Sally Lee by the Sea founders, David & Marie Rhoades, live on the beautiful SW Washington peninsula of Long Beach. Join them on a quick tour of their backyard paradise…the ocean.
Pictures – Marie Rhoades© 2010 – created at http://animoto.com
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I’m looking for ideas to redo my bedroom (adult bedroom btw).
I have an idea to do a dark fairytale theme, not necessarily any actually any decor from a specific fairytale, but something that would make you feel like you were in a castle in The Brother’s Grimm movie..or in a cottage in The Headless Horseman (with Johnny Depp)…or even the new Alice in Wonderland. I keep thinking of the color of Alice’s dress, that awesome jewel-tone blue.
I was thinking like a canopy bed with gauzy blues and blacks in shears hanging around it, black, gold or cherry furniture…
A huge mirror with a fancy frame, stuff like that..
I like being crafty to, so any ideas would be great! Thanks 
I would recommend searching craigslist and the newspaper for anyone giving away an old bedframe. If you can find a heavy wooden one (one with a base board), I would stain or paint it black. For the wall color I would do a rich plum color, not too dark but not too lavender colored. You could build a headboard for the bed from a thick piece of wood (again, check craigslist for a large used headboard) and then cover it in a thick layer of cotton batting (you can get this at the craft store). Look for a rich velvet-type material (faux velvet works fine too) in a darker purple or a deep, almost black red to cover the entire headboard.
Here are instructions to upholster a headboard http://interiordec.about.com/cs/diybedroom/ht/ht_uph_headboar.htm You could also staple a board (using a pressure staple gun) about 2 inches in from the boarder of the headboard and then hot glue lace trim (in black?) or a rope trim over the staples. This would add a nice touch to it. Buttons at 5 inch intervals would also look good (suede or velvet ones in the same color or in black).
Search antique stores for an old wrought iron chandelier…the more wicked looking, the better. Purchase long yards of dark fabric or tulle and once you hang the chandelier above the bed, drape the fabric through it so it hangs down to the floor. Make sure the chandelier hangs closer to the top of the bed, and you can buy tassel ties to gently pull the fabric back and pin it to the sides of the headboard. Make sure a lot of the fabric hangs over the ties so it creates an enclosed feeling around the bed.
On the walls, if you’re artsy, you could paint the dark outline of a tree with very elegant swirling branches, very tim burton-like. Ex: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/3215798386_7e8e7a29fc.jpg
This would look lovely in a corner on both sides of the wall where it meets.
Check on ebay for room decor…I found this gold moon mirror for under $5: http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-CELESTIAL-Gold-MOON-Star-Enhanced-Wall-MIRROR-/370401588464?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Mirrors&hash=item563da7b4f0
For the bed you can also sew slip covers for cheap pillows in all kinds of plush fabrics in red, plums, and blues. You can also buy wall stickers and spell out your favorite line from a fairy tale on the wall. That would look elegant as well.
Just some ideas. Good luck!
Lisa’s Craftique Boutique is an online and traditional brick and mortar shop that specializes in creative gifts and cozy decor for your country, cottage or beach chic home. We also offer in home interior decorating services and In HOME Dress Up Tea Parties. Visit Lisa’s on the web for great decorating and gift ideas at http://www.LisasCraftiqueBoutique.com
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shabby chic country cottage decor at www.Primitiques.com
Need Primitive Country Furniture for your country home? We have it from Big to small, all at Primitiques
Duration : 0:1:0
country cottage decor at www.Primitiques.com
Need Primitive Country Furniture for your country home? We have it from Big to small, all at Primitiques
Duration : 0:1:0
Chapter Six: A Meeting
As soon as Charlotte and Claire walked into the library Charlotte’s apprehension seemed to swell, then burst when Claire suddenly gasped, “Oh god!” and stared all around.
Heads!
Stuffed and mounted.
Deer. Antlers splayed. Eyes blank.
Wolves…grey…black…white…why just their heads?
And there! In the corner. A puma. Roar! Above it, a boar. Tusks…curly juts…and on the floor, a snake: A boa, constringed around a goat.
Trophies on display…their frozen expressions, their gaping toothy mouths caused Claire to stare at them with whizzing eyes…and created within her an overwhelming urge to flee. Instead she quit her stare and walked over to a large oblong table.
It was made of glass, and between the top two pieces a collection of butterflies had been pressed. After studying them she sat down in the nearest chair and looked everywhere but at the dead; at the crowded bookshelves…the healthy potted plants…
Charlotte sat down next to her and asked, “Are you all right?” but before Claire could answer Brett walked in.
Dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, he beamed at them and said, “Good morning, ladies.” He was carrying three large envelopes, which he placed on the table before he walked over to the one thing Claire hadn’t noticed.
It was a liquor cabinet and on top of it a tray had been placed. A tray arrayed with coffee, juice, and muffins. “Ahh,” Brett exclaimed. “Tuulah is way ahead of me.” He turned to them and asked “Would either of you care for anything?”
“A muffin” Charlotte replied and left the table to join him.
Claire, though, had spotted a fly (A fly of all things!) crawling over one of the muffins so she declined, with a brief shake of her head and just a hint of a smile.
Brett and Charlotte returned to the table with their chosen fare but before Brett took a sip of his coffee he smiled at Claire and asked, “Did you sleep well?”
Claire was wondering where the fly had gone. “In a well is more like it. I was cold.”
He lifted his cup, took a sip and smiled again. “Fortunately last night’s sleeping arrangements were only temporary. There are two other rooms on the first floor, which might be warmer, but they’re right next to Tuulah and Joseph’s quarters. There are also the cottages.”
“The cottages?” Charlotte exclaimed. “Oh, you mean the bungalows. But they’re such a mess.”
Brett and Claire spoke at the same time. Brett said, “Not anymore,” and Claire asked,” Are they warm?”
“Cozy-warm”, Brett assured, and then looked at Charlotte with an expression that matched his words. “I thought they might appeal so Tuulah cleaned them while Joseph and I installed a few things.”
‘Pompous ass…’ Claire thought and spotted the fly again, eating the butter on Charlotte’s knife. She shuddered and blurted, “Is there one on the east side of this dump?”
“One on the east and one on the west,” Brett affirmed, sounding almost proud. “And they’re both equipped with full baths and kitchenettes. They even have separate phone lines.”
“Sold!” Claire grinned and smacked the table hard enough to upset the fly.
“Sooo,” Brett mused, “your press is accurate. You are hermetic.”
Underneath the table Charlotte placed her foot on top of Claire’s just as she said, “She is but, actually, it’s the kitchenette.”
“Right,” Claire agreed, mimicking Charlotte’s deadpan expression.
“She loves to cook,” Charlotte gushed. “You’ll have to try one of her culinary treats. It’s an unforgettable experience.”
Brett sensed their bond…and something else . “An author and a chef. I’m impressed.”
“In truth,” Claire said modestly, “the results are very similar, although my books are much easier to digest.”
Brett realized then that he was being toyed with, but before he could react a well-endowed blonde burst into the room. “Mr. Sansone is…” the décor cut her off. Instantly appalled, her eyes bugged out of her head and in a weak voice she gasped, “Creepy.”
Brett laughed and said, “He certainly can be.”
Comprehending she gaped at the three of them and stammered, “Oh, oh-no, I meant that Mr. Sansone…”
“Bella”. The voice, soft and low, came from the doorway. “My name is Constantine Bella.”
He was wearing a white cashmere coat…and his pictures hadn’t quite done him justice. No, his true visage had been granted from a fantastical wish. He gave the room an agonized glance, stepped inside and walked over to the table. “Please” he beseeched. “Call me ‘Connie’.”
Charlotte immediately stood up and offered her hand. “Charlotte Hansen. It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m honored,” he replied and clasped her hand.
With calm eyes she noted the sincerity on his face. “Likewise,” she said and they parted.
Claire also stood up. “‘Connie’” she acquiesced and held out her neat, tiny hand.
He took it but he didn’t speak and for a few seconds everything seemed to still: the air…the room’s occupants…even the fly…
“Claire Lynnfield”, he suddenly said. Then he raised her hand and kissed the
Splayed antlers seems that they were forced even further apart than when it was shot.
What are whizzing eyes? There is the vulgar, yet common, interpretation of whiz. The other definitions indicate that there is a buzzing or hissing sound when swiftly moving.
Names need to be changed: it was Charlotte who went to get a muffin.
‘Pompous ***…’ Claire thought and spotted the fly again, eating the butter on Charlotte’s knife. She shuddered and blurted, “Is there one on the east side of this dump?”
{{“A muffin” Charlotte replied and left the table to join him.
Claire, though, had spotted a fly (A fly of all things!) crawling over one of the muffins so she declined, with a brief shake of her head and just a hint of a smile.}}
The section where Mr. Sansone enters after Bella is confusing. Who wants to be called Connie? Bella or the man. t
March 2010 – Launch of Sally Lee by the Sea.
everick brown interior design portfolio
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