I’m always inspired by my friend, Netta’s talented way of incorporating modern art, her husband’s auction finds and their shared interest in antique furniture. When I had to undergo treatment for breast cancer 23 years ago (I was pretty young), Netta extravagantly bought me tons of Victoria Secret button up the front pajamas…all those fun bright pink boxes to open!
Another great friend, Lisa, watched my kids, let me sit quietly on her patio, brought me iced tea…and let me heal. I saw both of these lovely ladies in Winter Park, Florida last week.
 I like the striped rug layered under the kilim…and Netta just cut palm fronds from her garden.
Love how these little, vintage leather chairs are refreshed with new linen cushions and small lumbar pillows.
Netta puts a modern lamp and art with an antique French commode.
Netta and I sat here for a little tĂŞte-Ă -tĂŞte after a walk. Isn’t it great how she positioned the pillows and added the rolled throw blanket? Howard and I stayed in the newly finished “Princess Room” …Netta knew I would appreciate the feminine aspects!
The botanicals are Italian from the 1950’s. They bought them at a live auction.
The day of my flight home, I got to spend some quality time with Lisa. She treated me to lunch and how about this stacked lobster salad?! It was delicious. I want to try to make this at home with crab (supposed to be a good crab season here in SF). It’s wrapped with thinly sliced cucumber and prosciutto.
Then Lisa and I went to the Rifle Paper Store’s headquarters (also in Winter Park)…and did some shopping in their gift shop.
I took the pages from this herb garden desk calendar and pinned them so that I can see 2018 at a glance on my bulletin board.
And since Lisa has wild peacocks roaming her neighborhood…
I bought her these fun, garden file folders.
Work was busy when I got back from our trip. Dana’s family room is getting a makeover with these fabrics…
 
And I picked up my new bench seat cushions…
and slipcovers. Oh man! I feel like we have a new living room…just waiting for a couple pillows to arrive before I show you.
Alie and her girlfriends arrived this past weekend. And they brought Chief back to us.
I did a little Fall fluffing for them…
I’m loving mini-carnations again…especially these antique looking ones from Safeway.
Wasn’t that extra hour yesterday great? Thanks for visiting!!
Netta’s home is perfection!!! It has such an eclectic feel which really appeals to me! I just got back from Palm Beach visiting a friend of 42 years…..we were both talking about how fast that time went. I was 24 when I met her and she was 29.
A little late but your friend’s house is to die for!!!! I didn’t know you survived breast cancer and so young? How lucky you are. Wow. I keep hoping I misread that?
Great post filled with inspiration as usual! I like how you’ve stayed in touch with friends from all chapters
of your life! Thank you for sharing a touch of personal experience, reminding us that there is a real life behind
what we read. Your blog and IG are must follows! There are so many examples in my home of “because Mary Ann
showed me this idea.”
Kim, this comment got me teared up… and I love that I can give you ideas…really why I started blogging. And I’m glad I did business-wise as my best clients come from my blog. Have a great weekend!
Mary Ann, I love your style and calm loveliness. ..I am 22 years post ovarian cancer. I feel I am a miracle and I have many stories to back me up! You could visit me in Miami Beach, I don’t have your friends’ style but you could help this 74 year young lady redo a condo💕
That is great, Gayle…you are a miracle!!
Wow, this home looks so chic! I’m already saving this post so I can take inspiration from it. Love it!
Beautiful inspiration from your beautiful life, Mary Ann. Netta’s house is amazing, and that princess room? Yes, please. Have a wonderful week, friend. xox
What a sweet, welcoming, peaceful looking home. I’d say they embody the hygge spirit, wouldn’t you? And who couldn’t relax in that wonderful guest room. Love the pink accents.
And my heart will always melt over a Boston Terrier.
Yes…there are little spots for cozy conversation. And the weather was beautiful.
I love Netta’s place! I love the lively combination of the art and interiors! Fabulous!!
