The Best Thanksgiving Ever

I know that Thanksgiving is officially over and everyone is probably ready to move onto Christmas, but last week was a big week in the Shaw household and I wanted to share.  We welcomed Madeline Ann Shaw to our family on Wednesday, November 21st.  She wasn't officially due until December 6th, but she apparently didn't want to miss the turkey and dressing and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

 

 

We are all doing great and are so thankful that Madeline is here and is healthy and well.  We are so blessed!



Thankful

Printable poster via Etsy

 

In the midst of preparing for baby Madeline's arrival, planning for the holidays, and thinking about what presents I would like to give and receive for Christmas, I realized that I am so busy looking forward that I had forgotten to look back.  So this is my time to share all of the things I am so thankful for and to praise the Lord for the love, blessings, and provision that he has showered on me and my family throughout this year.  We never know what lies ahead and some years are tougher than others, but we do know that God is good, he is good all the time.

 

The Thankful List 2012

 

- Baby Madeline is growing strong and is on the way to becoming part of my family!  Just a few more weeks until we meet this precious little girl!

 

- My husband has been so blessed with success in his work this year.  This has allowed me to become a stay at home mom full time to care for my growing family.  While it was a hard decision to leave my job, I know this is ultimately the best decision for my family.

 

-Praise God that my Mom was able to have knee surgery and she aced through the whole thing with flying colors.  She is now up and at 'em with no knee problems and pretty much has full mobility.  I'm also thankful for the time we spent together while she was recuperating and for the support my friends all showed during that time.

 

-My family's good health.  Everybody says this and sometimes it sounds trite, but when I hear about the health struggles of friends, members of my church, and other acquaintances it makes me realize how lucky we are that we are healthy and well.

 

-My super supportive, serving husband and my most-of-the-time sweet little girl.  They are the best gifts I have ever received and it's hard to believe they are mine all because of a chance meeting on a New Year's Eve at a bar in Nashville.

 

-Savannah's incredible experiences at preschool this year.  She started back in March and absolutely loves it.  She has grown so much socially and she amazes me with the things she constantly learns from her wonderful teachers.  We were blessed to find such a great place for her.

 

-Our trip to Barcelona, Spain (I still need to post about this).  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we had the best time.  It was astounding to see all of the art and architecture that I had studied about in design school and to stand in the square where Columbus announced to Ferdinand and Isabella that he had found the new world.  Truly amazing.

 

-All of my blog readers.  Thanks for supporting my little endeavor.  Its sort of scary putting yourself out there for people to read and judge, but you have all been so gracious with your support and your comments.

 

There are a gazillion more things to be grateful for, but those are the biggies this year!

 

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving sharing time with your families and friends!

 

 

If You're In Denver...

...stop by the Clyfford Still Museum and give me a full report. 

 

If you've been reading my blog, you will probably notice that I have a strong affinity for abstract art and I'm amazed at how current Still's artwork feels although much of it was created in the '50s and '60s.   I love the unexpected color combinations, the bold brushwork, and the overwhelming size of the canvases. 

 

Here are a few photos of the museum:

 

Via

 

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Here are a few photos of his work via a post from Design Sponge:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And for those of you who can't afford the real thing, here are a few posters and notecards available online at the museum store.

 

 



Fretwork Screens

Several weeks ago I had some pregnancy induced insomnia, so I got up in the middle of the night, cracked open the iPad, and cruised around on the internet. 

I totally wasn't looking for this, but I came across the Fretworks Designs website and thought "What a genius, this is just what I have been looking for!"  They make patterned screens and are located two hours north of me in Huntsville, AL. 

Here's what initially caught my eye, I have an ugly HVAC register in my entry hallway:

And it would look soooo much better if I had one of these beauties to cover it:

 

 

Then, I saw this Ruthie Sommers' bathroom in the November-December issue of Veranda:



and thought what a great solution the Fretworks screens could be in updating the cabinetry in an existing bathroom if you are on a tight budget.  Am filing this idea away for future reference.

Fretworks Designs can also make panels to fit in the doors of existing furniture or cabinetry.  Here's a little example of a furniture makeover:

 

 

The panels can also hang freely as a decorative element on a wall.  Here are some of the designs:

 

 

 

While Fretworks Designs offers ready made panels, they will also do custom work, allowing you to choose your specific size and pattern which is always a great thing!

I hope to order one of the HVAC register covers soon!

 

 

 

 



Barcelona Glass Vase

Ever since I saw it, I have wanted a blown glass vase like the one in this photo in the November 2008 edition of House Beautiful.

No rhyme or reason, just something that has stuck in my brain for the past four years.  I have been on the lookout without any luck until the other day when I went to the best store ever, WorldMarket.  I snagged their Barcelona glass vase (couldn't find it on their website) and here it is in my dining room:

 

 

 

It isn't the amber color of the vase in the original photo, but I like this one better because it is a smokey grey/blue which is a good contrast to the brown table it sits on.  I love it when I go shopping and find something I really love when I'm not even looking for it!

 

FYI - The November issues of Country Living and House Beautiful both have 10% off coupons for WorldMarket, so you can save a few bucks if you find something you just can't live without!



Lovely Vignettes

A great vignette can inspire me to redo a whole room.  This Pinterest page is chock full of vignettes.  Here are some of my faves:

 

I think this mirror is available at Home Depot.

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A black lampshade is so chic.

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Ikat stools underneath the console table provide extra seating in a pinch.

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Love the unexpected pop of color the yellow lamp introduces.

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Leopard print, brass, and fuchsia - what a glamorous combo!

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Love the juxtaposition of natural wood against the lucite and brass table.  Totally unexpected.

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Happy colors!

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Fabric remnants are framed and grouped as art - easy, cheap and genius.

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Super girly and cozy all at the same time.

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Set Your DVRs...

...'cuz our favorite divas on Million Dollar Decorators are back!  The season premiere is on Bravo today, November 13 at 9pm Central!!

 

I'm gonna grab a tub of chocolate ice cream and some fudge stripe cookies, curl up on the sofa, gain 20 more pounds, and indulge in the decorating diva drama!



Why I Love Mondays

I love Mondays because when Savannah settles down for her afternoon nap, I turn on the TV and watch the latest DVR'd episode of Upstairs Downstairs. Suddenly I am whisked away from my sweatpants and sofa and into a world of British accents, glamorous costumes, and lush interiors, not to mention scandalous affairs and political intrigues. Somehow the BBC always manages to make melodrama feel so sophisticated. Let's take a looksie:

 

The Cast

English aristocrats with time on their hands indulging in affairs and intrigue at the beginning of WWII.

 

The Costumes

Coats, hats, gloves, scarves, furs, jewels, evening gowns, tuxedos.  I die.

 

The Interiors

 

Production designer Eve Stewart, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her design work on The King's Speech, directed the interiors for 165 Eaton Place.

 

The Entry Hall

That floor, those stairs, that chandelier, the turquoise color on the walls all equal a swoon worthy entrance.

 

 

The Drawing Room

The intricate pattern of the molding on the wall and how it frames the artwork is pure genius. 

 

Maud's Study

Dark, intricately carved paneling paired with luxe floral wallpaper and an exotic tusk evokes a worldly sophistication.

 

Lady Agnes' Bedroom

Satin, silk, florals, ribbons fit for a Material Girl.

 

The Downstairs

A rustic English kitchen with classic white subway tiles, hanging copper pots, and lots of wood tables and chairs with patina.  My idea of comfy and cozy.



 

 

Now back to reality.

The One That (Almost) Got Away

I decided that I needed a brass table lamp for this chest in Madeline's nursery.

 

 

 

These images convinced me of the need for the lamp:

 

 

 

So I set out to find a lamp (via the internet 'cause I am too preggers to go random lamp shopping right now).  Not many retailers were offering brass lamps in my price range (trust me, in a few years brass will be everywhere when the retailers catch up with the designers).  Here's some of the unaffordable goodness that I found:

 

Arteriors Ryder Lamp $516

 

Arteriors Vintage Brass Hammered Lamp $648

 

Ateriors Carter Lamp $696

 

Arteriors Saffron Lamp $648

Mary McDonald Pythagoras Lamp $693

 

Next stop, Etsy and Ebay.  I thought there would be tons of brass lamps left over from the 80's, but the pickin's were slim and kinda pricey.  I fell in love with this little gem on Ebay:

 

(Imagine it without the hideous lamp shade)

 

It was more than I wanted to pay, but with a mere 30 minutes left I sensed that my presence on Ebay at this particular time must be some sort of divine intervention, so I placed a bid with 10 seconds left in the auction.  Unfortunately I was outbid.  I was saved from the wrath of the Hubs if he found out what I was willing to pay for this lamp but I was really mad that someone else got this lamp.

 

The next day I regrouped and did another search for a modern brass lamp and what to my wandering eyes should appear but this:

 

 

Another lamp just like the first one but much cheaper and with no other bidders!  I stalked this guy for a couple of days and put in a bid at the last minute.  I am the champion and this beauty is en route to me at this very minute!  It's the little victories in life that excite me!