Silver Screen Surroundings: Outlander, S1E4 The Gathering, and scenic insider

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/93/bb/43/93bb433e34af0d8583096b9f0fd46809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/93/bb/43/93bb433e34af0d8583096b9f0fd46809.jpg" width="457" /></a></div><br />This week's installment of Starz TV's production of <a href="http://www.starz.com/originals/outlander" target="_blank">Outlander</a> brings us the famous "Gathering" of the Clan MacKenzie where all the men under laird Colum MacKenzie come to the castle to swear their oath of fidelity to him and to the clan (and to pay their rents and proceeds from the farms they tend). The event is filled with filial love and furor and a kind of patriotism, though not as much to the State as to the clan. Colum (subtly played by Gary Lewis) is the top guy, but he suffers from Toulouse-Lautrec syndrome and while he can walk, does so very slowly and is depicted as always being in great pain. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/37/52/60/37526050ce83b9b8fa546ef5ec001766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/37/52/60/37526050ce83b9b8fa546ef5ec001766.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Gary Lewis as Colum ban Campbell MacKenzie)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The show is doing an excellent job of following closely to the original books, while adding in new scenes and details that feel like they could have truly been in the books. Bravo for that - especially when the audience is filled with rabid readers who recall every detail of the first book. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b2/05/50/b20550d117e618fe5aec3f956e2fb5b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b2/05/50/b20550d117e618fe5aec3f956e2fb5b6.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>The Oath Taking scene was particularly well done - filled with lots of spoken and unspoken drama an intrigue. Pictured above is Colum's brother (and enforcer) Dougal MacKenzie, who is first to swear his oath of allegiance, which includes a promise to be killed by his knife if he ever commits treason. One of the things that is so nice about this series is that it didn't go down the cliched path where the second son jealously plots and schemes to take the throne from his older brother. Dougal, while not the nicest guy in the world, is allied with his brother and wholly supports his position as Laird and leader of the clan. He's also aware that his brother, due to his illness, won't live a long life and he could be in a position to claim the title when the time comes. Except (and here's where the intrigue comes in) that the lairdship is open to some kind of democratic vote where another family member could be chosen by the people.  Such as...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b0/55/75/b055752fb6374a5bd4ff871bb54d739e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b0/55/75/b055752fb6374a5bd4ff871bb54d739e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Our hero Jaime, who is a nephew of Dougal and Colum on his mother's side, and therefor a potential rival for the lairdship if he swears his oath to Colum and the clan MacKenzie, thus resigning his allegiance to his late father's clan Fraser. Jaime knows that while Dougal is loyal to his brother Colum, he would not be loyal to anyone else, even a nephew, if his plans for the lairdship were thwarted. Anyway, lots of drama ensues, including our heroine Claire who is still trying to escape and is the cause of Jaime having to show up at the Hall when he would have preferred to stay out of the way.<br /><br />Ok, so, drama, drama and more drama. They are really letting the chemistry between Jaime and Claire come to a boil very slowly - for television. I kind of like it. I've been listening to the podcasts done by showrunner Ronald Moore where he does a commentary on each episode (to be found on iTunes) and lets out some very interesting tidbits. Including the fact that the tapestries in Colum's room (aka office) are actually paintings made to look like wall tapestries.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gDughqHp3WiOdOqilvUXxx1hAy9F4TLfTytJUFiXXnKF9xZPw970uYeq1xbLNCNUqycFfHE6mlLnkm5_hSFuUQsX1D2jbgkRV_-RbtKAdMY2V8I4OMvpgeccHKejjrS5JEEe7OCrh5Q/s1600/Outlander-Colum-Study-600x333.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gDughqHp3WiOdOqilvUXxx1hAy9F4TLfTytJUFiXXnKF9xZPw970uYeq1xbLNCNUqycFfHE6mlLnkm5_hSFuUQsX1D2jbgkRV_-RbtKAdMY2V8I4OMvpgeccHKejjrS5JEEe7OCrh5Q/s1600/Outlander-Colum-Study-600x333.png" width="640" /></a><br /><br />From <a href="http://www.tvtango.com/news/detail/id/577/complete-guide-to-starz-channels-outlander-cast-interviews-episodes-video-kilts-and-more" target="_blank">TVTango</a> on the set decorating of the castle as a whole, and then on Colum's private rooms:<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> “We wanted it to look like it has been in Colum's family for hundreds of years, handed down through the generations. There's very little furniture, it's sparse basically benches, big tables, and lots of candles. It's not a nice little cozy home. It's a castle, with all of the drama that would happen in a castle.”One exception to the austerity of the Castle décor can be found in Laird MacKenzie's room, where the walls are covered in tapestries that depict scenes of the Scottish landscapes. “His disability means Colum is a bit cocooned,” explains Set Decorator Gina Cromwell, who commissioned the wall hangings for the series. “The tapestries are pictures of forests and things he can't get to anymore, so in way it's his opportunity to experience the outdoors.” </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKMNTkwnqab29oFwmZbERtJ086488cSNf_I_xkNcDfBIMloNlZlStAssjYVMbpiq_J-4fmMEBNM_2nNLuld1wgHMIfa1pNoq2wYoEPoZIDbmn25S29IWhj3P2lra2wprPIJzXBNXDSrk/s1600/Colum3.