Cathy Lancaster is a force of color and design and personality who has swept into Chicago to offer her delightful, upbeat outlook on life through her many design talents.

Originally from Mississippi, Cathy and her husband lived several years in New Orleans, as they raised their three children, then moved to Memphis where Cathy established herself with her artist mother in their own studio.

Although her mother is a landscape and flower artist, she encouraged Cathy to explore “the abstract designs in her head,” as she describes them.  An avid doodler, Cathy began painting primary color squares on her canvasses, which sold quickly.

As she continued to explore other mediums, such as collage work, Cathy was seeing her designs grow in complexity and color.

And as her canvas designs blossomed, so did her other offerings – folding tables (!), fabrics, tea towels, notebook covers, face masks, wallcoverings and art on paper.  As she explains it, “solo galleries are big in the south, where artists feature and market their own work in their own spaces.”

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Last fall, my husband and I toyed with the idea of building a pool and mid-century style pool/guest house at our Indiana cabin.  I even drafted some rough plans which included a great room, sleeping for 4-6 and a kitchenette for easy pool service.

Then the pandemic hit.  We shelved our plans because of the economic uncertainty, and  (sadly) the vanishing act of 40 + friends and family who had vowed they would make the drive to share our pool fun…Our mantra became “maybe next year!”

Then my daughter introduced me to KidKraft playhouses…I know, it’s not exactly built for guests, but it’s a bright substitute for what we CAN install at our cabin that will make our three grandchildren jump for joy.  And it’s soooo mid-century!

The weight of the box coming off the truck told us that the kit was “complex…”

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Wanderlust and travel envy is rampant.

I have friends and family calling me every day to lament that they are tearing their hair out doing the same thing in the same “office” that’s in the same house without a break.  Staycations have lost their meaning because we’ve been staying where we would normally stage a staycation!

Enter the humble trailer.  Or not so humble…

Last week, the WSJ featured this little gem by Romotow.  “For many, a change of scenery now isn’t just about the ‘where’ but especially the ‘how,'” They explain in their promotional material.

This amazing Romotow newby is built almost entirely of carbon fiber-reinforced composite materials.  With the push of a button, the RV literally turns from a 30-foot-long, eight-and-a-half foot wide trailer into a cushy retreat.

It makes sense that the Romotow founders are an architect and a structural engineer who have honed their skills on contemporary homes.  Of course, these smashing designs can climb way over seven figures, what with a wide range of bespoke features.  But forget about the price!

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Thirteen hours at 70 miles per hour, and there we were last week, on Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.  Our quarantined daughter, plus her husband and baby, greeted us with a grilled seafood dinner and a sweet little Airbnb that was literally built on the seawall.

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Porch.  What a wonderful word!  It’s evocative of summer, Grandma, quiet conversation, lazy days.  There doesn’t seem to be any down note about a porch…

Some lucky people have fabulous porches, with recliners and wicker and ferns and dappled sunlight.

Others have tiny porches that they make the most of.  We’re all trying to find ways to enjoy our homes and safe spaces as much as possible these days.

If you can fit a chair on it, you can sit on the porch.

I was pondering how different the 4th of July will be for most of us this year.We usually count 20 at the cabin with BBQ’s and a beautiful fireworks display from our dock.

This year, we’ll happily be sitting on our porch listening to the distant pop-pop of firecrackers and catching an occasional fireworks explosion on the horizon.

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Take a look at some of the photos readers sent in, putting their passions on display!

I was so pleased and touched by many of the responses and photos I received after sending my newsletter about personal display areas. Some surprising, some endearing, I couldn’t have guessed at the many directions folks take in collections, souvenirs, photos and paraphernalia!  But I thank everyone for giving us a glimpse of their personal interests and histories.

E. of Chicago celebrates champagne occasions by making souvenir chairs.

D. of Indiana collects handmade dolls all over the world (from Haiti to the Sahara).

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Great news for gardeners!  The Illinois governor has declared greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries essential businesses.  They’re open and running.  But for those of you who don’t have a garden or balcony, this is an opportunity to invite Nature INTO your home for a long stay, as well.  She is a soothing guest to have around, and her color is healing and easy to use…

I slipped this in, because who wouldn’t love to quarantine here!

Some naturalists say that all greens complement each other.

I tend to agree, because plants do offer such a variety that we never tire of looking up and seeing the mix.

The lowly houseplant has become an “essential worker” in soothing the quarantined mind and brightening a gray day!

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I had one wish this Christmas, and it was to spend the holidays in Italy.  Well, I got my wish (also an anniversary present) because our daughters and their families were out of town.

Italy…I always say that it’s God’s gift to humans.

The beauty, the food, the people.  It’s the usual list of wonderfuls.  But add Christmas and New Years to the mix, and it becomes a feast for the senses!

Rome will always be my first love.  The ancient quality around every corner; the casual lifestyle that demands gelato every day.  You might drop into an outdoor chair for a quick coffee and end the day in that same chair ordering three pastas and a few cocktails.

At Christmas, every door is dressed in splendor.  Every street boasts different glistening highlines.  The stores are bustling, and streets are crowded -not with tourists – but Italians!

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About this time of year, when the shadows are deep, the cicadas are in full concert and the sun is so golden, I start to long for Italy.

I never really care where I go in Italy, or when…it’s a country where the food, people, language and architecture always feed my soul. And I’m sure there are millions of people who would agree with me.

My husband and I realized early in planning our travels that your choice of hotels can make or break your trip. We don’t necessarily go for the five star ones or big names. Instead, we search for the local ones, full of ambiance and quirks.  A little bit of research will tell you a lot about the hotel, and so do the reviews.

Last September, when we landed in Catania, we decided to rest for a few days in an unusual little hotel called the Romano Palace, that was spread out on the beach.

It had a Moroccan vibe that I loved, and many landscaped acres. So it was very easy to lounge until dinner, and drive a short way into the heart of Catania. 

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