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Garden, Home & Party

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

Garden, Home & Party

Category Archives: Designer

A Designer to Love: Joy Tribout

08 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Designer, House and Home

≈ 29 Comments

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Designer Joy Tribout

There are homes that you can view online, via a magazine, or in person, and appreciate their beauty.  Then there are homes that speak to you, to your idea of a home you could love and live in.  Designer Joy Tribout has a style that appeals to me.  I’ve selected some of my favorite rooms from her portfolio.

Her use of black and white is stunning, never cold, Joy manages to keep a certain liveable warmth to each space.  The rooms I’m sharing today are from two separate homes but just happen to feature a black and white color palette.

Garden, Home and Party: Designer Joy Tribout

The black trim on the window is a favorite touch in this mostly white room.

Garden, Home and Party: Designer Joy Tribout

Garden, Home and Party: Designer Joy Tribout

Her design point of view is a simple one, but often challenging for many of us novice decorators.  Tribout believes “…one’s home environment should elevate living on a daily basis…”  It’s something that we all try to accomplish—making our homes inviting and comfortable.

Garden, Home and Party: Designer Joy TriboutMy fondness of equine touches in a living space is part of what attracted me to this particular home in her portfolio.  {I must have raced horses in another lifetime!} 🙂
Garden, Home and Party: Joy TriboutShe recently launched her own line of furnishings, the Joy Tribout Home Collection.

Garden, Home and Party:  Joy Tribout

Her signature pillow design features an ‘X’. The pillow above has been adorned with a broach or some metal adornment.

The bed below features another of her pillows with the X.

Garden, Home and Party: Joy Tribout

In all of her dining spaces, whether its a kitchen or dining room, her chairs are swoon-worthy.
Garden, Home and Party: Designer Joy Tribout
…another pair of signature pillows
Garden, Home and Party: Designer Joy Tribout
The cabinets in the kitchen below resemble an antique piece of antique furniture by the way they are finished.
Garden, Home and Party: Designer Joy Tribout
Garden, Home and Party: Designer Joy Tribout
…I love these kitchen chairs.
Garden, Home and Party: Designer Joy Tribout
The mural on the powder room wall gives this room all the art it needs.
Garden, Home and Party: Designer Joy Tribout
Such a beautiful dining room.  Once again, love the chairs.  I also like the dark walls in the room, it’s dramatic but has enough natural light to make a striking impact.
Garden, Home and Party: Designer Joy Tribout
Garden, Home and Party: Designer Joy Tribout
I hope you’ve enjoyed the work of Joy Tribout.  Visit her site for more beautiful rooms.
Have a happy Wednesday, my friends.  I always enjoy our visits.

{Garden, Home and Party} A designer to love…Melissa Ervin

09 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Designer, House and Home

≈ 37 Comments

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Melissa Erwin

The internet facilitates a lot of happy connections for fans of any particular activity or subject.  As a design enthusiast, I’m always excited to be introduced to a new [to me] designer.  Sometimes the way I stumble upon them is surprising, although by now it shouldn’t surprise me what can be found online.

That is exactly what happened the other day.  I started my morning with my “must read blog favorites”.   Talk of the House is one that always entertains.  Kelly does a fantastic job sharing wonderful places to visit, things to do, and in this particular post, shared 21 beautiful window boxes.  One of the homes she featured caught my attention and I left my comment with Kelly and went to visit the source for this charming home.

Garden, Home and Party: Designer Missi Erwin

{source}

That link took me to another blog site.  Holly Mathis Interiors.  There I learned that this particular home was on the cover of Southern Living Magazine this past March and Holly provided the link to see the article.  It turns out Holly has been helping the owners with the interior of this home.  If you’d like to see the inside of this charmer, visit HERE.

While viewing the slideshow at Southern Living of this home (above), I found another cottage that looked interesting… {still with me?} I followed that link and met (figuratively speaking) Melissa “Missi” Ervin of Charleston, South Carolina {thank you, Southern Living and all involved on this magical tour of great cottages and a wonderful designer}.

