Category Archives: Trends

{Home} 27 rooms

26 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Designer, Trends

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It’s my birthday tomorrow and I knew I wanted to celebrate with you!  I thought I’d post some of my favorite rooms (accumulated from my favorite blog sites, which accumulated them from their favorite blog sites, no doubt).

 

Barclay Butera

source unknown

I would post the number of rooms that correlate with my age but I’m afraid your (and my) computer would crash from the size and number of picture files so…since my birthday is on the 27th of this month, I’ll show you 27 of my favorite rooms.

 source unknown

Randy Boyd

Cote de Texas

Some of the images have appeared in earlier posts because I love the room(s) so much but that’s okay, right?  It’s my birthday and I can be repetitive.

 source unknown

Sorry, many of these images have been in my files since before my awareness of the importance of  providing credit and links.

Southern Accents

In the spirit of 27 Dresses (did you see that movie?), and my birthday on the 27th day of January I hope you enjoy.

Kristen Panitch

Jill Brinson

griege

House Beautiful {Slim Paley}

French Kissed

for the love of a house

SMW adventures of tartanscot

Badgley via Elle Decor

Douglas Friedman

Randy Boyd via Romantic Homes

Birch & Lily

adventures of tartanscot

Traditional Home

via

Thanks for making this a very fun birthday.  I appreciate each and every reader, comment-leaver or not. 🙂

I’m visiting Sherry at No Minimalist Here, stop by.

 

{Home} Horsing around

24 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Antiques, Decorating, Trends

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I’ve read a couple of posts from some of my favorite blog sites indicating a return to the popularity of equine accessories in the home.  This is welcome news to me.  I have always enjoyed the country house look that a nice hunt scene etching or re-strike gives a room.

Sir Alfred James Munnings via

via – Sir Raymond Greene by Alfred James Munnings (1919)

Our home used to be filled with hunt scene art and horse paraphernalia…which created interest from our youngest son’s friend years ago.  Steven {Kevin’s friend} asked me, after looking around our family room, if I owned a horse.  LOL!  I did ride horses as a teen and my aunt owned a horse but a pony was the one gift Santa never brought me!

 

It truly baffles me as to why I enjoy the “look” but I guess it may remind me of my youth, coupled with the romance I’ve imagined tied to English manor houses and hunts and feasts in the forest while out of doors, i.e.  Gosford Park.  I know, I’ve been watching too many English period-series and movies!  Downton Abbey, is the latest addiction.

 

 

 

 

Ralph Lauren has always included country accessories that often included equestrian details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5th and State

Diamond Baratta Design via Dovecote

 Hollister Hovey

 

 

 

For me, the touches of equestrian art and accessories are classic and timeless, but I do remember seeing a commercial recently that implied that the look might be akin to grandma’s overly sweet nicknacks.  I say, if you love it and don’t over do it, go for it, make it yours! 😉

 

 

(above) Amanda Nisbit design

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

via

William Hodgins design via

I love the painting above.  This room is inviting and calming to me…the glow of the fire and button tuck upholstered pieces speaks of comfort and relaxation.

And if you prefer to keep your love of horses to accessories only, there’s always a Hermes scarf and pair of riding boots!  At the end of the long day you can place your Scotch/rocks or your cup of tea on these thoroughbred coasters.

via

 

via

The chair above, with the stirrup adornment was at a recent design market…the chair looks comfortable, doesn’t it?  Too much?

via

 

Hope you’ve had fun with the horses and me…anybody up for a ride on a carousel?

 

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/equestrian-deco-156082

dog under table

{Home} No museum required, wall galleries

03 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Trends

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While visiting Kyle and Jamie in Austin this past November I was asked to assist with arranging and ultimately hanging a variety of frames to form a gallery of what would be pictures of our sweet, and first granddaughter.

This family gallery (Schuyler Samperton) is appealing with its predominantly black and white gallery and the contrasting lone pair of red baby shoes.

