Happy Mother's Day MOM!!!

My Mom, Wow! Where do I even begin. As soon as I start to write about her I get big tears in my eyes. Not sad tears but overwhelming loving tears.

I was a fifties child and Mom was the quintessential fifties Mom. We were the typical family of that era. Dad worked Mom stayed home with us kids. We had a house a car and a dog. Life was pretty good!! Little did I know that it was more than pretty good.

Since I have grown up and have become a Mother I can look back and realize it was great! You see we had everything we materially needed but more importantly we had a love from my Mom that I can hardly describe into words.

Mom had the ability to show me the kind of love we all hope to have in our lives. You know the kind of love someone gives you freely without any strings attached. The kind of love that is unconditional. I knew without a doubt that I was loved. I also was made to feel that I could do anything I set my mind to do, and I would always have my Mom by my side as my most faithful fan.

Above all the things she gave me, the greatest gift was that I knew she loved me no matter what. Her love is still that way today. I am so blessed to still have my Mom in my life and you know what? She is still my biggest fan!

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! I love you big bunches,

Sue

A Whoa Moment!!

I was having sort of a bad day today. Nothing in particular just everything in general. You know the kind of day where you feel at sorts about just about everything. You try to get going on a project and you are convinced nothing will make a difference in the way that you are feeling.

I started thinking about all of the changes I wanted to do to my house, only to get discouraged because I know that at this time it is not possible.

Truly just spiraling with thoughts in my brain. Not feeling like myself at all. As the day continued I had a wonderful conversation with two amazing friends and found out they were feeling somewhat the same way.

The three words that came to mind were, Confused, Anxious, Self-doubt!!!

I  took a break to look around blog land hoping to get my mind on something else or at least find something inspiring. Little did I know what was waiting for me. It was as if God had written what you are about to see just for me at that very moment………..

Whoa!!!!! I immediately thought, did I thank God for my family, my health, my home?? It was an amazing process at how my brain literally felt like it was jolted into reverse!!!

After that, I stopped and started to realize, it all boiled down to what was important to me. My loved ones, my health, my home. The basics.

Don’t we all have so much more than just the basics?

 I for one felt ashamed and thankful at the same time.

Ashamed for how I had been thinking and thankful that this very message came to me at such a perfect time.

 It is not a message I will soon forget. I am realistic and I do realize with the busyness of life I will become overwhelmed from time to time, but I think I will always visualize this bright purple rectangle with those words in bold print.

Kathysue

above image via Four If By Sea

Inside-Out Living

This time of year our hearts and minds are drawn to the outside. We as humans seem to have a need to connect to nature. I recently saw a picture that really brought this to my attention…..

Source: tumblr.com via Kathy on Pinterest



When I saw this image I was immediately drawn in or in this case, “out.”

With a view like this outside the window I can not imagine that anyone would not want to go outside and sit and absorb the view.

We all might not have such an amazing view from our window, but it is important to have something lovely to look at and a place to sit and enjoy our outdoor area.

My friend Delores at Vignette Design blog recently did a post on dining alfresco where she shows some lovely images of dining areas outside the home. In the collection of images she shows several of the areas at her own home. Delores is a master of connecting the inside of her home to her outdoor areas.

Shall We Begin?.......

This picture shows the inside of her kitchen in Asti, California. Notice the warm and rustic look of her inviting kitchen.

Now let's go outside and take a look at the view!

Yes this is the view she has from her backyard!! Just look how she continues the warm and rustic feel out to her yard. I told you she was a master at bringing the outside in or is it bringing the inside out?!!

Absolutely seamless on every count!!!

This is her main home where she raised her family. Warm and inviting with a touch of rustic elegance. Now let’s go outside and see once again how she seamlessly marries the inside with her outdoor spaces……

Amazing isn’t she?

Such a lovely sunroom. This is one of my favorite rooms in her home. I could see myself sitting here for hours chatting and having tea.

To see more of what Delores has to offer be sure and visit her blog HERE!!

I could probably have ended my post right here since Delores has such wonderful examples of how to marry the outside with the inside, but I have more for you dear readers………

………..When you think of your own outdoor areas you need to think of how they will relate with your indoor atmosphere.

• What style is your interior?
• Try to co-ordinate style and the color scheme both inside and out.
• What is your entertaining style (casual, formal or something in-between?)
• Make areas for lounging as well as good conversation areas and a place for dining.
• If privacy is needed arrange plantings or screens to accommodate that.

I am about to show you some outside areas, and I am going to pair them with images of rooms that I feel marry well to eachother..........

In this first  outdoor space  we see a very colorful transitional style with a casual feel.

I think this is what the inside of the home could possibly look like if it is to marry well to the above outdoor space…………….

A casual transitional space with pops of red and bright turquoise. This space marries well to the above outdoor space also. It has the same feel, style and colors. That is what will make a good marriage of spaces, or an easy flow from one space to the other.

Seeing the images side by side helps in seeing how easily the eye flows from one area to the other……

 

NEXT......

Next outdoor space has a very charming cottage style. It is casual, comfortable and inviting with a fresh color scheme. Let’s look at some indoor spaces that would be a good pairing with this charming outdoor space…..

I could see myself walking out the back door of this kitchen right into the charming outdoor space pictured above. Casual, charming and inviting!! Are you starting to notice that the same adjectives are being used to describe the outdoor and indoor spaces that go together?

Can’t you just see this living room being connected to the above outdoor space?

NEXT.......

In this image we see neutrals being used and we see interesting pieces in the mix with a wonderfully comfortable and casual feel.

I think this indoor space would go well with the above outdoor space. Notice the interesting accessories and the use of texture by using wood and baskets. There are even lanterns as in the outdoor space.

More wood and interesting elements are being used in this indoor space. This space will marry well to the above outdoor space.

Last but not Least!........

In this last image we see a great use of a brightly colored backdrop with a very traditional look and feel to the elements being used. Symmetry gives this space an understated elegant feel.  I  have to mention the coffee table, what a fun use of plant material!

 

Designed by Suzanne Kasler, photography by Tria Giovan

I can see stepping into this foyer and walking through the house to go to the above outdoor space. Clean traditional lines, bright pops of color and symmetry all are speaking the same language as the above outdoor space.

This dining room would also be a space that would look as if it belonged to the owner of the above foyer and outdoor spaces.

I hope you have had some fun with this little exercise in how important it is for your outdoor living areas to flow seamlessly with your interior spaces.

 Remember:

There needs to be continuity in color, style and feel.

You should be able to use the same adjectives to describe both your inside and outside spaces.

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Blending your outdoor spaces seamlessly to your interior spaces.

Kathysue