O so D

Flor catalog

2012-01-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

I am in love with the Flor catalog. The homes, the styling, the inspirations, the details are endless. As a stylist I am in awe and wondered who did their styling , where their inspiration came from, how did they create such amazing spaces and find such great furnishings and amazing decor. Here is a link that talks all about http://www.flor.com/blog/bts-spring-catalog/ Amazing, Flor uses real homes and mostly the homeowners decor, so cool. Check out their blog, it's full of great ideas.
The last two images are from their Pinterest page and were pinned as inspiration....I agree, I'm inspired.

These didn't make the cut...

2011-12-21T16:53:00.000-08:00

Last year I had a shoot at my house for Yankee Magazine, it was all about hand-made wreaths from Maine. Unfortunately, these images didn't make the cut, but I feel like I need for someone else to see them...They are beautiful. The photograper is the amazingly talented and adorable Jarrod McCabe. I hope you like them as much as I do...I'd love your thoughts. Happy Holidays, kelly

Love it, Hate it

2011-11-07T06:03:00.000-08:00

This weekend I found myself home alone; this is not something that happens often. I decided to catch up on some of the new releases out now on demand. The first movie that I watched is called Romantics Anonymous. It is a french film with English subtitles. I hope this doesn't dissuade you from partaking. "The movie tells the story of Angelique a gifted chocolate maker whose uncontrollable shyness prevents her from acknowledging her talents. Struggling chocolate maker Jean-Rene ,who also suffers from a similar case of awkard bashfulness that threatnens to drown his company, hires Angelique as his new sales associate. Realizing she's attracted to her boss, Angelique decideds to anonymously create a new line of chocolates to save the company. "* So much more happens in this delictable comedy and I found myself smiling throughout the entire film..On a much different note I decided to watch the film, "I melt with you", it's a story about 4 former high school friends that reunite for a reunion of sorts. This movie was such a buzz kill for me. Forty minutes into it I wanted to start pulling my hair out. After one hour, I decided to shut it off. Life is just way too short ...But the whole experience got me thinking about design that I love and design that I just hate. As we all know, it's all about what speakes to you/me. And what I love, love love, you might just hate, hate hate, I get it, infact, you might really like the movie, I melt with you. Here are a few images of design that really speaks to me, and some design that I don't like...The main reason for me blogging about this is to get you to watch this delicious movie, Romantics Anonymous, I just know it will make you smile and add a kick to your day...
Loves:

Thomas O'Brien...I just love everything he does and everything he touches. This is his living room in his Country house.

This is what my next kitchen is going to look like, I just love this from House Beautiful, so simple, so
bright, so fabulous.

Orrick and Company: These designers are amazing, everything they do, I LOVE.

Betsy Brown design, I just love everything she does...

Stephen Knollenberg interiors
And for the design that I hate, I'm not sure if it's my Catholic guilt or my mother's voice in my ear saying, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything.", so I'm going to leave it at that....Please do yourself a favor and watch Romantics Anonymous, you'll be so happy you did... And for my favorite design, of which I had something to do with:

Casey

Ryan

* from the imdb synopsis

Prop styling for Yankee Cookbook

2011-10-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

One of my first styling jobs was for Yankee magazine (I'm not sure they knew that at the time) but how serendipitous it was to be asked to PROP style (I put that in capitals because anyone who knows me knows that I can't cook) for their new Yankee cookbook magazine (out now)...It's all about Ironstone and great recipes that have endured the test of time. The amazingly talented ,funny and kind Catrine Kelty was the food stylist and creator of all of these dishes (of which I gained about 5-8 pounds at the end of the week (thank you Catrine). Heath Robbins was the creative photographer who made everything look as good on paper as it did in person.
Prop Styling is so much like design. Food, plates, "table scapes" (I can't believe I just used that term) look so much better with contrast. I love white ironstone against an old blanket as a tablecloth. I love to layer; wood trivets and marble pieces bring any surface to life. Dark with light, old with new, shiny and dull, it always works...

Repeat after me...

2011-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Repetition is such a good thing in the design world. I've been doing this for so long that I never even realized that I was doing it. Repeating the same or similar things in a grouping creates the most amazing impact. My husband brought this to my attention years ago after I purchased a bird cage from a flea market and before he knew it there were 5 of them in our house( I'm certain he wasn't thinking "great design element", in fact I think he thought I was crazy).
My tastes have changed a bit over the years and I find myself repeating so many things. Ironstone pitchers, frames, candlesticks , pumpkins and orchids just to name a few. Repeating a wall of black frames gives a gallery effect that makes a space come to life. Adding a row of ironstone pitchers to the top of a surface gives a simple graphic effect . This is so simple and gives back so much. Check out these images, some from my home and some from my favorite tear sheets. Start repeating things that you love ,stand back and see if you need more or less. I bet soon you’ll be repeating yourself.
Thank you Steve, from Urban cottage for putting a bee in my bonnet and getting me back to blogging. I missed everyone. anurbancottage.blogspot.com

Stickers and Therapy

2011-10-19T10:03:00.000-07:00

It has been so long since I've posted that I can barely remember how to do this. I was interviewed recently for a story about design and white walls. The writer was wonderful but had many questions about using white with boys, teen-agers, dogs, etc. I sometimes feel like I need to explain to people that I did let my kids be kids and was very casual about my house. I just found this picture in my son Ryan's room (he's now a sophmore in College). The image from a photo album that he created said: "Our old playroom that Mom took over.".. I was trying to figure out when I did take it over, I think the boys were 8 and 10...Another thing added to the therapy list... BUT, I did let them do the sticker wall and it took me weeks to take those buggers off. The room is now a pantry with open shelves and the boys, I mean young men still tell me that they liked it better before..

A view into the sticker room....

Two of my favorite things from two of my favorite stores

2011-06-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

It’s been so long since I’ve posted that I’m having trouble remembering how to go about it. Anyway, it’s great to be back. I’ve been a long time admirer of Hudson, an amazing shop for the home in Wellesley and Boston. Chris is my friend and manager of the Wellesley store so it tends to be my go-to for amazing finds. I recently went into the shop and spotted this black and white photocopy of a well know lithograph called, "View of the Water Celebration on Boston Commons 1848". When I saw it, I loved it immediately. Driving home with this six foot long piece of wood jammed into my neck didn’t stop me.

My other go-to favorite is Good and White in Falmouth, Mass. It is run by two amazing women with amazing taste. Diane Good and Susan White never disappoint. The round pedestal table (next to the sofa) was purchased years ago, I fell in love immediately and still feel the same today.
hudson
good and white

I can see the Light !!!!

2011-02-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

Oh, how things change. Lighting, lamps, sconces, chandeliers, pendants, etc....they are uber important to any room, hallway and home. I remember back in the 80s when my mom would buy her lamps at Bradlee's or the Christmas Tree Shop --- for under ten dollars. I didn't say I bought them there, but when thinking about lighting and the cost of lighting, shoes pop into my head. I know you are thinking that's odd, but the perfect lamp can be like those Manolo Blahnicks (yes I googled it for the right spelling) pumps that go with your ultimate black dress. Oh so important, but up until a few years ago I’d be the person wearing the really uncomfortable shoes from Payless and think I looked great.
The last couple of years I’ve put some thought and money into light fixtures for my house and I think it makes a huge difference. It’s hard for me at times to convince a client that the $300 lamp is going to give them $300 worth of "WOW!" versus that $29.99 knock off from Home Goods.
I’m not saying that they have to be Jimmy Choo’s or Manolo Blahnicks ,but how about somewhere in between.
Check out these images and see if you too can see the light!
P.S. I don't own a pair of Jimmy Choo's or Manolo Blahnicks, but I have graduated from Pay Less!

image 1 betsy brown. image 2 kelly mcguill (restoration hardware floor lamp and Barbara Cosgrove table lamp).Image 3 kelly mcguill office( restoration hardware desk lamps). image 4 kelly mcguill bedroom, vintage lamp with metal shade .image 5 kelly mcguill living room Husdon table lamp http://www.hudsonboston.com/. image 6 nate berkus -O magazine. image 7 Stephen Knollenberg designs. image 8 living etc.image 9 restoration hardware( my second favorite source for lighting). image 10 http://www.hudsonboston.com/ my absolute favorite source for lighting.

I'd like to thank the Academy

2011-02-17T11:55:00.000-08:00

I’ve wanted to say that for a really long time. Actually, I’d like to thank Jessica at 24 corners http://24corners.blogspot.com/ ,for awarding me with the “Stylish Blogger Award”. I feel very honored.

Now, I’m supposed to share 7 things with everyone…Ok, here goes:

I worked as a sales rep for a brick company for ten years.

I got into flower arranging when I worked for a wealthy client who had amazing gardens. She asked for fresh flower arrangements every day.

I straightened my curly hair for the first 20 years of my life.

I hated garage sales and flea markets as a kid…oye, what’s up with that???

