Saturday Socks

It’s Spring! (memories of a past garden awaken)

“She turned to the sunlight And shook her yellow head, And whispered to her neighbor: “Winter is dead.” ― A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young Congratulations! Despite the snow and slush that is still on the ground, we have made it to March 20th, the first official day of spring 2013! It’s all up hill … Continue reading »

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My True North (Compass Rose ceiling medallion, economical solution, DIY, interior design, lighting)

I thought I’d post a few pictures of a recent DIY home project that was an economical solution to a big problem. We had serious water damage to our already hideous popcorn ceiling. Yet we didn’t have the time or money to fix the entire ceiling and knew just patching it would result in an ugly popcorn ceiling with an … Continue reading »

Envelop Yourself in the Pages of Well-loved Books ~ Quite literally! (deconstructing books in DIY interior design)

If you’ve read my post “Don’t Judge a Book” (deconstructing books in DIY design), you know I’ve been researching ideas to update my multi-purpose Home Office/Guest Room/Meditation Space. Determined not to spend a dime on the project, I shopped my house for ideas. My eyes landed on a few tattered but well-loved books on my shelf that … Continue reading »

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A Walk in a New England Blizzard (Nemo hits Salem, Massachusetts)

When Nor’Easter “Nemo” hit Salem Massachusetts on the this weekend, our rescued greyhound Teo had never seen such snow! This is our Florida boy’s walk in a new world. Won’t you come take a walk with us?

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A Day in the LIFEbridge (antique, vintage & retro treasures in Salem MAThrift Store)

I’ve been a thrifty Frugalista long before it was fashionable. Age four when my babysitter brought me to my first church bazaar; Mom armed me with a dollar in my pocket. Uncertain how the parish school would get a “white elephant” in the basement, I entered with extreme caution. Until I spied a table loaded with plates and glassware typically reserved for holiday dinners in my home. I spent most … Continue reading »

DIY – Brown Paper Bag Floor (economical floor alternative in home improvement)

I was looking for an inexpensive alternative to carpeting or hardwood flooring. Brown Craft Paper or Brown Bag flooring did the trick! PLEASE use the PAUSE button if the text is going too fast for you. : )

Fire, Water and a Leap of Faith! (Repurposed fire-pit becomes herb planter, water feature)

One of our dear friends gave us a fire-pit for our wedding a few years ago. We loved it! The problem was we could never use it because it is against fire codes here in Salem. Each year I have tried to turn it into a water feature. This is the first solution I came … Continue reading »

Is a House the New Ring? (Coldwell Banker Real Estate study reveals new home buying trend)

The following Press Release appeared yesterday in the Wall Street Journal (April 22, 2013) New Coldwell Banker Real Estate Study Reflects America’s Changing Views on Marriage With More Young Couples Purchasing Homes Together Before Their Wedding Day 80 Percent of Married Homeowners Say Buying a Home Did More to Strengthen Their Relationship Than Any Other … Continue reading »

Episode 10: Salem GASworks (a Guild of Artistic Sorts) in Salem MA

Scroll down to see Salem GASworks’ latest episode! We just archived a fantastic show with a great performance by Bird Mancini from their new CD “Bird Mancini Lounge” which you can buy here: We also had a great interview with collage artist Brian Gordon. He is also the founder and CEO of BSG learning. So if you … Continue reading »

The BOOM is back and Salem MA is sittin’ pretty! (Boston Best Places to Live)

I am LOVIN’ this article. It’s great news for us all and the real estate market in Salem Massachusetts is sure sittin’ pretty. Boston Magazine Boston Best places to Live Here is an insider’s peek at livin’ the good life in Salem MA! Our condo in downtown Salem Arts & Entertainment A winter blizzard 2013 Snowball fight on the … Continue reading »

Waiting for Buckley (incorporating minimalist fine art in any interior design)

This afternoon I am looking forward to having coffee with a cherished new friend, fine artist Dick Buckley. You can visit his website and read more about his work and inspiration. Yet rather that write too much, and take away from his fine art, I’d like to SHOW you a few” flights of fancy” that his work … Continue reading »

I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day! (easy ways to add pops of daffodil yellow to you interior design)

The promise of spring in the air, doesn’t stop the March minds from tearing in like a lion. And perhaps the worst thing about this time of year in Salem, MA (or any city in the cold climes for that matter) is the crusty gray remnants of snow banks that dot the roadsides coated with sand and salt left … Continue reading »

Everything old is new again! (chalk paint is an easy & economical DIY solution in interior design)

I got a lot of great feedback from folks who liked my post on updating old furniture. It’s a great solution if you’ve inherited a piece of furniture, but it is just not in keeping with your modern style. I also find fabulous vintage furniture in local thrift shops and even on the side of the road! Most often … Continue reading »

Sometimes the answer is right in front of you! (Re-purposing a dining room into an art studio)

Source: Uploaded by user via Hey Sadie on Pinterest This post is with my dear friend Linda Ross Girard in mind. An extremely talented costume designer who has worked in London and New York on stage and in film, she is also a working mother of twins and teaches at a major University in the … Continue reading »

Make Me Blush! (a touch of pink can add sophistication to interior decor)

