Final Day of Summer Holiday

Today is my final day of a long and beautiful summer holiday.  I am back to teaching history tomorrow.  I am always a bit sad to see the summer end but also ready to get back into a bit more routine.  Yesterday I spent the day antiquing and found three lovely mid-century chairs that will go in both my home and also my daughters. I also bought an inexpensive set of transferware for the Autumn months.  Today will be spent with final organization of the house before a painfully early awakening tomorrow.  Hope you are all having a special end-of-summer weekend!

photo: design is mine 

Less than a month and RUE will be launching.  I am so excited for this fresh and new online magazine.  I know those fabulous girls will knock it out of the ballpark!  Here are the photos they slipped to us this week.  I am waiting but not patiently!

photos: RUE 

Vogue Living Australia

I am tickled pink that the new Vogue Living Australia is out and that white (my true love) is the feature.  I am running out right now to get it!!!

Portugal Dreams

I love these images of the most simple items.  Design is everywhere you look.  Great images for inspiration.

photos: saidos da concha 

An Indian Summer

This is it! My last week before the school year begins for me.  I have a list a mile long of the things I want to complete - turning an antique sari into pillows, recovering two chairs, and a final organization of the house.  I found a new blog last night that took my breath away.  As most of you know, I love neutral design but I have to say these bright rooms spoke to me. Maybe it's the perfect balance of modern and vintage that speak to me.  I hope you enjoy these bright and happy photos.

photos: An Indian Summer 

Less is More

I was fortunate that the store that has the perfect sofa is only opened Monday through Friday.  With the weekend to think about it, I have decided that it's something I should wait on.  I'm perfectly happy with the way the house looks now and while I would like a sofa soon, now just isn't the time.  I want to remain true to my style - keeping it simple.  These photographs from automatism help to ground me.

photos: automatism 

The Search is Over

After a quick trip to Cannon Beach to look for items for the photo shoot, I finally found the perfect sofa in a design studio less than a few blocks from my house.  You'll have to wait to see it but I have to say its rather spectacular.  Its tuxedo style in a brown and white stripe.  It's eight feet long which will look amazing in my living room as it is also long and narrow.  I am so excited I can hardly stand it.  It's been six years that I've been using my French daybed as a sofa.

Love Seats & Sofas: On the Hunt!

I've been on the hunt for the perfect love seat for my kitchen as well as a sofa for my living room.  I found one love seat in Ashland at Prize that I'm considering but no sofa yet.  If any of you know of a good place to look on the west coast, let me know!

Scandinavian Inspiration

I was completely smitten when I came across Scandinavian Chic via From the Right Bank .  I also adore the images from Maison Norway .  The items that I am most intrigued by are the hides used as rugs, the four-legged table, and overall the varied shades of white. Apparently, this look is called Scandinavian Maximalism. Over the top accessories (yes, I would consider an ostrich on the wall over the top!) matched with the simplicity of Scandinavian design make this look just perfect.

Style Files: A Source of Inspiration

I find the images at style files to be a constant source of inspiration.  They always look like natural settings and the simplicity of the rooms captivates me.  Enjoy these photographs that have inspired me to reach higher.

photos: http://style-files.com/ 

Time For an Update

I've been working on a few changes on my house and I'm looking for a few more key pieces before it feels done.  My daughter, Caitlin, is visiting me from San Francisco and we plan to take a quick trip up to Seattle to see if there is anything there that might work.  Here are some photos that have me drooling - the bed is almost identical to mine, the kitchen is amazing, and the rest - just plain perfection.

 photos: dress design deco r & delight by design 

New Crush: Vicente Wolf

I love the perfect balance that Vicente Wolf manages to capture in his rooms.  I need to go out and buy Crossing Boundaries.  If not for any other reason, for the name of the book!

photos: vicente wolf 

The Second Coming of the Cape

I've noticed a fair number of capes out and about for fall.  I wonder if it would be a good item for the autumn wardrobe.  What do you think of these from Vanessa Jackman.

photo: vanessa jackman 

Lovely Family Visits

This has been an amazing summer filled with family and friends.  Over the past several weeks I was fortunate enough to spend a week in Pacific Grove with my sister and her daughter and then a week in San Francisco with a friend and my daughter and her husband.  I even had the treat of my sister and her daughter driving back to Portland with me in my Mini (yes it was packed - bless Claire for sitting in the back seat the entire trip!).  Tomorrow my daughter arrives for a sweet visit. Next year, we have plans to make apricot jam in my sisters new kitchen.  I can hardly wait!

photo: everything fabulous 

Wardrobe Update

It's always in August that I have thoughts of updating my wardrobe.  The September Vogue arriving, thoughts of going back to work, and a crisp feeling in the air when I wake up all remind me that I need to start thinking about getting ready for a new school year.  This year, I'm thinking of adding a bit more neutrals that seem to be showing their face a lot - grays, beige, carmel - I feel inspired to find a few new things.

photos: apartment 34 

photos: sacramento street & white and wander 

All Covered in Vines

I am working to make my patio more inviting and one of the things I've thought about adding besides more flowers, are vines that can  create a greener space.  It's a porch that gets full sun all day so I will need a plant that thrives in those conditions.  Any suggestions?

 photos: 1 & 3: twomaisons 

photo 2: greige 

Come Sail Away

I can't believe how quickly the summer has passed.  It has been filled with so many incredible adventures including two road trips to San Francisco, my lovely sister and her daughter visiting in Portland, my daughter about to arrive, and a road trip to Seattle.  I have done such a variety of activities that I feel ready for another year of teaching to begin.  I always feel a bit sad when the long summer days begin to shorten but at the same time, I'm ready for another season to arrive.

photo: white farmhouse 

Ole`!!!!

I'm in a Spanish matador mood!! They are so elegant and the interior that follows reminds me of the images of the matador.

photos: digital interiors 

Something Old, Something New....

Since I stayed at a B & B in London last summer that did an amazing job of mixing old and new, I've been working to have a mix in my house.  I love the unexpected acrylic chair next to an antique desk, or a modern light fixture in a more traditional room.  For me, decor is about having things you love and not following any rules when you put it all together.

photos: the style files