Faux or Real?

OK, so if you follow along you will know that I am a lover of Flowers! Almost all kinds of flowers, though I admit to having my favorites, such as the classic Hydrangea. Orchids are pretty much always found all over my house, and that's mostly due to their longevity, but also because I don't have a cutting garden… 

I am torn when it comes to the faux variety … I have been known to use a few of these faux blooms in different clients homes, but really, my heart is with the real kind! However, when you have a busy household these come in handy, so I was happy to see this sale on One Kings Lane this evening.

I really like this Cymbidium Orchid in the Blue & White pot! Imagine it on a tall side table in the living room, or a table in the foyer, perhaps arranged with a few books & a candle …

So, are you into Real or Faux Flowers? Can you really tell the difference? 

Natasha

PS. Follow Northern Light Design on Instagram and you will be witness to my love of flowers...

All images via OKL

The Nursery

The time has come, after many, many requests from friends and family near and far, to please share Baby L's room decor with everyone... So here we go, these are the elements of the room; When I have a quiet moment, I will take some actual images of the Nursery. 

It was my intention to do an all white nursery with pops of Coral, absolutely no pink! I was even considering blue... Turns out there really is not a whole lot of Coral baby stuff out there, at least not while I was trying to get this together, in between client projects. I found some super pretty fabrics on my travels, but that just meant that I would have to have everything custom made... and that's was not happening! 

SO, Hot Pink it was, all the while still sticking to the "All White" and I am happy with the outcome!

We registered for this Pink Hearts Crib Skirt and Blanket from Land of Nod, and was lucky to receive it quite early on, it set the tone, and I think it's darling!!

A comfortable chair is a must, I hear! I selected this Wing Back Chair from RH baby & child, it glides / rocks & swivels, has a slipcover, so it's easy to wash. It's one of the first things that arrived, and I just LOVE it, so comfortable.... well, ask me in a month or so, if I still think so... ;)

Got to be comfortable and spill proof, so this leather pouf just had to come home with me... I have always been wanting one, and this was my chance! + the added benefit; no hard corners and the right height for Baby L to climb :)

The dresser / changing table... Long story short; This was a VERY nice Baby Shower gift from two Clients, however, the price for these things are crazy - and I am in the business - sooooo, I found a floor model, in a not so pretty cream-ish yellow color with round wood "country" knobs. Needless to say, not what I had in mind, but the slightly modern lines of the dresser legs spoke to me, so I sent the dresser to my furniture re-finisher, who finished it in High Gloss White, and now I LOVE how it looks.

These Glass Knobs I had put on the dresser, rather than the round wood ones it came with...

For a little bit of the unexpected, I found a similar Antique Elephant Garden Stool, she is so darling and she makes me smile... (Our Elephant is White all over, has a broken trunk that has been reattached - part of the charm - and where this one has blue flowers, ours has pink flowers.) My husband on the other hand, after carrying it ever so carefully up to the room, was not so happy with my purchase to say the least... "You spent what ?" & "We need an Elephant ?? Really ?" is what comes to mind. Now that it's all together, I think he gets it, but would never tell me ;)

We were in desperate need of a light fixture, and just picked up the Floor Lamp version of this lamp. I chose to show you this one, as I really like the lines and detail... the all white, with the "brass" hardware and Black & White Fabric cord.

As for Art... I am awaiting a large piece back from the frame shop. A very similar image of a white orchid, only it's hot pink inside. I selected an 8 ply matte (thick) and about 4" wide, with a High Gloss White simple modern gallery frame. Can't hardly wait to see it done!!

Many years ago we purchased a series of color photographs, all white roses while on vacation in New England. I had them re-framed with white mattes and white frames, but have not hung them in the room yet. Have not hung any of the art yet for that matter...

The Crib...

We were the lucky recipients of a crib that has been with my husbands family, similar to this one, right down to the color... yep, not happening! As you have probably picked up on... White is the theme, so off to the re-finisher it went, came back High Gloss White, and now it's no longer the Ugly Duckling, it's super pretty!! It's one of those beds that turn into a toddler bed, and a twin bed later on, so I didn't mind spending the extra monies on having it sprayed! 

It's been interesting getting this Nursery together, playing with both High & Low priced items, resisting the urge to go crazy, working with different styles (I know... we got everything under the moon here, but it actually works!!), and trying to make it "ours", trying to find some unique items that will have staying power, not just buying "the room" and calling it a day. Trust me, there were times when I was just going to order everything from Serena & Lily, cute as it is, and call it a day...

I will post images of the actual room at a later date, so come back and check in!

