DsignLife: April 2012

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

It is almost summer...but here in the mid-Atlantic,

we are feeling the effects of the Noreaster.

Rain, wind, cold temps... Brrrr!

Let's warm up in the sun...

I love everything that is a reminder of the sea,
sand and shells!

Like this gorgeous seahorse inspired coffee table - new introduction at the High Point Furniture Market...

Chelsea House

And this room - white, blue and a spot of red - reminds me of nautical signal flags...

Fresh Quince

I love this dining area with shell chandelier...

Apartment Therapy

...reminds of this one from Currey and Company

Currey and Company

And shells galore for the powder room...

Or just add some "picture ledges" and line them

with your favorite shells...

More shells and coral too...

And maps of coastal areas make interesting wall decor...

House Beautiful

A map of Shelter Island above a painted American cupboard.

Collection of small vintage globes and driftwood accents...

House of Turquoise

Rustic headboard with french provincial bedside table
and lamp base filled with shells...

Style at Home

Or crisp contrasts ... Twin bed head boards of black painted wicker, oversize mirrors evoke portholes, sisal rug and basket on wall and fresh white coverlets
are kindred to sailors ropes and sails.

Houzz and Liz Williams Interiors

Hope this warms you up and gets your mind

off the crazy weather or inspires you to

freshen up your summer home decor!

Check back next week for pics and picks from the Country Living Fair in Austin,TX and my visit to Fredericksburg, TX.

Fondly, Alice

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Yes, I am finally tackling the outside of the house! Thanks to one of my very good friends, Judy, and her husband, Mike, we were able to get the English boxwoods planted, two "nevergreen" trees and a holly (that was growing in the middle of another tree) removed. And, (bonus!), the start to my kitchen herb garden.

Hmmm...A window box. That is what this window needs...

so I started searching...

Source

I think this is the one!

From Plow&Hearth , 3' Easy-Care Yorkshire Window Box with a Sub-Irrigation Water System $109.95

There are some beautiful pictures of window boxes on Pinterest, and window boxes to purchase at Window Box Planters, Simply Planters, and Window Box.

Plant a window box:

1. Select your window box, available in plastic, wood or in a long wire shape called a hayrack. Match the width to that of your window for best appearance and the color to your exterior color scheme. Look for a box at least 8 inches wide and 8 inches deep to maintain moisture for the roots.
2. Drill or poke holes about every 4 inches in the bottom of the window box to provide drainage if holes aren’t already present.
3. Add potting soil to the window box. Mix in slow-release fertilizer and water retention crystals.
4. Pack your window flower boxes with plants for an instant effect, or a smaller quantity and allow them to fill in the spaces as they grow. Having a mixture of sizes fills in gaps in the window box.
5. Place tall flowers such as coleus and geraniums in the back of the window flower box, or if your box is going to be seen from both sides, place tall ones in the middle. Fill in the rest of your box with medium height and short plants, such as alyssum, pansies and portulaca. Also, add some trailing plants such as sweet potato vines and trailing petunias.
6. Water your plants regularly, as much as twice daily in the heat of the summer for boxes facing south or west. Feed them every two weeks from spring to summer with a liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength.

Source

Other great sites for Home and Gardens...

Until next time!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Pretty n Pink

Pretty n PINK

So I am feeling a little bit in the pink today as everywhere I look, I spy pink. The azaleas in the front yard...Abby's pink linen jacket...a beautiful silk skirt...

Terri's skirt, a thrifty find....

As seen on Style Maniac....Photo by James Merrell for Living Etc. As spied on Decorista Daydreams

Tomato on plate with pink wall and turquoise table....8 x 10 acrylic on canvas

Pink and Turquoise in Cuba...

Plywood, corrugated siding, fuchsia and turquoise....sun-star-n-moon.tumblr.com

Braided Fabric Bracelets by thiefandbandit....thiefandbandit

A pink door!

Provence Salon Chair with Pink Velvet Upholstery....Country Cottage Collections

Pink Coconut cake...Six Layer Coconut Cake

As seen on Design Sponge....www.leifshop.com

So much Pink, so little time...

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Spring.
Time for renewing your spirit, cleaning out the cobwebs and hitting the refresh button. For me it is the beginning of another adventure. Another phase of my life.

As I struggle to balance my job, my commitments, my passion for art and design, I am venturing outside my box with this blog. It will be about the people, places and things I love...

And all the very simple things that inspire me...

Like the beautiful color of these eggs!