Riding Bikes in 1949

My mother's mother.  Her name is Alice, and we call her Gammy.  That's her on the left, in the all white ensemble.  And that's Evelyn, her best friend, on the right.  They're still friends, in fact!  Aren't they so beautiful?  This picture was taken somewhere outside of Chicago in the summer of 1949 (or was it 1950?).  It makes me so happy.  I think that my Papa snapped the photo.

Happy Weekend my dear friends.

xoxo,

Kelly

...

Clearing The Way For A Carriage House

Besides installing new windows on the 3rd floor, we haven't done much with our home renovation over the last few months.  We've mostly been saving our money for a carriage house.  And, building a structure like that is EXPENSIVE.  But we're determined to get one up within the next year or so.  Recently, we had a survey done on the property and from there, we'll be able to draw up the plans and apply for building permits. 

When we bought this house a year and a half ago, the landscape was completely overgrown.  We've battled it here and there, but there's still a large part of our backyard that's overrun with vines and mangled trees.  And that's the spot where we want to build the carriage house.  So, little by little, with our own two hands, we've been breaking it up.  Dave and I have rented industrial wood chippers, we've cut through vines, and cleared nasty brush.  We had a brief run in with poison ivy (well, Dave did, not me) and overall, we've made a dent in the landscape.  When we got to the point where we needed help, we called a local tree service. 

Today was the day that the tree service arrived.  Four guys worked in the yard, grinding out stumps and bringing down a few trees.  This is what I watched from my office window:

Is there anything better than watching other people do the work?  It's amazing what four grown men can do in a few hours.  I wish I had buckets of money.  Buckets and buckets of money.  I could do this all day.

So, more about the carriage house.  Similar to my inspiration images, we're shooting for a 2-story structure with enough room for two cars.  I would also like dormer windows.  And, we'll need to pave a decent driveway.  To give you an idea, I played around in Photoshop and came up with this:

 

Also, my perfectionist husband just reminded me that the "Photoshopped garage" should be over the to left about 8 more feet, but you get the idea.

... 

Inspired By: Blue Trim

Simply Seleta blog

Burnham Design

Steven Gambrel

Simply Seleta blog

unknown source

Steven Gambrel

Jeffrey Alan Marks

Amy Meier

Thinking about boosting the look of your trim (or ceilings, or doors, or panelling...)?  Try some of these fabulous shades of blue:

Farrow & Ball "green blue"

Benjamin Moore "Palladian Blue"

Benjamin Moore "sea star"

...

Fabric Request

Last week, I posted this picture of a presentation board for one of my local Philadelphia clients.  Since then, I've received numerous emails inquiring about two specific fabrics!  One is pricey, the other isn't.  Both are gorgeous.

Fabric #1:

Highland Park "Klaus" in aqua/green

heavy duty, 12,000 double rubs

perfect for upholstery or throw pillows

(pricey)

Fabric #2:

Pindler & Pindler "Lynne"

cotton linen blend. 

perfect for pillows, and it would make a killer drapery fabric!

(not pricey)

Do you guys want to hitch onto my order?  Like we did with the Les Touches print?  If this sounds like something you might be interested in, send me an email for discount pricing at kellygalvinrobson(at)gmail.com. 

...

Meet Max

Max Humphrey is my friend and former Burnham Design co-worker.  Last week, Nicole Gibbons of So Haute featured Max in her "Meet the Assistant" series.  I met Max years ago when he started working at Burnham Design.  We easily became friends, and he was even at our wedding.  Now, he's a Senior Project Manager at BD, and gets to work on exciting design projects with Betsy and the team everyday.  He loves design, fashion, and was once a muscian in a touring rock band.  He's got fabulous taste, and he's a little rebellious.  Max doesn't take anything too seriously, and I like that about him.  So, if you want to read a little about what's it like being in Max's shoes, head on over the So Haute HERE.

Happy Monday, kittens.

...

French Rattan Bistro Chair

source unknown

The French rattan bistro chair is a favorite of mine.  Not only is it a total classic, but it's virtually indestructible, and totally kid proof.  These multi-colored pieces have been gracing city sidewalk cafes for years.  We usually see them paired with a tiny wrought iron bistro table (and a cappuccino).  I love these chairs for their wonderfully graphic woven designs, their strong wooden frames and sturdy rattan seats. 

And, let's face it: this chair is never going out of style.

via TradHome

Victoria Hagan via Elle Decor

via House Beautiful

source unknown

via Ashley Whittaker

source unknown

via House Beautiful

via Nate Berkus

bistro chairs at The Paris Market from our recent trip to Savannah, Georgia

If you're in the market for a French rattan bistro chair, check out TK Collections.  Sold only to the trade (you'll have to order these through a designer or furniture rep), the selection at TK is excellent.  Barstools, chairs, armchairs, and stools...  they even sell the classic wrought iron cafe table!  I'm telling you, this company stocks the best versions of this chair:

barstool

square side chair

bistro side chairs at TK Collections

(I'm loving all the different patterns and colors!)

There's also a company called Cap Sud who sells bistro chairs made by the French company, Maison Gatti.  Like TK Collections, these guys have a great selection:

Maison Gatti French rattan bistro chairs

And, if you're looking for a bargain? 

You can get a set of 4 chairs at Overstock.com for less than $450.00!

bistro chairs at Overstock.com

image from TK Collections

...

An Unplugged Weekend

Our internet connection has been down since Friday afternoon.  A freak thunderstorm came through our town and somehow, it killed our DSL motem.  Normally, I would be freaking out.  NO INTERNET FOR 5 DAYS??!!  But, it's been such a nice little vacation!  I caught up on laundry, did a little shopping, and worked on a client presentation.  I even played Spider Solitaire (which has proven itself to be the most addicting game in the universe... I keep telling myself "I'll win the next one", "One more game. I'll win the next one...").

While I wait for Verizon to send me a new motem (hopefully, it's arrives today), here are some random iphone pictures from this weekend...

 

the Pennsylvania sky after sunset.

colorful plaid trays at Ikea for $7.99

so cute for summer entertaining!

the coolest brass doorknob, found at a flea market this weekend.

a pair of midcentury modern side chairs, and a brass Sputnik ceiling fixture.

(didn't buy either one, but loved the idea of buying everything)

a super chic (and super expensive) Oscar de la Renta side table at the Century showroom, in the Philadelphia Marketplace.

a very pretty upholstered bed at Restoration Hardware

impressed by this console table with a blue stone top.  Spotted at Crate & Barrel of all places.

It would be very pretty in the right setting (I would fill that lower shelf with chunky woven baskets).

a few of my design boards, illustrating possible fabric combinations.

They're waiting for next week's client presentation.

So, did you all have a nice weekend?  Sometimes, it's nice to just "unplug".  Whether you like it or not.

Happy Tuesday.

xoxo

...

Thank you, Kravet!

Kravet heard our requests!  This week, I posted about my love for the Dakota Quilted Bench.  It's pretty much the perfect cocktail ottoman with a polished nickel frame and a sleek upholstered top.  The only problem is the macassar wood lower shelf.  It doesn't come in other finishes.  Why not, Kravet?  So, after that post, Kravet left this comment...

And then, today, they wrote us THIS...

Yay!  Thank you for your stellar customer service, Kravet. 

I knew you wouldn't let us down. 

Now, everyone go out and order that Dakota Quilted Bench.  One with a glass shelf, one with a dark wood shelf, maybe one with a carrara marble shelf?  The sky's the limit.

Happy Weekend.

xoxo,

Kelly

...