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Commencement Time

6/17/2016

 
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​Congratulation to all the freshly minted graduates and their families.  Whether it's from kindergarten or medical school, it's  an accomplishment to be proud of. 
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com·mence·ment
a beginning or start.
"at the commencement of training"
synonyms : beginning, start, opening, outset, onset, launch, initiation, 
inception, origin

I've always been struck by the notion of these life transitions asCommencements - beginnings.  I like that. That these events happen as we move into summer, seems like perfect timing to me.  The season's slower pace affords us an opportunity to reflect, recharge and move forward into our next big thing.


Having the luxury to try new things is one of the joys of summer.
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As a a child, my summers were filled with many opportunities to explore new things. Lots of lessons (art, swimming, riding, piano), Vacation Bible School, camp, and  
Summer School "for enrichment". 

The later was not always high on my hit parade, but in retrospect was a great opportunity to learn new things in a small relaxed fashion.

So here's what's on my Summer School Curriculum this year with  a fun new way to matriculate. 
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Learning at your fingertips
With so many apps to choose from it's hard to narrow it down to a few. These are ones I enjoy and hope you will too.

Learn a New Language  
Planning a foreign trip or simply interested in expanding your verbal horizons?  
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Duolingo is the app for you.


Nature 101
Summer is a great time to be outdoors. Take some time to learn about your surroundings. 
What's that bird? Try out Merlin Bird ID
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Not sure about that beautiful tree.  
Leaf Snap 's your app
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Arts and Crafts
There are tons of wonderful apps to flex your creative muscles.  
​My current distraction of choice is Assembly
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Meditation 
 If you're like me, trying to meditate is like a mental game of "Whack a Mole".  Ideas keep popping up in my head, I keep trying to empty my thoughts - not very relaxing.
Buddhify to the rescue.  Guided meditations for any occasion in the palm of your hand.
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Language Arts

Love word games? Try Word Whizzle.
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​Is poetry your passion? iF Poems is for you.
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Recess
Because all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.
If you just want to get silly, give Dubsmash a go.
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Root Beer Floats - an Iconic Summer Treat

After all that studying, why not treat yourself to this classic.
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​Better yet, indulge in one of these.
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Happy Learning!

Here Comes Summer

6/17/2016

 
For those of us with traditional homes, it's sometimes challenging to work out how to inject a bit of summer decorating into these classical spaces. The happy bright colors we see in design magazines somehow seem to be too much and surf boards and tiki huts just won't do.

I turn to another classic - British Colonial Style
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​​Born in a time when the sun truly never set on the Empire, British colonial style evolved between the 17th and early 20th century, when British citizens went to live in Africa, India, Asia, and the Caribbean  They adapted their refined design style to the climate and available materials where they moved. 

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Nowhere is this style more appealing than in the West Indies. Merging with styles brought by other European colonizers - France - Spain - Holland -West Indies Style is the perfect inspiration for sophisticated summer design.

Elements of The Style

Key to the style is the idea of expatriates adapting their familiar decor styles to their new surroundings and making use of local materials.
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Furniture
Classic mahogany pieces
Light upholstery
Campaign furniture - easily transported pieces
Rattan, bamboo and wicker

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Fabrics
Solid white linen or cotton  
Indigenous fabrics - batiks, palampores  
Natural colored jute, sisal, or sea grass rugs 
oriental rugs

 
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Artwork
Botanical Prints
Ornate Mirrors
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​Accessories

European colonials were a surprisingly cosmopolitan people. 
They were well traveled and liked to show off their treasures.
fine crystal
 fine china
silver items
Asian blue and white porcelain
 animal horn
tortoise shell
hurricane lamps
seashells
maps
telescopes
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Plants
 potted trees and exotic blooms
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Some easy ways to bring the style home
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​​Give your heavy formal drapes a a summer vacation.
Replace them with matchstick blinds. They're inexpensive and easy to install.  Try Home Depot or Lowes.
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​While your there, pick up a potted palm or two.









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​Raid your basket stash and use them around the house in new ways.
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​Fill them with your favorite shells 
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Consider investing in summer slip covers.  I had white matlesse covers made for my living room pieces years ago.  I love that they go right in the washing machine and lend a calm cool air to the room. I love mine so much, I sometimes leave them on all year.

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​Pick up some batik pillows
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​Roll up the carpets.  Leave your hardwood floors bare, or put down some seagrass rugs.

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​Add some new pieces to your blue and white collection. 

Pick up some orchids at the grocery store.







Use your silver in unexpected ways.
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Pick up some bamboo pieces.

India Hicks
The reining queen of Island style

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​Granddaughter of  Lord Mountbatten, last Viceroy of India and cousin to the British royal family, India has indeed lived a charmed life.    Model, author, entrepreneur and long time resident of Harbour Island in the Bahamas, India has created a lifestyle collection that is infused with her island vibe. 

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The collection includes bags, scarves, jewelry, candles, fragrances & more.
We are so excited to be hosting a trunk show of these wonderful items at FOUND.
So mark your calendars and stop by 
India Hicks Island Style Trunk Show
5/25 -5/28
Stop by Wednesday morning for light fare 
or 
get a head start on the weekend Friday night 5-7 with cocktails & nibbles 
We'll have the collection all week.

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Want to learn more about this style?
Pick up one of these new books in the shop

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    Karen Helme

    Karen is an interior designer and the owner of FOUND. 

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Frederick Country Center
5716 Kennett Pike
Centreville, DE 19807


Hours

Wed - Sat 
10:00-5:00

Telephone

302-777-FIND

Email

foundcharmingobjects@gmail.com
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