SHOP Elizabeth Stuart Design!
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Design Tip-Stylish Valances
The June issue of House Beautiful features the interior design magic of Jim Howard. The article describes his style as “that barefoot-in-cashmere feeling, all year round.” Jim also includes some great examples of stylish valances.
Sweet Baby James
James Taylor’s voice is a summer evening with the stars bright and just a little humidity so the tones hang in the air. Here I am sitting in great seats looking down at James and Carole King. I am in Charlotte with my sisters and one of my best friends by my side. Life is so good.
The stage is slowly moving in a circle and I can’t help but think how my life is moving too. The opening song? “Blossom there is a song inside me..take these chains away” – James Taylor
Carol King wrote many of his songs and how could he not want to sing, “From a garden of wisdom, from a long ago dream” -Carole King
Music has always been a huge part of my life. A life without music for me would be a dull place. It helps me think…always has. This year, upon advice from a good friend, I turned my formal library that I never went in (but it looked good) into a music room. Less like a “music room” with instruments but more like the old 80’s poster of the guy sitting in a chair in front of a speaker with his hair blowing backward.
I recovered my grandmother’s comfortable barrel chairs in a rich deep purple velvet and I love that room now. A place to contemplate and to hear words of an old song that I have been listening to for years and years but only now do I understand.
“In between what might have been and what has come to past are just bits of broken glass” – James Taylor
Get James Taylor and Carole Kings new CD The Troubadour. It is good. Life is good. Happy summer.
The Best Blue
The best blue has just arrived in my garden. Every morning I get a cup of coffee and walk around in the garden and give thanks. God is THE master painter, designer extraordinaire! Make sure you cut hydrangeas in the early am or early evening for them to last. Deep water is also important. If you think they are on their way out, soak them in water from the top and then you can get them to last a day or two longer.
“My Daughter’s” Fish Tank
My daughter has found a love of mine. When I was a child I loved aquariums and at one time I had three. Not much sleep with three aquariums going but hey, I was in love. The colors and the peaceful movement of the fish were perfect moving paintings to watch while I contemplated the world. Stuart has found my Achilles’ heal. When we go to the fish store it is me who can not control myself…how much for the firecracker shrimp? Look at the colors! We name each one and this is Dexter. Would this not be a fabulous fabric? I would take them but then I already did…they are in “my daughter’s” fish tank.
Velvet Sofa
This is my friend Froggy. He has good taste and enjoys my design choices. Sleep all day..hunt all night. Sleep on velvet sofas…Froggy, just let me know if you need anything.
Cocktails Anyone?
We’ve been buying! Check out this fabulous vintage burl, lucite and chrome bar cart that just arrived.
