Taking Shape!

The bedroom retreat is beginning to take on personality! Today, we delivered load after load of accessories, lamps, a very stylish chandelier, books, art, all of the key ingredients for style.

Boxes of special inventory from the shelves at Black-eyed Susan! This is the fun part. The floor has been mopped and shined,the painting completed, the heavy furniture has been hauled into place...now the magic begins. The room begins to sing with personality with the next stages.

At times,the chaos is overwhelming. "Stuff" everywhere, and when your room is on the small side, it gets difficult to have a staging place.

Check out these fabulous vintage chairs, courtesy of my cute friend's father-in-law. These are the real McCoy's! Sneelock helped me take them out of Mr. Giler's home about a year ago and they have been taking up residence in my garage, just waiting to be put to good use. I think I found their purpose. Taupey grey strie velvet with orange piping! Gotta love 'em.

A note of interest, all this time I thought they were identical...only to discover today in the unveiling that one is slightly shorter than the other! Were they "his" and "her's"? My friend, Paul might know the answer from his childhood!

This is the beginning of a fabulous window treatment. Soft, open-weave linen roman shades with "eyelash" fringe! Now that's what I call style. Watch for the panels to be hung in the next post.

Here's another shot of the room "in preparation" for the finishing touches and custom bedding. Where to put "this" while I unpack "that"...the challenges of a small room can be vast. The trick is to make the room seem like you planned it that way, that things are not just crammed into it, but purposefully planned. (Thus, the painting of the closet door that will really not function! Make it seem like part of the wall).

Lampshades and harps are being exchanged to ensure the proper scale to the height of the bed.

Here is a shot of the upholstered bed with three of my Paris botanicals crowning the headboard.

Mirrored mahogany chests flank the bed. Several of the custom pillows have been placed for inspection on the bed. Love that natural linen pillow with the orange grid.

A bit of interesting trivia about the room: this room was designed for one of my very stylish clients, Lauri Osterstock. She graciously agreed to loan me the contents of the room prior to installing them at her home. Thank you, Lauri! It has been fun to collaborate with her in the design of the room. Most of the elements will transfer to her master bedroom (minus the orange accents). We have chosen a beautiful soft grey/blue, SW Sea Salt, as her accent and wall color. The result is ethereal and I'll show you the "reinvention" of the room with a different color when we install it in her home. It was fun to "co-design" the room with the help of a trusting client. And, it makes me happy to think of my design being resurrected after the show!

Watch for more additions in the days to come...along with the "before" photos of the room in all its glory.

Looking forward to more progress tomorrow and the next few days. So far, we're ahead of the crowd, nearing the finish line. *whew*

Breath of Fresh Air!

With all that has been going on, (packing, moving, more packing, more moving, packing, editing, hauling, packing, painting, cleaning, unpacking, sorting, merchandising...and so on, and so on), I've been lax in reporting what has been happening with my designer room for the Princeton Jr. League Designer House. Ugh.

It's been on my list of things to do, but it's been pushed to the bottom of the list night after night!

That being said, I have some glorious photos of the before when I can locate the camera chip that holds the information...for now, here is an in-progress report that I think you'll find interesting.

Often, in designer houses across the nation, there emerges a theme of color...unbeknown st to the designers collectively, trends set the stage and many rooms begin to follow a pattern. In a quick preview of many of the other spaces, this is what I found...

Grey living room...

Warm stone foyer...

Grey-ish upper hallway...

Another grey hallway...

Charcoal/taupe master bedroom walk-through...

And these are just a few of the rooms I perused...who knows where else this trend color (stone) will show up.

And then...ta da!! My room, yes in glorious Yam!

Here is a fabulous vintage bookcase/desk that I picked up and painted SW Warm Stone as an accent to my Yam...way cool!

I'm happy to report that amidst the room after room of grey/taupe, grey/charcoal, grey/grey, and even more grey, my pop of orange shines! Yam sets the stage for natural linens, velvets, and creamy contrasts. I think it's going to make for a memorable room.

Lastly, I just couldn't resist reminding you what color my room was in last year's Buck's County Designer House...SW Warm Stone. I do believe that Black-eyed Susan sets the trend.

More to follow in the coming days, as we near completion of our room, I promise!

Pure Style.

My sweet mother passed away the evening of April 1 at 6:00p.m. She was my hero.

We put the last photo taken of her (March 26, 2010) in her hospice room to show how vibrant and fun she was right up until the end.

