BBQ’s, lake weekends, and warm evening soirées - it’s time for Summer (cue Ella Fitzgerald’s rendition of “Summertime”)! As Spring fades into Summer and the days get longer, I love to highlight reds, whites, and blues in my home décor. Both Mary Carol and I love this classic color combination, and … [Read more...]
An Ode to Blue and White
There are some iconic pairings that stand the test of time. Like peanut butter and jelly (still a viable dinner option after a long day in the shop for this working mama), Holmes and Watson, and of course Blue and White chinoiserie in home décor. This iconic color combo is having a major moment in … [Read more...]
Summer Bedrooms at Mary Lou’s Cottage
I’m amazed any of our neighbors are still speaking to us. We’ve tried their patience sorely with our painfully slow renovation of the little cottage next door. But now, the eyesore of the neighborhood is close to becoming the sweet little cottage I envisioned. Christened Mary Lou’s Cottage in … [Read more...]
An Independence Day to Remember
Sometimes it’s not us who achieve our life dreams, it’s our descendants. In my case, it was my granddaughter Maeve, and the dream was to win the 4th of July pageant. Growing up in a small town in Kansas in the ‘60s, the 4th of July was a huge deal. One year, our swimming pool had an Independence Day … [Read more...]
A Conversation with Sharon Santoni, My Stylish French Girlfriend
When Dan and I were in France last, we had the delightful experience of having dinner at the home of one of my favorite French lifestyle bloggers and authors, Sharon Santoni. It was a truly magical evening, because Sharon is a gem. So when her new book was released, My French Country Home, I asked … [Read more...]
Finding Your Muse
How do you fuel your creativity? What do you do to keep yourself inspired? When it comes to making your home fresh and beautiful, where do you find your ideas? Through the years, I’ve discovered some failsafe ways to ignite my creative spark. Here are a few of my favorite muses, which not only … [Read more...]