A Patchwork of Inspiration

It's often interesting what can inspire us....
is it an image on Pinterest?

 a fabulous evening silhouette and big green lawn

 a simple humble work table

 beautiful natural elements

 clean and modern spaces with interesting antiques

 whimsy and white

a place to have tea

  a chic and warm restaurant

a simple morning in the garden
filled with sunshine


It's probably all of those things
or
a patchwork of a bit of each

 My inspiration usually comes from the colors and textures
of things that I enjoy looking at

and most often a house and it's architecture
will tell you what needs to be placed inside

But since I'm not sure where or what style exactly our next house will be
I have chosen this little Plein Air Painting as my inspiration
 for a few new furnishings

It has wonderful coral and turquoise hues

as well as yellow, rich greens, terra-cotta and salmon

 The colors of this old Roseville Wisteria vase are similar 

And something about the terra cotta, greens and blues in this glaze 

are so beautiful together

I think this vase dates from 1920-1940

 so those may have been the colors that people really liked 

during California's golden era

 This old basket has wonderful old paint in oyster white with just the right amount of wood peeking through....
beautiful simple color

 Old storage firkins are a beautiful example of how color can become

 more rich and interesting with time

So I purchased a few things to get me started....keeping in mind the colors of the little painting

first up
a clean and calm Ushak rug

Millie...of course is quite pleased with this purchase

I found a few old indigo batik pillows
with blue-green

and cream 

For some of the larger pieces I like the neutral texture of linen in stripes and solids

and maybe some ticking thrown in

These are a fun colors to use as large pillows....
I really like the bright melon and turquoise velvet
colors found again the the painting

And a really unique fabric I purchased is this
Antique Japanese Boro panel

Japanese boro's are folk textiles, 

 pieced together as the fabric became worn 

because cotton was highly prized for it's warmth

The fabrics are all hand loomed, died with indigo

 and stitched together by hand 

randomly... but with great care

this beautiful boro dates to 1800-1850 

the color and texture is really quite amazing 

and I have never used anything like this before

 I love the fact that all of the patches are sewn by hand 

and the textures are both rough and soft

So I need to get started right away 

to furnish a new living room

 and I will be using

 my patchwork of inspiration

see you soon

A Few Snap Shots From Country Style Magazine

Hi to all....hope you are enjoying the beginning of Spring and can find some time get out in the fresh air and sunshine this weekend!  

Maybe even do some gardening...

I wanted to share a few photos taken by photographer Michael Garland for Country Style Magazine
(flowers above: coreopsis and lantana...just in case you were wondering)

These were in the Spring 2014 issue, out in March.

The styling was done by my friend, the oh so talented, witty and gorgeous stylist 

Sunday Hendrickson

If you can find the magazine it has a nice little article too, written by Cynthia Vessy

I love this shot, framed by the barn doors into the mud room

the dining area in the kitchen...more pretty lantana in the orchard basket

 The shot above is our guest room/the only other bed room in the house.  I don't think I have ever shown this room....mainly because it is a really awkward space and I use it as a "catch all" when I don't know where to put things!
I'm having wine...come on in.

 What is interesting about these photos compared with others you may have seen is that these are more "real" life shots. All of the things you see are actually ours and we use them every day.  I love that old French quilt and it is usually just a bit off kilter and not folded all that neatly on the bed,

just as it is here.  Sunday had a great time "shopping" for props in my cupboards and the garage!

 Hey...a bucket lamp!  I usually have flowers all around the house because I love them and there is always something in bloom.  Hey.... I'll put weeds in a vase, if that's all I can find!

this  is a interesting old metal lounger in our bedroom...it folds completely flat

 Sunday styled this old Hoosier cabinet using these interesting orange flowers from

a plant called Lions Tail (Leonotis leonurus)  

The flowers bloom in large whirls and hummers love them.  

I think they look like 4th of july sparklers

 Would you believe me if I told you that the living room looks completely different today?  Right after this shoot I went to the Remnants Of The Past show in San Luis Obispo
and sold a lot of things  in these photos.

 We had fun in the kitchen too.  Sunday styles with a very loose look...I think a little romantic and graceful.  I can spot her look in a magazine with out even checking to see if she was the stylist.

All of the apple trees were in season and I always have gobs of citrus, herbs and assorted veggies on hand so we never seem to run short of kitchen foodie props!

 I have my office in the mud room but now have a new modern desk and chair.  In case you are wondering about the black floor...yes I love it and it always looks pretty good 

even when it's covered with gravel, dog hair and oak leaves...which is most of the time

This was a really fun day and it's always a treat to work with professionals. 

 I always learn something new and enjoy hearing about the interesting locations

these guys get to work on each month!  

I gathered up this huge bucket of Plumbago which was growing out of control along our front planter.

Michael shot this against the plain white wall and this photo turned out to be a favorite of mine.

Hope you like the photos too!

Thanks for stopping by....have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to celebrate Spring!