{GHP} A few of my favorite sites [friends] in blogland

27 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in House and Home, Misc

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If you’re anything like me you’ve got more blog sites to read and follow than you ever imagined. Like the back-up on our DVR recorder (of TV programs), I start feeling like the homework assignments are piling up and I’m behind. I’m a huge fan of an article on time management written by William Oncken Jr. and Donald L. Wass, “Management Time: Who’s Got the Monkey?” published in Harvard Business Review in 1974*. I can’t stand to have the monkey on my back…if I have an assignment, even one I love, i.e. gardening, reading blog sites, etc., (self-imposed or otherwise) I’m happiest once I’ve caught up with all of it. Does that happen to you?

Lately I have too many pulls on my time. I’ve informed Mr. B that my television viewing will include fewer programs and he can start watching some of the recorded TV shows on his own. I’ve become more discerning where my blog reading is concerned as well, but I confess, it has been more challenging than paring down my television viewing. The reason is the producers and actors on TV aren’t my friends! Silly? Maybe, but when I’ve received comments from fellow bloggers, I’m so appreciative, and I immediately feel a sense of loyalty to read their posts and comment, as time permits. If you manage a blog, you’ll understand.

As time continues to evaporate, I’m attempting to be more selective with my blog-reading. I’ve noticed there are several sites that seem like a present waiting to be opened. When I receive an email in my inbox that they have a new post waiting for me, I’m actually excited. I can hardly wait to click over and read what’s new in their world. So, not to minimize any of my other must-read blog sites, here is a list of some of my favorites, they are always entertaining. I won’t give them their due with my summary of each, but I can tell you this, you won’t be disappointed if you take the time to click over to their site.

Tone on Tone, Loi :: I clicked a link to Tone on Tone via Velvet Linen several months ago. Loi’s site never ceases to wow me with the beauty of his home, and the furnishings sold at their (his and Thomas’) antiques store. He features incredible photographs of some of the homes of friends and always shares entertaining ideas and inspires his readers. I should also add, he is generous with his time and almost always leaves thoughtful and fun comments on my blog site.

tone on tone 5th and State, Debra :: I can’t remember where I found the link to 5th and State, but I know it was sometime around the holidays the year I discovered the talented Debra. She has three stores in the Chicago area, is a landscape designer and leads tours through England, and still manages to post incredible pictures of her trips and ideas for landscape and outdoor space as well as some beautiful interior designs. When I get a comment from Debra I feel like I’m hearing from a dear friend!

christmas showhouse 5th and state For the Love of a House, Joan :: I cannot remember where I found this site either (it should actually be considered a ticket to an ongoing class on how to transform a historic, run down house into a beautiful, warm and inviting home. Dan and Joan are a husband and wife team that have created a fabulous home. They both approach each project with such thoughtful creative spirit, and offer inspiring ideas. Be sure to visit each room she has links for. Oh, and she’s had lunch with Bunny Williams, how cool is that? Joan often provides lists of her “must haves”. I would have to rate the items I’ve tried as 5 star tips!

Other must-read sites I’ve mentioned before: Victoria Elizabeth Barnes, French Kissed, Adventures of Tartanscot, Design Chic, Slim Paley…I love them all! A new blog I’m enjoying is written by my friend Whitney, her blog, Sandpaper and Silly Putty, is fresh, filled with creative ideas, and always inspires me.

You can see how this time-crunch problem developed. So many lovely and talented bloggers, so little time!

I don’t think Mary had these time related issues, do you?

This doesn’t mean I won’t discover new blog sites to love…its like window shopping, you sometimes find something you aren’t sure you can live without. You can subscribe, it’s free, and you can always unsubscribe if you don’t find yourself in sync with what they’re all about.

Blogging is such a pleasurable adventure, don’t you agree?

I’m off to Austin to spend Easter with my granddaughter, oh, and her parents! See you when I return. Have a glorious Easter and may spring provide plenty of sunshine for your celebration. Karen ♥

{Home, Garden} Flower arranging, in a vase or in the garden

20 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, House and Home

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Spring flowers

{1}

Those of us that enjoy our gardens, especially in the U.S., are still anticipating the full glory of spring. I thought I’d provide you with a little inspiration by sharing some pretty flower arrangements for you to enjoy. Some are simple and some are elaborate, all are beautiful [i.m.h.o].

