Tracy Porter Blog… be inspired!

Sometimes things just need to be repurposed…and I really do dig those moments! This gem of a secretary was my desk in our old library. I had always envisioned her as a bar…she just craves the evening hours when a hand comes along to sweep up a lovely glass. She has found her calling…all dressed up….and ready for the moonlit sky! I prefer mixing all of our glassware up…more interesting to the eye….makes me want to stand and look at all the golden darlings…hand painted touches…..some are tall and sexy…some are gypsy songs, a few sugary gems…they all seems so delicious side by side. ( John calls this my earthquake nightmare ) I call her my bohemian wild swan.

Cheers and Delectable Thoughts!!
xxx,
T.

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Labels: more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating

A single stem …….of one one my newly discovered favorite flowers….the Princess flower. I know you are thrilled by the little things as I am….!
Sometimes I wander about the garden with my cutters in hand and a small basket…oddly just carrying a little wicker basket makes the cutting that much more joyous!!….or maybe I am channelling Vita Sackville-West. I trim a treasure trove of little gems like this…then I end up in the kitchen gathering up little pots, or cups….any sort of vessel that holds water, really. I set them about the house, no rhyme or reason….sometimes near the kitchen sink, or in a powder room. On John’s nightstand, in our guest room. I always take the time to put some on my nightstand…usually lavender. Sometimes a sinlge stem is all it takes to add some color and a hint of eden to any spot.

Cheers and Happy Gathering…
xxx,
T.

Labels: make & create, nature's inspirations, soulful nesting & decorating

The process of moving is filled with so many thoughts. Wonder, excitement, melancholy, planning….to do lists…..it is nearly endless . You have family thoughts….and then you have “thing” thoughts. As in…what do I do with all our things. It is just stuff after all. Some of it has strings attached, photos mostly……much of it does not. Once boxed up your nearly forget about all of it ,oddly. As though you would never miss it, couldn’t even recount much of it if you tried. So, you pick and choose…you filter through it….you sell some, you give some….you edit…you feel healthy, like you are truly accomplishing something….and you are. This coming from a true collector of things, who has just gone through this process first hand. I even found myself laughing out loud at my layered obsessions. Thousands of books…..thousands.

Now I am onto the process of where it all goes, not over thinking any of it….and that too is pretty freeing…..re-creating. Having new ways of looking at things…..making piles of stuff…then just walking up plucking out….and putting. How lovely…..just doing. Over thinking anything can be stifling , especially to the creative process.

Cheers and happy edits!
xxx
T.Tracy Porter

Labels: more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating

Do tell me it has happened to you too? You know, your jewelry drawer starts to look more like the junk drawer from your mudroom (now I am just praying you all have junk drawers?). I know you know I am the queen magpie, a stasher of sorts, a squirrel, a pack rat… yes… all that. If it is shiny or feathery or stringy or glittery or… quite frankly any texture at all… I keep it. Sick… but true. My jewelry drawer is made up of stuff I have had since I started shopping vintage in my teens. Then we designed our own jewelry, so that’s now layered in. I don’t own anything of much monetary value as jewelry goes, more pull at your heart strings sort of stuff. I know I have shared with you that I have always told John from day one… No jewelry gifts for me… Trees, yes… Boxwoods, indeed… More animals, surely. No fancy jewelry. Maybe at some point in my life that tune’ll change…… who knows. For now I like my mish~mash of fun stuff!

Well now that we’ve shared all that… and you know my jewelry drawer was all a-shambles and in need of some serious TLC… I’ll be on with it. I had this thought about how pretty it all is, and then it’s all tangled up in that sorry drawer, really… shame on me. I am always wanting to pull the "pretty"out of the drawers… so I did. Check out the fun twist in our video… Mine is an armoire in our bedroom, now all decked out with found objects from our home… Where will you put yours?

A few thoughts to consider…

* Small statues or sculptures are great for necklaces… Have anything from your garden that you could use?

* Bracelets are spectacular in a big silver bowl.

* Teacups or other small pantry dishes are ideal for rings, brooches and the like.

