{GHP} I’ve got the blues

26 Thursday Jul 2012

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

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As I’ve mentioned once or twice (or incessantly), I gravitate towards the color blue. Not just in accessories for the home but in other formats as well, such as…

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and…

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and…

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So I have the summer blues and thought I’d share some of what I’ve found while visiting, and admiring some of the many talented bloggers out there…oh, and I was visiting blogs around the world in hopes of becoming inspired for a topic for a post of my own. {Is it just me or has summer given you the felling you’d rather be reading on the porch, with a glass of something and not a care in the world than doing anything remotely tied to thinking?}

Back to the topic at hand. I have embarked on the blue and white thing, all in moderation. {I know, I’m a little late to this party} But it seems that I see all manner of wonderful blue and sometimes blue and white items of interest, along with some pretty great rooms.

I love the bold blue on this house (below) but I’m certain our Homeowner Association wouldn’t allow it. I also really like the detailing around the windows.

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The blue shutter caught my eye, but there isn’t much I don’t absolutely love about this house/hotel entrance(?)

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I like the overall neutral feel to this room, just the blue pillows to give it the touch of blue and white.

photo by Adam Butler

Such a clean (for now, see the doggies?) look, plenty of fresh white with hints of blue. So pretty.

Better Homes and Gardens

I’m always drawn to blue and white plates in a grouping…

Ginger Barber Designs

~ or ~

in an antique store.

Scott Meacham Wood and more…

SMW

Its the subtle use of blue and most appeals to me.

Love French Bulldogs – tumblr

I love the ceiling in this image, as well as the Shaw farm sink. The blue, white and hint of green in the curtains really make the room alive with interest, don’t you think?

Tiffany Eastman Design

Last but not least, signs and other random containers in blue and white can catch my attention…

Does blue and white figure into your home? Do you have a favorite color?

{Home} Cupboard arrangements

17 Tuesday Jul 2012

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

≈ 10 Comments

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cupboards, hutch

I’ve confessed my addiction to dishes HERE and HERE. I’ve completed the course for conquering my addiction and feel certain I’m cured [CODE = no more room anywhere for anymore dishes], but existing collections require storage, storage is sometimes an open display space which requires some creative arranging. Phew!

So, I thought I’d show you some inspiring images of pretty cupboards I’ve found around blog land, just in case you struggle with the same affliction.

I have cupboards that will accommodate more of my dishes behind cupboard doors than I have shelves that require creative display but I am always watching for ideas I can ~~steal~~ borrow.

I used to visit a French restaurant, Pascal’s, that would have their dinner plates stacked in an antique hutch in the dining room. I loved the feel that I was dining in someone’s country farmhouse.

I just noticed that most of the hutch images I’ve collected have white dishes.

Savvy Southern Style

Martha Stewart

and my favorite…

Yeager Antique Cabinet

Do you keep dishes and glassware somewhere besides the kitchen cupboard?

{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

≈ 12 Comments

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garden bench

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} TV over the mantle

31 Thursday May 2012

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

≈ 19 Comments

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television

Not too long ago I posted some images of pretty rooms, no specific theme or particular area of the home, just some “Calorie free, eye candy”

This room designed by Daniel Brisset prompted me to look more closely and see if this trend is taking fireplace/television placement by storm.

This doggie is requesting the Animal Planet channel, please.

I brought up the question, what do we think about mounting a flat screen television over the fireplace?

So here’s some images I’ve found, I’d love to hear your thoughts on mounting a television over the fireplace.

This Veranda “Paris in Pebble Beach” feature showed us how an antique door from Burgundy, France could be installed to hide the television when not in use. I really like the room and the fireplace! {Photo :: Roger Davies} Sorry the image is small.

Then there’s this…if one TV is good, four must be better! [Note to self, do NOT let Hubby see this image]

I’m not completely sure how I feel about it. It seems practical in certain rooms and certainly convenient…if you’re watching something boring you can divert your eyes to the fireplace. If the fireplace is lit that works for me, I love watching a crackling, well laid fire; if the fireplace isn’t lit, not so much.

I guess the traditionalist in me loves a painting or mirror over the fireplace, and plenty of pretty accessories on the mantle.

Still, if this is the best alternative for a family room due to floor plan, I think I’d do it…

Let me know what you think…do you like the idea of a television over your mantle? Even if you don’t have a fireplace, share your thoughts with me, I love to hear from you.

I’m over at Sherry’s Open House ~ No Minimalist Here, if you’re looking for me.

and

Favorite on the First with Alison at The Polohouse

{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!

{GHP} I have a Crush on Jack

19 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Decorating

≈ 5 Comments

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Union Jack

I consider myself an anglophile. It could be because my first European vacation was a trip to London with hubby. We had so much fun and I had an immediate crush on all things British. In fact I’ve missed seeing other vacation-worthy European destinations due to my wanting to further tour England.

