{Home} The magic of flowers and Ikebana

05 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, House and Home, Uncategorized

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Flowers are a welcome mood and room brightener and maybe never as coveted as on these last few days/weeks(?!) of winter. I am always on the lookout for new ideas and inspiration for a display of flowers, whether they are store bought or home grown or a combination thereof. Bouquets (below) with unexpected elements are such a nice surprise.

Garden, Home and Party: Ikebana {source}

Flowers – they transport us, romance us, amaze us. They make us smile and swoon. Who could live without them?

—Charlotte Moss, designer

{source}

So I was excited to receive an invitation from Tuttle Publishing to read their new book, Japanese Ikebana for Every Season, by Rie Imai and Yuji Ueno, and asked to post my thoughts.

I really enjoyed this book as my recollection of ikebana was of a far different style than the arrangements shared herein. The classic ikebana arrangement should look natural, something I lean towards where flower arrangements are concerned. But I used to think of ikebana arrangements as stark and possibly a little too modern for my tastes. Clearly, this doesn’t have to be the case, for this pair of talented artists (the authors) have introduced a new view of ikebana.

Author Rie Imai is an accomplished “lifestyle coordinator” in Japan, with a focus on interior design and flowers. During her time in the United State Ms. Imai completed floral design course work at Parsons New School for Design, New York and at City College in San Francisco. She has traveled extensively and has mastered blending the cultural aesthetics of modern and traditional, as well as Eastern and Western influences into her floral designs.

Her co-author, Yuji Ueno, is an independent floral artist. The book’s introduction to Mr. Ueno says it best, “…Yuji has created a style not linked to any recognized Japanese ikebana school…he has found the freedom to chart his own course.” He has a personal website where you will find further inspiration.

In addition to some spectacular examples of the new ikebana, the book offers detailed words and illustrations on water absorption, cutting and maintenance techniques; there are helpful tips on stabilizing, shaping and trimming which can assure your success as you embark on creating your own flower arrangements.

There are great ideas for each season, using items from the yard as well as what you can buy. As with any floral arrangement, it’s the unexpected that catches my eye and presents a need to study exactly what has been included.

The photography for the book was done by Noboru Murata, one of Japan’s most accomplished photographers.

{source}

The book will be a welcome reference to anyone who enjoys flowers in the home, and who doesn’t?

{Thanks to Tuttle Publishing for contacting me and providing me with Japanese Ikebana for Every Season}

Spring officially arrives on March 20th. Happy Spring, just a little early!

Garden, Home and Party wishes you a Happy 2014

31 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ 18 Comments

In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want. ~ Traditional Irish toast

I haven’t given any thought to my “goals” for the new year. I don’t like to call them resolutions…that sounds so definite. I try to limit the goals to 3, I’ll have to get back to you on the specifics.

I hope the coming year is a good year for all of you. I appreciate your visits and comments and hope to continue to hold your interest in the new year.

Most years I take down Christmas on New Year’s Day, but I really enjoyed the simplicity of the decorations this year and will wait until next week to take it all down.

Did you take down Christmas yet?

Happy New Year’s Eve my dear friends

{GHP} Christmas, a childlike faith in magic

11 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ 18 Comments

A dear friend gave me a copy of The Polar Express the year it was published, 1985. {Thank you, Carla} I’ll never forget the first time I read the story and how it touched me. There is something about the idea of believing in the spirit of Christmas even as we age that has always stayed with me.

This time of year I display my Polar Express book with the silver bell I had purchased a few years prior to the release of the book. I hope, when Olivia is a little bit older, I can read this to her and she will remember it with a fondness for the season that her grandma enjoys.

Both of our son’s enjoyed Christmas books. They often choose The Grinch who Stole Christmas and tolerated the Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, mommy’s favorite. I collected nutcrackers back then and the story still holds my attention.

