Postcard from Paris

There’s nothing like a trip to Paris to spark creativity, especially when traveling with my dear friend and ultimate Francophile, Sue Walter (@subeeskitchen). We went to celebrate her birthday, and as always, she made the experience feel effortless—like an insider’s guide to the best of the city.

From wandering through Parisian markets and design shops to indulging in incredible food (tartines, baguettes, soufflé, aperitifs, and even a Michelin-starred meal), every moment was filled with inspiration. The focus was antiques, design, and a little local shopping, all wrapped up in Parisian charm.

Paris never fails to captivate, but experiencing it with someone who knows how to bypass the ordinary makes all the difference.

Textiles from Casa Lopez

Embroidered Raffia from Arte

Window Shopping

including one for my granddaughter, who’s convinced that I was visiting Miss Clavell

Vintage Textiles

Feel free to reach out if anything catches your eye or if you’d like to join our next excursion!

Why Bespoke Window Treatments Are the Ultimate Game-Changer for Your Space

If you can invest in only one element for your home, make it a bespoke, impeccably tailored window treatment.

Why? Because craftsmanship matters more than even the most luxurious fabric. A beautifully made window treatment is like a perfectly tailored suit—designed to fit flawlessly, highlight the best features, and subtly conceal imperfections. It’s not just decoration; it’s transformative.

The details make all the difference: generous double-turned, weighted hems; hand-stitched side seams; linings that complement the main fabric; and pleating that’s perfectly proportioned and precise. Add to that the elevated touches—mitered banding, inset or topstitched fringe trims, and meticulous pattern matching—and you’ve created something that enhances not just the window but the entire room.

Even the less-than-ideal aspects of a space can benefit from the elegance and sophistication of a couture-quality window treatment. These thoughtful details elevate the room, creating a polished and cohesive look that feels both intentional and effortless.

So, if you're looking for a single, impactful way to elevate your home, start with bespoke window treatments. They're the foundation of a space that feels both timeless and tailored to perfection.

Crafting Spaces: My Approach to Interior Design

When I envision a space, I see it as more than just a room—it's a canvas awaiting transformation, a piece of art waiting to be arranged like a composition. My approach to interior design revolves around the belief that while functionality is paramount, achieving balance in form, color, and texture is equally essential. Each element contributes to the overall harmony of the space, creating an environment that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also deeply engaging.

Form is the foundation upon which I build my designs. Whether it's the clean lines of modern minimalism or the intricate details of classical architecture, I believe that every space should have a sense of purpose and intentionality. Each piece of furniture, every fixture, and all the architectural elements work together to create a cohesive whole.

Color is where I inject personality and vibrancy into a space. I approach color palettes with careful consideration, understanding how different hues can evoke various emotions and moods. Whether it's a calming palette of soft blues and greens for a serene bedroom retreat or bold pops of color to add energy to a living room, I aim to create spaces that not only look beautiful but also feel harmonious and inviting.

Texture adds depth and richness to a space, turning a flat surface into something tactile and dynamic. From plush rugs to sleek metallic finishes, I love incorporating a variety of textures to add visual interest and dimension. Mixing and layering textures not only creates a sense of warmth and coziness but also adds an element of luxury and sophistication.

Above all, my goal is to create spaces that are not only visually stunning but also functional and livable. A beautifully designed room should enhance the lives of those who inhabit it, providing comfort, inspiration, and joy.

Artist Portia Mortensen, Works on Paper

Portia Mortensens’s works on paper from 2015-2017 are notations on the landscape that inspires her. The collection, called I Can Hear the Earth Breathe, consists of 30 works in acrylic and cold wax.

I recently acquired these works and all are available to purchase. Please follow the links to my website to learn more about Portia and her life’s work. Feel free to inquire with me directly about any of the paintings.

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Artist’s Statement

I would describe my paintings as ”notations of balance.” This series of paintings is inspired by 3 major influences: the canopy of color suspended through the change of season in my adopted home of Pennsylvania; my relationship to the horses I train and learn from everyday; and the concept of visual pattern that is found in the written language.  These influences all converge to determine the feel, movement and content of each piece.

