Dining Room ... Done!

This space is finally done.  All the little details in place and it is now home for wonderful dinner parties.  And the Mr. has chosen to use it as his office when he is home.  The best complement I could ever receive.  

It all began with a plan to bring in some light. Remember the shimmer of the ceiling?  

And this chandelier?

Beautiful Kravet silk now frames the windows, pulling out the subtle trellis pattern on this Lee Jofa grass cloth.

The Clam Shell dilemma I was having a while ago?  Real or fake?  Then I saw this Coral at Brimfield.  And one day, while looking for a few baskets I happened upon this beautiful one made out of mother-of-pearl.  Much better than the fake resin ones.  Much more affordable than the Coral!  Add some oomph ... bring in orchids and moss.  I am not generally a fan of "faux" flowers.  But there is this store ... Perennial Designs ... I will gladly take any of their faux!!

 The warmth comes from the mix of textures.

Silk ... & ...  Grasscloth

Orchids ... & ... Shell

Gilt ... & ... Wood

Let the party begin!

xo,

kim

Swan Song ... so to speak!

Please don't think I am going sappy ... but there is this fabulous Audobon property near our home and the things that happen there are amazing.  There is this particular area of water with chopped off dead trees that looks like a hurricane came through.  However, I have no idea if this is the result of a hurricane or how it came to be.  

This is mom, keeping the nest tidy for her family. 

Last year there were Heron nests up high in the dead trees.  This year a pair of swans made it their home.  The place they chose to have their family. 

Dad is taking the little ones out for a swim.

Mom has finished her chores and swims briskly out to catch up with her babies.

Looking for good snacks for the kids!

For the past 6 weeks cars have stopped along the roadside to take photos and just admire these creatures that mate for life and take care of their little ones.  

A wonderful sight of nature and beauty.

Their presence has been a gift and made this stretch of road a wonderland.

I have taken all the kids and made them get out of the car and take notice.  They think I am weird.  Isn't that what they are supposed to think anyway?

An unexpected gift.

There were originally 8 babies.  Now there are only six.

Like all parents they are doing their best to keep them all safe.  At least we don't have to worry about hawks and snapping turtles.

Have a wonderful weekend and take in the sights along the road!

xo,

kim