With this abbreviated season, one of the highlights of Christmas this year will be when Olivia arrives…her thrill with the smallest of things gives me such joy. When asked what she wants for Christmas her reply, “Minnie Mouse socks, Grandma, mine have a hole in them!” {Lest you think we are negligent, her socks have a hole in them because she wears her Minnie Mouse socks every day}

These are the books in our library of Children’s stories that we’ll be reading…I’m sure there will be some books read that aren’t Christmas themed as well.

The 12 Days of Christmas was a favorite in part because of the incredible illustrations of Jan Brett…

All things Christmas makes me *happy* so I’m joining RJ at Art@Home for her happy party and Savvy Southern Style’s Wow us Wednesday.

Share your favorites. Do you have a tradition of reading a particular Christmas or Holiday story to your family? I hope you are having a wonderful December. ♥

Karen

{Home} Faux greenery indoors, or real houseplants?

23 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Flowers, House and Home, Maintenance, Uncategorized

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

houseplants

Age is a funny thing. If you’re lucky it teaches you tolerance and acceptance. For example I used to think I would NEVER have faux houseplants. I figured if I couldn’t have real I didn’t want to bother.

The twisted juniper on the mantle below are preserved evergreen.

{Kelly Harmon Designs}

A few years ago I discovered that there are now some very real-looking houseplants available, and some are actually “preserved” plants that were once real.

I’ll be honest, I’m certain that working full time has tempered my sentences that used to start with the words, “I’ll never…”. Actually, I’m happy about this because I did find that faux plants, when mixed with live indoor plants, can look very real and make life a whole lot easier for those of us with minimal hours to tend to them. I still love English ivy and topiary of all kinds.

Tone on Tone shared the vast array of their houseplants, including these lovelies below…

{Tone on Tone}

Another option for indoor houseplants can be found in some “outdoor” plant sections, like this creeping fig (below)…

{Tone on Tone}

My favorite fake plant right now is the preserved boxwoods. I really like the topiary in various sizes, the wreath and the globe shapes they come in.

{tumblr}

{Amazon}

I also feel that if you need a “plant” for a certain space, using something like willow-like branches can be effective.

{Ralph Lauren}

My go-to fresh plant of choice is English ivy. I’ve had pretty good luck with the ivy plants I’ve purchased and as long as I water them by soaking them in a bath of 2″ of fresh water when they get thirsty, they will last for 6 months to a year, or longer. Ivy seems to like to absorb the water rather than be watered from the top.

Alison over at The Polohouse recently posted about her Kitchen Hutch…the array of houseplants made for a lovely vignette. I believe she has preserved boxwood, real English ivy and a moss ball in the display below…

{The Polohouse}

Trader Joe’s has a beautiful selection of blooming house plants that are so inexpensive that I’ll often buy them and once they begin to look sad I’ll move them to a sheltered space outdoors and see if they come back and re-bloom. They also carry great orchids in a variety of sizes. Their blooms sometimes stay intact up to 3 months. I don’t have luck making them re-bloom but my daughter-in-law in Austin does!

{Ashley Goforth Designs}

{Haus Design}

There are other faux options such as dried hydrangea (which you can do yourself) and reindeer moss, which provides you with the green while not requiring any water

{Simple Everyday Glamour}

{Haus Design}

There’s another option that I’ve used for table settings…live annual plants. They won’t last forever indoors, but they are so pretty!

So I say, if you have a tough spot, maybe not enough light gets to the place you’d like to have a plant, search for something that mirrors a live plant, if you love it, no one will every know.

Do you have strong feelings one way or another where live vs. real houseplants are concerned? I love your comments.

I’m linking to: Savvy Southern Style::Wow us Wednesdays

and Stone Gable: Tutorials Tips…

{Home} Your library book is due

17 Thursday Jan 2013

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

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

books, library

{Art at Home}

{our home library}

I’ve never been able to put my finger on it but there’s something magical about books for me. I find book stores and libraries to be very relaxing and can loose track of time when I visit. Does this happen to you?

{Content in a Cottage}

{Cote De Texas}

The odd thing is, I have never been a voracious reader. I do love to read and I thoroughly enjoy my design and cook books (no surprise there) but overall I’m not one to read more than a book a month.

