{Home} Rx for holiday stress, a long, hot bath

13 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Architects & Builders, Architectural elements, Bathroom, Decorating, House and Home

Tags

As we’re on that fast moving train towards the holidays, I thought I’d offer one of my personal remedies for stress removal (even if temporary). It’s not going to be news to anyone, but more a reminder that we all need me-time now and then. Especially when there’s a ‘to do’ list a mile long and only 24 hours in a day, 8 of which are designated sleep hours, if we know what’s good for us.

So to encourage you all, and me, lets fantasize about luxuriating in a whirlpool shower baths at BC from time to time, here are some bathrooms that I dream about…

{Inspired Design}

I used to take a bath every evening. Sometime between the birth of our second child and moving into a house with a bathtub in the guest bathroom exclusively, not the master (who plans these tract houses?), the heavenly practice was nipped in the bud, rarely to be picked up again. I have time for that delightful hour today, but somehow haven’t resumed the practice in earnest. This time of year I’m reminded that it used to be the calming influence in a busy schedule.

{House Beautiful}

Not a very good picture…when we renovated our guest bath we installed a tub about 6″ taller than the standard. It makes a good soak a little better. There’s a shower curtain for now, until Olivia (granddaughter + any other possible grand babies) grow, its easier to bathe them.

Isn’t this a glorious bathroom (below), light filled, lots of room. I think I could definitely relax in this room.

{unknown source}

Beautifully detailed stone-surround bath with mirror. This is the definition of luxury, right?

{The Enchanted Home}

I’m beginning to notice a recurring bathtub style in my file. I love the freestanding tubs…

{Home Bunch}

{Ferguson & Shamamian via Design Chic}

{for the love of a house}

{Mary Watkins via T&G Interiors}

And for the showstopper favorite, in my humble opinion, a bath designed by the talented Gil Shafer…the wood and beamed ceiling offers warmth to the room and yet there’s plenty of natural light. A bath in this room has the potential to lower one’s blood pressure!

{Gil Shafer via Design Chic}

To maximize a bath’s full effectiveness we must have some wonderful smelling bath products…here are a few of my favorites…

I love the smell of pomegranate and the Crabtree & Evelyn line feel heavenly on your skin

~or~

If you’ve never tried any of the Jo Malone products let me just say, they are so incredible, stop by the Jo Malone counter or visit their store, they are always helpful and generous with their time and test sprays. I like the more natural scent of most of their products and while I’ve never bought the bath oil, the pump hand soap and the Lavender Amber cologne is a favorite. The pump soap in the guest bath always draws comments.

~or~

Let’s face it, some of us L O V E this season so why not bathe in the scent of the season with this Homemade Pumpkin Pie bubble bath by Philosophy?

So tell me, do you already indulge in this simple stress reducer? I do have a few good friends that wouldn’t think of skipping their evenings in the bath, some with a good book! Don’t you just love this time of year?

I’m linking to Stone Gable: Tutorials & Tidbits & Southern Savvy Style: Wow us Wednesday

{Party} Autumn Celebrity Dinner

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, House and Home

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

Diane Keaton, Ellen DeGenerous, Jon Stewart, Meryl Streep, Table Settings, Tom Brokaw, Willie Geist

Those that know me probably already know that I prefer the cooler months of the year. When the first promise of fall weather hits Southern California I’m energized, let the entertaining begin.

[By the way, I do love summer entertaining as well, I’m a party girl at heart.]

Eventually I ran to Minneapolis, where it’s cold, and I figured I’d keep better – Rhoda Morgenstern

We’ve been doing quite a bit of entertaining lately. “Entertaining” for us means setting a nice table, cooking a simple meal and having a relatively smallish group over for good food, nice wine and great conversation.

Since setting the table is one of the perks to entertaining for me, this post is mainly to share some seasonal table settings I hope will inspire you. To mix things up a bit, in addition to table setting ideas, I thought I’d share a list of guests I’d invite over in a heartbeat if I thought they wouldn’t report me to the authorities as a stalker crazy lady! You’ve undoubtedly read interviews where they ask you, who, alive or dead, would you like to have dinner with? Well, I’m doing it one step better…I’ve thought about this, this list is of people I’d like to talk to, even just casually. I don’t need Einstein, although I’ve read he was quite a jovial fellow. These are people that are alive and seem like genuinely nice and fun people.

