A few shout outs ...

My boys got the above quote this week to set them off on the right foot (I am trying to encourage a supportive band of brothers and they seemed like they needed a gentle reminder). They always surprise me, however, when they can quickly rephrase the quote into kidspeak. According to son #2, “It means if you help someone, good things will happen.”

In that spirit, I am listing links to the businesses of a handful of my friends. Anyone willing to put themselves out there with a business of their own deserves some wind in their sails every now and then. Be sure to mention that you saw them on my blog (I am actually trying to gauge audience interest in different products) or feel free to post a comment here to let me know your thoughts (you can even just anonymously check a box if you liked this post : )

Thank you in advance for visiting my friends!

People always stop me when I am
carrying a bag by Jane Skelley.

I am putting Oranta Millwork
in my own home ... soon!

If you have young children and live
in the Boston/North Shore area,
you will love Wiggles & Giggles
for party entertainment or
parent-and-tot classes.



Special creative workshops at TaggArt Studio are looking good! What a cool idea to combine yoga with creative art instruction! Sign up now to register for other Winter 2010 classes. Classes begin Jan. 11th.

I wish this parent-to-parent matching service was around when I was home all day trying to keep up with a bunch of toddlers (and desperately wishing for adult conversation!) Discover new friends to help you navigate the ups and downs of parenthood at truebluematch.com. Or become a fan on Facebook to receive parenting tips, newsletters and friendly support from founder, Christine Cook (my trueblue friend since grade school!)



Some of the above friends are featured on my website Friends Who Design which I created in fall of 2008. My goal for this site was to promote creative friends in a virtual marketplace in order to share resources and references. When I came up with the idea for the site, I did not have any experience with blogging. Nowadays, I finder it quicker to share information through this blog, but I still update the Friends site often. Check it out and be sure to share it with your friends!

Keeping my resolutions ...

There is something about posting resolutions online that is quite motivating. I highly recommend telling a world of strangers (or friends you haven’t met ; ) your goals if you want to be held accountable for working towards them! So this weekend, while I did not get on the treadmill (haven’t gotten around to clearing off the miscellaneous clutter that is piled on top of it) and I still finished off a box of Cheese-its (they were already open ...) I did manage to get started on resolution #4: Tackle at home design projects.



Awhile back, we had to jack up the floor of our sagging four-square Colonial (phase one, reconstruction: totally necessary, but not visually satisfying in the after department). This procedure caused the curved wall (originally lath and plaster) to literally come crashing down. We then had it replastered (twice) to get it right.



Somehow, I have never gotten around to dedicating the time to re-priming and painting the new plaster (it is such a small job, why hire it out?) Since the second plasterer was returning to look at another project in our home (master bedroom : ) I figured I had better get to work on the thoroughly cured wall (it is a good idea to let plaster cure for about three weeks for best results when possible. I am pretty confident that our walls are bone dry).




With constant renovations in progress, we find ourselves moving items from one room to another a lot, so it took about an hour for me to find all of the necessary prep work supplies. I even found the original gallon of paint (Martha Stewart Pebblestone) that I put on the walls awhile ago even though we weren’t officially done with the space (we still need to finish the crown molding, the trim, put down a new hardwood floor and redo the staircase ... ) See why we have a hard time crossing jobs off our to-do list when every project hinges on a big something else??? Not to mention the life-with-kids-fact that usually the boys are running through the house, asking to be fed, and in need of my expert negotiating skills on answering the often asked question “is it my turn yet??” Well this weekend it was my turn to do something!

My hubby took the boys out and I got started on sanding the walls (which required the extra precarious effort of getting on a very tall ladder) and then cleaning up the mess (there was white plaster dust everywhere which I decided to let settle before vacuuming walls, etc.). I am now 100% ready to paint! Since I had a busy day today with real work, etc., I will schedule a little time tomorrow between the bus and a consultation appointment to get the paint on the walls. I will post the end result. I pinkie swear!

A new day ...

Before you read any further ...

I wrote my original post early last night as I was at home with 2 out of 4 kids who were under the weather (no need for details). Instead of going out to celebrate, we made a family dinner for the healthy among us (roast, mashed potatoes, corn) and had a few bottles of Prosecco, one 2-liter of gingerale, plus a jar of marachino cherries all chilled and ready for a midnight toast. Well, we never made it to midnight. I woke up (hangover free) but face-to-face with the resolutions that I had penned the day before.

The last thing I wanted to do today was get to work on sanding, priming and painting the new wall in the foyer as I had envisioned (see resolution #4) or jumping on the treadmill (that would be #6). So instead, I went back to bed and hid my head under my pillow for a couple of hours! When I got back up (good thing the kids can get their own breakfast!) I sat down with the hubby/general-contractor-in-residence and we decided to make a wish list for 2010.

