When I complete a cottage renovation I am sad and I am glad. Hundreds and hundred of hours have gone into the project by the contractor, carpenters, painters,plumbers ,electrician, landscapers, the pools installer, the home owner and little 'ole me. I eat, sleep, dream and spend countless hours pondering every inch of space and what is the best way to use it for the client and the cottage. Every client is different. Every project is different.The client's personal taste and their long range goal for their cottage are always different . I can see the big picture from the first meeting and so seeing it come into reality ….No words can express the joy and satisfaction !!! Sundew Cottage is a mix of the clients favorite things and her favorite art and the addittion of great fabrics, colors, furniture and bed linens. The Cottage is "the sum of all parts". My client loves to cook and she has stocked the kitchen to perfection…( My only domestic quality is ...I live in a house) She has had a wonderful time doing this and that makes me so happy. Sundew Cottage We have not finished the picket fence, the arbor. the window box, the shutters and the outdoor shower. We are still tweaking the wonderful porch and the rest of the landscaping and picket fence will be up soon I used my colors of sea biscuit Tybee turquoise and melon because of the outdoor pillow my client fell in love with and purchased from Frontgate. the great porch dining area the pillows and some of the vintage wicker 7'x30 feet.. Happy Colors!!!! more Frontgate chairs and wonder piece of art/furniture that was a gift to my client ..REAL Sea glass….. the table top porch time….Tybee Style inside the living room the tiny space is working out fine everything seem much larger because the ceiling is so nice and high. I painted the bracing white and added the great BarnLight radial wave sconces in the kitchen space what once was the washer/dryer is now a linen closet with a funky orange( Tybee tan) screen door. I guess you can tell by now that fabric is a unifying factor in the open floor plan . How wonderful is the chandelier!!!! more beach glass... a view from the top of the stairs.. more glorious beach glass…... stairs to the master bedroom To be continued……. My computer is moving to slow for some reason…the dining area and bedrooms in my next post… Happy July 5th
I have been "blogless", if there is such a word, and I hope to improve that as the days go by. So many things are happening that seem to ...
True confessions...This a project I am working on at the moment.. I have gotten to know the clients and they are wonderful!!!!!! What started out as a consultation last year, has turned into great friends who love and appreciate the peaceful yet funky Tybee Island way of life.... and they also are in love with "THE table"!!! They have owned this duplex for many years.It has an amazing ocean view and they are 100% "beach people". FYI.....for people who Really love the BEACH... the sand , the surf , and ocean air and ALL the family and friends that always appear for a parking place.. a quick shower before riding back to town ... drop by to say "Hello" .. and " Yes, we would love to stay for dinner,, thanks you for inviting us"....... It is all good .....it makes for island living and a great night's sleep in clean fresh sheets.. unless of course.... You forgot to put sunscreen on the middle of your back , then you must sleep on your side and search high and low for the vinegar to take the pain away and smell like Easter egg dye and seriously peel in a few days. Here it is ...It WAS a broken down oak dining table with missing leaves and coming unglued. NOT ANY MORE!!! It just works with Bellamy's beautiful pieces of art and every thing else in the room. .....to see it in person is to love it more the guest room 's beginnings............ I helped them select soothing colors ( all walls SW1192) and pieces of furniture that reflect a Tybee Island way of life. Laid back "feet on the coffee table".... liquid refreshment and Jimmy Buffett singing to everyone..(.Cd's or 8 track tapes or albums.. or maybe a docking stations for ipod.... Sirius radio and the things I haven't had time to learn about.) a close up of "the table" A room around a "Bellamy"...and a table Great down throw pillows ( with cordless cord ) to add color and interest to the linen slipcovered sofa's. Did I mention the sofa was orange !!! ( under the slipcovers) The "drop off " point is now pleasant and organized shelf was there..added some nature.... I am soooooooooo in love with the table..problem is.. so are the clients. Yummy coffee table!!! ( FEET WELCOME) I made this shot my screen saver... Peaceful beyond words .. the room has turned out amazing. All the elements of calm.... and a view to die for!!!!! A peek at Bellamy hanging one of the pieces of the art they commissioned her to paint . Her pieces bring so much life to a room. The lamp was there and so were the shells collected right at the beach in front of the house... There are still things on the " to do" list but the project is 85% complete. Guest Room...a work in progress and improving everyday . There was a red iron day bed in the room..the Pottery barn spring catalogue arrived ..... and we had fabulous time!!!! Day bed in other bed room .. more Pottery Barn plus Pine Cone hill linen euros ruffles soft and aqua.. a few pieces from Nadeau and presto!!!! existing dining table... new life... new color... and fabrics for the chair seats and a $12.00 wooden bowl and a few starfish thrown in ( sorry about the towel and the light bulbs but these are working photos) a knob from my on line store for the new medicine cabinet T J maxx tiny lanterns that worked great with her crab A treasure and the perfect thing for above the bed.. clients are thrilled more bedroom magic Bellamys commission ( a Tybee dock) and did I mention the table? I cant believe how it just made the room. The art combined with all the other elements....I was "hoping against hope" they would say "Why did you bring that junky old table in here?" TO BE CONTINUED.......................