Image via 5th & State

I admire Charles Faudree’s perfect blend of English and French furniture and his clever way with accessories. Where travel marries home decor influences in our home I’m about a 60/40 split between French and English, with English winning the floor. That said, I don’t have a single Union Jack in the house!

This is what I visualize when I think of the Union Jack…

Bishopton Cottage

Who doesn’t love a thatched cottage?

Pinterest

These trunks from Amazon are pretty cute, although the colors seem a little washed out. The large one could make a nice coffee table for a family room, what do you think?

Amazon

Jan Constantine

Love the Keep Calm message (above) with the Union Jack background.

The image above is a nice combination of the French burlap shade and the Union Jack apron via Luciane at Home Bunch

Tommy Smythe

Best of both worlds! via Etsy

Inspiring Interiors ~ Australia

Pinterest

Slim Paley ~ ABC Carpets, New York

I have long admired the work of Marian of Miss Mustard Seed but when I saw this chest she refinished I knew she was not only talented but a fan of the Union Jack as well!

Mustard Seed Interiors

So, what do you think? Is the stove a bit much? 🙂

I love the U.S.A. but I certainly enjoy the U.K. as well!

Happy Thursday!

I’m visiting French Country Cottage for the Friday Feathered Nest

{Home} Shabby chic, rustic white…by any name, charming

10 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Designer

≈ 3 Comments

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shabby chic

Alert: I got a little chatty today…if you’re pressed for time you may want to read this when you have a few minutes. I apologize for an inconvenience this may cause. 🙂

According to Wikipedia the term Shabby Chic was coined by The World of Interiors magazine in the 1980s and became extremely popular in the US in the ’90s. But when I hear the term I immediately think of Rachel Ashwell.

When Rachel Ashwell first hit the market with her popular Shabby Chic look I was intrigued. I didn’t visit one of her stores until the late ‘90s but she opened her first store in 1989 and wrote her first book in 1996. It was a trend I didn’t embrace for my own home, but I truly admired and liked some of her fabrics, and saw more than a few beautifully furnished homes using that style of design. I viewed some of her recent work online and on her blog and I believe she’s stayed true to her original style but I noticed some upgrades on some of her furnishings, including some lovely antiques. As a huge fan of antique furniture, I really like that detail. (Source of images below: Rachel Ashwell ~ Shabby Chic)

For a few years when I would hear the term shabby chic and I thought tired and trendy. But I confess I’ve come full circle in my thinking about the look. While I still am not ready to convert, I certainly have an admiration for the style when I see it done well in blog land or in a shelter magazine.

I recently read a post on the topic by Kifus of Inspired Interiors. She featured images from a Swedish magazine by the name of Skonahem that was titled shabby chic. While I can’t read Swedish, the images were mostly wonderful and the rooms seemed inviting and country-cozy. (source of images below: Skonahem via Inspired Interiors)

Once I started looking online (which can devour hours of time in the blink of an eye) I found HGTV had done some extensive posts on the shabby chic look. There are some very pretty rooms when you follow the various links to English country/shabby chic and Beach/shabby chic. (Images below via: HGTV blog)

Another favorite blog site is Glenda of The Paper Mulberry. Her recent post titled, “Rustic White”, contained images of rustic textures, mostly white, “breezy” and relaxed rooms. I love the idea of a simple cottage with my favorite things and little else. It holds the appeal of less is more and an uncluttered life. (Source of images below: The Paper Mulberry)

I’m personally not ready for the dramatic change but its fun to view these beautiful rooms and dream a little dream about a cottage in the Cottswold’s with hubby, my dogs and bare essentials designed in this style. What do you think, too stark, too spare? Let’s talk.

By the way…I stumbled upon a new site that is so much fun to visit each new post Heather Bullard Lifestyle Blog Besides being a contributing Editor to County Living Magazine she has started her own on-line magazine called Souvenir Magazine. You will get some great ideas for decor, dining, and DIY projects, and much more!

Below are a few images from the most recent issue:

{Home} Plaid

31 Saturday Mar 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Traditions, Travel

≈ 26 Comments

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plaid

When I think of plaid I think of…

Scottish Villages

Balmoral Castle

President Reagan & Queen Elizabeth

tumblr ~ walks in the country with my dog

I have had a long standing crush on plaid. Hubby likes to say it’s my favorite color {smile} and he’s not completely wrong. There is something about the traditional plaids, in particular, that always attracts me.

I count my red check as plaid, is that fair?

Plaid used to immediately take me to the cooler seasons (fall and winter), but now I see plaid as a pattern that can serve spring and summer with equal relish.

House Beautiful

Photo by Keith Scott Morton ~ Country Living

Photo by Anthony Ferrie ~ Architectural Digest

House Beautiful ~ Sun Valley

House to Home

Country Living

SMW Designs ~ The Adventures of Tartanscot

So, I’m thinking I need to buy some of these clothes…

the Steward

search for some Tartanware for the tables…

and head out in this car…

What do you think? Too much? Have I gone too far with the whole plaid thing?

