• About GH&P
  • Contact Us

Garden, Home & Party

~ My love of gardening, making home comfortable and entertaining friends and family.

Garden, Home & Party

Monthly Archives: February 2015

Stress and my emotional duct tape

25 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Personal Information

≈ 41 Comments

Can we talk?  (remember how Joan Rivers {RIP – I miss her sarcastic humor} always started a part of her comedy routine with that line?) I confess, I rarely share personal stuff here, especially personal stuff that isn’t happy news….this has been because I believe Garden, Home and Party, and blog friendships I’ve developed, is more about the fun stuff in life.  I am an optimist junkie.

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

But we all know life is a roller coaster of good and not so good events.  About the time you’re riding high, something happens and you’re knocked down, at least for a little while, then you head back up.  I believe this makes us grateful for the really good times.

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

A little over a year ago my husband was diagnosed with cancer.  I confess it was a blow since he hadn’t seemed ill.  We dealt with it and took the treatments the doctor recommended and after one step forward, two steps back, we finally got some really great news on Monday, (President’s Day, my new favorite holiday! ) 🙂 Mr. B. is cancer free.  We will still have follow up with the doctor,  but it was great news to us and our family.

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

Through it all, when things would get very stressful and I’d be overwhelmed with worry, I found that losing myself in beauty, garden or home, was my emotional duct tape.  It helped me put some perspective on the situation at hand, and feel revived.  I realize we all have our way(s) of dealing with stress, but it was interesting to me to discover this diversion truly helped me deal with it all.

Here are a few of the images that made me see that the sun, would indeed, come out tomorrow!

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

{Dan Marty – RIP}

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

{Jane Moore}

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

{Lisa Luby Ryan}

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

{Ralph Lauren}

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

Garden, Home and Party: Stress and emotional duct tape

Thanks for stopping by, you are all a constant source of joy.

♥ Karen

Mirrors and art in kitchens

18 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Kitchen

≈ 40 Comments

Tags

kitchens

Good morning!  Happy Wednesday!

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

{via}

Today I would like to talk about one of my favorite rooms in any house…the kitchen. Have you noticed over the past 10 years, maybe longer, that kitchens have evolved to a higher level of beauty?  No longer is it just the functional room where we prepare food and bake the occasional batch of cookies or birthday cake.

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

{unknown}

Don’t get me wrong, we’re still performing those tasks, and the kitchen remains the hub of the family for most of us…but boy, has it been elevated to so much more.  It now warrants a specific decor.

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

{via}

I love this design transformation.  I like the idea of one more room in the house that can reflect personality and livability with style, all the while retaining it’s official duty as sustenance central, counselors office, coffee shop and all round work room.

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

{via}

So, its no surprise that I love the unexpected addition of mirrors and paintings that you find in so many kitchens that grace the internet as well as magazine pages.  Why not?! Although there are a few mirrors in locations that make me wonder how often the window cleaner comes out from beneath the sink to shine the glass!

This is one of my favorites, this kitchen appears to be smallish, but the mirror and light fixture gives it style and elegance.

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirror and art

 {via}

The juxtaposition of a nod to industrial style while hanging a vintage/antique portrait painting, lovely.

Garden, Home and Party:  kitchens, mirrors and art

{via-above/below}

I really like the looks of open shelving with a little painting, or two….so pretty and adds so much interest to the kitchen.

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

This kitchen is a little busy for me, but I love the Hermes lamp and the art on the easel at the end of the room.

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art.

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

{unknown}

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

{unknown}

Isn’t this the greatest mirror for a kitchen? Notice the clock in the top of the mirror?  I also like the refurbished vintage stove.

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

{via}

And last but not least, have you seen these mirrored subway tiles?  How great would these be in a kitchen, if you could keep them free of water spots. 🙂

Garden, Home and Party: kitchens, mirrors and art

Do you have a mirror or painting in your kitchen?  What do you think of the idea?

Thanks for stopping by, it’s always nice to chat. ♥ Karen

Romance at home

11 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by Karen B. in House and Home, Valentine's Day

≈ 45 Comments

St. Valentine’s Day, while a sweet notion in theory, is one of those holidays that seems a little overrated to me.  It may be that, like New Year’s Eve, there’s too much pressure to outdo the previous celebration.  I know this perspective will irritate some, but my take is we should treat the significant other(s) in our life (Mr. B, for me) with thoughtfulness, love, and the occasional unexpected treat, almost every day!

