What I'm up to this week

As usual, I'm facing a busy week and wanted to put it all out there just to keep you caught up and me on task!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://l11.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hphotos-l3-snc4/hs069.snc4/34810_1742918768661_1109472877_2036668_1820595_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://l11.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hphotos-l3-snc4/hs069.snc4/34810_1742918768661_1109472877_2036668_1820595_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOVHy37c-Nkrd_KQBtiYt5_K_BCnuFOeL6cGSWodEH9X2UAGQ4-QMXSLOMFaHCvhCRt8ITmtcnRgr5qxeSI3mAot4Yj5s4PMDc4ywp0gSSzV5hyphenhyphenK-uf1ca6w6k2f-DRIg17glRH-04OfC/s1600/S%2527s+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOVHy37c-Nkrd_KQBtiYt5_K_BCnuFOeL6cGSWodEH9X2UAGQ4-QMXSLOMFaHCvhCRt8ITmtcnRgr5qxeSI3mAot4Yj5s4PMDc4ywp0gSSzV5hyphenhyphenK-uf1ca6w6k2f-DRIg17glRH-04OfC/s400/S%2527s+room.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.lampsplus.com/is/image/cropped/85001cropped.fpx?qlt=75&wid=330&hei=330&fit=constrain&fmt=jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://image.lampsplus.com/is/image/cropped/85001cropped.fpx?qlt=75&wid=330&hei=330&fit=constrain&fmt=jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'm on the hard deadline of this week to complete the little girl's bedroom I've been working on. Her birthday party is this weekend! This fabric above (pardon the iPhone quality photo) is what we're using for the the drapes on the Anthropologie Campaign bed which is shown with the custom bed end inserts I designed. The fabric is Anna French's "Eden" which is a printed cotton. It's beautiful and handles really well. I am making the drapes myself. I usually don't do the bulk of the sewing work on my design projects, but these tie-top 120" drapes are fairly easy to make and I like to have some of my handiwork in my projects. But the window treatments are coming from my workroom. I'm also making some cute pillows, including a faux mink pillow. Pics to come! The chandelier is Lamps Plus' <a href="http://www.lampsplus.com/products/Leila-Collection-Plug-in-Swag-Chandelier__85001.html">Leila</a> and actually is a plug-in, so no need for electrical work!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nciblogs.com/nehomemag/wp-content/themes/tarski/headers/greytree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://www.nciblogs.com/nehomemag/wp-content/themes/tarski/headers/greytree.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://www.nehomemag.com/">New England Home</a> magazine has just launched their new <a href="http://www.nciblogs.com/nehomemag/">blog</a> and I'm honored to have been asked to be their inaugural guest blogger. NEH will be having guest design blogger's from around New England on Tuesdays and I am sharing the next month (starting on January 18th) with my friend and fellow designer <a href="http://blog.lesliefineinteriors.com/">Leslie Fine</a>.  So I'll be writing my guest blog post this week, so stay tuned! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV8uDonhyphenhyphen-0D3VX7LN5ZZ2x9STV6k8zs-FcXQH2Ish7Uz9nczB3xyb7lc7WbSJDlXy8592xUldEmoZy_sN8t2QOg6DwyOMETHjyM4xLFE0H2ZeAKtLypnvjYTXSKsEfEx82lvQ73g4Hem/s1600/SovBank+display.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV8uDonhyphenhyphen-0D3VX7LN5ZZ2x9STV6k8zs-FcXQH2Ish7Uz9nczB3xyb7lc7WbSJDlXy8592xUldEmoZy_sN8t2QOg6DwyOMETHjyM4xLFE0H2ZeAKtLypnvjYTXSKsEfEx82lvQ73g4Hem/s320/SovBank+display.JPG" width="241" /></a></div>Banks often catch a lot of flack for being cold and distant. While some of it is deserved, there are many local banks who do what they can to support their small business clients. Many local banks offer a "spotlight" table in their branch for a business banking client to showcase their work and this is my two weeks of local fame! If you stop by the Kingston branch of the bank, you'll see my portfolio. Just please ignore my crazily un-iron tablecloth. Thanks Sovereign!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bluestarcooking.com/images/ibmr/ibmr_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.bluestarcooking.com/images/ibmr/ibmr_08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.bluestarcooking.com/bluestar-product-inpired-by-marcus-ranges.html"> "Inspired by Marcus"</a> range from Blue Star Cooking, a favorite of Susan Serra</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I wrote an article on assignment this morning on 7 great new kitchen appliances. I wanted to thank <a href="http://www.thekitchendesigner.org/">Susan Serra</a>, <a href="http://coreyklassen.ca/">Corey Klassen</a> and <a href="http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/">Paul Anater</a> for providing me with their wonderful insights and expertise on the subject. I'll let you know when it's posted.