Artist of the month + Charley Snow

You have to love a good cow painting! And those of artist Charley Snow are wonderful. Charley is able to capture the personality of each of his "subjects" as if an old friend has come to visit. If you are visiting Palm Desert in the next month check out the show at the Coda Gallery or find there web site here.

Sedum & Succulent centerpieces

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I had fun today creating these table centerpieces, using a variety of sedums & succulents.

Simple clear glass low containers, the perfect touch to your summer dinner party!

Best of all, once you are done with the centerpieces you can transplant them to the garden!

A Japanese garden in Central Oregon

You might think this is not possible in our Central Oregon climate, but it is! I spent the most wonderful day touring a friends ranch in Tumalo, Oregon. I was with a client who is planning a Japanese inspired garden for her own hillside home, and she asked were do we start! It seems to me, a garden design is not unlike an interior. the same principles of scale and balance can be applied, using texture and playing with light and shadows. Add in a few sculptural elements, and always consider the most important principle of "less is more"

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Now I am off to the Japanese garden in Portland, a true gem! Happy gardening

Cottage on a Tumalo farm

For the last couple years I have been helping a dear friend pull together this charming cottage on a farm in Tumalo. (That's Central Oregon for you in the city)

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A simple vignette at the front porch to the main cottage,

Detail of the front door, we found this in Portland at Rejuvenation hardware,

The master bedroom has the most charming view of grazing livestock and the Cascade range beyond,

Let me just say, how wonderful it is to work with someone like my friend who has lived all over the world and collected such treasures it is truly magical, both our friendship and the cottage.

In the sitting area of the master bedroom a rustic painted table is at home with 18 century frame chair vintage Wicker works lounge and a fabulous painted Japanese screen,

A carved wood Buddha stands looking over the distant fields,

I love this tooled silver chest of drawers as a bedside table in contrast with the painted balustrade lamp.

The vintage iron railing we found at a favorite shop in Portland - Bernadette Breu

A separate cottage for guests is nicely appointed with 18 century walnut dresser, Fortuny textiles, fabulous blue & white porcelains and jute cloth curtains. Who wouldn't want to be a guest in this room!

Not only do I love my passion for decorating and collecting but the opportunity to grow and learn every day from friends . . . THANK YOU

FLOWER POWER

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One of my favorite passions is flowers, and the opportunity to create new arrangements in clients homes. The photo above is a study in all white, inspired by Blanc de Chine.

This is one of my favorite powder room designs, with hand painted silk wall covering and antique accents. The pure simplicity of clear glass cylinders with floating orchids is the perfect compliment to this room.

My client was hosting a luncheon featuring an artist from Breedlove guitars, for this arrangement we used elements from guitars as sculpture to set off the flowers.

Flowers add beauty and life to any room, whether you use simple cut stems or create unique arrangements. Have fun and experiment with unusual containers and add elements with graceful forms, if you are searching for that perfect accessory it could be as simple as flowers.