WATERSIDE WEDNESDAY: MAKEOVER

One of the great things about being a writer and photographing homes for a magazine article or book is that you make new friends.

Years later you continue to share photos of new decorating schemes, news of family milestones and word of new businesses.

I first met Roberta Laprade when I photographed her shop, Enchanted Treasures in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, for one of the magazines I was editing. Roberta and her best friend and partner Martha LeCompte were pioneers in defining Romantic Style and I was delighted to meet them.

Roberta invited us back to her home overlooking the water . It was a captivating combination of romantic and coastal elements styled in Roberta's trademark way.

Several years later Dan and I photographed her cozy cottage for our book Waterside Cottages.

After the shoot, I went back to the shop and bought several treasures for my home that still make me smile when I look at them each day.

Enchanted Treasures was a tremendous success but recently, Roberta felt it was time for a change and opened a staging and re-design company, Coastal Styling (www.coastalstyling.com).

I asked her to share the secret of a good makeover.

"Honestly assessing your home's architectural and circumstantial features is crucial," explains Roberta.

"You need to figure out which elements should be showcased (such as a cozy nook or stunning ocean view) and which minimized (for example, oddly placed windows or worn surfaces). Colors are also an important way to quickly give your home a fresh new outlook.

Roberta's magic touch is evident in this seaside makeover.

First she removed the commercial style carpeting and refinished the wood plank floor. Next, she treated the walls to a serene pale aqua paint job.

Roberta established a simple aqua and white color scheme with slipcovers and a few new tables. Last but not least, she added accents in appropriate natural materials.

"Wicker and sea grass feel right at home by the beach and give a room a breezy outdoor feel," she says.

It's a sea change!

(Top photo by Dan Mayers)

TUNDRA TUESDAY

I truly believe it's all Belgium's fault.

He said he was dreaming of a white birthday but I don't think he had THIS much snow in mind.

It started snowing on Friday and by Saturday evening, we were blanketed with about 26 inches.

It's been a rough ride -- no power, no internet or phone, and eight chickens without a heat lamp.

If the power didn't come back (which fortunately it did), I planned to bring the chickens inside to spend the night in a corner of the garage.

Once the sun goes down hens are docile and can be easily picked up and carried indoors.

Of course, the tricky part is getting them back to their coop when they are awake and frisky in the morning.
They can't walk in deep snow very well, so I can’t just push them out the door and point them in the right direction.

Since we were planning a party on Sunday for Belgium's birthday, I stocked up on groceries.

It's a good thing, because we probably won't get out for another 3 or 4 days (more snow is on the way this afternoon.)

Belgium was sad that our guests couldn't come, but he celebrated in style and hung out with the chickens.

On Monday, our lawn mowing crew showed up with a plow. The plow promptly got stuck on our hill and it took hours to get it out and moving again.

It really is beautiful however. See for yourself.
Belgium says, "Enjoy the slide show and stay warm."

Make a Smilebox slideshow

FROZEN WATER SIDE WEDNESDAY

Yes, it snowed AGAIN, and there's more on the way. Thanks El Nino!
No snow photos this time, I'm getting bored with all that white stuff and opted instead to read a few of the press releases from plant and seed companies that arrived in my in-box this week.

Although there are lots of interesting new veggies and annuals available this year, what really caught my attention are these Old English cottage garden roses.

Aren't they positively dreamy?

This spring (which is only weeks away in my neck of the woods), David Austin (click name to see more) debuts five new repeat-flowering varieties.

Each will grow into a bushy shrub suited for garden beds, big pots, and dramatic border landscaping.

And, dear Waterside Cottages fans, please note that they are hardy enough to stand up to persnickety coastal growing conditions.

My favorite is the velvety 'Princess Alexandra of Kent' (at right) with soft pink petals enclosing richer pink inner ones. Individual blooms boast approximately 130 petals!

The fragrance is described as tea rose-scented maturing to lemony. I prefer my roses with a classic old rose 'nose' but I'm willing to compromise for this beauty.



SUPER BOWL SUPPER

I'd like to apologize to my Hoosier friends for not knowing their state dish.

According to the folks at www.delish.com, by far, the most famous food hailing from the great state of Indiana is the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich.

Pounded flat until it's about the size of two hands, the pork tenderloin slice is breaded and fried and served on a bun with tomato, onion, and pickle. This oversized sandwich was invented in 1908 in Huntington, Indiana, and most likely descended from German Wiener schnitzel.

"I understand they're hard to come by in other parts of the country," notes Jolene Ketzenberger, the food columnist for the Indianapolis Star. "The boneless cuts of pork, are sometimes pounded thin (other times they're quite thick)are generally huge--much bigger than the bun they're served on."

To learn more food specialties favored by Colt fans, take their Super Bowl Food Quiz. I scored 9 out of 10 for Touchdown.

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***

Cindy at Cute Pink Stuff (click here)has been shopping again.

This week, this savvy southern California shopper found irresistible vintage fishies and a delightful mermaid, so swim on over and take a look!

Cindy's shop is stocked with equally enticing treasures, too.