Anticipation

Some New Arrivals for spring...yes we still deliver! And yes...I still have this haircut!

This time of year we get excited for the Anticipation of what's new for Spring- there is something about this season that puts a little kick in our step. The sisters and I have been ordering new things and we are excited to get the shelves stocked and the pillows fluffed!

Let there be light! Pretty Paper Cloud Pendant lights- lots of cool & warm toned linen shades to select from. This could brighten up any corner that needs a little life...

Our French Flea Market...this is where we get to mix new and previously loved pieces. It's a favorite room for many who stop by the store. Makes you feel like you're shopping in Europe!

Fun rugs for indoor/outdoor use from Dash & Albert-

great for humans or doggies! Woof!

Me (middle) with sisters Beth (left in green) and Ann (denim girl) in the Eugene store.

Local newspaper did a write up on us- we learned sister owned stores are very rare these days. We wouldn't have it any other way. Well, we couldn't...we don't have brothers!

This Arthur Court master wine cooler is gorgeous-

silver & gold together are always a classic!

Stickley's new collector's piece for 2010...charming little phone stand with
Harvey Ellis Inlay. Ring Ring!

On the home front, we are anticipating the building project of our new little house. Spring has sprung and that means we've broken ground and the walls are starting to take shape.

breaking ground on our little house...

wish I had that tractor around all the time to weed with!

two weeks later...

Does it look like we'll be able to move in by June?

Greenroom

When March rolls around I always think of:

Lads & Lassie's celebrating St. Patrick's Day- don't start without me!

The Academy Awards- One of my favorite Sunday nights of the year

Anything green! Decorating with the color GREEN...

If you live in a beige or cream world, it doesn't hurt to add a little fresh color in your home. Green can be the answer to your prayers.

Going Green never looked so pretty!

Brunswig & Fils Fabric: Corals & Greens collection

Did you know:

Green is the color of nature, fertility, life...Grass green is the most restful color...Green symbolizes self-respect and well being...Green is the color of balance...It also means learning, growth and harmony.

Currey & Company lamp- simply lovely

Adding a piece or two of green tones to one main room can make your space feel updated, fresh and give a sense of peace and harmony. I love green accessories. A little goes a long way. Three times a charm in my book, tells the story without going overboard.

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Egyptians wore green eyeliner because they felt it to be a strong healing color. I would wear green eyeliner everyday if I thought I looked like cleopatra...

sorta says, "Don't mess with me...I'm not afraid to use green eyeliner!"

It's Oscar month and another favorite GreenRoom is always at the Academy Awards. This room designed by Carleton Varney brings back old Hollywood Glamour in Interior Design.

Black, white and green add drama right where it needs to be.

"Oh George Clooney, that's my drink over there...would you mind passing it this way handsome."

Put some green in your life when you want:

• a new state of balance
• feel a need for change or growth
• freedom to pursue new ideas

Do you have something green already that you just love or are you looking for a particular green accessory that will help complete your look? Try a little GREEN...I think you'll find loads of luck with it!

L-O-V-E

I played this game when I was a kid. Mostly, he loved me not.

Do you believe in love at first sight? I do. I've fallen in love with puppies and kittens without even blinking an eye. When it comes to non-living pretty things that can fit in my handbag, around my neck, or in my house...I have fallen head over heals in no time. One rule of thumb, if you aren't madly in love with it, don't even let it through your front door.

Here are a few of my LOVES in life:

I have the best little faucet in my bathroom. It's not fancy, but I love turning it on when I go to brush my teeth or wash my hands. Call me crazy, I love to turn that faucet. Makes me happy. Sue me.

I adore my area rug downstairs. It has every color in the rainbow and makes me giggle when I walk on it-- which some days, can be over 100 times. Makes going to the laundry room more exciting. I love that rug! Makes me happy.

I can't live without my coffee cup. It's big and reminds me of my old dog Miles. Playing outside in the wintertime all bundled up ice-skating...too cute! This mug makes me happy.

I'm in love with this old pocket watch. I have it with a few of my necklaces in my bathroom and see it every morning before I get ready for the day. I wondered who had this treasured keepsake for years and where it has traveled before winding up in my house. I especially love it because it doesn't have hands...so I never feel like I'm running late!

Do you have a favorite thing or two in your house right now that you love? Of course your family & friends are keepers for sure, but I wanna know what special things you have and where they are at home? Happy Valentine's Day! Cheers to Love.

Balancing Act

Can we all relate to life feeling a bit like a balancing act? Do you juggle your family and work life and sometimes feel like both are a three-ring circus?

At work, my to do list is long but good. We just changed the window displays for February. New colors and eye-catching merchandise help to make our windows tell a story. With 42 room settings inside the store, it's a lot to play with. My sister Beth and I are ordering new sofas, beds, rugs, lamps, and everything in between. We've been caught in our PJ's at the store late at night redoing a room or two. We work best in flannel, what can I say? Next week, I am going to Gearhardt on the coast to help a wonderful client with her home. We ordered this bed for her- so pretty! What to put with it? Oh just wait...

Great neutrals with a hint of color makes for a relaxing room.

At home, my February list is a busy one. My hubby John and I are at the beginning stage of building a small home in Eugene. I'll keep you posted on how the two of us work together on this...gulp! Also on the list: throwing a bridal shower for my cousin, water baby swim lessons, weekend trip to visit John's family, help set up for 'Shall We Dance' charity, a few friends' birthday parties, a niece's play, mail out Valentine cards, and big sister Ann's Birthday! Oh yeah, and keeping up with my love of movie watching- must get ready for the Oscars!

