Thoughts on purple?

How does purple make you feel? Wealthy? Sexy? Secure? Or is it a little off to you (like it is to me)? Does it make you feel immature? Uneasy? Antsy?

However... I love this room! Taxidermy and the settee...delish. I also love the large scale wallpaper, so top drawer.

Okay, this is way more pink but there are lavender hues. I adore this for a girl and nothing's better than a pretty powder room. Now I really want a high gloss pink door! Plus my life's mantra is on the wall... Thanks to Elle Decor for the fab pics!

Distracting Office!

How's this for an amazing office space?! I love all of it, especially that light fixture. Extremely creative and functional. The bookshelves are slightly askew and that would drive me out of my mind but besides that, I think it's very impressive. I love the repetition of objects in the room, almost rhythmic. The brushes, the lamps on the ceiling, the books and the "circles" on the wall. Over and Over and Over. Also, pay mind to the mirror in the center as it expands the space and gives you even more repetition with the image of that amazing light fixture. Thanks to the peeps at Trendland.com for the pic!

Mid Century Modern Horcrux

Yesterday was the BRI (Bloomington Restoration Inc) Eastside Modern house walk in my very own neighborhood. five homes, each of them with so many similarities yet so different in those intangible ways. Magnificent, MidCentury Modern homes, some completely and dramatically renovated, others literally untouched from the day the owners had finally settled in. I am a sentimental sucker in historical areas. Family pictures, old furniture, forty year old books and old family sedans are a few things that bring a smile to my face. These objects are almost like a Horcrux (if you're unfamiliar with this term, I refer you to Harry Potter and feel sorry for you at the same time) and hold all human interaction with it. I know, a little flaky but it's how I feel. That's what these homes were yesterday. The well worn path on the cork floor through the hallways, the slightly mildewy aroma of childhood books still on their shelves and the original medicine cabinet that holds God-only-knows-what kind of secrets over the years. These are all the amazing experiences I had. One room in particular that made me really smile upon entering was the bathroom of a wonderful A Frame home (just a few hundred feet from my own home), nothing spectacular really...original fixtures, sink, tub and toilet but covering the walls were framed -of all different sizes- family pictures. Old black and whites of great grandparents, grandchildren, adult children, wedding photos, family reunions, hell there was even a picture of President Obama. This room was uber personal, not only because (of the obvious) it's a bathroom but because of all the very intimate photos that covered the walls. I think I spent the most time in there, floating from frame to frame, trying to tie family member to family member. The docents in the other room were probably wondering what the hell I was actually doing in there. The afternoon felt like a privilege, thanks to BRI and all the homeowners -my neighbors- for allowing us to peer into your homes and your lives for an afternoon. If you ever have the opportunity to go on a house walk, whether it's a million dollar a home house walk or a Queen Anne restoration house walk, go. Try to feel the energy of the house and it's inhabitants, it's an amazing feeling. Plus, when do you ever get the chance to stroll through someone's home ala Gladys Kravitz. (Again, for the pop culture inept I refer you to Bewitched and feel sorry for you again). A quick note...Bewitched is a wonderful show to watch for the interiors and decor. I'm going to add that to my side list.

East Side Modern Housewalk

Today there is a house walk -right here in my neighborhood- and I'm super psyched. Five homes on the walk, four of them excellent examples of Mid-Century Modern and the fifth is the original French Chateau style brick farmhouse that was on the original farmstead back in the 40's. When I was a kid, whenever we went anywhere at night I always tried to peek into people's homes to get a glimpse of the interior. As I got older, I would take walks at night through the neighborhood to sneak a peek into people's homes. Today, I can proudly walk into complete stranger's homes, in broad daylight and linger in full view of witnesses. Hell, there will be others there with the same love that I share for others homes. I confessed my night time peeping habits to two area Designers the other day (Pam & Kimberly from Accent on Interiors here in Bloomington) and they too revealed the same compulsion. We all laughed and were speculating that we couldn't possibly be the only three people in the world who had this love. If you're reading this and you're one of us, please confess. Don't misunderstand, no one is encroaching onto property and cupping their hands on the window for a cheap thrill, we simply take a look at the obvious. If you really don't want anyone to catch a glimpse of the inside of your home, draw the curtains tight. If you don't mind a little admiration form afar, keep those sheers open. I will post my adventure from today tomorrow. Can't wait!

Courage my friend...

