{subtle} patriotic chic

Yes, I am already dreaming about the weekend and what to wear to celebrate the Fourth in style. I think all these pieces from the Thread Social Resort line would be perfect. I love that they are not the obvious red, white and blue choices but all have a subtle Americana vibe.

6:38 AM by beemagnet · 0

FARMING IN THE CITY

It started with just a square or two but over the course of a few years it has increased to a dozen or more .  At our local park there's an area of raised planter beds that have been allocated to both individuals and charities to raise their own vegetables, herbs and some flowers.

It's quite an impressive sight to see a mini-farm growing in the city.  Corn, tomatoes,beans, cabbage, okra,  onions, lettuce , squash and many other vegetables are lovingly tended by their growers.

A few days ago I was passing by and admiring a group planting their bed and it was a joy to see what pleasure the disabled/disadvantaged adults took in it.  I can only imagine their beaming faces when they at last are able to harvest their bounty.

As a homeowner whose property taxes support my local park I must say that its a good feeling to see that its put to good use in this way.



Written by Carolyngail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago All rights reserved

3:50 AM by beemagnet · 0

gracious {designer} glamour

I am always fascinated by the dwellings of interior designers. They are constantly bombarded by new inspiration and I just love seeing what trends they choose to replicate in their homes. I love the glamorous apartment of Paula Caravelli, of Paul and Martha Design.
The metallic gold coffee table, bold rug and stunning settee create an impeccable living space.

I am especially intrigued by the graphic artwork in the bathroom.

(via new york social diary)

4:00 PM by beemagnet · 0

Hillsdale Furniture

Hillsdale Furniture
Hillsdale Furniture
Hillsdale Furniture
Hillsdale Furniture
Hillsdale Furniture
Hillsdale Furniture
Hillsdale Furniture

6:37 AM by beemagnet · 0

Hillsdale Furniture 1418 Series Tiburon Mezzo Bedroom Set

Hillsdale Furniture 1418 Series With its ever-popular espresso finish and classic round pewter hardware, the transitional design of the Tiburon Mezzo Bed is a contemporary classic. With clean lines and flared tapered legs, this bed is both simple and sophisticated. Easy to blend into your home, updating your guest or master bedroom with the Tiburon Mezzo Bed is the perfect solution! Available in queen and king sizes. This set includes the Tiburon Mezzo Bed and the matching Espresso Nightstand. Complete this marvelous bedroom set with the matching Espresso Dresser, mirror, chest, and armoire, and don't forget about our 7-piece bedding sets! Features: -Espresso wood -Magnesium pewter accents -Set includes bed and matching nightstand -Optional dresser, mirror, chest, armoire, and 7-piece bedding set also available -Convenient under-bed storage drawers provide ample storage to meet your needs -Interesting blend of curves and angles -Some assembly may be required -Recommended care: Dust frequently using a clean, specially treated dusting cloth that will attract and hold dust particles. Do not use liquid or abrasive cleaners as they may damage the finish -NOTE: King size ships truck freight -Box spring required for adequate mattress support -Please Note: Optional Serta Mattress and box spring ships separately from bedroom furniture, and may arrive for delivery on an earlier or later date than bedroom furniture. -Optional box spring available in choice of either standard or low profile height Item Dimensions: -Queen headboard dimensions: 54" H x 66" W -Queen footboard dimensions: 32" H x 66" W -King headboard dimensions: 54" H x 84" W -King footboard dimensions: 32" H x 84" W -Nightstand dimensions: 25" H x 26.75" W x 15.5" D -Dresser dimensions: 34" H x 61.75" W x 17" D -Wood mirror dimensions: 43.25" H x 33.75" W -Tall dresser dimensions: 41" H x 51.5" W x 17" D -Tall dresser wood mirror dimensions: 40" H x 34.5"W -Chest dimensions: 51.75" H x 35.75" W x 17" D -Armoire dSee Also

1:12 AM by beemagnet · 0

prepping the {picnic} table

I have not done a ton of outdoor entertaining at my current abode so when I decided to have an impromptu casual dinner for friends I looked at my very bare picnic table and knew something had to be done...something quick and on a budget. So this is the blank slate...
I searched the house and found some left over fabric that I had purchased from pottery barn (really!) and then gathered up some candles, my herb pot and snipped a few lilacs from my bush and without spending a cent, voila. Nothing too fancy but definitely an improvement...


(blurry photos via my iphone)

8:36 PM by beemagnet · 0

Kerala home plan elevation and floor plan - 3236 Sq FT

12:07 AM by beemagnet · 0

Kerala home plan elevation and floor plan - 3236 Sq FT

Total area of the house - 3236 sq ft
Total cost of construction - 40 lakhs
Owner - Mr. Kunhali Korakkaam Parambath
Location - Manakkadave, Calicut
Designer - Shukoor C Manapat, Lloyds, Calicut







Shukoor C Manapat
Lloyds
Architecture/Planning/Interiors
Second Floor
Marina Residency, YMCA Cross Raod
Calicut
Mobile # 9847981035

12:07 AM by beemagnet · 0

craving color

It finally feels like summer here in Jackson (it snowed last week!) and I am thrilled to be able to finally pull out my warm weather clothing! I only wish that I could add just a little bit more bold color to my wardrobe with one of these amazing missoni pieces.

