Labor of love ...

This has been a very busy summer with
little time for rest and relaxation.

I have been wearing a lot of different hats.
Magazine editor, photo stylist, graphic designer, writer, decorator ...

Oh yeah, and mom of four growing boys
(do you have any idea how much laundry that entails?)

Good thing I love what I do,
because my work feels like play.



Truth be told, I have had the chance to attend some really
fun events lately, too, which I promise to post about soon!
In the meantime, please visit my guest post on
Decorating a Nursery on Patch.com.


– All photos taken at La Bella Baby Boutique –

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!

The Summer Nursery: My Inspiration

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wertz

I used this image of a vintage decoupaged screen
circa early-to-mid 20th century to illustrate
my design concept for “The Summer Nursery.”
Screen available through Vintage and Modern.

Now where were we? Oh yes, I left you yesterday with a glimpse of my proposal for the summer design show at Tapley Hall: Reflecting upon Danvers History through Interior Design, plus some before photos of the large public space that would later be transformed into a series of smaller vignettes by a dozen-or-so design professionals. I had decided that a summer nursery would be fun to put together, and I
had a good idea on how I wanted to do it.



My plan was to create a modern interpretation of the Victorian screen above using decoupaged story book images that I have collected since my children were small. When I was young, my mom made a big impression on me when she decoupaged our refrigerator (I have mentioned this story before, I know!) with clippings from magazines, books, and whatever she could rip out and Mod Podge down. I knew I wanted to create the same type of memory for my own children, using the images from our favorite stories. The most difficult part of this process was locating all of the book jackets that I had saved over the past decade for this very project (they were finally discovered in three different places). I would like to say that my house is completely organized and well-edited, but my storage area could probably be featured on an Oprah show about “not being able to let go of the past.” But you know, when I need something, I always have it even if it takes me hours to sift through still-packed boxes from our last move or from new boxes that now store the memories of my own four children. I am working on getting rid of some house clutter this summer, and will report back after a future yard sale, but for now let’s get back to our story ...

While I originally envisioned using a baby crib for my vignette (yes, I still have one and am saving it for someone – other than myself – who may need it someday) I was given a tour of the Danvers Historical Society archives and they had this ...




Could anything be more perfect for a vintage summer nursery??? White wicker, aged yellow linen, delicate ruffles, trimmed with ribbon. So my crib stayed home and this lovely bassinet became the main character of our story. While I was checking out the large collection of vintage treasures donated by Danvers-area families to the historical society’s collection, I saw these
cuties that almost made it into the show ...


Staffordshire Dogs, circa 1850


I put in a request to borrow them for my space, but a few weeks later, while out shopping for finishing touches, I caught sight of a pair of these ...




Doesn’t he look just like Rainbow Fish? This was another bedtime favorite of ours. For the show I hid two of them in my nursery-by-the-sea vignette. Can you find one below and do you recognize any of
the storybook images on the screen?




I will be back later in the week to share more
pictures and ideas. For now, the winner of my
Design Show/Birthday Gift giveaway is ...



Mary B!

I will be in touch with you soon
to deliver your crown : )

The Summer Nursery: the Proposal

When I first went to visit Tapley Hall in Danvers
to take a look at the spaces intended for the
summer design show, this is what I saw ...

It was around March when the call to designers went out. At the time, I was thinking about my participation in the North Shore Design Show scheduled for May at the Wenham Museum, but when I heard about this local (15 minutes from my house) new summer event to benefit the Danvers Historical Society,
I figured why not check it out?



This is what the foyer looked like upon entering. Who can resist this type of design challenge? I was hooked!

Some of the spaces had unique visual obstacles like these two plaques that had to remain on the wall. The “Tapleyville” sign, antique chair, and oil paintings belong to the historical society archives and were displayed as inspiration pieces that could be incorporated later into the designed vignettes.




How would you like to design around an air conditioner, radiator, support post or all three?
I kept walking ...

A blank wall beckons like a blank canvas ...

The stage would have been a great spot to shine ...

But I fell in love with a cozy corner with great light from its palladian window. The green trim and cream colored walls seemed easy enough to work with, and the carpet I knew would fade into the background with something fabulous on top of it from First Oriental Rugs. On the ride home, I started to think about
what kind of vignette I would like to create ...

Since my space for the Wenham show was a flashback to my youth where I daydreamed about my future career, I decided this space should reflect another stage of reverie. When I was little, I always dreamed about what my life would be like as a mom. When I became pregnant for the first time I spent a good nine months wondering about how much my world was going to change. I could hardly stand the waiting!! To pass the time, I started to think about how I wanted our baby’s room to look. I have decorated (and redecorated) a lot of kids rooms since then, however, that first space dedicated to our new baby and the beginning of my journey into motherhood will
always have a special place in my heart.

Come back tomorrow for the next chapter ...




Last day to enter to WIN an item
from The Summer Nursery
{click here for details}

Weekend Update: Design Show Close Ups

A freshly modern space designed by Sandra Biondo

Welcome to my special weekend blog post featuring
a small glimpse of each of the designed spaces at Reflecting on Danvers History through Interior Design now showing at Tapley Hall
(Open Sunday from 1pm to 4pm, closed Monday
and Tuesday, reopens at 10am on Wednesday).
I stopped by on Saturday morning and took
some closeups of each space ...

Wreath on front door of Tapley Hall
by Fiddlehead Flowers of Distinction

The foyer by Landry Home Decorating,
Sandra Biondo and Tina Melanson

Arrangement by Fiddlehead Flowers for space
designed by Sue McGrath of Calico Corners

A charming outdoor space is brought indoors
by Rosanne Palazola of Tuttle & Co.

Custom designs by Miguel-Angel DeLaCruz
for Balcacer Upholstery

Ann Chapdelaine of Interiors for Living has several
spaces featuring amazing historical reproductions.

Carpets by First Oriental Rugs are found throughout.

A palladian window is elegantly dressed
by J & I Custom Drapery & Upholstery.

Muralist Mark Grundig paints an
historically accurate vignette.

Alfalfa Farms Winery is represented in a tablescape
designed by Sandra Biondo and Cathy Gareri.

Vintage items from the curated collection of the
Danvers Historical Society grace each vignette.

A most unusual tea party is depicted

by Tina Melanson of T.M. Designs.



Irene Kucinski of Santorini Design created
a sweet dream-like space for a little girl.

Storybook characters fill my vignette ...
look for Magic Fish while you are there.

And my son, Owen Charles
(another character!)

The Museum Store is also open, and has a unique assortment of items from participating designers
along with carpets from First Oriental Rugs.

Today I dropped off some artwork
inspired by my designed space.


Also, there are still tickets available on a special designer reserved list for Wednesday’s “Meet the Designer High Tea” being held at Glen Magna Farms on this coming Wednesday, July 21st at 4pm. With the price of admission ($40 in advance) take in the show at Tapley Hall first (2pm), then head to Glen Magna for a panel discussion, refreshments, and a tour of the grounds. I am looking forward to being back at
Glen Magna and will share a few of my stories
from the last time I was there (if asked ; )