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKMNTkwnqab29oFwmZbERtJ086488cSNf_I_xkNcDfBIMloNlZlStAssjYVMbpiq_J-4fmMEBNM_2nNLuld1wgHMIfa1pNoq2wYoEPoZIDbmn25S29IWhj3P2lra2wprPIJzXBNXDSrk/s1600/Colum3.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Obviously, it would have been prohibitively expensive to commission tapestries made for the set, so they created trompe l'eoil versions on canvas.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pfiy9d_IZZ4Jpur8mzJHPIFYjaA0bCPu3hqf6KT8QAbbly5VCchmP4aIZ2TPDudL8SsVMv46J2xRWGMQMRU3qEDjyk6UI1u5InaoCumKMp3fA6W8KWBdR9hcdALCWrJ6KK1xo1ssNH8/s1600/Colum4.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pfiy9d_IZZ4Jpur8mzJHPIFYjaA0bCPu3hqf6KT8QAbbly5VCchmP4aIZ2TPDudL8SsVMv46J2xRWGMQMRU3qEDjyk6UI1u5InaoCumKMp3fA6W8KWBdR9hcdALCWrJ6KK1xo1ssNH8/s1600/Colum4.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />As we know, most European tapestries of the period, and before, were made in Belgium (then Flanders) and France. Any references I found to tapestries of the 15th/16th centuries were also from France and Belgium and there appears to be no local Scottish tradition of tapestry making. So, an entire room covered in tapestries such as this would be enormously expensive, speaking to the status of the MacKenzie clan (assuming the set decorator's were going for historical authenticity.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeVRXxODZDVUmIbERs2firDVY3hihnPzBJEjxf7Rp76j39TXwZx91zZX8bwJ_SJyiqdyatxpJ_uQODsLuJvGDC4FB1z3iXDHzAuV4v9Tq0onUTk79OF3wmqhpBqn5mves0BYpztdEgDs/s1600/Colum5.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeVRXxODZDVUmIbERs2firDVY3hihnPzBJEjxf7Rp76j39TXwZx91zZX8bwJ_SJyiqdyatxpJ_uQODsLuJvGDC4FB1z3iXDHzAuV4v9Tq0onUTk79OF3wmqhpBqn5mves0BYpztdEgDs/s1600/Colum5.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a-EJl31rBEm4zzC3nIb2BNYu4d3bToVHxOW7s3RhDZls_TKUsxvdf3guKDAfOmHPVPjjEAbWsuMIr9U0WnCA3CEwEySfR5iMf4Y7nRfZFY3MGGN998Pp6kWkoZ2Uq6SmyW6bJz5Jdd4/s1600/Colum+2.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a-EJl31rBEm4zzC3nIb2BNYu4d3bToVHxOW7s3RhDZls_TKUsxvdf3guKDAfOmHPVPjjEAbWsuMIr9U0WnCA3CEwEySfR5iMf4Y7nRfZFY3MGGN998Pp6kWkoZ2Uq6SmyW6bJz5Jdd4/s1600/Colum+2.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12dU6wDNc5oKImimhC1RNpbmUwK9LhR3O3NN8MgM4UEJ3yRK1ybgIF5LqiayrNZxCV4MOm2J-FMapf6OQTB_jYykmCuGI39x_aj1eY82qB-WLxopFIlkT_8RLv6qFysnUHsycaX_6810/s1600/Outlander+-+tapestry.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12dU6wDNc5oKImimhC1RNpbmUwK9LhR3O3NN8MgM4UEJ3yRK1ybgIF5LqiayrNZxCV4MOm2J-FMapf6OQTB_jYykmCuGI39x_aj1eY82qB-WLxopFIlkT_8RLv6qFysnUHsycaX_6810/s1600/Outlander+-+tapestry.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">British actress Annette Badland as Mrs. FitzGibbons, Cook (and ring master) at Castle Leoch</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the stark, nearly bleakness of the rest of the Castle, Colum's room is certainly a standout!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have you been watching and what do you think of the series so far? I started re-reading the books in the Spring and am mid-way through #5 The Fiery Cross. I'd started that book several years ago, but never finished it. So, I've finally caught up with myself and plan to finish out the series by the end of the Fall. Book #8, In My Own Heart's Blood was just released in June I think. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, as a followup to my Friday post on my gallery style art wall in my bedroom, here's a sneak peek!</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/AVvXsEiY8QkvkuS5sHbAiuFTHBHyR8iDgSQxHs7S6vDInJiNOTl73Cke9CIDzc0I_JQBg-7KYAB4qNda0-JuVTV-FwreeGdunXdrxGePZqPUrZXJzTFcBWzZTaAPyP2c8MDhvZR5na-KdASz8cI/s1600/Gallery+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8QkvkuS5sHbAiuFTHBHyR8iDgSQxHs7S6vDInJiNOTl73Cke9CIDzc0I_JQBg-7KYAB4qNda0-JuVTV-FwreeGdunXdrxGePZqPUrZXJzTFcBWzZTaAPyP2c8MDhvZR5na-KdASz8cI/s1600/Gallery+wall.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Happy September!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnh_LP0Qp8iMjTFnCdITc5QuuoSwggwfGbw2JhiXrNnDk8Gbe8_agrxZwhdg-DH0Qs07q4zxoK61rcNherpvkHz6PPtkEVjjezNCOHcpEjy-qARZM4_VO3HI-eTDcrwwbkSQW9F-eU-M/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnh_LP0Qp8iMjTFnCdITc5QuuoSwggwfGbw2JhiXrNnDk8Gbe8_agrxZwhdg-DH0Qs07q4zxoK61rcNherpvkHz6PPtkEVjjezNCOHcpEjy-qARZM4_VO3HI-eTDcrwwbkSQW9F-eU-M/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br />

