Ever seen those models that appear to be wearing nothing but chapstick? It actually takes hours to make them look that way. Or so I’ve heard. I’ve never been a model. I know, I know; I’m just as surprised as you.

The same goes for design. Creating a room that is chic-but-comfortable and pulled-together-but-not-too-matchy-matchy is like trying not to choke a model who says sh%$ like I just love to hike or I eat fried chicken at every meal and I can’t seem to gain a pound!  It’s an effort, you...

When you turn ten years old at the Blackford house you get to take a trip anywhere in the continental United States with just Andy Blackford and me. No siblings. It’s become our favorite tradition because it’s a way for us to celebrate one child without the interference of other kids in the mix. And, also, Andy and I drink wine every day at lunch. But mostly it’s the celebrate thing.

Henry hit the big 1-0 this past November and Hilton Head, South Carolina was his destination of choice. Such a sma...

I know there are design experts out there who claim neutral furniture is paramount in building good design. And it's true. For some people. Some of the time....

It's always surprising when people balk at paint colors. It's paint. Not a tattoo. Or a puppy. If you change your mind about paint         you repaint. If you change your mind about the tattoo or the puppy things get dicey. And nobody likes dicey.

So, when our latest client agreed to a blue ceiling we scheduled the painter immediately before she had a chance to panic or check in with her husband because it's the husbands that cause the most problems in...

Imagine there’s no heaven no earth or sky below.... sang John and his wife walked in and stood by the piano and listened. It was as though he couldn’t stop singing it. He knew it was a hit and being a practical guy knew it was to be sung and played by everybody when it was published in a few weeks’ time. Its revealing that I only took one shot of each picture in this sequence because the moments seemed to contain themselves. Both John and Yoko knew it was special too. To all those antique-lovers...

It’s July-something as I write this and I am headed back NYC for a quick trip; but I missed my flight (not my fault - oversold) and am now tucked away in the back corner of the Delta Sky Club. I am not at all sad. Though another woman missed the same flight (totally her fault - late) and she is way sad. And mad. And not at all nice to the gate agent. But she's not here and I am and sometimes nice girls don’t finish last.        

The last time we connected - months ago -...

I realize that I've been a little overenthusiastic of Marie Kondo the Japanese woman who is changing the world one tiny fold at a time. She is the author of Spark Joy and The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and she has become a phenomenon around the world....

Not even kidding we ate Japanese noodles last night. Next time I am adding Sake. Or maybe I just add the Sake now. It's 10AM. Viva la Japan!        

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This project is taking way way WAY longer than I ever anticipated. We are all feeling the effects. Henry said I'm done with this Marie Kondo lady (blasphemy) and Andy B. has abandoned his regular sized cocktail for a tall water glass. I recently caught him eyeing the flower vase as a potential vessel for bourbon....