No More Pink Curtains and a new video!

So its been awhile since I last posted, and that was all about the pink linen

curtain panels I made for the dining room. I apologize.
(Even my sister Ellen called me up and said,
"You need to blog because every time I go to look, all I see are pink curtains!!")
 Believe it or not, they only stayed up for 48 hours.
 I just couldn't stand how it looked.  The pink was 

way too pink... The light coming through the fabric made them even more

pink then they actually were.  And I never did buy a sample of the fabric to 

check to see if it was the right shade of pink.  I just kind of hoped it would

be similar to what it looked like on my computer monitor.  I should have known

better.  At any rate I now have 12 yards of pink linen which one day will be 

reincarnated into some divine project I am sure.  

And the grey curtains with the pom poms are back up!  

Bye bye pink.

A valiant try, but not for me.  My husband was agreeable,

which is kind of funny~he said they really brightened the room. 

(insert smily face)

My youngest son Colin detested them. And so did I.

In other news, we did have the baby shower for Justin and Madison

and I was able to use the courtyard for the first time entertaining a crowd!

When I renovated the backyard to create the courtyard, I had only a french

daybed and some chairs for seating.  This spring I ordered an all weather wicker

set of chairs, ottomans and loveseat from the Home Decorators Catalogue, which

is a Home Depot company.  The set was by Martha Stewart ( I love her as you know)

and after reading the many reviews, I ordered it sight unseen.  I was banking on 

the reviews of it being comfortable and well made, and I am happy to report it is both!

The set is called the Lake 

The Adela Lake Collection set by Martha Stewart. 

 It comes in a few finishes, and I chose the weathered grey color with the 

sand colored cushions, seen above.  It looks right at home in the rustic

courtyard.  We moved the set into position where the day bed, 

and the daybed was moved opposite the wicker set, so we can seat quite a few people now.

We still are working on setting everything up, like the bird house vent cover, 

which is not installed yet because we are still using the fireplace indoors on cool mornings.

Colby loves the courtyard too, and we attach him to a long green lead that

we anchor in various spots, controlling where he can hang around.  

We will be spending a lot of time outdoors in this space, and it was worth the expense.

When I ordered it online, one reviewer mentioned it sells out early in the season,

so I got my order in promptly.  A few weeks later it went on sale for 20% off,

and the HD people gave me a credit for the sale price, which was awesome.

It also comes in a pretty spa blue color, but I stayed neutral 

choosing to add accents with throw pillows in Sunbrella.  

Check out the video about the courtyard, featuring an introduction

to the space with Matthew Mead on photo shoot day for his magazine,

UPSTYLED HOME OUTDOORS. 

(tip: click on the right hand corner icon to 

enlarge for watching full screen)

(It's on news stands now, as a gentle

reminder, published by Country Sampler. )

After the intro, you will be treated to the nitty gritty makings of this space

showing you small video clips that I took while hubs and sons were helping me,

and which I never intended to go public with...but they worked out well in this 

montage video.  After all, I had no idea Matthew Mead would love this space so

much that he wanted to shoot it, nor did I think it would ever grace a magazine cover!

You will see the disgusting plywood "shed" (that was literally falling apart) as it

is hoisted through the air from my mother-in-laws back yard to ours (we are neighbors).

You get to see sweaty me, shingling the shed, my son wearing a farmers sun hat to avoid the

scorching temps,  the general average ugliness of the space and how it came to be so 

fabulous.  Its inspiring, even to me, and I did the dang thing!!

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Signature Swedish Style: A visit with Designer Sandra Kelly

 I first learned about Swedish style maven Sandra Kelly at Brimfield, last May,

when my son and I set up our own booth at the Brimfield Antique Fair.

 Sandy's style was unmistakable and never did I think in just a few months

 I would be visiting her home with Matthew Mead for a photo shoot.

Sandy styled her booth with a sense of beauty and order.