Silver Screen Surroundings: Outlander, S1E4 The Gathering, and scenic insider

This week's installment of Starz TV's production of Outlander  brings us the famous "Gathering" of the Clan MacKenzie wher...

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Modern Vintage Design Studio - A new shop on old Cape Cod

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdRIDeIRmOrSQE_H5DMuC3O_5TDhN8kiQf-qohyq0hWZYc1Lf5SyPWA7KuYnp-rnHpWpvOHr_ttVfj_EbIKwI2fSbmO5IyUQ3yRkDXPrKLOBo9uU4-akG3EF-yJaUHNUJZdu1FB7c_mo/s1600/IMG_2829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdRIDeIRmOrSQE_H5DMuC3O_5TDhN8kiQf-qohyq0hWZYc1Lf5SyPWA7KuYnp-rnHpWpvOHr_ttVfj_EbIKwI2fSbmO5IyUQ3yRkDXPrKLOBo9uU4-akG3EF-yJaUHNUJZdu1FB7c_mo/s1600/IMG_2829.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Before I move off Cape this week, I wanted to go visit a new shop I'd heard about from my landscaper - who is the proud father of one of the shop owners.  <a href="http://www.modernvintagedesignstudio.com/" target="_blank">Modern Vintage</a> on Rte 6A in Sandwich, MA, is owned by Cara (textile design and sewing) and Kristen (furniture refinishing) who have created a lovely space filled with hand painted and updated vintage furniture, beautiful textiles (including adorable dresses for little girls) and small accessories. They also offer custom hand-painted signs and custom invitation design services, plus workshops and children's birthday parties. This week they are offering a Kids Sew & Craft Summer Camp. Creativity is just pouring out of these young women so definitely check out their <a href="http://www.modernvintagedesignstudio.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and do stop in when you're next on Cape Cod.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2GdjzrxS9Q6JVqbO2y1DGVIktsM9ZeyuvbWx9UYlCzy2B5FOtR_Eu3ibiayfhl9XeQZs5YhzOk-Kbd5qLnwnKRfNWxUnyLv4bOc5rlHN2GuCSBc9XsabF4T0740zU7bvysR3fZcFxmI/s1600/IMG_2825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2GdjzrxS9Q6JVqbO2y1DGVIktsM9ZeyuvbWx9UYlCzy2B5FOtR_Eu3ibiayfhl9XeQZs5YhzOk-Kbd5qLnwnKRfNWxUnyLv4bOc5rlHN2GuCSBc9XsabF4T0740zU7bvysR3fZcFxmI/s1600/IMG_2825.