{Home} Walk-in beauty and organization

17 Wednesday Apr 2013

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

Tags

I have had a walk-in pantry and a walk-in closet, once in my life, not in the same place. I would say that besides a breakfast room, a walk in closet is second on my dream house wish list. Would it be greedy to wish for a walk-in closet, walk-in pantry and a breakfast room? {As a very good friend used to say, “If you’re going to dream, dream big!”}

So while perusing the ultimate resource for stimulating ideas, Pinterest, I re-pinned a few and thought I share those that had me at the door to their splendor…

I might as well start with the most elaborate of the lot…I’m not sure I have that many pairs of shoes but it would be so nice to see all of your shoe choices with one glance.

I would definitely want a chest of drawers in the walk in closet…

{Design Chic}

This is small but I like the quasi vanity at the back of the closet.

{Dream House via Pinterest}

Lighting would be crucial, I love the idea of the glass doors keeping things orderly.

{Pinterest}

I know this is a man’s closet, but I like the layout and it would be nice to have my favorite design books at my fingertips.

{Design Chic}

A jewelry drawer would be fabulous!

{Better Homes and Gardens}

and finally, to decorate any blank wall in your walk-in closet you could do this…note: I think I have a Tiffany Bag hanging around, I’d have to ask Chanel and Hermes for a bag! lol

{Pinterest}

There is equal interest in a walk-in pantry for my kitchen, again, it doesn’t have to be huge, but boy, would it be nice…

I love the way this door looks like cabinetry in the kitchen but serves as the door to the walk-in pantry!

{Better Homes and Gardens}

A pantry behind a sliding door is very cool, it looks like the ‘fridge is in the pantry, not sure about that feature, wouldn’t that be inconvenient? Maybe its the back-up refrigerator.

{Design Chic}

This is something we didn’t add when we remodeled our kitchen, and I realize it’s a little off topic as far as walk-in pantries go, but maybe you can imagine this drawer would be located inside a walk-in pantry…{Griege}

Again, sliding doors, and as you can see this walk-in pantry doesn’t take much space…maybe if we add the breakfast room we can incorporate a space like this.

{Pinterest}

I’m not sure you can see it well in this image, but there’s a really great door on this pantry with leaded glass. The pantry is waiting for me to load it with all my stuff.

{Pinterest}

This one is so well accessorized, it almost looks like a small butler’s pantry.

{Pinterest}

Maybe if I had a bank of cupboards like this I wouldn’t need a walk-in pantry, although there would have to be solid doors, my pantry never seems view-worthy!

{Design Chic}

Do you have a walk-in closet and/or pantry? Do you consider it one of the major benefits of your home? [I think I know the answer to that last question, but I’d still love to hear from you]. ♥

I’m visiting the Wow us Wednesday linky party over at Savvy Southern Style.

Victoria is giving away a fabulous trowel for the garden enthusiasts, like me…HERE

{GHP} My Best Find Ever

09 Tuesday Apr 2013

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

≈ 26 Comments

Tags

collections

When Victoria, over at Restoring our 1890 Victorian, invited me to play lead guitar for her Linky party, I was thrilled. Victoria will be Lead Singer and Danielle of Storypiece will be on drums. 😀 Playing with blog friends is so much fun. Then reality set in, what was my favorite find?! I’ve always loved scouring flea markets, antique stores, and thrift stores for treasures. Since I’m now more mature (read: older) I have amassed a lot of good stuff from these excursions. So what would win the beauty contest as the best thing I’ve ever found?

I thought and debated with myself…I had recently done a post on homes becoming the scrapbook of your life and figured I could use that post to link my finds. Then I decided to work on my creativity, “let’s not become lazy where your blog is concerned, Karen!” and I came up with a recurring theme with my inventory of “treasures”…TRAYS, specifically silver trays, but pretty much any tray that strikes my fancy. Trays have always been a draw for me, as evidenced in my two previous posts on the topic HERE & HERE.

