2015 | Year In Review

Every year I do a little recap on New Year's Eve - a sort of celebration of all that has transpired. I love the energetic push that comes after Christmas. Everyone is looking forward and turning a new leaf. It's been a strange year, though.  Cosmic flux, planets in retrograde and huge life transitions have been the norm. I've ended relationships and even lost a few dear friends to cancer. "Goodbye" pops up frequently in my vocabulary these days. The confusion that comes with big transitions has left me wondering about my trajectory, but I'm also grateful for these hard months. Reflection and change always bode well.

In years past, this New Year's review post usually features lots of home improvement projects and outward shows of progress. But as I look back on 2015, I see mostly internal shifts and personal highlights. But before we get to the review, I want to acknowledge YOU. Thank you, friends, for your faithful readership. Even as my blog morphs and I go through fallow blogging periods, you're still here. Thank you, thank you. I hope you have a beautiful New Year's Eve and that 2016 brings you a healthy dose of magic.

Here is the 2015 La Maison Boheme Year In Review!

ONE

I updated our home tour! 

TWO

My family was featured in the Advocate.

THREE

Our hens started laying eggs!

FOUR

I completed a 25 piece commission for Choice Hotels. 

FIVE

We opened our new AirBnB studio.

SIX

We completed our new bathroom remodel. 

SEVEN

I began working as Creative Director for Statera Foundation.
Then I helped organize the inaugural Statera Conference for gender parity in the theatre.

EIGHT

I drove cross country with my kids and spent 

a month at my mother's farm in Eastern Oregon. 

NINE

I was featured in American Theatre Magazine. 

TEN

I built and launched my new website.

ELEVEN

I attended the Texas Style Council Blogger's Retreat in Austin, TX.

TWELVE

I designed our chicken coop (built and engineered by James Curvan) with 100% recycled materials.

THIRTEEN

I attended Flora Bowley's Bloom True art workshop in Portland. 

FOURTEEN

I made a fire pit in our back yard.

FIFTEEN

I got another tattoo to honor my brother who died in August of 2014.

SIXTEEN
I published 12 home tours on Houzz.com.
Below is a photo from my favorite tour of a glass spirit house in Eastern Oregon.

Belle Époque Paris Apartment

When it comes to design, the Art Nouveau era is my favorite. Art Nouveau is a style of decorative art, architecture, and design prominent in western Europe during the latter part of the Belle Époque era (1871 until the outbreak of World War I). Art Nouveau is usually characterized by intricate linear designs and flowing curves based on natural forms. And after seeing The Danish Girl, which features some incredible Art Nouveau locations, I'm on a kick.

Alicia Vikander in 'The Danish Girl'

Last weekend, I had an opportunity to see Tom Hooper's The Danish Girl. The film is gorgeous and I think the performances are stellar. I wish the script dove a little deeper, but I can absolutely appreciate the intent of the author and director. The Danish Girl is an exquisitely crafted film - the stark Copenhagen apartment location, the Art Nouveau Parisian set decorating, costumes and era-specific details are astonishing to see on the big screen. Alicia Vikander, who plays Gerda Wegener, has the most incredible wardrobe. I think I'm ready to transition my entire closet to turn-of-the-century European attire. Take a look...

And here is the Paris apartment:

Baby Grand

I play the piano, as does my 8-year old son. We've been happily using an out-of-tune spinet for the past five years, but we recently happened upon a paper advertisement in the music department of a local university for a baby grand. Our wheels started turning. Could we afford it? Could we justify the expense? Alas, the answer was "no".

But this Christmas, my Dad surprised our little family with a very big gift. He made it possible for us to purchase the baby grand and have it delivered to our home just before the holiday. We are over-the-mood excited to have such a lovely instrument in our midst. When we get her all tuned up, I'll make a little video for you!

A fun side note: The previous piano owner is Peter Protzman, a designer for Herman Miller. He is the designer of many of Herman Miller's most successful furniture pieces. For instance, THESE chairs, THESE chairs and THIS desk are among my favorite of his creations. It was a pleasure to meet Peter and his wife and purchase their piano!

In the Studio | Holiday Commissions

I hope you all had a beautiful Solstice and Christmas. I wanted to thank everyone who commissioned holiday work from me this year. It was such a pleasure to paint for you. Here's a taste of the new work...

Silk Road  -  20" x 20" acrylic on canvas

This Way  -  20" x 17" acrylic on canvas

This Way (detail)

This Way (detail)

Radical Homemaking | Winter Garden

Time for our weekly installment of Radical Homemaking. Interested in learning more about what that means, check out THIS post and THIS post. 


The winter garden is still going strong. Perhaps that's because the weather in Dallas has remained warm. Today we hit 77 degrees! I've still got chard, kale, broccoli and a host of herbs in the raised beds. The chickens have begun to molt (they look pretty weird right now) and they've also stopped laying. There just aren't enough daylight hours. Some neighbors suggested that I put a bulb in their coop to keep up the egg productions, but I think they could use a break. They'll start up again in the early spring.

The Seed Saver's Exchange catalog arrived last week and I've already begun making my list for spring seeds and transplants. It's such a pleasure to sit in the dark of winter and dream about the spring garden to come. Things that bombed last year will be pushed aside for new varieties. And the veggies that flourished will be welcome for a reprise. Mine is a trial and error garden. Survival of the fittest!

What's in your winter garden?

Around the House | Solstice Edition

Here at La Maison Boheme, things are slowing down. Hibernation and quiet are the order of the day. We have family visiting from out of town. Checker boards and puzzles are scattered across the dining room table. Holiday music is streaming. Football games are being recorded. Short brisk walks are taken in the mid-afternoon. Baked goods move in and out of the oven.

Today is the winter solstice. The whole world spins on a dark axis, waiting to be reborn into the light. But inside these four walls, we're toasty and well-fed. Gratitude abounds and my little ones anticipate Christmas. I hope you're all warm and well and with someone you love. Here's a little taste of our holiday scene: