Bird Comes Smashing in....

Hmmm, what to blog about today. Well, early this morning a bird flew up and smacked right into my glass door and dropped down. I felt horrible, but I guess you can say Windex really does make it shine through. Okay that wasn't really funny, the bird actually got hurt and didn't seem to be able to fly. It kept hopping up like it was trying but would fall back down. By the way my glass door is on a

Make Life a Little Better Blog Tour

Summertime is all about making those beautiful memories you'll share with your loved ones for the rest of your life. So why not also start them small? I have four kids and I've learned that it is the smallest of things that really count with them. They don't care that they had the most birthday gifts, best school books, etc. It is the time you spent with them, the picnics you shared, swings you

Odd Spaces

We all have those odd ball spaces in our homes. Those spaces your not quite sure what to do with. Rethink them! Make them useful or decortive. You can put a shelf or a small chest there. Know your space and what you need !

Staycation?!................make it good!

Travel is a mainstay of my life. (why is this underlining everything???) But, time and finances are too. When not traveling for business, these days it is at home during the weekends doing paperwork, massive quantities of paperwork. For the moment I would rather dream of having an at home escape, a garden shed.


Love this one. You can hardly call this a garden shed but maybe a magical structure on water, beautifully decorated and enchanting evening garden house.
This is a treasured clients outhouse turned storage shed. Robin's home is an 1870's ish Italianate Victorian and this is the original outhouse. We created the Chicago street brick surround and miniature garden to nestle it within it's surroundings.



This is a 100+ year old writer's space detached from the main house. Wild about the door/window curved paneled feature. Any of these structures become immensely important within the confines of a thoughtful garden.


I could throw on my wellies, lots of sweaters, light the pot belly stove, hot chocolate, dogs, blankets and magazines


Allow your imagination to soar. ANYTHING MADE OF STONE IS SPECTACULAR. Size does not matter, just the details.


This could be the shed of my dreams too. A perfect potting shed set within the vegetable garden.
Look at that door, the triple eight topiaries, the three dimensional design element near the peak and a cupola.



Some, however, I could live in full time




Stay with me here for a moment, we can all do this, really! Lot size does not matter, Daddy Warbucks is not needed...............Let's take your basic shed, one handy man/woman, imagination, paint, a garden or call Scentimental Gardens for all of the above.
Here is what I would do to this poor soul;

• a tin roof
• shingle siding
• painted to match the color scheme of my home
• remove solid door and replace with french door
• add a huge window to the left of the door
• put wooden shutters on windows WITH SHUTTER DOGS
  
• window box under big window
• trellising on the ends (see next photo)
• add a lantern
• add climbing roses, boxwood.....

Maybe not all at once, but have a plan...............


Elements can be borrowed from this photo to dress up your shed; trellising over shingles, adds dimension and textural interest. How about trim? This is substantial trim that makes a statement. Personally I favor the color scheme too.



Charmingly simple. The addition of this overhang makes all the difference.



The tin roof, monochromatic color scheme, shutters, small front porch.......



Stone again.....sigh......... unless this was strictly for storage a french door would be swapped out



In England, the private chapel, yesssssss, all estates of merit possessed a private chapel!
Today, it resides as a treasured get-away, with faded chintz down arm chairs, ottomans, a tea trolley, dog bed, lace curtains and magazines. (I made the last part up, can you tell I am longing for England?)



Open air, good views



Take one little underused shed, add flea market found columns, one sign, gardens and voila! A charming outpost.



An urban setting in San Francisco. Imagine this setting, which is quite small, minus the garden shed, what would you have? Yes, a beautiful view in San Francisco, but.............the shed becomes an architectural focal point in addition to the function of a garden cottage.




Could you handle this!? The inside of one woman's shed. Composed of mostly found bits which together create a unique haven.



Conversely, here is a more masculine but cozy interior. Below is the artistry of this special garden house.

