Day 11: Industrious

After talking yesterday about avoiding burnout, and the day before about pursuing creative beauty, Mrs. Marple wanted to make sure that we weren't under the false impression that fine living was all about bon bons and leisure time.

Because it isn't.

"Industry is required," she said. Not work-your-fingers-to-the-bone per se, but also not veg-on-the-sofa-watching-design-tv (Project Runway Yay!) either.

So taking her advice to heart, I've got a few projects-in-progress, like this smoke and gold dress.

Thankfully perfection isn't required along with diligence, because this dress has a way to go before it's public-ready. But at least I'm on my way to converting this purple Goodwill fabric remnant into a wearable garment.

I've also got a quilt-in-progress, although it's not nearly as far along as the dress.

Square by square I'm plugging away on my sewing machine (yes--it's back. Finally.)

It is hard to picture now, but someday these squares are going to make my bed look marvelous.

That "someday" may be 2012, but who's counting?

Finally, I also have another sweater-in-progress.

What can I say? I'm a knitting maniac. And apparently a pink maniac too.

But being a maniac is presumably not a bad thing if my mania is directed in a positive way. Or so says Mrs. Marple. After all, fine living doesn't just happen by accident. Or by bon bons.

Too bad, though. I really like bon bons.

Previous Days at the Institute:
Day 10: the Balancing Act (as told through vintage advertisements)
Day 4: a Cooking Student
Day 3: Starting in the Kitchen

Fall Project Preview!

I've been tinkering at home with some projects for this fall's series (coming soon! yay!), and had to give you a preview of my latest creation. This graphic t-shirt is the newest addition to my wardrobe. You'll notice that it features the golden yellow I've been obsessed with, in a fun, floral punch.

Here's how I made it:

I started with a plain white t-shirt...

And then pulled out my fabric paints. As I've mentioned before, I rely almost exclusively on yellow, red, blue, white and (in this case) brown.

Then I grabbed my assorted collection of paint brushes, and set up shop.

First I mixed my paint to get the right color. This is always a trial-and-error process for me. I had to toss a whole batch of pumpkin orange before I figured out the right golden yellow formula!

Once I had the right color, I could start laying out my design. I'm sort of a "wing it freehand" kind of girl, so I just took the paintbrush straight to the shirt, but certainly a pencil or fabric pen would work well for sketching out the pattern first.

A few tips for painting on fabric: I placed a piece of thin cardboard inside the shirt to prevent bleeding, and to hold the fabric taunt. I also recommend using a very firm, short bristled brush when outlining the design because they create more defined lines. You can then follow up with a softer brush to fill in the pattern.

Once the design is completely painted, allow the shirt to dry for 24 hours (or at least overnight if you're impatient like me).

Then launder and enjoy!


The practice of taking something you already own--perhaps that's buried in your closet or tucked into a corner--and turning it into something fresh and new is just one of the main principles I'll be chatting about during this Fall's coming series, Real Recessionistas!

To participate in the series, click on the logo on the sidebar and read more! Or...grab a t-shirt and create your own graphic fashion statement today!

Dress Me Up!

I live in Northern Colorado, which means that we have about eight more weeks of warm weather, and even less time for hot weather.

In other words, the days for wearing fun summer dresses are rapidly coming to an end. So, in honor of cute, flirty skirts and vintage patterns, I've collected a few items I'd certainly like to add to my summer wardrobe.


This first dress is perhaps a bit too bohemian for me, but I can't help but be drawn to pink florals. What can I say--I'm a girly girl. This Folk Hawaiian vintage dress by Violet Folklore is indeed short--perfect for hot days. And I'd certainly ditch the leggings and boots in favor of sandals or wedges!


This handmade creation from Modaspia is the Fiji Dress, and I love it. The designer has the pattern in several fabrics, and I confess that I want them all. Every single one of them. Simple, summery, perfect with a red necklace.... It even has pockets. What more you could ask?


