Moving along with my January List

I found it......

and I love it! It takes me away to decide on the exact look I want for draperies or anything for that matter, but this is the style of draperies I want for my dining room. I was lounging with my friends in the hotel room in Dallas pouring over magazines.

These pictures are from the current issue of Southern Lady magazine. As soon as I saw them, I knew it was the look I wanted...a little formal, but friendly at the same time.

The pleats are called goblet pleats. A perfect name for a dining room, don't you think? ;)

These are the bare windows that are screaming out to be covered. I have the silouettes for privacy, but we've lived in our house long enough that it's time for more than privacy. I want them "dressed"!

Here are the fabrics. The brown with gold swirl will be the draperies. The gold fabric on the left with the fun little glistening specks will be for a little swag in the center. It is called moondust and I thought it was beyond fun! If I use the red/orange fabric on the right, it will be for colored buttons at the baes of the goblet pleat. Another view of the fabric

Red dining rooms are always, always gorgeous, but wondering "when " they might go out of vogue concerned me. I was considering painting the room more of a golden color.

BUT when I saw how the red color~ which is actually more of a rusty red ~ made the brown fabric look so dramatic, I have now decided to go with the red on two walls of my dining room. It is a Sherwin Williams color called Cajun Red.

Don't you agree?

Orchids ~~ Faux, Dahling

There has been a lot of buzz around blogland about the January markets going on now.

Several of us have just returned from buying trips.

Kristen at Kristen'sCreations recently mentioned how orchids are very much in. I really noticed that too. Today I'm showing you some orchid arrangements I have made and placed in homes or businesses. This one was placed in a ladies restroom. The designer had specific demensions for this. It couldn't be too busy or too "in the way". I suppose it was for some silly reason like people having to wash their hands. :) This was the version for the men's restroom....oops, it doesn't have orchids in this, but notice those ever loving peacock feathers ~~ again! :) These white orchids went in a kitchen for a photoshoot for a new kitchen cabinet design contest. All that white was stunning.This one was for the same home as the one above. I always place the arrangements on my kitchen counter to give them the once over before sending them on their way. For some reason it is easier for me to see what changes they might need when they are away from my work station. In place ~~~~~ Same home for the photo shoot only in the bathroom. Isn't this room almost magazine ready???

These red orchids along with other tropical pods and flowers really showed their personality.

The other is the counterpart for the same customer. Let me just tell you, these containers were to die for. The designer provided them for me to fill. I was a bit nervous handling them because of their value. They were so heavy.

These bright yellow "look at me" flowers are called dancing orchids. I have really grown to love these. Aren't they pretty in the red vase? This was a display in my old house for a spring show I was doing.

Just a widdle bitty red orchid. Someone found a home for him too.

More dancing orchids with bold red ones. Such a nice contrast.

I'm sure there are many of you who excel at growing real orchids that are eye poppers.

For those of you who can't, there's always The Silk Thumb version!

Taking care of business

Let me just tell you I was thrilled last week when I realized I had won a drawing from Carol at Meadowsweet Days This fun publication arrived on Saturday and it has some of the most gorgeous photos inside along with blogging hints and other fun things. Carol, thank you so much. I was so excited to be named the winner. Go over and pay a visit to Carol! Secondly, I have been tagged twice to play along with finding a picture in my album. Terri at http://terriedj.blogspot.com/ and also Kristen at http://kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com/ asked me to play along. This is it. (My daughters would not be pleased that the one to come up was taken when they were looking a bit casual..oh well, they are still cute, hey? :) ) This was taken about 3 yrs. ago when our new house was being framed. Pictured is my oldest daughter on the left and my youngest daughter on the right. My oldest grandson is grinning in the middle. They are standing in a basement window. Here are the rules to this fun game:

1. Go to the the 4th folder where you keep your pictures on your computer.

*2. Post the 4th picture in the folder.

*3. Explain the photo.

*4. Tag 4 fellow bloggers to join in the fun!

I pass this on to :

1. Sher @ ShersCreativeExpressions

2. Cathy @ DomesticBliss

3. Suzanne @ SouthernInspiration

4. Paula @ SweetPea

This is a fun and easy one, girls!

I'm Back from Dallas Market

Here's just a slight view of Dallas Gift Market. It is absolutely enormous and this only gives you a slight feel for what it's like. My friends and I truly walked and walked for a good part of five days.

We found that PURPLES are back in along with YELLOWS.

GREEN

is still very much in and I found this article you might enjoy.

Many homeowners this year will update their homes by taking on do-it-yourself projects using green, environmentally friendly materials. Are you green enough?