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQGWxkWC5yc_WCz02zex3q-LpS3zbz3r8TcRburAfAK10PQ8UUxHvMEziTYGNmO_4OtYdYmdf7L3eL_eF0B2-Kre6n73FK3ajmaNIT1XzFjAPCMkrdg7YIY5pFzZh6UJ0NAyZP2VPEH4/s1600/IMG_2826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQGWxkWC5yc_WCz02zex3q-LpS3zbz3r8TcRburAfAK10PQ8UUxHvMEziTYGNmO_4OtYdYmdf7L3eL_eF0B2-Kre6n73FK3ajmaNIT1XzFjAPCMkrdg7YIY5pFzZh6UJ0NAyZP2VPEH4/s1600/IMG_2826.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfgCr__GcvJWgN0ek-Ccufy7cEFHcr2-DuLPzk2Q9CzMdROrnxyDI5pIptcEzxbNdjNACP-qq1XVyc6-vlWPOVNuFe-Ww0A737mzfpvIKk0eNoMOIaj84goO-FuKunnOSRxK1ROlR2jA/s1600/IMG_2832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfgCr__GcvJWgN0ek-Ccufy7cEFHcr2-DuLPzk2Q9CzMdROrnxyDI5pIptcEzxbNdjNACP-qq1XVyc6-vlWPOVNuFe-Ww0A737mzfpvIKk0eNoMOIaj84goO-FuKunnOSRxK1ROlR2jA/s1600/IMG_2832.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoB08wbSYDmX_Xbn90YDBUK26vPH5H9W7ltRSQpNmqyrCLj5ZlgE1EUvDNpWo-Z-crJ1eSpMZHiFL8Dd2SVcwVxJ2ORgZZua151tDpPDE0tCA1bKhfEOadtZeh1vbOYOrMQeWprT-KfkQ/s1600/IMG_2830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoB08wbSYDmX_Xbn90YDBUK26vPH5H9W7ltRSQpNmqyrCLj5ZlgE1EUvDNpWo-Z-crJ1eSpMZHiFL8Dd2SVcwVxJ2ORgZZua151tDpPDE0tCA1bKhfEOadtZeh1vbOYOrMQeWprT-KfkQ/s1600/IMG_2830.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjSnliigViKP30lR409OirgfCJY09hMECNPExX20bHTBvdhuPirkJMa_so7jOdqWkTBMni5ieuKBu-bXu_hjGDvX_fyUavVAkwD8J6yaqmdCdfmN-cMR8LnKanPC3v1XSPbevukE5do8/s1600/IMG_2828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjSnliigViKP30lR409OirgfCJY09hMECNPExX20bHTBvdhuPirkJMa_so7jOdqWkTBMni5ieuKBu-bXu_hjGDvX_fyUavVAkwD8J6yaqmdCdfmN-cMR8LnKanPC3v1XSPbevukE5do8/s1600/IMG_2828.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dF8DM3Ac21Rvnnp44r-RbcQqTqnOhpfoPyAfXjEsIgeLD-McgmX0HaIlmqadQhTJ-FXQoQZ8BPj-3GCRkNLH8tjLPswnLbZusiPBRBP32E6Hs5r_myaFtZqm5FRgcv8KP89HZmClNA0/s1600/IMG_2822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dF8DM3Ac21Rvnnp44r-RbcQqTqnOhpfoPyAfXjEsIgeLD-McgmX0HaIlmqadQhTJ-FXQoQZ8BPj-3GCRkNLH8tjLPswnLbZusiPBRBP32E6Hs5r_myaFtZqm5FRgcv8KP89HZmClNA0/s1600/IMG_2822.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tEoSCP2sM-jACQdSXjuk4a9uc9kuHMgAWHhamYR_RmuHMjPdrNuAEr7yDZCCYzn-lp0ZOFWwUVId142EgV0tIqgImTOQCoo0Xwjutrq0UJg2D_O-wFNoVCXxd5dpHzeBqn0LX85K7ek/s1600/IMG_2823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Modern Vintage Design Studio - A new shop on old Cape Cod