Let’s just say that by October of 2010 we should be done finishing what we have started around here (plus I will have my *dream* kitchen!) So, now I just have to get to work on everyone else’s projects so that we can make it all happen (or start playing the lottery). I just figured that by making the list we could throw it all out there to the universe and see what comes back!

P.S. I am happy to report that we did start the day with fruit smoothies and I stood in Mountain Pose for at least one minute. Next I will be gathering up a few friends to see the movie “It’s Complicated.” I figure it will provide some comic relief (plus some visual escape) to the end of vacation week and the start of a new year with high expectations!


So now back to my previously scheduled post ...

My 10 resolutions for 2010

#1 Streamline time on technological devices (interpret as needed)

#2 Travel more ... with and without the kids.

#3 Inspire my children with daily quote board (already started this : )

#4 Set time aside each day to tackle at home design projects. Look for “Designer Confessions” coming to this blog soon!

#5 Organize family photos like I used to. I am about 5 years behind (my sincere apologies to my fourth child who is almost 6). The outrageous number of pictures I take with the digital camera might have something to do with it ... I guess running out of film was a blessing in disguise! I plan to skip the photo albums and create memory books online instead. Resolve to create books with actual people in them and not just design “before and afters.”

#6 Get on the treadmill for 10-15 minutes a day without fail. Do at least one yoga pose a day. If I can devote substantial time every day to mundane tasks like laundry and dishes, there is no reason why I can’t do the same for something that will actually have long-term physical benefits. How hard can 15-20 minutes be?

#7 Actually use lateral file to file stuff, instead of as a drawer to put things in “till later.” This goes along with the annual resolution to get organized. I would love to know exactly where something is when I actually need it instead of wasting time searching through piles (of paper, of clothes, of ...)

#8 Eat more high energy foods and less Cheese-its. More green tea, less Keurig.

#9 Schedule time for family adventures. The boys are all old enough to get out there and try new things, and with all my new found time and increased energy (see resolutions #1, 6, 7 and 8) I should be able to keep up with them!

#10 Expect to be lucky and at the same time focus on gratitude.


My resolution last year was not to have any resolutions, which actually worked out pretty well, too! Good luck with whichever approach you decide to take in 2010.

Inspirational posts

A tiny vignette of child-attracting objects features
a glass “wish” ball and a sparkly fairy.

For my third resolution going into 2010, I have decided to write an inspirational post each day and post it at home for my kids. Today I brought them over to my friend Beth’s Design Studio which is now officially closed. It was only a nine-week “pop” shop set up for the holidays ... I am so going to miss it, as it was a pretty – and quiet – place for me to escape to! I sat all four of the boys down in my corner of the store so that I could pack up remaining inventory to bring home. I figured they could at least help carry pillows to the car without the likelihood of doing any damage. While we were there, I grabbed the chalkboard frame off the wall with the intention of using it at home for my “words of wisdom” idea.


When we returned home, I found a prominent spot to hang the chalkboard. It is at the bottom of the stairs in the foyer, a place where every family member can see it as they come downstairs to begin their day. Even my husband noticed it right away (and he rarely notices anything without my having to jump up and down and point out “look what I did!”) With the exception of my youngest, who is just learning to read, each of my boys asked me about the quote and why I had written it on the board. I was surprised at the conversations we had!

As a mom I feel some days like I am constantly repeating myself with advice on how to behave and why ... now I will just let the chalk do the talking! And when the words come from someone else, sometimes they are more likely to be heard and believed.


I like to collect the inspiring words of others.

I chose the first quote from Walt Disney (someone famous that they could relate to) as a New Year’s reminder that each of us has the power to accomplish whatever we set out to do. You would be surprised at some of the long-term goals that my boys believe they can achieve ... they always start out with “I want to be a famous ...” They remind me of when I was 100% certain when I was little that I would sing “Feeling Groovy” on the television show Community Auditions, the late 70’s version of American Idol! Not sure where I got the idea – and I never did make it onto the stage – but I told a lot of my playground friends that I was going to do it at the time! My mom probably said I would be just as good as any of those kids up there (she still tells me I should sing every now and then!) and I just believed her because she believed in me. Funny how that works, huh?

I am really looking forward to this new resolution to inspire – and to believe in – each other as an important part of our daily routine. I might even let the boys choose favorite quotes of their own to post on the board, or they could post a few words of encouragement to someone else, or write a simple line of gratitude. I will let you know how it goes ...

On a less-than-perfect side note, my youngest picked up the glass paperweight that I named “the wish ball,” closed his eyes tight, and then proceeded to wish for Call of Duty 5 (if you don’t know what it is, consider yourself lucky!) I guess we have a long road ahead of us! I think the next quote will be the Chinese saying “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Have a safe – and inspiring – New Year’s Eve!
xo Yvonne

Virtual views ...

Furnace Lake on Sao Miguel in The Azores ...
a place I would like to visit some day to research my
paternal family tree (and to enjoy the views).