I have been given a couple of trays by family members and a particular favorite tray came from a friend (she found it for me on one of her excursions)…but most of my stash comes from bumping into the odd tray at consignment, antique or thrift stores, the prices have one thing in common, they have been rock bottom for all of the useful benefits they can provide the willing owner (moi).

Both the tray above and below belonged to my mother-in-law. I was honored when she gave them to me a few years before she passed away.

This tray (below) is hammered silver and coincidentally has a B monogram, our last name starts with a B. Our friends know us well…we love this tray!

I bought the larger tray at a flea market last year, but the tray in front is a trophy tray I purchased in 1999 in Oxford, England. Such a find, and a great reminder of the fun we had as a family while visiting England during Christmas.

This Sheffield tray came from a favorite antique store in San Clemente, Stanford Court. It was cheap because it was missing a foot {I love footed trays} but a visit to Normandy Metal Finishers remedied that for me for only about the price I paid for the tray. It remained a bargain…

I’m now using the tray in the reading room. It holds a couple of antique books, one of the little nests I’ve found in our yard, and an orchid.

This silver plate was found at a consignment store for $25. I love the detailing

Recently I stumbled upon this little, and I do mean tiny, tray. I couldn’t resist. Look at the detailing on this cutie…

Another recent find…wait, am I overboard on this collection? No, can’t be, one can never have too many trays, right?

There’s always a holy grail of trays I’m in search of, the impossible find, and this is it…

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If you know where I can pick up one of these beauties for, oh say, $25 let me know!

Join me over at Victoria’s place…it should be fun finding out what surprise “find” Victoria recently acquired and some of the treasures other collectors have discovered.

Wait until you see what Victoria has to share! Visit Restoring our 1890 Victorian.

Wait there’s more…I’ve visiting Art@Home for her “My Happy List” party, and Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesdays, Stop by.

{GHP} It’s all about the packaging

03 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Misc

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

continers

I have always ~~been a sucker for~~ appreciated pretty packaging. I have learned, sometimes the hard way, that the item within isn’t always all that I had hoped for but I am drawn to items that are well packaged.

The inspiration for this post came by way of one of my favorite sites, Heather Bullard ⁄ Lifestyle, in her recent post about some small, wooden boxes she found at Target in their dollar bins. (Sorry I missed these). She did an amazing job photographing the boxes filled with eggs from her hens. I was taken by the beautiful photography (always) but it struck me that something as simple as eggs could look so appealing. Note: Heather and her team publish Souvenir magazine. It’s filled with great ideas.

That got me thinking about some of the creative packaging you stumble upon while perusing the internet. Jenny Steffens Hobick, a talented cook hosts an entertaining blog site, created this box of homemade cookies and other goodies. By placing them in cello bags with pink ribbon and polka dot tissue, the contents look like they could have been packaged by a high-end specialty boutique. Anyone would be pleased with this sweet package.

Another example of something as simple as a red/purple onion, made to look like art. I realize none of us would wrap our onions in antique pages from a book or newspaper before use, but you can see how pretty they look. {Helena Bernard Photography via tumblr Love French Bulldogs}

Who doesn’t love a French baguette? This display conveys to me that these are fresh-out-of-the-oven and I can nearly taste the fresh creamery butter and melt-in-your-mouth flavor of a baguette. {source}

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Even these little individual pies are tempting, I might want the entire crate of hand pies!

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Note to self, make some of this vinegar for possible hostess gifts during raspberry season.

Isn’t this bottle with the pop lid stopper cute?

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Don’t you wonder what is within the delicate wrapping of the lace doilies?

{source}

Just in time for Easter, I believe these Mod Podge eggs could be created using the plastic, open-able eggs you can find everywhere right now. Throw some M&M’s in these and I’m in happyland.

{source}

The oak barrels used to age wine have always been a favorite, they are usually French oak and I do enjoy a glass of the contents from time to time.

{source}

Are you drawn to attractive packaging?

I’m visiting with Ricki Jill over at Art@Home, join me.

