A few changes around the house

20 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, House and Home, Misc

2016 is well underway (What? It’s April?!) and I was determined to make a few changes in the house.

#1. I changed out a chair that had been in our family room, with a chair that lived in our reading room. [It’s the little things] The energy to clean, organize, and maybe mix things up a bit around the house hits occasionally and I have to take advantage of it. That’s the fun of making changes with items you own, no harm, no foul if it doesn’t work out. 🙂

BEFORE READING ROOM: This is the chair and ottoman that was switched to the family room. {The reading room gets its own little pre-lit tree each Christmas}

BEFORE FAMILY ROOM: This chair is oversized and while it looks comfortable, the upholsterer overdid it with the wrap on the back cushion and it feels like you’re being pushed out of the chair when you sit on it. I plan to have this corrected with our upholsterer.

AFTER FAMILY ROOM: The toile chair and ottoman provide a little more space in the room and I was able to move one of my ceramic garden stools indoors and use it next to the chair.

AFTER READING ROOM: I sit in this room to read during the winter. The room’s south facing window provides me with plenty of light and warmth when the weather cools.

#2. In February I reupholstered the red check sofa in the family room. I’ll be shopping for some pillows and hope to eventually have a variety of cushion covers that I can change out for the seasons.

BEFORE RED CHECK SOFA: I took the pictures for this post when I first changed out the chairs.

AFTER: I purchased the khaki colored fabric from Dorell Fabrics for the sofa. {If you live in Orange County, it’s a great source for upholstery fabric} While I shop for new pillow fabric, maybe something more spring/summer like, I was able to switch the reading room black and white pillows with the red pillows. The red pillows are now in the reading room. Isn’t it great when you can make changes without spending any money?!

#3. The final change for this particular post is my header on the site. Kevin, younger son, changed it for me. {Thank you Kevin!}

Future changes in store are mostly aimed at the yard. This year I plan to start small. The first planting area I’ve tackled is the flower bed that surrounds the patio. Stay tuned, I’ll share other updates as they happen.

Have you been busy around the house this year? I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to. ♥ Karen

Repeat favorites from blogland and beyond

13 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, House and Home

≈ 24 Comments

One of my goals this year was to post more about goings on in my garden and home. That gets a little more challenging as I share all there is to share that’s new. So today I’m sharing images of some of my all-time favorite rooms. You know, the ones you go back and look at time and time again and they still make you smile? You do that too, don’t you? 🙂

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This kitchen is perfect to me. I love the design work of Marianne Simon and this kitchen is one of my all-time favorites. Not too big, not too small.

I first discovered Christy Ford on and George blog site (I’m not sure the site is still up and running), and her publication The Scout Guide. I absolutely love her style.

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The rustic touches in this room and its overall loveliness are attributable in part to Bethany Puopolo, Architect. Do you ever find a common theme when you’re admiring a room, or that many of the rooms you love are designed by the same handful of designers/architects over and over?

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This corner of a room (which is all I can find ~ source unknown) is so charming as a small library / desk space. The books look like a collection of some kind and I adore the painting (wallpaper?) on the wall. Details like the lantern are icing on the cake for me!

Instagram introduced me to Trinity Holmes of c.1934. I love all of her images and wish, oh how I wish, she had a blog site. This kitchen vignette is absolute perfection, in my humble opinion. 🙂

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Are you noticing a theme? Buffalo check fabric? I do love it, especially when mixed with other prints. Francie Hargrove designs some of my favorite rooms.

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Ever since I received Gil Shafer’s book, The Great American House: Tradition for the Way We Live Now I’ve been in love with each and every project I’ve seen that he’s had a hand in.

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Wendy Posard is another talent that I seem to be drawn to. Her work for clients always seems fresh, less formal, more comfortable. A deconstructed kitchen at it’s best.

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I even find certain retail sources provide inspiration and are wish list worthy, like Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn. This isn’t the old Sears Catalog, my friends! 🙂

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I’m certain you have favorites too. I’d love to hear of a few of your ‘go to’ designers. ♥ Karen

Orange, it’s not just for pumpkins anymore

28 Wednesday Oct 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Autumn, Decorating, House and Home, Seasons

≈ 38 Comments

Tags

Color - orange

Hi there! Time got away from me (again) and here I am with no solid excuse for my absence. Besides, I don’t believe in excuses for myself, I know in my heart that what I set my mind to I can usually accomplish. So, clearly my mind has been elsewhere. 🙂

Anyway, before “autumn” gets away from me I thought I’d share my new appreciation for the color orange. Of course orange works this time of year, but I’m beginning to see its timeless appeal.