In Monograms Mirrors – Venetian, etched or printed with graphics Traditional prints in larger scales and bolder colors Geometrics Document-printed linen fabrics Bohemian look, Ikats Over-the-top wallpaper patterns The updated wingback chair (sleek lines, overstated frame) Cheeseboards, platters, bowls Spectacular serving pieces Natural edge cutting boards Small tables with branch legs Wooden twisted stools Twisted wooden lamps Metal serveware Decorative bathroom rugs Reversible Soumak rugs Bigger lamps, interesting shades and bases Window treatments Art with interesting mats Vintage look in large distressed wood or iron accessories Walnut finishes Leather Mercury glass Recycled glass Animal prints Owls Penguins Monkeys Buddhas Scent diffusers Soy and beeswax candles Eames-era modern design Old-fashioned board games Rustic glamour Mixing styles and periods Modern nostalgia Spare, simple design, punctuated with touches of luxury The eclectic urban loft look Living rooms as lounges All shades of green Black/white/gray/silver Gray/charcoal/pewter paired with clear bright colors Copper and bronze Jewel tones Rusty reds, tangerines Pinks, violets and lavenders Nature themes Permanent botanicals Unique side tables Antiques and found objects Chinese antiques Decorative down pillows Velvets, linens, cotton, silk and bamboo fabrics Anything eco- or environmentally-friendly Charity; cause-related shopping Made in the USA, made locally Fair trade products Handmade/artisan items Eco-friendly packaging Salvaging, reclaiming, repurposing; recycled anything Organic materials, natural fibers Comfort Useful, thoughtful gifting Frugality Value Understated elegance Customer appreciation

Out

High maintenance furniture High maintenance anything Manufacturers without eco-friendly and ethically responsible practices Luxury niche products Unnecessary extravagance Muddy earth tones Shiny gold Outdated product packaging The Victorian vintage look Too many flowers in floral arrangements Case goods painted with floral motifs Resin accessories Boring lamps Boring lampshades Super-traditional fabrics Floral fabric prints Small picture frames Nautical and shell themes Cheap imports; cheap imitations Excessively large artwork Excessive consumption Country Primitive Shabby Collectibles Entire name imprints Rooms saturated with mirrored furniture pieces Deep cherry finishes Matchy-matchy Keeping up with the Joneses Over-priced anything Negativity

The mood in showrooms was a little cautious. I noticed fewer selections from some vendors and others didn't seem to care...they were packed full of merchandise to select from. Some sales reps said the market was very good, that people were buying while others said it was the worse market ever. So who should we listen to? I bought enough but not too much this time. It's easy to go overboard, but I think I bought enough to have new choices but without having regrets when the UPS truck starts appearing!

Another Way to Be Creative

When my oldest daughter turned one, I decided to get into cake decorating. I think I took a class through Wilton and purchased many of the icing tips. When my daughters were little I often times purchased the pans in the shape of something...Big Bird, Cabbage Patch Kids, etc. Now that I have grandchildren I see there is a new world of options through googling for cake shapes.

This was the latest creation last Sunday. Little Sammy is into horses and wanted a "Horsey Cake with those guys", he kept saying. We weren't sure what he meant by those guys, but wondered if he meant cowboys. I didn't have any cowboys but did find Indians and some pilgrim people that I stood up around the cake. It must have worked because he looked thrilled with his horsey cake.

This is the same little boy

One year ago when he

started loving trains.

Can you see his tongue sticking out of his mouth? It was so cute to watch him look at all the details. This train cake was a hit with all the children obviously because of all the candy in the cars.

A couple of years ago, I made the pirate cake for my oldest grandson as he was having a pirate party. This cake had lots of details and was a little nerve wracking, but fun to put together and create the ship. The brown around the outside edges is brown sugar for sand.

The look on his face was worth all the time it took making this one. Look at the little boy in the back ground. I giggle everytime I see this picture.

I'll see y'all when I get back from Dallas.

Decisions, Decisions

Christmas may be over but I'll be shopping again soon.

Three friends and I are heading for Dallas and the Buyer's Market later this week. There are hundreds and hundreds of showrooms to choose from. My feet already hurt just thinking about it. I'll literally be walking for the better part of four days!

It is a fun trip, but also work as there are so many decisions to make.

With this economy we are now in, I must really be careful with my choices. It's always easy to buy, buy, buy and get caught up in the moment, but I don't plan to do that this trip.

Anyone else going to one of the markets?

So Soothing ~~ Blue and Brown

I was going to do my guest room in blues and browns until y'all talked me into turning my room into something that would match "The Chair". Click here.

Some time back while I was browsing a fabric store, I had the sales lady clip these lovely samples for me. I found myself looking at them over and over again. Aren't they just so pretty together??

