Happy Halloween !

It’s a beautiful day in Texas for Halloween and trick-or-treaters….cool, crisp fall weather with just enough chill to make it festive, but not so much that you’d need a coat for chasing goblins tonight.



After today, we'll move on to thoughts of Thanksgiving...pumpkins will remain, but they won't show their eerie faces any longer, and we'll spend more time thinking about what we're buying for Christmas than what our Halloween costume will look like.



I know that Halloween is about the ghouls and the scary faces, and that a Jack-o-lantern is all about being scary….



But I’ve always liked Jacks who were of a friendlier persuasion.

 
As a designer, I prefer them to be decorated with pretty patterns and unexpected, non-Halloween-y designs.



But I am in awe of those carving masters who do amazing things with their medium of choice.

Ray Villafane (Winner of the Outrageous Pumpkin contest on Food Network)

But my favorite carver is also my favorite son. 

 

But he kind of blew me away with his latest one this weekend…..(forgive the unabashed parental pride going on here!….)

OK….you can applaud now!  How cool is that!

Happy Halloween, Everyone!!

Duralee is Dura-Divine!

Tomorrow is an exciting day at Sally J. Designs.
Duralee, one of my favorite fabric companies, will be showcased at my studio! 

Duralee has been my “go-to” fabric source since going into design 12 years ago, and they never disappoint in their comprehensive collection of fabrics.
They probably have the largest print collection of any fabric house working today.  You’ve seen them all over blogland if you’ve been looking (and I have!)

                                                       

Duralee – Lassen

 

 Thomas Paul for Duralee

I’ve used Duralee and Highland Court so many times over the years.

At HighPoint market last week, Duralee introduced two new lines that I’ve not seen in person yet.

The Mateo collection

The Walton Collection

 

I understand that there are new color-ways in the Wainwright Collection as well.

Can’t wait to see them in person, feel them and imagine projects with them!

Dean is brining them tomorrow!  Yippee!

This year, Duralee became the US representatives for the English fabric house,

Clarke and Clarke.

This new line has a different vibe, and has been a great addition to the Duralee fabric family.

I’m excited to show what’s new from Clarke and Clarke.

Clarke and Clarke also has wallpaper, and that’s new for Duralee. 
Duralee isn’t just all about fabric.  They manufacturer over 1200 different pieces of upholstered furniture and case goods here in the USA.  All of the finest quality, their craftsmanship delivers heirloom quality goods that complement their outstanding array of fabrics.




Duralee has teamed up with world-famous designers to bring exclusive collections to the markeplace.
You’ve seen Thomas Paul everywhere!

    
His new collection is nature inspired and available in great patterns and colorways.

Duralee has hopped on the sustainable train with “Green” fabrics from Clodagh, an Irish industrial designer who is a leader in the manufacturing of sustainable products.  Her  “Global Passages” line of fabrics for Duralee are not only “green” but lovely.


Duralee is clearly a leader in the interior design industry.  Family owned and operated, Duralee is always providing something new and exciting to make our homes more beautiful.  
If you’re in the Dallas area, I hope you’ll stop by and meet Dean, have a bit of refreshment and take a look at all the new pretties that Duralee brings to us.  We’ll be here 11-6, so I hope you can come.
Just divine!!

Today's MY Day!

October is a big month in my family....Today is MY birthday, and I"m celebrating Tyler's first birthday with about 30 other people....and half of those are under 3 !! EEEkkkk   So glad their parents will be attending the party too!

Anyway, because it's my day, I'm just going to share some of my favorite things with you. 

I love painted furniture.  I love to paint it myself, and I appreciate the art of others....like this butterfly!

BHG

 I'm a big fan of the Impressionists...Monet' "Waterlilies" ......breathtaking!

Monet'

I love velveteen....especially in tomato red

House Beautiful

Or teal blue.

Elle Decor

 I love the idea of living in a barn....a beautiful, converted one, of course!

Elle Decor

I love to make things, and I love having everything I need for a project when I get a wild hair to do something at 10pm.

Nest

Seems like I'm always working on these at that time.....but they're my fav thing to make in the fall.

Sally J. Designs

I love creating precious nurseries.

Sally J. Designs

 
I love dishes....all kinds....all colors....all styles.

John Jacobs

Bold, big graphic prints always make me smile!  Probably a throwback from my mural-painting days.

Robin Bell Designs

 Chocolate in any form

Design that doesn't take itself so seriously!

Porto Romana Lighting

 I love to create kitchens....soup to nuts!

Sally J. Designs

And we can't forget about my roomates......



 

Yall have a great weekend.....I'm off to make cupcakes for the party!

Happy Birthday, Tyler

This year each of my children have had babies, and I've gladly entered the amazing world of being a grandmother.  Truly, there's no greater love!!

Tyler James, son of my son Matt and his wife Erin, is one year old today.

Happy Birthday, sweet boy!