This Sweet Jane dress by Econica is made from bamboo jersey. Now, I've never worn bamboo jersey, but it sounds soft and lovely. And stretchy, which is always good for summer. I'm also fond of this fresh blue color, and the band of white just under the bust would flatter almost anyone!

The Sahara Dress pictured at the top of this post is also a creation by Econica. Don't you love the ruffled detail at the top? And of course I couldn't pass up a chance to highlight my favorite color this summer: yellow. It makes me happy just looking at it.


Speaking of yellow, this Chick strapless dress by Bird Apparel is perhaps a bit too short for my confidence, but I was immediately drawn to it the first time I saw it. The interplay between colors is fun and fresh, and I love the bubble hem at the bottom. Perhaps the less daring could match it with some leggings for the fall!


I couldn't resist adding a party dress to the list. This Powdered Sugar dress by Sarah Seven is way too fancy for walking to mailbox (although don't think I wouldn't try--my neighbors see me in all kinds of wacky duds!), but I'm dying for a party to wear this style. I love everything about it--the teasing length, the layers, the sweatheart neck. Does anyone have a gala they'd like to invite me to?...


Finally, no post on summer dresses could be complete without at least a couple wedding dresses! Even though I've already walked my way down the aisle, I can't help but dream a bit about what I'd wear if I were doing it again. Perhaps I'd choose something fun like this Fancy Formal by Ouma. The length is perfect for a summer wedding, and I'd bet the sash at the waist could be customized in a variety of colors.


I also fell in love with this lacy tiered creation by KT Jean Designs.


Pictured in both shots above, I'm crazy about the ruffled dress, and the silohette is perfectly whimsical for an outdoor wedding.

Can I get married again? Probably not.... I'll just have to settle for wearing fun dresses while I still can!

As an aside, I can't help but be impressed by all of these handmade designers out there! Isn't their creativity inspiring? Maybe their talent will rub off on me!

Previous Related Posts:
Soaking up to the End
Creative Hour: Golden Dangles
Box Store Boycott

Culitvating Patience

Undoubtedly one of the most frustrating differences between interior and landscape design is the patience required for the latter. Exercising this patience is particularly hard for me, since one of the things I enjoy most about design is the transformation from before to after. I love painting a wall in an afternoon and seeing the immediate affect the new color has on the room. I love swapping out my bedding and pillows to give my spaces instant makeovers. I love finishing up work early on a Friday afternoon and knowing that I can completely change my kitchen by the end of the weekend.

No Quick Changes
Needless to say, I love quick change. And landscape design is rarely quick. There are a few reasons for this. The first is obvious: plants take time to grow. No matter how impatient I may be, the matchstick pear trees I planted this spring will not be tall, graceful trees any time soon. Likewise, I can croon to my evergreens as much as I want, coaxing them to grow, and they will pay no mind to my schedule.

The simple truth is that most landscape plants need at least 3 years before they reach anything close to their mature size, and the timeline is much longer for trees and shrubs. So though I know my yard will look lush and full eventually, I have to make peace with the reality that it will take awhile to get there.

Money, Money, Money
The second reason why patience is required for landscape design has nothing to do with nature and everything to do with money. Because landscaping is expensive. I have indeed seen beautiful yard transformations in my neighborhood spring up overnight. One day the space is dry, brown and flat, and the next it has a gurgling stone-lined fountain flanked by grasses, shrubs and trees. And while I admire the final effect, I know that it cost a pretty penny. Thousands of dollars. Thousands which I cannot afford should I want to do the same thing to my lawn. I, instead, will have to go the usual route, buying smaller plants because they cost less, and buying fewer of them. And tackling one major project a year, while postponing the others for years down the road.

This is the reality of outdoor design: waiting.

In the Meantime...Focus on the Little Things
Of course, while you're waiting for plants (and savings accounts) to grow, you can always focus on the little things. Like containers. And pretty lawn pillows. And outdoor paper lanterns. They help appease the instant gratification bug, and encourage you to keep plugging away outside. Keep you designing while cultivating patience.

