A hint of spring

09 Wednesday Mar 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers

≈ 6 Comments

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Spring flowers

I’m pretty sure the entire nation has been hit with more than their share of cold, winter weather.

Image by Cameron Purdy

This is a little glimpse at what we can look forward to, hopefully sooner than later.

Sweet peas, berries and ranunculus, these are the flowers I associate with spring.

Yellow flowers, what other color screams warm sunshine?

Daisies are another flower that says ‘spring’ to me. I know they are sometimes out of favor, but these little Santa Barbara daisies are so sweet.

Tulips, pink jasmine, ranunculus and asters {sigh}

All of the above images are from a wonderful site Small Studio + Studio Choo

So bundle up, but know that very soon we’ll be able to throw open the back door and sit in our gardens and soak up the sunshine! Happy Wednesday!

I must see the homes of Atlanta…Jill Sharp Brinson

28 Monday Feb 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Designer, Gardens

≈ 8 Comments

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Atlanta home, House Beautiful magazine, Jill Sharp Brinson

I’ve commented here before about the incredible, seemingly endless, stream of beautiful homes that appear to exist on every block in Atlanta. I would be naïve to think the city doesn’t have its share of unattractive regions within its limits, much like every other metropolitan city in the nation, but seriously, I think Atlanta got more than its fair share of strikingly beautiful homes {she whined}. Which is code for having the good fortune to have a wealth of talented architects and designers in the region who can create the optimal home for those interested in owning one.

I was taken with the beauty of a home in the December/January 2010 issue of House Beautiful and yes, it’s an Atlanta home!

The home of Jill Sharp Brinson and her photographer husband, Rob Brinson, is the perfect “marriage” of farmhouse and sophisticated loft. In the House Beautiful interview with Lisa Cregan, Jill says that she and her husband “have a love affair with rural settings” so it is no surprise that they have created a home and garden that gives the ambiance of a country farm, complete with English garden.

Jill is the Creative Director of Ballard Designs. In the HB interview it becomes clear that Jill’s design point-of-view is a home with lots of texture, not a lot of color and a rustic and traditional-styling with a little industrial influence (which clearly over-simplifies the incredible beauty she has achieved).

The rooms are filled with natural light, and because the rooms aren’t stuffy you immediately feel like you would be so comfortable in a home like this! The Brinson’s have 3 dogs and have stated they are ‘hands on’ in their garden.

All of the above images by Simon Upton via House Beautiful

She and her husband lived in a loft (images below) for 6 years before moving into this home. Jill’s photographer husband retains the loft for work and their visiting guests.

Rob Brinson said he uses the wall to display the images he's working on. I love the brick wall!

The sink was a "find" of Jill's.

Natural light floods the space.

Even the bathroom exudes a timeless sense of style.

I've always liked the rustic charm of brick walls.

To visit the website for Jill Sharp Brinson go HERE

Blogging…creative fun

18 Friday Feb 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Gardening

≈ 9 Comments

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Blogging

Relatively new to the world of blogging, I experience self-doubt from time to time (who doesn’t, right?) Especially since the more blog sites I visit the more talented artists/writers/photographers I discover. It has been reported that there are over 2 billion blog sites worldwide. Yikes!

Image via Pottery Barn

My desk area is a little less organized, could this hamper creative writing?

Still, I forge on since I experience a certain satisfaction that comes with an artistic endeavor such as this. I believe there is an artist in all of us, it manifests itself in a variety of ways, but when you are passionate about something, in my case making home as comfortable and attractive as I possibly can, the work towards that end is art (in my humble opinion).

Vicki Archer posted about writing HERE (I loved her description of her own blog as “the accidental writer” and I was so inspired I printed out her post and plan to refer to it when self-doubt creeps in—and believe me, it will creep in from time to time. One sentence that really hit home for me was:

“There can be joy in finding the right word or phrase to describe what you see or how you feel. There is challenge in filling the page and seeing thoughts take shape and come alive. And there is satisfaction, great satisfaction when someone understands and identifies with what you say.” ~Vicki Archer, French Essence.

