Sunday, September 18, 2011

Design Board: Rustic French Guest Bedroom

Objects can be so inspiring. A perusal of the Pier1 website gave me some fodder for a quick inspiration board: "Rustic French Guest Bedroom"

This isn't altogether rustic, nor altogether French.... really just a few different accents from each, and I couldn't think of a better title. Most of these items are sourced from Pier1; the duvet set and head board from Target. LOVE that lamp in a pale lime.... and it's on sale! Might just have to get that one right away.

I'd hang an atmospheric landscape over the bed (a la William McCarthy) and voila! the perfect haven for out-of-town guests. Maybe someday this will be a reality.... Guess you'll have to be our guests to find out ;)

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Autumnal Thoughts

Fall seems to have fallen upon us. Very quickly. From the dog days of summer with blistering temperatures in the 90s, the weather has turned decidedly cooler  (mid-high 60s) and that fall feeling is in the air. Fall is one of my favorite seasons and I am savouring all of the wonderful things it brings:

  • Pumpkin, apple and all things spice-flavored (looking forward to trying this recipe for homemade Pumpkin Spice syrup)
  • Football (although not a die-hard fan, I enjoy the idea of it... and the tailgating)
  • Fall wardrobe switch -- there's a reason all the fashion mags release their big issue in September... everyone is ready for a fresh look not dictated by hot weather!
  • That "new school year" feeling: I've never been able to rid my self of the sense of excitement and expectation experienced with the beginning of each new school year. An 18-year habit is hard to break.... and I love the feeling anyway! It's like the sense of inspiration that accompanies the New Year -- an emotion spontaneous and fleeting, I enjoy it while I can! 
What are you favorite Fall things? Here's a shot of a Chicago Fall scene. Though we're not seeing this quite yet, I'm looking forward to the leaves changing and some crisp Autumn morning walks in the Park! So, I leave you with this image and a favorite poem befitting the multi-hued resplendence of fall.



Photo credit: TravelSmart Blog 

Pied Beauty
Glory be to God for dappled things--
   For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
       For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches' wings;
   Landscape plotted and pieced--fold, fallow, and plough;
       And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;
   Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
      With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
                                     Praise Him. 
Gerard Manley Hopkins