indigo dreams

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blue: the pure color of a clear sky; the primary color between green and violet in the visible spectrum...

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over the last few years i have incorporated more and more of the color blue into the chalet design. there was a starting point and it was this shower curtain. i love stripes - man do i - i have more than a few Boden Breton t-shirts.

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i remember working on a piece like this in my high school art class. the pattern the color - it conveys so much in it's simplicity of form.

 

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my childhood bedroom which i originally shared with my older sister was yellow for years; it had - green curtains and pair of kelly green bedspreads with a small white floral pattern; then in my Laura Ashley phase the walls became white - accented with blue and pink patterned bedding and lastly it was this lovely blue. i was looking through albums and i'm bummed there aren't more images of the room i called home for more than half my life.

you can see i had a bit of art and had already started my @saynotoemptywalls obsession - two of these pieces are hanging upstairs in the chalet and the smallest is my treasured pen and ink of Edinburgh mom brought back for me from her trip. oh look at the plants -  i miss those wide English Tudor window sills.

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these scrumptious Hedgehouse headboard cushions were the catalyst for introducing blue in the master. these pillows are life-changing. i can't tell you how much like royalty they make you feel. the marvelous linen fabric is dreamy and the down feathers extremely heavy and dense - they are amazingly supportive and the tassel ... so fun!!! you need these in your life!

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then i started in the livingroom. the couch and carpets give off a taupe vibe, (ok very taupe) but i do love them and i'm not sure what i'd do if i could scrap them - which i can not currently.... a blue couch? maybe... different rugs maybe? in my piece style love you saw a pattern: the designer's spaces i'm loving have an airy quality usually light colored accented with blue. not exactly the same sort of feeling as the chalet. but, that is exactly why i really like them... it's the opposite of the what i live with. i have this mid-century modern all white walls and dark sectional thing floating around in my head for the basement re-do (whenever that happens). this Target striped blanket was a fun addition. it's 100% cotton with fringe. i spy it so often all over IG and in the blogosphere.

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this image... the corner of the mantel from last spring. this was when the blue light-bulb really clicked for me - i gathered images from Jane at Home, The Pink Clutch, Sue De Chiara and Pencil and Paper Co. and used their inspiration to pull this together.

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i let my blue flag fly on the porch just look at it all!

i love it!

 

 

 

 

 

don't you adore the faux fur footstool i picked up recently at Home Goods. it was just what the porch needed a bit of whimsy - and honestly i have been sitting on it working on my puzzle - it's comfy too!

 

 

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yes, i am an orange enthusiast, but give me navy all day long!

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my recent trip to Home Goods yielded all these goodies!  the new throw has found a home on the back of the beige velvet chair in the livingroom and for the first time in the kitchen i swapped out my regular orange dishtowels for some blue love. not sure why i waited so long.

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my current obsession is this vintage chinese vase. i just started using it for flowers. isn't it great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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sometimes it's not just about what we live with in our homes, but seeing the color around us and finding joy - that's why i titled this piece indigo dreams.

 

the rose window in the Basilica of the Scared Heart in Newark NJ - stunning.

 

 

 

 

what is your favorite color? do you incorporate it into your decor?

til next time.

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how's it hanging 2018?!?

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i was thinking about this weeks post - thinking about what i wanted to say. sometimes the storyboards i've mapped out - don't get used the week i think they will. sometimes i'm not in the right mindset for a subject; either by my own doing or others. sometimes i write a piece and hold it.

this process - this place - this thing chaletmomma is about inspiration... it's my work.. it's my passion - i won't push it, rush it or half-ass it. so when the calendar changed last week i started thinking -

38 days in - how's it hanging 2018?!?

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February came and it was no big deal. although for many of you out there - you were quite happy to say good riddance to January. i read much - on how January was dragging for many of you. for me the 31 days were delightful. maybe it's me now - in this season of my life? but i'm thankful to say i haven't been struggling with 2018. i haven't been struggling to manage the new date or the new tasks or the new leaf i have turned over... but, i feel it's important to pause and take stock - a mental check-in is vital.

 

let's review the goals.

 

  • using my calendar everyday. yes, I've been doing it! yay!!!

  • map out chaletmomma brand production: daily, weekly and monthly. working on it! i have been studying, meeting and making connections.

  • to plan meals and make less trips to the market. a resounding yes!!!

