{Home} 27 rooms

26 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Designer, Trends

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It’s my birthday tomorrow and I knew I wanted to celebrate with you! I thought I’d post some of my favorite rooms (accumulated from my favorite blog sites, which accumulated them from their favorite blog sites, no doubt).

Barclay Butera

source unknown

I would post the number of rooms that correlate with my age but I’m afraid your (and my) computer would crash from the size and number of picture files so…since my birthday is on the 27^th of this month, I’ll show you 27 of my favorite rooms.

source unknown

Randy Boyd

Cote de Texas

Some of the images have appeared in earlier posts because I love the room(s) so much but that’s okay, right? It’s my birthday and I can be repetitive.

source unknown

Sorry, many of these images have been in my files since before my awareness of the importance of providing credit and links.

Southern Accents

In the spirit of 27 Dresses (did you see that movie?), and my birthday on the 27^th day of January I hope you enjoy.

Kristen Panitch

Jill Brinson

griege

House Beautiful {Slim Paley}

French Kissed

for the love of a house

SMW adventures of tartanscot

Badgley via Elle Decor

Douglas Friedman

Randy Boyd via Romantic Homes

Birch & Lily

adventures of tartanscot

Traditional Home

via

Thanks for making this a very fun birthday. I appreciate each and every reader, comment-leaver or not. 🙂

I’m visiting Sherry at No Minimalist Here, stop by.

{Home} Horsing around

24 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Decorating, Trends

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Equestrian influence

I’ve read a couple of posts from some of my favorite blog sites indicating a return to the popularity of equine accessories in the home. This is welcome news to me. I have always enjoyed the country house look that a nice hunt scene etching or re-strike gives a room.

via

via – Sir Raymond Greene by Alfred James Munnings (1919)

Our home used to be filled with hunt scene art and horse paraphernalia…which created interest from our youngest son’s friend years ago. Steven {Kevin’s friend} asked me, after looking around our family room, if I owned a horse. LOL! I did ride horses as a teen and my aunt owned a horse but a pony was the one gift Santa never brought me!

It truly baffles me as to why I enjoy the “look” but I guess it may remind me of my youth, coupled with the romance I’ve imagined tied to English manor houses and hunts and feasts in the forest while out of doors, i.e. Gosford Park. I know, I’ve been watching too many English period-series and movies! Downton Abbey, is the latest addiction.

Ralph Lauren has always included country accessories that often included equestrian details.

5th and State

Diamond Baratta Design via Dovecote

Hollister Hovey

For me, the touches of equestrian art and accessories are classic and timeless, but I do remember seeing a commercial recently that implied that the look might be akin to grandma’s overly sweet nicknacks. I say, if you love it and don’t over do it, go for it, make it yours! 😉

(above) Amanda Nisbit design

via

William Hodgins design via

I love the painting above. This room is inviting and calming to me…the glow of the fire and button tuck upholstered pieces speaks of comfort and relaxation.

And if you prefer to keep your love of horses to accessories only, there’s always a Hermes scarf and pair of riding boots! At the end of the long day you can place your Scotch/rocks or your cup of tea on these thoroughbred coasters.

via

The chair above, with the stirrup adornment was at a recent design market…the chair looks comfortable, doesn’t it? Too much?

via

Hope you’ve had fun with the horses and me…anybody up for a ride on a carousel?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/equestrian-deco-156082

dog under table

{GHP} Happy Birthday, Hubby…and other masculine pursuits

12 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Family, Personal Information

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masculine rooms

Sunday is Hubby’s (Lyn) birthday. Those Capricorn’s seem to always have it together and in his case, are always calm.

Ewan McGregor via

[Trust me, I don’t read daily astrological predictions and actually BELIEVE them but there does seem to be a thread of truth to many of the characterizations made about the various birth signs, don’t you think?]

No, Lyn doesn’t look like Ewan McGregor but he is half Scottish and I thought this captured the essence of his Scottishness (is that a word, probably not)

via

When we met Lyn drove a BMW he had purchased in Germany and brought home with him…it was similar to this but tan in color.

That said, there are certain rooms where design is concerned that remind me of Lyn and most of them I absolutely love…I’ve addressed my fondness for more masculine, tailored room design HERE.

