Quiet Contemplation

Today, the day after Christmas, always seems to be a quiet one filled with reflection and contemplative moments.  I'm at home with family, reading a new book and polishing off yesterday's pie stash.  What are you up to today?

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Go Play Outside

I've spent the last four days in my back yard, sprucing up the patio and planting little green things.  I've been sweeping away the winter debris and watching my kid play in the dirt and marvel at all the little shoots and sprouts that seem, to him, magically sprung from the earth.  He carves away at the soil and exclaims, "Mom!  A slippery snake!"  I run over to see him handling a severed earth worm.  "Oops," he says, "I think it got bit in half."  Spring is here and its time to play outside.  What do you have planned for your back yard?

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Chris Court

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Emerald and Blue

I think the most serene and oceanic color pairing I see these days is emerald green and blue - any shade of blue seems to work.  Sometimes the colors are really obvious and provide the base for a room, but other times, its merely a whisper of green and blue.  These colors look good on everyone and therefore, around everyone.  I would love to find a green velvet sofa like the one pictured last.  Has anyone seen something like this around?

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Chris Court

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P.S. The new Lonny Magazine comes out today! 

Raw Linen

Linen is hands down my favorite fabric.  I love the texture and feel of this old standard - the more raw and textured the better.  I wear it, I hang it, I eat off of it, I sit on it, I sleep under it - you get the idea.  I even love the wrinkle factor.  Sometimes I iron it out, but mostly I leave it be.  Do you love linen too? 

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Dark Walls

I'm always initially intimidated to go dark on my walls.  But then, when I finally do, I love it.  My two favorite rooms in my home are my black/blue dining room and my sable gray bedroom. 

via Design Labyrinth

Chris Court

via The Decorista

via Design Crisis

via Moon to Moon

via Interior Alchemy

via Little Green Notebook

via The Diversion Project

And just because this is too adorable not to share... here is a photo of Charlie sleeping in his sling yesterday afternoon.  Does it get any better than this?

Deep Color

Time to be bold and bring the jewel tones out of hiding.  Cobalt, emerald, ruby, amethyst, saffron - this time of year cries out for deep, rich color and saturated hues.  I almost wet my pants when I saw the burgundy tufted sofa below from Horchow.  Dear Santa....

Benjamin Moore

via Dwellers Without Decorators

via Bijou and Boheme

Chris Court

Horchow

Chris Court

via My Favorite and My Best

via Style At Home

P.S. Don't forget to enter THIS amazing giveaway at Art By Karena.

Making Art

"The work of art which I do not make,
none other will ever make." - Simone Veil

Olga Bennett Photography

Matisse in his studio.

Monet's studio

Chris Court Photography

Pollock in his studio.

Olga Bennett Photography

Picasso in his studio.

via Vintage Indie

The following is a clip from Milwaukee Repertory Theater's recent production of "My Name is Asher Lev" by Aaron Posner.  This scene encapsulates the theme of the play which is about what it means to make art and to be an artist. The scene is played by actors Jonathan Bock and Daniel Cantor. Enjoy!