Transoms....Painting Names On History

The title says it all, Transoms....Painting Names On History, beautifully laid out pictures with the story behind the names of  Chris Craft boats.

 Fun to read and see how many Chris Crafts you recognize! Available here, at Anchor Cottage, for $35.   

Love All These Legs Under The Table

The legs of these chairs made me think of the June Taylor Dancers  at the end of the Honeymooners show back in the 60's. There were a lot of legs!

A Work In Progress

I am slowly getting the pink and green out of the bedroom.

Sunday I hung the mirror and plates.

I am loving this bed under the eaves.

Good night Mary Ann.

What To Wear To Work This Summer

I cut these pieces out of the Orvis catalog last night. Easy, affordable, summer wear for work. It's a rough and tumble life, being a shop owner, always on your hands and knees, up and down the ladder, moving merchandise around. And yes, I would wear the red and white stripped shirt with the madras plaid skirt, but cut it with the black and white, tribal espadrilles. If ever you have too much color and pattern going on you can always count on black and white to cut the commotion.  

Green Lettuce

Steve has been growing Lettuce, Spinach, Parsley and Dill all winter! What a treat to have "green" lettuce for salads this winter:-)

Lonnie and Twyla Money strike again!!! 

I love the sense of softness this room exudes.
 Posted by Shelter Interior Design April 17, 2012.

Home Sweet Home

I am in awe of this woman's eye for scale.

Her home has large rooms with large expanses of windows.

She has a way with the push and pull of a room.

She makes her house so comfortable.

She has sons and grandsons and this is their go to space when in residence.

She loves to cook for her family.

Her vignettes, all through the house, are delightful to behold.

I hope you had fun viewing this home, I sure did!

In Living Color

I love a customer who is not afraid of color.

One who can throw down Company C rugs and not look back.

A woman who will paint the laundry room red.

And the entry way green.

The rich colors are so cheerful against the Northern grays.

Good morning!!

The pink and green side of this customer.

She's hired(-:

She made brown look warm and cozy.

Her kitchen reflects her personality.

Red with a green thumb.

Wait till you see the rest of this home. My husband had a great time working on this paint project.

The Perfect Desk

We had a request come in from a customer who needed an office space in his home. Steve and I meet with the gentleman and listened to his "desk" needs. Then Steve and I put our heads together and designed this unit. We stacked the file cabinets at one end under the desk surface to create more desk-top surface. All the wires and antennas are out of sight in the upper cupboard. The customer is left handed so we made a shelf to pull out for ciphering. Raised his monitor up so he could view the screen straight on. We painted the cabinet with Annie Sloan chalk paint and applied a wax finish. The horizontal lines are trimmed out in Walnut. We were instructed to create display shelves for his tractor collection, but didn't leave enough space for his columbine! This desk unit turned out perfect.

Putting Anchor Cottage Back Together

Mariska Meijers, Amsterdam 2011 & Henri Matisse, France 1911. The two artists set well with each other, even with 100 years between them.

Put all the folded remnants out, still working on the end-bolts. I pick these fabrics up in North Carolina and then pass the discounts on to my customers.

Gathered this grouping to take home for my bedroom, except, I sold the nightshirt yesterday)-:

Dang!! If I wasn't in the mood for color I am now!!

Working on the flow from one display to the next.

So far, the nautical chairs have been the main attraction.

Nautical world is coming along nicely, I will have more nautical signal flags in by May.

Remind me to tell you the story of the license plate guys. I sell a lot of their work.

I like this water color.

This pitcher and glasses are smashing on the copper tray and looks perfect with the water color above!

The last of the "Found" items to be invoiced and priced.

Worked all week to put Anchor Cottage back together after the big paint job. 

Music News

"After I'm Gone" by Crystal
Shawanda and Christopher Griffiths. Congratulations Christopher for a songwriting cut on a major label. Tell Crystal she rocks!!

The Sun Porch

You never know where you will get your inspirations. I have been saving these birdseed bags for several years now and have decided to paper my walls in my art studio with them. But wouldn't they just make a good wall paper design for my sun porch?

This faded floral print comes in several colorways. Mine just happens to be faded!! But I could see all the cushions on the day bed, under the window, in this fabric. A restful spot in the sun had me daydreaming, (day-decorating), my sun room. Do you have a favorite spot for your down time? 

Presenting "The Anchor Cottage Collection"

At the end of February I went down to 1502 Fabrics in High Point, North Carolina. 

Working with Steve Yow, I picked out thirty five fabrics to create "The Anchor Cottage Collection".

Steve is the owner of ITD Fabrics, International Textile & Design,  Inc. 

Finding nautical fabrics that reflect "Freshwater Decor" is not easy. A seashell with a starfish does not reflect Lake Michigan decorating.

In choosing these fabrics I feel that I have represented the freshwater/great lakes decorating theme.

I am very happy with the collection.

All fabrics are available within the week, if  we order on Monday we can have it by Friday! We are able to place an order as small as a yard of fabric. Come in and take a look at the new colors and patterns reflecting a Leelanau summer home.