2008 July

July 31, 2008

Charming nooks for books… and more!

I am absolutely crazy about books (as many of you must know, by now)…… I’m a huge collector of new and old tomes, and I love incorporating them into all of my decorating fixes. For me, creating an eclectic bookshelf is simply an extension of my mantel, or my dining room table… or nearly any surface, really! It’s just one more place for me to create an interesting vignette… with or without books! These particular bookshelves flank the fireplace in our den… so we wanted them to feel utterly rustic and charming. We deliberately used rough hewn pine boards to add warmth and character to our space. Then, atop each shelf, like icing on the most delicious cake… I’ve perched a variety of little vignettes! I love mixing them up quite often… These are quick and simple changes you can do in an afternoon, or after the kids have gone to bed… Just gather all your goodies around you, and dive right in!! I try to infuse a little fantasy wherever I can… a colorful enameled box, a silver tea set, a vintage glass cordial set, a mouthwatering lamp, a piece of child’s art… Keep it as unique and personal as you dare… then, of course, layer in all the books you can handle…… Kiss, kiss!

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Labels: soulful nesting & decorating

July 31, 2008

Emotional surrender…

I am completely giddy with excitement over our upcoming fall collection… (I know, I know, it can’t get here soon enough… for you OR for me!!) But alas, patience is a virtue… (Well, at least I am constantly telling myself this.) And of course there are some amazingly beautiful, classic (with a twist) baubles from our summer line that I still cannot tear my eyes off of…… like our stunning Filigree Locket! (OK, so I just had to yell across the studio so Sarah could prompt me on the name… but that’s beside the point!!) Oh! And, best of all… sorry to digress yet again…… but with our HUGE SITE WIDE SALE starting today, you can get her for a song!!! (If you haven’t heard, almost everything is now 50-70% off, including furniture! How ’bout it?? Maybe I should pause for a moment here as you all go shopping???) So, right….. back to the necklace!! Isn’t this piece divine!?!? I swear, the girls at the studio are about to rip it off my neck, I wear it so often…… There’s just something uniquely timeless about this beauty that I absolutely love… From her classic pearl baubles, to her bejeweled toggle closure, to her intricately carved, oversized golden locket… She has such wonderful grace and movement… She still makes me a little breathless, whenever I put her on…… I’m curious, are the rest of you as sentimental about lockets as I am?? Do you keep photos or scraps of old love notes tucked away inside? I’d love to hear some of your stories!! xoxo, T.

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Labels: emotional surrender

July 31, 2008

Off the wall

OK, so I’ll admit, this probably isn’t for everyone…… but if you can go there… both you and your kids will go gaga for this one in no time! To set the stage a bit here…… When I was a little girl, I was lucky enough to have a room in our home where I could experiment with different crafts and hobbies, and make all sorts of messes… and my mother didn’t mind one bit. John and I wanted to give this same kind of creative freedom to our four young boys. We started by painting their playroom a kicky lime green, and then… well, we just turned them loose!!! Crayons, markers, paint… you name it. I figure, when they (we) grow tired of it, we’ll just paint right over it!! It’s quite freeing, actually…… Of course, we do have a FEW rules… such as, they’re only allowed to draw on THIS wall, and not the rest of the house!!! The boys are incredibly respectful of this… They really do understand that this is their space, and they can dream up whatever they want to in there…… If you want to try this on in your home, it doesn’t have to be an entire wall, by any means…… You could designate a smaller portion of a wall by framing it off with some simple wood molding… or perhaps you could let them “graffiti” an interior garage wall instead? Craft and hardware stores sell this fantastic chalkboard paint now, too, so kids can draw and color with chalk till their hearts’ content. Or, if wall space is limited for you, you can also buy inexpensive rolls of kraft paper and then spread it out on the floor or any table surface. Once the paper’s full, you can tack up sections of it in their playroom or bedroom to show off their artwork (like a childhood gallery, if you will). After the “show” is over, don’t forget to save bits of the decorated paper to incorporate into some of your own vignettes… or encourage your children to reuse their artwork by cutting it up and making other paper crafts out of it… or even help them wrap Christmas gifts with it! Just let your imagination (and your children’s!) be your guide here!!

