Tag Archives: Shells

Sunday Thoughts – Finding Design Inspiration While At The Beach On Cape Cod

A designer’s mind is ALWAYS designing

I am passionate about window treatments, as if you didn’t already know that.  I love this business so much, even after 30 years, that I manage to find inspiration for my unique designs in the most unusual places.

Most of the time the weekend does not mean I leave my projects behind.  My mind is constantly going through the Rolodex of current, perspective and past custom window treatment projects.

Designing window treatments brings me lots of JOY

We’ve escaped to Cape Cod for one last weekend before our daughter heads back to college.  As many of you know it has been a very eventful summer for our family.  Our son moved into his first house and our daughter had major surgery.  She is feeling far better than any of us imagined.  Check out Amy’s Back.

Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective.

Sitting at the beach is total relaxation for me.  My mind is free to wander.  It is in this nothingness that everything I look at inspires a design for a window treatment. Designing is more like child’s-play than work.

Hard sand at low tide makes a great drawing board

The tiniest of pure white seashells stand out among the grains of sand.

A sprig, if that’s what it’s called, of seaweed dances and sways with the incoming waves.

Adding in the motifs of the fabric to the window treatment sketch in the sand.

Boat/dock lines inspired the decorative trim along a valance.

Materials

Ocean blue and sandy beige beach themed fabrics will be used to create a beach themed window treatment.

See the design in the studio for this project.

Check back in a few days to see the completed design in my Cape Cod clients beach house.

I’m heading back to dip my toes in Cape Cod Bay

Happy Weekend!

XOXO

What do you think about when it’s time for rest and relaxation?  Where do you get your inspiration from?  I would love to hear from you.  Please leave a comment below.

Having a hard time being inspired by anything when it comes to decorating your house?  I can help you uncover the simple hidden treasures to make your house into the home you love to live in.  Contact me today.

In The Studio~Underwater Theme For Cape Cod Dining Room

New England’s changing seasons bring a variety of weather but this Cape Cod home will be able to enjoy the feel of cool ocean waves and sandy beaches all year round.

Before

The naked window

The photo above is how the window looked when we began.  There was a 1″ metal mini blind for privacy and sun control. The client tells me the previous owners had a dark plaid on the windows; sounds more lodge than beach.

Materials

Ocean blue and sandy beige beach themed fabrics will be used to create this custom window treatment.

The statement fabric is from the  Barbara Barry Collection exclusive to Kravet Fabrics.  It is an exceptionally fine cotton from Italy.  The stripe will be used as the contrast lining.  The seersucker sea-foam stripe is reminiscent of rippling waves. Decorative trim cord will tie the treatment together as you would tie a boat to the dock.  Stripe fabric and decorative cord are from Trend Fabrics.

Dining Room Design

A simple scallop and cone valance is perfect to keep the focus on the large-scale of this undersea motif fabric. Cottage white Hunter Douglas Alternative Wood blinds will be added for privacy, sun control and security while maximizing the view.

The best way to envision how a custom window treatment will look on a window is to do a design rendering right on a photo of the actual window.

Contact me today to begin transforming your house into a home you love to live in.

Field Trip ~ Soho Arts Co. – Artful Living And Giving in Hyannis, MA

Window Shopping on Vacation

What does one do when at the beach and it is raining?……Go shopping of course!  Betsy Young, owner of the Soho Arts Co., has a keen eye on taste and all things unique.  Here are a few things on my wish list.

A fun frame

This cute frame is such a fun use for left over fabric. These rosettes are reminiscent of my grandmother's yo yo quilt. Remember those? How cute is the name of the company too?

Cotton rugs

They stock a vast selection of cotton rugs that would be great on tile or hardwood. The stripes are so summery.

Nautical knobs

Soho Arts Co. carries so many unique knobs and pulls that would make accessorize any piece of furniture for the beach cottage.

Sand Dollar pull

This sand dollar knob would work especially well on cottage white kitchen cabinets.

Beach shadow boxes

My daughter and I were inspired by these beach shadow boxes. What a creative way to display the treasures found on the beach. We are always in search of sea glass and heart rocks. This may be a project I tackle with all the free time i am going to have when she leaves for college!

Scarfs

A full array of colorful scarfs creatively displayed at Soho Arts Co.. Draped over a pine table or around the waist of a plain dress, these are sure to add a punch of color and style. My decorator eye sees these made into simple café curtains in a cottage bedroom. They would give just enough privacy and you could watch them blow in the breeze.

Not so plain tee

This classic white V neck tee is not so plain when dressed up with this soft scarf.

Soho Arts Co.

One of my favorite stores on Main Street, Hyannis, MA. Their tag line is "Artful Living and Giving"

Stop in on your next visit to Cape Cod.  It is well worth the trip!

www.sohocompany.net

What are some of your favorite things this week?  I would love to hear from you.  Please leave a comment below.

What?  You don’t have any favorite things about your house?  I can help you uncover the simple hidden treasures to make your house into the home you love to live in.  Contact me today.