Has It Really Been 20 Years?????

This weekend is my 20th High School Reunion from Lake Ridge Academy. Gulp! I really can't believe it has been 20 years.

It doesn't feel like yesterday, last week, or even last year. I mean a great deal has changed in my life. I went to college, travelled around the world. I have lived in multiple places, cities, and houses. Started a career. I have met amazing people. Lost good friends. Lost family. Lost my Mom. A lot has changed.

But 20 years? Not possible.


I mean this is how fashionable people dressed when I was graduating from high school.

This is how Charles Barkley looked.....

People wore their hair this way. Mine was close, yet straight-ish and asymmetrical. Really??? I did asymmetrical? Moving on....

People shopped at Merry Go Round. Really! People shopped there and dressed like this. I mean, I was crazy, super preppy and I still even shopped at Merry Go Round. It was the place.

This is how Madonna looked in 1990. Actually not much has changed here. She actually might even be more in shape.( Hate her. Well love her, but hate her)

When I look back at my pictures of how young everyone looks and our clothes our hair, I realize it was a long time ago, yet I don't really feel a day older.

I am off to celebrate with some great, "old" friends.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Cheers,

BBS




all images for Google Image and should go right back there.

Louis, Louis

I was working with a client today on her Master bedroom and I suggested a reproduction Louis XVI chair to compliment a chaise we were considering for her reading nook.

I was reminded how different Louis XVI chairs, well all Louis chairs, can look depending on how you "dress" them.

Then can be quite formal and stuffy, not at all in a bad way, but with gilded finishes and silk brocades.

Or they can be clean and fresh feeling in a bleached oak finish and a natural textured fabric.

I recommend we do "clients" in a soft aged blue or green painted finish with a neutral textured plain fabric or small geometric. Clean and simple, with an unexpected zip of soft color.

Love them in cow hide and leather. So rustic and masculine.

I think Louis himself would have liked these yellow numbers.

Louis the XVI may be my favorite of all the Louis. I know he was a terror and all, but I do love his grandness and decadence. And that wife of his with her, "let them eat cake" mantra.....

I absolutely love this adorable polka-dot and black combo. Can you see this in a little girl's room?

And I simply adore Philippe Starck's take on XVI with the Louis Ghost chair.

The best part is a very traditional version can sit proudly in a modern setting and I think it is great when the Louis ghost is worked into a very classic home. So unexpected and fresh.

A Louis XVI chair can always be revived, reworked, and made a new. Never discard a Louis! It is a classic.



Cheers,

BBS

all images from Google image, Wisteria.com, Gardenhouse.com, and Philippe Starck

Rain, Rain Go Away

It has done nothing but rain for the last two days in Cleveland. It is grey (see yesterday's post) and wet.

Work has consumed me with meetings, schemes, pricing, proposals, and orders. (Yippie)

So it left me little time to plan today's post.

I thought I might inspire you with beautiful images of rainy days.

Some you may recognize. Others not.

I keep reminding myself that, "April showers bring....." Wait a minute it is already May.

I hope you are enjoying your day, rainy or not, where ever you may be.

Cheers,

BBS


paintings by Gustave Caillebotte and Gil Marosi. All images from Google Image.

My Vote is for Grey

There was a time not so long ago that I would avoid Grey based schemes for my clients. I would lean towards selecting neutrals with warmer tones.

My thinking was Cleveland already has so many grey days, that adding grey to the home would feel cold. I overlooked the beauty and richness that Greys have to offer.

Last Summer I was working with a client on remolding a home from the late 1960's in Akron. The Den was that dated, deep brown paneling and it needed a lift. Instead of painting it white or cream, I went the opposite direction and suggested Sherwin Williams 7047 Porpoise and it turned out gorgeous. It balances nicely with the new charcoal stained walnut floor we put in the Den and Living Room. (See picture above)

I have noticed a trend towards Grey with my clients.They are starting to crave a little grey in their lives. It is everywhere in our new introductions from the High Point Furniture Market. Fabrics, wallcovering, furniture finishes, lighting.

One of my favorite ways to use Grey is in the Kitchen.

It feels fresh and it doesn't have to look modern.

It is nice mixed with Butcher Block counters.

And so nice with the painted wainscoting behind.

It can look modern as it does in Imperial Trellis (I told you I was obsessed).

Of a great background to a pop of color, like cerise.

Or lilac.

I also love it as a finish for furniture as on this table from West Elm.

But my absolute favorite shade of Grey is on my sweet grey dog, Oliver. Perfection!


Cheers,

BBS


Images found on Google Image and credited to Philip Ennis, Canadian Home and Garden, Veranda, Kashani, Colleen Duffley, and West Elm, Oh, and me.

The Tree Peony

I stopped at one of my favorite client's homes yesterday to check the progress of my decorative painter who was doing work there and I was introduced to the most wonderful, beautiful thing.



Peonies are on the top of my favorite flowers list and my client knew this well. She asked, "Have you ever seen a Tree Peony?"

I had not, so she ushered me out to her garden in a down pour of rain to see the newest additions to her yard. And there the unusual peonies were. One in a glorious fuchsia pink. The other, the most delicate petal pink, like that of a light pink pigment in a watercolor painting. Almost transparent.

The absolute best part....They were each being shaded by the most delicate looking paper umbrellas. I couldn't believe my eyes. It felt like I had been transported to the magnificent gardens of the Forbidden City in China. Just magical.

"Where on earth did you find these?", I asked. "The Internet." (Of course, how silly of me) "Treepeony.com" (Again, of course! Who knew it would be so easy)

So I rushed back to my office to take a look for myself and sure enough, at http://www.treepeony.com/ you can find these gorgeous plants in an array of colors which even includes yellow. Stunning. They range in price, but I found them to be pretty affordable. Most are well under $ 100.00.

I might just have to make room in my garden!

Cheers,

BBS


images from Google Image and treepeony.com

I Am Back!

I am back from a wonderfully fun and relaxing trip to Florida. I headed to the Keys for a girl's weekend to celebrate a good friends up coming marriage in July.

I was reminded how blue green the water really could be! And that sunsets can look like fireballs melting into the water.


Our hotel was dotted with Hibiscus in every color from pink to yellow to this fabulous red.

After a long Winter and Spring in Cleveland it was so wonderful to see the sun, bright colors everywhere, and to feel the humid air on my skin.

Next it was a few days in Ft. Lauderdale where I had visited dozens of times as a little girl. My grandparents had a home there and we would visit on all major breaks from school. It was so fun to see how the city had changed and grown. I loved it and can't wait to get back.

And then it was off to one of my favorite places, anywhere. Boca Grande. I was able to fill my days with lingering breakfasts along the water, walks on the beach, days at the pool, and evenings with great friends. I was there to celebrate a wedding of a dear friend and it was the pinnacle to a great week in Boca. Tons of laughs and what a beautiful wedding. (And bride!)

And now, I am back.

I am back recharged by the blues and greens of the water, the oranges of the setting sun, and the pinks, reds, and greens of the landscape.

I am back excited by finding dozens of sand dollars on a beautiful sand bar on the edge of the Gulf.

I am back inspired by great times with old friends, new friends, and family.

I am back and I am recharged, excited, and inspired to be creative!!!!

Cheers,

BBS

images from BBS