Monthly Archives: February 2011

I must see the homes of Atlanta…Jill Sharp Brinson

28 Monday Feb 2011

Posted by in Decorating, Designer, Gardens

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I’ve commented here before about the incredible, seemingly endless, stream of beautiful homes that appear to exist on every block in Atlanta.  I would be naïve to think the city doesn’t have its share of unattractive regions within its limits, much like every other metropolitan city in the nation, but seriously, I think Atlanta got more than its fair share of strikingly beautiful homes {she whined}.  Which is code for having the good fortune to have a wealth of talented architects and designers in the region who can create the optimal home for those interested in owning one.

I was taken with the beauty of a home in the December/January 2010 issue of House Beautiful and yes, it’s an Atlanta home!

Jill Sharp Brinson, Atlanta home, House BeautifulThe home of Jill Sharp Brinson and her photographer husband, Rob Brinson, is the perfect “marriage” of farmhouse and sophisticated loft.  In the House Beautiful interview with Lisa Cregan, Jill says that she and her husband “have a love affair with rural settings” so it is no surprise that they have created a home and garden that gives the ambiance of a country farm, complete with English garden.

Jill is the Creative Director of Ballard Designs.  In the HB interview it becomes clear that Jill’s design point-of-view is a home with lots of texture, not a lot of color and a rustic and traditional-styling with a little industrial influence (which clearly over-simplifies the incredible beauty she has achieved).

The rooms are filled with natural light, and because the rooms aren’t stuffy you immediately feel like you would be so comfortable in a home like this!  The Brinson’s have 3 dogs and have stated they are  ‘hands on’ in their garden.

All of the above images by Simon Upton via House Beautiful

She and her husband lived in a loft (images below) for 6 years before moving into this home.  Jill’s photographer husband retains the loft for work and their visiting guests.

Rob Brinson said he uses the wall to display the images he's working on. I love the brick wall!

The sink was a "find" of Jill's.

Natural light floods the space.

Even the bathroom exudes a timeless sense of style.

I've always liked the rustic charm of brick walls.

To visit the website for Jill Sharp Brinson go HERE

California dreamin’…beach house love

25 Friday Feb 2011

Posted by in Decorating, Designer

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I find inspiration for posts from a wide array of sources.  Sometimes a feature in a magazine will prompt me to post about a designer or some component of the room or home at large.

The September 2010 issue of House Beautiful did a wonderful story and provided amazing images about a California beach house, interiors by Carolyn Espley-Miller.  It was love at first sight (wait, have I used that term before?…well, where homes are concerned there can be more than one true love!).  The house has such a warm and inviting ambiance.   Comfort has become of prime importance to me and this house conveys that in spades, possibly due in part to the fact that this beach home is the family retreat where a family (husband, wife and 2 sons) spend quality time.

As I Googled Carolyn Espley-Miller to see if there were other images online, to my amazement I found out that the designer is host to one of my favorite blog sites…Slim Paley.  If you’ve never visited this site, I can honestly say, you’ll love it.  Her writing is witty and entertaining as well as filled with style ideas for living.   Her blog was recently nominated for a Homie award (a blog thing).  In my humble opinion she got robbed, she should have won!

Below are a few of the images I admire from Slim Paley’s blog:

Slim Paley centerpiece display

Slim Paley table setting

Slim Paley table setting

Enjoy!  …and for details on paint colors and the interview with Carolyn Espley-Miller,  visit HERE

Carolyn Espley-Miller California home

Carolyn Espley-Miller, House BeautifulCarolyn Espley-Miller

Coffee, anyone?…coffee tables

23 Wednesday Feb 2011

Posted by in Decorating

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Since most of us have some kind of table in front of our sofa I was wondering how the name “coffee table” came about since I would have thought that historically there were far more tea drinkers than coffee drinkers.

Wikipedia explains that the first coffee tables were thought to have been made in Britain during the late Victoria era.  No surprises there, except that, again, I would have thought “tea table” would have been the name chosen.

“Prior to the 18th century, the tables used in Europe in conjunction with a settle (high backed sofa) included occasional tables, end tables, centre tables and tea tables…”  So basically, we needed somewhere to put our coffee and/or tea.

So for those of you who are in need of a new coffee table or just want to see some pretty tables come along…

White!  With this view I’m not sure I’d even notice the coffee table.

A formal room with a simple glass-top coffee table in front of a settee. (Again, a beautiful room dressed in neutrals)

image via nest eggLove the simplicity of this room and the coffee table.

Image via Nest Egg

John Stefanidis

I like this relatively new trend of using a grouping of overstuffed chairs instead of a sofa.