When I first began to blog I figured it was mostly going to serve as a log of ideas and images for me and for maybe a couple of friends (if they were interested). I’m not a very good sales person so I really didn’t tell too many people about my blog since I felt they might think I was being boastful. But then I had a few comments and my reaction was so much more than I would have expected. I was so excited that someone had read my ramblings and even commented! As a result, I’ve worked all the harder to try to deliver posts that might be of interest to others.

If you are a fellow blogger, do you every have self-doubt? If not, what makes you want to visit one particular site over another…just curious?

Happy Friday, happy President’s Weekend!

Flowers contained

02 Wednesday Feb 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardens

≈ 7 Comments

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Flowers

Before I begin this post I must wish Son #2 a very happy birthday…born on this holiday, Groundhog Day!

Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful year and may all your dreams come true! xox, MOM

————————————————————————

If I have any readers that live in states other than sunny, Southern California I apologize in advance. We’ve been experiencing spring-like temperatures, which causes me to think of days where you contemplate sitting by the pool, or in a comfortable chair sipping iced tea or lemonade. Maybe you take a bike ride…

I don't have a pool in my backyard, and my backyard doesn't look this good, but I love the natural appearance of the the stone, greenery and a cool, blue pool.

Maggie, our cat loves this chair in the spring and summer months.

I don't think my little dog would sit obediently in the basket but it sure looks cute having a dog in the basket.

In all fairness (if Mother Nature is ever fair), we had a less than summer-like summer of 2010, followed by, what will certainly be counted as the coolest, wettest late fall into early winter on the books.

These were the flowers for my friend Alison's wedding...the simple Kern's jelly jars were so charming.

Lovely hellebore's!

Truly my favorite "shrub" because it produces these...hydrangea!

So this warm weather has been toying with my seasonal body clock. I keep thinking about spring cleaning and garden work I’d like to accomplish and it’s not even Valentine’s Day!

More white flowers and a lantern, {sigh}.

I said these arrangements were simple, see?

Are you beginning to see a theme here, I do love white flowers.

So, I thought I’d share some flower arrangements that put a smile on my face (and a ♫ song in my heart ♪). Most of these arrangements would be easy to duplicate, mainly because they are so simple and unstudied.

These were simple flowers from the big box warehouse store.

Wouldn't this little chair and vase make you smile?

Even fresh fruit and simple green limbs make things reflect spring!

I realize a great portion of the country is blanketed in snow, I know this can be difficult, but there are times when I wish SoCal would get just a few dustings of the white stuff—but until that happens I guess I’ll enjoy the weather we’re dealt and make the most of it.

Happy winter!

Thoughts of spring…really?

12 Wednesday Jan 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Maintenance

≈ 2 Comments

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Gardening, plans

Note: My site has moved to a new server…it had crashed Monday and wonderful, Son #1 was able to fix it yesterday. I apologize for being unavailable. Thank you for coming by for a visit.

Any of my friends and family will tell you that I don’t especially love summer. Spring is wonderful if it’s not too hot, but generally speaking, I prefer cooler temps. I love sunshine but I want the temperature to remain in the mid-seventies as opposed to the baking hot temperatures that accompany most summer months.

Brabourne Farms image

I’d like to work on my garden bench and surrounds so that it more resembles this than the ‘catch-all’ that it is…{add it to the list}

I definitely want to add more hydrangea to my garden. I would like to add white and maybe blue, which will turn pink if you don’t add some additive to the soil (I purchase this from the garden shop but I have a friend that just put’s a couple of nails in the ground.

I have a little man-made (by me) dry river bed that could use some attention, maybe a few plants that thrive in and around rock.

The exception we experienced this year and last is that we had a very unseasonably cool summer followed by what I believe weather experts are declaring the wettest and possibly coldest late fall/winter for some time. Maybe that’s why my daydreaming has involved visions of what I’d like to do to the garden as soon as it’s warm enough.

Note: Some might consider us Southern California folks real wimps when it comes to weather, and we usually just want perfect weather! Is that really too much to ask?{smile}

I lost all of my lavender in the rains (my planting areas resembled small ponds during much of the time). So I am definitely going to plant more French lavender this coming spring.

