Taking My Own Advice....

In my last post, I urged everyone to get out of their own backyard to see what's in your neighborhood.  Lately I have been uninspired, blah, uncreative, brain-numb....pick your word.  I needed a good jump start, or a kick in the pants.  I decided to shed the toxic aspects of my life and get my brain in gear again...hence, quitting my day  job, going back to school and two local events that were all about glitz, glam and days gone by.  It's been a busy week!

For the past eleven years I have been designing homes AND doing the bookkeeping for small, local businesses.  My left and right brains are constantly in conflict!  My bookkeeping experience is in Quickbooks - which does most of the thinking for you.  I decided to go back to school to learn the theory behind the numbers.  Bookkeeping and Accounting 101 - here I come!  Piece of cake!!!  Until I started doing my homework.  Credits are not necessarily pluses and debits aren't minuses???  WHY???  Balance sheets, income statements, owner's equity....just want to crawl back into my safe Quickbooks program!  But, it's time for the old dog to learn some new tricks, so bring it on!

Thursday night I attended an event in Newburyport - Fabulous in Full Force North of Boston.  "Come celebrate your fabulous life and kick off the summer season!"  Sounded good to me! They promised a night of sampling the food, drink and products of local area businesses.  Upon entering the event tent, we are given a "swag bag" full of samples of thirst quenching libations, savory snacks, gift goodies and coupons to try out the vendors wares.  Walking around, we got to sample a deliciously light Chambord black raspberry cocktail, crisps and dips from Pretzel Crisps, and appetizers from Burton's Grill to name a few.

Those light cocktails from Chambord are perfect for a hot summer evening!

 My friends Linda Smith and Yvonne Blacker had a table showcasing Linda's design business and store, New England Fine Living newenglandfineliving.com and their joint venture, New England Finery online magazine http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/nefhomepage.html.  It's always a good time when Linda and Yvonne are around!

Linda Smith, left and Yvonne Blacker

The ladies from Interlocks Salon & Day Spa in Newburyport www.interlockssalon.com were busy giving make-overs to lucky attendees.

Liz White from Mason & Madison in Middleton www.masonandmadison.com was showcasing her beautiful "gifts with style".

These fabulous shoes from Bella Sera www.bellaserabride.com caught my eye!  They have a wonderful sparkle, as does their marketing director, Tara Antonucci!  My dream job in another life would be to work in a bridal salon!

The night was capped off with a fashion show hosted by Amy McLaughlin of Amy McLaughlin Lifestyle Design, Kiss 108's Lisa Donovan and Miss Massachusetts 2010 Lacey Wilson.  The adorable models, all legs and smiles, showcased fashions from beachwear to formals.

More sparkle!

Ruffled Elegance!

I had previously stopped by Amy McLauglin's display table and had a quick chat with her very proud mother who told me Amy specializes in wardrobe styling, image consultation, home decor and staging, and event production.  All that specializing can wear a girl out, but Amy does it with style, flair and looks fabulous to boot! You can learn more about her at www.amymclaughlinlifestyles.com


So much for the "glitz and glam"!  As for the "days gone by", I attended an outdoor antiques fair at the Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley, MA, the home of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.  The day was cool and drizzly but Yvonne and I were determined that a little "frizz" wouldn't stand in our way!  Yvonne asked me to photograph the event for an article in the New England Finery online magazine, so I'm only going to give a sneak peek into the event. 

Copper and Brass accessories

 We spent the day shopping and speaking to vendors and many were so eager to talk about the history of their wares, their travels to get their items and sometimes an explanation as to what the item was!  We saw wonderful furniture, porcelain, pottery, artwork and.....TEACUPS!!!  I have a collection of unusual antique teacups in my home, whether it be the color, the mother of pearl interior, or the footed pedestal its sits on.  One particular set caught my eye.  The color of this one was bright, lipstick red!  That perfect red that is not too orange and not too blue! Just RED!!  The owner of the stall, Linda Grossman, of The Chair Man and The Tea Lady www.thechairmanandthetealady.com shouted across the tent that she knew that set would attract attention!  It did, I bought and we traded stories about our love of tea.

