kimberly | Kimberly Taylor Images

a {little boy’s} room

Posted on April 5, 2013 by kimberly • 9 Comments

We have been in our home for ten years this coming autumn. In those years we have done a number of things that had to be done, and a few things that we chose to do. As we spend most of our time on our main floor in our kitchen, living room and dining room that is where we chose to do our biggest renovations. The other rooms- namely the bedrooms have received little attention to decor, paint or design. However, recently we moved boys around and it was the impetus to take time to work with the boys and decorate their rooms.

One thing you should know about me is that I don’t do “decorated”. I prefer to fill the room with things that the boys love- things that inspire them and ignite creativity and learning. I want them to walk into their room and feel like it is their space and they enjoy spending time there. With that in mind, we have begun the process of “doing the bedrooms”. Currently our home is in complete disarray. Read: total utter chaos. Rooms have been emptied to paint, furniture can be found in the workspace off the kitchen, in the living room and the hallway. Plastic covers pieces that can’t be moved and I have felt like it may never end. Until yesterday. Yesterday, I was able to put #4′s room- his first room on his own- back together again. I had such a good time hanging maps and shelves, making his bed and sticking the stars he had begged for on his ceiling. I waited anxiously for him to arrive after school and was thrilled to see him love it as much as I had hoped when he walked in. Room number one- SUCCESS.

Filed Under: on the farm

shop call {oddfellows cafe}

Posted on April 3, 2013 by kimberly • 4 Comments

There is something about a cozy coffee shop, don’t you think? A place where, when you walk through the door, you are welcomed with the sound of people visiting, espresso being made and the smell of glorious coffee mixed with something delicious to eat. One of my favorite places that fits the bill perfectly in Seattle is Oddfellows Cafe on Capitol Hill in Seattle.

The first thing I noticed about Oddfellows Cafe was the huge bank of windows covering the front which, on those beautiful sunny days here in Seattle, can be opened wide, blurring the boundaries of indoors and out. Upon entering you will find weathered brick walls, a long marble countertop at the bar and a huge collection of repurposed fixtures, tables and stools.

Housed in the historic Oddfellows building which was built in 1908 and restored in 2008, the cafe has maintained much of the original buildings character. While renovating the space a number of treasures were discovered in the basement of the building and incorporated into the decor of the cafe. The floors are original wood and the brick walls were also a part of the original structure.

The following is from their website:

“We source our food from predominantly local purveyors to produce beautiful, simple food using as many sustainable, organic, humane and environmentally friendly products as much as possible.”

“The interior, furnishings and fixtures at Oddfellows are 90% salvaged, recycled or repurposed.”

“All of our paper goods, paper menus, bar supplies, coffee supplies and takeout materials are between 90-100% recycled post-consumer goods and are 100% compostable.”

I love you Oddfellows…

Oddfellows Cafe + Bar

No. 1525 10th Avenue,

Seattle, WA

Filed Under: out and about

bringing clean water to {uganda}

Posted on March 25, 2013 by kimberly • 3 Comments

Hello friends,

I am sitting here with the sun streaming through the windows having just spoken with Christian from Waves for Water. They are an amazing organization who’s goal is to spread clean water through distributing filters around the world. My gorgeous friend Alexis hooked me up with them, seeing as she has that whole “waves/cool surfer/southern california” thing mastered. (She and her husband know the man who began the project) So, here’s the deal- Waves for Water supplies filters that are light weight, easy to use and if taken care of, will filter up to 1,000,000 gallons. Can you imagine what the means to communities where there biggest challenge is staying healthy without clean water?? I read recently that something like (don’t quote me here) 80% of people in hospitals in developing countries are there due to lack of clean water and illnesses that result from consuming dirty water.

So, for the next three months I am attempting to raise enough money through their Clean Water Courier program to purchase 100 filters. They weight half a pound each and will fit in one of my suitcases. I love the idea that this isn’t a bandaid that will disappear soon after I leave Africa, but will last for five years providing water to these families. And in five years, maybe another more permanent solution will be found. But for now, that is one step closer to health for these people- something they desperately need.