Before I move off Cape this week, I wanted to go visit a new shop I'd heard about from my landscaper - who is the proud father of one of...

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One fabric inspires two bedroom designs

<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiZY5maiJgWDiSk1sLJCkrsW_sTa1BX9Y98bVAFVEICwBSJ8zd5XOh8M8NkJLVtqlUDAZufxxyy391KnLJ82RDuTUWRwzISZ1Js3k3heapRavZN-OD5xxBQ9FJgxUXNN308HbBVLRRmyr/s1600/linen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiZY5maiJgWDiSk1sLJCkrsW_sTa1BX9Y98bVAFVEICwBSJ8zd5XOh8M8NkJLVtqlUDAZufxxyy391KnLJ82RDuTUWRwzISZ1Js3k3heapRavZN-OD5xxBQ9FJgxUXNN308HbBVLRRmyr/s200/linen.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaIQm1fxQgAygtcHa82TAcUn1cWWs140LccgCqrGGZBUD9earD82sVKFM3PfqvD_F9rT6pqdnnmUTgOdFVdEwY1QwDt3aHGGM-MTV4ebqA3NNmXFka5ETKaDrEIiQ1PfSnjKTjBuVn2CQ/s1600/Patina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaIQm1fxQgAygtcHa82TAcUn1cWWs140LccgCqrGGZBUD9earD82sVKFM3PfqvD_F9rT6pqdnnmUTgOdFVdEwY1QwDt3aHGGM-MTV4ebqA3NNmXFka5ETKaDrEIiQ1PfSnjKTjBuVn2CQ/s200/Patina.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>A</b></span> couple of weeks ago I wrote about a <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2012/05/trunk-show-beautiful-new-gabriel-from.html">Robert Allen trunk show</a> that I had attended at their Boston showroom. Hands down, my favorite fabric of the day was their Bassett Hall in colorway Patina. The beautiful linen ground is decorated with an applied ribbon trellis pattern that is both unique and refined. I loved all the colors - the Linen colorway (top right) is my second favorite. But the pale blue Patina color with off white ribbon work really spoke to me - which is funny because I am generally not a pale blue person. I immediately started thinking how this fabric could be used and it just seemed it would make a fabulous bedroom fabric on the bedding and drapery treatments. Basically, I can see a whole room swathed in the soft color and gentle texture. <br /><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoh4EfApCqfIhPZywYqo7uzckHstwPDkXMzBhbSfGb78wrHd0qMa0Sx2C2oz6XgCcD29EXAYNmo28RXJ3IfsOcK3tTUfbJvk6YmUZeNmIVO7vgCf03qPpnmBne4iRW44vpCEhW2K2DEIME/s1600/Bassett+Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoh4EfApCqfIhPZywYqo7uzckHstwPDkXMzBhbSfGb78wrHd0qMa0Sx2C2oz6XgCcD29EXAYNmo28RXJ3IfsOcK3tTUfbJvk6YmUZeNmIVO7vgCf03qPpnmBne4iRW44vpCEhW2K2DEIME/s400/Bassett+Hall.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I</span></span></b> hit up my Farrow & Ball color palette and found that their <a href="http://www.farrow-ball.com/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=100205&redirect=true">Skylight</a> color is a near perfect match for a wall color: </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/AVvXsEgqHSywS-p4eO8drTXXguvcPjmg3_0btSW1ls3feK6lbeuCxw6wTLOqULdRKIbVjsjtaHW8QYQa4ourLma5swgZq-3MnxXA9fd6PYe5ZvTnXD7GrdurLDADV-YsoClnZTlHHldRgzeSlvDf/s1600/100205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHSywS-p4eO8drTXXguvcPjmg3_0btSW1ls3feK6lbeuCxw6wTLOqULdRKIbVjsjtaHW8QYQa4ourLma5swgZq-3MnxXA9fd6PYe5ZvTnXD7GrdurLDADV-YsoClnZTlHHldRgzeSlvDf/s640/100205.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">S</span></span></b>o, then, the next question is - what kind of bedroom would this fabric work in - formal (<span style="font-size: x-small;">click the image for larger view</span>)..? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ8CN7kAXGuvzkNV-LrBtqkumSSxZukuTK_HaUOKkJ5tuutAFq_JQzugAEQaaV6d7tFLYAYMBCgdmjGuk_1cTu5OE7-7lVe_CSsGbc59C8a5rhYXyVOeZI04q6aTR-KfylFob-j7t5rNJ/s1600/OB-Bassett+Hall+BR+-+formal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ8CN7kAXGuvzkNV-LrBtqkumSSxZukuTK_HaUOKkJ5tuutAFq_JQzugAEQaaV6d7tFLYAYMBCgdmjGuk_1cTu5OE7-7lVe_CSsGbc59C8a5rhYXyVOeZI04q6aTR-KfylFob-j7t5rNJ/s640/OB-Bassett+Hall+BR+-+formal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>... or more casual (<span style="font-size: x-small;">click the image for larger view</span>)? <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFvCNk1WZVXcAB3FYdXzBtTh2JPQiJvGAqF0_IiNeJRxfxn7KfpZJcD2i-TKFHyCrPmdWuJpC86xAXOzg5RW9lM1ZyQaBi-aVvUfXE5uvi3E3FAF7LpDDri4AVxEDwPLQOTtN4VDlXaw0/s1600/OB-bassett+hall+br+-+casual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFvCNk1WZVXcAB3FYdXzBtTh2JPQiJvGAqF0_IiNeJRxfxn7KfpZJcD2i-TKFHyCrPmdWuJpC86xAXOzg5RW9lM1ZyQaBi-aVvUfXE5uvi3E3FAF7LpDDri4AVxEDwPLQOTtN4VDlXaw0/s640/OB-bassett+hall+br+-+casual.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><script language="javascript" src="http://www.blogpolls.com/poll/80243.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><noscript>&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.blogpolls.com/poll/80243.html"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Blog Polls&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;</noscript><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I </span></span></b>created these boards in Olioboard. You can see larger images and product details here:  <a href="http://olioboard.com/boards/104190-bassett-hall-br-formal">the formal one here</a> and<a href="http://olioboard.com/boards/104749-bassett-hall-br-casual"> the casual one here</a>. <br /><br />If you would like pricing and availability of my inspiration fabric "Bassett Hall", please don't hesitate to<a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com"> contact me</a>. <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>

One fabric inspires two bedroom designs

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a Robert Allen trunk show that I had attended at their Boston showroom. Hands down, my favorite fabric...

