Meeting Loi at Tone on Tone. . . . . . . . .

I just don't know where to start with this post! 
So many beautiful things to show you.
Woods - natural and painted, leafy green topiaries, china, ironstone, glass, 
metal concrete, fabric. . . . . . . all the textures we love in our homes.

I do know however that meeting blog friends in person 

is one of the most fun things ever. . . . . .always!

Meeting Loi Thai from the outstanding blog
Tone on Tone 
made our weekend in Washington, D.C. a double celebration - 
our special anniversary plus an unforgettable visit to the most beautiful
 antiques shop imaginable.

I so enjoyed meeting Loi. He's funny. He's kind. He's one of those special people 
you feel you've known forever after the first hug.  He is an accomplished designer 
of interiors and gardens, as well as a 'shopkeeper'. 
(That's the Brit coming out in me, as Napoleon said, "the British are a 
nation of shopkeepers", not that Loi is British).
We really had fun chatting - I wished we'd had longer - and he kindly helped Bob 
feed those nasty Washington parking meters by digging up many quarters for us!  

Loi and partner Tom have gathered amazingly beautiful pieces of antique 
Swedish furniture, along with stunning European accessories, on their buying 
trips across the pond. 
They recently returned from one and I'm looking forward to see the contents of 
that container when it arrives. I wanted to steal Loi away, along with the entire 
contents of the shop, and bring the whole kit and caboodle back with 
me to North Carolina!

I think you will agree that everything on view in Tone on Tone is beautiful, whether 

or not your personal decor preferences encompass Scandinavian/European furnishings 

and accessories.  Loi and Tom have a vision which they obviously hold very dear and 

never shy away from, both for their shop and fabulous home. 
On visiting Loi's blog, Tone on Tone, you will also see their stunning Washington
house and garden, as well as their attractive vacation home in Maine.

Loi called me yesterday and, among other things, we 

discussed the excitement and upheaval at his home last week. . . . . go check his 
current blog post and read the exciting news about another magazine shoot! 

Tone on Tone sits on a brilliant sunny corner in bustling Bethesda, Maryland, just 

outside the District of Columbia. Everything is light and bright, clean and shiny.

It's many, many years since I lived not far from here. I can imagine how greatl it 

would have been if the shop had been there back then.

Just passing the sparkling clean windows, gazing through at all the wonderful things

for home and garden, is breathtaking . . . . . . then opening the door and walking inside,

only to fall in love with just about everything, is a very special feeling.

Topiaries grown and nurtured by Loi - Bob waiting to feed the meter again so I 

can have more time to look at everything and chat with Loi.

It's so nice to see antiques displayed the way Loi does it. Absolutely no clutter, 

definitely not a speck of dust, and all you might spy stacked up are a couple 

of precious antique vellum tomes from Loi's personal collection. . . . . which I wanted 

to buy and bring back to my cottage. The art of perfect display is at every turn here, 

nothing grimy, dusty and musty like so many antiques establishments.

Thank you Loi for making my visit so enjoyable - thank you Bob who is so good 

about taking me to meet blogging buddies, here, there and everywhere. 

I'm already looking forward to another visit here when in the area.

 Meanwhile, I hope other readers will have the chance to visit and shop here at 

Tone on Tone. . . . . . . tell Loi I sent you, but be prepared with quarters, 

those parking meters are ravenous in the nation's capital, and you'll want

plenty of time to look at everything, take my word for it.