Come back tomorrow for my last post on outdoor living, and then again next week when we start another new, two-week mini series!

Previous Related Posts:
Taking my Design Obsession Out
Ode to Patios
Good Bones
Retro Summer '09's webpage

Ode to Patios

There have been several seasons in my life when all I had in terms of outdoor space was a porch or patio. No lawn. No trees. No plot to plant a garden. And at the time, I let the absence of a yard keep me from maximizing the potential of my patio. This was a mistake, because patios can be fantastic spots for living outdoors.

The Same Tips Apply
Most of the same rules that I’ve touched on earlier this week apply for designing a patio space: paying mind to building good bones, providing furniture, bringing in lighting.... They only need to be tweaked a bit to accommodate a smaller space. For instance:

furniture: obviously scale makes a difference when you have a small space. Resist the urge to monopolize your patio with a standard size round table, umbrella and chairs, and opt instead for a smaller cafe table and perhaps a lounger or two. Or consider small portable benches that can do double duty as seating and/or table surfaces.

lighting: patios are even easier to light than landscapes, so go crazy! I love to unexpectedly see a fancy pendant hanging from a covered patio, or lanterns draped from the railings. Candles, of course, work really well too. Just don’t forget to blow them out!

good bones: even though patio space is tight, plants are a must if you want to create a true outdoor atmosphere, so make sure you leave room for a few containers. And like a yard, don’t just fill your pots with flowers. Diversify by adding some taller grasses or even some shrubs. I love boxwoods in containers lining a patio wall, or reeds standing tall in a corner, or a large fern by the foot of a lounger. Just remember that containers usually require more water than landscapes, so don’t let your pretty ornamental grass turn brown from neglect in the hot sun.

Flexible Advantages
In addition to these design tips, it is nice to consider that in a way, patio design is the best of both worlds. You can create a comfortable, inviting outdoor space with less money and maintenance than a lawn. No mowing. No weeding. No mulching and digging. Furthermore, unlike a yard, you can switch up your designs from year to year, changing plants and layouts as your tastes and interests change. Perhaps one year you love the Tuscan feel, and splurge on geraniums, lavenders and cedar. And then the next year you crave a more formal English design, and opt for topiary boxwoods and verbenas. Patios provide flexibility in a way that a landscape cannot.

So enjoy your “yardless” outdoor space and start designing!

Previous Related Outdoor Living Posts:
taking my design obsession out
light up the night
good bones
**don't forget to visit Retro Summer 09's webpage for more information on this summer's series!**

Good Bones

As women we’ve all probably heard about the benefit of having good bones. We admire other women with good bone structure, even though we aren’t exactly sure what makes one cheekbone better than another.... We watch home design shows where they rave about the good bones of a house, compelling buyers to look beyond the psychedelic wall paper and chartreuse shag carpet. We even talk about having good bones in our wardrobe, referring to the classic staples like a white button-up shirt and those jeans that fit perfectly.

Landscape Bones
It makes sense, then, that bones make an appearance in landscaping, too. Though you may not be able to identify specifically what makes for a well-structured yard, I guarantee that it is the “cheekbones” and “arches” of a design that sets the stage for everything else.

Tips to Follow
So how can you make sure your space has good bones? Consider starting with the following rules:

Rule 1: don’t let your fondness for flowers govern your choices. Believe me--I know the temptation. You walk into a garden center, or down your street, and of course you are immediately attracted to the blooming plants. And so those are what you end up purchasing and planting year after year. The problem is that the common flowering plants are more like accessories--like shimmer to highlight an eyelid, or a scarf to accent a sweater. They certainly make a statement, but it’s the foundation behind them that really completes the look. Which leads me to...

Rule 2: focus on structure first. Though not nearly as flashing as the plants mentioned above, it is actually the trees and shrubs in a landscape that make for good bones. Because of their size (height and width), they effectively anchor a yard just like cheekbones and chins anchor a face. They are the frames. So...

