Linda Merrill Decorative Surroundings

I've been meaning to formally share that after a lot of consideration, I decided to change my business name from Chameleon Interiors to <a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/">Linda Merrill Decorative Surroundings</a>. Ultimately, Chameleon Interiors had been swallowed up by my online brand and even locally, I was more known by my own name than I was by the Chameleon Interiors name. I used to worry about alphabetical listings, but that's really become moot with online searches. So, with the new name has come a new look for my website and a new blog header. I actually did some market testing by soliciting opinions on Twitter and Facebook and overwhelmingly, the response was to make the change. So, I am thankful for those who took the time give me their opinion. <br /><br />I was just introduced to the service <a href="http://slideshare.net/">Slideshare.net</a>. It's meant for speakers to upload and store or share their Powerpoint presentations, but it also takes Keynote (Apple's version of Powerpoint that I totally love!) and straight PDF documents as well. I created a slide show of my portfolio and uploaded to Slideshare, which can then be shared on my LinkedIn profile (which does not take photos aside from profile picture) and Facebook. Check it out!<br /><div id="__ss_3754413" style="width: 425px;"><b style="display: block; margin: 12px 0pt 4px;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/lmmerrill/linda-merrill-portfolio" title="Linda merrill portfolio">Linda merrill portfolio</a></b><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=lindamerrillportfolio-100416211251-phpapp02&stripped_title=linda-merrill-portfolio" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=lindamerrillportfolio-100416211251-phpapp02&stripped_title=linda-merrill-portfolio" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><div style="padding: 5px 0pt 12px;">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/lmmerrill">Linda Merrill</a>.</div></div>

Linda Merrill Decorative Surroundings

I've been meaning to formally share that after a lot of consideration, I decided to change my business name from Chameleon Interiors to ...

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Center of attention: hall tables

