Remember how I posted about being Hopeful last week? My Hopeful print arrived yesterday, and you know what's funny about timing and life in general? In the same stack of mail I found an envelope containing the brand new issue of Adorn magazine (Fall '07, will be out any day now) with a room I pulled together for them -- a two page spread! And since this issue of Adorn is the same size as a regular magazine, the pictures are larger and look beautiful. I am thrilled.

Last week, some not-so-good news came to us from a close family member so we could only be hopeful that better health would come to them. And it did and now that person is better. But the stress of it all impacted me greatly. When the hopeful print arrived yesterday, it was an instant reminder that things turned out okay and as a family, we got through it. And then the next thing I opened was the envelope containing this issue of Adorn, which I did not expect for at least another week or two. This was further reminder that in life, bad things happen but they don't stay around too long because then goodness comes flooding in. Life is like that sometimes, isn't it?

Here are the original photos, taken by photographer Jack Deutsch. Nice work, Jack! And Kayte Terry took all the ideas and everything I arranged and styled it just how I imagined. She is amazingly talented. Adorn is very lucky to have Kayte on board. She is also the blogger behind This Love Forever and an etsy seller under the same name. And this article isn't all about my room, Adorn also had Kayte design one and Gregory Han (aka TypeFiend on Live Journal and flickr) from Apartment Therapy LA. You have to pick up the issue, Gregory and Kayte really went for it with their designs. I loved seeing how everyone took the idea of designing around a single chair from a big box retailer and then put their spin on how they'd design a space around it.

And you know what is even more thrilling? A loyal reader and talented artist, Anne from Florida, sent me a painting of the room to show her support. I shared this room a few months ago when Adorn sent me the final images and she transformed the image into a watercolor painting, and she sent it to me as a gift. (The print is now available in her etsy store.) Isn't that the nicest gesture? Anne will paint your room too, or your house (makes a great gift), or anything else you are proud of if you are interested for under $150 for an original. So thank you Anne for making my Adorn appearance one that will last for years to come because your painting is soon to be displayed on my wall. And thank you Adorn for asking me to contribute to your magazine, I can officially cross one dream from my list thanks to you.

My room design was inspired by my friend Danielle (and she doesn't even know it yet but I played pretend: she was my client, he he) and a painting I first saw at Three Graces Gallery in Portsmouth, NH by Bailey Saliwanshik. A little story about the painting: after months and months of still wanting it and turning the idea of owning it over and over in my head, after the photo shoot I contacted Bailey and just purchased it. I think any piece of art that you want for so many months is a sign that perhaps you should save up and buy it. Although most times, you take the risk of losing the piece because it may be sold. In this case, I think it was just meant to be. Here it is in my home, waiting to be installed. It also has a new frame, since I wanted something lighter.

I think the other painting used in the shoot is still available though, in case you are interested, click here.

(images from holly becker, jack deutsch and adorn magazine)