Living the Dream - Only to Have it Crushed

He was up in cental NY just to have my car serviced at the place where we buy all our Saabs. The phone rang.
"Claude's got this great convertible..."

We already have 3 Saabs (albeit one is quite old) and we don't need another one.
I looked at the picture they emailed me. He looked so happy. He promised he'd wear sunblock every time he drove with the top down.
To my own surprise, I said, "GET IT - Life is short!"

Then the phone rang at Tired Iron Saab. The guy who had first dibs on it called with minutes to spare to say he decided he wanted it.

The phone rang here. "The other guy got it."
age 47 - living the dream, if only for 15 minutes.

Living the Dream - Only to Have it Crushed

He was up in cental NY just to have my car serviced at the place where we buy all our Saabs. The phone rang.
"Claude's got this great convertible..."

We already have 3 Saabs (albeit one is quite old) and we don't need another one.
I looked at the picture they emailed me. He looked so happy. He promised he'd wear sunblock every time he drove with the top down.
To my own surprise, I said, "GET IT - Life is short!"

Then the phone rang at Tired Iron Saab. The guy who had first dibs on it called with minutes to spare to say he decided he wanted it.

The phone rang here. "The other guy got it."
age 47 - living the dream, if only for 15 minutes.

Do You Have a Fly Swatter?

Am I crazy to ask this question? Will I lose readers just at the thought of a squished fly on a swatter? (expecially since my friend Lisa reminded me a rolled up newspaper works great and can be thrown out.)

Well, I do have a fly swatter courtesy of attending a really fun wedding at a farm in central New York. As you can see, the handle notes the wedding date.

It came with a cute and creative poem -

Mike and Adrienne wanted to get married on a farm because of the memories and all the country charm. They were worried the flies would annoy their guests so use this fly swatter to put a few to rest!

(p.s. the marks on the poem sticker are not from flies!)

In the D.C. area, flies really aren't a problem and we rarely have them. My fly swatter is tucked away in a hidden area - typically used only when a wasp or bee somehow finds its way in.

As a kid we had a fly swatter hanging up in discrete area off our kitchen. We had no air conditioning and alot of flies that were quite crafty at flying in when we were going in or out the door. Although instead of the swatter we much preferred the entertainment of watching my Dad catch flies in mid-air with his hands!

Here's a Daisy fly swatter from etsy - here.
This etsy Flip-flop fly swatter is fun. The fly is fake. ( here)

So, was this question too crazy or is there a fly swatter somewhere in your house, on your porch or cabin in the woods? Note: no actual flies were harmed in the making of this post.

Do You Have a Fly Swatter?

Am I crazy to ask this question? Will I lose readers just at the thought of a squished fly on a swatter? (expecially since my friend Lisa reminded me a rolled up newspaper works great and can be thrown out.)

Well, I do have a fly swatter courtesy of attending a really fun wedding at a farm in central New York. As you can see, the handle notes the wedding date.

It came with a cute and creative poem -

Mike and Adrienne wanted to get married on a farm because of the memories and all the country charm. They were worried the flies would annoy their guests so use this fly swatter to put a few to rest!

(p.s. the marks on the poem sticker are not from flies!)

In the D.C. area, flies really aren't a problem and we rarely have them. My fly swatter is tucked away in a hidden area - typically used only when a wasp or bee somehow finds its way in.

As a kid we had a fly swatter hanging up in discrete area off our kitchen. We had no air conditioning and alot of flies that were quite crafty at flying in when we were going in or out the door. Although instead of the swatter we much preferred the entertainment of watching my Dad catch flies in mid-air with his hands!

Here's a Daisy fly swatter from etsy - here.
This etsy Flip-flop fly swatter is fun. The fly is fake. ( here)

So, was this question too crazy or is there a fly swatter somewhere in your house, on your porch or cabin in the woods? Note: no actual flies were harmed in the making of this post.

Marija Stephens: Luminous

I have just returned from a business trip and don't have the spirit yet to write about design. My mind is on Marija of Holding Court. I am heartbroken for her husband, her children and all her family and friends. There have been beautiful tributes to Maria in the blog world and I want this post of rememberance to always be a part of this blog.

We only met last month. Within the first half-hour I had invited her to my home in September and she had accepted. We laughed, shared stories and agreed on so much. How can only 7 hours of time together and a month of emailing create such a deep impression?

I am left with one conclusion: some people, by their very nature, are more. They are greater in joy, brighter in intellect, bigger in spirit, and filled more with love. Marija was one of those people.

I have also found that these most gifted of people are the most humble; the least aware of their excellence; the most generous with their wit and humor; the most capable of making you feel good and valued just by being around them. They live optimistically and with abundance, freely sharing their goodness. Marija was very gifted in all these ways.

