{Home} What is it about men and wood?

14 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, House and Home, Paint Color, Renovating

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Sometime earlier this month I unveiled our newly painted family room. We I decided I was tired of the rich, red walls and ready for a change to a slightly more neutral setting.

I asked my loyal readers, all 6 of them, 🙂 what their thoughts were on painting the ceiling white, like the fireplace, French doors and entertainment center, and each person was wholeheartedly in favor of the idea.

I casually mentioned this fact to Hubby and he acted as though I had asked him to run naked down the freeway. This got me to thinking of the various blog sites that had shared similar stories where they were longing to paint their paneled, orangey pine walls white, and husbands far and wide responded anywhere from mild protestation to downright forbidding such appalling violation of the natural beauty and appeal of wood sans paint.

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What is it about men and wood?!

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I can appreciate natural wood as much as the next guy, or girl, but there are times when a room needs the lift of a little paint. Besides, the ceiling in our family room is very inexpensive wood, tongue and grove so it’s not as if I’m asking Hubby to paint over burl wood or mahogany.

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I do love natural wood in a cabin setting in the woods, like the beauty above. In a horse stable (below), sign me up. There is nothing like it.

Great, old wood floors are amazing. I’ve seen some attractive painted wood floors but I don’t believe I would ever paint my hardwood floors. See, I can be reasonable about wood.

If our ceiling was made from wood such as the two rooms below, I’d want it to be left natural, honest.

{Belgian Pearls}

{haus design}

This is more like it…see how clean and nice this ceiling looks, that’s the look I’m going for.

{Design Chic}

{Design Chic)

And finally…this room probably gives men everywhere the best of both worlds. The ceiling is white but also has wonderful natural wood beams to off set the paint. The fireplace over mantle appears to be recycled wood.

{Things That Inspire}

What do you think, there’s no right or wrong answer. It’s what you love and feel comfortable with, right?

{GHP} Artist unknown…Anders Oscar Gottmann?

09 Thursday Aug 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Family, House and Home, Personal Information

≈ 15 Comments

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Anders Oscar Gottmann, artist

My father’s great grandmother emigrated to Ohio from Germany at the turn of the century, about 1904. Since my grandparents died when I was quite young I don’t remember much about our visits to the area but I remember my mother and father were assigned the job of clearing out the house when my grandmother passed away.

There were pieces of jewelry and several pieces of china that stick out in my memory but it wasn’t until I was married and ready to decorate our current home that I pulled out a bound art book that had been given to me.

I’ve tried, with Google’s assistance, to search out the artist with out certain results. There is an Anders Oscar Gottmann, 1828 – 1867, born in Sweden, but no samples of his work to convince me my book was his. I don’t believe he was a relative of ours, many of the books I inherited had been collected along the way, but this book was clearly someone’s self-published pen and ink art book.

Caution! The following information may horrify the true bibliophile: The individual sketches are so wonderful, mounted on brown construction-like paper with a dark ink line framing each piece, that I dismantled the book and have framed numerous pieces for our walls. [Truth is, the book was falling apart when I received it]. I gave 4 of the collection to my dear friend, Carla. One went to the godparents of our children. They have brought me pleasure each time I look at them in our home, much more so than if I kept the book on the shelf.

I hung a grouping of the dogs over the guest room bed. Sadly, this photograph doesn’t do the images justice [and the room isn’t army green, what up with this exposure?!]

There are quite a lot of architectural drawings in the book, along with a Gothic alphabet, upper and lower case.

Some of the pages have multiple architectural elements.

Makes me wonder what he used as a model to draw from.

I framed 2 additional dog prints for my entry, yes, I like dogs. More than that, the dog drawings were unusual breeds or variations of breeds you see today.

Here is a close up of the two…

and the final piece I’ve framed is an architectural detail that I thought particularly pretty.

If by some chance you know anything at all about art history and you’ve heard of A. Gottmann, I would love to hear from you.

I’m linking up at No Minimalist Here, stop by if you have time.

