Run For The Roses – Kentucky Derby Day!

Let the race begin . . .

Mint juleps in, “I’d love to know where to find these”, monogrammed glasses.  The wood lining in the tray is gorgeous!  I think it would be a clever way to update a vintage piece.  (Southern Accents)

Could you just die?

As a child, I remembered being in awe of the beautiful stallions and mares, while visiting Spendthrift Farm.  My aunt and uncle lived in Lexington, Kentucky and took me for a visit to see Nashua, as this was his “retirement” home.  Other famous residents have been Seattle Slew and Affirmed, both winners of the coveted Triple Crown.  Queen Elizabeth has also been known to “stop over” for a visit!

In a sport, typically dominated by men, there is one rider to keep your eyes on.  Rosie Napravnik, a 24-year old, will be one of only a few female jockeys to have ridden in the Derby.  She’s been proclaimed, “The Natural” and will be riding the horse, Pants On Fire, coincidentally, whose pedigree goes back to Seattle Slew.

With Mother’s Day just a day away, my heart was so touched by the special bond between Rosie and her mom.  What a gift to both it would be for her to take home the trophy.

I don’t know what the odds will be for a win, but I know I’ll be betting on them to be blanketed in roses!

Happy Race Day! ~ Wanda

In Good Company (Interior Design Friends)

Over the years, I’ve had the good fortune to share time with some talented interior designers.  I think there could be a misperception that the more successful ones portend to emulate the personality of a “darling diva”.  In most cases, it’s just not so.  The ones who are genuinely impassioned by their work and their designs are more apt to be open and sharing with their professional peers, while making great impressions on the world of design.  It elevates all of us to provide the best in interiors for the best of life.

One such interior designer, Julie Browning Bova, founder of Julie Bova Interior Design in Indianapolis, Indiana, exemplifies all of the best in our industry.  I hope she doesn’t mind if I do add, she is darling – without the diva demeanor!

There’s no doubt about Julie’s love of all things equestrian!  What a gorgeous portrait of her for her newly unveiled website.  She’ll also be introducing a new line of her own furniture designs at the High Point Furniture Market, in April 2011.  Stanford Furniture wisely selected her to bring custom pieces to production in time to share timeless classics with this important world market.  The featured Tack Ottoman is just one of her many designs.  How fabulous is the shaping of the nailhead accent?

A gorgeous shot of a foyer is one of the first things you see on her website.  I often say, a designer’s website is the “entry” to viewing the work and the blog is where we bring you into our “family room” to sit down for a chat.  Julie’s blog, Paisley, Plaid and Read is a visual feast!

 

The delight is in the details and a picture is worth a thousand words.  Just look at the dressmaker style touches in her panels!

Another glimpse at Julie’s work. Simply sumptuous!

I initially met Julie, while being on Twitter.  She also shared a kind comment on my own blog site.  Somehow, I felt as if I had met a kindred spirit, even while we were miles apart, and I’ll be the first to admit my equestrian skills are quite limited to an appreciation but not a participation in the world of horses!  To make a long story short, we had several chats by phone, as Julie so kindly offered to share some information about a furniture line for an article I was writing for a local magazine.  Later, we met in person at last fall’s High Point Furniture Market.  I can always rely upon being able to share brainstorming sessions about the world of interiors with her.  I so appreciate those special chats, in the midst of a busy day.

Here I am, in the middle, with Julie, (on the left) and my friend, Davetta, (on the right), at the October market.  We stopped by to say “hello” to a mutual friend, Maybelline Te of Snug Furniture.  Julie, being the type of person that she is, wanted to check out the line and to bring her spirit of support to Maybelline’s inaugural launch.  We can’t wait to return the love, now that Julie’s wearing those shoes – or rather, fab riding boots!

For more information on Julie and her exciting launch, here is a great press release from Home Furnishings Business, as well as one from The Media Matters, Inc.

I believe one of the lessons from Aesop’s Fable goes, “You are known by the company you keep.”  Julie, let me just say, you honor me with yours! 

All my best! ~ Wanda