Beautiful Goddess of the Garden

To paraphrase the great Rodgers and Hammerstein . . . Spring is Bustin' Out All Over

I was walking on my back deck between rain showers this morning and stopped to examine my pink dogwood. It's getting ready to bust!

Ah, dogwoods. Their beauty?
It's a mystery.

Beautiful goddess of the garden.
Translucent petals full of light.
Delicate. Elegant. Graceful.



They have no fragrance, look pretty dismal in the winter and are prone to breakage. And, don't even think of pruning them. When Joyce Kilmer said, "only God can make a tree," he should have mentioned, "Only God should prune a dogwood."













But, in the spring? Glorious when they bloom.

 

Oh, yes . . .

I have complete confidence pink dogwoods

line the path to Heaven

~ eternally in bloom.

The Romance of Naming your Home

After my husband died, I decided to blow this pop stand and take my sons to Italy at Christmas. It was a two week slumber party and the first time I'd heard them laugh in months.

My sons are both 6'5" tall ~ talk about seven league boots! In Florence, they were striding along and pretty soon out-distanced me but I could hear them laughing from the next block. Heaven.

Because I adore architectural salvage, my walking was hampered by the visual wonder of Italy. I stopped often to admire a door knocker or a light fixture or the brace of an eave. Walking along the streets, block after block was the salve my soul needed.

We were in Florence for Christmas when we decided to take a midnight stroll and watched the full moon rise between Giotto's Bell Tower and the Duomo. Breathtaking. In one of the side streets of the Piazza del Duomo, there was a very small shop with a soaringly high ceiling and walls filled with wonderful signs. Enameled letters. Brass plaques. Individual house numbers in bronze and brass and steel. Utter desire!

The next day, we stopped into that mouthwatering store. As we entered, a thousand year old man walked out from the back room with the International Tribune under his arm. I started to ask him a question. He just turned on his heel and walked back into his office. We stood there a little flat footed and finally left.

The next year, my oldest son was studying in Florence. After nine months of Italian lessons and just before my birthday, he returned to the shop and ordered me a sign for my 50th birthday. And, in an understanding of the importance of international peace, he said that the owner reminded him of Grampa ~ a bit of a curmudgeon, he doesn't like speaking English to "tourists" but was very charming when you get to know him.

And, there it is ~ a little grace note on the side of my home. And, a touching present from my son. Heaven!

The Grace Note ~ Using Architectural Salvage

In music, a Grace Note is a small embellishment. It adds dissonance to a harmony. In interiors, a Grace Note adds depth of detail and visual interest. It adds spice.

Vintage feature tile tucked
into a small corner. Spice!

Over the last 20 years, the focus of my business has been Historic Restoration. The key to the success of a project is almost always dependent on the sensitive use of architectural salvage. When you purchase pieces from a salvage yard, you are not only keeping construction materials out of landfills but you are also bringing history to life. Many articles would cost the earth if you were able to purchase them today.

A 250 year old Danish door front,
nickel vintage torches,
a canvas awning
make for an inviting entry.

For the client who appreciates the past, working with architectural salvage is the Grace Note that adds spice!

When even the most expensive interiors feel like you've seen it all before, including vintage architectural elements in the mix lifts it into the realm of extraordinary. That "one of a kind" aspect really appeals to me. While less may be more, interiors that reflect the style, ideas and concerns of the client ultimately turn into space of distinction and character.

Small marble angel found
broken now part of an
extraordinary door bell.

Vintage iron window grate
now the face of a
lovely Juliete balcony

Who doesn't need a very cool exit sign?