Melissa a native of South Carolina, earned a degree in design from Clemson University.  After graduation, she earned her architectural license while working in the field.  Her passion for interior design deepened while working for several significant interior design firms for a decade before starting her firm, Melissa Ervin Interior Design in 2008.

With her architectural background and her years of design experience, she has a talent for creating timeless beauty in the homes she works on.

For Charleston, South Carolina, Designer Missi Ervin and homeowner Sam Cato, renovating a former horse stable and carriage house in Aiken meant returning the historic cottage to its equestrian roots. – Southern Living

A Horse Stable Turned Cottage from her portfolio and the Southern Living feature is my favorite.  I invite you to visit her site for more wonderful design inspiration.  Enjoy the tour…

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Ervin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Ervin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Ervin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party:  Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party:  Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

Garden, Home and Party: Melissa Erwin

I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting Melissa Erwin.  Be sure to visit her site for more of her work.

Karen 

{Home} Designer Love: Amy Meier Design

23 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Designer

≈ 28 Comments

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Amy Meier Design

I first discovered Amy Meier’s talents by way of a blog site.  I do not remember which site it was, and it was a few years ago, but I loved the image below and saved it to my files. {the blue columns and the brass lamps were such an unexpected detail, and so pretty} I still love this kitchen and would do something similar if ever the opportunity presented itself. Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Later, I read about another kitchen she renovated from The Lettered Cottage.  I knew I had to follow her work.  She makes a room come to life with her eye for detail. I subscribe to Amy’s blog site and always look forward to new posts filled with helpful ideas and beautiful rooms from her projects, as well as the occasional list of shops where you can find some great antiques.  {Amy designs for homeowners all over the U.S. but lives in the San Diego area, since I’m in Southern California too I can often visit the antique stores she recommends}

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Designs

 I love these chairs and the use of brown and white transferware in this dining alcove.

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Designs

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Designs

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Designs

Her bio from her website sums it up best…

Her work is always fresh, beautiful  creates interiors rooted in tradition, personality and quality. She approaches each project with the goal of capturing her client’s essence and creating timeless spaces.

“Amy has designed homes in climates and cultures as distinct as Boston, Scottsdale, Chicago, Denver, Atlanta and San Diego. After forging her career at Parsons School of Design, she opened the doors of Amy Meier Design in 2009 and quickly garnered recognition from numerous national publications including House Beautiful, Luxe Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Country Living, New England Home and Ranch & Coast.”

Here are some of my favorite rooms designed by Amy.  Visit her web site and blog to read more about this talented designer.

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Design

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Design

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Design

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Design

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Design

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Design

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Design

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Design

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Design

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Design

 

Happy Wednesday, I hope you have enjoyed Amy Meier’s designs as much as I do.

Garden, Home and Party: Amy Meier Design

 

 

 

{GHP} Randy Boyd of Thurston / Boyd Design, revisited

26 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Designer, House and Home

≈ 28 Comments

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Randy Boyd, revisited

Three years ago I first declared my love of a Laguna Beach cottage, owned by designer Randy Boyd.  The home had appeared in an issue of Cottage Living Magazine and from the name of the cottage, “Ocean Peek”, to the details of the home, it was love at first sight.  You can read my previous post HERE.  I had been blogging for about 18 months and this post made my year since Randy Boyd and his sister both commented on my post.

