Falling in Love With - American Southwest Style

Hi

This year we did a re-design at the office.  A had friends and clients driving by thinking I had moved or closed because through the big front windows there was a whole lot of nothing.  Reason, we painted the entire place white.  White walls, white floors.  Over the past month or so we have been setting up an entirely new look (stay tuned, shooting soon).  As well as the front office, I have re-done my small back office (my place to get away).  Loving the new look, clean and crisp.  As with every trip, I was on the hunt  for a little piece of art for home and or work and knew exactly what I wanted, a little piece of Native American pottery.

The Hopi Indians were considered a sub tribe of the Pueblo Indians, hailing from Arizona and the word Hopi means peaceful ones or hopeful.  The pottery, made of wet clay and then buried under the sand until it dried have the most gorgeous pattern design.  Each piece tells a story and I am particularly drawn to the colors and the intricate detail.

 

I was so inspired at a gallery we stopped at on the way to the Grand Canyon. Not only with the original pieces, but the look as a whole.  White walls with pops of natural color, in the textiles and goods.

I am incorporating barn doors in our new space at work.  Having discovered an amazing new carpenter, Jacob Wolfe.  He is creating five new doors for our back hallway out of reclaimed barn wood.  I cannot wait to see them !

I am pulling in natural weaves and colors throughout in the way of rugs, wall hangings and furniture and all these pieces really spoke to me.

Having fallen in love with the look of fringe a while ago, seeing the original deal solidified my love of it !

Great little find, this Native American Gallery.  Even more fun, the trip to and from.  Stopping along the way, seeing all the natural cactus growing and little side road shops.  Red Rocks, vast landscapes, and a little humor !

Antelope Canyon Inspiration

Hi There !

When planning this trip I started thinking about the out of the way places I wanted to visit.  The Grand Canyon of course, but a place called Antelope Canyon came in pretty high on that list.  About 2 1/2 hours north of Sedona and well worth it.  The drive alone was gorgeous.  Claiming to be one of the most photographed places in the U.S. I really want to see this for myself up close and personal.  It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.  Posted a pic on instagram and Hidell Brooks said "walking through art" and that was it exactly !  Take a look . . .

Always the visual, it reminded me of one of my favorite Harlequin fabrics . .  a yummy ombre velvet.

Thought of Anthology Stria as well !

A Spring Break Adventure

Hello !

I haven't been to Arizona since college.  I had a friend at Arizona State, in Tempe, and visited a million years ago.  It was time for a return.  Now that the kids are older, traveling is so much easier and a lot more fun.  This Spring Break I really wanted to go somewhere and having never seen the Grand Canyon myself, it was high on my list.  I follow this awesome blogger,  Design Love Fest, and about a year ago she mentioned a place in Sedona called El Portal.  Fell in love, so decided to book our week in Arizona for this year.  Totally amazing, and thought I'd share this magical place.

Sedona seemed like the perfect place to stay, not too far from all the places I wanted to venture out to and filled with art inspiration.   It can be a bit touristy, but this small hotel is tucked away from the busy.  I knew when I laid eyes on it I'd picked the perfect spot.  

Amazing and the history behind it even more so.  Owners Connie and Steve Segner first visited in 1980 and were so enchanted, they decided to build at the foothills of these Red Rock mountains. What I love are all the elements of nature and sole of the Southwest here.  Adobe style interior walls 18" thick, filled with antiques true to the style, warm and enveloping.   Open timber ceilings, fireplaces, worn leather and a little Frida Kahlo self portrait greets you in the main lobby.  Most beautiful - the outside courtyard covered in hanging vines and fire pit.  With dogs being welcome you could be sitting by the fire with a glass of wine, a good book and man's best at your feet.  It's magical out there.  This time of year, perfect - 70's during the day and 40's at night for a really good night's sleep.

Our trip was over Easter and being a planner, I found a restaurant perfect for a little early Easter dinner and booked it.  The Hudson. Not only was the food gorgeous, the view from was amazing !

One our first day out, we ventured north to Page, AZ.  About a 2 1/2 drive, but worth every minute.  Gorgeous landscape along the way.  I was on a mission to find Antelope Canyon.  Just east, on Navajo land is slot canyon they say is one of the most photographed spots in the world and I can see why.  It was stunning.  Just remember you can't just pull up and walk around.  A few tour companies have permission by the Navajo Tribe, so book this one.  You will be guided through (a straight walk at the upper canyon, a bit more of a climb on the lower) in groups of about 10.  Photographer's dream.  I wish I had had Mekenzie with me ! 

Day two we headed north again to the Grand Canyon.  Pink Jeep Tours is the way to go.  A group of 10 of us rode up with a great narrative along the way.  I wasn't expecting all the gorgeous colors and how the light hit them, gradating in their intensity.  It's was pretty amazing.

Kate has been working with water colors in her art class and admitted she can't wait to try and paint this gorgeous landscape !

Such a fun family trip.  Stay tuned for a few more pics !