Rainy Day Musings

We had been spoiled here in the Northwest with beautiful sunny skies that actually lasted for more than 4 days! The mood was showing on the faces of the usually north face clad residents of the little island hamlet where I live. Tanktops, shorts & sandals were all seen at the farmers market and dining on the deck of the Harborview Pub. It was lovely, and it was May!! Unheard of here in these parts especially this time of year!
That is why I surprised myself that I wasn’t more upset with the return of the rain. I had my first rowing class this morning and of course it poured! It has been raining non-stop, and the forcast calls for 5 more days of  unrelenting rain.
That means it’s sunroom daydreaming time! I live in a rainy climate, I daydream about this quite a bit. I have been planning the perfect sunroom for years, and hopefully, one day, I will have one to sip my tea, read my books, knit my hats and do whatever else one does in a sunroom…… ah, the possibilities.

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Scenes from a neighborhood

Where is spring?? I spent the morning battening down the lawn furniture, making sure the chickens didn’t get blown out of their coop and retrieving the recycling bin from down the street. It is a blustery, rainy day! I can only hope April showers truly bring May flowers!
Grabbing a sun break in between the rain deluge, I decided to go for a walk in my neighborhood and check out some of the nearby houses. I don’t know about you, but I have never REALLY taken the time to look at my neighborhood and the architecture of the homes in it. I live in an older area of the island, and most of the homes are turn of the century Bungalows. There are however, lovely newer homes and even some funky 70′s style residences.
I would highly recommend taking a slow stroll through your neighborhood. You may be surprised at the beauty right under your nose.

 

New Circumstance = New Perspective

Chickens & Flowers

 
As happens so often in life there has been a shift in what was once routine and normal.
These big shifts have resulted in an amazing transformation, not only in career,  but in my overall perspective.
Sustainability has always been in the back of my mind, but I wasn’t really embracing or implementing the idea in everyday life.
“Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment.  Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.”
My time away from everything I had once thought was so important, gave me a chance to reflect and an epiphany was born!
In my own little life on my little island with a postcard view of Seattle, I decided to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. Not perfect, and much room needed for improvement.. but it was a start.
Hence my gardens, chickens, refurbished/recycled stained glass windows, and more consistent use of green design practices etc.
I am very excited and encouraged by my new found lifestyle.
Here are some pictures that show some changes (in progress) that reflect my environmental transformation.
 

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New Website

I am back from a month hiatus with a new perspective.. and a new website!
Please check it out!
 
 
 
http://christinebonhamdesign.com/

Valentines Day Wishes

Valentines Day has arrived once again.
I am dreaming of romantic destinations and tropical breezes on this chilly day.
I hope your day is spent with loved ones in a perfect spot.. be it tropical or not!
“From quiet homes, and first beginning, Out to the undiscovered ends. There’s nothing worth the wear of winning, but laughter and the love of friends.” ~Hilaire Belloc

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Orange

To quote the Boston Globe.com

One of the hot home-design trends of 2012 is the color “Orange”

“Orange has been creeping onto accent pillows and small accessories, but the color is set to take over entire rooms in 2012. In a recent phone interview, TV design guru Sabrina Soto said it’s one of the many bold colors that people use as they start to grow more comfortable expressing their personalities through paint. But you won’t see it in everyone’s home next year. ‘‘I’ve hated it all my life,’’ confesses Julie Rogowski, vice president and general manager of the Boston Design Center.  ‘‘So it’s interesting that it would become a trend. If you have a bold personality you use a lot of orange.’’

Pictured: Perennials outdoor and indoor fabrics from Webster & Co. Ltd, sold at the Webster & Co. Ltd showroom.

I couldn’t be happier!!!!

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Eco Friendly Design

Environmentally friendly design has moved into the spotlight!
Green design is becoming a very welcome change for most of the general public.
You no longer have to sacrifice quality for beauty ~ Amen!
Let’s make the most out of sustainable materials, and encourage the use of recycled materials and recycling.
Green is beautiful!!

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When the weather outside is frightful… there’s nothing like a cozy cottage

When the rain or snow sets in and your fingers can’t get warm… don’t we all dream of a cozy cottage!!
Sipping tea by the fire, knitting, reading or doing what ever else seems homey.
I know I do!
If I’ve written about cottages before.. forgive me, I am obsessed!
Even if you don’t live in a “cottage”.. it really is a state of mind.
We can all do our part to cozy a home up.

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I may have slid in a few pics from an adorable Cottage themed movie.. “The Holiday”.
 
I would rather be poor in a cottage full of books than a king without the desire to read.
Thomas B. Macaulay

The Warmth of a Fire

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…

With the winter chill comes the promise of a toasty fire!

The fireplace is always the focal point and gathering spot for holiday celebrations.

Luckily, there are as many fireplace designs as there are types of homes.

I hope this holiday season finds you surrounded by loved ones and in front of a cozy fire!

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Holiday Decor

Well, it’s that time of year again…
Time to decorate our homes for the Christmas Holiday Season!
(Alright… small confession… I LOVE this time of year)
Bringing out all the old decorations and ornaments puts me immediately in a better mood. A calm comes over me as I remember the past Christmas’s of my kids and even my own childhood.
Luckily, decorating for the holidays has never been so chic!
With more people opting for a simpler, homey Christmas.. The holidays have never looked so good!

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All images courtesy of Pinterest
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