Restoration Hardware

This coffee table (although it’s hard to see the detail) compliments the white club chairs and sofa.

I have a little Ikea wicker chest (a little larger than this) in my reading room as a coffee table.  I love that it holds stuff as well as serving as a place to put your coffee, tea, glass of wine…

Carol Glasser via Cote de Texas

I’ve always liked this room.  the wicker furniture looks so comfortable, especially for a family room.

Country Living

Isn’t this trunk great as a coffee table.  It looks like it has leather detailing, very pretty.

This table is small but it works for this space, don’t you think?

Erin Page Potts

I love the large square coffee table.

What kind of coffee table do you use?  What do you accessorize it with, or do you keep it uncluttered of any decorative nick knacks?


A White House

21 Monday Feb 2011

Posted by in Uncategorized

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Happy President’s Day!

The White House Rose Garden

Since I didn’t have to work today, {hooray!} thanks to Presidents Washington and Lincoln (or is this holiday now for all Presidents?) I thought I’d share the interior rooms of our nation’s residence.  Some are dressed for Christmas but were so pretty I thought I’d still put them up.

White House, Blue Room

Peacock blue, very pretty.

White House, Oval Office

I’ve never been to Washington D.C., how sad is that?  {bucket list item #4}.  But I do think we’re (U.S.A) lucky to have such a lovely home for the leader of the free world and from what I can see, and have seen in other PBS tours, it’s truly beautiful.

White House, Library

White House, Red Room

You know I have a soft spot for red rooms.

White House, Bowling Alley

Do you suppose the first family is bowling today?  Did they get the day off?

Have a wonderful day and I hope you enjoy a 3-day weekend as well.

Blogging…creative fun

18 Friday Feb 2011

Posted by in Entertaining, Gardening

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Relatively new to the world of blogging, I experience self-doubt from time to time (who doesn’t, right?)  Especially since the more blog sites I visit the more talented artists/writers/photographers I discover.  It has been reported that there are over 2 billion blog sites worldwide.  Yikes!

Image via Pottery Barn

My desk area is a little less organized, could this hamper creative writing?

Still, I forge on since I experience a certain satisfaction that comes with an artistic endeavor such as this.  I believe there is an artist in all of us, it manifests itself in a variety of ways, but when you are passionate about something, in my case making home as comfortable and attractive as I possibly can, the work towards that end is art (in my humble opinion).

Vicki Archer posted about writing HERE (I loved her description of her own blog as “the accidental writer” and I was so inspired I printed out her post and plan to refer to it when self-doubt creeps in—and believe me, it will creep in from time to time.  One sentence that really hit home for me was:

“There can be joy in finding the right word or phrase to describe what you see or how you feel.  There is challenge in filling the page and seeing thoughts take shape and come alive.  And there is satisfaction, great satisfaction when someone understands and identifies with what you say.” ~Vicki Archer, French Essence.

When I first began to blog I figured it was mostly going to serve as a log of ideas and images for me and for maybe a couple of friends (if they were interested).  I’m not a very good sales person so I really didn’t tell too many people about my blog since I felt they might think I was being boastful.  But then I had a few comments and my reaction was so much more than I would have expected.  I was so excited that someone had read my ramblings and even commented!  As a result, I’ve worked all the harder to try to deliver posts that might be of interest to others.

If you are a fellow blogger, do you every have self-doubt?  If not, what makes you want to visit one particular site over another…just curious?

Happy Friday, happy President’s Weekend!

Entertaining…by the numbers

16 Wednesday Feb 2011

Posted by in Entertaining, Misc, Party Planning

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While I love a dinner party as much as the next person I find I prefer smaller, more intimate gatherings over having 12, or more, guests; especially when I’m hosting the event.  I realize some of this is due to the fact that we (hubby and I) don’t have a cook to prepare, let alone a butler to serve, the meal (as in Downtown Abbey).

Downtown Abbey – Highclere Castle we’re not.

My favorite dinner party is hosting 2 other couples.  There is something about a total of 6 that seems to work very well where conversation is concerned.  I think it allows for a single conversation at the table since it is a smaller venue.

We entertain pretty informally; it’s all about the table settings and flowers for me.  I still love a couple of our groups of friends that bring the number up to 8 and 10 respectively but somehow when we host 12 it becomes less satisfying for me.  I think it’s because while cooking and serving I have less time to get around to visiting with everyone…sometimes that’s okay and sometimes I feel cheated out of a good visit with a friend.

That said here are some dining rooms I’d like to entertain in.

Ina Garten’s barn offers such warmth and style, while being so inviting.  I’d love to have this kitchen/dining area in my house.

We have chairs on the ends of our dining room table, but I do love the way this looks with chairs on each side.

Isn’t this the most cheery room.  Love the exposed beams and the lighting.

Gray…{sign}

Any room with a lantern light wins my vote.

I think these wicker chairs are great.

I wonder if a round table would require a larger number of guests so that you didn’t feel like you were talking across a great expanse of table?

I like the idea of having a table for 2 in the library.

Who wouldn’t enjoy entertaining with a fireplace in the dining room?

This is pretty, not sure about the color of blue, but I like the essence of the room.

Another great dining space in a library.

What is your preference when you invite friends over for a meal, formal or informal?





Valentine’s Day

14 Monday Feb 2011

Posted by in Entertaining, Valentine's Day

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I’m a positive person, even optimistic,  ask anyone…however, Valentines Day, like New Year’s Eve, gets too much hype and would seem to have gotten blown out of all proportion as to what should happen on this day.

Image via Graphics Fairy

Image via Paper Source ~ a great source for paper goods to create your own Valentine for that special someone.

That said I love some of the romantic nods to St. Valentine that appear in blogland and even some magazines.  And just so you don’t think I’m a cynic, I love ♥ Hubby and even enjoy sending my kids Valentine’s cards and candy.

Image via Content in a Cottage

I love all of you kind people who take the time to read my ramblings occasionally so this is for you…

HAPPY ST. VALENTINE’S DAY


Images via Victoria Magazine

Image via Slim Paley

If you are planning a special dinner for your Valentine these images (above) are subtle but lovely ideas for a table setting.

This is what my February Valentine’s dinner table looked like:

I used my Villeroy & Boch Petite Fleur dishes, very pink and festive!

I purchased some pony packs of English primrose, violas, nemesia and bacopa to place in the footed dish—I’ll plant these in my garden after the party.

For those of you who read my post about dining room rugs HERE, here is the sisal rug I recently purchased with my birthday dollars.  What do you think, was it a good idea…rug or no rug?

Here are some other lovely images for your Valentine’s Day enjoyment! 🙂

These images via Brabourne Farm just look like a good representation of St. Valentine’s Day, don’t you agree?

This sweet image is via French Kissed…kind of says it all, doesn’t it?

Image via Rooms to Inspire in the Country, Annie Kelly

Image via the adventures of tartanscot

Have a day filled with love and sweetness!



Olive love…a couple of easy appetizer recipes

11 Friday Feb 2011

Posted by in Entertaining, Food, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

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Ever since I was a little girl I have loved olives.  My mom always had a platter of nibbles out during family holiday feasts.  The platter included cut celery, carrots, gherkins and olives.  I would eat green olives with pimento and black olives until my mom would have to remind me to save some for our guests.  I used to put the black olives on my fingers…did you ever do that?

Image via French Essence

Anyway, here are a couple of recipes that I recently used as an appetizer and I thought I’d share them because a) they are super simple and b) because if you love olives, like me, you will love the taste of these heavenly olive-based hors d’ oeuvres.

The tapenade recipe is in this book, or you can cut and paste the recipe I’ve posted below.

I don’t think my olives came from Italy, maybe Spain, but these images of olive groves were too pretty to pass up.

Silver Palate’s Tapenade

Directions:

  1. Combine black and green olives, anchovy fillets, garlic, capers, tuna, lemon juice and basil in bowl of a food processor fitted with steel blade. Process until smooth.
  2. With motor running, dribble in the oil to make a thick, fluffy sauce. For a lighter sauce, blend in the mayonnaise.
  3. Taste, and correct seasoning. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Will keep, refrigerated, for 1 week.

AND

Italian Guacamole (Funny name for a delicious spread)

Ingredients:

  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and quartered
  • 1-15 ounce can artichoke hearts (in water), drained and quartered
  • 3 ounces *large green olives (about 10-11)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt & 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Place garlic in bowl of food processor along with artichoke hearts and olives.  Pulse until chopped well.  Then with processor on drizzle olive oil into mixture until assimilated.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  Before serving mix in chopped parsley.  Serve with pita chips or crackers or sliced, fresh baguette.

*I used the large green olives from Trader Joe’s that are stuffed with jalapeno.  I took the jalapeno out of about half of the olives and left it in for the half…this gave the spread a tiny kick.

Trends…lanterns

09 Wednesday Feb 2011

Posted by in Decorating, Trends

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Most of us see trends as they come along, make the inevitable rise to mass acceptance, and then start to loose popularity to the next big trend.  This process can take years or months depending on the trend and its staying power.

