Kay Ellen

Pink Inspired

Hi Pink Peeps!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Pink Saturday! Always a pleasure to join in the fun and visit all the pink inspired posts!

Have a seat and lets celebrate pink together.

I just turned on this pretty chandelier so you can see better.

Daisey's are such cheerful and friendly flowers. Reminds me of a favorite movie.. You Got Mail!

Would you like a spot of tea?

My sugar bowl is filled with flowers today ...no sugar cubes to be found.

Thank you Beverly for all your effort for planning this fun event!

Always a pleasure to be included.

Drop by and say hello to Beverly. www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com

Have a blessed weekend peeps!

:KayEllen

Soft Colors with Dramatic Results

Hello Blogging friends!

Did you know a vase with orchids could inspire your color palette for your home?

I have many clients that ask me where do I start when it is time to select colors or a style for their home? I first suggest to tear out pictures in favorite home decor magazine or walk through models homes.

Many times just selecting accessories like this vase shown above could inspire your complete look.

Make a list of colors and textures that you are attracted to. For example this vase shown above has a creamy white crackle finish, shades of taupe's, a touch of dark brown and beautiful movement in the orchids and branches.

So here we see... what I was describing above. Soft white paint on the column. A light taupe wall and a elegant fabric of cream and taupe in the sheer drapery.

The chandelier has iron scroll work and a dark feel like the branches I showed you in the vase. Instead of a medallion on the ceiling a hand painted scroll becomes the art in this dining room. Complimenting the scroll patterned sheers on the slider.

The detail and french feel of this chair inspired my design of the draperies for the entry way and living room.

I selected a wood fluted rod that had a crackle finish and soft gold paint brushed with a silver overlay.
The crinkle fabric selected is not lined. I really wanted the natural light to filter into the room.
The windows do have a tint that helps to protect the fabric from fading.

Soft colors can become a dramatic look. The walls height adds a grand feel and the draperies pull the entire room together. You can see all the shades of taupe's,creamy whites, and touches of scrolling iron on the occasional tables.

Selecting a simple creamy white sofa allows a lot of choices for pillows and accents in the room.

Following a curve in a wall can be enhanced by a scalloped round rug and iron scrolled accessories.

Here is the entry way. I decided to angle hardware to accent the arched on this window. Adding the bouillon fringe at the bottom of the panels with Sealah Tape became a dramatic finishing touch.

Here is another view during the day of the entry way and staircase. The staircase wall is painted a darker taupe and warms up the height of the room. The three pieces art work adds a finishing touch to the wall. Did you notice it is a creamy white and has a carved crackle finish ?

Love the view out these windows! You can see why I wanted to frame the windows in soft fabric and not cover them up?  The outdoors has become apart of the design. Shutters would have closed this room in.   

Hope I have encouraged you to be creative in your own surroundings. Keep your eyes open and start looking for something like the vase, a piece of art or a chair that could inspire your complete look!

Happy hunting for inspiration!

Until next time,

:KayEllen

White Touches

Hi Blogging friends!

Sweet Sandra over at shabby chic blog gave me this award right before I left for the Rusty Barn show in Arizona. Thank you Sandra for your thoughtfulness.      

In honor of sweet Sandra and all my blogging friends that love white and shabby things here are a few photos with touches of white!

A slip cover with casual cotton fabric can really change the look of a formal french chair.

Delicate mood lighting adds a soft white glow to this room.

 
Tufting becomes a romantic look in this white inspired setting.

White and cream embellishments for your decor!

Do you love buttons and trim? This is a shot from my friend Susan Gower's booth in Arizona last month. She travels all over like my Parents and has amazing treaures. She carries a large line of ribbons,lace,beads and trims.  This is her white and neutral section. Really beautiful things!!!Check out her site at www.NiftyThriftyDryGoods.com

Hope you enjoyed the white touches!

I had some exciting news last week. One of my photos I shot in Boston was chosen for publication.

This Bell is on the U.S.S Constitution at Pier 1, Charleston Navy Ship Yard, Boston, Mass.
My photo of the bell is featured in the 2009 Schmap Boston Tour Guide!

A thankful heart and I am blushing all the way to Boston! What thrill to be published!

See you next week ;-)

:KayEllen

Flower Week

Hello Friends!

Last week I had the pleasure of arranging flowers for Valentine's Day.

I have a friend that owns a flower shop and Valentines Day is very busy time.
I was thrilled when I received a phone call asking to come design and help fill the orders for the week.

I know some of you love to sew and others love to work with paper, but for me floral artistry is very therapeutic.

Each day the shop was filled to the brim with flowers and orders to be filled.

I do have to share my fingers were pretty sore at the end of the week.  A great excuse to head for a manicure and why not add a pedicure too! right?!

I had a great time and it was truly a blessing to help.

I keep wondering if I knew any of the clients that received the flowers I arranged?

Working at such a fast pace all I could remember was what flowers I needed for the next arrangement!

Back to home interiors this week.

If you live in the Inland Empire call Maranatha Flowers! (909) 864-1954 or order online  www.maranathaflowers.com

It was a fun filled flower week!

:kayellen

Sweetheart Dining

Hello Everyone!

