The Art of Fly Fishing and My Imperfect Blessed Life-

                                              Fishing gives you time to think

While at our cabin in the Adirondacks this past week, I had some time to think about the art of fishing and how it relates to real life. Fishing, for some people is innate. For me, ... I am getting the hang of it. The children stand back while I cast and I have a light up bobber. What can I say! I am a glutton for punishment. I am the most uncoordinated women on the planet. Still in all, I am patient and  will learn eventually. I know its not cool, but I really love the excitement I feel when my bobber goes PLUNK! and the fish is running, especially at night, I feel like I am living inside a video game. Its a real adrenalin rush, as cheesy as it sounds, I am having a ball!

After a day of exploring on the water and the girls are neatly tucked into bed, Jared and I watched an old movie called- A River Runs Through It, starring Brad Pitt. I love to watch movies about the outdoors and how the story line relates to real life. Pitts character is a "Fishing Newspaper Writer" and the movie shows the most breathtaking scenes of him fly fishing. The way the rod and line moves is almost musical. They dance on the water. The Angler makes it seem innate, like a gift. Brad Pitts character lives a life of two extremes, but both are fearless. I was so impressed with the contrast of the story, yet, I understood, its his life path.

I will be writing a series of stories in the next month or so about life, my life and its path. I am fortunate to have been blessed with love, as well as a career I love. I know every life experience helps me define my career. It remains the best way I help people find their own personal style.   Making their home a positive reflection of them.


In the coming posts, I will share with you my passions and my struggles- My blessed imperfect life that made me who I am today which I hope  inspires you,  makes you laugh (or cry) along the way, as I share my journey and Its ups and downs-

"God has blessed us all today......he has just been particularly kind to me"  (A River Runs Through It)

                                                  Victoria and Anna- After a day of exploring-

                                          Jared- Always calm and patient- 

My next post- My Dream House Revisited- I hope you will join me!

                               

Remember the Details!

                                                  Great design is about details-

 It takes some thought. How can I  make a piece of furniture special ?  How can I make it memorable? The sofa shown above has a contrast fabric band on the bottom of the kick pleat that matches a chair in the room-


The window seat has contrasting welts on the cushion and all of the pillows have whimsical details to contrast the fabric on the window seat cushion

                                            
                                           This is one of my favorite Sun Rooms

The fabrics are bright and cheery. The wood ceiling adds texture and keeps the formality down. The chandelier is whimsical and draws the eye up to the focal wall with the fireplace. The built in window seats perfectly balance out this room.

Its a room you can relax  or entertain  in.

The details are what makes a room unique and at the same time, timeless. I do not believe in rooms that are  untouchable, everyone walks on by. I call it "velvet rope design". The kind of room that takes itself so seriously no one wants to enter. All rooms should be lived in and approachable.

So, take a look around your home. Are you living in every room?

Great design is in the details!

New program for me! Picture this-

 Just a quick note today-

 I have installed a computer program that will allow me to design a room over a photograph.

I simply take a shot of your room and over lay designs-

 In the photo above- I designed a window treatment right on the window. I have a lot more to learn but I think its going to be a really great design tool-

Have a great day!

My Dad always looked like a movie star !

                                                My Dad Charlie in 1955 - He was 13

When I was a child, I remember looking at my Dad and thinking he looks like a movie star. My dad is celebrating his 70th birthday this week. My Dad may be 70 but he lives his life ageless. If I called him right now and asked him to help me move a sofa, he would be right over. Well, if they lived locally anyway. My parents are now enjoying retirement in sunny Florida and  loving every minute!

                                          Left to right- My Grandpa, My Dad and his Brother Ron


I felt compelled to pull out some of the photos of my Dad from his childhood. As I pulled them out I thought ,yup there he is all dashing, dressed for a photo shoot, even though its really just Christmas with the family. I see my grandfather dressed in his finery as well. I remember grandpa was always dressed. He would say,    " I'm styling Lori," and boy was he, in his  hat and ever present cigar. I remember how different it was to take photos then. Having to buy film and then having the photos developed. You would take photo after photo and hope for the best. Inevitably some photos would have eyes closed and  interesting expressions. The look on their faces were like,  "NO I'm not ready yet!" These silly photos from the past would be deleted now, as we seem to keep only  the " facebook" worthy photos.