Moving from Zimbabwe, Africa to the east Coast has opened me up to the generosity of color offered by the seasons.  This ever-changing suspension of color influences my painting at its core level.

My other passion in life, dressage, is about balance, cadence, tempo, and rhythm. All  of these elements are central themes of my work.  In riding and in painting, the artist has to work through a set tonal structure and trust her instincts to find her way out of a maze of infinite possibilities.  A painting is a living thing, and like a horse it must be listened to.  I often consider a painting finished when I can hear it. 

The visual pattern found in written language is a concept I am intrigued with.  Be it calligraphy, sheet music, a page of Braille or something as simple as a shopping list.  In an abstract sense there is an ebb and flow of characters on the page, a balance and rhythm between positive and negative shapes.  In a parallel yet more literal sense “reading between the lines” there is often more importance in what is left unsaid.  And so I ask the viewer to really look, what is the subject matter, the rocks, circles, or squares; or the foreground?  The illusion of space or dimensionality? The putting on, or taking off  of paint? That which is erased, or that which is evident?”

A Pink Christmas

A repost of last year’s holiday card, because I was more clever last year. I didn’t realize then what I know now. My first baby granddaughter was on her way and it’s been pink ever since!

It was love at first sight. Ironic because I don’t really love Christmas. And I don’t really love pink.

But I fell hard for this painting and had to have it.

Maybe I do love Christmas and maybe I do love pink. Or its 2020 and everything is backwards.

Wishing you all good cheer and many blessings this holiday season!

-Lisa

Brotherly Love

I had SO MUCH FUN working on a kitchen renovation for my brother and his wife! I am especially partial to the ( well stocked) hidden bar faced with my other brother’s photography.

from Maine Home & Design, February 2020

Gift Giving & Why Things are Important

Tears trickle down my face as I set the table for Thanksgiving, brought on by a pair of salt cellars. Tears of grief are eventually replaced with a deep gratitude for the gift of a beautiful friendship. 
 
My dearest friend happened to be a really good gift-giver.  Her gifts were always impeccably wrapped in handmade paper and knotted with her signature thick satin ribbon. Who wouldn’t be excited to open one of her treasures?  The treasures that day happened to be the silver salt cellars from a  South Carolina antiques shop. Her joy at finding and presenting the perfect gift was evident in her gleaming smile.   
 
I would say that we both enjoyed these gift exchanges. Our shared interests made thinking of the perfect gift pretty easy. Favorites were books, art, flowers, and little trinkets with a story – always presented in packaging that may have cost more than the actual gift.  Thoughtfulness was key and the pleasure really came more to the giver than to the receiver. 
 
As I fill those salt cellars for the holidays my heart is full. She is the gift. I am so thankful that she continues to touch my life in unexpected ways. I am constantly reminded of her delightfulness, someone who found joy in making others happy.
 
So do people live on in objects?
 
I often think about that, especially when selecting pieces for others. How meaningful are the things that surround us? What are those objects that touch our hearts? 
 
This holiday season, I wish all of you the peace and joy that sometimes eludes us during this season. And I remind you to give with the understanding that your thoughtfulness is the greatest commodity of all.
 
For your consideration I have assembled a few of my favorite sources for home décor, keeping in mind that rooms are more soulful when they house pieces that are handmade and alive. 

Frances Palmer has been making ceramics since 1987. Trained as an art historian, she always made work with her hands. First as a printmaker and now as a potter and gardener, she loves the process of changing ideas into form. She doesn’t make or grow things to hold onto them, but rather to send them out into the world for others to live with and enjoy. Her handmade ceramics are functional art – dish ware or vases that can be used on a daily basis. Each piece, no matter how large or small, is an individual.

The tangible beauty of nature in a gift of flowers can be most thoughtful. Bouqs is an LA based company that sources from sustainable, eco -friendly farms and are cut the day you order and shipped direct so that they last. They have a monthly subscription program and a same day delivery service that supports local florists.

Because flowers can express what sometimes words cannot, The Secret Language of Flowers by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel is a gift-worthy resource in which the author explores the meaning of flowers, compiled during his residency at the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum in Boston. Othoniel created the book while touring the magnificent gardens at the museum for his exhibition Secret Flower Sculptures, showcasing the bronze models and watercolor sketches he made while at the Museum for the Versailles project, along with the two new sculptures.