Valentine's Day is almost here.

I thought it would be fun to share some creative table top ideas for your special day.

Looking for a french inspired look? Eiffel towers can add a romantic mood to your table scape.

Creamy whites mixed with lace and pearls add a softness to the table.

 

A few rose petals and holiday candy will make your sweet heart feel special.

Sing if you like or listen to some romantic music as you dine together.

Red accents are a great way to achieve a dramatic look. Black and white dishes add a high contrast to the table. Pick a few red geranium blooms and add them to each place setting.

Fill your teacups with a special note, a yummy treat and a pretty flower.

Red and white checkered napkins can add an Italian feel. Let's have pasta!

Pouring out a beautiful poem or scripture can become a meaningful moment.

 

 

Have a wonderful Valentines Day!

Set and decorate your table the day before.

Make a light dessert. How about cup cakes topped with cool whip and fruit! 

Hope I have inspired you to decorate your table in a new way for your sweetheart.

Have a blessed weekend!

Thank you Pink friends for stopping by too ;-)

Please share and tell me your plans for Valentines Day!!!

:KayEllen

 

A Day in the Garden

Hi Blogging Friends,

I was just thinking some of you may be knee deep in snow!  A stroll around a California garden could warm your heart.

Stop and smell the roses!

Each bloom has it's own look, beauty and aroma.

Soft and Vibrant!

Take time to sit and enjoy your surroundings.

I personally feel at home in the garden. Worries and concerns of the day seem to fade away as I dig in the dirt. 

Sipping a cup of tea after I finish warms my heart. Gardening brings back fond memories of my past and time I spent in the garden with my grandma Ruth. The older I become I realize how important those moments were in my life.

I truly enjoy when I share time with family in my garden a break from laptops, phones or the TV. We talk more, laugh more and sometimes have a water fight! 

Thank you for stopping by and have a Happy Pink Saturday!  Beverly is so kind to connect us all together each week.

Truly a blessing,

:KayEllen

A Winner Among The Petals

Hello Everyone!

It is time to pick a winner.

I decided to get my Grandma Ruth's cookie jar down and pick some flowers from the garden.

Threw in flower petals and all the names!

Drum Roll Please...

The winner among the petals!

Congratulations!

Sandi from Wayside Treasures

Please email me with your address so I can send you your prize!!!

See you all back at my blog for PINK Saturday!

:KayEllen

Home Sweet Home

Hi Blogging friends!

So nice to be home. I had a wonderful time in Phoenix,Arizona. I just love the feeling of coming home,  being with my family and getting back into the rhythm of everyday life.

 

We had three full days of selling Sealah no-sew products. The purse you see above with the dog fabric on it... is actually a black and white checkered place mat. I made it into a purse with sealah tape! I folded the place mat in half, tapped the sides, added the darling dog fabric,red ruffle and ball fringe all with tape. No sewing except for the buttons on each corner and the straps for carrying. I guess I should have made a few purses to sell, everyone wanted to buy my sample.

This is an old bulletin board I  recovered using the tape. Ribbons, buttons and small french gimp are all attached with the tape.

 

The Sealah tape is very versatile. I embellished the pillows and the lampshade below.

Each day blogging friends stop by the booth to see me! Such a treat. Wonderful getting to know each one!!!  My first visitor was Loretta from nostalgicnana she is such a lovely person.

The second day I was treated to a shopping morning with Maija and Tricia.

Above is a picture of Tricia, myself and Maija shopping. Thank you for picking me up Maija and driving me around town!!! It was such a special morning to have a tour of Phoenix! Here are a few more shopping pics below.

 

 

Claudia was a huge help in our booth everyday. She loves my mom's products and uses it on a regular basis. She teaches women how to sew and also offers no-sew classes too! Including, a no-sew roman shade,a no-sew grommet side panel  and amazing slipcover classes with her partner Karen. Claudia has a fabulous basement in her home where she holds her classes. I would like to take her class on a no-sew roman and also the slip cover class sometime this year.

Check out her blog for more info www.homefashionu.typepad.com

Here she is on the right side below walking in the booth to hand something to my Mom. I forgot to take our picture together.

Claudia and I had a great time teaching classes together every afternoon at the Rusty Barn.

We went to Claudia's home Friday night for dinner. She is a great cook!!!  Thank you Claudia for the wonderful meal and your friendship.

Wilma and Gretta always entertain us when we visit.

This is Wilma!!! She is a 214 pound Great Dane. She knows how to sit on the sofa! Look at that sweet face. Wilma has her own blog. Check it out at wilmathegreatdane.blogspot.com

Here's Gretta, a beautiful German Shepard. She was to busy chewing to smile for the camera. Gretta has a wonderful disposition. 

On the third day of our show I had the pleasure of meeting Sweet Sage! She brought me a beautiful bouquet of roses from her garden.

The flowers came home to Riverside and a pretty present sweet sage surprised me with. I want to open it....but I love the wrapping. 

I have so much more to share but I need to unpack! I will show you more on Friday when I announce the winner of the contest!!!

So glad you stopped by for a visit! Have a wonderful week.

Nice to be home and blogging again.

:KayEllen