Rule 3: place them carefully. Since trees and shrubs frame a yard, it usually makes the most sense to layer them around the perimeter of the property/space that you’re designing. And just like walls and counters in homes, they can also be used to divide up separate “rooms” in your yard. Take the time to get the placement right, because bad bone structure is difficult to fix. In other words, please don’t plant a huge tree dead center in the lawn, no matter how tempting! Would you put the tallest lamp in your home in the center of your living room? No, of course not! You’d put it in a corner or along the side of the room. The same applies for trees/shrubs.

A Start
There is, of course, a lot more to say about good bone structure for landscapes, but starting here is...well...a good place to start. So next time you visit the garden center and are tempted to grab those gorgeous purple salvias, make sure you also have plans for a good foundation.

Don’t have a yard? Join me tomorrow as I apply these same principles to patio design!

Previous Related Links & Posts:
Furnishing Your Outsides
Light Up the Night
**visit Retro Summer's Webpage for June events, photos, and more!**

Light up the Night

In my earlier days of design, I rarely paid any attention to lighting. It was, I’m sure, a novice mistake. I was too swept away with the “big” stuff, like furniture and fabric and accessories. But after awhile, I began to realize that lighting is often what makes a space feel (as opposed to just look) cozy or inviting, energized or cold. This is the reason we use candles when entertaining, or turn on table lamps instead of overheads.

Creating Feeling
It is also the reason that we should consider how lighting can create feeling outdoors. Because the evening, after the sun sets and the air is cooler, is undoubtedly one of the best times to enjoy your outdoor spaces. There is something magical about a summer night--and part of that magic comes from lighting.

My husband, who apparently understood the importance of outdoor lighting Way before me, has been carefully layering outside lights on our property for years. First he snagged a chiminea (an outdoor fire pit in stone), where we’ve been known to roast marshmallows. Then he grabbed some tiki torches and arranged them around the perimeter of our patio. Next came outdoor electric lights to highlight the silhouette of the trees and shrubs at night. And finally, on occasion, strands of twinkle lights will make an appearance.

Illuminating Your Options
It is obvious from the list above that outdoor lighting comes in all shapes, sizes and costs. Here are a few to consider for your lawn/patio:
* battery operated paper lanterns. My neighbor has a set of these glowing globes that she hangs from her table umbrella every summer. I love to see them lit up during her annual barbecues.

* twinkle lights: white is best for summer, lest your neighbors think you’re doing Christmas in July. With these, I personally think less is more, and particularly like them draped over a balcony or lining a gravel path.

* candles. Low tech and low cost, these are perfect outdoors. Just make sure they are out of the way of kids and pets (you don’t want to start a fire in your yard!). Bonus: buy citronella candles and fend off mosquitoes as well.

* fire pits: more maintenance, certainly, these pits come in all different shapes, sizes and prices. Make sure you know what you’re doing when building a fire, and to check with local ordinances about burning restrictions.

* lawn lighting: the most expensive and difficult to install, lawn lighting creates unmatched ambiance around a property in addition to providing security. I love the way my trees cast shadows across the lawn with a light peering up at them from below. You can also purchase solar lighting for lawns, although they tend to be rather dim and cost a pretty penny.

Your Lights?
How do you light your lawn or patio? Share your secrets with me by posting your comment below. Or, take a photo and upload it to Retro Summer '09's Flickr page!

Previous Outdoor Living Posts:
**check out fun summer event ideas at the Retro Summer '09 webpage!**
Taking my Design Obsession Out
Furnishing Your Outsides

Taking My Design Obsession Out

One of the best things about the weather warming up is that I can take my obsession for design outside to play in the yard. Now, admittedly it took me awhile to figure this out. For years I was close-minded, picturing only what I could do within the walls of my home. Finally, thanks to some hand-me-down patio furniture and a great stone deck that my husband built, I began to see a room full of possibilities beyond the doors and windows of my home.

