Home on the Range

Much discussion has been given to the  Stark antelope pattern carpet.  I have loved it for as long as I have known of its existence.  It's sexy and cool, but is it durable enough for the steps?  I sometimes wrestle with the practicality of some of my choices.  The kids are grown so I don't have to worry about little muddy feet (oh how I miss those little feet), so what if it takes a little extra care?

and ~Animal print is ALWAYS neutral.  I have never seen an animal print I have not been drawn to.  Therefore it matches everything I have, or hope to have, BUT this particular one happens to be 100% wool and a little pricey.

But damn it looks good!  It has the perfect shades of gold, beige and brown.

Jan Showers

Amanda Nisbet

There's no question, I love it, in all its manifestations.  It looks sharp anywhere.  The only problem is, my house is beginning to look like a hunting lodge.  SO BE IT!

I have an L shaped landing so the challenge will be to lay the carpet with a mitered corner.  Do I dare?  I like the look of the stripe running length wise in all directions.

A few to consider that are more "price friendly"

This feels a little too taupey

Karastan

Hmm... funky color

Glen-Eden

I think this is the clear winner ~

and it is 100% nylon which will be able to withstand a little more wear and tear.

A good thing to consider on steps.

Rosenfeld Carpets

 I think it is a good compromise.

Soon, my home will be like where the deer and the antelope play...and the zebra... and the mongolian lamb...

Shell Shocked

Fisher Weisman

Call it cliché, but a shapely shell looks quite appealing in a summer home.  I am not one for tchotchkes, and shells can quickly look like dust collectors if scattered randomly about, so make it bold.  Go big, or it's a bust.

The above design duo created a magnificent collection of shell encrusted case goods ~

Sea shells can look perfectly sophisticated or naturally organic, as determined by their counterparts.  Fanciful or simple, a statement is made either way, and the tactility WOWS!

One piece in a room POPS and can't help but be a show stealer.  A chest like this would look equally at home in an all white cottage with linen slip covered sofas or in a heavily patterned looking bungalow.

 The color of these shells sets off the Buddha head collection and demonstrates that shells (and coral) make a good backdrop for a chinoiserie theme as well.

Whimsical in nature, they may be unexpectedly adorning something surprising, but then the mollusks make clear a little levity or frivolity lightens a too serious space.

It blurs the lines between indoor and out, bringing the outdoors inside as if the just collected treasures were woven into something magical.

The beauty and gracefulness of this console table is sculptural and visually arresting, more of a piece of art than a simple table.

If a statement piece is too much, show a carefully curated collection, but remember, keep it together.  Shells scattered about just don't cut it.

If your so inclined this could be a DIY project you may want to think about. (You, not me)

I'll nevet forget the impact this bathroom made on me when I saw it in Met Home.  Barry Dixon, one of my favorite designers commissioned this room covered, like a grotto, in shells by Cathy Jarman for a Palm Beach client.

Mimi McMakin,ph Eric Piasecki

Lovely, just lovely ~

I Heart Blogshop

All I can say is OMG.  I had heard great things about  Blogshop for awhile and had been curious.  I wanted to learn photoshop for bloggers!  When I saw that the weekend seminar was being held in Philly, I signed right up.  Sometimes you can't think too much about something and you have to dive right in.  Well, you know how there is always one person in a crowd who doesn't "get" it ?  That's right, that was moi.

The room was beautiful. Fresh flowers everywhere, thanks to Sullivan Owen.  Being visually stimulated definitely helps get the inspirational vibe going.  You want to be creative, you want to learn the techniques, short cuts and how to's to make clever collages and such.  I will do it, I will do it...

They sat me in the back corner so I was easily accessible because I always needed help.

Bri and Angela of Blogshop are brilliant!  The girls that were there to help and support us "newbies" were extremely patient.  "Kudos girls, I know I was annoying!"

I have ALOT of practicing to do. So you may see some tricks pop up now and again.  This is what I have been able to manage thus far ~ All I want to do is create collages, side by side pictures and color correct.  Is that too much to ask??  (maybe)

We'll see ~ Learning photoshop, like me, is a work in progress.

The Philly group represented: somewhere in Northern Liberties.