Traditional Living Room by Laguna Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Thurston/Boyd Interior Design, Inc.
Randy Boyd’s dining room (below) is one of my favorite rooms of all time.  The chandelier, oil painting and wall sconces are stunning.  The wide bead board ceiling and walls provide such a warm and welcoming feeling to the room.  Brown and white toile with nail heads seal the deal for me.  I never grow tired of looking at images of this home.
Traditional Dining Room by Laguna Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Thurston/Boyd Interior Design, Inc.
Traditional Living Room by Laguna Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Thurston/Boyd Interior Design, Inc.
Traditional Hall by Laguna Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Thurston/Boyd Interior Design, Inc.
Traditional Powder Room by Laguna Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Thurston/Boyd Interior Design, Inc.
As it turns out it wasn’t just the home, it was Randy Boyd’s design work that I so admired. The images above provide a glimpse of his residence, but as you’ll see, Thurston / Boyd design work is noteworthy, no matter what the style or where the home may be located.  In fact, Thurston / Boyd Interior Design, provides the services and expertise most of us would expect from a designer but its the focus on the individual clients’ “needs and lifestyles” that earn them the accolades and following that they enjoy.
Here’s some of the magic they perform on other homes…
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Randy Boyd Design, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Randy Boyd Design, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd, revisited
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd revisited
Happy Wednesday!  Enjoy the rest of your week.  
 
Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd revisited

{Home} Rooms that enjoy a neutral palette

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

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

≈ 26 Comments

Tags

Henhurst Interiors, neutral rooms, Tone on Tone Antiques

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

John Saladino ~ Pinterest

Since we’re traveling high speed towards Christmas, where more of everything is the norm, I thought I’d provide some calming images of rooms that are spectacular in their neutral color palette and prove less (color), is more.

I think I’ve mentioned in previous posts that sometimes the beauty that tempts most of us online can cause me us to loose focus on my our personal style preference.  I save images that, in my opinion, have the ‘wow-factor’ and I’ll occasionally go through these files to tidy up a bit.

What struck me during this most recent housekeeping session was the preponderance of rooms that have a neutral color palette.  Small touches of color seem to stand out when you have the calm of neutral walls and upholstered pieces. I clearly adore these rooms, maybe in part because my own home isn’t dressed that way.  I found so many striking examples I decided I needed wanted to do a post on the topic.

There are examples every where you look, simple rooms, often adorned only in natural woods, shades of cream or white paint and perhaps an accessory or two that beautifully completes the room.  No fuss, no muss.

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

South Shore Decorating Blog

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

South Shore Decorating Blog

Garden, Home and Party

South Shore Decorating Blog

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

South Shore Decorating Blog

I regularly visit 2 blogs that have mastered this style of design.  Loi of Tone on Tone shares the most amazing rooms with his readers. Sometimes its his home, sometimes he features rooms he’s designed for clients.  The talented styling doesn’t stop with his residence.  He owns an antiques store that displays the European furniture found on his buying trips.   I love the styling and the furnishings and wish he would sign a book deal so I could enjoy studying the details of each and every space he’s created.  Rizzoli, are you listening?

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

Tone on Tone

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

Tone on Tone

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

Tone on Tone

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

Tone on Tone

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

Tone on Tone

The other blog site I find a generous helping of neutral in is Henhurst Interiors.  As a designer, Phyllis’ blog regularly features homes that exemplify the Swedish style.  She has a talent for streamlining the design aesthetic of a room while still making it so inviting and welcoming.  Her own home is one of my favorites.

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

Henhurst Interiors

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral Rooms

Henhurst Interiors

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

Henhurst Interiors

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

Henhurst Interiors

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

Henhurst Interiors

One of my close friends, Glenys, has recently moved into a beautiful home she and her husband built.  The interior of her spacious home is a wonderful example of the ideal:  Neutral colors and plenty of warmth.  I always marvel at how she manages to provide such inviting rooms without over saturation of any color.  It’s the perfect calm for this busy world.

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

A home featured over at Joni’s fabulous site Cote de Texas also reminded me of the beauty of neutrality.  This home is amazing, if you have time you might want to hit the link and check it out.  Ginger Barber did the interior design work of what  Joni calls, An American Farmhouse.

Garden, Home and Party: neutral rooms

Cote de Texas

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

Cote de Texas

I’ve always admired the living room of Randy Weeks, of Aidan Gray Home.

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

I’m not going to ask you to choose, I love both neutrals and some amount of color, but it is something to think about…could you live with less color/more color?

Garden, Home and Party: Neutral rooms

There’s no right or wrong answer, its your style preference, what feels like home to you personally, but it is fun to find myself drawn to both almost equally.

