Lands End Canvas

They started-out as an outfitter to racing sailors...and evolved into the classic, timeless style that Vineyarders, just are.  Lands' End Canvas, simply gets it.  Nothing better than a well-made, classic white shirt, canvas pants, a weathered-leather belt, and an unusual, eye-catching accessory.  This new chapter, for LE, looks back at inspiration from the early 60's, in a modern interpretation.  Just launched, this past February.

To Chase the Rain Away...

...hello sunshine...need a little yellow, today?  It's on the way, don't worry...expecting a gorgeous, sunny, Easter weekend.

...a toile, a stripe, a de Gournay chinoiserie?

Photo:  Chris Everard/Sarah Kaye Represents

One of my favorites...

...from the pages of Veranda, is this Napa residence designed by architect, Howard Backen, of Backen, Gillam & Kroeger Architects.  The ceiling height, large sliding-steel barn doors and use of natural finishes in stone and reclaimed wood give way to a compelling mix of rustic and refined.  The home blends seamlessly with it's environment.  Elementally comfortable, with a presence of history.  I can't tell, by my tear sheets, how long I have been saving this as inspiration...but I still admire it, in a timeless sense.  Could see this type of home, so easily, in a Chilmark setting.

Interior design, by the ever-talented and eco-conscious Barbara Colvin - adore her beautiful use of unbleached, undyed natural flax linen.   Barbara spent more than thirty years as a textile and product designer, and she posesses an amazing collection of 19th and 20th century linens, collected throughout her entire life.

Photos:  Alec Hemer/for Veranda

Intimate Courtyard

...you can do so much, with a little sideyard!  The water features are wonderful, to create a subdued environment, for a little wine tasting with friends.  Garden chairs are from Restoration Hardware, designer: Ty Larkins.

Photo:  Thomas Loof for House Beautiful

Bloomin' Good!

I just adore this couple...and their perfectly, hand-sewn posies!  They hail from NYC, but have moved to the countryside...hens, ducks and all. EmersonMade epitomizes the Vineyard farm-style (see W. Tisbury/Chilmark).  These little (big) blooms put a smile on your face....can't help it.

And to continue the happiness for today...


Happiness is: 
1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket.
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail.
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favourite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake ... (or vanilla ... or strawberry!)
12. A bubble bath.
13. Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15. The beach
16. Laughing at yourself.
17. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
18. Running through sprinklers.
19. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
20. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful/good looking.
21. Laughing at an inside joke.
22. Friends.
23. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
24. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
25. Your first kiss.
26. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
27. Playing with a new puppy.
28. Having someone play with your hair.
29. Sweet dreams.
30. Hot chocolate.
31. Road trips with friends.
32. Swinging on swings.
33. Making chocolate chip cookies (and eating them...!).
34. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
35. Holding hands with someone you care about.
36. Admiring your sweet, little children at play.
37. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much-desired present from you.
38. Watching the sunrise.
39. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
40. Knowing that somebody misses you.
41. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
42. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think. 

- Unknown (via boardofwisdom.com)
Photos:  via EmersonMade.

East Chop Transport

Hip Chic - Jill Goldberg

Whenever I'm in the South End of Boston...I always maneuver my way over to a favorite, little haunt of a furnishings store, Hudson.  I believe Jill opened her shop around 2006...a former California girl raised in Wellesley, she had just the right mix of style that appealed to me.  I love those over-sized table lamps with the brown shades.  Old-school design would say to never throw scale off-balance this way...but I lean towards breaking the rules, as well...it looks great!  Now, don't you want to just go and white-wash an old brick wall, somewhere?

New Twitter Follower...

Just received an email, that I had a new twitter friend...so I decided to pop-over to their website, to see what madisonandgrow was all about.  I had fallen-off the wallpaper bandwagon, quite a long time ago...but in the last two years, I have been pattern-pomping, again...looking for those precious gems that give depth with a funky-twist, to a traditional room.  A lovely Martha's Vineyard collection?  This one, called "michelle smoked bluefish pate", fits my favorite shade of Vineyard sea.

Translating cool notions of modernism...

...looking to hunker down, on a rainy day, and be inspired?  This is a great visual read by one of the most respected design firms in NYC, Aero Studios.  Founder and President, Thomas O'Brien translates a carefully chosen process of mixing vintage, urban pieces alongside new elements.  The mix ranges from formal to casual, and doesn't try too hard...it looks fabulous and effortless.

Browsing the pages of this book, made my mind wander off to how I could re-work my own home-office on the Vineyard?  Which brings me to an interesting point...more professionals are choosing to telecommute from their second home.  And why not?  It affords the opportunity to have the best of both worlds...in professional and personal life.  Here is a great article, I found in the NY Times, that broaches this new approach to changing work habits...

A House for a Few Finds...

Love the setting of this home...pastural, peaceful, blending with the enviroment.  Designed by Hutker Architects.

Photo:  Brian Vanden Brink

A Few Finds...

...feeling a bit tartan, today!  Top:  Burnished copper, bistro chairs ($198.) and miscellany table decor via Anthropologie.  Antique Tartan Plaid c.1906 artwork via Jayson, $120.  Settee via Jayson, $1,320.  Tibetan carpet via Madeline Weinrib, NY, upon request.  Ordinal distressed wood dresser topped with aged metal via Anthropologie, $998.

How many more months?

until you can dip your feet in the sea...?  (This winter has been unrelenting!)
Ahh...but today...where did this Spring, come from???

Photo:  Carter Smith for Zara, via dustjacket attic.

The Shingle Style

Turn-of-the-century, shingle-style architecture at it's finest.  Featured in the current CT Cottages & Gardens issue.  L.E.E.D. green-certified architects, Shope Reno Wharton delivered an impeccable, relaxed vision of understated elegance.  For more inspiration, I highly recommend viewing their portfolio.