Reflecting on Summer

Summer means so much to me. It brings back so many childhood memories. Starting Memorial Day Weekend my parents would pack up the car to take my sister and I to our house in Sullivan County New York. I can still remember the Chevy Nova my dad drove and the old vintage thermos filled with coffee and ice tea. We would stop at Bear Mountain and just get out and breathe the fresh country air. Growing up in Brooklyn it was such an amazing escape to the country each weekend. I can easily recall so many fond memories. One of my favorites is the sound of the old wood screen door. I am planning on putting one in my house this summer just for the sound!

Here is a picture of me (the younger one) and my sister with our schnauzer Buffy sometime in the seventies.

Our house was near the original Woodstock location and near White Lake and Bethel. It has changed so much now but I remember asking my dad how it was driving up during Woodstock and he laughed and said he stayed away. Traffic was backed up for miles. But just thinking of that time was so much fun to me. To know how house was so close to it. We visit the site very summer.

We would spend lazy summer weekends by the lake and then take a fun trip into White Lake to visit the old grocery store for candy. Time stood still back then. Weekends seemed so long and there were no cell phones or laptops or even tv in the house. We would listen to the radio. We spent nights playing games and pick up sticks or catching fireflies.

I would love to go back to that time when my parents were still with us. But I can only remember those days and I promised my little girl this summer we will put down the phones and computers and play games and catch fireflies, eat ice cream and take road trips. I want to build those same memories for her. We still have our house and although it looks different up there now it is still summer in the country and Ava Rose is already loving it.

Wishing you a safe and happy summer of building memories for you and your family.

Lori and Ava Rose

Ava Rose's "Big Girl" Room

My favorite room to design in our home was Ava Rose's. Designing rooms for other people is my passion but to design a room for my little girl has been my ultimate dream! When Ava Rose came into my life she added color and happiness and I wanted  her room show just that. When I designed her nursery I also imagined Ava Rose as a toddler and a little girl. Boy I had no idea it would go this quickly. She is now 6! Everyone said it would go so fast and they were right! I enjoy every year and every stage. Ava Rose has a big part in design. Growing up in the business she sure loves the feel of luxury linens. Bella Notte is her favorite and how can it not be? The feel of every single fabric is so divine. I had fun selecting every single item for Ava Rose's room from the custom Jennifer Lanne mural to the handmade letter A, the fun pillows from Mr. Tweed's Whimsy and of course her beautiful bedding. The fun teepee is from Ava's 6th birthday party. It is available on our website. It is her secret hiding place and a great storage place for toys when I want to see an organized room. 

This day was fun for both of us. We were lucky enough to have the editor of Romantic Homes - Jacqueline deMontravel at our house for the Holiday Shoot for Romantic Homes November 2014 issue. 

Our favorite Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic chair is our reading chair and our snuggle chair and of course Ava Rose's signature cowgirl boots. She is known around town as the curly haired girl with the pink cowgirl boots. She gets a new pair every birthday. 

I love this pillow from Mr. Tweed's Whimsy. I remember dressing Ava Rose up for this photo shoot like it was yesterday!

Pat from Mr. Tweed's Whimsy surprised me with this pillow. A great memory of our little scottish terrier, Terri. Ava Rose cherishes this one and will always have something special to 

remind her of Terri. 

I am sure in just a few years Ava Rose will want to design her own room and that will be completely fine with me. I will enjoy watching my little designer come up with her tween room. But for now I am not rushing anything. I will continue to enjoy her baby items that I store in her pretty Jane Keltner armoire and sit with Ava Rose and dream up our next fun adventure.

Fall House Tour

Fall is my favorite season! I can't get enough of anything with pumpkin in it and all the fall colors make me so happy. The air is starting to get crisp and our outdoor entertaining may be coming to an end but it still is my favorite time to set out an outdoor table. I gather cuttings from my garden to go along with beautiful sunflowers purchased from our local farmers market to create a simple table setting. Drop cloths and burlap are my favorite go to for instant tablecloths. A mix of chairs and a few vintage pieces make it a simple gathering for friends.

Decorating inside is always just as important as decorating outside for me so I like to change things up each season. Using vintage pieces I have with simple fall decor. I love to bring outdoor elements in using sugar pine cones and acorns. Mixing vintage with new and always a touch of sparkle.