{Home} Let there be light

02 Thursday Aug 2012

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

≈ 11 Comments

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lighting

When I heard the news that the State of Maryland, and a few other eastern states were without power for a prolonged period of time due to that destructive wind storm they experienced late last month I immediately thought about how difficult it must be to be without electricity for days on end.

via pinterest

We used to have power outages with some regularity, turns out the transformer (I believe that is what the underground thing is called) was ancient and once Edison replaced it we rarely had power outages again.

via Ralph Lauren Home

Each time the power went out I would wonder how Jane Austen and her family were able to handle dining, reading and living by candlelight night after night. (I know, there are plenty of other worthy characters, real and imagined, but Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Sense and Sensibility are three of my favorite period books/films).

via the essence of the good life

I enjoy candlelight as much as the next romantic but when you’re forced to be without conveniences we’ve all come to take for granted, it’s a slightly different story.

Yes, there is a reason for this rambling…here are some of my favorite lamps/lighting fixtures. The lanterns, which I happen to be partial to, always remind me that this could be an example of what people used before electricity, probably not, but they seem timeless and a convenient way to carry light from one room to another, if you didn’t have electricity and they weren’t actually wired to your ceiling. Although in the period movies most lighting appears to be simple candle holders or candelabras.

and yes, I realize this rambling introduction was a stretch in getting to the real story here…

So have a look, some of the images are just really wonderful lamps I wouldn’t mind having but they all add so much to a room…

The lamp below is the right mix of classic and clean for me, the table is pretty fabulous as well.

via Inspiring Interiors

I like the idea of a chandelier that actually resembles an old-world iron, candle lit lighting fixture (below).

Atlanta Homes

The lanterns above are wonderful examples of a light fixture that could pull double duty, indoors or out.

I love the room (above) for the lantern, chair, sconces, window (which you can barely see) and the little paintings on the wall. The chair originally drew me in but there are so many pretty elements in this room.

This table (above) is an old door! The lamp is a soft green that picks up the color of the old box below the table as well as the painted floors. So pretty.

The hallway wall sconces are such a clever way to light this space. In addition, I really wish I could see more of the map hanging opposite. And doesn’t that look like a chandelier on the floor at the end of the hall?

Haus Design recently shared this image, the antler chandelier is nice looking, I’m assuming it’s a light fixture but bulbs are well disguised.

Another Haus Design image…This looks to be a hallway, the wall sconces on either side of the shutter is pretty. I like the table too, it’s great for tight spaces.

Matthew Sapera

I like the hall above for the sconce and the wood paneling. Very pretty.

Great kitchen lighting over the island.

I want these doors, aren’t they beautiful. So French.

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Last but not least, so many details in one space. Wonderful!

Veranda

Do you ever have power outages? I hope not. The loss of food and all that goes with being without power for a prolonged period of time would be challenging. Hope you are having a pleasant summer.

Check out No Minimalist Here for her weekly Open House, there’s always something fun to see.

{GHP} I’ve got the blues

26 Thursday Jul 2012

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

≈ 10 Comments

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the color blue

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} Starting over

19 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, House and Home

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starting over

Do you ever wonder how your home might look if you were able or forced (God forbid) to start over? Would you use the same color scheme? Select the same style of furniture?

Maybe I’d want a two-story home with shutters, like the San Marino, Father of the Bride house (Nancy Myers)

When attending wedding showers I’ve seen some of the items registered for and thought, ohhh, those are pretty colors for a kitchen, I like these pots and pans, what a great pattern for everyday dishes.

To that end, here’s some fantasy rooms and details that I’ve admired and thought would be lovely in a “second” home.

I imagine I’d still want a cottage…

Home Bunch

I think a fountain to greet visitors as they enter might be a nice touch…

Splendid Sass

Beams would be a definite bonus…

Bunny Williams

Bunny Williams likes beams too…

Barn doors would be wonderful…not sure where these would go but I’ve seen them on several fabulous houses and I love the way they look.This kitchen pretty much has it all, beams, a great chandelier, a fabulous stove, lamps on the built-in buffet.

A double farm sink…makes my heart beat faster.

Jane Moore (above)

A tub I could soak in with a sweet chandelier overhead.