 Sandy had some art panels done by a favorite artist, Jennifer Lanne of New York,

 who also had a booth at the May Brimfield show.  You will see some of these pieces 

in the interview video at Sandy's home, so keep your eyes open. 

I fell head over heels for the painted french chairs, and the overall atmosphere of her magical booth.

Fast forward to our visit in a few months.  Her home would be just as enchanting! After the shoot, we set up our video cam and shot a Q and A with Sandy about her signature Swedish style.  We hope you enjoy this interview at Sandy's beautiful country home.  Her home is also featured in Matthew's current issue of Upstyled Home, the winter edition, on newsstands now.  Enjoy!

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Part III of NYC diary: Martha Stewart's Fabulous Turkey Hill

When I last left the blog, I told you there would be part III of my account of

the trip to NYC with Matthew Mead to attend a party for Mary Emmerling.

I did mention that Part III would include a trip to Martha's!

So let me give you a bit of background on what I am talking about.

Martha Stewart used to live in an antique colonial in Westport, Connecticut

on Turkey Hill Road for over thirty years.  The house became famous along

with Martha and was featured in her many books and magazines. 

The wonderful party in the city was over, and like a pair of Cinderellas, 

Matthew and I returned to our below average accommodations

 at the run down motel on the outskirts of the city.  

We agreed we would get up bright and early and 

partake in the free continental breakfast, but no matter how early we

woke, the deal was no texting or calling each other before 6 am. 

However I really couldn't get to sleep that night

and as a result I didn't wake up at my usual early hour.  

A light knock on the door jolted

me from my slumber.  ( I was enjoying one of my recurrent dreams of hanging 

out with Tom Brady and Giselle, as we are friends, albeit just in my dreams, lol. 

I do not know why I dream this scenario, but I think its very funny when I do).

"knock knock knock"

It was Matthew at the door...  

"Sorry about that, I just couldn't fall asleep

last night.  Would you mind going to the breakfast alone and bring me 

back a coffee with cream and one sugar and maybe a banana or a muffin or something?" 

 He looked at me, paused and then said, "This is like we really are married."

 Hahah, okay, I guess he was right.  Off he went and I 

promised to get ready quickly so we could get going.  

The last thing he said at the end of the party

while we drove back to the motel was that he would take me by 

Martha Stewart's house, Turkey Hill.

OH BOY!! I was super psyched! I loved that house!! I was so excited for today!

 So I got ready quick as a wink, and thought I could still catch him at breakfast...

so I texted:

Amy: HOW IS BREAKFAST

Matthew: TERRIBLE

Hahahh, why would we expect any different?

Matthew returned with a story about how bizarre breakfast was~

the strange Indian breakfast attendant who didn't speak any English, which was

 slightly problematic as Matthew doesn't drink coffee, and there was an odd

machine that he had to operate to make my coffee and it only came out in small spurts.

Anyway I did get my coffee, a sad greenish colored muffin and a nice little banana.  

The coffee was actually pretty good, which was a big triumph. 

 We scooped up our bags and headed out to his truck to begin the next leg of our journey. 

We would stop for breakfast at a diner in Westport on our way to see Turkey Hill.

Sounded like the perfect plan.  Happily on the road again, enjoying the start of a lovely day.

We found the diner on Post Road in the lovely town of Westport that Matthew was looking for and had a pleasant breakfast.  Then it was time for the main event!!

TURKEY HILL !!

This photo is an old one of the front of Turkey Hill. 

Many things remain the same,  including the brick walk that is overgrown by grass...

pay attention to that fact as you will see why later.

I loved how Martha put flags out at every window for the Fourth of July.

It's the perfect American home, don't you think?

Now Turkey Hill has been changed from a traditional white to a putty color for both the trim

and the body of the home. Its understated and elegant, but if it were my home, it would be white.

Alright, now I have jumped ahead a bit of myself. Lets talk about Turkey Hill.

It was a dream home, if you love the country life mixed with a bit of formality, as I do.