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIABPTgBKJKLmOJT6auNhUc42UToGebqYbCO1ArGpHHa9PANSwS2RshAiR1YIh9Z6TuMK9lbZ9KLjgEc4gXdpIznJvcIFcgBr3OVUwFsnDIyh24dLAJdNE3sEnh6xSKKCsFRmg0t3C7nVd/s1600/SMWdesign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIABPTgBKJKLmOJT6auNhUc42UToGebqYbCO1ArGpHHa9PANSwS2RshAiR1YIh9Z6TuMK9lbZ9KLjgEc4gXdpIznJvcIFcgBr3OVUwFsnDIyh24dLAJdNE3sEnh6xSKKCsFRmg0t3C7nVd/s400/SMWdesign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">via <a href="http://www.smwdesign.com/">Scot Meacham Wood Design</a></span></div><br />Last week we chatted with Scot Meacham Wood at <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2010/04/chatting-with-scot-meacham-wood.html">The Skirted Roundtable</a> and I just fell in love with this living room he did for a client. In particular, I love the use of the center hall table used between the two back to back sofas. Of course, one has to have a fairly large space to make this work, but I think it particularly works because it's a round table between two rectangular sofas, paired with the low rectangular ottoman. It really creates a strong focal point that draws the eye right in. I'd love to have a foyer or hallway large enough for a center hall table, but in the mean time, I can dream. And keep in mind that these tables don't need to be only in the hall!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/index_files/image21021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://michaeljleephotography.com/index_files/image21021.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Designer Anita Clark, Stylist Robert Brown,via <a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/index_files/Page2089.htm">Michael J. Lee Photography</a></span></div><br />A center table in a hall or foyer is a great place to showcase a collection, such as the ginger jars in the image above, or a way to anchor a stopping place in an open space. They create "stopping place", which can be very welcoming. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.decorpad.com/photos/2008/09/01/11210a3f6a89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.decorpad.com/photos/2008/09/01/11210a3f6a89.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">via <a href="http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=3900">Decor Pad</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/Rx/HomesRooms-BraysIsland-2-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/Rx/HomesRooms-BraysIsland-2-lg.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Interior design by Suzanne Kasler via <a href="http://www.veranda.com/room-decorating/design-ideas-home-renovation-south-carolina">Veranda</a> (photo Thibault Jeanson)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Susanne Kasler space above and the Peter Pennoyer foyer below both offer hall tables with comfy chairs - an impromptu reading nook. </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/AVvXsEj3ABtTUETUjqRsQkrNejNjqc90mYfBu2OihSI4kQfA-GNYOnfEX3LE9hY9vIc4Qcemd_AnPMui-y4LBvgT02mY8eumVSq9euCPOaAxPPjQk6l-RIsY2N_somk_VxNOaFiyXeUTnikqdGAq/s1600/Peter+Pennoyer+Architects_1271255634771.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ABtTUETUjqRsQkrNejNjqc90mYfBu2OihSI4kQfA-GNYOnfEX3LE9hY9vIc4Qcemd_AnPMui-y4LBvgT02mY8eumVSq9euCPOaAxPPjQk6l-RIsY2N_somk_VxNOaFiyXeUTnikqdGAq/s320/Peter+Pennoyer+Architects_1271255634771.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ppapc.com/">Peter Pennoyer Architects</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc16/mrballbox/skirt/Snap41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc16/mrballbox/skirt/Snap41.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">via <a href="http://www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com/">Cote de Texas</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/files/web/images/Foyer/ED1107_Roop-entrancehallV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.elledecor.com/files/web/images/Foyer/ED1107_Roop-entrancehallV.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">design by Frank Roop, via <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/image/room_finder/95?page=33">Elle Decor</a>  (photo by Eric Roth)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The round dining room below looks like it serves as a pass-thru as well. So the table acts as both center hall and dining table as needed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/index_files/image5641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://michaeljleephotography.com/index_files/image5641.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/index_files/Page488.htm">Michael J. Lee photography</a> for Cordis Management</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2J4MnVf0q13SUgahTJlZMiFbIKhfqHcwy_96FanvgcflLfZ8etWTvr7jF-nBOjVpk34xK4b8h-nJTiIkBPTt0MDGqbWPHJIVt-XsfjMIHF9a5V14qVXpmD5XPzDIPSBEzhDOhAfm1RFC/s1600/Cordis+Management_1271258610631.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2J4MnVf0q13SUgahTJlZMiFbIKhfqHcwy_96FanvgcflLfZ8etWTvr7jF-nBOjVpk34xK4b8h-nJTiIkBPTt0MDGqbWPHJIVt-XsfjMIHF9a5V14qVXpmD5XPzDIPSBEzhDOhAfm1RFC/s320/Cordis+Management_1271258610631.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">via <a href="http://cordismanagement.com/">Cordis Management</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.trust-real-estate.com/spain/img/2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.trust-real-estate.com/spain/img/2_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">via <a href="http://www.trust-real-estate.com/spain/002_e.html">Trust Real Estate</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/rooster-entry-de-4576161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/rooster-entry-de-4576161.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">via <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/homes/house-tours/hudson-farmhouse-0309?click=img_sr">Country Living</a> (photography by Jonny Valiant)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I used a small center hall table in this Boston townhouse living room design to fill out the bay window - providing a place for display, impromptu board game or elegant work space. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsew6kTuegtG_i8pov7OBpijr8w_luV2lFCOUAXReYSBRyN3Nqo-LajZEHtJv0nXDeem6bnYza1qU1Qe4udM-2hpmIct5vbvSlqvOAWFaZdO5yqC4ZRmqxbdTVAvWIj4MHgl7ua-DlnEjA/s1600/LindaMerrillLRFireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsew6kTuegtG_i8pov7OBpijr8w_luV2lFCOUAXReYSBRyN3Nqo-LajZEHtJv0nXDeem6bnYza1qU1Qe4udM-2hpmIct5vbvSlqvOAWFaZdO5yqC4ZRmqxbdTVAvWIj4MHgl7ua-DlnEjA/s640/LindaMerrillLRFireplace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/">Linda Merrill Decorative Surroundings</a> (photography by Michael J. Lee)</span></div></div><br />Well, still wishing I had space for a center hall table, but I may try to come up with something in my front hall... <br /><br /><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 /><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>

Center of attention: hall tables

via Scot Meacham Wood Design Last week we chatted with Scot Meacham Wood at The Skirted Roundtable and I just fell in love with this living...

