An Empty Nest

Trove Wallpaper

Roots and Wings

If I could give you many things,

I'd give you gold and silver rings

Of knowledge that I've gained with years

The gift of smiling through the tears

Confidence, courage, determination

Laughter and spirit and love of creation,

Wrapped up in a box with a bow, I'd give

To you these gifts to keep as long as you live.

"If I could give you just two things,

One would be roots, the other, Wings."

Roots, not to tie you to the ground,

But to guide you to where your fulfillment is found.

The nourishing start, the firm foundation, 

The source of your inner determination.

Wings to soar over obstacles, wings to fly free,

Wings to glide to the heights of the best you can be.

And when obstacles loom, from your roots grows a hand

Providing a strong, sturdy, safe place to land.

I'd choose these two things for the gifts that are best,

For with Roots and with Wings, you'll find the rest!

                                                    ~anon

Gracie wallpaper

My youngest son has left the nest, moved out of state to join his brother.  The house is empty and quiet and cold and dark and a little lifeless.  I find myself saying, "I'm an empty nester" to describe my new station in life, a transition that is difficult at best.  Coincidentally, everywhere I look I see all forms of birds and cages and nests. 

                                 

Miles Redd

Hunt Slonem painting

Faberge Egg

Antique Gilded Cage Mirrors

ph: Penny Morrison

Tom Sheerer

Jonathan Adler

John Derian Nest Bowl

Roost birdcage lighting

Douglas Friedman

Ingo Murer Birdie Chandelier

Dedon, The Nest Rest

Global Views

Bye bye birdie cocktail table by Frøystad + Kloch

I gave them wings so they could fly, but they assured me I will always represent home to them. That's all a mother can ask.
<3 to J and D

What's up for 2014?

via Rip + Tan

Sometimes trends are slow to come to the east coast.  Apparently, macramé or hanging fiber art is becoming hot out west.  Think 1970's, think mid century mod.  Hmmm…I don't know if this translates. What do you think?  It does remind me of a time when I wore huck a poo clothing and hooked pillows though. Happy times!

Marbleizing maybe?  I predict we're going to see this pattern in all sorts of color combinations adorning just about anything.  The pattern is fun and funky, but rooted in history.

I have long admired an open shelving kitchen plan.  Huffpost said more homeowners will too.  I think it's an acquired taste and only for those that shall we say, are a little anal?

Lighter toned woods are coming on strong.  We've seen ebony, macassar, dark walnut, mahogany. Cerused and limed woods are gaining momentum (Do I hear trend??) Oak, chestnut, pecan, cypress: your time has come (again) because everything is cyclical.

The chatter about brass is getting louder again … or still.  Talk of copper is in the pipeline.  I am going out on a limb and just saying AGAIN, mix your metals.  Seriously, it's A OK.  I'll let you in on a little secret, it's one of those tricks that instantly makes you seem "in the know," more sophisticated, and
like you have a certain amount of je ne sais quoi.

While radiant orchid is the color of the year, there are still a lot of colors coming on strong in 2014, as predicted by Pantone.  The bold gold (Freesia) leads the pack and is a quick pick me up.  Amanda Nisbet combined that with Dazzling blue in a way only she can do for a stunning, vivacious look.

Jason Wu, Prabal Gurung, Rebecca Taylor

But don't discount pastels.  They are still making a statement this spring, on and off the runway.  Once again I think we can safely say, "It's all in the mix."  That's never a fad.