Snowman image from a new to me blog called Kris’s Color Stripes – it’s worth a peek… she does absolutely breathtaking things with color! All the rest of the pics are mine. (They’re taken by my crappy and nearly dead Fiji digital snap-shot.) Next on my list: figuring out my Nikon DSLR. Gawd, I am so intimidated. Oh, by the way… I posted my banana bread recipe over at EAD Living this week. It’s so totally tasty and a complete breeze to whip together. Click here to be redirected.

9 Comments » Posted by ABCD / City Apartment and Interior Design as Inspiration and Nesting and Personal and Uncategorized

Images via Creative Geisslein, Country Living, Desire to Inspire, Home Sweet Home, We Heart It, This is Glamorous, I’m That Nice Girl

6 Comments » Posted by ABCD / Nesting and Uncategorized

Nesting Newbies has got it right. Instead of focusing on the only the wedding day, their virtual magazine is geared to married life. Everything from recipes to décor, setting up house, and all things nesting related – they’ve got you covered. {Sound familiar? winkwink} Totally.Up.My.Alley! Needless to say, I was beyond delighted and completely honored when I realized that Nesting Newbies gave a nice tip-of-the hat to ABCD Design on page 129! Best blogs? Thank YOU very much.
You can peruse the entire winter issue of Nesting Newbies by clicking here. While you’re there, be sure to enter to win the Nesting Newbies Bluebird Swag-Bag – a prize worth over $1500.00! You can also follow them on Twitter @NestingNewbies for up-to-the-moment latest and greatest tips for making your “house” a home *sweet* home.

4 Comments » Posted by ABCD / In The News and Nesting and Thank You For The Mention and Uncategorized

I have a nice selection of glass cubes and fish-bowl globes from my days in floral design school, but you can pick them up at Jamali Garden for a song. (I’m talking a few bucks a piece.) You’ll want a 6×5 glass globe and some polished stones. Don’t be shocked, the stones cost quite a bit. However, they are reusable so you will have them from here on out for flower arrangements in the future.
Since Valentines is right around the corner and you might not have the pleasure of time to order from Jamali – you could ask your florist to sell you a 6×5 glass fish-bowl. It’s the sort of thing most florists keep in stock. Also ask your florist for a single “blown open” rose with bear grass greenery.


It’s all quite easy to put together. Place the some stones in the glass globe first. You’ll have to eyeball it since they vary in size. Then add a swirl of Bear Grass. You can use the stones to keep the grass ends in place. Add cool water until you’ve covered about half of the Bear Grass. Cut the Rose stem off at an angle just below the steeples. (Steeples are the pointy bits that look like a crown at the base of the flower bud.) Make sure the stem is long enough for the flower to drink water once it’s in the globe. Place in the water.

Ta-dah! I realize we didn’t recreate the wheel here or anything. But it is nice to have a little reminder of Valentines Day to brighten up the table without breaking the bank!

3 Comments » Posted by ABCD / Nesting and Uncategorized

No matter what objects you collect ~ make an effort to display them! There is no sense in having an interesting collection if they are just packed away in a cupboard or attic. Believe me, with all our cool collections in storage I have realized how important it is to live with the items that you love.

P.S. All of the beautiful images in this post (except the last, which is mine) are from Country Living Magazine. Get up to the moment country decorating tips, recipes and happenings by following them @CountryLiving.

7 Comments » Posted by ABCD / Collections and Nesting and The Country House and Uncategorized