I watch the “Real Housewives” but don’t tell anyone.

I’ve been married to Matt for 22 years…double oye . He likes to say, "it feels like 20 minutes…..UNDER WATER”.

I really do have OCD….but It doesn’t make me obsessive about my house…You should see my closets and drawers…

And that last point brings me to another point….Did you pick up the March issue of O at Home…One of my favorite design people, Peri Wolfman has an article titled”Queen of her Domain” Talk about OCD….She is so cool, so talented and I wish a bit of her organization obsession would rub off on me….Check out these images…

Now as I pass the torch...I'd like to award this to Steve at An urban cottage http://anurbancottage.blogspot.com/ .Not only does Steve have amazing vision, but he can do the stuff himself.....How cool..I nominate him for HGTV's next design star...

and Ness at Marley and Lockyer for being incredibly kind and thoughtful and kind and did I mention kind... http://marleyandlockyer.blogspot.com/ And last but not least I'd like to nominate my dear friend and interior designer,Tracy of http://whitedovebynest.blogspot.com/ Tracy just started a new blog and I know for sure that it will be amazing...just like her..

thanks Jessica

Sister Act...Lu and Ellie

2011-02-07T08:04:00.000-08:00

I come from a long line of very talented women. My Mom, Lula belle ( as I like to call her), actually her name is Lu Farrington has always been my idol…she’s a tough act to follow; as I like to say to everyone. Her sister Ellie…aka “Auntie Ellie or Addie” is another one of my design icons that I so look up to, in design and in life. The two sister's are incredibly amazing people and I can’t imagine my life without them. First, let me say that they both have such unique tastes; very different styles, but very livable homes. Their spaces are so welcoming to anyone and everyone…Both of their homes have graced the pages of magazines, and when you see the images it’s easy to see why.

first 5 images are of Lu and Paul's house ... remaining 4 images are of Ellie's house

WHAT'S SO WRONG WITH NEUTRAL

2011-02-02T07:13:00.000-08:00

WHAT’S SO WRONG WITH NEUTRAL?

In the February 2011 House Beautiful ,they feature a one day living room makeover. The house is located in Westport, Connecticut and the owner is a young, beautiful retail executive. The very talented Healing Barsanti http://www.hbhomedesign.com/ orchestrated the makeover. By now, most of you know that I’m a “less is more” gal and I’m all about neutral….with punches of color and lots of texture. I’m also not one for dissing anyone’s work or dissing anyone…I hate conflict. But, I can’t help but think that there is WAY too much going on in this space…The rug…I’m not a fan, is WAY too busy. The hardwood floors in this space are gorgeous….The purple….I’m not a fan of this either(with the blue) and the art work on the mantle….To me, and it’s just my opinion, there is too much pattern in this space and just too much…I do love the furniture placement , if you check out Healing Barsanti’s website , they have amazing beautiful spaces that really pull together a room…I’m just not sure about this one..

Image 1: After
Image 2: Before
First three images from House Beautiful , photography by Francesco Lagnese. Last image from Healing Barsanti's website

Lyndsay Caleo and Fitzhugh Karol's Brooklyn Interiors

2011-01-19T14:16:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while I come across a house or a project that takes my breath away. I get very... o so d about it. Today, on the Nate Berkus show, this Brooklyn Home was featured. What talent... Lyndsay and Fitzhugh Karol both graduated from Rhode Island School of design and tackled their 1st joint project together...their own home. These images came from re-nest and the photographs were taken by Liz Vidyarthi. I'm sure we'll see much more of this incredibly talented couple....Maybe a show on Bravo? How amazing...Check out the article....
Starting with white as their canvas, Lyndsay and Fitzhugh gave reclaimed materials new life – creating a couch out of recycled ceiling beams, the fireplace sculpture from wood scraps – and mixed them effortlessly with more contemporary pieces. An Ikea sideboard sits next to an Indian daybed, and a 1920s cast iron kitchen sink lives in a custom stone countertop. “The old materials,” Fitzhugh says, “help the new ones make sense.”

Creating their home, as they tell it, was a treasure hunt, gleaning treasures from eBay, flea markets, and farms across the Northeast. When I visited, Fitzhugh had just driven down 12,000 pounds of fallen trees from an upstate golf course, all destined for a second life as furniture.

They laugh now looking back at their home’s renovation (“we had no idea what we were doing!”), but they’ve fallen in love with the process. In addition to their independent projects, both design layouts for the Brooklyn Home Company, started by Lyndsay’s brother.

Our style: It’s all about creating a departure. We both grew up in the country and we designed the house to be an escape from the city. We designed the layout based on our needs, how we lived and what we had. Our design philosophy involves playing with the balance between new and old. We mix architectural elements that were created 100 years ago with furniture we make, natural elements and modern designs.

Inspiration: We love classically Scandinavian simplicity – particularly old summer cottages. Materials are a huge inspiration. Whether it be an old salvaged chunk of wood or a stack of white linens, materials are often what drive the vision for a space and sometimes stumbling across an object will send us in a new direction on a particular project. We also use light a lot of as a medium and we always try to move light into all corners of a project using the layouts, glass panels and whites.

Favorite Element: The 1920’s American Standard cast iron kitchen sink. Lyndsay found it on eBay and then we had to spend a day going to get it. Of all the sinks you can buy today there is still nothing better than this old sink. We also love the barn door that leads to the bathroom. It used to be the door to the sheep barn on the farm where Fitzhugh grew up in New Hampshire.

Biggest Challenge: The most difficult part of this house project was that, at the time, it was the biggest construction project we’d ever been involved with. There was no way for us to have known what we had taken on – or what it would lead to – and becoming comfortable with the process was a learning experience. There were many physical issues we encountered with the house – too many to count. Our persistence in making all the details just right was what ended up winning out in the end. That continues to be one of the keys to success in architectural design. In the end, problems that arise become opportunities to do something different or better.

What Friends Say: Perhaps a secondary goal with the house was creating a gathering space. This is a house for friends and family to gather. We cook and entertain a lot. I guess they must like the place because they keep coming back.

Proudest DIY: Our dining room table that we built together was a great project. Finding the kitchen sink in Massachusetts was exciting. But maybe building the garden… When we “moved in” the house was not actually near being finished. We diverted our attention to the garden for a while. We used the old bricks from the back of the house to build a retaining wall and planting beds and used bluestone window sills from the back of the house to top them off. The two of us transported 25,000 pounds of soil, stone and mulch one bag at a time through the house to the garden. It was a labor of love.

Biggest Indulgence: Linens.

Best Advice: Take risks. Trust your emotions. Don’t be afraid of doing something that seems bigger than you’re used to. Doing a project like this forces you to overcome challenges – know what you want and go with the flow.

Dream Source: The barn.

Green Elements/Initiatives: Lots of reclaimed wood and stone: all the furniture we made and as much of the building materials was possible. Salvaged lighting [in the kitchen the lighting was from an Indian ship]. Salvaged Appliances [American

Ikea lights, Circa lighting picture lights in the bathroom. Jonathan Adler lamps. Shades of light for the smaller “cage” lights.

Rugs and Carpets: A few hardwearing rugs in the downstairs hallway from the Scandinavian Design Center. Crate and Barrel Sisal rugs.

Tiles and Stone: We used Ann Sacks limestone in the master bath. Subway tile in the shower. Downstairs we used white Carrara marble in the bathroom. Our counterops are Pietra Cardosa, a soft gray stone that wears wonderfully.

Window Treatments: We made the curtains in the bedroom and used Restoration Hardware curtain rods.

Beds: Fitzhugh made the bed upstairs from a Beech tree that fell in upstate New York, Finger Lakes region where Lyndsay is from. Lyndsay designed the loft bed above the kitchen [which was the original guest room, but when you live in New York it was quickly discovered you have folks staying over all the time] so Lyndsay designed the “Captains Quarters” bedroom downstairs which Fitzhugh built and installed, and the downstairs couch is made up of two mattresses for “spillover” guests.

Artwork: The artwork in the bedroom is by Elliotte Puckette and Grace Slick. The “underpants” print in the bathroom is by Hugo Guiness. There are a number of works from friends, family and teachers. Fitzhugh made the white sculpture above the fireplace. We make frames for maps and objects that we find as well.

Paint: We used a lot of Benjamin Moore Super White. On the floors we used a Benjamin Moore floor paint – lots of coats.

Bathroom envy

2011-01-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

While working on a client's bathroom I came across these images that make me want to do my bathrooms over....
image 1: not sure where I came up with this but just LOVE IT.
2.elle decor
3.elle decor
4.albertsson-hansen architects
5.albertsson-hansen architects
6.elle decor
7.elle decor
8.elle decor
9. hgtv website
10. kelly mcguill
11.kelly mcguill

Add texture

2011-01-16T11:59:00.000-08:00

It’s a good thing…Such a small, simple element that can make a big impact.

