Above: Exterior – White Cedar shingles, Door’s in Nantucket Red. Side deck, Home Goods Garden Stool, Restoration Hardware – Malibu Collection.
Since the 70’s its been a law office, a sometimes summer dwelling, a retreat from other major renovations, a spa, a home to more than a few spiders, and seen its fair share of paint and paper. It waited patiently, frankly with far more patience than I myself possess, for its day in the sun.
I would say all the waiting was worth while. The Manse, finally finished, gained a few inches in height, spread her wings a little to make room for a first floor suite of sorts, and a proper foundation – if you are going to build a nest, you really must have a solid foundation. It’s a miracle the old dame lasted as long as she did, sitting so indignantly on the dirt, but 230 years later, she landed in the pages of the Boston Globe Magazine.
Now owned by my youngest Sister, Jo-Jo put the architecture in the hands of my father, and the interior design in my hands – who else. The results are what I refer to as “cozy coastal”. The article provides details of the space, but just a few photos, so here is a bigger glimpse into the results my biggest project to date.
As I wondered through the shops in Chatham today, with only a thinly veiled guise in toe, my hunt for thank you notes, I was struck by the number of people that so openly proclaim they can get this, or that, for so much cheaper at Home Goods. While it’s undeniably true, that many wonderful things can be purchased there, show some respect folks. It’s hard being a store owner, and think how genuinely nice it is to stroll local shops in town – any town.
So I bought my cards and picture frames, and a belated birthday gift for my little 3 year old friend who will forgive my tardiness. Isn’t that one of the very best things about being 3? Time is fluid. Forgiveness is given freely, and joy is unabashed. Oh I can’t wait for her to get her fairy garland.
Now that I have supported the local shops, I can tell you with an open conscience that Target has come out with another line of lighting that BEAUTIFUL. It trails behind another HGTV hit hostess and is so crazy affordable, I am tempted to buy far more than I need and squirrel it away for a rainy day. Leanne Ford and her Project 62 line will have those that lust over Serena & Lily, Rejuvenation, or even West Elm’s more economical lines – well lining up to load their shopping cart. And wait you better because Target says it’s a limited edition.
While most the Restored by one Ford Collection is pendants, and floor lamps, if you are in the market for table lamps, head to Home Goods this weekend. They are having an enormous sale on lamps, rugs, and more, and the stores are packed with product. This girl spotted a few John Adler knock-offs, a couple of mid-century modern globe lights, a couple of Ralph Lauren ginger jar blue and white beauties, and many more, you are sure to find a desk top, bedside, or sideboard or console table lamp to brighten your home.
Getting ahead of things helps keep me from falling behind. That’s why I start planning the color palette long before I have my place on the market. In this case, No. 4 is scheduled to land just after Labor Day. Interested? Very little inventory on the market, and mine is a honey of a property….a good things come in small packages kind of surprise.
Makes sense to me….Homesense furnishings and accessories.
I feel like the halfway point demands a grand gesture, a dramatic statement, a wild moment at the very least. I believe in milestone celebrations. My yoga coach is always talking about living in the moment, enjoying the journey – well if I live until I am 100, I am literally living in the middle of the moment of my life, and my quest. Maybe I should have fireworks. Enormous balloons? A Pony, or perhaps a zebra. I’ve always felt most strongly that graphic prints are the very best statements in a home, so a zebra seems fitting. I doubt my budget will allow for any of that, though I am confident I could come up with all of the aforementioned items and the party would be FABULOUS.
My favorite color….gray!
Staying focused can be a drag sometimes, but planning the direction of No. 5 is not, so let’s get on with it. I was sitting next to one of my industry colleagues the other day at a board meeting (I’m in the corporate real estate industry and my colleague is in charge of real estate for TJX Companies – they own Home Goods, Homesense, Marshalls and more). I got to chatting with Chris about designing one of my flips using only items I purchased at Home Goods. Such is my obsession with that place.
I’ll take the screens, the garden stools, that lamp and the pillows!
Could it really be done? Could it really be done by me? I love an outrageous idea like this, that might attract the attention of the media. I like being on camera, and one day, might just have my own show. Who knows, the American appetite for design is insatiable. Lord knows I’ve done other equally outrageous things to get published, not the least of which include spending more money on a yard of fabric than some people pay for summer camp for a kid. That decision isn’t likely to be forgotten, at least until I pay off my credit card. When will I learn?
Color coordination makes me happy.
This route could save me thousands upon thousands of dollars. I can also attest to genuinely loving what they have to offer. I buy a massive quantity of goods – which make my home decidedly better than good!
My go to list of items include:
garden tables
lamps
bed clothes
knock-off accessories
rugs
pillows
They do one of two things, fade into the background ( I mean that in the best possible way), or they wow on their own. Now it is true that my go-to approach is to mix HG items with pricier brand name pieces. It always feels really good when people comment on the assemblage of items, singling out an HG find, but could I do a whole home? Their furnishings aren’t among their strongest offerings, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bed in any of the stores.
Ah, but they do have them, and it’s lovely.
Home Sense on the other hand has expanded offerings, and just recently open in Braintree, MA. I can stop on my way from Boston to the Cape. More concepts to come. Please do weigh in.
