Sitting Pretty

Phew we had quite the day here in Maryland!  Tornadoes, flooding, and high winds...it was crazy and a little frightening to boot!  Our son wasn't able to make it back home from running with our local rescue squad overnight until this afternoon because some of the roads had been flooded and they needed every available person to help out so he stayed on past his shift.

I kept myself busy finishing up a story for Romantic Country Magazine, and hoped that no big tree limbs would come down or that the water would get too high.  Luckily we only had a few limbs fall and the water didn't get precariously high.  Thankfully, I think most people made it through the storm fairly well.

After I finished my story I decided it was time to take a few pictures of my latest project.  A little change up in the living room!

I've been wanting to update our living room for a while now.  Most of the upholstered pieces in this room are almost 15 years old...sheesh I can hardly believe that little factoid!  And although it's in wonderful shape because it hardly saw any use in our last house and rarely gets used in this house, it was time for a change.

The deep jewel tone green of the sectional sofa (now divided into a couch and loveseat) was fine in our last home which was a colonial and had a much more formal feel and not nearly as much natural light as the new house.  I haven't decided what I want to do with it yet, and waver back and forth between slipcovering it in a nice neutral linen, to getting rid of it completely and starting from scratch.

Instead of jumping in with both feet when I really wasn't sure what look I wanted for this room, I decided to start with baby steps.

I knew I wanted something completely different, but because that crazy thing called money always seems to rear its ugly head every time you want to completely change out a room, I decided to try recovering the dark wing chair in the corner that I still liked, except for its dark fabric.

So off I went to see my friend Sheryl of Slipcover Cottage, and seamstress extraordinaire!  She gave me swatches of fabrics to take home and mull over in all sorts of different lighting.

I'm a pretty decisive person, and normally have an image of exactly what I want even before I start looking for fabric, but this time I really hemmed and hawed over what look I was trying to achieve.  I knew I needed something that would still go with my green sofa, but I wanted something a little funky and unexpected.

In the end I chose a fabric in a color way that I would normally walk right past.  Orange mixed with magenta is not something I usually gravitate toward, so I shocked even myself when I picked the fabric above to use for my new slipcover!

And because this chair is has an unusual shape for a wing chair, there is no separate seat cushion and the arms have a strange build to them as well, I wondered just how easy it would be for Sheryl to create something that would stay put and look good!

But I should have known better, her work is always fabulous and once again she came through with flying colors!!!

And speaking of colors, I am loving this new bold print and the bright color combo, it completely changed the whole look of the room!  I love it when a small change has a huge impact!

So instead of boring, tired, and drab...

I am enjoying a little cool, funky, and fab!!  Hmm now all I need is a new seagrass rug, and some Ikea Ektorp sofas...now where are my car keys and GPS....Mr. Tide?!

I don't get compensated for telling you how great Sheryl's work is, but if you're in the market for new slipcovers I can't recommend her highly enough!

To see more transformations head over to Metamorphosis Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch!

and

Be sure to stop by Show and Tell Friday over at My Romantic Home

Through Rose Colored Glasses

The photo shoot last weekend was a huge success!  I hope to share a few pictures of it very soon!

After the shoot on Friday, we headed out to help our daughter move into her new apartment.  She had arranged for the moving company and had everything packed up and ready to go by the time we arrived.  It's an amazing thing to see your children all grown up and making great choices and decisions for themselves, and I know she will be very happy in her new place!

Aside from a dead battery which caused us to get home very late, it was a wonderfully productive weekend.  We even squeezed in a trip to Ikea and some shopping at Whole Foods...two of my favorite places on the planet! 

Yesterday, I even took one of the chairs in my living room to my friend Sheryl of Slipcover Cottage to have a slipcover made.  I picked a fabric that has a completely different look than what I would normally choose, and I'm so excited to see it all come together...pics coming soon!

On Sunday, Mr. Tide did a bit of yard work to get ready for the winter.  He planted a few tender perennials and we are keeping our fingers crossed that they might actually come back next spring.  He has also taken up the habit of snipping a few roses to bring inside each time he does some gardening.  Usually we put them in a wall mounted vase I have in the living room, but yesterday I asked him to cut a few extra to put in one of my favorite small white pitchers.

It rained all day today, a gentle reminder that cooler temps and less than ideal weather are just around the corner.  Even with the dreary weather outside today, it's hard to be down when you have a pitcher filled with fresh cut roses to look at and smell.  And I even had fun taking a few pictures and messing around with Photoshop Elements a little to give the photos a soft, wispy feel, so for now I am looking at life through rose colored glasses and loving every minute of it!

Don't forget that there is still time to register to win my latest Giveaway...You could win $65 from CSN Stores to find your own special something to make your world a little more rosey! 

A special thank you to everyone who has already entered to win, tweeted, posted, and facebooked about the giveaway!!!

Island Living

When most people think of island living, they often conjure up images of deserted beaches, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and balmy year round temperatures, but island living happens all over the world, in all kinds of climates.

For one lucky Maryland couple, the dream of living on the water became a reality when they designed and built their beautiful multi-story home on a small local island.

