Fun With Stripes...

I love the look of clean black and white stripes against this aqua wall! Black and white goes with everything and makes everything pop!

What a wonderful way to decorate a nursery...it is still fun and colorful...and the color scheme and design is timeless! Don't forget the ceiling when decorating...especially in a small room. This treatment would be equally stunning in any room!

My new obsession is drapery using the stripes horizontally. I'm looking for a fabric right now for my kitchen area...you must find fabric that is "railroaded" or printed on the fabric horizontally instead of vertically. Most home dec fabrics are only 54" wide, so they are not wide enough to give you a length longer than that unless you seam them. Railroaded stripes enable you to make the length you need without putting a visible seam.

Blue and white is always a crisp combo that looks forever fresh!

Try some stripes on your bedding...Notice that the stripes are horizontal on the bed skirt. You get a lot more visual interest by adding simple stripes.

I live in an older home ...yes, I have to do my laundry area in the basement! I sure wish it was as cheery as this one!

Stripes mix easily with other prints.....

Just visualize how plain and boring this entrance would be if it was pure white!.....see, I told you that black and white stripes make everything pop!!

Simply adore this collection of striped pillows....

Again, picture this cushion cover in something other than this red and white stripe....not as much fun is it?

I'm pretty sure I have used this photo before...but it really says it all when it comes to stripes on a wall in an otherwise "lifeless" room.

Simple and clean....love the pillow!

Bobbin settees are coming back! I should have a few in the store soon. They are great seating options for small spaces.

Again, kind of boring without the striped rug! Don't forget that we carry the full line of Dash and Albert rugs at the store. They come in all sizes and colors and are really affordable! Stop in to check them out and look through the store catalog. There are wonderful rugs for your outdoor areas also...just toss the smaller ones in the wash...the larger ones can simply be hosed down! Check out their website...we have lots of color samples at the store. www.dash&albert.com

Stripes can also be calming and sophisticated.

Paint some horizontal stripes in a bedroom, bathroom, sun porch...well just about anywhere! All you need is a level, good painter's tape, paint and some time !

I'll be heading back to Erie tomorrow...visiting with my grandchildren (and Josh and Em) in Florida. Stop by the shop to get inspired! We will be painting some horizontal stripes in the front area of the store, so we can answer any questions about painting them if you like...or we could "hook" you up with someone who could do it for you. We also are waiting the arrival of a shipment of fabric ...and , you guessed it!...some of them are stripes that can be used for horizontal striped drapery!! and the prices are amazing...Take care, Sue

Our New Grandchild!!

Our sweet new baby boy Weston Forrest Bartlett.....with his big sister McKenna and big brother Landon!! Only...one day old!

Now I have to find a way to get to see all of them...they live in Florida..bettter start checking the airlines....more later....Take care, Sue

Erie Gardens in National Garden Conservancy's Open Days

Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 24th, from 10-4, when six local gardens participate in the national Garden Conservancy's Open Days!!

Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to explore these amazing gardens. Visit www.opendaysprogram.org to learn all the details. Click on the 2009 schedule and scroll to Erie... all directions are there for you. Tickets are $5 per person per garden, or discount booklet, 6 for $25. Available in advance at the Erie Book Store or by calling 1-888-842-2442. Check it out! Take care, Sue

Party Time!

I recently went to the most glorious bridal shower! Marcia McCreary really knows how to throw a party! On the front porch the color scheme was apparent....black and white with apple green accents.

Upon entering the foyer, I was greeted with this lovely arrangement....black and white flip flops decorated with a bright green mum!.....tiny green mums were hot glued to the reusable tote bag.

The tote bags were sent to every guest to put their gift in...then the bags were given back to each guest so they could recycle and use them for shopping...what a great idea! Each guest was also given a planter filled with herbs.

This green pot was filled with mums and placed on palm fronds...a theme used throughout the house.

.The family room has a beachy theme to it...Marcia loves the beach ....Plenty of woven fabrics, sailboat pictures, seashells...

My photos don't do this house justice. The living room walls are painted the softest aqua and then they were horizontally striped with mat polyurethane to give a subtle pattern. The walls were painted by Maria Minnaugh. The edgy mirrored chest of drawers is topped with shells and family photos. Above the chest is an original painting done by Marcia's mother in law.

A white slip covered sofa takes center stage. Glass topped bamboo cocktail table adds another dimension to the room as does the black mirror in the background. Again wonderful flowers were floating in a glass bowl and "to beautiful to eat" trays of food were set everywhere. The caterers served Mojitos , coconut shrimp, chilled sweet potato salad, pork and pineapple skewered appetizers, salads in champagne glasses, blue cheese and walnuts on salad leaves, and so many more yummy treats...the deserts were to die for! The party was catered by, By Request, they did such a wonderful job! so elegant were their food displays. I would recommend them for your special party!

Here is the "bride to be" with all of her tote bags filled with goodies.

Rachel is marrying Marcia and Greg's son, Patrick in just a few short weeks! Best of luck to the both of them!! they are such great kids! And to you Marcia...you did such a wonderful job as a hostess...and your home is fabulous...I just wish I would have taken more pictures!