Teak, Citrus and Tung Oil

Teak, Citrus and Tung Oil

July 20, 2019

Wood finishing ingredients with a seductive ring to them. For some foolish reason in updating our house, we surrounded ourselves with outdoor materials that demand protection from the elements. Mahogany decks and bamboo fencing require sun/mold protection almost every year. A wooden statue and Asian door made for tropical weather were not created for Zone 5- Connecticut. What were we thinking?  Last year we added two more items- teak deck chairs in need of re-finishing. Sheer insanity. I know it, you know it. What could make it more complicated? Sealing with natural products of course. Last year, I used a combination of Tung
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Some Flowers Resemble A Flight of Fancy

Some Flowers Resemble A Flight of Fancy

March 23, 2019

People spend a lot of time dreaming of foreverness -thinking that the “now” will last forever. It never does. Nature offers some flowers just one day- like the incredibly beautiful morning glory. It opens in the morning and enfolds by end of day. I planted morning glories a few years running until I discovered that although it’s a glorious flower, it’s born from a destructive invasive vine that returns and multiplies every year, even diminishing in its ability to bear flowers. I’ve grown more cautious with plant selection. And I’m still digging those vines out of the garden. Every plant
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Tomorrow is a New Day

Tomorrow is a New Day

August 12, 2017

My hard drive crashed yesterday. Wallowing in the depths of despair is neither fun nor attractive so I try not to. Happily, I always work with a back-up drive. It was however, several hours of freak time before Apple Support walked me through the place I currently sit- in the middle of restoring a corrupt hard drive. Related Images:
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American History Offers Respite

American History Offers Respite

March 11, 2017

 On Thursday and Friday we were en route home to Connecticut from Savannah. If you’ve never been south, you owe it to yourself to go. As per usual, it was wonderful. Full of the people and sights that many of us growing up in the Northeast haven’t had occasion to experience but need to. It was a visit full of American history. Related Images:
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Heavenly Hosta

Heavenly Hosta

September 15, 2015

Ancienne is a pillow of a certain age. She has character.  And a certain “je ne sais quoi” we all hope to have, right? This photo reminds me of the beach. Related Images:
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Living Local

Living Local

August 15, 2015

Let me be clear. There’d be no Paola Pillows if not for Mother Nature dishing up incredible flowers I get to shoot and share with you. I love this job! Related Images:
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PremiereVision Redeux

PremiereVision Redeux

July 25, 2015

This is the second year I’ve attended PremiereVision New York, a two-day event held on one of the Piers. It’s completely enclosed, so you’d never know the water was on both sides. It’s billed as the “global textile event for North American fashion professionals.” Related Images:
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Living Green

Living Green

May 30, 2015

We make Paola Pillows from 5.6oz. 100% cotton sateen, and I love to work with it. It’s soft to the touch and the fabric saturates intensely with the beautiful colors from my garden. La Violetta is a dramatic looking pillow I re-created in Photoshop from a photo of a hybrid lily. Quite the showstopper. Related Images:
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Paola Prints Has Landed

Paola Prints Has Landed

January 22, 2015

Paola Prints are available for sale at DesignSourceCT in Hartford, CT! The 25,000 square foot showroom is a design-filled space open to qualified trade professionals. Retail customers are welcome to browse; showroom staff will facilitate referrals to design professionals. Paola Prints can be ordered through the showroom starting in February. Related Images:
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