Crazydecorator’s Life

September Craziness!

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 06:29:51 -0400

Its 4.45 am on Friday morning and I am sitting at my kitchen table in that nasty, jet laggy fog. I have just got back from my annual pilgrimage to the design shows in London; I thought it would be a great idea to tack on a quick visit to see my mum in South Africa, I figured I was going in that direction anyway...... Also it had been such ages since I had had some good sister time with my dear sister Julia in Cape Town.... didn’t see why not.....

Here’s what happened:

I hit Cape Town running, well walking actually - my dear sister had filled my pitiful day and a bit with her with non stop fun, which in our family’s terms means enjoying the outdoors and FOOD, (not necessarily in that order

Day-tripping to Martha’s

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 09:22:36 -0400

The fun thing about having a house in Falmouth, is that you have all the convenience of having a beach house on the mainland (minimal commuter headache’s) - but the wonderful islands off Cape Cod, are just a hop, skip and a jump away.

The Island Queen ferry leaves every couple of hours in the summer for Martha’s Vineyard from Falmouth harbor, costs $20, and drops you in Oak Bluffs. Its so easy, we sometimes just go over for a bit of shopping, or a fun, island meal - (sadly Falmouth is not exactly brimming with choice in the way of cool restaurants.)

Roses and Bunting and Furniture hunting!

Mon, 4 Jun 2012 06:51:07 -0400

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We're in love with Prince Albert!

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:15:06 -0400

At last I have decided what I want to be when I grown up - a crazy, watercolour painting old lady, living in the back of beyond!

Ever since we bought our house in South Africa in a fit of excitement after ‘Madiba’ was let out of jail, the hubbie and I have taken little side trips from our holiday time in Plettenberg Bay, exploring and re-discovering our homeland. Over the last couple of years, our ardour for the hot and dusty Karoo; the vast semi-desert area that sits behind the majestic mountains of the Eastern Cape, has grown from being charming to a full on passion! It is Prince Albert, the tiny Victorian town, nestled at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains that has truly captured our hearts! Here’s why...

I have London on my Mind

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:41:54 -0500

Its not really surprising that today I have London on my mind. Yesterday, my first born child, actually a strapping 6 foot 2 inch, 31 year old boy - (but what’s the difference??) -had his tonsils out in London. It was just horrible being far over the ocean from him, but all is well and he is in the perfect care of Matron Quirk - his sister.

My timing was a little off, as last weekend I was in London with both of them to celebrate their birthdays and generally catch up. It was a lightning visit, punctuated with shockingly cold weather for London, and a snow storm that left everyone reeling!!

My Darling Friend Lucille

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:12:24 -0500

When we bought our house in South Africa seven years ago, I was intrigued by the drop-dead stylish house that sat behind our side wall. Elegant and organic, the house blends itself perfectly into the indigenous vegetation in which it is nestled. Little did I know that I had been blessed by the Good Neighbour Fairy!! My neighbour Lucille turned out to be one of the most charming, stylish and fascinating people I have every had the pleasure of calling my friend.

Plett Dreaming.........

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:58:24 -0500

Its been 3 days since we traveled back home on that endless flight from Johannesburg -(16 hours non-stop to JFK), and some of the fog of jet lag is just beginning to clear, but as I scroll through my photo’s of the three dreamy weeks we spent in our house in South Africa this Christmas, it’s understandable that I feel a little gloomy to be back in chilly Boston.

Here’s why:

I miss the astonishingly pink sunsets over the ocean:

Lightning visit to LA - my new Showroom!!

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:34:42 -0500

A couple of weeks ago I made a quickie trip to LA - (my new favourite city) - to finish installing of my fabric line, and attend the opening party, of Nicky Rising’s lovely new showroom on Melrose Avenue.

The Standard in West Hollywood seemed to be in the right area, and looked as trendy as all get out on Orbitz - so I gave it a whirl.

London Design Festival - My Take

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:02:26 -0400

It’s that time of year again - time for some daughter bonding in London and catching up on what the designers on the other side of the pond are up to. But first, as soon as I hit England’s terra firma -there is Arthur to be walked. Those unblinking eyes fix you with a laser stare until you reach for the lead and ball - and we’re off.

The Old-Fashioned Joy of being a Collector

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 07:03:10 -0400

Its late September, Sunday morning, and we are spending our last weekend of the summer season at our beach house in Cape Cod. This time of year brings out the melancholy in me in such a big way. Our summers are so treasured, and so fleeting, here in the Northeast. Every year I try to remind myself to pay attention to all the wonderful moments, but it just feels like it will last forever when you’re in the warm, thick of it.

This year was no exception. Biking to Woods Hole and devouring mediocre sandwiches like we hadn’t eaten for a week, endless rounds of bad golf with the Hubbie- my golf hope always springs eternal - at least there are the amazing Red Tail Hawk feathers to collect for the vase on my desk when I get home! One of the things my daughters and I love to do more than anything, is take off on one of our antiquing adventures around the Cape Cod area. These little trips, with no particular purpose in mind, have taken us to some strange and sometimes slightly scary places, and the characters along the way!!

Over the years we have fallen in love with the little town of Sandwich. They have the best co-operative antiques emporium, packed to the ceiling with some good, some very nasty stuff, and a little musty smelling, just like we like it!!