{GHP} Timothy Corrigan book signing

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Architectural elements, Designer, House and Home

≈ 12 Comments

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Timothy Corrigan designs

I had the good fortune of attending a book signing party held at my local Pottery Barn last week for the talented Timothy Corrigan.  His new book chronicles the restoration of his French Château du Grand-Lucé, located in the Loire Valley, just outside Paris.

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

Those of you who are kind enough to read my posts will know that I’m not necessarily drawn to château living, I typically prefer smaller spaces, more cottage than castle.  I’m drawn to Timothy Corrigan designs in part because his core philosophy in design  is basic to comfort and livability where rooms are concerned.

Even the most beautifully decorated room is not a total success unless you, your family and your guests feel that they can really live and use the room. A well-designed room is one that is both comfortable and elegant. – Timothy Corrigan

As I read a bit about him prior to the book signing I wondered if being raised in California might have something to do with his determination to create rooms that are comfortable.  His early profession as an advertising executive took him to Paris, and other regions of the world, where he decorated his apartment.  After seeing his work a friend asked him to design his apartment and a new career was born.

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

For a video tour of his apartment visit HERE

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

In his interview in November of 2010 with Diane Dorrans Seaks of Architectural Digest he addresses his view on comfort and practicality.  While most of us strive for those two essentials, it’s easy to miss the mark sometimes.  We all get caught making design decisions that are more about form than function.  Mr. Corrigan believes you can have both, and proves it in the rooms he puts his stamp on.

The gardens of his château were another draw.  The formal design is breathtaking in the photographs shown in the book.  Part of his agreement with the French government when buying the historic chateau was that he would open the grounds to visitors 6 days a week.  A tour will be high on my list my next visit.

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

Photo by Eric Piasecki via Tiimothy Corrigan Blog

Garden, Home and Party; Timothy Corrigan

{via Architectural Digest}

The book shares details of the work involved in the restoration of  this historic landmark.  For its size it is such a warm, inviting and livable country home.  The initial major restoration took approximately 5 years and Timothy says it’s a work in progress—aren’t all homes?!

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

Garden, Home and Party
In a October 5, 2013 Los Angeles Times article by David A. Keeps on the book, Corrigan explained some of his decorating ideas,  “If you want people to feel that a room is bright and light, use yellow, not white, as people often think…your eye unconsciously translates yellow as sunlight.”
Garden, Home and Party
Corrigan talked about choosing linen for the upholstery and unfussy curtains to keep the room feeling less formal.  He also used sea grass carpeting, he explained that it’s softer on the feet and it brought a “more casual California feel” which translates to relaxed comfort.  Oh, and the stools are from Pottery Barn—I love this man.
Garden, Home and Party
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
The Château is 45,000 square feet sitting on 80 manicured acres.  {Maybe that’s why I might be intimidated by a castle}
Timothy Corrigan’s Los Angeles home, as featured in Architectural Digest [April 2012] is more appealing to me.  Have a look.
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Like his Château, the grounds are lovely in the Los Angeles home…
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
It was such a pleasure briefly meeting Timothy Corrigan, the take away for me was that this is a designer that is so engaging and fun.  His high energy and genuine enthusiasm is contagious.  I hope you enjoyed this brief tour of some of his work.  His book is really lovely and would make a great gift for a Francophile (Christmas is around the corner).  Do you like château living or prefer the comfort of something a little more modest in size? 😀

{Home} What style are you?

25 Thursday Oct 2012

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

≈ 10 Comments

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decorating styles

Are your tastes and preferences, where design is concerned, clearly defined?  If asked, how would you describe your style?  Do you look at a shelter magazine or book and know right off the bat that the room/home featured  mirror  your style; the room is how you would furnish and accessorize ~OR~ do you sometimes get drawn to a style that is completely different from what you currently have?