{2}

…come along, through the magical gate that will place us squarely in spring on the other side…

{3}

Where can I find fuchsia’s this color?

{4}

wouldn’t I love a hedge of hydrangea like this…

{5}

and ranunculus this color?

{6}

{7}

Oh, how I wish I lived where lilacs would grow.

{8}

{9}

{10}

This color (below) is one of Ina Garten’s favorites…

{11}

{12}

{13}

{14}

I’m not sure what kind of bulb this is but it’s pretty even before it blooms.

{15}

Spring’s bounty, flowering branches, pussy willow and some kind of seed pod.

{16}

And for my final floral contestant…possibly a wedding prop, dancing in one direction, dining in the other. Either way, I love the rusty old bicycle used for the flowers.

{17}

Source: 1-13, Tumblr Fresh as a Daisy; 14, Tumblr A Gift Wrapped Life; 15, Tumblr Love French Bulldogs; 16-17, Tumblr Looking for Rainbows in the Moonlight

Spring will be here (in the U.S.) any time now, in fact we’ve been teased with some warm days. Wait for it, it will give us all a lift of spirits and a new level of energy. ♥ Karen

I’m joining Savvy Southern Style for her Wow Us Wednesday and on Thursday, Stone Gable, Tutorials Tips and Tidbits

{GHP} Happy St. Patrick’s Day

17 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Holidays, Travel

≈ 22 Comments

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St. Patrick's Day

I’d like to invite you to drop by my house this morning, Sunday, March 17th,

St. Patrick’s Day…

{1}

We’ll travel through the countryside of Ireland, I’ll drive…

{2}

{3}

We’ll stop and visit a few of the stately homes…

Note: This post is pure fantasy. As it turns out this lovely structure (below) is located in Wales {thanks, Rosemary}

Photograph by: Gareth Hughes

{4}

maybe even visit one that offer tours…

{5}

{6}

{7}

{8}

{9}

Since the weather is pleasant, I suggest we have lunch at an old church that has been converted into a restaurant.

{10}

The courtyard of the church has a lovely outdoor dining spot…

{11}

if it starts to rain we can eat in the sun room, equally lovely…

{12}

We have to try the restaurant’s specialty St. Paddy’s Day beverage, “Liquid Luck”…

{13}

Remind me to show you a favorite little tree house on the way back…

{14}

Here’s the key…

{15}

I know we’ll have fun visiting, enjoying lunch and laughing…I can’t think of a better way to spend the day! ♥ Karen

♣Happy St. Patrick’s Day♣

Source: {1, 5, 8, 9 – tumblr The Fullerview; 2, 3, 10, 12 – tumblr Wasping through the Countryside; 4, 6, 7 – tumblr Connoisseur; 11 – tumblr Simply Pix; 13, 14 – tumblr Looking for Rainbows in the Moonlight, 15 – tumblr Lavender Colored Glasses}

{Home} The scrapbook of your life

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, House and Home

≈ 23 Comments

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accessories

For a home to hold great appeal and interest for me it has to have a personality. In fact, my friend Linda recently read a quote from a designer, “I like to surround myself with things I love because I feel that my home is like a scrapbook of my life”. This sums it up nicely. That is where the personality of a home comes in. When done well, a home reads like a scrapbook of where someone has been, their interests, their history and their pursuits.

{source}

I’ve ~~lectured~~ posted on this topic before {HERE and HERE}, but I think we’re currently in the midst of a design trend that embraces the use of reclaimed, recycled and antique (previously owned) pieces and I couldn’t be happier for it. For me personally, it’s the ideal way to go ‘green’.

{source}

Some of the treasures we love to accessorize with have gotten pricey, even when you can find it on eBay, but if you’re lucky, you have a few items handed down through family. Those are my favorites, although I’m not opposed to adding to the collection by a decade long search of each antique shop or thrift store I encounter on vacations.

