A Quick Vacation to Chi-town

A few weeks ago I took a quick trip to Chicago to visit my son, who is in grad school at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and his long time girl friend.  The morning of my flight I said to Bethany, "I sure wish you were coming with me".  20 minutes later she booked a last minute flight that came in at the same time as mine from a different airport and we totally shocked Michael, who had no idea Bethany was coming. 

 It was the greatest time having my kids with me 'en totale' again; one of those "mom" moments when all is right with the world.  

We literally checked off the entire list of all things touristy in Chicago, within the two days Bethany was there.  I stayed four, and took a slower pace once she left, doing things Mike, Lauren and I love to do, like meandering through art museums and going to see the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

The architecture, the wonderful boutiques, coffee shops and side streets outside the city in Wicker Park were fascinating. I am not a city girl, but enjoy all the sights and sounds of a bustling city, as a visitor and I especially enjoy the cultural aspects and flagship stores!

Here are some highlights and special moments!

 [The view from the 95th floor at the John Hancock building.]

[ Such phenomenal architecture all around.]

[The Art Institute of Chicago was fabulous,

with a Frank Gehry building just across the park.]

 [Loved this painting: The Big Red Ball by Ellen Lanyon]

 [...and of course a Picasso or two]

[The Ralph Lauren store was so dreamy.]

[The Restoration Hardware store was amazing 

as we shopped with Prosecco in hand.  This was the RH cafe.]

 [We took in a Cubs vs. Pirates game at Wrigley Field,

 a venue on my bucket list.]

I had never been to Chicago before and it was really a treat. 

I hope you're doing something fun this summer! 

 Have you been on vacation?

Recently

Hi there - Bethany here.  Remember me?  Mom's been doing a bang-up job of picking up my slack while I've been totally checked out.  Back to reality really did suck after a lovely 10-day vacation at Bethany Beach!  We rested, relaxed, shivered a little in the mid-September chill, tried to eat our way back to our pre-goal weight enjoying all of our favorite food haunts and just plain savored the low-traffic atmosphere of the beach post tourist season.  The dogs had the time of their lives as well.

As I mentioned, my Uncle and family graciously opened their home to us for the week and we couldn't be more appreciative.  Wilma ran out into the bay every time we opened the door, we lounged on the deck soaking in the views and watched tons of movies at night.  Really catching up on things we've managed to breeze over during the course of a busy year.

I wanted to share some of our views and the beautiful home my family has made at Bethany.  My Uncle designed and built this house years ago, an architect by trade but clearly good taste has transcended the test of time as all the original fixtures and furniture are still relevant.  The house is a wood-siding contemporary and decorated with quite a mix of mid-century and beachy items.  You instantly feel at home when you walk in the door. Situated right on the bay, it's the perfect spot.  Uncle Jack positioned the house just so that all of the windows all around the house can be opened to utilize the cross breezes from both the ocean and the bay.  My late Aunt layered in beautiful navy batik and Chinois fabrics on the pillows and linens (sorry, I forgot to get a picture of them) which also stay relevant somehow!

My Aunt Noma was a wonderful artist and most of her work is proudly displayed throughout the home.  Do you spy one of Mom's silkscreens in the vignette?  Noma was always super supportive of Mom during her art career, which endeared her to us even more. 

The view from the back of the house is really something, overlooking Assawoman Bay (a name we had a hayday with as kids, feeling like we were breaking all kinds of codes saying it out loud!), which spans from Delaware down to Maryland.  A great blue awning provides shade from the late day sun that bounces off the water. The neighborhood that houses this spot has become overrun with really nondescript, super-sized homes with grey metal siding which makes this charmer stand out even more. 

We were so thankful for our time here. 

The week following vacation was one of my toughest.  We finished up a kitchen design project, met with some new clients, juggled a trip to the vet with a sick Wilmy, competed in a dog show with Seamus this past weekend and decided to downsize our beloved family SUV for something smaller and better on gas.  Talk about easing back into it...not! To top it all off, Mom is gearing up for a spur-of-the-moment trip to Italy for two weeks so things remain in constant flux!  I'm trying to find some time to breathe and remember our lovely restful week at the beach and gear up for a new month ahead.  I'm feeling like I'm neglecting so many things because of all of our commitments lately, and haven't had much time to celebrate and share our life's excitements.  What I'd really like to do is to have a rainy, chilly day and hole up in bed with the first 3 seasons of Downton Abbey.  Mother nature, you listening?

I hope this month brings lots of good excitement for you too.  Meanwhile, I'll be practicing my breathing techniques and trying not to get sick.

If you need me...

I'll be by the beach!