I have been running into myself in the hallways because I have so much to do. I decided to take a "camera walk about" and enjoy mindless thoughts and ponderings...( not work related) I began in my kitchen with a splash of our favorite color...... headed out the door.. in the yard never give up...never slow down...never grow old ..never die young picket fence wisdom... down the path to the beach pondering the 'snow fencing" used on the beach Mother Nature's wonderful beach foam We were always told as children .".angels washing their clothes" white caps and waves Now on my bike on the other side of the island... love this! colors on cottages island funky... love this house... a great entry way one of my favorites.. love the pocket windows! a disaster....demo of a precious old Tybee cottage I am depressed....guess I will think about work and more positive things like beautiful new fabrics and colors!!!1 We will have a ball with this fun fabric in Ardsley Park.... I do love my job!!! Happy Monday...............................................
I am at Marabou Ranch outside of Steamboat Springs Colorado........on a working holiday. I am busy but sit here every chance I get because I love this chair.... My favorite favorite rocking chair!!!! http://www.marabouranch.com/ Steamboat Magazine wrote a story about the project Anna and I did at Marabou Ranch last year. I took so many funny photos and some great ones but never had time to post them. I am here now but cant work this computer to load my one million photos.. Colorado is beautiful, Steamboat is wonderful and Marabou Ranch is off the charts. The article is linked on the Press button on my web site. Bellamy painted some awesome paintings for the project.( she is part cowgirl) I bought some funky funky pieces in Savannah and I had the chance to do what I love on the Elk River 20 minutes outside of Steamboat . I could have been a cowgirl/ or maybe I was an indian in another life. I love nature and the earth and I love the difference between the ocean and the mountains. This project was a chance for major " nest building" while the cattle and horses watched us thru the windows and the white owl scared Anna as it flew from its spot on the rafters of the porch late one night as we were hurrying to complete this project. My favorite favorite thing was the rocking chair that bought for $400.00 dollars (that had a $1200.00 price tag). My friend and favorite upholsterer,Larry Davis ( Davis Upholstery) in Savannah Georgia) cover it in a cowhide that I bought years ago and has been savings for ME. When it was done, it was all I could do to put it on the truck bound for Steamboat. Back in town on Sunday with so many photos for my blog.
My web designer came to visit and brought me some images I had sent her when she did my website many years ago. I am lucky to have worked w...
One of my favorite old island homes..in the universe!!! I had absolutely nothing to do with it from a design point but as a preservationist , I am thrilled beyond words that it has been preserved and restored in all its glory. When people speak of "all things coastal" …. front of the house faces the river beautiful oak trees escape the tide is out Add caption details 12 foot wide porches the laid back life the garden the view from the dock Dock life!!!
