chameleon interiors

On birthdays, sink holes, and blue cape coats

Well, Happy Birthday to me. While I like to joke about being in my "extremely late 30's (emphasis on the extremely)" the reality I am as close to turning 50 as I am to turning, well, 48. And it seems like just yesterday I was lamenting that I was as close to 50 as I was to 20. Where did those last 14 years go??? <br /><br />Well, don't worry, we won't be taking a trip down that long of a memory lane. But I do feel the need to think about the last year. This has not been a very good year for me, as a matter of fact, it started off low, got a lot lower, and has slowly been working it's way back up.<br /><br />A year ago today, instead of being taken out to lunch by my mother, which was the plan, I had to sit home waiting to speak with contractors about repairing a sink hole that had developed a few days before in my front yard. In the end, that sink hole would take over 6 weeks to repair, during which time I had only water from a hose into the condo, cost thousands of dollars and it would make me realize that I'd never liked the place to begin with. The shining points of my birthday 2010 was that my brother sent me flowers and my friend <a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/www.michaeljleephotography.com/HOME.html">Michael J. Lee</a> sent me flowers - because clearly I needed a little emotional boost. And my darling pal Rob came down to take me to dinner - which included a trip to Home Depot as I recall, dirty hair and dirty clothes. <br /><br />I was going to post a pic of the sink hole, but prefer to not dwell on that mess.  In the midst of the mayhem, I was also fighting with my bank about the state of my mortgage (Bank of America) as they had lost some very important paperwork related to my reducing my payments - which of course they blamed on me. Three years of recession had taken its toll and as I am my only source of support, things had gotten tight.  So, after months of negotiations and reams of reporting and paperwork, they lost a single piece of paper and threw out my modification application. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/4982835017_c630999523_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/4982835017_c630999523_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> photo by Linda Merrill</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ah... a pretty break! ^  I got a little reprieve in the middle of all that to be wisked off to New York for <a href="http://www.brizo.com/">Brizo's</a> Fashion Week designers extravaganza which included a beautiful hotel (where all I wanted to do was nap and take showers), meeting great new friends and attending Jason Wu's Fashion show.  This was a much needed reprieve from the chaos at home and it really helped clear my head.<br /><br />I realized that the sink hole in my front yard was a sign. A sign that I should stop fighting for the condo (with its regularly flooded basement level bedrooms, mediocre condo management and leaky windows) and simply move on from it. So, even though I loved my adorable kitchen that I had slaved over with my friend Rob:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_2-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/Kitchen-filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_2-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/Kitchen-filtered.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> photo by Michael J. Lee Photography</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I knew that I could re-create it down the road someday. After many months and phone call, letters, screaming, crying, recriminations and the like, I came to an understanding with my mortgage holder and was given an unfriendly two weeks to move out. I packed my belongings, sold most of my furniture, donated a ton of extra baubles I didn't really need and moved on.<br /><br />This was back in March. I didn't share any of this with very many people as I was completely humiliated by the situation. Time, and ongoing anger towards the bank which still hasn't finished the process, has made me realize that I acted in the best manner I could. I tried to meet my obligations and had left with my head held high. I am now not living in my own place and for a decorator, it's very difficult to not be able to nest and create my own home. But for the moment, not having to pour the entirety of my income into living expenses is an enormous relief. And I am lucky, very lucky, that I had a place to go with a warm bed, good food and a space to continue working on my business. I never forget that many people don't have that kind of support. <br /><br />Less than a week after I moved, before I had really unpacked,  I was flown down to High Point with a group of bloggers to take in the scene. Again, just as I was in the middle of chaos, my professional life reminded me that there are bigger things to be doing, places to go, people to meet, friends to make. It was exactly what I needed, when I needed it. And, although I was really exhausted physically from the move and emotionally from everything else, and even though I was literally fielding lawyers phone calls between showrooms, it was fantastic!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmFC6g-JIz4axtSSovw4F3sNsTT26YKvCRkaPtWYwVlmH13JFoQbsMxy8BSJM2cqdCAvOOCNTAZ1m1WdYMVDdH8XePKvyAfPu0Yfri3URl0VefW9HObv6frxkGGXkLeLUhBBFUkzfg8j4/s1600/Keno+group.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmFC6g-JIz4axtSSovw4F3sNsTT26YKvCRkaPtWYwVlmH13JFoQbsMxy8BSJM2cqdCAvOOCNTAZ1m1WdYMVDdH8XePKvyAfPu0Yfri3URl0VefW9HObv6frxkGGXkLeLUhBBFUkzfg8j4/s320/Keno+group.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">An exhausted me, with the Keno brothers at the Theodore Alexander showroom, Marisa Marcantonio from Stylebeat, Megan Arquette from Beach Bungalow 8 and Skirted Roundtable partner, Lizzie from TA, and Cassandra Lavalle from Coco + Kelley blog. </span></div><br />In May, I attended Blogfest 2011, put on by Kravet. It was a fantastic 4 days in New York City, meeting bloggers from all around the country. And even though I was STILL fielding calls about the condo, it was a lot of fun! Sadly, my blogging has taken a beating this year and I still need to do some posts from these events! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5744346071_48d7448f6b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5744346071_48d7448f6b_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Barbara Barry holds court in the Kravet Showroom during Blogfest 2011</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After I got home from Blogfest, an amazing thing started happening. My phone started to ring. And kept ringing. Suddenly, I had slightly more work than I could handle! While I'd had work, of course, over the past couple of years, the clients were pretty spread out. Suddenly, I was juggling five in person projects and a virtual one to boot. I can't put my finger on what accounted for this sudden upswing, because it sure doesn't feel like the economy has taken an upswing (anything but!). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However, it's been a wonderful couple of months of helping people make their homes beautiful and functional. Lots of planning, shopping and drawing. Heaven! Of course, the biggest project on my plate ultimately evaporated when the client's put in an offer on a different home that didn't need all the work. But, to be a position where that news was merely disappointing and not devastating is certainly a blessing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You may be wondering why I am sharing all of this now. I guess it's for many reasons. Of course, birthdays, and those on the cusp of really BIG birthdays can make one feel pensive. But it's also because I am sick of being embarrassed by a situation that I did my darndest to avoid and one that is also effecting millions of others around the world. Feeling like a failure is not fun and does a number on one's self-esteem. And that's just wasted energy! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I recently read Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson's autobiography. I am on record as having a "thing" for Craig (tall, handsome, funny, Scottish accent - what's not to love?).  He was a black out drunk from the age of 15-30 and nearly committed suicide. Once he sobered up, he was in debt to the tune of a quarter of a million dollars and wasn't sure what to do with himself. He writes in his book, which chronicles his life and the process of becoming an American citizen "Americans taught me failure was only something you went though on the way to success, not just in the sense of career or wealth, but as a person. I learned that failure is only failure, and that it can be useful, spun into a story that will make people laugh, and maybe every once in a while give a message of hope to others who might need some". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In other words, we can be down, but we're not necessarily out. And to be ready when the second, third and fourth chances come. I love that. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This birthday is going to be a much, much nicer one. Today, my friend Michael Lee took three of us out to lunch who all share August birthdays. What a fun day we had enjoying Legal Seafood's on the Boston waterfront, even though the rain was pounding down. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRI26dckFT9g12gmDQxj6oFGvEAWYGYEe2_WfRjiORSat8f9yAJj-zGhjPKiqNj6ztBS6rR7SaVbChL3L3RCrDZuja_U2q8i9aySybEySVoJuCJaqTCE0L-EzZQ85SDt9fFiZL0Ifjj_ch/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRI26dckFT9g12gmDQxj6oFGvEAWYGYEe2_WfRjiORSat8f9yAJj-zGhjPKiqNj6ztBS6rR7SaVbChL3L3RCrDZuja_U2q8i9aySybEySVoJuCJaqTCE0L-EzZQ85SDt9fFiZL0Ifjj_ch/s320/photo-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yvonne Blacker, of Design Vignettes and New England Finery magazine, Michael J. Lee, photographer and friend extraordinaire, Sharyn Fireman, the woman has done everything!, and me (in dire need of a dye job, I see).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And today, I finally get my fried clam lunch, postponed only a year, with my mother.  And, I am running a client errand, because I have clients and the shopping must go on!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think 49 will be a good year. I sure as heck feel more positive about my life than I did a year ago. Afterall, I am in a house with running water and dry carpets. But more importantly, despite all the mishegas of the last year, I was never without friends handing me tissues and offering hugs, family offering me all that and more,  and constant reminders of just how lucky I really am. Stuff is just stuff. A house is not necessarily a home. It's what we make of it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">About the blue cape coat. When I was in the second grade, my mother made me a beautiful pale blue garbardine cape coat to wear to Mass on Easter. I loved it and couldn't wait to wear it. Easter morning came with a big blizzard and my ever-practical mother would not let me wear the coat because of the weather. I would be cold and the coat would be ruined. I threw a fit. A real heels pounding, screaming tantrum that we still talk about to this day. Actually, it did, in fact, came up today because my mother, still ever practical, couldn't believe I was planning on wearing my new silk dress to the Leo's luncheon mentioned above. The rain was pounding down and it's in the low 70's, upper 60's. I'd be cold, and the dress would be ruined.<br /><br />And my reply? "Of course I am wearing my new dress.  I will always be the girl who will wear the blue cape coat in the snow."  Because life is for living, fabric is just fabric, and there is always a warm fire to come home to. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><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://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: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