In this hyper everything world we are living in, there is a very nondescript but essential word in our professional vocabularies...NETWORKING. Don't be afraid, meeting new people and introducing yourself to complete strangers is not as frightening as one may think, on the contrary. It's really quite thrilling, empowering and satisfying. I spent hours doing it yesterday and I promise you, I'm a better person for it today. I've said this over and over to friends and family (and especially my teenage twins) it's "who you know" that will help you succeed in this world. Every cool job I had in college was because I knew somebody that got me in. Any fabulous and exclusive record (complete with rock stars) party I ever attended was because of who I knew. My first client for Zoe was a wonderful woman, Laura Binning (take a bow) and we happened to meet at a job that I hated and she inspired me to get out on my own. Again, it was who I knew. She in turn introduced me to many more new clients, including her husband, Tim (take a bow, too) who is the Broker/Owner of several successful ReMax offices. Well, you know he threw me all kinds of gigs with his real estate contacts. When we recently moved to Bloomington, our friend Jeff Franklin (another amazing realtor with Tucker) personally called the agent for this property and gave my husband and I a glorious recomendation. Again...it's who you know. I don't mean for this to sound like we're using people just so we can obtain the desired results but that's exactly what it is but with a gentler hand. I actually LIKE all the people I network with. It's nothing more than friends doing favors for friends. God, I really sound like I'm living on my own little glitter and rainbow stage but it's how I really feel. Try to take that attitude when you're networking. Don't look at it as a task or a chore or one more thing to cross off your list. Think of it as widening your big ass circle of friends and acquaintances.

Back Home Again in Indiana...

I finally have a few minutes to tell you all that we've finally moved! We had been talking about moving to Bloomington, Indiana for years, even before our kids were born, but life sometimes distracts you from your chosen path. We have been here since August and are so anxious to get started on many different projects. My husband Paul is a Chef and he will be at Bloomington's newest (and best) restaurant, TOPO's on Walnut & 8th Streets. We're expecting a late November/December opening. Featuring Mediteranean cuisine from Greece, Spain and Italy. If you're lucky enough to be on the pre-opening party list, we'll see you there, if not, we'll see you shortly thereafter. Keep your eyes open for more info...

Think Pink! (and no, not breast cancer awareness)

Just want to give all of you a heads up to this month's House Beautiful Magazine. It is devoted to pink, all things pink and how pink has such a positive impact on our moods, feelings and creativity. I'm not the girliest girl but I do own my fair share of pink. The pages are filled with delicious rooms in varying palettes of cotton candy hues, some outrageous, some more demure. It's just plain-ass enjoyable to leaf through it during this time of the year, otherwise known as the season of gray here in Chicago.

Mimi and me

Around Thanksgiving this year, my beloved Jeep Grand Cherokee had given her last ounce of mobility to me. After eleven years and 226K miles, she quietly died on a frigid afternoon in Geneva, Illinois. After going for weeks without a car, don't get me started on what a pain that was, my husband finally found my dream replacement. A 1989 Mercedes 300 SE. I love cars, I was raised to love cars and I'm trying to raise my kids to love cars. Let me be more specific...cars made before the 1990's are my passion. My dream would be a 1967 Charger or maybe a 1963 Cadillac with suicide doors. But Mimi (that's what I named her, what? you don't name your cars?!) was made for me at this point in my life. When I was 16, my father bought me a red '67 convertible Mustang. She was tits! That was back in 1984 (yikes) and even the boys at school were jealous. But now as a 43 year old, with two twelve year olds, a husband of fifteen years and a head of white (premature) hair, Mimi fits me to perfection. She is a yacht on wheels with lots of curves but built like a tank. (Sounds like I'm describing myself). She has incredibly tacky (and sooo 80's) maroon leather interior with matching carpet that pops against her white (and I mean white) body. Her crowning glory, besides the medical emergency kit built in to the rear seat, is the Mercedes emblem that sits at the front of the hood. It's her tiara! I feel like a rock star when I am driving her and for the first month, I couldn't stop smiling whenever I got in. She makes me feel like a million bucks and she is the perfect compliment to where I am in my life...still fashionable but aging gracefully.

So here is the point I'm trying to make. Do not settle. This statement can be applied to any aspect of your life but when it comes to material possessions that define us (our homes, our cars and our clothes) make sure you are sending the right message. Do you really have to drive that minivan because you're guilted into it by all the other moms? No. Do you really have to paint every room in your home tones of oatmeal? No. Should you really buy "sensible" shoes because you're over 40? Hell no. Please, be yourself and don't be a sheep, it's a great feeling to not give a shit what others think. Give it a shot...but you have to really feel it.

Black Hole

I gave up on my little blog almost two years ago. Today I opened her up to see what has been happening, if anything. The only thing I can see is that I'm older and a tiny bit wiser and a hell of a lot busier. I miss the verbal vomit. I need a cleanse and this will be my spot.

I'll continue to discuss the usual...home, design and anything else that strikes my fancy. Please, jump in any time. I love the comments, good or bad.

Finally! Some inspiration...

I have been soooo negligent to my poor little blog, it's just pathetic. I will make a concerted effort to get in a new post at least weekly. I think the long winter (of my discontent) was a joy killer for me and zapped my emotional and creative energy. But here we are in mid May and I'm finally feeling much better.

I have a few design projects in the works and a new staging opportunity this week. I'm starting to notice that the housing market may have hit bottom. Keep your fingers crossed.