Fun being 4!

Charlie's 4th birthday party.  He wanted Pirates...all because of this book...

This fabulous book from our dear friend Sabrina.
Charlie wants this story read to him every night.
So this was the year for a Pirate Party!  Ahoy!

It's fun to be a Pirate!

Printed a few signs-- this one to welcome the
kids to the house.  Black & white is cheap
and free clipart online helps give
it a festive look.

Name tags.  Makes life easier with the mix of
 neighbors, friends, & family.

Hot weather?  Just add water!

Bounce house kept the giggles going...for us all!

Keep the party jumping!

 

Go Fish for Treasure is always a favorite.
We used a big box from our store & cut an opening
for the kids to stick their fishing poles in.

My 10 year old niece in the box clipping the goodies
on a clothespin.  The kids ended up playing this
game over and over again!  

Bean bag toss-- too cute!  

The pirates found lots of loot!

Pin the Patch on the Pirate!  Arrrrr!

Little girls make cute Pirates too!

Walking the plank...oh no!

The treasure buckets made it fun.

Polka dot straws & cups from Christmas...
works for Pirate Parties too!  

                                         

Superman enjoying his cupcake.

Do you think Charlie
had a good time? He did!
He's a lot like his mother...
only I use a lampshade! 

                                                       

I made this sign using extra paper plates, a printable bubble letter coloring
page, a red crayon to fill in the bubbles, twine, and close pins.
Charlie loved to see his name in lights...well, in paper plates!

Watching your children enjoying their special day is so much fun!  To see Charlie play with his friends and have a great time on a warm sunny day makes my heart sing.  Before Martha Stewart, before Pinterest, before any of those clever decorating things...there was my Aunt Beth.  She decorated, cooked, and hosted the best parties ever!  My Aunt Beth passed away in June and life for us will never be the same-- we miss her terribly.  She loved throwing her two children's birthday parties and when I was growing up, I always wanted to be there!  Heck, no one wanted to miss a party Auntie Beth threw.  Whatever the celebration, she made it fun for all ages and made everyone smile!

My Cousin Courtney & My Aunt Beth
at Charlie's birthday party last year.

Auntie Beth

My Aunt Beth, Me, & my Mom

Yesterday, our family lost a wonderful person to cancer.  I want to share so many memories about my Aunt Beth because she was so important to me and many others.  For now, I just wanted to share a picture of her and that wonderful smile we all love!  Aunt Beth brought a joy to our world that made our lives rich, positive, and beautiful!   

Life is incredible. 

Beautiful Baby!

We are smitten!  Our little family has a new addition...

Six weeks ago I gave birth to a precious little girl.  It's been over three years since Charlie was this little; we had forgotten a lot but it's slowly coming back to us and enjoying all the days (and nights) of what comes with a new baby.  We have had family & friends visit us at home and that has been wonderful!  So many have asked to see the nursery so here are a few pictures of Baby Mae Beth's room...

Mae Beth is here!
Big Brother is over the moon excited!

These little booties are from a client-- aren't they darling?

A corner of her room.
The polka dot drapes
I found on a trip to London.

The little hand knit hat was a gift from my friend
Jessica.  Her mother makes them for a fabulous
shop called Passion Flower.  Sweet Pea!
The teddy bear was my Dad's when he was a baby.
I added some lace to the neck to make it a little more girlie
and the lamp is from our Bend shop.

The Paper Doll pictures have been in our family
for over forty years-- in my sisters' bedrooms
when they were small, then mine, & my darling
nieces all had these Lettie Lane pieces.
So special for Mae to have now.

This pretty Dash & Albert rug works with all the old things
along with some of the new to meld the two together.
I'm hoping to have this for years and years as Mae grows.

On another wall hangs some more
oldies but goodies. The doll my Aunt made out of
a pillow case with it's embroidered detail.
The antique dog is an old metal toy
and the poem is from my dear friend Christy-- about a new baby girl.  Very sweet!

Pillow case doll...

Sweet banner from a baby shower my friend made.  Love it
and just had to put it in her room!

Baby Mae Beth, "Macie"
(two weeks old in this picture),
is so precious to us!  



Thank You all for your cards, visits, yummy dinners, & gifts--
we so appreciate your kindness & love!

Spring Trends

Springtime is a favorite season of mine because of it's major shift from the cold, grey days of winter; wearing fluffy sweaters and ten extra pounds of marshmellow coat to the welcoming addition of flowers blooming and Cherry blossom trees full of pink-popping color!  Adios cold...I'm ready for the flirty fashions & freshness this new season has to offer!   

Spring Trends 2012 call for bright colors, shiny finishes, and bold patterns to wake us up from our winter hibernation.  Here's how it starts...we SHOP!

Classic patent-leather looks edgier with this 
quilted diamond pattern...
Audrey Hepburn meets Pat Benatar.

Furniture designers get inspired the same way fashion
designers do...they just have to make sure
it lasts a lot longer than just one season!

The bold colors that jump out this Spring are the brights.
Oranges, corals, & pinks give us the okay to
say goodbye to winter and hello to a fresh new start!