I have a fever...Spring fever !!!! Our city is in full bloom and the colors are so beautiful. It makes me fall in love with color and my hometown , Savannah, all over again. It happens every single year when the azaleas are in full bloom. I also have 3 clean vehicles and a new bike and am going to see Emmy Lou Harris tonight at the musical festival . Life is good and colorful!!!! cooled blue honeydew Add caption my new bike is the same color as the outdoor panels and fabric on my porch. Guess i will have to take the pink townie to town
Everything is beautiful, in it's own way... This board is a display of images I find beautiful! These photos do not belong to me, unless otherwise stated. I'm just enjoying their beauty, I hope you do too! Please visit my new Autumn Blog: autumns-glory.tumblr.com
Today we're finishing up the tour of Southern Tides, the incredible Tybee Island beach home designed by none other than the uber-talented Jane Coslick! (See Part 1 of the tour here.) It was like Christmas morning when my nieces and nephew laid eyes on the bunk room for the first time...they were SO excited! And
Beach House Ocean air thru open windows.. barefoot on wood floors.. A special place in time.. When I moved to Tybee Island in 1992. I saw the destruction of so many old beach house for new "bigger is better" generic beach mini mansions.(New is not necessarily better) In my opinion,old houses and cottages have soul. It comes from years of housing families and friends and the making of great memories that last a life time. I had a copy of a book called Family Houses by the Sea. I gave it to all the clients who were considering restoring a wonderful old beach house or tearing it down and building new beach houses. I needed them to focus on the end results.... beyond the rust and crust..... to having a wonderful restored old beach house and having something unique and very special. There are a few very well preserved and amazing old raised cottages on Tybee. I have loved this house and this family sinced I moved in across the street (1992)............................ They have loved and enjoyed it and now it is rented by Tybee Cottageshttp://www.tybeecottages.com/ Randolph Cottage 8 North Lovell Ave. This historic raised cottage is oceanfront. the guest room/guest house............... the sweetest of dreams as the ocean lulls you to sleep the fence..they call it snow fence. I think it should be called sand fence a raised cottage..a beautiful thing!!!! the great original door at the top of the stairs the screen porch that run all the way down the side of the cottage chairs and tables that never go out of style how about some lunch or there is the clothes line if you need to hang out your beach towel There is room for ALLthe guest to sit and eat and enjoy the ocean breeze timeless and interesting... yellow is big this year also (circa 1955) the elegant dining room a nice wide hall way for the breezes to flow thru the house a shell lamp with burlap shade ( 1955) beautiful wooden walls and ceilings in every room 15 steps to the beach OR sit in the rocker and you are STILL on the beach The guest cottage The view Randolph Cottage 8 North Lovell Ave How about a nice spot for reading a good book ? The back hall to the bath room and shower area the great old bathroom cabinet complete with the original footed tub the screen frames are all custom made and original a room with a view......... master bedroom vintage 1955 shutters and chenille and watching the sun rise over the Atlantic ocean right from your bed!!!! living room beautiful original window with old wavy glass uncomplicated in a complicated world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Spring is in the air which means it's almost porch sitting weather. We southerners love two things...sweet tea and porches. Indeed they are a staple in the south. After a long day, it's so relaxing to sit on the porch and watch the world go by. They're the perfect place for an afternoon nap or to sit with a friend and catch up on life. Big, small, sleeping porches or screened in porches I love them all. Just one look at these photos and you will see why we love love them so much. Here are just a few images I've had the pleasure of designing.
I had the pleasure of working with some new and very interesting clients to create a cottage that will…actually take your blues away. The colors are happy but soothing. They have shared wonderful books and music and art from their own collections. Every time I walk into the cottage , I feel relaxed, invigorated and happy. I think it is the unique mix of all the elements in the spaces. a pleasure to behold ...new life to a tired 1950's cottage. I love my job! it was one of the stars of the Jane Coslick Cottage Holiday Tour held the first of December the porch has a new tile floor and great new outdoor fabrics the natural light in the living room is so fresh and inviting I love the colors ...the mix of patterns on the throw pillows with the indoor /outdoor stripe rug and PS(I love their Christmas tree!!!!) this little sign speaks volumes ..to me. In my work, art is everything!!! wonderful, fun and newly renovated dining room … bright and cheery new kitchen some of my favorite pieces of art and a new and very comfortable slip covered dining chair….a great mix OK .. the surprise that makes you smile …. queen bed room with paper mache zebra heads WEARING pearls!!!! TO ME THIS ENTIRE COTTAGE IS ART ! the wonderful master bedroom soooooo comfy and relaxing the colors…I love them! the twin bedroom with new floor ,ceiling, color and bed linens Great pieces of folk art…. (sorry about the cords) new cottage sign by our favorite person Leonard Miller fabulous outdoor shower BLUES AWAY is the perfect place for a siesta or a fiesta… It is a Mermaid Cottages vacation rental when the clients are away.www.mermaidcottages.com I love the beautiful cedar tree..and there is nothing like sitting in the shade of a giant old tree watching the world go by…My personal opinion..SHADE is very under-rated...
