Printemps

As I look outside my window, to see a whole city covered in a blanket of snow, I’m reminded of Bing Crosby, Christmas carols and all things holiday.  Yet, the presents under the tree have been opened for some time now, the ornaments gone, and lights properly put away. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love winter, being from Colorado; I love skiing down the slopes of Breckenridge and walking in my snow-boots to Starbucks.  I love everything from the first frost to the last flake falling.

But spring, if you’re reading this… can you come visit soon? 

Garden Plans

The world is anticipating your inevitable return and causing me to miss the warm(er) weather. Not merely the warm breeze, but the color green! My favorite reads on this frigid day was anything garden, with the likes of Carolyne Roehm, Robert Norris, Privet Home and Garden along with Suzanne Cummings and her images of her hand tied bouquets. I couldn’t help but to daydream of white gardens, the scents, textures, accents, charm and finally entertaining in the coming spring.

Maiden Hair Fern

With that constantly in the back of my mind, I want to decorate the house with Maiden Hair ferns under cloches, pick out seeds, and rework the garden landscape. I daydream of spring’s potential. Nothing would make me happier than being able to start growing a few Paperwhite bulbs on the kitchen windowsill or placing them strategically around the house utilizing my collection of white pottery.

Where have those strong wheat grass blades gone that I took for granted during the summer? It’s time to start growing, don’t you think? 

Our good friend and Chicago’s premiere florist Ms. Suzanne Cummings brings her training with designer Jane Packer of London and her personal esthetic to every creation. When she’s not running about town, Suzanne can be found at http://www.suzannecummingsflowers.com

Mr. Robert Norris not only designs spectacular classical homes at http://www.spitzmillerandnorris.com throughout the country, he gardens. He has taken this hobby to the next level with grounds and combinations that will absolutely inspire. I met Robert on Facebook a while back and I’m so happy I did.

After all, magazines are starting to pile up. I’m simply running out of storage space for all of these articles. In my attempt to organize, I divide the catalogues and magazines into three categories: fashion, color, and garden. (The slow return of the season is definitely not helping my floor plans.)

With each turn of the page, I let my imagination run wild with landscape plans…

One of My favorites spots for Home and Garden. Privet Home’s goal is to provide and serve clients with those often "impossible to find pieces", pieces which are destined to become family heirlooms. If you haven’t checked them out you can find them here, http://www.privethome.com/

Usually, I’m against rushing the seasons. Enjoy them while they’re here is what I tell my family and friends. However, in the case of spring I’ll allow this one exception.

Coming Home

It was a 100 degree day in the middle of July. What caught my eye while browsing through someone else’s garage was a bicycle that must have dated back to the 30’s—Rusted, broken, and nowhere near safe enough to ride. It was painted Holiday Red with accents of green, complete with the classic whitewall tires.

The snow this year was absolutely amazing. Giant flakes fell every day for a week. Before long, it was up to the forth step on the porch. Luckily I had the sense to put the Christmas lights out earlier in the week. White in the small evergreens planted in the oversized window boxes surrounding the entire house, multi colored on the full sized trees that graced the porch,  tiny white lights crept up the garlands that led to our front door intertwining with a generous red velvet ribbon. The outside was almost finished. 

A quick trip to the hardware store, an old fashioned one that remains one of my favorites, for a bit more wire. While digging through a dusty box of antique ornaments, looking for the perfect patina in silver, I came across a strand of antique lights. The really old ones that burn way to hot and are just as boldly colored. The lights themselves were the size of chandelier bulbs. I could tell they were destined for the trash, and I asked if I could buy them. 

After a little rewiring we were in business. The snow was beginning to fall at a steady pace. If we were going to do this, I had better get to it. We have giant eaves that that I could barley reach from the second floor window ledges. Dangerous yes, but maybe it made it a bit more fun. I placed two pulleys into the wood, centered perfectly considering the architecture of this Burnham Home. Slowly we pulled and pulled with far too many "artistic directors" offering their opinions about placement. 

Kyle Bunting Custom Upholstery

The 30’s bicycle officially had a new life hanging in front of the window boxes covered in twenty of the brightest colored bulbs I have ever seen. The tires were polished and the basket was filled with wrapped presents. It’s finishing touch being the dusting of fresh snow. 

 A few days later, Chicago Home and Garden came to take photos, the local newspapers even dropped by to highlight the neighborhood decorations and wanted to include ours.

RLH Collection: a collection that is defined by period construction, details, and authentic craftsmanship that is embody the spirit of artisanal luxury.

Four feet of snow never looked so good. I didn’t even mind shoveling that year. 

Merry Christmas