Also, since I don’t like enormous parties when I entertain, I’ve only invited 6, with Mr. B and me that makes a very doable 8 at the dinner table. That also gives me a head start on subsequent celebrity dinners…there are so many more folks I’d invite if I could. So, first on the list:

1. Diane Keaton, she may not be exactly as fun as I perceive her in the movies she’s been in (how does one really know, right?), but she loves to decorate, so I know we’d have topics in common. Plus, I love that she seems genuine, not overly self-possessed.

2. Jon Stewart, politics aside, is there anyone that gives a better interview?

3. Meryl Streep, there are no words, rather there are so many adjectives I could use to describe her, but her name, for me, is synonymous with fabulous.

4. Tom Brokaw, I grew up listening to him on our local news station, back in the day. Then, as a Today show enthusiast, I watched him all the years he was there. I just really, really like him.

5. Ellen DeGenerous, she’ll keep us laughing.

and last but not least…

6. Willie Geist, the son of Bill Geist of CBS Sunday Morning, appears on Morning Joe (MSNBC) and does the third hour on the Today show. He’s smart and funny and I love him like one of our sons. He’s a guy that fits in with old and young people alike.

As any skilled party planner will tell you, once you have the guest list you can begin your plans for table setting and menu. We’re going to jump right to the table settings since that is a major part of the fun for me.

{source}

The ever talented Jenny Steffens Hobick of Everyday Occasions published a post about fall table setting with muted colors, so pretty. Oh, and did I mention she recently opened an online store selling some of the best tools for entertaining.

Yvonne of Stone Gable shared her table setting for an autumn high tea back in 2011 and that table is still one of my all time favorites, be sure to visit the post if you like autumn and blue and white.

Carolyn Roehm has written so many great books, but her book, Passion for Parties is a constant source of inspiration to me.

Martha Stewart never disappoints and I appreciate her ability to make simple components come together to create a pretty table.

Nancy’s Daily Dish features some great table settings for the season. Her Etsy shop sells trasferware of all kinds. This is such a great autumn table setting.

Delores, over at Vignette Design always provides me with good ideas for whatever season when it come to table top design.

Even though this tablescape doesn’t have the strictly traditional autumn touches, its a subtle and lovely table for this time of year.

{source}

The sisters at Providence Ltd. never disappoint…this rustic table is great and completely out of the box.

{Southern Accents ~ oh, how I miss that magazine}

Who would be on your celebrity list for a dinner invitation?

{Home} Thanksgiving, my favorite recipe and more

01 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, House and Home, Recipes

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe

I love this particular time of year, but I especially enjoy Thanksgiving. There’s no gift buying pressure, just plenty of good food and fun times to share with family and friends. While I realize it’s only the 1st of November, you and I both know the time will fly and before you know it you’ll be making your grocery list for the feast.

I enjoy cooking but I probably enjoying eating as much. Alison over at The Polohouse is hosting her Favorites On the First and the topic is your favorite Thanksgiving recipe. At first I was perplexed…should I feature a mouth-watering pumpkin pie recipe or the Texas Stuffing I found in the Los Angeles Times Food Section years ago?

{source}

When it comes right down to it though, I think my favorite thing for the meal is mashed potatoes. We don’t eat them that often and we certainly don’t throw on gravy for good measure when we do. As if creamy, buttery potatoes need something more! But Thanksgiving we throw waistline watching out the window and gravy tops every helping of mashed potatoes. Anyway, my favorite recipe is called make-ahead mashed potatoes (which is one of the things I like best about the recipe.) Here goes:

{image source and another delicious potato recipe}

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes ~ adapted from HERE

Oven, preheated 350° at the time you’re planning on reheating the potatoes.

5 pounds potatoes, Russet or Yukon Gold

1 1/2 sticks of butter, divided

1 8 oz whipped cream cheese

1/2 cup Half & Half

2 teaspoon kosher salt [1 teaspoon in the pot while the potatoes boil, 1 teaspoon (or less, depending on taste preference) when mashing]

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Peel and cut the potatoes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 1 teaspoon salt, add potatoes and return the water to a boil. Cook for 30 minutes and check for tenderness. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain in a colander. Return the potatoes to the pot and turn the stove on low, just to make sure all of the moisture is gone.

