Wednesday, May 25, 2011

A Passion for Pink!

Anyone who knows me, knows my passion for pink!  A somewhat controversial color, but I've always been inclined to it - notice the background color on my blog!

Some people seem to think it's too girly, or too much fluff......or whatever, but at the same time, it offers comfort, softness and calmness. 

We know that soft pink lighting in a room creates a relaxing feeling and that soft pink lighting at a dressing table softens one's features.  Soft pink in a bedroom offers calm and serenity and what could be more beautiful than an arrangement of soft pink flowers.....the final touch to any color room as it is so neutral!  Sometimes, just a pink accent will soften a look.

Pink with gold accents....gorgeous!  And pink, green and cream.....my all time favorite color combination....just cannot go wrong with that one!

Here are a few of my favorite images.....including a touch of whimsy!

Diamond and Baratta

House Beautiful

House Beautiful

Architectural Digest

House Beautiful

Country Living

Penlope Bianchi's home

Mario Buatto via Architectural Digest

Ruthie Sommers - House Beautiful

Kristine Kasheta

Lynn von Kersting
(Watch for a feature on this amazing decorator soon!)
Pink Art

Will Ryman's 8' rose sculptures, NYC
(Will see this in NYC next week)

Whimsical dining room - Traditional Home

Annie Selke
(will do a feature on her soon)

Pink tongue - too cute!

P. S.  Even Oprah is wearing pink today - on her last show!


Friday, May 20, 2011

Friday's Featured Artist - Mary Sparrow Smith

The dog art of American artist Mary Sparrow Smith is totally irresistible!  Enjoy!

Eye See You

Afternoon Nap

Blue Boy

Lifeguard on Duty

The Thinker

Yellow Tunnel

Time Out
(Could this be our Coco?)

Farewell

All artwork courtesy of Mary Sparrow Smith Art


Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

One of my favorite designers.......Katrin Cargill!

I have been following Katrin Cargill's designs for years and wanted to share some of her down to earth, simple, comfortable, welcoming rooms with you.  She often uses ginghams, sometimes alone and sometimes skillfully mixing them with florals, stripes, embroidery, etc.

She is an English designer and stylist well known for her own distinctive look and has often styled for other designer's magazine layouts, as well as having her own share of magazine covers and articles about her work.

Often, her work is referred to as 'one color' style, as it's not unusual to see her rooms in red, blue, green, gold (and other colors) with just white as an accent.   Simple, relaxing and absolutely gorgeous!

However, she has also come up with some beautifully colorful rooms......not to mention her 'Swedish' look!

Today I am featuring some of her red and white rooms, but will post some of her other looks at another time.
   Added to her vast talent is the fact that she has authored several books regarding her style with how-tos on how to make your own slipcovers, lampshades, pillows, bed covers, table cloths, curtains, linens.......the list could go on.  To see more of her ideas, go to http://www.katrincargill.com/.

Oh, yes, she also designs rugs to go with her rooms.  They can be seen at http://www.therugcompany.com/.



















All images Katrin Cargill


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Oh, how I wish................

How I wish I could have seen this spectacular exhibition of more than 600 red and white quilts recently exhibited at the American Folk Art Museum in New York city.  In fact, I only realized this week that it ended March 30, so although I will not see it in person, I can enjoy the visuals below. 

These quilts encompass over 300 years of hand pieced and appliqued work by many, many people, but are now owned by one woman who has very generously donated 50 of them to the permanent collection at the Folk Art Museum.  I will see them during a later visit to New York.

Hope you enjoy them as well!














All photos courtesy of the American Folk Art Museum, NYC


Monday, May 16, 2011

Sunshine Yellow - The Happiest Hue

Drizzling and overcast again today on our beautiful little island, so I thought some warm, cosy interiors and bright colors might cheer things up.  Enjoy!

Source unknown

The French Tangerine

Berengia Tumblr

Berngia Tumblr

Monet's Kitchen - Giverny

Country Living

Conde Nast

Country Living

Southern Accents

Pinterest

Oscar de la Renta


Saturday, May 14, 2011

Loving the art of Sonia Delaunay!

Going to New York City at the end of this month to see the Sonia Delaunay exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt Museum.......the show ends June 5, 2011.    More on the exhibition (and the trip!) later!












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