Fresh Start Studio

Gee, nice to have walls

After three weeks away from our remodel project, I arrived in the dead of night here so couldn't see a darn thing. But, thanks to jet lag, I was up nice and early this morning and was so happy to see real walls -- on the inside and outside -- at the lake house. I got so used to seeing the space open and bare, but now it looks like a real house. And the bonus: the "mud" guys are working today, and their work is so quiet, I hardly know they are up there. And the weather is amazing. Great to be back. Check out the photos I just posted to see for yourself!

going to get a lot more ugly...

before any pretty kicks in...  We are down to the thinnest of layers on the front exterior. Fake stucco -- be gone!

stained glass brings continuity to our space

 
July's banner for Fresh Start Studio features the stained glass from the front door of our lake house. It was lovingly created by the original owner I'm told. It is quite the Frank Lloyd Wright style. We need a new front door, so I will remove this glass and create something special. I feel it deserves an honorable spot in the new digs. There are also two side-lights. I'm sure I can find a way to use them. I want to keep all the good vibes and beautiful light and color they create.

European Painted House Signs

If anyone reading this in Zurich knows a local resource, please let me know -- I love these little signs. Here is a resource out of Denmark that ships. These house signs are common in S. America and all over Europe. If I put one on my house in Tennessee, do you think I'll get some strange looks? Yes m'am. Love 'em anyway.

Tuscan ceramics - brighten your palette and your day

As I wait and wait for spring, I can't help but think about our trip to Italy in late summer last year. Just looking at these beautiful hand-painted ceramics gives me a lift -- the colors are happy and bright and the memory of shopping in Siena brings to mind amazing architecture and markets -- and yes, wine! That's me there in the banner photo with Rosalba, the proprietor at Rosco Art, who helped me choose this bowl shown here. She and her English-speaking husband will ship their wares anywhere in the world, so you have no excuse.

The designs often tell stories, celebrate weddings and births, and even civic loyalty. These ceramics reflect the artistic Italian heritage (tracing back to the Greeks) and demonstrate how art styles changed during the Renaissance. Patterns range from geometric to scrolly, romantic shapes. And you can choose from a simple blue and white combination to the multi-color super-charged palettes.

I'm also posting a photo album of images of the villa where we stayed. It is an authentic reproduction built from the shell of a farm house. The textures, light, and colors were amazing. My favorite is the robin's-egg-blue window frames -- they match the blue sky -- an idea I will use eventually. It (almost) seems like it was a dream. I know I'll be heading back to Italy very soon.

Visit Art Quiver for original art on-line

If you are fearful, like me, to spend too much time in an art gallery for fear of walking out with a dozen paintings, try browsing over at Art Quiver. This on-line gallery features dozens of bonafide fine artists -- they offer free shipping and returns. And I like that prices are listed, no need to spend time pining over one if it is out of your range. You can choose from several ways to search for a color pallette or theme and read about the artists.

I've spotted prices starting about $300 and for an original painting that adds character and personality to your home or office -- can't beat it. I even found one artist who specializes in Americana who painted a Cat backhoe! I'm going to be searching for some landscapes for the lake house. I love Morning Valley ($750) by Michael Purvis, it reminds me of harvest time in Tennessee.

Backhoe by Todd Groesbeck

Cat stairs that blend right in -- courtesy of IKEA

If you love IKEA, you'll love IKEA Hacker at blogspot. People are incredibly creative and IKEA provides a fertile playing field. Here, for example, is a great way to give your kitties some vertical space without resorting to the tacky carpeted cat furniture they sell in pet stores. Fun!

Painted Houses -- Swiss Style

I love discovering the variety of paintings on traditional Swiss buildings -- and some not so traditional! I spotted these on a hotel in Klosters. I particularly like the bunnies. While the theme is animals, it doesn't seem cutesy or juvenile.

I particularly like how the Swiss (and I'm sure other nationalities) name their buildings and prominently display it on the front in a pretty script. I have a large area over our fireplace that would be perfect for a monogram or decorative paint treatment (no nails in this spot). Lots of possibilities here!

Update and refresh your family's genealogy

My Tree & Me puts a new spin on genealogy charts. You send in your family information and choose which design you prefer. They will complete the chart for you -- and the cost is very reasonable for something so precious. What a wonderful gift for anyone going through family changes: births, marriages, and even the passing of someone dear. You can even purchase blank charts and fill in yourself. Very clever!

Vintage Shell Collection -- who has time?!

Wouldn't it be great to just buy a shell collection already assembled and framed? Yes, and no. Yes, because, wow, wouldn't it take forever to collect, sort, arrange, and assemble such a thing of beauty? Just buy it! And no, because none of those shells means a darn thing to you. But, if you had collected over a long time and knew where each shell came from and the story attached -- now, you'd really have something special. This is lovely, but I'll pass. And now I have a new project, if I can ever find the time.

I found this one at 1st Dibs.