i've never done one of their assignments, but have been fantasizing about joining in. if you do one, please let me know ~ maybe it'll be just the inspiration i need to finally take part.

{from the "make an encouraging banner" assignment}

{from the "photograph the sun" assignment}

{from the "recreate an object from someone's past" assignment}

{from the "fix something" assignment}

Celia
Priya Sebastian is an awesome artist and illustrator who works mainly in charcoal and pastel.
Whenever I see her work I feel 'black' is the most beautiful colour. Congregation Self-Portrait
The most striking feature in most of her illustrations are the 'eyes' of her characters, they seem to express so many different emotions!Yama
She uses colours also beautifully just to give that extra punch.* Sigh*
Cats
Woman
I am still under the spell of the amazing works by these two extremely talented artists. Hope you enjoyed their work as much as I did showcasing them.:-)

(images of Kalyani's work from Jellicle Cat and Priya's from The Plum Tree)

P.S. A special thanks to Masala Chai, who introduced me to Kalyani's work.

Oh the sea breeze on the Moroccan coast made her hungry and living in landlocked Marrakech, she had just one thing on her mind when in that seaside town of Essaouira ........fresh fish.  Thankfully, there were some delicious options.   

Now one could always sit family style at plastic covered picnic tables near the pier.   It was all about eating tomato and onion salad with a fork, fried fish and grilled shrimp with fingers, and washing it all down with sticky sodas sipped from straws.  It was messy and it was chaotic but somehow that was why it was so fun. 

More upscale, there was lovely Taros Cafe where one could while away the noon (or evening) hours under woven umbrellas on the roof terrace.......

Oh, there was a view of the sea at Taros Cafe......of view of which she never grew tired.......

Mmmmm.....the grilled calamari...........And a cold beer.  Perhaps the perfect meal?

And then at night in Essaouira, there was After 5  Lounge Restaurant.  The blogging girl and her best friend were partial to their stuffed crab...........

There was a well stocked bar and cool music.

After 5's atmosphere:  Chic Cavern.  (What do you mean that is not a genre, either?)  And the French owners were amusing and told the best stories.

But the Summer was over now.  Sniff.  And so goodbye Essaouira and hello again beloved Marrakech....

 Taros Cafe:  Place Moulay Hassan, Essaouira, 024-476407, www.taroscafe.com

After 5 Restaurant Lounge:  Rue Youssef El Fassi, Essaouira

Back in January 2006, we wrote a post entitled Eight Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Interior Designer. The eight questions were part of an article in Home magazine and we linked to the magazine.

We like to link to an article and highlight several questions in our post, rather
than list all the questions. That way people go to the linked site and we both benefit from the traffic. One of our frustrations looking back at some of our posts is that not all articles are archived. If you click on the link above, you land on the magazine’s website, but it’s the June 2008 issue and the “Eight Questions…are gone!

It’s been awhile, so, because of inflation, we’ve come up with our own eleven questions:

1. Do I like the designer? Can I spend a lot of time with him/her? Good communication is a must. Working with an interior designer involves some give and take. You will share ideas, and the designer will contribute insights and advice based on his or her talents, knowledge and experience. Depending on the scope of the project, you could be working with your designer a couple of weeks to many, many months.

2. Do I get that he/she is trying to understand me by asking a lot of questions? The key to success is really getting to know you in the early stages and how you and your family use your home and your interests.

3. Does the scale of my project really warrant an interior designer? Even if you think you could accomplish the redesign, do you have the time and inclination? You need to be realistic about how much money you are willing to spend. Include in this estimate the cost of all raw materials, new furniture, labor for installations, and possibly a designer.

4. How do you charge for your time? Designers may charge by the hour, which can be anywhere from $35 to $300, and these costs can quickly mount up. Others may offer a free first consultation, and then quote you a flat fee on the basis of your discussions. Some may charge for the first meeting in advance and then a fee for the whole project based on the estimated hours. Some may bill you for hours used each month. Some may bill each month a level amount. Some may get a designer discount and pass some or all the savings on to you. Whatever the basis on which your interior decorator is paid, make sure you both agree on the budget.

5. Can we accomplish the redesign and stay within my budget?

6. I can’t decide if I like the design. Do I still have to pay for it? “Yes! When you decide to hire an interior design firm, you have decided to trust the design recommendations of that firm.�

7. Are you available for conversation about changes and fine tuning? A good designer knowing you may present you with several options and give you the choice of one or the other. ASID recommends: “Minimize changes to your plan. Each part of the design will affect the whole. Changes or special requests can require any number of adjustments that will add time and expenses to your project.

8. My friend doesn’t like your ideas. Why shouldn’t I listen to her/him? If you have to ask this question you should probably have hired your friend.

9. Can I go to the local Design Center? With or without you? Of course, just let them know that you are working with a designer and his/her name.

