Beautiful Pillows!

I think I am pretty well known for my love of beautiful textiles. It has been a passion of mine for many years. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet a woman who makes the most beautiful pillows using antique trims and designer fabrics. She also brought in some petite Christmas stockings that would be perfect for gift enclosures. Below are a few photos.....

Painting Workshops at The Purple Pear

It's amazing what a difference that 1) ample space, 2) tailored lighting and 3) an extra-large table can make when teaching a workshop! I am having so much fun teaching Chalk Paint™ techniques in my larger quarters!

I taught a furniture painting workshop tonight in this new space. They brought the wine. I brought the cheese and crackers plus a little paint and wax. I will post photos in a few days of their fun pieces.

Dressed for a Grand Opening Week!

I am proud to say that the unloading, pricing, and displaying of inventory is done and the store is formally ready for its official grand opening week starting today and ending on Saturday evening! When I look at the construction photos, I realize what a long way we have come in a relatively short time.

In any remodel, it is sometimes hard to imagine if it will ever end. One tends to get lost in the mire of details, dirt, dust, and empty rooms with barren ceilings and holes in the walls. Yet when all is in place, it is hard to imagine what it looked like before the whole project began.

Every season offers something creative and fun, but during the holiday season any display is sparkly and dressy and magical. And now I am beginning to think about the window display for January and how it will look. My creative spirit has been energized, and I am ready to launch new ideas and looks. If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello and take a peek at the newest look for The Purple Pear!

Work Book Launch Party!

I am so excited about Annie Sloan's newest book!! I am hosting a launch party at my new location on NE Glisan Street in Portland, Oregon on Thursday, December 13 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. We will paint swatches, jot down design ideas, cut fabric swatches and magazine clippings. This latest book is sure to bring you lots of inspiration as well as remind you of all your ideas that you might explore in the middle of the night. It will be a keeper of dreams and doodles. What fun!

Back to The Purple Pear

I have had a few days to relax near Houston, Texas with my husband, oldest daughter, and three grandchildren over the Thanksgiving holiday. My grandchildren agreed to visit a home where their mother spent some of her childhood and then we were off to bake Christmas cookies and spend one last night together.

After we took the grandkids to school on Monday, we drove to Round Top to do some antiquing along the way before we headed back to Houston to fly out to Portland. As we headed back, I saw this sign designating Rachel Ashwell's prairie B&B and shop in the countryside near Round Top. I knew she lived near the area, but was surprised when I saw the sign designating the site.

In one of my visits to an antique shop in the town of Brenham I discovered the most delightful shop called "Gypsy Antiques". It had the most wonderful array of collections, and I saw this painted shelf and thought it was so beautiful!

Today I returned to my shop with the anticipated delivery of a new line of paint! I have added another decorative/furniture paint from Miss Mustard Seed! The packaging and the names of the paint colors are so delightful, "Tricycle, Typewriter, Kitchen Scale, Grain Sack, Luckette Green, Mustard Seed Yellow, Flow Blue, Shutter Gray, and French Enamel. Well let's see if we can't find our way to some expression and adventure with these enticing names!

Fun!!!

The move to this new location is coming into its own sort of peace and contentment. It all began with the incredible Annie Sloan and now it is "unfolding" and embracing all manner of new ventures and ideas and colors and dreams.

A supportive husband!

I just want to acknowledge my husband, Solon, in this post for all the work he has done and help he has given since he arrived home from the East Coast where he had been working for the last year and a half. He has been there in my new store since we first opened the door.

Never one to complain, he has helped so many customer during this remodel with saws blaring, ceilings falling down, and workers coming and going, all with the grace of his positive demeanor. Now he is beginning the clean-up of the store.

I have been trying to do outside shows to get the word out that we have been open all along and that we also have a new address!! On Sunday I spent the day cleaning up the space and today we bring in lots of new merchandise. Our "official" grand opening and party is December 8 from 4 to 7 PM.

When you are driving down Glisan Street, look for the yellow building with the purple door. The big Purple Pear sign will go up when the rain stops, hopefully soon!

Bragging Rights and Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton has a new book out by Rizzoli that focuses on design and architecture. Now I am sure most of you are thinking that she is an actress and what does she know about house design and anything related. However, look at her style. Some may think her eccentric, but I have always loved her style because she exemplifies someone who knows what she likes and has stayed true to this focus for as long as I can remember. Besides, I am smitten with her hats and clothing and how she carries her style with grace, confidence and panache.

So after my nightly trip to Home Depot I came home to a husband hungry who wanted a quick and easy meal. We walked to a nearby restaurant, and just as we arrived home, our daughter sent us a text message saying she was at a book signing for her design company in LA featuring Diane Keaton and her new book and here was the photo. Seldom do I feature personal things on this blog, but really, it was difficult not to be excited about all of the above. Almost done with my remodel. A few more trips to Home Depot and then a day to bring in all the merchandise waiting for a cozy home in which to be displayed. Stay tuned. We are in the midst of planning our fun grand opening!