There are rooms to entertain in and a kitchen to envy, as well as the grounds

to create gardens and outbuildings.  Turkey Hill was one heck of a home,

built by a Sea Captain in the early 1800s.  Of course Martha made many improvements to it,

during her tenure as owner, including later purchasing two additional acres

 for extra gardening space.

Here is how Martha described finding her new home:

"In 1970, while I was living in New York City with my husband, Andy, and our young daughter, Alexis, we were told about a beautiful farmhouse for sale at 48 Turkey Hill Road South, in Westport, Connecticut. The house, on a tract of land that stretched south toward Long Island Sound and had once been an onion farm, came with two acres of deep, loamy soil, a few large trees, and not much else. There was no garage or barn, just a rickety picket fence and an unkempt yard. The house had been rented out to myriad families (including the famous novelist John Hersey) and had suffered obvious neglect. There was not much of a kitchen and no usable bathroom. The basement was damp, and there was no porch, terrace, garden, or driveway. But it had good bones, lovely windows, wide-plank floors, and seven fireplaces. To us, it was perfect: a do-it-yourself project resplendent with opportunity for a reasonable price, $46,750. We closed on the property on April 22, 1971, and the first thing we did was plant an orchard of old-fashioned fruit trees."

Martha was just like me, not afraid of a run down property, as long as it had potential.

And of course, Turkey Hill had loads of potential as Martha would find out and show the world.

Years after she sold it, I am sure there are still many admirers that just have to drive by 

and take a gander at the legendary property.  Back in the day there were many vacant lots,

but now it is quite the address to have, as you will see on our own DRIVE BY with YOU!

So click on the video above and join me and Matthew in the pickup truck checking

out Martha's old place. Pay attention to the moment we stop at the front door walkway~

you will see a gardener and his wheelbarrow.  I guess the brick walk will always need 

weeding, just like it did years ago when Martha owned the home.

After I did the drive by, I checked out the inside on a video tour of TURKEY HILL

by Martha Stewart herself (which is no longer available )
 I was thrilled to see her serving desert on a table

set with all different purple transferware dishes! 
 We collect the same thing! How fun for me! 
They are hard to see, but I took a screen shot
from the video and there they are. She also has a thing for chandeliers...naturally.

Matthew visited Martha in her East Hampton home, called Lily Pond.

We talked about how that came about on our designers convo video below.

So there is all kinds of stuff about Martha Stewart on my blog post

today, as I am clearly a fan! I would have loved to meet Martha

like Matthew did...and someday I hope I will.

Until then, this is about as thrilling as it gets.

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Easter Egg Centerpiece

 Hi Everyone!  Lets talk about Easter and Spring and the decorations

 that go along with that special time of year.  It can be so easy to decorate for Easter, 

but sometimes maybe we just keep doing the same old thing.  

So how about a few ideas?

 We started with some eggs....

and then you can boil them or blow them out so they are hollow

 and and paint or dye them in your favorite colors.

 Then sprinkle them around any flower arrangements, like this yule log type 

container that I had at Christmas time.  I kept the container and then for spring 

I filled it with crumpled newspaper and covered the top with moss and then fit 

small juice glasses with hyacinths into the container.  Sprinkle with a few painted eggs 

and its simply charming! Matthew Mead made these eggs by blowing them out and 

spraying them in the colors that I just adore. 

 But you could do them all in shades of pink or purple.

Think of the possibilities to personalize this for your own home.

We will be sharing our video soon on our DECORATE channel on

just how we made this Spring Woodland Log centerpiece.

 How about an easy Topiary Bunny Centerpiece using a store bought wreath? 

 Its simple and festive and charming.  These ideas are some of what you

 will find on Matthew Mead and my DECORATE channel on YouTube.

So head over and watch our 3 minute video on how we made this enchanting centerpiece!

And see the bloopers at the very end when we screwed up our lines or the camera was rolling

and our camera gal Julia didn't mention it....haha!

