What Spring is looking like today....

Yes my friends, that is snow, on April 19th in Madison, Wisconsin, during our Spring Break!  What a sight to wake up to, the total accumulation in our area is supposed to be about 2 1/2 inches, further north, they are to get 5 inches or more.....  I can't wait for the track meet and baseball games happening this afternoon, I guess my down coat and winter accessories will have to make a return appearance.

Oh and did I mention a trip to Chicago tomorrow to see a Cubs game?  Brrrrrr is all I can say! Spring may not make a permanent appearance here until May, but I am sure it will be lovely when it gets here.  In the meantime, I'll stare at this and think Spring thoughts:

{via}

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

A Snippet of Spring: The Birds have Arrived

A sure sign that Spring has arrived is the sound of the chorus of birds outside my window each morning.  We have had Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal visiting our bird feeder for some time now, but lately a couple of Yellow Capped Chickadees and Wrens have joined the show. Of course they have to fight off the mighty squirrels to get at the food, but they are patient.

Inspired, I turned to etsy for a glimpse at hand crafted, bird themed products and I was not disappointed. 

First up: a lovely Impressionist style oil painting in beautiful colors.

Karen's Fine Art

I love a good watercolor...

Michellle Maule

Such a fun necklace!

Pixie Market

I've said this before, but I am a sucker for anything hand printed and this is no exception!

Anthea Art

This piece is by a local Madison, WI artist and makes a perfect gift.  She also sells at the Farmer's Market on the Square and in several local shops for those of you in the area.

Zephyr Woods

Assembled from cast offs, this pedestal makes a statement.

Burlap and Blue

How darling is this?

Beaded Wire

Love this sassy messenger bag.

Glam Baby

Pillows.....

Turquoise Tumbleweed

Sukan Art

Ceramics.....

Joy Elizabeth Ceramics

More watercolors, but this time just the feathers.

Golly Bard

Owls fashioned from felted wool sweaters, darling!

For My Darling

Wouldn't this hand printed fabric make a great pillow or stretched over canvas, a perfect piece of art?

Aunty Cookie

Couldn't resist this one!

United Thread

Wherever you are, I hope the weather is perfect and that you have a great, productive day.  Thanks for stopping by and sharing a little of your time with me!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

 

Spring Pastels

I think I can safely say that Spring is actually here!!! The temperatures are finally seasonal, my daffodils have popped up (and seem to have survived the new roof) and the biggest indicator of all things seasonal, Spring sports have begun!  We now trade the indoor basketball bleachers for the outdoor sports variety, shuttling from baseball games and practices to track meets and back again.  Despite those 50 - 60 degree days, a couple of hours in the stands and I am freezing my fanny off.  Too bad I took my down coat to the dry cleaners...

If this photo doesn't say spring with it's lovely pastel colors I don't know what does...

via

I am not normally a fan of pastel rooms, but truly, after finding these images, I could be persuaded...

 

Dreamy Whites is a very inspiring blog with amazing photography and mouthwatering rooms, I could easily lose a lot of time over there!

{3 images} Dreamy Whites

I like what a little pop of red does for this space.

{via} Decor8

Check out these sophisticated pastel spaces...

{via}

Elle Decor 

{via} The Lenox 

How about the pink stove and fridge?!!! Cute and beachy...
 
Tracey Rapisardi via Coastal Living

So that's it for my eye candy for today.  What do you think, are pastel colors for you?  Are there any spaces in your home where pastels reign?  Do tell!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

A Snippet of Spring: Week 5

With temperatures forecast to remain under 40 degrees for most of this week, Spring is definitely NOT quite in the air where I live, but it is on my mind, so over the week-end I embarked on a couple of "Spring Prep" projects.  You will note that I did not say "Spring Cleaning" and that is simply because I was not ready to go whole hog just yet since that would involve more than a vacuum cleaner!

We have a three season porch just off of our kitchen and during the winter months it serves as a "walk in cooler" and storage "facility."  We can chill wine, beer and soda to just the right temperature and somehow, miscellaneous stuff just piles up out there!  Because the room faces southeast, the most pleasant times of year to use it are Spring and Fall, so it was time to get it in order. 

Vacuuming, dusting, and the first go round with window washing were all on my "docket."  I also tried re-arranging, but due to the small size of the room and the traffic flow, no new arrangement materialized.  I am delighted to have the "stuff" removed, the assorted beverages moved to the basement fridge and the place cleaned up and ready to use.

 I love my Spring Green pillows made from scraps of fabric, cotton duck and paint.

 My CSIL made cotton duck cushion covers for these comfy retro rockers.

A bowl of Hyacinth bulbs picked up at Costco adds a "Springy" touch and the smell is lovely.

The Adirondack chairs with their fresh coat of paint, have moved to their outdoor home and await the "Summer Prep" session coming once the weather actually warms up.

Now all that's needed is a fresh coat of paint and the final go-round of window washing....maybe next week-end! What "Spring Prep" projects have happened around your home lately?  I'm still in project mode so come back tomorrow and see my finished "wall of doilies"....

BTW I am linking up today over at Centsational Girl for her "Fair Weather Forum" today, check it out, lots of great "Spring" projects to get you inspired!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

A Snippet of Spring: Week 4

Since yesterday was the first "official" day of Spring and there is still nary a bud showing it's face around here (though admittedly the temperature was actually spring-like yesterday,) I'm still on my "looking for Spring" kick. So here is today's installment.

How clever and welcoming are these?  Not your traditional front door wreath, but a riot of colorful tulips in a nice container....and no they are not real, but lovely none the less.

Two Inspire You

So much for my glimpse of Spring today, rain is forecast for the entire day, so dreary is on the menu.  Good thing I have lots on my plate so I will hardly notice, and besides, that just means the flowers and blooms are not far behind....

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

A Snippet of Spring: Week 3

Despite the warming trend here in Madison, the high today will only be 48 degrees and there is still quite a bit of snow on the ground. My 16 year old was giddy about the "heat wave" as he left for school in his shorts this morning!

Nothing says spring to me like the vibrant yellow of flowering Forsythia, so to keep me in the mood for the warmth of the days yet to come, I am delighting in this yellow loveliness.

Forsythia found as nature intended...

via 

Beautifully arranged...

House Beautiful

via 

via

Dandelion Garden

Belvedere Flowers

Hung on the front door... 

via 

and found in creative pieces of art....

Etsy - Watercolors Fifty

Etsy - Lady Holiday

If I had a Forsythia bush in my yard I would try forcing branches,
but alas I have none, so I will just have to enjoy these images today!  Hurry up Spring...

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

A Snippet of Spring: Week 2

Last week I moaned and groaned about Winter's presence here in Madison still and made myself feel better by sharing an image that conjured up Spring for me.  Waking up this morning to find a blanket of snow dressing the landscape,

 I decided that until Spring actually shows it's face around here, I am going to continue to seek out and share photos that remind me of things to come, as a sort of count down....

Gorgeous fabrics and window treatments, here I will contemplate what lies ahead on this snowy day...

 Palmer Weiss 

Fresh, frilly and fun, I'll get my breakfast here.....

and then, I am dreaming of a soak, right here, right after I finish shoveling....

I'll dry myself off, jump into my comfy clothes and I'll curl up in this bed with that throw and read my book....

3 images above via

BTW, I am reading a wonderful book, "Driftless" by David Rhodes, so it would be nothing short of fabulous if I had time for all of that....a girl can dream can't she?!  What is on your "docket" for today? 

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!