{Garden, Home and Party} They say it’s your birthday

27 Sunday Jan 2013

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

Tags

Since today is my birthday (me and Mozart) I’m going to share a few of my favorite images. I apologize in advance if you’ve seen these a million times before but they continue to be favorites and I can’t bring myself to delete them. They all bring an immediate smile to my face, hope you will enjoy one or two of them as well.

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~I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend~

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The image below is on my wish list…I would like this breakfast nook to be built for my birthday, please.

{12.}

Thank you for taking time out of your busy week to read my posts, and many times, you comment, I love that! I count you all as blog friends and appreciate your interest in my ramblings. Many of you are bloggers yourselves and your sites bring me joy and oftentimes provide inspiration and valuable information/education on topics I know little about, thank you!

1, 2. 10. The Enchanted Home; 3. Things that Inspire; 4. My Notting Hill; 5. Haus Design; 6. House Beautiful; 7. Inspired Design; 8. Traditional Home; 9. Phoebe Howard; 11. Tumblr-That Inspirational Girl; 12. Velvet & Linen; 13. Tumblr-A Gift Wrapped Life.

{Home} Faux greenery indoors, or real houseplants?

23 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Flowers, House and Home, Maintenance, Uncategorized

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

houseplants

Age is a funny thing. If you’re lucky it teaches you tolerance and acceptance. For example I used to think I would NEVER have faux houseplants. I figured if I couldn’t have real I didn’t want to bother.

The twisted juniper on the mantle below are preserved evergreen.

{Kelly Harmon Designs}

A few years ago I discovered that there are now some very real-looking houseplants available, and some are actually “preserved” plants that were once real.

I’ll be honest, I’m certain that working full time has tempered my sentences that used to start with the words, “I’ll never…”. Actually, I’m happy about this because I did find that faux plants, when mixed with live indoor plants, can look very real and make life a whole lot easier for those of us with minimal hours to tend to them. I still love English ivy and topiary of all kinds.

Tone on Tone shared the vast array of their houseplants, including these lovelies below…

{Tone on Tone}

Another option for indoor houseplants can be found in some “outdoor” plant sections, like this creeping fig (below)…

{Tone on Tone}

My favorite fake plant right now is the preserved boxwoods. I really like the topiary in various sizes, the wreath and the globe shapes they come in.

{tumblr}

{Amazon}

I also feel that if you need a “plant” for a certain space, using something like willow-like branches can be effective.

{Ralph Lauren}

My go-to fresh plant of choice is English ivy. I’ve had pretty good luck with the ivy plants I’ve purchased and as long as I water them by soaking them in a bath of 2″ of fresh water when they get thirsty, they will last for 6 months to a year, or longer. Ivy seems to like to absorb the water rather than be watered from the top.

Alison over at The Polohouse recently posted about her Kitchen Hutch…the array of houseplants made for a lovely vignette. I believe she has preserved boxwood, real English ivy and a moss ball in the display below…

{The Polohouse}

Trader Joe’s has a beautiful selection of blooming house plants that are so inexpensive that I’ll often buy them and once they begin to look sad I’ll move them to a sheltered space outdoors and see if they come back and re-bloom. They also carry great orchids in a variety of sizes. Their blooms sometimes stay intact up to 3 months. I don’t have luck making them re-bloom but my daughter-in-law in Austin does!

{Ashley Goforth Designs}

{Haus Design}

There are other faux options such as dried hydrangea (which you can do yourself) and reindeer moss, which provides you with the green while not requiring any water

{Simple Everyday Glamour}

{Haus Design}

There’s another option that I’ve used for table settings…live annual plants. They won’t last forever indoors, but they are so pretty!

So I say, if you have a tough spot, maybe not enough light gets to the place you’d like to have a plant, search for something that mirrors a live plant, if you love it, no one will every know.

Do you have strong feelings one way or another where live vs. real houseplants are concerned? I love your comments.

I’m linking to: Savvy Southern Style::Wow us Wednesdays

and Stone Gable: Tutorials Tips…

{Home} Your library book is due

17 Thursday Jan 2013

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

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

books, library

{Art at Home}

{our home library}

I’ve never been able to put my finger on it but there’s something magical about books for me. I find book stores and libraries to be very relaxing and can loose track of time when I visit. Does this happen to you?

{Content in a Cottage}

{Cote De Texas}

The odd thing is, I have never been a voracious reader. I do love to read and I thoroughly enjoy my design and cook books (no surprise there) but overall I’m not one to read more than a book a month.

{Pure Style}

{Connoisseur}

{Haus Design}

Still, there is something very pleasing about a vintage or antique book. The look can always add something to a vignette in my home. I’ve purchased a few leather bound books that I found at various antique stores and they are my favorites for accents on a table or tray. I love an old cloth bound book as well.