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I have never loved “red’s” next door neighbor on the color wheel. But somehow, the magic and beauty created by talented designers using this color has won me over. Maybe Hermès was on to something besides the fabulous scarves, leather goods, jewelry and clothing, when he packaged it all in his coveted, well-made, orange boxes.

{via}

I’ve always loved well made gift boxes, Jo Malone boxes are my favorite. Hermès boxes are outstanding when stacked, a bold addition to a table don’t you agree?

The Hermès tray has been a favorite as well…lets see, a piece of furniture or this tray? 🙂

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…and the pièce de résistance is this bathroom. That brass piece is wonderful offset by the subway tile and the orange shower curtain.

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I guess I’ve always thought of orange as too bold, but I’ve seen so many amazing examples of the power of a bold accent color when used subtly. Chairs in a softer tone of orange make this room happy and inviting.

{unknown}

Burnt orange compliments the British Colonial furnishings of this room, I love it! {Side note: Is anyone watching Masterpiece Theater, “Indian Summers” season one?}

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Carol Glasser used a shade of orange in her Santa Barbara living room to great effect.

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The coastal vibe BHG achieved with this wallpaper and the lantern above the mirror is charming.

Could a room be more inviting. Just a hint of orange with the pillow and the throw, sign me up.

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I love this shade, burnt umber? It appears to me as something ageless, a pigment in the plaster kind of effect.

{unknown}

Black pairs effortlessly with orange. A clean look with orange adding warmth.

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This chair and ottoman, upholstered in window pane orange with black makes me want to add a room with some orange so I can duplicate this. I love the simple botanic and buffalo check drapes…a little bit country with an updated appeal.

{via}

Do you use orange any time of the year or do you only introduce it during the autumn months?

Have a safe and sane Halloween!

Spotlight on art – picture lights

12 Wednesday Aug 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Accessories; details, Decorating, House and Home

≈ 32 Comments

Hi Everyone, happy Wednesday. I missed a week…summer doldrums. Don’t hate me, but I’m ready for fall. I always am this time of year. Mother Nature turns up the furnace around here during August and into September, and I’m always ready for a cool breeze and chilly evening. How about you? Looking forward to turtle necks and hot cocoa? Too soon? 🙂

I’ve been collecting prints, posters and framed art of all kinds for years. I can be fickle and as a result of this variability, haven’t spent huge dollars on much of what I own. That hasn’t stopped me from loving what I do buy and I started some years ago finding myself looking for original paintings, vintage or otherwise.

Along the way I developed an appreciation for art lights, not because they needed to shine on my Monet or van Gogh {as if} but more because I appreciate the soft light they emit, not only on the painting, but the mellow light they transfer to a room.

Today I’d like to share with you not only my own art lights, but those on some paintings in rooms that I think are inspiring.

This painting was purchased at an antique store in San Juan Capistrano, probably 15-20 years ago. I still like it, which surprises even me. When we had some electrical work done to the house, the electrician installed a recessed plug to accommodate the art light. {We use this light when we’re going out for the evening to shine as a night light when we get home}. I apologize for the washed out look of this photograph…my weakest link {photography}. 🙂

This little painting is a transfer painting that a friend made for me years ago. The original painting is by Sir Henry Raeburn, titled Reverend Robert Walker. It holds a spot in my heart because of the friend that gave it to me, and because I like the subject… the reverend gliding along the ice on his skates, in his top hat and coat!

The painting above our mantle is illuminated by a light called a fish eye. It’s mounted in the ceiling and on a dimmer. The painting came from a shop that sold student paintings for a very affordable price. All it needs is a British flag and it would be perfect in my eyes.

So, on to some of the lovelies that I’ve saved to my files…rooms that are wonderful, and for the purpose of this post, happen to have art lights used for art or general lighting.

I absolutely adore art in kitchens. I talked about it HERE. The orange and cherries still life paintings are perfect for the kitchen and I like the art light above.

{source unknown}

This inviting space features a nautical theme with the painting over the fireplace, as well as the ship over the sofa.

{via}

The use of art lighting over a bookcase has been of interest to me for some time. I like the illumination it provides, just enough light. Maybe someday.

{via}

Then there’s this creative art light. The talented Kristine of The Painted Hive came up with the conversion of a desk lamp, doing double duty as an art light. Read how to achieve this HERE.