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

{Can you guess what year we were married?  Check the flowers in my hair}

That’s not to say I don’t enjoy bringing out a few hearts during the first 2 weeks of February and buying those darling pink, white and red m&m’s every year!  Don’t get me started on other sweets that are symbolic of the holiday…I’m really trying to eat healthy food in 2015. 🙂

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

So, since my passion (aside from my passion for Mr. B) runs in the home decor arena most of the time, I thought I’d share rooms that exude a romantic vibe (at least to me).

Candlelight is romantic.  I love the glow and use it all the time, even when it’s just the two of us.

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

Garden, Home and Party:  Romance at Home{for the love of a house ~ Joan recently did a post on using candles}

Lighting certainly plays a part in the romantic feel of a home, mood lighting as it’s referred to, can evoke a sense of comfort and what’s romance without comfort?!

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

{unknown}

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

{Furlow Gatewood ~ Veranda}

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

{unknown}

A fire in the fireplace is always romantic with the added bonus of keeping you toasty if you live in a part of the world that is experiencing winter right now!

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

{via}

A nice meal, whether it’s just the two of you or you’ve invited a few good friends to join the fun, can be romantic. We’ve been invited to a small (4 couples) dinner party on the big day and we’re really looking forward to it. {Thank you Barry and Carol}

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at home

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

 {via}

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

{via}

In conclusion, one of the most romantic, charming cottages I’ve ever found gracing the pages of a magazine, Randy Boyd’s Laguna Beach home…

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

{via}

Will you be romancing the one you love at home this year?

Garden, Home and Party: Romance at Home

Living with what you love; age and decorating

04 Wednesday Feb 2015

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

≈ 42 Comments

Tags

accessories

A funny thing happened to me not long ago…I woke up on my birthday last month and realized I’m getting older.  I know, it sounds ridiculous, everyone gets older. But this was different, this was the realization that I’m now at an age where I question things that I wouldn’t have given a second thought to a few years back.  I don’t feel old in any way physically, or even mentally, but I wonder about my style, is it reflecting my age? Has it begun to look like an old lady’s house, or a cat lady’s house?  {That’s really not possible since we have a pair of dogs} 🙂

Garden, Home and Party: age and decorating

{via}

For example, I’ve always felt confident in my ability to decorate my home in a style that works for my tastes, and seems to be acceptable to our family.  And as if validation mattered, I receive compliments along the way from visitors who have stated that our home is pretty.  I don’t say that in any kind of boastful way, but rather to make the point that I never second guessed every little decision where decor was concerned.

Garden, Home and Party: age and decorating

I still love many of the same things I’ve always loved, English country style with a bit of French thrown in, more Ralph Lauren than Matthew Patrick Smyth, and because of the size of our home, it’s more rustic than elegant.  It’s evolved as we’ve aged and I’ve worked hard to keep the tchotchkes edited down.  I have always been open to change and like to rotate certain accessories/accents for the season.  All that said, I’ve begun to wonder…is my house beginning to look dated?  Does this happen to any of you?

Garden, Home and Party: living with what you love

I took heart from a recent Charlotte Moss quote I read in Veranda magazine:

“I’m a collector…You know when you lock eyes with a person?  I’ve been locking eyes with objects my entire life.”

I’ve always been more riveted by a beautiful tabletop than the table itself.  Maybe that’s why I worry about getting carried away with the very treasures I love.

Garden, Home and Party: living with what you love

Garden, Home and Party: living with what you love

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: living with what you love

{GHP}

 Garden, Home and Party: living with what you love{Phoebe Howard via}

A great vignette, with the right accessories, can make me weak in the knees.  My files are filled with rooms that are especially beautiful due to great styling details.  Is this the very thing that has me worried?  Maybe.  I do embrace the minimalists approach which stresses living with what you love, and I do [live with what I love].