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hollyhockinc.com/img/images/suzanne_signatures_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://hollyhockinc.com/img/images/suzanne_signatures_03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Before the holiday madness, Megan, Joni and I interviewed <a href="http://hollyhockinc.com/">Suzanne Rheinstein</a> , designer and owner of LA's Hollyhock, at <a href="http://www.skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/">The Skirted Roundtable</a>. I will be editing the podcast this week and will get it up on the website asap. We had a great chat so be sure to listen in when it gets posted. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://issuu.com/surroundings"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSACBokEkWw_I_kNHHX3mRxG8Y8sf-9EkI3jQBofb_-r80eIqP3SdUZxz_jS4bxgpbOmzSwSwivwl3FseCoeNEA7F_Ak_hBs1feQV9g3mWREs76lczWo04ZSM2Oo9RlhFSa-i9Brckijes/s1600/Issuu+-+surroundings%2527s+Profile_1294698125431.png" /></a></div><br />I have been slowly working on my next issue of<a href="http://issuu.com/surroundings"> Surroundings mag::E::Zine</a>. Am hoping to have it done next week at some point. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.questionanswers.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/10-snow-storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://www.questionanswers.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/10-snow-storm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> image <a href="http://www.questionanswers.info/2009/07/world-storms-definition-of-storm-types-of-storms-dangerous-storms-of-world-and-description-of-storms/">via</a></div>We're expecting a big snow storm (6-12" on top of the several inches we currently have on the ground) on Wednesday. I teach on Wednesdays and I have to admit, I'm kind of hoping to have a snow day. I wouldn't mind staying home and getting some of the above work done.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">---------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sonoranalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/KellyGiffords.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sonoranalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/KellyGiffords.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">U.S. Navy Captain Mark Kelly and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at their November 2007 wedding</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>On a non-designy note, like everyone else, I am saddened and troubled by the shooting this weekend in Tuscon. My prayers go out to all the people involved in this terribly tragedy.  By all accounts, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is a lovely woman, a centrist Democrat who supports gun rights, solar energy, abortion rights and strong border control. I don't often talk about my personal politics and the reason is because as a centrist Republican in Massachusetts, I have personally experienced the intolerance of some members of the left of my right to my own viewpoint. I don't agree with all of Ms. Giffords views, but I respectfully support her right to have them. I am troubled by the right wing of my party and the strong rhetoric they espouse. But I am equally troubled by the commentary that comes from the left. And I was appalled this weekend as regular people and politicians clamored to use this tragic event to support their own viewpoints. Before we knew anything about the shooting suspect, Facebook, blogs and major media outlets lit up with shouts for the arrest of various Tea Party members and other prominent voices on the right as being directly responsible for this terrible tragedy. Come on people!  Take a moment and wait for real information to come forward. The picture that is coming together of the young man in custody is that of a seriously ill person and so far, there hasn't been reporting of strong political beliefs. We simply do not know and shame on those people who immediately rushed to judgment, assailing the Right for a climate of intolerance and violence, while they themselves do the same thing. Even our <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/06/14/obama-if-they-bring-a-knife-to-the-fight-we-bring-a-gun/">President used "gun" language</a> in his campaign - so the Right is not the only source of explosive rhetoric. All I ask from people is a reasonable amount of respect and patience, and yes, a cooling down of the language used by all parties. I appreciated Mr. Obama's moment of silence this morning as a way to bring us all together in this trying time. I hope he regrets his quote “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun" when referring to the Republicans during his campaign. And I hope Sarah Palin regrets her use of gun sites to pin point the Democratic seats they wanted to go after. Neither used good judgment. Shame on both.  <br /><br />Meanwhile, I pray that Ms. Giffords heals quickly and fully and gets to resume her life with her dashing husband and serve her district with the same passion that brought her to the ironically named Safeway on Saturday. <br /><br />Stepping off the soapbox now. This is just my personal view that I feel compelled to share. I'm not looking for supporters or opponents. Please don't respond unless you can do so with respect for all parties and opinions. <br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

