My Journey in Decorating for Pink Saturday 4/7/2012

Today is another Pink Saturday so click on over to Beverly's blog for all the participants of this wonderful meme.
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In the 1980s I was working for one of the very top Fortune 500 companies, highest paid woman, and loving it. Great company, great people who were very supportive, just a great job and, as I said, just absolutely loved doing what I did. I had found my niche in the working world.

I also loved being home and decorating my home.

When we got married we got hand-me-downs from my parents. They were going to move just after we married so they gave us a living room sofa, chair, lamps, tables, a dinette set, two beds and a dresser. It wasn't very elegant but it was very nice furniture and since it came from my parents I knew it was clean and good quality.

Our next furniture, or actually the first furniture we purchased, was a beautiful sofa and chair that was what I called Mexican Colonial. Our neighbors loved it. It was very unique and gorgeous. When we next bought new furniture, it was green avocado velvet but it was in vogue then. I cringe when I think about it now. In the 80s that sofa was recovered in a burgundy fabric. It lasted us several years.

Also in the eighties I discovered crafting. My hubby was thrilled that I had found a hobby since I worked. I didn't feel deprived at all but a whole new world opened up to me with crafting. And that also changed the way I decorated my home.

I then started stenciling my walls. My living room walls I stenciled with a beautiful and intricate design of flowers. Some of my stencils were very pricey, in the eighty dollar range. And if you have any doubts about what I'm telling you, look below at these gorgeous stencils that she sells on her website. Her name is Jan Dressler. I bought stencils from her back in the 80s. She is absolutely the best stencil designer I'm ever, ever seen. Her work is outstanding as seen below on two of her stencils. Going to her website is a visual treat on what you can do with rooms in your home. Do not doubt me on this one. I'm an excellent stenciler and my walls were gorgeous with her stencils. When I was stenciling I was in a world of my own. I loved doing it, and I would still be stenciling if my body allowed it. It isn't the arms or shoulders that get tired; it's the standing on the ladder in hiking boots that started to kill me. (How in the world have I got off topic here?!)


Anyway, I had changed from the fifties furniture of my parents to Mexican Colonial to (shudder) seventies avocado—and with it all the horrid visuals that style brings to mind—to Country in the eighties. I loved Country at that time. But then I discovered formal elegance and that struck me as nothing else could. This is my all-time favorite room. I love this room, absolutely adore this room. I've counted eleven different fabrics in this room. If I could duplicate it, I would absolutely do it.

But then in the late nineties and into this new century I found romantic and shabby chic. I love that decorating style just about as much as I love that room above. While I prefer a more formal living room, the rest of my house definitely leans more to the shabby chic/romantic style. And that's where it will probably remain for the rest of my life. I don't want an all white room as I love color, especially pink, too much to be void of it in a room. I have yet to see a living room I would choose over the one above.

This is a sweet living room. I don't find wicker especially comfortable though, and comfort is the highest consideration along with being beautiful.

I'm so tired of talking (writing) at this point that I'm not going to say much about the photos. Just enjoy the eye candy I've provided for you.

I do love viewing rooms through a pulled back curtain though. The entrance to my family room is like this.

I have lace on every single window in my home.

A gorgeous way to display lace.

This scene reminds me of a story I'll be sharing with you soon.

Hubby and I have been to these Cliffs of Moher. It is a breathtaking view. You actually look down on the birds flying.

I have debated showing this photo because it almost looks funereal, but it just has a haunting quality about it. I prefer to think of it as ethereal though.

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The word crisp sounds just like it means.
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Photos courtesy of tumblr and pinterest

Another Woman's House

I've decided I'm going to participate in Courtney's FNF so click to go see her blog.
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I had a friend many years ago whose in-laws built a home for her and her hubby, their son. I knew it wasn't a good situation because my mom was always giving me something—a credenza, table, etc. but there were always "strings" attached to it. Now, my "gifts" weren't as big as a house but I could see the handwriting on that wall for sure.

The house was built but it was never her home. The in-laws were always visiting and making recommendations to the "woman" of the house. The recommendations were just the start. The mother-in-law almost demanded total control of the house.

In my situation, I gave back every single thing my mom gave me. It just wasn't worth it. It was never mine. She was shocked and a bit disappointed but I didn't want that on my back forever. When friends would visit while my mother was there, it was always, "I gave her this or that." That was my breaking point. Not that it mattered to me that they knew she had given it to me, I just was tired of her telling it to everyone.

So I'm guessing that the wife didn't feel that good about her husband not being able to take care of her and their family. He pretty much lazed around while she supported them. I don't know what became of that family but it wouldn't surprise me one bit that they didn't make it. A woman wants to know a hubby can take care of her through thick or thin. I know that about my hubby—without a doubt in the world. He has enough pride to want to see his family is provided for under any circumstances. A real man is one who has enough pride to provide for his family.
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So now let's look at some gorgeous things.

Ummmm, did you say you liked red kitchens? Beautiful!

Sweet pillow and cushion.

A sweet retreat.

This is how cowgirls in Idaho have slumber parties!

Squeeeeeealllll!! Look at that darling toile table.

This room is probably bigger than my whole house! It looks to be a room off a lady's boudoir.

I'll have this at my party that I'll be doing soon. Fruit drinks in cute pitchers.


This is replica of Marie Antoinette's "playhouse."


Yes, indeed, I love this little dining area and the soft, ethereal pink of it.


A bucketful of posies...

A bed for your princess.



This entrance looks very similar to an apartment we once rented in San Diego.

It's the curtains that grabbed my attention in this photo. I love them puddling on the floor.


Can we say pink fuchsia?

For you lovers of architectural details.


A dream walkway into the woods.

If I could make one of these I would. Gorgeous!

I thought you'd like these vibrant colors.

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Feeling uncomfortable is discovering you're the only one in yoga who eats meat. ;-)
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Photos courtesy of tumblr and pinterest.

Cottages of Carmel & Monterey, California

Carmel and Monterey are two of my favorite places to visit, stroll the shopping areas and eat. One of the best pieces of chocolate cheesecake I've ever had was at The Elegant Rooster many years ago. It was called Chocolate Decadence and it was. It was so rich the glands on the side of my mouth went into shock. No joke! It was actually painful the first two bites, but I persevered and ate the whole thing. Richest dessert I've ever eaten in my life.

I also visited Pierre Deux for the first time in Carmel and it was a delight. It was off the beaten path on a tiny little alley off another quaint Carmel street. You would have loved being in there. I just wanted to browse and see the beauty of their furniture and fabrics but I did buy some darling little journals. They filed for bankruptcy last year so who knows what will happen now.

But here are some of the cottages in Carmel and Monterey and Little River for you to view. It's one of the most beautiful places on earth. Actually, my favorite places are all in Northern California, except for San Diego and Old Town, where we used to eat in tiny restaurants on their back patios among banana trees.

Also, if you ever have the chance to go there you will be in awe of the beauty of the town. It's very quaint and a rather small community, rich in the arts and fine foods to eat. I don't think any place does food better than California.

They also have many bed and breakfast to stay in. We did and had a wonderful time and some of the best food ever. Just anywhere is a pleasure to eat there, even further down the coast are even more restaurants and bed and breakfasts.

Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.

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Photos courtesy of google images.