This morning, we're taking off for a week at the beach - our favorite spot in the entire world, Bethany Beach, Delaware.  A bittersweet trip for sure - we won't be staying at our family beach cottage this year (or anymore) as it was  sold this summer by my grandfather.  Luckily, we have some pretty amazing family members who have kindly opened their arms and welcomed us to their beach house for the week.  My grandmother's family 'colonized' there about the same time in the 1950's and purchased homes nearby to each other to enjoy summers together.  My great-uncle, my grandmother's brother, was an architect and built his very contemporary beach house to fully utilize the breezes and winds off the bay to circulate air through the house and situated it at a wonderful spot to enjoy the views and put boats in the water.  We are more than thrilled to be staying here for the week, as this place feels just as much as home (if not more!) than our former beach cottage.  My great-aunt decorated the house with serious style, mid-century lighting and seating throughout.  

Wilma taking a dip in the bay.

The pups will enjoy slothing down the boat ramp into the bay and Seamus will be seeing the ocean for the first time in his little life.  I coulnd't be more appreciative for the break and change of scenery.  My husband went on a chartering fishing trip yesterday and we're hoping to grill the rewards of his trip this week for dinners alfresco.  Just being there, being in beach-mode, is what we look forward to all year long.  I feel like summer passed us by this year, waiting until September to take vacation.  But I can imagine the lower tourist intake and the slower vibe will be worth the wait.  See you next week, friends!

You have til Sunday to enter our GIVEAWAY!

Tryin to find my groove

Mom asked when I was going to get my posting groove back.  Of course I am, I'm just lacking inspiration lately. I've been up to my anklebiters in puppy lovin'.  And babysitting the puppy.  And stopping to kiss the puppy.  If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, I'm sure you've seen a lot of him.  But I have to listen to all of my friends and all of the people all over the world talk about and overly photograph their kids, so I'm going to do it with mine! And I'm trying to snap tons of pics of him while he's little, since it doesn't last long.   

Baby Shamey wishes everyone a Happy Halloween!

Batten down the hatches for Sandy...

Loving his seeeester on the way home from Asheville

We had beautiful weather on vacation!

My adorable hubby on top of Chimney Rock!

 Other blips on my radar include putting some finishing touches on my house.  We're having a good friend who happens to be a spectacular photographer snap some shots of our spaces we've designed for our portfolio and that includes my abode.  I'd love to get a lot more done before the shoot, but there just aren't enough hours in the day.  

Prime/Paint kitchen cabinets

Install open shelving in kitchen

Put guest bathroom back together post reno

Touch up bathroom paint

Upholster settee

Finish painting guest bedroom

styling guest bedroom

roman shade for guest bedroom

Paint exterior french doors

Put up new shutters

Install glass tile backsplash - questionable

Hang pendants in kitchen

I wanted to makeover my kitchen in 2012 and while there's still time, it just hasn't been a priority.  I have all the styling elements, it just comes down to finding the time to put in the elbow grease (sanding, priming and painting cabinets).  I have long been decided on the dark lower cabinet and light upper cabinet look but I'm starting to rethink that in favor of all white.  

These are some of my faves.  I'm floating somewhere in between all of the glass mullions and mirrored cabinet doors and the moody contrast.

Hopefully I'll be back with some decor content ASAP :)

-Bethany

Think hiring a designer is too expensive? Think again! There are so many different ways to work with a designer. We offer room consultations, paint suggestions, shopping and sourcing, complete room and house redo's, staging and reworking your current furniture, spot-checks in areas that aren't quite gelling and many other services. eBoards are a quick and easy way to get a design look and feel in your home. While hiring a designer may cost you a bit extra, we aim to save you money by preventing costly mistakes in your design plan.

Asheville-Bound

Mom and I are like ships passing in the night this week.  I'm off to the mountains for the week while she is just returning from a beach vacay with the girls.  My husband and I are spending the week at my in-law's cabin just outside of Asheville.  I'm sure it will be beautiful this time of year.

Wish I was going a week earlier to catch some of the High Point Market, but maybe next year.  Hopefully by then we'll be juggling clients (wishful thinking!). 

We'll be snuggling with baby Seamus and Wilma on the porch

 and I'll be pretending to wear awesome mountainy outfits like this.  

I'm hoping to make it to Black Mountain for some shopping, Lake Lure and Chimney Rock for some scenery and hiking and maybe a little wine tasting at The Biltmore.

Chimney Rock, where they filmed Last of the Mohicans.

Talk to you next week.  Have a great week.

-Bethany

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P.S. If you haven't voted for Bethany's room on Apartment Therapy please do!! We just found out that you can only place one vote per email address this first round. If she makes it into the finals you can vote as many times as you want!!!  Thanks so much for your support.

Think hiring a designer is too expensive? Think again! There are so many different ways to work with a designer. We offer room consultations, paint suggestions, shopping and sourcing, complete room and house redo's, staging and reworking your current furniture, spot-checks in areas that aren't quite gelling and many other services. eBoards are a quick and easy way to get a design look and feel in your home. While hiring a designer may cost you a bit extra, we aim to save you money by preventing costly mistakes in your design plan.