Newburyport Kitchen Tour 2013

<br />(So, I had started writing up this post, then managed to lose all the text and I just don't have time to re-create it. Oy. )<br /><br />So, here are photo montages of my trip up to the Newburyport Kitchen tour on Saturday, with proceeds benefiting the Newburyport Elementary schools. Of all the house tours I've been on over the years, the one's in N-port are always the best and never disappoint. The town offers such a wide variety of architectural styles and environments - from woodsy camp like locations along the Merrimack River to in-town city dwellings nestled cheek by jowl. I am biased because I lived there for a few years, but it's really the best city in New England as far as I'm concerned.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/9387320769/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="920" id="blogsy-1375112362787.7744" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/9387320769_292f3f5f97_c.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>This is the first house we visited and it was truly my favorite. The gorgeous river setting in an out of the way location was calm and tranquil and the color palette and furnishings were that and more. The current owners purchased the abandoned bungalow house in 2004 and renovated in 2012. Design and Construction by True Company (whose house is also on the tour) with cabinets by R. J. Kitchens. Note to the homeowners - take your clothes, leave everything else behind and I'll be happy!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/9387324079/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="901" id="blogsy-1375112362814.2065" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/9387324079_126e8c798a_c.jpg" width="676" /></a></div><br />This next house is a new construction Federal style reproduction on High Street. I lived in a Federal era house on High Street just a few blocks away and was dying to get a closer look here. The builder was Mark DiPiero. Above is the exterior detail, below the interiors. How cute is the carriage house style garage out back? The interiors featured period appropriate architectural detailing with a light and bright kitchen. The counters are all carrera marble, the backsplash glass tile and the island features a curved seating counter with a contrasting black base. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/9390100698/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="943" id="blogsy-1375112362840.6453" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/9390100698_6d24a8ca29_c.jpg" width="707" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/9387329507/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="967" id="blogsy-1375112362837.0317" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/9387329507_521a2656c4_c.jpg" width="726" /></a></div>The next house is one half of a mirror side-by-side two-family that was originally a carriage house, built in 1890, to a long-gone mansion. The house is pretty small, but Joppa Designs, Inc. did a wonderful job of maximizing the space. It was pretty crowded when I was there, so I couldn't get really good photos of the kitchen, other than some detail shots. The counters are Persia Avorio, the breakfast bar countertop is a custom cherry, the sink is Blanco Silgranit. The best feature is the coffered ceiling with the coffer painted a lovely mid-toned pearlescent blue in Ben Moore's Brushed Radiance paint. A glamorous detail that also added a spacious feel to the small space. The mudroom leading out to the deck was painted in BM Hale Navy with white accents. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/9394568036/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="949" id="blogsy-1375112362850.554" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/9394568036_c98141b074_c.jpg" width="711" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This next house features several innovative green technologies such as geothermal heat, air and hot water. The roof is solar panel ready and is integrated with Powerhouse shingle technology. The original portion of this charming house dates to 1756 and has had several additions. The old section of the house maintains many original elements such as gorgeous original pine floors. The main feature of the new kitchen is the enormous - and I do mean enormous - center island that is 5-1/2' wide by maybe 10' long. It took 5 very strong men to wheel it in and place it on the cabinetry below. My last two kitchens were smaller than that island! The granite, from Gerrity Stone in Woburn, is Colonial Cream. </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.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/9391800895/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="955" id="blogsy-1375112362792.0352" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/9391800895_3e8cdf8db5_c.jpg" width="716" /></a></div>This next house dates to the 1790's and was the servants quarters for another local house. The owners, Adam and Lauren True,  are the design build firm The True Company who did the first house I visited at the top of this post. The first floor of the house is the home based office on the left and a family room/kitchen on the right, with a back hall connecting the two spaces in addition to the front hall. Thibaut's Trellis wallpaper is in the front hall and looks fantastic from the walkway enterting the house. The kitchen counter is Supreme White Quartzite and the green pendants are from Ballard Designs. There is a cute little eating nook on the far side of kitchen, the pendant is West Elm.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/9394574890/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="977" id="blogsy-1375112362847.0603" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/9394574890_8745d86aaf_c.jpg" width="733" /></a></div>The next home is known as the Toppans Dodge House. The original saltbox dates to 1670 was a basic two up/two down structure. The carriage house and barn, which were separate are now joined and are the family room and garage, respectively. The house was expanded out the back to accomodate a larger kitchen and dining area. The exterior of the house is fantastic, but like any home that grew and evolved over centuries, the interiors are a bit more jumbled as rooms grow and change to accommodate modern living. However, there is a lot of original detailing that is fabulous such as the barn doors on the rustic family room which was once a carriage house. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/9391812037/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="997" id="blogsy-1375112362817.061" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/9391812037_0be5be8248_c.jpg" width="748" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The final property I saw was this gorgeous restoration of a Georgian house built in 1777. The front hall and stairs is truly amazing. The faux marble painted floor in a tumbling block pattern is to die for. The historically accurate wallpaper befits the grandness of the entry. The front to back staircase meets under an arch and continues up to the second floor. The side front parlors have matching custom rugs and wallpaper, which are historically accurate. Behind the rear facing stairs to the right is the original kitchen complete with walk-in fireplace, baking oven and a built-in cupboard. Behind the original kitchen was an added summer kitchen that is now the new kitchen, complete with chef quality appliances and cabinetry finished to match the original built-in cupboard in the old kitchen. Beyond the new kitchen is a tv room with views of a spacious back yard. <br /><br />Here are some additional details around this house. I can't really explain why, but I love how close this house is to it's neighbor, and the beautiful brick facades with original period details. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYZEuR9coOj-Pv0G2SW8cbqN1ZVH4SLuoCREz3URcK-tnijmD5hVZ9xn3U2xDeVGTdL4gKai06By6kbxze8cWliYJXry2FMfxVTJRz5FpGBnXUBx7RzXP6Y6Mx_m5sng4anIkscnGE6A/s1600/IMG_3760.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYZEuR9coOj-Pv0G2SW8cbqN1ZVH4SLuoCREz3URcK-tnijmD5hVZ9xn3U2xDeVGTdL4gKai06By6kbxze8cWliYJXry2FMfxVTJRz5FpGBnXUBx7RzXP6Y6Mx_m5sng4anIkscnGE6A/s640/IMG_3760.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRkJVQRpt9r7sXsuUw3gx_f8EcntWHv-ussVMj-QDJy-8lj4dZm_MSeYjuR2JDNxpLzIM0GfLq1Y3aif8G7fgDt110jnJDuBR3PrGRuE7PDekqpBVWMwjHKztWcLWHd3L6RP8DQ9O2dg/s1600/IMG_3761.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRkJVQRpt9r7sXsuUw3gx_f8EcntWHv-ussVMj-QDJy-8lj4dZm_MSeYjuR2JDNxpLzIM0GfLq1Y3aif8G7fgDt110jnJDuBR3PrGRuE7PDekqpBVWMwjHKztWcLWHd3L6RP8DQ9O2dg/s640/IMG_3761.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhgoguxoUnEIA9Rej6YY3l5saCe32E8CRAUJ2lHCxTff-Wca95QCN9ghpK7zOFPq-ecmGDORiUDlULE-g2dWRbnyxL6aPpjxF1VGKdV3aWfVkAFA3RpcYVZjkElibCNrXzz7Zu15O-v8/s1600/IMG_3762.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhgoguxoUnEIA9Rej6YY3l5saCe32E8CRAUJ2lHCxTff-Wca95QCN9ghpK7zOFPq-ecmGDORiUDlULE-g2dWRbnyxL6aPpjxF1VGKdV3aWfVkAFA3RpcYVZjkElibCNrXzz7Zu15O-v8/s640/IMG_3762.jpg" width="478" /></a></div> Swoon...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIAI1UMhJpL_0zHGECCnXSZIqdTUnNvavMgrt8CHYqLkGA3txhDkJDvbZUiXmeqq8athoAvDErCb9wwbJVaG5K8x7Zd83JwGXbV7MIQA1Z8h2Kr7OQkykbh9pZhyYCfg8n6W8ygEHQbA/s1600/IMG_3763.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIAI1UMhJpL_0zHGECCnXSZIqdTUnNvavMgrt8CHYqLkGA3txhDkJDvbZUiXmeqq8athoAvDErCb9wwbJVaG5K8x7Zd83JwGXbV7MIQA1Z8h2Kr7OQkykbh9pZhyYCfg8n6W8ygEHQbA/s640/IMG_3763.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><br />Here are some additional photos by photographer <a href="http://laurenpoussard.zenfolio.com/nportkitchentour#h6dbd5d3e" target="_blank">Lauren Poussard</a>.<br /><br />I hope you enjoyed the tour!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjk6j8pHtUOTqRVAc-xqWddcuKzs1CuDEkDoiR_rBNAAuyyUYMbYGjxJ3WaIu3PsrQrpikmltbF8yncNuGv7o4FMYxT5e47zd01PHwu_GTuVuOLkXPApCKIUXlKxWpNYvETyGYfTrhgI/s1600/Linda+Sig.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjk6j8pHtUOTqRVAc-xqWddcuKzs1CuDEkDoiR_rBNAAuyyUYMbYGjxJ3WaIu3PsrQrpikmltbF8yncNuGv7o4FMYxT5e47zd01PHwu_GTuVuOLkXPApCKIUXlKxWpNYvETyGYfTrhgI/s1600/Linda+Sig.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br />If you would like help designing your dream house, please don't hesitate to contact me!