Off the flame, add 1 stick of butter, remaining salt, pepper, half & half, and cream cheese. Mash to a creamy consistency. *Don’t worry if they seem a little bit soupy, they firm up when refrigerated. Once mashed, place in an oven-proof dish and dot with the remaining 1/2 stick of butter. Potatoes may be refrigerated at this point. If you make the recipe a couple days in advance, take the dish out of the fridge about 2 hours before serving time. Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes or until hot.

{source}

By the way, the above image reminds me of the first Martha Stewart Thanksgiving special on TV. She had converted her “barn” into the most warm and welcoming dining space, as only she can do!

{source}

How cute are these pudding cups? If you have children or just like delicious food visit HERE

{source}

Do you have a personal favorite recipe for Thanksgiving? If its not a family secret, share. If you have time be sure to visit The Polohouse, you’re sure to be happy you did.

{Garden} Backyard birding and decor decisions

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

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

≈ 28 Comments

Tags

Master Bedroom

{via}

I’ve wanted to paint our master bedroom since the first of the year. Selecting a wall color is always a challenge for me and I lean on my friends for votes when it comes to the finalists once the samples are in place on the wall. I’m really skilled when it comes to second guessing my own decisions. So after discussing dark paint vs. light with nearly everyone, I decided to go with a darker paint and that resulted in narrowing it down to 3 colors that I really liked, but which one would win the beauty contest? After discussion and a visual assessment, my friend Carla voted for the color I thought I liked best. Confirmation with Mr. B and we now have Benjamin Moore’s Alexandria Beige on our walls, and most importantly, we love it.

Before…the room was painted a Martha Stewart/Green Tea color…you can see the botanic pics above the headboard. They were a little tired and faded.

Inspiration…

{Atlanta Home [left] ~ House Beautiful [right]}

After deciding on a paint color for the walls I felt it was important to think about replacing the botanic prints that had been hanging above the bed for the past 20 years.

Sidebar: I bought Mr. B a bird feeder for Father’s Day. I know that sounds like it might be an odd choice but we love watching their antics, they’ve been very entertaining. Since birds have become such a delightful pastime for us, I decided to search for some antique bird prints for the existing frames. Not like we spend hours watching them but it is fun to go to the kitchen sink for a glass of water and see them carrying on.

…and Squirrel Nutkin visits regularly…

Back to replacing the botanic prints above the bed {focus, Karen}…I lucked out, an online store I had purchased my guest bathroom botanic plates from sent me an email indicating they were having a sale and I was able to buy 4 Dresser, hand colored plates of beautiful birds of Europe. Trillium Antique Prints offers a wide variety of antique plates from historic books. In the case of my birds, when I received the bird prints, they had included the description pages from the book that they were taken from.

{tumblr – Persephone’s Box}

Here’s the room with the new paint color and the bird-plates. I’m still working on finding pillow shams and a quilt to use at the base of the bed. The blue and white came from storage. We had purchased the Pottery Barn shams and quilt when he was working in Northern California. The jury is out on whether this is the best look for the room.

I apologize for the darkness of the photograph. It’s not the brightest of rooms in the house and my new white shades seem to throw a bit of glare in the picture. You get the jest of it though, right?

The bergere chair is covered in a bee fabric, I hope to find a pillow for that chair.

The lamp shades for our swing arm lamps are from Target. They are part of the Threshold line and very affordable. The shade is a white linen-look and I really like them.

Thanks for stopping by. The room is a work in progress, but then isn’t that the way with a home?

We leave for Austin tomorrow morning to babysit Olivia! I’ll be back in time for a post next week. Enjoy the rest of your week and have a wonderful fall weekend. ♥ Karen

{Home} Artist Introduction

16 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Karen B. in House and Home

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

artist

Maui :: Napili Sunset
Photo by Ian Coble

I recently did a post on art in the home, but I was inspired to do this post a few short months later because of the news that my nephew (by friendship to his mom and dad who we have know for over 40 years) has started selling his art online. Ian is like a nephew to us having been born a few short months after our oldest son. He’s made a wonderful career for himself as a Commercial sports photographer, with clients such as Red Bull, Eddie Bauer, North Face, Brooks Running, Revo Sunglasses, and ESPN to name a few. His work has taken him to places that are unattainable by foot and he and his equipment has been airlifted into remote sites by helicopter for shoots.