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Saturday Mailbox Finds

Periodically, I force myself to go through my email in-box and sort, toss and do something about all those emails that have been collecting over the last month or so.  I receive a lot of pitches for products (some great, some not-so) and I hold onto the products that I like and toss the rest (sorry!). I wanted to share the following interesting products with you.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U5SwSTAF0VNf-cvKA6edHRq1mDj27EAJbyCb8Ve3Ch8B1XYphEOQ-T8bsj8aQFhulXUV_Kfpvs-sphGZZcL-cbwZtG_iI0PNfh4IBw-IwhSqRsau_oCGk6e6_rvGQhJDBxIunIu0U62I/s1600/oblong+frame+lifestyle+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U5SwSTAF0VNf-cvKA6edHRq1mDj27EAJbyCb8Ve3Ch8B1XYphEOQ-T8bsj8aQFhulXUV_Kfpvs-sphGZZcL-cbwZtG_iI0PNfh4IBw-IwhSqRsau_oCGk6e6_rvGQhJDBxIunIu0U62I/s640/oblong+frame+lifestyle+low+res.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><a href="http://www.re-tread.co.uk/">Tread</a>, in the UK, recycles old tires and turns them into these pretty cool frames and other products. I like how they use the actual tire tread patterns as part of their design. The tires are from Morocco and made in partnership with Moroccan artisans.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~ </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bradley-hughes.com/assets/AllUploads/Fabrics/Phil-Barlow/_resampled/ResizedImage241250-Life12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.bradley-hughes.com/assets/AllUploads/Fabrics/Phil-Barlow/_resampled/ResizedImage241250-Life12.jpg" /></a></div>These slightly macabre fabrics are by <a href="http://www.bradley-hughes.com/philip-barlow-exclusive/">Philip Barlow design</a>, available exclusively at Bradley Hughes. Fabrics by the yard and ready made pillows are available. These fabrics are a mix of rock & roll and traditional interior design styles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.internidirect.com/store/images/uploads/rimadesio/rimadesio_dress_closet_system1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.internidirect.com/store/images/uploads/rimadesio/rimadesio_dress_closet_system1.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.internidirect.com/store/images/uploads/arclinea/arclinea_mediterranea.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.internidirect.com/store/images/uploads/arclinea/arclinea_mediterranea.png" /></a></div><br />If you're looking for some great deals on contemporary kitchen, sliding doors and closet storage systems, check out these excellent products that were former showroom inventory models. At <a href="http://www.internidirect.com/store/">InterniDirect.com</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~ </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.floralartla.com/product/thumbnails/VenetianLaceChairSV_500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.floralartla.com/product/thumbnails/VenetianLaceChairSV_500x500.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><br />How pretty is this Floral lace lucite chair made with Venetian lace and silk upholstery? Available from <a href="http://www.floralartla.com/default.asp">Floral Art LA</a>. This chair would be so pretty at a vanity or around a small dining table in a conservatory.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~ </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shopad.net/articles/ad_ads/ad_gerard_butler/shop_gerard_butler_style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.shopad.net/articles/ad_ads/ad_gerard_butler/shop_gerard_butler_style.jpg" width="556" /></a></div>This month's AD showcases dishy Gerard Butler's New York neo-Baroque loft. This space has already been the subject of many other blogger's posts - and not positively, I might add. Methinks he took his tole as The Opera Ghost a bit too seriously.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/2/20158/14_2007/phantomoftheopera04SPLASH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/2/20158/14_2007/phantomoftheopera04SPLASH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />But, there are some beautiful individual pieces and if any caught your eye, you can purchase them <a href="http://www.shopad.net/articles/ad_ads/ad_gerard_butler/shop_gerard_butler_style.php">here</a>.  Apparently the most beautiful item is not for sale. Ah well. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~ </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2610691708_36a753f3b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2610691708_36a753f3b1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dscalemodern.com/collections/dscale/nestor_tables/P1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://www.dscalemodern.com/collections/dscale/nestor_tables/P1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="http://dscalemodern.com/">DScale</a>, the hip South End furnishings store of Boston interior designer Dennis Duffy, has got some pretty <a href="http://blog.dscalemodern.com/2010/02/entire-inventory-of-discounted-furniture-on-flickr-1.html">fabulous items for sale</a> right now. They are making way for a shipment of goodies from Paris, so it's a great time to get a deal. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~ </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thosmoser.com/inc/scripts/image.php?file_id=2207&w=490&h=450&f=&mask=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://thosmoser.com/inc/scripts/image.php?file_id=2207&w=490&h=450&f=&mask=" width="337" /></a></div><br /><br />Thos. Moser, purveyors of some of the most beautiful classic American furnishings has opening in their <a href="http://thosmoser.com/page.php?page_id=122&title=Customer%20In%20Residence%20Program">"Customer in Residence"</a> program. Talk about a great destination vacation. Visit beautiful Maine and spend one week learning under the tutelage of true master craftsmen. Come away with your own heirloom piece.  