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12{Barclay Butera}

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12{Beaufort House}

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12{House Beautiful}

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12{Carol Glasser via Cote de Texas}

There are so many blended styles that appeal to me, so I believe I would have a hard time telling anyone that my style is strictly traditional, classic or country.   I believe there’s a little bit of several styles in most homes, especially if you’ve been adding and layering over the years.

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12{Haus Design}

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12{Heather Bullard}

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12{Kathleen Rivers, Southern Accents}

I confess, I have to put the brakes on sometimes, I can become so enthralled with a certain new-to-me ‘style’ that I lose site of what I believe to be my design focus or style.  Does this ever happen to you or am I the only fence-rider of style?

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12{Linda Floyd Interiors}

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12{nest egg 1.27.11}

Garden, Home and Party 10.25.12{Robert A.M. Stern Architects}

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12{Rose Uniacke}

Garden, Home and Party, 10.25.12

That doesn’t mean I decorate a room and it never changes, far from that.  I find I get tired of colors and maybe even some furnishings every 10-15 years.  Fortunately, it usually means I need to paint and maybe rearrange the furniture or trade out a lamp with another, in a different part of the house, change the wall adornments, move pictures, change pillows and throws, you know what I mean.  But I do have to remind myself sometimes what ‘it’ is I love, what I always come back to, what makes my house my HOME.

Does this ever happen to you?  If it doesn’t, you are the person I admire and would love to have the confidence to say, this is IT, this is my style and I’m never swayed to the fickle tastes of design world changes and trends.

{GHP} If you had to edit, what would make the cut?

23 Tuesday Oct 2012

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

≈ 18 Comments

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Editing

Joni of Cote de Texas fame had a wonderful post last month on the talented Jane Moore and her recent feature in Veranda.  This is a designer I have admired for years.  For her story in a recent Veranda issue visit CDT.

Jane Moore, Veranda 2012 via Cote de Texas{2008 Veranda cover ~ Jane Moore}

As part of the feature, Joni showed us Jane Moore’s new, edited townhouse… 

Veranda 2012, Jame Moore dining room{Jane Moore, dining room ~ townhouse}

Veranda 2012, Jane Moore townhouse{Jane Moore ~ Townhouse, kitchen}

Jane says she was ready to completely edit her look when she moved.  The new townhouse is filled with only what she wants in it – no one else.  And she loves it – she looks forward to coming home each day to a place that is filled with pieces she carefully selected from a lifetime of collecting.  Joni, Cote de Texas

This got me thinking, if we made a move to scale back, what would make the cut?  I started with a list of what I felt MUST be included and quickly realized this was much more difficult  than I first thought.  I know it’s just stuff, but it’s stuff I’ve lovingly collected over the years.  Would it be easy for you?  This is hypothetical so it really wasn’t that hard, but it did give me an opportunity to look at my home and possessions with an analytical view.

There are a few pieces of furniture that I believe I’d make work no matter what.  For one our antique china cupboard.  My mom gave it to us when they retired and moved to a smaller house.  She had purchased it in the early eighties at a Los Angeles antique store called Antique Guild (formerly the Helm’s Bakeries building).  The hardware is original and the glass in the doors is beveled.  The only thing damaged on this piece is the lock on the cupboard doors below…they stay closed when not in use so I don’t mind…

Antique Guild China Cupboard{Antique Guild China Cupboard}

…and since we’re in the dining room, I’d want to find a spot for the side board.  The thing is, if we actually moved I could see using some of the furniture in unexpected rooms.  I’ve seen some amazing uses for pieces in unexpected spaces that I wouldn’t have thought about…isn’t blog land wonderful?!

Antique Side Board

I’m attached to our bed and dresser, mainly because I like the style and it fits in our current bedroom, which is quite small, so I imagine it would fit in any smaller home we might buy.

Master Bedroom{It’s hard to see the detail but it’s a bed with headboard, foot board and side boards.  Very substantial but I really like it.}

Our sofa was custom made for the space we have in this house, I’d recover it if it fit perfectly in a new home, but otherwise, I’d consider a slightly larger sofa.  The club chair in our family room is made by Century, it’s been a great chair, found at a consignment store and recovered twice, so I’d make room for it.

