Satisfied

After a very busy week of moving my daughter in to her first house out of college, I stayed home today to get my own house back in order.

I gave my daughter a sofa and some classic club chairs. 

We switched rugs around so that she could take one from home. 

Of course,  these changes meant moving furniture off of rugs and rearranging the furniture in new ways.
The changes required clearing tables and stacking things on the dining table, along with the piles of magazines and books, already there, that we had been pouring over these last few weeks looking for design ideas.

Although a general sense of fatigue has set in from the last few weeks, my mind was ready to put my house back together this morning,  in a different way. 

You know that feeling of inspiration, when ordering and arranging things becomes like making art - add some texture here, add some color there, edit..... take something away, add that little something for balance, find all things in one color range,  find colors that compliment, tall and short, pairs versus three, what works together, what relates, what doesn't......and on and on.

 I couldn't quite get there 100% today - some days I have more creative energy than others.

Sometimes I just sit down and browse through design books or blogs hoping to get inspired. 

Sometimes the vision comes from within......sometimes not.

                                                                                   

It was a good day, though, and I am ready to tackle my blog again tomorrow (or the next day) and fill you in on some changes. 

  I laid the mirror on my coffee table and arranged a few things on top of it.

I found the mirror in Brunswick, Maine. The pieces on the frame are cut pieces of chocolate brown leather layered and attached to the edges.
Perhaps Victorian.

I think it is fabulous, strange, and I love it.

A group of pottery found in various places, mostly red in Fredericksburg, and Digs in Nashville.

 I am a pottery freak.

Thanks for stopping by.

Good night.

New Blog Look - Big Plans.....Hang Tight

I am helping my daughter move to Austin this week to start her new adventure after college! 

                                                                                    Source

Life is pretty chaotic and busy around our house, so please don't forget Hill Country House! 

I have great plans for my new blog design, blog re-organization, new Etsy shop (still so new and barely up and running yet....)

and..... I have been a TERRIBLE blog friend to so many that I typically read daily and stay in touch with....

So PLEASE ....hang tight and I will be back!!

Evoke Contemporary Santa Fe, Artist Louisa MacElwain

I am in the process of editing some old posts and labels  while reorganizing my blog and working on a new look with Shari of Little Blue Deer, who, by the way, is so talented!

Anyway, I came across this post that I never completed - much to my dismay - so I decided to hit "Publish" and share what little I wrote. Evoke Contemporary is Santa Fe is one of my most favorite galleries, ever, anywhere, and I urge you to visit the site for a real treat!

Evoke Contemporary is an outstanding gallery in Santa Fe.

Kathrine Erickson is the owner and she is charming,very knowledgeable and just plain fun to hang out with and talk art.

I hate to start this post with an apology, but here it is.

  I am so sorry that all I have is a few cell phone photos of my last visit with her at her wonderful gallery.

(I will snag some from her website to make up for my poor photos!)

So, the photo is Kathrine with Bruce.

Kathrine has a handsome and equally sharp partner, Elan.....but alas, Bruce captured my heart and jumped into the picture!

The gallery is a stunning space with room for the variety of art featured on any given day. One of my favorites are the paintings of Louisa MacElwain.
Her painterly style with vivid color and heavy brush strokes appeals to me on many levels.

My sweet husband - who also loves art - waits patiently for me when I obsess over things.....like certain artists and works!

Check out the website for a look at a lovely gallery with an amazing collection of art from paintings to drawings to sculpture and more.

Damn Hot, Mommy

One day, many years ago, the little princess in the blue dress (with chocolate pudding on her face) arrived home after morning soccer practice.

I greeted her with
"Hey Sweet Pea, how was soccer practice today?"

To which this little toot replied..........

"It was DAMN hot, Mommy".

At that point my assistant, you know, the mothering ten year old, (pink dress, top picture) gave me a sideways glance and whispered "Did you HEAR what she said?!!"

Ever the diligent mother, I asked the precious little foul mouthed one.....

"Excuse me, what did you say?"

I said  "It was DAMN hot, Mommy".

The conversation continued....

"Oh honey, we don't say DAMN......

We say "It was hot as fire" or "It was hot as blazes" or even "It was REALLY, REALLY hot"

 (raising my voice to sound silly and emphasize REALLY)

Silence.

 

Finally, with a look of resignation, like... You . just. do. not. get it.....

"But Mommy, it WAS damn hot. "

Period.

And so it was, and it still is.......

DAMN HOT.

Enjoy.

All photos from my personal dream files. If I have used one without crediting you, please leave a comment for me and I will do so. Thanks!

Design - Maine House

We had lunch with friends yesterday in a charming old house built in the 1800s.

Restored to a modern character, while still respecting the home's history,

my friend's home is simple and elegant.

It reflects her style, understated and lovely.

I knew I was in for a treat at the entry hall.
Gorgeous simplicity.

Looking from the entry into the living room.

.....and back the other way.

Hhmmm.... I am feeling a bit covetous.

 Lobster floats in the best colors....and the stands are fabulous.

I love elevating simple things to to the art that they truly are.

Perfect, cozy sitting room.

Love the mirror.

 White porcelain fruits and vegetables - love.

 Fine, sculptural white vases.

Delightful dining room with great art - so wish I had gotten a closer view for you.

The old marble top on this sideboard is fabulous with a wonderful aged  patina.

 Love the red floor and Thomas Moser bar stools.

Thomas Moser bench under the window.
Splendid simplicity, again.

Wonderful dimensional art by Maine artist Barbara Sullivan.

Of course, I had a fit over this fixture.

It has traveled from New Orleans to Dallas to Rockport, Maine.

Here it is again!

Kids play and movie room - I could hang here!

Ooohhhh, the gardens. We had lunch at that table you see on the patio.

All of the window screens push out from the window like the ones you see here. The weather was so mild and perfect that the doors and windows were all just wide open for the day.

 

 I love the architectural lines of the house - the three tiers of the roof line.

Our lunch salad was made from lettuce picked from the gardens.

 Beautifully restored barn/out building.

Maybe the most charming fort ever!!

Portrait of a boy.

Happy 4th of July!!