I’ve always admired your sunny side up view of life, but now you are my hero. I have had six biopsies that started when I was 22 years old. I’ve have been lucky all have been benign, but I do know the fear and angst. Your life-long friends are tried and true. I am glad you had all of that love around you when you made this journey. As a newly minted 68 year old (recently celebrated in Lyon with a great Burgundy!), life’s journeys can’t always be predicted but love and kindness always makes it better.
ps When I die, I want to come back as Chief. A dog’s life indeed!
Six biopsies! You are MY hero! Chief has nothing on you…drinking French wine IN France on your birthday!
There is nothing like good friends! How nice that you had the opportunity to spend some time together. That salad looks amazing and I love what you did with the calendar.
I thought I had CINDY’s BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TWINS……in more ways THAN ONE!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE those mini carnations at SAFEWAY!But we do not have THAT ANTIQUE LOOKING ONE!!!!!!!I purchased the WHITE ones and took as a HOSTESS GIFT SATURDAY night!THEY LAST FOREVER!
YOUR friends HOUSE is SPECTACULAR!I gather you lived in FLORIDA!?
What WONDERFUL FRIENDS YOU HAVE…………
I too found out what REAL FRIENDS I had when I had my HEART VALVUE REPAIRED!!!!!!!
People I barely knew came and sat with me so my husband could go back to work……others who had known me for years couldn’t be bothered!
PEOPLE are FASCINATING TO ME!
Looks like YOU had a wonderful trip and that little CHIEF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HE TAKE A PRIZE!
PEACOCKS walking around………….I have always wanted a couple for HERE!!!!!!!!!!
XX
As always, such a great post. Love that you share your special friendships. How could they not love you! Your design choices are always so good. Can’t wait for the reveal.
I DO feel lucky, Karen, to have such great friends.
A lovely post. Beautiful design ideas as usual, with a subtle reminder that there are life challenges for all of us. Thank you.
Yes, Kim, you know how they say to “be kind to everyone as you never know what secret battles they may have.”
Chief…..that face. What a lamb chop!
Mary Ann, you are always inspiring and so down to earth.
Love your blog,
Susan
What a kind thing to say, Susan…and yes, Chief can be so cute. He was a wild puppy but at four years old, he’s calmer and more affectionate now!
Love all the awesome randomness in you shared sweet friend! 🙂
Thanks, Pam!!
How lovely to have wonderful friends in all corners of the globe that you can share special times with, not to mention their exquisite taste for beautiful design. Netta’s home is amazing and how fun to stay in her “princess” suite! Hope you duplicate that mouth watering salad and share it with us. I also love Rifle Paper Co., your next year’s calendar will brighten you office all year long. Fabric choices for Dana’s family room are beautiful, especially the Lisa Fine and Peter Dunham fabrics. Always inspiring post, thank you Mary Ann!
You always leave the kindest comments, Gail!!!
I’m always amazed at how talented your friends are in the design department. All of their homes look like they came out of the pages of a magazine. Your lobster sandwich is making me hungry, and your beautiful floral arrangement is so cheerful. Lots of loveliness.
Thanks, Celia…they are amazing to me too!
Oh, my goodness. So many goodies to look at. Frist of all what fine friends you have. kudos to them for helping you at a tough time. Then the visuals. Love it all including the artwork. Would love to know who the artists were. Then the files. Want them. Then the lobster dish. Would you please post it online here? I want it right now!
I will see if I can duplicate that salad, Sandra, and let you know!
Hello Mary Ann,
it is always such a treat to receive your emails. There is ALWAYS something that inspires me.
Can you tell me where to buy the black lamp shade on Netta’s modern lamp? …and i bet you guys were thrilled to see Chief!
Thanks, Danielle, I will ask Netta.
I think it is from Restoration Hardware, Danielle.
Wow! Beautiful home and new design. Thank you Mary Ann for the inspiration.
I look forward to your posts….Lovely as always.
Love mini carnations too! They are so sweet.
Dana’s family room is going to look fabulous with all of those fabrics, I could and would choose every single one of them!
Netta’s place feels very zen. Love it.
Me too…fun to be a house guest there.