In fact, I recently went to our Friends of the Library (an in-library used book store), and found a book from 1902 named, “Bonnie Prince Charlie” and inside the cover was the name Emma Albrecht…Albrecht was my maiden name. I had to have it!

I’ve always thought I would like a room with ceiling to floor books and room enough for 2 large wing-back chairs and an ottoman with a nice table between. A cozy throw on the back of the chair to fend off a draft and since I’m dreaming, a wonderful fireplace.

{tumblr – WASPing through the Countryside}

{tumblr – Dying of Cute}

{Belgian Pearls}

I have friends whose homes are free of books on display, some of them avid readers and learned people, so I understand it’s a preference (to be surrounded by books, or not).

{Atlanta Homes}

{Art at Home}

{Rose Tarlow via Architectural Digest}

Books in a room catch my attention every time.

{Mark D. Sikes via Architectural Digest}

{Slim Paley}

{tumblr – Looking for Rainbows in the Moonlight}

So how about it? Do you like books around you, in your home?

{GHP} How to pare down, weed out and discover more storage space.

15 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, DIY (do it yourself), House and Home, Misc

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

organize

The new year and the onset of spring are two of the most motivating times of the year for me. I seem to have a burst of new energy and a strong desire to pare down. This urge has gained strength as I’ve matured (a word I prefer over “aged”). Having a smallish house, short on storage, helps force this task on me.

I long to cull out unneeded decor items along with the other odds and ends that build up. Tone on Tone posted some amazing images of his camellias in October last year, but this image, which was part of that post, resonated with how I’d like my desk area to look. I kept it as additional motivation of a goal not yet fully accomplished.

{Tone on Tone}

This year was no different, so I thought I’d throw out (no pun intended) a few of my favorite ways to accomplish this task. Oh, and by the way, I have to capitalize on this action (paring down) when the mood strikes, otherwise I tend to think, as I take out one more unused item, “maybe I’ll need this next year, or one of the kids will need it”. Trust me, as the mother of two married sons, both with lovely wives, THEY WILL NOT WANT MOST OF YOUR STUFF!

{Pinterest}

1. Identify the target. I zero in on a closet or two to tackle. [Divide and conquer is best or it will overwhelm me] This can also be the storage cabinets in the garage, which is where I find most of the stuff that I no longer use gets sent. Once it’s hit the garage shelves I find I rarely go out and get it even if there’s a remote chance I’d use it. Still, I try to make sure I’m not going to need the item anytime within the next year. That seems to be the common time frame for ~~dumping~~ disposing of possessions.

{Pinterest} This looks like a great way to store things in the garage without taking floor or cupboard space.

{Arianna Belle}

2. Once you know of a particular space that is troubling you with it’s over-crowding, set aside a time when you can remove all items from the closet, cupboard or drawer. The last thing you want to do is get started right before you have an appointment or dinner guests arriving.

{Better Homes and Gardens}

{Arianna Belle}

3. Start by making 4 piles…things you can’t possibly live without, things you’d like to donate, things you might like to sell via eBay, Craigslist or a garage sale, and things you need to deposit in the trash. Do not allow yourself to believe you’ll need everything unless you have more storage space than you need, and have the luxury of saving stuff forever, in other words, don’t hoard. Remind yourself that donating is a good thing and that someone may end up with your item and it will make them very happy.

{Pinterest}

4. Once you’ve divided the items, act decisively. Take “trash” items to the trash can and the donation items to the car, right now, do not delay. I say this because if you loose momentum on this task you will end up putting it all back and you’ll have wasted your time and the problem will rear its ugly head again next season.

5. Reassign the remaining, must have items, to a location in the cupboard, drawer or closet where it can be easily accessible. If you have useful things but can’t get to them, you won’t use them and they will gather dust and you’ll wonder why you have the thing in the first place.

Note: The above steps apply to decorative accessories as well as other under-used household items. I do have a bit of a problem paring down decorative accessories but I’ve gotten better about doing it and it feels good to have only what I love, even if its a seasonal decoration. Keeping less clutter frees me to know what I have, where it is, and comfortable in the knowledge that I absolutely love it!

{House Beautiful}

The ultimate goal is to have things where you can find them and achieving some semblance of order in and around the house. The images I’ve selected for this post calm me by their simplicity and lack of clutter.

{Peters and Mbiango Interiors}

{Photo: Vickey Weiss}

{Martha Stewart}

{Pinterest}

The other thing I try to do while going through items is re-purpose things in unexpected ways. Jermaine at French Kissed is a constant source of inspiration for this, as demonstrated in her “Pantry Post” sometime back…

{French Kissed}

…and this from Roses and Rust, a clever use for a silver set no longer used for formal tea…

{Roses and Rust}

For additional tips on clutter-busting, visit Real Simple for some great ideas on making this job easier.

Are you organized, do you stay that way or is it something you have to do twice a year?