I’ve used this image before, Glen Feshie Lodge via Elle Decor some years ago. It is truly one of my favorite rooms, mixed plaids and worn Persian rugs…if I could duplicate this room in my own home I would do it. I realize I live in California and it may not be the ideal setting for our climate but it’s still an all time favorite…oh, and I know Lyn likes this room too!

Library of Darin Geise via

This room reflects the lodge but there is something so inviting about a great leather wing back chair with a warm wool throw close at hand and a fire in the grate of a aging brick fireplace.

via

Does there seem to be a recurring theme here? As Lyn likes to remind me, “plaid is your favorite color”.

source unknown

See, I can do bright and cheerful. I have this house tagged as a home in Sun Valley which may explain the bright white light, reflecting the white snow, streaming through the windows.

Ralph Lauren – Fall 2011

As I’ve mentioned before, no one does ‘it’ better than Ralph Lauren for me. The richness of his rooms gets me every time.

…more of RL – Fall 2011

I’ve always liked this desk style but wondered about its practicality…where’s a drawer to keep the unsightly stuff?

via Carol Glasser via Southern Accents (years ago)

I’ve always been drawn to this house and have kept the pages from the magazine in my files for years. Joni at Cote de Texas called Carol Glasser’s home in Houston as a “perfect house”…I agree. There is something inviting and warm and timeless in this room’s details.

So, back to Lyn’s birthday…he loves coffee. He claims it stems from living in Germany where he first enjoyed truly great coffee. During our 39 years (yes, I was a child bride) of married bliss we have owned many coffee machines and now own a drip machine and a Breville espresso maker. I confess, he’s influenced me and I only like coffee that is full bodied and flavorful. The kitchen below would appeal to Lyn since there is plenty of room for this restaurant sized espresso machine. 🙂

via decorpad

…and I’m only partially kidding when I say he’d probably be able to justify an espresso maker in the bathroom! Fortunately, our bathroom barely has room for all of the essentials let alone such a luxury as an espresso maker.

via

To close, Lyn enjoys his leather…what man doesn’t right? The above David August items are a little out of our budget but the iPad case is pretty cool.

via

I wish you a good weekend and a very happy birthday wish to my husband.

{Home} No museum required, wall galleries

03 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Trends

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wall galleries

While visiting Kyle and Jamie in Austin this past November I was asked to assist with arranging and ultimately hanging a variety of frames to form a gallery of what would be pictures of our sweet, and first granddaughter.

This family gallery (Schuyler Samperton) is appealing with its predominantly black and white gallery and the contrasting lone pair of red baby shoes.

The arrangement of a series of like items is always distinctive…the doggie approves! (Allesandra Branca)

Clean lines and architectural prints (Veranda Magazine) give a tailored feel to this room. I love the simplicity of this arrangement.

DIL thought it wise to determine the arrangement and hang them, knowing this would provide the added incentive to get the pictures sized, printed and in the frames…a clever bit of self-motivation I believe.

The mirror in this grouping reflects light and adds interest to the random sketches (Beth Webb, Atlanta)

This is clearly a store gallery, the use of the plates is a favorite accessory in a gallery (An Enchanted Home)

(An Enchanted Home)

K & J had done an excellent job of selecting frames that coordinated and complimented each other for their family gallery and the gallery was to hang in an area of their dining room that could have proven a challenge for any sizable art. For me, that’s part of the beauty of a wall gallery, filling a difficult space with a few of my favorite things.

another view of the same shop…the symmetry of this gallery and it’s shelves, plates and art is especially effective.

A useful and creative way to fill a large wall…the silver frames adorning the antique botanical prints, as well as the more ornate, silver frames on the mirrors truly makes this room pop!

The wall bust and the convex mirror is so effective in this display.

We achieved a pleasing grouping and I would have taken a picture but the pictures weren’t in the frames by my visits end, the unveiling will have to wait for my next visit.

(Things that Inspire)

Meanwhile, it made me notice wall galleries in several files that I have and I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you.

A long otherwise boring hallway benefits from the art in ‘floating art frames’…

…same with the walls of a stair case…great place for a wall gallery, don’t you agree? (Lonny Magazine)

(Natasha Louise King)

(Natural Elements)

I have always loved the interest wall galleries add to any given space.