…and maybe a bathroom large enough to have a leather chair and side table…not sure I’d use it but it sure looks pretty in the bathroom, doesn’t it?

Luxe and Lillies

A welcoming room to rest my head.

The Painted Hive

I’d definitely want an indoor laundry room, as opposed to one housed in the garage—may be a California thing.

Home Bunch

While I’m dreaming why not throw in a greenhouse?

Providence Ltd. Design

…and I’d drive this car…not really, I’m not a convertible kind of girl, but boy is it pretty!

…and I would most certainly have a Border Terrier…don’t tell Madison, she’s got some Border Terrier in her and I don’t want her to feel insecure.

Madison on laundry day (do you think she heard me?)

Okay, now you know my fantasy house, what would yours include. Honest, this is just for fun. I’m very content with my home and I love my life…but its fun to pretend sometimes.

{Home} Cupboard arrangements

17 Tuesday Jul 2012

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

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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?

{Home} Red to Taupe (gray)?

12 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, DIY (do it yourself), House and Home, Paint Color, Renovating

≈ 19 Comments

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Family room redo

Well, I’ve done it. I made the switch. After nearly 15 years of living with red, really burgundy, walls in our family room and kitchen I called our painter and had the walls painted. I’m not sure what triggered the need for change, is anyone ever really aware of these motivations, but it was time.

I can speculate that we were charging into summer when, once again, the room would feel a little warm, even though we rarely use our air conditioning due to the pleasure of mother nature’s natural air conditioning…a wonderful fog bank that creeps over the hills most evenings and cools us down, thank you Newport Beach, the red color gave off a psychological warmth (if there is such a thing). Great in the cooler months, not so much in summer.

I had written a post about my leaning towards a more neutral color palate for that space and I must say, even though it’s taken a few days to pull the room together, I’m happy with the change. And, maybe more importantly, Hubby likes it. He rarely has input in these matters, and is just as happy to go along with my incessant pondering of new design ideas for our home, but he likes the less cluttered look I’m striving for so all is well.

One of my motivations for the change can probably be attributed to these porcelain jars…Tina over at The Enchanted Home opened a store and sells some wonderful items. I found these (image below) and fell in blue and white porcelain love.

Somewhere down the line I will most probably reupholster the sofa in more of a neutral, non-patterned fabric but that will have to wait for now.

As with all home decor changes a proverbial can of worms is opened. We knew the over mantle needed a fresh coat of paint. So, we painted it. Now the brick surround needs paint but that is adjacent to the French door, which is painted the same color as the brick and the same color as the entertainment center, which was a bigger project than we were ready to tackle this weekend. So, painting those items will be on the list for later. I also have questions about the ceiling, which is tongue in grove wood, stained lightly with white. It looks like a limed pine but we’re now wondering if somewhere down the line we need to paint it white.

Any ideas? Would the white paint we’ve used on the over mantle be too much white?

Meanwhile, I am content with the changes. I can be patient for the final paint work that will need to take place, {hopefully}.

Happy Tuesday, my friends, hope your week is a happy one.

{GHP} Research for a path to our front door

05 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Outdoor living, Renovating

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path, walkway

Since its summer, any and all outdoor projects suddenly butt their way to the front of the “do me” line. A few years back we added stack stone to the front of our house. The homes in our area were built in 1968, part of a large tract of Eichler- influenced designed houses. Joseph Eichler homes are known for their flat roof lines, sliding doors and atriums. We had 5 aluminum sliding doors in our 3-bedroom home when we purchased. I confess, while I’ve thought of the architectural style with dismay [I’m truly more of a cape cod cottage gal] I will say, the open floor plan and atrium are two of my favorite features about our home.

It’s hard to tell from this image but the grass starts just in front of the walkway and extends to the sidewalk in front of our house. People that park curbside have to walk through the grass or go around to the driveway and catch up with the walkway there.

But I digress…so when we added the stack stone it was with the thought that at some point down the line we’d add a path, through the front lawn, to the front door. I began doing some research on possible pathway ideas and styles and thought I’d share some of the images I’ve saved for your viewing pleasure. The ball was started rolling due in part to a brilliant post by Debra over at 5^th and State. If you’ve never visited her site you should, I believe you will find lots to love. Her post, “Down the Garden Path” inspired me to think seriously about what I want in a walkway that brings visitors to our door.