Space is still available, but I bet they'll go fast. Boy, this is something my Dad would have loved doing. Perhaps you know someone who would enjoy being sent to a true "fantasy" camp.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~ </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggrqGuAX4qmrai8KvMOPM1eB67gIRMt9yaiREqcoGgjxN_dWcROYfWfAgceLGWh8c61IXQTSMJr-G-V80_fr9cWMAvcQPOIwU69ZwfJcwIl7ww8ylKVqQpawp0_aua-aCP1KBuJyeOF4V/s1600/IMG_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggrqGuAX4qmrai8KvMOPM1eB67gIRMt9yaiREqcoGgjxN_dWcROYfWfAgceLGWh8c61IXQTSMJr-G-V80_fr9cWMAvcQPOIwU69ZwfJcwIl7ww8ylKVqQpawp0_aua-aCP1KBuJyeOF4V/s320/IMG_0120.jpg" /></a></div>Pam Beattie of <a href="http://www.venetiandecor.ca/">Venetian Decor </a>in British Columbia, Canada, creates some pretty fantastical pieces from vintage fur coats and jewelry on reproduction French furniture by <a href="http://www.savoiachair.com/">Savoia Frames</a>. While real fur furniture is not for everyone and some will likely be completely turned off, it's important to note that she only uses vintage fur and makes it clear on her site that she does not support the trapping of live animals. Vintage furs can be repurposed, extending their usefulness as long as possible. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~ </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.natrea.com/outside.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://www.natrea.com/outside.gif" width="640" /></a></div>Don't you just feel the mist? From <a href="http://www.natrea.com/outside.htm">Nat Rae Photography</a>. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.natrea.com/images/outside/ou15.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://www.natrea.com/images/outside/ou15.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, I've heard of sheep dogs, but duck dogs?</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.trianonantiques.com/images/new_container_mar2010/1439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.trianonantiques.com/images/new_container_mar2010/1439.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.trianonantiques.com/images/new_container_mar2010/1489b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.trianonantiques.com/images/new_container_mar2010/1489b.jpg" /></a></div><br />My friends Diana and Scott Cooper of <a href="http://www.trianonantiques.com/new_container.html">Trianon Antiques</a> are expecting a container of fabulous French antiques shortly. Check out what's coming to their showroom at the Boston Design Center.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEZ61UxVQSfvjFNE9D4hkbXroUeTFmuWScNuacW-0zrG36qReAOGrvaiU5UJuerOZUG2dCvRY-JkAim5efKLaMTwQxLMRgl5Wcvb-1vdXnOdTqppnSpelfxCrpkVZ9fFa1hyphenhyphenjC9LZr6jP/s1600/Atelier+Abigail+Ahern_1270935777245.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEZ61UxVQSfvjFNE9D4hkbXroUeTFmuWScNuacW-0zrG36qReAOGrvaiU5UJuerOZUG2dCvRY-JkAim5efKLaMTwQxLMRgl5Wcvb-1vdXnOdTqppnSpelfxCrpkVZ9fFa1hyphenhyphenjC9LZr6jP/s400/Atelier+Abigail+Ahern_1270935777245.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://www.atelierabigailahern.com/">Atelier Abagail Ahern</a>, based in the UK, has some pretty fantastic lighting and accessories. Their first US retail store will open later this year.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~  </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSwndiy7CMeCU0-WHswElC2TqVjIHNEswBNbStthSZ1E9jnWByfGEHLvPjMUHggL10AZasvk_M1UbZtwbSI8ZYxwQp0lshJ6FJgQ7_TxpHLFUs4EoGtJC6xiOobR2FOXPfo2dJTGo4j-h/s1600/Nesting+Newbies+Magazine+-+Premier+Issue+-+Fall+09_1270936336352.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSwndiy7CMeCU0-WHswElC2TqVjIHNEswBNbStthSZ1E9jnWByfGEHLvPjMUHggL10AZasvk_M1UbZtwbSI8ZYxwQp0lshJ6FJgQ7_TxpHLFUs4EoGtJC6xiOobR2FOXPfo2dJTGo4j-h/s640/Nesting+Newbies+Magazine+-+Premier+Issue+-+Fall+09_1270936336352.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Check out <a href="http://nestingnewbies.com/">Nesting Newbies</a>, a digital online magazine that showcases entertaining and decor.  I have the worst time reading digital magazines on my tiny MacBook screen, but from what I could see, these are smartly produced stories with fantastic photography.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.atelierabigailahern.com/images/blank.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.atelierabigailahern.com/images/blank.gif" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~ </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://talktaboo.prosper.com/wp-content/themes/talk-taboo/images/talktaboo-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://talktaboo.prosper.com/wp-content/themes/talk-taboo/images/talktaboo-logo.png" /></a></div><br />The folks at <a href="http://talktaboo.prosper.com/">Talk Taboo</a> are looking to help folks with their spending dilemmas. If you're struggling with credit card debt or have ever experienced "buyers guilt" after a splurge, there are stories and tips to help you at Talk Taboo. They are also looking for folks to share their positive stories of making good choices when it comes to their spending decisions. Of course, as a design blog, I often showcase high end products (see AD mention above) and it can be difficult to focus on expensive things all day long knowing that the price tag is often out of reach for many of us. Talk Taboo seeks to be the place that opens up this difficult conversation.<br /><br />Ah.. my in box seems much more manageable again! BTW - what do you think of my new blog header?<br /><br /><br /><br /><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 /><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>

Saturday Mailbox Finds

Periodically, I force myself to go through my email in-box and sort, toss and do something about all those emails that have been collecting ...

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