Vintage Brooch Bridal Bouquets - My Next Hobby!

 Blue and Clear Crystal Vintage Brooch Bridal Bouquet 

Vintage brooch bridal bouquet with silk flowers

Well so much for having some down time!  I think I just found what I want to do for a hobby!  I love collecting vintage pins/brooches, earrings, bracelets (okay you must know be by now, anything with sparkle) and I think this craft project, for those who want a vintage brooch bridal bouquet to carry, is perfect to give purpose to my addiction.   Here is a page of more pictures of bridal bouquet ideas using vintage brooches on my web site. I am sure I will keep adding to this since it will be my inspiration page.

So brides... if you would like your own vintage pin floral bouquet, let me know and I will create one for you.    If you have vintage or new pins that you would like to see re-purposed, let me know.... donations would be welcomed and future brides will adore you for it!




Linda Smith Davis, owner of http://www.newenglandfineliving.com is an Allied ASID Interior Designer in Middleton MA, Westford MA, New England, owner of New England Fine Living, and Party Planner North of Boston. Classic New England Style or Glam Interior Design and parties have been most recently completed in Middleton, Carlisle, Andover, North Andover, Marblehead, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Newbury, Ipswich, Westford, Boxford, Topsfield, and so many more surrounding towns!

My secret love with the color periwinkle and why. Shhhh... don't tell anyone.

This ring is sooooo freaking beautiful. So beautiful that I'm inspired to see if I can find rooms, party, and fashion photos using these colors. Just like in the Kohler commercials when a client asks their architect to design a house around their faucet, I am going to design this blog post around a ring!  But before I do, let me share a little secret about myself and if I bore you, just scroll down to the photos okay? :-).

Ever since I was a child, I loved the color of tanzenite (periwinkle... blue violet).  I didn't even know about this particular stone until I was a young adult, and I fell in love with it right away.  There are varying shades of tanzenite ranging from light to dark.  I personally love the lighter blue violet version. And  I know why I am drawn to this color with a passion. 

Two of my fondest childhood memories are chasing after two different flying insects during my relaxing and never ending summers (why does summer go by so fast now?).  Both fast moving critters shared the color of light periwinkle, which was also my favorite color in my Crayola Crayon box and the Vinca that surrounded our home.  

One insect I used to chase around was a small periwinkle blue butterfly.

The Polyommatus Butterfly Photo Via Sciencebuzz.org

Hmmm I don't think this is it with the shimmer, but "Oh My!" how beautiful

The other insect that kept me always on the lookout was a tiny, I mean teeny tiny, fluffy white flying insect. When in the right light, it seemed to change from white to periwinkle.  I used to call them my fairies (it looks a little like a fairy doesn't it?  C'mon... look at is through the eyes of a little girl). 

I had no idea that this White Wooly Afid was hated by gardeners.  Fairy right?

Notice how in this photo it has a hint of periwinkle? Okay so maybe in this photo you would have to squint a little to see it, but trust me... 

Once again, here is my inspiration piece.

Periwinkle Dress Via: Weddinggawker.blogspot.com

This photo of a periwinkle car and periwinkle dresses was found on Mcbilly.com

Just enough periwinkle in this room, but not too much.  Love the long periwinkle drapery panels and periwinkle pillows. Photo via: Paulagracedesigns.blogspot.com

This periwinkle room is magnificent.  If the mirror was silver, it would be close to my goal of inspiration photos, but I still had to share. Photo via: eclecticrevisited.com

Periwinkle,white, silver wedding cake photo via: Projectwedding.com

Taylor Swift in a beautiful periwinkle dress photo via Google.com

Guess Who?  LOL
Many years ago I made this costume out of two thrift store prom dresses... added glitter to the feather fan... and voila a fun dress for an Era's of Elegance Masquerade ball I created for a non-profit group as their major fundraiser.  Hey, if Taylor Swift can wear periwinkle, I can too! 

Linda Smith Davis, owner of http://www.newenglandfineliving.com is an Allied ASID Interior Designer in Middleton MA, Westford MA, New England, owner of New England Fine Living, and Party Planner North of Boston. Classic New England Style or Glam Interior Design and parties have been most recently completed in Middleton, Carlisle, Andover, North Andover, Marblehead, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Newbury, Ipswich, Westford, Boxford, Topsfield, and so many more surrounding towns!

