{Home} Were you born in a barn?…

19 Wednesday Feb 2014

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

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…no, but maybe I wish I were. Did that comment ever come up in your childhood, when you’d leave the door open and you ran outside to play? In my family “born in a barn” was always mentioned when doors were left open. Sorry, I digress. This post was inspired by a friend’s son and his fiance who originally thought they wanted to have their 2014 wedding in a barn.

They choose a different venue but the seed of inspiration was planted…I started looking at barn images. There are some incredible barns. Working barns, as well as barns that have been converted into amazing homes.

Most of these barns reeled me in.

Granted, this barn would make for an enormous home, I love the main entrance of the barn and could imagine the upstairs being a grand master suite with a few extra bedrooms thrown in for guests.

{via}

This is one of my favorites, I love the barn doors and the cupola. I’m also fond of the weathered wood finish on the planked walls of the barn.

{via}

Architectural Digest has several articles featuring barns. As expected, each one is spectacular and very livable, if not luxurious.

{AD Gil Shafer; photo Billy Cunningham}

{via}

{Photo – Mary E. Nichols}

{Photo – Matt Wargo}

{Photo – John M. Hall}

I love the looks of this 2-story beauty, built in 1895 in Connecticut, orininally to house horses.

{via}

{Lonny Magazine}

{New England Barn Company Homes}

I’ve saved the best for last…I love the inside of this barn…

Could you live in a barn? I think I could. I love this final picture. The dining chairs, antler candlestick, even the horse sharing the space is so appealing to me.

Note: If you have an extra minute, would you visit Apartment Therapy and vote for my site (if you think it worthy) for the Homies Awards? Here’s the link, I’d be thrilled if you would!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/nominate-your-favorite-home-design-inspiration-blogs-for-the-homies-awards-the-homies-2014-200251

{Home} Rx for holiday stress, a long, hot bath

13 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Architects & Builders, Architectural elements, Bathroom, Decorating, House and Home

≈ 24 Comments

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bath

{Velvet & Linen}

As we’re on that fast moving train towards the holidays, I thought I’d offer one of my personal remedies for stress removal (even if temporary). It’s not going to be news to anyone, but more a reminder that we all need me-time now and then. Especially when there’s a ‘to do’ list a mile long and only 24 hours in a day, 8 of which are designated sleep hours, if we know what’s good for us.

So to encourage you all, and me, lets fantasize about luxuriating in a whirlpool shower baths at BC from time to time, here are some bathrooms that I dream about…

{Inspired Design}

I used to take a bath every evening. Sometime between the birth of our second child and moving into a house with a bathtub in the guest bathroom exclusively, not the master (who plans these tract houses?), the heavenly practice was nipped in the bud, rarely to be picked up again. I have time for that delightful hour today, but somehow haven’t resumed the practice in earnest. This time of year I’m reminded that it used to be the calming influence in a busy schedule.

{House Beautiful}

Not a very good picture…when we renovated our guest bath we installed a tub about 6″ taller than the standard. It makes a good soak a little better. There’s a shower curtain for now, until Olivia (granddaughter + any other possible grand babies) grow, its easier to bathe them.

Isn’t this a glorious bathroom (below), light filled, lots of room. I think I could definitely relax in this room.

{unknown source}

Beautifully detailed stone-surround bath with mirror. This is the definition of luxury, right?

{The Enchanted Home}

I’m beginning to notice a recurring bathtub style in my file. I love the freestanding tubs…

{Home Bunch}

{Ferguson & Shamamian via Design Chic}

{for the love of a house}

{Mary Watkins via T&G Interiors}

And for the showstopper favorite, in my humble opinion, a bath designed by the talented Gil Shafer…the wood and beamed ceiling offers warmth to the room and yet there’s plenty of natural light. A bath in this room has the potential to lower one’s blood pressure!

{Gil Shafer via Design Chic}

To maximize a bath’s full effectiveness we must have some wonderful smelling bath products…here are a few of my favorites…

I love the smell of pomegranate and the Crabtree & Evelyn line feel heavenly on your skin

~or~

If you’ve never tried any of the Jo Malone products let me just say, they are so incredible, stop by the Jo Malone counter or visit their store, they are always helpful and generous with their time and test sprays. I like the more natural scent of most of their products and while I’ve never bought the bath oil, the pump hand soap and the Lavender Amber cologne is a favorite. The pump soap in the guest bath always draws comments.

~or~

Let’s face it, some of us L O V E this season so why not bathe in the scent of the season with this Homemade Pumpkin Pie bubble bath by Philosophy?

So tell me, do you already indulge in this simple stress reducer? I do have a few good friends that wouldn’t think of skipping their evenings in the bath, some with a good book! Don’t you just love this time of year?

