For the Love of Birds!

Our beloved Norman Bird Sanctuary was featured in the NY Times on Wednesday, highlighting the restoration of the 18th century farmhouse on the property. The farmhouse will play host to a variety of visitors going forward, from yoga retreats, artists' residencies and serve as a weekend hideaway for families looking to nestle among the pastoral landscape. The bird sanctuary encompasses 325 acres overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Sakonnet River in Middletown, Rhode Island. For any one that is familiar with the Bird Sanctuary, it truly is a special place, a landmark among the beauty of our community. (I have fond memories of summer camp expeditions on the grounds catching frogs, hiking to Hanging Rock and frolicking among the tall trees). It was the wish of Mabel Norman Cerio, a local artist who actually lived in the farmhouse during the 19th century, to bestow the property “for the propagation, preservation, and protection of birds, and where birds and bird life may be observed, studied, taught, and enjoyed by lovers of nature and by the public generally so interested in a spirit of humanity and mercy.” In 1949, Mabel's wish was granted through the gift of her trust and today, the Bird Sanctuary remains to be an iconic organization enriching the lives of all who value the power of nature.

Currently, the Bird Sanctuary is offering Farmhouse Lunch Tours every Friday so you may get a glimpse of the completed project. Visit here for more details.

Images via.

Like Father, Like Daughter

Above: Salty and I on our job site - our first construction project together.

Yesterday, I touched on the joy of having a sister, and today, it's my Father's turn. My Father has lived the majority of his life with us three girls, which alone, deserves a gold medal. He is responsible for every ounce of practicality in my veins, my love of sailing and all things sea, and perhaps even my type-A perfectionism. I have distinct memories of building my first sandbox with him and my Grandfather, mastering the art of a perfect car wash at home (it's all about the rims and wheels), learning to drive our manual beach car (courageously sacrificing the clutch), and sharing a deep affinity for coffee ice cream and real estate. The Father-Daughter relationship comes in all forms and I am particularly proud to say that I have an amazing guy in my life. Happy Birthday to an old salty sailor - that's you, Dad! The big 6-1! I Love You.

xx,

Caitlin

My Sweet Caroline

If you're lucky enough to have a sister, you know it's one of the most precious relationships one can have. Wishing a Happy Birthday to my Sweet Caroline, one of the biggest joys in my life, always and forever. I Love You!

Sweet Caroline

Good times never seemed so good!

(So good, so good!)

xoxo

Mind Your Methods

When I spent more time working on my creative writing hobby and dreaming up characters, I would paste a collection of photographs torn out of magazines into my notebook as a method of creating and developing the character. If the protagonist was a chic city Mother/renowned architect for example, I'd imagine what kind of perfume she would wear, how she met her husband, her favorite experience abroad, or perhaps think about her most remarkable achievements, and sketch them out on paper. The visuals helped me to connect the dots and bring the character to life. It seems every time I turn around someone is moving, redecorating, or renovating. I find the same method as described above particularly helpful in creating a new space. (Clearly, a little thing called Pinterest figured this out, too). The above images are from Ashley Whittaker's portfolio, one of my favorite interior designers. I find her projects to successfully blend light, texture and tradition into a harmonious balance of sophisticated ease. I have always kept the above photographs in my arsenal for when I needed inspiration to bring interior spaces to life.