This is on the Domino website:

I was very surprised to hear the news. Especially since I started receiving this subscription because another subscription I had closed it's doors. This was my replacement, and I really liked it. The website will be up for a few more weeks.

My bad. Been busy - doing a little bit (or rather a lot of bit) of everything. Going in many different directions at one time and starting to wish this wasn't the case. Doing too many things, means I'm not a master of any! Got to change that!

Getting ready to take a short trip to Chicago for a work conference. Wasn't too excited to go. I've been to Chicago a bunch of times and I'd rather stay home and work some unfinished design projects, like our master bedroom. I'm stuck because I'm trying to find a unique duvet cover so I can finalize my color pallet, but that is easier said then done. I really, really like the bedding shown in the movie P.S. I Love You. (Ignore Hillary Swank in her bra - really just look at the bedding!). Unfortunately I have discovered this bedding was a prior years collection of John Robshaw Textiles and is no longer available. Bad news. As a side note, check out what's on the wall behind her bed. Isn't that cool?! Reminds me of some of Jennifer Bertrand's art on the walls used in some of her designs. I'm loving swirls, in home design and scrapbooking. I'm pretty sure something like this will show up in our master bedroom somewhere. I might have to take out some fabric paint and make my own duvet with these swirls. Hmmmm, that could be interesting!

I also want to finish our kitchen cabinets. Remember they've been painted but I need to finish the top with a build up of crown moulding and then over/under cabinet lighting. Once this is done I can move onto tiling the backsplash. I've resolved I'm not going to be getting a double oven anytime soon so I need to just finish it with the current design. The problem, I can't find the one piece of moulding I need. Here is a picture:

This is a piece I picked up about four years ago at Lowes and of course they no longer carry it. It was just an average in-stock piece! They have apparently changed their distributors (last year) and no one can tell me who carried this piece. I want to use this on the bottom of our cabinets and at the top, upside down. I would then build up the top to add crown moulding (either regular or cove moulding) at the very tip top. I have already spent significant time trying to track down this piece and no such luck, visiting local woodworking companies, other home improvement stores, numerous websites. My next step is to call Lowes headquarters to see if they can provide me any direction what so ever but I'm not holding out much luck. Any suggestions?

I'd also like to design and build a couple pieces for our outdoor living area. I want an island for cooking and a buffet table to put food and utensils on. I have ideas in my head, just need to go gather some of the pieces from a local architectural salvage store and start building.

So, with all of these design things swirling around in my head, I see the time we are going out of town as a great opportunity for uninterrupted design work at home. But, I have to be a good spouse and go on this trip, reluctantly. But then this morning I realized that our hotel is located not too far from the Chicago Merchandise Mart. Be still my foolish heart, a design meca right around the corner. I've always wanted to go there and in looking at our iteniary I should have some significant time to peruse it. And, I should be able to get into the designer only areas. This trip might not be so bad afterall!

Love this. One of my favorite blogs, The Kitchen Designer, shared her new involvement with Hansen Living and their line of kitchen and bath cabinets. These cabinets were designed by Danish Architect, Knud Kapper MAA MDD. Susan Serra, CKD of Susan Serra Associates, Inc. (and The Kitchen Designer) will represent Hansen Living in New York.

I love the clean, sleek, yet strong look of these pieces and I especially like this one:



Makes me wonder how I would live and like this type of refrigerator. Interesting and exciting! Makes me go hmmmmm and to reconsider some of the features in my own kitchen.

Look at designer Kenneth Brown's new place in Hollywood, CA. Oh how I would love a loft. Check out those windows and the beautiful floor. Brick, lots of huge windows, loft... can't ask for much more then that. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

I've been attempting to re-organize my photos and what I've noticed is I'm beginning to have a pretty good selection of inspirational design photos. Thought I'd share a few (sorry, haven't kept track of where I got them or who did them but I applaud anyone who had any involvement in creating these spaces):



Love the walkway, the skylights, the space in general.

These are raised flower beds - love it. They are Thinking Outside the Box. Just picture these fully planted and blooming! I also love the fence. I was thinking of doing something like this on my deck but ended up changing the design and look because of code issues - darn code issues!

I love how the grass edges next to the pool (although I can hear my dh's reaction about grass in the pool!). I love how clean everything is and how balanced. Unique and what a special retreat.

Love the thought of benches instead of chairs. Thinking of this for my outside living space I'm creating.

Love, love, love these! Enough said.

"On behalf of the American Society of Interior Designers, I am delighted to inform you that you have been granted Allied Membership (Practitioner) in the Society and will be entitled to all rights and privileges of this classification, including the use of the designation Allied Member, ASID after your name".

It's official - it came in the mail today!!! I think I need to write a letter today or something so I can use my new designation. I can't believe I didn't do this years ago with my degree. Today has been a good day!! To make it even better I just checked the website under Search for an ASID Designer by Name and I was in there!!!! Awesome!

I didn't know what picture to use to accompany this post so I quickly took one of my new couch. I was wanting to wait to post a picture after I made the decorative throw pillows and finished the curtains but this was too important to wait.