10:26 AM by beemagnet · 0

5pc Cappuccino furniture

5pc Cappuccino furniture
5pc Cappuccino furniture
5pc Cappuccino furniture
5pc Cappuccino furniture
5pc Cappuccino furniture
5pc Cappuccino furniture
5pc Cappuccino furniture
5pc Cappuccino furniture
5pc Cappuccino furniture

11:05 PM by beemagnet · 0

Beautiful Bedroom Beds

Beautiful Bedroom Bed
Beautiful Bedroom Bed
Beautiful Kids Bedroom Bed
Beautiful Bedroom Bed
Beautiful Bedroom Beds
Beautiful Bedroom Beds
Beautiful Bedroom Beds
Beautiful Bedroom Beds
Beautiful Bedroom Beds
Beautiful Bedroom Beds
Beautiful Bedroom Beds

9:18 PM by beemagnet · 0

color + pattern

One of my first etsy crushes was Plum Cushion. Shop owner, Melanie, creates amazing pillows using designer fabrics and sells them for very reasonable prices. I was recently discovered that she write an incredibly inspirational blog that among other things features DIY projects and photos of her home. It comes as no surprise that she has impeccable taste and a beyond gorgeous home full of lively color and bold pattern...

Just the pick me up I needed to get through the rest of the day!

12:03 PM by beemagnet · 0

GARDEN DESIGNERS ROUND TABLE : SMALL SPACES

                                
First word of advice :  If you have a small garden you need a small dog.  Just kidding. But do keep dogs out as they and gardens do not mix.  Unless its Jojo,  my mini-Schnauzer and garden companion.  I've taught her the difference between a flower and a weed and she is ever so mindful of them. Plus, she keeps the rabbits, possums and racoons away.  Well, most of the time.  She missed a bunny the other day that ate my asters down to the ground. 

For June's Rountable posting I am using my small city garden as an example to show the unity, creativity and texture I try to bring to each of  my designs. There are endless possibilities in designing a small space and while there are no set rules there are guidelines that will help you avoid the pitfalls along the way.  

It's a very short walk from the public sidewalk to my front porch so making the entrance to my century-old American Foursquare as inviting as possible was my first goal.   A container with seasonal color flanks the stairs and a  Japanese maple, ' Autumn Moon ', brightens the small corner planting bed on the right.  Every inch of space is packed with long-blooming perennials and annuals that provide color, texture and interesting foliage.  And BTW,  I've planted everything in my garden myself, including the trees, so it is truly my creation.

A path swings around to the back garden entrance and a  beautiful pink climbing rose graces the fence.  You can see how little space there is between houses.  My  neighbor's large bold-leafed Oakleaf hydrangea draped on the fence shares its  blossoms .

 Click to enlarge

I had a client that planted thousands of dollars of annuals in her garden each year just for the wow factor.  It looked like Disney World !  I could fill my garden with mostly annuals for instant glamour but being an avid gardener I enjoy seeing perennials that I love come into bloom.   April and May is for tulips and daffodils, June is for roses and lilies, July for Phlox and Blackeyed Susans, August for Sedum and Asters, September for Mums, etc.  .  But how the garden looks when it's not in bloom is key to a good design and in a small space every plant must do its job.  Plants with interesting texture or form, colorful foliage that's effective even when not in bloom, evergreen shrubs that give year round interest, and colorful annuals will make your small space garden a delight.  Mine is so tightly packed with my favorites that a weed finds it difficult to enter and eliminates the need to mulch.

Below is the layout of my front garden made to go along with my last will and testament  which may give you an inkling of how I feel about  it.  And this is just the front.  My somewhat larger rear garden is my real paradise.

I encounter a lot of weekend warriors searching for ideas to use for their own small urban gardens and have enjoyed helping many of them at Gethsemane, Chicago's best garden center .  My advice to them is do your research before buying a single plant. Know how much sun/shade you have, your soil, the size of your plot, preferred style -formal or informal, plant likes or dislikes, etc. and how much maintenance you're willing to do.  Allocate a budget and try to stick to it.  Be prepared to put in a lot of sweat equity as well. 

In today's economy more  homeowners are doing their  landscapes themselves, whereas they would've hired a designer before the recession hit.  For these brave souls I say go for it but remember that a great garden starts with thoughtful planning.   Read gardening books and check out the many garden websites offering advice.  Take a stroll and seek out gardens that please you.

 Get in touch with the designer inside and turn that small space into your pride and joy.   The secret to a good garden is not how big or small it is but how you use it.

In his garden every man may be his own artist

without apology or explanation.

Each within his green enclosure is a creator

and no two shall reach the same conclusion ;

 nor shall we, any more than other creative workers

 be ever wholly satisfied with our accomplishment.

Ever a season ahead of us floats the vision

 of perfection and herein lies its perennial charm.

-Louise Bebe Wilder

For more on small space garden design visit these members of the Roundtable:

Jenny Peterson at http://www.jpetersongardendesign.com/
Laura Livengood Schaub at http://www.interleafings.blogspot.com/
Lesley/Robert at http://www.hegartywebberpartnership.wordpress.com/
Shirley Bovshow at http://www.shirleybovshow.com/
Susan Morrison at http://www.garden-chick.typepad.com/
Susan Schlenger athttp://blog.landscape-design-advice.com/
Tara Dillard at http://www.taradillard.blogspot.com/

  

5:18 PM by beemagnet · 0