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Labels: soulful nesting & decorating

July 31, 2008

Jewelry for your ceiling!

Yippee!! As promised, in lieu of our summer tent sale, we’re offering you some of our biggest online sales to date… including 40% off select lighting AND free shipping!!! We’re so excited!!! (Aren’t you??) Truly, this is the first time we’ve been able to offer these amazing gems at such unbelievable prices…… So, if you’ve had your eye on a gorgeous statement piece… now’s your chance! Lest we all forget, fall is just around the corner… (Oh, come on now, who am I kidding… Here in Wisconsin, I’m still getting used to the fact that it’s summer!! I mean, we still haven’t had any really good juicy 90 degree days yet……. So who wants to think about fall???) But alas… our gardens will all too soon be winding down… we’ll find ourselves moving back indoors earlier and earlier as the nights get longer and chillier… And truly, what better way to warm the interior spaces of your home….. than with a shimmering new chandelier, gracing your foyer or dining room ceiling… or a pair of beautiful sconces, flanking your fireplace… or perhaps a handsome bath bar perched above your powder room vanity? Now, if you’re on the fence, let me give you a little retail therapy…… (I hope I’m not being too forward here… but believe me, I’ve honestly been there before!!!! Coveting something absolutely glorious, checking back to see if it’s still there… hemming and hawing, debating whether to pull the proverbial trigger or not… even though it makes you insanely squirrelly inside!! Until one day, it’s gone….. and your heart just sinks… and you’re left kicking yourself.) So, I really am a firm believer that sometimes, you just have to go on and indulge yourself… After all, you really do deserve it, right?! Besides, everyone needs a little touch of old world fantasy every now and again……… xoxo, T.

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Labels: soulful nesting & decorating

July 31, 2008

Do you ever…

* Create a beautiful porch vignette? Usually, I’m all about bringing the outdoors in… but during the summer months, I love decorating our screen porch just as I would any other room in our home!

* Give your favorite potato salad a little twist? Try stirring in Kalamata olives, capers, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomato chutney, or spicy brown mustard.

* Crave watching It’s A Wonderful Life… in August?? (I do. Then again, I’m the one playing Christmas music in July……)

* Have your girlfriends over for Sunday morning brunch? Ooh, and for an extra special touch… try sipping champagne with strawberry French toast!

* Coax your relatives into telling outlandish stories from their youth? (You might just be surprised at what they share!)

* Set a beautiful table… for one? I’ll admit, it’s pretty rare that I have a moment all to myself these days… but ah, when I do…… what a great way to experiment with mixing and matching your pretty things… AND a wonderful excuse to pamper yourself in the process!

* Enjoy mint tea with lemon cookies? Cheerio!

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Labels: do you ever...

July 17, 2008

Sitting pretty

As you (probably) know by now, I am all about instant gratification… By this I mean quick decorating fixes that I can squeeze in during those few, evasive moments of “me” time…… (I’m sure you can relate??) John and I recently flipped our entire great room around… (I love the open concept of a great room, BTW… if you’re shopping around for a new home, or even looking to build… I highly recommend this floor plan! It’s especially functional for families, and equally fantastic for entertaining…… But I digress!!) One big challenge with any great room is, of course, creating intimate nooks within the larger space so that you’re not overwhelmed by it all… That’s why John and I wanted to create this cozy sitting area near our kitchen. We didn’t go out and buy a bunch of new things… Rather, we reused pieces we had in other rooms of our home. I just love it now. For me, it just works… I love the eclectic mix of new and vintage pieces here… an organic wooden table… a pair of mismatched toile armchairs… colorful pillows and textural throws (great for hiding all the stains of a busy household!)… I know we’ve talked a lot about interesting vignettes over the past few weeks, and this table top is no exception… As you can see, the objects can be utterly simple… a piece of mercury glass for sparkle… an old tin lantern with some candle votives… a few rocks and an abandoned birds’ nest collected from our marsh… Oh, and if you don’t have a great room, no worries!! Perhaps you’ll be inspired to create a little reading nook in the corner of your bedroom? If you have a larger foyer or hallway, a single chair and table would create a cozy respite… Or, if you dare… try rearranging a corner of your patio or porch for a more intimate setting! Cheers!