On birthdays, sink holes, and blue cape coats

Well, Happy Birthday to me. While I like to joke about being in my "extremely late 30's (emphasis on the extremely)" the reali...

12:05 AM

Insider's View of House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year 2011

<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Contributed by <a href="http://web.mac.com/ldolnick/iWeb/my%20website/Welcome.html">Lori Dolnick</a></b></span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/110722_KOTY_003/web.jpg?ver=13123084250001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/110722_KOTY_003/web.jpg?ver=13123084250001" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">On a hot, hot July Monday in New York City, I had the opportunity to tour the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1861409048"><i>House Beautiful</i></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/"> </a>Kitchen of the Year with Tyler Florence. I actually bumped Tyler as I squeezed through the packed audience to see the kitchen. And yes… I’m a kitchen design addict so I bypassed the throng trying to have small talk with the celebrity chef to get to the good stuff. </span></div><style><br />  <br /> </style>    <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/110718_Chris_Eckert_GHK_KOTY_203_1/web.jpg?ver=13123082310001" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/110718_Chris_Eckert_GHK_KOTY_203_1/web.jpg?ver=13123082310001" width="500" /></a></td></tr><br /> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><br /> </tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This was <i>House Beautiful</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">’s largest Kitchen of the Year installation and the theme emphasized entertaining inside and outside. The idea of a living kitchen was one of the key trends covered, and the kitchen hosted multiple cooking stations that allowed guests to see the preparation and to participate. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/110718_Chris_Eckert_GHK_KOTY_248/web.jpg?ver=13123083170001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/110718_Chris_Eckert_GHK_KOTY_248/web.jpg?ver=13123083170001" width="500" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 112.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I have to say kudos to <i>House Beautiful</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> and Tyler Florence who designed and worked so hard to build a beautiful kitchen right in the middle of Rockefeller Center in New York City. The installation included full, indoor and outdoor working kitchens that entertained hundreds of guests for cooking demonstrations, tastings and events. It’s styled thoughtfully so that it’s both aspirational and warmly lived in. If you are in the New York area next July, you must make this a stop. The event schedules are always online at <i>House Beautiful</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/110720_Chris_Eckert_GHK_KOTY_039-1/web.jpg?ver=13123083600001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/110720_Chris_Eckert_GHK_KOTY_039-1/web.jpg?ver=13123083600001" width="425" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">No worries that you may have missed this year’s kitchen. Thanks to electronic media, you can take a tour with Tyler Florence online<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/video/#v1065746689001"></a> <a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/video/#v1065746689001">here</a> or look for the October issue of <i>House Beautiful</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> magazine.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><u>Highlights</u></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A few of the stand out products and where to find them:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/110720_Chris_Eckert_GHK_KOTY_041/web.jpg?ver=13123082530001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/110720_Chris_Eckert_GHK_KOTY_041/web.jpg?ver=13123082530001" width="500" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Grothouse Lumber Custom Butcherblock</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">       </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Made of Mahogany with Durata finish that is lifetime rated</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">       </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Integrated knife slot frees counter space and offers added safety </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">       </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">The block rolls on wheels and can be repositioned from the countertop to the table</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">       </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Custom inscribed with Latin – the dying words of the patron saint of chefs’ that translates roughly to, “I’m done on this side, you can turn me over now.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">       </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Visit <a href="http://www.glumber.com/">http://www.glumber.com/</a> to design your own</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/apron%20front%20sink%20and%20backsplash%202/web.jpg?ver=13123082670001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/apron%20front%20sink%20and%20backsplash%202/web.jpg?ver=13123082670001" width="500" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><b>Ann Sacks Subway Style Tile</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">       </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Clean, classic and so New York chic. It’s supposed to be a Californian kitchen aesthetic, but that tile says New York to me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">       </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Caliper in Warm Candle White Glass. 3” x 6” each</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">       </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.annsacks.com/">www.annsacks.com</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/Outdoor%20Dining/web.jpg?ver=13123082400001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/Outdoor%20Dining/web.jpg?ver=13123082400001" width="500" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><b>SunBriteTV Outdoor Television</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">       </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">It’s ironic, but I still can’t get over that there’s a TV that stands up to rain, dust, insects and extreme weather. Maybe the kids can do Wii outside and it’s just that much closer to real tennis.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">       </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">LCD Screen, 46”, 1080 full HD</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">       </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.sunbritetv.com/">www.sunbritetv.com</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/Wide%20Shot%20Dining%20table%20and%20chairs/web.jpg?ver=13123082620001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/Wide%20Shot%20Dining%20table%20and%20chairs/web.jpg?ver=13123082620001" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><b>Bernhardt Furniture Company Quentin Dining Table</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">                </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Warm, yet industrial – this hand-hammered stainless topped table will invite conversation</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">                </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Dimensions: w 80 x d 40 x h 30 </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">                </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Solid Mindi wood base with trestle-style stretcher in a sandblasted Driftwood finish</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans";">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">                </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">www.bernhardt.com/interiors.php</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://web.mac.com/ldolnick/iWeb/my%20website/Welcome.html">Lori Dolnick</a> is a regular contributor to <a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/">::Surroundings::</a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-G11330_7QNVy5SnscQ0RYOZ6pOKtzY2uJgw3mtjb3Hh3tkKur1ThM9-0P6AEH3tsayMg9dMzGkEXYkFGlJwgiUvQdxO5wZJ1jr1UDAIcAMFnE_DvoeQ1lehnBabAhlCtfyPr8UmdQrO/s1600/loripic2SML.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-G11330_7QNVy5SnscQ0RYOZ6pOKtzY2uJgw3mtjb3Hh3tkKur1ThM9-0P6AEH3tsayMg9dMzGkEXYkFGlJwgiUvQdxO5wZJ1jr1UDAIcAMFnE_DvoeQ1lehnBabAhlCtfyPr8UmdQrO/s320/loripic2SML.jpg" /></a><br /><br />See all Lori's posts <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/search/label/Lori%20Dolnick">here</a>. </span></span></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://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: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Insider's View of House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year 2011

Contributed by Lori Dolnick On a hot, hot July Monday in New York City, I had the opportunity to tour the House Beautiful Kitchen of the Ye...