Juniper Books is next level in book presentation. A great source for color or subject specific books and collections, their custom designed jackets and libraries can also transform a space. For an even more personal library, design your own book…

Blurb is an online publishing tool that turns your ideas into professional quality books, magazines, or e-books. A cookbook, travel journal, or family album can become a beautifully bound heirloom. A family shout out to my brother Mark, a supremely talented photographer who compiled an exceptional book of photographs of a family vacation. Another family shout out to Gwenn Walsh, a supremely talented painter, chef, and jack of all trades as the author of the cookbook shown above. Her painted food illustrations are unforgettable. I count these books among my most prized possessions.

A traditional holiday gift of handmade treats is always well received. My go-to for all things kitchen related is Sue Walter. Her blog SuBee’s Kitchen is a recipe for eating and living well. Her Toffee Crunch recipe is a cinch to make, scrumptious, and delivers in the presentation department. The Peppermint Patties are simply homemade goodness. Sue also happens to be my antiquing partner. She has a keen eye, is well versed in all things French, and can transform any old thing into a treasure. She has sourced for me many pieces from the Paris Flea and I have her to thank for my burgeoning collection of McCoy Pottery. As pieces with history and patina elevate a space, giving a vintage collectible can initiate a lifelong appreciation for collecting antiques.

Collecting art can be a rewarding experience. Whether it's the subject, expression, or the simple appreciation of technique, a painting, sculpture, or photograph is the single most important element of a successful room. Many galleries exhibit small pieces during the holidays, which can be a one of a kind gift. ArtStar is an online platform for discovering and collecting contemporary art. With a team of art market experts that travel to international art fairs, galleries, and artists’ studios they create a tightly curated selection of fine art prints. ArtStar will also frame and ship work directly to your door that is ready to hang on the wall.

Our sense of smell is closely linked with our moods and feelings, probably more than any of our other senses. Give the gift of a home fragrance from perfumeries Le Labo or Diptyque that offer room sprays, hourglass diffusers, sachets, and candles that not only scent your home, but look lovely. Companies Aroma360 and Aera have adapted a technology that can scent your home through its central air system. And custom fragrance company 12.29 sells candles poured in Limoges porcelain with scents named It was All a Dream, This Feels Dangerous, and A ForgottenMemory.

Kitchen Confidential

A lovely magazine debuted this year and I was thrilled to be included in their inaugural issue. Thread Magazine is the brainchild of Chad and Katie Groves from Studio 882, a furniture showroom in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. The magazine was mailed out to 10,000 residents along the Main Line and Chester County and the quality of the magazine feels and reads like Architectural Digest. Several local and national designers were featured and some quality content was published. I am so excited for their next issue to drop. If you don't live in the area, check out the online version at Thread Magazine, Studio 882.

In the Kitchen Confidential article, a few of my kitchen projects are featured along with my thoughts on the evolution of the design. My gratitude for the piece and shout out goes to Katie and the team at Thread.

Maine Home & Design

Designer Lisa Walsh wanted to create a sensual, spa-like retreat for her clients. She incorporated elements inspired by Maine’s natural environment, such as the sea, sky, and woods, along with traditional details that reflect the family’s heritage. Because the wife has a background in the furniture industry, the nuances of neoclassical and Hepple-white-style furniture are familiar to the clients. Walsh incorporated fine-furniture details throughout the space and designed the vanities based on antique family pieces found throughout the home. One client’s favorite color, sea glass blue, was incorporated in custom cabinetry. The client wanted formal lighting and furniture details throughout, so Walsh brought in shiplap, grass-cloth, and glass tiles to add texture and to keep the space from feeling too precious. The locally photographed rock art is another nod to nature that brings balance to the space.
Walsh strives to design spaces that reflect her clients and honor their individuality. The homeowners wanted a refined space—one that would reflect the home’s natural Maine setting but also include traditional fixtures and furnishings, such as a Victorian tub, blue-painted vanities, and ornate sconces. The challenge was to balance the seemingly disparate elements to create this unique and highly personalized space that feels collected and genuine.