The arrangement of a series of like items is always distinctive…the doggie approves! (Allesandra Branca)

Clean lines and architectural prints (Veranda Magazine) give a tailored feel to this room.  I love the simplicity of this arrangement.

DIL thought it wise to determine the arrangement and hang them, knowing this would provide the added incentive to get the pictures sized, printed and in the frames…a clever bit of self-motivation I believe.

The mirror in this grouping reflects light and adds interest to the random sketches (Beth Webb, Atlanta)

This is clearly a store gallery, the use of the plates is a favorite accessory in a gallery (An Enchanted Home)

(An Enchanted Home)

K & J had done an excellent job of selecting frames that coordinated and complimented each other for their family gallery and the gallery was to hang in an area of their dining room that could have proven a challenge for any sizable art.  For me, that’s part of the beauty of a wall gallery, filling a difficult space with a few of my favorite things.

another view of the same shop…the symmetry of this gallery and it’s shelves, plates and art is especially effective.

A useful and creative way to fill a large wall…the silver frames adorning the antique botanical prints, as well as the more ornate, silver frames on the mirrors truly makes this room pop!

The wall bust and the convex mirror is so effective in this display.

We achieved a pleasing grouping and I would have taken a picture but the pictures weren’t in the frames by my visits end, the unveiling will have to wait for my next visit.

(Things that Inspire)

Meanwhile, it made me notice wall galleries in several files that I have and I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you.

A long otherwise boring hallway benefits from the art in ‘floating art frames’…

…same with the walls of a stair case…great place for a wall gallery, don’t you agree? (Lonny Magazine)

(Natasha Louise King)

(Natural Elements)

I have always loved the interest wall galleries add to any given space.

Is it just me, or does this corner gallery remind you of Hermes boxes with the burnt orange paint and black trim?

(Martha Stewart)

(Pasadena Design House)

(Velvet & Linen)

Do you have a favorite display of framed art in your home?  I’d love to hear from you.

{Garden, Home and Party} Exciting news…an engagement

20 Tuesday Sep 2011

Posted by in Designer, Entertaining, Family, Flowers, Party Planning, Personal Information, Traditions, Trends

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Friends and readers (one in the same) will know that hubby and I have 2 sons…one is happily married and living with his lovely wife, and my very first granddaughter, in Austin.  Son #2 just proposed and she said “yes”!  We’re thrilled for many reasons, not the least of which is we love this girl and believe she and Son #2 are a good match.  Reason number 2, at least for me, is we get to be a part of planning a wedding!  Weddings encompass all manner of great things where HOME is concerned and can cross over into GARDEN and certainly PARTY.

via 100 Layer Cake

As I was typing those very words one of my favorite quotes from one of my all-time favorite movies came to mind.  Father of the Bride, 1991, staring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton, when George Banks (Steve Martin’s character) says,

“I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say I do. I was wrong. That’s getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition.

  I know. I’ve just been through one. Not my own, my daughter’s. Annie Banks Mackenzie. That’s her married name: Mackenzie. You fathers will understand. You have a little girl. An adorable little girl who looks up to you and adores you in a way you could never have imagined. I remember how her little hand used to fit inside mine. Then comes the day when she wants to get her ears pierced, and wants you to drop her off a block before the movie theater. From that moment on you’re in a constant panic. You worry about her meeting the wrong kind of guy, the kind of guy who only wants one thing, and you know exactly what that one thing is, because it’s the same thing you wanted when you were their age. Then, you stop worrying about her meeting the wrong guy, and you worry about her meeting the right guy. That’s the greatest fear of all, because, then you lose her. It was just six months ago that that happened here. Just six months ago, that the storm broke.”

There are so many options for planning and inspiration, from the ring to the reception, the world wide web now hosts blog sites that feature amazing ideas for every tiny detail of the big event.  As I perused sites that came recommended, my head began swimming.  I was overwhelmed with beautiful images of every imaginable event and all the trimmings that are tied to a wedding, no matter how small and simple.