Newburyport Kitchen Tour 2013

(So, I had started writing up this post, then managed to lose all the text and I just don't have time to re-create it. Oy. )So, here are photo montages of my trip up to the Newburyport Kitchen tour on Saturday, with proceeds benefiting the Newburyport Elementary schools. Of all the house tours I've …

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Friday wrap up and weekend update

Had a busier week than anticipated, so will get back to posting about my amazing Memphis experience next week, but wanted to share a little weekly wrapup, what I've been up to and the weekend.<br /><br />Before I went away last week, I had a last minute photoshoot to do for Cape Cod Magazine. I'm very excited that a project that I'd shared a little of here is being featured!<br /><br />This was a set of digital renderings I did several months ago of the living room:  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcUT7PKZlVm_MzAIVD5yBfqouMv9KIrY65e1E4qfdNliqdr0YIe-W3_OTTbvIwNHJeIOfqlB-9tWyYpUk027-qwpef7tP5e2qhAYv8CtBohcMY5eDdXjEXpM0YV2ah_mlSrAFtdgRfYc/s1600/Truro+Digital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcUT7PKZlVm_MzAIVD5yBfqouMv9KIrY65e1E4qfdNliqdr0YIe-W3_OTTbvIwNHJeIOfqlB-9tWyYpUk027-qwpef7tP5e2qhAYv8CtBohcMY5eDdXjEXpM0YV2ah_mlSrAFtdgRfYc/s640/Truro+Digital.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />And these are photos I took last week of the finished project showing the living room and the bedrooms. I can't wait to see the magazine's photography! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVAXLlcHhcOHM4GOvKO_D9UHkuixj7eeB3er_cSi_gnRqQuWFJS6prfywmfqsiIZS4RNEBeRWSmzs_KDUl-H267IY3vw_WEqOI58cQ-AfRY1r0FMSli49UvzAZg_9-IxFCDix9WaMGzQ/s1600/Truro+Beach+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVAXLlcHhcOHM4GOvKO_D9UHkuixj7eeB3er_cSi_gnRqQuWFJS6prfywmfqsiIZS4RNEBeRWSmzs_KDUl-H267IY3vw_WEqOI58cQ-AfRY1r0FMSli49UvzAZg_9-IxFCDix9WaMGzQ/s640/Truro+Beach+House.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />This week, I am working on selecting new tile, the color palette and fabrics for a custom home project.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkpijqJgYd7rOqk3HHwLDDQpZvUiwgUeWxvDjs0TOdhplCvpdUY5GgRmViVJB5DhAN9KcssL9bktJJ_veH-XI02Ib8AuBynavMnzog4lt8EKi-JrT7MO7F0dU-5Zw_VINqE4KTUJeHKw/s1600/IMG_3607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkpijqJgYd7rOqk3HHwLDDQpZvUiwgUeWxvDjs0TOdhplCvpdUY5GgRmViVJB5DhAN9KcssL9bktJJ_veH-XI02Ib8AuBynavMnzog4lt8EKi-JrT7MO7F0dU-5Zw_VINqE4KTUJeHKw/s640/IMG_3607.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://kitchentour.newburyportpto.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2013/05/KTheader2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://kitchentour.newburyportpto.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2013/05/KTheader2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />On Saturday I'm headed up to my favorite Massachusetts city of Newburyport to attend a <a href="http://kitchentour.newburyportpto.com/" target="_blank">kitchen tour </a>sponsored by the Newburyport Elementary Schools PTO. I used to live there, so take any chance I can get to visit my old stomping grounds.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large_lightbox/hash/28/5f/285f67a0159f3528b33a15a9bf48c761.jpg?itok=ZrMd0kmz" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large_lightbox/hash/28/5f/285f67a0159f3528b33a15a9bf48c761.jpg?itok=ZrMd0kmz" /></a></div><br />And then, back on the South Shore, I'm off to volunteer at the South Shore Conservatory's Evenings Under the Stars performance of "Pirates of Penzance" directed by and starring one of my bff's Beth MacLeod. The concert-style performance, which includes a stellar cast,  is done in an outdoor amphitheater and seating is Tanglewood style - sit in chairs under the roof, or bring a picnic and lawn chairs and enjoy your evening under the stars! I'll be at the concessions tent! <a href="http://www.sscmusic.org/evenings_under_the_stars.html" target="_blank">Tickets still available!</a> <br /><br />What are you up to this weekend?<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6svfu1yKr8xbWgUjubAZJ93u8DRcwNBMPMC3569Q4SZ6zK53VVotQtbMqrkcUrJf2MrSnRv9HKTGAyU8lxnZ50A5E04SOAOekBu4vOsQsVobaMjSRXm-8-dTmD0fkVdJ7c_ZhImREIA/s1600/Linda+Sig.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6svfu1yKr8xbWgUjubAZJ93u8DRcwNBMPMC3569Q4SZ6zK53VVotQtbMqrkcUrJf2MrSnRv9HKTGAyU8lxnZ50A5E04SOAOekBu4vOsQsVobaMjSRXm-8-dTmD0fkVdJ7c_ZhImREIA/s1600/Linda+Sig.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br />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!<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>