Is it just me, or does this corner gallery remind you of Hermes boxes with the burnt orange paint and black trim?

(Martha Stewart)

(Pasadena Design House)

(Velvet & Linen)

Do you have a favorite display of framed art in your home? I’d love to hear from you.

{Home} 16 Days and counting…Christmas 2011

08 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Family

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Christmas at Bethany House

Has this first week of December flown by for you? It certainly has for me. I diligently put up all (or most) of my Christmas decorations the weekend of Thanksgiving, foolishly thinking this would put me way ahead of the game. Yeah, right. I’ve been scrambling every day since. I am trying to “enjoy the process” and I have taken the time to stop and smell the fir and noel candles and been grateful that if finding the most thoughtful presents is the worst of my problems, I’m very lucky. But seriously, is it just me? I’m kind of getting tired…I did manage to take a few snaps of the decorations around our home and thought I’d share them. Besides, I seem to do something different each year so I thought this might be a way to journal what I’ve done for reference next year. 🙂

I found lanterns at Ikea this past summer. I used the small, white versions in our trees to give it a magical, twinkle light effect for the engagement party we hosted for our youngest son this past October. When I revisited the store they had this large red lantern and the battery operated lights. At night the little LCD lights give just enough glow to make the kitchen bay window look festive. {I should have done a better job of hiding the little cord}

I began collecting nutcrackers 30 years ago. I wasn’t a true purist about brand, although I’ve since pared down to mostly German nutcrackers {although there are still a few sentimental favorites “Made in China”} The 2 miniature nutcrackers in the foreground are made in Germany and only measure about 2″ tall. I found them at Crate and Barrel about 25 years ago and they remain favorites for their diminutive size and detailing.

This is the overall grouping. The two candle holders were a gift and come from China, but I think they are fun since they hold candles that I can light for Christmas.

The end of my counter/bar has always been a bit of a challenge for me when it comes to vignettes. I change it constantly in search of the right “look” and still haven’t found it.

My chef nutcracker seems happy to be in the kitchen. 🙂

Spode’s Christmas Tree has served many a holiday breakfast, lunch and dinner to our friends and family. There are so many pretty Christmas dishes out there but I was certain should I start collecting others that I would be on a slippery slope of pottery love and might never recover! What pattern (if any) do you collect/love/use?

The center panel on our pantry has display-shelves and I hung my faux, berry wreath on the front.

Our granddaughter will be here (from Austin) for the holidays and the coffee table will need to be clear {she’s walking and exploring, best to give her room to do that without worry about her}, so I used an arrangement I had and placed some berry/pine cone stems to add a festive touch.

One of the small things I’m grateful for is the abundance of pine cones we have for picking in our neighborhood. Once I decided on this arrangement I just took my trusty bag and Madison and went for a walk.

Nutcracker Sherlock Holmes is on the case for a Happy Christmas!

The 2 smokers are suffering withdrawal since there is a NO SMOKING policy here.

The mantle clock is always present and usually I try to crowd the nutcrackers in and around but this year I decided to leave the English ivy and add some snow berries and faux fir sprigs to dress the mantle for Christmas.

Even the little lantern that hangs outside has a Santa and pine cone to greet the season, compliments of my friend, Linda {thank you, Linda}

And the tree…

The bottom third of the tree is adorned with non-breakable ornaments since Olivia will be undoubtedly curious and want to touch some of the ornaments.

Breathe and continue on…we can do this, we’re having fun!

I’m joining the Hooked on Holidays party tomorrow, stop by and be inspired by the hundreds of creative bloggers that will show you their homes and traditions.

{Home} Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard…

17 Thursday Nov 2011

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

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cupboards

There is something a little magical about a chippy, old cupboard that sparks the imagination as to what it might hold. Even if there’s not a biscuit for Mother Hubbard’s poor old dog.

Same goes for a glass front, antique/reclaimed wood/vintage/ reproduction cupboard, with smartly arranged items, that provides a room with additional eye candy that can peak curiosity.

via heirloom philosophy

via Martha Stewart

When it comes to my own home, I have a couple of antique “cupboards” in my dining room (I’m using the term loosely since I believe most would refer to my cupboards as a side board and china cupboard. I am always excited to see a great cupboard and find myself trying to figure out where I can put one just like it in one of my already amply furnished rooms. I usually walk away when it dawns on me that the only way there would be room for a new cupboard would be for me to do without some of the essential pieces of furniture, like sofa, bed, chest of drawers.

