A Poem

Our days are so busy and our hours are so few.....And theres so little time and so much to do.....And the days fly by and are over and done before we have even half begun to do the things that we meant to do..... Yet never had time to carry them through......And how nice it would be if we stopped to say the things we feel in our hearts each day! Todd

French Inspired Pied-a terre

Nestled into the greater Edmonds area is a dear lady friend of mine who I have come to know and love deeply. She shares many of the same passions as I do. A year ago, she invited a few of us to her home to share a light supper and have an old fashioned Ice Cream Social. Upon entering her home I was amazed at the collections that stood before me. Over the past year, she's called upon me to help her redesign and renew her home, using the wonderful, found, salvaged decor pieces she has collected. Yesterday, I stopped by to drop off some borrowed goodies. She was preparing for a rummage sale for the coming weekend. (oh Yes! I'll keep you posted.) We chatted briefly and then she asked me to step out onto her covered porch to give her a little advise on what she should sell at her event. Now I have been on the porch and in her garden a hundred times but this time I was seeing it for the first time. The long covered porch has always been an interesting place to view and store items that wouldn't fit into her home or garage, but today I saw two rooms. We sprang into action and removed the furniture she wanted to peddle and began rearranging this fantastic space into a cozy French Inspired Pied-a terre. Literal translation is small dwelling for occasional use, or foot on the ground! Suddenly the dust was flying and the transformation was underway. Outdoor mirrors enlarged the porch and gave it the sparkle she was looking for. Rearranged white furniture gave way to mirrored-topped tables with chairs stamped with french symbols.
Iron cherubs, and building corbels decorated the walls and tables. Plants softened the entire look and old glass bottles and jars were lovingly filled with blue hydrangeas and white star-gazer lilies. The proverbial chandelier....or two.... were hung and wha-la! French Inspired Pied-a terre. We had so much fun together recreating and renewing her porch. SO I think a new business could have easily been born yesterday..... RENEWAL DESIGN. ;-) Using Colleens furnishings, loved items, found art and a few new pieces, I recreated her dusty porch into a space where she can entertain, enjoy coffee and conversation, or slip into a daydream. Nestled into her big arm chair, she called this morning saying she was taking coffee on her new French Inspired pied-a terre. And yes the pictures are coming! Todd

A Great Weekend

This past weekend some good friends snatched me away from the shop mid day Saturday and we boated to Everett for the weekend. The waterfront in Everett was bustling with the art show, FRESH PAINT. I'd guess there were close to 50 artists sprinkled along the marina and waterfront. Glass blowers, wood workers, water colorists were all present. Sunday morning a fantastic Farmer's Market sprang up along the street side of the Port of Everett. Fresh Corn cukes and Kettle corn needed to come home with us. It was a great show with many diverse styles of art and artists in action. We dingyed over to Jetty Island which is a man made spit in front of the Port that is kept natural and clean. The sun warmed our skin and slowed down the day as we roamed barefoot along the shore. Toes in the sand feels sooooo good. Reminds me of the summers we spent on the Washington coast in Tokeland WA. Good Memories! It felt great to get away and gave me a fresh perspective on the shop and gardens. I took pics but need to find the cord for my camera so I can load them.... and the Internet has been giving me some trouble so hang tight.... I'll shoot you some pics. Todd

Poems

The man who follows the crowd is likely to get no further then the crowd... The man who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has been before. Creativity in living is not without it's attendant difficulties, for peculiarity breeds contempt. And the unfortunate thing about being ahead of your time is when people finally realize you were right, they'll say it was obvious all along. You have two choices in life. You can dissolve into the mainstream or you can be distinct. To be distinct you must be what no one else can be. Thanks for your distinctness. Todd @ Bountiful Home

Leading the season

I love to change up the shop so it reflects the coming season...and despite the HOT week we have endured, I can't resist the warm colors and earthy feeling that Autumn brings. Richness abounds everywhere and I can't get enough of it. SO yesterday, I started to flip the shop into the late Summer colors and early Fall goodness. Vessels that once held stems of pink and blue Hydrangeas now boast golden pears and chestnuts. A large wooden gear, and rustic canvas print of St. John and his lamb, rests a top the mantle, while rusty iron candle sticks layer the scene. A very rusty old chandelier now hangs in the shop, while it waits for the right customer to take it home and hang it from their apple tree. Elements from nature take center stage, and rust stands tall. In the next week, the walls will be covered with a warmer color and the complexion of the shop as I know it today will recline into a Fall daydream. Brighten a dark corner with a new lamp, or reflect some lingering light with mirrors, better yet... let both elements share the same space. Layering is important in this approaching season, and for a good dose of what layering means, drop by the shop and I'll be happy to show you. Creativity is inventing, experimenting, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and always having fun. To the Customer, change is welcomed and rarely ill advised. So while the light is strong and the days grow slower, enter your shop, your home, your room with a fresh eye...a new approach and dare yourself to "Lead the Season."

Dahlia's Dahlia's Dahlia's

The Summer heat is upon us and if you are like me.....your'e hankering for a good down pour...24 hrs worth...a good soaking! With the heat comes some tired looking containers and Spring flowers that should be dealt with. My answer!!! DAHLIA'S. These tuberous perennials grow in most zones are a delight to the eye... Hot colors of Reds and Oranges, the Cool Magentas and Pinks paired with soft azure blue can make any neighbor slow long enough to stare and yell across the fence, " What are those flowers you have planted in those containers," which I would kindly wave back and smile saying, Lovely aren't they? Thanks I know! ;-) Dahlia's are water hogs and after you think you have watered them enough....return to it in the morning light and water them some more. They will thank you with many more blooms. Keep these bushes "dead headed", meaning pick off the old spent and faded flowers at the base of the stem. Dahlias can be found in many varieties, bush and bedding in heights of 15 inches to 6 feet high. All Dahlias have strong stems and are great cutting flowers but be aware you might want to shake off the earwigs before bringing them into your home.....those little snappers can live in the blossoms in more rural settings. For some reason, I favor the single varieties with their usual yellow eyes smiling back, letting you know Summer's grip will soon fade to Autumns glory. Enjoy Dahlia's.

A Long Time Coming

After much consideration and prompting from good friends, heres the long awaited blog. I'm really rather looking forward to connecting with many of you and those who have grown me over the past few years. Sitting with my good friend Patricia today...aka Tippy Stockton in this insane HOT weather we are experiencing, we have laughed and reminisced about future plans and good times we have shared. Basically always solving world issues as we sip our ice water and laugh, knowing it feels so good to laugh. Coming off this past weekend Bountiful Home hosted 5 wonderful vendors in the gardens at Bountiful Home. Unique antique button jewelry, by Melinda Catalano, repurposed junk with The Salvage Studio, Lisa and Beth, and Chic Jewels for Urban Chicks by Patricia of Tippy Stockton. Debuting for the first Edmonds visit, was Talking Brush Stuido with Meagan and Brad Stockman original Fine Art Oil Paintings and good friends, Sandy and Kimi Hansen with a pethera of art work. These girls can create anything! Shoppers enjoyed it all and I was honored with a visit from Bob and Debi Kennedy of RETREAT and Deco Diva Debi....guru's in the design world. We had a tons of fun and all took home a healthy dose of Vitamin D . Chatter has begun to stage another event like the Vintage Summer Garden Market this September...so if you missed this one.... you'll have another chance to join us in the garden with many new friends.