I was invited to a friend's house for dinner on the 4th. I cut zinnias from my garden and took those as my hostess gift. You can't eat them but they look pretty. I really DON"T cook but my friends really do! I had to take a picture of pinwheel food because it was so much fun. I have a photo shoot beginning today so wish me luck..I am going to need it. They take an amazing amount of work and planning.
My web designer came to visit and brought me some images I had sent her when she did my website many years ago. I am lucky to have worked w...
While we are waiting for those days, I will share some of my photos of my projects that may help you to feel the "Glow"... Jane Coslick "World headquarters"..... on a spring day. thinking sunny spaces ,,sunny colors . One of my favorite sunny photos because the day I took this it was also very cold. warm sunny Cottage on the Green.. sunny places a great place for a nap ... sunny porch...A Richard Leo Photo) Sun streams thru the door way sunny warm colors my porch at Horsepen creek cottages simple yellow and white sun streaming thru the window at wren's nest (This is Richard Leo photo) happy warm sunny colors and shadows of the pickets from the sunshine Happy Colors at Luscious Little Cottage...( a Richard Leo photo) Hope these helped.. I feel warmer......
My web designer came to visit and brought me some images I had sent her when she did my website many years ago. I am lucky to have worked w...
Today was spent working with my team getting not one,not two but THREE cottages ready for a major photo shoot.
where it began.... a bit pitiful BUT great windows and good bones..wonder where that expression comes from? After ..(a picture is worth a thousand words) Cottage holiday 4th of July The new cottage sign new floor and bolster pillow pondering this mirror over washer dryer to expand the space Bathroom Mirror sleeping porch adding lots of outdoor curtains and fun surprises...night night or nap time perfect when you are TYBEE TIRED! cute laundry bag perfect colors!!! The other bathroom mirror painting of the cottage by Anna Lee on the new twin beds..I love them so much!!! new beds from Land of Nod..... lamp on loan from my bedroom/ new bamboo night stand For rent: www.mermaidcottages.com
new pillows for fluffing tybee tired never get tired of polka dots Add caption the Tybee Island White House full of color.. Sand between your toes and Happy Colors!!!!
I loved this cottage and tried to get the owners to let me help them restore it. They wanted "new" and could not see the potential in this magical place. A client of mine bought it so I had the opportunity to help move and save it and restore it. I wish it could have been restored where it sat because it has to be brought up the code and raised up. Here are a few finished photos. I will post the before photos on the next post.
The paint isn't dry ( honestly) but I had to share a few images of this amazing cottage. The porch floor paint ( Tybee Turquoise) isn't dry and the exterior fence and landscaping and pool area aren't ready but here are a few images Anna took today.( SO glad Anna is back helping me this summer while school is out) More photo and the interesting story about SUNDEW……..
The color, the cottage, the beginning....... I bought this cottage in the 2005. It was the smallest but the most expensive cottage. It was next door to my 99 Steps Cottage so I wanted to preserve the little piece of the world at the dead end of the street... a small sand dune away from the ocean. I knew it would be sold and torn down and a mega mansion built in its place and I would have never forgiven myself. I added a picket fence and finished off the ticket booth( the back space). I painted and painted and painted ...Added the shutter over the front window, a handrail (with old antique pickets) new steps, and an antique brick patio at the base of the steps. I Added central heat and air and more paint. I replace the old shower with a nice new bath tub a new kitchen and an outdoor shower. I added one small window on the side to have a view of the ocean.. On day I was sitting on the back steps looking at the pink beack lily and ..the color of pink came to me...I worked on different combinations of colors to come up with a match to the lily... and I REpainted once more only this time it was Luscious Little Cottage Pink. http://janecoslick.myshopify.com/collections/janes-colors/products/luscious-little-cottage-swatches I would not suggest this for an exterior color but in this spot , I felt it added some personality to the 465 square foot space. I used 3 colors and white to make it happy and inviting. THE COLOR........ the pink beach lily ths lily bush In the beginning.... the back view the front view once I added the fence then came the window box and wood awning over the pocket windows the interior once I restored it the view toward the front..a day bed with an ocean view. I added a window where the painting is on the left..for the ocean view a detail shot of the ticket booth with the twin beds made from driftwood. The cottage was featured in Coastal Living Magazine. I loved how Elizabeth Beeler styled it.....Under the slipcover on the chairs she exposed the animal print upholstery on the chairs... Anna had just started working with me so they make her the model the versatility of slipcovers the kitchen window The Present................. I sold the cottage to a family who love it as much as I do. They have redone the cottage in their own style and gave it a wonderful name OLD LOVE. ( it even has a Bellamy oyster shell painting) When they are not enjoying the cottage, they rent it thru Mermaid Cottages.www.mermaidcottages.com Take a look...... http:bookings.mermaidcottages.unitmvc/detail/41344 The guest love staying there. I have met so many nice cottage renters and many come back year after year to spend time in Old Love.