Similarities
Outside living can actually be very similar to inside living, at least in terms of design. Both benefit from a sense of ambiance. Both require some forethought and planning. And both can be changed from season to season. With outdoor design, in addition to the staples of furniture, fabrics and lighting, you can also add the vast world of color and texture from plants, and the architecture of structures. In many ways I’ve come to prefer my outdoor rooms to the indoors during the summer. And the air conditioning is free!

In the Next Two Weeks...
So, in the next two weeks we’ll be covering it all! You’ll hear how I updated used patio furniture with spray paint and fabric. And how tiki torches, candles and lawn lights make a Huge difference when entertaining at night. We’ll dabble in making a new yard look older, argue the pro’s and con’s of grass, and discuss the opportunities of patio gardening. I might even try my hand at creating a fountain--but no promises.

It is true that outdoor design requires more patience than interior design, mainly because plants take awhile to grow, and because frankly it can get pricey. But when I’m enjoying my breakfast on the balcony, or a book on the sunny seat of a pergola, I think the effort is worth it.

Please join me this week and next for more on creating living spaces in your outdoor spaces!

Previous Retro Summer posts:
A Poodle Skirt Summer
Oh How I Love a Good Field Trip
Plant Nerds & Cookie-Cutters: summer topics to come

Plant Nerds & Cookie-Cutters: a glance at the topics ahead

There are many things that I’ve come to learn about myself in the past thirty or so odd years. One of them is that my attention span is shorter in the summer. Maybe it’s the clear blue skies and warm nights. Or perhaps the way the days fly by, blazing toward Fall. But certainly I can’t be depended upon to hold my focus.

Attention Deficit
So it was with this reality in mind that I decided to divide the next twelve weeks into two-week topics. Yes, on the one hand it will make summer go by even faster. But on the other hand, I might actually finish a thought before jumping on to the next!

Summer Topics
Here, then, is the proposed summer plan; what you can expect in the weeks to come on Deviantly Domesticated:


June 8-20: “Outdoor Living.” Join me to talk about making the most of outdoor spaces, whether you have a yard or a patio. We’ll cover landscape design, accessorizing, lighting, structures, and more! The design enthusiast in me can’t wait!

June 22-July 4: “Won’t You be my Neighbor?” Forget far-off vacations! Get to know your community this summer by considering these fun and inexpensive activities. Hear my accounts of how I’ve fallen in love with my town over the past few years, and perhaps share your own stories!

July 6-18: “Plant Nerd.” You don’t need a green thumb to appreciate summer’s bounty! Join me as I learn more about gardening, growing food, and selecting plants for any area. We might all be a little greener by the end!

July 20-August 1: “Retro Summer gets Graphic.” In an experimental twist, I invite you to a two-week story read-along. I’m envisioning vintage images laid out like a comic strip.... Sort of like Archie meets Betty Crocker.

August 3-8: “Summer Eat'n.” Soak up the last few weeks of summer with these food and drink ideas, collected and sampled throughout the season by yours truly.

August 10-22: “Customizing a Cookie-Cutter Home.” Planned communities and generic “stock” housing are common in most parts of our country. So if your space is lacking the quaint feel of custom, consider some of these ideas to liven things up!

August 24-29: Retro Summer ’09 conclusion. Join me for closing remarks, and a look into the fall line-up!

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback! Do you have any great summer recipes for "Summer Eat'n"? How about a tale of your adventures in outdoor design and living? Send your comments to me at shillberry@stephaniehillberry.com or post them here!

Previous Related Posts:
Retro Summer '09 on stephaniehillberry.com! (check out more links, calendars, etc.!)
A Poodle Skirt Summer
Oh How I Love a Good Field Trip
Favorite Things

Fun with Design

If you have a minute, check out Sproost.com to take a fun design quiz.  You just scroll through a series of photos of rooms and select whether you like them or hate them.  Then Sproost computes the results and tells you what your style is.  

I ended up being a combination of Rustic Revival (figures given that I live in Colorado) and Vintage Modern.  Other choices included Contemporary, Asian, Southwest, Arts and Crafts, and more.  

