My Family

We are long overdue for a family picture. I finally set up the tripod last weekend in the driveway (the kids didn't want to drive to any cool locations, can you believe it?!) and we did a quick shoot between the drizzles of rain.

And goodness, these kids are growing by leaps and bounds before my very eyes. They are now ages 11, 10, 9, 3 and 14 months.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

I've been meaning to post the rest of the images of my mom at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse... so if you've been waiting to see them, here they are :)
We had so much fun with this shoot.
I'm anxious to get back to the beach for sessions, so let me know if this something you're interested in!

Taekwondo

Years ago, watching Jackie Chan movies, I would marvel at such impressive martial art moves. And now, I still admire anyone committed to learning these skills.

And this young man? Here's a budding hero, working his way toward a black belt.

At the Beach

My mom loves the beach. Her home is decorated with shells, light houses and the colors of the sea. We've been wanting to get together for a session on the beach and finally made it happen.
The forecast predicted storms. We came prepared for rain and misery, determined to get some images anyway. Instead we were blessed with a sunny, gorgeous day!

White Oaks Bed and Breakfast

Have you heard of White Oaks Bed and Breakfast?

It's a treasure, waiting to be found and experienced in Silverton, Oregon.

I'd like for you to listen in on my recent interview with the lovely White Oaks hostess, SK.

Carole Marie: SK, thank you for allowing me to visit White Oaks Bed and Breakfast. There is such a feeling of comfort there beginning with your warm welcome, the scent of fresh baked cookies, the plush bedding in every room, the water features... ahhh, truly a relaxing get-away. What made you decide to open a bed and breakfast?

SK: Thank you Carole, for taking time to make the trip to White Oaks.

White Oaks has been a long term dream. As a professional artist and interior designer, my bed and breakfast seemed to be a logical next step. I wanted to share the dream we had created. The thought just makes me smile.

Carole Marie: The first thing I noticed when I walked inside is the décor...the hardwood floors, the leaf embedded walls, the copper-topped kitchen counter. Everything is exquisitely and tastefully done. How long did it take you to create such a visual feast for the eyes?

SK: Ron and I built White Oaks from the ground up. The construction took a total of nine months of twelve hour days, six days a week.

I designed the house in a French farm style, with the structure being stucco/concrete with twelve inch walls and high ceilings. We hand textured the interior walls with a heavy trowel finish which we painted a cream and antiqued with a coffee colored glaze. The interior was designed to be comfortable and non-pretentious. The furniture is mostly recycled and refurbished. I am reluctant to buy new when we can make old things look great.

The attention White Oaks has received is astounding. I designed with function and comfort as the primary focus and my art the secondary. What I didn't realize is others wanted and couldn't find this kind of designing.

The cabinets were built by Ron. Each cabinet was designed for a specific purpose. He laughs knowing the cabinets in the entire house cost just a few hundred dollars. The cabinet glass cost more than the cabinets themselves.

I designed the kitchen by the square inch. As a houseful of cooks and chefs it was imperative that the kitchen worked efficiently.

The counters are indestructible concrete and copper. Useful, beautiful, and again non-pretentious. The more nicks and dings the better they look in my opinion.

Carole Marie: Your menu looks scrumptious! Please tell me about a favorite breakfast you create for your guests.

SK: I learned good basic farm cooking from my mother and grandmother. Stuffed French toast is among the favorites requested by guests. We always use the seasons best fruits to stuff our French toast. I make a homemade fruit syrup to compliment the toast. Fresh whipped cream, freshly ground coffee and chilled fresh fruit are always a must. Italian sausage with a maple glaze are a tasty side.

Carole Marie: Silverton,Oregon may be a small town, but it is rich in history and ambiance. What are some advantages to being located there?

SK: Silverton is a nice place, tucked in the foothills the way it is. We have killer views, plenty of recreational choices for the sports enthusiast or camping fanatic. Yet slow enough pace for those who want to shake the urban off their Nikes, but with classy little pockets of culture, and a reasonable drive from several major metro areas.

Opportunities for golf, fishing, hiking and other manner of outdoor recreation such as Silver Falls are within a few miles from Silverton's charming streets and old buildings. The small boutiques and great restaurants are a favorite of White Oaks discerning guests.

Silver Creek bisects the town with the quaint walking bridges adjoined by our public parks. The amazing farm based landscapes continues to inspire those that visit.

We seem to have more artists and art lovers than other towns of Oregon.

Silverton is central to great Oregon attractions such as the state capital, skiing, hiking, biking, Mt. Hood, Columbia River, ocean beaches.

Carole Marie: How exciting to have White Oaks featured in the magazine pages of Better Homes and Gardens, Distinctive Kitchen Design, Cottage Style and Small Rooms Decorating! Is there anything else in the works you'd like to share with us?

SK: The bed and breakfast takes up a big part of my time. Our guests are looking for something very special and memorable. I am determined to provide excellent service and memories to smile about.

With the leisure time remaining, I find myself working with clients on home design and interior design. I don't have the need to travel quite as often, as I can create a big part of my work over the internet.

The works still to be done are innumerable. {Just breathe SK!} I am currently working on my custom free-form rugs which are sent all over the world. You almost have to feel sorry for my family.

I have also been completing a requested series of E-books on interior design, featuring projects I have created at White Oaks. This series of full colored instructions, beginning with basic room design with Discovering Your Personal Style to more detailed tutorials on White Oaks is an ongoing project with the first available online at:
http://www.yourhomedesigntutorial.com

I am on a quest; learn, do and share everything I can within my life. And above it all, SMILE...

Carole Marie: SK, it's been a pleasure to talk with you. Please tell us where we can find White Oaks online to learn more.

SK: You can always visit with me on my art and design web site at: http://www.sksartell.com
You can also visit White Oaks Bed and Breakfast at: http://www.whiteoaksbedandbreakfast.com
Or call me anytime at: 503-873-1474
You can email me at: sksartell@sksartell.com

More of Miss 'B"

Here's the rest of the images from the backyard photoshoot. The lamp made such a great prop - I'm anxious to use it again.
And you haven't seen the last of Miss 'B' - we'll be getting together again for another photoshoot soon... I can hardly wait!

Pleasantly Surprised

We went to the beach last weekend, prepared for a storm - at least that's what the forecast predicted. We brought rain jackets, knit hats, rubber boots, an extra pair of clothes to change into... whatever we needed for the blustery wind and rain.

Instead, we were pleasantly surprised with a beautiful sunny day. Perfect for a photoshoot. And that's just what we did. The images are coming soon. For now, here's a peak at our lovely day...