Notice the wallpaper (below)…it looks to be antique newsprint, and that mirror, I can only imagine those that stole a glance at themselves as they passed it in a hallway or bedroom!

{source}

My father-in-law left us his binoculars in their original black leather case, the smaller pair were from a friend of my mother’s. All rest on the antique French coat rack in our hallway…at the ready for bird watching {joke}.

I believe furniture made from reclaimed woods can be found for reasonable prices, but I’ve seen some that out pace an antique, pricing wise.

{I think the above image is Restoration Hardware, but the antique prints make the wall sconces, mirrors, hanging light and vanity all look vintage or antique}

{Amy Howard via Cote de Texas}

{tumblr}

{tumblr

A closing post of a much loved blog site, Henhurst Interiors, 2.7.13 featured this quote “People who collect out of love are exempt from the dictates that govern traditional design, for there are no rules for true lovers.” – Rose Tarlow in The Private House ♥ Phyllis, we’ll miss you, I hope you will return to your blog sometime in the not too distant future.

{Party} Meatloaf, recipe variations

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, House and Home, Recipes

≈ 23 Comments

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Meatloaf

As I mentioned in my Valentine’s Dinner post, meatloaf, especially in the winter months, is a comfort food…for some, not for me. It is one of Mr. B’s favorite meals and it used to be a favorite of my father’s. I can remember mom making a huge meatloaf and then we would eat meatloaf sandwiches for a couple of days after she served the beast.

{1770 House Meatloaf ~ Ina Garten, Foolproof}

Years ago, when my mom fixed meatloaf for Mr. B (shortly after we were married) on our drive home he said, “why don’t you ever fix meatloaf?” To which I stated, “because I don’t really care for it”…yep, I can be selfish that way. After giving it some thought I decided maybe it was my mom’s meatloaf that I really didn’t like (bless you, mom) so I began trying meatloaf recipes from a wide array of sources.

{source}

{Charlotte Moss}

I hit upon a recipe that I was certain couldn’t be rivaled in a 2001 Bon Appetit. The March issue featured a meatloaf called “Red-Onion Meat Loaf“. Since Mr. B loved red onion and I didn’t mind it I figured I’d give it a go. It’s a delicious recipe and I’ve given you the link so that you can easily print it and try it yourself.

{source}

Then, a few years ago we were watching Bobby Flay’s Throw Down, on Food TV. He threw down for a meatloaf cook-off with the Collucci brothers of Hyannis, Mass. They have been serving their meatloaf recipe for generations at the Collucci’s 4 Brothers Bistro & Last Resort. I seem to remember that Bobby lost the throw down, but it was his recipe that sounded best to Mr. B. and I. I’ve been making the recipe ever since…until Ian Garten’s new Foolproof cookbook had a recipe for 1770 House meatloaf. I had to try it. It’s delicious but Mr. B, and fortunately, I agree that Bobby Flay’s recipe still wins our cravings, hands down.

{source}

Click on the link for each recipe and give them a try if you and yours love meat loaf. I’ve included table settings to jazz things up a bit. Hey, if you’re going to eat you have to set the table, right?

{Martha Stewart ~ photo by Maura McEvoy}

Do you like meatloaf? If you have a wonderful recipe, I’d love to borrow it. I’m always searching for the next “best” meatloaf ever for my honey!

{Happy 40th Anniversary, Mr. B}

{Home} Take a load off

01 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Decorating, House and Home

≈ 27 Comments

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furniture

Chairs…we all have at least a few of them where we live, right? A couple of my best friends make a hobby of collecting them. I confess, I’ve become more fascinated with chairs and their overall design of late and if it weren’t for the fact that there isn’t one square inch of space left in our home, I could see myself buying a few of the beauties I’ve posted here.