I've already introduced you to one of the homeowners, my friend Julie from Frosted Trash!  Along with her husband Larry, they have created an island home that is as extraordinary as it's awe inspiring setting!

Nestled on a lot which boasts nearly 360 degree water views, it truly is a sanctuary for this very busy couple.

And the rural nature of this small island, means that so much of what we all crave about waterfront living has been preserved!  Wildlife abounds and so do friendly neighbors!

From the moment you venture up the front steps and enter this unique home you feel like the stresses of every day living have suddenly slipped away.

Much of that has to do with the soothing color palette, comfortable furnishings, and coastal inspired decor that Julie and Larry have chosen to use throughout their charming home.

Seagrass rugs, painted pieces, and antique furnishings add color, interest, and texture while continuing the casual beachy vibe.

Cottage style furniture, like this beautiful green chest just inside the front door, pairs perfectly with the soft gray wall color.

Neutral slipcovered chairs provide a comfy place to sit and enjoy the gorgeous views!

Color is introduced throughout the living room with pillows, throws, artwork, and other fun accessories.

A pebble fireplace surround and unique architectural finds add texture and interest while providing plenty for visitors to look at besides the wonderful views outside!

I love how Julie repeated the golden yellow color found in the stained glass above the front door throughout the living room.   She painted the backs of her bookcases this great color, used an old quilt draped on the sofa with the same golden hued pattern, and then found pillows which are the perfect shade to create continuity in the space.

From every angle this is a space you want to kick off your shoes and spend time in!

And if you tire of relaxing inside, you can always step through the french doors to take in the expansive water views which await you outside!

Can't you almost smell the salty air and taste the Old Bay on those freshly steamed crabs?  Who wouldn't want to eat dinner out here?!

The open concept of Julie's home makes it ideal for entertaining, something she and Larry do frequently with close friends and family.

The peninsula, which separates the kitchen and living room, provides the perfect spot to eat an afternoon snack.

A budget conscious girl after my own heart, Julie created this stunning kitchen using Ikea cabinetry!

A large farmhouse sink, glass fronted cabinets, dark charcoal gray countertops, and a colorful braided rug all add charm to this wonderful country kitchen!

Julie also loves to collect vintage kitchenware like this beautiful platter, marble lazy susan, and antique pottery.

More yellow ware bowls can be found atop the cabinets, while the glass fronted cabinets below are ideal for showcasing her extensive Jadite collection.

Glass fronted cabinetry on the opposite side of the kitchen is used to hold more of Julie's wonderful antique finds!

Of course you know I was tempted to walk away with that lovely white starfish serving bowl...isn't it pretty?!

I wouldn't have minding walking away with this breathtaking view either!!  Cooking with that kind of view wouldn't be work at all!

Located just off of the living room and kitchen is a lovely dining area.

A simple black table and chairs help ground the room, and I love the large drum shade chandelier which really makes a statement in the space.

Ironstone platters surround a porthole window which brings extra light in from the screened in porch area.  A small chest painted seafoam green provides and ideal spot for showcasing some of the couple's one of a kind accessories!

Large windows let in plenty of light which is magnified by this large wooden framed mirror.  I adore the hand carved mermaid floating gracefully above the mirror!  

A white buffet and stepped wall provide more room for Julie and Larry to display some of their treasured mementos.

And just in case you were wondering if this room also sports a lovely water view, well here it is...and it is just as heart stopping as those from the living room and kitchen!

Rounding out the main level of the house are two guest rooms and a full bath.  The nautical theme of this guest room is perfect for visiting grandchildren and other visitors alike.

Upstairs is a large master bedroom suite.  Julie chose a muted color scheme and filled the room with antiques to create a cozy and restful retreat.

An antique pine dresser occupies the small dressing area.

Windows on nearly every wall provide plenty of natural light for Julie to create her wonderful jewelry in the studio which is attached to the bedroom!

Imagine waking up every morning or falling asleep each night to the sounds of the waves lapping the shoreline!

Or you could stroll out each morning in your jammies and have a cup of coffee or tea on your private balcony overlooking the water!

I could learn to get used to this pretty quickly couldn't you?!  Julie is a better person than I am, if I had this balcony to sneak off to, I'd never get any work done!

I love how Julie incorporated a mix of vintage finds, classic elements, and folk art throughout her bedroom.  

The master bathroom also boasts amazing views and has a spa like atmosphere.

Getting ready to go to work takes on a whole new meaning when you have a view like this!

The top floor, often called a crow's nest, is where Larry practices his music and gets caught up on work.  A small kitchen in this space makes it perfect for visiting guests as well.

The view from the top floor balcony pretty much says it all about this wonderful beach house!  I hope you've enjoyed the tour of this lovely one of a kind beach house, and I want to thank Julie and Larry for opening up their home to me so that I could share it with all of you!

If you haven't already, be sure to enter to win the giveaway for some of Julie's beautiful Seaglass jewelry...that's her bowl filled to the brim with glass she finds along her beach!  

Just click HERE to enter to win these gorgeous earrings!  And be sure to visit her Frosted Trash Etsy Store to see more of her wonderful sea glass jewelry, including beautiful sea glass Troll Beads!!