The Private Oasis

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Ma

Recently, I spent a day in the Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. They are so pretty and gave me so many ideas. I have been wanting to transform a corner of my backyard to a quiet, private oasis were I can read my design magazines, daydream and watch my children play in the rest of the yard. First I need the furniture, which I have. An iron rocker, love seat and table are waiting to be put to use while sitting between my fire pit and flowerpot full of bright orange New Guinea Impatiens. My next step is to create a brick patio on which these beautiful items to rest. Along with this step, I would like to add gorgeous trellises which would be a fantastic place for wisteria to grow. The trellises not only create privacy but beauty, as well. Would you find a private oasis inspiring? As far as the images below, the first one is certainly an ideal for me!

Photo by Jackie Glass Inc.. See more traditional landscape designs

Photo by User. See more traditional patio designs

Southwest Portland 2 traditional-landscape

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The Beauty of the Farmhouse Sink

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Ma

There is something about the farmhouse sink that I’m resisting. Then again, every single time I see one, I think how wonderful it looks. Perhaps I’m afraid of it being just another trend but it does have such a clean look and the deep size makes washing pots and plans easier. I believe it is something to go for, not just for the beauty but also for the functionality. What do you think of the farmhouse sink?

See more traditional kitchen designs

Bringing the Outdoors In contemporary-kitchen

Photo by Michael Robert Construction. See more contemporary kitchen designs

Photo by Witt Construction. See more traditional kitchen designs

Cow Hollow Residence traditional-kitchen

Photo by Amoroso Design. See more traditional kitchen designs

Photo by Frederick + Frederick Architects. See more traditional spaces designs

Row House Kitchen Remodel traditional-kitchen

Photo by Wentworth. See more traditional kitchen designs

GREEN with Envy: LEED Certified Whole House Renovation traditional-kitchen

Photo by Harry Braswell Inc.. See more traditional kitchen designs

Gazing at Old Travel Pics

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Ma

Sometimes I just like to look at my old travel photos for inspiration. Looking at them takes me back to that particular time and place. I love that feeling of excitement and not knowing what to expect is around the corner. Each day is an adventure and full of curiosity and findings. The photos bring that feeling back. I took this one in Lisbon while on our honeymoon. Do you find it inspiring to look at old travel photos?

Friday Find(s) [kitchen]

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Ma

What a fabulous find on etsy.com! I’m loving reclaimed wood and to find something so beautiful with history, well, this is truly a fabulous Friday find! This lovely piece is made by Great Lakes Reclaimed from reclaimed barn wood, fencing and pallet lumber. The owners, Jim and Lisa Millen, work and live out of Colorado. Their items can be found on their etsy shop as well as shops in Denver and Aspen. I love this piece! Does this wine rack inspire you to redecorate the kitchen a bit?

Happy in the Hammock

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Ma

Today is such a steamy day with breaks of rainy downpours. It’s very comfortable to sit in my air-conditioned home but I’d rather be daydreaming in a hammock in one of the beautiful locations below! Does the thought of gazing into the sky while in a hammock inspire you, too?

Photo by EPTDESIGN. See more contemporary landscape designs

Photo by User. See more traditional pool designs

Photo by OBM International. See more tropical patio designs

Photo by Bates Masi Architects LLC. See more contemporary deck designs

Photo by Ike Kligerman Barkley. See more tropical patio designs

Friday Find(s) [car art]

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Ma

As I’m in the middle of redecorating my son’s room, I’m so excited to have found the perfect art. The room’s color theme is bright green and navy blue. He is an extreme car enthusiast and loves, loves, loves to draw cars as well as “play traffic”. What could be better than this framed print by Jeremy Dickinson on www.allposters.com?! As artspace.com noted, “Taking various modes of transportation as his subject, Dickinson creates paintings of buses, cars, trucks, and trains, arranged in unexpected configurations.” Are you inspired by your child’s (or client’s!) interests?

A Beautiful Banquette

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Ma

Just the look of a beautiful banquette by a window encourages me to sit down, drink a cup of tea and read a magazine or chat with a friend. Do you find any of these banquettes inspiring?

Photo by Harry Braswell Inc.. See more traditional kitchen designs

Presidio Heights Residence traditional-dining-room

Photo by Charlie Barnett Associates. See more traditional dining room designs

Tropical Dining Room tropical-dining-room

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Palo Alto Kitchen/Family Room renovation contemporary-kitchen

Photo by Fiorella Design, LLC. See more contemporary kitchen designs

Georgian Style | Minneapolis traditional-kitchen

Photo by Streeter Custom Builder. See more traditional kitchen designs

Photo by Jamesthomas Interiors. See more traditional kitchen designs

Photo by Steven Miller Design Studio, Inc.. See more contemporary kitchen designs

Traditional Dining Room traditional-dining-room

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Don’t Shut the Shutters!

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Ma

The color, texture, shape and material of shutters can add such character to a home. Shutters are the special touch that can really make a home pop on the street. The original use of the shutter is still used in some places. They provide privacy, keep the light out, and bring protection from wind or rain but in most places, they are simply an element of design. Are you inspired to add spice to your home with colorful shutters? Are you inspired to add the colonial-American style or the European style to your home? I’m inspired to paint my shutters with a demanding, shiny black!

Photo by AHBL. See more traditional landscape designs

Photo by KitchenLab Interiors. See more french country exterior designs

See more rustic exterior designs

Delancey Place Townhouse traditional-entry

Photo by Eberlein Design Consultants Ltd.. See more traditional entry designs

2008 Parade of Homes house mediterranean-exterior

Photo by Lawrence Architecture, Inc.. See more mediterranean exterior designs

Photo by RWA Architects. See more traditional exterior designs

A Gifted Art

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Ma

Don’t you love getting a beautifully wrapped gift? Or do you hate to ruin the art by ripping it apart to see what is inside. Do you enjoy creating the gifted art? Since I have many more birthdays and events to attend in the coming years, these photos inspire Ma to present the best present at the party!

This sure is cozy.. what a great gift to give in the Fall.

Colorful Mondays: Blue Pools

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Ma

This Monday will be a hot one! I’ll be drinking plenty of glasses of refreshing ice water. My glass of water may appear colorless but once the volume increases, such as in a pool, the light scatters and reflects and, well, here we are. We get to look at a gorgeous pool of blue water. The rest of the week will be steamy so I am sitting here thinking about dipping into a pool of cool water. Sitting in a tube while floating around is certainly an inspiring activity for Ma. Do you find lounging around in water very inspiring?