2014: The Year of the Dog

Okay, so in the Chinese calendar, it's the year of the horse. But for me, 2014 will be the year of the dog!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Oup2_Ao9JLliabcVDPGSXRY4feirpnHricF9RTQENtiSPtS3EmKFGUGVDX6solpWmljRWsHRLxwhBJ2QtiJuaW0idhvufBK-o6H6xob0LLJKY9m9w7jsV_4pXsgKDv0LrjSWE36Mfgw/s1600/IMG_4536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Oup2_Ao9JLliabcVDPGSXRY4feirpnHricF9RTQENtiSPtS3EmKFGUGVDX6solpWmljRWsHRLxwhBJ2QtiJuaW0idhvufBK-o6H6xob0LLJKY9m9w7jsV_4pXsgKDv0LrjSWE36Mfgw/s640/IMG_4536.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Obviously, 2013 will not go down as one of my favorite years. As a matter of fact (and not to be a total Debbie Downer about it), the last five years have not been really fantastic for me. I lost both my parents and my home, and in 2014 I will go through the task sorting out their lifetime of belongings. As a designer, I'm in the business of helping clients acquire new belongings and make better use of what they already own.  I believe in the value of things in our lives - not as status symbols but as kind of charms on the bracelet of our lives. As I look through old photos going back long before I was born, I see the antique clock my Dad lovingly kept wound, the rug that belonged to my grandparents, family photos at the dining room table with the china and silver - all of which still graces the house. These "things" literally vibrate with memories. Not everything has great monetary value, but most are certainly personally valuable. My dad's woodworking skills abound - in the Grandfather clock he built in an adult-ed shop class, his Mom's rocking chair that he refinished and upholstered in another long-ago class. My mom's contributions were more ephemeral - her gorgeous gardens, delicious meals she lovingly planned and prepared. Together they made a beautiful home.<br /><br />But, more immediately, I'm on the lookout for a new dog! I've wanted one for a long time and the time has come. We always had dachshunds and I just love, love them! So, within a few weeks, I hope to be able to introduce a new member of the family!<br /><br />Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2014. Thanks for sticking with me - more exciting things are to come in the new year!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7Y6HjF9b0VLBcP6IOz2_tdpWJT45tiWey-sbsgjXj4ywsi5ES4TmuwpAf_Ax8h55DiGr52w4SpDHTMP3SzPVmLws2448G5NCKws5zWfqtaizzEdcX3SgdGh8xUTdjqVdvQakXdXwfqo/s1600/Linda+sig2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7Y6HjF9b0VLBcP6IOz2_tdpWJT45tiWey-sbsgjXj4ywsi5ES4TmuwpAf_Ax8h55DiGr52w4SpDHTMP3SzPVmLws2448G5NCKws5zWfqtaizzEdcX3SgdGh8xUTdjqVdvQakXdXwfqo/s1600/Linda+sig2.JPG" /></a></div><br />

2014: The Year of the Dog

Okay, so in the Chinese calendar, it's the year of the horse. But for me, 2014 will be the year of the dog!Obviously, 2013 will not go down as one of my favorite years. As a matter of fact (and not to be a total Debbie Downer about it), the last five years have not been really fantastic for me. I lo…