CLICK HERE for DECORATE with Matthew and Amy

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Video shoot and a living room tour

Look at my dog Colby!! 

He is growing and is so fun to have around...

look at him posing on the sofa.  Last night something funny happened.  For four months he has been sleeping on our bed.  For the last two nights he kept jumping off the bed during the night, acting restless and hubs and I weren't getting any sleep.  So last night hubs brought up Colby's dog bed and plopped it on our bedroom floor.  Colby climbed in and slept the entire night without making a peep (well he does snore).  So here we were shocked!! We thought dogs LOVE sleeping on people beds and feel privileged to do so...but our boy wants his own big boy bed apparently.

That was a mind blower, but we all slept fantastically!!! 

Anyway, let me tell you the latest:

 This week I prepared for a series of videos that Matthew Mead and I planned to 

shoot at my house.  We try to shoot at least six videos on all kinds of topics, like

decorating, floral arrangements and book reviews.  This time we added a new 

category which I think we will be doing regularly, which is just talking about stuff.

Random stuff, but the discussion will revolve around design and decorating.  For example

we talked about our connections with Martha.  Yeah, that Martha.  Martha Stewart.

You won't want to miss that video convo!  When it is all edited I will load it onto

our DECORATE channel and you can watch it with a click of the finger.

 We also decided to add some mini house touring, 

and we filmed my living room and dining room.Its fun to see it live 

and in video format,  rather than a carefully stage photo.  

This way you really get a feel for the room and see how the house is laid out.  

Matthew is filming me talking about my living room.  And how did we get this pic?  

 It was taken by Julia Sullivan, formerly my go to gal at my shop Maison Decor, 

she is now doing most of our videography for our segments. 

 Matthew and Julia posed in front of this darling woodland centerpiece

 we created, and that was also one of the segments we filmed for our channel.

 So I hope you will get a chance to visit our DECORATE channel, 

and if you want to come inside and "walk" around with us, click on the link! 

 I will be busy blabbing away about the various things in the room, 

like my hand painted table that many of my readers love, 

and might have thought I sold since it is no longer front and center as my coffee table.

This big rustic trunk has taken its place...

and you know with me, I am always decorating and that means painting,

 rearranging and adding little touches. 

 Next time I blog, I will be showing off some spring touches
 in the dining room, and a new addition!

Visit our DECORATE channel and see my mini house tour by CLICKING HERE

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My first box of crayons

My creative journey quite possibly started when I was handed a box of crayons

in first grade.  At least I have strong memories of opening the box and smelling the 

scent of the new crayons. Being excited about it and then selecting a perfectly pointed new

crayon to start coloring on my school work.  I loved to color. Maybe I liked coloring more

than the other kids in first grade....I know creating and coloring did something to me.

If you had to remember your earliest memory of creativity, what and when would it be?

Fast forward a whole lot of years and I am still guided by my need to create.

Many of my friends are in this circle too, and thats no coincidence, as I think

like minded folks tend to gather around each other.  Last year I met a group of

multi-talented creatives when we all met via Matthew Mead when he featured us in

his magazines.  Left to right, Ellen McHale (artist) Matthew Mead (Lifestyle guru), 

Amy Chalmers (designer),  Sandra Cavallo (graphic artist and designer), 

Danielle Driscoll ( DIY design blogger), and Cary Goodrich (antique dealer) .

Its been terrific meeting these people and getting to work and socialize with them.

Of course you all have read my many posts about Matthew Mead.

We have been doing lots of projects together, including a recent trip antiquing

to New Hampshire for the day. Its always inspiring to be around him, as he is the king
of creativity in my book.  We both love antiques and vintage and its a pleasure seeing what
captures his eye and how he would interpret using it in home decor.

Cary Goodrich has a presence at both the famous Brimfield Fair and  Thoreauly Antiques Shop in Concord, Ma. Her creative eye picks the most wonderful smalls for collectors of all types, and 

I am always in awe of her personal collections and those she offers her customers. 