So, I am asking you, please, go to this site and consider making a donation. Every dollar counts and the more funds we raise, the more people’s lives are impacted. The further we can spread this, the more people we can share it with, the more clean water we will provide. I am so excited about this friends- and I promise to document it all for you so that you too can see what it means to bring something that we take for granted to people who have rarely known clean water. We can do this- you and I. I know we can!

You can visit the page here - http://www.wavesforwater.org/courier/bringing-clean-water-to-uganda – and learn more about the program, the filters and what this amazing company is doing around the world.

Thank you, again.

Filed Under: travel

this week {on the farm}

Posted on March 23, 2013 by kimberly • 9 Comments

Happy Saturday friends!

I took a break from the internet this week, first to celebrate #1 turning 19 (#2 and I traveled to Vancouver to visit him and had a wonderful 24 hours together). The rest of the week was spent working on indoor projects as it has been really wet out, and then, yesterday we awoke to snow. This is fine however as we have some exciting things coming and there is a list of things I want to get done in the house before gardening season really kicks off~

We are working on two painting jobs right now- one in #4′s room and one in the “dorm room”- the lowest floor in the house where #s 2 & 3 are. I am still contemplating what we will do with the spaces but have all sorts of ideas. However I want to get the paint up first as we are making some pretty dramatic changes with regards to color and I want to see it first to make sure our ideas will work.

I have also been working on some little projects- rewiring an existing lamp and making a new table lamp from an old vase. It was my first foray into creating lighting and I anticipate doing more of it in the future as it is wonderful to think that I can create any look that I want with some wire and a socket! I am already eyeing a few fixtures I dislike quite a bit…

Mr. Taylor is away for the next 8 days so in that time I plan to keep busy working on projects and, if the weather report is correct, getting outside in the sunshine. These lawns are in desperate need of a mowing and I still have spring pruning and weeding to get to. And the roofs need to be cleaned off as there are the last remaining leaves that are wreaking havoc on the drains!

Have you ever made soda bread? I want to try this.

I love making ricotta and this recipe for scones looks divine~

This makes me impatient to do our patio extension before summer.

I love an inspiring farm visit!

Have a wonderful weekend~

Filed Under: on the farm

farm to table photography workshop with {Clare Barboza}

Posted on March 16, 2013 by kimberly • 3 Comments

Hello friends,

I was talking to my friend and mentor Clare Barboza recently and we were discussing workshops as that is how she and I met. Hers was the first photography workshop I had ever taken and it really influenced how I shoot and what I am drawn to. Clare has photographed many cookbooks- my favorites being local farm-based ones. I love that she too is passionate about capturing where food comes from as it really connects how we eat. So when she reminded me that she had a farm to table workshop coming up in May I wanted to share it with you. The group will be traveling to Whidbey Island just off the coast of western Washington. It is a fabulous island (I secretly dream of relocating to a farm there!) and the farms she is visiting promise to be filled with amazing photo opportunities.

I find that workshops are an amazing place to connect with people who are passionate about their craft just as I am. I love the “going to camp” feeling that binds the participants and I can promise you- Clare is a gem of a teacher. She is positive and warm and so encouraging. If you are looking to do a lifestyle workshop that is food related and in a wonderful venue, this is your chance. I am so envious that participants will be visiting Little Brown Farm and as it will be May, there will be baby goats!! What is cuter than photographing baby farm animals? Another farm they will be visiting is Willowood Farm on Eby’s Landing. What a gorgeous setting~ And if you do go, please tell me as I would love to see your images and hear all about it!

When: May 23-26, 2013

Where: Whidbey Island, WA

What: 3 days of photography, 2 (maybe 3) farm visits, a trip to the farmers market, delicious meals, lessons in natural light food photography and how to tell a story through images, ample time to play with lots of fun props, and last but not least, time to relax with like-minded people in a beautiful setting.

How much: $1350, which includes everything– all workshop instruction, 3 nights accommodations here, (please note that rooms are SHARED), all meals, beverages, and snacks.

Click HERE to register.