Cozy Barn Reds and Browns

I bring you the coziest reds and browns on a lazy Sunday afternoon....

Katie Ridder

Carrier and Co

Peter Dunham

Michael Smith

Makes you want to curl up with a warm blanket and a cup of hot hard cider

Have a great week!

Gus and the Red Barn

Meet this little guy, Gus. 

 He is one of my best friend's youngest. This little 2 year old always keeps you on your toes.  Even after his successful plot to get into trouble, all he needs to do is bat those big eyelashes and you are   once again under his perfect angel-boy spell. 

I still argue back and forth with my friend B that he is my "Godson" and not hers and my argument is this:

a. I am the one that made it to fill in during the brit when she was stuck in traffic

b. She collects godchildren and has like six now including my son

 (because she is the best Godmother and Auntie anyone could have!)

c. He is just so darn cute that I think she should share :)

Regardless... he and his and big brother, Rocco, are my favorite two and four year old combo to hang out with (more on Rocco another day I am sure).  We recently went apple picking and the kids had a blast, but this little guy just couldn't believe all the fruit to be had in these orchards!

So I followed Gus around the whole day taking pictures of his cute little adventures as he shouted "CHEESE AUNTIE CACA!" (yes I am auntie Caca) "Now let me see my picture...!!!".  I couldn't resist so I took  A LOT of pictures.  Including a series of shots in front of a barn door.

Then I realized this has become a little pattern in my pictures.....

My Grace

My Guy

Here's a little Trivia...

Did you ever wonder why barns are painted red?  

Centuries ago we didn't have Ben Moore and Sherman Williams to come over with their paint swatches.  Farmers used a linseed oil combination to create a long lasting and quick-drying paint.  Some farmers added blood from their slaughter while others added ferrous oxide (rust) because it was poisonous to fungi and moss which are known to grow in barns. 

This is what gave barns those rusty red colors!

                                         The Browns and Barn Reds give that oh so COZY feeling. 
        
 Here's a little palette inspiration:

1. Peter Dunham - Ikat Pomegranate
2. Galbraith and Paul - Links in Chocolate
3. Ralph Lauren - Windsor Locks Plaid
4. Place - Vermont Genoa
5. Ben Moore -Marbury Brown by Darryl Carter
6. Ben Moore - Red Rock 2005-10

Stay tuned for more Barn Reds and Browns!!!

Early Fall Golds and Greens

I went for a run this morning (it was a first in a loooong time).  

The air was crisp and the early morning sun shine brought out the most beautiful

 golds and greens that nature had to offer.  

 I had to stop and take a picture... 

In my defense it was the end of my run :)

Jeffery Alan Marks

Rachel Halvorson

Tobey Fairley

Palmer Weiss

Suzanne Kasler

A beautiful color combo don't you think?  

Going bold or just a little touch

1.Hand Painted Pillow 2. Bungalow 5 Lamp Available through CMD 3. Brass and Horn Pull
4 Dash and Albert Hand Hooked Rug available though CMD 5. Spaghetti Squash! 6. Made Goods Jade Tray available though CMD

The Gift of a Good Friendship

This past weekend I finally got to see my best friends from my hometown.  I feel so lucky to have those girlfriends in my life that no matter how much time goes by, we just pick up where we left off.
The story telling of our adventures, good times and bad times, and catching up on what we missed never gets old.  Your best friends always seem to know how to make you laugh the hardest and you just can't help but feel young and maybe a little silly again.

It's the gift of a good friendship

Grace with one of my best friend's daughter.  They call each other  "best sister". 

We call them little "soul mates".

Get Matchy

I recently received an email from an install using Quadrille Arbre de Matisse fabric and fell in-love! Usually when we think of matching wall coverings with upholstery and drapery, it is something left behind in our aunt's and mother's decor. 

 Matching prints is still (and will always be) a beautiful option and a great way to unify key design elements in a room.  It can make a large room feel cozy with soft patterns and hues.  A small room welcomes a bold statement with bright and fresh patterns.  If you do decide to go bold, it is important to balance the space with solid and neutrals or use your bold choices in moderation.  

Wow Tory Burch!

Let The Races Begin!!!

 Its the 144th annual Travers Stakes in Saratoga Springs aka "Midsummer Derby". I didn't get to go this year, but it is the perfect excuse to talk about a favorite style of mine, Equestrian Chic!   I used to ride as a little girl even though I was allergic to hay and had severe asthma, but oddly so did my horse, Chief, I rode at camp (we were a mess!).

Equestrian chic is truly "All American".   I love the beautiful interpretations of this style with cozy tartan blankets, brass snaffle bits, warm hues of rusts and tans and rich leathers... oh this makes me so excited for my favorite season just around the corner! (who am I kidding,  I love every season in New England!)

       

(Amanda Nisbet)

                           

                                                                                            

 

( Celerie Kemble)        

                                                           

     (Windsor Smith)

                                                               

                                             

                           (Thom Filicia)                                                                  

                            (Ralph Lauren)

1. Horse Bit Frames 2. Table Lamp 3. Hide Mirror  4. Side Table 5. Leather Trim Pillow 6. Throw

7. Yoke Mirror 8. Horse Bit Hooks

Family Gallery

If you are anything like me you have a million pictures sitting in your digital camera, iphone/ipad, computer and of course "The Cloud" that you promise yourself to someday print out so your kids will actually have some memories of their childhood like we did.

Someday I will sit down and create some beautiful digital albums, but the thought is OVERWHELMING so let's start with some gallery inspiration.

  This is my office with my daughter at 6 months.  Cute little chunky baby :)

Can you imagine walking by this everyday? All your beautiful portraits on one wall. 

My friend, Jaimie www.jaimiearnold.com had this gallery installed of 

her  BEAUTIFUL family she has captured throughout the years.

How about a little color in the frames...

Steven Gambrel (Elle Decor)

 Cute dog!  (Melanie Turner Interiors)

Go a little eclectic

(Urban Grace Interiors)

(Coastal Living)

Or just one...

Designer   Lulu DK's living room.  

P.S. The photo was taken of her husband his nephew.  It was taken with an underwater disposable Kodak camera and blown up onto Plexi glass by Duggal Photo.  KILLER!!

Here We Go......

So I had a pretty busy year... I had another baby (okay technically T was born last November), finally got my website up and running, worked on a really fun project (thanks NBF!) and started a blog.

 I was so excited about the pretty blog I now had that I called my friend B to check it out.  Her immediate reply was great, but now you actually need to post something...hmmm.

This could be a TOTAL disaster, but I thought...why not?  If not to amuse myself or maybe the occasional viewer, then at least I will get to talk about my projects, my uncontrollable love for textiles, or a place to note that side table I was obsessing about. Then I guess when I am old and totally lose my marbles, my husband can show me this when I forget who I am :)

 So here it is... my first "post", but I can't start anything without the little "ear tug" to those who helped me along the way.

Thank you Nancy for being a great mentor, a designer I will always admire, and just so sweet and wonderful to me through the years.

Thank you to my dear friend and photographer Jaimie wwww.jaimiearnold.com for the beautiful photos of my work and family! You are amazing xoxo!!!! If anyone needs a beautiful portrait, she's your girl!

Thank you Carolyn www.carolynvdesign.blogspot.com for helping create such a beautiful blog. You are so talented and I am glad I found you :)

Thank you to my  R and B, you know who you are.  I would be lost without you (seriously:)....and of course my family, you are my loves.