Ninety 2 Nothing

As Gandhi proclaimed, "happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony"... Oh to live deeply, finding success in channeling our energy more effectively!

The words below hit home with their reappearance in my inbox last week. Images and faces we see each day are a vivid reminder of the abundance of opportunities and the lifespan of influence. Frequently I hear the voice of Jim Parker echoing a piece of wisdom he blessed me with in 2002, "at any time, we can easily be placed for just one person". We could be at school, in a city or an office, on a trip, or in this world for just one person.

Is anybody happier because you passed her way? Does anyone remember that you spoke to her today? Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that's slipping fast, That you helped a single sister of the many that you passed. Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said; Does the girl whose hopes were fading, now with courage look ahead? Did you waste the day, or lose it? Was it well or sorely spent? Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a scar of discontent? As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say, "You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?" Author Unknown

I'd much prefer a single, rich, confident yes to any one of these questions, over a whole list of hopefully's... even if it takes a lifetime to achieve.

Bright and Sunny Weekend!

I'm sure most of you have seen this already on HGTV Dream Home, but I just had to post this cute little sunroom. Its so bright and cheerful! I like how the curtain separates the chair from the rest, and I like how the pictures are hung with what could be photos of the family you love. Everyone have a great weekend! xoxo Daisy~

Checking in from London..

.... Am in London for three weeks. Will drop in a quick hello and a post in the coming week, sharing London vignettes with you :-)

Designer Ladies

Angela Free Design

Via: Angela Free

Angela Free began her international career in design and fashion twenty five years ago, while immersing herself in the rich, resplendent cultures of Europe, Asia and Southeast Asia. Today, Angela is renowned for her timeless interiors, which balance classic aesthetic traditions with personalized custom details to create a refined and gracious whole

While projects range from cozy family homes, to high-rise city apartments, to summer and winter vacation residences, Angela creates interiors that are not only sophisticated and chic, but also livable, inviting spaces that are easy to call home. Angela believes that fine interior design is the result of an intimate partnership between client and designer. With every endeavor, Angela develops close, attentive relationships with her clients and strives to celebrate their individuality, interests, and daily essentials for living and entertaining.

In addition to imaginative design concepts and collaborative partnerships, Angela Free Design offers the gold standard of client service. From years of hands-on business experience, Angela brings with her a unique expertise in organized project management and top-notch accounting with a proven process for keeping projects on budget and on track. Clients can be assured that not only will their projects be realized with spectacular creative vision, but also with unwavering reliability.

Designer Ashley Roi Jenkins

Via: Ashley Roi Jenkins & 7x7sf

Ashley Roi Jenkins glammed up this first-floor half bath with beaded wall covering, crystal sconces and a taffeta drape between the sink and commode.

San Fransico designer Ashley Roi Jenkins was accustomed to using only the best furnishings and fabrics for her clients, but her own office—which she operates out of her Presidio Heights one-bedroom apartment—was cramped and makeshift. So Jenkins decided, boldly, to sacrifice her dining room, living room and a storage closet to create a real office. “I needed to take it up a notch,” says Jenkins, who started her own design studio in 2001. She began by making the storage closet into a work area for her assistant, painting it pink and placing a midcentury-inspired desk and table nearby.

Take a look at this kitchen before Ashley got her hands on it and remodeled. Now it looks calm and smoothing!

Mexican Textiles

I'm still crazy about these Mexican embroidered textiles and had another wave of the "I must have that" emotion washed over me when I saw this post from Design Mom.


I guess there is a newer company that sells these fabrics in some different shades than the ones I have seen before. Part of the fun of these textiles is the bright color. But I am head over heels for the grayand especially for the creamy white.

I love the headboard idea (in orangey-red above) but I think these more soothing colors would be perfect made into a special duvet cover.

WANT TO INVEST IN HISTORY?

Did you know that income generated by Historic property is eligible for a 20% federal tax credit for rehabilitation costs and federal grants MAY be available, e.g. for a new roof or cracked foundation? Historic properties are known as “houses with character,” and renovations may be needed. “Places worthy of preservation” are listed among 78,000 homes, with 1500 new ones added each year to the National Register of Historic Places. If you own or purchase a home associated with historic trends, a historically significant person or type of construction or architecture, or in a neighborhood that is one of the oldest in your city, it may be considered a historic property, and thereby worth more than otherwise. Anyone can submit a nomination as long as the property’s owner consents, and once on the register, it is there to stay. The property’s history must be researched an included in the nomination and sent for review to your state’s historic preservation office. After state approval it is reviewed by an advisory committee and then sent to Washington, DC for review by the National Register. Check with your local government before making any exterior or interior changes. Costs can be higher and it can take more time to “stay true to the original period.” Doors and windows may need to be custom made, brick matched, and fixtures replicated. Some original period items you will want to do without such as drafty windows, sparse bathrooms and kitchens, lead paint and coal-guzzling furnaces!

Kate Spade

~Accessory Deisgner Kate Spade~

If you've ever owned a Kate Spade hangbag then you'll understand how wonderful they are. Chic, hip and style all in one! She has such a fresh sense of style that goes into all her great items and I love the delicious colors of them all. So enough about handbags and such - take a look into her Southhampton, New York Weekend getaway home.