Friday wrap up and weekend update

Had a busier week than anticipated, so will get back to posting about my amazing Memphis experience next week, but wanted to share a little weekly wrapup, what I've been up to and the weekend.Before I went away last week, I had a last minute photoshoot to do for Cape Cod Magazine. I'm very excited t…

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Target House at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - a happy place during a stressful time

Some time in the 1930's or so, a young American performer of Lebonese/Syrian descent was struggling and appealed for divine intervention. He made what was likely this common Catholic prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus:<br /><br /><i>"Most holy apostle, Saint Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Make use I implore you, of that particular privilege given to you, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly – (specific request here) and that I may praise God with you and all the elect forever. I promise, O blessed Saint Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.  Amen."</i><br /><br />In 1962, the year I was born, the 5-year survival rate for Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood leukemia, was 4%. Today, it's 94%. For every 100 children who are diagnosed today, 90 more children are saved. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1Ym6B-feBLgCtXPQk9JLUgAW72UexY1JDBzZFoaZaifJbKr1_AB9cj84wu69hHBzdd3JBn9BAjGPM1lq9UxkOfy1Ura6xqb_5avHly4gdIel08cO4LiTL2ZIMRbCtyGxH_D4obkTcik/s1600/No+child.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1Ym6B-feBLgCtXPQk9JLUgAW72UexY1JDBzZFoaZaifJbKr1_AB9cj84wu69hHBzdd3JBn9BAjGPM1lq9UxkOfy1Ura6xqb_5avHly4gdIel08cO4LiTL2ZIMRbCtyGxH_D4obkTcik/s1600/No+child.jpg" /></a></div><br />When actor Danny Thomas (born Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz in 1912 in Michigan) made this prayer and pledge in his darkest hour, he likely had no idea what would be accomplished by the 21st century. Indeed, most of us would have paid our "debt" by making a few appearances and writing some checks to a worthwhile cause. Mr. Thomas dropped a stone in the water and it literally ripples across the globe and will continue to do so until the survival rates for all childhood cancers and related diseases are 100%. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdB6w_WR_BSKvTKSK-D5N3aTZlUG2oqxbg1or654fSRzvgfQr7FgUvip-EmmOkX0cs3x9pKHkWBtguX30LQ-YwkpUeVapsm6Xfc6wBnpyKg2elcn2bS8dm-braj7ZcN4yWZudSsORLY7s/s1600/IMG_3564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="697" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdB6w_WR_BSKvTKSK-D5N3aTZlUG2oqxbg1or654fSRzvgfQr7FgUvip-EmmOkX0cs3x9pKHkWBtguX30LQ-YwkpUeVapsm6Xfc6wBnpyKg2elcn2bS8dm-braj7ZcN4yWZudSsORLY7s/s640/IMG_3564.JPG" width="523" /></a></div><br />The emotional highlight of our all expense paid <a href="https://www.brizo.com/" target="_blank">Brizo</a> Blogger 19 reunion trip to Memphis was a day spent at <a href="http://www.stjude.org/" target="_blank">St. Jude Children's Research Hospital</a>, founded by Danny Thomas in 1962 after years of fundraising and planning. The morning began with the handing out of tissues on the bus followed by a warm welcome from the Brizo team. Breakfast was held in the Danny Thomas ALSAC (American Lebonese Syrian Associated Charities) Pavilion which is a shrine to Mr. Thomas' career and ALSAC, which is the fundraising arm of St. Jude. The gorgeous space, recently renovated with private Thomas family funds, is a fabulous mix of colorful Middle Eastern motifs and Hollywood memorabilia. Emblazoned on the ceiling under the dome is text that reads "He who denies his heritage has no heritage". ALSAC was founded by Lebonese and Syrian immigrants and descendents as a thank you to America for taking them in. <br /><br />So, with tissues in hand, we began our day touring Target House (as in <a href="http://www.target.com/" target="_blank">Target</a>), the all expense paid, no expense spared housing for long-term patients and their families, and St. Jude hospital which cares for patients and does leading clinical research which is shared freely with medical communities throughout the world.  Amazingly, seeing the kids and interacting with them didn't bring on the tears - and there are some pretty sick kids there. For me, it was the magnitude of the institution, the outreach, the participants, staff, corporate and celebrity sponsors, and the tiny moments of thoughtfulness and even joy. No stone is left unturned. They are not just saving lives, at St. Jude every day is about preserving today for each patient and their family. No patient receives a bill for any medical care, housing or living expenses, or education for patient and siblings during treatment. And while every child in the country sadly can't be cared for at this remarkable place, all sick kids throughout the world receive the benefit of the world-class research that goes on there. They develop protocols and targeted treatments for individual illnesses, and then share what they've learned - the recipes as it were - with the world for free.<br /><br />The most obvious thing about both Target Houses (there are two) and the hospital is that neither looks or smells like an institution. They are bright, colorful, pristine, happy spaces. They even smell nice. <br /><br />I wanted to share some of my pics from Target House. Later on this week I'll have more about the hospital. Obviously, we didn't take photos of any people - patients, family members or staff. During the day, most patients and their families are at the hospital undergoing medical treatments, which is why we were able to take so many photos in the living space. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMEwi1SBLikXVMtPCtqJzarj8NxFuu-sidjfQsWP7aOEccM5Hd3GRWLnZPqpLfwzLYS28u_dFl9VfrR_6DyX2rbsIh_5HAVDFlgp0255Qcp76pO_XuZ4nLLJyUIPNY6TWl1Is8liCTM4/s1600/IMG_3567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMEwi1SBLikXVMtPCtqJzarj8NxFuu-sidjfQsWP7aOEccM5Hd3GRWLnZPqpLfwzLYS28u_dFl9VfrR_6DyX2rbsIh_5HAVDFlgp0255Qcp76pO_XuZ4nLLJyUIPNY6TWl1Is8liCTM4/s640/IMG_3567.JPG" width="586" /></a></div><br /> Snow boarder Shaun White sponsored this mod great room that is geared towards teenagers. It features comfortable crash sofas, tv sets, bright colors and photos of Shaun doing his thing.  