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Leslie over at Gwen Moss is currently refurbishing their new (to them) home. She featured some inspiration featuring (which she always supplies) home office space. I love this little charmer!

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I saved this image from a post by Joni at Cote de Texas. I didn’t save the post date, sorry. I like the modern feel to this room, yet the vintage painting with its art lighting warms the space for me.

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I admire the bold paint color {below}. I especially love the pair of paintings flanking the fireplace.

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The incredibly talented Mary Ann of Classic Casual Interiors posted one of her recent jobs for a client. This charming picture and picture light caught my eye. Such a pretty lamp.

{via}

What do you think? Do you, or would you ever, have a light over a not so “important” piece of art?

The importance of being blue

29 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Accessories; details, Decorating, House and Home

≈ 30 Comments

Happy Wednesday! Before I begin on my topic for this weeks post I want to share some exciting news. I’m sure you already follow the wonderful blog, Design Chic (authored by mother and daughter talents Beth (mom) and Kristy (daughter)) which provides us with fabulous design and fashion features each week. Kristy is publishing her first novel next week. I was privileged to get an advanced copy, and I’ll be sharing my enthusiasm for the book on next week’s post, but I wanted to give you the advanced link to order, Dear Carolina.

The colors blue and white are classics where home decor is concerned. There is no shortage of this color combination featured on blog sites, in magazines and books. I’ve talked about my love of the fusion of the the pairing at least four times on Garden, Home and Party, [1, 2, 3, 4} and since repetition seems to be a curse in the blog world, I’m going for it once more.

Blue is an alluring color even when the focus isn’t on home decorating.

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Have any of you grown blue tulips? Are they truly this blue?

alexapulitzer.com

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So buckle up…let’s look at a few rooms I’ve recently found online, starring the one and only blue and white.

{Instagram: juliocesarlimaudia}

{agiftwrappedlife.tumblr}

This bedroom almost looks like a painting to me…its so perfectly inviting.

{anantucketstateofmind.tumblr}

{Black&SpiroInteriors.com} ↓↑

{PrettyPetals.com}

{SouthernLiving.com}

{our mantle}

Oh, for this view. It’s even relaxing for the dog—nap time?

{TraditionalHome-Eliza Gatfield’s Oyster Bay Home}

{KelleyInteriorDesign.com}

{KembleInteriors.com}

Do you have any blue and white in your home’s decor?

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} 🙂

{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.

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?

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.

{via}

{GHP}

{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].

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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! 🙂

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

{Home} Accent pillows?

24 Wednesday Sep 2014

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

≈ 37 Comments

Tags

accent pillows

I grew up with ~~throw~~ accent pillows on the sofa in our family room so I followed my mom’s lead and have had my share of pillows adorning chairs and sofas. Most of the time I love the added pop of color and the cozy feel they impart in a room, but I have noticed that guests often seem uncomfortable with too many. They’ll carefully place them aside. The fabulous styles and fabrics available today have me rethinking some of my existing pillows.

I have collected some examples of rooms that benefit from pillows. Share with me your thoughts on the topic.

First I’ll share my pillows…the room below is our reading room. This picture is older as we’ve changed out the rug. The window seat seems a natural for pillows since very few people sit in the window. The ladder back chair has a kidney pillow that I usually remove before sitting with my feet up.

Our love seat in that room has a couple of pillows and then Madison, who is convinced that this is her sofa. This room receives little use, except by me when I want to read in relative quiet.

Lastly, this is our family room sofa, the pillows are a chennile fabric and down filled, so they are comfortable but most guests place them aside. I confess, after a long day, this is where I relax in front of the television, head on pillow, prone position. 🙂

Pillows are definitely eye candy that add to a room, but maybe they do less for a comfortable sit than we like to think?

I love the symmetry of this room from the twin lanterns over the kitchen table to the matching pillows on the wonderful sofa.

I really like the pillow with a bit of vintage silk on it. In fact the pillows that are made with vintage/antique tapestry and other fabrics always catch my eye.

I love the room below, wall gallery, side table accents and the day bed made useful by pillows. We’re shopping for a day bed for Olivia [granddaughter] visits. I will probably do something similar so that when she’s not visiting the day bed can look a little more like a sofa. Does anyone truly sit on a day bed? Without plenty of pillows the seating is usually too deep for me. I end up looking like Lily Tomlin’s Edith Ann (does anyone out there remember her character on Laugh In—did I just date myself?)