{Pure Style}

{Connoisseur}

{Haus Design}

Still, there is something very pleasing about a vintage or antique book. The look can always add something to a vignette in my home. I’ve purchased a few leather bound books that I found at various antique stores and they are my favorites for accents on a table or tray. I love an old cloth bound book as well.

In fact, I recently went to our Friends of the Library (an in-library used book store), and found a book from 1902 named, “Bonnie Prince Charlie” and inside the cover was the name Emma Albrecht…Albrecht was my maiden name. I had to have it!

I’ve always thought I would like a room with ceiling to floor books and room enough for 2 large wing-back chairs and an ottoman with a nice table between. A cozy throw on the back of the chair to fend off a draft and since I’m dreaming, a wonderful fireplace.

{tumblr – WASPing through the Countryside}

{tumblr – Dying of Cute}

{Belgian Pearls}

I have friends whose homes are free of books on display, some of them avid readers and learned people, so I understand it’s a preference (to be surrounded by books, or not).

{Atlanta Homes}

{Art at Home}

{Rose Tarlow via Architectural Digest}

Books in a room catch my attention every time.

{Mark D. Sikes via Architectural Digest}

{Slim Paley}

{tumblr – Looking for Rainbows in the Moonlight}

So how about it? Do you like books around you, in your home?

{GHP} Wrapped and ready…almost

18 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Christmas, DIY (do it yourself), Holidays, Uncategorized

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

gift wrap

{Carl Larsson}

There are so many great options for gift wrap. Every year I promise myself I’ll keep it simple and use butcher paper and twine with fresh greens and homemade tags. I have yet to actually put that thought into action. Some of the ideas provided below have been in my file for a couple of years now.

{Oh, My}

Many of you have undoubtedly already wrapped your presents and have them artfully arranged under the tree, I hate you…not really. I usually would have mine wrapped as well, but that extra week really threw me off. I know, it should have been to my advantage but it was the week of our son’s wedding and I think I abused the extra time.

Here are some inspirational images, if you haven’t wrapped already, and a couple of sites that give you some valuable information for this final push to the magic that is Christmas.

I love the idea (below) of wrapping presents in interesting papers other than standard wrap. Little maps, foreign newsprint, art paper, let your imagination run wild.

(Martha Stewart}

I’ve got to hand it to Martha, she/her talented team come up with some clever ways to wrap any present.

{Martha Stewart}

The packages below are from an older MS tutorial [the link will take you the tutorial] where you can print out some of the graphics shown below, print them on paper and wrap. Very pretty, don’t you think?

{Martha Stewart}

If you prefer the lush, large, beautiful bows on your packages visit my friend Victoria over at Victoria Elizabeth Barnes. She gives you a tutorial on bow making that is not only informational but hilarious. I guarantee you a laugh at her clever descriptions of each step, and who can’t delight in some comedy relief this time of year?!

Heather Bullard has some creative tips for holiday gift tags. I imagine you would need to make the fresh tag later in the season so that it wouldn’t be dried out by the time you delivered it but for a hostess gift this would be a gift to add to the gift.

{Heather Bullard ~ Lifestyle}

I like the idea of an ornament or some kind of tie-on present on top of the package. One year Pottery Barn wrapped their gifts with an old fashioned key attached to the ribbon. Williams Sonoma used a small copper pineapple mold to enhance each package. There are cute things at Michael’s that will enhance a package and maybe hold inside meaning for the recipient.

{From the Right Bank}

Then there are boxes that need no wrap. Not that I’ve ever received a HERMÉS anything, but I have received Jo Malone gifts and they have a similar box. They are beautiful in their own right and need no paper.

Or, if all else fails, go green, give a puppy…no wrap necessary. How cute is this little guy, although I confess, I’d definitely add a red bow around his neck.

Are you wrapped and ready. Do you enjoy this part of the season or do you have your gifts wrapped, where possible, at the store? I have always enjoyed this part of the process and used to be the go-to girl for my family where wrapping is concerned. Do you use double sided tape? I confess, I’ve not been using it but maybe I’ll get some this year.