7:45 PM

I'm still here, really!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/www.michaeljleephotography.com/HOME_files/Andoverpooldawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>I think the last two weeks went by in a total blur since I published my latest issue of my <a href="http://www.surroundingsmagazine.com./">magazine</a>. I got a lot of great feedback about the cover shot by <a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/www.michaeljleephotography.com/HOME.html">Michael J. Lee</a> and I have to say, I enjoy looking at it myself when I'm working away in my office!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OTf8DxwnkodQ0mH56yM5xDfVisYMa9vI1csOiZDTSIgeYdBba1s-C8nOXXSu67wpwfXmZISLLqYKUBGVMkOYHAMQjSf5uY1hfZNB8V6gxRrPZ-Nl2rUdFbV8cru45wbP2EJGDOZAqodB/s1600/Surroundings+July+Aug+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OTf8DxwnkodQ0mH56yM5xDfVisYMa9vI1csOiZDTSIgeYdBba1s-C8nOXXSu67wpwfXmZISLLqYKUBGVMkOYHAMQjSf5uY1hfZNB8V6gxRrPZ-Nl2rUdFbV8cru45wbP2EJGDOZAqodB/s640/Surroundings+July+Aug+2011.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br />Speaking of work,  I bought myself a new iMac with a gorgeous 21" screen! It is amazing. I've been working on a 13" MacBook for years. This big screen is just a whole new world!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2009/07/how-to-make-a-mac-killer/21l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2009/07/how-to-make-a-mac-killer/21l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/www.michaeljleephotography.com/HOME_files/Andoverpooldawn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>There's been a bit of a work boom over the last couple of months, which is why I haven't been able to post as much here on ::Surroundings:: or over at <a href="http://www.skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/">The Skirted Roundtable</a>. I've been thrilled with all the fun new projects, but also swamped just getting everything done! The projects range in size. I've been advising a very handy DIY young couple on the makeover of their living room, including new cabinetry and furnishings. They are just going to town and it's looking great. I'm also working on a retirement vacation home and a completely empty new construction home for a family chomping at the bit to move in. And, for the last five weeks, I was working on a family vacation beach house which included a full new kitchen, bathroom renovation, and redecoration of the rest of the first floor living spaces. I was so excited about the project, which I profiled in my last magazine issue.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0eDNLnuk1y2-t3eA1B86tiJixMH99IcYmCv_oeRITp21gTrFNagEqR7waYVgtSqQ6p1dRr4vlNf4soUDCJodf7OGMrkrep6aKzcDQb9WxzhwfIK5GGs_2j-1OPQllPRJ53iKAvMEoroK/s1600/Project+image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0eDNLnuk1y2-t3eA1B86tiJixMH99IcYmCv_oeRITp21gTrFNagEqR7waYVgtSqQ6p1dRr4vlNf4soUDCJodf7OGMrkrep6aKzcDQb9WxzhwfIK5GGs_2j-1OPQllPRJ53iKAvMEoroK/s640/Project+image.png" width="494" /></a></div><br />As you may have noticed, I am speaking of the project in the past tense. Unfortunately, after getting the project about 95% designed, with hours to go before the clients were to lay down deposits for the cabinets and contractor, etc, a newly renovated beach house came on the market near them. They put in an offer and they are now under contract. And, such is the up and down nature of this business.  While I was going to be creating a fabulous new space for their enjoyment (they are only in the States for 2 months each summer) our plans couldn't give them the 4th bedroom and 2nd full bathroom they really needed. And the new house did that and more. I can't blame them, it's just fate and timing. I was compensated well for the design and planning phase. But, aside from compensation, I am just sad that I won't see the plan come to life. They may need help with decorating in their new house, but it won't need the scope of work this current house did and besides, they are gone until next year. So, story to be continued on that score, I guess.  More time for the other clients!