Welcoming 2011 with some ramblings!

I haven't felt this excited about the beginning of a New Year in a long time. There are so many signals around us of improvement and change for the positive..not the least of which is the launch of "OWN" TV. I have been watching and I'm thrilled with the thoughtful and inspiring programing.
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This is the time of year I begin to re-evaluate lots of things. Closing the books on my business for last year and purging papers no longer need for the IRS. Looking at possession's and deciding which no longer have value to me, and making a list of new wants and dreams. Yes, even "dreams" and "wants" need updating and modification and hopefully expansion. I love the idea that "God has bigger dreams for you than you can dream yourself". I see that every day with the "wow, how about that" events in my life. I know we all have them. The trick is to make certain that we notice them... which sometimes requires that we shift away from old thinking and try, what I call "what if" thinking. I find it very liberating.
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Anyway, Next week is moving day for my dear friend to her new home at the Villa of Morelatton and the hard work is all complete..We had great fun with the process...the planning, sifting,sorting and packing of stuff. The measuring and shopping. And now the new furniture has arrived and her other things are being delivered to the new home on Tuesday. It is such and exciting time for her. She has embraced this change with great love and appreciation, as she does every thing in life... And that is why I have chosen her for my personal role model for aging well.

So as your sorting your stuff for the IRS, I hope you take a little time to update your wishes and dreams too....

Christmas at Welkinweir

On December 10th I joined with friends to tour the mansion at Welkinweir in all its Christmas finery. It was a beautiful clear evening and we were the first to arrive at 5:00 pm. Upon entering the main entrance I was impressed by the huge 2 story windows on either side of the fabulous front door…the expansive entryway with a stunning curved stairway to the second floor. There was a second story window opening to the foyer where, we learned, a massive pipe organ was housed. We were then directed to observe the huge opening in the ceiling as that was where the pipes where and the sound would resonate from. Unfortunately, they had problems and it was not operational that evening.
We then moved down three curved marble steps to the stunning living room with its original furnishings in tact and dressed with modest greenery. Chippendale style sofas, oriental rugs and occasional chairs, all beautifully aged. In front of us the outside wall looked out on the patio and in the distance the pond.
Our next room was to the right of the foyer and much more rustic and relaxed. One of my companions, a local historian, told us about how at one time it had been two rooms and where they took down the wall to make it one large room. This room had the rustic beams exposed and a massive stone fireplace surrounded with beautiful leather furnishings and huge oriental rugs. You can just imagine the gatherings in this room during its earlier days.
Our next venture was off to the left of the grand foyer to the formal dining room with it massive table to seat I think twenty. The centerpiece on this table was exquisite in its simplicity…a long scarf of greens with delicate crystal icicles and soft evergreen garlands on the huge window that again overlooked the patio and pond.

The entire tour time was short but worth the effort. The next time the mansion will be open, other than for private events, will be Mothers day for their annual Tea.

In closing, I wish you all a wonderful and warm Holiday Season.

Christmas at Welkinweir

Well it is finally here...the Holiday open house at Welkinweir is this weekend..Friday evening, the 10Th from 5 until 7 and Saturday 11Th during the day. I have arranged a girls night out with my designer friends and we are all excited about seeing this gorgeous colonial mansion for the first time in all its holiday finery.
They are suggesting a S5.00 donation at the door...a small price to explore such beauty...
I hope you are all enjoying the holidays and that you will set aside time to enjoy all the finery of the area with you family and friends..
The best to you all....

Tiffany Lamp exhibit at Reading Public Museum

Last week I had the pleasure to visit the Reading Public Museum for the first time. Upon entering I wondered what took me so long. This is an amazingly beautiful facility and right in our back yard. The building and its surrounding grounds are a true work of art. As you enter the exhibit on the third floor, the history of the the Louis C. Tiffany Company,his lamps and their creation is on a wonderful telecast in the lobby area. It was informative and well done...but nothing can prepare you for the breathtaking beauty and craftsmanship of these lamps. Many where quite large and special. I was surprised to learn that at a time in history when the average YEARLY house hold income was between $200.00 and $400 dollars, the smaller of these lamps was selling for over $300.00. They certainly where not for the common person. I can't even begin to imagine their value today. I wonder what will be our Tiffany lamps 150 years from now..
I loved this exhibit and hope you will too...you can check out the website for more details. www.readingpublicmuseum.org

New artisan shop in our area...

There is a fabulous new shop for those looking for unique hand crafted Objects of Art. Dancing Tree Creations opened about 4 weeks ago at 338 S. Ironstone Dr. in Boyertown. Owners Beth Rich and Lyn Carmella have done a fabulous job of collecting works of 45 artisans from across the nation and assembled them in one charming location. The shop is cozy and well lit with lots of windows. The art is refreshing and wonderful to behold, and very reasonably priced...beautiful candles, unusual soaps, music, paintings, pottery and stunning glass objects of art..I am a firm believer that homes need art to quiet the mind and delight the senses and this place has it all..I know I will be doing my Christmas shopping there. I hope you visit the website and then the shop. You will be very glad you did.
www.dancingtreecreations.com

Seasoned Citizens at Villa at Morlatton

I vowed I would write once a week...but the best laid plans...well you know...

I recently visited the Villa at Morlatton with a dear friend who is considering that life-style at this stage of her life...she is a very young and spirited 85..but she will soon be surrendering her drivers licence and thought this would be a wonderful alternative to her town home in Boyertown. She is a life long resident of Pottstown so the visit was fun for her as we ran into many of her old friends. It was clear to me that this was a great idea.

I have often driven past this facility, but had not given much thought to what was inside. So it was a pleasant surprise to learn of all the amenities this facilities offers their residents. The public areas where wonderfully designed and decorated with rich draperies and wonderful upholstered furniture everywhere..and the 2 story atrium in the lobby was bright and pleasant even on the stormy day when we visited.
It was obvious that their design goal was to provide warm and inviting surroundings that would encourage socializing. I noticed a large game room with wonderful tables and chairs for card games, a library stocked with books, a room for crafting and hobbies. The best surprise was the wonderful courtyards and formal gardens behind the building...water falls, ponds pergolas and patios...so very inviting.

Our trip was successful in that my friend has made a deposit on her new home. We are now working on what she will take to her new home and how we will design her new fabulous suite...she is so very excited about this move and I am pleased that there is such a wonderful place for our fabulous Seasoned Citizens

Post script..color and history..

Ah, the first rule of blogging...keep it simple and short...well my last blog had 3 distinct color thoughts..I was rambling..and apologize.

I had more time to research the Dewey Color System over the weekend. They have a wonderful web site where you can actually take a test. I was amazed by my personalized report after the short test. It was fun and so accurate, that I was a bit stunned for a minute. I recommend it.. if just for fun or perhaps if you are thinking of a change and willing to think out of the box. www.deweycolorsystem.com and you will see a link for the short test.

I think when doing this it would be wise to do it fast without to much thinking or rationalizing. Just click your selections and see what comes back.. Would love to hear back on what you think.