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A case of the 2011′s?

Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:49:54 +0000

The start of February is here! This time of year I always find myself under the weather, tired, sad, depressed, lost – I dunno, just generally out of sorts. You recall my just after Christmastime post in 2011, don’t you? Or the after Christmas post from 2010? Well, thankfully I have this trusty blog to look back upon and realize it is just how things go!
Perhaps all the excitement between Halloween and New Years keeps me up, up, up and then it gets quiet and I start realizing another year has passed? It might just be that I am just sad to see all the holiday decorations get packed away - they certainly warm up our place! Over the last month I have been working on a list of what I want to do to really finish off the country house.I’ve gotten quotes for slipcovering the pair of vintage sofas in our fireplace room and estimates on the upholstered headboard I have been dream decorating with for the last year. The fabric is on order for the double dutch pillows, duvet cover, and scatter pillows for the library sofas. I got pricing for upholstering the asymmetrical club chairs and a set of petite french chairs and ottoman. (I purchased those cuties in early 2001 and never did anything with them – but now they’ve found a home in the library and look totally ridiculous with white cotton muslin on them!) And last but not least: I have been looking into wallpaper. $$$ Ouch. Doing the entire room would be incredibly expensive. Amazing, but expensive! I hope to slowly and surely chip away at these projects until they are all completed.Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty to look forward to this year. I have a rekindled friendship and now business relationship with the fellas from High Falls Mercantile. Did you see? They’re selling my letterpress stationery designs! Currently, they have my Perfect Pear and Spooning Leads to Forking cards in the shop. In the future we plan to do a line that will be sold exclusively though the store. No one is getting rich and retiring off of paper goods, but it is really cool of them to show their support this way. (Thanks to photographer Jean Kallina who did a Valentines Day blog post on HFM and included photos of my stationery!)I’ve also got two new interior decorating projects on my desk (I’m *this* close to getting a third one!) and lots of innovative ideas floating around in my head. So it’s all good. Though sometimes when I am feeling a bit weary, I like to see what others are saying about blogging, social media and their thoughts on all the energy and effort that people are putting into it.I liked what Melissa at The Inspired Room recently had to say about blogging in 2011. The Nester pointed out some interesting things about Pinterest that I hadn’t considered before. (I have yet to really embrace Pinterest, but when I do pin, you can find my Pinterest page here.) I also enjoyed reading Meg Worden’s ‘Eat Like an Artist’ on the Elephant Journal and Thomas O’Brien’s thoughtful take on being an interior designer and upscale merchant in the age of social media.
Makes you think, eh? Now that we’re though the first month of the new year my question is: how is 2012 treating you so far?

Images Etsy 1, 2, 3, Lemon Cake, Aero

Desserts for Breakfast {eye-catching photography}

Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:44:53 +0000

Today we’re installing the core furniture pieces for a NYC apartment design project that I am working on. We’re redesigning the living room and dining area of their rental apartment. We purchased pieces that will easily transition with them as they move apartments and as their family grows. Fingers crossed, it all goes smoothly!While I am off arranging furniture, please be sure to check out the ultra inspiring food and lifestyle photography at Desserts for Breakfast. You won’t be sorry that you did!

What’s the fuss about GMO?

Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:09:05 +0000

I remember when I was in college and they started adding the Bovine Growth Hormone to milk. I made a conscious choice to consume dairy that was clearly marked organic and hormone free. If it wasn’t clearly marked, I didn’t want to chance it. My theory: who knew what implications could come down the road from drinking milk that had been pumped full of hormones?
As the years pass, I am finding it increasingly difficult to navigate the grocery store and feel that I am making the right choices for our refrigerator. The more and more I read about GMO’s, the scarier it gets. I think they should label GMO foods so that we can confidently make a choice in the grocery store. If you’re interested in this topic you can learn more about Genetically Modified Food on Grist and Food Politics.
BTW: I am always a little weary about signing online petitions – and this is by no means forcing you to do the same – but there are people out there that are working to cease FDA ties to Monsanto. In my opinion, this might be a good place to start as it seems our current situation is like asking a fox to guard the hen house.
Images via the ultra-inspirational food photography blog Lottie and Doof.

{interior design as inspiration} Kay Douglass

Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:41:47 +0000

{Images via Design In The Woods, Atlanta Homes, House Beautiful, McAlpine Tankersley, Coastal Living - Belgian inspired interior design by Kay Douglass from South of Market}

Gloomy Grey Friday {I sort of like it like that}

Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:46:13 +0000

Just got word that there is a red tag sale happening at Hammertown. I might swing into Rhinebeck this weekend to check out this mid century modern nightstand and mid century modern chest for The Country House. The colors online appear to be just right for the direction that I am planning to take in the interior design of our fireplace room…Images from Houzz, SF Girl By the Bay, Design Sponge, Art via Lisa Kairos, Brooklyn Tweed, Sweet Paul, Debi Treloar via Pinterest.