Icicles :: Girdwood, AK
Photo by Ian Coble

Garden, Home and Party: Artist indroduced

Spines :: Terrace, BC
Photo by Ian Coble

Alaskan Tundra :: Mulchatna River Drainage
Photo by Ian Coble

Napali Coast :: Kauai, HI
Photo by Ian Coble

He recently decided to offer some of his art online and has set up a website. Ian has prints available in a wide array of sizes and printing options, ideal for a prominent spot in any home. His collection is divided into several themes…Mountains, Trees, Ocean, Rivers & Lakes, Textures, Panels and Panoramic’s, all breathtakingly beautiful. The textures images are probably some of my favorites, with the mountain photos, a close second.

I urge you to visit Ian, I think you’ll be wowed by the talents of this young man. I plan on keeping his work in mind for gift buying. I can think of a couple of people that would love to have one of these beauties, or other’s from his store, stretched and framed for their office.

Framed art in the home is such a personal thing. We all have favorite artists or styles that suit our individual tastes. Sometimes something will touch a chord and even though it may not be our usual genre of artistic expression, we love the piece and feel like it would make us happy to have it hanging in our home. Isn’t that what art in the home is all about?

Below are some rooms from my files that inspire the use of art in a home. I could see Ian’s work in a few of these rooms. I have one of Ian’s prints, a photograph from a few years back where he captured snow falling. It’s so magical to me it almost resembles an illustration from a book. As a winter enthusiast who rarely sees snow, this photograph makes me smile. My photography, sadly, doesn’t do the print justice.

Garden, Home and Party: Artist Introduction

Photo by Ian Coble

I have a still life painting in my kitchen that is similar to the painting on the right in this picture. The paintings adds so much to the room, and the blue and white accents are always welcome in my book.

The gallery of small paintings is such a pretty idea…I think this is a store display, I don’t have the source otherwise we could go buy a few of these gems.

{source}

Contemporary art, such as the piece below, aren’t usually my personal preference but coupled with the more traditional trunk and chair, it provides a stunning piece.

{source}

I love the black and white prints with black frame on the white paneled walls. Simple but striking.

John Jacob Interiors shows us how to use every bit of wall space to great effect.

{John Jacob Interiors}

The painting above my mantle is from a frame shop that sells student art. It was very affordable and although you can’t see the details in the photograph, it’s very well done.

I hope you’ll stop by Ian’s online shop, I think you’ll love his work. He also has a blog where he shares his treks in pursuit of the right shot. Do you have a particular type of art that you lean toward?

Coincidently I’m joining Ricki Jill for her Happy List at Art @ Home.

{Garden, Home} Backyard buildings

09 Wednesday Oct 2013

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

≈ 29 Comments

Tags

Backyard buildings

Backyard buildings, cottages, potting sheds, play houses and the like have always held great appeal for me.

Maybe a small brick structure to house the croquet set. 😀

Some years ago I worked for a home builder who participated in an annual event held for a charitable cause, where 5-6 home builders would volunteer their services to build “play houses” for auction. The builders were so creative and often these houses would auction for several thousand dollars. Below is an example…you can see why they were popular, there was no detail left undone.

I suspect Project Playhouse planted the seed but I’m not even particular about whether its a decked out playhouse or a chicken coop (which our city doesn’t allow, they allow the coop, not the chickens). I just love the idea of a structure in the backyard where I could sit and read, store a few small garden tools and Olivia and I could play tea party.

As I’m sure you are aware, chicken coops have hit the mainstream. Williams Sonoma even offers one.

{source}

This coop rivals some homes I’ve seen…maybe my fair city would allow this one.

{source}

Garden, Home and Party: Backyard buildings {source}

There isn’t any room in our back yard for a structure, not really. This is Southern California, many yards are the size of a postage stamp. But since I’ve always liked the idea, I’ve done what I usually do…set up a folder and saved images I find on the internet and blog sites. It’s like tearing pages from a magazine, only less clutter.

Wouldn’t you love a place where you could sleep in the backyard, in cool comfort during warm summer nights, yet feel like you are surrounded by nature?

There are coyotes in our area that are not shy about jumping fences, but with doors on my backyard retreat I think I’d be safe.

{source}

This cottage structure looks like it may have been built finding salvaged items…I love the idea of building a little garden shed using old windows, hinges and doors.