Adding texture to any space is so effective, it can be done in small gestures or really large ones. I do this in my own home, in my client’s homes and when working on a photo shoot. A jute rug or runner, a basket, stool or throw can be just what a room calls out for. After installing natural roman shades at a client’s home, we saw how such a simple addition can make a room feel more balanced and interesting. I love Pottery barns new linen lamp shades, for little money they add such a nice contrast. The heathered jute rug from Pottery is an all time favorite of mine. With boys and dogs it defies logic and manages to look pretty darn good, even after years of abuse. Give it a try…just add texture

image 1. ikea
image 2. merida rugs http://www.meridameridian.com/
image 3. merida rugs
image 4. merida rugs
image 5. http://www.brookegiannetti.typepad.com/ Brooke Giannetti of Velvet and linen and Gianetti Homes
6. brooke giannetti of giannetti homes
7. kelly mcguill home interior design
8. kelly mcguillhome interior design

Make a grand entrance!

2010-12-30T15:02:00.000-08:00

We've all heard the saying before that you can only make one first impression. Well, that got me thinking when I picked up the latest copy of Veranda magazine (feb issue). The foyer on the cover is so welcoming and beautiful and inviting .. I don’t have much of a foyer or entrance in my home. I’ve tried to make the best first impression by adding two really large rectangular mirrors on one wall ,in hopes of making the space seem larger and on the other wall I’ve added my photo grid of black and white pictures of my adorable sons with Pottery barn frames . If you’re lucky enough to have a foyer or if you have only a small space, why not make it a space that’s inviting and makes that amazing first impression. Clear out the clutter and add a fabulous table ,some amazing artwork or something that speaks to you...what ever it may be…Here are some of my favorite entrances….And speaking of first impressions, you have all made such an amazing first impression on me (and second and third, and so on). Thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog. I started this a year ago as a way to have fun and share some ideas…Your comments make me so happy . Thank you, thank you, thank you….you’ve made such an impression…xo, kelly

house beautiful, Stephen Knollenberg,Peri Wolfman and Charles Gold, coastal living, coastal living, house beautiful, coastal living, house beautiful, country home, veranda; meredith hutchinson, kelly mcguill home

just add green

2010-12-27T13:43:00.000-08:00

Looking back over many of the jobs that I’ve had the pleasure to work on, I’ve found many decorative elements that I repeat to brighten up a space. My all time favorite (other than removing clutter ) is to add a bowl of bright green apples….the kitchen; of course, family room …yes, yes, yes…bathroom…maybe not. Any vessel will do; clear, ceramic, enamel, wood, glass…just about anything you have on hand. The green color of the apples makes your space shine and the apples last forever…ok , maybe for a couple of months and they are so good to eat.....….. Green plants are another go to for me...So simple and yet so beautiful in any space... Here are a few images that I've been involved in and some other "eye candy" images for your viewing pleasure. Happy Holidays, kelly

I love this idea

2010-12-22T08:21:00.000-08:00

I picked up a copy of one of my favorite mags; Canadian House and Home magazine (December issue). In the Design lessons section (page 72) they featured an article titled; Open House Secrets. The entertaining ideas were fabulous and useful. One that I really liked was the use of an inexpensive wicker trunk from Ikea to use as a discreet beverage fridge. They place two Styrofoam coolers inside to keep bottled drinks frosty and free up space in the fridge for food. I tried unsuccessfully to download the image so instead I picked up a wicker trunk on one of my jaunts to Ikea. Here is a shameful attempt to reproduce a similar look. I’m definitely doing this for Christmas. My husband loves to use coolers in the house to store beer and the likes (for parties), and I’m not a fan of the look. I’ll take pictures and share the after with you. I’ve also included some of my other favorite entertaining items. Happy Christmas to each and every one of you. Love, kelly

I love these little trivets of wood from Winston Flowers in Boston. I use them for everything, they look great when layering or placing a hot pot onto.

Small white square dishes from Crate and Barrel are inexpensive and work really well as hors d'oeuvres dishes.

Vintage jelly jars are a great gift and a perfect way to display my collection of coin silver

Inexpensive wine glasses ($1.99) from Ikea...I buy them by the crate.

Wine decanter from Pottery Barn, I love them for wine but they are also a great vase for a ilex berry branches.

My favorite wine makes everyone feel festive...J vineyards , pinot gris ...yum

O so Simple

2010-12-07T05:21:00.000-08:00

I've slowly started getting my house ready for the Holidays and as usual, I'm keeping things simple. And I'm not one to haul all the "Christmas Stuff" down from the attic. I love using the items I love year round and just tweaking them for the occasion.

1. White Orchids are "O SO" beautiful and "O SO"easy to care for (get it...after my blog O SO D!" For the holidays I'll add a few ornaments to the moss that covers the pots. It's nothing too crazy, but it does give it a festive flare.

2. Another favorite of mine are the small Alberta spruce trees. I take my favorite vessel and place them inside. They instanly holiday up any space.

3. White or red cyclamen plants add pizzazz to any tabletop. The are a bugger to keep alive (give me an orchid anyday) but they make me happy.

4. I love trees --- big or small but always real!

5. Fairy light, as my friend Elaine from London calls them, add so much to a space at any time of day. Try them on one of those trees or placed in a glass vase.

6. Cylinder vases,with ornaments of all different sizes, make such a fun centerpiece

7. I also love to use inexpensive interior spotlights and shine them on my favorite holiday decoration in any room.

8. Wreaths, both inside and out. They are beautiful and their scent is heavenly.

9. Red berries everywhere ----and anywhere (anyroom --- any surface).

Got to go....I need to stop making lists and start decorating. December 25th is going to be hear before you know it. I’ll keep you posted if I think of anything else.

Fa La LA la LA la la LA La!

These last 5 images are from photo shoots and as you can see I do the same thing.

To Stage or not to Stage?

2010-11-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

Have you ever looked at an empty shell and wondered what it would look like furnished?
That's the question buyers, realtors, builders, and stagers ask themselves all the time. Beautiful houses with empty rooms and big price tags, often sit unsold because buyers sometimes can't see that potential.
In my previous life, I was a Real Estate Stager, I recently stepped back into that role when the phone rang and it was my friend and long time associate http://www.betsygraziano.com/Betsy Graziano of Coldwell Banker. Asking if I could add some WOW to this already WOW house.....On my first visit, I was blown away. The details, the space, the light, the windows, the fixture, the hardware, the kitchen, the bathrooms.....every corner amazed me.
Between my love for Betsy and the sense of what this house could be, I took on the project. This house was already beyond , but we took it to another level. The architect, Patrick Ahearn's style and talents are everywhere. The kitchen is my all time favorite; created by Brian Hamlin of Hamlin Cabinetshttp://www.hamlincabinets.com/ in Norfolk ,MA. I felt like I was in Martha Stewart's Turkey Hill home in Connecticut. And last but certainly not least, Douglas Whitla of Whitla Brothers http://www.whitlabrothers.com/ pulled this all together and created a masterpiece( another one).... This house is big, but never does it feel like that.
Staging this space was easy, but it' s so important to remember that just like when designing your home , so much has to do with the finishing touches; the artwork, the flowers, the rugs, the eye candy....the things that pull everything together. .
Prior to staging, this house was a beautiful shell and now it has the feel of a lived in and loved home.

Thank you Aunt Sadie

2010-11-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

Have you ever fallen in love with something that you couldn’t have (please note I said something, not someone!). Well. about ten years ago I walked into Aunt Sadie’s; a fabulous shop in the South End of Boston, and it was love at first sight. The way the tin was distressed, the flickering of the neon lights, the strong silence it projected as it hung on the wall ----- I was in love... Sadly, when I asked the clerk if it was for sale, I was told no. I left heartbroken, but visited the shop often to admire my love and dream of what might have been.

About a month ago, I was in town at a prop shop for an upcoming photo shot and my mind wandered to Aunt Sadie’s, so I thought I’d stop in for a visit. There he was “GUESTS”, just looking down at me, longing for the day when he’d come home with me. Of course I asked again if it was for sale, but was told no. I left my number with the hopes of a change of heart. Much to my surprise, a few days later I received a call from Gary, one of the owners letting me know that if I wanted it, I could have it! Oh, my heart skipped a beat, finally!
Now , the problem was bringing my new love home to my current loves---and asking them to help me hang it.
Yes, there were some snickers and rolling of the eyes, but eventually my wonderful husband Matt and fabulous son Casey spent a good chunk of their Saturday hanging this incredible sign( which weighs a ton and had to be grounded).
I love it...thank you
Matt, Casey and Aunt Sadie

Simple, Simple, Simple

2010-10-16T12:21:00.000-07:00

People may be tired of looking at pictures of my house, but these images from a recent photo shoot taken by the fabulously talented Russ Mezikofsky were worthy of showing. One thing that I love is the simplicity of the images, no clutter, bright, open spaces..If only my house could always look like this.....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...Matthew Mead Style

2010-10-13T06:35:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year again and the fabulously talented Matthew Mead shared some pages of his new magazine, Holiday. Here are a few images to wet your whistle. His premiere issue includes decorating, entertaining, recipes, gift ideas and so much more. If you’d like a copy of this magazine, you can purchase it through his site. Matthew calls this his "book-azine”, it is certainly a celebration and inspiration for the Christmas holiday season.

