Unique Unique Design

Had a great trip to New Mexico. Did lots of cooking for lots of cowhands. It was a very interesting experience. Was fun to see my grandkids in action. They really do know what they are doing!! They are hard workers, very responsible, and just great kids!! I know….spoken like a grandmother. Its true, tho. I’m posting a couple pics of my trip, then I’ll get on to more normal stuff. I was away  and then when I got back, I kind of hit the ground running. I’ve not been at my computer much to blog or look at others’  blogs. Hopefully, now, I can catch up.

granddaughter Madi on palamino, daughter Erin and other granddaughter on other horse. just finished rounding up about 200 head of cattle.

grandson Mason doing his job…dusty business

son-in-law Seth and grandson Jack keeping eye out for next load of calves

Ellee and Jack discussing important “cow” business

Sorry, I don’t have a picture of my daughter, Casey, She’s the mom of all these kids. She was quite busy putting together the spread to feed all these folks….and boy can she do that! They love lending a hand at the Lowe Ranch!!

Now, for more “normal” blog things. Our very good friend Judy of J Hill Design is no longer doing Canton. Last month was her last time. She’s been doing it for many many years and what a job she and Billy have done!! Now, don’t panic!!! They will continue their house shows, Marburger and the Red Barn show. If there is anyone reading this blog that thought they would see Judy at Canton, please check our event calendar for details of her home show June 11th…just in case she didn’t have your address. Pass the word so no one misses it, since she won’t be there to hand out flyers.

Judy’s booth at Marburger

Also, just a reminder…..there are only a few more days left to buy your raffle ticket for Bella in the Bucks for Bella. There are some really cool things being raffled off, but mostly it’s helping a great family with their hospital costs!

There’s the news. Til next time…

Last Thursday I attended a show put on by 9 ladies at a private home in Dallas. I got the info on the show by e-mail from Theresa at Garden Antqs. Since I had to go into Dallas that day I decided to go shopping! I arrived at a beautiful home with some very nice ladies inside. I didn’t meet but 3 of them and had the opportunity to chat a bit. Well, this was their first house show and as you will see by the pictures following they did a bang up job! They had great things for sale and did an excellent job of display. Kim and Theresa gave me their card, so I am including their e-mail addresses in case you see anything in the pics you might want to  inquire about. They plan on having another show in October, so am sure we can add the date to our event calendar.

kimee2@verizon.net

lowrimore@hotmail.com

Here’s some of their “pretties”!

and last but not least, Kim, Suzie, and Theresa

E-mail these ladies so you can get on their mailing list…you’ll be glad you did.

Now, I’m off to my daughter’s in New Mexico for  a round-up and all that goes with that (which hopefully will not include getting bucked off a horse!). Of course, this includes some grandkid time!!! Be back in a couple days.

You might wonder why I chose to post about daybeds. Well, I’d been out in the yard weeding the unending weeds, then working in the house moving large items.   I sat down to grab a drink and flipped open a magazine and saw some daybeds on a page. I flipped the page and there was another I liked even better. I thought wouldn’t it be nice to be reclining on one of these perusing this magazine with a nice cold glass of ice tea. It was very warm and muggy outside. So, with those thoughts in mind, I decided to look for daybeds and do a blog on them. So, if you aren’t reclining on one and maybe wish you were join me on our daybed journey. I will only be posting a few I found as it would take awhile to find as many as I’m sure I have pics of.

Webster’s definition of a daybed is:

1.  a couch that  can be converted to a bed. (simple enough definition)

Historically daybeds have been around for quite a while. For ancient Chinese it was function as they did not distinguish between sitting and sleeping. Ancient Greeks, Romans, Victorians used a daybed as a means of accommodating traveling guests. Daybeds were tented or draped to provide warmth in drafty places. Daybeds that folded were used when traveling or wartime often to accommodate officers. Treating persons with diseases like tuberculosis brought about the concept of a daybed with an adjustable back as it was better for their health to not lie flat on their back. These were often called cure chairs and eventually wheels were added so the patient could be rolled outside for sunshine and fresh air. As you can see, the daybed has been a very versatile and utilitarian piece throughout history. Today they still are used for more than one function. Today, though, we add our own style, design, and uses for them.  They are available now from simple humble ones for a small child’s room to highly stylized ones that are quite expensive.

Now the pictures…

Straight lined daybed in striped fabric used to connect 2 spaces

very simple clean lines

still simple lines with the special touch of a head finial. cushion and pillows are silk

isn’t this bamboo daybed inviting

very classy (sorry about the line on the left. it’s from scanning a mag)

love this look. great color

linen always looks fab

this french 19th century daybed in a linen stripe is wonderful paired with the Asian elements

black silk….very elegant and chic

above 2 pics are different views of a gustavian canapé . I love this piece in the linen. I would take it home!

This is a custom daybed in French hemp. A few years ago I would have loved this piece exactly as it is. Now I think I would take off the ruffle and make it a little simpler…either legs (wood or covered in hemp) or maybe a straight skirt (pleated?). What do you think?

Would love to hear your comments on daybeds or if you have a favorite pictured here.

Hope you have a nice place to lounge and read quietly or with your children or grandchildren. Have a great day!

all pictures courtesy of Southern Accents and Veranda

Happy Mother’s Day!

We want to wish a wonderful day to every Mother out there and every Mother’s Child.

Marcie and Mayron

The blues I’m referring to aren’t what you think. I’m talking about blue hydrangea!! Lots of it!! We did a wedding reception this Saturday in the Cotton Mill in McKinney, Tx. It is an absolutely wonderful sight to have a reception.  Old brick, wood beams and columns, old metal windows, original wood floors, and a beautiful courtyard. I just wish my pics could show you how fabulous this place was. The bride wanted a very simple decor with no flower other than the hydrangea. We used old silver for vases, old clay jars, burlap, and tons of candles. The weather in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area was quite wild that day. Severe thunderstorms, tornado warnings, flash floods….whew never a dull spring in Texas!! At one point the bride’s dad was busily mopping up water in the reception area. Needless to say we couldn’t follow through on our outdoor plans, but all went well in spite of the deluge.

Hope you can tell a little of what the place was like by the pics. Not all the food was set up yet and as usual it is hard for me to get the scope and size of this place. Here is what I have, tho.

This is the entry table. That photo and these jars are actually larger than they look here.

gift table

One of 2 very large vases with palms at entry to main room.

Large olive jar on buffet table (no food yet). Vase on right is on the salsa table (with some food),

The two different center pieces on tables.

Cake display

The bride chose cupcakes and a small cake (top tier). They were displayed on 2 different tiered racks.

And the other one.

Some of the tables looking out toward the courtyard.

There you go. Now you know what we’ve been up to and why I haven’t gotten a post up in several days. I, also, had family here.

Don’t forget to buy your raffle ticket for BELLA MARIE.