{Possibly my favorite chair…the ottoman makes this a ideal spot for me to relax and read. The room is a south-facing room so it’s usually light and warm in the winter months}

{I have more than one version of the chair above, I love the wood wings on the chair and the slope of the back}

{The chairs on either side of the fireplace are inviting and appear to be comfortable}

{The leather and nail head wing back chair above is something I think could fit in almost anywhere—it’s got a wing-back look but doesn’t have the bulk of a wing back chair}

It was a great coincidence for me that I had started a folder of pictures of chairs in anticipation of writing a post about the topic. Alison of The Polohouse invited her readers to join her “Favorites on the First” with talk of chairs.
{I love it when the planets align!}

{Circa designs via heirloom philosophy}

{This club chair came from a consignment store years ago, it’s been recovered more than once, this Ralph Lauren fabric is the latest. The chair is very comfortable, just ask Madison (our dog) who spends most of her day in it!}

{I love this chair (above) with the flannel plaid on the front and the leather on the back}

{Wicker is always a classic and while the back on this one could use a cushion, in my opinion, its a very pretty chair}

{Belgian Pearls}

This version of a wing back chair was an instant favorite with the overstuffed seat and nail heads…

{Lydia Chair via Henhurst Interiors}

{sigh}

I love a chair with details, like above and below.

{Gregorius Pineo via T&G Interiors}

{Jane Moore via Cote de Texas}

I like the added beauty of wood and linen or leather on a chair.

{John Saladino}

{Traditional Home}

Do you have a favorite chair? Do you like down-filled cushions? I’m always happy to hear from you!

March's Linky Party 3/1,2,3

I’m linking to Alison’s [The Polohouse] Favorites on the First…have a look.

{Home} Keeping things neutral

27 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, House and Home, Paint Color, Trends

≈ 20 Comments

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neutral color palate

Since many are still experiencing winter at her snowy best (or worst) I thought I would stay indoors and ponder the beauty of a neutral color palate for a room…

This is Wikipedia’s definition of neutral color:

Grey or gray is an intermediate color between black and white, a neutral or achromatic color, meaning literally a color “without color.” ^[2] It is the color of a cloud-covered sky, of ash and of lead.^[3]

In Europe and America, grey is the color most frequently associated with the elderly, humility, reflection, boredom, dullness, uncertainty, and indifference.^[4]

Pretty funny. Grey isn’t the first or only color that pops into my head when I think of a room reflecting a neutral palate. I usually think of white or a soft beige and maybe a little grey. And what’s up with the second paragraph…who entered this opinion?

I am attracted to neutral rooms, and yet I know I am not one to want to live in a home that is primarily decorated in shades of neutral.

Today, I’m sharing today, rooms that are primarily neutral. I love each and every image I’m sharing but I’ve soul-searched and I can’t make the leap. Maybe when I move to that cottage in the Cottswolds?

{queen of white ~ Tricia Foley}

{Nancy Fishelson ~ Litchfield, CT}

{El’lefebien via Belgian Pearls}

{Brabourne Farm}

{Architectural Digest}

{Cote de Texas}

{Segreto Finishes}

{Home Bunch}

{Photo by Antoine Bootz ~ Southern Accents}

{Belgian Pearls}

{Providence Ltd. Design}

The promise of spring is just around the corner. I hope you are warm and dry and may spring shine on your home soon.

{Garden} Keeping bees happy and other gardening pursuits

20 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, Maintenance

≈ 21 Comments

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Bees

Pilgrims brought the first honeybees to America. There were honeybees in California by 1820.

I’ve been busy as a bee in my garden…planning and planting. (It was one of my New Year goals)

{tumblr ~ fresh as a daisy}

After ignoring my front yard during the month of December and most of January, I decided it was time to clean up a few things. My gardener had pruned the roses and I usually do a little detailing to make sure they are trimmed properly.

{Bethany House ~ Winter, 2011}

Working in the garden relaxes me and makes me happy. This past weekend the work inspired me to start making plans for the plants I want to install (as part of my New Year’s “goals”) and I came up with a list that I’ll order/pick up at the nursery and plant sometime between now and the end of March.

{Bethany House ~ backyard fence}

For now I’ve planted some infrastructure for the planting beds, behind the boxwood in the front yard are…

‘Alaska’ azalea, a lovely white blooming plant that should grow fairly fast in this part-sun location to cover the valves for the sprinklers.