My new acquisition!

Yvonne with the Big Red Chair!

A stroll through the gardens offered up a few surprises!  Yvonne discovered this giant red chair....almost matches my teacup set!

A treehouse make of branches!

The Goddess Garden, Elm Bank Reservation

....and a garden fit for Goddesses!









What a week! I am officially running on empty!  I think it's time to relax with a warm cup of lemon berry tea in my beautiful "redder than red" teacup....until next time.....

"There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea." -  Bernard-Paul Heroux

In Your Own Backyard...

Memorial Day weekend...the start of barbeques, beach, and backyard fun.  I spent my weekend doing my last round of planting before the summer begins.  My wonderful husband is building me three raised beds so I can expand my vegetable garden and keep critters like "Fred" out.  Remember Fred?  My pet groundhog?  I compared him to a piece of furniture in an earlier post. http://thefocusondesign.blogspot.com/2010/07/color-series-this-is-fred.html
Well, Fred is back in all his glory, but this time, he won't be eating my lettuce!

"Fred"

 Speaking of your own backyard...last week we had some friends come in from California.  They wanted to take the "Anthony Bourdain Tour of Boston". (No Reservations TV show on the Travel Channel).  Basically, we were eating our way through Boston with some sightseeing in between!

Our friends had already been to Boston so they didn't want to see the usual tourist-y sights.  Hmm...this was going to take a bit of thought.   But they wanted good food, so the North End of Boston was our first stop.  We bypassed the old North Church - been there, done that - and found the Union Oyster House, America's oldest working restaurant established in 1826.  It was too early to eat, so we kept walking and came upon the New England Holocaust Memorial www.nehm.org, 6 glass towers dedicated to the memory of those lost to the horror of the Holicaust.  The peaceful park-like setting is in sharp contrast to the actual events that took place. The memorial is fairly new and something I hadn't seen before.

The New England Holocaust Memorial

Our walking tour continued to the Faneuil Hall-Quincy Market area.  You just never know what you are going to see!  And we don't ask "why", because this is Boston!

Love the hat!

Amen to that, Dee Dee!!

Not even going to ask!

Where else but in Boston!










As I said, this was an eating tour of Boston, so enough with the sights!  Show me the food!!  Back to the heart of the North End and a delicious lunch at La Famiglia on Salem Street.

Day Two and our friends wanted to go to Quincy.  Not sure what there is to do in Quincy, but that's what Google is for!  And also the Visitor's Center.

There was a tour of the church where President John Adams and President John Quincy Adams are buried.  There was also a two hour tour of the president's homes.  Now these are tours that I would have loved to see, but no takers today.  Maybe the 47 degree temperature and the drizzly grey day had something to do with this, so we opted instead for a walk through an old cemetary where relatives of our historic figures are buried.  http://www.interment.net/data/us/ma/norfolk/hancock/index.htm

Hancock Cemetery, Quincy MA

Quincy, MA

Quincy Center is quite charming! A little reminiscent of a European city.







One other site in Quincy that hits close to home is the USS Salem Cruiser Ship.  My father served on this ship during the Korean War and our family has been to see it several times.  Since my parents were with us, and we were in Quincy, the next stop was obvious! 

USS Salem

The ship is now a museum, but unfortunately wasn't open the day we went.  For more info, you can go to http://www.uss-salem.org/museum/visitor_information.htm






Time to head back to Boston for more eats!  Anthony Bourdain had recommended a little hole in the wall eatery that was famous for its lobster rolls.  Seafood is not my thing, but our California friends were not to be deterred!  Next stop - The Belle Isle Restaurant in East Boston.  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60745-d524782-Reviews-Belle_Isle-Boston_Massachusetts.html  When we pulled up, we weren't even sure it was open - not just closed - abandoned!  It didn't look appetizing, but what the hell!  Inside was a tiny take-out restaurant with 8 stools lined up to a counter.  As I said, seafood is not my thing, but french fries...now you're talking!  Lunch was ordered, stools were fought for, and everyone enjoyed!  Anthony Bourdain knows what he's talking about!