I’d also like to take out a couple of rose bushes that aren’t holding their own and replace them with something great for cutting and bringing indoors. {Suggestions welcome!}

Besides wanting my yard to look good, my goal is to be able to do more harvesting of my own flowers and greens to make bouquets…

photo by Michael Kraus via Garden Design

There are step-by-step directions on how to create an arrangement similar to this HERE.

There are some wonderful mail order sources (probably more than I’m even aware of). Here are 5 unique sites as recommended by Garden Design:

Images except where indicated via Garden Design

So, is it just me? Are you tempted to have thoughts of spring gardens once Christmas is put away?

Ten of my favorite posts for 2010

05 Wednesday Jan 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Designer, DIY (do it yourself), Gardens

≈ 14 Comments

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End of the year top ten

Caution: This post may take longer to read than you have time for!

I am still relatively new to regular, weekly (code for consistent) blogging, so I often search sites that blog about similar topics (gardens/gardening; home décor/improvement; cooking/entertaining) to my own for ideas on how to improve my site. Sometimes I walk away feeling inadequate and overwhelmed, but more often than not I’m inspired to “Stay Calm and Continue Blogging”.

I created a file for favorite posts that either a) inspired me to create changes/improvements to my home, garden or even blog site, or b) were so lovely to view and ponder and dream (like a feature in a magazine) that I visited the post repeatedly.

That said, I’ve noticed many blog sites have featured their TOP ____(fill in the blank with your favorite number). Here are my top 10 for 2010 (these were posts that went into my file, in truth there are probably more posts that I simply couldn’t find or have forgotten about):

1. Things That Inspire, April 25, 2010, “Glass front cabinets – form over function?”

Holly lives in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently building her own home. She always has interesting and in-depth information about interior design, architecture and art. The images she shares with her readers are amazing.

2. The Lettered Cottage, April 26, 2010, “Easy, Affordable Ways to Add Character to a Newly-Built Home”

Layla and Kevin Palmer, a husband and wife team that will astound you with their creativity. They truly have a knack for turning the most ordinary into an extraordinary place to live. They are very talented with DIY, something I can only wish I could do, but you get some helpful tips on sprucing up discarded treasures. This is a fun site to visit.

3. Peggy & Fritz, August 19, 2010, “Finally a little sunshine”

Ann is a SoCal blogger and her site always makes me smile. She shares images of her travels and I get some great ideas for everything from table settings to furniture and fashion design.

4. Cote De Texas, May 5, 2010, “The Stone Turret House”

Due to computer issues I was not able to successfully download an image of the house, but you can click on the link I’ve provided and see it.

Joni is the rock star of blogging and for good reason. Her site always educates and provides solid information on her topic (interior design and prominent designers). Her images are the stuff dreams are made of.

5. Limestone & Boxwoods, May 23, 2010, “Ride-by: A Peachtree Battle Beauty”

I had the same problem with images from Limestone & Boxwoods

This site doesn’t post frequently, but when he does post it is wonderful! I believe he lives in Atlanta—I really must visit Atlanta some day. They seem to have some amazing homes.

6. Velvet & Linen, May 30, 2010, “A garden dining room…

Brooke was recently mentioned by the New York Tiimes which featured her recently remodeled pink bathroom.

Brooke is a talented interior designer located in California. Her shop is always filled with treasures I’d love to incorporate in my own home. Her husband is an architect and between them there is always something beautiful being developed.

7. French Kissed, December 30, 2010, “Cashmere Epiphany”

Jermaine is an amazingly talented photo stylist and her vision is evident in every room of her lovely French inspired home. She finds second hand treasures and manages to create such an old world ambiance that you would swear her home was actually an historic country house outside of Paris.

8. The Inspired Room, June 3, 2010, “Charming Potting Shelves”

Melissa is located in Seattle and I always look forward to reading her post. She keeps me grounded and reminds me what is important when hearth and home are concerned.

9. Trouvais, December 31, 2010, “Happy New Year’s Eve”

Trish takes me on a journey into some of the most beautiful historic and present day castles, homes, estates—she always surprises and delights with her images.

