You are Invited: Sip + Shop at TaggArt Studio

Join me along with some of my fashion-forward friends as we share what’s new and trending in our respective businesses! 

Wednesday, September 16th from 6pm–9pm

TaggArt Studio, 339 Salem Street, Wakefield MA

Light bites and refreshments will be provided.

Raffle to benefit GatheringChangeInc.org

taggartstudio.com

yblacker.myrandf.com

stelladot.com/cindyhanshaw

heidifurlong.cabionline.com

Questions? Contact yblacker@verizon.net

Hope to see you there!

Glen Magna Show House: After Photos

Yvonne Blacker Interiors // photo credit: Eric Roth

The summer issue of Coastal Home magazine features beautiful photos taken by Eric Roth of the design transformation of the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. Above is the picture of the lounge I designed, and below are the adjoining two spaces that I tackled for the Holiday Show House in December. Currently, Glen Magna is booked most weekends for special events and wedding celebrations, while during the week they host boxed lunch garden tours. Have you had the chance to visit this North Shore gem lately? I would love to host a family party here, as it feels so much like home to me! 

Yvonne Blacker Interiors // photo credit: Eric Roth

wedding photography: Elizabeth Wertz

Yvonne Blacker Interiors // photo credit: Eric Roth

Yvonne Blacker Interiors // photo credit: Eric Roth

faux finish by Mary Taggart

Taggart Studio

Coastal Home Magazine // summer issue 2014

cover photo: Rob Karosis

Glen Magna Farms designers at Coastal Home Magazine

launch party at Country Curtains on July 29, 2014

Left to right: myself, Donna Terry, Diana Kennedy, Elyse Parkhurst,

Caitlin Flynn, Candy Weston, Jenifer Dunn Coen, Linda Hentschel

(missing from photo: William Ralph and Michael Carter)

photo credit: K + M Photography

pick up the summer issue of Coastal Home

to view the entire feature story by Katie Curtis

a sneak peek of the article is online 

via Coastal Home

photo credit: Yvonne Blacker

groomsmen at Glen Magna // photo credit: Elizabeth Wertz

visit the Glen Magna Farms website

A few client “Afters”

Step one: color consultation and linen choices for the bath

Step two: find artwork to hang over the spa tub

I forget sometimes to show what I am working on with my decorating clients, so today I am featuring a few homes that I have helped transform with fresh paint colors, new art, decorative styling or design coaching. The spa tub above needed a piece of artwork that could fill the space and still make sense with the colors in the adjacent master bedroom. The bedding, which the homeowner chose, is a multicolored small print floral (scroll down below to see entrance to bath). I found this large canvas with tall flowers bordering a sandy beach. I like how it references water (i.e. being in the tub or in the ocean) plus the flowers in the painting are shown in the same rich colors that are found on the bed.

I suggested monogramming “his and her” towels
to add a personal touch to the new bath.

A cool blue was chosen for the master bedroom walls to coordinate with the bedding and to add a contrast to the warm wood tones of the furniture and the sandy palette of the bath. On top of the dresser, I created a focal point that would also anchor the flat screen wall mounted television. I added a pair of candlesticks for a touch of romance and to help bridge the visual gap between the television and the bureau.

For this vignette, I chose objects that were a variety of heights, finishes and textures. A painted vintage box acts as a pretty catch-all for small jewelry boxes along with the odds and ends that typically end up being emptied from pockets at night.

HOUSE NUMBER TWO:

A modern light blue-gray wall color was chosen to compliment the more traditional slate covered floors.




An extremely long hallway was given architectural interest by adding crown molding and wainscotting detail. Now the walls are ready for a gallery of family photos. By keeping the palette monochromatic, the focal point is on the master bedroom at the hall’s end, instead of drawing attention to the expanse of walls.

The master bedroom in this home is a
rich contrast of chocolates and creams.

HOUSE NUMBER THREE: BEFORE

Existing cabinets in this home were refinished and given new hardware to match the new stainless steel appliances. By keeping their existing cabinets, the homeowners were able to splurge on a new granite countertop and tumbled marble backsplash ...

AND AFTER

We chose a cranberry, gray and cream colored granite that would pull out the colors in the stained glass door on one of the upper cabinets. The yellow pineapple plays the same visual trick. When you work with what you have, instead of fighting it, the final design looks much more planned.


Learn my decorating tricks ...
Could your home use a little “design coaxing?” Do you have decorating questions that you would like answered? I am going to be presenting a series of evening decorating workshops at TaggArt Studio in Wakefield starting in January. If you would like to sign up, email me at yblacker@verizon.net and I will send you info.