{Inside Story}

Our Austin son build a structure in the ample backyard of their first home. He used to work from home so this offered the quiet of an off-site office with the convenience of close proximity to the main house. I don’t have a picture of the structure but this (below) reminds me of it…

Now, if I lived on a lake or some other body of water, this would be the “backyard” structure I’d be longing for…

Garden, Home and Party: Backyard Structures {tumblr – That Inspirational Girl}

This simple structure is probably more my speed…doesn’t it look cute?

{Inspiring Interiors}

…or even something as small and simple as this…

Garden, Home and Party: Backyard structures {source}

I’d probably only need enough room for a chair and a box of Olivia’s toys where we could pretend to cook and enjoy a snack.

When there is room for more, this is what I lean towards…my fellow garden enthusiasts will agree, wouldn’t this be wonderful?

{Photo by: Joseph De Sciose via Southern Living}

The truth is, it isn’t so much the structure as it is who happens to reside (pretends to reside, in this case) there…

Do you have a playhouse, garden shed, backyard cottage?

I’m joining in the fun at Art @ Home with my post…it makes me happy so it should qualify as My Happy List.

{GHP} Autumn favorites, II

25 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Halloween, Holidays, House and Home

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

Autumn

Note of Appreciation: Some time ago my blog friend Leslie of Around the Table had a giveaway. Winner would receive one of the fabulous candle holders called Glassybaby. These beauties are made in Seattle and come in nearly every color under the sun. Well, imagine my delight and surprise, I won. {Thank you Leslie} If you’ve not already discovered Around the Table blog site, stop by. Leslie shares fabulous design ideas, great (and healthy) recipes and skin care information. Did I mention she has a degree in nutrition and is a licensed medical aesthetician. Most importantly, her posts are always useful and fun!

Glassybaby as displayed in Leslie’s kitchen.

→Hi Everyone. I feel so much better. Seriously, to those readers that host a blog, don’t you sometimes feel like you’ve run out of ideas for a new post…in fact, I sometimes think, “what frivolous topics I gab on about, what am I thinking?” That’s what vacations are for. The break brought home that the fun of this is the blog friends and readers that check in, even if they don’t comment, and the creative wheels that turn each time I work on a post. So, thank you for your interest, friendship (of an internet variety) and support. I so appreciate it.

Are we there yet…has autumn arrived? I don’t care if it is still warmer than ideal fall weather should be, I’m sharing my annual autumn favorites. [It reminds me of back-to-school, when the new sweater was worn that first week back because you loved it and didn’t care if it was 90 degrees outside]

If you missed my fall favorites last year, have a look. You’ll see I haven’t changed much of what appeals to me about the season, other than to add additional images. 10 photographs just wouldn’t allow me all that I love about this time of year.

I always pause before stating this is my favorite season because when spring comes around, I think this is my favorite season! But it’s September 25th and I’m looking forward to the short weeks from now when I can expect to wear turtleneck sweaters, put a fire in the fireplace, have a casserole in the oven and a hot beverage in my hand.

Enjoy!

Have you visited this shop yet? Check it out ~ terrain

{source}

{tumblr}

Sitting by a fire, what could be more cozy? Having reason to stay indoors and read a book or two, one more reason to love cooler weather.

{above 3 images :: tumblr}

I love turtleneck sweaters…this is definitely a reason to love autumn/winter.

Fall/Winter means comfort food for me. I use portion control to avoid winter waist expansion, but here are a couple of recipes that you might enjoy when it cools down…

{source}

Maybe a ride in the convertible (that I don’t own) with Madison…

Finally, the promise of Christmas and…

{source}

…on January 5th in the U.S, the return of Downton Abbey

Do you have a favorite season or a favorite thing about each season?

HAPPY AUTUMN

I’m joining in the fun: Savvy Southern Style, Wow us Wednesday and Stone Gable Tips and Tidbits

{Home} Stairs, exercise or hindrance?

28 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Architectural elements

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

stairs

I love two-story homes. I like the way they look architecturally and when done right they make a statement and command a presence on any street.

{Stan Dixon Architects}

Oddly, I have lived in exactly two 2-story homes. One that my mother and step-father purchased just before I moved out on my own, and one since I’ve been married.

Mr. B and I have owned 4 houses, only one was a two-story. As I’ve “matured” I’ve noticed many of our closest friends, similar in age, will often say, “you are so lucky to be living in a one-story house”. When I ask why it’s always the same answer, as we ~~age~~ mature stairs can pose a problem for some. Knees are usually the first thing mentioned.