Mother, otherwise known to the world as Charlotte Jane Hunter Petersen, was my first example of pure style. She continued to be a style icon until the hour she collapsed. She was stylish is so many ways; her wardrobe, her makeup, her hair, her home, her recipes, her friends, her teaching, her taste in literature, her personal relationships, the list goes on.

I have learned my most valuable lessons and talents from her. I have learned integrity from her example. I have learned compassion from her, sacrifice and obedience. I yearn to hear her voice and hold her tiny, arthritic hand in mine.



She was a fine woman and beloved by all who knew her. She had quite a fan base, all accolades well deserved. Born into a life of privilege, she faced many challenges when her life took an about face, leaving her to help support her mother after an alcoholic father left the family. There, she met my father, a naval officer and at the age of 17 married him to begin a new life.

My darling 90 year old father at her bedside, giving comfort and pure love.

After 66 years of marriage, they were supportive and loving to each other until the day she passed.

I was able to design her casket flowers with a local wholesaler in Denver. I hand selected the flowers and visually gave my idea of how they should be designed. The liaison to the funeral director watched and listened, and then said, "I think we should speak with our wedding designer rather than our bereavement designer". I knew then she was getting the picture of my vision. We used all green and white; orchids, roses, hydrangeas, ferns, ivy...fresh and not the least bit like the normal funeral spray. I was thoroughly pleased and when we went to look at the in progress design, the floral designer was thrilled that I said I wouldn't change a thing. I know Mom would have been pleased with the beautiful design.

My sister Denise and I put together some centerpieces for a luncheon we planned following the funeral service. I added a tiny punch of orange (my favorite color, of course!) to these medium cylinder vases. They were set in a larger straight-sided frosted vase with tinted chartreuse water as an accent. Happy and beautiful.

As the casket was being put back into the coach, I took note that this was what the interior of my purse looked like.

A rare photo of my entire immediate family. My two daughters, Jessie and Michelle, myself, my son Ryan, and my husband Fred. Many extended family members were gathered from around the states and it was a great comfort.

"How much of my delight in all beautiful things, is due to her influence, I can never tell. There is not a talent, or a joy, or an aspiration in me that has not been awakened by her loving touch".
Helen Keller

These words echo how I feel about this wonderful, Christlike woman; my mother, Charlotte Jane Hunter Petersen.

End of an Era *sigh*

Saturday, March 20, 2010. A rather emotional day. Our last day of business in Yardley, Pa.

After 18 years of retail in Yardley, we closed the door at the 1 South Main location, and it wasn't without a tear or two.

I made my famous homemade brownies for all my visitors and set off for my last day of business at the flagship location, not looking forward to the emotions of the day. While I am certainly looking forward to more space, I have tender feelings and sentimental memories of my Yardley location. I'll miss my windows!

The day was filled with visits from many of our best and most loyal customers dropping by to wish us well and see the Yardley store "just one more time". Just one of many fine friends, Barbara (a visitor nearly every day...and I'm not kidding!) Actually, we think Barbara could start her own Black-eyed Susan should we need a satellite store!

Towards the end of the day, it was looking pretty bleak I must admit. I mean, after all, have you ever seen my star mantle look like this before?!



Here's a rather motley crew of assorted mirrors and lonely clocks, all without purpose or design. Sad, sad, sad, Very sad, sad. (That's a little "Jan talk"). But that's how I felt too.

Joanne and I shed a little tear together as we looked around at the bleak state of the store in the final hour and played a little "remember when"...she left and I was left to lock the back door. I felt a bit like I look in this self-portrait! (I think a bit of lipstick would have been in order, what was I thinking?!)

Driving out of the parking lot, this sign on my former retail/turned studio brought another tear to my eye...goodbye, Yardley. Thanks to all my darling, loyal clients who loved the Yardley store as much as I.

And now I have to concentrate on "The Best is Yet to Come"! See you soon in Buckingham.

Come See the Magic!

In the next few weeks, you'll be seeing lots of transformations!

One major transformation in progress is my new retail location...now under "construction" so to say. 1. Inventory is arriving daily. 2. Painting is being completed to put my brand on this former location occupied by another design group. 3. Fixtures are being delivered. 4. Stockroom is being prepared for new arrivals. 5. Computers are being installed. 6. Phone lines are being wired.

In general, it's beginning to take on a new personality and excitement is building...along with an overload of immediate needs and urgent deadlines. Whew.

