mad about

 I have mentioned that I am mad about this new shoppe, maisonette shoppe in Hastings-on-Hudson.

Maria (the fabulous shoppe keeper) is mad about chairs and has a keen eye for terrific textiles.

How about a floral wing chair.

I might feel like the mad hatter if I had this chair.

Perhaps a mod scribble for happy hour might make a martini or a mojito right at home.

Please pop in to maisonette shop and please tell the shoppe keeper Maria that pve sent you in!

cachepot

I happen to have several cachepots that were given to me over the years and they do indeed hide all sorts of mundane plastic pots as well as provide such a lovely ornament of design.  Do you have a cachepot that you love?

pve design illustration of cachepot

table lamps

monaco vignette I - pve design illustration

monaco vignette II - pve design illustration

As I was going through some of my sketchbooks, I noticed that I had a series of table lamps.  I love how time can very often bring our attention to the light.  Do you have a favorite table lamp?

fare-thee-well

Today is the day to have a little fare-thee-well wishes celebration.  I much prefer that than saying good bye to summer.  A "fare-well" sounds like a nice little send-off.  As I clean out the sand from my shoes, beach bags and other crevices in my car, I want to keep the sparkle and freedom of summer alive in my heart.  Wishing each of you a sparkly day today.  Let's all try to keep the spirit of summer alive.

Will you be having a little summer fare-thee-well wishes party?  How do you bid summer adieu?

images from pinterest

call of the sea

 After having spent time at sea, I simply must get back to the sea.

 Nothing like the lull of the sea, the sounds of the birds, the waves, the stars, the intense sunsets.

 Heading out to Montauk for a few days before my back-to-schoolers are gone to begin a new year.

Then it will be back to work full time for me.

I have some lofty goals and projects to be completed.

To those of you that are waiting patiently for artwork, thanks for giving me time this summer to take a break.  I find it is so important to take time for my children and give my art a rest too.

I have needed it but now I am ready to begin anew.

sea change

 What a treat to share a delicious tray of oysters from CRU, Nantucket's Premier Oyster Bar.

I love artfully created spaces.

Especially one's near water.

They are treasures.

Even powdering one's nose is a delight, nautical navy tile, sail cloth receptacles for hand towels.

Shells artfully hung.  Elements of the sea are refreshed and purified.

There seems to be a profound sea of change going on in some posh sea side spots. 

 Having had the pleasure of dining on oysters and one the best fish sandwiches ever, certainly made for a notable meal as well as the artfully designed Cru in Nantucket by the firm of Gauthier Stacy.  Nautical sails hung from the ceiling, canvas chairs, brass accents, wood, white and clusters of glass pod fixtures all gathered to create a positively chic spot.  Long are the days of seaside shanteys and only fried fisherman's platters served in plastic baskets.

I am always inspired by change which is refreshing, artful and simple.  What sort of change has inspired you this summer?

monday motivation - summer time friends

 In the Summer time months, it seems we always have extra time for old friends and for making new friends too.  Be they camp friends or far-away friends, being in a swimsuit and near a body of water can provide so much fun.  Celebrations with friends immediately become all the more special when they are near the ocean or lake.

 Twin brothers bonding and building on the beach remind me of my own twin sons.

My very own daughter and her dear friend selling lemonade this summer and spending time getting to know one another.  Have you been motivated this summer to make new friends or perhaps spend time with old friends this summer.

to market

I am heading out the door to our local farmer's market in Hastings-on-Hudson for some fresh goodies.  I was away last week, I spotted the loveliest fresh market stand on Nantucket and I thought about all the delightful joys of summer.  Fresh blueberries, Lobsters, corn on the cob and time to be near the water.

Enjoy the freshness that Summer time offers at your local market.  Do you have a local market you love to load up on fresh goodies.

August giveaway

Please pay a visit here to My French Country Home as she has dedicated this month of August to give-aways and I am honored to be sharing my gifts with her and a giveaway for one of my custom works of art of your desire -your home, or pet or whatever you would like for me to capture.  Hurry up and click over here.  Happy August!

Fletcher

pve design - pet portrait of Fletcher

pve design - pet portrait scanned artwork

This pet portrait commission was done of "Fletcher" for a client to give to her Mom for her birthday today.  I must admit, I fell in love with Fletcher while I was working on this one.  What a cutie-pie.
The top is how the artwork looks and the bottom one is the scan of the artwork which I played around with. I think it has a fun graphic feel to it and would be great printed on a tee shirt.

Signing off for a few days to enjoy Summer.  Back friday.