Oscar Watching

We are expecting another storm this weekend in New England, but after we dig through the snow on Sunday we can watch the Oscars.  The best part of course is the Red Carpet!   What will they wear this year?  A few fabulous gowns from years past:

Grace Kelley

Gwyneth Paltrow

Cate Blanchett

And to add to the fun, here is a your very own Oscar Ballot (compliments of How About Orange).  Download here and enjoy the show (after the snow)!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I couldn't resist. 

 Today, on Valentine's Day, there seems to be an abundance of wonderful images, classic romantic films and artistry to celebrate Love!  

A smattering of favorite films to make us smile.

Never tire of this

Vintage Dreyfuss

Classic Marilyn

Favorite Places

I have always loved the art of topiary and have tried my hand at fresh and faux, with varied amounts of success both inside and out.  On a recent road trip I was delighted to discover this amazing topiary garden located on a country estate in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.  Green Animals is the oldest topiary garden in the northeast part of the US and is not only spilling over with a myriad of shapes and sizes of the finely shaped plants, but is located on a beautiful site overlooking Narragansett Bay.  This is  a hidden treasure within an hour's driving distance from Boston. 

Green Animals Topiary Garden | Newport Mansions

Fantasy Closets

A few weeks ago when the temperatures prematurely soared past 80, I searched for some warm weather clothes to wear to work on a summer day in winter.  Struggling through my tiny closet in our well-loved 100-year old home, I longed for a more organized (and of course, much larger) space to store my things.  I found a few versions my fantasy closet here:

Via Life of Luxury

Via Sotheby's

Via Houzz

Quote of the Day

With thanks, to Steve Martin!

Stunning Suspended Gardens

I recently stumbled upon these images of string gardens created by Dutch artist, 

 Fedor Van der Valk  .  He designed the suspended gardens with a variety of plants, flowers and orchids, which have an unexpected elegance.   I am intrigued by this natural art form and discovered a post on Design Sponge that provides guidance if you want to design your own unique string garden.

Images via Garden Design.

The Best Part of the Oscars

My favorite part the Academy Award Ceremony is watching Hollywood dress up for this red carpet occasion.  There are always hits and misses, fashion that ranges from daring to divine and styles that will be critiqued as perfectly beautiful or perfectly awful. 


I'll be interested to see what has inspired the designers this year: perhaps a nod to French designer, Madeleine Vionnet, who dressed the stars from the 1920's and 30's.  With two films nominated for best picture, The Artist and Midnight in Paris,  set in the 1920's, I'll be watching carefully.

Madeleine Vionnet at the Met

Vionnet Gown

Rooms for dreaming

While working on creating a new master bedroom, I have discovered many beautiful design ideas for my starting point. I  am especially drawn to the calm symmetry of this room.  

And this room, has made it into my first round of ideas because of the eclectic combination of vintage furniture,  rustic brick walls and the sparkling chandelier.  This is the room I would want if we could move into the City and live in a great loft on the waterfront.

I love the boldness of the over sized vintage mirror in this room.  

While searching for ideas for the master, I stumbled upon some great guest rooms. I would like to be a guest in this cozy room tucked into the eaves.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you have a lovely day!

Here are some of the beautiful permanent roses this week at Perennial Designs!

Inspiration in Green

Today I am inspired by the texture and color of this vertical garden from Flora Grubb Gardens, a floral design studio located in San Francisco.  I love the idea of decorating with something so unexpected and  unique.  I am torn between wanting to make this from fresh plants or fabulous faux (which, given what I do each day at Perennial Designs is where I am headed).