Look close, to the left, there is my friend Marsha, covering her face. But she is running, running out of her shed to the approaching tray.
What would summer in the garden be without a little getaway cottage and a bit of Lillet on ice with an orange slice served on a tray?
(Yes Marsha you know I am talking about you xxo)

Remember us, Scentimental Gardens, for all your garden needs

Debra

Starbucks and Boob shirts

Since it takes me a whole day before getting back to Starbucks, it means I don’t always get to write about newer things on my mind. Such as the following:The girls are currently cleaning their room, SoccerBoy has just finished mowing the grass and Little A is sitting in front of the TV watching a “So Smart! Video” which we’ll review in a day or two, right now I’ll just say he LOVES Iggy on it.

Style File: Modern Cottage

I love this kitchen.. thats all. Its sunday, so just some personal eye candy I like. (Click on post title for link about this kitchen)

The Life of a Home Mom: Blog Hop '09

Alright ya'll, as you already know I am not going to be at BlogHer, no matter how hard I click my red shoes together. But I am going to jump in and join all those wonderful blog ladies that are doing the Blog Hop 09. What does this mean? Oh I simply introduce myself and the family.Howdy ya'll, how ya doing? Let me Welcome you to The Life of a Home Mom! I'm so happy you can make it and hope that

Killing Time & Getting a Break

Okay I'm still waiting but I hear I should have that little device on Monday. So ya'll wish me tons of luck. Honestly it hasn't been all that bad, I've discovered that I won't die with my internet off for a few days but I will come very batty. I mean you take out the TV, four kids that don't always want to play with mommy and only movies you've already watched a bazillion times and tell me what

Garden Report

Baby SparrowJuly 19, 2009We continue to see below average temperatures with above average rainfall. On rainy days garden planning continues indoors where I'm working on the final design for the vegetable garden. I've been doing a bit of research on fruit trees, grapes and chickens all of which we hope to have incorporated into the garden by next spring. Over the next few months there will be a

Bad Week and I broke the Internet Connection Now

Hmmm, what can I blog about today? Well for starters, I broke the connection to the internet. Ya know that little part that you stick in the side of your computer to connect it? Well I won’t go into full details but we’ll just say I tripped and it fell on its side and broke off that little piece. I now have to wait until Friday to get it and hope that they will have it in the store on Friday. If

Wordless Wednesday: Mom & Daughter

Happy WW! I decided since I don't normally post pics of myself this would be the perfect one. I did post it on facebook for those that follow me there you may have already seen it. This was done at the request of my daughter who said, "Mom, please take a picture of me." Then she requested I put my hair in pigtails too.Happy WW! Leave a comment so I can visit you too.

Walking and Shots

Yesterday was The "S" Day, which for those about to start school it means.....SHOTS! Ya'll may remember the last time BabyGirl got her shots the needle broke off in her arm so she was not exactly looking forward to going again. Thankfully though this lady knew what she was doing, however BabyGirl did tell her the story and made her promise to be easy. This lady was great, I had no clue shots

Midwest Dairy Winners

The two Midwest Dairy Winners are Smart Cents mom & DenyseG. I loved reading over the recipe ideas that ya'll liked, course I can't wait to eat some more pumpkin pancakes/muffins, etc. Please email me at homemom3@gmail.com with your mailing address so this can be sent your way.Congratulations this is one really cool prize, just the Hy-vee Gift Certificate makes it worth it. I mean imagine all the

Playing in the Sun

Oh this was a fantabulous (daughter's favorite word) weekend where we played in the sun the entire time. First up we decided after a bit of food shopping that it was a nice enough day to go out, since we'd just missed breakfast and IHOP was way too long to wait we did quick drive to Taco Bell and ordered a few things.Where'd we end up? Oh the park of course, I mean what else do you do on a hot

Small Garden Tools

Every gardener has small garden tools but when it comes to small garden spaces and square foot gardening you really need handheld gardening tools. They outperform the forks and dessert spoons I've been known to use on occasion. Besides they make you feel more like the gardener you know you are!Trowel & CultivatorI actually have 3 hand held trowels with the most recently purchased one due to not

Travel Atlanta

Like most urban areas, Atlanta has it's share of neighborhoods, each with a unique vibe. My favorite is VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS, just within sight of downtown. This neighborhood possesses independently owned boutiques, incredible restaurants and charming homes, no cookie cutter look-a-likes or "chains" here.