Even though I had been to some of these places before, there was still plenty I had not seen.  Leave it to a couple from California to entertain me in my own state!  For those of you who are always complaining that "there's nothing to do" - get out of your own backyard and see what's happening in your neighborhood!

"Boston's freeway system is insane. It was clearly designed by a person who had spent his childhood crashing toy trains."  Bill Bryson

North Shore Design Show - "Favorite Spaces"

What to do on a rainy Sunday when all my outdoor gardening has been postponed?  I headed out to the North Shore Design Show at the Wenham Museum in Wenham, MA.  Fourteen interior designers were given an 8' x 8' space and asked to create a favorite space using life in the North Shore, past or present, as their inspiration.  I participated in this show two years ago when we were asked to do a "tablescape".  Our "Black and White Garden Party" is pictured at the top of my blog.  In it's third year, this design show has taken things to a new level with whole rooms being recreated.  Living rooms, dens, sitting rooms and baths...all so inviting you just wanted to sit right down and get comfortable!

Here is a sneak preview...

"Spa" - Photography by R. Palazola

 




Finn-Martens Design of Beverly Farms, Ma created a luxurious spa - perfect for pampering yourself after a hard day...or, just because you want to!

Photography by R. Palazola

Wilson Kelsey Design, Inc got their inspiration from "the ceremony of sharing food".   Sleek and contemporary, this fashionable dining area should be overlooking a view of the city with its nighttime lights twinkling below.

"Pretty in Poppy" - Photography by R. Palazola

Camille Garro Interiors vignette mixes bold orange with calming gray.  The wall color is eye-catching!

Photography by R. Palazola

The Gallery Della-Piana showcases its fine art and accessories.  Do you see what "eye" see??

"Farmhouse Chic" - photography by R. Palazola

Yvonne Blacker Interiors "Farmhouse Chic" brings to mind afternoon tea with your best girlfriends.  Pull up a chair and start the chatter!

"Classic Style" - Photography by R. Palazola

Honey Collins Interior Design mixes the old with the new in this elegant space.  Tones of silver and gray are accenting with just a touch of color.

"The Reading Nook" - Photography by R. Palazola

The room above by Sebastian Carpenter - well, I'll let it tell its own story!  Fun, whimsical and comfortable!

The show runs through May 22nd.  While there, check out the "Pretty in Pink" clothing exhibit - a cotton candy array of clothing from then and now.  And afterward, step across the street to the Wenham Tea House for tea and goodies.  For more details, go to the Wenham Museum website - http://www.wenhammuseum.org.  Enjoy!

“The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.” - Tom Bodett

I Want To Be Her...

Kate Middleton.  Not because she found and married her Prince Charming...(I have my own, thank you!)  Not because she has the most fabulous clothes and a figure to go with it...(Can't wait to see her when she gets to be my age!)  And not because her closet must be brimming with the chic-est shoes and pocketbooks...(ok, I lied.  That's one of the reasons!)  It's because she can now walk out into her beautiful English garden with a cup of tea, gaze at all her beautiful flowers and shrubs and never have gotten her hands dirty!  (Sigh....)

Reuters Photo

You can guess where this is going!  I spent the weekend getting my landscaping ready for summer.  First I surveyed the land.  I want to know two things....why does everything but grass grow on my lawn??  I have moss, clover, and enough dandelions to make my dead grandmother come back to life with a fork and a knife.  And two...why does grass grow in my flower beds?  If I could only get it to move over a few feet, I would have a lawn like a golf course!  Oh well, seed and feed and hope for the best!

Dandelion - Photography by R. Palazola

Now for the flowers.  Again, too bad dandelions are weeds.  I could have the prettiest yellow garden...  And rocks???  My rock garden consists of....rocks....

Living in the northeast,  I have learned that you don't plant anything before Memorial Day.  I found out the hard way.  Planted a bunch of impatiens before the official beginning of summer.  One cold night wiped out all my work.  Now I plant the plants that are growing naturally at this time of year - lots of phlox, daylillies, and some newcomers - carpet bugleweed and lamium.