What I'm up to this week

As usual, I'm facing a busy week and wanted to put it all out there just to keep you caught up and me on task!! I'm on the hard dead...

Read more »

Great paper products from d.Sharp

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySkiS14A-p4zEsKzDf1oIr6pjYMr-CvGYHuNjXoxv5bdz8JrkqhEF1kdURx-CBbhc5fWoLwLEfaM8Q4-V_g-XRR6hSYS7PQVA2jRJ0j10lwkZhjDeiXnY1o12wdxjx7G9MrEAf5f7UQAC/s1600/d.+Sharp%253A_1294242530754.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySkiS14A-p4zEsKzDf1oIr6pjYMr-CvGYHuNjXoxv5bdz8JrkqhEF1kdURx-CBbhc5fWoLwLEfaM8Q4-V_g-XRR6hSYS7PQVA2jRJ0j10lwkZhjDeiXnY1o12wdxjx7G9MrEAf5f7UQAC/s400/d.+Sharp%253A_1294242530754.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /> I wished I'd come across this website before the holidays, but they have adorable paper products that will work for any party throughout the year. <a href="http://www.studiodsharp.com/">Studio d.Sharp</a> makes artisan paper products for parties and presents.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/2072933/300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/2072933/300.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eiffel Tower gift box with customizable banner</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/2082877/300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/2082877/300.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Leaning tower candy box</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/2082881/300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/2082881/300.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bon Anniversaire tiara</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/2082885/300.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/2082885/300.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Glitter Tiara</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/2097320/300.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/2097320/300.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Keyhole candy container</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br />So cute! You can visit their <a href="http://www.studiodsharp.com/">website</a> here. <br /><br />On a similar note, Meg at Pigtown*Designs posted instructions on <a href="http://pigtown-design.blogspot.com/2011/01/hermes-bag-diy.html">making a paper Hermes Kelly bag </a>yesterday. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttxaj-V9cB7-QZCAf_Yf6UqxXRrLVIfUFtKNuNQeVJyI5EUgx3inTxtJE7qLl1RAi9-Sq6kyJiGYYe_rkXzzTMOHYMU70cvYQcKS4d3rAFeqrqq4PmFW3DXpJ5oK8_L9cCKtYyClD0Pc/?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttxaj-V9cB7-QZCAf_Yf6UqxXRrLVIfUFtKNuNQeVJyI5EUgx3inTxtJE7qLl1RAi9-Sq6kyJiGYYe_rkXzzTMOHYMU70cvYQcKS4d3rAFeqrqq4PmFW3DXpJ5oK8_L9cCKtYyClD0Pc/?imgmax=800" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Great paper products from d.Sharp

 I wished I'd come across this website before the holidays, but they have adorable paper products that will work for any party throughou...

Read more »

To Re-Gift or Not to Re-Gift?

So, the holidays are over and most of us (and by "us" I don't actually mean me) have put away our trees and decorations. I realized that I didn't hear a lot this year about re-gifting for the holidays and am wondering if it means it's so commonplace now that there's nothing to talk about anymore?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/avecsavoirfaire/IM/wrapfgh3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/avecsavoirfaire/IM/wrapfgh3-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(image via<a href="http://www.frenchgardenhouse.com/pages/Newsletter.php"> French Garden House</a>)</span></div><br />Here's my stance: I will absolutely re-gift an item if it's something I would have paid money for anyway and something that the recipient can use or would like. I received a watermelon scented holiday candle for a hostess gift a few years ago and it went right in the trash as soon as the guests left. I didn't care for it and it was not something I wanted to put my name on. I know, that probably sounds bad, but tastes differ and this was not a good gift for me. I still sent a thank you note, of course, as the sentiment behind the gift was the important thing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.conranshop.co.uk/conrancatalog/product/large/global/images/main/251754.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.conranshop.co.uk/conrancatalog/product/large/global/images/main/251754.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(image via <a href="http://www.conrantalkingshop.co.uk/the-scent-of-a-woman/">Conran Shop</a>)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Because of the blog and all the events I attend, I regularly receive small items and samples that I may or may not be able to use myself. I usually tuck these away and pass along as gifts when appropriate. I have allergies, so usually I have to pass along all scented soaps,  hand lotions and candles.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2532/4100177275_07b11c0c1f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2532/4100177275_07b11c0c1f_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(a Salvation Army find that I eventually gave a friend)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Another source of my gift giving can simply be my own overloaded shelves and closets. While I recently did a big purge of my home, I still have lots of items that I've purchased in vintage shops or yard sales. This Christmas, I gave each of my nieces mini silver champagne buckets that I bought at an antique store several years ago. I've used them as plant holders and decorations in my house over the years, but it felt right to pass the along at this time. I hope they liked them! I also gave one niece a beautiful silver leaf candle holder that I'd been given at an event and the other received a crystal olive dish that I purchased. I felt like this collection of items represented my taste well and could help start them off with some beautiful items as they are establishing their own first apartments. I gave my brother and sister-in-law a pair of oversized martini glasses from my collection as well as passing along a chrome martini shaker I'd lifted from our parents house not long ago. As I told him, the shaker wasn't really a gift as it wasn't mine to give. But I thought he'd like it as a nice reminder of our dad.  It's shaped like a fire extinguisher and plays "How Dry I Am" when it's picked up - very amusing. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I found this one online at an antiques site. It's not the same as ours isn't a decanter, but it had to have been made by the same company).</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.deco-dence.com/Pics/extinguisher_cocktail_decanter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.deco-dence.com/Pics/extinguisher_cocktail_decanter.jpg" /></a></div><br />So, the question is - do you re-gift and do you have "house rules" for re-gifting? And, if you've received a gift that you suspect was a re-gift, does it bother you? <br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

To Re-Gift or Not to Re-Gift?

So, the holidays are over and most of us (and by "us" I don't actually mean me) have put away our trees and decorations. I rea...

Read more »