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Labels: soulful nesting & decorating

July 17, 2008

Our mantra…? Own it!

Taking charge of a project, an idea… no matter how big or how small… and running with it…… Doing your best, never settling, always pushing yourself a little bit further outside of your comfort zone… This mentality is one that John and I are constantly pursuing… It’s our passion, it’s what drives us. It’s not a goal of absolute perfection by any means. (Quite honestly, I’m not sure such a thing exists!) But there’s a certain level of fearless determination that guides us in many aspects of our daily lives… from being a parent… to traveling to a foreign city… from choosing a new wall color… to building a brand… And we really do try to encourage this philosophy at work and at home with our four young boys. Mind you, it can be a little daunting at times… We’ve had our share of scraped knees along the way…… But it’s such an empowering thing, really… to OWN IT. To take ownership over something, to know it inside and out, to trust yourself and just run with it… even if it’s just one small piece in a much larger puzzle. You may not get it exactly right the first time, but that’s okay! You will definitely grow and learn a lot from the experience. Each and every day, John and I are constantly reminded of how blessed we are, to be working side by side, doing what we love… And as we grow our company, we’re ever evolving… We rely on the talents of others around us to be equally good problem solvers, and smart thinkers… people who are just as passionate as we are… individuals who want to OWN IT right along with us!! So, in my very verbose way…… I hope that, no matter how young or how old you are… whatever tasks or decisions you are facing today, tomorrow… next year… no matter how bold or tentative you might be……… I hope you’ll be inspired in some way to cast off those proverbial training wheels and just jump right in there!!!

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Labels: be extraordinary, behind the scenes, more Tracy Porter

July 17, 2008

Summer noshing…

During the summer months we enjoy dining out on our screen porch almost every night… I swear, John and I make this meal at least once a week, it is that good! The boys absolutely go nuts over it… and the great thing is, it’s super simple! A bed of spinach and arugula… grilled chicken breast, marinated or seasoned however you like… ripe red tomatoes… thinly sliced English cucumber… crumbles of feta or blue cheese, whatever tickles your fancy… Pile everything high on a platter, drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper to taste… and let your family or guests help themselves!! Tres magnifique!

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Labels: eating & gathering

July 17, 2008

Do you ever…

* Serve popsicles in pretty glassware? I love this summertime treat… For added whimsy, garnish with your favorite blooms, straight from the garden!!

* Try swapping a couple of boxes of old trinkets with a friend? I always try to look at “junk” in a new way… (Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder!)

* Batter and deep-fry marinated artichoke hearts, or roasted red peppers? (Divine!!)

* Give yourself permission to play? By this I mean, try on something new… a brilliant wall color, a sultry perfume, an edgy ‘do… a fresh perspective?

* Put low-watt bulbs in several of your lamps? (Trust me… it’ll create a more sensuous atmosphere in a snap!)

* Order a pizza and doctor it up with yummies from your own pantry? Try roasted garlic chutney, feta cheese with fried ham and pineapple, sauerkraut, hot peppers…

* Create inexpensive sugared flowers? Take artificial flowers from the craft store (which usually don’t thrill me), clip off their long stems, add a little spray adhesive to the petals, and sprinkle with very fine glitter. Voila! They’re instantly transformed from fake to fantasy!

* Listen to Edith Piaf over dinner? Her music adds a certain… je ne sais quoi to any evening……

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Labels: do you ever...

July 8, 2008

Tracy Porter Tent Sale Update

Hello my loves… I just had to jump in here with a quick update for all of you! After much careful thought and consideration, John and I have decided to cancel our tent sale coming up at the end of this month. I know, so many of you were already looking forward to the event (and believe me, we were too!). I hope you won’t be too terribly disappointed!! Please do keep your eyes peeled, however, as we WILL (hint, hint) be enticing you with some juicy online sales in the next few weeks… You know, as we make room for all the fabulous new goodies coming this fall……… xoxo, Tracy

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Labels: behind the scenes

July 2, 2008

Artful keepsakes

While I love the notion of traditional scrapbooking, I am even more passionate about living with your treasures! I am constantly on the lookout for unique and interesting ways to display every last tidbit… Well, this vintage relic does just that! The exuberantly carved frame is in its prime (for me)… with much of its ornate plaster relief actually cracked or peeling away. (That’s how I prefer it, really… a little rough around the edges.) It keeps a lot of little goodies together in one eclectic vignette… one that I will continue to edit and marvel at over the years. In a way, it’s like a living, breathing scrapbook for my walls! Inside is a treasure trove of memories… our family’s initials atop a page torn from one of my favorite art books… a scrap of embroidered organza ribbon, lovingly rescued from a cherished gift… a vintage charm bracelet, handed down thru the generations… a vintage photo of my French grandmother Lucy…… handwritten old love letters, faded but not forgotten… a pencil sketch that one of the boys drew for us…… Truly, I can never say it enough… don’t ever be afraid to get personal in your decorating!! It’s all about making your house (your apartment, your space) YOUR OWN!

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Labels: make & create, soulful nesting & decorating

July 2, 2008

Just horsing around

Amidst all the chaos of everyday life, I always try to infuse little touches of old world history and charm into our home. Renowned for their stamina and speed, Han Horses have often been revered as heavenly horses. This iron pair continues to grace the center of our dining room table… and while (sadly) they’ve since been discontinued from our own product mix, I still love the IDEA of them! Truly, anything regal and oversized would work here!! (And I am in no ways a purist when it comes to these matters… I’ve been known to plunk inexpensive resin figurines in the middle of my tablescapes… As long as the finish and texture looks authentic, who’s really looking??) Whether you’re into flora or fauna… you can go as simple or grand as you like here. I’m also a huge collector of books, so I love to gather them up in droves. (Thrift stores and estate sales are great places to look if you’re on the hunt.) Here I’ve plucked out several in calming hues of blues and greens… At other times I might gravitate toward other color palettes – it just depends on the mood I’m looking to create at the moment. Just stack the books randomly, here and there… dot them with votive candles… and you’ve got a delectable centerpiece in a snap!

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Labels: soulful nesting & decorating

July 2, 2008

Whimsical portraits

John and I have 4 young boys, and we love capturing the imaginative years of their childhood in a variety of ways. This is a fun and quirky collage project for anyone to try on!! And even though our canvases have captured more of a masculine flair… you could easily find a theme suitable for ANY child!

To get started, we color copied lush illustrations of several historical figures (in Max’s case, Napoleon… it’s more about the noble steed he’s perched on, really). Then we took existing photos of the boys, color copied them to size… then cut and pasted their faces over the historical ones. To complete the look, the backgrounds are layered with replicas of old treasure maps, torn edges, tea-staining, and dry brush antiquing. As a finishing touch, we decided to file the edges of the canvases to make them feel even more rustic. Tres magnifique! We have these little portraits hanging in the boys’ room now… and they giggle every time they look up at them!

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Labels: make & create

July 2, 2008

Fourth of July folly

Our four little men are entranced with cowboy boots… Needless to say, if they’re not running around barefoot, they’ve probably donned a pair! I was lucky enough to “borrow” theirs for just a moment to perch them here, all in a row, on an antique leather bench near our den… A charming little vignette to capture the sentiments of the holiday……

Happy Fourth, everyone!! xoxo, T.

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Labels: holiday, soulful nesting & decorating