Happy Thanksgiving!

Since thanks are in order I'd like to thank some people for the design and computer help they've given me in developing my blog.  My daughter Bridget, (New Zealand) and Bryce Martin (Bowman) have given lots of tips and recommendations for making the blog effective and enjoyable to read.  I've learned that I can learn this new way of communicating.  Thanksgiving draws us into a time of reflection as we say goodbye to Fall and allow Winter to have its full sway even though it means snow and cold temperatures.

Fall in all its Beauty

Harvest Sunflower Tray

Harvest Charm

Fall is the season we put our yards to bed, cleaning out gardens and flowerbeds - when the snow flies we can allow the blanket to softly cover the ground we've worked all summer - I think the earth needs the rest.
The warm homey colors of Fall are reflected in my autumn trays that I display around the house.  My daughter, Bridget started us on the tray making journey.  She saw them in a magazine and thought we could try to make some.  My first was a tray of my Mother's - it is decorated with a collage of furnishings, lighting and pillows - in orange, yellow, green and ivory and has feet added to the bottom for stability.  On top of the collage I place a piece of glass cut to the size of the tray.  I use my trays with centerpieces, for serving company and even for my own enjoyment when I am having tea.  I have trays painted "Va va voom", my living room color, and white winter trays done with Christmas cards for the collage and of course spring trays done in pink pastels.  I have taught many classes on tray making and have thoroughly enjoyed sharing how to fabricate them. 

A couple of colorful, fun MN projects

original wicker chairs

my new blue chairs

As we've worked on the log home I asked our grand daughter, Josephine, what she thinks the cabin needs?  She says we should "add some color".  I agreed as all our interior walls are honey colored logs.  The color palette we've chosen is cobalt blue, orange, emerald green, red & yellow. 

For our transitional dining room set I decided to paint 4 wicker chairs and a table base the deep cobalt blue and I've reupholstered the cushions with a fabric that looks very Mediterranean and sports all of the chosen colors.  For our sun room I've painted 2 wicker chairs bright orange - the fabric for the cushions has a dark blue background with tiny lizards in fun colors.

   

original wicker chairs

my new orange wicker chairs

Rural Women's Conference 2015

Screen before painting

Screen after painting

The day begins with coffee, tea and pastries for the 400+ women attending.  Then there is shopping to be done at the 20+ women's businesses who are showcasing their work.  Keynote speakers, designers, a fashion show, door prizes, and a delicious lunch round out the day.  Every attendee is sent home with a gift bag.  The day is full of inspiration and encouragement for ladies from 18-80.

I had the opportunity to showcase my business, "Design Consulting" at our most recent RWC.  I decided to use cobalt blue and orange as the colors for the display.  I painted a folding screen and added copper leaves and a wreath.  For my table I displayed a large fall bouquet in a blue vase with yellow and orange flowers and touches of cobalt.  Pumpkins and large copper leaves rounded out the display.      

Table decorations

Design Project - a log home!

MN Design Project

What do the numbers 1, 2, 4, 40 and 460 have to do with each other?  These numbers describe our latest design project - 1 log home, 2 people with very different ideas, 4 out buildings, 40 acres and 460 miles from our present home to the new one. 

We are at work on a retirement home in the MN woods - it is especially exciting as it is the first home we've purchased together since we got married.  We both love log homes so are very excited to be putting our own touches on it.  Family members will be helping with the work and as our grand daughter says "it is a team project".  The cabin has good bones but needs some tender loving care to bring it back to its initial beauty.
We will keep you posted on the progress we make as we go through the process of making it into our "new home".



 

Fun with Lighting

Tess's Lamp

Years ago I fabricated my first light fixture - it was purely experimental and I did not know if it would work.  It was 6 sided and each side was composed of clear Contac paper onto which I stuck yellow, orange, red, and brown torn pieces of tissue paper.  My Dad helped my build the frame and figure out how to light it.  Our first lighting of it was with two 40W bulbs hanging down the center of the lamp - it glowed!  Later, when small decorative lights came out on the market I used strings of them to light it.  My Sister, Tess, used my idea and built a smaller version of my lamp - she lent it to me so I use different fabrics on it as I go through the seasons.  Right now it is all oranges, browns and greens.

My bathroom chandelier is an idea I found on HGTV - it is constructed of 2 metal wreath rings that hang one inside the other connected by metal key rings.  From these two rings hang beads in a variety of colors.  For my summer chandelier I have orange disks, green leaf beads, and magenta string beads - the colors make me think of sunny summer days. 

Bathroom Chandelier

Found Objects

Throughout my design life I have found objects that others would throw away, reclaimed them, and found new uses for them in my interiors.


French window

2 French windows were the first items - I painted them cream puff (a soft white), and eventually added mirrors in each of the 24 spaces - they now hang in my living room.  A china cabinet door given to me by my brother, Tim,  has had a mirror added to it and I painted it va va voom, (a cross between magenta and raspberry) - it, too, has found a spot in my living room.  12 clear Ball canning lids have been fabricated into a stain glass piece.
What enjoyment I have found in working with old items and giving them new life!

China cabinet door

Stained Glass w/Ball lids