Natasha

Resources and Links below:

Crib Bedding, Pink Hearts - Land of Nod

Wingback Swivel Glider w/ Slipcover, White Cotton - RH Baby & Child

Moroccan Leather Pouf, White - RH Baby & Child

Dresser, Refinished in High Gloss White - Young America via Bellini - No Longer Available

Antique Elephant Garden Stool - No Longer Available

Floor Lamp, White, Ranarp - IKEA

Orchid Photograph, Similar, Custom Frame - Art Addiction

Crib, Hand-Me-Down, Similar - Target

The Boathouse, Part II

Did you have a chance to look through this post? Yesterday I showed you images from a new favorite place of mine - that I have only visited via "virtual reality" - and by the looks of these images, I might not even make it past the front doors!  

Not only is The Boathouse a Cafe and Eatery, but also a market, complete with fresh market flowers and baked goods. 

My absolute favorite image from The Boathouse!! After looking through all their photography, I noticed that this farmhouse table and its fresh cut flowers change with the seasons. Could you imagine working in a place like this? How could you ever be in a bad mood....? Really digging the many vessels they use to display their flowers in, presentation is everything!! 

Again... Look for beauty in the everyday. OK, so not all of us have a Champagne box laying around to prop up our orchids, but you get what I mean, right?? And how sculptural are all those bananas? 

Natasha

All images via The Boathouse on Imstagram

Color me Pretty!

Today I am inspired by Anna Spiro and a design job she completed a little while back....

Fun, cheerful, bright and lots of color!!

I think this eat in kitchen is getting a lot of action!! It's bright and fun, who wouldn't want to hang out here??

Sunday Funday!

Natasha

All images via Black & Spiro on Pinterest

Sunday Flowers... sort of.

I have been drawn to beautiful food photography this weekend. This simple white cake with its woodsy feel, beautiful roses and orchids bridges the gap of my regular Sunday Flowers post and my "new found love" of sweets...

... and what's better on a Sunday morning than a stack of fresh pancakes, decorated with fresh berries and a slight sprinkling of powdered sugar?

Almost too pretty to eat, almost!

Look at this layered cake decorated with Lilacs and single petal Roses. Just beautiful! I can recommend this board, as well as this board for more visual yummy-ness.

This past week I had brunch at a very dear friends new home (Hi CHB!), and in her bookcase I spotted  a  cookbook I had not seen before. The book was from Anthropology, (no longer available, trust me, I immediately looked for it) and the photography made me want to dive right in... I guess that's where this weeks inspiration came from! Do you ever pick up a cook book, just to look through the images? Or the amount of ingredients... ??

Do you have a favorite cook book? Do share!

Natasha

All images via Pinterest

Loving Orchids!

I am more than a little obsessed with Orchids! I don't think I have ever met one I didn't like... It all started when I moved to Florida.

I am in the very lucky position to have several, ok... A LOT, in and around my house right now, and while I get to live with them, I thought I would share with all of you :) I have photographed all of the flowers and just posted a mini album on the Northern Light FB page, so check them out, you will be happy you did, I promise :) While you are there... LIKE the page, and share with your friends!!

The above lime colored Orchid, was a Birthday present from Mr. Wonderful last week, and I just love how bright it is!! Are you an orchid grower / fan / lover ??

Natasha

Image by NHH for Northern Light Blog

(Sunday) Morning Java

What a great start to the day this would be!!

Happy Sunday,
Natasha

Image from here

Issues...

Having tech issues...
Will be back later in the week - I HOPE :)

Natasha

Image by NHH for the Northern Light Blog, if you borrow, please link back!

Cool Vignettes!!

Totally drawn to these two completely different  images... But if you look closely you can actually see many of the same elements, just composed differently. I am completely digging the lamp base in the first image! The natural quartz, the color, the scale, the irregular shape, everything :)

Cool vignettes! Agree??

Natasha

Images via Pinterest

Sunday Flowers; A Hidden Treasure.

Step inside to one of "my" hidden treasure; WEEKS. 

You know, one of those small family owned shops you just love to pop into from time to time, and quite frankly don't want to share with anyone else ;) Well, I have decided to share with all of you, near and far, so get ready, you will want to come visit, I promise!!

The place is owned by Ron, who has been in business for close to 40 years, starting in the Orange Groves of Florida, but for the past many years he has been in Delray Beach, on the East side.

 

One of my favorite flowers are Orchids, pretty much any kind of Orchid, and while I don't know the names of all of them by any means, I truly appreciate the many different varieties available at Weeks!!

As intriguing as Lady Slipper Orchids are, this is the one that eludes me... as in will-not-grow-for-me, don't know why?

Beautiful and cheerful Ground Orchids, these you see quite often here in Florida.

Totally love the spray of vibrant color, LOVE the lime green lanterns, SO festive!! 

I had too... sneak in an image of these bright Lime Hydrangeas, they light up a dark corner. 