Thinking like Kit Kemp

2010-09-04T07:21:00.000-07:00

While visiting London my family stayed at The Haymarket hotel http://www.firmdale.com/ , designed and owned by Kit Kemp. LOVED IT! What a fabulous place with the most amazing design ideas. The whole experience got me thinking about adding some color to my somewhat neutral home. In the past, when I’ve added anything of substance I get squeamish. I love neutral. I love white, but I also love punches of color in the right places. So, I’ve decided to take it one step at a time as I enter the world of color.

I’ve just added some fabulous blue and white antique platters that I picked up in London (for such a deal) to my black and white living room. It was pretty daring for me. I usually either love something right away or hate it, so I was wondering what would happen. Love it? Hate it? With this addition, I’m just not sure----so, for now they’re staying.

When I left the Haymarket Hotel I had so many ideas of grandeur. Kit uses fabric in the most amazing ways. Certain walls are covered in luxurious fabrics and the pattern is repeated on accent furnishing. For me to even consider attempting this is a huge leap and one that I’m still not sure I’ll take (the blue platter were quite the leap). But, even my contemplation of stepping out of my comfort zone makes me excited. "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…. (I'll let you know if I try!).

The artwork in Haymarket left me awestruck. When you walk into the front lobby there is a massive black and white oil painting --- that actually took my breath away. It was done by a local London artist named Robert Virtue. The use of such a large piece in a moderate sized space works and pulls the entire room together.

In all of the rooms, lighting takes on such a place of importance. Everywhere you look you see pendant fixtures, sconces, and table lamps. In each room you’ll see contrasting elements; vintage and modern, black and yellow, wood and metal, shiny and dull, bold and subtle. One thing I know for sure is that Kit is not afraid to experiment or take chances --- and it always works.

The Haymarket Hotel, made me really want to change things up a bit in my own home (hopefully my husband isn’t reading this) ---- take some chances and experiment. I’m ready to do it….tomorrow!

The two last pictures are of my living room that i've tried to jazz up a bit....

OMG London

2010-08-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to London, courtesy of my fabulous husband Matt, my family enjoyed so many amazing experiences --- historic, gluttonous and design oriented (the latter was mostly enjoyed by me). One of my favorites was Portobello Market, an incredibly well known street market that takes up most of Portobello Road and stretches for over 2 miles. Located in the heart of Notting Hill ; a trendy and amazingly cool area.
As a huge lover of flea markets, I found the whole day to be pure nirvana. The street is filled with antiques, traders, vegetables and fruits, and some of London's current fashions. There seemed to be something for everyone. My crew stayed mainly in the antique section where everything captured my eye and wallet.
Be sure to visit Portobello Market when in London, you might not bump into the queen but your sure to have a fabulous time.

Introducing the fabulous and talented..Hanne (pronounced Hannah) Damish

2010-07-20T14:29:00.000-07:00

I love the word serendipity and that word is how I’d describe meeting Hanne years ago. Such destiny that two women only blocks away would become such great friends and have so much in common… Hanne’s house is on my running route (ok..very slow jogging route) . I figured I should introduce myself because I was afraid that the homeowners thought I was stalking. You see, Hanne is an accomplished gardener. She has worked commercially as a container gardener and also a residential gardener. As I jogged by, I would stop and look and take every thing in (sometimes stopping for long periods of time) .Hanne's window boxes are works of art. Several years ago we met and became friends. Eventually, I asked Hanne if she would ever be interested in styling and she said yes... and thus became our illustrious friendship and career together. We travel quite a bit , we’ve had really long road trips and talk about so many things. One discussion that kept coming up was Hanne’s kitchen. She lives in a beautiful Cape, however she felt the rooms, especially the kitchen were too small. The adjoining living room was hardly ever used .So she planned and we discussed and she drew out plans for her new expanded kitchen. Hanne is a do it yourself person…She paints, she moves, she’ll do anything(almost anything)….. So the kitchen evolved. She hired John Piccarilli an amazing local Walpole carpenter to take down the wall, add bead board and fix a gap between two different level hardwood floors. Hanne took down cabinet doors, painted Formica, painted walls and trim , rearranged furniture. added new lighting and a small island.. How serendipitious.

Hanne's house before

hanne's after

Inside out magazine/Australia

2010-07-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

May-June 2010 issue of Inside-out Magazine/ Australia features the home of designer Greg Mellor and his partner, Nick Krull. Their home, their stlye, their ideas are amazing. Contrast of light and dark abound. Texture is everywhere. I can't stop looking at their lighting, accessories and artwork . Greg and Nick's story about the entire renovation is awesome and inspiring. These tear sheets will be on my inspiration board for a long time. Unfortunately, these were the only images that I could copy and paste. Check out Greg Mellor's website for more amazing images.http://www.gregorymellor.com/

Gregory's Tips

• There are no set rules in terms of style; in fact I believe a room is made more interesting by mixing styles and using disparate references. However, the elements do need to work together and not compete, and there should be a thread of consistency between rooms to avoid a home becoming a theme park.

• Proportion is of the utmost importance, and keeping proportions correct. One can play with proportions to add interest to a room, however it must make sense and not appear as if it is a mistake.

• Keep the room classic and as timeless as possible, and then accessorise. Decoration can be changed easily to keep a room up-to-date. This will help the longevity of the design and avoiding the use of gimmicky fads that are so often overdone.

• If there is a concept - it should be done with an attitude. There is nothing less convincing than something half-baked or apologetic.

• Collections help show personality in a room, whether it be old trophies, books, antiques - even garden implements. It is fun to start a collection and Salvos Stores is the perfect place to start sourcing and adding to your collection. Therefore always be on the lookout for another piece to add to it when shopping.

• Never be afraid to mix old and new, it layers a room, which makes it look quirky and lived in.

• A pair of large-scale glass vases could make great table lamps - often using objects in a different context to their original function helps an interior maintain uniqueness and avoids the ‘cookie cutter' look.

• Don't be afraid of using bold colour. If you see a piece that might be the correct proportion but it is in a dull brown veneer - imagine it in a glossy black or red lacquer- it might be perfect.

• When looking for books to fill bookcases, check below the dustcover. Often tattered and stained dustcovers can be off putting, but the linen beneath is fine. Alternatively, cover a large collection of old books in shiny white (or coloured) paper for a quick update to a bookcase.

• Salvos Stores are also some of the best best places to look for old baskets - again this could be for a collection, and baskets are very effective accessories.

The Fabulous Beekman Boys

2010-07-07T06:46:00.000-07:00

My friend Tracy Parkinson of Nest and company turned me on to the new show on Planet Green called "The Fabulous Beekman Boys."http://www.planetgreen.com/. It's the best thing that has happened to reality TV since 9 by design has been on summer hiatus. Go on demand, check out their blog http://www.beekman1802.com/ but definitely check them out. Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge transplanted themselves from New York City to Beekman Farm in Upstate New York, where they raise goats, pigs, chickens, etc. The farm is a totally self sustaining farm where each episode humors us and teaches us so many incredible life lessons. By saying that, I don’t want you to think this is at all boring….I smile through the entire 24 minutes and laugh out loud…I’m scouring every room and every event for details . Brent a former Martha Stewart living executive and Josh a now advertising guru have the most incredible taste. Their line of soaps made from goats milk sell to boutique type shops including Anthropologie. Their blog has the most beautiful images and recipes. I’m hooked …and I know you will be too. Josh and Brent are a real couple…they are up and they are down, they are loving and kind and at times not so loving and kind… So cool, so fun…..thanks, Tracy.

Picnic Fashion

2010-06-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

As a stylist, you're very lucky when a job comes along that totally WOW's you...That for me was my involvement in Picnic Fashion. So much more than Picnic items, this really is about creating a lifestyle. Picnic Fashion is going global. Check them out on line at http://www.picnicfashion.com/ or find them on face book. The creators of Picnic Fashion and Magnificent Obsessions are Becky and Michael Finn, two of the most gracious, smart and hard working people I've met in a long time. Their first store is based in Chatham, Massachusetts. Every corner, every space is pure delight. Thanks Becky and Michael for such an amazing experience...