Not sure what happened ..me or the machine....nothing would upload. New post.... new outlook.. and thanks for all your great energy. I can't believe how great my "shrinking" is working. I have always believed ..."surround yourself with the things you love"...I have decided to ROTATE them because I do not have room for all of the things I love....at one time. sorry about the cord showing....all photos are the real thing!!! Removed the closet to the left of the bed....(who needs a closet)...... so the bed can center on the wall........in anticipation of my funky merry go round headboard. The sunshine streams in to the room to warm the winter soul. White uncomplicates it all. Throw pillowsTarget(last summer). Euros Ralph Lauren . Homegoods..lime green throw pillow( last year). Pinecone Hill Blanket(yummy soft cotton polka dot security blanket...) Using what I have .. works for now. Blanche Nettles Powers is the artist.http://www.blanchenettlespowers.com/. She is a wonderful artist and good friend. Will be filling the walls in this room with several of her pieces. The security guard!!!! Love palm tree textures ..Camp Palm Tree is coming to life.!!!! a few things that make me very happy................. my favorite bowl.. my favorite vase.. and the amazing jdvintage.net/ art who creates wonderful art from shells and old bottles . zinc beveled glass.. I love prisms and these pieces of vintage beveled glass create amazing prisms when the sun shines through.. On the window sill they go............
First ..Thank you for your positive and heart warming words for my kitties............. This week I have some serious "BUDGET FLUFFING " to do . When the budget is tough, the creative juices really get a workout! Over the years, when I restore a cottage most of the money is spent on the plumbing ,AC/heat, electrical , paint , insulation and usually a roof. When it comes to the "fun part"...the money is limited so many of the cottages are created "outside the box"......Using materials in unusual ways and buying things that are absolute bargains. Once I bought 12 twin bed skirts because the fabric was bright and they were practically giving them away. I have some serious work ..design on 3 cents...so I looked thru my old images for some ideas. Cottage design is more casual but most of the ideas can be expanded upon and used in many situations. Tybee is funky and fun.. No serious designs needed here. taking a bed skirt that you bought on markdown.. cutting it into a no sew valance using an odd shutter for a valance and taking a full sized double bead and making two by screwing the headboard and foot board to the wall creating a sitting area from a old desk and odd stools faking a headboard a curtain rod from a bamboo rod and deer antlers adding an odd light fixture on a blank wall....just for interest making a curtain rods out of tree branch adding fun color..paint is cheaper than most things (Richard Leo Johnson photography) adding some ball fringe to anything making closet "doors" from a fun shower curtain making a lamp from something mixixng and not matching the lamps and shades to created something interesting making pillow and slipcovers from seriouly discounted sets of sheets creating a light fixture from white party light close up creating a kitchen cabinet from old shutters I will be seriously digging into my bag of tricks and my storage unit. A little fluffing is good for the soul..............
I feel very honored to have some of my designs projects featured in the Best of Flea Market Style Magazine. Hear are a few images. It is a magazine after my own heart. A mix of old and new to create one of a kind design . I will always love magazines . My favorite thing ..a stack of magazines and a cup of sleepytime tea....unwind and sweet design dreams.
Ponder this space....Recycled plantation shutters $10.00 from the thrift store. My cowgirl hat waiting to escape to Colorado(on my head).A yummy turquoise wood floor. A vintage Carlton Varney chintz slipcover on my chair that has had at least 9 lives.( the black and off white tiger stripe fabric ( Coastal Living Magazine Jan. 09). Two 30"euro made from my favorite chenille palm tree show curtains . An inviting Bellamy painting of a path at Fort Pulaski. A ,not really straight, bark cloth animal print coverlet made from a Ralph Lauren fabricc . A great old chair painted "Tybee tan"( from the http://www.janecoslickcottagecollection.com . A wonderful galvanized light that I love love love . This is one of the guest rooms at my cottage .It could have been a closet ,but I thought this was so much more fun and a great place to spend the night or afternoon reading a good book. If you think you do not have enough room in your house. ....... .. THINK AGAIN!!!