Happy colors make you--and your room--feel good!
This room wears it well, don't you think?

Shoes can spark interest for an entirely new outfit...
Working your way from your toes to your nose
is one way to get that fabulous, spring look you want!

This gorgeous entry piece with light and dark
wood tones is both dramatic and exotic, yet
neutral enough to go with lots of different
styles (just like those shoes)!

If bright & bold isn't your thing-- don't want that look-at-me
strut-my-stuff look, then you'll love the soft sorbet shades of pastels
that offer a low-key, ladylike vibe. 

Soft shades of blues, creams, & rose tones

make for a soothing, love-to-live-here look!

  A nice place to call home.

As always...black & white fashions defy time.
Big for this spring &  big in decorating!

Designers know you can't go wrong with
a bold black & white piece.  Goes with everything
and is hip & fabulous...always.

What's that you say?
Imitation is the highest form of flattery.
Nature always inspires...

Like this!

Your home should be filled with things
that inspire, that comfort, and that make
you enjoy being there.


Fill your life with the things you love!

Master Your Bedroom

It feels like Bedroom season, wouldn't you say?  Right now we are redoing several master bedrooms and it's been a cozy mission to find out what works for total comfort and relaxation.  It's how a bedroom should be!

Soft hues of blue gives a refreshing look and oh so relaxing...
this bedroom is easy on the eyes.

A cottage look with layering shades of white gives you options to
add splashes of color throughout the seasons-- makes for
a mix and match look where everything works well together.

Green is an unexpected pleasure of calming tones
with a sophisticated flair!  Even black and pink work well
in this space.  Silk drapes add to the classic,
heavily carved poster bed. 

Your bedding sets the tone for the entire
bedroom so make it just how you like it.
This ensemble would make it more fun for me
 to make the bed every morning!

A few ideas I've learned along the way when redesigning a bedroom...

- Symmetry really matters.  For a relaxing, calming, and peaceful feeling, you'll find it best to keep it simple and balanced.  For example, one way to give it a soothing look is to have matching lamps that are the same height on either nightstand.  Your nightstands should be as close to the same height as you can get to allow your eye to feel the ease of balance when in your room.  Same goes for artwork, mirrors, and the rest of the furniture.  

- Learn to edit.  Your bedroom should not be where you have loads of busy going on.  Don't pay your bills or have a computer staring at you while you are in bed!  You'll find the stress will lift from your body the minute you keep your room organized and free of clutter.  (this is of course, in a perfect world!)

- When it comes to color, use hues or shades of the same for balance and a consistent look.  If your favorite color is red, go for it!  Not everyone wants a light and airy look in their bedroom.  When working with your favorite color, just be aware that keeping the shades within close range will only help make your room relaxing and become a favorite in the house!

- Ask yourself what exactly you need in your room to make it work well for you.  Consider form and function when decorating.  Do you need extra drawers or do you prefer cupboards for storing?  Hiding the things you need in your room might be a good idea if you love reading books in bed but don't want to look at the clutter.  

- Where to start?  When it comes to the master bedroom, it usually starts with the bedding!  That becomes your color palette for the floors, walls, trim, and upholstery.  Your bed is the largest piece in the room so that should take priority.  Upholstered headboards are a great addition to any master bedroom.  The fabric for the headboard should be determined by the bedding once again...make it easier on yourself by finding the right bedding and build from there!  

Enjoy!  

--Whitney

Life

How was 2011?  If I had one word to describe 2011, it would be...JOY!

Joy comes in all sorts of packages...
Mine comes from this little three year old!  

Wishing all sorts of fabulous things for 2012!
Isn't it fun to dream...to wish...
to take the time to play Scrabble!

I loved receiving cards from friends & family 
during the holidays.  It's a cherished 
tradition and one that makes 
Christmastime extra special!

If I had a New Year's Resolution for life in 2012...
it would be to Knit cute things like this!

Another Joy in life-- live what you love to do...
Decorating & Designing & Shopkeeping!

Wishing you all a great start to 2012 and hoping your life has lots of JOY!  My mom just sent me a little something Mother Teresa wrote about Life.

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is costly, care for it.
Life is wealth, keep it.
Life is love, enjoy it.
Life is mystery, know it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

--Whitney

Deck the Walls

This will be our 57th Christmas in retail!  Wow!  It's such a special time of year for a lot of reasons.  One reason I love this holiday is because the designer comes out in all of us!  Go ahead...tis the season!

Here are some quick photos of one clients home all decked out for the holidays.  She is the kind of sweetheart you'd love to just sit by the fire, drink some egg nog, and enjoy stories from years past.  Enjoy seeing how some get ready for the holidays.  Merry Christmas!

Sparkle, Shimmer, and Shine!

Tip #1 in holiday decor:  HAVE FUN!

This entry welcomes winter...

My client added more bling to
her chandelier for some sparkle! 

Mixing old...

...with new to keep things fresh.

Away in a Manger

Ribbon does wonders in decorating!

Shells can make a festive statement too!

Santa by the Sea

Three Wise Men

Touches of the season...

Glam Reindeer!

The Reason for the Season!