Meg Ryan's Martha's Vineyard home

2010-05-27T04:59:00.000-07:00

The June issue of Elle Decor is one of my favorites ever. It features among many other great spaces the home of Meg Ryan , located on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. With the help of interior designer, Marsha Russell of Satinwood , Ryan was able to make this amazing property into a one of a kind vacation home. The dining space which is not shown on the website is one of my favorites. Check out Elle decor this month for more images of Meg's house and other amazing properties...It won't dissapoint...

a. Snug Harbor Farm b.Layering

2010-05-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday of this week I visited one of my favorite places, Snug Harbor Farm located in Kennebuck, Maine. If you are fortunate enough to live in the New England area, this is a must. If you are visiting , you should add this spot to your list. The farm is an absolute feast for the eyes, with every available topiary, plant, vessell and sooooooo much more. Tony's plants have been used for styling in magazines and books for years. When you see these beauties, you can totally understand the interest. Martha Stewart, Caroline Rhome, Bunny Williams and Kelly McGuill ,are just a few of the faithful die hards that visit and purchase.

The shop is filled with the most amazing accessories, plants and containers. 207.967.2414

b. Layering
This simple technique that I often think of when dressing is so beautiful in interiors. I've been a huge fan of layering with the likes of wood, marble remnants, and basically anything that looks interesting. I have wooden planks in various sizes that I add to my table tops and counters to create interest. I love to then add a topiary or plant above to create a eye catching detail. Such a simple but really effective design tool.

They're out...White geraniums

2010-05-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

What a perfect plant/flower...white geraniums.....actually, any color geranium is beautiful but white is definitely my favorite. I use them in my own home, in client’s homes and for styling. The leaves are so abundant and make such a statement and the beautiful shoots of flowers are perfect. These plants look great in any vessel…..ceramic, urns, metal, etc… Such an inexpensive statement…most local hardware stores have them. Check them out…

1st option

2010-04-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

1st option is a London based location web site. The houses that are featured are truly amazing. I did not find this site on my own, it was only after receiving my daily remodelista blog that I saw Annabelle's house .I love blogs...I never would have found this on my own. When you check this site out ,I have one warning....it's hard to move away....each house has something fabulous to offer and amazing design ideas...Thank you Remodelista and 1st option ......

Flea Market Style Magazine

2010-03-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

Matthew Mead has done it again. If his on-line magazine weren't enough he decided to create a new magazine called Flea Market style. When Matthew e-mailed to tell me that his new magazine was on the stands, I immeditaely rushed out to see what it was all about. I can honestly tell you that it did not disappoint. Each article intrigued me. One of my favorite posts was about this amazing woman;Jocie Sinaur who own's one of my favorite shops in New Hampshire called Red Chair Antiques. Jocie is amazingly talented and has such an incredible eye. Her trips to places far and near, to find the best of the best is the norm. As a designer and stylist I check in often to see what new treasures she has. Check out Flea Market Magazing for more incredible stories and ideas.

Windsor Smith

2010-03-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite current designers is Windsor Smith. She is an extremely talented, beautiful, mother of two teen aged sons ,a wife and a successful business person. I was drawn to her designs early on when this image was first shown in House Beautiful. I searched for an affordable version of the open shelving;and found my own rendition (not quite so grand) for my dining room.
I also LOVe the following image, everything works so well together...Love her trademark black high gloss door.

Windsor's use of vintage in every room works especially when paired with modern. In House Besutiful's article about her own home they talk about her practical and whimsical style; so prevelant in these kids rooms.

When the 2009 House Beautiful article came out I immediately tore out the pages and put them on my inspiration board. So many of the ideas I've tried to add to my own home...Black and white accents, high gloss paint,old and new, furnishings used in ways that aren't the norm...The jury is still out on if it worked in my house but for now the tear sheets remain front and center on my inspiration board...Check this out...

Thanks to everyone for the incredibly nice messages while I was away...It's sooooooooooooooo good to be home. kelly

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

2010-02-19T04:46:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much for checking out my blog , sending me incredible comments , and featuring my work. I will be traveling for a few weeks for work and promise to respond to all as soon as I'm back. All my best, kelly

Battle of the sexes

2010-02-13T12:26:00.000-08:00

I wrote this story for a small design publication a few years ago and my rep at the time thought that it made me sound like a spoiled brat. I am not spoiled or a brat and I did not grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. So as we approach Valentine's Day please read this short story and try not to judge me. It was meant to be funny and show how sometimes as a stylist and designer a little groveling goes along way.
This is a story, a true story in fact. However, the names have been changed to protect the innocent. We will start this story about twenty years ago when a young couple decided to spend the rest of their lives together in wedded bliss (well, most of the time). The wife of this story is an interior designer and stylist and the husband owns a recruiting agency. Let’s call the husband Matt….a little background might be helpful…Matt comes from a family of eleven brothers and sisters. All turned out to be lovely people. Coming from such a large family, function and practicality were rule of the day. The term interior designer was never mentioned in this household. In fact looking at photos of Matt’s life the same plaid couch shows up in every picture, from birth to graduation. Needless to say this couple comes to this marriage with very different ideas of what a house should look like. They do however agree on the basis of love being the most important element of a home. As an interior designer the wife, we’ll call her Kelly, has always felt that her house should reflect her style and talents. Over the years Kelly noticed that Matt started to refer to furniture as the” F” word .He did not look kindly on anything considered” NOT PRACTICAL”. His complaints became constant about the many bruises he endured from newly placed furniture moved/appearing with out his knowledge or consent. So when Kelly decided years ago that she would like to remove the upper cabinets in the kitchen and replace them with open shelving the suggestion went about as far as the next period of this sentence. Over the years though, she would bring this up and at times seemed to be getting somewhat of a favorable response… she clung to this. After many favors and ok, some groveling, the open shelving idea came to fruition. Not in the kitchen but in a small adjoining room off the kitchen. Some might call this a closet, but I… (I mean Kelly) had decided to call it the extension to the kitchen. Victory you say…not so fast. The volleying still continues with this couple…Basketball court vs. closet organizers, pool tables vs. window treatments. I’d like to say that this couple lived happily ever after but the jury is still out and for now Kelly is content with her open shelving. Now if only she can convince him to put hardwood floors in the bedroom she’d be really happy. The end.

Basement envy

2010-02-11T13:29:00.000-08:00

This renovated basement of Tricia Foley's has areas for work, entertaining, flower arranging, and laundry. Tricia found this 12 seat picnic table at a yard sale and freshened it up with paint. She swapped out red vinyl upholstery on the benches with linen. Tricia has the talent and ability to create a space that draws you in. Simple yet so inviting. Open shelves are another Tricia Foley frequently done favorite of mine . Peg rails in the mud room are one of the designer's favorite organizing tool. The mud room is rimmed with them for her frequently used items. Here is a link to Tricia's site to see more of her incredible style.http://www.triciafoley.com/

boy oh boys

2010-02-08T13:52:00.000-08:00

Growing up in a family of all girls I could never have imaged the life in store for me. After twenty years of marriage, a wonderful husband and two incredible sons; 16 and 18, I feel blessed. My house on a daily basis might have two boys (young men) or twenty. As a designer and a stylist I love for things to look a certain way. BUT, and it is a big but…I’ve given up some of my interior wants for a stress free existence (I’m only talking interiors). Because, at the end of the day, or during the day, I refuse to worry about furniture or my interiors. Here are some suggestions that have worked for me.

Leather: I love linen, the lighter the better but not in this house, not with teen-agers. Distressed leather has become my old faithful; it’s practically indestructible. In the past when one of my sons carved his name in the leather with his fingernail, I was able to rub the evidence out. Spills of every beverage know to man have occurred but are long forgotten .Because my leather is dark, I’ve opted for white walls, I love the contrast…Benjamin Moore white… hand prints on ceilings, walls and baseboards can easily be washed off (Mr. Clean miracle sponge is another of my all time favorite cleaning tools). The leather backdrop gives me the opportunity to add any color accessory for an added pop. Light blue pillows made with a sunbrella type fabric look as clean as the day I picked them up. Which brings me to another great tool…Performance Fabrics: They aren’t just for outdoors anymore. I use them for sofas, chairs, pillows, etc. There are so many options now a day. I love their durability and I love not having to worry about spills or shoes marks on pillows. They clean up so well, Patterns, florals, solids are all available and affordable.

Kid friendly furniture is another must for stress free living with boys. When I say kid friendly I mean furniture that has been around for a while that has lots of history, lot’s of character. Take for example my farmhouse kitchen table, I picked it up at the Brimfield flea market for $150.oo. It has cracks and dings and spots all over it. But, it looks great and I never, ever, ever worry about scratches, hot pans, run off crayon marks from my nieces or red wine stains.

Sometimes I look at magazines longingly , wanting that certain look and feel; quite different from what I have and then one son walks into the room juggling fruit and the other is sprawled out on the couch eating salsa and chips and I think…I love my house…

Mitchell Gold distress leather sofa and sunbrella covered fabric pillow allow for stress free living. The small stools are from Brimfield and are my modern day tv trays ($25 each).
My Brimfield farmhouse table that has endured so much but looks so great.