 

May this fall bring you many blessings

 

Our Cottage Featured in Vintage Holiday Magazine

We are so honored to have our porch and decorating tips featured in Vintage Holiday Magazine. It is a beautiful magazine and put me right into the holiday spirit.

 

 

 

My Baby Girl is Turning 6 and Party Plans are Underway!

I cannot believe it! Ava Rose is turning 6 on August 4th. Time really goes by way too fast. I try to enjoy ever single day with her and still it went so quickly. I savored the baby years and toddler years. Cried for the first day of pre-k and kindergarten now I have a first grader!

Ava Rose's first photo shoot. Courtesy of Christina Bohn Photography

Ava Rose is a true miracle. I truly had faith that she would come into my life and always believed, trusted and was very patient. So the day she was born is a true celebration for me. I celebrate that Ava Rose is a gift from heaven and that she is an amazing little girl. Truly taking after me she loves party planning and decorating and parties are a big deal at our house. Ava Rose starts to plan her birthday in the winter. She carefully thinks about a theme all winter long. I always tell her don't rush it! But she loves it so we plan and plan. This year she decide on a Country Western Hoedown. The planning, shopping and decorating is well underway for at least a month now. We enjoy every minute of it. Creating a guest list, writing out invitations, and of course researching on pinterest and coming up with a full plan. Then shopping!! We create everything from the table arrangements to full props.

Ava Rose's first birthday

 

Ava Rose is involved in all aspects of the party planning. Even selecting the menu. This year we decided on a Country American picnic mostly vegetarian menu. We found a great chef that worked with us to select some fun comfort foods - southern mac and cheese, corn muffins, chili, corn on the cob, old fashioned potato salads and picnic salads and sandwiches. We will have old fashioned lemonade, ice tea and of course a sundae bar!

Of course no party of Ava's would not be complete without a horse so her favorite horse will come and wish Ava a happy birthday and provide fun for the kids. We have lots of games planned like potato sack races, horse shoe throw and digging for gold. As well as a photo booth and old fashioned village.

We believe in paying it forward and giving back so each year before the party we go through all of Ava's toys and clothing and donate them to local charities. I also taught Ava Rose that it is important to save for what she would like and she saves her coins all year round to pay for her favorite horse to come to the party.

Ava Rose turns 5. 2013 

Ava Rose's party is this Saturday so we have a busy week ahead as we start to decorate but we will have photos soon to share with you.

Feeling so blessed!

Tour Our Home for the Holidays

We are so excited this year because a top magazine came to shoot our house! It was such an honor and as soon as we can reveal we will. For now enjoy a tour of some of our decorations. Ava Rose and I enjoyed decorating each room. Our wonderful friend Dawn from Hydrangea Home helped put on all the finishing touches as well as create our favorite Welcome to Rose Cottage sign. Nancy, for those that know her from the store and from living locally helped us dress up the outside with lots of greenery and wonderful ideas. It was so great to work with such talented women. I feel honored and blessed.  Not every year has been easy with the ups and downs of life but this year we are making it special and enjoying every single day. Beyond the decorations and shopping we are enjoying friends and family. Ava Rose and I are watching old movies, baking and just keeping to old traditions. I like to savor each day. It is so easy being in retail to make this season flash right by but not this year. This year I am slowing down and enjoying every moment. Ava Rose's 1st school play was so great as well as her first big school trip to see Frosty the Snowman, her fun crazy Christmas sweater day was today. This weekend we are going to try ice skating. Life truly does go by so fast. The only way I learned to slow it down is live for the day and make each day a little fun. I hope this holiday season no matter where you are, and no matter how you decorate and celebrate you are blessed as well. You can tour our home and projects on our website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Bedroom Makeover: Part 1 Refinishing Vintage Furniture.

It seems as a designer we save our homes for last. I was inspired by my new pillow from Jennifer Lanne and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. My furniture is being transformed by Dawn from Hydrangea Home this week and my Bella Notte Linens bedding.

Almost 9 years in my house and my bedroom seemed to always get pushed to last because of an urgent project. This year I decided to treat myself to a beautiful bedroom.This is where it all starts. 