                     Left to right- My Dad, my Brother Chuck, Me, Uncle Ron and Grandpa

                                          My Dad, Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Ron

I for one, am glad these silly photo rejects made their way down to me. I love getting a glimpse of the cars behind them, recognizing where the photos were taken and remembering all of the holiday dinners shared.

 My Dad and his Brother Ron

I love to help clients through the process of displaying family photos and memorabilia . The best family displays include not only formal portraits but the humorous candid shots as well. I ask a lot of questions during the process which often sends people on hunts through old boxes in the attic, or calling Mom to see if someone might have a photo of grandma in the christening gown all of the family members wore. Its nice to group subjects if you can. Let the display tell a story and include photos that will encourage family and friends to ask you questions about where you came from.


I am a lucky girl to have these photos, encouraging me to remember the sights and smells of my child hood. I grew up in a family of bakers. My Dad was always a vision, whether dressed in bakery whites and smelling like crumb cake or  dressed for a holiday. Yes, in the photos no one else wanted , the "silly" rejects if you will, my Dad was and still is a movie star to me!       
                                                             
Happy Birthday Dad!

Room With A View

I loved the view from our tent window. We hiked into the woods enduring a rocky, hilly, hot  and buggy hike, just before dark. Even still we took the time, about twenty minutes, to make sure we woke up to the best view possible. The time and effort was worth it the next morning. It was a beautiful view.

Great rooms take the same time and effort. When I work with my clients it can take up to a year or more to finish a room. Making sure every detail is right and if it isn't, waiting until a better opportunity comes along.

You have to live with these decisions a long time ... so don't rush .... Good design takes time. A design project can take on a life of its own. You may make several decisions fast and feel really confident about them. Or on the flip side, it could take a year to find the perfect piece of art work for above the sofa.

So, take your time - Great rooms unfold.... Its part of the journey!

Accent Furniture....Every room should have a piece!

I mean every room! :)

Every room needs at least one piece of furniture that is like a work of art. A piece of furniture that makes a statement. I call them memory pieces.... The kind of furniture that sticks in your mind like a piece of art you can't forget.The first piece is kind of a teaser- Its a table Jared made on a five mile hike we took last summer.  It was functional and memorable... I loved it- !

Accent furniture is like art and a very personal choice. Kind of like the saying- one mans trash is another mans treasure.
I hope you think about adding a accent piece of furniture to your decor...It will make your room uniquely yours!

My Mother in Law was right?.....!

Way back in the beginning of my design career, while married to my first husband, my mother in law was seeking my design advice. She had been wanting to change the color scheme in her home to a more popular palette. At that time, rose and blue interiors were the hottest home fashion colors. She expressed her feelings about not buying a new rug for her new palette. Her existing rug was wall to wall bright green! I was speechless, how was I going to be diplomatic with her? How was I going to break the news? Then... She blurted out," After all GREEN goes with everything, just look out side! " I stopped for a minute trying to get my had around what she had just said, and I just couldn't come up with an answer. My Mother in law was right!


 I chuckle about that conversation quite a bit when trying to pull together presentations for clients. My Mother in law is one of the most positive people I have ever met. Shes see the world through her own pair of rose colored glasses. She sees the world with amazement and vitality because she appreciates what god has given us, especially nature.


Since that conversation over 20 years ago, I have more fun with the idea that god has created a palette for me. I just have to look around. When in the woods hunting, a few weeks back with my fiance Jared, I found it hard not to take stock in her philosophy. The trees were all beautiful and the textures were amazing. Every green you can imagine was represented. The wind changed them with every gust as the evergreen bows flipped front to back. The water and rocks in their cool grays with plenty of  pine needles to warm up the color scheme of the day. 

I have seen my mother in laws palette quite often over the years. A pink sunset on a blue sky backdrop over a field of green. With St, Patricks day approaching this weekend with all of its green glory, I hope you take a minute  to take a look all of the colors god has provided for our enjoyment, and bring them into your everyday lives. Go to the beach , take a walk in the woods and bring that feeling back home in some way, Maybe its time for a new paint color,or to rearrange the furniture, either way open the windows up and enjoy!