Sweet Dreams Has a New Website

The undisputed leader in opulent, over the top, luxury bedding ensembles, Sweet Dreams has a new website ! It is a vast improvement over their original site and shows the majority of their line in large, high res images.



I am just finishing up two bedrooms done with Sweet Dreams product. I will post pictures as soon as they are completed.


No one can combine fabrics and trims the way they do. They've made pillows an art form by utilizing fabrics and trim in new and innovative ways.



Hold on to your wallet though - it's not cheap! To find their products wholesale to the trade see their website. For sale at retail online go to Horchow Collection or Neiman Marcus.

ASID - This is a MUST READ !!!!!!!!!!

My talented buddy Joni of Cote de Texas is not just a gifted designer with fabulous taste she has the brains to back it up!


You must tread the post she has written detailing the strong arm tactics of the ASID in the State in Florida and around the country. If you are not a member of ASID you should be outraged by their thinly veiled propaganda and cash backed lobbying to put themselves in the position to gain financial control of our industry. If you are a member of ASID you should be concerned where your dues are going and what effect the actions of this organization are having on the industry and your own ability to practice your chosen profession.

Summer Swap - I Suwannee Style

The fabulously funny and inspiring Jamie of isuwannee is hosting a summer swap. Here are the details:

Submit your vital info
get paired up with another swapper
put together a little package that you'll mail to them of goodies. nothing you have to spend money on. you can make fun stuff - crafty items, you can send your favorite summer recipes, pretty shells that remind you of the beach, etc. etc.

Vital Info

-email address
-name and mailing address
-blog (if you have one - its fine if you don't!)
-and how about you include a little something about yourself you want to pass along to your swap partner? fave things about summer, stuff you're looking forward to, things you want to try out this summer, etc.

If you're interested in participating visit her blog here and sign up. The deadline is Monday so get on it!!!!

New Toys - AHHHHHHHHHHHH

I've been so lazy in posting these last few weeks because I am feeling the pressure of my September deadline for my new book. With over 1000 illustrations to color I have my hands full! One of the best things for me about the process is breaking out my colored pencils. It takes me back to my younger days when my sisters and I would spend the day coloring in our Abbey Press coloring books. Above is my lazy susan pencil caddy which is chock full of every pencil under the sun. However, one can never have too many colored pencils. No matter how many colors you have there is never just the one you're looking for. So, in honor of my new book I plunked down some serious bucks for two new sets.



Now this is a set for the seriously obsessed pencil addict. 120 beautiful colors!!! And just look at that fabulous wooden box (too bad they will never remain in it ) This brand is Derwent which is one of my favs. They have great colors and the pencils are smooth and soft. Who needs designer shoes or jewelry when you can indulge yourself with these!!!!!!


The second set is also Derwent but these are pastel pencils. A much softer chalky lead. Only 90 colors in this set.



My colored pencil investment to date with all of my sets (only my favorite colors are kept in the lazy susan) amounts to a staggering $1100 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who knew you could spend so much on coloring sticks??

I have to go now and put these babies to good use. I promise to try to keep up my posts but I might be a bit sporadic for the next few months until I turn in my book.

Bedroom of the Week

This bedroom makes me want to run away to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. You can almost feel the cool crisp sheets and the ocean breeze................Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Sneak Peak - Bedding

I've been working 16 hours a day on my bedding book and it is starting to take shape. It's due to be submitted to my publisher, Gibbs Smith in September. Here are a few sample drawings in black and white.







The next step is to color all 1500 illustrations!!!!!! So far, my hands are still functioning and my wrist tendonitus in my left arm is okay. I hope I can stay in working order until I finish. Drawing this many illustrations really takes a toll on you!

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My beautiful daughter Angelica is graduating from high school tomorrow so I will not be posting until next week. Have a great weekend.



Geli with her BFF's before a school dance.


At her 18th birthday dinner in New York in October.

Love you Geli

Keyboard Tragedy

If you otice my posts missi g the letter N this is the reaso ! My keyboard has suffered an amputation of sorts. It's a real PITA.

Home Office: Slowly Making Progress

My office project is coming along slowly. The basic carpentry for the fireplace build outs is done. Next week the walls get skim coated to provide a smooth texture for the wallpaper. The electrical will also go in for a new cable outlet and several recessed lights in the ceiling.

Before



After - Ready for paint



My wallpaper - Thibaut, pattern: Owen



I think I'm liking it!

Burma - Myanmar

After watching the coverage on TV of the devastation in Burma I wanted to know more about the country. The political unrest in the country has striped it's people of much of their dignity but their rich history is a testament to a vibrant and artistic culture. Fantastical architecture and embellishment are a staple through ought the country.


The much coveted Burmese Ruby is the standard for jewelers. Now called blood rubies due to their association with funding activities of the Junta. They have been banned in the US but are still sold in other countries across the globe.


Burmese jade is another precious commodity banned by the US.



Politics aside, the human suffering that is now apparently being made worse by the current governments refusal to accept global relief is so very tragic. I hope that they will open up the country soon to relief agencies for the sake of their people.

If Furniture Could Talk

I was browsing through 1st Dibbs today and ran across this fantastic Billy Baldwin upholstered bed still wearing its original kelly green velvet upholstery. I would love to know the back story behind this bed. Who was it made for? - where did it live? - what did it see???- what did it's bedroom look like?

I was really struck by how current the design remains as is evident by the many new chair-back beds available on the market today.


This is my favorite from Hickory White. I like the furniture legs at the base of the platform and the nail heads.


This bed has a small arm on each side as well as a wing back. It is really taking the chair design to the fullest.



Jay Jeffers seems to be a big fan of this style bed and he uses them to great effect in many of his rooms.



Henredon's version



Oly Studio has a sleek modern version.



Transitional Charles P Rogers in leather.



Love the top of the wing backs on this model by Charles P Rogers.

If our furniture could talk what would it say about us? My furniture would be pretty boring, how about yours?