Another great way to figure out your design style is to create a design notebook.  I've been ripping out pages I like from magazines for years and compiling them in a three-ring binder (actually, I'm up to three binders now...) for design inspiration.  Whenever I need a jolt of creativity, or I'm stumped with a room makeover, I'll pull out my books and flip through the pages.  I also have lots of photos for landscape ideas, and even a few fashion finds.  

Happy designing!

Nesting: Nurturing my Maternal Side

I wrote last week in The Personal Side of Nesting that, for me, part of this season is about preparing for motherhood.  And while most women do this by taking vitamins and getting in tune with their bodies, I will do it by decorating (naturally).

So I thought I would get in touch with my maternal side by launching a few projects.  Now, I've noticed that there seems to be a lack of variety out there in the world of nursery wares, or at least in my price range.  I'll admit that I like some of Dwell Studio's designs for Target, but otherwise the options seem to be a bit...generic.  Incidentally, I do have a sewing machine, and some time, so....

First I started with this fabric (above left).  I found it disguised as a dress in a thrift store.  I loved the coral, mustard yellow, chocolate brown, and just a touch of blue--perfect for...say...a modern baby girl, no?  Six dollars later, some scissors and a seam ripper, and I was well on my way to my first nursery design.

Pieced together and sewn over several days, I ended up with two quilts and a little extra fabric to spare.  I'm thinking the next project will either be coordinating curtains or a crib bumper...

And while I was out, I also picked up what is undoubtedly the world's most hideous floor lamp for $6.99 at Goodwill (my husband said I was scammed).  In spite of its shabby state, I have some major makeover plans for this sad discard, and think it will be the cutest nursery lamp someday.  So even though my hubby is contemplating banning me from thrift stores from this point forward (he just lacks my optimistic imagination...), I think in the end it will be a triumph of recycling and resourcefulness!  

Thus concludes my Nesting update for this Monday.  But don't go far--debuting later this week will by my first ever giveaway along with my first ever email newsletter sign-up, more chat on Mavens, and of course, more Nesting.

Previous Nesting posts:

Nesting is Creating

Nesting Before & After

My Domestic Renaissance

Saturday Sussie: How About Orange

Note: Saturday Sussies are my fun finds during the week.  Since I'm a design fan (some might say fanatic!), many of these sussies dwell on pretty things.  And couldn't the world use more pretty?

I have encountered several super design-oriented blogs this week (a distraction from the downers in the news...), and wanted to showcase How About Orange by blogger Jennifer Jones.  The site has a plethora of eye-candy images and fun DIY projects.

Fun DIY like this project (right), involving some contact paper and a simple vinyl shade.  I was attracted to this little number because a) I love polka dots, particularly done in a modern fashion, and b) I have absolutely hideous vinyl shades in my family room (aka the "man den").  

Cheap, creative makeovers?  Now that's what I'm talking about!

And there is a lot more to gander at on How About Orange, which updates frequently.  So check it out!  

Happy Saturday surfing!  See you on Monday with Mint.com updates, another Marketplace Maven, and more!

Saturday Sussie: Crewel

In my ever continuing search for blogs on domestic life, I stumbled across Domicile by blogger, author and business diva, Emira Mears.  I found lots of fun stuff on the blog, but wanted to draw your attention to a book she highlighted in her most recent post: The New Crewel, by Katherine Shaughnessy.

Now I've never heard of crewel prior to reading this post, but I was instantly attracted to the design on the cover of the book.  Incidentally, while wandering the aisles of Barnes and Noble (probably something I shouldn't do too often given my impulse-spending tendencies), I found myself in the craft section (of course) and saw none other than The New Crewel.  

I took the opportunity to thumb through, and loved what I saw.  The book has definitely been added to my Christmas list (or my "reward for good behavior" list)!  The stitching designs are so fun--modern in a bit of an old-fashioned way (if there is such a thing)--and it looks like it would be a great hobby.  Sign me up!