{GHP} A pleasant surprize for blogging

13 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ 19 Comments

When I first started blogging in 2007 (with a lapse in 2008), to say I was a novice would make me sound like I had a clue about what I was doing, I didn’t. Once I began to post in earnest in early 2009 I noticed there were sites being nominated for various awards. I figured that since only 2 of my close friends, and my mom, read my blog the chances were slim and none that I would ever be noticed.

So it was a huge surprise and a compliment for me to be nominated for a Liebster Blog award. In addition, the person nominating me was a new blog friend, Christina at Floriday’s Mom. I think Christina explains the award best, “It’s basically an opportunity for bloggers to share a little love to other up and coming bloggers”. So for that, I thank you.

I’m asked to list 11 facts about myself; answer 11 questions given by the person who nominated me (Christina at Floriday’s Mom); create 11 questions for the bloggers I nominate, and choose 4 bloggers to pass this along to. It’s a bit of work completing all the tasks, so if those that I nominate don’t complete the homework assignment, I completely understand and will harbor no ill feelings, especially during this busy time of year. But know this, I am amazed everyday by some of the incredibly talented people in blog land and have enjoyed some really nice conversations with my new blog friends. So here goes…

11 Facts about Myself:

1. I’m a redhead. When I was young I hated the attention that got me, but I’m okay with it now.

2. I can’t really start the morning without a cup o’ joe. I don’t drink coffee all day, but I confess, I must have a little caffeine kick-start first thing in the morning.

3. I love most music but my radio station in the car is set for classical music. I love Mozart.

4. I share a birthday with Mozart. (see above).

5. I’ve been married to Mr. B. 40 years this coming February, yes, I was a child bride 😉

6. I’m an only child. I always wanted a sister or brother. One of my closest friend’s is like a sister to me, does that count?

7. I used to have a gardening business with a good friend, Blooming Borders. We planted predominantly English gardens for 13 years.

8. I love Mexican food. Enchiladas, tacos or burritos, I could eat the food daily.

9. I usually have a hard cover book going but I love listening to unabridged books on my iPod. It allows me to multitask.

10. I love college football, in part because it signals the beginning of fall and its seasonal goodness.

11. My middle name is the same as my husband’s first name and also my daughter-in-law’s middle name…Lynn (although Mr. B. spells his with one N)

In answer to Christina’s questions…

1. What’s the number one on your Christmas List: The number one person is my husband (to buy for) the number 1 wish on my Christmas List is a pair of riding boots.

{tumblr}

2. Why did you start your blog? Our oldest son suggested I start a blog to talk about the things he thinks I do best, tending to the garden, decorating our home and entertaining = Garden, Home and Party (how flattering is that?)

3. How did you come up with the name of your blog? Son #1 came up with the name and set me up…this was in 2007. He later said he thought the name was too long but I told him I wanted to keep it.

4. What is your secret indulgence? I’m a salt fiend and Lay’s Potato Chips and/or a great order of fries are the indulgence. I know how terrible those two items can be in fat, salt and calories, so when I do indulge, I feel just a little guilty.

5. Which of the four seasons do you look forward to the most? Fall, although spring is a close second.

6. What’s your biggest pet peeve? Grumpy, unpleasant people. I believe happiness is a choice.

7. What is your favorite décor? Traditional with a leaning towards English and French country.

{Daniel Brisset & Ayers Cliff via Inspiring Interiors}

{Ferguson & Shamamian Architects}

8. What did you want to be when you grew up? This is pretty revealing…I wanted to be an airline hostess. In fact when I went to the local junior college there was a program for that. I later decided I wanted to teach. Instead, I got married and worked for a real estate developer until I had our first son. I was hired as a teacher aide for several years, now I’m back to Real Estate Development.

9. Who makes you laugh the most and why? Besides Jon Stewart, my husband.

10. Name one thing on your bucket list. Touring Germany. My father’s family was from Germany and I’d love to visit one day.

{Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany}

11. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? If all my family and friends were with me, the Cotswolds, England. (The house below was built here in the U.S. but I love it so I wanted to include it, and I believe it looks very much like a home you might find in the Cotswolds)

{Phillip Trammell Shutze Architect}

My nominees are some of my favorite ‘go to’ sites. I think you’ll enjoy meeting these talented people:

1. Victoria Elizabeth Barnes

2. trouverlesoleil – Leslie

3. paper{whites} – Alison

4. Henhurst Interiors – Phyllis

…and finally, the questions I ask of you, should you choose to participate…

Questions from Me:

1. How did you start blogging?

2. What do you enjoy most about blogging?

3. What is your favorite movie?

4. Are you a do-it-yourself person or do you keep a list of handy people near the phone?

5. Are you a city person or a country person, why?

6. What is your favorite season?

7. Do you prefer old/antiques or new furnishings?

8. Do you lean more towards a tailored look or ruffles and lace?

9. Which would you choose, the beach or the mountains.

10. What’s one modern convenience you couldn’t live without?

11. What’s your idea of the ideal evening?

This was fun. I hope you’ll visit the 4 nominees and thank you, as always for stopping by for a chat, I love your comments!

{Home} My friend’s home, Bainbridge Island, Part II

11 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

T & L Home

As I mentioned HERE, I spent 6 delightful days on Bainbridge Island and surrounding areas of Seattle last month. I was visiting Linda, my dear friend, along with her sister, Gretchen (another dear friend). Linda and I go way back and our love of houses is just one of the many shared interests.

Linda and her family moved to Bainbridge Island about 14 years ago. She grew up in Corona del Mar, California, a lovely beach town in Southern California, and resided in the area up til then. It was hard for all of us to see her go, but once we visited this beautiful state, we understood and now look forward to regular visits.

You travel a gravel road off of a main road on the island to get to Linda’s house. The stack stone sets such a pretty picture as you drive through what seems like a forest for a few yards.

As you approach their front door you notice the lush, green ferns and large granite stone near the porch.

Linda’s had the antique wagon for years, I love it’s aged patina, and with pots of boxwood, it creates an inviting entry.

Linda’s father carved the bird to the left of the flower pot.

Geranium’s love the humid air of the island.

Once inside the front door there is no end to interesting and attractive vignettes along with some beautiful antiques and wonderful art…

I believe Linda acquired this antique side board from an antique store in Orange County nearly 35 years ago.

The other side of the entry has a built in book case. In addition to cookbooks, Linda has a collection of American Country hens.

This photograph doesn’t allow you to see the details of these collectibles.

The dining room and wet bar sit to the right of the entry.

Linda and Tom had the dining room table custom-made and it accommodates 12 dinner guests with room to spare.

On the far wall of the dining room sits an antique pine cupboard. Linda has a complete set of Villeroy & Boch ‘Petite Fleur’, so pretty on this cupboard.

Another great antique pine piece in the dining room.

Tom collects Scotch and these two Scottish nutcrackers were a gift; the wall under the cabinets in the wet bar are lined with corks the pair have collected over the years from many a perfectly delightful meal with wine, shared with friends and family.

wet bar

This is the view of the back of the house. The home sits on a 5 acre lot. Other than the home and drive, with adjoining yard and outbuilding only accounts for a fraction of the lot, the rest consists of towering trees.

As a Southern California girl, I’m awed by the size and stature of these trees.

This is the view as you eat your English muffin and sip your coffee every morning.

A couple of years ago Tom created a cutting garden. The battle between the deer and Linda and Tom wages on, they hope to plant enough herbs and flowers for all to enjoy!

The stones that retain the garden were from the property.

I failed to take nearly as many pictures as I had planned but I wanted you to see some of Linda’s home. I’ll have to visit again to get some additional photos of the other rooms in the house…good excuse, right?