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8juEDej6b2r3ANnJL7I8TRYkF52DM4hjWzyCiEjulZS2ajBrNdBMgf05aYtJuPGVqlMgobXTfYMdjo0uzlJcQ_S99fXadp4evA9j8c7jD04EgizUSFtIJIOomw4AJqwk2cgZ1N6dYqC84/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8juEDej6b2r3ANnJL7I8TRYkF52DM4hjWzyCiEjulZS2ajBrNdBMgf05aYtJuPGVqlMgobXTfYMdjo0uzlJcQ_S99fXadp4evA9j8c7jD04EgizUSFtIJIOomw4AJqwk2cgZ1N6dYqC84/s640/photo-1.jpg" width="523" /></a></div>On a fun note, I went to a Craig Ferguson show last week in Boston. He's the host of the Late Late Show, which comes on after David Letterman (yes, I am a night owl). I'll admit to a total school-girl crush on Craig - he's tall, handsome, talented, intelligent, funny - and has a fantastic Scottish accent. Swoon. I was sitting right at the apron of the stage on the front row. He had just walked out on stage and someone thrust a copy of one of his books at him to sign. He graciously did so, but then read his inscription out loud, which said something like "Dear Mary, Please don't ever interrupt me when I'm doing my show again. Love, Craig".  Last week he broadcast a week of shows he shot in Paris - which included funny bits like sliding on the parquet floors in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles and smart bits like the social customs of life in King Louis' court. I could go on and on and... le sigh.<br /><br />I also wanted to share some links to articles I've written and been quoted in recently. I was interviewed for an article about wall-to-wall carpeting by an AP reporter that has showed up in many different publications, which you can see <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1575&bih=910&q=Carpet%2C+the+Bolder+the+Better%2C+Makes+a+Comeback++linda+merrill&btnG=Search&oq=Carpet%2C+the+Bolder+the+Better%2C+Makes+a+Comeback++linda+merrill&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=6147l11309l0l14416l28l24l1l17l0l3l319l1080l0.4.1.1l6l0">here</a>. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT69skAahNietPQYqpDJHSUD3TLxlSFEbQ3xtXQVQAmUCv1AYu1kUYiAV3DXtGEH9h1huQ28IMsWBmVl4IIduAt9D77KjJzKj6xI5mPitUoyP4Eq901JsvfVglOd_sjgUT5QNkfqKUCLft/s1600/Carpet+Article.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT69skAahNietPQYqpDJHSUD3TLxlSFEbQ3xtXQVQAmUCv1AYu1kUYiAV3DXtGEH9h1huQ28IMsWBmVl4IIduAt9D77KjJzKj6xI5mPitUoyP4Eq901JsvfVglOd_sjgUT5QNkfqKUCLft/s400/Carpet+Article.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />And have been writing posts for <a href="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/designer.html">Williams Sonoma's Designer Marketplace</a> blog.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/dam/designer/global/DM_logo_Main-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="46" src="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/dam/designer/global/DM_logo_Main-01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />They have also featured posts by Tobie Fairly, Jay Johnson, Melissa Michaels and Robin Callan. You can see the list of all the great posts about the interior design biz <a href="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/designer/design_pulse/design_blog.html">here</a>. And my most recent article is called <a href="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/designer/design_pulse/design_blog/design_trade_showswhichonesareworthit.html">"Design Trade Shows, Which Ones Are Worth It"</a><br /><br />I wrote a recent article called<a href="http://www.networx.com/article/setting-a-table-like-a-designer"> Setting a Table Like A Design Pro</a> which you can see over at Networx. There is also an article on <a href="http://www.networx.com/article/designer-picks-light-fixtures-inspired">Light Fixtures Inspired by Nature</a> which you might enjoy as well.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/110718_Chris_Eckert_GHK_KOTY_248/web.jpg?ver=13123083170001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101491/110718_Chris_Eckert_GHK_KOTY_248/web.jpg?ver=13123083170001" width="400" /></a></div><br />Shortly to come this week is an insider's view on House Beautiful's  Kitchen of the Year by my regular contributor Lori Dolnick. Post to come  in a day or so.  <br /><br />Okay, that's it for the moment. How are you doing? Vacation plans? I have nothing planned in August, aside from a few birthday celebrations strewn throughout the month.<br /><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://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: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

I'm still here, really!

I think the last two weeks went by in a total blur since I published my latest issue of my magazine . I got a lot of great feedback about th...

8:57 PM

chameleon interiors

On birthdays, sink holes, and blue cape coats

Insider's View of House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year 2011

I'm still here, really!

Popular Posts

Blog Archive