Join me at Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesday #101

{Home} …and the trophy goes to

10 Thursday Jan 2013

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

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

vintage trophy

As the Academy Awards committee has declared its nominations for this year’s “best of” I thought it would be fun to take a look at trophies as a decorative accessory…this isn’t too much of a stretch, is it?

Trophies were few and far between in my youth. I was on my high school swim team but at my public school awards consisted of paper certificates or ribbons over an actual trophy. I don’t remember any of my friends having lots of trophies so I’m surmising that in my region of Southern California they were not readily handed out.

{and George}

The trophy on the left (above) was the first trophy I purchased. A close up…

It wasn’t until I was married that, while antique shopping, a vintage trophy caught my eye. I believe it was planted with blooming paper whites, which is undoubtedly what attracted me. I brought it home and didn’t buy another trophy until I found a little pewter dog show award on eBay (below).

Above and below is the pewter dog-award cup I found on eBay.

Today I have a few trophies that I’ve collected along the way and continue to admire some of the displays I’ve found on the internet. I lean toward the vintage silver toned beauties, but it’s the odd “Gala Award” or the small silver tray-award I bought while visiting Cambridge given by “RMAS Athletics Team” that steal my heart.

{Pinterest}

{Source}

{Pinterest}

{Lori Miller Vintage Design via Pinterest)

The above trophy is my latest find, the little plaque on the base says,”The Old Bucket of Blood, Virginia City, 1876″

{source}

{Pinterest}

{Miss Mustard Seed}

{The Polohouse}

{Paris Hotel Boutique via Acquired Objects}

{A Beautiful Mess}

{Pinterest}

{Haus Design}

{Antique Farmhouse}

First, do you have any vintage/antique trophies? Second, which movie gets your vote as “Best Picture”?

{Home} Above it all

08 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Architectural elements, House and Home

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

Staircase

{via}

It seems odd to me that I’ve only lived in one two-story house in my married life, two in my entire life. I always visualize my dream house (from the curb anyway) as a two story house. There is something so appealing about the architectural lines of a two story house.

{the 2 images above via Design Chic}

That said, I’ve been told by several friends in my age group that I am so lucky to be living in a single story house. They always say they wish they were in a single story. I guess the thought that I might not be able to make it up a flight of stairs in my old age makes sense. But I also believe that we often do what we have to do, so it might keep me younger to be forced to exercise by walking up a flight, right?

Is there a point anywhere in this post, Karen? Why yes. As I do with things I admire, in this case stair cases, I’ve got a file of them and I thought I’d share some pretty images with you…

This (above) is a 2 for 1, the front door is a show-stopper, the stairs look great too.

{Jill Brinson}

{Mark D. Sikes above & below via Architectural Digest}

{Southern Accents}

{Steve Giannetti via Velvet & Linen}

{image source}

I love this nautical take on a stair rail.

{image source}

Then there’s this…a hotel in London.

{image source}

{Content in a Cottage}

Tell me, do you live in a two-story house? Do you love it?

I’ve linked to Savvy Southern Style for Kim’s Wow Us Wednesday.

{GHP} 2013, a New Year

03 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, Misc, Party Planning, Travel

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

NY Goals

This is my 400th post. When I started in 2007 I barely knew how to post my words, let alone images. I’ve met some wonderful blog friends and been inspired by more of you than I can even name, or place on my blog roll. Thank you for stopping by and for any and all comments, it always tickles me to hear from you!

I’m not a huge fan of resolutions but I am obsessed with lists. What is it for some of us? There is something so satisfying about making a list, [and checking it twice?] maybe it’s a Santa thing.

So I’ve decided to start with a short list of things to do in the first quarter of the new year…wait, is this the same thing as a resolution? No, I think not. It’s more of a list of goals for life. A list of things I’d like to do that I’ve talked about but not accomplished with regularity. A simple list, really. A list to enrich daily, weekly and monthly life. Not a “cure world hunger” kind of list but one to enrich our (Mr. B. and me) lives. I’ve always maintained that if you want me to do something, put it on the list, I’ll get it done.

1. More local, weekend field trips with Mr. B or girlfriends. This is one of those items that I’ve talked about, but so far, haven’t achieved. I confess the inspiration came from our newest addition to the family, Sarah, my youngest son’s lovely wife (of 1 month). She is forever planning little getaways for the two of them to California festivals and fairs. They don’t even have to involve overnight stays, but when there’s a fair or festival that interests them, they often go. I want to do more of that in this new year.