Just yesterday I posted about bringing the outside in during the winter months with winter whites. Still we are a mere 48 hours away from Valentine’s Day with it’s promise of all things red, so I thought it might be nice to find a compromise between the two. I found these fabulous rooms that add touches of pink and … Continue reading »

Cabin Fever? Bring the Outdoors In with Winter Whites (Home Decor, Interior Design)

It is Monday morning after “Nemo”, a huge New England blizzard dumped 28 inches of snow in Salem Massachusetts, and it’s sleeting again! As I sit on the couch sipping coffee waiting for the caffeine to kick in, this is what I see: From our main living area sliding doors open onto our patio. I’ve spent many … Continue reading »

Don’t Judge a Book… (deconstructing old books in DIY design)

I’ve had a life-long love affair with books. Since childhood I loved losing myself between the pages and getting lost in the current of a great story. As an educator my favorite subject to teach was writing – helping children find their own voice on the page. Is it any surprise I married a writer? Yet I … Continue reading »

The Mean REDS! (simple DIY design ideas using red paint)

I woke up this morning with what Holly Golightly from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” called the “mean reds.” When they hit she knew “the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany’s.” As most girls know there doesn’t have to be any particular reason. It’s just one of … Continue reading »

My Woman Cave (Stage 1 of home office/guest room makeover)

Welcome to my combination home office / guest room / meditation space. I found this little nook under in my walk-in closet and under the stairway! BEFORE (realtor’s pics) The previous owners used this room as a nursery. AFTER Green is my favorite color. It brings the outside in and is soothing and cooling. Yet this … Continue reading »

Pantry – Laundry – Utility Room (economical DIY, home improvement)

This pantry is a nod to my paternal grandparents. I adored my grandmother’s tiny pantry right off the kitchen where she often had brownies cooling for us. I always wanted one of my own. BEFORE AFTER CLEARING THE SLATE I first saw jars hanging from shelves like this over my grandfather’s workbench. These hold a … Continue reading »

Wrangled That Mess! (economical DIY storage solutions under stairs)

In the dead of winter when I am stuck inside it is far more difficult to ignore those piles, tangles and messes. I found these super easy and economical solutions that anyone can do. Try this great little landing pad solution: Source: homes.ninemsn.com.au via Hey Sadie on Pinterest This is a great idea for ribbon, … Continue reading »

The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it (DIY home improvement, combination dining & living space)

Welcome to our combination living/dining area. Our condo was built in the 80′s and had little character compared to the historical homes in our neighborhood. We love antiques, but wanted a modern vibe too. When we combined our homes after we married we were amazed by how well our things blended. Please visit our kitchen space which … Continue reading »

Step it up! (Find more storage under stairways)

Looking for a little more space? Don’t forget to look under the stairway. I found this little meditation nook under the stairwell in my home office/guest room. Click on the link for more details. Or scroll down for more ideas to inspire you. I cannot stand wasted space! There is so much under used space … Continue reading »

A crust of bread, a bottle of wine and thou! (DIY home design for Galley kitchen)

Ours was a typical condo galley kitchen. We’ve begun our transformation by painting the melamine cabinets and adding a warm Venetian plaster to the walls. My husband Dann hand tooled the copper countertop. Now the “fast food” pass-through is a usable space! We love antiques and wanted an updated traditional feel with a touch of … Continue reading »

DIY Closet Makeover (We created organization with a sitting area too!)

See how we turned a hideous nightmare into one of a kind feature wall. Oh yeah there is a closet behind there! We had a view of a builder-grade closet from our bed. Nice to wake up to right? It had a lot of wasted space, the boring hollow core doors kept falling off the … Continue reading »

How We Live @ ModCloth

Reblogged from The Nest Blog – Home Décor, Cooking, Money, Health & Sex News & Advice: What’s the best way to give your home a delightfully mod feel? For inspiration, we reached out to the creative minds behind ModCloth, one of our favorite spots for affordable vintage-inspired clothes and home accessories, to see how they’ve … Continue reading »

Re-LOVE the Earth (Re-Cycle, Re-Purpose Re-Use, Re-THINK!)

If THIS doesn’t inspire you to re-THINK nothing will. RE-CYCLE – Re-PURPOSE – Re-USE – Re-THINK – Re-LOVE

Let’s get this party started! (early spring in my Urban Oasis patio garden, Salem MA)

It’s April 1st and today I take my first steps outside to assess the damage to my Urban Oasis after a long New England winter. Yes, it’s April Fool’s Day, but luckily the only jokes on me are a few the pup left behind! lol Click HERE for what dreams may come!

Move that wall!

Reblogged from the2bedroomblues: Yes, the title of the post is reference to Ty Pennington’s tagline “move that bus!” from Extreme Home Makeover (who doesn’t love a good makeover?!?). But instead of a moving a bus to reveal an entire new house, we, well, removed a bunch of walls to reveal…the skeleton of our new house. … Continue reading »

Episode 9: Salem GASworks (a Guild of Artistic Sorts) in Salem MA

Hey folks we are back from a brief hiatus with a grant from the Salem/Massachusetts Cultural Council and some FAN-taboulous guests. Denny Tentindo is a prolific local artist, and Erinn Brown and Steve Peabody of EB3 give a live performance. Enjoy! If you want to keep up with all the great things happening in town: “like” us on Facebook … Continue reading »

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