Who Knew?

Need an escape...how about Fredericksburg, Virginia?  If you don't live in close enough proximity for a quick jaunt then you may want to investigate a new little town in your neck of the woods.  In any case, these photos may just light a fire!  While killing time waiting for some very mundane car maintenance, I coaxed a friend to travel to the quaint and surprisingly artistic Downtown Fredericksburg area.  What a fabulous awakening upon finding lovely boutiques and interesting antique stores that could easily rival many New England shops (yes, really).  Additionally we encountered some cool eateries that are both thoughtful and creative.  Yay for us!  Some of our favorite treasures were beautiful wool overcoats and rockin' rain boots at Monkee's, a fabulous re-mastered vintage chair and well, everything else at Du Jardin, and a super yummy lunch at Foode'.  Love eating in the alley.  Thank you Fredericksburg!  See you soon, luv me

All knotted up!...part 1 of 3

Who doesn't love jewelry?  But...who can really afford it...really?  Some of the loveliest and most thoughtful pieces I've stumbled upon are those that have a story and a presence.  My favorite is anything handmade.  Farmer's Markets and church bazaars are a fantastic place for these kind of finds.  If you have a bigger budget, check out some of your local boutiques to see what regional artist's they carry.  It's so much more fun knowing what you have is unique and labored over. 

My own line of precious bobbles with fellow Powhatan artist, Ramona Sontag, is called Bijou Bee.  Bijou by definition means;  A small, exquisitely wrought trinket.  Delicate, elegant or highly prized.  We adore anything vintage and consider most of our line to possess an earthy-country-vintage feel.  Occasionally we find ourselves drooling over some fabulously colored semi-precious stone and we cannot resist.  As usual, I can easily find myself all over the place when I'm in my "creation zone." 

Here are some of our favorite pieces.

Part two coming up...a "how to" lesson on making these knotted and crocheted pieces.  All Bijou Bee custom jewelry information is available by emailing:  bijoubeejewels@gmail.com.  Some pieces also available at Ciao boutique in Carytown, Richmond, VA. 

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Gardening 101...I'm not teaching it, I need to sign up!  Within my list of my top five hobbies or "imaginary" hobbies, gardening has got to be #2 or #3.  Yes, my grandparents were lifelong farmers and professional gardeners (all four of them).  So, you think I would know a thing or two about when to snip and how much acid to add to the soil etc....well, you'd be right.  I do know a thing or two about the details of the plantings but when it comes to the garden I foresee in my future, I am a bit of a dreamer for now.  Luckily, I take so many fab photos of the things I love because just you wait, one day my garden will rock your world!  For now I have to stick with adding the here and there plantings as the seasons arrive.  But just look at these pics...talk about something to love!







Tri Delta inspired pansies

Orchids, always super sexy!

Seriously...the most perfect blooms ever.

Best non-bloom pattern...and a future acrylic painting!



Best color!

Gorgeous structure

Some Autumn Inspiration

Autumn, it's personally my favorite season!  I can't imagine not experiencing all that this magnificent time of year offers.  Lucky for me, I live in Virginia because as everyone knows, Virginia is for Lovers!  The lushness of the heavy foliage and the dense salty, chilled air lifting off the ocean is enough to make you want to curl up with some hot apple cider, an amazing novel and a hand knit blanket.  I have yet to delve into all of my own ritualistic fall projects but I definitely know where I'm headed.  Below are some of my favorite encounters so far....




Pumpkins with personality



Sweet little stone dragon

Secret potions



Garden meets Halloween





Recycled softball and baseball

 ...be sure to check back in a few weeks

to see some of my own autumn creations!

 

Finders keepers!

In my daily goings on I come across so many delightful finds that I have to share.  I love whimsy, interesting pieces and anything that can tell or lead to a story.  Make your surrounding memorable with some fun pieces like these....

White ceramic vases at Homegoods, Chesterfield Town Center, Richmond, VA

Childs mushroom table and chairs/turquoise planter from Great Big Greenhouse, Richmond, VA

Antique armoire, ladder and planters at Izzie's, Midlothian, VA

greatbiggreenhouse.com

homegoods.com

The Color Psychic

So, throughout my ADD design career, I have to say that I've mastered at least one aspect of the cumulative manic studies and field work that I'm pretty proud of.  My personal color intuition.  Without regret or question, I am able to sensibly and swiftly create a color schedule/scheme for an entire room, home, office or entire building.  Need 20 colors in a flash...I've got your back!  I don't know what or why but I'm told a lot that my sense of color and spectrum combination is genius.  Well, I was told that at least twice! 


Here are my recommendations for picking the perfect colors:

1.  You must love it (even if it's white).  This is my only rule for everything!!!

2.  Always get yourself the smallest amount of the color offered by the brand name or company and paint (at least) a 12"x12" piece of cardboard if you're unsure.  Then live with it for a day or so to be sure. 

3.  I consistently recommend that clients chose a shade on a color wheel or chart and then go one shade lighter.  Color changes with shadows and light and is generally darker or brighter than it appears on a small chip.  Blues and yellows are especially tricky.

4.  Don't be afraid of using color in less conventional areas than walls.  Think of painting trim, ceilings, doors or even the floor!
5.  If you have no direction, try to find some inspiration...it's all around you!







Some of my color inspirations!