The Gentleman's Farm
This book features a range of houses from the Eastern Shore to the Hunt Country and the Piedmont of Virginia and has a wonderful section on Eyre Hall in Cheriton, VA

My bags are packed and I'm set to go.  This is without a doubt one of my favorite events of the year. 
"Each spring visitors are welcomed to over 250 of Virginia's most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks during "America's Largest Open House." This 8-day statewide event provides visitors a unique opportunity to see unforgettable gardens at their peak, as well as beautiful houses sparkling with over 2,000 flower arrangements created by Garden Club of Virginia members."
Click here for tour information and details.  Virginia Garden Week.


This year I'll be splitting my tour with a quick stop back in the shop in the middle of the week.
​First up .....

The Blue Ridge Mountains are the backdrop for this rural tour, which features four outstanding estates dating from 1782 to 1993.

Moving down the road to ...
Middleburg
Monday the 25th
In the heart of Virginia Hunt Country, this is always a beautiful tour. 

 
Eastern Shore 
Saturday 30th

Eyre Hall in Cheriton is always a highlight of this tour.

For photos from this year's tour, follow me on Facebook, Instagram or  Pinterest.

          

I'm very lucky to be able to do what I love for a living. Combining my interior design practice with a retail shop is the perfect mix for me because I get to use both sides of my brain and every day brings new adventures. 

Drafting table in my office

Although most of you are familiar with the shop, not all are familiar with my design work, so I thought I'd share with you a little bit about my approach.   Every interior designer has their own methodology. Some start with a color, or a desired feel, or a piece of furniture.  
I start with the question
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"what do you do in this room?"
Watch TV? Entertain? Read? Eat? Sleep? All of the above?  

I follow the adage set forth in 1896 by Louis Henry Sullivan, father of the skyscraper and mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright

Once the function of the space is determined, the tape measure comes out, scale drawings are drafted and furniture plans are developed.   There should be comfortable seating for everyone, ample reading lights, a place to set a drink down and one to put your feet up.
There is nothing beautiful about a dysfunctional space.

Once we're satisfied that the space will function according to it's need, I begin the process of defining the style and feel of the room.  

Design books, shelter magazines and the internet are a great source for inspiration. The vocabulary of design can be challenging for folks who aren't immersed in it, but most can identify pictures of what they like and don't like. 
 
Pinterest is a great tool for sharing ideas with clients. 
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Style is a personal thing and one that evolves and develops over time. Finding your own style is an exciting and fascinating journey.  I'm a bit of a Neo-Georgian, but I appreciate and enjoy good design in many styles. 
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​Only after we've got the plans and feel in order, do I actually start selecting furnishing, fabrics and finishes.

There are many, many great books out there on design.  These are three that I've found packed with usable info and that resonate with me. ​
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Written in 1951 by Richard Gump, then head of Gump's Department store in San Francisco,  this little gem is packed with insights and truths.  
Some examples
"Costliness does not necessarily assure comeliness"
"The latest thing is not necessarily the best thing"
"Over elaboration is not beautiful."
Out of print, but available on Amazon.

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This is a useful guide for both beginners and more experience home designers.  Once you have the basics -  sofa, bed, table, the options for the rest of your furnishings seem endless. 

The authors have distilled the many options available, down to a list of seven essential pieces that are so timeless and flexible, that they will literally be with you from your first apartment to the retirement community.
Have I piqued your curiosity?
Here they are:
Demilune Table - Dresser - Side Table - Love Seat - Bench -
Slipper Chair - Occasional Chair
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​Not sure what the difference between toile and tole is?  This charming collection of  100 of the most stylish design essentials is arranged alphabetically.  It enlightens, instructs and provides the hows, whys and whats of classic details, presented with a fresh, contemporary touch.

Available at Found

I'm not much of a baker, but I do pull out the stops for my mom's birthday.  This year she asked for a carrot cake. This recipe is easy, moist and tasty.  I can never leave a cake unadorned, and the internet is bursting with beautiful images of pineapple flowers.  Truly lovely, but this girl does not have the time or talent to dehydrate fresh pineapple.  Trader Joe's dried pineapple slices to the rescue! With a little experimentation,  I managed to come up with these pretty flowers.

Recipe
1 pkg of spice cake mix  - I used Duncan Hines
2 cups of shredded carrots
1 8oz can of crushed pineapple drained
1/4  cup  raisins
1/4 chopped pecans

Prepare the cake according to the mix instructions, adding the additional ingredients.
Once the cake cools, frost.

Frosting
Stick of butter
Small package of cream cheese
2 cups Confectioners sugar 
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

With a hand mixer, combine ingredients until smooth and spreadable.  You may need to add additional sugar.

Topping
1/2 cup of shredded coconut  
To toast, spread on parchment paper and put in the oven on 350 degree until browned. Keep an eye on it, it can easily burn.
1/2 cup chopped pecans 

Gently press the topping into the sides of the cake.  I usually place parchment paper around the edge of the cake before I ice it.  It makes it easier to clean up the serving plate later. 

Pineapple Flowers

Roll up.  Have fun.