I believe, possibly without scientific back-up, that if we are forced to climb a flight of stairs we will probably be in better shape than those that get no other form of exercise.

Since I truly love stairs and the endless styles they come in I thought I’d share some that have captured my attention and my imagination…

{Catalano Architects}

How clever is this for the dog enthusiast?

{Catalano Architects}

The staircase in this home is only one of many features that I love about this house (below).

Garden, Home and Party: Stairs, exercise or hindrance {Catalano Architects}

Garden, Home and Party: Stairs, exercise or hindrance {Barnes Vanze Architects}

{source}

{Wendy Possard & Associates}

{Linda McDougald Design; Photo by Ranchel Boling}

Garden, Home and Party: Stairs, exercise or hindrance {Mercer Hill Farm / PA Archer & Buchanan Architecture}

{source}

Is it just me or does this look like you might imagine ‘stairway to heaven’ looks?

{tumblr}

The detailing on this banister is swoon worthy (in my humble opinion)

{tumblr}

Simple and understated, but oh, so pretty.

{source}

So, what’s your thoughts on the subject? Drop by, we’ll chat. ♥

{Garden} Topiary and beyond

14 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Gardening, Gardens, House and Home

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

topiary

The definition of the word topiary, as described by Wikipedia, encompasses a good deal more than the topiary I typically think of when someone says the word. I picture various shapes of spheres, wreathes and cones our local nursery grows when the word is mentioned. They are often made from English ivy or other readily available green plants, including rosemary. When our Trader Joe’s sells rosemary topiary I usually buy one because they are fragrant and pretty and last for months. When a topiary grows too large for the kitchen window, I place it somewhere outdoors.

Loi, over at Tone on Tone, has been growing myrtle topiary for his home for over 10 years. Visit HERE if you want to be inspired to grow a few of these beauties for your own home.

Topiary is the horticultural practice of training live perennial plants by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs and subshrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes,^[1] perhaps geometric or fanciful; the term also refers to plants which have been shaped in this way. As an art form it is a type of living sculpture.

But the “practice of training live perennial plants by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes…” encompasses one of my favorite landscape tools. The boxwood hedge.

Carla’s secret garden (above) before her redo—look away, Carla.

Yes, there are fanciful shapes that can bring whimsy and beauty into the garden, but the use of the boxwood when it’s trimmed to provide a bit of structure where structure is needed, is something I use in my own garden and clearly the master gardeners of the globe have historically used this to great effect.

Missouri Botanical Gardens

{Pinterest}

Do you have any topiary growing in your yard or a plant in your home?

{Home} Dark trim

07 Wednesday Aug 2013

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

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

paint, windows

When we moved into our 1968 tract house 31 years ago, my vision for replacement of the aluminum sliding windows and doors was FRENCH, MULTI-PANE AND WOOD. I set about having these installed with a clarity of purpose and determination. I believe it took us close to 10 years to trade out all of the aluminum windows and sliding glass doors that had been installed by the builder.

This picture was taken last summer when Olivia was visiting (child latches in place)…you can see the French doors off the atrium, and Winnie~keeping an eye on things.

At the time, in Southern California, screens were out of favor. Back in the day, if you were going to install French doors, the trend was to skip the screens. As a young wife I followed the trend, and probably still do to some small extent. Another preference/trend was to paint the French windows and doors in a high gloss enamel in some shade of white. Guilty as charged. We love(d) the look, and I still lean toward the fresh appeal of some form of white paint on windows and doors. That is until I started seeing dark trim (black) on windows and doors.

I know that in some cases the dark mullions you see in pictures are actually steel doors, another new-to-me trend. I have seen steel doors in a couple of homes and absolutely would have them installed without delay if it wouldn’t be certain to cause divorce in my otherwise great marriage.

So, typical of me and my daydreams where my house is concerned, I compiled a group of images of dark painted (or steel) doors and windows, that I think of as swoon-worthy. I hope you enjoy!

{source}

{Traditional Home}

{Design Chic}

{Haus Design}

{Marianne Simon}

I’d love to be able to tell you that this final image is a reflection of my widow on a rainy day!

Do you like this look, do you have it in your home? Would you installed steel windows in any part of your home?

{Oh, and on the screen issue, I wish I had screens on every door, I do have them on all of the windows and we have installed an invisible screen on the French door going out to the back yard}