The walls are stenciled with no-VOC paints as they don't use wallpaper, which can attract dirt and allergens. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGppR8dkH5Ujs2A0ydyRAgxRk_SjuwfMNPCCTPYng9Q11CzJpVeeZSRaipzQ2in8qUk-0CflKh12CtT5TUlmjiekInhohUDy6kVaD1coWpwY6yopiew0fW82OxlRH4-RDeTUYZBlgxFM/s1600/IMG_3570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="792" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGppR8dkH5Ujs2A0ydyRAgxRk_SjuwfMNPCCTPYng9Q11CzJpVeeZSRaipzQ2in8qUk-0CflKh12CtT5TUlmjiekInhohUDy6kVaD1coWpwY6yopiew0fW82OxlRH4-RDeTUYZBlgxFM/s640/IMG_3570.JPG" width="594" /></a></div>The Amy Grant Music Room is modeled after the singer's own living room and features a gorgeous grand piano, bongos and a closet full of musical instruments. The seating is plentiful and plush (and sized for both adults and kids) and is a great hangout in the evening as it's separated a bit from the rest of the house. There is also a low chair for Amy herself to sit in when she comes to play her guitar and sing for the residents. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzyK3Tdi3SjerTPQo0BEzZaGekX4ovtrAGKY-fq-iLx0OKwqWyDWeYspBm-vfqxe-S7a6hs414_Q12HsWy_QCADvkq30N-Y2hbp42NBEFuybfmgY7ORJ1KCROo_9lq-PMc25uq33soPo/s1600/IMG_3575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzyK3Tdi3SjerTPQo0BEzZaGekX4ovtrAGKY-fq-iLx0OKwqWyDWeYspBm-vfqxe-S7a6hs414_Q12HsWy_QCADvkq30N-Y2hbp42NBEFuybfmgY7ORJ1KCROo_9lq-PMc25uq33soPo/s640/IMG_3575.JPG" width="607" /></a></div><br /> The Brad Paisley Family Room is modeled after Paisley's own family room and is filled with musical and cowboy references. It too features comfy furniture, plus a one-of-a-kind chandelier made up of his own guitar's, a guitar pick embedded table and the cutest rocking saddle "hobby horses" you could imagine. And like any typical family room, there is a nook for Paisley family photos including his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley and their kids. Yee haw!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBaSJEqiyzsDPIx2U1tNMuBCBmQ9HP1_v342JG3j8hA6qXvWaK5VU4GMmt3ay2daglXbbpBSplqJRv9oKHfGNEsMhlGWNnTNQ-JhYyCosyqG7ZaLuEIVo_O7MHleVgmEegzQDXStPMJM/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBaSJEqiyzsDPIx2U1tNMuBCBmQ9HP1_v342JG3j8hA6qXvWaK5VU4GMmt3ay2daglXbbpBSplqJRv9oKHfGNEsMhlGWNnTNQ-JhYyCosyqG7ZaLuEIVo_O7MHleVgmEegzQDXStPMJM/s640/IMG_3578.JPG" width="607" /></a></div>The well stocked Arts & Crafts room was donated by Olympic skater and cancer survivor Scott Hamilton. The arts is a huge part of the St. Jude experience as it gives kids a way to express their experiences when they don't have the words. Hamilton also donated a well-stocked work out room for parents who need some ways to relieve their stress. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_I7PyK49yJgR9Xaj1txDUBfOo8RHl8WXXS_3vK6MOrfxGqTqEugKXTPjQyiHaxVr1smbo32XFXPAS81T1eT2rM1vJfVVpRcJd589Gz-WbCcOr5GFgB6Dt7A-yo-GHwQEstNm4ZY-OBgY/s1600/IMG_3583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="811" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_I7PyK49yJgR9Xaj1txDUBfOo8RHl8WXXS_3vK6MOrfxGqTqEugKXTPjQyiHaxVr1smbo32XFXPAS81T1eT2rM1vJfVVpRcJd589Gz-WbCcOr5GFgB6Dt7A-yo-GHwQEstNm4ZY-OBgY/s640/IMG_3583.JPG" width="608" /></a></div>The Tiger Woods Library features both children's and grownup books, dvd's, comfortable seating, lots of color, including Tiger's signature Sunday Red. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRF0Gfjl3bHDKtWE6brxrwxRCSLooeyRv3FcfMPdwQ57Az9pvXbM4PUdfyZQj-Fkxu-LzSLBgDmuQ4Fhlhr18RKpwavg-5bMDK8UHLVr8WztDTBLFqcduj1gYeq-ggL0fRhzqgkRTy820/s1600/IMG_3585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="798" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRF0Gfjl3bHDKtWE6brxrwxRCSLooeyRv3FcfMPdwQ57Az9pvXbM4PUdfyZQj-Fkxu-LzSLBgDmuQ4Fhlhr18RKpwavg-5bMDK8UHLVr8WztDTBLFqcduj1gYeq-ggL0fRhzqgkRTy820/s640/IMG_3585.JPG" width="598" /></a></div>Tiger Woods also donated the outdoor pavilion as well, which connects the two Target Houses to each other. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1OhThii5WMFfDGz2t4foidNlmXSKn_bPNUivfq8BY5oiHTQ5SqUYlS6KO-A8i_VyG3DCKPkbfW0w9hniaKvxJFeVfwnMdnRMONK5ZHeiutDN-KNl0K4D1aaSE_cKeBgXDD-h_AirrEg/s1600/IMG_3572.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="819" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1OhThii5WMFfDGz2t4foidNlmXSKn_bPNUivfq8BY5oiHTQ5SqUYlS6KO-A8i_VyG3DCKPkbfW0w9hniaKvxJFeVfwnMdnRMONK5ZHeiutDN-KNl0K4D1aaSE_cKeBgXDD-h_AirrEg/s640/IMG_3572.JPG" width="614" /></a></div><br /><br />The elephant is a symbol of Target House - as it is a symbol of strength, protection and good luck. The Elephant Wall is a light-hearted, yet poignant, place to showcase the involvement of the many celebrities who contribute time and resources. The beautiful elephant in the middle was done by designer Cynthia Rowley. And there is a simple crayon drawing by Jon Bon Jovi and his son (not pictured) that is just as charming.<br /><br />Target House facility has 96 small apartments for families whose child is in treatment for longer than 90 days. These apartments have full kitchens, a living and dining area and two bedrooms, intended to sleep four. St. Jude not only treats the ill child, but also tends to the needs of the entire family. Their goal (aside from a total cure) is that the family should be free to focus on the heath needs of their sick child and the well-being of their siblings, without having the added stress of healthcare costs, transportation and living expenses. One has to imagine that this level of holistic care plays an enormous role in the survival rates, along with the superior medical care. <br /><br />More later on this week about St. Jude the hospital and research center itself.  <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4-3LGwsJghmGvtchPkERmHf7sR6CJjfM7eEU2vOYq-_kRFs038-t22BspfAUGK0strnzskcXntgb9CiYHqqGULqux5B1d0Na8UtGwT9ec4CsGz5NnPoAq6CJRkhUm7OHciiy1AdVR0Q/s1600/Linda+Sig.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4-3LGwsJghmGvtchPkERmHf7sR6CJjfM7eEU2vOYq-_kRFs038-t22BspfAUGK0strnzskcXntgb9CiYHqqGULqux5B1d0Na8UtGwT9ec4CsGz5NnPoAq6CJRkhUm7OHciiy1AdVR0Q/s1600/Linda+Sig.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />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!<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>