10. Brabourne Farm, December 24, 2010, “Love…flowers @ Brabourne Farm

This site is strictly images driven. How she manages to find so many beautiful pictures of my favorite things in the world is impressive.

If you find yourself with spare time in 2011 (I know, I know, WHO HAS SPARE TIME?!) visit these sites. I believe you will have fun!

New Year goals and (yikes) resolutions

31 Friday Dec 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers

≈ 10 Comments

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Alexandra Stoddard, resolutions

I look forward to starting a new year with a list of ideas, goals and resolutions (I actually only set about 2-3 new resolutions, I don’t like to face the let-down of failure).

I draw inspiration from a number of different resources that I keep on the bookshelf in our study {sometimes I need a refresher mid-year}. There are a couple of books that consistently motivate and help remind me of what my priorities are. One of my long time favorites is the 1986 publication of “Living a Beautiful Life” by Alexandra Stoddard. This book is a go-to reminder to stop and enjoy day-to-day living.

image via Amazon; order book HERE

In her book, Alexandra offers simple steps for enriching daily life. While I’ve read the book many times over the years, when re-read I always uncover some new information like:

“Work smarter, not harder. When overwhelmed, take a break from whatever is causing pressure and attend to some necessary tasks that will please you and bring instant gratification.” This is sound advice for me since I work full time and sometimes find the stress of all I’d like to accomplish too much to handle.

One of my favorite recommendations from this book is to always take time to bring fresh flowers into your home. Ms. Stoddard even gives you tips on how to make a fresh bouquet last longer than the typical short number of days. There is something so simple and satisfying about fresh flowers in the rooms we spend the most time in. During the winter months when our gardens are mostly bare of blooms, a small bouquet from your local florist or market can give you a lift.

Even if you have to buy a flowering house plant…flowers put a smile on my face!

“This one is a favorite…Daydreaming can help the brain promote essential cross-circuiting of your creativity. Giving your brain a nap; it will work smarter.” How lucky for me…I love to daydream.

Above all, as the New Year looms, starting out with a positive attitude, throw in determination for good measure, and a short list of goals and you can make home life in 2011 the best yet.

Do you have any resolutions you’d like to share?

Christmas centerpieces

15 Wednesday Dec 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers

≈ 8 Comments

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Christmas centerpieces

During the holidays most of us have occasion to dress the dining room table with all of the beauteous crystal, silver and china we own. Truly, this time of year any time you set the table, no matter whether its with glass, pottery and stainless or the above, you can make it feel jolly by adding flower or seasonal clippings.

image via Better Homes and Gardens

image via BHG

Better Homes and Gardens had some really great ideas this week. If you would like to see more visit HERE.

We can go from the sublime (all a matter of personal taste) to the ridiculous! I’m happy somewhere in the middle. I like things on the dining table to be a little bit dressed up during this season but I can’t go to over the top without feeling like I’m straying from my own style.

This is one of Martha Stewart's early centerpieces and I've always loved it. I've used it with white carnations as well as white roses (the vase is filled with real cranberries).

If you’d like to see more of Martha’s ideas for the holidays visit HERE.

image via Martha Stewart

The stark contrast of the white and red (above) is stunning.

image unknown

The above is so simple and greens can be free if you a) have a pine tree somewhere where cutting a few branches won’t get you arrested or b) the big box stores as well as tree lots will often give you the clippings (bottom branches) from their trees.

image via Carolyne Roehm

If you’d like to see Carolyne’s website and read more about her new book visit HERE.

Some believe less is more while others believe that where Christmas is concerned there’s never too much! I’ll leave that up to you, but do take the time (and that’s the challenge, the whole time thing) to set your table for friends and family with some festive items.

Roger’s Gardens had a great centerpiece I plan to copy for my own table. I like the natural greens and sparkle of it.

image via my friend Debbie

image unknown

Wouldn’t a fireplace in the dining room cozy things up? This table is dressed to the nines!

image unknown

How simple, green and red apple slices around a bowl of flowers. It doesn’t have to be complicated!

image Elle Decor

I love to decorate the kitchen table, sometimes unexpected but so festive.

