...the blues!

Last night--while at pottery class--I thought about decorating with pottery again.  This time, however, my thoughts went to "the blues!"

With the exception of my home office, I rarely use blue in decorating.  But...I have used blue glazes on several pieces.  The combination of color mixed with design and applique make the pieces interesting and unique.

After thinking of "the blues"-- my collection of bluish pottery, I realized that I didn't have as many as I thought.  I sifted through those that reminded me of the tones and shades of the ocean (...again with the ocean) and selected a few to share today.

Most are mine, but, I "threw" in some that my husband made.  Here are "the blues" that can be seen around our house.

All pieces are thrown on the wheel and were made at Studio S Pottery (Lewis and Eric Snyder).  Check out their site at:  Studio S Pottery!

This pot sits on a wooden bench in the foyer of our house.  Glazes:  Ethyl's red, M-5 (which is a matte black) and a combination of glazes that give the bluish effect. 

These two were made early in my "pottery life."  The smallest one was made six years ago.  The other was a "mistake."  While throwing I collapsed the rim by accident.

But... I liked it so I used an ash glaze on the inside and a yellow (VY) on the outside to see if would "morph" into something good...and it did!

Left: Plate thrown by Paul.  Smaller piece was one that we bought on a trip to New Smyrna Beach, FL.

Right: Another one of Paul's plates.  He use a doily and spray gun for the effect.

 Here's one of my first "blues"

The top is rimmed with yellow (VY) and the bottom of the pot is an ash glaze. 

My "gnarly pot" -- This was a project that had to have a foot, applique, negative space, and a lid.  There are a combination of glazes and techniques used.  I rolled a net over some of the appliqued pieces of clay to make it look like fish scales!  The lid didn't get fired until almost a year later (below)!

My newest blues:

Lewis thought the one on the right was just "too blue," but it grew on me.  I think it looks "blue enough" with the candle.

Blue ash glaze, clay body, Ethyl's red, M-5 (black) on this jar with a dome lid. 

This bowl has six glazes and applique.  ...another "beach influence!"

Close up of applique area.

...I am lovin' the blues!

...thinking of the ocean!

Today it is going to be in the mid 90s in temperature with a heat index of approximately 104!  That's the bad news...the good news is that I will once again have my free, daily facial due to the humidity.  ...gotta' love the south!

Maybe it's due to the heat, but I find myself thinking of the ocean and the cool breeze that comes at night, the sand, shells, smell, and...decorating (of course!)

At this time of year, many decorating stores feature bags of shells, glassware, and varying shades of blue and green.  Here are some of my favorite "sea displays" that I love to return to on such hot, humid days.

The collection above is on a small, wooden, file cabinet in my home office.  The driftwood, rocks, and shells were all collected on trips.

Pottery plates (in milky blues) are great for displaying shells and other "sea objects."  This one has blue rocks that I bought in Maine.

 Whitewashed baskets mixed with blue-toned pottery on a shelf.

Small pottery tile that I use as a coaster for those cool summer drinks.  Very "beach-like."

Small frames with pressed wildflowers and small sand dollars.  

The objects were given to me by family friends.  I assembled and framed.  To the lower right -- rocks and driftwood picked up at the Ernest Hemingway house in Key West.  I kept looking at these objects as I completed my first book... if Ernie could write, so could I!  ;-)

Shells and "sea objects" in a large hurricane being used as a bookend!

...I hear the ocean...

Frankly, Scarlet!

After the first week of June "intense summer online teaching session," I'm back!

I decided that today I would enjoy the daylillies that are finally in glorious bloom.  I know I shared pictures  of lillies before, however, today I am posting my Frankly, Scarlet American Beauties. 

These extremely large daylillies border our front door.  The blooms are over 6" and the color is brilliant.

This is the fourth year they have bloomed and will need to be divided in the fall.

Because daylillies are simple to grow, I have several other varieties in the courtyard and around the front of our house.  Although not all in bloom yet, here are a few others.  The flowers are smaller--approximately 3" in diameter.

Front of house -- under the weeping cherry

Front of house -- near the holly tree

Courtyard lillies

My Sunday "reads" for today:

...on the way to the CMT concert to see Trace, "Devious Rucker," and Brad!

In search of Rosie's shoes...

It seems like every time I take my mother out shopping, we are in search of the perfect shoe!  In my mind, shopping day with mom is really the "search for Rosie's shoes" and is very similar to the quest for the Holy Grail!

For me--having had minor back surgery--I am most satisfied with either a soft pair of UGGs, Toms, Old Gringos, or anything that resembles a comfortable flip flop!

Although I have been known to wear Choos that are way too high for walking across a campus, I am not that obsessed with shoes.

However, after our Friday search for the "ungettable" perfect shoe,  (...one that is closed toed, but summer-y, has some type of ankle strap, is lightweight, and is not "too high...") I started to think about shoes and shoe design.

Of course it seems that every notable designer also has a shoe line. But, what came to mind was the simple, classic espadrille--the shoe that seems to meet all of Rosie's criteria for a summer shoe!

I started my quest and education of shoes by finding out more about the espadrille.  Did you know that this wonderous shoe had it's origin in Spain?  Also, did you know that the name is derived from the Catalan name for the shoes, espardenya?

I tried to explain the design to my mother, however, she did not see this classic shoe as being...SEXY! (...do I hear the term octogenarian cougar forming in your brain?!).

The "non sexy" image" may be in part because this classic style -- traditionally made from natural fiber and rope -- was worn by peasants.

BUT (and this is what I will sell Rosie on...) the shoe was made popular by Lauren Bacall in the movie, Key Largo...ahhhh Bogie and Becall...classics themselves!

A quick Zappos search produced way too many choices!  Red, gold, striped, flowered, green, black, glittered, textured, oy!  I think one of these would be perfect for Rosie because they meet all of the criteria:

But, it will be up to Rosie to decide...have fun, mom!

For me, it will be these rockin' kates to add to my Choos!

I just ordered these (really!) to help with the "search for Rosie's shoes!"

...thinking of the days when I can pull out my UGGs again!

Another tiling adventure!

Here's the next installment of our "tiling adventure!"  Over the winter we had our upstairs full bath "redone!"  Of course most of our friends and family tell us that the bath was perfectly fine.

...but, after working on the other bathrooms I decided to swank-it-up on this one too. 

I always thought that this particular bath was boring because it originally had standard fixtures and kacki walls. 

The bath is a bit large and is structured with two rooms--an entry room with a double sink which leads to the actual bath with tub, shower, linen closet, etc.

First, I had the white marble removed and replaced with a milk chocolate granite counter.  The counter alone gave the room an entirely different look. 

Walls were done with a glazing technique and "ragging."  This involves three steps and three types of paint (see below). 

After the counter was replaced, I replaced the fixtures with oiled bronze similar to what I did in the downstairs guest bath.  Next...the tile!

 I used three different types of tumbled, natural stone and began with a border around the tub backsplash.  Here you can see the wall technique.

I added a 3/4" glass sliding door framed in oiled bronze to match the fixtures.

I bordered the sink area with three sizes of tumbled, natural stone.

Oiled bronze fixtures, hardware, and selected pottery.

 I know it sounds crazy, but since this room adjoins our upstairs family room, I hung sports memorabilia of commemorative sporting events that I had professionally framed...quirky, but ...and there you have it -- how do you like our boring bathroom now?

...looking for another tiling project!