{Garden} The gift of a bench

28 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Gardening, House and Home, Outdoor living, Renovating

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Most of my friends, at least the ones that are passionate about their homes and gardens, occasionally need change. It doesn’t always mean the furniture, paint, landscape or whatever is damaged or broken, it boils down to simply wanting something different.

That may be the case in the tale I’m about to share about how I was gifted a beautiful concrete garden bench. The story goes like this, my friend Carla [I’ve featured her amazing garden and home HERE and HERE] has a “secret garden”. The round of boxwood encircling her armillary had gotten a little large for the space. Casually mentioning this to her husband Tom, a brick layer was hired and a beautiful Lutyens teak bench was purchased for the space within a short time. {We should all be so lucky to have husbands that WANT to re-do something the moment it’s mentioned}. The downside of this was the beautiful concrete bench that had been there for years; always a focal point to the garden, no longer had a home. There wasn’t room for it.

There is always a silver lining to my stories…Carla, knowing my love of concrete garden items, offered the bench to me. I was delirious with joy. But I tempered my joy knowing Carla had some misgivings about the change.

The bench is happy in my garden, but I think the lions look a little sad, they miss Carla’s pretty space. 🙂

As a result of the concrete bench, I was able to move the teak bench that had been in this spot over to my secret garden…

I visited Carla’s new secret garden and took some pictures, it looks amazing and I believe she is content so I can share the lovely concrete bench with you as it stands in my garden…all is good in the garden.

…as it looked before the switch…{Carla, avert your eyes}

Pippi, their Welsh Corgi, approves of the new garden space.

…and as a bonus, I’ve thrown in some additional images of some beautiful benches in gardens.

{via}

Hope you have time to relax in the garden this summer.

xo,

Karen

I’m over Fishtail Cottage for her Garden Party and

Sherry over at No Minimalist Here for her Open House

{Home} Trending vs. Timeless

26 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Decorating, Designer

≈ 9 Comments

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timeless design, Trends

I’ve lived long enough to realize that trends change with each decade. This information gives me a healthy perspective when making design decisions. But still, along comes some fabulous trend and I can’t resist, even when deep down I’m sure in 10 years I’ll be asking myself, what was I thinking?

before…a “look” from the 70’s {I’m embarrassed to say, the pattern on the drapes and walls once adorned one of our first sofas. Our adult children saw a picture of the room with that particular sofa a few years ago and said, that can’t be our sofa!} I don’t think we had it very long, we were tired of it after a few years.

My home is mostly traditional but personal tastes in color and appointments come into play and I’m a huge fan of decorating with what you love and what brings you comfort and joy. I largely ignore the designers that dismiss some of my favorite accessories and or color selections as being “so last year”.

House Beautiful ~ remember the trend towards chintz, it’s back and I must say I’ve seen some beautiful, modern day versions. I believe my chintz days are over but beautiful floral patterns still stop me in my tracks.

Then there are those rooms you’ll come upon that were designed several decades before and you are immediately smitten, you cannot believe the rooms/house were decorated that long ago.

Alessandra Branca ~ the Asian influence, calming neutrals and touches of red create a timeless look.

Better Homes & Gardens ~ stone floors, classic urns with boxwood, and the trumeau mirror create a timeless look, don’t you agree?

Bunny Williams ~ Elle Decor

I wonder if we will one day say, this room (above) would be timeless if it weren’t for the sea grass/sisal rug. I love the look, but you know how this can go.

Charles Faudree ~ CF is a favorite designer of mine. I realize his rooms may be too busy for some, but they hold great appeal for me and I am always referring to his books for inspiration for my own home.

Today, I thought it would be fun to share a few of the rooms we all remember and a few that I believe may go down as timeless, classic and as all-time favorites!

Charlotte Moss ~ this image is from one of my all-time favorite books, “Winter House”

…more images from Winter House

Charlotte Moss

Some of the trends that have been declared by a few designers or shelter magazine contributers as “over” for this decade are oil rubbed bronze hardware (guilty as charged, I have it in my master bathroom and converted most of the interior door knobs to it in early 2001). I still like it but confess, it hasn’t worn as well as I’d like. Stainless steel appliances, sorry, I still love my Viking stove. Granite [really?]… how can granite be dated, it’s been around before man! Vessel sinks in bathrooms. I confess, I’ve admired them for others but due to space restrictions have felt they would take up too much space in our two bathrooms. These are but a few of the items I’ve read about and trust me when I say, I take features on this topic with a grain of salt.