Sorry, unknown. I think it was a High Point photo

via the talented Miss Mustard Seed

via Stone Gable

via Brabourne Farm

One of my friends, Gretchen, has a large piece of furniture that almost takes up an entire wall of her dining room. It is a reproduction but truly mimics a great antique, and the best part…it houses nearly all of her various sets of dishes and serving pieces. {we share this addiction to dishes} I am smitten with this piece and would be thrilled to have it in my home, it just wouldn’t fit. C’est la vie!

The cupboard below reminds me of Gretchen’s cupboard in size…the finish on Gretchen’s is a more refined, furniture finish and each cupboard row has glass front doors.

via beach bungalow8 (Emerson House)

Since I’m a collector of all patterns of dishes I think there is some practicality to this type of cupboard…I could get to my various dish patterns, depending on the season. This cupboard (left) appears to be built into the wall. Very space saving.

I like the display in this cupboard, there’s order and artistic appeal.

via House Beautiful

Below, Joan of for the love of a house blog, placed this glass front cupboard in her reading room and filled it with treasures she’s collected through the years. An interesting display always entices me and I want to know the story behind the collection.

via for the love of a house

via House and Garden

via White Ironstone Cottage

This cupboard is on the end of a kitchen cabinet and makes perfect sense in light of it’s contents, the glass shelves and the glass back that allows the window to shine through the cupboard. Very clever, Martha!

via Martha Stewart

The cupboard in my kitchen does double duty as our pantry and holds a small display of silver and pewter items as well as a few favorite pieces of pottery.

Do you like cupboards? What do you use them for in your home.

I’m off to Austin tomorrow to join Kyle (Son #1) and Jamie (daughter-in-law) in celebrating Olivia’s (granddaughter) first birthday!

{Home, Party} Yes, sir! Military ~ Crests ♥

15 Tuesday Nov 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Family

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crests, military

I’ve always liked antique and/or vintage military memorabilia. Not guns and such, but metals and ribbons, antique engravings of soldiers, dress uniforms and nutcrackers.

My father was in the Marines and served in Korea. His uniform always seemed so beautifully detailed and I loved the shiny buttons on it as a child. While the moths ultimately got the better of his dress uniform, I still have the buttons.

Recently I discovered a blog site that inspired me to write about my interest. Hollister Hovey, which I found thanks to Jennings & Gates: Notes from a Virginia Country House (it was on their blog roll that led me to Hollister Hovey).

via Hollister Hovey

Growing up my family went to see most of the popular war-themed movies and Bridge Over the River Kwai, The Great Escape and Patton were favorites. I still love the theme music from Bridge Over the River Kwai!

photo Bettmann/Corbis Sir Alec Guinness; Bridge Over the River Kwai, 1957

George C. Scott; Patton

Disney’s Babes in Toyland was another favorite movie with soldiers, albeit “toy” soldiers. I was/am a huge Disney movie fan and as a young adult I worked at Disneyland, which only served to reinforce my fondness of their movies (and meeting my husband while working there certainly sealed the deal).

Later the Nutcracker ballet became a favorite story. As a family we read Nutcracker, E.T.A Hoffman’s 1816 story as translated by Ralph Manheim and illustrated by Maurice Sendak during the month of December. I collect nutcrackers.

photo Alliance HB Verlag/Johann Scheibner

I married a special services retired officer and his patriotism and respect for the uniform has perpetuated my fondness for the discipline and decorum associated with the military.

via New York Public Library

via Velvet & Linen, Highpoint

Having lived through the Viet Nam era of the draft and having 2 sons I can honestly say, I was happy they had the option of serving (they did not serve).

My first trip abroad was to London with my husband in 1985…who doesn’t love the military uniforms of that country? For a short time Kevin (son #2) collected British, metal, toy soldiers. I’ve seen collections of toy soldiers that are impressive and add to the decor of a room.

photo by Duncan Hannah

photo by Duncan Hanna

There have been some wonderful rooms designed by Charles Faudree with Napoleonic themes and I’ve always liked the Ralph Lauren rooms that reflect a bit of military with the accents or crests.