How about this! Anyone that knows me well knows I am not a big fan of new construction. But...........every once in a while my mind is changed. This new home stopped me in my tracks. and after a while the homeowner came out. Could not hear him but it may have had something to do with wanting to stop me.



Let's examine the details; massive window box extending from edge to edge of the window trim, deep and wide. The natural wood colorway enhances the "rust" tones in the stone.


The window box color also picks up the color of the front door. Repetition of color and patterns are pleasing to the eye. The strong "Hansel and Gretel' theme has factors I love;

-the light fixture is over sized but proportionate to the scale of the home.
-the Tudor inserts all have interesting detail and patterns repeated under the front door side lights.
-the slight upturn at the roof eaves is a touch of whimsy
-the fence! what a fence and it is repeated close up.
-the landscaping enhances without distracting
-the containers and the plantings are perfectly proportioned


Close-up of the details



On a corner lot, here is a shot of the rear/side garden. No detail was left undone with the shed.



A business called Bella Cucina, owned by an visionary woman, has it's flagship store in this neighborhood. Other than the local shop she sells only wholesale; foodstuffs, flavorings and accessories with a Tuscan flavor. Above is a photo of the Tuscan Grill, a new product in the line that grills food over hardwood imparting intense flavors. This item propelled me to jump in and carry a portion of the food and the grills.

Come in for samples, recipes and future parties will include the Tuscan Grill. PS: can also be used indoors in your fireplace!


My favorite restaurant, Parish, in a converted factory. Revel in this New Orleans inspired restaurant, deli and community haven.


Stunning decor. My head is constantly swiveling, the passing dishes and inspired design.



Take a seat at the bar and if you are lucky Christopher Gaither will be at the bar. Christopher will welcome you with southern hospitality warmth and engage you with his witty humor. Allow him to select your wine, Chris hosts the ongoing wine events and is a genius.

(hint, try the J & J grits!)

Note to fellow Chicagoans; the newly opened Wit Hotel at State and Lake has three restaurants by the same group that owns Parish. Can't wait to go, anyone want to go together? Drop me a line!

Debra

Update 2 - Peas & Greens

Things are progressing nicely in the garden despite the below average temperatures. We've had a lot of rain and a couple of sporadic days of warmer weather which has helped. The tomatoes that were first planted are now setting fruit and are over the tops of their cages. Everything is looking quite healthy except for the Kentucky Wonder pole beans and brussel sprouts! Something has decided

No PR Blackout Here!

I've been asked by several online friends if I'd be taking part in the Mommy blogs: PR Blackout. Honestly, I don't see the real point so no I will not be jumping on this bandwagon. It actually sounds like a horrible title and a strike. I know it is not for all but for some it is sounding like it may be, they've also forgot that this is a PR person's job. For those that are curious or burned out,

Pottery Barn Fall Preview 2009

Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Kids & Rashes

Both girls woke up today in some itchy rash, course they did not tell me until about an hour ago. Currently they are laying in the living room on blankets under the ceiling fan and another fan blowing on them. Kids are so hard to figure out, they just figured they were getting early zits as they called them. (hehe) It may just be a heat rash since the two dressed up all day yesterday and for most

The Dirt on Worms

EarthwormJuly 13, 2009Worms whether it be earthworms or red wigglers are an excellent indicator of your soil condition. Ideally you will have both since earthworms burrow deeper turning and feeding the soil at the same time. If you are gardening in raised beds or tradition beds and don't see any worms when you are working the soil, you have a problem! If your soil cannot support a healthy

Wordless Wednesday: BalletGirl's Bday Photos

Okay I told ya last week that the camera wouldn't send the photos so here they are. HAPPY WW! My favorite is her sticking out her tongue at me. Oh and did you read my Momfinitions?

