Tom and I have had a bit of excitement at the house. Our home and collections were photographed for Martha Stewart Living. Yes, indeed! Hence my absence from the blog – we were busy cleaning, scrubbing, waxing, and polishing everything. Just for Martha 🙂

I want to thank photographer Helen Norman and Martha Stewart Home Editor Lorna Aragon for working tirelessly throughout the shoot.

With her artistic eye, Helen did a brilliant job capturing each room. I always learn a great deal from my friend Helen. She sees the best angles, and is so creative in manipulating the light. After each photo, I’d say “this is my favorite, Helen!” 🙂

It was my first time working with Lorna and, wow, talk about impressive! From flowers to furnishings, her thoughtful styling created many lovely vignettes, layers and moments. In addition to being talented, Lorna is quite strong. She insisted on helping move whatever needed moving.

Here we are about to have a quick lunch of yummy Danish Smorrebrod or open-faced sandwiches that
Tom made. Helen is seated on the left, while Lorna is on the right.
That’s me in the middle…always in the middle!

Helen Norman’s photos are beautiful. I’ll keep you posted on the publication date.In the meantime, enjoy these gorgeous flower arrangements that Lorna created. I brought a couple to the shop after the shoot.

An early spring arrangement of very fragrant hyacinths. I adore their heady, sweet scent. Iconic plantsman Christopher Lloyd once said “If hyacinth scent is cloying, I am perfectly happy to be cloyed.”
These stunning green-and-white parrot tulips take on a modern spirit arranged in this simple fish bowl. With the changing light each tulip reaches here and there, creating a bit of a dance. Don’t you think the blooms look hand painted?
Many thanks to Lorna and Martha Stewart Living for the flowers!
Adding to the excitement, I finally met in person a much admired blog friend: the charismatic Mary from A Breath of Fresh Air! She and her husband Bob just enjoyed their golden anniversary. Mary was born in England, and she met the debonair Bob in Washington, DC – the happy couple came to town to celebrate. And, they made a special trip to visit moi in little Bethesda, Maryland 🙂 I couldn’t be more honored as this worldly couple has circled the globe. Mary has been to all seven continents, btw. Below is a sampling of her travel photos.
A N T A R C T I C A
R U S S I A
S W E D E N
C R O A T I A
A R G E N T I N A
I N D I A
V I E T N A M
Z A M B I A

ABOVE: The majestic Victoria Falls at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Did you enjoy that tour around the world? Cool photos, right? Please visit A Breath of Fresh Air for more. Many thanks to Mary and Bob! The pleasure was all mine~
With my crazy schedule, it’s been difficult to post regularly on the blog. I’m going to try writing more but shorter posts – fingers crossed. You can also check out my INSTAGRAM account where I share daily snippets of…
New arrivals at Tone on Tone
Homes of clients and friends including:
This conservatory sitting room in CT.
And the living room of artist Jill Bateman.

Our gardens

Our home in DC (update soon)
Our home in Maine

Hope you’ll follow along on INSTAGRAM.
Thanks so much!!
Cheers,
Loi