Happy St. Patrick's Day

<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaVEyz9QDCq_YLTBqEE2cYwcdfMzVHaZzuTfxn4YI3ItntuisinSbP4Uqv0OE2wrU7k-juqO6IRmbgey6Ag5HNqlHgM51EjEdCVI_zmODbzMmj1WyloCkntx77CrclEc0BZ-RuiC8kGOL/s1600-h/rossbeighbeach.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314115084421065506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaVEyz9QDCq_YLTBqEE2cYwcdfMzVHaZzuTfxn4YI3ItntuisinSbP4Uqv0OE2wrU7k-juqO6IRmbgey6Ag5HNqlHgM51EjEdCVI_zmODbzMmj1WyloCkntx77CrclEc0BZ-RuiC8kGOL/s800/rossbeighbeach.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Happy St. Patrick's Day!! </span></strong></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#006600;"><br />Beannacht Dé leat! God's Blessing with You<br /></span></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#006600;">Rossbeigh Strand, Glenbeigh Co.Kerry, my grandmother's birthplace</span> </div>

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Beannacht Dé leat! God's Blessing with You Rossbeigh Strand, Glenbeigh Co.Kerry, my grandmother's bir...

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DC Designer Series: Liz Levin

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsdOF6_zKO9B-OHjs-G4BB_q_sy2BgjOJeX6fs_qv7B5-l168uY3KYKUwLNICHUl2nVqQAYLrK97BHIywYtKggyMieMw_hQh_pWff_uviq_nvzcesOVIQlOkU-3tjdvGrvcF47JWii5SN/s1600-h/levin2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448969075695988786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsdOF6_zKO9B-OHjs-G4BB_q_sy2BgjOJeX6fs_qv7B5-l168uY3KYKUwLNICHUl2nVqQAYLrK97BHIywYtKggyMieMw_hQh_pWff_uviq_nvzcesOVIQlOkU-3tjdvGrvcF47JWii5SN/s640/levin2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>After looking through the extensive portfolio of DC based designer <a href="http://www.lizlevininteriors.com/">Liz Levin</a>, it's hard to believe that her firm was launched as recently as 2004. I like Liz's fresh, clean lined approach to design and her comfortable mix of furniture, fabrics and accents. Every room reads liveable - not an accomplishment as easy to achieve as it might sound. Love the simplicity of this foyer and the very interesting carvings on the black bureau.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1DwJa_OJNokKyQYehe6rZBLKxhnBbmeksXP1MHFCNulPWIWmWgyWwTmfyksdGikZjEJPiZoygzJZ_dRpFryOtFTDyfoBQ-qrl7CG78loJuAdxHYxeh1frwJ8IgwbLEIXbHswZnRblU-G/s1600-h/levin1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448969297142293586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1DwJa_OJNokKyQYehe6rZBLKxhnBbmeksXP1MHFCNulPWIWmWgyWwTmfyksdGikZjEJPiZoygzJZ_dRpFryOtFTDyfoBQ-qrl7CG78loJuAdxHYxeh1frwJ8IgwbLEIXbHswZnRblU-G/s640/levin1.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRz7y0wK29BFZH1iTUo3DDmXtjCZoWJcMnut2AW2GnIS8iYO3VmBsQ_6g5ZTtVbbFTyxwUTzm7l-XIwzsXWpEfX4VT71APHmQPJJv0LZ3UiwoCIfeJhm1_KsH_nS0DyZ35wms_oMGf9i6J/s1600-h/levin5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448968893206685618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRz7y0wK29BFZH1iTUo3DDmXtjCZoWJcMnut2AW2GnIS8iYO3VmBsQ_6g5ZTtVbbFTyxwUTzm7l-XIwzsXWpEfX4VT71APHmQPJJv0LZ3UiwoCIfeJhm1_KsH_nS0DyZ35wms_oMGf9i6J/s640/levin5.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I love everything about this bright white kitchen, especially the unexpected modern chrome chairs paired with the claw foot table.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGhvlVSMsygz7tagDAHZPEROgPbFEvVdv-Z-9OcpvhWbRaO1y_k22MplJ-kJbPyanA6M7LPVJNuLtahLZgdM-cPj4fC2Os3mBcbWn6crzouBLqru7rztivLjUdPi2EH6dSo6wX6qesAmd/s1600-h/levin4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448968975323505826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGhvlVSMsygz7tagDAHZPEROgPbFEvVdv-Z-9OcpvhWbRaO1y_k22MplJ-kJbPyanA6M7LPVJNuLtahLZgdM-cPj4fC2Os3mBcbWn6crzouBLqru7rztivLjUdPi2EH6dSo6wX6qesAmd/s640/levin4.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WNjV_Waqvizjwd4IhOW79BKhzuJcn1WCRylo7mWEDAWxSOmbIjrKKXjrUR0PZ7YqUASvzpM1m0KfUEtdNke86rtFOWfHX6KF0U1t1y13CC4OuUmmQAQ4ubuk1T-PGpYodZoejqQbMG9e/s1600-h/levin6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448968824363125954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WNjV_Waqvizjwd4IhOW79BKhzuJcn1WCRylo7mWEDAWxSOmbIjrKKXjrUR0PZ7YqUASvzpM1m0KfUEtdNke86rtFOWfHX6KF0U1t1y13CC4OuUmmQAQ4ubuk1T-PGpYodZoejqQbMG9e/s640/levin6.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Notice the artful combination of patterns here - subtle zig zag on the sofa, plaid drapes, diamond lattice on the settee and curves on the pillows and rug.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3YL3SbDz5_1X1u7FAInQe1S_91LRPH9u4g5R_CzocHlgc_jLzbjQGgs2dm2b_TLFAMW9zScnjHBIs4kGQA2_7KB1Y9nqgyrB1MRsSRx4n_8r_ye94IJLNUgZF1uYJ6YPyX_7z_eX_Lm9/s1600-h/levin9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448968732467949154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3YL3SbDz5_1X1u7FAInQe1S_91LRPH9u4g5R_CzocHlgc_jLzbjQGgs2dm2b_TLFAMW9zScnjHBIs4kGQA2_7KB1Y9nqgyrB1MRsSRx4n_8r_ye94IJLNUgZF1uYJ6YPyX_7z_eX_Lm9/s800/levin9.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a> There's a great mix of color and styling of chairs at this dining table; armless chairs in a solid and pattern and Wing back chairs anchoring the ends. Doesn't it make for a very confident and cheerful room?<br /><br />Liz is also an innovator - after the birth of her daughter she realized how challenging it can be to live stylishly, and in response, launched <a href="http://www.lizlevinnesting.com/"><span style="color:#339999;"><strong>Liz Levin Nesting</strong></span></a>. Nesting is a unique collection of custom and high performance furnishings. Case in point is the following Nesting design for a client with children and pets.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">BEFORE</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgPU0cJ4jD45lIaSbMaAuA3bKsTcyBKfKBKPt8husNZq0QyQFLLPhOO-1kWlvL8n8X_7oC3vkMEwaPAZAyN0uWHLu08Ok4WO-23qDsuYl8RI6h6G1PIfMumKbLGgFYkLvapHYPdhv-7lE/s1600-h/room-makeover-1_1.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449039637526695922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgPU0cJ4jD45lIaSbMaAuA3bKsTcyBKfKBKPt8husNZq0QyQFLLPhOO-1kWlvL8n8X_7oC3vkMEwaPAZAyN0uWHLu08Ok4WO-23qDsuYl8RI6h6G1PIfMumKbLGgFYkLvapHYPdhv-7lE/s400/room-makeover-1_1.gif" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>"The room had a lot to live up to: it needed to be a gallery, a playroom, a cocktail and TV lounge. Before we got started, we confirmed piano lessons were in the room’s future as well." - Liz Levin<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">AFTER</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkmL8EV-LcdBN56IqxChopaA1Pf9dppYBNqrwFhMpit8NXpzR_vLNLmW6HjI5W6WRjAtPur6l5XhDZb6gjKQ7tp_9RtFhaDSRZEcsJ4Z-V22Wy58L9wWxUyhcibKbkeVq0kK0MI9ujfNh/s1600-h/_DS_3117.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449039447376369730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkmL8EV-LcdBN56IqxChopaA1Pf9dppYBNqrwFhMpit8NXpzR_vLNLmW6HjI5W6WRjAtPur6l5XhDZb6gjKQ7tp_9RtFhaDSRZEcsJ4Z-V22Wy58L9wWxUyhcibKbkeVq0kK0MI9ujfNh/s640/_DS_3117.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Beside the fact that the space is beautiful and kid friendly - it looks so much larger! To check out more great interior designs by Liz Levin go <a href="http://www.lizlevininteriors.com/">here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;">(Photography by <a href="http://www.angieseckinger.com/">Angie Seckinger</a>)</span>