Garden, Home and Party: living with what you love

{via}

That said, I think it doesn’t hurt to be mindful of one’s surroundings, not overly sentimental.  So, my dear friends, keep  me honest.  If I share a room that’s beginning to look one knick-knack short of a hoarders den, gently remind me of this post! 🙂

Garden, Home and Party: living with what you love

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: living with what you love

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: living with what you love

Garden, Home and Party: living with what you love

{via}

Garden, Home and Party: living with what you love

Do you ever have doubts about the direction you’re going where home/style is concerned?  Any remedies?  🙂

 

Recent Posts: Garden, Home & Party

Homes that welcome the season

A little this and that

The color of autumn

Wall Art Inspiration for our bungalow

Project Design: Outdoor Living Spaces

Enter your email address to subscribe to GH&P and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Instagram




Follow gardenhomeparty on Twitter

Follow on Tumblr

Google Plus

Recent Posts

  • Homes that welcome the season
  • A little this and that
  • The color of autumn
  • Wall Art Inspiration for our bungalow
  • Project Design: Outdoor Living Spaces

Categories

  • Accessories; details
  • Annual WP Report Card
  • Antiques
  • Architects & Builders
  • Architectural elements
  • Autumn
  • Bastille Day
  • Bathroom
  • Bedrooms
  • Christmas
  • Collections & Accessories
  • Cottages
  • Decorating
  • Designer
  • Dessert
  • Dining Room
  • DIY (do it yourself)
  • Drink
  • Easter
  • Entertaining
  • Fall Entertaining and Decorations
  • Family
  • Flowers
  • Food
  • Gardening
  • Gardens
  • Halloween
  • Holiday/Seasonal cooking
  • Holidays
  • House and Home
  • Independence Day
  • Kitchen
  • Maintenance
  • Misc
  • Outdoor living
  • Paint Color
  • Party Planning
  • Personal Information
  • Recipes
  • Renovating
  • Seasons
  • Simple Meals for the Avid Cook
  • Spring
  • St. Patrick's Day
  • Storage/Closets/Pantry
  • Study/Office
  • Summer
  • Thanksgiving
  • Traditions
  • Travel
  • Trends
  • Uncategorized
  • Valentine's Day

Recommended

  • Bastion & Lark
  • Content in a Cottage
  • Cote de Texas
  • French Essence
  • French Kissed
  • Garden, Home and Party
  • Greige Design
  • Heirloom Philosophy
  • Henhurst Interiors
  • In the Fields
  • Jennings & Gates
  • Making Magique
  • Miss Mustard Seed
  • paper{whites}
  • Polished Pebble
  • Providence Ltd Design
  • Restoring our 1890 Victorian
  • Slim Paley
  • Splendid Willow
  • Talk of the House
  • TG Interiors
  • The Adventures of Tartanscot
  • The Enchanted Home
  • The House of Edward
  • The Lady's Life
  • The Pioneer Woman
  • The Polohouse
  • Tone on Tone
  • Trouvais
  • Velvet & Linen

Archives

  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • October 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • October 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007

Top Posts & Pages

  • {Home} Cozy and other adjectives that describe home
  • Romance at home
  • Living with what you love; age and decorating
  • {Home} Adieu Pierre Deux
  • {Home} Be careful what you wish for...refinishing wood floors
  • {Home} Study, Library, Den...a name for a cozy corner?
  • {Home} Paneled walls
  • Fireplace mantles and the mantle clock
  • Atlanta Designer, Dan Carithers
  • A little this and that

Subscribe via RSS

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Topics

4th of July accessories antiques Architects & Builders Austin Autumn Barefoot Contessa bathroom bedrooms birthdays blog favorites Blogging blue & white decor books centerpieces chairs Christmas collections cooking cottage cupboards decorating for fall decorating styles designer details of a home do-it-yourself Dogs dream house Easter easy recipe easy recipes Engagement Party English gardens Entertaining fall Family Father's Day Flowers foyer furniture Garden Gardening Halloween hardwood floors holiday home home accessorizing House Beautiful magazine how-to Independence Day interiors Irish Stew kitchens Kooboo chairs library mirrors Mother's Day neutral color palate New Years Eve Organizing Outdoor living paint color Pets in the home plaid recipe recipes Rogers Gardens Spring summer living Table Settings television Texas Thanksgiving Valentine's Day weddings

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Garden, Home & Party
    • Join 749 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Garden, Home & Party
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...