Friday, March 22, 2013

gilding little frames and the art of Geninne Zlatkis


More brown was banished! This little trio of sweet artwork by Mexican artist Gennine Zlatkis was fine in dark brown but I am looking to change things these days and decided I wanted to use to use more Rub N Buff somewhere in the house so I gilded them. They hang in the kitchen, around the corner from the toleware candle sconces I gilded the other day.


Here you can see the difference, I prefer the lighter look of the gold.


I love Gennine's designs. This series has a lovely message.



The light is uneven in the space with a lot of light at the top from the transom so the gild on the bottom frame looks darker but they are the same as demonstrated below.




The sky is white, devoid of any color and has been like this for two weeks! We received 4' more inches of snow last night. YUCK. Where is the sun? I will see it tomorrow but it requires a plane ticket. I am ready for sand and warm sun!

Are you tweaking little things in your house on these long cabin fever days?


Thanks for visiting!
Cindy

Thursday, March 21, 2013

garden designer Peter Fudge

His name would be perfect for a character in a children's book but it belongs to a Sydney, Australia landscape architect that designs the most beautiful gardens! Take a look....


Peter Fudge does not design in one particular style, it seems he adapts to the special needs of the space for each project. This formal French inspired garden reminds me of Loi Thai's garden in Maryland.





This box hedge planted with steps looks cool.



I love the low maintenance and the shape of the shades of the landscape lights of this ground cover filled garden.


This one is Asian inspired and modern.



This light coastal garden with pool is accented with pastels that compliment its waterside location.




For a wooded suburban lot, he uses lots of sleek decking and grasses.





In this symmetrical garden, Peter Fudge utilized lots of hedges, both tall and short to create privacy and define garden "rooms".


This French styled parterre looks like a lot of work to me!


He uses low blooming succulents in an artistic way.


The other view....


Love the simple design of this fountain or maybe it is just a reflecting pool.




all above images property of Peter Fudge

Aren't these Australian gardens just beautiful? Visit the website of Peter Fudge here for more.


This is the reason I am trawling the internet for garden beauty today.
First day of spring in my neck of the woods! 
Happy spring everyone!

Thanks for visiting!
Cindy


Monday, March 18, 2013

summer on the patio


Sleet and temperatures in the 30's today, forecast for same all week. How about some images with the promise of summer? I love the West Coast look of Pottery Barn's Abbott Collection






Shop here.

Friday, March 15, 2013

cute little hostess gift



This hand drawn little trinket plate would be perfect to keep on hand for a last minute gift, only $8 at Anthropologie. Love the message on the back....

Thursday, March 14, 2013

buyer beware...of Williams-Sonoma!



Warning...beware....Williams-Sonoma prices its items RIDICULOUSLY! This pretty whitewashed sunburst mirror is priced at $650 on Williams-Sonoma website. I bought a similar mirror but in a gold leaf finish on One Kings Lane a few months ago for $99 and $10 shipping!!!!




Wednesday, March 13, 2013

day makeup for mature skin

Good advice from Lisa Eldridge, a British makeup artist....


Biggest takeaway for me- emphasizing the eyes more as we age, not less. I now wear eye liner for the first time in my life, my light eyes are out of focus otherwise. Also am wearing darker shadow to create depth and contour as she recommends. Her beautiful face, British accent and soft voice make this easy to watch! Visit her website here for lots of advice and videos.

etsy finds for the garden

Spring is in the air, not quite here yet but the slightly warmer temperatures, sunnier skies and longer daylight are taking us outside once again. Love to see what unique vintage finds can be discovered on etsy to satisfy our need to cultivate green this season!














Is your patio in need of vintage charm this season?