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Bemz slipcovers for Ikea furniture features Designer's Guild Fabrics

<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">B</span></span></b>emz is now expanding its selection of covers for Ikea furniture to include timeless checks and striped from Designers Guild. "Brera" is one of DG's most popular collections and is made from 100% yarn-dyed linen.<br />Kind of makes me want to run out to Ikea and change my design style. The world really is filled with a lot of pretty. <br /><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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62n7jCS803A/T3Grp1JQB4I/AAAAAAAAQbc/8WNwvqGeWww/s640/DG%252056%2520fa%25CC%2588rgsta%25CC%2588lld_besk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62n7jCS803A/T3Grp1JQB4I/AAAAAAAAQbc/8WNwvqGeWww/s640/DG%252056%2520fa%25CC%2588rgsta%25CC%2588lld_besk.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption">Loose Fit Urban covers for Henriksdal dining chairs in Cobalt - Brera Rigato, Noir - Brera Fino and Cloud - Brera Fino, Designers Guild by Bemz.</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aE5UHAmSnGg/T3Gq5BbpbJI/AAAAAAAAQZw/yWJ_R0OxzMc/s640/DG%252035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aE5UHAmSnGg/T3Gq5BbpbJI/AAAAAAAAQZw/yWJ_R0OxzMc/s640/DG%252035.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption">Loose Fit Country cushion cover in Cloud - Brera Quadretto, Loose Fit Urban cushion covers in Cobalt - Brera Fino & Noir - Brera Fino, Designers Guild by Bemz.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fwEzy9dwhC0/T3GrOSmxmoI/AAAAAAAAQag/17SXMP3wRh8/s912/DG%252048_besk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fwEzy9dwhC0/T3GrOSmxmoI/AAAAAAAAQag/17SXMP3wRh8/s640/DG%252048_besk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption">Loose Fit Urban cover for Karlstad 3-seat sofa in Cobalt - Brera Fino. Loose Fit Country cushion cover in Cobalt - Brera Quadretto. Designers Guild by Bemz.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</span></span></b>he Brera Collection will be available exclusively for Bemz Loose Fit covers.  Read more at <a href="http://bemz.com/">Bemz.com</a>. </span></div><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I</span></span></b>f 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>

Bemz slipcovers for Ikea furniture features Designer's Guild Fabrics

B emz is now expanding its selection of covers for Ikea furniture to include timeless checks and striped from Designers Guild. "Brera...

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Welcome New Sponsor: Donna Elle Seaside Living

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/images/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/images/logo.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcw94TyMnE6cSKGuSEfvsm2GOuBE0hp3qEpsXPK4aUaksjcaan0rp61LAyHt23Pnovwx-JCsy4NTrpJUqQCxIESZdnuNgiJ10jT2q_mOtsyJ43zGV8_8WRJGB3QE_fWDdv74Bz6D6Rz_sA/s1600/sconset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcw94TyMnE6cSKGuSEfvsm2GOuBE0hp3qEpsXPK4aUaksjcaan0rp61LAyHt23Pnovwx-JCsy4NTrpJUqQCxIESZdnuNgiJ10jT2q_mOtsyJ43zGV8_8WRJGB3QE_fWDdv74Bz6D6Rz_sA/s640/sconset.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I wanted to take a moment to welcome a new sponsor of ::Surroundings::. <a href="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/">Donna Elle Seaside Living</a> is based, fittingly, on Nantucket. Surrounded as she is with such natural beauty, its not wonder that Donna, an interior designer, was inspired to create a collection of beautiful textiles, pillows rugs and more.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/lab/Pillows/Large/Seachange%20french.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/lab/Pillows/Large/Seachange%20french.jpg" /></a></div><br />Life’s a Breeze™ began in Donna Elle’s sketchbook—pages filled with visual impressions from faraway travels, scenes from Nantucket Island, and recorded memories of childhood summers spent by the shore and aboard her family’s boat. Sea-inspired artwork of another form also influenced her furnishing designs: Nantucket Breeze fabrics owe their shell forms to drawings by Elle’s daughter, Katie Lou, completed in high school art class.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZPCAB-2g_o1xlWkp25S6-bJ9qu9d8oCvVVWAfmZAipAfpa41HvQieMpNWFqi2M7tWy7X8R7ip3Uh92HtB2eemDXzhEOvzBmN8M-It0jDWu3hUdbw4aHEJRvA8sp68qJJo8B5ff6PfuoI/s1600/Donna+Elle+Life%27s+A+Breeze+09+Collection+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZPCAB-2g_o1xlWkp25S6-bJ9qu9d8oCvVVWAfmZAipAfpa41HvQieMpNWFqi2M7tWy7X8R7ip3Uh92HtB2eemDXzhEOvzBmN8M-It0jDWu3hUdbw4aHEJRvA8sp68qJJo8B5ff6PfuoI/s640/Donna+Elle+Life%27s+A+Breeze+09+Collection+040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>With creative vision and a passion for textiles and sewing, Elle began her entrepreneurial journey as a workroom owner, later evolving into a textile and furnishings designer. Currently her role as product designer and director of <a href="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/"><span style="color: #0070c0; text-decoration: underline;">DONNA ELLE seaside living</span></a> allows for expanding her product line and servicing clients on the east coast renovating and designing their homes along with updating interiors for seaside resorts. Recently Elle completed the interior renovation of the White Elephant Cottages on Nantucket. Donna is a member of IFDA and ASID Allied member.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/lab/Accessories/Large/starfish_surf_pole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/lab/Accessories/Large/starfish_surf_pole.jpg" /></a></div>Purchase <a href="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/the-collection">online</a> or from retailers across the country and select islands such as Bermuda and Grand Cayman. Click here for a<a href="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/retailers"> list of stockists</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/lab/Bedding/nb_bedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/lab/Bedding/nb_bedding.jpg" /></a></div><br />I so appreciate the support of <a href="http://donnaellelifesabreeze.com/">Donna Elle Seaside Living</a> and hope all my readers will take a moment to visit her site and bookmark for future reference. As she says "Life's a Breeze"! And even if you don't live near the ocean, you can always get a little taste of it!<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 /><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>