Tricia, Tricia, Tricia

2010-02-02T06:55:00.000-08:00

Tricia Foley is amazing. Her style mesmorized me years and years ago when I first saw her work in a magazine. Tricia is a designer, stylist, author, editor and so much more. Her latest book;At home with Wedgewood, the Art of the Table is filled with Tricia's famously simple yet elegant spaces. I had the pleasure of meeting Tricia a few years ago at a book signing on Cape Cod at one of my favorite shops, Good and White in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Tricia was kind and gracious and I loved meeting her.

I love Tricia's simplicity , her use of textures brings every space to life. Her style seems affordable but so well thought out and put together. I love that she is able to use a painted picnic table in her main living space and it looks like it's meant to be there. Her use of white walls has always connected us. I can't wait to see what's next for Tricia. Images from Tricia's Foley's website

Stephen Knollenberg

2010-01-21T15:51:00.000-08:00

Stephen Knollenberg is extremely talented. His style is clean and timeless. He is able to balance old and new, dark and light, wood and iron and create breath taking spaces. "Innovation, editing and style are basic fundamentals of Stephen Knollenberg's work".

Brimfield Finds

2010-01-18T08:41:00.000-08:00

Here they are as requested. A few of my favorite Brimfield Finds. The vintage shoe rack is one of my favorites. I bought it 5 or 6 years ago and paid $5o.oo The couple that I purchased it from still sells in May's field. They have gone up in price, but are still affordable and one of my favorite flea market finds. They can be used for wine, towels, books...anything at all....

kelly mcguill home photo by eric roth

After a rainy week at Brimfield ,sellers usually are very willing to bargain. I spotted this open hutch and asked how much they wanted for it. The seller looked at me and said "How much do you have?", I reached in my pocket and pulled out $100 in cash. He said ," If you can get it out of here on your own, it's yours." I proceeded to rally my posse of friends and carried the hutch to the u-haul that we rented .It has graced my dining room for years..

This window taken from a newly restored town hall immediately caught my eye. It came from J&J field ,I paid $75.oo for it. The stools are also from Brimfield, I've never paid more than $35.00 for any one of them.. Brimfield continues to be a mecca for antiques and vintage finds. It's still affordable and a great source for that one-of-a kind piece your looking for. Only about 3 1/2 months till May......

Something's gotta give... Dining room inspiration

2010-01-15T05:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I listened in awe to The Skirted Roundtable discussion with Beth Rubino. Beth is an Academy award winning set designer for many movies including Something's Gotta Give and It's Complicated along with so many others. During the discussion Beth talked about her friend Diana's dining room being the inspiration for the dining room in Diane Keaton’s Hampton house in Something's Gotta Give. I knew that Beth was referring to Diana Salzburg's home that is in this book "American Farmhouses" by Leah Rosch and Photographed by Keith Scott Morton. The cover photograph is taken in Diana's front entrance .Unfortunately, I cannot find any pictures of the dining room on-line to share with you. If you have the book, Diana's house is featured on page 175 and is titled Country Artistry. The author states that the house is Cape Cod circa 1786 but I think the house is in Litchfield, CT. Diana's dining room display is tone on tone white ironstone that rest in built -in cabinets that date back to 1850. The book is so beautiful with the most amazing photography. Enjoy

Peri Wolfman and Charles Gold

2010-01-11T17:01:00.000-08:00

Sometime in the 90's I walked into a store in New York City called Wolfman-Gold & Good Co., and fell in love, I was hooked. Not just with the products but with the man and woman behind it all and their design philosophy. I wanted to know everything about this married couple. Peri is the designer and Charles is the photographer.Since that day I've amassed a large file of Wolfman -Gold and Good tear sheets. I purchased two copies of their book; A place for everything and everything in its place , just in case one get's lost.. Their sense of style , order and symmetry is mesmerizing. Here are images of their latest home. It's a black and white Utopia.

all images are from Elle Decor: Point Click Home

Brimfield...Nirvana

2010-01-04T04:56:00.000-08:00

Here is an article that my sister Susan and I wrote for Country Decorating Ideas. After three days of snow I started dreaming about Brimfield...read on and you'll understand why.

A Fair To Remember

BRIMFIELD, who would have thunk it?

Nine letters, arranged just so, would give antique lovers such pure pleasure, such exquisite anticipation, such excitement. If you think we’re kidding just ask any of the hundreds who flock there every year searching for the right piece of furniture, architectural element or Halloween paper mache pumpkin,( circa 1930 ),to make their lives complete.

Getting there. Here’s what happens when you take that fateful turn onto exit eight off of the Massachusetts Turnpike. You drive for what seems like an hour, (it’s probably more like 15 minutes, depending on the traffic), thru the town of Sturbridge and into Brimfield center. If it’s your first time you might want to drive down the main thoroughfare just to get a sense of the scope of this place, the sheer colossalness , if that’s a word, of the fair. Anyone who loves antiques and yard sales is going to be about as close to paradise as you can get on the planet.

Now to park. Where, how much should you pay and how will you remember where your car is are all good questions. You can park in a lot like J&J’s, which is one of the sections of the fair, (see map), where you’ll have to pay a premium but the advantage is you’re right there in the thick of things. Or you can park a little further out, (a ¼ to a ½ mile), and walk in. These lots are usually in some enterprising souls backyard. Expect to pay anywhere between $5.oo and $20.00 depending on how close you are to the fair and how large your vehicle is. As for us, remembering where we parked… we make a note in our journal.

Journal? You bet. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or elaborate but it sure comes in handy to note where you spotted that collection of sap buckets or the enameled bread box that you think you might not be able to live without but you’re just not quite sure yet. You see the fair is so big that you’ll want to get a sense of what’s out there and how things are priced, as prices vary. However, that said, if you see something and you love it, (and it seems like a good price), by all means go for it. The journal also comes in handy for a clear headed list of things you’re looking for, which you can write down beforehand. Believe us when we tell you that you will be better off if you have a sense of what you would like to find as well as recorded dimensions for larger items such as bureaus, bookcases, etc…

Pricing. Most prices are negotiable. A good rule of thumb is to offer 10 to 20% below the asking price. Be advised this may not work. If it does the dealer will most likely get a far away look in his/her eye, count silently to ten and respond “all right” or “how about” an amount in between what you have offered and what they have asked. If you have never haggled try out the following phrases in front of a mirror for a week or two, every morning, before you go to the fair; “ Can you do any better on this ? “ or “Would you take X # of $’s for this?”. Also practice your most nonchalant but friendly look. Closer to the end of the fair vendors are usually more willing to barter. Be warned, don’t offer someone $5.00 for an item priced at $100…you’re bound to make an enemy.

Necessary accessories. Here are a few things that we highly recommend you do to make your day more enjoyable.

1. Wear comfortable closed toe shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking and the fairgrounds are either very dusty or very muddy.

2. Wear comfortable clothes. They are a must. Remember, you’re not making a fashion statement. Layering is a good idea too because at 9:oo am you may need a sweater but at 1:oo pm you’ll be glad your wearing your ‘life is good’ t-shirt.

3. Sunscreen is ultra important, unless you like the lobster look.

4. A backpack is a good idea for holding water, wipes, a cell phone, your journal, snacks, and a measuring tape. Keep your money in a secured fanny pack or in a pocket of your clothing. We have never heard of anyone being pick pocketed, but it’s certainly a possibility in this kind of setting.

5. Carts on wheels are a really good idea. You won’t have to lug all your booty around on your back or in your arms. They are sold at various locations at the fair and cost between $20.00 and $30.00. These are sold with or without inserts, get the insert. That way you won’t have to worry about rain or things falling out…well worth the money.

6. Transportation. If you take your car remember to bring rope, bungee cords, and blankets to protect any large or delicate purchases, (there are also vendors who sell these things). If you know in advance that you’re looking for larger items, you may want to rent a small U-haul Van or truck. No fooling, this can be a huge time, frustration and back saver and it’s not too expensive especially if it’s split 3 or 4 ways among a group of your friends. If you do go with a group why not make a party out of it. We usually rent a room at one of the nearby hotels. It’s good to do this several months in advance. This way you can relax at the end of a long day with a cool beverage and a take-out pizza and show off your finds to your friends and see theirs.

Go at your own pace and try not to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of vendors. There’s a good chance you won’t get through the whole fair in a day maybe even two. Or you may find, as we have, that your funds have run out well before you’ve seen everything.

Paying for it. Cash, checks or credit cards. Most vendors prefer cash, checks are usually acceptable with ID but credit cards are rarely taken, except for large ticket items. ATM machines are available on site. Just ask any one of the helpful dealers or fairground staff where they are located.

We know you’ll love this place as much as we do. There’s something for everyone and it’s always an adventure. If given the choice between a vacation in Bermuda or Brimfield, (with no kids and no hubby, even though we love them dearly), we would without a doubt choose Brimfield, we think you will too.