The view outside a window in Sarasota, Florida

I feel as if I have been in my house for days on end. Okay, it has only been about one full day, but it was a long one spent un-trimming the tree and tidying up after the frenzy of the holidays. I am so ready for a change of scenery! Well for 2010, I would like to start venturing out to explore some places that I have been meaning to go (resolution #2: travel more). I would like to start with Sarasota, Florida.

While I have heard that the temperature in Sarasota has been somewhat on the cool side lately, I am sure it is a lot more comfortable than what feels like freezing in the Boston area today. To make matters worse, there isn’t even an ounce of New England snow on the ground for my kids to play with during their Christmas-to-New Years break (so many idle sleds are littering my backyard as I write this). I am thinking now would be the perfect time for a sunny getaway!


Some ocean inspired pillows that I designed
now reside in sunny Sarasota, Florida

Recently, I was able to help decorate a condo in Sarasota (okay, a couple of my designer pillows found a home there) but have never been there to see it in person. That’s why Sarasota is the first destination on my list, especially since I know that my husband and I can stay there for free ; ) Realistically, we will have to save the Azores for another time (or decade!)


A pair of lounge chairs await our visit
along with comfortable sofas, too.

Image from online brochure at Robb & Stucky Interiors

And when we have soaked up our fill of sun-induced vitamin D, there is actually a lot of great furniture shopping that can be done while in Sarasota. Robb & Stucky Interiors, for example, has a few original items that I wouldn’t mind bringing home with me to New England as a traveler’s souvenir...

The Around the World Occasional Chair would be fitting.

This 3-tiered piece is as beautiful as it is functional.
Robbie Tier Table is designed by master craftsman
John Black (a strange almost-coincidence)


If price was no object, I would take home
a pair of these classic Barcelona chairs.


Watercolors Hand-painted Shell Cocktail Table
However, I would happily settle for this lovely piece of furniture as art. It would be the perfect reminder of the award-winning shell covered beaches found along the Florida keys.


Chanda Stripe Multi fabric designed by
Annie Selke available at Calico Corners

And just in case you are lucky enough to be in the Sarasota area (or near another Robb & Stucky location), check their listings for design events and seminars. Guest speakers have included designers Barbara Barry, Alexa Hampton and coming in February (to Sarasota) Annie Selke. Time for me to start researching those flights ...

P.S. to M&B: Thanks for the use of your photos!

Modern vignettes

Modern sitting room by designvignettes
on Polyvore.com

Comfy new year by designvignettes
featuring American Eagle Outfitters

My four boys have been keeping themselves pretty busy since the 25th, playing with their new holiday toys/electronic gadgets. Today I figured that I deserved a little down time of my own to have fun online with one of my favorite design tools polyvore.com. And since yesterday’s post focused on recreating a look based on historical colors and formally styled treatments, I felt compelled to design the opposite – a modern yet comfortable “room to outfit” look (a concept taken from the late Domino magazine). Now all I need is a good book to get me through school vacation week while I curl up in my comfy chair dressed in my cozy clothes ... any suggestions? In the meantime, I will get to work on writing my new year’s resolutions.

Resolution #1: Schedule time for blog writing,
but *REALLY* try not to exceed set time limit
by bouncing around on the internet all day!

A gift for The Stevens Estate

Stevens Estate design update:
new window treatments

I am sure you have heard – or maybe even spoken – the words “listen to your mother!” Well, one day while we were talking on the phone, my mom casually mentioned that my aunt had several boxes of drapery panels and sheers that she had put in storage after a recent move, “I think they would look nice at The Stevens Estate. Why don’t you give Auntie Marty a call?” I am always happy when my mom tells me that she has read something on my blog (or if anyone tells me they have been reading for that matter!) so when she offers me advice on design projects I always listen. And in this case, especially, I am so glad that I did!

My aunt generously donated the beautiful draperies and sheers (thank you!) seen in the photo above, which were a perfect match to the work we had recently done for the Estate. A special thank you also goes to Paula Bakies of Acorn Interiors for professionally re-sizing them, along with providing expert installation.

Here is a visual reminder of the Stevens Estate inglenook before we began redecorating. Under the new direction of Estate manager Laura Gifford, the redecorating has begun to reflect the historic elegance of this stately North Andover mansion that may be rented for small, intimate parties or large gatherings including weddings, conferences and fundraisers.

BEFORE: The view to the grounds
was blocked with ill-fitting sheers.


AFTER: Properly dressed, the inglenook – which
is at the front entrance of the Estate – now
provides visitors with an appropriate welcome.



Another gift: I added this newly framed print of an original architectural rendering of the Estate (Hartwell & Richardson, 1889) that I discovered online to the shelves flanking the window seat. I also brought over a box of old books that my mom had in storage (are you sensing a “we-don’t-throw-anything-away-in-this-family” trend here?) to help fill up the shelves. Attention to details – plus good old-fashioned recycling – makes a world of difference!


These two chairs from the Stevens Estate are
scheduled to receive the next makeover.

Check back soon ...


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