Snippet & Ink is such a fun blog site where any upcoming bride, or groom for that matter, can find real wedding photos as well as Inspiration Boards created by Snippet & Ink’s author, Kathryn.

 

In fact, when Son #1 got married bride-to-be choose a seaside location and desired a “family only” wedding.  At first I was slightly disappointed because I had hoped to share the day with close friends but in the end, this tiny 11 person wedding was so beautiful and intimate I was happy our DIL had wished for it.  We later hosted a reception for dear friends and enjoyed celebrating the marriage a couple of months later.

My point, although you may be wondering at this point if I have one, is that the wedding of Son #1 and now DIL, took nearly as much planning as a larger version would have.  You still plan for invitations, flowers, food, table settings, music, photographer and all the icing that goes on wedding cakes and receptions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above images: (left) Style me Pretty; (right) 100 Layer Cake

So, we’re off to begin what I believe will be a bonding experience for me with my future DIL #2.  I’ll keep you posted.  We are hosting an engagement party at our home and shopping invitations has begun.

via tiny prints (sample)

via Style me Pretty

 

 

Catalog Inspiration

16 Monday May 2011

Posted by in Decorating, Trends

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I’ve always received more catalogs than I could possibly order from or want.  I admit that the recent recession cut the number of catalogs I received by quiet a bit…my post man seems so much friendlier!

Pierre Deux catalog

Note to self…I’d love to have a taxidermy pheasant.

Images above via Pierre Deux catalog

There are 4 catalogs that I thoroughly enjoy, not because I order from them, but because I get inspired by some of the room decoration.  They are Williams Sonoma Home (I love Williams Sonoma/cooking as well but I’ll save that for another post), Pierre Deux, Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn.

Williams Sonoma Home has a host of some of the best names in design now offering their ideas to create “your room your way”.  Names like Bunny Williams, Mary McDonald, Joe Nye and Carolyne Roehm.  I realize there is more at stake for these home stores/catalogs so it makes perfect sense.

The above 2 images Williams Sonoma Home catalog

I believe some of the catalogs raised the bar as far as room display some years back.  In fact, Pierre Deux and Restoration Hardware started advertising in several of the nesting magazines with full page ads that are very impressive.

Pottery Barn gets a certain amount of scorn from certain home enthusiasts but you have to admit, they truly have something for everyone.  Even if you don’t care for their furniture, their ability to accessorize is pretty amazing and you can use your own treasures and just borrow a little inspiration from their catalog for your own home.

The above 6 images via Pottery Barn catalog

Restoration Hardware took a new direction in 2008 when Chairman and Co-CEO, Gary F. Friedman decided to rock the boat…when other companies were lowering their prices due to the recession, he and his team raised the quality and subsequently the price of their furnishings.  I have heard people say they love the new look and some that find it dreary.  I’m somewhere in the middle.  I must admit I love the gray tones and the light industrial look of many of their furnishings.  Its fun to look at their store and I hear they opened a gallery in San Francisco that is pretty impressive…see what I mean, the bar has been raised!

So what catalogs do you enjoy, if any.  Do you buy very much from them?

Happy Mother’s Day!

06 Friday May 2011

Posted by in Personal Information, Trends

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In honor of mother’s everywhere today I’m going to stroll down memory lane in the world of fragrances.

Image via Martha Stewart

How does that honor mothers you ask?  Well, fragrance is such a feminine staple, and because most of us can still remember our mother’s and even grandmother’s scent, I thought it would be fun to recap the fragrances I have known and loved.

My mom was an Estee Lauder “Pleasures” gal.  I have worn a couple of the Estee Lauder fragrances [Cinnabar and Beautiful] (at least 1 bottle worth) I find Ms. Lauder’s fragrances a little strong for me.  When I pass someone wearing Pleasures I think of my dear sweet mom, who passed away one short year ago on May 22nd.  My grandma was a Shalimar lady and I loved her so much that I get a little gloomy when I smell Shalimar.