{Garden} Boxwood Basics

19 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, Outdoor living, Uncategorized

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

Boxwood

As some of you may know from reading my posts {thank you!} I am a staunch anglophile. My first trip to England took place in 1985 and I fell in love with all things British. We’ve vacationed in the country many times since.

English Cottage ~ love the boxwood and urns.

So when it came to landscaping my smallish yard I knew I wanted it to reflect, on a much smaller scale, an English cottage garden.

We’ve been in our house 30 years, and only now am I beginning to see the image I’ve had in my mind for all these years. What’s taken you so long you may ask? In short, life, children and sometimes funding. ♥

We had a wooden swing set in the yard during the kids “formative” years and it had plenty of use, then we’ve had baseball practice, soccer practice, a sandbox [don’t try to plant a cottage garden near a sandbox, trust me on this one] and dogs to somewhat stall or hinder me.

I’ve trained a row of English ivy along the stone border in the back yard.

The hedge of boxwoods around the patio were transplants from another area of the yard, they are still recovering, but all in all have survived and are showing signs of new growth.

On the side yard I’ve started a hedge of Texas privet (ligustrom) to cover the neighbor’s wall, in front is a low hedge of Japanese boxwood.

In any event, even while my garden business was thriving, I chipped away at areas of the yard and got most of the boxwood (Buxus microphylla japonica) hedges going. The great thing about boxwood hedges in Southern California is the fact that they are pretty easy to grow and require only reasonable amounts of water. I buy the variety that stands up to cool temperatures, even though we don’t get frost where I live. I still have lost the occasional boxwood but in many cases they will fill in where the loss occurs, or I simply buy a 1-gallon replacement.

via Jennings & Gates ~ don’t you love this picture of boxwood with white Crepe Myrtle planted in each section, and the fabulous fountain in the center?

via Atlanta Home and Garden

When my roses are in bloom the formal garden shines.

Here are a few easy tips to keep your boxwood happy:

They prefer well-drained soil

When trimming boxwood be sure to remove all cuttings. If you don’t clean up trimmings you can create an environment for fungus which can cause the plant to die.
Exposure: Full sun or light shade

Carla’s garden…my friend always inspires me.

Dunham Classic American House ~ the boxwood breaks up the expanse of brick leading to the entrance of this lovely home.

via Nest Egg ~ this New Orleans business used boxwood in the planter and as an architectural accent with the rounded hedge spaced between classic boxwood.

Side note: I’ve always been a huge fan of gardening, proof follows. We lived in Texas for 2 years, when my mom came to visit we bought these crazy overalls as we prepared to plant the yard. My orange overalls made me look like an escaped prisoner…LOL! Hubby took the picture to imply I made my mom work during her visit…which was true, in part. 🙂 Can you see our toddler son in the image, still in his footed jammies?

Do you like the “formality” of boxwood?

I’m over at Fishtail Cottage enjoying her garden party and

Stone Gable for her Tutorial Tips and Tidbits

{GHP} May I introduce you to…new blogland friends

17 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

blog favorites

I am constantly impressed by the number of creative bloggers there are in blog-land. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since there are so many millions of bloggers, the odds are favorable that there would be huge number of talented people in the pool.

Over the 3 years I’ve been blogging I have found that some of the earlier sites I used to follow have either dropped from the face of blog land, Under Spanish Moss, Atmosphere, or, as in the case of some of the DIY sites, I have been honest with myself and recognized that I will not do certain projects, even if I have the time. Therefore I’ve dropped some of the do-it-yourself/craft sites from my “must read daily” list. (there are only so many hours in a day) I still visit them, but with minimal free time (I work full time), I’ll scan the posts from time to time instead of daily.

That said, there have been some new additions to my “favorites and/or must read” list and I thought I might introduce you, just in case you haven’t discovered them on your own! I’ve added a couple to the “Recommended” column on my home page, as well as one that has been on the list for some time but is worth special mention.

I’ll begin with the newest blog (at least for me), Inspiring Interiors. A friend of mine, Carol, recommended this site. Carol is a designer with fabulous taste and I happen to love her work, so when she suggested I have a look at Inspiring Interiors, I immediately put my mouse to work and knocked on the proverbial blog site door.