Century Club Chair{This is a very comfy chair and it has been recovered twice since I first bought it; this is a Ralph Lauren print that works for the room}

Close up of Century Club Chair

Most of the art I’ve used in this house would make the cut.  There are a few paintings (not by anyone famous) that I really enjoy.  There are framed print in almost every room and I might do some serious editing if I had to, but most would find a home somewhere in a new abode.

Glass Painting, hot air balloon{I like this print for it’s Union Jack, I’d make room for this}

Steady Jonny, Steady lithographThis lithograph (above) of a print called, “Steady Johnny, Steady” is special because my grandmother bought it for me.  She always thought the elderly Scotsman looked like her father, my great grandfather.

I wish I could take my Viking range, were we actually moving, but in California the range is nearly always expected to be part of the kitchen.

36" Viking Stove{My Viking is the best range I’ve ever cooked on}

I have 2 Smith and Hawken teak benches that I’d like to keep.  They are impossibly expensive today.  I would figure out a spot in the yard or on a patio.

Smith & Hawken teak bench9 sets of dishes, no, they would all have to come with me! (They are not complete sets, mostly dinner and salad plates for over half of the patterns, but I do enjoy using them all.

Anyway, this was just for fun, an exercise in what if…  Do you ever fantasize about a move and what a new abode might be like?  

{Home} Kitchens, continued interest

18 Thursday Oct 2012

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

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

kitchens

We remodeled our kitchen in 2003.  I’m talking taking it to the studs, same footprint.  It’s hard for me to believe that it’s already been 9 years.  The kitchen has fulfilled all of my hopes and expectations I had when we embarked on the project, so many years ago, and it’s held up well for the most part.

Viking stove, side counters 9.9.12Kitchen horse lamp, toasterThat doesn’t keep me from being stopped in my tracks when I see a beautiful kitchen.  In fact, my “favorite kitchens” file is the largest of my saved images files.  While my kitchen is pretty tiny I find I have saved kitchen images that feature huge kitchens as well small ones, and I’m pretty sure many of you enjoy kitchens as much as I do because the blog sites I visit regularly often provide some of the prettiest examples.

black and white kitchenMy apologizes, I not only have lost the source of this image, but I love it so and can’t remember if I’ve used it before.

So, I think that as fall is coming and I tend to cook a lot more in the cooler months, here are some ideas if you’re in the midst of planning your dream kitchen or just need some “pretty” to brighten up your morning.

Vignette Design{vignette design}

The one thing our kitchen lacks is a breakfast area.  I love the kitchen/breakfast area below.

Black and white kitchenBarbara Pervier designer{Barbara Pervier design}

This kitchen [above] is the kitchen of a 640 sq. ft. home.  I always marvel at how much style can be found in a small space.

Fine art in the kitchen is an unexpected treat.  I do worry that it would be my luck the marinara sauce would splash!

Color Outside the Lines{Color Outside the Lines}

The kitchen below is a favorite for the map of Paris over the stove and for the pretty dutch door.

Things that Inspire, 7.11.12{Things that Inspire}

accomodating pets in the kitchenHow clever is this?  [above] If you are a dog owner the sense of this built in doggie bar has appeal.  Notice the drawers with the dog bone cut-out for various canine necessities, so cute.

The kitchen below has a fire back that serves as the stove’s back splash.  I wanted to do that when we remodeled but couldn’t find a fire back within our budget.  Instead I installed a pewter looking tile with a rooster on it.

Home Bunch{Home Bunch}

This little jewel of a kitchen features several favorites:  The chandelier over the sink, the art on the side of the cupboard on the right, and the Carrara marble, among other details.

{Country Living}

What I love about the kitchen below is the glass front cabinet…for a dish-aholic this would be the best thing ever.  Storage for a variety of dish patterns, all fully justified, can be a challenge.