My paint pallet has been established and involves some signature favorites...you guessed it, black dramatic punches and orange.

Tonight, two of my darling personal friends, Heather and Shannon, worked side by side with me to make one of the major changes for the better!

I can't believe that I neglected to photograph this monstrosity (exisiting cash desk) prior to a partial demolition several nights ago by Sneelock. On the right hand corner of this u-shaped counter was a "hood", a tent-like corner piece that was nothing more than an eyesore. We set to work priming and quickly started the transformation with my favorite SW Tricorn Black satin paint.

Within a few short hours, this is what we had turned out! Even the countertop ,( which was a horrid white formica with chips and stains), was reinventede to this! The extra wide blue tape still on the floor...hey, I wonder if I could use my paint magic wand on that icky carpet?

The three of us stood back and patted ourselves on the backs for such a major change of style! I have a fabulous (and covetous) concrete countertop coming in a few weeks, but for now this will be our cash desk...a much needed change!

It was the first time I had given friends a first hand tour of the new place, and we had a great time invisioning the possibilities to come. It was exciting to me and took the edge off the overwheming work ahead for just a minute!

I'll keep you posted on the progress to an extent, but you'll have to plan a trip to see the real magic for yourself!

Thanks, sweet friends. A painting friend is truly a good friend. Shannon and Heather, good friends. I'm really in your debt. The company was great and sense of accomplishment dear.

Tomorrow night...transformation of our room at the Princeton Designer House report! The painting will begin tomorrow, so watch for before and "in progress" photos.

Sentimental Susan

Just one year ago, my sweetest Fred (Sneelock), and my son Ryan , disassembled my prized work table from my design studio. It was a very emotional night for me. If you'd like to review my post of that night, click here.

Those same feelings came flooding back to me last week when I saw my new design studio poised with the 12' long, 50" wide table standing in the center of the room. The tears came back as I recalled the gift of love as demonstrated by Fred and Ryan last March 22. I feel loved and cherished by these men in my life, and I know that I am a lucky woman.

Here's to a few more years with my loved table in my new design studio. There are hours of work to do to get the rest of it set up, but I feel like the anchor of my work space has come home. Thanks, Sneelock.

I'll let you know in a few years when I'm ready to retire how my design table fares. As of right now, both Ryan and Sneelock claim it's coming out in pieces for the last time. *sigh* For now, I'll use it with joy.

Introducing BES Signature Color!

Okay, I'll admit, I'm stuck on orange! In predictable form, our orange bag from the last three years is total style now! Oh, yes, it's all about orange!

Take a look at some random images I found in my picture files that feature orange:

Very chic orange leather sofas being used in one of my current interior projects! (And, the homeowner, Patricia, is just as stylish!

Favorite vintage towel vendor/designer "Ga Ga"---yes, her newest addition; ORANGE! Orange monograms, orange silk bows,orange trims...oh, my! I couldn't resist.

Orange cashmere throw, recently purchased for my Princeton Jr. League Designer Showhouse bedroom! The feel of cashmere and the color of orange, a real winning combination.

Yes, a toilette! But not just any toilette. This shot was taken as we were leaving the Paris airport! I have been meaning to post about this most stylish bathroom stall, but actually glad that I never had the chance. It's the perfect i.e. of the hip use of orange in an unexpected place.

Looking down the hall of the ladies' room in the Paris airport bathroom! Those mosaic glass tiles were to die for. Impeccably clean. Impeccable color. Impeccable style. Glass tiles in gray, white and orange. Orange, sweet orange.

Most recently, my cute retail neighbor, owner of Kristyn April Designs in Yardley, brought me this gift! A teeny tiny bottle of custom mixed nail polish! Guess what the name of this color is? "Black-eyed Susan". It's my signature color! Kristyn mixed it to match my bags as a gift/send-off-good luck-farewell. So cute. So tiny. So stylish. (Sorry for the blurr....and I had it on macro...)

This is how tiny my private label polish bottle is. I love it! "Have you selected your color, Susan?" "Yes! I've chosen "Black-eyed Susan".

I tried several times to get this in focus,but to no avail. But the label reads, "Black-eyed Susan"!

Anticipating the warm and sunny weather of Naples, Florida (more about this project later!), I headed off to the salon for a pedicure. Here it is, my very own signature nail polish-"Black-eyed Susan". It's just got to be orange.

Thanks, Kristyn! Custom, darling and definitely orange.