Sulley the New " Bed Linen inspector"

I am working on a plan to redo my good friend's UGLY guest room . As luck would have it, I ran across a wonderful duvet and shams at Marshall's  in Savannah. I am sooooooooooo in love with this pattern. It has every Jane Coslick color and almot matches her 20 years old slipcovered  plaid chintz sofa that isn't going anywhere!!! Actually, as the new 'yuppie style" resurfaces it will be "in" again.
 My friend loves polka dots and so I went shopping in my closet to add a few things that will be garage sale prices and yet make the dreadful space a Happy Place. I am not kidding I have been waiting years to fluff this room.
My friend lives in Atlanta so I must have everything pulled together before I leave the beach ................

Sulley , the "inside" black cat, has taken it upon himself to inspect everything I am doing. He definitely  agrees and wishes this was going to be in  his room.
I say................."a second opinion never hurts!!!!!!"

Learning to pay the bills...............

I love design and hate the "bottom line"...the invoicing of the massive amounts of sales receipts and return receipts and  more receipts...!! Invoicing, managing the paperwork and keeping track of ALL the receipts..... I avoid it like the plague.

My "artist soul" just wants to make things yummy...like you never want to leave the place!!!!!! I am always careful with the clients' money...I do a lot of designing on a 'nickle'. Making careful purchases for my clients while loving the bargains and the recycled treasures...that is my favorite!!
                Finding new uses for old things...top of my list!

Long story short...my "invoicer" retired and now it is up to me to sit down and DO IT!!!! I miss her, but she is on to a well deserved permanent holiday.

My attention span is short and the paperwork drives me bonkers. I am on  computer, but unfortunately it doesn't do everything.... I've got to provide some input...and when the credit card bills arrive it takes hours to match it up to the jobs!

This is a photo of what I call the "BIG" desk. I have 2 other desk and they ALL look like this..................................................

So alas, Kristin, my new assistant, has been thrown into the bill paying today and she is on the verge of a breakdown herself.. Remember she is an organization  freak...so this gives her anxiety overload!!! 

 My office was the old country store on the Isle of Hope.  On most days it is my refuge and a great place to empty the car between shopping trips.....

. I love this building and it comes complete with a kitty named "Lance"  and a new great four poster canopy bed which will most likely end up in some lucky clients home.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I took the day off to "smell the hydrangea's"  and drink cucumber water.. My son and daughter-in-law gave me this beautiful hand blown pitcher as a gift for Mother's Day from http://www.draytonglassworks.com/
I snapped this photo just before I drank all the water and devoured the watermelon and fresh mint they also brought.


I have been so busy working that I have not had a moment to blog or catch up and everyone latest entries. I am finishing up several projects, so after this week I will have time to share all the projects, send out the bills,  take a walk  ,ride my bike, and have some fun.
  Fluffy is taking a hard look at me so I snapped her photo in the gazebo along with a few others..

I am having a party for my friend's daughter who is getting married on the 4th of June. " A Bohemian Cottage",my cottage, is on the tour of homes that day so I am trying to plan ahead  and be prepared for both of the events...............in my "spare" time.

The edge of the pond looks about ready..............the water lilies are blooming and there is weeding that needs to be done.

The cats love the garden and I am so happy when I am here...........weeding or sitting or "pondering"....... it is my happy place for sure. I gave Sissy a bit of catnip on the old palm bark for fun and exercise.................

A close up of the gazebo with the new addition........

my new/old chandelier. It hung in Fish Camp Cottage for years while I lived there. It was my first purchase from Anthropology's and I had almost forgotten I had it .  ............Nothing like a party or the Tour of Homes to whip me into shape............ Below are my latest"find" at the local thrift shop. Brand new, heavy duty ..  4 black director chairs with white canvas seats  ....perfect for the party.. no spray paint needed......

More folding chairs and tables ( so nice when one lives in a small cottage....) 

Under the shade of the crape myrtle and by the gazebo....

Here is a shot of Spooky through the windows I put in the privacy fence..by the way, the curtain rod is an old broom handle ( recycle..recycle.. recycle)

The neighbors just loved it when I did this....it was for the kitties.. but it did make for friendlier neighbors......If I want privacy I just close the wonderful  curtain made from Sunbrella Fabric.... Simple,White and invincible!!!!!

The Cottages Are In Full BLOOM!

I've been so busy that I haven't been able to enjoy the start of a new season. I took these beautiful images at my own cottage and a few others for everyone to enjoy what Spring has to offer! Tween Waters--the cottage with the leopard window boxes-- is wrapping up and will soon be available for rent through http://www.mermaidcottages.com/.

PAWS AND PADDLES COTTAGE

Greetings! I've been crazy busy!...Here is the latest project that I've been working on. It is an adorable little cottage with lots of personality and will be available for you to rest your 'bones' in by late Spring! (Available through http://www.mermaidcottages.com/)

The Tight budget.......

I am finishing up a project with a very tight budget and I am usually  very good at that.
Comfort and low maintance are espically important to the family and I can not find chairs that are within my budget and yet comfortable for my clients. What is a designer to do?
I am working very hard so I decided to take a break and show you what I am working on and the photograph I took of one of the new mirror in the Master Bath.
GUESS WHO.....

A New/Old Cottage

Here are a few shots of my newest project. It was the Hemingway Cottage (I did years ago). The new owners hired me to help pull it together with some of the things they have from their other beach houses (of which their were many). Each of their houses had a theme and she wants leopard, green, pink and of course everyone's favorite--turquoise. These are a few of my snap shots of mixing her things with a few "cottage things". I painted an antique brass drum chandelier from Circa Lighting (scratch and dent) to go with her fun comforter, I think it will be great. ( I want it for myself ..oh it is mine BUT I showed it, painted it and now it is hers..
The cottage will be for rent with http://www.mermaidcottages.com/