A visit to Bellamy's studio is always a treat. We are both ADD and go a mile a minute on every creative subject. This visit I was helping a client select a painting for her new cottage so I brought a chair and turquoise pillows to help with the decision making. The painting will be the center of the focus and the dining chairs will be these happy yellow cargo chairs. Love love love!!!!! decisions decisions decisions.. so many colorful choices!!!!! www.bellamyart.com I knew which was going to be the perfect one.. what a great dock and river this one is..Love it too!! One of my personal favorites....but I love them ALL!!! A place to see them all...from the back of Bellamy's sofa. Her pup is watching everything we do The decision is made and this painting will be perfect. We will have a ball selecting the other things to go with the yellow dining chairs with turquoise accents I can just see it in the dining room of the newly restored cottage. sunshine and turquoise... a great choice for a new wonderful newly restored beach cottage A SNEAK PEEK at the cottage.. the view toward the front door.. all open space the amazing plumbing contractor is standing in the future dining space the great carpenters working on the tiny porch off the bedroom Beach cottage ...under renovation... The view as you enter the front door.... Can you tell where the painting will hang?. The point of focus in the space and the future home of the great Bellamy painting!!!! I am loving this little cottage and cant wait to see it all come together
Peek at the unique oyster shell and driftwood mirror just created by Anna Speir. The New Year will bring amazing work from Anna and other artist to the online store. My vision is to share the MAGIC!!!!
I have been fascinated my how different the cottages are and I know that is because all the clients are so unique.The tour was a great success everyone one had different favorites in rooms and cottages .It was for a very good cause,the Humane society of Savannah , and I would love to hear from people what was their favorite..room.. cottage..pillow..decoration....... Unfortunately I got sick and was out of the picture for part of the day.so not sure what the buzz was about. I took a few photos ..of our island Christmas. .....lots of color beyond tradition red and green.(but we had red and green also) at Blue bird Inn Spooky on her island Christmas colors taking care of her mommy Christmas tree cut of of old screen( a great recycle) On of my favorite pieces of folk art at Blues Away cottage the living room at Coast Awhile Cottage Dr. Holiday cottage Blues Away cottage touches of turquoise and white and natural and starfish reflections at southern tides simple and natural at Southern tides the double queen room that once was a porch at Southern Tides Cottage. that wonderful old house is beginning to glow.. on loan from my friend Nancy Heriot My friend Suzanne Everette made several arrangements for the cottage I just want to say..My friends mean the world to me .They always just appear as the events are near and like little elves they do their magic.. Thank You... Thank you ....thank you ....for everything you do and for being there for me always. the most beautiful tree and ornaments at Blues Away Cottage.. (I will share more photos of Blues Away very soon)
My web designer came to visit and brought me some images I had sent her when she did my website many years ago. I am lucky to have worked w...
ISLAND MAGIC SOUTHERN TIDES cottage is finished and I wanted to share some of the special places like the pool, the sleeping porch, the crocodile bar, the 8 bunk bunk room., the perfect screen porch.. the stripe outdoor shower, the new baths and kitchen , living room, dining room and laundry room. The mix of fabrics, colors and one of a kind treasures have come together in a perfect example original Tybee Style... Fun ,Funky and Fabulous!!! restoration of a an historic raised cottage circa 1902 1702 Chatham Ave living room dining room Happy Kitchen screen porch "suds and duds" the new Crocodile bar in honor of our crocodile the game room the black and white bath the twin room the famous bunk room half of the bunk room 5-8 upstairs sitting area off the sleeping porch the wonderful sleeping porch Nap time Happy Colors in the second master bedroom Tybee Time at Southern tides..napping ,,reading ..swimming.. playing....laughing and making memories the new sink reflections..... the beautiful and serene king bed room sweet dreams!!!!! the old and new and a bit of the ocean the funky and the fabulous... the new closets made from the vintage shutters the double queen bed room downstairs have you ever showered in an outdoor shower with stripes?Here is your chance.... how about a cool dip on a hot summer day in the new swimming pool ? The new logo for Tybee Cottages.com
It was a busy week.. There was an article in our local paper about the book I have 6 cottages published in from Australia. It was great PR for Tybee Island and I was proud of it all...COAST.LIFESTYLE ARCHITECTURE. http://savannahnow.com/accent/2012-06-15/rich-wittish-designers-blog-gets-tybee-island-homes-international-notice Next.."Design in a Day" Anna is out of school for the summer and she is helping me with my new project.".Design in a day" we call it. Actually it takes two full days and the project is 99% done right down to the bar of soap in the shower and the beds made and ready for guest. I had to share this great photo of Anna sitting at the Purple Pickel..It made smile when I saw it. The fabrics I am using for this project make me smile also. You know how much I love color so I am thrilled with these great fabrics............... My job isn't all pretty things....................... Often it begins here or like this. I guess that is why when the project is complete and it looks beautiful..I remember what it took to get to the BEAUTIFUL stage. discovery and making a plan B the cabinet are not worth saving because they are not wood inside and have begun falling apart...unexpected added expense but worth doing it right old counter tops and sink Ucky!!!! Stay tuned for more of the beautiful part!!!!!!!
