Earth Tones Anyone?

I love the earth tones in this bedroom and how the design relies on form, shape and texture.
Photo Credit: Gridley + Graves
Source: House Beautiful

A beautiful life???

During the past few weeks, I've found myself participating in Melissa's Beautiful Life series over at The Inspired Room - not overly enthusiastically at first, but slowly warming to the idea. I mean, who am I to speak of a beautiful life or how to find the key to that most mercurial of locks?

Then I realized she didn't ask us to come up with the key but only to search for it - to open our eyes to the beauty in our lives. This week has been a particularly difficult challenge for me.

Not one but two tragedies - one on the heels of the other - galloped into my life this week. Unexpectedly, without one ounce of warning, they came bounding through the door like puppies let off their leashes for the first time. A dear friend diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and a nephew diagnosed with a brain tumor will make you sit up straight.

While beauty has been elusive, perspective has been born at tremendous cost this week, as perspective always is. Why is it that the opportunity to see life in proper proportion almost always comes at a significant price? We need a jolt sometimes in order to understand the value of what we have.

Tragedy may not bring beauty, but it brings clarity, and it fosters a humble gratitude that only a glimpse at what we could lose will ever do.

On this day my husband is healthy, my son and his wife and children are healthy, and I am loved by them. Can there be a beauty more undiluted, more valuable, more enviable than that?

Swedish Home Décor

I've always loved color - big, bold color! I've splashed it from one end of my house to the other without a single regret. I find its warmth and personality comforting and stimulating all at once.


So why am I loving Swedish design lately? Isn't it the polar opposite of rich, deep colors, accessories scattered about, bold art displayed on every wall, and curtains on every window? You get the idea.


There is definitely something that appeals to me in Swedish design, though. I love the wood floors, area rugs, furniture with legs so you can see underneath, neutral colors everywhere, the clean, open feel of the simple lines and light colors, and then there's the light. Oh, yes! Light that seems to stream in from every window. Notice how the subtle design elements rely on texture, shape and style rather than color.


If rich, bold colors offer comfort, the airy atmosphere of Swedish design frees and lightens the spirit. Enjoy these photos that I found at Country Home.

Valentine's Day Cards

Some cards I found on Etsy. Click on the image, and it will take you to the artist's Etsy store.

A "Two Loving Mice" notecard.
Pencil drawnig on paper.
Approximate size: cm.10x15 (inches 3.9x5.9).
This artwork is sprayed with a protective art fixative for protection and lasting color.

The maker of this card says:
This is a very special Valentine's Day Card. How perfect is this to give to your husband or wife! This card has a black textured card stock base, a pretty cream printed paper on one side that says "I Love You" and an iridescent red paper on the other. I have added a single heart stamp with added glitter to the one side as well. The pull out insert also is made from the same matching cars stock layered with the same papers as the card. On the top cream layer I will print out a personal of your choice. A pretty black satin ribbon is attached to pull out the insert as well.

So here it is, a 3-D depiction to your loved ones because you know you just can't help falling for them everyday like the first time.

Two darling rabbits grace the front of this sweet valentine. Printed on ivory, archival cardstock, this card measures 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 inches, is blank inside and comes with a matching envelope.

I think this one speaks for itself.

A Bath With Personality Plus

Make no mistake. The star of this bath is a furniture-like vanity, topped in Carrara marble and two square basins. Pendant lights and mismatched mirrors add sparkle and personality.

The shower has two shower heads and a shelf to place toiletries. The floor is made from chips of Carrara marble.

What do you think of that antique-style “telephone” faucet mounted on the side of the tub - instead of at the end?
Source: pointclickhome

Perfect Compliment

I found this bedroom on Coastal Living. I'm posting it for no other reason than the color scheme. I love the vivid orange with that cobalt blue. It reminds me of a Matisse.

In the master suite, mosquito netting drapes a four-poster bed in classic island fashion. The designer chose traditional French West Indies-style furnishings for the bedrooms. Walls painted sunset orange complement cobalt blue fabrics.

Dear Heart

I found this adorable watercolor painting on Etsy. It's an original by Karen Faulkner.