Kate decorated the living room using cheerful, bright green paint on the walls. Shades of raspberry are offset with black and white.

Kate's guest bedroom features everything that her guests would need to feel at home short-story collections, pajamas, slippers, fresh towels, and toiletries like sunscreen and shaving cream.

Beyond the French doors of the dining room lies the back patio.Inspired by a '50s-era photograph of Robert Evans' Beverly Hills home, Kate mixes and matches color.
Kate's NYC Apartment

Via: O at Home & Kate spade

CraigsList Photo Previewer

Thank goodness for computer nerds.

Some genius developed this tool for Firefox that automatically uploads thumbnail pictures of things for sale on CraigsList.
As if I don't already spend enough time on CraigsList...

The Zest of Summer!

I just came across these two great websites that I had never visited before- they are awesome. I found lots of great photos to get you in the mood for Summer Fun! Now wouldn't this be great to have as soon as you walked out your back doors!

Via: Wohnidde.de

Via: Sia-home fahsion

Spotted

Saw him today at Central Park.

He was handsome in person (in that quirky sort of way) and seemed like a really nice guy. He had his son up on his shoulders and they were having a very sweet conversation about horses (from what I could tell, as we were passing by). I was totally star struck.

Traditional with a Twist

I am really loving this dining room, decorated by Barrie Benson, a talented designer in the South, who was named one of the Domino 10.


I love that the room is traditional, yet completely unexpected. I can't get over the chairs and those mirrors are perfection.

Here is another room Barrie did. Love it. I'm really digging the whole love-seat-at-the-foot-of-the-bed thing. In a big enough room, I think it is a really sharp look and so functional. Honestly, who can strap on a pair of heels while sitting high up on a bed?

Happy Weekend!

Have a good memorial day weekend! Get plenty of rest and eat some chocolate too- I know I will!

I am loving this pink bed and the lampshades down below go great with the bedspread!

Via: An angel at my table

3740 Lindell to be demolished this summer

Since 1883 the demure Italianate mansion at 3740 Lindell Boulevard has stood witnessing the transformation of Lindell from Grand to Kingshighway from a tree-lined boulevard of grand homes of St. Louis' most notable residents to an eclectic mix of apartment buildings, hotels, various societies & religious institutions, businesses, as well the remaining mansions, which have been adapted for various uses.
Monday evening however, the St. Louis Preservation Board voted to allow SLU to demolish the mansion to make room for an expansion and re-styling of its law school. In what amounts to an arbitrary choice of style, SLU is saving the more grandiose turreted mansion to the east known as the "Queens Daughters" building and demolishing the more reserved mansion next door. The absence of strong preservation minded members John Burse and Michael Killeen left a 3 to 2 vote in favor of demolition. Those voting for demolition were: Mary "One" Johnson, Terry Kennedy and David Richardson. Barring an appeal of the decision, the 125 year old mansion will be demolished this summer.

Also at Monday's meeting the board voted with the exact same 3-2 split to demolish the last full block of historic commercial warehouses on the St. Louis Riverfront. The three buildings, which are owned by the LCRA are located at 1101 N. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. (Wharf Street) between Biddle and Carr. A four story 1880's warehouse occupies the middle of the block with an older one story limestone cold storage building to the north and a two story warehouse to the south dating from the mid 1900's.
The majority of St. Louis' riverfront warehouses were demolished in 1940 to make way for the arch grounds. While many historic buildings remain in both Laclede's Landing and Chouteau's Landing, none remain along the river fronting on Wharf Street. North of the doomed block both the Laclede Power Company and the remaining north half of a cold storage lie along Wharf Street, but their addresses are on Lewis to the west. The massive Ahsley Street Power Plant is east of Wharf Street, kitty corner to the three warehouses. Unfortunately the warehouses lie outside the North Riverfront Industrial Historic District which includes the buildings to the north.

postcard views of the St. Louis riverfront in the late 1800's

While the one story and four story warehouses have some deterioration issues, such as a section of missing roof and some localized collapse of one wall, they are far from unsalvageable. Monday, an official from LCRA insisted that their presence would impede phase 2 of Lumiere Place, which calls for several residential buildings, with some retail space. The funny thing about this is that according to an article in the December 28, 2007 issue of the Business Journal, the LCRA had put out an RFP for rehabilitation of the three warehouses that was due on January 25th.
Once they did not receive any submittals, which is not too surprising given current economic conditions and the relative isolation away from re-developed properties, the LCRA suddenly deemed the buildings as in the way of development. However site plans and models that have been presented by Lumiere show the phase 2 development ending at Carr, south of the warehouses. Pinnacle has committed to $50 million in residential development. What they have shown south of Carr would easily satisfy this requirement. There have been no plans released for a phase 3 north of Carr... lets face it Pinnacle is a casino developer, not a residential developer. If these warehouses are indeed demolished, I predict that the site will remain a vacant gravel lot for up to a decade or more like the nearby Fresh Building which burned and it's remaining portion carelessly demolished in 2001.