Elle Decor

via Southern Accents

via Hollister Hovey

There’s even a blog site where the author clearly has a passion for a famous military figure…

My Napoleon Obsession

What do you think? Do any of your share my interest in military memorabilia or crests? Does your family have a crest?

{Home} It’s a man’s world

13 Thursday Oct 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Designer, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Family

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Ralph Lauren, tailored

I am often drawn to what some would call masculine lines of design, cars are one example. As a teenager I was into cars, I assume it was my generation and growing up in Southern California. My high school parking lot was filled with cars such as the ’57 Chevy and Pontiac GTO. Nothing as cool as the cars above!

Ralph Lauren Brookfield collection

In fashion the “preppy” trend captured my comfort zone and I’ve dressed in fairly tailored clothing ever since. (Am I beginning to sound dull or overly masculine?) I am definitely girly in lots of ways, but where design is concerned I truly love fairly tailored lines. This hasn’t always been the case. There was a time in the 80’s when cabbage rose chintz and even pink walls were the look, but after raising 2 sons and living with a guy’s guy husband, I’ve made the transition.

Pamela Pierce

After I was married I noticed that I leaned towards a more “gentleman’s club” style decor. I like English country style and even though that style (at one time) included flowery chintz fabrics, it was the warm oak paneling and barley twist legs of a table that captured my attention. On my first trip to England we frequented pubs and cafes that were the very epitome of what I would call a masculine-looking design style.

via House to Home

via Elle Decor

via New Victorian Ruralist (Natasha Louise King)

A few years back I purchased an antique pair of antlers that, for me, add to the warm, English decor that I love. I’ve noticed an increased use of antlers in beautifully designed rooms, and while I know and understand the reason some people find it disgusting to display dead animal parts of any kind (for the record, I couldn’t hunt a furry creature if my survival depended on it), I must say I think it’s a nice accent!

via Traditional Home

via Elle Decor

via For the Love of a House

Ralph Lauren seems to capture the ideal “masculine” look with his rooms and lifestyle accessories. Maybe it’s a look that some would identify as an upper crust, blue-blood, tailored, thoroughbred, East coast vibe. In any event, I’m in Southern California and I’m on board with the look.

Ralph Lauren Brookfield collection

I’ve linked up with No Minimalist Here today, visit her site, it’s wonderful

What are your go-to styles for life? Is it a “man’s world” or are we just letting them think it is!

{Home and Party} Trays, a versatile obsession

22 Thursday Sep 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Entertaining, Personal Information

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trays

There is something about trays that has always interested me. I have friends that love and collect chairs, perpetual calendars, bronze figures and oil paintings and while I love a great chair as much as the next avid collector, trays rate right up there with my other obsessions {any kind of pottery or china that strikes my fancy as well as boxes of all kinds}.

The two images below are from one of my favorite blog sites French Kissed. If you haven’t visited Jermaine at FK you should, all of her photography captures the essence of an inviting home and she always tells a wonderful story…Jermaine, thank you for always inspiring me!

via French Kissed

Things just showcase better on a tray…especially “smalls” as antique dealers call the little treasures that truly make a home.

I believe I initially became interested when I was given a footed silver tray by my mother in law. It was relatively old and I loved the details of the pattern as well as the fact that it was footed. I later watched antique stores for English oak trays but usually had to pass on purchasing them due to the price…this was several years ago and now I could kick myself that I didn’t splurge and pick one up because they have doubled in price.

via eBay

Silver trays, such as the sterling tray above can cost some serious coin, but there are some wonderful trays at consignment stores and antique stores that mimic this look and may only be silver plate and still offer character and a vehicle for showcasing accessories or serving from.

via adventures of tartanscot, SMW designs

via house beautiful

via better homes and garden

I’m always drawn to the wide variety of ways a tray can be used. From doubling as a hard surface on a large ottoman substituting as a coffee table, to a venue for featuring small antiques and decorative items on a shelf or buffet.