Target House at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - a happy place during a stressful time

Some time in the 1930's or so, a young American performer of Lebonese/Syrian descent was struggling and appealed for divine intervention. He made what was likely this common Catholic prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus:"Most holy apostle, Saint Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors …

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The Peabody Hotel in Memphis - it's all about the ducks!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk6heqVh2Za8cs-QnvlAoIBOdDdsXiG2hUkg8PNA0ZYindBFRCfr_gIEtoOqSqewaLeuAdPRmUJ5pWdd1xdNL9Qm9nYnQlU58zkF1Pp6o1P8cREDILqX5C3RFkBykpE6Iysa6h44IYYo/s1600/blogger19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk6heqVh2Za8cs-QnvlAoIBOdDdsXiG2hUkg8PNA0ZYindBFRCfr_gIEtoOqSqewaLeuAdPRmUJ5pWdd1xdNL9Qm9nYnQlU58zkF1Pp6o1P8cREDILqX5C3RFkBykpE6Iysa6h44IYYo/s640/blogger19.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Okay, boy the last two weeks have just completely flown by! Between a last-minute photoshoot for a magazine (more to come on that!), tidying up client projects, packing for Memphis and then the whirlwind trip, it's been quite an adventure! A huge thanks to <a href="http://www.brizo.com/" target="_blank">Brizo</a> Faucet for bringing nearly 80 designer/bloggers together for a reunion of the elite Blogger19. Brizo picked up the tab to fly us all in from across the US and Canada, put us up at the elegant <a href="http://www.peabodymemphis.com/" target="_blank">Peabody Hotel</a>, feed us really well and showered us with sparkly things both big and small, and give us a reason to think, cry and be inspired. That's a whole lotta goodness in three days! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxBxjnmWq-YBmp2uxHeAmpUfQr4aKfGfx5E_NnuQ4RQIgrMiBNpkXya6kmZgCf0aJgktO3_aQDT_OmPLissP7Y4xiYMAvtC5QzfmSXOoozY3yT-vUL2z6PN5muUqzgj8L3Fh7RTw1SBs/s1600/duck2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxBxjnmWq-YBmp2uxHeAmpUfQr4aKfGfx5E_NnuQ4RQIgrMiBNpkXya6kmZgCf0aJgktO3_aQDT_OmPLissP7Y4xiYMAvtC5QzfmSXOoozY3yT-vUL2z6PN5muUqzgj8L3Fh7RTw1SBs/s640/duck2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />The Peabody Hotel is known for its famous Peabody Ducks, who reside in the lobby fountain and have a ceremonial march in at 11:00am and march out at 5:00pm every day. You can read more of the history <a href="http://www.peabodymemphis.com/peabody-ducks/" target="_blank">here</a> - it's quite the event! The ducks not only paddle daily in the fountain, they appear all over the hotel - on the linens and bathmats, the usual gift shop items and in the form of butter and soap - which both look identical, so watch out for that! So, above was the duck soap in my hotel bathroom along with the usual complement of toiletries...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_1WCOZbIhEekwwK2xZz3Ib_VFiTdURanpzXwcoUn46OwRTksFSE2nRR_ui0Kzt9-v_dmBgb0QqyoZeccvFwGsw5zA1mZlCXYjZC046RKRa7_ri66mczMdlqzPK8PW4peRGpPnK7h8Mw/s1600/ducksoap1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_1WCOZbIhEekwwK2xZz3Ib_VFiTdURanpzXwcoUn46OwRTksFSE2nRR_ui0Kzt9-v_dmBgb0QqyoZeccvFwGsw5zA1mZlCXYjZC046RKRa7_ri66mczMdlqzPK8PW4peRGpPnK7h8Mw/s640/ducksoap1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />And here he is in my own bathroom. Cute! <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bnhMj63_ic9gs85m3Yp198h1XmjejKYjRgK-6H7BtHePTJIW4dXA1NdYllU8YcbqYEy-4vwcnfyu8jfnjk8sAm32UtMi0lV4fFIFg2spiTB9WvUs1X6NT6yYJ3J3ya0gKE61Fw1HbnQ/s1600/pea4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bnhMj63_ic9gs85m3Yp198h1XmjejKYjRgK-6H7BtHePTJIW4dXA1NdYllU8YcbqYEy-4vwcnfyu8jfnjk8sAm32UtMi0lV4fFIFg2spiTB9WvUs1X6NT6yYJ3J3ya0gKE61Fw1HbnQ/s640/pea4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I was afraid I'd miss the march of the ducks, but got lucky on Wednesday. Here they are from my mezzanine balcony vantage point. The gentleman in red is the Duckmaster - only the 4th since the 1930s. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSd3xPbj49pXbHlkx7AxgLcdpYlwWeOzi-IwOyTGAftLGzSuNGL_gYuip3z2dp9OwqCqJt1eYAXvzS-eprQ53EEkRKMSDWOpvVuG4e1jYVEagFh0YVjJAUYhCVdqkd4oA0sw_dqGmBnk/s1600/pea2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSd3xPbj49pXbHlkx7AxgLcdpYlwWeOzi-IwOyTGAftLGzSuNGL_gYuip3z2dp9OwqCqJt1eYAXvzS-eprQ53EEkRKMSDWOpvVuG4e1jYVEagFh0YVjJAUYhCVdqkd4oA0sw_dqGmBnk/s640/pea2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />As you can see - this draws quite a crowd. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1BZMRV7n2KI4CxXFIwXAjfmEKh_9WRcP0uUcVC-inr03atwKfS76LmGEV4IHyVDQ3GDBLL6L2Jgbiqa1-Jel23Grvfd6wrRhupQ8T1b7JPduCEpJXe2WNtG3YOF0vDIIm-yYmwUVT1s/s1600/pea1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1BZMRV7n2KI4CxXFIwXAjfmEKh_9WRcP0uUcVC-inr03atwKfS76LmGEV4IHyVDQ3GDBLL6L2Jgbiqa1-Jel23Grvfd6wrRhupQ8T1b7JPduCEpJXe2WNtG3YOF0vDIIm-yYmwUVT1s/s640/pea1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />The comfortable lobby is filled with patrons waiting for the twice daily show. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ-W2gs231FiQadOqYLwhfZNbf06idhhQ21nd9t2AdBAQg8jDtEhpGfonkGddE4iw3Ha7KK_ZMdrgNIE-9kSnpv0ZoO27rF4LiwVlxE2XP0AGwOb39KS8cFkpK_5QUFw2fO7BSmxDHR8/s1600/pea3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ-W2gs231FiQadOqYLwhfZNbf06idhhQ21nd9t2AdBAQg8jDtEhpGfonkGddE4iw3Ha7KK_ZMdrgNIE-9kSnpv0ZoO27rF4LiwVlxE2XP0AGwOb39KS8cFkpK_5QUFw2fO7BSmxDHR8/s640/pea3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />And so is the mezzanine. The ducks walk the red carpet to an awaiting elevator and are taken up to their rooftop "Duck Palace" for the evening.<br /><br />Enjoy the video I took! I'm not sure what happened to the sound, unfortunately...<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iE7ebdBNRag" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />More to come in the next few days of our amazing and inspirational tour of <a href="https://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f87d4c2a71fca210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD" target="_blank">St. Jude Children's Research Hospital</a> - they handed us tissues on the bus going over. And our fabulous tour of the Delta Faucet Factory where they make the luxury Brizo line - all by hand with multi-point inspections. The final inspection is done by a woman who has the only job in the company that allows her to ignore literally anyone who comes to speak to her while she's inspecting a finished and packed Brizo faucet so she doesn't miss anything. Made in America baby! <br /><br />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!<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>

