until we meet again...

Today was the first day of school. Although it's hard to believe that summer is officially over, and the inevitability of cold weather cannot be ignored, I will have to rely on my summer photos to tide me over. No pun intended.

Photo by Bob Lotz, a photographer I met on Gooches Beach

Kennebunkport proves to be a special place for my children. Despite the cold Maine water, they enjoyed some time kicking back off the lip. Wet suits certainly didn't hurt the process.

The neighborhoods along Kennebunkport's Ocean Ave leave little to be desired for the design-minded individual. Instead of lugging around my SLR digital camera, I decided to go it with my iPhone. Look at the shape of that window box in full swing.

Who can resist the beautiful views at St. Ann's Church? It's not hard to understand why brides are drawn to this one-of-a-kind spot, where you can be married in the historic stone chapel, or outside against the backdrop of a rocky shore.

Photo by Roy Goodwin

Photo by Roy Goodwin

So as I bid farewell to Summer 2014, I remember my summers as a young girl, and think... THIS is what summer means to me. Farewell Kennebunkport, til we meet again.

Opportunity Knocks with a Cherry on Top!

source

Opportunity came knocking this past November, when I was asked to create designs and do a tablescape demonstration for a holiday event that was being hosted by Dorothy Goodwin and Joe Petrucci of Century 21 in Wakefield. To put a cherry on top of this already amazing experience, I was told that I might be mentioned in one of the upcoming Century 21 Commonwealth Newsletters, to which I exclaimed, WHAT, you must be joking? No, they weren't, I made the second page!

PAGE ONE...

PAGE TWO!

When the newsletter finally reached me, and I began to read, I was stunned by the references made about me. What an honor to think that my love of creating pretty things could be thought of as art.

I want to thank Dorothy Goodwin and Joe Petrucci AGAIN, for asking me to join forces. I would also like to thank Roy Goodwin for photographing my designs in such a beautiful way, and Sarah Mattero from Mills PR, for writing such a lovely piece about the collaborative efforts of two real estate agents and one aspiring designer.

Maybe Christmas, perhaps...means a little bit more!

Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

Welcome Christmas, bring your cheer! After bringing a little cheer to the Lynnfield Meeting House a few weeks ago, many of these designs have been appropriately placed back at home, which makes my job as head designer a lot easier. These projects are worthwhile on many levels, including getting my butt in gear ahead of schedule.

Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

When it comes to Christmas decorations, I lean towards the mixing of current trends (like owls and mercury glass) with natural elements, and of course my arsenal of collected treasures, to get the job done. With endless amounts of inspirational images seen throughout the year, coming up with new ways in which to display my wares is never difficult. Although, there is a point at which, it's time for a change, which brings me to my next point.

Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

I find comfort in knowing that when I decorate my home for the holidays, I can merge personal meaning and tradition to create memories for my family. Designing with elements that reflect a family's interests and hobbies is one of the best ways to incorporate personality into your designs. For example, my daughter and I created this buri tree a few years ago, because of her love of animals. With all the talk over Thanksgiving about holiday ideas this year and upcoming design projects (I have three sisters and a mom who love the decorating process), there was only ONE that registered with my girl. That would be the one where she heard the words equestrian-themed tree...maybe next year Cindy Loo Who!

Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

There's no better time than Christmas to celebrate the ones you love by showing them that the ways in which they fill your life, hold meaning. As the Grinch thought, "Maybe Christmas, perhaps...means a little bit more."

The Proof of the Pudding (is in the eating)

Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

This past Saturday I designed a Holiday Tablescapes event, where I had the chance to showcase my work. I was hoping that the event would give me an opportunity to show people what I do first-hand. Since most of my days are spent in my little home studio hidden from view, being able to get out in front of a group is a worthwhile venture. I even agreed to do a design demonstration (ugh), which is not always an easy task. All of this was a huge undertaking, and would not have been possible without the support of my family.

Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

When I was asked a few weeks ago to design an event for Dorothy Goodwin and Joe Petrucci of Century 21 in Wakefield, I was extremely honored. In planning for this fabulous opportunity, I thought that it would be important for me to show, in both floral and interior designs, my ideas about how to layer through combinations of colors and textures. I was also interested in mixing high and low elements, mixing heirlooms with trendy/retail pieces.

Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

After all the leg work was complete for my tablescape designs, I quickly moved on to the demonstration portion of my plan. I knew for sure that whatever I chose to demonstrate needed to be user-friendly, and should be made with materials that were easy to access. I felt it important that the take-away for guests was one of inspiration, and not of frustration. I wanted them to leave with the feeling that they could easily translate the design for their own holiday tables.

A trip to my local Hannaford provided all the materials necessary to make these designs. Two bags of fresh produce and $50 dollars later, I was off to my studio to put the practical into practice. In keeping with my theory of always utilizing what is on-hand (when you can), I chose a couple of trays from my own collection, thinking that most people would be able to improvise with something similar from their own homes.

Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

One of my happy holiday attendees, keeping busy with his iPad while ignoring (I'm sure) the boring conversation going on around the room.

Photo credit: Roy Goodwin

I don't even know how to express my deep appreciation for the opportunity afforded to me by Dorothy Goodwin and Joe Petrucci of Century 21 in Wakefield. I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to photographer Roy Goodwin for the beautiful images he took of my work. How will I ever be able to accept the quality of my own photos again?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!