Photo of a beautiful desk with flowers and a place to dream... even with water stains

Sofia Coppola-Louis Vuitton bag - Photo from mylusciouslife.com

There is just something about this photo that stopped me in my tracks.  Was it the flowers? The sunlight dappling through the window? The relaxed flower arrangement? Yes, saw those first. Then I noticed it... this beautiful photo is also showcasing the reality of a leather desk and the effects of water!   All together now... COASTERS!  I can see my mom shaking her head now when she reads this post.  From an early age, I was taught the importance of using a coaster on any surface and I was also taught different ways of removing water stains. (Here is a link to an article I wrote on my web site about removing water stains)

With that said.  I still love it. I think it gives it character and it makes you realize how many dreamy visits were made to this desk with a libation of choice.  Oh and I love how the lipstick matches the flowers too :-) .

Linda Smith Davis, owner of http://www.newenglandfineliving.com is an Allied ASID Interior Designer in Middleton MA, Westford MA, New England, owner of New England Fine Living, and Party Planner North of Boston. Classic New England Style or Glam Interior Design and parties have been most recently completed in Middleton, Carlisle, Andover, North Andover, Marblehead, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Newbury, Ipswich, Westford, Boxford, Topsfield, and so many more surrounding towns!

Ralph Lauren showroom window in navy blue and white

I thought I would share some decorating ideas from the Boston Design Center, where many New England Interior Designers go for the latest products.  I go into Boston frequently when I need products for a client project or to see all the new beautiful design ideas.  It's like eye candy to me and it also re-connects me with design friends I have met over the years.  Many of the showrooms set up beautiful vignettes or display windows to showcase their new products and to lure us into there showrooms.   After I leave, I am usually exhausted from searching through the 6 floors of showrooms for just the right fabric, carpet, furniture, or lighting (oh and the kitchen and bath displays are amazing).  If you see something you like below, and want information, I would be glad to find out more for you and email you.  If you have a design project you will be working on and would like to go into the Boston Design Center, give me a jingle. I would love to be your personal guide and interior design consultant for the day. 

Linda Smith Davis, owner of http://www.newenglandfineliving.com is an Allied ASID Interior Designer in Middleton MA, Westford MA, New England, owner of New England Fine Living, and Party Planner North of Boston. Classic New England Style or Glam Interior Design and parties have been most recently completed in Middleton, Carlisle, Andover, North Andover, Marblehead, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Newbury, Ipswich, Westford, Boxford, Topsfield, and so many more surrounding towns!

A few decorating ideas that I would rethink

Now I'm the first one to tell my clients that the space we design will reflect them, their tastes, and their lifestyle, but there are a few times that I might speak up if I feel it really wouldn't be the best purchase or if they asked me if something should stay or go.   I came across the below head wallpaper photo first while searching for something else for a client.  It stopped me in my tracks and I couldn't stop staring at it (kinda like looking at a train wreck, not because they were staring back at me!) And I can't help but wonder how many rolls of this paper did the manufacturer sell. And let me add.... If you love it? Kudos!  We all have different tastes!  What do you think?   I found a couple others after that. And yes, I should be working!

I feel like I should put a black rectangle across the photos to protect the innocent!

Okay so I can understand if this person loved history, but I would get the Heebie Geebies just being in this room.  Who wants to be stared at all of the time? Not me, that's for sure!  Photo via Stylishlyeverafter.blogspot.com 

Really?  I don't remember learning this at design school.  "Take a pair of pants as your inspiration.... find that fabric... and then cover EVERYTHING with it"  Nope, I don't remember that from any of my classes.  Room from the 1970s -  Better Homes and Garden

Wait?  Is this a caterpillar or a couch?

 Yup Caterpillar, I rest my case.

Linda Smith Davis, owner of http://www.newenglandfineliving.com is an Allied ASID Interior Designer in Middleton MA, Westford MA, New England, owner of New England Fine Living, and Party Planner North of Boston. Classic New England Style or Glam Interior Design and parties have been most recently completed in Middleton, Carlisle, Andover, North Andover, Marblehead, Boston, Salem, Newburyport, Newbury, Ipswich, Westford, Boxford, Topsfield, and so many more surrounding towns!

Photos of beautiful work spaces and offices for women

Where Women Create - Finding a work space and making it your own!

Home office of Jackie Von Tobel

Photo of client projects on a black board Photo Via Purestylehome.blogspot.com