I also like the author's mission to introduce an old craft (crewel has been around for a long time) to a new generation.  Something about preserving our craft and artisan traditions, especially in our era of modern technology, appeals to me.  

Craft away!

On another topic, Mears is the co-author of a book I'm anxious to get my hands on called The Boss of You.  More blog fodder to come on that!

Saturday Sussy: Kcoline Fashion

Welcome to my first Saturday Sussie!

What is a sussie, you ask?  Good question.  I am rather new to the term myself.  A sussie, apparently, is a phrase used in Texas (and maybe other places, too, although I only know of Texas) referring to a small trinket or treasure that is unexpectedly stumbled upon and perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself.

Saturday Sussies, then, are treasures I've stumbled upon--be they a favorite website, blog, accessory, or home tip--that I want to share with you.  

This week I stumbled upon Kcoline fashion on Etsy. com.  Kcoline is a fashion designer and US transplant from France.  Her designs have been featured in a lot of magazines, blogs and the like, and I heard about her through Etsy.  

Above are some samples of her work, and here is a link to her site.  For those of you who are familiar with a sewing machine, you know how much skill it takes to pull off a tailored garment.  For those of you who don't sew--just take my word for it: she has talent.  For Project Runway fans, she could compete.

Take a gander through her store this weekend for fun!  And please enjoy your Saturday!

Dining in the Library

Perhaps by now you've noticed that for me, enjoying the last leisurely bit of summer involves a lot of home design.  It's true--I'm a bit of a design fanatic.  Ever since I saw my first episode of Trading Spaces, I was hooked.  

Now that I own my own house, one of my primary ways to de-stress is design.  I sew slipcovers for my pillows, duvets for my bed, paint canvases for my walls, and find furniture deals at Goodwill.  I even have notebooks full of design ideas in case I need some inspiration.  I don't have a big budget, so a lot of the time I just like to look at pretty pictures and imagine what I want to do.

That said, I'm currently In Love with the idea of adding a library to my rather boring dining room.  I saw the picture above in a Domino magazine from a gentleman who did just that, and think it's a brilliant plan.  Click here to read more from Domino if you're curious about his design.  Or...email me your latest project or plans for your home at shillberry@comcast.net.

For those of you who might be new to my blog, rest assured, it is not all about design.  But during the last week of summer, I can't help but write about my favorite hobby!  Summer's almost over, though, and soon it is back to business---or, Back to the Basics (coming soon).

This post is part of August's Summer Squeeze series.

Blog Favorite: Housemartin

Everyone has their short (or long) list of favorite blogs.  Well, mine includes Housemartin.  I first read about this blog from a long-ago issue of Sunset magazine (they since have referenced it several times), and decided to take a gander.  What I found was a visual treat!  

Housemartin is a home and floral design blog created by the owner of Ink & Peat, a floral boutique in the Northwest.  The posts always highlight fun design finds (like the one shown above), great for inspiring ideas.

Housemartin is also the gateway through which I found Etsy.com, the online marketplace for crafty and artisan types.  For those of you who know that I now operate a small online boutique, you can see why I'm thankful for stumbling upon this blog.

Take a minute or two to check it out!

This post is part of August's Summer Squeeze series.

Email me your favorite blog at shillberry@comcast.net.

Flowie Style

I have a special affection for textile designers, so when Sunset magazine introduced me to a new favorite this month, I thought I'd share.

Her name is Yaling Hou and her design line is called Flowie.  I love her nature-inspired drawings, which she sketches when something catcher her eye during walks around town or in the park.  As for her finished products, I really like her bags--especially the cute little ones.  She has a lot more to offer than just bags, too, and at reasonable prices.

I write a lot about women who take their creativity to the market.  Yaling is one such woman.  Take some time to check out her shop at flowiestyle.com.

This post is part of August's Summer Squeeze series.

Share with me your favorite designer, or a female entrepreneur you admire by emailing me at shillberry@comcast.net