Loving the Art of Heather Millar

Good morning, Everyone!

A few years ago, I attended a solo art exhibition at one of our local galleries.  It was a series of large (36" x 36") oil canvases of vintage toys.  As a baby boomer, I was immediately transported back to my own childhood.  Do you remember the bouncing ball baby, the little cowboy or perhaps the raggedy elephant?  The paintings were a reminder of days gone by and the colors, detail, highlights, shadows and whimsy were mesmerizing.  I loved them all.

The exhibition ended and they were gone.

A few years went by and I started noticing similarly familiar paintings at another nearby art gallery, such as Grandma's Pigeons (below).  Yes, a completely different subject and look, but something about the style and technique looked familiar.  Later, a fox canvas, One Last Look, caught my eye. Then, Aries, the ram appeared and Predator, the owl.  Each painting stood out in a sea of paintings......all so very eyecatching.

Finally,  I opened our local newspaper last week and there was a painting of a large brown bunny that was being donated as a fundraiser for our own PEI Humane Society.  And the artist was Heather Millar.  I googled her.  And lo and behold, she was the artist of all of the above-mentioned works and many more.  I knew immediately that I wanted to share a sampling of her work with you.  

To see more of this versatile artist's work, please go to her site here.  If you have any interest in purchasing tickets on the fundraising rabbit, Becoming Real, (below) e-mail Heather here and she will be able to help you and answer any questions you may have regarding her artwork (dimensions, prices, etc.).

Enjoy, and have a great day......and thanks for stopping by!

Bouncing Baby Ball

Listen Closely

Grandma's Pigeons

One Last Look

Aries

Predator

Something to Crow About

 

And last, but certainly not least, Becoming Real, the fundraising rabbit.  It is a 30" x 30" oil on canvas valued at $1,600.00.  There are tickets available through Heather and the Humane Society would be extremely grateful for any and all contributions......

Becoming Real

Happy Thanksgiving!

Southern Charm

Hi there!

Another beautiful sunny day here in Charlottetown.........maybe I'll get three walks in today with our little dog, Ruby.......she's always ready for another adventure around town.

But first, I must share this southern mansion with you.  It was featured on the decorating show "Southern Charm" last year in the U.S., but unfortunately we don't get that show.  I have only heard about it.  Thank heavens Architectural Digest had the good sense to publish the article - how else would we get to see such spectacular homes if not for the plethora of design magazines out there?

You know there are some interior designers whose work is so spectacular it actually makes my heart palpitate.  Mario Buatta does it to me every time.  His designs never fail to get my heart pounding. While I love everything he does, it seems to me it's his bedrooms that are so outstanding.

This Charleston home he designed for Patricia Altschul is perfection throughout.......from the entrance hall to the kitchen.  Not a thing I would change if I were to move in there tomorrow!

However, my personal favorite rooms in this house are the two bedrooms and the master bathroom with the toilet in the chinoiserie cabinet......leave it to Mario to come up with that detail!

Absolute perfection, as always!

Enjoy!

To start with, the exterior of this house is soft pink with green shutters.  My favorite color combination!

Patricia Altschul

Mario had this floor hand painted over the original wood floor.  Notice the silhouettes up the stairwell.

Entrance hall with another hand painted floor.

Double living room with Mario's signature chintz fabrics, beautiful colors and English country coziness.

Wall murals and round table - the best.

I even love that the kitchen floor was left in a rustic state.....

Smoochie and Monty oversee the work in the kitchen.

Sitting/morning room with dog art.

How inviting is this cherry red library?

Masterpiece - what more can I say?

And another masterpiece - Patricia's master bedroom.

And finally, the piece de resistance - the master bathroom complete with large screen tv, soaking tub, easy chairs, painted floor and dressing table - with the toilet concealed in the chinoiserie cabinet.

Architectural Digest

At Home with Michelle Nussbaumer in Switzerland

Hi Everyone!

As you know, I've been on a little hiatus.  Now that I'm back, there are some homes that I came across during the past months that have stuck in my mind - in other words, unforgettable. And this is one of them!  I would be remiss if I didn't share it with you!

Perhaps some of you have seen this house already, and if so, enjoy again.  For those of you who haven't seen it, you are in for a special treat.

It happens to be the Swiss chalet home of Dallas designer, Michelle Nussbaumer.  The proprietress of design shop, Ceylon et Cie, in Dallas, Michelle is a world traveller and shopper.  And this home not only showcases her design sensibilities but her shopping credentials, as well.  

What a wonderful lifestyle she has.  

And having a neighbor who arrives regularly in a 'velvety fur coat' to visit her has to be the icing on the cake!  That neighbor, being none other than Cindy, the Swiss cow..........if that wouldn't bring a smile to one's day, I don't know what would.

Enjoy this visual delight!

         

Veranda

Cabin Fever

This rustic and refined, 5,200 sq. foot cabin in Cashiers, North Carolina, was the last project the wonderfully talented, late interior designer, Charles Faudree, completed before he passed away in 2013.

The cosy, inviting and unique interiors are a perfect example of Faudree's ability to refine any interior and personalize it for the homeowners, who own an antique shop and travelled to the Paris flea markets a couple of times with Faudree to acquire the appropriate pieces for their home.

Just love the warmth of this home.

Enjoy!