I am engaged ...

Engagement “ring” available at
New England Fine Living

Working on the soon-to-be launched New England Finery Magazine has completely consumed my creative thoughts.

Table setting by Linda Smith
of New England Fine Living

Linda and I have been meeting regularly at this very table to discuss page layouts and desired content for the first issue.

Vintage fur muff: Seams Couture
Photo credit: Elizabeth Wertz

I am completely in love with the photos that our photographer, Elizabeth Wertz, has taken for our feature story.

XOXO blank notecards
yvonne b. designs

If you are in the area, please stop by New England Fine Living for your chance to take home some of the items that will be highlighted in our February issue (say “hi” to Linda while you are there!)

Refinished floors by C&R Flooring

The fact that my own house is finally getting some finishing touches during this exciting time is icing on the cake. But truth be told, it’s difficult to create blog posts when my house is filled with guys (the working kind that is).

Rest assured, I will be back soon with some “before” photos and worth-the-wait-happily-ever “afters” ; )

Birthday gifts ...

Which would you choose?
A. white metal crown
B. glass paper weight ...

Today is *MY BIRTHDAY* so I am hosting a special give-a-way! I had to spend yesterday dismantling my designed space at Tapley Hall which I promise I will post photos of soon (no more sneak peeks, but the entire space!) While taking a show down always makes me kind of sad, I did, however, bring home all kinds of pretty decorative items that will now be going into my growing collection of design “props.” It would really cheer me up if I could give one of these items away to a follower of my blog. Please leave a comment below and tell me which item you would like *as your gift* if you are the lucky winner. Three items are from the show (A, B and C) and items D, E and F were designed
to coordinate with the look of the space.

I will choose a name at random one week from today on Tuesday, August 10th, so be sure to get your choice in before 11:59pm EST on Monday, August 9th. If you are a Leo, like me, I will put your name in the drawing twice ; ) If you are not a Leo and would like an extra chance to win, just mention my give-a-way on your own blog, facebook or twitter. Let me know if you are entitled to more than one chance by providing
a link to your online post. Good luck!


C. down-filled pillow covered with yellow sequins


D. dragonfly note cards (set of 24)



E. zebra note cards with dragonfly trio (set of 24)

F. monogrammed note cards with zebra border and

your choice of center color and font (set of 24)



Check back soon for more photos
of “The Summer Nursery”

Beach Bag Giveaway!

With summer days right around the corner, I
have decided that it is time for another giveaway!
This beach bag and towel gift set (both in the
Pantone color of the year, Turquoise) are the
perfect pair to give or keep for yourself.

(vintage animal print scarf not included)

Fine details combined with indoor/outdoor fabrics
that can stand up to sea and sun make this
beach bag pretty, durable and unique.

Inside it is fully lined in a sea foam green stripe,
has a built in zippered pocket along with
divided pockets to securely hold cell phone,
keys, summer reading, sunglasses, etc.

I am enclosing one really pretty super size beach towel (that I picked up while shopping last night for stylish props for my space at the North Shore Design Show) so that our lucky winner is completely coordinated
(a swim suit to match is up to the winner!)

All you have to do to be entered to win is:

1. Be/become a follower on my blog
(simply hit the “follow” link at the top of the blogger tool bar) and leave a comment on this post telling me the color of your favorite swimsuit or the name
of your favorite beach (or just say something
nice about my blog : )

2. For a second chance to win, post a link
to this giveaway on your own blog
(send me the link) and/or through Twitter
(follow me on Twitter by clicking here).

Entries must be received by Tuesday, May 11th by 11:59pm EST. I will randomly choose one entry and then announce the winner on Wednesday, May 12th
at 9am EST. Prize will be shipped only to
an address in the United States or Canada
(to be provided by the chosen winner).

This seashell pillow from my last giveaway, now resides in an Ogunquit, Maine home. To see other items that coordinate with this collection,
please visit my etsy shop ...

Good luck!!
xoxo yvonne

Virtual design: girls room

I recently listened to the Feb. 19th Skirted Roundtable discussion featuring author/illustrator Jackie Von Tobel – designer of fabrics and interiors. She writes a blog titled Jackie Blue Home and has created a number of comprehensive design books on soft furnishings (I must add her directory of Window Treatments to my library!) The soft, delicate colorways and patterns combined in her new line of fabrics and pillows reminded me of this “Zebra with Florals” pillow listed in my Etsy shop.

I chose this floral fabric to back the
12 in x 16 in down-filled pillow.

I would love to see this decorative pillow used in a girl’s room (how lovely it would be on the small chair shown above listed recently on ebay), with walls painted in Benjamin Moore Elephant Gray 2109-50 and ceiling done in Raspberry Ice 2072-70.

I would order lots of Von Tobel’s Quatrefoil in Aubergine or Zebra in Jet to take care of fashionable window treatments (refer to her book for ideas!) and pick one of these painted pieces from Maine Cottage available at Circle Furniture (any of these colors would be quite nice!) to add colorful storage.

A sweet lamp like this one designed by Meghann O’Hara for Oopsy Daisy and available on Rosenberry Rooms would add a painterly touch.


Next virtual design:
pre-teen boys room


P.S. On the day after posting this, I was watching Modern Family on ABC. Guess what I saw in baby Lily’s well-dressed bedroom? That show has the best set decoration : ) I would so love that job!

yvonne b. designs now on etsy

About a year ago, a friend told me I should list pillows and such from my design collections on etsy, an online marketplace for handmade items. Well, I finally did it! Check it out ... I will be adding more items from my “inventory” over the next few days. For now, I have started with my Vintage Seaside Collection featured above. Now I have a place to market some fun pieces (sewn by my talented workroom) using fabrics that I love and have collected over the years.

Browse, buy and let me know what you think ...