Red chair obsession

Over the weekend, we started the process of planning a graduation party and decided to spruce up our massive back porch with some badly needed new outdoor furniture. As usual, budget defined the decision but I think we did well. This is one of 6 red chairs (a theme in my life, but more on that later) that will sit at our lettuce green Moroccan tile-top dining table. The best thing about them is the price! $34.99 each at Cost Plus-- I know that a major artsy retailer is selling something similar for several times that price and in this sunny climate and sometimes sketchy neighborhood I would be afraid to leave them outside. I have some terrific plans for the porch including before and after pics, so stay tuned.

Instant atmosphere

 Many of my design clients move to the Southwest for an escape from colder climates, complete with shoveling the driveways of high maintenance homes. The antidote? Something new, something easy to design and with everything included.  You guessed it, subdivision. This term used to make my skin crawl until I realized two things. 1) My own funky-as-dirt ranch home was just that in 1951, a tract home. 2) Function really does outdo form for those who don't want to spend their lives working on their residence: they'd rather play Pickleball (yup, learned about that last week) hike with friends, just about anything that allows them to be outside--who can blame them in this gorgeous setting?

 My solution for making a subdivision plan a home? Go directly for the authentic. The regional decor is charming, warm, colorful and reasonably priced. This weekend I filled in for the traveling owners of Zocalo in Tucson and picked up a few shots of some Mexican pottery and textiles that will create warmth and classic style upon installation and last another lifetime.

From Michoacan, c.2000

Eve, ever  demure

Zig-zag action, from Guanajuato

From Michoacan

From Puebla

 All are hand-made, specific to their region and more than likely a family tradition. These folk art objects are full of life and make a great addition to a home.

Starting in the Morning

Spring in Arizona is usually a spectacular display of wildflowers, cactus blooms and native plants at the peak of their beauty. This year, however, we lost many plants to a devastating freeze. What we didn't lose was our incredible light that has fed my gorgeous "succulent paintings" all winter and promoted their rapid growth as the days grow longer.Several of them line our sun porch floor for the best view, from above. I thought this would be a good way to start my blog about finding beauty everywhere.

It is a beautiful, light-filled morning.