These antique money trays were featured on WUSLU, they sell a variety of unique items but when they’re gone, they’re gone.

via traditional home

I recently posted HERE about the tray I made with a basic glass insert (that my frame guy made for me) so that I could use some toile wallpaper that we covered with bead board…you’ll have to read the post. The good news is that this tray which I purchased from Home Goods can now be made to work for any season or color scheme I choose by simply cutting the fabric or paper to fit and refitting the tray with the glass. Fun, right?

via west elm

via pottery barn

Straw or woven trays look great on a table or standing up as a backdrop for a kitchen counter. There is something so timeless about a great straw basket tray.

via restoration hardware

via brabourne farm

mary eriksson

The above tray looks like it might be an old soda crate, the use of it on a desk as an organizational display is very creative.

unknown

Are those Hermes boxes stacked on the simple, black tray? Very nice! I could see Jo Malone boxes used this way too.

via old painted cottage

This vignette of old silver utensils and tray look very nice in front of the bead board back splash.

Do you have any trays you are especially fond of?

A blast from the past…Southern Accents magazine

22 Monday Aug 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Decorating, Gardens

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Southern Accents magazine

The mother of two of my nearest and dearest friends is moving from a home she’s been in for 50 years. I always found Marilyn’s home comfortable and charming. It doesn’t hurt that it is located in one of my favorite Orange County cities, Corona del Mar. But her home has gotten to be too much for her and since she has family and friends living in a nearby senior community, Marilyn has decided to make the leap to a new chapter and more manageable abode.

The CDM home is a single-story ranch style home that sits on a canyon where deer were often spotted…I’m not sure whether they still see deer but the canyon is filled with trees and shrubs so it’s such a great backdrop to the ocean view off in the distance.

Linda (Marilyn’s eldest daughter, and my maid of honor nearly 39 years ago) is down from Bainbridge Island to help her sister (my other good friend, Gretchen), pack up the home and host a garage sale to get rid of some of the items that won’t fit in the new, smaller home.

Since Linda, Gretchen and I all share a passion for home design, and nesting in general, when the sisters came across a box of magazines they thought of me. Thank you Gretchen and Linda! The magazines they delivered this afternoon are none other than one of my all time favorites, Southern Accents. As most of you probably know, the magazine shut it’s doors without notice a couple of years ago and fortunately I had saved about 12 issues. I still miss the magazine’s southern style and all the lovely rooms and fabulous gardens they published 10 times a year.

The nine issues are mostly dated 1990 and 1991 but there is a 10th anniversary issue dated 1987! Interestingly, most of the images hold up but there are a few of the ads that clearly have the “Country French” vibe, similar to the trend that took Southern California by storm around that time…probably the rest of the country as well.

The May-June 1987 issue, had this ad for Country Life Designs. In Southern California this look (above) was huge and I had a bedroom that resembled this look. Some of my friends had nearly every room wallpapered in the Country Life designed paper and I always thought it was so pretty. We all used faience farm animals as decorative accessories…bunnies and geese were especially popular. I still have a few of the rabbits but usually only display them in the spring. The faience geese were more timeless and I still love seeing them as an accessory in a country French style room. Furnishings were French, some new and some antiques.

The formal garden featured in “Quintessentially Mobile” article is timeless. The images for a home by architect Harry Inge Johnstone are typical of the lovely homes Southern Accents featured in each issue.

Like this New Orleans apartment…

The sofa looks almost slip covered, although I believe it is upholstered, the room looks as if it could be in a feature for a 2011 magazine. Good design never goes out of style even if some of the contributing features such as wall paper use come and go. The 3 panels above the sofa are wonderful. Today the room might have wood floors and a sisal rug but the neutral palate is very 21st century.

In a 1990 issue I noticed a monthly feature titled Tablescapes. That is what made this magazine a favorite of mine. They would give you ideas for all aspects of comfortable and gracious living.

I apologize for the blurry pic. My scanner wasn’t working so I took a picture of the magazine page.

I always looked forward to the issues with reference articles done on various antiques. They would advise you how to purchase authentic antiques and what to look for and what to avoid.

If you visit Southern Accents website HERE you will see some of the later rooms featured in their magazine.

When I’m experiencing withdrawals from Southern Accents I’ll now have the dozen or so issues I kept for the year or so before the magazine closed their doors and a dozen issues form the early nineties. That should give me plenty to garner ideas and inspiration for some time.

Do you have an all time favorite home designs magazine? I’d love to hear.