Redecorating with your own things!!!

My dear friends Kip and Nan paid their yearly visit to Maine and you know what that means- redecorating!!!! I think they need to start a business that uses your own things to spruce up your spaces! They did a beautiful job and as usual I draped myself over the couch and watched!!  :)


New wooden whale we found in a Camden antique shop has found his perch about the front door and the many books on the round table have been reorganized.

The moving of books and plates from the living room take on a whole new dimension when arranged in the foyer!

 We went on a great antiquing expedition to pick up some of these buoys! They look great in the Chinese bucket but I am looking for a mussel basket and that would really display them nicely!

 The dining room mantle got a new look- but the USN sword remains in place!

 Yes, I should be polishing silver but the new arrangement looks great!

 

I asked Nan to "beach up" the living room mantle and she did a great job! Now I have to add a few Fall accessories since the weather is getting colder!!!

 I love the desk with the doors open and moving the John Derian whale plate to a stand shows it off beautifully!

We had so much fun and all this work got done too!!! Love it when they come to visit!

Finally an update...

I thought since the summer was just about over we might give you an update on the butler's pantry- When last we spoke we had discovered the sink underneath all that yucky countertop. See last blog entry!!!

 We are still working on the pantry- we have to get the black and white marble floor installed and that is why the dishwasher is temporarily in place. We have used a Fisher-Paykel drawer model since the original height of the counters is too low to install a regular dishwasher.  When we start on the main kitchen I'm planning on 2 Bosch regular size dishwashers.

 Can you believe the difference in the counters and cabinets - it's amazing!!!  I probably will have a new wall color when I finally do the main kitchen over but until then we are sticking with our old butternut shade.

 The opening is still a white and I don't mind it - the cutting of the middle cabinet (done before we owned the house) doesn't allow us to make the side panels stained as the wood is not the original. I was planning on laying a veneer of the original wood over the white but that might have to wait.

 

On a very sad note all this work was done by our painter/woodworker and over all house manager, Michael Barrett who tragically passed away this summer.  Michael died in his sleep in August. He was only 58 years old. We are so sad and only now realize all he did for us. Many of our projects will be put on hold until we come up with a plan. As you can see Michael was an artist and did beautiful work - He will be missed by many up here in Maine.

In the Middle of a Mid-Winter Project

This was our pantry before the start of the project. The previous owners cut the archway in the cabinets in order to open up the view through the lobster room down to the water. Great idea that worked beautifully- one thing that didn't work however was the painting of the original wood cabinets and the covering of the wood counter tops with a cheap laminate.  The color of the window trim was what we were going for.  Michael, our painter, spent last winter stripping and sanding the cabinets. Then he worked on staining them to match the trim.  He did a fabulous job.  Now to work on the counter tops!

Surprise surprise - when we pulled up the laminate we saw a fabulous tin sink hidden underneath.  The drain lines that come out of the sink were a nice surprise too! They add a decorative touch to the counter.

 A little closer look- quite a bit of work to sand and stain.  Michael needs to get to busy :)

Will be needing to pick out a faucet and get to work on polishing the tin.

 Now in February he has done a lot of sanding - the wood really looks fabulous. Now we have to wait until he starts the staining - all we have is these small pictures as we haven't been up to Maine since Christmas.  By spring we will see a big difference.  We also have to remove the bottom cabinet doors on either side of the sink to install drawer dishwashers. We thought that would solve the problem of the very low height of the counter. A regular size dishwasher doesn't fit under this 100 year old counter!

 Can we pretend that this is what we are going for ??? Maybe not so fancy but we are trying.

One thing I have planned is to replace the very boring tiles with something along these lines. Black and white check floor will really jazz it up!


Stay tuned for the spring update - I can't wait!!!

ROAD TRIP- well plane trip actually... NELL HILL"S here we come

   Just got back from a fabulous trip to Kansas City!!! Yes I realize Kansas City is not my usual tropical locale that would be the normal fabulous trip. But this girls weekend of shopping and soaking up decorating tips was fabulous!!

Nell Hill's shop in Atchison, Kansas is one unusual stop. Here are Kip and Nan - right when we arrived at the Nell Hill's store in Atchison. It was so over the top that I think we were all a little overwhelmed.

 We all immediately started taking photos with our phones of arrangements and decorating tips- I have been in many stores that frown on people trying to "steal" ideas but this store actually encourages it!! So welcoming and friendly - these saleswomen couldn't be more helpful.

Every space is pure over the top! You think you have enough but you always need a little more!

   

 Love Plaid!

 Here we are in line getting ready to tour Mary Carol Garrity's house. It was gorgeous!

                           mirrors on the windows!!

                          

      Totally stealing this idea up in Maine- would be great as you enter the foyer of the house at a party! Prosecco for everyone!!

      Love the layered look her in Mary Carol's den. Books everywhere and groupings of small things
   together make a great statement.

Look at this easy layering!!  Just a silver tray- books and majolica plate!

         Mary Carol's foyer- just as you walk in her house you are greeted with this exquisite arrangement of plates mixed with framed prints. Every detail is perfect - love the books on top of the wicker trunk.

    How about that grouping on a cake plate of all your little boxes- great idea!