Dan Carithers ~ another favorite whose timeless rooms always thrill me.

John Saladino ~ when the idea for timeless design first popped into my mind, John Saladino is who I thought of; in my view his work epitomizes “timeless”.

The ever timeless and classic Phoebe Howard

Isn’t blue and white the very meaning of classic? Image via Splendid Sass

Anyway, do you feel you are living with a trend that may be on it’s way out, at least as far as you’re concerned? Or, do you go forward with confidence that if you love it, you can live with it and be happy?! Me too!

Ken Gemes Interiors

House and Garden ~ Whitney Fairchild (above/below)

So tell me your thoughts, are you more apt to follow your heart where design is concerned, or follow the trends? I love hearing from you.

xo,

Karen

{GHP} Summer Lovin’

20 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Family, Gardening, Outdoor living, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 10 Comments

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summer

When I was young I loved summer. I grew up before the days of club sports, classes to teach what the schools have decided can’t be taught anymore due to budget constraints and overly structured childhood. I didn’t have a care in the world and besides a few household chores I was asked to do since my mother worked, I would get on my bike and ride to may friends house so we could play all day and into the evening. The time between the last day of school and the first day of a new school year loomed large and held promise of sleepovers, bike riding, walking to the drugstore for ice cream and candy, hide and seek, baseball, movies and fun.

Then I began to dread summer…I’m not sure when this happened but I believe it was when I was in my gardening business. I didn’t want to be in my own garden during overly warm days and I certainly didn’t want to be in our client’s yards (this might be a bit of an overstatement, but I sure grew to dislike the heat).

Yes, I needed an attitude adjustment…

I’ve come full circle and look forward to warmer, longer days and the relaxed way of eating, dining outdoors, taking advantage of the mild evenings and enjoying a concert under the stars or a ride in the harbor with several couples on a Duffy boat. There’s a relaxed feel to the season and I’m embracing it! {honest}

So with top down, radio on, enjoy the images I find to be a symbol of summer…

Happy Summer Solstice! Enjoy your summer.

I’ve stopped in at Sherry’s Open House – No Minimalist Here

{Garden} Boxwood Basics

19 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, Outdoor living, Uncategorized

≈ 13 Comments

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Boxwood

As some of you may know from reading my posts {thank you!} I am a staunch anglophile. My first trip to England took place in 1985 and I fell in love with all things British. We’ve vacationed in the country many times since.

English Cottage ~ love the boxwood and urns.

So when it came to landscaping my smallish yard I knew I wanted it to reflect, on a much smaller scale, an English cottage garden.

We’ve been in our house 30 years, and only now am I beginning to see the image I’ve had in my mind for all these years. What’s taken you so long you may ask? In short, life, children and sometimes funding. ♥

We had a wooden swing set in the yard during the kids “formative” years and it had plenty of use, then we’ve had baseball practice, soccer practice, a sandbox [don’t try to plant a cottage garden near a sandbox, trust me on this one] and dogs to somewhat stall or hinder me.

I’ve trained a row of English ivy along the stone border in the back yard.

The hedge of boxwoods around the patio were transplants from another area of the yard, they are still recovering, but all in all have survived and are showing signs of new growth.

On the side yard I’ve started a hedge of Texas privet (ligustrom) to cover the neighbor’s wall, in front is a low hedge of Japanese boxwood.

In any event, even while my garden business was thriving, I chipped away at areas of the yard and got most of the boxwood (Buxus microphylla japonica) hedges going. The great thing about boxwood hedges in Southern California is the fact that they are pretty easy to grow and require only reasonable amounts of water. I buy the variety that stands up to cool temperatures, even though we don’t get frost where I live. I still have lost the occasional boxwood but in many cases they will fill in where the loss occurs, or I simply buy a 1-gallon replacement.

via Jennings & Gates ~ don’t you love this picture of boxwood with white Crepe Myrtle planted in each section, and the fabulous fountain in the center?

via Atlanta Home and Garden

When my roses are in bloom the formal garden shines.

Here are a few easy tips to keep your boxwood happy:

They prefer well-drained soil

When trimming boxwood be sure to remove all cuttings. If you don’t clean up trimmings you can create an environment for fungus which can cause the plant to die.
Exposure: Full sun or light shade

Carla’s garden…my friend always inspires me.

