Jennifer Chelf got started on home design at an early age. The first house she worked on was a wooden dollhouse built by her father. She remembers wallpapering the house with pieces cut from wallpaper sample books. The coordinating carpet was also cut from samples.
The site work continues and it never ceases to amaze me how many people are involved when performing their special task on the same project, many of which are occurring at the same time.
Three realities cannot coexist in one house: kids, a white couch and low blood pressure. Forget it. I've tried. Before we had kids, my husband and I got a white linen down-stuffed sofa, which was gorgeous in its brief prime. But once we acquired kids and dogs, it was no match for our household.
(Viburnum rufidulum) Among the foliage painting the hillsides in shades of orange and red is rusty blackhaw. The leaves on this native plant turn from bright glossy green to a rich russet in fall.
It's equally beautiful in spring, when large clusters of creamy white flowers erupt. Blue berries follow the blooms.