A Wednesday pick-me-up from art director and music lover Mandy Keener. Today’s “Cover with Style” pays homage to a sustainable home in Arkansas with rock and roll flair.
Photography by Nancy Nolan // Styling by Mandy Keener
a photo-worthy kitchen
This beautiful kitchen isn’t just all white, it’s totally “green,” as the hub of a LEED platinum-certified renovated home we featured in our new July issue. Since it’s a main space in this home, we knew we’d want a great shot. Here’s how we made this beautiful kitchen ready for it’s close up:
1. Lighting: Yes, that “before” shot is my basic “walk in and snap a photo” style, so ignore the bad overall lighting. But do notice how the undercabinet lights add a warm glow. You’ll notice in photographer Nancy Nolan’s gorgeous “after” that we’ve turned off the overhead and undercabinet lights so the room has a consistent, sheer white tone.
2. Select an accent color: To keep the focus on the pretty kitchen, we didn’t want to add a lot of elements that would draw your eye to the counter and away from the overall space. Yet counters that are totally empty can look too austere (and unnatural!). So, we opted for subtle yellows in cupcakes and lemons, and a mix of yellows and other bright shades in candy jars.
3. Add flowers: Oh yes, a bit of something pretty and fresh is always welcome. I think of flowers in a room similar to adding jewelry to a dress…a beautiful touch when you can add it.
4. Edit the seating: For a family of four, obviously four barstools are a necessity. For photo purposes, three fit nicely.
If this photo has intrigued you, be sure to see the full story here.
green design : christmas light conundrum
I love the holiday season. You get to buy gifts for loved ones. It’s acceptable to eat cookies everyday. People seem to be friendlier everywhere you go. Now that the season has officially begun– as signaled by the arrival of the Peppermint Mocha— I can openly listen to those Christmas jingles I’ve been streaming in secret all year long.
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Unfortunately this year presents a special challenge for me. I have a new home and really want to decorate with lights but… is it wrong? Am I a wasteful consumer if I run lights with no utility? How am I to decide between my head and my heart?
Justification ensues, options are weighed, chaplain consulted (not really)… And the lights are a go. I decide that if I use LED lights my guilt-ridden (read: neurotic) brain should be able to rest easy. So I shopped and shopped and bought and returned and re-bought until I found just the right ones: LED C-7 Colorite lights by GE. They are Energy Star rated AND look just like the ones Mammaw and Pappaw used.
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The reason that I love the Holidays so very much is the nostalgia that comes with them. I think about my dad and my grandparents and special friends that are no longer with me. I remember the pumpkin pie and family gatherings and homemade decorations of my childhood.
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This time of year is about reworking those special memories of my past into my for-real life in the present. It adds a special contentment that only comes for a couple of months at a time; so
I hope that you can do the same in your home. May your days be merry… and bright.
at home with green design : Q&A with Ellyse Frazier
Warm weather is here, which means so are all the local farmer’s markets! I know, you are all thinking: “But I already grow all of my own food…”
Farmer’s markets are more than just fresh produce, however. I’m fortunate enough to live near the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market which boasts of not only perfect produce, but also grass-fed meats, baked good, jellies and jams, plants and flowers, and even local art.
I’d like to indroduce Ellyse Frazier, one of the market’s talented artists. She works in pen and ink, watercolor, and (most recently) cement pottery.
LL: How did you get started selling your art at the farmer’s market?
EF: I began at the Farmers Market helping my brother Ethan sell his heirloom plants (ethansheirloomgardens.
Recently I have been designing and sculpting hand-made pots made of natural materials mixed with cement to showcase Ethan’s heirloom plants. The pots resemble stone but are light weight creating a nice English Country charm.
LL: Can you share some of your favorite pieces with us?
EF: English County inspired cottage:
A lighthouse from an old picture found at my grandparents house:
Decorative garden bucket perfect for any flowers and a collection of herb planters:
LL: Why should people spend Saturday mornings at the market?
EF: It has a fun and energetic vibe and a wonderful laid-back atmosphere, which makes it a great social gathering place.
You can read more about Ellyse’s projects at ellysesstudioarts.blogsopt.com. And next time you’re in need of a gift, think of your local market first. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see what you find, and who you’ll meet, when you think outside the box [store].
