Gender Neutral Master. . .

During our years of make~overs,
"Mr. Ed" confessed to me that he needed a place to sleep
that wasn't pink and filled with roses.

As we completed one room ~after~ another,
I began consulting with him about color palettes.

We both agree that we like the Smoky Slate Olympic Paint
for our Master Bedroom that we chose in 2003.

This hue cocoons you and makes for a restful nights sleep.

Our Cherry Master Bedroom furniture was made
only after ordering and comes to us from North Carolina.

I love our four~poster Queen Size Bed and Triple Dresser.

Per "Mr. Ed's" request,
I added huge white pottery jars and filled them with faux Magnolia stems.

The surface of the dresser is filled with our combined wooden jewelry boxes.

A single silver tray
works for storing our wrist watches at night, and occasionally , his cologne.

For comfort, practicality and warmth, 
we chose a charcoal gray quilted throw
in a chevron patterned stitching instead of a bedspread.

A creamy ivory with navy~blue windowpane check wool blanket 

is all the extra covering we need in the Autumn and Winter months.

Two sets of plump pillows
are a must for comforting slumber On Crooked Creek.

The wooden bench at the foot of the Master Bed has duo purposes.

During the day, "Mr. Ed" & I sit on it for ease in dressing.
By night it holds the pillow shams and decorative pillows.

This oil portrait was taken prior to "Mr. Ed's" entry into the U. S. Army.

Because he and Ronnie Howard have a striking resemblance,
one to the other, we have titled this portrait Happy Days.

Although, we did not purchase the matching nightstands
at the time we purchased our Master Bedroom suit,
we were many years using 'cast~offs' and heirlooms.

A few years ago, we made the purchase of matching night stands
at a local consignment shop.

I love the storage and use mine for magazines and throw blankets.

Treasures I hold dear reside on my nightstand. . .
my Wedding Bible, a photo of "Mr. Ed" & I at the Bellagio
during our son's wedding in Las Vegas 

and a current photo of "Mr. Ed" from our Church Directory.

A nice soft throw, for light covering during napping
On Crooked Creek, rest at the foot of the bed.

A wrought iron medallion hangs on the wall to the side of our bed.

A print 'Always kiss me goodnight' 

within a vintage wooden frame hangs above our bed.

"Mr. Ed" agrees this gender neutral Master Bedroom
is quite restful and matches our retired lifestyle perfectly.

For me, it holds Sweet Dreams.



Until next time. . .

Studio One. . .W I S H!

Far too much time has passed
since I allowed myself the luxury of designing
in my creative space. . . Studio One.


I, truly, am hoping to change that in 2019!

This past week,
I began re~arranging some of my accessories
and found that I really love the aesthetics of paper and string.

My W I S H . . .
May your coming year be filled with magic
                     and dreams and good madness.

I hope you read some fine books
and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful,
                    and don't forget to make some art ~
                    write or draw or build
                    or sing or live as only you can.

And I hope, somewhere
                    in the next year,
                    you surprise yourself.
                                                          ~ Neil Gaiman

This past week, in Studio One, I made some art.
It was quite a challenge, but so fulfilling when completed.
I surprised myself.

2019 is beginning to be filled with many great things On Crooked Creek!



Until next time. . .

Bright Sunshiny Day!

It's been a bright, bright, bright sunshiny day On Crooked Creek!

So~o~o. . .
I descended the stairs to Studio One
and styled this floral arrangement for the Entry Hall.

I only used three hues, within a monochromatic color scheme,
of green, white and pale buttery yellow for this Entry Hall table centerpiece.

I adore how the greens are accentuated by the gray hues in the background!

My French wrought iron pillar candle stick
lends an air of elegance placed beside this floral arrangement.

The gray board background makes a dramatic statement
when paired with the candle stick and the floral arrangement.

So~o~o thankful for my creative space, Studio One
where I design my own floral arrangements On Crooked Creek!

. . .and for bright, bright, bright sunshiny days!



Until next time. . .

Time for Change. . .

Once the Christmas On Crooked Creek is neatly packed away,
I bring my white pottery collection from Studio One's storage
to the upper level Living Room.

I adore the pieces I've collected through the years!

Displaying them in my Entertainment Center
is the best space in the house for me to admire them.

However,
I wanted a change from my usual display 

of grouping them together in masses.

While contemplating a new design for the Entertainment Center,

I realized it was definitely time for change.

Perusing the internet,
I came across a beautiful white built~in cabinet display
styled by Sheila of Maison de Cinq.

While Shelia's clean modern French farmhouse style
and my more Traditional with a vintage flair are not the same, 
her flair and style filled me with inspiration, just the same.

Filled to the brim with inspiration,
I studied each shelf vignette then searched Studio One
for accessories that would make for an interesting style.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tip:

The framing around the glass doors
shortens the actual width of space within the Entertainment Center shelving. 
Keeping a tape measure handy saves me numerous attempts 

to keep the visual vignette evenly placed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

One of my favorite combinations is that on the second shelf .

I adore the contrast between the mercury silver bowl
and the vintage brown and gray books!

Definitely time for change 

within On Crooked Creek's Entertainment Center for this New Year.

Now,
my Entertainment Center is filled to the brim,
with my favorite things, for my daily viewing pleasure.



Until next time. . .

Bordello Pinheiro Luncheon. . .

Nearly every Monday,
I join a friend for morning coffee or afternoon tea.

However,
every once in a while, her schedule allows for us to meet for lunch.

. . . And,
every so often, I serve luncheon On Crooked Creek.

One of my favorite collections is my Bordello Pinheiro Cabbage Leaf Set.

I overlapped the cabbage leaf place mat
onto a brown quilted place mat to mimic the rimmed cabbage plate.

Ecru linen cloth napkins were freshly pressed 
then rolled and placed within a brown wooden napkin ring.

I place the teaspoon and the salad fork
atop the place setting as both would be used after our meal
of mixed greens, cauliflower and shaved Parmesan cheese
tossed in a Champagne vinegar and olive oil vinaigrette
served alongside of homemade Salmon patties.

A variety of mixed patterned serving pieces
from my Bordello Pinheiro Collection for lemon~lime flavored water,
my signature French Parmesan Bread and English Breakfast Tea were served.

One of my 1950's Restaurant Ware condiment jars held tartar sauce.

For the centerpiece,
I filled "Mr. Ed's" homemade gray box
with a variety of mixed flora in green and white.

I am ever so thankful for this friendship.
I adore that we meet within our home town for coffee, tea or lunch.

But,
I also enjoy preparing a lovely tablescape and a luncheon
where we can visit the two ours away, unhurried
within On Crooked Creek's Dining Room.

Until next time. . .