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What I've been up to

Thank you to everyone who has reached out regarding my mother. I so appreciate all your kind words and messages! I'm doing okay, getting back into the "game" is the saying goes. I'm not feeling all that Christmassy, or at least the Christmas decorating and hoopla that usually surrounds the holiday. But I have been working and wanted to share some project work I'm doing right now.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk-J8lXgAKTl0LaXVhSkiGF5ieVgt1mFbE7qG8vFFmn47OSnlX4LX9tXcBkdt5FhxxEbxllC_jiyiAzjIG3RATPiR2SSTIbdtOXmQPPngGbHIKsqfvyVg_QUtbwqznuCaKsKiG_fPLTo/s1600/KB+Parsons.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk-J8lXgAKTl0LaXVhSkiGF5ieVgt1mFbE7qG8vFFmn47OSnlX4LX9tXcBkdt5FhxxEbxllC_jiyiAzjIG3RATPiR2SSTIbdtOXmQPPngGbHIKsqfvyVg_QUtbwqznuCaKsKiG_fPLTo/s640/KB+Parsons.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />For long time South Shore clients, I'm doing some pretty little touches in a few of their rooms. We've been working on their sunroom for a while, but I wanted to share the design plans for a pair of slipcovered Parsons chairs I'm doing for their dining room. They originally wanted 2 extra dining chairs for their set which was only purchased a little over two years ago, but they were discontinued. Poo on that. So, I recommended doing these pretty, very decorative slipped chairs that can sit pretty in the corners of the room and be used when needed. We're using Fabricut's Aviary Toile in Rose for the main fabric and a Kravet highly durable velvet for the trim. I'm also having the dining chair slip seats recovered in the velvet to tie it all in. I'm picking the slip seats up today to bring to her tomorrow - very exciting. It will be such a rich and luxurious look! Sarah O'Neil of <a href="http://www.storibookdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Storibook Designs</a> is making the slipcovers for the <a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/parsons-chair-frame-only/148408?redirect=y" target="_blank">Ballard Designs parsons chairs</a>. <br /><br />I've also been working on the design scheme for a beach house project in Massachusetts. I presented the client with my concept boards this week and she loved everything!  The house is an open concept three story overlooking a gorgeous marsh. The ocean is a block away. Because of the harsh environment, everything has to be durable and not subject to rust or mildew. The clients built the house a few years ago while they still had a large traditional home in the same town. This was a beach getaway. As near empty-nesters, they decided to downsize and move to the beach full time. So with that has come new cabinetry in the dining room and living room (more to come on those plans!) to provide lots of storage and all new furniture that is highly durable for beach house use, but also warm and comfy for a frigid New England winter. While their newly sold family home was very traditional, my clients wanted to go light and modern in this new space. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe27os3Ats8g7qqmYAkLHCDMVORgUOrw-NFMZsYs95qInEhjzaIyiOpA97E6qVdou7zG0pPHE3KFhIgLaFs2_Mybt3RBtFNXUPOvEEgm3i6zRzC6wow6xfZc2l1UdNnnaNzdeVIflfDo8/s1600/JU+DR+board.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe27os3Ats8g7qqmYAkLHCDMVORgUOrw-NFMZsYs95qInEhjzaIyiOpA97E6qVdou7zG0pPHE3KFhIgLaFs2_Mybt3RBtFNXUPOvEEgm3i6zRzC6wow6xfZc2l1UdNnnaNzdeVIflfDo8/s640/JU+DR+board.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE128iVBypVzZwitKLtnlVemocWmngbmF0YT9Gg300FiWEgbNTz3X_F9KsC7194NJ09MAeP5RAJfNYhcqGgf9-6-5-b4FlMpQ90ADqAjh24XvBCt9Kx3-9O5JbT9L8wSixCAd0SEqU7k/s1600/JU+LR+board.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE128iVBypVzZwitKLtnlVemocWmngbmF0YT9Gg300FiWEgbNTz3X_F9KsC7194NJ09MAeP5RAJfNYhcqGgf9-6-5-b4FlMpQ90ADqAjh24XvBCt9Kx3-9O5JbT9L8wSixCAd0SEqU7k/s640/JU+LR+board.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />The front of the house is all windows, which we will be covering in a Sunbrella sheer with decorative drapery in Thom Felicia for Kravet's Tousey (the paisley above). Seat cushions on the swivel chairs will be covered in Kravet's indoor/outdoor Valhala in Algae damask which is incredibly soft. The furniture will be a mix of woods and rust proof metals so that we develop a collected look. Restoration Hardware's Orb chandelier will be hung in the two story entry which divides the living room and dining room. I think it has a kind of onion lamp nautical feel to it.<br /><br />I'm very excited about all these plans and that I get to decorate very traditional spaces as well as more eclectic modern spaces for beach houses. Ever since I did the <a href="http://lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Truro_Beach_House_Living_Room-Interior_Design-Massachusetts.html" target="_blank">project in Truro</a>, I'm very into modern, paired down beach home aesthetic with nary a light house or shell theme in sight!<br /><br />This weekend I'll be taking a mini-break out of town. I'm headed up to the <a href="http://www.customhousemaritimemuseum.org/calendar/?page_function=detail&event_id=260" target="_blank">Newburyport Christmas holiday house tour</a> on Saturday (I may not feel like doing a lot of decorating, but I can enjoy others' work!) and will be going to the last day of the <a href="http://www.danvershistory.org/events/special.html" target="_blank">Glen Magna Farms decorator showhouse</a> sponsored by the Danvers Historical Society. I have several friend's who are participating, so am excited to see their work. I'll be staying at the Garrison Inn, a boutique hotel in Newburyport and will hopefully blog or at least instagram some pics of. They offer tea time in the lobby lounge in the afternoons. So, when I'm done visiting decorated houses, I plan on partaking. I just hope the anticipated snow storm doesn't rain on my parade too much! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVjP1OqFUHJ7F5-LxH8soj9d_SIpqBOACniTBALC7cqBU-hDg0l29bWYEPL-5pEkDItHmqsZi2p-BHFdHCBJ52Ao6qB-vwwMBF9Qa_wyuNHBMGHXzGhhLz8lxPrP7xMySKCqARcC2iHs/s1600/Linda+sig2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVjP1OqFUHJ7F5-LxH8soj9d_SIpqBOACniTBALC7cqBU-hDg0l29bWYEPL-5pEkDItHmqsZi2p-BHFdHCBJ52Ao6qB-vwwMBF9Qa_wyuNHBMGHXzGhhLz8lxPrP7xMySKCqARcC2iHs/s1600/Linda+sig2.jpg" /></a></div><br />

What I've been up to

Thank you to everyone who has reached out regarding my mother. I so appreciate all your kind words and messages! I'm doing okay, getting back into the "game" is the saying goes. I'm not feeling all that Christmassy, or at least the Christmas decorating and hoopla that usually surrounds the holiday. …

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