Kate Long Stevenson

On my daily blog roll, I came across the art of Kate Long Stevenson, an incredible artist from Greensboro, North Carolina. Erin from Elements of Style (one of my favourite blogs!) had picked up on a few of Stevensons' pieces, and they immediately caught my attention!


Her use of bright colours, bold brushstrokes and the female figure give all of her art such an original and uplifting look. I love her work and would hate to ever have to choose which one to keep! Shop here.

How Sweet it is...

There's something so sweet and delicate about cherry blossoms. Pale pink buds, slim rustic branches and occasional wisps of small green leaves.


This time of year, cherry trees and branches mark the pages of bridal magazines, but why just enjoy them on special occasions? Wallpaper and fabric companies have begun using the cherry blossom motif in both modern and traditional ways. Beautiful in a dressing room, bedroom room or powder room, ROMO's Seraphine collection makes me drool every time I look at it (below).


I'm not typically a fan of artificial "light-up" plants (who is?), but I thought these branches
were really pretty.





I originally found this picture (below) on Martha Stewart a number of years ago, printed it out and intended on making the DIY project one day. Well, more than a few rainy days have come and gone, and I don't think I'm any closer to creating this for myself but I do LOVE this idea....Paper Cherry Blossom display. Martha has diagrams and everything to make this simple, and I love the effect. Possibly a good craft for kids too? I think those plastic scissors with no blades would cut through tissue, no?

The Real Deal

So we've experienced nature overkill of the Woods-wallpaper kind...but let's not give up on the tree theme altogether. I've been a fan of the tree/leaf motif ever since Jennifer Aniston wore this beautiful gold leaf necklace in The Break-Up. Then the contemporary, indoor-types went wild for unfinished wood, rustic touches, and of course, Cole & Son wallpaper. Well, I'm willing to bet on the next green-chic accessory for the home. Don't laugh. Someday you'll have one too. A wood stump side table.
This is definitely not encouragement to go out to your neighbourhood forest and have fun with a little DIY project. Someone in Toronto will happily sell one to you, so save your man the dirty work.



People have been onto this idea for a long time - in Sudbury. They've been using these stumps to sit around campfires for...probably centuries. Now, the YUPPIE communities will bring them inside.


Consider it a side table, extra seating at parties or just a little touch from the great outdoors. This is the real deal.


If you're too nervous to go for the true lumberjack cutting, these lovely alternatives (from Arteriors Home) might just do...