Category Archives: Family

I’m Dreaming of…a Newly Furnished Living Room


I'm Dreaming of...a Newly Furnished Living Room
Gender not specified View treeBorn:
Father: UnspecifiedMother: Unspecified
Children: none
Siblings: none

Do you dream of the perfect reading nook?

Last year’s holiday season brought a drum kit into my living room of eleven years. This prompted a historic reimagining of where our Christmas tree would live this year. All of which, coupled with the fact that I’m working on a Charles Dickens Christmas mystery right now, made me think of my living room past, present, and future.

Once upon a time, I had a blue corduroy high-end recliner in one corner of the bow window. Next to it was an antique piecrust table with two levels, that I’d purchased or inherited somewhere along the way. I framed a photo of a gorgeous bouquet of flowers in a white wood frame, so I always had a touch of spring, and placed it on the bottom level of the table. Intermixed were candles and family photos, nicely framed. A tall lamp added illumination.

It was my happy place.

On to the present. Someone rearranged my living room. The chair broke. The table broke. The lamp broke. I had a toddler so no more candles in the living room. The flowers disappeared. Now, in another part of this large room, I own a brown corduroy chair, not nearly as plush (but made in America), a cheap lamp from Target, and an unfinished wooden table with a big pile of middle grade books perched there. The sense of peace and pretty are gone.

What might my future reading and writing nook look like? I’m going to dream, using www.arhaus.com. Come imagine your new favorite spot with me!

First of all, I must have the Easton 33″ Upholstered Tufted Recliner in Elmont Ink-. It’s so elegant. It would probably be the nicest piece of furniture I ever owned, and bonus – it’s made in America!

I’ve written a trilogy set in the 1920s, so I think I need this table along the wall behind my recliner. I love the mirror finish. It can hold a nice stack of my research books for Christmas Carol Murdered, with a side of mushroom books for my next Krinar story.

I need a table to the left of my chair. It will hold my water (I’m drinking lots these days), a kid book or two, my bullet journal, my phone… I don’t think I can resist the iron console table, even if it is probably too large. I’m researching trains for…reasons…and this will remind me about that project.

Of course I need a nice lamp, preferably one my father isn’t afraid will explode on me one of these days. I always buy floor lamps, but my console table will have room for a table lamp if I want to go that route for once. Here are some prime options. The Marla floor lamp has a lovely period feel, and I like lamps with a “hang” to them that I can turn around to refocus on whatever I’m doing. The Domino table lamp is a good fit for me. It reminds me of both the geometry of 1920s designs, and Native American baskets. It’s nice to put hints of both my hobby (basket weaving) and my heritage (Delaware/Cherokee tribes among many other ethnicities) into my home décor. Arhaus has many unique lighting pieces to accent a reading nook. 

This basket is nicer than I’m capable of making, and it might look nice on one of my new tables. It harkens back to the table lamp.

On the other side of the room, I might hang this Rain at Sea framed print. It would be a nice way to let my eyes relax after long hours at the computer, and looks appropriately Pacific Northwest.

What do I think? Did I build myself the perfect space for creative work and relaxation? What do you need in your special space?

Here is my Pinterest board! https://www.pinterest.com/heatherhiestand/dream-living-room/

One chapter ends, another begins

One chapter ends, another beginsGender not specified View treeBorn:
Father: UnspecifiedMother: Unspecified
Children: none
Siblings: none

oldest running carThe oldest running car on the planet: the 1884 De Dion, Bouton et Trepardou Dos-à-Dos

It’s done! I just turned in Book 6 of my Redcakes series, which is Matilda’s book. Time to start plotting book 7, which will be the first book set at the new Redcake’s Tea Shop in Kensington! Yes, my Victorian tea shop story world is expanding a bit. Things can’t stay the same forever. But the heroine is someone who has been around since book 1, The Marquess of Cake, and she has a dark secret you’ll never guess. It’s time to finally get to know the real Betsy Popham, who readers have known since she was just seventeen.

I hope you’ve been enjoying my most recent release, Christmas Delights, which came out less than two weeks ago. In honor of Lewis Noble, the hero, I posted the photo of an early car above.  The vehicle Lewis uses to drive Victoria and Penelope to Brighton in 1889 would probably not have been much more elaborate than this. I hope you appreciate the visual!

I have my holiday menu planned, and tonight is the big Thanksgiving shop with my mother-in-law. We’re going to try baking a fancy new caramel shortbread bar in addition to pumpkin and apple pies. Should be tasty…

Happy shopping, prepping and eating this week! How many people are you eating with this Thanksgiving? We just have five this year, so it won’t be too crazy.