Phlox - Photography by R. Palazola

Pink Pewter Lamium - Photography by R. Palazola

Daylilly Leaves - Photography by R. Palazola

Memorial Day weekend is when I get into my "heavy duty, serious gardening before the bees come out" mode.  After that, I leave the flowers to flower and concentrate on my vegetables. Tomatoes, basil, oregano - a sauce and pizza garden!  My Prince Charming is building me some raised beds for my vegetables, so I hope to start branching out with my veggies.

When my grandfather came over  from Italy, he brought some string bean seeds with him.  Not just any string bean seeds - these were special Barese skinny, dark string beans.  (Wonderful with boiled potatoes, garlic and oil.)  Instead of Jack, our family had Giuseppe and the Beanstalk!  He grew them for years and when he came to live with us in the 70's, the beans came with him.  My father kept them going long after he died.  When my parents moved to Florida, I kept the beans going.  Until one fateful year when some bugs got into the seeds and turned them all to dust.  One hundred years of beans and it ended with me!  I killed the family legacy!  Two years ago, my brother found some seeds that he had squirreled away.  During a family visit, we all did a ceremonious bean planting.  If just one plant grew and produced seeds, the legacy would be saved!  Well, it was a cold, rainy summer, but one plant did sprout!  Unfortunately, we had frost before the beans could turn to seed.  I tried again last year, but nothing sprouted.  I have a few seeds left and will try again.  Maybe Giuseppe will look down on us and give us perfect bean growing weather! (And restore my standing in the family!)

The garlic I planted in the fall is already coming up but I noticed a "critter hole" near the plants.  If you meet a chipmunk with garlic breath, send him to me!!

I'm exhausted and my body is screaming.  This was so much easier when I was Kate's age!  Time to brew a cup of tea and sit and admire the work done so far.  In a perfect world, I could say "The butler did it.....!"  Enjoy Kate!

"Gardens are a form of autobiography." - Sydney Eddison

Spring Is Here!!

"Spring is here....its spring spring spring spring spring....its spring!  Spring is in the air air air...!"  Ok, it's amazing that I can't remember what I had for breakfast today, but I can remember that little ditty that I learned in elementary school (back in the dinosaur ages!)

Spring is here.  I've seen the evidence....crocuses, grape hyacinth, robins....the last patch of snow finally melting in my backyard!  Time to literally throw off the winter coat and lighten up! My first blog subject was about just that!  http://thefocusondesign.blogspot.com/2010/06/lighten-up.html.

Living in New England where winter tends to last six months out of the year, I find that the colors of our homes and clothes tend to be on the dark, drab side.  Lots of gray, brown, black and navy.  It's what you find in stores.  Our choices are limited.  Do the buyers for the New England region think we go underground and burrow?  Are we chameleons that have to blend in with our environment to survive?  Where is my COLOR???  You always need a pop of color to contrast with the neutral-ness of winter life.

This year my go-to color is bright Granny Smith apple green.  The color of new buds on a tree...the color of that first crocus leaf peeping out of the ground.  The color that lets us know that winter is finally over and warmer weather is on the horizon.

Google Image

I have touches of it all over my home.  This cabinet in my kitchen greets me every morning when I stagger in for breakfast.  (Well, maybe its more pistacchio ice cream than Granny Smith.)  But its still in the green family!

Rosie's Cabinet

Green Vase - R. Palazola

The vase that holds my flowers is a reminder that color can change your mental outlook.  Happy colors equal happy people!  Well, not necessarily, but it helps!  An otherwise, neutral room would blossom with the addition of some bright green accents.

Google Image

I love the crispness of an all-white room with touches of bright green.  The translucence of the chairs keeps the green from becoming overpowering.










Then, of course, there is always overkill.  The following room is "green gone bad"!

Google Image

Bright green walls, bright green ceiling, no windows for light...if this were my bedroom,  I might start saying "ribit" and eat a fly or two.   This room can be turned around by using a neutral color on the walls and ceiling and using the green on the headboard wall.  The odd shape of the wall and the bright green color would make it a strong focal point.  Right now, everything is so bright you don't know where to look!