I took over a guest bedroom in the house since it is my favorite and converted my old room into Ava Rose's playroom. 

The first project was to paint my parents 1950's furniture. It is beautiful solid wood furniture with lovely curves but the top coat yellowed over the years and though it is hard to see in these photos it also turned green in places. 

Not a pretty vintage patina at all. So in comes the amazing Dawn from Hydrangea Home www.myhydrangeahome.com. Dawn worked her magic with Annie Sloan paint and without having to sand it down she painted right over the pieces. 

It was fun to see my furniture transformed and I now I love it! I also had fun with Dawn working right out of my house and catching up on shop talk, design projects and tips on balancing raising children with running a business. 

Dawn is a true inspiration. 

If you have not visited her blog and website please do.

www.myhydrangeahome.com

P.S. Don't forget...

Sign up now to start receiving our coupons and promotions.

Welcome to our home makeover: Outdoor Projects: Our Compost Bin & Our Fairy Garden

Project 1: Compost Bin

Ava and I love to garden and I wanted rich soil. My neighbor built us this compost bin. I have to be honest composting is still new to me. I am learning as I go but wanted to share the bin with you and some composting tips. I toss in my yard clippings (it is full right now!) and kitchen leftovers all veggies and fruit. The gaps between the wood slats let air circulate around the pile to keep odors at bay and ensure that wastes are breaking down; the front has a doors which makes it easy to turn the pile and remove compost when it’s ready to spread.  There are many options for composting bins and you can even purchase one ready made for you if you do not want to build it yourself.  This Old House has great instructions on a Compost Bin DIY or search the web for easier or cheaper options. Tips for successful composting: Gather grass clippings and green yard waste but be sure to mix with the "brown" materials like leaves and shredded paper to add carbon. You will need both, but if you only add grass clippings your pile will compact and start to stink. Moisten dry materials as they are added. Do not compost meats or pet waste. Stick with food scraps and yard waste only. Avoid all pesticides and/or herbicide treated material. Turn your pile as much as you can. Each time you turn it will speed up the process. Add compost to your garden a few weeks before you plant. Let the compost have a chance to work into the soil. Try to mix it in and let it sit before you plant. Bugs, worms and most bugs are ok in your compost. Optional is to cover the top of compost with a tarp to keep it moist. When the material at the bottom is dark and rich in color, your compost is ready to use. This usually takes anywhere between two months to two years. I have not used my compost yet but plan to come spring. Happy Composting!  Project 2: Fairy Garden Welcome to our humble Fairy Garden project.  This project was inspired by a fairy garden door we saw on a hiking trip.  In the middle of the forest we saw a tree with a little fairy door.  Ava wanted to have her own fairy garden one day so for her 5th birthday we started one in our backyard. It is very small and humble and we like it that way for now.  We planted a few ferns and added some positive message stones.  We will continue to add to our garden each season. Our garden gnome traveled with us from our aunt's house in Brooklyn.  He guards over the fairies.  P.S. Don't forget... Sign up now to start receiving our coupons and promotions.

Ava Rose is 5!

Wow time goes fast. My baby girl turned 5. She is turning into a little girl with every changing day. Everyone said it goes fast, enjoy every second and they are right. I do enjoy every second. This year Ava Rose selected her birthday party theme...a Carnival! She got the idea from a pretty little dress she had on early in May. She gets so excited planning her birthday party it is so cute. She talks about the decorations and wants to select everything with me. She goes over the list making sure I include everyone she can think of. She gets excited when the invitations arrive and she helps to mail them.

We had a fun time this year with the Carnival theme. We researched on Pinterest in the evenings and went shopping for things we decided on. Her favorite was the elephant centerpieces which she helped set up with her aunt and uncle. The highlight of her day was when her favorite ponies arrived Coco Puff and Sweetie Pie. It has become a tradition for the ponies to attend Ava Rose's party. She met them when she was 2 at a fair and fell in love. The day turned out beautiful and I know for sure I am enjoying every second watching my little rose grow. Happy Birthday Ava Rose!

Ava Rose is 2!

Time goes by so quickly. My little girl turned 2 on August 4th and we had a small gathering to celebrate. The theme was American Honey one of my favorite Lady Antebellum songs. The perfect song for Ava Rose.