Special holiday shopping event ...
There will be a holiday shopping open house at TaggArt Studio on this Friday night, December 2nd from 6pm to 8pm and on Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Along with fine artwork from studio owner Mary Taggart, jewelry, hostess gifts, and custom children’s clothing and accessories, my friend Beth Hylan will be there with her always creative holiday trimmings so don’t miss out! For more details, click here. I will be sending over some fliers with the information about my upcoming classes, and you will be able to get on the class list by signing up during this weekend sale. Decorating consultations also make great gifts and I will have some discounted gift certificates available for those hard-to-buy-for someones on your list!

Holiday open houses this weekend

Last night was the Holiday Stroll in Andover.
I stopped by to visit Paula Bakies of Acorn Interiors at her new retail location at 10 Essex Street.
Lots of people came in to take a look at her new space, have a few treats, and see some of the work that
is leaving her showroom ...

An array of ottomans includes a
“before” (all white) and three “afters.”These are available for purchase or can be
custom-designed by request. Let me know
if you need help choosing fabrics : )



Window treatments and ottoman for a girl’s room
designed by Lisa Pasquale (who happens to be
from my home town and is very talented!)

Paula transformed these vintage
chairs into modern beauties.



After leaving Acorn Interiors, I headed over to
another holiday open house at TaggArt Studio which
is on Salem Street in Wakefield. I took some pictures
of what you can find there on Saturday from
10am to 4pm, which is the last day
of their holiday trunk show ...

Some really pretty pieces of inspirational jewelry
designed by Linda Govostes-O’Neill

Gratitude journals and inspirational collage
gift items created by Marianne Snow

Music to celebrate the holidays
by local talent Noel Smith



Mary has a lot of beautiful original works of art available, but this one caught my eye. And remember when I said art lessons would make a great gift? Mary offers many classes for children and adults. Contact her for schedule details.




And don’t miss Beth Hylan of Studio B who is back in Wakefield just for this show. She has made a new home for herself in Concord, MA at Nesting on Main so you may also visit her there on Sunday from 12pm to 6pm during their Holiday Open House.


A gift I bought myself at New England Fine Living:
velvet purse with gold owl clasp from Vintage Wares


It is nice to know that I do not have to resort to mall-shopping this holiday season when there are so many creative shopping venues available locally.
If only I had more time to visit them all!

The Summer Nursery: Design in Detail

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wertz

When I design a space, my goal is to weave together fine details to create a grand picture that is both beautiful and engaging. For The Summer Nursery at Tapley Hall, I chose details that reflect a story book theme, the spirit of adventure, and the tender touch of mother nature. It is an imaginative space that honors the classic relationship between parent and child.

Natural textures played an important role in telling this
story by-the-sea. Linen. Wicker. Rattan. Grass. Seashells.

I picture this nursery in a grand Victorian, somewhere along the ocean’s edge. A true respite from the city.
A quiet place to relax and enjoy the natural rhythms
of the ocean while celebrating the ebb
and flow of motherhood.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wertz

This is a story of juxtapositions where visual
contrasts create symbolic interest ...

Traditional styling paired with modern fabrics.
Fine art sharing space with story book illustrations.
Tailored pieces with a hint of youthful exuberance.



Bright pops of color and playful patterns infuse
this vintage space with modern freshness.

Favorite characters add visual entertainment while
preserving cherished memories from “story time.”

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Little Bear by Elise Holmelund Minarik
A Frog in the Bog by Karma Wilson
Zen Shorts by Jon Muth
Anything by Eric Carle





A story to ponder is woven in wool.

Zebra and leopard prints pay homage to
the wild adventure that is parenthood.

Expectations, a collection of candid photographs
and reflective stories from new mothers,
reads very much like a blog. It was published
in 1998, the year I had my first.

A little boy charms.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wertz

A charming little boy, illustrated by my
all-time childhood favorite, Eloise Wilkin.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wertz

A wildly adorable visitor finds a perfect place to sit.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wertz

Simple dressing of a palladian window
includes a summery sheer that
captures light and softens the view.




Dragonflies, tassels, and garlands of pearl add
a touch of whimsy to the traditional valance.



More tassels are repeated on
a vintage reading lamp.



And one more tassel
decorates a doorknob.

A crown because every child is royalty and
every mom should be treated like a queen.

Stars from the sea as a reminder
of a child’s limitless potential.

A mother’s pearls add natural sparkle.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wertz


A sequined pillow shines brightly.
Truly, a baby is a blessing.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wertz

Sweet dreams ...




Special thanks goes to:

Bassinet: Danvers Historical Society Collection
“Summer Sky” oil painting: Mary Taggart, Wakefield
Valance: RDR for Yvonne Blacker Interiors, Lynnfield
Upholstery and Sheer: Acorn Interiors, Andover
Persian Tabriz: First Oriental Rugs, Danvers
Flowers: Fiddlehead Flowers, Salem
Elizabeth Wertz Photography



And of course, I can’t forget ...

My husband, John, and the stars in our sky:
Zachary, Dylan, Owen and Ben



xoxo
Thanks for all your love,
support, and inspiration!