Dunham Classic American House ~ the boxwood breaks up the expanse of brick leading to the entrance of this lovely home.

via Nest Egg ~ this New Orleans business used boxwood in the planter and as an architectural accent with the rounded hedge spaced between classic boxwood.

Side note: I’ve always been a huge fan of gardening, proof follows. We lived in Texas for 2 years, when my mom came to visit we bought these crazy overalls as we prepared to plant the yard. My orange overalls made me look like an escaped prisoner…LOL! Hubby took the picture to imply I made my mom work during her visit…which was true, in part. 🙂 Can you see our toddler son in the image, still in his footed jammies?

Do you like the “formality” of boxwood?

I’m over at Fishtail Cottage enjoying her garden party and

Stone Gable for her Tutorial Tips and Tidbits

{GHP} Happy Father’s Day 2012…masculine rooms

14 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Family, Holiday/Seasonal cooking

≈ 9 Comments

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Father's Day

♥What would the world be without great dads? In honor of the upcoming celebration of fathers, I’m posting images of what I consider to be masculine touches on a room or specific things that make me think of Hubby, one of the best dad’s I know!

Enjoy…

Isn’t this a great painting? It must have been someone’s dad.

Some dads collect watches…you know who you are.

Ship and Anchor

Diamond Baratta Design

When I met hubby he drove this car, he had brought it to the states from Germany. He wishes we’d kept it!

the Steward

I heard that manual typewriters are making a comeback, they have a young adult cult following. They look great in this bookcase as a vintage decorator item.

Ship and Anchor

Master of the tailored look, expert on masculine detail and probably a pretty good dad by all accounts…a Ralph Lauren room

Ralph Lauren

Hubby wears glasses similar to these…so preppy!

Ship and Anchor

New Victorian Ruralist

I love this perpetual calendar.

adventures in tartanscot

Architectural Digest

Lonny Magazine

Ralph Lauren

Happy Father’s Day to all of you who have loved and nurtured a child, sent them on their way into adulthood with confidence and joy…we thank you!

I’ve headed over to the Open House at No Minimalist Here, join me, won’t you?

{Home} Neutral ground

12 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Paint Color, Renovating, Trends

≈ 9 Comments

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neutral color palate, paint color

I’ve always enjoyed color. I admit, when we moved into our smallish home 30 years ago {I was but a child :-)} a designer friend of mine gave me some very good advice. She recommended that I choose a color palate and use it as a guide with each room. A small house, she explained, will feel more spacious if there’s some uniformity within the overall décor. {Thank you, Gretchen} I would say it has worked well for us. I’ve always kept the baseboards, door casings, raise paneled doors, paned windows and French doors painted the same white throughout the house (Antique White to begin with, Porcelain now).

Maybe the sofa IS looking a little tired, it’s not that old but it does see a lot of wear.

Overall I had a cohesive color scheme that originated with hunter green as the bold color for carpet and even the walls of the family room. Later, as we added oak wood flooring throughout, the carpet was changed to a neutral and kept only in the bedrooms. Years passed and I needed a change. I switched the color combination to red, khaki and black, and boldly painted our family room and kitchen Benjamin Moore, Classic Burgundy. That was probably over 15 years ago. I bet you can see where this is heading.

I’ve recently been attracted to neutral rooms. I don’t want to go overboard with a neutral palate, and with budget constraints and upholstered furniture that isn’t overly worn or in need of re-upholstery work, will remain as it is right now. But somewhere down the line I think I’d like the family room and kitchen walls painted a taupe/gray. I would also love to introduce a bit more blue and white. As you can tell from the photographs, I’ve got a few items but I could see blue and white ginger jars on the mantle, maybe a neutral sofa at some far-off date, with some blue and white tapestry or other fabric pillows.

Tina’s shop at The Enchanted Home had these lovelies:

…and the most recent online issue of Lonny Magazine featured Christy Ford’s home, the author of …and George blog…isn’t this lovely…

There’s been no end to the inspiring neutral rooms and as I said, I believe I’ll always want color but I would like a change, and with it, maybe some calm in my surroundings. Early inspiration came from fellow blogger Joan, for the love of a house. I found the room’s of her restored farm house to be what my mind’s eye had envisioned…

John Saladino creates an understated beauty with his simple and neutral rooms.

This next room (I believe I found the image on Cote de Texas) features burlap curtains, but it’s the casual comfort and neutral color palate the room displays that draws my attention.

