FA-LA-LA-LA-LA...

Am presently in Houston, Texas spending my holiday with my old friend, Dave.

Caught a 9:35 flight from Philly on 23/12/11 and arrived into Houston about 13:00 (1:00 P.M.).

Friday evening Dave prepared a lovely dinner of Deep-Fried turkey, stuffing and the trimmings.  We were joined by Allen, Louisa and Dave's neighbor Gary.

Saturday was spent doing some last minute shopping and then dinner at Annie's home with her children Allen, Louisa, Voleria and Dave's neighbor Gary.  Both Dave and I bought Annie and her family gift cards and thought that the kids would be disappointed with being handed an envelope with a card.  So, we stopped at a local grocery store and bought cans of sardines, mussels and packages of Ramin noodle soups and we taped the cards to the backs and/or bottoms of the cans and packages...the kids' expressions were priceless -- then they turned the cans over to find the gift cards!!!

Dave surprised me with a beautiful glass vase.  Actually, I had asked him to bid on it for me at the local auction, but he claimed he left his seat and when he came back the vase had already been sold!!!!

Well, Dave is preparing lunch right now, so will close until later.

Happy Holidays to all!!!

LONDON AND THE YULETIDE SEASON...

Arrived into London on Thanksgiving Day.  Had the most bumpy flight ever -- we had tail winds of approx 240 miles per hour which made for a short flight, i.e. a short, but BUMPY flight.  It was one of the rare times while flying that I've actually started checking for the "little bag" -- and I don't mean "doggie bag".  Now, mind you, that didn't mean I didn't eat my dinner, drink my champagne, nor eat my brekky...!!!

Anyway, the holiday shopping season is in full swing here in Olde London Town and it's very exciting.  The high streets are teeming with shoppers, the streets are aglow with holiday decorations and lights and the shops are incredible.  That said, Harrods (not one of my favorite shops) was soooooo crowded that one could not move -- and I only went there in search of lamps for a certain person -- you know who you are!!!

Well, here are a couple of photos...I hope you enjoy...



The atrium at Fortnum and Mason (F&M)




Truffles at the Candy Counter of F&M




More of the F&M candy counter -- am I fixated???




The Main Food Hall at F&M




Another photo of the Main Food Hall...




An F&M street window -- mmmmm, Candy, Food, Wine -- what could be better....!!!



...and the madness which is Harrods at Christmas...



MORE ON STENTON AVENUE...

Well, the addition is coming along beautifully.  We're under roof and windows and doors have begun to be installed.  Also, the fireplace/chimney structure is complete.

Here are a couple photos.

ORIGINAL KITCHEN/BACK PORCH

KITCHEN/BACK PORCH REMOVED IN PREPARATION
OF THE BUILDING OF THE NEW ADDITION

FOUNDATION COMPLETE AND THE BEGINNING OF THE FRAMING...



FRAMING PROGRESSING...





MORE FRAMING WITH ROOF BEING CONSTRUCTED...





MORE PROGRESS...




ORIGINAL VIEW FROM SIDE PORCH...




...SAME VIEW, BUT WITH A WEE BIT OF A NEW BUILDING IN PLACE...



NEW ADDITION FURTHER ALONG...THE LARGE
OPENING IS FOR FRENCH DOORS
WITH STATIONERY SIDE LIGHTS FLANKING THE DOORS.

THE ADDITION...

Here are a couple of shots of the new addition to the Stenton Avenue project...

STENTON AVENUE -- AGAIN...

Well, this project just keeps getting more and more exciting.  The addition is coming along like gang-busters.  The scaffolding is down -- I guess now people won't be able to refer to the house as "the one with all the scaffolding".  With everything in full progress and with the house unencumbered by the scaffolding the beauty and possibilities for the gardens are starting to show thru.  There is a beautiful view from the side porch -- looking toward the back of the garden which would look incredible planted as an allee with a possible ending point of a sculpture or even a pergola.  Take a look at the pics below:




THE CURRENT VIEW FROM THE SIDE PORCH -
 LOOKING TO THE BACK OF THE GARDEN

 

A RATHER RELAXED ALLEE WITH BASE PLANTINGS
AND ENDING WITH A SCULPTURE...

 

A VERY SIMPLE "RED BERRY" ALLEE
WITH A STRUCTURE AT THE BACK...

FULL VIEW OF THE SIDE PORCH.

CLOSER VIEW OF THE DETAIL OF THE ORIGINAL SIDE PORCH COLUMNS

   

AND THIS IS ONE BEAUTIFUL COMPOSITION -- BEAUTIFUL BIRCH TREES,
PAVING STONES AND A WONDERFUL PERGOLA/DINING AREA.
THE COLUMNS USED WITH THIS STRUCTURE ARE VERY
SIMILAR TO THE ORIGINAL COLUMNS ON THE PORCH  -- AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE TWO PHOTOS ABOVE.




  



NEW PROJECT...

