Friday, March 21, 2014


Sugarboo
After this particularly long winter, today really does feel like a lucky day.  It's finally spring and even though there is more unmentionable precipitation that begins with "S" in the forecast it's hard not to feel cheerful.  

In honor of the first day of Spring, feast your eyes on some cheerful decor.

Custom pillow with Galbraith & Paul Spring Garden fabric in tangerine.
Whittington Design Studio storefront.
Galbraith & Paul "Spring Garden" fabric in pink with coordinated fuchsia Lattice.
Cappellini Yellow High Ribbon Stool
ABC Home
Onda Chandelier
Shine by Sho
Campaign Day Bed
Duc Duc
Arper Pale Pink Duna Lounger Chair
ABC Home
Kalos Embroidered Pillow
Dransfield & Ross

Inlaid Shell Hourglass Table
Palacek
Kartell Sage Fl/y Pendant
ABC Home
Color Reform Silk Rug
ABC Home

Spring is such a beautiful reminder that no matter what happens in life (or in winter), things always, always, get better.

So go outside, take a great big breath of fresh air and remember that life is good (and that someday soon, it really WILL stop snowing).

Do it!

P.S.  It won't be long before we can sit outside in one of these....

Jibe Outdoor Lounge Chair
Bludot


There's a Spring in Our Step!

Monday, March 17, 2014

The clover look has been trending in design for a good, long while.

In fact, the quatrefoil (four leaves) motif goes way back to the Gothic and Renaissance eras.  Look for it in churches, castles and ancient tapestries next time you are traipsing through old Europe.

Croyland Abbey, Lincolnshire England (via Wikipedia)
But here in the modern era it's also easy to find.  In honor of St. Patrick, take a look at some clover-inspired design:

Alexandra Side Chair
Hickory Chair
St. Tropez Alhambra Chair
Lexington
Melissa Chandelier
Mr. Brown
Dawson Chandelier
Mr. Brown
Alexa Hampton Basil Flush Mount
Visual Comfort
Bloom 4
Seascape

Spaced Corrugated Clover Lights
Home Source International
Suzanne Kasler Quatrefoil Floor Lamp
Visual Comfort
Suzanne Kasler Rectangular Quatrefoil Sconce
Visual Comfort
Quatrefoil Mirror
Shades of Light
Alexander Wallpaper
Thibaut
Ravenna
Christopher Farr Cloth
Bunta
Designtex
So go ahead and pick a four-leaf, quatrefoil or clover motif for your home.  It will have you feeling lucky all year long.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

p.s.  May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.  ~ Irish Blessing






I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover

Sunday, March 16, 2014


 
I have long had an obsession with jugs. I have been collecting white and cream ones for many years but have now finally forced myself to stop. The withdrawal has been hard. I seem to be drawn to them, like a moth to a flame. If I came across a giant one like this one below, I know that I would fall off the wagon!
 
 


I justify it ....saying to myself, or anyone who cares to listen....that they have such varied uses...as vases for flowers, containers for cutlery on the table, as a holder for wooden spoons next to the stove, for watering pot plants, filling bird baths, I could go on and on. But if I am honest, mine are mostly decorative.


When I first started oil painting classes may years ago, my first paintings (see below) were of jugs. Anyone visiting our house would be instructed by my sweet husband to "come and see my wife's jugs" !?! I suspect the male visitors were always somewhat disappointed!
 
 


But enough of my prattle, I will let you enjoy these images quietly on your own...































 


I will end this post with a picture of a painting my favourite artist, art teacher and friend, Belinda Arde. See my sidebar for a link to her website.
 
Stay tuned for k is for......
 
Till next time
 
Sharon x
 
Image source: Image 2 Veranda Mag, Images 5, 10 25 & 32 Own pictures, Image 11 via Design Chic, Image 16 Tone on Tone, Image 37 Belinda Arde, all other images via pinterest and Tumblr
 





The Aesthete's Alphabet - J is for Jugs