Fifi Flowers

6.19.2008

Brighten your day...

I love BEFORE and AFTER decorating photos... and finding photos... and then my after paintings...

This above photo I took from SFGIRLBYBAY ... the room is already serene and beautiful... but I always like to add a twist of drapery, colour, whimsy (note the name on the bottle) and come up with some like this...

Here are some quick fix decorating ideas for Under $1000 via Ballard Design ...

Serene Surroundings

Urban Sophisticate

Coastal Retreat

Do you have a favorite? Do you have a room that could use a little colour?

6.18.2008

Under the Sea elements...

In a pond... 5 x 7 acrylic on canvas board available in MY ETSY STORE

Or in a bowl... Acrylic on 8 x 10 archival paper available in MY ETSY STORE According to Interior Design Magazine... it's time to "dive in and discover this season's aquatic-inspired treasures"... Kelp in brown & coral fabrics by Bart Halpern - Gold fish bowl from the Conran Shop Novelties in white by Christopher Hyland - Topkapia vases by Venini - Fata Morgana by Sahco Sea urchin lamps by Lacor Ocean rug by Angela Adams - Oyster Shell chandelier by Currey & Co Fish wallpaper by deGournay - Amy round ottoman by J Banks Design GroupWallcovering by Osborne & Little (above & below) Under the Sea... Under the Sea... Life is better... Take it from Me... La La La La La... Little Mermaid ring a bell?

So what do you think... feel like watching the Little Mermaid or... are you just humming the song? Or planning to run out and purchase Aquatic-inspired decor? Or perhaps order out for Sushi?
For me... this is a most appropriate post... my adorable 13 year old fish will compete in his first swim meet of the summer today!

6.17.2008

In the kitchen...

It all started here... with a simple hint from Seleta that she might like to see a painting of this photo...

et Voila... Simply Seleta's Dreamy Banquette with a change of colour palette inspired by Osborne & Little

After completing this painting... I did a little search in my decorating library, and found a variety of other in-kitchen banquettes from BHG's New Decorating Book...

In the kitchen... isn't it where everyone congregates at your parties? Why not make a comfortable area to lounge... provided you have the space. I don't have this kind of space... but I do have a center island and 2 stools nearby to pull up, mingle and nibble goodies.

6.16.2008

Fashionable Animal Monday...

Inspiration via Decorno about Tia Zoldan... and gave it a little animal twist of my own decor. I must confess... I did find some ideas in bedding and rugs from West Elm as well... afterall, they send me emails and catalogs quite often... hard not to get a mental image or two from them. How many emails or catalogs do you receive?

6.15.2008

Happy Father's Day!

A nice day in the "PARK" with dear ol' Dad...

HA!... More like a 9-hole Father-Child golf tournament that my boys will be playing with their father!

For my dad... playing golf is the top of his list... next year, we will have to make sure he comes out for a visit and plays in the golf tournament. This year... I will be calling him to wish him a Happy Father's Day!

Meneer Kaas

Lazy in the Garden while the boys are away... oh what a glorious "Father's Day!"

I saw a photo on Vosges Paris of a cat curled up in a garden chair with cosmea flowers. I loved the calm I felt while looking at the photo. I thought it would make the perfect weekend painting. Not only did I get great inspiration... I got a lovely story too. When I sent an email of my painting to Vosges Paris... she told me how she got "Meneer Kaas" Mister Cheese. " He was left on the street by people who went on holiday for 3 weeks... the first thing he dared to eat from our hands was a piece of cheese. " He looks quite content today!

6.14.2008

Weekend Library...

You can find me HERE... lounging today... going to start a book... looks, like the perfect day bed... and look refreshments too!

Outdoor Living taken from Simply Grove

Back Up plan in case of BAD weather...

This sofa will work as a perfect day bed... but where are the libations?

Indoor Living from Please Sir

What books do you have planned to read now that summer is upon us? Do you read the FUN summer novels? That's it for me... kids are out of school... time is schedule around their wants, needs and various activities... so I want... I need FUN chick lit! Although... I will have to get around to reading "Eat, Pray, Love" for a bookclub meeting... I've heard it was GREAT... has anyone else read it and love it or has anyone disliked it? NO details... I will be reading it. Sooo... my dilemma for today is: new Jennifer Weinner or Sophie Kinsella book ...hmmm...