In my teens my first fragrance was Prince Matchabelli’s, Wind Song.  I can remember thumbing through Seventeen Magazine and falling in love with the ad due to this good- looking guy!   I was also an easy mark for the advertising jingle, ♪ I can’t seem to forget her,♪ her Wind Song stays on my mind ♫

I had such a crush on this guy…at least in the ad, never really met him. 🙂

As I got a little older, but not much, I found the fresh citrus scent of Jean Naté body splash to be more to my liking.  I was a child of the surfer days and living in Southern California the ease of splashing something fresh on your skin after a day at the beach was very appealing.

 

 

When the Beatles arrived and made all things English desirable I, for a brief stint, wore English Lavender by Yardley.   Then I tried Diorissimo by Dior, which strongly resembled lilies of the valley.


There is a pattern developing…I’m a fair weather fragrance person.  No real allegiance…even though in my mind I always thought it would be so fabulous to have a single fragrance associated with me.  You know, people would say, oh, that reminds me of Karen!  Ah well, that was not meant to be.  I am nothing if not a fan of packaging and marketing—I can be drawn to a perfume by both!

 

In my early twenties, Mary Tyler Moore days, I used the Revlon fragrance Charlie.  I felt so independent and free.  That lasted until I met my hubby and fell in love and got married!  At that time I started using Halston, a refreshing, wood scent.

I moved to Blue Grass for the first several years of marriage and then when Ralph Lauren unveiled Safari in 1990, the cut glass bottle with the faux tortoise shell top sold me.  I had seen Out of Africa (the movie) by then and fancied myself (at least in my fantasy world) as the strong, adventuresome Danish writer, Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep’s character).  I wore that fragrance for years, the packaging, image and anything Ralph Laurent had staying power for me.

 

 

 

Until…Jo Malone.  I have been wearing Jo Malone for 6 years now and I love 2 of her wide array of fragrances.  Amber & Lavender and Lime Basil & Mandarin.  I don’t mix the two, which is what she’s known for.  She sells wonderful products and again, I love the packaging but more than that I really enjoy the subtle fragrances.  I was given a bottle of Amber & Lavender for my birthday this past January by Son #2’s darling girlfriend.  It was such a treat.  I received the Grapefruit room spray as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago and I still use it weekly.  Visit their website HERE if you have a mom that might enjoy receiving this for Mother’s Day.

 

What fragrance do you wear?  Do you stick with one favorite or switch for seasons?

What’s in a name?

01 Friday Apr 2011

Posted by in Traditions, Trends

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Naming a house seems to be the norm in England and maybe on the east coast of the U.S. but you don’t hear of too many homes in Southern California having been given names…unless they are grand manor houses.

Like this lovely little abode in Santa Barbara…

~or~

 

The above entry is from an amazing French-inspired home designed by Architect Steve Giannetti.  See more of this beauty at Velvet & Linen HERE.  I don’t see a name sign but I hope the owners have named it.
~~~
In Atlanta, where incredible homes reign, I wonder if they name them?

This beauty was posted on Limestone & Boxwoods blog site.

…and Things that Inspire always  posts beautiful images of the Atlanta Homes she finds inspiring.

~~~

We live on Bethany Drive and for some reason, from the moment I knew this house would become our home, I wanted to name it.  It was probably 8 years after we moved in that I purchased an antique-brass name plate that declared our humble abode as “Bethany House”.  The plaque also has the words “Est. 1982” which was the year we moved in.

It may seem silly but I always  smile when I see the plaque and am reminded of how happy we’ve been in this home.

I didn’t know of this (above) sign company until about a year ago when The Lettered Cottage hosted a giveaway of a Ramsign.  Ramsign has an amazing selection of classic address plaques.

5th & State, one of my favorite blogs, recently posted a series of pictures from charming door/entry ways in England, all with names attached.

Do you wonder if the person that lives here is named Elizabeth?

As a huge Christmas fan I think the name “Mistletoe Cottage” is inspired!

I’ve read that in some countries they name their house based on the street that the home is located on and that Realtors have been known to suggest that the homeowner change the name to create more appeal if the house is up for sale.