I'm right here Precious!

Life clicks along whether you like it or not. There are days I would love to just fast-forward through and others that need repeating. Thank goodness for some ringleaders to help for the greater good of our work life and home schedule too. Crazy days make for some fun stories and remind me to be light-hearted about things. Don't let life overwhelm you, because this too will pass. Maybe one or two mini-meltdowns are allowed. But like Cher said in Moonstruck, "...Snap out of it!" And so I do.

These last five years...

I've always enjoyed my work life. In my twenties and early thirties, my hobby was my job. For over fifteen years, I've decorated homes and tried to sell more sofas than any girl this side of the Mississippi!

Five years ago, our family decided to open a shop in Downtown Bend, Oregon about 120 miles from our Eugene store. Bend is beautiful, with mountains and rivers to boast about, sunny weather, and interesting people from all over.

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We wanted a smaller, more boutique style store

and that's just what we got...

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First summer in Bend, met cute guy named John.

Then John and I got married...

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John & I are no spring chicks, so we were ready to start our family.

Baby Charlie was born!

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I juggled being a new mom, wife, and shopkeeper...acquired a taste for coffee and attempted to finally use those stainless steel things that stare at me in the kitchen. Me, cook? Why not!

Take your baby to work? Not such a good idea...

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It was time to be closer to family once Charlie was here. It takes a village, you know, and starting a family made us realize that there's more to life than sunny weather! But it's not farewell Bend.

Our shop in Bend is still clicking along and we are happy to say the shop is there to stay! We are in Eugene more and it's been so much fun catching up with customers/friends. Stop in next time you're driving by...unless you live far away, then just check on us here...our new adventure in blogging!

Curious About Color?

As a shopkeeper, I dream of the day when I can travel the globe to shop the world's finest markets in search of beautiful, unique products for my store. We've been going to markets and shows throughout the country for years now, but recently I've been fascinated by how other shops fill their aisles.

I have been following two wonderful stores in Kansas City, MO for some time now - Curious Sofa & Nell Hill. I got a wild hair to hop on a plane and shop the two stores in two days! It was a great trip...absolutely delightful, inspiring, and a fun fellowship between shopkeepers.

Debbie with Curious Sofa is fabulous! Her store is filled with show stopping furniture & accessories with a vintage twist that all look one-of-a-kind. Her displays are amazing! She truly is an artist when it comes to visual merchandising. Scroll down for my idea of a big girls toy store!

Curious Sofa: use of texture, in lieu of color, is their trademark!

Debbie does decorating!

Thanks to GPS and a drive-thru coffee shop, I was ready to hit the highway in search of Nell Hill's. The original store is in a town of 800 people about an hour away from Kansas City, but folks flock from near and far to see its classic style packed with loads of accessories. I loved the look of traditional fabric motifs like houndstooth, toiles, paisleys, and plaids - all layered together making for comfortable, stylish settings. Their signature pieces included: English dishware, framed sketches, lanterns, trays, and trinkets that would make your home sing!

Color, pattern & comfort are what you find at Nell Hill's.

Classic paisley, but with an updated twist. Love it!

Mary Carol Garrity, who owns the Nell Hill's stores, has written several books on decorating and I must say that her store reflected a charming, gracious feel. And the girl ain't afraid of color either!

What's your favorite design palette, with or without color, muted or bright? What room do you enjoy being in most and what colors surround you? I want to hear from you!

What's In...What's Out this winter 2010

Go with what you like, right? That's what my mama always told me. But these days, sometimes we need a little guidance when decorating. Perhaps an inner voice leading us in the right direction in creating our nests. Do I listen to the trends? When I like what I hear. Like clothing fashion, there are the new & wow-e-wow ideas out there but for your home it's a little more complicated. You are going to spend a little more money on your furnishings than the new skinny jean or bright-colored wrap.

Our store just got the latest trend list of what's in and what's out this winter- 2010. I'm sharing it because you may get a kick out of it. You might agree with it. You might not.

Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Let's go with the bad news...what's out!

In home design, what's out according to Home Retailers: Red, Blue & Browns (aka chocqua), Pink, Anything too shiny, Formality, Tea accessories, Antique gold, Matchy-matchy bedding ensembles, Exaggerated arms on upholstered seating, Fussy florals, Black lampshades, Tuscany, Contemporary, and Overstuffed.

What's in according to the same folks: Purples in all hues, Primary colors, Greens with blues, Muted tones, browns & grays, Oranges with red tones, Linen, Black and white, Monkeys, Cashmere blankets, Honeybees, Animal prints, Bird themes, Dogs, Silvery blues, Character, Understated chic that's comfortable, & Homey, "we've had this old expensive thing forever look". Vintage, and anything Monogrammed is in!

Lately we've been seeing a lot of color omitted from rooms and layering with texture and special keepsakes. It allows you to enjoy the furnishings throughout the year and pops of color could be added, but you certainly will not get tired of one particular color in your room when the neutrals are your base. Sounds a lot like dressing your own self, doesn't it? This winter I think it's important for your home to feel inviting and a come in and take a long winters nap right here sorta look! Comfort & relaxing this winter should be what's in. And of course surrounding yourself with things that you LOVE.

Take a look at the list and if there's anything you'd like to add to or suggest, I'm all ears. I'm curious what your favorite things are right now in your home or anything special you've been on the hunt for.