These “trends” can be the increased use of paint color, wallpaper (or not), flooring, furnishings and accessories.  The item in question can often be something an individual homeowner will love from it’s rise in popularity (the trend) to the end of time.

This is the case (for me) with lanterns!  I have always loved their charm and can’t imagine tiring of them.

Through the years I’ve been guilty of “buying into” a few of the more popular trends i.e. ceramic or stone farm animals (often with wired-ribbon bows tied around their necks) 1984, artificial flower arrangements 1980-something, twig sprays, hunter green carpet (ugh), faux paint effects on walls 1990-something  (I never did the sponge painted walls, but the mottled look mimicking old plaster, I was there!), conversation pits 1978 (as I discussed HERE).  I’m certain we’ve all fallen into the trap with one thing or another.

Pottery Barn

Anyway, hopefully as we gain experience with our home decorating, we learn that we need to keep true to our own design style and that ultimately cuts down on the number of renovations needed over the life of a home. There will always be a few things that we are bound to grow tired of, that’s natural.   And not to loose focus on my topic, I even asked myself about 2 years after my kitchen remodel if I would look back on the granite counters and wonder if they age my kitchen by the time stamp on their popularity.

Pottery Barn

The trend I’m addressing today is one that has captured my heart—lanterns.  Don’t get me wrong…lanterns have always been a favorite but lately you see them everywhere.   I love them in almost any room and even enjoy the candle lanterns that are used in table settings, an accessory on any table, hanging from a post on the patio or sitting by the front door.  They are in lots of places and I’ve been known to sigh with satisfaction when I see one.

I know you’ve seen this image here a lot!  I love this room, including the lantern.

Note the lanterns on the mantle.  Image Erin Page Potts Interiors, via Velvet & Linen

I love the look and simplicity of the lanterns down the center of the table…notice there are no flowers, apples at each place setting provides a bit of color.  Image via SalisStudio

image via Cote de TexasImage via Cote de Texasimage via Cote de TexasLanterns have appeared in many of Joni’s posts, over at Cote de Texas blog.  If you’ve never visited Cote de Texas be sure to stop by HERE.

Images above from Cote de Texas

Tommy Smythe Designs

Love this kitchen by Tommy Smythe...love the lantern.

Velvet & Linen, study

Image via Velvet & Linen, another worthwhile site.

Do you have any lanterns in your home?

Dining room, rug or no rug

07 Monday Feb 2011

Posted by in Decorating

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I love this dining room, no rug.

It was my birthday recently and I was given a few birthday dollars…something I always enjoy.  It’s like the best present for me—getting to buy something for the house (usually) that will remind me, from that day forward, of special friends who were generous and thoughtful with their gift giving.  I know there are two schools of thought on this topic (giving money as a gift) but I it’s a topic I’ll leave for another post.

Pottery Barn is having a sale on their sisal rugs right now.

So, I had decided that IF I was given some birthday money I would replace the sisal rug (that had been under our dining room table).  Our precious little rescue Jack Russell, Madison,  so generously ruined the rug during the first 6 months of her stay with us.  I loved the look of the sisal and believe it will be safe at this stage in Madison’s life.

This is our dining room and it will benefit from the light color of the sisal rug...it tends to be a darker room than most in our home.

Dream kitchen add-on with the sisal rug! It's a sign, I must have this room.

This is a little like the rug I ordered.

image via Cote de Texas

As Hubby and I were driving home from the memorable birthday dinner (when our good friends had bestowed this gift to me) I casually mentioned that I was looking forward to ordering the replacement rug for the dining room.  He said, “Do what you want, the rug will be for you.”  So I said, “You said you liked the first sisal rug.”  He said, “It’s alright, but I like the wood floors.”  There wasn’t any irritation in his voice just acceptance.  I’m pretty sure he knows I’ll usually decorate the way I feel suits us (the operative word being “us”) and he is okay with that…it’s not like I decorate his study in pink cabbage roses and lace curtains. 🙂

I get it...the new 'light industrial' look would opt for no rug.

Not sure if this dining room would benefit from a rug, maybe?

This room by designer, Erin Page Pitts, is lovely and with a round table a rug may be more of a challenge.

This may be a kitchen...no rug was a good choice, don't you think?

Well, I believe the rug is a definite addition to the room so I ordered it, but it got me thinking…rug or no rug in a dining room.  The images I’ve posted will show you that there are many who skip having a rug.  I’m curious, why?

A Country Farmhouse (a wonderful blog) has a sisal rug under her dining room table.

Do you have a rug under your dining room table, if so what are you thoughts on the subject, if you don’t, same question.