Kifus has been blogging since 2007, but her archives suggests that she may have started in earnest in 2009. This is my story where blogging is concerned, so I can relate. Her site has taken me to more countries than I could ever hope to visit, and the best part…we get to visit homes in these countries and cities. I’ve visited Australia, Brittany, Aix en Provence, Sardinia, Italy, and Vermont (in the U.S.), to name a few.

Kifus shared a bit of her story with me…”I was born in Argentina and lived there until 7 years ago when we moved to Brazil. We lived for six years in Brazil and now we have moved to Peru. We have been in Peru for exactly one year now. This is all because of my hubby’s job that takes us around”. What a great way to see the world and clearly, her readers benefit from her research because she not only shows us the exterior of so many wonderful homes, she gives us a personal tour of each room. It’s been fun for me to see how similar the decor can be in homes half way around the globe from the West Coast of U.S.A (California) where I live. Here is a small sampling of what you can expect to see daily at Inspiring Interiors…

Lake front house in Vermont ~ Inspiring Interiors

Dining room of Vermont house ~ Inspiring Interiors

Kifus shows pictures of the details we all enjoy seeing from a house we’ve never actually visited, like the formal garden below.

Oh yes, I would take this house (below) in Aix en Provence any day.

Aix en Provence ~ Inspiring Interiors

Sardinia, Italy ~ Inspiring Interiors

See what I mean about great details. This is such a pretty room.

Brittany ~ Inspiring Interiors

If you’ve never visited Inspiring Interiors and you love houses, large and small, take a few minutes to stop by, I know you’ll have fun.

Next on my roster of introductions is Providence Ltd. Design. A talented sister team…Mona and Talena have a design business and a store. The pair infuse their site with so many great ideas and inspiration I have to write some of them down or I’d forget. The “sisters” are business partners and best friends and lean towards traditional design but they keep the rooms fresh, using modern fabrics alongside timeless classics.

I believe the antique French documents are sold from their store ~ Providence Ltd. Design

I can always count on a great topic and wonderful images to accompany the posts at Providence Ltd. Design. This garden, below, served as a boost to my determination to work on my knot garden this year.

On Sunday their site features “Sunday Supper” complete with a delicious recipe and a beautiful table setting to inspire you. Some of their meals are very simple (I love simple) and sometimes they are more involved (it’s nice to have a few of those menus up your sleeve, as well).

Simple, delicious pizza ~ Providence Ltd. Design

…need somewhere to enjoy this delicious pizza on a Sunday evening?…

There is something so appealing about outdoor dining or just a great place to relax. The fireplace and lantern make this space swoon-worthy, don’t you agree?

Sometimes just a few images on styling a collection or creating an eye catching vignette can be what you need to update a shelf or cupboard, you can count on this site to show you all that and more.

Providence Ltd. Design

I think you’ll have fun at Providence Ltd. Design and I know you’d feel welcome while perusing the lovely rooms and interests.

Providence Ltd. Design

Last but not least, I can’t even remember how I discovered Content in a Cottage but I have probably gotten more enjoyment from Rosemary’s brief but constant inspiring and entertaining posts. Her unique eye for images always amazes me and she usually only posts one picture and a brief paragraph but both tend to stay with me all day. She usually posts about 3 of these one picture/one paragraph musings each day.

Content in a Cottage

As her blog name suggests, Rosemary lives in a charming cottage in Chatham, New Jersey. From what I gather she is in Real Estate and sometimes that provides her with sources for a lovely home, garden, field or horse or doggie for us to meet. Rosemary’s own doggie is a favorite blogland pet that I always enjoy hearing about…he is very sweet and his pictures always have me smiling! Meet Webster, King of Content in a Cottage…

I can count on finding some unique room design when I visit Content in a Cottage…wouldn’t this be the best bathroom? You couldn’t help but smile when you walk in to brush your teeth each morning!

Content in a Cottage