Container Gardening

Every year I plant about a dozen containers around the exterior of my house, 4-5 on my front stoop and the rest around my patio.  I love to experiment with the various plants, combinations and arrangements.  Typically, I group several containers together to maximize the impact and often I will use not just annuals, but perennials and shrubs.  We have had an uncommonly cold and wet spring this year so my pots are not yet done.  Yesterday, the pendulum swung and we had an almost 90 degree day, making me anxious to get my planting finished.  While I am no garden expert, I do enjoy this springtime ritual and will snap some photos of my completed pots, until then, here are a few containers that I find inspiring.

This is my color combo, the lime green, coral and purple. Fuchsia works well on my stoop due to the lack of sun until the afternoon.

 

Love the topiary tree with underplanting in this pot....

Martha Stewart

A variety of plant sizes, colors and shapes or as they say at the garden store, a filler, a thriller and a spiller make a container!

Savvy Cafe

I love the look of a single plant type in a single container, high impact.

via

Groupings of containers should have a similar theme and color story.

 

3 images Sunset Magazine

There are lots of things to consider when deciding which plants to use.  Over the years I have found a few favorites that work well in my light and planting conditions, but I like to change things up and find that utilizing the expertise of the folks at my local garden center is quite helpful.  I typically will purchase a few of the more unusual plants at the garden center and then head to Home Depot or even the grocery store for the more common varieties as they are often cheaper there.  

I have done my planning and purchasing and now need to execute. It is going to rain again today, so I'd best get after it.... have a great Tuesday folks!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? 

If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better!

Fresh Fabrics Friday: Marimekko's Unikko

As newlyweds, my parents lived for 3 years in Germany while my Dad served in the Army. They were fortunate to be able to do a bit of travel through Eurpoe and as well, to purchase many inexpensive, beautiful pieces of Danish Modern furniture for their home.  I assume that because I grew up in a home furnished in this style, that my love of Mid Century Modern germinated there.  Marimekko, a Finnish producer born of that period, has fabric designs that have always appealed to me, and Unikko is truly a recognizable classic.

I love this tid-bit I found about the pattern on Marimekko's website: "Maija Isola’s classic pattern was born in 1964 shortly after Armi Ratia had announced that Marimekko would never print a floral pattern. Maija paid no heed to Armi’s decree and designed an entire collection of floral patterns in protest. One of them was Unikko, a true icon of the future."

A bold, large scaled, playful pattern, the ubiquitous Unikko is available in 16 colorways, is a 100% cotton fabric  and can be found for as little as $39 per yard. 

Textile Arts

So how to use this spirited pattern to inject a little fun in your decor?  Cover a pendant shade with it...

Switched on Set

Be the life of the party in a dress made from Unikko!

The scale of the floral pattern makes it perfect for  use as a wall hanging

or as a grouping of them.

Marimekko Blog

Slipcover a basic piece of Ikea upholstery and give it a bold new look with this fabulous product from Bemz.

Bemz

Then there are always aprons, potholders, napkins and table runners....

Textile Arts

Unikko would be a fun pattern to incorporate into an outdoor space, but really the possibilities are limitless, so if it is for you, have some fun!

I hope your plans for the week-end include lots of good times with family and friends.  Mine include a few kid's baseball games, some canoeing and a barbecue, I'm looking forward to it!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? 

If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better!

Today I am linking up to Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday with my post about my TWBIL

 

Color of the Moment: Aubergine

The deep, rich color of aubergine has always been a favorite of mine, (my bridesmaids wore aubergine colored dresses)  and while I haven't used this color in my own home, I have helped a client incorporate it into hers.  Today I am inspired by nature's pairing of this purple with green...

via pinterest

 via pinterest

With a background of a pale, smokey gray walls, imagine the richness of aubergine and green in your home...

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? 

If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better!

Room Rx: "Ugly Room" update

It has been a while since the sneak peak on the Room Rx for "The Ugly Room Contest," but yesterday I had some great progress shots in my in-box, and while the room is not quite finished, I had to share.  This client is nearly done with the transformation to her master suite, with all of the major work done.  The finishing touches like window treatments, pillows, accessories and art on the remaining walls will be a snap compared to the wallpaper stripping, painting, light fixture replacing and head board making that has taken place to date. Check it out...

Before:

  

Now:

You have to see the close up of the bathroom before, with it's dated wallpaper, dressing room strip lights and dark wood vanity.... 

What I love about this master bath transformation is that my client had the confidence to take the Room Rx that I had done for her bedroom only and interpret it in order to freshen up the bathroom.  The bold color on the vanity is not only fun, but lends interest and repeats the blues in the bedroom.  And what an improvement a nice light fixture and mirror can make.... little details such as the brushed nickel hardware, towel rings and bath accessories, echo the finish on the mirror and light fixture and give the bath a well thought out look.

I am looking forward to seeing the final details in the bedroom, I have no doubt that my client will do a terrific job pulling those together as well!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? 

If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better!

Crafty Storage

What to do with all of the "stuff" is a common problem if you are a crafts-person.  I am working on a craft-room project for a client and have been immersed in the idea gathering stage.  Take a look at the clever, low cost storage solutions that are out there, no boring display of craft supplies here.  We are talking about a couple of Ikea purchases (the Lack shelf, and the Flyt magazine files) and then the thrifty use of brightly covered cans, saved jars, pants hangers and binder clips to coral the myriad of "stuff" an artist/crafter/seamstress/etc. has to store.   In the rooms pictured below, the materials are easy to locate and orderly making it a snap to find what is needed for a project.

 Unplggd

Creating Keepsakes


                        

Martha Stewart                                                                       {via} 

                                                                    kojo designs

Leave it to an artsy person to have storage that is not only organized, but visually appealing!  How do you store the supplies and materials for your work or hobbies?  My client and I would love to hear about and see your solutions! 

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? 

If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better!

I'm back and a little wedding fun!

What a fabulous week-end!  The wedding was absolutely perfect, from the sunny, not too warm weather, (outdoor weddings always instill a bit of nerves, don't they?) to the stunning bride and handsome groom and the beautiful room, decorations and details.  Who doesn't love a wedding? I thought I would share a bit more about the details....

Let's start with the awesome engagement photos taken by a talented friend of the bride,

Kelly Gourney.

Kelly Gorney Photography

Then of course as I helped a little along the way with brainstorming some of the details, here is a design concept board I did, pulling in color and feel of the wedding.

Jesse is a girl with a vision and the talent to execute, so check out the beautiful results...

Lots of handmade details like the lace wrapped vases and lace edged cards at each table.

Gorgeous spring blossoms, lilac, apple and dogwood, graced the tables and lent a lovely scent to the room.

The cupcake table, complete with 15 different flavors, all made by friends, lacy cards identifying each and the fun banner. 

Oh and how about the happy couple....? (The bouquet looks pretty fab, no?!)

The fabric flowers were understated for the bridesmaids and worked perfectly for the groomsmen's boutonnieres.

 

The bride and a couple of her cousins!

All in all it was the perfect day, so here's to Jesse and G.W. and a beautiful happily ever after!

After a wonderful and relaxing week-end, it is back to reality for me...I have lots of fun projects to get going on and share with you, so stay tuned for more on that this week.

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? 

If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better!