Great storage for dishesHome Bunch 9.28.12[Home Bunch}

Phobe Howard via Design Chic{Phoebe Howard via Design Chic)

…and last but not least, blue and white is always welcome in a white kitchen or one with stained cabinets.

Home Bunch, kitchen with blue and white cache pots

Do you have a preference, stained cabinets or white?  What is your favorite counter top material?

{Home} Time for a “pretty rooms” fix

25 Tuesday Sep 2012

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

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

pretty rooms

I was sorry to miss “Favorites on the First” over at The Polohouse.  I was on vacation and otherwise occupied with a 21-month old granddaughter…no complaints here!  Alison always hosts such fun monthly “favorites”.

I’ve been delivering posts that are more subject-specific since returning from vacation and even I’m bored with that!  {I guess it could be argued that all posts are subject-specific, but I just miss looking at pretty rooms, no specific topic or even particular focus}.

It’s time to feast our eyes on beauty, plain and simple (in my humble opinion) and these are some of my newer found “favorites”, and a couple of returning great rooms that I could look at daily and still find reason to be inspired somehow.

I hope you enjoy this frivolous interlude of well designed/decorated spaces and the accessories that inspire me…

This room/space had me at wood paneled walls and ceiling. The chandelier and eclectic accessories create interest.

Atlanta Home Foyer, Garden Home & Party{Atlanta Homes Magazine}

Old world rooms always draw my interest, don’t you wish they still made arched doorways with this kind of detailing?

Old world charm, Garden, Home and Party{source}

Any room with books says “comfortable and inviting” to me.  In fact I enjoy finding a library of sorts in unexpected places.

{source}

I’m looking for an entry rug similar to this, any shopping tips?

Foyer, Garden, Home and Party{source}

Vintage painting and beautiful furnishings, wow.

Tailored room, the Steward,Garden, Home and Party{source}

This sun room is so pretty, love the windows and doors.

Garden, Home and Party{source}

My apologies to those who are put off by antlers.  I understand, but I do like the lodge-look, even old European style they impart.

Garden, Home and Party {source}

This Jane Moore kitchen has been on a couple of my “favorite” blog sites lately, but I absolutely love the room and it’s non-structured, non-typical kitchen design.

Jane Moore, Veranda, Garden, Home and Party{source and Cote de Texas}

When Southern Accents magazine was still published I became an avid fan of Dan Carithers style…I used to be able to pick his rooms out of any magazine.  He’s now retired but his style is timeless and will remain close to my heart.

Garden, Home and Party{Dan Carithers}

There are so many features in this smallish space that draw my attention.  The little lamp, the comfy chairs and the table are all inviting and great use of a small dining area off the kitchen.

Better Homes and Gardens, Garden, Home and Party{Better Homes and Gardens}

I would love stone walls in a kitchen!

Garden, Home and Party{Elle Decor}

This tub is a favorite and I like the closet doors, I’d have to work on keeping order to my closet with these doors, but it would be worth it.

Garden, Home and Party{source}

The headboards and the chest are appealing, not to mention the botanics above each bed.

Garden, Home and Party{Design Chic}

Another small space but I really like the transferware grouping on the wall and a wingback in the kitchen is such a great idea…why not really be comfortable when you dine?

Garden, Home and Party{source}

I realize I couldn’t really allow the vines on our house to grow indoors, but I like the rustic look for this, don’t you?

Garden, Home and Party{Garden & Gun Magazine}

This is the best ever kitchen chandelier!

Garden, Home and Party{New England Home}

Joan and Dan’s house (for the love of a house) is one I can revisit weekly, they have such a great house and the way Joan pulls her incredible collections together makes it my favorite example of how to accessorize any room.

Garden, Home and Party{for the love of a house}

I’ve always liked this kitchen and the marble counter and back splash.

{Traditional Home Magazine}

If we EVER add a kitchen eating area, this is the image I’ll show the contractor.  Love it!

{Velvet & Linen}

I hope you enjoyed seeing some new and returning favorite rooms.  Do you revisit certain images for inspiration from magazines, design books or Pinterest?

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