~and~

phygelius ‘Passionate Pink’, a smallish, upright fuchsia. Bees and hummingbirds alike love this plant and the one below…

~and~

Spanish lavender, this will give me a little soft color around the white Iceberg shrub roses.

That plan instigated more thought about the back yard. I started thinking about plants and bees. I know, it does seem a little strange, but I would love to have the time and space to raise bees. I don’t have the time at this juncture but like my desire for a chicken coop, maybe some day.

I hope to move some planters around in the back yard and replace a rose or two. I purchased some seed in hopes that I can try my hand at growing ‘forget-me-nots’ and some Asian poppy seed to scatter.

{Forget-Me-Nots}

Meanwhile, I’ll have to search for a straw bee skep to tide me over…

{Country Cottage Primitives}

There will be more garden coverage this year…stay tuned. Like last year, hopefully, Olivia will help me with the watering when she visits this summer.

{August 2012}

Note: We have a constant stream of bee and hummingbird visitors in our yard. I think some of my new plants will be gourmet nectar to both.

Do you have plans for your garden this year? I know some of you are still shivering from winter’s cold but you and I both know it will be spring before we know it!

I’m over at Savvy Southern Style, drop by for a visit and Art @ Home sharing things that make me happy.

{Party} Please join us for a Valentine’s dinner

13 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 25 Comments

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Valentine's Day

{Slim Paley}

There was a time when I would have thought of St. Valentine’s Day strictly as a date for two. As I’ve matured I find that any occasion can be more fun with a small group of close friends.

So my post for today is an invitation for you to join us for a Valentine’s dinner…this is pure fantasy, unless all of you can manage a flight to California and join us in real life!

My invitation will be simple, but I enjoy receiving hard copy invitations so I think I’ll order this for my informal dinner party…

I don’t know who the Logan’s (below in sample invite) are but I wouldn’t expect guests to leave my party at 10:00 p.m., lights out at our home would be 10:30…ha,ha,ha. Just kidding, I think parties have a way of letting you know when they are winding down, organically, don’t you agree? Honestly, none of our friends ever overstay their welcome and we all seem to get tired after several hours of good food, good wine and good conversation.

{via Tiny Prints}

All of you will know my house because you’ve been there many times before…

{remember, this is pretend}

For table settings and flowers I can go in a few different directions. Below are some of my ideas, maybe you should weigh in and let me know which table you’d most enjoy…

Here is my Valentine table last year, or the year before, I don’t remember. I could use the same cloth but the Petite Fleur dishes might be too busy for meatloaf, what do you think?

This (above) table is technically one I found around Christmas, but the frosty greens could be traded out for others while the mercury glass and silver and white, especially with the pearl heart, could easily work for St. Valentine’s Day.

The red and white grain sack cloth with the red candles really work for the holiday…I love the simplicity of this with the fire in the grate and candles on the mantle, what could be more inviting or romantic?

I love the detailing on these candelabras, and the tailored feel to the black and white linens and dishes. This is totally a Valentine’s look that I could get behind.

I will have fresh flowers in the house and probably keep to the traditional selection of colors where they are concerned…and I’m sure the price of flowers for that weekend will be astronomical. Is it too late to cancel this imaginary dinner? LOL

If only I could find these beauties in my garden, its still a little early for me to have enough to cut and bring in ~ via Studio Choo

I prefer simple appetizers since I don’t want you to fill up on a first course only to discover you’re not hungry when the main course is served. This (on a smaller but similar scale) is what I’ll set out for guests.

~and~

Because St. Valentine’s Day lands in the winter, I plan to serve you a hearty fare.

Cheese board ~ Olives ~ Bread

1770 house meatloaf

Mashed potatoes

Green Beans Gremolata

Dessert: Brownies with homemade Caramel Sauce

and

Vanilla Ice Cream

{Photo by Jenny Steffens Hobick} ~if you love to cook, please visit Everyday Occasions blog, you will be inspired with her wonderful recipes and beautiful design ideas.

