Rethinking the Look of Things No. 2 - Plates on the Wall

It isn't anything new but the execution makes it inspired. I'm rethinking the look of things using plates on the wall. Take a look at some of my favorite images.

When I saw this image a few months ago all I could do was say OMG!

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I'd edit this a bit, but liking the plate arrangement.

I love the "sassy" attitude this plate collection has.

What a beautiful way to display a stunning oyster plate collection!

And here are a few of my favorite plates that I think would create interesting vignettes.

These petite plates from Denmark have endless possibilities.

Available through Willow Bee Inspired

Limited to 1 set of 8

Image Metal and Mud

http://www.etsy.com/

Image Kate Spade

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Image Ralph Lauren

Image Barbara Barry for Wedgewood

Image Thomas Paul

Yes, please. Anything John Derian is ok with me!

Image John Derian

Image Sources Unless otherwise mentioned: Better Homes & Gardens, Decor Pad, Pinterest, Visual Lamp, Southern Living

RSVP Collection No. 5 - Mango Salsa

Mango Salsa

1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and diced (about 1 1/2 c.)

1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped

1 Jalapeno chile, minced

1 small cucumber, peeled and diced (about 1 c.)

3 Tbsp. fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

Salt and Pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 

A Debt of Gratitude this Memorial Day

Image Freedom Phoenix

Thank you to all our brave and fearless soliders!

Quote of the Week No. 6 - It's the Weekend

It's the weekend...

Do what you're NOT supposed to.

Image Source: Hallmark

Well Dressed Home No. 2 - Bobbin Chair

I consider the accent chair one of the most important elements in a room. The accent chair is where a bit of personality, individuality, and sometimes history comes into the design. Where the braver side of you can come out. The accent chair is like the right shoe for an outfit. Beautiful and comfortable.

My favorite accent chairs have always been wood frame chairs. The wood frame tends to offer more:

• carving in just the right places
• sleekness of a leg style
• a bit of modern in an otherwise formal room
• a family heirloom style where a fun fabric borders on sacrilege
• a reproduced design of an antique that brings back fond memories
• the perfect silhouette for animal print fabrics!

I'm loving the bobbin chair design for its versatility. This design is like the 3" heel open toe shoe that looks great in any color. The bobbin chair compliments almost any design aesthetic and carries almost any fabric refreshingly well.

Image sources: 1st Dibs, Veranda, Dan Marty, Massoud, Bassett Furniture, Stylebeat, Hickory Chair, Lexington Furniture, Manolo Blahnik, Aesthetic Decor

Finds No. 3 - Menswear Sketches

I try, I really do, but I cannot walk past a stack of old magazines, books, or other paper. You just never know what treasures you are going to find. One of my recent finds immediately brought Mad Men characters to mind. Not a shabby thought!

Image Source AMC TV

Though the cover was unassuming and aged, as soon as I saw it was fashion-related from 1948-49 I had to take a peek. 

Detmer Woolens was founded in 1885 in New York City. Their slogan was "Wear and Tailor Best". Here are a few images from inside.

These sketches would be great framed for an office, mens bath, library, mens dressing room, tailor's shop, or even a dapper man's kitchen! I framed 2 of them.

Image Willow Bee Inspired

I chose a olive green matte color that had a black core and had the framer cut in "pin stripes" in the matte showing the black core to play on the menswear image. A simple black frame finishes the very classy artwork.

Image Sources Detmer Woolens Autumn & Winter 1948-59.

Garden Design No. 2 - Container Gardening - Container Recipes

I have found a container gardener's cheat site! Are you one of those container gardeners who traditionally plants their outdoor pots the same year after year? Well it's time to spice it up! Embrace change my garden-gloved friend.

Proven Winners has a great link on their website for container gardening recipes.  Visit http://www.provenwinners.com/ and click on container recipes. Here are a few of my favorites.

Heat Wave Container Recipe

Image Proven Winners

Gemini Container Recipe

Image Proven Winners

Pennies From Heaven Container Recipe

Image Proven Winner

The site shows the finished container as well as the "recipe". Just pick your favorites, print out the recipe, and off to the garden center you go.

I think this Mint Chandelier is clever also. After all there is nothing like a tall glass of fresh mint tea on a hot summer day.

Image Martha Stewart

Keep in mind that the scent of a container garden can be just as enjoyable as the show of color and texture. Consider a container garden using basil, rosemary, and sage. This one should be placed at arms length so you can rustle the leaves and stir up the pleasant aroma any time. And, of course clip and use in the kitchen.

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I planted thyme in the bed next to our hammock so I can graze it with my toes. My daughter went for the Chocolate Mint as soon as she spotted it for our deck container planting. What a pleasant surprise to graze by as the Chocolate Mint is secretly tucked in with pink, orange, and yellow blooms and is unexpected.

Image Source Unknown

This checkboard planting incorporating thyme is my vision around our outdoor firepit.

Rethinking the Look of Things No. 3 - Window Treatments

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's newest exhibit: Rooms With a View: The Open Window Into The 19th Century started me rethinking the look of things at the window.

I think it is time to rethink how we frame our windows. The simple stationary panel on a decorative rod has become overdone. Trust me, I still believe this treatment can be a stunning way of finishing a window with a beautiful fabric. This treatment just shouldn't be the "resort to" window treatment, especially in almost every room of the house. The "design" of a window treatment needs to be reintroduced into the planning of our home.

The need for privacy is a necessary element of our window design, however, the budget shouldn't be blown on the privacy factor. Do we chose an outfit because of its buttons or zippers? I think not, the feel good of that outfit is how it drapes and frames our silhouette. So should the window treatments we chose for our home.

So don't be talked into the "Bentley" of privacy shades, there are wonderful quality products that provide function and privacy without breaking the window treatment budget. The window treatment budget should include the complete window treatment. We all know putting off finishing the window means it probably will never be finished. Like a suit hanging in our closet with the tag still on because we can't afford the tailoring.

I look at these famous paintings and can't help but think they wouldn't be the same with a three-inch sheer shade and no fabric treatment.

The exhibit at the Met runs from April 5 - July 4, 2011.

Image Sources: Salvador Dali, Adolph Menzel, Georg Friedrich Kersting, Martinus Rorbye, Wilhelm Bendz, Thomas Worthington Whittredge

Welcome! Thank you for Coming!

I have to say with much appreciation, THANK YOU, to all readers of my new blog! I am thrilled to welcome readers not only from my home country, United States, but from Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Mauritius, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Singapore!

I hope you are enjoying the Willow Bee Inspired blog as much as I enjoy writing it.  I do look forward to your comments.  As some of you have sent me comments via my e-mail address, I would love to be able to share your comments on posts that you enjoy to share with other readers.

At the bottom of each blog post there is a Comment link. Simply click on comments and a box will appear for you to type in your thoughts or questions.    I look foward to hearing from you!

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