{Charles Faudree}

This Nate Berkus room has a variety of pillows and an eclectic look…I really like the doors and giant mirrors. I digress, the pillows on the sofa are all different, in this room that seems fitting.

{Nate Berkus}

This is my kind of comfort, earth tones, rich leather chairs and plenty of light. Again, there are pillows in all but the wooden chair on the right.

{Photo by Roger Davies}

For the room below the accent pillows are the icing on the cake. Visualize the room without the accent pillows…boring, right?

{http://billybesonco.com/portfolio/lakeside-living/ via http://www.talkofthehouse.com/for-the-love-of-red/}

I appreciate the simplicity of the blue and white—used in traditional stripes for the pillows. It fits the location of the home (look through the French doors, a bay or shore line is the view {heaven}).

{Ferguson & Shamamian Architects}

This lovely living space is in the home of Jill of forever cottage. If you’ve never visited her blog, prepare to be inspired. I love her use of accent pillows, and pretty much everything about the room.

{Jill Hinson}

So, what do you think? Are you a fan of accent pillows? I sure am, even if they might be in the way occasionally.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

{Home and Party} Mad for Plaid

14 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, House and Home, Misc

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

plaid

As some of you may remember, plaid is my favorite color, and, no surprise, I’m not alone. “Plaid Day” is May 18th, but there’s a new celebration of plaid as well. Plaiddurday is the first Friday of every October, so Plaidurday this year is October 3, 2014. Since I love plaid, I figure I might just celebrate both. It is a holiday, right?

Plaid Day, May 18th, is the day where the sheer magnificence and general wonderfulness of plaid is celebrated around the world. Plaid Day is celebrated by wearing plaid on your person. Those who refuse to adorn themselves in the Sacred Flannel are duly sacrificed. Serious Plaidies indulge in tribal plaid face paint and the ceremonial burning of a kilt. Common phrases used on Plaid Day include, “I’m plaid with that,” “You’re TOTALLY plaiding today,” and “That’s SO plaid.”

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{M A C}

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I used to want to collect Tartanware. After spotting so few pieces at the antique stores I frequented, and noticing the prices, I decided I would do without a collection.

{via Marcus Design}

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I saved the best for last…an old Elle Decor feature on Glen Feshie Lodge. Never did so much plaid look so great!

I realize plaid isn’t for everyone, especially today with our Scandinavian influenced neutral palate with lots of gray and weather worn woods, but a room like this wins my heart every time.

{Home} Home Tour II : Guest Room

06 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Accessories; details, Bedrooms, Decorating, House and Home

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

Guest Room

I promised to share more of our home with you so…walk this way. I have shared this room before, it was in my post about finally having a blue and white room, thanks to a major remodel my friends Carol and Barry completed a couple of years ago. During their remodel, they bought a king size bed to replace the queen in their guest room. The custom blue and white linens were offered and I was like a kid at Christmas with joy.

The walls are painted Brown Tepee, Behr. {they look like there’s more green to them than in person} My painter talked me into eggshell finish and I’m not thrilled with the glossy look of it. I understand from a few friends that know more about design trends than me, that eggshell is the preferred finish on walls now. Share your thoughts on this with me, I’m curious. Is it just me? Am I the only person that doesn’t care for eggshell finish?

The blue and white toile is so pretty and Carol had a round table covered with a cloth of this fabric, so I was able to upholster the little French chair you’ll see below. The framed prints are from a family art book which I posted about HERE.

I know you will understand when I say almost everything in our home has a story and a memory attached to it. This little French chair was in the back room of an antique warehouse I used to frequent with my friend Carla, back before I was working 40 hours a week. It was dusty and the seat was missing, but as Carla pointed out, it had great detailing and because I had a store credit from a return, I bought it. It’s very sweet and works well in our guest room. A place for our guests to sit and put their socks on.

The same goes for this nightstand…it came from one of my favorite antique stores in San Clemente, Stanford Court Antiques. It’s one of those places where there are many different stalls but the owners are very particular and the stalls are staged and very appealing.

This mirror started in our guest bathroom years ago. When we remodeled the bathroom I decided a mirror in this room could come in handy so we hung it where it can reflect light from the window on the other side of the room and I hung a few of my favorite blue and white transferware plates {which were part of the generous gift of blue and white goodies from Carol and Barry}

On this side of the bed is a repurposed Pottery Barn lamp from Mr. B’s year long job in Northern California. I always liked the lamp and with a new shade, it works in the room.

This French nightstand used to have feet that elevated it, don’t hate me, but I had them removed because I like the height better for the bed. The chair is Ikea, I personalized it for our granddaughter’s visits.