Un peu absente en ce moment avec un mari emmené aux urgences mardi soir et juste sorti de l'hôpital ... inflamation au bras droit avec fiévre yo-yo, une fin d'année sur des chapeaux de roues mais ... Vous connaissez mon choix de déco, alors comment...
It's been awhile since we visited little ol' Tybee Island and checked in with one of my favorite designers–Jane Coslick! Blues Away is one of her most recent projects, a 1950's cottage that received the total Jane Coslick redesign and renovation treatment! So bright and cheery, but relaxing too...really the perfect place to unwind and
Happy Halloween...........................tee hee!!! Actually...................... My assistant Kristin has taken a full time job and so I will have to carry on her organizational skills. She was sad to leave but needed to work a full week. I will miss her because we laughed most of the time and she was great at keeping things in order. Here is a photo of her with her new engagement ring. She is very talented and loves things in perfect order. She want to be "on stand by" for me but I think her plate will be full and so will her day on her new job. We use the bath tub at the office for storing pillows when there are several jobs in the works. We were acting very silly and Kristin couldn't resist falling in the tub. The holidays are upon us and school will be out soon. I am helping Anna with a wedding this weekend so she will be around to help me if I need extra hands, feet or brains until next year.
Slowing down and just sitting on the porch..... a real luxury in the fast paced world of today. I design porches with comfortable seating and durable fabrics. the light is from Bolt House textileswwwbolthousetextiles.com/ My cottage shutters add the finishing touch www.janecoslick.com I am a serious porch lover. Sitting on the porch..sleeping on the porch entertaining on the porch (or making a temporary porch office)... Often I add an electric fireplace that looks like a wood burning stove for wintering on a porch............and a fan for the summer and springtime on a porch. sleeping porches are magical hanging swinging beds are popular outdoor curtains with sleeping porches....a great combination!!!! mix and match of outdoor pillows and furniture a wonderful way to pass the time away/ a Richard Leo Johnson photo styling by Elizabeth Beeler porches with an ocean view..top the list another great Richard leo Johnson photo styling by Elizabeth Beeler porches expand living space in tiny cottages Happy colors...comfortable matresses this porch is as large as the cottage itself never forget about the hammock..... the big question is "To screen or not to screen" .If you use the charcoal grey color you visibility is still very good. Screening makes it more private and protects against the bug. NOTE: Do not use the so called screen sold to keep bug out...because it keeps out the BREEZE... and fresh air.
SUNDAY FLUFFING…I have time on Sunday afternoons to add a pillow here or move a pillow there. It is a simple thing ..I guess it is like pushing the "refresh" button on the computer. 99 steps with my latest favorite fabric….made into throw pillows for the front bedroom pondering the change of color in one of my favorite kitchens of all times fluffing with "Ralph Lauren " sale linens adding some happy yellow to a bedroom custom vintage linens from my mother's guest room I love neutrals and textures.. straw.. shells..and linen fabrics and leather tipped throw pillows the magic of pink on a tiny cottage large on personality a sleeping porch ready for a Sunday afternoon nap same fabrics..different space reflections….of the neutrals starting to fluff an old Tybee cottage a room full of windows…in an old raised cottage with 12 foot ceilings vintage raised Tybee cottage with an updated twist a touch of Bellamy always makes it perfect!!! new pillows and pattern for Southern Tides Cottage new over- the -top Laundry room... serious fluffing for an original old Tybee cottage our beautiful light station getting some fluffing( a paint job) a simple one room cottage part our rich and interesting history -a teaching tool for preservation!!! Hope your Sunday is a happy one…..
