Lemons on Vacation

The vacation season is here and we want to see where you're going. This might be a little crazy, but we thought it would be fun for you to take a piece of fruit from us on vacation with you. Take a picture of you and your fruit and send it to us. We'll feature you and your vacation on our blog! One of our very own tried this and had a great time. She said:
Last weekend my daughter and I took lemons to Eureka Springs for a get away! Pretty soon, our weekend's theme became "Lemons on Vacation" and we laughed every time we said it.

The lemons piled in their basket, looked right at home on an antique dresser in the Palace Hotel. Then, we took them to a beautiful, cooling grotto nearby, which surrounded a natural spring. Their bright yellow color really glowed against the deep green foliage and the red flowers. The natural spring splashed and gurgled into its pool on the way down the hill, and the pleasant sound completed our feeling of taking a little break, with our lemons by our side.
Later, I just tucked one lemon in my purse, and pulled it out at the restaurant when we asked our waitress to take our picture. She acted as if it were perfectly natural for me to hold up a lemon in our picture!

We think the lemons enjoyed their little vacation-we certainly did!

Classic Combination 1: Lemons & Limes

There is something about having a bowl of fruit in your home that creates the perfect finishing touch. It adds a touch of color and a breath of fresh air. But how do you know what to pick? What is right for your room? Or you might be putting together a flower arrangement and need a something you can't quite put your finger on. Each month we intend to bring you a "classic combination". We want you to see something ordinary in a new light, or make you think of a new color combo that could be just what you need.

Our lemons and limes are our most timeless combination. They are by far the most popular item. They are the perfect summer accessory for your home. The yellow and green in a white or glass container is a simple and clean way to add some summer color. We think you'll love them as much as we do.

'Summer-ize' with Pillows

With the new season fast approaching parties are happening and friends are coming over. We get the itch to change things up without spending a fortune. You can "summer-ize" your home by making a few simple changes. For instance, why not add new throw pillows for a touch of fresh color. Decorative pillows are a great way to change a look without breaking the bank. Imagine a soft colorful pillow on your favorite chair. They add an inviting feeling and simply ask you to sit down.

We have discounted our lovely Jane Seymour throw pillows for you. We want everyone to feel invited to sit down on their own furniture. So we are selling our lovely, ornately embroidered pillows for $15! They are regularly $79 and we want you to have them! This offer only lasts until May 24th.

Think about them as a great graduation present too. Adding a colorful pillow to their bed in their new dorm could link them back to the feeling of home.

'Fresh' Ideas from Pamela Green

We asked our design team what makes a home "fresh". Here is what Pamela had to say:

Color is definitely one of the first things that come to mind when I hear the word “Fresh”. Fresh colors tend to be crisp and clean. They don’t have to be bright, but must not be too muddied down in the shade or tone of the color.

Flowers and plants always help add to the freshness factor. Now that spring is here and summer is on the way, I like to use fresh fruit, like lemons and limes, sliced and placed in the water of my flower vase. It looks fabulous and again alludes to freshness. If you like scented candles, stick with citrus and herb scents. Nothing to sweet or musky.

Sheer draperies blowing in the window evoke the feel of freshness. Sheer draperies are back in style, big time. There are many, many wonderful patterns out now that add interest and tie in to the rooms décor without overpowering. They are not just the plain old sheers we used to use.
Pamela Green works as an interior designer in California. She is passionate about design from everything to interior design including residential and commercial spaces, as well as entertaining and even creating fabric patterns. Check out her website at http://www.pamelagreeninteriors.com/.

Our Inspiration

Our elegant deer inspire us to nourish our sense of wonder, and take delight in cherishing the beauty we find around us.

Indeed, for many years, during many magical Christmas seasons, our deer stood proudly with Santa in each year’s special Christmas window, at The Denver Dry Goods Store.

We believe our deer were carved, in the 1930’s, from solid blocks of Olive wood. We can imagine countless children pressing their little faces to the windows to marvel at each magical Christmas scene. When the store was sold to a larger chain, the deer were moved to the back of a warehouse and no longer used. After years of neglect, they were rescued and restored to their former glory!

Our deer remind us that the careful work of the original woodcarvers, nearly 80 years ago, was worth preserving. Their presence is more than that of a sculpture or a valuable antique. Their personality and beauty inspire us to value the creative expression that originated, and later, restored them.

We believe the things you bring into your home and the items you keep can also be nourishing to you and your family. Decorating is not done all at once, when you buy a room full of furniture. Your rooms are created, over time, as you add a bright spot of color, or a special accent or find a way to work in something you “just love”.

Be careful to choose items and images that support you in a positive way as they express your personality, your spirit, your caring. Your choices can help you create an environment in which you feel valued, safe and happy.

Our deer remind us that “sustainability” is more than a popular slogan. The idea of sustainability nudges us to hold on to the good, take care of special things, and especially to take good care of the people we are privileged to have in our lives.