* Lamps… always try to squeeze a small lamp into your vignette.

* Be inspired by a fanciful, extraordinary woman… I keep thinking, what would Coco do?

Kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter

Dream delicious!

Labels: more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating

Buddha in a fountain… whyever not?!!

A spicy Moroccan table…. absolument!

A hand-made bowl to hold the day’s citrus.. even more delicious..xxx

A spot of leopard… some velvet tapestry…(even better a touch tattered)

I sometimes CRAVE that place beyond. That funky, “can I really?” place that feeds my spirit. I suppose we CREATIVE-TYPES are all the same… we do it for ourselves… we need to. Always another little taste to savor… another layer to add… another chance to TRY something unconventional. I relish in the pure joy of it all… breathes new LIFE into any moment and warms my soul.

If you feel it… why,… then, get to it. Dare yourself to DREAM!!

Bohemian kisses to you!!

xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

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Labels: more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating

Ahhh,….it’s just in my blood, I guess. Always on the hunt for the next treasure to collect…. I truly delight in discovering interesting little things to group together… and to celebrate in a beautiful way. Glass is one of my favorite tips for the collector… such an enchanting way to showcase your delightful assemblage. Charming in a grouping on a tabletop; elegant placed individually in a setting or vignette. Such a relaxing and artful way to enjoy the goodness that you hold dear.
Such a simple project; such a delight for your soul.
xxx,

T.

Tracy Porter

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Labels: make & create, more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating

My sister Robyn and her husband George have a lovely shade garden just outside of their porch. A beautiful place to ponder and toil….dig and laze. They were brilliant to put up a hammock. Ahhh…..temptation to lure you into the shade. To nap…to read… to be……perfection really.

Have you a spot for a hammock or a swing?….Perhaps just a few chairs to set in the garden or near a view…to beckon you to the quietness of summer.

Cheers and Peaceful moments!!
xxx.
T.
Tracy Porter

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Labels: more Tracy Porter, nature's inspirations, soulful nesting & decorating

You all know that I have a candle obsession…. Yes, yes, yes…. I light them every day, every night… I adore the mood they set. Homemade candles are something I’ve been creating for decades… such a wonderful way to make something truly personal and fabulous (I love giving them as gifts…) such a wonderful thing for every occasion!!
Now, you know me…. Like any other project that I have you join me for… I want to be sure that you SUCCEED!!! I’m all about demystifying complicated crafts and techniques and making them enjoyable and easy for you! Chances are you already have most of the goodies needed…. Maybe just need to hop online to order some wax for melting… but the rest is probably already in your home… waiting for you!!!

Click here for Tracy’s Candle-Making Recipe!

Tracy Porter Best Homemade candle tips and ideas:

• Use small containers and objects from your décor and pantry as vessels for the candles
• Sprinkle herbs into the wax before the candles set
• Embrace the drips… I prefer more.. as it looks artful!
• Soy wax: eco-friendly and easy to use… also comes pre-shaved for easy meltability
• A dot of hot glue keeps your wick in place – so smart!
• Use a clothespin to hold and balance your wick as your pouring your wax…. Nobody likes a crooked wick darlings!
• Once your candles are cooled and set….. consider nestling into a clear cellophane bag and personalizing with a tag: instant gift!
• Have a candle-making party. Your friends will love it; kids love it!

Embrace a new passion!!…. Candles!!!

xxx,

T.

Tracy Porter

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Labels: ideas, make & create, more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating

Not like me I know to point out the whites. Color is my story..and yet…I do…indeed delight in the whites too!! Mon Dieu!!
Yes, a fresh pretty linen~y like tablecloth strewn across a console…or the dining table. Makes me want to set out a plate of fresh radishes, sweet butter and salt…….mmmm! It simply says summertime, easy….! I adore easy. Quick things that I can do in a snap that re-create a small spot in my home just make me giddy..!~
You know I’ll always share! ……and darlings…what is for you? What is your snap summertime thing? I must know…..we all must!!