10. What if a piece of furniture comes damaged? The furniture store should inspect the furniture when it arrives. The designer should also inspect the furniture before it goes to the client. If something is missed or it breaks when it is used, the designer and the furniture store will work together with the vendor to resolve any problem.

11. How long does it take to receive things, once they are ordered? Here’s a guideline (though individual vendors may vary):
Upholstered Furniture: 10-16 weeks depending on vendor.
Casegoods – Chests, bookcases, tables, hutches, etc.: 8-12 weeks depending on vendor.
Window Treatments: 6-8 weeks depending on size of job
Accessories, Lamps, Art Prints, Silk Flowers/Plants: 4-6 weeks or less.
Rugs: If machine made, 2-4 weeks. If hand knotted, 3-4 months
Wallpaper/Fabrics: 3-5 days.

Several websites contributed to this list of questions and their answers:

Apartment Therapy LA Good Questions: Hiring an Interior Designer
ASID Working with a Designer
Nancy Werneken Interior Design Frequently Asked Questions
Lynle Ellis Designs Before You Hire an Interior Designer
NWSID Why Hire an Interior Designer?
CCIDC Frequently Asked Questions About Certified Interior Designers
Directory M articles Interior Decorator

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery

Posted by Kerstin

During this important year (presidential election and all), I readily admit that I don't rush to the front page of the New York Times or the Washington Post each morning.

More than likely, I am flipping through party pictures on style.com or my new favorite: a weekly blog feature on New York magazine hilariously dissecting the latest "Top Chef" victim.

See the latest cooked turkey, Spike, below.

I plan to return each Thursday (the day after the Bravo show airs) to read through the silly commentary. After that, I will look through this and last season's archives.

It's frivolous. I am not learning a thing. But a girl needs to ease into the weekend.

Share your online guilty pleasure -- we won't tell your boss.

From Julie:

Machado and Silvetti Associates is a Boston firm that specializes in museums (Getty Villa renovation, Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Provincetown Art Association and Museum) and urban projects; the founding partners are both from Argentina and both teach at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. They designed this cottage in Wellfleet, MA, on outer Cape Cod, which looks like the perfect studio for a pair of architects (note the drafting tables).

..........lots of things. Lots.

I inherited the gene from my mother. She is having a Garage Sale this weekend, and I have been commandeered to help. I may end up buying more than I help to sell. My Mom is the Queen of Collecting, and has amassed quite a few treasures over the years, many of which have managed to make their way into my house. Ahem. They found their way over here all on their own. I swear.

My Mom has collected mercury glass, vintage cake stands (and this was WAY before Martha started knocking them off), Ironstone pottery, Celluloid boxes, Victorian shell boxes, Hotel silver, fine silver, Polish and German pottery, books, contemporary art, antiques, twig furniture.....the list goes on.

As I said, I did inherit that gene, much to my husband's dismay at times. He refers to us as "Kangaroo and Kangaroo", a reference to a children's book about two Kangaroos that collect so much they can't fit into their houses anymore. They have a sale and get rid of everything, then start all over. ( I was just trying to find a copy on Amazon to show you all, and all I came up with was a book no longer available, but worth $300!....see, it does pay to hold onto stuff! Now where did I put that thing? My husband is gonna croak when I tell him.)

Anyway.... as I was saying...I do love to collect. I have been collecting hotel and restaurant ware and thought I'd show you a couple of pieces (above...a jelly bowl and syrup pitcher). What I like about hotel ware is that it is not so precious it can't be used. We use ours with abandon...almost every time we have pancakes.

So....I'm curious. What do you collect and do you use your collected pieces? Or just love looking at them? I have a bit of both sorts. Please spill!

Now, where did I put that book?

Nichols & Stone, the only sizable furniture manufacturer still operating in the "chair city" of Gardner, is poised to quit making products from scratch.

Nichols & Stone is a premier manufacturer of furniture and the only sizable furniture manufacturer still operating in the "chair city" of Gardner, Massachusetts.

...to establish an elegant alternative for urban dwellers. Made up of 23 luxurious town homes and flats, the development has the familiar feeling of tradition with modern-day conveniences.

(The) magazine called on renowned Atlanta interior designer Dan Carithers to oversee the home's interiors. A walk through the home is a visual feast of design finery, with everything from floors to ceiling provided by vendors like Stone Age Designs and Hickory Chair. Carithers' own furniture line by Sherrill Furniture is on display throughout the home

• Fabric, fabric, fabric: Carithers uses repetition of fabrics on linens, upholstery and walls.
• Seats for all sizes: Little ones like luxury, too. Throughout the home, child-size chairs were sprinkled among traditionally sized pieces.
• Button-tuft this: Carithers' use of button-tufted pieces gives the home an instant dose of comfort and glamour.