I’m linking to Stone Gable: Tutorials & Tidbits & Southern Savvy Style: Wow us Wednesday

{Home} Historic buildings and architecture

30 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Architects & Builders, Travel

≈ 20 Comments

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historic buildings

Being born and raised in Southern California, it wasn’t until Mr. B took me to England in 1985 that I developed a very real appreciation and love of historic buildings and the details each possessed. The first exposure I had to London was overwhelming, I couldn’t take it in fast enough.

I thought we (you, my dear blog friends) could journey together and take in some beautiful facades of some buildings I’ve discovered online. Imagine living in some of these buildings…I can dream of what life might be like living behind these doors and gates, with their cobblestone streets and sidewalks!

After many visits to New York I saw that Manhattan and adjacent areas shared many of the same breath taking details on the facades of most buildings in the city (apart from the newer ones, of course). Our son and daughter-in-law lived in Brooklyn for 2 years and the brownstones lining the streets held great appeal for me as well. I’m sure the list of locations of architecturally fabulous buildings is long, I enjoy virtual travel all the time, thanks to the internet so if you have some recommendations, I’m open.

Paris and London are stamped in my passport but whenever and wherever I come across a building (real time), or photograph of a beautiful building online, I save it to a file.

I wonder if my city would consider repaving my street with cobblestones?

Come by for a visit…I’ll leave the light on.

All images except 2nd to last found here; 2nd to last image found here.

{GHP} Cottage love

17 Thursday May 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Architects & Builders, Collections & Accessories, Travel

≈ 10 Comments

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Carmel by the Sea, cottage, Fairytale Cottages

♥What I love about the blogosphere is that there is something for everyone, literally. If you are so inclined you can find blog sites that cater to the mansion owner {or the dreamer who dreams of one day living in one}, the industrious do-it-yourself artists, those who live on a ranch or farm, city dwellers and last but not least, cottage lovers. Trust me, I’ve only hit a few of the themes, but you get what I’m saying, right?
There is room (no pun intended) in my heart for admiration of a little of each of the above, but when push comes to shove, I prefer the cottage and the smaller rooms that generally accompany that.

Haus Design

Home Bunch

5th & State

I’m sure that a psychologist might say I need the security of close environs. I’m not sure there is anything to that other than a subconscious draw to cozy and quaint. I appreciate good design whether it’s been achieved in a spacious room or home, or a small one, but when I stumble upon a smaller home, layered with antiques, comfortable and inviting furnishings, I swoon.

A rose growing over the front door only works to seal the deal…

{The image above was taken by the talented Trish of Trouvais. This lovely cottage is in Montecito, California}

Laguna Beach ~ photo by Linda Yvonne, flickr

Hubby and I were both born and raised on the west coast, Southern California to be exact, and early in our marriage we discovered the charming town of Carmel. It has been a favorite weekend getaway since before we had our children. It remains top on our list of destinations, in fact it has always been a bit of a dream to live there one day. The Fairytale Cottages are amazing and I enjoy taking pictures each visit.

I love the shingles that are made to look like thatching…

Fairytale Cottage ~ photo by Linda Yvonne

Fairytale Cottage ~ photo by Andreas Graemiger, flickr

Raindrop Cottage, Carmel ~ Linda Yvonne, flickr

For more detailed information about the Fairytale Cottages built by Hugh Comstock visit HERE

“I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give.”

~ Thomas Jefferson

What are your thoughts on this? No right or wrong answer, just a preference!

Join me at No Minimalist Here open house party…she features a lovely home in New Orleans!

{Home}Another cottage to love by Bill Ingram Architect

03 Wednesday Aug 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Architects & Builders, Decorating, Designer

≈ 6 Comments

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Architect, Bill Ingram, cottages

Having just returned from Austin I thought I’d post this story I’ve been working on featuring the Birmingham architect, Bill Ingram. I hope to have some exciting new things to ramble on about Texas, and family.

This story began with the July/August issue of House Beautiful and morphed into features about the talented Bill Ingram, Architect from 3 different magazines…

I’ve grown to love House Beautiful magazine again. Unbeknownst to the magazine, we had a falling out several years ago when they seemed to lose their way and were publishing images of homes that held no appeal for me.

The July/August issue is one of my favorites. It’s their annual small spaces issue. It is such a testament of good design to see what so many talented designers can do with limited square footage. I live in 1,725 square feet of space and am always open to new ideas for storage and décor and have been inspired by some of the small homes.

I’ve chatted about my love of cottages before. The attraction may be a direct result of my living in a small home but there is something so cozy about small spaces that live large. For more about my love of cottages and their features visit HERE, HERE and HERE.

