PRAY...

Please take a moment to tune in to http://www.msn.com and update yourselves on Hurrican Gustav. The people in it's path need all of our prayers.

Affordable Modern Art...Jen Renninger

I must have one of these absolutely fabulous deck prints by illustrater Jen Renninger! Seems many other design gurus and bloggers alike are in love with her gorgeous illustrations! Though the space I live in is pretty traditional, I have become quite captivated by modern architecture and design!

Go to her site http://www.pleasebestill.com/These prints are only $25 !! She has many other works that capture the spirit of the modern design icons! There is a "Between the Walls" series that is also worthy of mention! I can't wait to get one, or perhaps two since they are so affordable!! ENJOY!!!!

Happy Labor Day!

Tiny Treasure

Here's a tiny treasure that I keep on my desk and cherish every day. My Mother made the clay vessel when she was a little girl. Her initials are engraved in the bottom. The colors are beautiful and I think she was way ahead of her time. She probably was not aware of her calling as an artist at such a young age, but I am sure she delighted my grandparents with all the things she made in school. It was no surprise that she graduated from college with a degree in Fine Arts!

I am a lover of the sea and collect shells from my travels. It is nice to have the things I love right in front of me on my desk for inspiration each day.

Check out the painting of the poppies to the right on the blog page. My favorite painting done by my Mom. Take out something you love from your past and include it in a tablescape or vingnette and you'll be surprised on the enjoyment you'll get out of it!!

Re-Group!

I don't know what it is, but I finding it hard to re-group and get back into the swing after a long relaxing weekend on Devil's Lake, MI... Why does 4 days of leisure go by so quickly, when 4 days of work seems to go at a snails pace? I am having blogger's block and cannot think of too much to say to inpsire. Hope you enjoy the pics I took to help remind me of the fun we had! Also a good reminder to take a few moments each day to stop and smell the roses!

Have a Great Weekend!

I'll be back Tuesday! Have a great weekend!!

These gals are GOLDEN!

Wasn't the gold medal match awesome? These ladies are awe inspiring!

Hope your day was better than mine! Have a good evening....

House Stories...#1 Modern Mama!

Okay...so I have all the pics in the wrong order..still learning! This home may not look like much to all you design divas out there, but it happens to me my favorite listing of all time. I had the pleasure of selling this home and got to really get to know it inside and out. This was my first real introduction to mid-century modern homes and the first time I toured it, I was hooked! Use your imagination! She could be glorious again!!

It is almost 4000 sq. ft, situated high on a hill overlooking a canyon on nearly 3 acres. Totally secluded. Rumor has it the original owner was a big businessman and was going to have a helio pad on a flat raised area on the property! I am sure this was a swanky pad back when it was in it's full glory. There are walls of windows all around the home, a wide open floor plan, 2 indoor fireplaces and 1 outdoor, a fab pool area with a cabana bath surrounded by the original sculptural fence. There's even space behind the garage with windows all around overlooking the canyon! Great studio or office space..it even has a bathroom, and a furnace!!!!

Sadly, I lost the file with the pictures of all the rooms! I often think about what I would do to bring her back. We tried to find out who the original architect was to no avail! Design Within Reach http://www.dwr.com/ would be the place I would go to pick out all the furnishings...that's if I had the reserves!!!! I would scour the area for the right architect to preserve the integrity of the style of this home. I would... I would... oh!!! I hope the new home owner is!!!

This is a place that tugs at my mind often, I took my husband and parents through, secretly hoping the stamp of approval would be verbalized! All I heard was "ARE YOU CRAZY?WE DON'T HAVE THE CASH TO FIX THIS UP!!" But.... "It is an awesome house"..

When it came time to turn over the keys, I can say I was a little mad at the new homeowner for stealing MY HOUSE out from under me!!! Maybe someday I'll knock on the door and see what they've been up to!

Guess it's time to let go and put all these thoughts into my Forgettery! I DO know that I have a new love for modern architecture because of this home and SOMEDAY I will live in a space like this!

Tell me what you would do to bring her back!

Big SIGH...those fab sofas were sent to GOODWILL!!!! I am trying to find out the locale to go and rescue them!

Do You Have a Forgettery?

What's a forgettery? you ask... Well, it's a wonderful little concept I happened upon while checking out Style Court's blog the other day!http://stylecourt.blogspot.com/ The wildly fab Bonnie Cashin http://www.bonniecashinfoundation.org/ gets the credit for her advice to all to have a "chic little bottomless box in your mind that you can open up and toss unpleasant things in to!" I thought to myself, how wonderful is that?!!! I have a beautiful little box that I picked up at a colorful street market years ago in St. Maarten that is now my new forgettery! Go check out Courtney's blog and see hers!

New Issue!!

They aren't kidding! This issue is packed with color! Enjoy! http://dominomag.com

Something Old, Something New

Grandmother's lamp... all dressed up in a new shade! Note the original amber finial w/exquisite brass detailing, rosewood base, hand painted... Now holding court in my living room!

The color of the shade has more of a greenish, yellowy tint in the brown..macadamia shell color.. looks a little off here, but is truly beautiful with the base ... picks up the green in the painted flowers and the yellow tint in the base. Working on my photography!!!

It's Saturday... Have a BUNCH of fun!!!!

Breathe............

Jane Slivka

Waking up each morning and seeing these beautiful paintings by Artist, Jane Slivka is such a treat. These paintings literally come alive as the sun streams through the windows. Check her out here: http://www.janeslivkagallery.com/

Welcome to Ivy Lane!

Hello! Welcome to my blogspot! I can't believe I am actually doing this. 1st Dibs.com http://www.1stdibs.com/is to blame for my new obsession! It is there where I was introduced to all the fabulously talented people and their inspirational blog spots! I enjoy my first cup of coffee in the morning with Style Court, http://stylecourt.blogspot.com/,Habitually Chic,http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/, Maison 21,http://www.blogger.com/www.maison21.blogspot.com Cote de Texas,http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/.. Just to name a few! Each morning is like opening Pandora's Box and being introduced to new treasures and inspiration!

So, today I thought I would start sharing some of the things I love! and hope to inspire some of you!

I am a lover of art...and collect paintings with a tropical feel. My husband and I travel each year to the Caribbean and always pick up a painting or two from the locals. I am including a few of my little treasures... Hope you enjoy!

I will try to figure this all out and re-vamp the header and learn the ropes of blogging! Hope you'll stop by and find something beautiful to brighten you day!

Stay tuned!