  Time to make the lasagna...dinner at my house tomorrow!  .So Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Spring!  Whatever you celebrate, be happy and healthy!

It's A Jungle Out There!!

Cheetahs and Tigers and Giraffes...oh my!  One of the latest trends to return is the animal print.  As an accent or main attraction, the newest in jungle fare will add a pop to any room.  But these animals have new coats...turquoise and gold or  hot pink leopard....Mother Nature is stylin'!!

What I like about the newest wave is their ability to adapt to any decor. In a traditional decor, they can be used on pillows or small foot stools as a surprising accent.  In a contemporary setting, they are sleek and edgy on a main piece of furniture.

Many of the prints come off as textures and shapes instead of "animal".  They blend in with the scenery- a chameleon in fabric!  One of my favorites is Kravet 29488-16 Giraffe, a beautiful  fabric with a giraffe pattern.

Kravet 29488-16 Giraffe

If you want "in your face" animal, try Kravet's 16476-81 Cheetah or Osborne & Little's F5780-01 Serengeti.

Kravet 16476-81 Cheetah

Osborne & Little Serengeti F5780-01

One of my latest design projects include the Giraffe, Cheetah and Serengeti - ALL IN THE SAME ROOM!  The trick is how to use these without looking like you're in the middle of a Tarzan movie!

Here are some "before" photos of the room.

Focus On Design "before" shot - living room

Lots of white fabric on the furniture and way too many legs! 

Focus On Design "before" shot - too many legs!

Legs on the sofas, legs on the tables. Enough legs to start a stampede!

Focus On Design "before" shot - living room

My goal is to soften the room, define the seating areas and give it a little "pop"!  The project is in its middle stages.  Most of the fabrics and furniture have been ordered.  If all goes well, it should be finished by June.  Stay tuned for some sneak previews!

"The quizzical expression of the monkey at the zoo comes from his wondering whether he is his brother's keeper, or his keeper's brother." - Evan Esar

It Certainly Wasn't New York...

Still jazzed up from going to the Flower Show last week, we decided to hit the Boston Gift Show this past weekend.  To quote the Queen, "We are not impressed." Actually I think the quote was "We are not amused".  Well, I was neither impressed nor amused.   They keep promising bigger and better - more vendors, new products...but all we get are the same type of products.  It doesn't even come close to New York's Gift Show.  My favorite vendors are long gone...where are my pillows?  My accessories??  My LEMON BARK???  I would sell a family member for lemon bark!!

There were a couple of bright spots - companies whose products and practices are worth noting.  Rightside Design's "I Sea Life" Collection had some adorable home accessories inspired by the sea.  www.MySeaLifestyle.com.  They are extremely "green" in their packaging, inks and production and a part of their proceeds are donated to organizations that help marine mammals and sea life.  A worthy cause!

Rightside Design's Pillows (photography by R. Palazola)

Another company that caught my attention was Baskets of Cambodia.   www.Saraye.com  According to their website, they are "building sustainable incomes for rural communities", paying above fair trade wages and offering healthcare to the people who make their beautiful products.   Their Tatami style handbags were sleek, elegant and extremely functional!  The bottoms lifted out and the bags rolled up like a tatami mat for packing and travel.  Beautiful colors, beautiful style!  Even the bamboo stands they sat on were handmade in Cambodia.  Another company demonstrating that businesses do not have to damage our environment or its people to make a profit!

Tatami Style handbags (Photography by R. Palazola)

The final business that caught my eye was Revy Fair Trade Products. www.revydirect.com  Revy's goal - "to empower the women of El Salvador so that they can break the cycle of poverty that has plagued their nation for centuries.  By offering a fair wage, they can keep their daughters in school where they can learn skills for a better life."  They are also a Green America Approved Business.  Their recycled rubber tire purses are fabulous!

Revy Recyled Tire Purse (photography by R. Palazola)

Even though the Boston Gift Show has moved away from items I can use in my design business, I will probably still keep going back hoping to find a few gems like the companies I mentioned above.  Reuse, recycle, repurpose.....helping the environment....helping women in impoverished countries....hopefully the wave of the future for business.

"Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does."  ~William James