She showcases much of her intriguing collections on Instagram at CPGoodrich.  

Sandra Cavallo's home is the main attraction for her legions of Instagram followers.

Find her at OldSilverShed and see her brilliantly designed Cape Cod home.

Its quite possibly my most favorite house EVER.  Her background in design mixed with her

originality is evident in everything she does.   Simply amazing, this one.

Ellen McHale is a multi-media artist and she presented me with this portrait she

painted.  Her artwork is happy and fresh, and combines old bits of papers with paint 

from her palette.  Its so inspiring to me to see how others are creative.  Things they can do

I could never, and things I can do, they cannot....but we are all using our creative

energy to express ourselves.  And for me it started with a lovely box of crayons...

and a really fun and amazing first grade art teacher, whose name I don't remember.

(Danielle and Ellen at Sandra's house for a party, MM in background)

I was honored to be asked by Danielle to be featured on her blog as part of her 

"Creativity Over Coffee" series. 

 I liken it to a Dick Cavett interview...anyone remember him?  

Always interesting and thought provoking and pleasant. 

Danielle's interview is about the "Creative Process" and how one goes about finding theirs. 

This time it was my turn to share on her blog, Finding Silver Pennies.

It probably isn't as good as this interview, but who knows? 

They really are yucking it up over something Katherine Hepburn said.

  Dick looks embarrassed!! Hahah! 

But isn't it always interesting learning more about people in general?

So, get a cup of coffee or a glass of wine 

(depending upon your time zone and preference)

 and then head over to Danielles' blog to read more 

of this compelling and fascinating interview with moi (!!!!).

"Creativity Over Coffee with Amy Chalmers"

CLICK HERE

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Me and Matthew Mead turn Hollywood!

Its been a whirlwind week!  Matthew Mead, legendary "Style Guy Guru", asked me to be in several videos for Wagner Spray Tech Company introducing their new Home Decor Sprayer.  OK, maybe not so Hollywood, but for this girl, its pretty close!  We will be in the LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION world!! He's been putting together their visual campaign for all their new sprayers and rollers.  And since we are buddies and I am a designer who loves to paint stuff, it was a natural fit.  So, up at 4:30 in the morning and on the road to New Hampshire to get to the shoot for the 7 am start.

 The first day of shooting would be in Matthew's 8000 square foot warehouse.  A 4 man video production team from TriGlass,  as well as the Wagner Marketing and Development Group had flown in from their Minnesota HQs to create a series of professional How-to videos for their website.  It was exciting stuff!! They would be shooting 6 videos, and I would be in 3.  It also happened to be one of those hot humid dog days of summer, and the warehouse was without air conditioning. Upon my arrival the video guys were setting up the lights and the cameras.  We would begin shooting momentarily.

The video team set up their shot and finally it was time to join Matthew "on set" to do the Introductory video for Wagner. How cool is this!?

I snapped a quick pic and then joined Matthew while the Wagner team sat on the upper level of the open warehouse floor. They would  watch and advise us after each take.  This was going to be fun!

 Since I was in front of the camera, these shots were provided by Matthew's assistant Tory.  These pics give a good depiction of behind the scenes making of the videos.  Matthew and I would shoot about 4 takes in a row without a script.  We had the idea of what information we were providing but it was all ad-libbed which made it exciting and nerve wracking.  Each take was a little different as you can imagine, and there is sure to be an entertaining blooper reel. The new HomeDecor Sprayer is sitting on the table and the old flea market chair is one we will be transforming live on video.

 After the introduction about the Home Decor Sprayer, it was time to spray.  Mind you, I had never used this sprayer before.  The Wagner team handed it to me filled with paint, and then it was time to point, shoot and spray.  After spraying an area of the chair, they would yell CUT and then we would get ready to spray the next part of the chair.  Sometimes they wanted to be in nice and tight for closeups and other times it would be from a distance so you could see all the action.  