Written by Kelly Farrington McGuill and Susan Farrington Owen

I paid $5 dollars for the map and $40 dollars for the church bench.

New Handbook 2010

2010-01-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

I received this yesterday in an e-mail. I'm not exactly sure where it originates from other than the Handbook 2010. I usually hate these mass e-mails but this is a keeper and a sharer. It has amazing positives for the new year. I hope you enjoy.
HANDBOOK 2010

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..

4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5. Make time to pray.

6. Play more games

7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day

9. Sleep for 7 hours.

10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your time in the positive present moment.

13... Don't over do. Keep your limits.

14. Don't take yourself so seriously.. No one else does.

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..

18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more.

24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything..

28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

34. GOD heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

37. The best is yet to come..

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:

40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about, I just did.

My girl crush

2010-01-02T13:57:00.000-08:00

I've got a serious crush on Ina Garten; everything about her..I love her style, her house, her husband Jeffery. She's absolutely beautiful. Oh and there's her friends; T.R., Miguel, Michael, etc....She makes me really want to be her friend. Ina has a way of making everything look simple but elegant. I'm a huge fan of her interiors. I study her show , not for cooking tips but for design and styling ideas. I'd give my right arm(well not really) for the open shelving she has in the kitchen. And there's that ginormous island...Ina Garten and Robert Stilin, the designer created a space that is beautiful and classic . I 'm hopelessly devoted to Ina...

Daylesford Organic

2009-12-30T08:37:00.000-08:00

I'm obsessed with the bakery in the movie It's Complicated. Everything about it. While daydreaming about opening up my bakery, I remembered reading about a chain of organic markets in England. These images are an absolute feast for the eyes. Daylesford Organic is Britain’s poshest shop. They make shopping an orgasmic experience (ok maybe a slight exaggeration). Their motto is "organic is a way of life and a state of mind". I wonder if Nancy Meyers, writer and director of It's Complicated had Daylesford Organic in mind when she created the Village Bakery. Enjoy...

It's really not complicated

2009-12-29T09:21:00.000-08:00

Everyone by now has heard about the new movie; It's Complicated , written and directed by Nancy Meyers and starring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. I was so excited about this release, more I think for it's interiors than the actual movie. BUT, I loved them both. Jane, played by Meryl Streep is the owner of a successful bakery and restaurant in Santa Barbara. The scenes where her gardens and bakery were shot took my breath away. When researching this ,I found out that most of the movie was shot not in Santa Barbara ,but in New York and Thousands Oaks, California. The Village Bakery of my dreams is shot inside Picnic House in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. The actual kitchen scenes were shot at a restaurant in Manhattan's Chelsea Market. The movie was "inspired and spiritually set in Santa Barbara" noted Nancy Meyers . However, due to economic considerations the other areas were selected for shooting. My favorite garden scenes were shot in Thousand Oaks, the outside of the house was the actual Santa Barbara connection. The 1920's adobe ranch served as home to several well know celebrities over the years, including W.C. Fields. The interiors were all shot at Broadway Stages in Brooklyn.

Here is one of the only pictures I could find of the Village Bakery.

I love the thick slab of Carrera marble

Pictures from Traditional Home magazine show Jane's kitchen and her home. All of the elements in this space work so well together. The black iron windows with the natural roman shades. The carrera marble on the island. The fabulous wooden dining table. I really, really , really loved the refridgerater in the movie...It's a massive commercial fridge/freezer that is amazing.
Nancy Meyers has an incredible eye for detail. Beth Rubino was the set designer know also from the interiors in the movie "Something's Gotta Give" with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson.

Marthas' kitchen

2009-12-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

A pile of tear sheets have been sitting in a box on my desk for quite sometime.The inspiration for today's blog is Martha Stewart's kitchen in Bedford, New York ...which calls to me from time to time. I love the monochromatic color scheme, the islands on wheels and her abundant space for storage. In her adjoining servery space two dishwashers, warming drawers, ice makers and refridgerater drawers make entertaining easy...well, that is if your Martha.

Christine Lane Interiors

2009-12-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

Christine Lane is one of my favorite designers. "Calm, well edited and comfortable are the signature characteristics of spaces designed by Christine Lane." This family friendly home in Wellesley,Massachusetts says it all.

eric roth photography

Matthew Mead Style

2009-12-24T07:17:00.000-08:00

Mathew Mead is an amazingly talented person. I love when you actually know the person your blogging about. Matthew is a friend, he's a husband, a father, an amazing author(4 or 5 books), he's a producer ,a stylist and someone to watch. His website is an absolute feast for the eyes. When so many magazines are closing shop , Matthew Mead style brings an alternative that actually works. I love his style; simple, beautiful, creative and affordable. http://www.matthewmeadstyle.com/

Santa Baby... I'd like this kitchen, please.

2009-12-23T05:28:00.000-08:00

Santa, I've been a very good girl this year , and if possible I'd like this kitchen. Situated in Greenwich Connecticut, it is one of my most favorites . The images are from house beautiful's 2008 Kitchen of the Year. Every inch of this space was so well thought out. I love the 14 foot long island with a 2 1/2" thick slab of carrara marble. The steel windows and doors look incredible. The homewowner talks about this being a "gathering place for the social life of the family". Sliding glass doors open from the kitchen into a study area for the kids so Mom can keep an eye on homework while she cooks. If I could do my kitchen over this is what I'd do. I'd eliminate my formal living room and formal dining room and have this massive space where everyone hangs out. I think if I had this kitchen, I wouldn't even mind cooking???

Mamma Mia J.K. Place, Capri

2009-12-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

As I sit at my computer looking out at a foot of snow, with several more inches expected, I've decided to go back to my daydreaming; before shoveling... I've made a slight change of plans for my imagined vacation. I've decided to start at J.K. Place in Capri and then head over to J.K. Place in Florence. When you look at these images, you'll understand why. The location is breath taking, situated on the island of Capri. J.K. Place has many similarities to their sister hotel in Florence but there are several differences. They both maintain their harmony of opposites and simple elegance. I love their use of the ever-so dark floors with incredible moldings and wainscotings. The Capri site takes more chances with color; their use of mustard and blue brings the hotel to life. White leather looking chairs, possibly made of naugahyde, for easy clean up create a stunning balance against the dark floors. Their black and white photos in grid like patterns adds a gallery flair. Modern accessories and furnishing next to an antiques or vintage finds works so well. Join me, won’t you… for our imaginary trip to J.K. Place in Capri and Florence.

http://www.jkplacecapri.com/

You know you're in trouble when your underwear is tight!!!!

2009-12-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

OK, I can't blame it all on these delicious little cookies. BUT they have been part of my holiday season weight gain. That and the wine and the chinese food and the homemade fudge and the cheese and crackers...OK , I digress...This is after all supposed to be a design blog ,but from time to time I'd like to share with you some things not necessarily associated with design..Like these cookies from Paula Deen. She calls them "Outrageous cookies" and I call them deadly..they are SO easy to make and likely to please the masses. Here's the recipe from the food network.

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Prep Time: 8 min Inactive Prep Time: -- Cook Time: 10 min Level:

Easy Serves:

20 cookies Ingredients

18-ounce roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough, sliced 1/4-inch thin

14-ounce package chocolate mint wafers

1 egg, beaten

1 tablespoon coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans, or enough to cover top of cookies

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Slightly grease a cookie sheet. Place slices of sugar cookies on sheet, about 2 to 3 inches apart. Top each with a chocolate wafer. Cover wafer with another slice of cookie dough. Brush dough with a beaten egg. Press nuts into top of dough. Bake for about 10 minutes.

Silpat , parment or cookie spray work well.

Paula used thin mint Girl Scout cookies. I couldn't find them at the grocery store so I subsituted Keebler's thin mints...they work just as well. Paula also says that you can use a bite sized candy bar instead of the mint cookie.

Here they are ready to go into the oven. Egg washed and chopped pecans pressed on top

YUMMO!!!!!

Warning: these are addictive little cookies and I guarantee if you make them...your underwear will be tight too....

J.K.

2009-12-19T07:20:00.000-08:00

All this talk of snow and shoveling got me dreaming of vacations and where I'd stay when I got there.The first place that came to mind was Florence, Italy. I want to share with you some images of J.K. place . I’ve never stayed there , although I have it on my list of places to go and stay, before I die. The interiors excite me. They manage to create a harmony of opposites that works so well. I love their mix of old and new, black and white, shiny and matte, silver and gold... Their webpage is a go-to site for inspiration for me. I hope it will be for you too….http://www.jkplace.com/

I love the dark stained floors and the white wing chairs. The black shiny frames stand out against the cool gray walls.The stainless steel lights add a modern flair. White orchids and white flowers create warmth in this space. Large simple framed black and white art work stand out against the walls. (check out west elm for reasonably priced frames).