The Peabody Hotel in Memphis - it's all about the ducks!

Okay, boy the last two weeks have just completely flown by! Between a last-minute photoshoot for a magazine (more to come on that!), tidying up client projects, packing for Memphis and then the whirlwind trip, it's been quite an adventure! A huge thanks to Brizo Faucet for bringing nearly 80 designe…

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospitals Dream Homes

<br />This time next week, I'll be in the hot (literally) summertime destination of Memphis, TN. Unlike millions of others, it won't be to visit Graceland (though Elvis did die on my birthday...)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.brizo.com/" target="_blank">Brizo Faucet</a> has convened a reunion of all the #Blogger19 for wining and dining, a factory tour, and a tour of St. Jude's, the amazing children's cancer research hospital. For those unaware, twice a year, Brizo Faucet invites a group of 19 interior and kitchen designers and design bloggers for NY Fashion week during which time they showcase their upcoming products and get feedback from design professionals, wine and dine us, and attend the Jason Wu fashion show. Brizo has a long established relationship with Mr. Wu. They have been doing this for 3-4 years, so the Blogger 19 is up around 200 people from across the US and Canada. They are flying us all in next week and putting us up at the famed Peobody Hotel (where the ducks parade through the lobby twice a day to cavort in the fountain). Our itinerary includes a factory tour (made in America!), a tour of St. Jude's, and some kind of design project with some of the children of St. Jude's (tissues are already packed!).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-dream-home-fresno-prize-image-brizo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-dream-home-fresno-prize-image-brizo.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rbioBL-rNRE" width="853"></iframe> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/dhHeader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/dhHeader.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Houses for the St. Jude <em>Dream Home</em>^® Giveaway are now being constructed across America using donated land, labor, materials and fixtures - including Brizo faucets and accessories for the kitchen and bath. This campaign will give thousands a chance to win a new home. More importantly, the money raised will help fund research and treatment efforts for St. Jude - and help countless children live out their dreams.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-dh-main-slide-home-kansas-city-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-dh-main-slide-home-kansas-city-2012.jpg" /></a></div><br />The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway was created in 1991 by Dr. Donald Mack, a pediatric physician from Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Mack has relied on St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to treat young patients with catastrophic diseases and was the first doctor to send an out-of-state patient to St. Jude.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-event-dream-home-rendering-denver-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-event-dream-home-rendering-denver-2011.jpg" /></a></div><br /> The first St. Jude Dream Home was constructed in Shreveport, Louisiana, and raised $160,000 for the hospital. Since that first giveaway, the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway in Shreveport has become an annual fundraiser, raising more than $23 million for the hospital.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-dh-hampton-dream-home-rendering-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-dh-hampton-dream-home-rendering-2013.jpg" /></a></div><br /> Today, the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is one of the largest single-event fundraisers for St. Jude nationwide and has raised more than $260 million.<br /> This year, the program will include more than 30 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaways and will continue to grow.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-dh-new-orleans-house-2013-v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-dh-new-orleans-house-2013-v2.jpg" /></a></div><br /> Thanks to all of the sponsors involved with the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway program. Your continuous support helps raise money for St. Jude where no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for their child’s care.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-dh-memphis-house-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-dh-memphis-house-photo.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-dh-main-slide-home-biloxi-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.stjude.org/SJFile/alsac-dh-main-slide-home-biloxi-2012.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p480x480/1016533_10151661977665186_1584094480_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p480x480/1016533_10151661977665186_1584094480_n.png" /></a></div><br />Learn more about <a href="http://www.brizo.com/stjude/#.Ud10BVNOT-V" target="_blank">Brizo Faucet's involvement</a> and <a href="http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f87d4c2a71fca210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD" target="_blank">St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  </a><br /><br />I'm honored to be invited to attend this special event. In 2013 alone, I've lost 5 friends and acquaintances to cancer - not just social media friends, but people I had real-life dealings with. All were in their middle years - way too young to die. When one imagines a child going through what my five brave friends went through - well, it's really unimaginable. Since St. Jude was founded by actor/philanthropist Danny Thomas in 1962, their research as helped improve <a href="http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=5b25e64c5b470110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=4bbafe08dc835110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD" target="_blank">children's survival rates </a>enormously - but they will not be satisfied until all childhood cancers are eradicated. <br /><br /><br />Thanks to places like St. Jude's and companies like Brizo to help out, the dream of a cancer free childhood for all children will come true some day!