 At this point, all that is left to shoot is the vinyl seat on the chair.  I was totally floored and amazed by how darn easy this sprayer was to use, and how awesome it was covering the chair!  If you have ever painted a chair, you know that they are the most tedious pieces of furniture to paint.  But with the sprayer it was done in about two minutes total spray time.  And check out the drop cloth for the lack of overspray.  It was tight and controlled with great coverage.  No paint clothes, no apron either...just a drop cloth underneath and we were good to go!  This sprayer is a game changer for indoor painting for those pieces you want to knock out quickly without a fuss. 

Look at how amazing the chair looks after the paint job!  Only three more to go, and you know that with the sprayer you don't get the feeling of dread when you have to paint another chair.  When we did custom painting at Maison Decor, we charged a minimum of $100 per chair because they are so difficult to paint without globbing and dripping.  Every time your brush meets a joint you have to pay attention to the excess of paint that naturally gathers in those spots.  With the sprayer this was a non issue. 

Two videos down, one more to go!  The day was heating up and we had to cool down by putting iced down cloths around our necks for relief. The team had a large bucket filled with ice water and all these cotton cloths soaking at the ready, which was a life saver.

 In between shots, Matthew and I would sit on the upper level waiting for the next video to get set up.  I was having a blast even if it was 90 degrees!  It was so fun being part of this creative project and working with Matthew.  After ten hours we finally wrapped up.  I would return the next day to do one more video all about spraying smalls with the Home Decor sprayer.  This would show the versatility of the sprayer. Smalls and furniture are all fair game with this sprayer.  

 As a designer, I had input on how to create a stylish room out of found objects.  Accessorizing in a monochromatic scheme using different shades of one color on a paint strip is an easy way to get great results.  This grouping shows off a mismatched collection, but after spraying with shades of one color you have a total WOW factor! 

 Can you imagine trying to paint this sunburst with a brush?  It's a one minute spray job with the sprayer.  Embellished with a bit of gold and its a scene stealer for sure.  On day two we did a video all about spraying the smaller things.  This time we filmed in Matthew's studio.  At one point I found myself cracking up because we had to do so many takes on one section.  Each time Matthew would start off by saying "SO AMY! " in a very excited voice.  It just got funnier and funnier every time we shot it until I finally had to stop to compose myself.  You know that laughing that turns to crying thing that happens sometimes when you least expect it? A case of the sillies?  OMG it was happening in front of the crew.  How unprofessional.  Hahahah .  Oh well....I got it under control and we finally got it done.  Like I said, I would love to see these bloopers. 

This shot is the only one I have showing what the Wagner Home Decor Sprayer looks like.  It will be in stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby next year, but at the end of September they are going to sell on the Wagner website with a limited amount to see how the public receives it. They are going to be in for a surprise because most people I know that paint, will find this the ideal sprayer and its going to sell out in a flash.  How about this?  I will be doing a giveaway on my blog for my readers, so stay tuned for that! I might even giveaway two if they let me!!

This was a week I will never forget.  Doing something like this, as part of a professional creative team was new and exciting!  Matthew is a dream to work with, his creative abilities continue to shock and surprise me. We will be collaborating on more things, like a book (yup) and more videos, and maybe even some television!! We will be hosting an event in November too,  how to shop flea markets and antique shops to find those special vintage items at great prices. You will spend the day with us  "Hitting the Holiday Antique Trail" to pick up gifts and special finds, on a guided tour to our favorite haunts.  Sound good?  So lots ahead for us as we team up with Wagner as well as each other creating Lifestyle Events and publications that are all geared to finding beauty and bringing it home.  

PS~I was lucky enough to take one of the Home Decor sprayers home with me after last day of shooting.  I have some stuff that I plan to paint (starting with my new French Doors for the dining room that will be arriving soon).  This sprayer really rocks! Oh did I already say that? 

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