My little name plaque…

Have you named your home?  Does it have a name-tag?

Trends…lanterns

09 Wednesday Feb 2011

Posted by in Decorating, Trends

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Most of us see trends as they come along, make the inevitable rise to mass acceptance, and then start to loose popularity to the next big trend.  This process can take years or months depending on the trend and its staying power.

These “trends” can be the increased use of paint color, wallpaper (or not), flooring, furnishings and accessories.  The item in question can often be something an individual homeowner will love from it’s rise in popularity (the trend) to the end of time.

This is the case (for me) with lanterns!  I have always loved their charm and can’t imagine tiring of them.

Through the years I’ve been guilty of “buying into” a few of the more popular trends i.e. ceramic or stone farm animals (often with wired-ribbon bows tied around their necks) 1984, artificial flower arrangements 1980-something, twig sprays, hunter green carpet (ugh), faux paint effects on walls 1990-something  (I never did the sponge painted walls, but the mottled look mimicking old plaster, I was there!), conversation pits 1978 (as I discussed HERE).  I’m certain we’ve all fallen into the trap with one thing or another.

Pottery Barn

Anyway, hopefully as we gain experience with our home decorating, we learn that we need to keep true to our own design style and that ultimately cuts down on the number of renovations needed over the life of a home. There will always be a few things that we are bound to grow tired of, that’s natural.   And not to loose focus on my topic, I even asked myself about 2 years after my kitchen remodel if I would look back on the granite counters and wonder if they age my kitchen by the time stamp on their popularity.

Pottery Barn

The trend I’m addressing today is one that has captured my heart—lanterns.  Don’t get me wrong…lanterns have always been a favorite but lately you see them everywhere.   I love them in almost any room and even enjoy the candle lanterns that are used in table settings, an accessory on any table, hanging from a post on the patio or sitting by the front door.  They are in lots of places and I’ve been known to sigh with satisfaction when I see one.

I know you’ve seen this image here a lot!  I love this room, including the lantern.

Note the lanterns on the mantle.  Image Erin Page Potts Interiors, via Velvet & Linen

I love the look and simplicity of the lanterns down the center of the table…notice there are no flowers, apples at each place setting provides a bit of color.  Image via SalisStudio

image via Cote de TexasImage via Cote de Texasimage via Cote de TexasLanterns have appeared in many of Joni’s posts, over at Cote de Texas blog.  If you’ve never visited Cote de Texas be sure to stop by HERE.

Images above from Cote de Texas

Tommy Smythe Designs

Love this kitchen by Tommy Smythe...love the lantern.

Velvet & Linen, study

Image via Velvet & Linen, another worthwhile site.

Do you have any lanterns in your home?

Window dressing…yes or no?

31 Monday Jan 2011

Posted by in Decorating, Trends

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I’ve lived in houses where we needed window dressing whether it’s drapes, curtains, blinds or shutters; I needed privacy and was happy to have something up at the window.

I wonder if this valance hides drop-down blinds?

image via Better Homes and Gardens

I like the lightness of these curtains, they almost look sheer.

image via The Lettered Cottage ~ Paula Deen’s bedroom at Tybee Island

This bedroom doesn't have window coverings...I love the tailored, clean look it has.

image via Elle Decor

It seems a shame to ever close these curtains in light of the view!

The house we currently live in is not in need of window covering except in the bedrooms and even then its as much to keep unwanted morning light out (if you need to sleep in) not to actually keep anyone outside our house from seeing in…hubby and I rarely sleep in so we keep the wooden blinds open.

You can see the neighbor's wall (which is the side of their house, no windows on that wall allowed).

image via Garden, Home and Party

The reason for this is that we live in what California builders call “zero-lot-line garden home”.  This is what they sometimes do to make sure they can increase the density in a tract of homes.

The shutters in this bathroom look great with the white walls and tub.

image via Home & Garden

What it actually boils down to is the side yard of our home (on one side) has the next door neighbor’s exterior wall as a fence of sorts.  The neighbor’s house doesn’t have windows on that side so they are not able to look into our side yard.