On Friday 11/28 I met with a new client here in Chestnut Hill.  The call came as a result of seeing my space at the designer show house.  It is an exciting project in a beautiful, classic Chestnut Hill home.  I'm in the process of thinking things thru, laying rooms out in my head, selecting fabrics, furniture, carpets, etc.  I'll keep you posted as to the progress.

STENTON AVENUE PROGRESS...

Stopped at the Stenton Avenue project this afternoon -- WOW, in just one day the framing has really advanced -- looks like we'll be ready for carpeting and window treatments in a week or two...NOT!!!

THIS SECTION WILL HOUSE THE MUD, LAUNDRY AND POWDER ROOMS AS WELL AS A WALK-IN CLOSET



THIS PORTION OF THE ADDITION WILL HOUSE THE SUN ROOM




LOOKING INTO THE UTILITIES AREA



STENTON AVENUE JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER...

Stopped by on Wednesday to see what progress has been made.  Wow, in just 2 days the new stucco has been completed, all the trims have been primed and even some trims have their final colours applied.  I am so thrilled with the subtle, mono-chromatic colour scheme of the exterior.  The palette we've selected really brings out all the original terra-cotta ornamentation.  Also, the framing of the new addition is coming along like gang busters...take a look at the photos taken on Wednesday...

SORRY, FOR SOME REASON I'M NOT ABLE TO "FLIP" MOST OF THE PHOTOS TAKEN ON WEDNESDAY, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE COLOURS...



SMALL KITCHEN WINDOW...



FRENCH DOOR ONTO SIDE PORCH -- THE DOOR WILL BE THE SAME COLOUR AS THE TRIM...



STENTON AVENUE PROGRESS...

Wow, stopped today for a status check-up.  The place was buzzing with activity.  The addition is well on it's way, the new replacement windows have arrived, the windows and trims have all been scraped and are having their primers applied.  There are holes punched everywhere for the new heating and air conditioning and electrical wiring.  The two 2nd floor baths have been knocked together to make one luxurious master bath and the new 3rd floor baths have been framed. 

Here are some pix...



REAR OF HOUSE MINUS OLD PORCH, BUT WITH NEW ADDITION IN PROGRESS.



FRAMING HAS BEGUN...




ROUGH COAT OF STUCCO AND PRIMED ENTRY...




SCRAPED AND PRIMED ENTRY...



INCREDIBLE DETAILING FOUND UNDER LAYERS OF OLD PAINT...

  

MORE DETAILS...UNDER THE PAPERS ARE BEAUTIFUL LEADED GLASS WINDOWS...





FINISH COAT OF STUCCO SHOWING BEAUTIFUL CONTRAST WITH ORIGINAL GLAZED TERRA-COTTA TILE PILASTERS...



TWO BATHS BEING KNOCKED TOGETHER TO FORM ONE LARGE MASTER BATH...



FRAMING OF 3RD FLOOR "NORTH GUEST ROOM" -- BATH ON LEFT -- ENTRY ON RIGHT...



SHOWHOUSE CLOSURE...




ROOM #4 - "THE LIBRARY" - CHCE 2011


Well, after weeks or preparation, and a month of being opened, the Chestnut Hill Designer Show house has closed.  Now, it's a matter of sorting thru items, accessories and furniture which have been deposit at my office/home -- the description "Bomb Site" comes to mind.

I think the show was a great success for almost all involved.  Many of the participants look forward to the possibility of another house in the future. 

Aside from the professional/business success for me I am thrilled to have acquired some really lovely new friends.  I look forward to many years of friendship.  I think the 4 bottles of champagne, opened the second the doors closed for the last time, helped to lubricate some of these new friendships -- you know who you are -- N.N.!!!!!

I think I speak for almost everyone involved in this new venture when I say thanks to all who helped to make it a true success.

See you in September!!!

THE "MOUSEMAN" OF KILBURN, NORTH YORKSHIRE...

Finally made it to Robert "The Mouseman" Thompson's of Kilburn.  If you should ever find yourself in North Yorkshire the Mouseman Workshop and Showroom is a must.  It's tucked away off the A19 and is such a wonderful cabinet shop in a perfect "English Village".  Every piece, no matter how large or small, will have a mouse carved into or onto it.  All pieces are of English oak.  I will admit, I did a little Christmas shopping while there.


Here are a couple pix of Kilburn...unfortunately it was not the best day...



Main Street of Kilburn...




The "Mouse Man" showroom...

 

Looking North on Kilburn's Main Street...




Here are some pix of the wonderful pieces and the interior of the showroom...

A beautiful server -- notice that this piece actually has 2 mice -- just beneath the top overhang...





A storage chest, "milk" stool and a corner cabinet...

A close-up of a "Mouseman" mouse...



Another section of the showroom -- the paneling is all "Mouseman"...



And here is my latest best friend.  Meet 'Sally' -- Sally is 18 years old and is a wire-haired Jack Russell.  Sally is a fixture at the Mouseman visitor center and particularly a fixture of the tea shop.  Sally and I shared a slice of cake...who could resist!!!!! 



Sally performing for another morsel...