This is an arrangement a designer ordered for me to do for her customer. Again.....soothing??? Yes???

Hat was vintage store find at Nags Head, NC

Love the possibilities.....

Precious Blue and Brown

my newest grandson......

What's Not to Love?

I just don't get it. Why do people get rid of pretty things, just abandoning them at the Goodwill or the Thrift Shop? I sometimes have a hard time getting rid of ugly things let alone the pretty ones! ;) On the top shelf of the tiered stand I just found this heavy lead crystal piece for $2, marked down from $4. It is gorgeous! On the second shelf I found the red bowl at Goodwill for $3.99 but got it for $2 because it was considered Christmas and half priced. The little sweet frame on the bottom shelf was from GW also. What do you call these mirrored pieces...desk blotters? It has green felt on the back so it doesn't slip I suppose. It may be called something else but I have found it so versatile. The white pitcher with sooo much personality??? You guessed it....the Thrift store for under $5.

Another mystery to me is finding pictures of people in frames from days gone by. Isn't it sad to think that someone didn't want that picture? Do you ever buy pictures of someone you don't know?

A Blog Award for Little Me!

I, Donna @ Designs on 47th Street do

Accept this award!!

This is so fun to be acknowledged with an award! My sweet friend Suzanne at Southern Inpirations has given me my first blogging award. I hope you have visited Suzanne. She has a lot of great ideas and you'll learn many ways to decorate with your Southern Living @ Home treasures! :) I have even had the pleasure of meeting Suzanne in person last summer and she is a dear lady. Stop by and see her. This award comes with a few rules: Put the logo on your blog or post. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE! Oh, this is hard as there are so many. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. (this is ONE of the many things I've learned from other bloggers!! I think I can link!!) Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award. I graciously bestow this award to the following great ladies: Carol at Meadowsweet Days Melissa at Melissa Miller Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict Gloria at Happy to Be Terrie at Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity Janice at Etiquette with Miss Janice Lynn at Lynn's Gifts from the Heart Gollum at Designs by Gollum Vanna at lvroftiques Stacy at 19 Butternut These women all have super blogs that I enjoy and learn from continually. Pay them a visit and let's keep the blog love going!

Probably my Favorite Room

I love this portion of the house. It is our hearth room. When we were searching and searching for the perfect floor plan to build a few years back it was my dream to have a hearth room. Most floor plans either lacked this feature or they were far less than desirable.

Til we found this plan.

I wouldn't have a clue how many people have sat in these chairs and talked and laughed and made decisions. My plant customers often sit here while they ponder their arrangements. These chairs rock and swivel so that if guests are here and want to face the kitchen, they can.

My daughters sit here when they come home. Oh the secrets and boy talk these chairs could tell!

Grandbabies are rocked and loved and read too in these chairs.

My husband and I sit here every evening while watching the news and discussing our day. Friends sit here. Maggie sits here. She even bathes here! :)

It's just a warm and cozy part of our house.

Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch is taking a poll for Metamorphosis Monday. I could certainly be a candidate. We have been in our home for 2 1/2 yrs. and I'm starting to get serious now about areas that had to be set aside at first while we purchased new furniture, worked on landscaping and so much more. Decisions like paint colors and draperies and such are on my mind. I thought when you built a new house there would be little to do after you moved in! HA! Still many decisions. The dining room you can see behind the couch is my next project. I'm going through fabrics trying to decide on the window treatments and then I'll choose a paint color.

Oh yes! Shopping for new end tables and a coffee table are on my mind too. Sigh

January, a time for a fresh start

Fresh as new fallen snow, what could be more inspiring to an eternal optimist than January of a new year?? No mistakes yet...no broken resolutions...only hope for the year that lies before us. Like so many of you fellow bloggers, I have come to realize through the years that resolutions don't always work. Therefore this year I will change my plan of attack. I still feel January should be a month to reevaluate our inner souls to see what we can do differently this year. There's always room for improvement, right? I have decided to make a list of everything I can think of I would like to do this year. Then each month I plan to look at this list and choose the items to tackle during that time period. No, it's nothing earth shattering but for me who always struggles with organization it is a new start. These will be doable goals that just might get done!

Our church has gone through much turmoil in the past eighteen months or so. This past November we received the gift of a wonderful and highly motivated pastor. I have taken on volunteer work at the church. Doing what, you ask? Working on the decorating committee as well as being the lady in charge of flowers at both church locations!! Right up my alley, huh? :)

I'll save more deep January thinking for next time. Until then I'm off to read three chapters in the Bible. Our new pastor is encouraging us to read the Bible in chronological order this year.

Enjoy this fresh January 3rd calendar entry in your own way.

What are YOU doing to make things better this year?