If you happen to be in Virginia...

Thank you to Wizzie Broach for choosing my painting "Race day" as the graphic for the invitation. "Race day", and several other paintings of mine, as well as, those of some pretty fabulous artists will be featured.

Come if you can.

A fox, a hound and a horse walk into a room.

Yesterday, I posed the question "Is there such a thing as too much personalization?"

I have got another question. First, let me tell you about a house I was in many years ago.

The house very nice, modest in size but nothing else. Everything was very expensive and the owners were avid riders and enjoyed fox hunts.

The equestrian and fox hunt related items were everywhere in every room.

From plush foxes in riding attire (which always struck me as being like Bugs Bunny dressed in hunting camo, I digress) to fabrics and display porcelain.

Oddly, it did not seem theme-y but still rather one note.

I am not picking on equestrian style. I am majorly in love with that look but even if it does not come across as a theme room can it be too much?

Can having one style or rather, everything in a space reflecting an esoteric look make for a bad design?

For instance, if one room was decorated entirely with Chinoiserie pieces would it be a classic or does it need a style foil to balance things?

Tell me what you think.

Winner, winner...

Chicken dinner! Actually it is better than a chicken dinner. It is a $50 Novica gift certificate for StagerLinda.

Yay Linda!!!! Check your email.

Let's talk

I saw this quote and thought, "really?"

True style has the chance to emerge when you stop worrying about what everyone else is doing, will think, or might say.

I love an ounce of fearlessness in decor but total abandon without regard what looks good just ends up in a jumble.

 I do not live by myself or with five other design bloggers, I live with people. People with opinions and if left to their own devices my house would have medium blue walls which would be lined with recliners, Christmas lights, and knock about furniture.

I think good looking, functional interiors need to be carefully put together considering the needs and comfort of it's inhabitants. Personalization makes it fantastic but needs to be kept in check.

Remember this wonderful use of children's art and photos? It works because the color palette is simple. If you were to start adding yellow chairs because you like yellow and the four needlepoint pillows that Grandma gave you it would begin to be less cohesive. Conversely, this little setup would be very bland without the varied works of art.

I know many people like this image (above) but I think it is full of too many disparate objects.

Tell me what you think. Is there such a thing as a home that is too personalized?
I'll be announcing the giveaway winner later today so check back if you entered.

Cool art term Monday- ormolu

This art term relates as much to design as art. Ormolu means golden or gilded brass or bronze used for decorative purposes (as in mounts for furniture) and is derived from the French moulu meaning ground gold.

There are so many examples of this type of ornament on furniture and decorative accesories.

I was told by an antique specialist that it was also known as mercury-gilding and the process made the gilders go mad, much like hatters, from the mercury.

Last year I passed up this amazing ormolu corner chest because I had no where to put it.

It is a bit more fanciful than most things I like but I am kind of kicking myself.

Ormolu is is one of those things that is a thumbs or a thumbs down. Which one are you?

Still got'em

About this time last year, I purchased a lot of antique architectural prints. I only wanted to keep one or two so I cut mats for them in standard frame sizes and put a few on Etsy,

Some of them are really fabulous.

I still have them but don't feel inclined to list each of them on Etsy.

If anyone is interested I still have them and will gladly part more than a few, matted or not. Email me and I can send along more images.

Halloween's over time for X-mas, right?

I am done with Halloween and skipping right over turkey to Christmas. I've known that I was hosting at my house for nearly a year but I did not realize it would be 14 people and that my husband's work schedule might mean that I am on my own for everything. You could say I am in a panic trying to figure out how I can do all of this with little or no help.

World Market HERE

My first stop is World Market for some budget friendly decor. I was so pleased to see the decorations with a charming, vintage feel.

HERE

HERE

Since I will be setting a large kid's table, I want to really make it fun.

I was thinking of an old-fashioned candy display too.

HERE

A few months ago I grabbed eight of these dinner plates on sale. I am so glad I did. I'll be using them instead of my fine, hand wash only china. 

I might do a centerpiece like last year...

I still want a red tablecloth and some cute kid napkins and a sous chef and a miracle.