The following 6 images are from 5th and State:

I like the detailing on the stone just before the step in this image. I also love the door surround…so pretty.

I like the natural beauty of stone set in sand with moss growing around each stone.

I believe these brick shaped stones are set in sand with pea gravel around them…don’t you love the army of iron rabbits standing at attention for all who pass?

Is it the manor house or the stone pathway that attracts in this image, or maybe the lone peacock?

This looks like a back yard but still, isn’t it pretty. I love the pea gravel idea, probably not practical with grass just beyond.

The blocks of concrete in grass holds some appeal, I wonder if it’s difficult to mow around the stones?

I gained some additional inspiration and ideas Better Homes and Gardens.com If you want some pretty sound ideas and ‘how to’ information, BHG.com is there to deliver. I really enjoyed viewing the various paths they offer.

The following 9 images are via Better Homes and Gardens:

This is a similar concept to the idea above. The concrete pieces are larger but I like the blending of the grass and the concrete.

I really like the mixture of concrete squares with interspersed polished pebbles.

This looks like a combination of brick and cobblestones…very pretty, especially when it’s set in sand.

Pea gravel and stones may not be practical for the front yard at my house.

This particular path appears to be a wide assortment of different stones and concrete. I kind of like it, what do you think?

This is pretty too, the stones look like they’ve been here for a long time, adorned with moss as they are.

again, another backyard, but the stone in gravel is sure pretty and reflects a casual, comfortable lifestyle.

Do you have a path to your front door? What kinds of stones/pebbles do you like best?

I’m over at Fishtail Cottage for her Garden Party

and over at No Minimalist Here for an Open House

{Home} Making room for Olivia…daybeds

03 Tuesday Jul 2012

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

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and baby makes three

We have a 3-bedroom home. When our boys were young they each had their own room. Once they were grown and gone we converted the smaller of the bedrooms into a study/office. There is a comfortable leather reading chair and side table. We converted the clothes closet into a desk area and there is a second desk in our built in. This has been great for our empty nest and for Hubby and my computer work.

Karen’s desk area (above)…when can we expect wireless everything?

Hubby’s desk area (below)…since Hubby works from home he has more of everything.

The guest room is comfortably equipped with a queen sized bed and ample closet space for visiting guests [read :: son #1 and DIL, with our granddaughter]. Olivia is still small and has been quite happy to sleep in the pack and play we were given but we know the day will come when Olivia (and her mommy and daddy) will want her to have a bed to sleep in, preferably in a separate room.

Below is the wall we could fit a daybed…the chair would be moved but the wall is relatively furniture free.

So…I’ve been looking at day beds. And since I love you guys and your valuable input, I’m sharing some of what I’ve seen and hope you will offer some opinion on this topic.

The bed below looks like it could be an antique. This holds great appeal for me. I could see passing an antique down to someone later for future generations. I tend to romanticize the spin on just about everything.

la Brocanteuse

The blue bed is sweet and looks like it would make a little person feel safe with the side detail. It also looks like it might be a little shorter than most twin beds, which would be a bonus in our room with its limited space.

unknown

I like the looks of an iron bed, I’ve seen a few varieties that seem sweet and might take up less visual space since the iron is less bulky in feel than a wood bed.

The Paper Mullberry

This bed is lovely but I believe it wouldn’t fit in the space.

Ivy Clad

Charles Faudree has the best ideas (below)! If space permitted I’d go for book cases, one either end of the day bed.

Simple but efficient.

The bed below almost looks like a closet…very nice.

Ivy Clad

This would be the ideal “grandma and grandpa” guest arrangement for visiting children…

Inspiring Interiors

It would be nice if the daybed did double duty and provided sofa seating when needed.

Photo by William Waldron

Or maybe we could screen the patio and let the wee ones sleep outside! Just kidding, but isn’t this a great set up (below)

the adventures of tartanscot

What do you think? Do any of you have daybeds in your home, any recommendations? I love hearing your ideas. xo, Karen

{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}