  • to use my crockpot more. yes! I've been using it allot!

  • to read more books. while i haven't been reading - i've listened to books through Hoopla. yay! listening allows multitasking. clean the house. work on a puzzle. sort through bits in the basement. sit at hockey practice. i'm loving Hoopla so much - even while the stack of books in the basket under my desk continues to grows.

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as i said i haven't exactly been reading - the copy of A Royal Duty is still unfinished, but i listened to Mrs. Queen Takes The Train and Secrets of a Charmed Life. Both wonderful and i would recommend. i've already started another book on Hoopla from Susan Meissner Stars Over Sunset Boulevard and it's really good.!

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  • take items to the consignment shops regularly. I have been to the consignment shop twice! and only bought 2 things... i think that's a win! right? hahaha! look at my charming Tiffany box - the pattern, the color and i do have a thing for boxes...

  • iron clothing weekly. yes!

  • travel. we've been skiing!

  • play more games. yes!!! my son just received a new game this week Despicable Me Labyrinth board game.

  • to go on more adventures with my boys. yes!

  • to always have cheese, humus and yummy crackers in the chalet and ready for friends - anytime they can pop over! yes yes yes!

  • drink more Prosecco! oh yes, my friends!

i'm feeling so good about the new year and i so very much hope this finds you in a happy place too!

if you need/want a push - start small with only the most important things. maybe you feel rushed in the morning - set your alarm 10 mins. earlier, set out clothing the night before. maybe your car is messy - take a bag to your car weekly and collect everything and get it out of there. maybe you want to cook more - start out with doing it once a week.

small steps will lead to big changes.

notice i did not say can lead to - i said will - life is about decisions. make a decision and stick to it. don't cheat on yourself or on this one life you have.

i wrote a note and stuck in on the inside of the medicine cabinet. i like to stick notes there. a gentle reminder for myself. this follower prays and hopes, but i've always visualized things - if i could see it in my minds eye than i knew it could be.  golly i'm feeling philosophical today.

VISUALIZE THE JOY YOU WANT.

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT.

ALL THINGS ON GODS TIMETABLE.

til next time.

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tudor admiration

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you all know of my love of architecture.  i love all types of structures. i have volumes devoted to the building and decor, but if really pressed for a favorite besides - the chalet - it would be the english or gothic tudor.

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the home of my youth was built in 1926. i met my husband at my infamous house party and he popped the question 3 months later in front of the fireplace. to say i have strong feelings about this house would be an understatement! this image is from the 1950's showing the original Gothic triple porch columns and the garage doors. golly i 🖤 this house.

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i feel blessed to live in an area that has developed over a period of time. we have diverse architecture - there are colonials, stick style, queen annes, craftsman, shingle style, victorians, cape cods, ranches and tudors. the homes in my neighborhood date from the late 1800's to the 1950's. notably the construction for tudors is centered between 1890-1940 in the states.

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i've posted pictures of the amazing Halloween decorations the current owners display on IG. in case you missed it...

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i began really taking a look around during my walks and drives and here is just a spinet of the magnificent homes i found.

 

 

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i could gawk at these beauties all day.

 

 

 

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brick or stucco - covered in moss... it doesn't matter - they are all stunners to me!

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i love history and architecture here are two volumes from my collection.

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there's an amazing Instagram community that allows everyone to pursue their passions. i follow some exceptional feeds devoted to architecture. here are a handful of them.

if you aren't following you should be!

@andybatch1, @archi_ologie, @brickstory, @circa houses, @dayton_architecture, @housestories_. @thefrontdoorproject @historic.homes,  @jerkinhead , @northshorehome, @oldhouselove.

this beauty belongs to @ourtudorrevival. Laura has been rehabbing this beauty one room at a time.

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Meadowbrook Hall is an exceptional example of tudor revival architecture. (image @chrisbdom)

more amazing homes from the @chrisbdom IG feed. chris includes all different  architecture with exquisite images. (many thanks for allowing me to repost!)

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Tudor design: characterized by pitched gable roofs, elaborate masonry chimneys, embellished doorways, groupings of windows and decorative half-timbering, exposed wood framework with the spaces filled with masonry or stucco.

 

 

 

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can you image the stories this crooked old place could tell !?!

 

 

 

what architecture are you drawn to? please leave a comment and tell us why you love it -

til next time.

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