Luminous.


(Marija's husband has written a beautiful piece about his wife here. Donations in Marija's name can be made to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.)

Marija Stephens: Luminous

I have just returned from a business trip and don't have the spirit yet to write about design. My mind is on Marija of Holding Court. I am heartbroken for her husband, her children and all her family and friends. There have been beautiful tributes to Maria in the blog world and I want this post of rememberance to always be a part of this blog.

We only met last month. Within the first half-hour I had invited her to my home in September and she had accepted. We laughed, shared stories and agreed on so much. How can only 7 hours of time together and a month of emailing create such a deep impression?

I am left with one conclusion: some people, by their very nature, are more. They are greater in joy, brighter in intellect, bigger in spirit, and filled more with love. Marija was one of those people.

I have also found that these most gifted of people are the most humble; the least aware of their excellence; the most generous with their wit and humor; the most capable of making you feel good and valued just by being around them. They live optimistically and with abundance, freely sharing their goodness. Marija was very gifted in all these ways.

Luminous.


(Marija's husband has written a beautiful piece about his wife here. Donations in Marija's name can be made to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.)

A Virginia Gentleman's Study & A Sale

A few weeks ago I wrote about the extraordinary home of a very creative woman (here and here) Now I'd like to share the photos from her husband's study- an equally fascinating and intriguing space. Entering the room you immediately sense that this is someone who is passionate about history and completely at home surrounded by collections and personal mementos. I don't think it would be possible not to be entertained and informed after spending a day in this room.
Organized abundance - for me it's a very pleasing look.

Cannons standing guard. Notice the stately landscaping at the entry of this home.
Love the red and white shades on these sconces. Hope you enjoyed the peek into this amazing study.

On another note - A Sale:

I was recently contacted by Annie Groer, former Washington Post Home section writer about an upcoming "Get It Gone" parking lot sale at 4912 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD this Saturday, April 17, from 7 am until noon. (*Rain Date is April 24. For updates go to Capital Consignment)

A Virginia Gentleman's Study & A Sale

A few weeks ago I wrote about the extraordinary home of a very creative woman (here and here) Now I'd like to share the photos from her husband's study- an equally fascinating and intriguing space. Entering the room you immediately sense that this is someone who is passionate about history and completely at home surrounded by collections and personal mementos. I don't think it would be possible not to be entertained and informed after spending a day in this room.
Organized abundance - for me it's a very pleasing look.

Cannons standing guard. Notice the stately landscaping at the entry of this home.
Love the red and white shades on these sconces. Hope you enjoyed the peek into this amazing study.

On another note - A Sale:

I was recently contacted by Annie Groer, former Washington Post Home section writer about an upcoming "Get It Gone" parking lot sale at 4912 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD this Saturday, April 17, from 7 am until noon. (*Rain Date is April 24. For updates go to Capital Consignment)

Extraordinary Home: Part 2

There is so much to share from this home and the gardens that I plan to do it in installments. I think of this house like a wonderful confection - to be savored a bit at a time. At this welcoming back entry you are greeted by a pink heart enscribed with the word Love. The door is wonderfully framed by the shutters and the arch.
Umbrellas and hats to your right...
and croquet mallets and jump ropes to your left!

A kitchen counterscape of lovely things.
The gorgeous porcelain box holds tea.
A microwave and wall oven marries with the art on this wall.
I really fell for these beautiful seascapes by artist Radford Wine.
Collected treasures on a gorgeous wood desk.
The faux bois piece was the owned by the late Bill Blass.
More whimsy; a little modern blue chair sized just right for a grandchild.

The view from the upstairs to the main entry. Light and fresh even on what was a very overcast day. Notice the two croquet mallets here too.
A bookscape of pink and orange, arranged almost as a present. More to follow in the coming weeks from this original home.

Extraordinary Home: Part 2

There is so much to share from this home and the gardens that I plan to do it in installments. I think of this house like a wonderful confection - to be savored a bit at a time. At this welcoming back entry you are greeted by a pink heart enscribed with the word Love. The door is wonderfully framed by the shutters and the arch.
Umbrellas and hats to your right...
and croquet mallets and jump ropes to your left!

A kitchen counterscape of lovely things.
The gorgeous porcelain box holds tea.
A microwave and wall oven marries with the art on this wall.
I really fell for these beautiful seascapes by artist Radford Wine.
Collected treasures on a gorgeous wood desk.
The faux bois piece was the owned by the late Bill Blass.
More whimsy; a little modern blue chair sized just right for a grandchild.

The view from the upstairs to the main entry. Light and fresh even on what was a very overcast day. Notice the two croquet mallets here too.
A bookscape of pink and orange, arranged almost as a present. More to follow in the coming weeks from this original home.