MomFinitions

Twittermoms and Parent Connect have put together a little contest since the dictionary doesn't have any of these "Mommy Terms" in it. What's 5 of yours? Here are mine:1. Mimi- Ever since my little ones were newborns we've always called their milk source "Mimi's" it wasn't because we thought it was cute but the oldest tried once calling it milk but came out mimi. So ever since mimi's became milk

Weeding the Beds

Last weekend was an extremely busy one following a rather cool, rainy week. This gave me little chance to get out into the garden. It's never a good idea to work in the garden when the foliage is wet as this will cause any existing plant disease to spread rapidly. Yet checking the gardens daily is important to catch any potential problems before they become problems. Saturday morning I

Time for 100 Day Reality Challenge Again

Okay, is anyone doing the 100 Day Reality Challenge? For those that don't know there is a facebook page: The 100 Day Reality Challengethat will explain it a lot better than me. Basically though you make up a list of things YOU WANT out of the 100 Day Challenge.- Do you want to lose weight? How much?- To get a new job? What type? What's your dream job?- To write a book? What type? How many words?

Home again............

Where did the days go? Seems like yesterday (7/5), I was pulling out of my driveway, trailer in tow and a big YAHOOOOO, down the street. If I was not driving I was walking, sometimes 12 hours a day, head swiveling, mind reeling, second guessing..........

Am I any thinner for all this exertion? No! I am doomed...*sigh*....... But, I loved every second and now the fun part, unloading and "tweaking" the shop, tomorrow! Well..............let's rephrase that, I love the process, the S.G. staff must cringe.

This is a brief preview of my "finds"

Most of my finds are in hot and dusty warehouses, like this.



Dusty and dirty but a true treasure hunt! This beauty was created by a craftsman. The top is unseamed metal, all made by hand. the base is a marriage of metal; column and capitol from a building in Washington D.C. My good fortune was seeing it first.



My dear friend Lisa also maintains a warehouse, and maintain they do. "They" being some of my favorite women in the world, including Lindy and Margaret. All three either re-purpose items to clever effect or shop abroad.

This is my favorite find! See the French signs? Originally used as signs advising travelers where the train on the track was headed next. I bought all 15, great en masse or used as serving trays.



A snap of a pair of footstools, horse and mirror all back in Illinois now.



"Miss Cutie-Pie".
This is Lisa holding up an original Paris street scene watercolor I purchased from her.
She may, make that will, want to kill me for posting this, she will scream "but I was working all day in the hot warehouse!" She is a beauty inside and out.........always



This is fun, a Parisian bread server from a cafe. See the crank handle on the right? There were strings that held the bottom tray and as the bread sold a quick turn of the crank brought the bread level with the top. Today, it is a small console or side table with the addition of a glass top.



From David, another master craftsman. An industrial base from a warehouse (the base needs polishing) topped with a gorgeous stone slab from Europe. Love how he chiseled the edges. Great indoors or out.




This scene is the warehouse of Glennis and Marlene, lovely, lovely deeply spiritual and talented women.

And besides.............they are sooooo thoughtful! Having read my Eddie Ross story about the Pimms Cup, Glennis being British was excited that an American knew about Pimms , bought a bottle and presented it in a beautiful pink pitcher.
And............oh my!!!! included a bottle of Amarula for a night cap, along with magazines (my addiction). Have any of you heard of this? The amarula nut, favored by elephants, grows in South Africa. Apparently the pachyderms love to over indulge and become quite drunk. I resisted that scenario but if you like 'Bailey's Irish Cream', this is ten-fold.




Last, but not least, is my husband Steve.
When my trip is complete, he flies down, loads and secures my treasures and drives all the way home. I know......he is a really nice guy.
As you can see, Steve loves every bit of this................just thought I would share my view every time I looked over!

next post, some of the new finds from the gift show