No window coverings and doesn't this room look like the very word "spring"?

image via Oliveaux

The other side of our house serves as a fence for the neighbor on the other side (again, no windows on that side of OUR house).  Are you with me?  In our case our back yard backs to a street but the fence supplies us with privacy so we don’t need window coverings on that back or side of the house.  The builder created an atrium on the windowless side of the house to allow for fresh air in the bedrooms on that side and to provide natural light.  It really is very pleasant…if it sounds claustrophobic to you it’s probably due to my poor description.

I've got the perfect place at my house for this room, someone call the builder!

In any event, I’ve gotten away from feeling the need to put curtains up on the windows.  We have French windows or doors throughout and it feels very nice to be able to skip this decision.  I’ve seen some wonderful valances and Roman shades while perusing the internet, but IF I put them on the list of “wants” they will have to take a number…the list is long and possibly expensive at this point.

What do you have on your windows for privacy?

Creating a Bucket List

14 Friday Jan 2011

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I saw the movie Bucket List on DVD when it was released.  It thought the concept was very clever and thought-provoking.  I’d heard of people having a list of things they would like to do, see, accomplish before they die.

Visit Amazon and you’ll be amazed at how many book titles come up when you type in “bucket list”.  Clearly this is a topic that many writers have devoted time and attention to.

I really never had a list, and kind of lived each day as it came but lately, maybe because I’m maturing, (code for aging) I have thought of a few, mostly frivolous things I’d like to do before I die (“B.I.D”)—do any of us really know when we’ll die, of course not!  But it would be fun to do some of those things you find yourself saying, “I’d like to do that some day”.  I believe the list will change, evolve as I continue down “life’s path” but I thought it might be fun to give it some thought.

I only have a few items on the list for now—this is way harder than I would have thought…here goes.

Is this where Sleeping Beauty lives?

1.         We haven’t been to Europe since our Christmas trip in 1998-1999, when we took our 2 adult sons for Christmas vacation to London (there’s a movie in there somewhere, right?).  We had stayed in a London flat when the boys were 7 and 11 years of age, respectively.  We decided we wanted to repeat the trip before the 2 were married and/or too busy with their professions to travel with mom and dad.  Anyway, my point is/was, I’ve never been to Germany.  I’m of German descent on my father’s side of the family and would love to visit Germany “B.I.D”.

I think I would like Rothenburg, Germany.

2.         I have a few friends that I enjoy traveling with.  One pair of friends, Linda and Gretchen (sisters) have been my friends since before I was married.  We have traveled together and always have so much fun.  Another pair, Carla and Wendy, are dear friends that I have traveled with and probably have more fun with them than with hubby (don’t tell him).  I’m certain it is because ‘girls’ like to do the same things.  Don’t get me wrong, Hubby is amazing when it comes to allowing me to duck into an antique store, after just having been in one, but there’s something about the understanding we all share as ‘girlfriends’ that is just so dang much fun!  So…I’d like to take a trip with friends almost anywhere, with both of these sets of dear friends “B.I.D”.  South of France, anyone?  Maybe Charleston?

I think I would love Provence, the southern region of France.

I have heard wonderful things about Charleston, South Carolina.  I would want to see some of the gardens and lots of antique stores.

Image by Peter Kwok

This is the Orange County Performing Arts, Henry Segerstrom Hall

3.         I’d like to visit an art museum and/or attend a symphony and/or stage production, monthly.  I know this sounds totally doable but money has been tight sometimes and I find myself thinking, “Oh, I don’t really need to do that.”  There is something about nurturing the soul, which I believe cultural events manage better than most forms of entertainment, which works for me.



I definitely need to think more on this whole “bucket list” idea.  I’m certain given sufficient time I can come up with a whole host of things I’d like to do “B.I.D”.

Do you have a list?  What’s on it?

We have the Getty just about one hour (on a good day)  drive from my house.  I think I could spend a few months just seeing everything located at this amazing museum.