Details and a bit of this and that… I have been working on putting my office back together after a Coastal Living photo shoot. It happened last week and I still I can't find the "taking car of business" things that I need. Therefore I am relaxing with Lance, the office kitty, and reviewing the past 15 years in technicolor ….I am pondering my new projects while visiting my old ones. My client are the center of any project. I work around their houzz photos, pinterest pages, their magazine articles, their "can't live without" list and the actually sizes of the the rooms and spaces . I try in some cases to keep them from over spending and over buying until we get the basics in place. Tiny space does create limits and EVERYTHING that goes into a room has an impact…no so much with larger spaces. The key here is to not overload the room. In reviewing my photos, I realize none of the spaces have gone out of style or look dated. They are a mix of "what we had on hand" and what is interesting and unusual that I ran across in my travels. Then it came to me .. ….What I create for them is a Lifestyle. Some are more formal, more sophisticated , but some are more bohemian, more "rusty crusty" but all definitely in the Island Style. Some are casually elegant while other are simple and calming. Some are wild and wooly and some are a mix of what the client owns and how I mix it with a few new pieces. I love it!!! Not many rules apply…. (other that the one I previously mentioned) my most favorite shutters found a home at the beach... Happy Island Sunday……………….
I am at Marabou Ranch outside of Steamboat Springs Colorado........on a working holiday. I am busy but sit here every chance I get because I love this chair.... My favorite favorite rocking chair!!!! http://www.marabouranch.com/ Steamboat Magazine wrote a story about the project Anna and I did at Marabou Ranch last year. I took so many funny photos and some great ones but never had time to post them. I am here now but cant work this computer to load my one million photos.. Colorado is beautiful, Steamboat is wonderful and Marabou Ranch is off the charts. The article is linked on the Press button on my web site. Bellamy painted some awesome paintings for the project.( she is part cowgirl) I bought some funky funky pieces in Savannah and I had the chance to do what I love on the Elk River 20 minutes outside of Steamboat . I could have been a cowgirl/ or maybe I was an indian in another life. I love nature and the earth and I love the difference between the ocean and the mountains. This project was a chance for major " nest building" while the cattle and horses watched us thru the windows and the white owl scared Anna as it flew from its spot on the rafters of the porch late one night as we were hurrying to complete this project. My favorite favorite thing was the rocking chair that bought for $400.00 dollars (that had a $1200.00 price tag). My friend and favorite upholsterer,Larry Davis ( Davis Upholstery) in Savannah Georgia) cover it in a cowhide that I bought years ago and has been savings for ME. When it was done, it was all I could do to put it on the truck bound for Steamboat. Back in town on Sunday with so many photos for my blog.
No, the bird is not real.. The chaise is the same that was once featured on the cover of the sadly missed Cottage Living Magazine .( Lucky now sleeps away on it in his final years on this earth.) The Zebra fabric has long been discontinued but continues to make me very happy as it is easy to keep and cleans up like new over and over. This cottage was soooooooooo ugly I thought I could never 'happy it up" (I must remember to show you the befores of this one) It has become everyone favorite and an amazing place to have a party. The kitties and I love love love the gazebo and the inspiration room. Spooky has made the inspiration room her "winter residence" and the hot pink quilt(with an electric blanket under it for extra comfort)is her spot. I go visit her and do my stretches on the zebra rug. The twin driftwood beds were in the "ticket booth" behind Luscious Little Cottage and were in Coastal Living's island issue with Anna Speir sitting on them. (her first assignment with Jane Coslick Designs and she was great). Janelle McCulloch ,a fun, funny and very talented Australian, was the author and photographer for the book. I ask her for a bio but she has yet to send it. She is delightful and I hope one day to visit Janelle and all my friends there. My client leaves the end of March and has ask me to go with her. My assistant wont let me go until I clean out the back room of my office AND my storage unit( which I have had since 1992). She has not seen the storage unit yet and when she does she just might quit!!!!!