Here are a few really affordable alternatives to create the feel of this space. All from ballard designs www.ballard designs.com

Simple revisited

2009-12-18T05:59:00.000-08:00

Two years ago I was asked to style the house of a famous artist for a holiday spread for Yankee magazine. The problem was the shoot was in late February. You would think that holiday decor would still be plentiful but that wasn't the case. Fortunately, my keep it simple approach worked in this house too. Pomegranates were hard to come by but Whole food prevailed. Hannah Damish, stylist extraordinaire collected pine branches from her yard and created the garland for me that adorned the staircase. The small tree was potted and was picked up at the local nursery. Orchids with silver ornaments looked festive.Paperwhites placed in terra cotta added a definite holiday feel.who says candlestick holders need to have candles in them, try pomegranates or ornaments for a festive flair

an antique urn, elevated on a column holds two orchid plants, moss and silver balls

K.I.S.S.

2009-12-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

simple...pine branch in my flea market bottle, a wreath sits on top of my lion statue ,silver ornaments rest on a wooden form)
Keep it simple sweetie...
This adorable little acronym stands for for my holiday decorating motto. Two readers asked me to show pictures of my home during the holidays ; here are a few. I've never gone over board on holiday decorating. In fact, my boys have mentioned that they will most likely need therapy later in life, because I never did light up villages or colored lights on our outside bushes( I did do twelve years of colored lights on the tree inside) but I guess that doesn't count. I know what I like and I really like to keep it simple. I love christmas trees; big ones, small ones, but most of all real ones...I love little white lights strung on them .. I love them in baskets and in urns and just about anything that will hold water. I love cyclamen; the beautiful plant that has shoots of white flowers coming up from a mass of green leaves.I love plain green wreaths, I love candles and votives. I love the nativity set that my mother made for me in 1977(she also made one for both of my sisters). It's always been and will always take center place on the mantel. My mom inscribed on the bottom of each piece; To kelly, love Mom and Dad, 1977.

cyclamen and paperwhites

A big beautiful tree with white lights and the nativity set my mom made me in 1977 and once again ...paperwhites

A vintage bottle dryer gets outfitted with ornaments

Here are some other simple ideas that I love:
I love these socks hung from a rope on something other than the mantle.A great display of oil lamps .
canadian house and home

canadian house and home magazine cottage living homes and gardens all images not tagged are canadian house and home

Some of these ideas are simple and some not so simple...but all are beautiful.

The gift of a letter

2009-12-14T13:28:00.000-08:00

from southern lving magazine

I love letters; I love receiving them , I love writing them ,and lately I've taken to framing them.
Some of the best pieces of art can come from the most unlikely sources. I cherish letters my sons wrote to me in elementary school and have framed them for all to see. Letters found at flea markets can be copied , enlarged and framed to make for great conversation pieces.

A letter from my son Casey when he was seven, sits on a shelf in my office.

I found this letter at a flea market. A brother writes to his sisters about how much he misses both of them and wants to be back in New England. The hand writing is spectacular and the contents of the letter are so sweet.

recipecurio.com

Another great idea is to take an old recipe; maybe you have one that's been in your family. Bring it to Staples or Office Max ,have them enlarge it and put onto card stock. This transformed recipe card could look incredible in your kitchen. It's a very affordable piece of art .
So give some thought this holiday season to giving the gift of a letter, it would make me happy.

It's easy being green

2009-12-12T09:57:00.000-08:00

(the cat is real and was not drugged or harmed in any way in the making of this image)
I styled this piece last year for the Boston Sunday Globe magazine. My good friend Eric Roth (http://www.ericrothphoto.com/ )was the photographer and Christie Matheson was the author. The article talks about ways to "reuse and refashion" everything for the holidays. Here are a few green holiday gift ideas that I'm sure most of us would love. Most of these can be found affordably at flea markets or your local antiques shop.

Vintage scarf
Antique tea pot and tea cups
faux pearls
vintage crystal water and wine glasses
vintage blankets and throws
unmatched silverware and serving pieces
antique hardcover books
vintage ornaments

The sky's the limit....All one of a kind ...And bound to turn your white Christmas ...Green.

My friend Betsy Brown

2009-12-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

I am an interior designer, and for the most part I love my taste, but every once in awhile I see a designers work that really excites me. If money were no object I would hire Betsy Brown to come over and work her magic. I love what she calls her “harmony of opposites and her comfortable mix of contrasting elements.” Her style is simple yet elegant, blacks and whites, wood and iron, glossy and matte. It works so well. I ‘ve been saving these tear sheets since her home was featured in House Beautiful in 2007. Betsy resides in Birmingham, Alabama…..If only she lived in Walpole, I’m sure we’d be friends and maybe she’d offer some advise. See the complete article at http://www.housebeautiful.com/

all images from House Beautiful 2007

Kelly Love...Wearstler that is

2009-12-10T12:40:00.000-08:00

On a recent trip to southern California my family stayed at the Sheraton Delfina in Santa Monica. As we approached the hotel I got this excited giddy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Was it the long car trip from LA ...no. It was a hotel designed by Kelly Wearstler; acclaimed interior designer, model, television star, stick thin, beautiful and very rich woman...(she's not happy). When I entered the hotel I knew I had a revelation (small one but worth mentioning) I tried to take in every detail on the inside and out. I started snapping away and before long Matt leaned over and said to me ..."Don't you think you should be taking pictures of the kids, not the walls?” I was in trouble; this was a life changing event...well not really. But it was a design changing event. You see, I've tried for several years to break free from the "country" stuff but it’s a lot harder than it may seem. Over the years I collected beautiful Danish pine pieces which scream "COUNTRY". When I stepped into the Delfina I knew that I needed to make some changes. Of course, within reason. Here are the elements that I loved about Kelly Wearstler's Delfina...Without screaming modern there was warmth from textures, colors and accessories. Her use of browns and blues were so welcoming. Grass cloths used throughout the first floor made all of the elements flow. Her mix of herringbone, leather, wood, glass, bronze, and her famous trellis design left me wanting more. So much so that when I got home I ordered a number of her books on Amazon. To my surprise and disappointment I really didn't care for a lot of her other designs. I know she's a design god but I found many of her works over the top, for me...That said, she is an amazing designer but my "girl crush" has dwindled a bit. http://www.kwid.com/

O so D.............NOT

2009-12-09T11:13:00.000-08:00

All right, I have a confession to make. I'm not always neat and organized. If fact, the images that I'm going to share with you are of my prop basement. The before picture shows just how much of an unorganized person I can be. I have great intentions of putting everything back in it's place after a shoot but what tends to happen is everything gets left smack dab in the middle of the cellar. So not only can I not find anything, I can't move... I've hired an organizer before to help but the same bad habits keep rearing their ugly head. So what usually motivates me to tackle a project like this one is an event at my home. My son Ryan's basketball team and coaches are coming over tomorrow night for a pre-game dinner . I thought it might be important for the boys to be able to walk thru my part of the basement over to the boys part without injuring themselves.

It feels so good to have this cleaned up ....Now if only I could keep it this way........?????????????

...

2nd day...1st comment

2009-12-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

To my kind friend who commented on my 1st blog...Thank you. How did you find me? Because I can't even find me (on my blog that is).. Thanks again.

Paper whites…………

Paper whites are one of the most beautiful flowers on this planet. They so remind me of Christmas and the Holidays. In the past, my husband has asked in a kind way that I never use them in the house because he hates the smell. Some people love the smell and others think it reminds them of things that I'd rather not mention on the second day of my blog. Well, this year on a recent trip to the flower market I saw the most beautiful Paper white plants; potted in terra cotta with their bulbs exposed, moss tucked between the tops. How could I pass these up???? I decide to try something different which is a bit obsessive and crazy. Daily I pick off a large amount of the beautiful flower but still leave quite a few. So far no one in my family has commented on a strange smell and my husband hasn't banned them from my family room…yet

First Snow -----First Blog!

2009-12-06T15:22:00.000-08:00

FIRST SNOW ....FIRST BLOG

First Snow (except for the crazy storm in October, Pats vs. Titans) --- First Blog!

I've never really thought of myself as a technologically advanced girl, but then again there was a time when I thought good design was wooden apples in a bowl on the kitchen table. Yikes!

Times have changed and here I am. I'm so excited about starting this blog thing. I envision this to be a place where I can share my everyday thoughts, ideas, and compulsions.

Today my sister Renee walked in and commented on the beautiful pine tree branch I had placed in a large glass bottle in my living room. She off course inquired as to where I got it and how much it cost. Of course being the wonderful sister that I am...I told her "Winstons....$15!"

While that might not sound very interesting, but as I sit here and type I see the beautiful blue pine trees branches outside my window filled with pine cones (and snow). Silly girl....I could have just gone outside*!

* Note: I'll never pass up an opportunity to go to Winstons!

http://www.kellymcguillhome.com/