Welcome New Sponsor: Donna Elle Seaside Living

I wanted to take a moment to welcome a new sponsor of ::Surroundings::. Donna Elle Seaside Living is based, fittingly, on Nantucket. Surrou...

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Mailbox finds

I receive a lot of mail with a lot of product pitches. So, every month or so, I have to clean out my inbox! Here's a round up of my favorite items that came floating into my in-box over the last six weeks or so. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs283.snc3/27807_10150194234690621_335834340620_12998876_5498248_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs283.snc3/27807_10150194234690621_335834340620_12998876_5498248_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>How fantastic is this Peacock toile by <a href="http://www.suzannetuckerhome.com/textile/1001">Suzanne Tucker Home</a>? Love it! (actually, this is a Facebook find, not a mailbox one, but hey...)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.katherinerally.com/dupps_family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.katherinerally.com/dupps_family.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.katherinerally.com/pics/napkins/napkins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.katherinerally.com/pics/napkins/napkins.JPG" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.katherinerally.com/">Katherine Rally</a> is an American couple with homes in Bali and Colorado. Their bright and snappy textiles, pillows and accessories are available through many US showrooms. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wall-pops.com/Images/wallPopsImages/design-ideas/classic/38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.wall-pops.com/Images/wallPopsImages/design-ideas/classic/38.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wall-pops.com/data/default/images/catalog/large/PL160360%20Room%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.wall-pops.com/data/default/images/catalog/large/PL160360%20Room%20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Randolf, MA based <a href="http://www.wall-pops.com/">WallPops </a>isn't the only wall decal company out there, but what they have is pretty sweet. J'adore La Tour!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyFcSSyZ1e3x1MBh50Zn9aIh1AcABXsVZ_8SYWOJRTNKb0aRjl3S1g2wNQVOAsOMryoMLrgRI8gZ8IvcRYBqSYpKYUzc6s6L10qKif50kLyftAeQ8UPYttdtruOHQ0kV0P0WpQuMOFgDd/s1600/Turner+Pocock+Cazalet_1277866997427.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyFcSSyZ1e3x1MBh50Zn9aIh1AcABXsVZ_8SYWOJRTNKb0aRjl3S1g2wNQVOAsOMryoMLrgRI8gZ8IvcRYBqSYpKYUzc6s6L10qKif50kLyftAeQ8UPYttdtruOHQ0kV0P0WpQuMOFgDd/s400/Turner+Pocock+Cazalet_1277866997427.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">LOVE!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpAFVqjaiTyxWituqlF6EhjrNHtzQ8ZRohi35KGwCFEsiyQN0Bzclpj2Uhbh3bg_c2_7fUiMgIb7vh3E-Na3olU0o6-_rgKwX3Dfcy8lO3tOcTbleCnh_nKuiS-388oi1Y3n2fpEt9_8x/s1600/Snapshot+2010-06-29+23-08-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpAFVqjaiTyxWituqlF6EhjrNHtzQ8ZRohi35KGwCFEsiyQN0Bzclpj2Uhbh3bg_c2_7fUiMgIb7vh3E-Na3olU0o6-_rgKwX3Dfcy8lO3tOcTbleCnh_nKuiS-388oi1Y3n2fpEt9_8x/s400/Snapshot+2010-06-29+23-08-12.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKc-MwrW6s09_j0cuWfh3byd219CUDfJT8mgyX3y9AlyvUnqgC2LU-2oevzQg-db7vePUyNAllS-sSaJ0VCBnPYhNzM9NyUuw5n23-MYqBhl3mRfBmpLemccNHt58n5L50ikt04Wo6akb/s1600/Snapshot+2010-06-29+23-07-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKc-MwrW6s09_j0cuWfh3byd219CUDfJT8mgyX3y9AlyvUnqgC2LU-2oevzQg-db7vePUyNAllS-sSaJ0VCBnPYhNzM9NyUuw5n23-MYqBhl3mRfBmpLemccNHt58n5L50ikt04Wo6akb/s400/Snapshot+2010-06-29+23-07-23.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><a href="http://www.turnerpocockcazalet.co.uk/">Turner Pocock</a> wallpapers are a witty and whimsical take on sporting and animal themes that aren't for kids only! I am totally in love with their styling as well! <a href="http://www.hausinterior.com/">Haus Interior</a> is now stocking their papers in the US.