I’ll be having some plaid fun this week at:

The Polohouse

Vignette Design

Upstairs Downstairs

Hyacinths for the Soul

{Home} Devil in the details…accessories

27 Tuesday Mar 2012

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

≈ 12 Comments

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accessories

While I appreciate the beauty of any room with the right furniture, proper scale, beautiful wall color or covering and plenty of natural light, my heart skips a beat when it comes to accessories.

Joni of Cote de Texas displays some of her collections in her book case. The vintage globes and bronze figures lure you into this corner of her family room, I want to have a closer look and my overall impression is that this is a room I’d be comfortable in. I love the ambiance of this room!

I’m not sure where this comes from since my mom had more of a minimalist approach to accessorizing, but I really love collections out on display in most any room. Antique or vintage items complete a space for me, the icing on the proverbial cake.

Dan Carithers

(Below) Dan Marty is one of my favorite “detail/accessory” designers. There is magic to his assemblage of baskets, vintage medicine bottles, books and shells.

Dan Marty

The challenge for me has always been getting the “arrangement” just right. I have a few friends that seem to have mastered the skill, or were born with the artistic talent for compiling items in such a pleasing way that you want to study what they’ve accomplished.

I began collecting bronze-like dogs and other creatures some time ago. I find they are increasingly expensive and sometimes hard to find, but the quest is more than half the fun, don’t you agree?

I don’t have to tell you that blog land is filled to the brim with amazingly talented folks that have a knack for vignettes. In fact, one of my favorite “must read” sites are titled Vignette Design. Delores has the gift for arranging her treasures beautifully. Another favorite is The Polohouse, a new site to me. Alison is a designer and I share her love for all things traditional English Country style. I can always depend on a visit to her site fill my mind with inspiration for my own home. Jermaine, at French Kissed is a stylist and her vignettes and her photography guarantee beautiful eye candy.

Vignette Design

The Polohouse

Photo by Jermaine of French Kissed

My Friend, Carla, has a collection of Staffordshire figures that rivals any I’ve seen. Little Red Riding Hood and her twins reside near her stove, their cape guards them from the heat!

My friend, Linda, just started collecting French confit jars. I hope to visit her (Bainbridge Island) in the fall and can take some pictures of her home for you.

Even a collection of cloth bound books can bring interest when placed on a table or shelf with fresh flowers.

Ralph Lauren

I love this shell collection in this vintage urn…so pretty.

New England Home

Bottom line, rooms, at least for me, are so appealing with just the right amount of detail. Collections of those things that are dear to you, found while traveling, inherited, scavenged from antique stores and discoveries along life’s path make a home more interesting and welcoming.

If I Forget Thee

The Catalogued Fancies of N.C. Stewart

Share your collection interests with me, I’d love to hear from you.

I’m joining:

Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesday!

{Home} Small tables

13 Tuesday Mar 2012

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

≈ 13 Comments

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small tables

I recently did a post on chairs {HERE}. I have two very dear friends that have a weakness for chairs so I was sure the post would strike a chord with a couple of people. One of my chair-admiring friends suggested that I do a post on small tables. Unable to resist a challenge where blogging is concerned, I jumped right in. My search was fun and I think small tables could become a weakness of mine. They seem to add something special to any room, especially when there are wonderfully interesting accessories adorning them.

The simple table (just inside the door) probably holds keys and sunglasses for its owner. With a basket under the table this sweet table performs both beauty and function.

Amelia Handegan Design ~ Architectural Digest

I love the detailing on this metal table, which appears to be placed in front of a heater. Clever use and a great disguise…I believe this might be a bedroom.

Photo: Bernard Dozel ~ Inspiring Interiors

I think this Chinese alter table makes this room. The twin beds and twin bedside lamps are in perfect symmetry. So pretty.

Heirloom Philosophy

Such great detail with the carving and flower basket detail at the base, this table with the chair beside it welcomes you into the room.

Color Outside the Lines

Lady Grantham probably wishes the small table behind the gentleman to her right were closer, she could place her glass of port on it.

Downton Abbey

Even this petrified tree trunk makes a striking table and vignette.

Photo: Jeremy Samuelson ~ House Beautiful

A simple glass and iron table provides the perfect spot for a towel and toiletries in the wonderful bathroom below. I love the antique piece on the wall behind the bathtub.

Photo: Simon Upton ~ House Beautiful

The small gray-finished table next to this settee is a nice touch.

New England Home

I recently found this site thanks to Brooke at Velvet Linen, looks promising for its charming everything!

Tone on Tone Antiques

The look of a marble-topped table adjacent to an island is very useful. Upon closer inspection you’ll notice it’s actually made to look like the table is independent of the island when it really is one slab of marble. Love the French bistro bar stools.

Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo ~ John Oetgen Design :: House Beautiful