New in the store...

There are some new products in the store this week...

Federalist mirror; Double Wall Hook; Cognac Magazine Rack; "Fish" Bottle Opener

Ram Bookends; Vintage Candelabras; Christofle Cake Server; Vintage Steer Horns; Antique Bankers Lamp; Black Bamboo Magazine Rack

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Right Now, This is Happening

Pink Azalea

Jacqueline tulips

(I bought them here a couple of years ago)

Lily Of The Valley

Hosta

Soloman's Seal

and if you pan out that camera...

a Frog Prince

(This guy came with the house... and even though Dave hates it, I think it's hysterical.  I refused to let him throw it out.  Now, I keep this Frog Prince hidden in the side yard and he supervises the shade garden.)

also...

Our Nellie Stevens Holly Trees have been delivered!  We bought them from a local nursery.  Looking forward to planting them and watching them grow.

aaaaand...

We were so inspired by gorgeous brick hardscaping that Dave & I installed a brand new front walk (made from antique bricks) and we love the way it turned out.  I'll share more on this project later.

Happy Weekend!!!

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Stalking Chestnut Hill

Dave and I took a walk through Chestnut Hill this weekend, stalking some of the neighborhoods for landscape & hardscape inspiration.  This stunning historic neighborhood never disappoints...

Not a bad house, if you're into this kind of thing (how gorgeous is this place?).  We were looking for driveway ideas and this house has a fabulous cobblestone + finely crushed stone combo.  Love everything about this house.

retaining wall, perfected.

Vertical running bond in brick-- we love how the pattern follows the curves of the pathway.  Also, the planter side of the pathway has a raised edge to contain the garden, while the other side is flat (for easy mowing and minimal weed wacking).

never ending stone wall-- gorgeous!

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New Fabric Collection: LuLu DK CHILD

Did you see the new collaboration between F. Schumacher and Lulu deKwiatkowski?  The marketing material reads, "Lulu DK, For the Sophisticated Child" (which is so cute, isn't it?).  And I've gotta say, even though these fabrics are really fun and playful, they're pretty sophisticated too.  Take a look for yourself...

Jungle Jubilee wallpaper

Parade & Star fabrics

(elephant and monkey dressed in Skittles)

Butterfly

Star

Parade

from left to right: Firecrackers, Cha-Cha, and Jelly Bean

My favorite FAVORITE part of the collection are the flat trims.  I'm so in love with every colorway (and the fact that they're 3.5" wide!!!)... 

Twix Tape

I love the way this trim looks on the leading edge of these drapery panels-- so fun.

To see the entire Lulu DK CHILD collection, hop on over to the F.Schumacher website.

Lulu, together with her two boys.

(featured in Lonny Magazine)

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Inspired By: Brick Hardscaping

Dave and I are LOVING the look of brick hardscaping.  And, we've got some hardscaping projects in our future (with the upcoming build of our new carriage house), so we're really inspired to create something beautiful.  Here are some drool-worthy images that inspire me to start laying some brick down!

So, my question to the DIYers out there: have you tried a brick project like this before?  Did you use a sand base? Mortar?  Or combination of the two?  We're looking into using a sand filler with a polymer binding (to add a little more strength).  If you have experience, I would love to hear your feedback.

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Busy Week

Lots of things are happening this week.  Here are a few images from my desktop right now...

One of my clients is having her entire apartment painted this week.  I dropped by yesterday to check on the progress.  As you can see, we did our homework beforehand... making sure we settled on the perfect shade.  Can't wait to see the finished product.

I drew this custom roman shade for another wonderful local client this week-- you can do so much with simple grosgrain ribbon.  ;)

part of a bedroom re-design for another Philadelphia client-- we're switching up some furniture in her master bedroom.  I love the tension between a classic Louis chair and a rustic wood dresser.

I found this 1960s faux bamboo armoire at an antique shop this week, and now IT'S ALL MINE.  We'll have it painted, and we'll eventually put it in a guest room.  My mind is already spinning with color options (glossy black? white? what color will I paint the interior?).  Very excited about this guy.

also, Dave and I are filing all the necessary paperwork to obtain a building permit this week.  We've saved our pennies(!!!) and we're ready to build that carriage house.  I'll be sharing more info on this huge project within the weeks to come.



Also...

I'm planning my sister's baby shower and I picked up the invitations from the printer this week.  My mother and I are hosting the party, and we're really excited about it.  Think 1960s Florida/Lilly Pulitzer.  Lots of bright flowers and lady-like details.  On the left is the invitation I designed for the event.  The image on the right is also adorable-- I want to copy those super tall skewer flags.  Simple and sweet.

And finally...

On Sunday, Dave and I stopped by my favorite bakery in the history of the world.  We picked up some treats for the week.  Freshly baked, cheesy artisan bread.  Need I say more?

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