I fell in love with Michael Bastian’s apartment when adventures in tartanscot shared some of the space with his readers.

This room from a post at The Enchanted Home has neutral and blue and white touches {sigh}

I would love beams in our home, I have one that was created when we remodeled but check this dining room found at Ivy Clad…so pretty AND neutral.

Any Pam Pierce room is beautiful, this one is especially remarkable.

Mary Ann at Classic Casual Home lives in California, as do I, and I’ve noticed she shares some beautiful rooms, many of them have this neutral look I’m talking about, like…

And this final image I can’t recall where it’s from, but it sure is pretty.

{via Maison Decor}

I will always lean towards some amount of color within the room’s decor, but I might be ready for a more neutral palate.

All input and opinions are welcome. Share your thoughts with me, I love our chats!

xo, Karen

I’ve attached the link to the image above, {thanks to my blog friend, Kifus, at Inspiring Interiors)

I’m visiting Savvy Southern Style at her Wow us Wednesday, join the fun.

{Home} Cottage rooms

07 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Cottages, Decorating

≈ 12 Comments

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Cottage rooms

I thought since posting the exterior images of many of my recent favorite cottages, I would do a post featuring some of the rooms you might see once your walk through the cottage door…

This neutral palate would make any living room comfortable and inviting, but the smaller size seems like something you’d find in a smaller/cottage-sized home.

{via}

A small kitchen most certainly can be an efficient kitchen, like the one below.

{via}

I loved this image for it’s clever use of the cabinet and counter; the table for two is so charming. Toile lined cabinets seal the deal for me.

This small bathroom is a favorite, the black and white framed photographs and the white seem so crisp and clean for the space.

{via}

Hubby had this Ikea chair (below) during a work assignment in Oakland some years ago. The Ikea ottoman has storage space in it and the chair is very comfortable.

{via}

I like this idea, using the space between the studs in a wall for storage works well for this tiny bath. I haven’t incorporated this into any of our renovated space but I may one day!

{via}

Isn’t this bedroom cute, love the paneled, slopping ceiling.

{via}

Talk about making good use of space with clever storage solutions.

{via}

Even a cottage can find room for a garden work bench…

{via}

…and room for doggies is a MUST!

{via}

Maybe even a cat!

{via}

There are always ways to save space and a small home/cottage forces me to be more creative with storage and to edit some of the “stuff” collected along life’s path. What do you think? I love hearing from you.

I’m over at No Minimalist Here today, stop by for a visit.

{Party} This was the inspiration…

05 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Party Planning

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Spring birthday dinner 2012

I’ve mentioned our “birthday group” before { HERE }. This year it was my turn to host the May birthday and weeks before the date I begin thinking about what the invitations might look like, the dishes I wanted to use and what color(s) the linens would be. If you entertain, even casually, you understand the best part of throwing a party is often the planning. Kind of like remodeling or renovating a room, planning brings pleasure.

Here is our table at a birthday dinner we hosted in May 2009. I had just inherited my grandmother’s beautiful violet strewn china pattern. A friend was able to find fabric patterned with violets {and she made a table runner for me, thank you Gretchen} and I used dried violets on the invitations and place cards (found at Paper Source).

I finally have all the images and details for this past strawberry strewn birthday dinner. The inspiration for the theme started with some very pretty invitations I had picked up on sale a few years back. [I forgot to take a picture, sorry] The invitations were a card stock image of a botanic wild strawberry with a vellum over-page. I have Wedgwood Wild Strawberry china so it was easy to determine which dinnerware I would use.

The table runner was a find from Home Goods (TJ Maxx). The soft green paisley picked up the leaf green in the plates.

Carla found these English daisies and delivered them for a touch of pinkish-red and white in the maiden hair fern planter.

I planted strawberry in four footed mini-urns…the strawberries didn’t ripen in time to be red, but you could make the connection in spite of that. 🙂

The octagon shaped glass plates were found by mom at a garage sale. She managed to buy 10 of the salad plates and one dinner plate for me for $10. I think of her when I use them, a sweet memory.

The menu was my next hurdle. I happened upon a great recipe for grilled / marinated pork tenderloin with balsamic and rosemary HERE and I had saved a recipe for balsamic reduction sauce for some time, so that made things easy. I served a new mashed potato dish I had recently tried out on Hubby, and prepared fresh roasted green beans.

Our little lute playing cherub, decked out with a rosemary wreath on her head—greeted guests as they arrived.