I’d love to hear what you’re doing this Christmas with your dining tables.

Outdoor holiday decorations

13 Monday Dec 2010

Posted by Karen B. in DIY (do it yourself), Gardening, Outdoor living, Traditions

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Christmas, holiday, home

When I think of decorating for Christmas, indoor decorations get more of my attention than outdoor…until this year. 5^th and State, a blog site I recently stumbled upon, featured a DIY on planting outdoor planters for Christmas. If you’d like to see more visit HERE.

I live in Southern California and let’s face it we’re simply NOT going to be celebrating the holidays with freshly fallen snow.

left & right images via 5th and State

image via Country Living

That said when we entertain friends and family they will pull up to the curb and the first thing they see is the entrance to our home.

image via 5th and State

I’ve always done wreaths, sometimes fresh sometimes fake faux. I don’t have a bias since I’ve seen beautiful versions of both.

This year I will attempt to go a little beyond the front door wreath. (By the way, we do hang a string of lights across the front of the house but due to the design of our roof line it would be suicide for anyone to get up on the peak of the roof to really do the Griswold Family Christmas version of Christmas lights).

I picked up some Ilex berries from a local floral supply store and added them to the cone shaped boxwood in the urn by the front door.

The berries are faux but festive!

I also planted some cardinal ivy geranium in the planter on the right side of the door but, sadly, they are not in full bloom right now.

There will be more red blossoms later in the year, probably after Christmas but maybe in time for St. Valentine’s Day.

image via Martha Stewart Living

I put a bow and some holy on the lantern that sits by the door, I guess that will be a good start to branching out beyond the front door wreath.

I used a wax battery-operated candle so that I can turn it on and not worry about it catching anything on fire.

Welcome to our home!

image via room service

Maybe next year I’ll put a pre-lit garland around the door!

With all of the options for incredible wreaths I will have to try a new one each year! {just kidding} What are you doing to welcome guests this year?

Sharing…blogland love

01 Wednesday Dec 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Gardening

≈ 17 Comments

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blog favorites

If you visit my blog site (and if you’re reading this, you obviously do, at least occasionally) you may have found my links to other “favorite sites” that I have visited and enjoyed. Like the World Wide Web, links to great design and food sites can suck hours of time in just one morning/afternoon/evening….must stay focused, must be disciplined. In the season of sharing I hope you’ll find something you like…

{image via Southern Accents}

I’m using some Christmas images in between each paragraph because ’tis the season and I like to see something between all the words—yes, I’m a visual learner, why do you ask?

{image via Southern Accents}

On the other hand, there are so many creative and inspiring sites that truly offer great ideas on design, recipes from the simple to the complex and do-it-yourself tutorials that will astound and delight you, even if you aren’t very accomplished in the DIY department {ahem}.

{image via Country Living}

I started thinking about this topic and realized I hadn’t really updated my list of favorite blog sites in some time and I had discovered a few new sites that I really enjoy. I also found that a few of my fellow blogger colleagues had stopped blogging for the most part {life interfering with art, no doubt}.

{image via Country Living}

So, drum roll please…here are 3 sites that are new to me and that I find keep me entertained and inspired!

Bardot in Blue is new to me. Haleigh lives in Paris…need I say more. She provides you with amazing images of some of the most picturesque places in the City of Lights and with wonderful designs she discovers. Visit her HERE. Oh, and if you’ve ever visited Jermaine at the fabulous French Kissed site—Jermaine is Haleigh’s mom…clearly the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree as far as artistic talents go.

heirloom philosophy is another site that I’ve only recently found {I stumbled upon this site through Little Blue Deer, a blog designer who redesigned heirloom philosophy}. Allison posts about antiques and interiors with a great eye for detail. She takes you to antique shows like High Point and Metrolina Expo and her photography makes you certain you are there! Visit Allison HERE.

paper{whites} has become a ‘must-read’ for me…Alison, a friend who grew up with our oldest son, has recently begun blogging. Her fresh take on life as a newlywed in a wonderful beach town is fun and informative. Visit Alison at paper{whites} HERE.