The Beatrix Potter books were well-used during our son’s years of a story before bed nightly. The Van Gogh print was brought back from the Museé d’ Orsay by our youngest son, Kevin, on his trip to Paris during his spring break his senior year of college. It’s “Siesta” and seems appropriate for the guest bedroom, right?

I hope you’ve enjoyed Tour II of Bethany House. I’ll work on another room in the not too distant future.

Enjoy your week and as always, thank you for stopping by, you’re the best.

{GHP} We’re having another baby!

16 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Bedrooms, Decorating, Family, House and Home

≈ 28 Comments

Tags

kid's rooms

If that heading didn’t make you look then I don’t know what would. 🙂

Those of you who read my posts may know we have 2 adult sons, both are married to wonderful women…we really lucked out.

A little over 3 years ago we were blessed with our first grand baby, a sweetie-pie named Olivia. Olivia lives with her parents in Austin, Texas. Her California grandparents (Mr. B and me) visit as much as we can and they come this way at least twice a year, sometimes more. We love Austin and as a plane-ride destination to see your granddaughter, it’s the best.

{Livi now sleeps in a big girl bed (twin) and has Pottery Barn linens in her favorite color}

Our youngest son married in December 2012 and they have just announced that we can expect the arrival of our second grand baby sometime in late October of this year. We’re over the moon with joy!

This got me thinking about nursery design in this day and age, and kid-friendly rooms in general. I thought I’d share Pinterest images I’ve discovered, as well as a few blog and retail sites whose images I was able to gather, for some great examples of bedrooms for children of all ages.

It should not surprise anyone that the newest generation of parents have some pretty amazing ideas for their children’s bedrooms. Gad, I wouldn’t mind having one or two of these rooms to daydream in myself.

Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware have revolutionized the options for the nursery. Sarah, our daughter-in-law/mother to be, selected this crib for Baby B. The bed was “inspired by a French antique”.

{rhbabyandchild.com}

The youth bed conversion is so pretty. I could see using this as a piece of furniture in another part of the house once baby has outgrown the bed.

{RH Belle Upholstered Crib}

The possibilities are endless where nurseries/kid’s rooms are concerned and most of us seasoned [read: older] moms know, babies, all over the world have slept in less stylish digs and thrived. Still, as someone who dwells on feathering the nest, including each and every room of our home, it’s fun to dream of how we would design a baby’s/child’s room in this 21st century.

{unknown source}

{RH}

{Elle Decor ~ photograph by Pieter Estersohn}

From the opulence above, to the reality below…

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…children really only need space to dream and feel comfortable and secure in. As a mom, I can say the years from birth to college years pass by in the blink of an eye. The needs change too, so sometimes it pays to decorate with an eye to the not too distant future to avoid need for costly renovations.

This is a room that, except for the wagon of toys and the trundle bed, any guest would be delighted to slumber in. It’s also pretty unisex, no striking pink or blue touches.

Same with the room below. Although I’d think this might be a boys room, what do you think?

{source}

I love the wallpaper and roman shade in this room. Furnished with a larger bed, or a desk this space could serve any purpose in the family home. I could see it as a guest room, TV room and/or study. For now it’s a great kids room!

{Elle Deocr ~ Photo by Miguel Flores-Vianna}

A cowboy themed room is fun, but you can see that it wouldn’t take too much to convert it to a college age person’s bedroom, right? At least one of our son’s would have loved this and probably would want to keep the carpet with it’s cowboy and Indian images through the college years! Why not?!

{unknown}

The nice thing about a tepee is you can store it and no one would realize this was a little boy’s room.

I love built-in beds. Especially with a built-in book case. Would I enjoy making these beds, probably not. This is why we’d train the children to make their own bed at a very early age. 🙂

{Catalano Architects}

Whoa. How many will this room sleep?

I really like the idea of a window seat bed…this could easily transition to a room for any age person.

{Peter Dunham}

Just last a couple of weeks ago Belclaire House wrote about this fantastic Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper, “Battle of Valmy”. I love it and could almost put it in a room in our house. I think even a girl would like the horses, soldiers and flags, don’t you?

The nautical themed room (below) might be my favorite. Having boys, I tend to gravitate to something like this.

As I was proofing this post, I realized that nearly all of the images are geared to a boys room. I confess, I think that is my default. Raising two boys does that to me. So, to be fair, and because we have absolutely loved having a girl baby in the family, here are a few amazing rooms for girls only.