{I believe Kevin and Sarah went to this festival and it sounded like they had fun. I know I got an olive tree sapling out of their visit}

{My girlfriends and I wanted to attend Remnants of the Past last fall, but the wedding kept me from wanting to loose a weekend, so we promised ourselves we’d go in 2013}

2. Plans for the garden. I’m a garden enthusiast, but I find lately (the last 3 years) I’ve kept the garden maintained but not actively planned for new shrubs, trees, or perennials for any area in the garden. I’ve been mostly keeping things trimmed, soil turned and all plants fertilized but have failed to plant the garden of lavender I’ve wanted to grow, or change out some rose bushes that simply don’t do as well as they should in a given spot. I’ve only maintained. I want to change this status quo in the garden. I may even try my hand at planting some annuals from seed this year.

{I need to change a couple of the roses in the knot garden. My hybrid tea, ‘Pearl’ isn’t doing that well and I could use a red rose. I’m thinking of Mr. Lincoln or a Romantica Rose. I need to check out my options soon so that when they come to the nursery I can buy what I want}

{Mr. Lincoln}

{The pink jasmine is lovely in the spring but I’d like to plant an additional vine that would bloom when the pink jasmine has completed its cycle}

{This image from Ivy Clad is what I strive for where my boxwoods are planted…the inside planting space needs more plants, plan to be determined}

I have wanted a fountain for the side yard for years. I’ve had fountains in other spaces out doors, but they can’t really be heard from the rooms we spend the most time in, kitchen, library and family room. I’ve also chosen fountains in the past that offer a sound similar to a little boy using the lavatory…not the gentle fall of water droplets that I long to hear. I’ve been told a two-tiered fountain is what I need.

Trish of trouvais fame posted this image of her lavender garden a year or so ago. I decided to plant lavender where I felt it would get plenty of sun and hoped to reap the benefits of the beautiful scented plant and flowers. Unfortunately, I got started late and 2 of the plants died. I will re-attempt this planting again this spring. Isn’t this image beautiful?!

3. Entertaining more in 2013. There was a time when we enjoyed having friends in for dinner at least twice a month. I think my taking a full time job in corporate America in 2005 was when the pattern changed. Now I find myself thinking, next month I’ll have __________ [fill in the blank] over for dinner. Unfortunately I’ve been dropping the ball and “next month” has become next year in many instances. I am going to make an effort to have good friends over for dinner more often in 2013. By the way, I read that some hate the term “entertain” due to the formality it conjures up in our minds. I do enjoy the creativity of setting the table, determining the menu and planning for all of that, but we rarely do what I would consider “formal” entertaining. Most of our friends offer, and I accept their offer, to bring some small portion of the meal. It works well and I find it shares some of the work. That said, I am not above buying some great appetizer that is nearly made for me, or a bakery-purchased dessert.

I’ve come a long way baby, I no longer feel the need to keep everything perfect and formal. I enjoy buying some of the meal, like a yummy appetizer from Bristol Farms or Trader Joe’s and then cooking the rest of the meal, or even letting some of the guests bring something. Either way, Mr. B and I truly do enjoy the quality time spent with friends and family over a meal in the comfort of our home (or that of a friend).

Love the white table setting and surroundings (above).

This was a table set for a dinner for a friend with a May birthday. It reflects the upcoming spring (when this picture was taken), but my point in including it was to show you the centerpiece. It’s a planter I pulled from the atrium and added a few English daisy. It’s fun to mix up the centerpieces with cut flowers, fruit or potted plants. This doesn’t have to be difficult or costly. Fixing food for friends and then sharing it is the goal.

(Below) I love the stone items that are part of this table. So classic.

{Annelle Primos}

For the above dinner I used a silver tray as the centerpiece and added a vase of simple flowers from the market. I used my chargers instead of a table cloth or place mats…easy and casual.

Some even mix the country feel of a picnic style table with beautiful candelabras and flowers for a dinner setting that is appealing and yet, not stuffy.

{Charlotte Moss}

So that’s it, these are my goals for 2013. Not too ambitious, therefore conceivably attainable, right? Did you set any goals or make any resolutions for this year?

{Party} It’s the season for comfort food

01 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Recipes

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

comfort food

Okay, so maybe I wouldn’t throw a party and serve comfort food, or would I? Why not? In any case I’m sharing my favorite winter comfort food recipe with you today. I was motivated to do this, in part, because The Polohouse has made comfort food her “Favorites on the First” topic and since the weather here in the U.S., even in Southern California, is very cool what better time to prepare soul warming, calorie loaded comfort food. Consider it my way of forcing the inevitable must exercise more goal.

I confess, comfort food does just what it’s supposed to do to me when I eat it. I feel satisfied and comfortable, even relaxed. That might be caused by the over- abundance of calories in most of my favorite comfort foods, but either way, we don’t indulge that often and only when the NEED arises.

So, here you go. This is a winner for my family. It’s an Emeril Lagasse recipe, but my dear friend on Bainbridge Island, Linda, tested it out first. (Thank you, Linda) She is the person I give credit to for having tried and loved this recipe. Oh, and I have actually served this to guests at a dinner party. The individual baked pies provide great presentation.