Oak Tree Galls a Creative Display

The Simple Life

Hi everyone!

I’ve finished the loft I was painting a while back.  I call it the Californian Bohemian Loft. I plan to show you it in the next post. Today some strange and splendid inspiration, Oak Tree Galls and garden flowers.  

2nd of Spring Vernal Equinox

The Simple Life

Oh it is already the 2nd Day of Spring.

March Already

The Simple Life

I’ve lost my grip on The Simple Life.  I don’t have my calm.  It’s funny because I changed the heading on this blog to The Simple Life in California but it isn’t true at all at this point.  We moved into a tiny little cottage but honestly it is a mess most of the time and not simple.  I don’t make bread anymore either.  I’ll tell you there is a lot that goes on and down when one moves across the world even if it is to a world that you think you know.  I don’t know this life in Cali, I’m learning it all over again.

Crazy for Camellias

I go crazy for Camellias they bring vivid color to any environment in the winter, in Umbria and where we live now in the Wine Country of California they are abundant.  To me they always seemed like a Valentines flower because of all the varying shades of pink, red and white.

This post I have for you today is just a few ideas about displaying Camellias, it is filled with pretty photos, some silliness and always nice design.

Two Houses I Love

If you read this blog a tiny bit, you know that I love houses, tiny houses, rambling big houses, colored houses.  As I wander through my days I fall in love with so many houses.

Today I have for you a couple of houses that I LOVE.

One is a playhouse covered in brambles and winter leafless wonder.

Sette Design

This other house is just gorgeous perfection.  It gives black and white a good name.  Some days I think houses should be white where ever they are in the world, white is always the right color choice.  A perfect iconic white house is always good design.

http://settedesign7.blogspot.com

I understand I am contradicting myself because the playhouse is not white and yes it is just lovely, wood mixed with growing natural wood.

Anyone interested in taking my Online Painting Class for Interiors, Art and Furniture --click the link below.  It is inspirational!

Cheers,
Natalie

A New Year 2015

I can hear the train whistling in the distance.

I’m drinking a Ruby Red Grapefruit Margarita

Why because I’m in Cali not Italy, it is still so shocking.

It was 68 degrees today- unprecedented!

The sky was deep blue, now it is black.

At night I look up in the sky and there are so many stars I know I’m home and this is my big sky.

I’m sorry I disappeared for a bit there I took an unannounced hiatus.

I did just move across the world.  There may be more hiatuses to come.

I’m back now and I want to wish you

Happy New Year.

Painted Ceiling in Perugia

Here is the café at the train station in Perugia, Italy.

The ceiling is fantastic!

I also love the crumbling effect on the walls painted over in deep rich red.  I can see having a loft space with the walls aged in this manner.

Coffee and Tangerines

“Life starts

all over again

when it gets

crisp in the air.”

-F. Scott Fitzgerald

Earthquakes, Espresso and Ice Cream

The Simple Life

Yesterday at 3:20 A.M. there was a huge Earthquake in Napa Valley.

My family in California is fine.

We have a house in the Napa Valley and even one on the coast that the San Andreas Fault passes under.

DIY Beaded Painted Crystal Lamp

For a long time I have wanted to make a beaded lamp.  I  wanted a tall freestanding one, but this is what I had in my studio.  The shade has a good structure to start with because the frame of the lampshade had many parts to attach the wire and beads.

A Little Bohemian at Heart

Here is the dictionary description of

Bohemian.

As a Noun

     1.     native or inhabitant of Bohemia

     2.     a person, as an artist or writer, who lives and acts free or regard to conventional rules and practices.

     3.     The Czech language, especially as spoken in Bohemia.

     4.     a Gypsy

I say a little Bohemian at heart referring to design. Yet it may have to do with my lifestyle too.  What about YOU?  Do you have a little Bohemia in your heart?

F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Simple Life

It is raining cats and dogs here in Umbria, and then the sun comes out and I optimistically think it is over.  But no....

Is this old door and rose vine just the most delicious view?

My Chaotic Studio

The Simple Life

Isn’t my studio pretty a mess.  Put a sepia tint on the space and it becomes uniform, just shape and light.

Today, just this photo and a quote from Georgia O’Keeffe.

“I found I could say things with color and shape that I couldn’t say any other way, things I had no words for.”

Un bacio, to all of you with a messy studio, or to those of you who want one.

Natalie

Easter Decorations

I’m on to a new stint where I am going to try to wake up at 5:30 a.m. and see if I can’t kick it a bit more effectively.  I know, what you are thinking that I won’t be able to handle it, well maybe by confessing my plans to you my lovely readers I will be more committed.  “They” say if you want to save money, if you tell your friends, you actually save more money and your friends help and encourage you to do so.  Did you know that successful people wake up early and then get this, they exercise.  I have read studies about it. 

An Ancient Wall

The Simple Life

I found a spot in the sun on a wall to sit and write and think for a moment.  A friend came by and as usual he offered a bit of interesting information.  He said did you know that wall, pointing to the wall I was leaning against was build in the 1500’s.

Party Decorations/Temporary Art

I’m always impressed by the people who create temporary art, like stones piled high on the beach only for the waves to crash them down, or building furniture in the forest out of twigs, drawings on the street.  Here in Umbria we have the flower festival in Spello after the designs are complete there is a religious procession that literally walks over them (Here is the link to the Flower Festival, it's amazing).  At the Flower Festival I always leave before the procession, so maybe I’m still learning to love and understand the concept temporary art, maybe I romanticize it.

Cuteness Power

The Simple Life

Cuteness Power is when something is so adorable and cute that it makes you just stop and exclaim how wonderful life is.  It gives you that giddy feeling like life is full of hope.

 

Sette Design

Having this little guy in our home for just 24 hours did that.  Everyone who came over said ooohh and owww and then got that melted expression of love on their face.

The Magic of Spello

The Simple Life

Here in Umbria if you don’t like the weather wait 20 minutes.  That’s what they say I think in the Northeast of America too.  We do not say that in California, so it pisses me off.  I’m always getting fooled.

This week in Umbria Spring has sprung with glorious green fields and pink and white budding fruit trees, Mimosa galore puffy and brilliant, shocking yellow.  The birds are going crazy, chatting away, they have so much to sing about.  We all have so much to sing about!

Tin Can Planters

I like to joke with myself sometimes and say “Oh I just had an old idea”.  We are supposed to be coming up with new ideas no?

Valentines and Some Quotes on Love

bejeweled foil heart-thorns and all - sette design

Happy Valentines my darlings.

Here are some great quotes about love.