A Sip of Coffee by the Shed

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Ma

Sheds are usually hidden in a back corner of a yard to store away the lawnmower, children’s toys and other random yard tools. I’d like a shed for the storage but I certainly don’t want to keep it hidden as a square structure amongst overgrown bushes and trees. I look forward to landscaping around it with an inviting patio in front for a bistro table and chairs. It will be a retreat. It will be a place where I’d like to sit in front to daydream or drink a cup of coffee while looking at the birds and the flowers. Does the thought of a private retreat in your backyard inspire you?

Below are some examples of what I envision:

Banyon Tree Design Portfolio rustic-shed

Photo by Banyon Tree Design Studio. See more rustic shed designs

Photo by Gardens by Gabriel, Inc.. See more farmhouse shed designs

Photo by Southern Landscape Group, Inc.. See more traditional patio designs

David and Terri's backyard traditional-patio

Photo by Landscape East & West. See more traditional patio designs

Potting Shed at Augusta Residence victorian-shed

Photo by CHEATHAM FLETCHER SCOTT ARCHITECTS. See more victorian shed designs

Colorful Mondays {garden food}

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Ma

Fresh vegetables are so delicious especially when they are home-grown with your own hands. It’s also known that it’s important to eat a variety of colors. Colorful foods signify there is a high nutritional value. According to www.livestrong.com, “these nutrients protect you from a host of health issues, including cancer, age-related macular degeneration and heart disease.” How interesting that not only do certain colors express different moods but also contain vitamins and minerals that can help you live longer. It’s that time of year when I’m about to plant the vegetable and fruit plants in my garden. It’s so relaxing to be out in the garden during twilight to pick the ripe vegetables. The sun is setting, the birds are chirping and I only hear the sound of a tomato being pulled from the vine. The bright red is gorgeous and shows me that these will be delicious and juicy yet the color also suggests strength and stability. The vivid colors that nature provides is so exciting. Do you find it inspiring to be outside to take care of a colorful, nutritious garden?

www.depositphotos.com/jkunnen

www.depositphotos.com/Christopher Bradshaw

www.depositphotos.com/Gennady Kravetsky

The Beauty of a Vintage Poster

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Ma

Large, framed posters add great color to a wall. I love filling a space with such a large piece of art with colors that are usually vibrant and crisp. The poster image shows a modern and fun life of the times. One of the original poster/printmakers is a Frenchman by the name of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. With his theatrical life in Paris in the late 1800s, he is known to have portrayed exciting, stylish yet intoxicated images of those times. A vintage poster can easily add a strong statement in a traditional setting. Toulouse-Lautrec certainly has inspired many printmakers over the years. Do you also love the look of a very large, striking poster?

Cozy Living Room traditional-living-room

Photo by Smith & Vansant Architects PC. See more traditional living room designs

Photo by Eleven Interiors. See more contemporary dining room designs

See more eclectic bathroom designs

Photo by Jetton Construction, Inc.. See more contemporary kids designs

BY THE WAY, check out one of my Friday Finds for where to buy a personalized “vintage” poster! It’s very cool. You can find it here: Personalized Poster

Relaxing like a Southerner on a Front Porch

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Ma

It is so relaxing to sit on the front porch with a glass of iced lemon water and watch the time go by. A storm just swept through to bring in cooler temperatures after an exhausting heat wave. Do you find sitting, or rocking, on the front porch inspiring, as do I?

eclectic porch design by dallas media and blogs Sarah Greenman

See more traditional porch designs

Photo by Tim Barber Architects. See more traditional porch designs

Photo by Melville Thomas Architects, Inc.. See more traditional porch designs

People Watch: Ljubljana

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Ma

Ljubljana, Slovenia has gorgeous architecture with little streets winding along the Ljubljanica River. Ljubljana also offers a couple of open air markets which sell the best gifts for friends or yourself! There is a flea market which runs along the river between the Triple Bridge and the Cobblers’ Bridge, or the Shoemakers’ Bridge, in the Old Town. They sell antiques, furniture and art. I bought a pretty, little green and pink flower clock that hangs in my office and reminds me of shopping in this unique market. You can actually see it in the second photo below. It is such a fun place to shop and search for souvenirs. Do you find it inspiring to work amongst your souvenirs that you have found around the world?

Photo credit: Ma

Comforting Built-Ins

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Ma

What is it with built-in bookshelves that make me feel so cozy and at home? It would take me years to get through all the books in a bookshelf, but they are certainly inspiring to have by my side. Do you find it comforting to have gorgeous built-ins filled with your favorite books or the books on your list?

Home Office/Study traditional-home-office

Photo by Giambastiani Design. See more traditional home office designs

Home Office/Library traditional-home-office

Photo by Current Works Construction Inc.. See more traditional home office designs

Crisp Architects traditional-home-office

Photo by Crisp Architects. See more traditional home office designs

Southern Living Idea House traditional-hall

Photo by Margaret Donaldson Interiors. See more traditional hall designs

Photo by User. See more traditional hall designs

Minneapolis Tudor Residence traditional-living-room

Photo by TEA2 Architects. See more traditional living room designs

Colorful Mondays {green}

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Ma

Green is the color of nature and life. Green symbolizes well-being and is the color of balance, growth and harmony. I was out in the yard most of the day and it gets me thinking about all things green. Research shows that it’s a positive feeling. It will soon be time to plant the garden… full of kale, tomatoes and corn. It will soon be time to cut the fresh grass and water the flowers. Green is a very restful color. Do you feel relaxed with the color green or does it inspire you?

Click on photo for its photo credit

Decorating a Beach House

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Ma

Thinking about a place by the ocean, I can smell the salty water and feel the warm breeze brushing my hair back. It’s inspiring for me to look at real estate listings of getaways. I imagine decorating each room in a splashy, summer-fun color. Is that why I want the beach house? Is it for family time by the ocean or is it to decorate? It certainly would be fun, wouldn’t it! It’s a chance to use colors and objects that I wouldn’t dream of using in a year-round home. Do you find decorating a space with vivid colors and seashore objects inspiring?

Photos: Coastal Living

Sitting at a Cafe in Inspiring Avignon

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Ma

Wouldn’t it be inspiring to sit here and just stare at this gorgeous architecture? I could sit here for hours. Ok, maybe days.

The Beauty of Swedish Mora Clocks

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Ma

Going online and looking at pictures from antique shops or blogs with photos of beautiful, white, Scandinavian design truly inspires me. I especially love the clean, soft white and light gray shape of the Mora clocks. The tall, curvy, colorful clocks are named after the town that they originated from…. Mora, Sweden. The current “shabby chic” style is derived from the Gustav period which was named after King Gustav III. The king’s trip to Versailles influenced this style but with a pared down look. The clocks (and furniture) are light colors to reflect the light in the Swedish long, dark winters. Meanwhile, there are many Gustav-era replications but I would love a true, antique Mora clock. I’d like a light gray one and place it right in my entryway. Even with the large clock, it would help create an open, airy look thanks to its color and shape. Do Mora clocks inspire you? Or do you prefer a traditional grandfather clock?