I see this variety of berries in bouquets all the time, but I actually do not know the name, do you?? 

More than a few times I have made references here on the blog about Anemones, specifically this white and black version, and look... a whole bucket full :) And tell me, how many indoor / outdoor floral shops have cool worn rugs, covering the pavers??

I could just run away with this bucket of incredible white Peonies!  

... and check out this super cool, yellow Spider Orchid! Looks almost pre-historic, the edges all curled up, the white stripes, the long "antennas", this one I had not seen before. 

When I arrived in Florida quite a while back, I grew this kind of orchid... 
Still love the vibrant purple!!

So as you can see, there are plenty of varieties to pick from! I didn't snap any images in their gift shop, but believe you me, it's amazing! You need a hostess gift, go there! You need a cool bowl, go there... Coral and shells are a plenty (we are in Florida after all) and one thing that - oddly - makes me return is Tim's Preserve... Black Raspberry, seedless :). Tim works at Weeks, super helpful, and I am told he makes the Preserves on his farm in Pennsylvania. 

It's good! Really Good!!

Now that I have enticed you I am sorry to say... there is no website, no FB page, no blog. 

I am told Ron doesn't even have a cell phone. You will just have to visit next time you are in town!

WEEKS

760 SE 5th Avenue

Delray Beach, Florida

33483

#561.276.9788

Natasha

All images by NHH for the Northern Light Blog. If you borrow, please link back!!

New on the Virtual Newsstand... Vol. II

Yep, that's right... two in one day, and I even received two fashion mag's in the mail today as well! No wonder it's already late, and I didn't get half the work done this evening, I set out to do. Too much good stuff to dive into! - and as the song goes; No such thing, as too much fun... :)

I do admit to loving fall and all that it encompasses, the darkness, the crisp air, the sweaters... all the things that does not exist in Florida :) which is part of the allure I think! I am rambling, there is a point, I promise.... somewhere... oh, yes! I was expecting a "darker" version of the new Lonny Magazine, but to my surprise the cover is light as air, pretty as all h... and I am totally in love with the Brentwood Home feature Overnight Sensation. Interior Design by Joe Lucas & Patricia Chilcoat of Lucas Studio Inc.

The cover story Paradise Found is just darling! The interiors are light, airy and totally welcoming, a place for kids to run around, a place for grown ups to lounge, a place that is cheerful, pretty and relaxing! 

What was your favorite feature?? 

Did you see the cozy fuchsia mohair throw from Jayson Home? 

A perfect example of coziness for the cool nights of fall... but in a cheerful color!

Natasha

Images via Lonny September 2012 issue

Sunday Flowers (a little late...)

Floral shops.... don't you just always want to go in and take a look around, whether you are buying or not??   I DO!

I am totally not shy about taking photos either :), BUT I always make sure to ask first, and often that leads to an interesting conversation with the florist or shopkeeper!!

Natasha

Image via Anh of 9to5 Chic

Sunday Flowers

One of the things I love the most is shopping...
I know, I know it's a bit shallow, but hear me out. Please!

Now, I do not necessarily buy anything when I am out shopping, nor am I one of those people that come back 117 times to visit with what ever it is they plan to buy, before they actually buy...
I just LOVE to browse, window-shop, call it whatever you want. I truly enjoy scouting out the perfect lamp for a client, finding the perfect pillows for a sofa and so on. Sometimes it takes forever to find exactly what I am looking for, other times it is right there in front of me, and voila, no need to look any further! You know the feeling?

This week I was looking for a console table, kind of natural, not too deep, and with the perfect base. Found it! On sale! Thank you very much :)

However, since this is a Sunday Flowers post, I am sharing a shop photo I took at a local interior design shop, BUT the flowers and the foliage are all faux (ssshhhhhh, don't tell), but it looks great don't you think?

Natasha

Image NHH for the Northern Light Blog (if you borrow, please link back)

Lucky me!

Came home from work Friday evening and out of the corner of my eye, I saw something fuchsia sticking out of the lantern by my front door... Closer inspection revealed a tiny branch with two beautiful orchids. My neighbor is an orchid grower and he had left me this tiny little beauty, lucky me!! The leaves are thick and waxy, different from any other orchid I have ever grown.

When thanking him, he quickly stopped over with two more branches of a different kind, and now I have this little arrangement on my tray table. It is such a bright spot on an otherwise rainy and cloudy day.

The kindness of "strangers" goes a long way!!!

Natasha

Image by NHH for the Northern Light Blog. (if you borrow, kindly link back)

Hi Beautiful!

Amazing & in my house :)
P.S. This image was shot with my phone... The camera is insane!!!!!!

Natasha

Image NHH for Northern Light Blog