Cheers and Love!!
xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

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Labels: ideas, more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating

I think a willingness to explore new ways of doing things makes for a happy home and quite content mind. Take this tiny framed print for example. Why not hang a lovely small gem like this from a pretty ribbon…and why not let it dangle in all its glory from an armoire, a hook….or a lamp shade. Jewelry for the home….you have heard me say this one before. I find the home to be quite like the body….easy to adorn if you are willing to trust your gut…and not take much of it too seriously!
Tell me your thoughts…what will you do this week?….How will you trust you gut? I must know!!!

Happiness to you!

Cheers!
Xxx
T.
Tracy Porter

Labels: make & create, more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating

Simple tiebacks are a favorite decorating tip of mine. No need to spend oodles of money ( if you don’t want to)…..this is a cool way to do a quick, painless tieback…that looks straight from the French countryside! I like to use the basic burlap tree wrap stuff…you can find it at many garden supply stores. It’s cheap…and left over’s are very cool as ribbon on gifts etc. You’ll find tons of very artful uses for this stuff…so go for a few rolls…or you’ll be back for more…count on it.

Cheers and goodness to you!!
xxx
T.
Tracy Porter

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Labels: ideas, make & create, more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating

I took a page straight out of Julia Childs kitchen last year, with the help of my sweet husband John. Let me tell you….(ok, you already know) how brilliant that dear woman was. Peg boards…..easy to find, cheap and quite possibly one of the most wonderful ways to hold things when you need more space, have oddball objects to organize etc. If you can find a handy person….( you or someone) to help….even the local hardware stores can cut these to size. Get some simple hooks…and go to town with a straightforward reorganize.

Peg board considerations……

• think garage tools
• garden tools
• cleaning stuff….
• kids stuff
• sports things ( I need to get on this one for sure!!!)

Cheers and Happy day to you!!
xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

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Labels: ideas, make & create, more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating

A walk through the garden with Gus, a few nips of various flowers and greens, add to that…….Several huge squeeze-y tubes of cheap, colorful kid friendly washable paint……no rules…no worries of mess……just the freedom to go with it………and just like that…you have one very satisfied 4 year old child……that was able to explore nature, discover his own creativity….and feel free to be. Just like we all want…right!?
Give yourself the freedom…to explore & discover with no rules….and make your own inspiration…you never do know where it will lead you!!

Delicious……!!

This whole thing was Gus’ idea. He wanted to make a “nature painting”….and walked out to gather flowers that he liked……then he grabbed the paint bin, and just started squirting colors on the flowers……then after a while asked for a big paint brush…….It was fun to watch…..I kept my mouth closed, gave no direction….just smiled…..he knew just what he wanted and where he was going. What a wonderful gift!

Cheers and Happy discoveries!!!
xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

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Labels: emotional surrender, more Tracy Porter, nature's inspirations, soulful nesting & decorating

I know you probably find it odd………..me the self professed queen of color….always adding another dose of vividness to our home, to our designs…to our garden. I am truly what you may call…color obsessed. Ah…but…stop there…..and, note. Not with towels my love. I adore white, fluffy bleach-y smelling towels. I only ever buy white towels…( ok, I am lying…it did just pop into my head as I write that all of our beach towels are really funky and colorful…not to fully deceive you) But, in the bathrooms, powder rooms and such…all white towels.
I adore a big stack of freshly laundered towels sitting all lusciously folded ……sort of hotel-like……
So what about you…..do tell…you know I adore your thoughts on all topics!!

Cheers and Happiness to You!!!
xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

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Labels: more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating

Fruited Still Life Rustic Canvas

Ginger Rosewood Gift Candle

Celadon Garden Stool

Peony Linen Pillow

I’m not sure there is ever a time of the year when I don’t get the hankering to decorate a little here and there. No big overhauls ( well….sometimes)…just a dab of color, a new tidbit that makes me smile…..something small and lovely…a new scented candle…or…something that I can re-create around. You know…just a spot of inspiration! I know you are the same…always wanting to toss in a new goodie…….just had to share a few of my favorites at this moment.

Cheers and Happiness to You!!
xxx,
T.
Tracy Porter

Labels: more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating