From the Stacks: 2005

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBG488sw_A_eni1QiuiAW0Pt0WKCt2Q8ZbKIdhCC2rdBnPZ3mvbWh_yz0sg8bwIwyCQ8drjUdjEWeJCOc5KfRALiiwsOkoDIfYqqntQWhOOPx-c27yjRGewJwsFBGmjHVRGe0fIY75QKf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-07+at+7.02.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBG488sw_A_eni1QiuiAW0Pt0WKCt2Q8ZbKIdhCC2rdBnPZ3mvbWh_yz0sg8bwIwyCQ8drjUdjEWeJCOc5KfRALiiwsOkoDIfYqqntQWhOOPx-c27yjRGewJwsFBGmjHVRGe0fIY75QKf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-07+at+7.02.32+PM.png" /></a></div>DC designer Nestor Santa-Cruz's apartment was featured in <a href="http://elledecor.1stdibs.com/Living-Room-Traditional-/id4569">Elle Decor</a> back in Nov 2005.  Nestor is an  immensely talented designer with an impeccable eye.  This space is from seven years ago and its appeal is timeless. (Photography by Rick Lew)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg3rvkuwTdQHPYKUsZvr3sN8XJHn3wHWvUbQvtU_p4lgk0Hw9JDi8-KuJ96O1rBAi4IZ41kVK8XEQYQdJ8_Gjck-djhBEGzJ_dMCDP65jal9tzpwinDUm2JCg9Kl_iZQ5J-3aYqGv5iaL/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-07+at+6.54.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg3rvkuwTdQHPYKUsZvr3sN8XJHn3wHWvUbQvtU_p4lgk0Hw9JDi8-KuJ96O1rBAi4IZ41kVK8XEQYQdJ8_Gjck-djhBEGzJ_dMCDP65jal9tzpwinDUm2JCg9Kl_iZQ5J-3aYqGv5iaL/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-07+at+6.54.10+PM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq17vyEB_OBTGW3tVzk__TXu-YHUkij3yPCnQQd1pK57RMjqiA6_Y6zCNGAI9KI2_38R8MxgNT5NCtUpRstIDDIlp-Q__bxs-26cY3qXB9Z6vZM9Xmypp5DewSLzKT9Ir4tGzy-w_8hb_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-07+at+7.04.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq17vyEB_OBTGW3tVzk__TXu-YHUkij3yPCnQQd1pK57RMjqiA6_Y6zCNGAI9KI2_38R8MxgNT5NCtUpRstIDDIlp-Q__bxs-26cY3qXB9Z6vZM9Xmypp5DewSLzKT9Ir4tGzy-w_8hb_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-07+at+7.04.15+PM.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielHL0iuEPXUUM16Jf4MasQvN-6ViVQVukIn-Yk1yCkvo4XLsQC9tbPRg8DZLzvR9ne1bxvIcoY89aYUNPBvhkFpoIcZr2UathYHts_I7QVlzsbTP5L5DLupnzm-KLhquqRZyWI_bVQ1fs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-07+at+7.03.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielHL0iuEPXUUM16Jf4MasQvN-6ViVQVukIn-Yk1yCkvo4XLsQC9tbPRg8DZLzvR9ne1bxvIcoY89aYUNPBvhkFpoIcZr2UathYHts_I7QVlzsbTP5L5DLupnzm-KLhquqRZyWI_bVQ1fs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-07+at+7.03.15+PM.png" /></a></div><br />

From the Stacks: 2005

DC designer Nestor Santa-Cruz's apartment was featured in Elle Decor back in Nov 2005.  Nestor is an  immensely talented designer with ...

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Subtle Pattern Mix

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dBlHQ7G89T12AHpuQaAIA7cvCiR7jDyyCdk7QxsiAf2mIODsEhBgy3k8XoXNctS_syVt8r4lVMys5uAZI5Eqn2-hhYC-oxNrCVtWVQmZNOZlBLA3rWlS9LooGZQMKAtzhfTQjohKWrqZ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-04+at+10.27.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dBlHQ7G89T12AHpuQaAIA7cvCiR7jDyyCdk7QxsiAf2mIODsEhBgy3k8XoXNctS_syVt8r4lVMys5uAZI5Eqn2-hhYC-oxNrCVtWVQmZNOZlBLA3rWlS9LooGZQMKAtzhfTQjohKWrqZ/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-04+at+10.27.06+PM.png" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Love the subtle mix of pattern in this living room by designer <a href="http://www.cherylbrantner.com/">Cheryl Brantner</a> in the LA issue of  Luxe magazine (more <a href="http://www.luxesource.com/luxe-magazine">here</a>, photography by Grey Crawford.) When I visited Cheryl's site, I was struck by her versatility as a designer.  This masculine room with strong lines and color is just one example.  Hope you have a great weekend!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWe9QAYPP4dfKhboZGODS4PNmNHf7NCL_onTyj7D8RT34qsx5Qb-EB4qOSv0jKAke8rABwHsSA6mcMBmvDxugVHivVjZO7XfqVnpYvmUqNgKXnJc13_9WYR7NgpKFNlMXElCN2NghFHGp/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-04+at+10.34.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWe9QAYPP4dfKhboZGODS4PNmNHf7NCL_onTyj7D8RT34qsx5Qb-EB4qOSv0jKAke8rABwHsSA6mcMBmvDxugVHivVjZO7XfqVnpYvmUqNgKXnJc13_9WYR7NgpKFNlMXElCN2NghFHGp/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-04+at+10.34.31+PM.png" width="640" /></a>

Subtle Pattern Mix

Love the subtle mix of pattern in this living room by designer Cheryl Brantner in the LA issue of  Luxe magazine (more here , photography b...

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An Ode to 90

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAmnQgw502zi29v82XaUY1ROcU-wWTkMb7cO3VJPtAT-pahsmIF5McpBysZuoDPmaxyF64VpX2s_yBvb7_oRYAFgqxhhi9JaBQVyAnJYtbh8x-aaq2CkQ3xnNlVDBYkzzL1LfP8TYHgXm/s1600/P1150011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAmnQgw502zi29v82XaUY1ROcU-wWTkMb7cO3VJPtAT-pahsmIF5McpBysZuoDPmaxyF64VpX2s_yBvb7_oRYAFgqxhhi9JaBQVyAnJYtbh8x-aaq2CkQ3xnNlVDBYkzzL1LfP8TYHgXm/s400/P1150011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />My aunt passed away this summer, just shy of 91. I admired her and respected her greatly. <br />When I was a young mom, she came to visit when my son was just a few months old.  Fussing in my arms, Ryan was inconsolable and I kept trying to coddle and comfort him. She caught my eye and emphatically stated, in her perfect New England accent,<br />"Put that child down. You'll arrest his development!" <br />I immediately laid him down on a blanket to watch him fuss a bit but eventually settle himself as he happily began to move along the floor. Rita was right. (a phrase that should be carved in stone.) <br /><br />Later in the day, after listening to me complain incessantly about my boss and her foolish business practices, Rita simply said, "Why don't you just work for yourself." Her question flung open the door to the idea of self-employment and a business of my own. Eighteen years later I still happily count myself as a small business owner. <br /><br />This summer I found myself absorbed with woes of too much work and not enough free time that I entertained the thought of writing a blog post titled, The Summer of My Discontent. Trust me - it would have been an exercise in self-absorbed pity<br /><br />Then I attended Aunt Rita's memorial service and read the poem she had witten on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Even in life after death, my practical and accomplished Aunt was giving me just the kick-in-the-pants I needed. Thank you Aunt Rita. You are loved and missed. <br /><br /><strong><em>Ode to Being Ninety</em></strong><br /><em>by Rita E. Duffy Pervier </em><br /><br />Ode to myself <br />Before I'm on the shelf <br />The time was sublime <br />With much laughter and shine <br />Of course some bitter, but others better <br />Challenging to be a "go-getter" <br />Each morning exciting <br />What unknown to unfold <br />Disasters/Surprises <br />A passing parade - family, friends untold <br />Giving love and friendship <br />Pure GOLD <br />So thank you as I speed to 91 - more fun

An Ode to 90

My aunt passed away this summer, just shy of 91. I admired her and respected her greatly. When I was a young mom, she came to visit when my ...

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