But it was definitely thunder bolt city (do you remember that line from Four Weddings and a Funeral?) when a 12-page spread on a 1,400 square foot cottage in Mountain Brook village, Birmingham, Alabama caught my eye. The interior design is by talented architect, Bill Ingram.

How stylish is this, cool car and talented architect.

I love the knot garden in lieu of lawn in the front yard of this perfect cottage.

Not to start with a bathroom, but this is a particularly well-designed bath and I’m in the midst of remodeling our guest bathroom so I’ve got bathroom design on the brain.

This small kitchen has been designed to flow beautifully into the living room. Well designed small spaces utilize every available inch of the house and this cottage works really well…it lives large.

Each room in the House Beautiful issue featured clever use of the small space and provided me with inspiration for my own cottage.

So I began to do a bit of reading about him and got lost in Google finding additional features in Southern Accents and Country Living magazines.

In addition I found this quote on his philosophy:

“My philosophy is: When you see something perfect, buy it. If you don’t have a place for it, you’re going to have to force yourself. You’ll wind up with a house full of things you love.” -Bill Ingram

Sound advice and when I haven’t followed something along those lines I’ve often wondered why I bought the item, does that ever happen to you?

If you visit Bill Ingram Architect take the time to read his view on lifestyle. It’s no wonder his design appeals to so many, he speaks of simplicity “papers the senses, does not overload”. Aren’t we all seeking that peace? He believes in the marriage of lovely old things with a restrained “modern”. Juxtaposition, its what intrigues us in design when we happen upon it.

One of his houses located on Lake Martin was featured some time ago in Southern Accents {sadly this magazine is no longer published}.

This house isn’t quite a small as his Mountain Brook house but it isn’t huge and I love the open feel to the great room and kitchen. High ceilings do an amazing job of giving the space an open, airy feel.

Love the chandelier and the chairs.

Lunch on the veranda? Yes, please.

After finding these images I continued to search and discovered a cottage in Alabama that Bill Ingram and designer, Betsy Brown had a hand in. The article is featured in the 2007 Country Living magazine (another one bites the dust. :-() Maybe it was the Christmas decorations but I loved the charm of this home as well. So many cottages, so little time.

And lest you think Bill Ingram is king of cottage design, here are some of his other designs from his website…

A Bill Ingram Colonial Revival

Bill Ingram - English Style

Fairfax and Sammons Architecture…love

21 Friday Jan 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Architects & Builders

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Fairfax & Sammons

“Traditional architecture for the modern world”

~Fairfax & Sammons Architecture

Years ago, when I wasn’t working full time in the corporate world, I used to go with my girlfriends on home tours. There was one in Pasadena that has been held annually since 1948. The tour benefits music programs such as Los Angeles Philharmonic, local symphonic, cultural and educational programs.

I haven’t read their book but will need to add it to the list now that I’ve seen their website.

The often historic homes that I toured were really estates in the truest sense of the word. They were on nice sized pieces of land and often had “carriage houses” on their grounds.

Nice lot, right?

A pattern began to emerge each year as I toured these homes, I invariably fell absolutely head over heals for the carriage house. There was something always charming and cozy about the smaller, utilitarian structure that had broad appeal for me.

I love the shutters and doors set in the brick facade.

Some time ago I happened upon a feature in Southern Accents about a Carriage House in New York’s Greenwich Village.

The details are what the firm is known for. The bar in the carriage house is tailored and masculine---very appealing.

The architects are a husband and wife team and the firm bore their last names, Fairfax & Sammons (Anne Fairfax and Richard Sammons).

Fireplace in a kitchen, what could be cozier?

The details were appealing and while not overly small, the rooms were comfortable and inviting.

I notice there's a lot of natural light in this carriage house. Architects have to be given some credit for capturing the best of the lot.

Love the chandelier and Juliette balcony above the entry.

If you’d like to read more of what this firm has done and see the incredible pictures of their work visit HERE.

Cottage living…Moody cottages

19 Friday Nov 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Architects & Builders

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Moody cottage

The Los Angeles Times newspaper featured a piece on cottage living last Saturday. Specifically they wrote about cottages designed and built by the Moody sisters HERE.

I love the history behind the four sisters; Harriet, Mildred, Brenda and Wilma were all born in the 1890’s.

They were ahead of their time with their use of salvaged windows, doors and beams from large homes that were being torn down after the depression. These ladies were making use of recycled parts to enhance the cottages they built long before the days of shabby chic!

Many of the historical Moody cottages are located in Montecito and Santa Barbara along the central coast of California.

It is reported that a majority of the owners love the quirky details of these small homes such as narrow staircases and landings, “built-in shelves that are set too close together for many books to stand upright”.

What’s not to love?!