Don't forgot that spot over the entrance way and doorways- this grouping of framed prints looks great up there- draws the eye up.

Let me tell you - Atchinson is a sleepy small town! This is the stop light!!! Really so very mid west America! You would never know this fabulous store is here.

 Here is Nan with Mary Carol Garrity herself!  She was so lovely and hospitable. Signed our books and greeted everyone at her front door! Couldn't have been lovelier !!

 

Kip getting her book signed- a great time was had by all!!! And many dollars were spent!

Thanks for a great time at a great store-  We are already planing a trip back - Maybe for their sale in the Spring!!!!


Check it out for yourself online

http://www.nellhills.com/

Yes I remember I have a blog!!! BUT...

I have had an action packed summer- Guests galore!!! And that is the point of Lucky Stars!

 Just leaving this past Sunday were the Ahern Cousins!! 14 of them - and we had a ball - this has become an annual event and we look forward to all the fun and games!

 Just before the cousins arrived we had Mom and her friends! Just 2 friends this year and they only stayed for a few days but we did get to head out to Castine and have a great lunch at Dennert's Wharf!

One of our high points so far this summer was the gathering of the Navy clan- 3 couples all stationed together in 1989!!! So fun to see each other after all these years! We had a ball- great big neighborhood party on the 4th of July and many smaller parties as the weekend progressed! Hopefully this is the start of an annual event!

My sister and her friends came up for a quick weekend and of course LOBSTERS!! We had a great time with the group we have know since high school! What a great time to catch up!

Of course we have had GJ and Kendra visiting a couple of times this summer! Always great to see them!  We even got to meet the elusive Liz!! Kendra's best friend from college days! Hopefully they will be up many more times this summer!

 Our first guests this season was way back in June- Jean and Lorraine - friends for over 27 years came up together from Virgina Beach and Williamsburg! What a great Girls Week we had!! Such fun and great weather- we traveled to Acadia Bar Harbor and even hit Morse's Sauerkraut in Waldeboro! Jean even looked up her Mom's friend from years ago! All and all a great time!!!

So you can see why I have been a little lax in my postings!! I have been having too much fun! We still have many more guests to host- as a matter of fact I am off to the laundry right now!!! Gotta get those sheets done before the next couple arrives tomorrow !!! Welcome mid summer!!! Off to have some fun!!!

What's a 3 star Michelin Restaurant Like??

 In one word the answer is AWESOME!!!  George and I were lucky enough to get an opportunity to eat at Paul Bocuse's famous restaurant in Lyon, France L'Auberge du pont de Collonges.  We actually made the reservation only about 2 weeks in advance as we decided to stay a few days in Lyon after George's morning business appointment.  We took a cab for our 8pm reservations and pulled up to see the above picturesque restaurant complete with a doorman in red suit and cap!

We walked into this fabulous dining room and the fabulous evening was about to begin!

Paul Bocuse is the Julia Child of France. Actually, the father of Nouvelle Cuisine. A French treasure revered all over the world.

We were seated in the table next to the window - a premiere spot and although the restaurant was not full when we arrived it quickly filled to the max. Our table felt very private and not at all too close to others - which happens quite a bit in France.

We decided to go with the tasting menu to get a good variety of his specialties.  We went with the menu bourgeouis - the middle priced version of the menu. Good choice as this lobster was our fish course- an entire shelled lobster artistically arranged to recreate the lobster with fabulous remoulade sauce. We had already had some fabulous cheese gourgeres as a small starter and a wonderful trio of amuse bouche to start off our meal.

This fabulous fish course that George ordered had small "shells" made of potatoes that were perfectly crunchy and delicious.

As we got ready to order - Paul Bocuse himself came to our table to have a photo taken and just made our night! Spoke only French but what a treat to have a photo with the chef of France!!!!

George came around the table to get in on the photo! Chef Bocuse is 86 years old and made the rounds of all the tables speaking to everyone and getting photos taken with the lucky ones!

Our very serious waiter - Bruno- carving our Veal and kidney main entree for two- another delicious choice- as was everything at this fabulous restaurant.

Of course I had to run to the ladies room and caught a glimpse of the kitchen- I asked permission to take a picture. And of course it was no problem! This restaurant is all about making the guests feel at home! After I took this quick shot one of the chefs gave me a little wave!! So cute!  When we left the restaurant at 11pm every speck was cleaned up and the chefs had left for the night!

This had to be the highlight of the evening - the cheese course! What a tray!!! I had only room for 2 choices but you could have as much or as little as you wanted.  The Saint Marcellin was recommended by Bruno and it couldn't have been a better choice. Creamy smooth brie like but so much better- smoothed onto baguette it was out of this would - I had a big slice of the blue cheese as well- best ever! What a treat.

Here is one table of 2-3 that were brought over to show us the samples of desserts- have as much as you want was Bruno's suggestion! Too much for me - after a 7 plus course meal only one dessert was possible!

I had a sublime merengue with raspberries and vanilla sauce. Truly the best ending of the best meal we have ever had! The price was out of this world too but hey- you only live once! Thank you Paul Bocuse and the wonderful crew at L'Auberge de pont du Collonges.

A dinner of a lifetime!!!!

OFF TO PARIS!!!  Will be back in a week with new pix and hopefully new updates! 
Au revoir till then!