{Peeking Thru the Sunflowers}

So what’s planned for those of you that can’t make it to our house for dinner?

xo, Karen

I’m over at Stone Gable for her Turtorials and Tips party.

I want to send a special thank you to Debby at the fabulous Inspired Design for hosting a book giveaway that I won! {By the way, she’s hosting another book giveaway this week, you may want to stop by and comment to be entered}

This is going to be on my nightstand until I plan my next trip to Paris, then I’ll take it with me on the plane. It’s filled with beautiful images and fabulous insider tips for traveling to the city of light and romance.

Note: On my previous post about my friend’s house I inadvertently made a few errors about the age of some of the lighting fixtures. I’ve corrected the errors HERE.

{Home} Live in rooms full of light. ~ Cornelius Celus

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Architectural elements, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, House and Home

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

friend's house, lighting

Before I begin your tour of my freind’s beautiful home…I wanted to thank my best blog buddy, Victoria, for nominating me the the 2013 Homies over at Apartment Therapy. I’m nominated to the Best Home Design & Inspiration Blog. I’m touched and flattered. If you have a moment to vote visit HERE…I would love your vote and would reciprocate if you are a fellow blogger. You can vote for as many blog sites as you like, I’d love it if you vote for Victoria’s site [Restoring our 1890 Victorian] too. You might have to sign up to vote, so if you choose not to do that (although they do make it simple), I understand. In any event, I enjoy this hobby and it’s always fun to receive a nod from a talented, fellow blogger.

{This antique gate, when entered, leads to one side of the property}

Glenys, a dear friend of mine, recently moved into their new, custom made home. It has taken more time than you might expect for selection of the lot, planning the home’s design with the architect, building the home and finally, moving in.

By the way, you can tell by the sky that the day I visited was a Chamber of Commerce day for the area. The blue skies and sunshine were amazing.

{The exterior front door was designed by the architect and built by a craftsman in the region. The door marks the entry to a hallway that takes you to another door that allows you to enter the courtyard that their home surrounds}

I was thrilled to be given a tour and had hoped my images would turn out better than they have, I may be able to edit some of the photographs but I don’t have them ready for a post yet. (Note to self, until you actually buy a better camera your photos will never turn out great).

{(above) One of two or three, I can’t remember, antique lantern lights that light the covered, exterior hallway to the courtyard}

{A spectacular oak tree takes center stage in the courtyard, while a fountain in the yard immediately relaxes each visitor, there was an audible sigh between me and my friend, Jean, who took the tour with me when we crossed the threshold into the courtyard}

{Ready? This post will be all about about the lighting, but it’s okay to notice the incredible doors and the view just beyond} [the designer informs me these doors were very old doors they discovered and that a talented craftsman on the project worked very hard to get them to operate properly]

One of the things that struck me with this home was the obvious thought and care that went into selecting lighting. Glenys didn’t want a ton of canned lights (who can blame her) and what she ended up with was a home with wall sconces and light sources that are reminiscent of a historic villa in the south of France.

The floors are either reclaimed wood or stone, depending on which room you’re in, and some of the walls are stone. The chandelier (above) looks antique but in fact isn’t. Glenys and her designer spent a great deal of time tracking down the right pieces for the home and as a result everything seems as though it was meant for the space and imparts a history and comfort that you don’t often find in “new” homes. Many of the lighting fixtures were custom made for the home.

The chandelier above came from a favorite nursery here in Newport Beach, Rogers Gardens. This was used in one of the nursery’s displays during the month of October. Rogers always hosts a fabulous Halloween room with seasonal decor items, as well as pieces such as this. I love it! The size suits the stairwell perfectly.

I cannot remember which room this chandelier is in, but by it’s simplicity it is wonderful. All of the beams in the home are authentic old beams with so much character.

This little wall sconce in the guest room is a favorite of mine, the antique iron bed and wall sconce (made to look antique) take me to a little guest house in the South of France…well, in my imagination

I love the restoration glass in this lantern, which I believe was one of two in the kitchen. The lantern isn’t old but the glass and rustic frame create the look.