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.martynlawrencebullard.com/products/001_Fabrics/002_Sultans_Suzanni/Colorways/002_Saffron/main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.martynlawrencebullard.com/products/001_Fabrics/002_Sultans_Suzanni/Colorways/002_Saffron/main.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.martynlawrencebullard.com/products/001_Fabrics/008_Kaba_Kaba/Colorways/003_Red/main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.martynlawrencebullard.com/products/001_Fabrics/008_Kaba_Kaba/Colorways/003_Red/main.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.martynlawrencebullard.com/products/001_Fabrics/007_Marrakech/Colorways/001_Original/main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.martynlawrencebullard.com/products/001_Fabrics/007_Marrakech/Colorways/001_Original/main.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hollywoodathome.com/images/textiles/martyn-lawrence-bullard-showroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://hollywoodathome.com/images/textiles/martyn-lawrence-bullard-showroom.jpg" /></a></div><br />Designer to the stars <a href="http://www.martynlawrencebullard.com/product.aspx?productType=001_Fabrics&productName=007_Marrakech&id=6&optionId=1">Martyn Lawrence-Bullard </a>has launched a new fabric line that features a spritely collection of colorful graphic and ethnic inspired prints.  His fabrics are available through <a href="http://hollywoodathome.com/martyn-lawrence-bullard-textiles.php">Hollywood at Home</a> Martyn will also be appearing on the upcoming  <i>Million Dollar Decorator</i> on BravoTV with Jeffrey Alan Marks and Kathryn Ireland. Waiting anxiously for this show to air!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QfBdq18nOuw9X2OUAn99dOKw66DxFtr-nU7Od5GbZvb_HczMWyRIYRLXFt_uOByKvB1j8Db3-4HzsYQ9r3Cd1FBOwNdYWXNGC_1RbRbwg_xQ7bJJG7DZVaN0NF68ytABrH49APKKmzOB/s1600/CK_KitchenChair_Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QfBdq18nOuw9X2OUAn99dOKw66DxFtr-nU7Od5GbZvb_HczMWyRIYRLXFt_uOByKvB1j8Db3-4HzsYQ9r3Cd1FBOwNdYWXNGC_1RbRbwg_xQ7bJJG7DZVaN0NF68ytABrH49APKKmzOB/s640/CK_KitchenChair_Final.jpg" width="452" /></a></div> Cute traditional chairs at a reasonable price. At <a href="http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/">Cath Kidston</a> in the UK. Unfortunately, these aren't available in the States, but maybe soon?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bemz.com/images/en/dg-puff-stor_en.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.bemz.com/images/en/dg-puff-stor_en.jpg" /></a></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.bemz.com/images/designersguild/dg-slide-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://www.bemz.com/images/designersguild/dg-slide-03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Designer's Guild and <a href="http://www.bemz.com/">Bemz</a> have teamed up to create a fantastic new line of slipcovers for Ikea and included in the range are iconic Merimekko and Stig Lindberg fabrics. What a great partnership!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6E90VTlMdE_HfZEGtsJs8J7fl-74cwBaWFIAcaBaXqE62m7JdE3zs9UuIdzUhrIWUXV6TuRJjk_gq7huN3ntLKGlDA0KJtaUqVt9ccwDIkmQgbPSDAaZ1y-9O3ttHNKbDKDb6eW2tnQx/s1600/OlioBoard_1277872857438.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6E90VTlMdE_HfZEGtsJs8J7fl-74cwBaWFIAcaBaXqE62m7JdE3zs9UuIdzUhrIWUXV6TuRJjk_gq7huN3ntLKGlDA0KJtaUqVt9ccwDIkmQgbPSDAaZ1y-9O3ttHNKbDKDb6eW2tnQx/s320/OlioBoard_1277872857438.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://olioboard.com/">Olioboard.com</a> is a new online mood board website. These sites are so much fun, but you can spend hours just trying out different ideas. It's a lot of fun and they have a large library of products, but it seems to not allow image sharing, which is a shame. Perhaps they will release that feature. Meanwhile, the image above is a screengrab of the board I created.<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 /><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>

Mailbox finds

I receive a lot of mail with a lot of product pitches. So, every month or so, I have to clean out my inbox! Here's a round up of my favo...

Read more »