather and wanted it to be comfortable...

Winner!

Happy Monday! Had to pass along this great giveaway on I Suwannee.  I love this pillow combination. Pink is BIG, I tell ya! ************ I was overwhelmed with the number of giveaway entries I received for the Farmgirl Paints cuff giveaway.  Commenting on  blogs has lessened so sometimes it feels as if no one is reading - your comments had me feeling  the...

PurposeFULL Life.....{a giveaway}....

I posted one of the photos above on Instagram earlier this week with the hash tag #whosoldladyhandsarethese......isn't it funny that I obviously look at my hands many times a day, like everyday...but never noticed how wrinkly and well, OLD they look.  Hello, hand-cream, we need to become better friends!  However, after I came to my senses,  I thought, these are the hands that...