The Reading Room Reveal

This tiny room has been an office since we moved here in 1999. It had a huge desk, file cabinet and the only computer in the house, a giant monolith of a computer. It was where our kids did their homework. Times have changed. Most people now have laptops and don't need a designated office anymore. Also, things have changed in our home too. Everyone grew up and went off to college!I decided to reclaim the space as a reading room. For such a...

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Home Libraries

I believe one can never have too many books! But where to put them if you don't have a library in your home?Eventually your bookshelves will overflow and decisions must be made to give away or donate your books--only to make room for new ones!Someday, I would love to have a library in my home. A whole room dedicated to just books and reading like the room above. Or like this room of floor to ceiling bookshelves. Or this room. It speaks to me because...

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Amethyst Tablescape for February

"The February born shall findSincerity and peace of mind,Freedom from passion and from care,If they, the amethyst will wear."Since amethyst is the birthstone for those born in February, I decided to create a table setting using my purple transferware. The photo above features the plate on a silverplate charger, a gift from my sister-in-law Mary.Notice the farm utensils around the edge of the plate and the scene of a woodcutter and his family.I found...

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The Color Purple

"The even-tempered amethyst, said to prevent drunkenness, also helps keep those born in February on an even keel. It brings peace of mind and drives away enflamed passions and worries."Since February is coming to a close, I decided to focus on the color purple for this week. The color I think of when I think of February.Above, is the lovely vignette of amethyst glass that my friend Diana and I created a few weeks ago on her mantle. Diana has beautiful...

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Tent Living - A Unique Wine Country Retreat

Our neighbors, Gerry and Glen in the wine country have plans to build a home on their 160 acres of land. In the meantime though, they live in tents! This is their vacation retreat, where they have created a beautiful compound consisting of three tents and an outdoor kitchen. We met Gerry and Glen at another neighbor's annual luncheon, and I was intrigued by their story. The guys drive the 8 hours nearly every weekend from their home in Los Angeles...

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