St. Jude Children's Research Hospitals Dream Homes

This time next week, I'll be in the hot (literally) summertime destination of Memphis, TN. Unlike millions of others, it won't be to visit Graceland (though Elvis did die on my birthday...)Brizo Faucet has convened a reunion of all the #Blogger19 for wining and dining, a factory tour, and a tour of …

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Photo Smarts for Designers and Bloggers

<br />My latest on <a href="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/designer/Design_Blog/2013/07/photo_smarts_fordes.html" target="_blank">Williams-Sonoma Designer Marketplace</a> is on photo usage and rights for interior designers. It's a complicated subject that gets emotional when it's our own work, or homes, that are the subject in the image. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3YabLwYfTO5cbGNEIKM8KEtU7YwqPhAAUZfhZFUT1lgWwfUhdeGzNUSLtcsRVf48WYMfHFhz9a0ud7CgRlSfBfbInPII9pINHuoQIlUSl6dtikwf_8R7Vr_ElgwX1Oyyd4BooqUoF34/s1600/IMG_3355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3YabLwYfTO5cbGNEIKM8KEtU7YwqPhAAUZfhZFUT1lgWwfUhdeGzNUSLtcsRVf48WYMfHFhz9a0ud7CgRlSfBfbInPII9pINHuoQIlUSl6dtikwf_8R7Vr_ElgwX1Oyyd4BooqUoF34/s640/IMG_3355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Protecting our photos and how they are disseminated through the internet could be a full time job and most of us don't have the time or patience. I recently learned a great trick, however. Using Google Images, you can search images, or even pieces of images. I'm a member of a LinkedIn group run by Gail Doby of Design Success University. Gail recently posted that a group member had been banned from the group because they were using photos of other designers on their website. This is wrong, of course, for so many reasons. Amazingly, I think there are people who don't realize just how wrong this is, or they are lazy. I had a colleague who used stock images on her website - and advised other's to do so as well - if you're new in business and have a thin portfolio. She wasn't a bad or inherently dishonest person, just very, very naive. She looked at it as showing her design style and what she could do for clients. I don't think she understood that by putting those images on her website (even though she paid for the image and wasn't infringing on copyright law) she was misrepresenting her experience - she was implying that the work in the photos was her own. Simply put: don't do it. This is what a blog or Pinterest are for - showcasing one's taste and style. <br /><br />One of the LinkedIn group member's, Ken Lewis,<a href="http://clientexpander.com/protecting-design-images/?goback=.gde_3124108_member_248103237" target="_blank"> wrote a post </a>on how to search photos using Google images and what can be found. Google is amazing - and also a bit frightening.<br /><br />I ran this process on some of my images.  What I found was amazing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Boston-Townhouse_Living_Room_2-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/LindaMerrillLRPrints_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Boston-Townhouse_Living_Room_2-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/LindaMerrillLRPrints_1.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I found the image above, from my Boston So. End project, in a few surprising places. The first was a blog who included this photo along with others - some with credit, some without. She specifically stated she didn't know the credits for some (this was taken before I watermarked all my images) and would add them as the information came available. I simply emailed her and asked her to add my name and that of my photographer Michael J. Lee. She readily complied.  The image was also being used by an online lamp company, along with two other images, showing the use of crystal lamps in interiors. Again, I emailed them and asked for a full credit, with links, or that it needed to be removed. They added the credits and I've gotten some hits to my website because of it. The third notable mis-use of my image was the worst! A window treatment "maker" used it as the background image on her website. The site was basically a single page contact info page - nothing more. The image was blown out and very poor quality. I had no expectation of hearing from the owner and was going to go to GoDaddy - the web host - if I didn't hear anything. However, amazingly, that owner replied fairly quickly to let me know she'd removed it. She also said she'd found it while doing a search for free stock photos. So - there's a frightening notion. I'm sure there are websites who collect images and either sell them or give them away as a way to draw traffic. Too much to wrap my head around. Meanwhile, I wanted to point out to her that she shouldn't be using someone elses workmanship as if it's her own. Oy. But with little effort on my part - all three were resolved quickly. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Boston-Townhouse_Living_Room_3-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/LindaMerrillLRtoMediaRM_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Boston-Townhouse_Living_Room_3-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/LindaMerrillLRtoMediaRM_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />I also researched this image - the other view of the same room. Well, what I found was that it had been "appropriated" by an online gaming company. It's a "find the object" in the room kind of game. Oh, and there's Emily Blunt as "Young Victoria". It's a Victorian era building - so they got that right! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkxkfuiz2o0ZljQFuqQ6undlFgPJs_DK4iKuZUgN2j7HPQhP3gbDivb_sfqZW3t9Q3szFyfPozYIQOpBlf8K-TSJcTH0r7_rRlghkHLVmjmUQgxekzbI_qKm80DJryB_Y_J8FmpiCbAc/s1600/KZ+lr+used+in+game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkxkfuiz2o0ZljQFuqQ6undlFgPJs_DK4iKuZUgN2j7HPQhP3gbDivb_sfqZW3t9Q3szFyfPozYIQOpBlf8K-TSJcTH0r7_rRlghkHLVmjmUQgxekzbI_qKm80DJryB_Y_J8FmpiCbAc/s640/KZ+lr+used+in+game.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Kind of crazy - but also pretty funny. I emailed it to my client - asking her if she'd been entertaining royalty - or movie stars - recently. She got a kick of out it. In this case - I doubt it's worth my time trying to get it removed. It's all over the place and I'd never get to the "owner". Plus, I don't think it materially harms me. Sure, they should have paid my photographer for the image. It's also important to note that my discreet watermarking wouldn't have made a difference in this case. Pick your battles.<br /><br />This has become a hot topic recently on FB as well. Some designers get very upset by the mis-use of their images and immediately go the route of threatening legal action, calling their lawyer, heading to small claims court and feeling very much like their "brand" has been materially damaged. My personal view is to pick your battles and try to deal with what you can with a stern, yet polite, email and ignoring the rest. With all the gazillions of images on the internet - does Emily Blunt sitting in a living room I designed harm me in any way? Does it harm her or the movie company? No. It doesn't.  I haven't found another designer using my images as their own - but even then, does it actually harm the "real" designer? It's wrong and the images need to be removed, but I'm not convinced it's directly harmful to my credentials and brand. What do you think?<br /><br /><br />So, going back to Google Images - it's a great tool for upright bloggers who wish to properly credit the images they use. Spending the time to research a photo is the right thing to do. AND you can even crop out an item from a pic and search on that small detail for more information! It's crazy.<br /><br /><br />For instance:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov0FgI3a3lTM-spFHYRuNCbg6WAwc6HWjn6z4TrcMaiHOIosTyE6db1Zy04pgJfQwK7kdFDmh5fIVz3FCsoKXLWT9AqQVzmysIKE-Ty9MlZVqb60Ka3zYRHvgjmtHn_49Nt1Q_nAWrJM/s1600/EricaBR+mantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov0FgI3a3lTM-spFHYRuNCbg6WAwc6HWjn6z4TrcMaiHOIosTyE6db1Zy04pgJfQwK7kdFDmh5fIVz3FCsoKXLWT9AqQVzmysIKE-Ty9MlZVqb60Ka3zYRHvgjmtHn_49Nt1Q_nAWrJM/s1600/EricaBR+mantle.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a screen grab I took from "Something's Gotta Give". The art in the movie has always been very popular and people are always asking who its by. Well...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HOAp2CLrVUuCry7CHFsf6CtKMyGdxf-dVIst10A1Jtb8SAsw5hzcH_zx4n0V0-nFzbs8xq612n-5DlNr3x8sReZ7ap21KhXq4oFud1xZ6PT0N7p-q6V_9CUx9XaqhPtEWRsSn1x7n54/s1600/Bathing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HOAp2CLrVUuCry7CHFsf6CtKMyGdxf-dVIst10A1Jtb8SAsw5hzcH_zx4n0V0-nFzbs8xq612n-5DlNr3x8sReZ7ap21KhXq4oFud1xZ6PT0N7p-q6V_9CUx9XaqhPtEWRsSn1x7n54/s1600/Bathing.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I cropped out just the painting on the mantle - <i>Swim Party</i> by Kenton Nelson - and dragged it to Google Images. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?tbs=sbi:AMhZZisPQi_1ciNQy3Cs7N4uyVZnINSFUa9UIHnhi-X0jDHmgQizZSTSmnk0clKEYW90ewr8wjAQWu1Yh_1b2_1i4AjS69JHuJy78o7ZUJZ6xvak0jRl7t5Y0MNbmztjBRPz3N7nk_1dvRwMXUp4hQ2yITa99S-Z_10JCZN8LlpihgSAUSO0bdwZFGN3HvRz82uZu_1VB6a0n6gr5HWYIVD4PkUAbB6iOddrlgYDRlCpOpj1CV_17brf1OSgmzgmSOg9YEAsYCc_1WQ-5Pa4ttM58xL3e_1oXvDSftPY1XLCsDjVu3Hzo57fNRyNK8glvLV3TNQRFf2dRSmqybbBvqkNdUhbYqw00iR-ylZrKNExmc7g2moelkx_1d_1G-r_1IXwNZkSDkS1ag4VqvizbOjIHOhTuDR48iBpJLZwXdTqeDQTwQibTwgtdlfy60atLj7jZUC4XZxogGtr8hDv4zjM3naqdtMet1siybdSbTofAAYfD8xAd7WjrmltFTltMmHHEHOjZ088yy-QSGJhwyEuLw_1Fvb1Axjjh4_1h0eQeckOeFm4l-6aVrqrnrb2ELJUbygCbpUrAe-A4bCh3HKrTJrH-0l0TmoDK3aJt4G-E76Lm_1cSHfGJRbOp_1GMf8kjRyroVQqgef1VikcvxJqSRxeYXBT6ZOAMw9QTI6SBvMDAo9ZJzutPadb3rbMupeKJWDF91O3Zm9GvitDdu92z_1kwsMd7OeYDFhTZUH_19In5dhpKPNMW3eER38y2csSKUWaoBWGXR92bTvp6lOrRW9Mj4QfT4gMm62y5OYBJtx0DCX-kekqU5-sEk4i3V2SDXiPAQbDipHys8RUAk8GQmecFy_12Yi5i6u6IxDpGEUCgU15H-OIwUhhDGA-20gIHCVjfw8GUzUcL7xBw0CYpWUBYk5iuU-lmyRXVRDEcmIJli-fP3VfwYoQQ91liZyc84sZ846xNjXeDbCyV9Pgy1wN3_1x2mI65u0eBvMdZmOAz1jbZ-CdsdLYVWsFV8H1spXypAqSXRlzXrGDQuZl7jwIN9SXu2d4U81w7-ohZpDN98MucLzBkEBqynwKov6dDsvAtplnEVc8ZCRV8APUq6yRgwHX139wqz1BMvCi2Tc-1OzfWr4m7vCKGyfnC7m9glFd_1EqKu-XONjc0mESSzSdKL-MwtjeqBQfk_1ZXnpIOOWtgHSQJEylf-gPmeOg1j6W8fA9SDzmCB_1XqewSUYPKwRINzHCsMdt8-9hkTNn_1uLvHk7hr_15Nadlv1I5H4iKg1olv1oePK9ByHLqYfUIwTi3sKwxYtH2IwzBxem59G-pcgLLuCf0obrz7Jbp1In_1EqsgzvPvPLdlZSZ21d_1zxdGMuMym01RaMIe1BflMylVsX_11Agn3QUcbghbG3cyKPzFlSqD8&btnG=Search%20by%20image&sa=N&hl=en&biw=1574&bih=930" target="_blank">Et voila</a>. This could have so many uses for designers as well - see a table you like, a painting, a wallpaper - just crop and Google! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />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!<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>

Photo Smarts for Designers and Bloggers

My latest on Williams-Sonoma Designer Marketplace is on photo usage and rights for interior designers. It's a complicated subject that gets emotional when it's our own work, or homes, that are the subject in the image. Protecting our photos and how they are disseminated through the internet could be…

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