DC Designer Series: Liz Levin

After looking through the extensive portfolio of DC based designer Liz Levin , it's hard to believe that her firm was launched as recent...

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Thinking About Your Garden?

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oAS4FayoRKqoDO5HNzTU186gWPjtkVjLVehM6mQaWiD-d00dCOogmE_-Mv8Ma6-6JYoJUC0flHTpJTtKtfC4puzQmE5DvcJYLQI0z_BPVyAVHPvD91RYx55QTGhELoZTOE2XL0xfET1v/s1600-h/mendez_cover_web.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448479713589029570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oAS4FayoRKqoDO5HNzTU186gWPjtkVjLVehM6mQaWiD-d00dCOogmE_-Mv8Ma6-6JYoJUC0flHTpJTtKtfC4puzQmE5DvcJYLQI0z_BPVyAVHPvD91RYx55QTGhELoZTOE2XL0xfET1v/s640/mendez_cover_web.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>You may remember a post I did last summer about the garden consultation I had with Kerry Ann Mendez, whom my friend Anne and I had heard speak at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Kerry's business is dedicated to teaching gardeners how to create low-maintenance, ever-blooming perennial gardens and she recently let me know that she as a new book out! Kerry's lecture was chock-full of short cuts, insider tips and money-saving strategies and I'm sure her book will be too. Although looking at the gorgeous gardens she creates, you'd think they were coddled over daily. For more information on her book, go <a href="http://www.pyours.com/Toptenlistsgardenbook.html">here</a>.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdOqebS8BTFf_7zlqiserxZjtuagqVppcOaSUQFYPpxmGvrx3GtGBIwCvrXQ_Gf_KcHiOyUp4zn1EKCHYFAvUa3PCh4FEMjXd9z2O0MTgfF8E6h70k1advKOtj6TnsXYJnLey8AbiOhNV/s1600-h/kerry.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448479625242466866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdOqebS8BTFf_7zlqiserxZjtuagqVppcOaSUQFYPpxmGvrx3GtGBIwCvrXQ_Gf_KcHiOyUp4zn1EKCHYFAvUa3PCh4FEMjXd9z2O0MTgfF8E6h70k1advKOtj6TnsXYJnLey8AbiOhNV/s640/kerry.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Kerry also mentioned that the 7th Annual Great Garden and Landscaping Symposium is being held again this year at the The Equinox, a world class resort in Manchester VT April 23 - 24. For more info on the agenda and a full listing of all the nationally known speakers, go <a href="http://www.pyours.com/Symposium2010.html">here</a>.</div><div> </div><div>For Virginia readers who can't make it to VT, the annual <a href="http://www.vagardenweek.org/schedule.htm"><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Historic Virginia Garden Week</span></strong> </a>takes place April 17 - 25. The Arlington gardens on this year's tour are JUST up the street from my house but I have to work that day so I won't be able to attend. </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#666666;">(please note these are my personal recommendations and I receive no form of compensation for them.)</span></div>

Thinking About Your Garden?

You may remember a post I did last summer about the garden consultation I had with Kerry Ann Mendez, whom my friend Anne and I had heard spe...

Read more »