{GHP} Easter Greetings from Austin

31 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Easter, Family, Holidays

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

Easter, Spring

{source}

Hi Friends,

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I’m enjoying Easter with our oldest son, his lovely wife and our darling granddaughter. Spring has sprung in Austin.

I hope you’re enjoying warm weather and all of the excitement and joy of spring.

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{source~two images above}

I’ll be back on Wednesday, I look forward to seeing you then.

Happy Easter & Happy Spring ♥

{GHP} A few of my favorite sites [friends] in blogland

27 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in House and Home, Misc

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Blogs to love

If you’re anything like me you’ve got more blog sites to read and follow than you ever imagined. Like the back-up on our DVR recorder (of TV programs), I start feeling like the homework assignments are piling up and I’m behind. I’m a huge fan of an article on time management written by William Oncken Jr. and Donald L. Wass, “Management Time: Who’s Got the Monkey?” published in Harvard Business Review in 1974*. I can’t stand to have the monkey on my back…if I have an assignment, even one I love, i.e. gardening, reading blog sites, etc., (self-imposed or otherwise) I’m happiest once I’ve caught up with all of it. Does that happen to you?

Lately I have too many pulls on my time. I’ve informed Mr. B that my television viewing will include fewer programs and he can start watching some of the recorded TV shows on his own. I’ve become more discerning where my blog reading is concerned as well, but I confess, it has been more challenging than paring down my television viewing. The reason is the producers and actors on TV aren’t my friends! Silly? Maybe, but when I’ve received comments from fellow bloggers, I’m so appreciative, and I immediately feel a sense of loyalty to read their posts and comment, as time permits. If you manage a blog, you’ll understand.

As time continues to evaporate, I’m attempting to be more selective with my blog-reading. I’ve noticed there are several sites that seem like a present waiting to be opened. When I receive an email in my inbox that they have a new post waiting for me, I’m actually excited. I can hardly wait to click over and read what’s new in their world. So, not to minimize any of my other must-read blog sites, here is a list of some of my favorites, they are always entertaining. I won’t give them their due with my summary of each, but I can tell you this, you won’t be disappointed if you take the time to click over to their site.

Tone on Tone, Loi :: I clicked a link to Tone on Tone via Velvet Linen several months ago. Loi’s site never ceases to wow me with the beauty of his home, and the furnishings sold at their (his and Thomas’) antiques store. He features incredible photographs of some of the homes of friends and always shares entertaining ideas and inspires his readers. I should also add, he is generous with his time and almost always leaves thoughtful and fun comments on my blog site.

tone on tone 5th and State, Debra :: I can’t remember where I found the link to 5th and State, but I know it was sometime around the holidays the year I discovered the talented Debra. She has three stores in the Chicago area, is a landscape designer and leads tours through England, and still manages to post incredible pictures of her trips and ideas for landscape and outdoor space as well as some beautiful interior designs. When I get a comment from Debra I feel like I’m hearing from a dear friend!

christmas showhouse 5th and state For the Love of a House, Joan :: I cannot remember where I found this site either (it should actually be considered a ticket to an ongoing class on how to transform a historic, run down house into a beautiful, warm and inviting home. Dan and Joan are a husband and wife team that have created a fabulous home. They both approach each project with such thoughtful creative spirit, and offer inspiring ideas. Be sure to visit each room she has links for. Oh, and she’s had lunch with Bunny Williams, how cool is that? Joan often provides lists of her “must haves”. I would have to rate the items I’ve tried as 5 star tips!

Other must-read sites I’ve mentioned before: Victoria Elizabeth Barnes, French Kissed, Adventures of Tartanscot, Design Chic, Slim Paley…I love them all! A new blog I’m enjoying is written by my friend Whitney, her blog, Sandpaper and Silly Putty, is fresh, filled with creative ideas, and always inspires me.

You can see how this time-crunch problem developed. So many lovely and talented bloggers, so little time!

I don’t think Mary had these time related issues, do you?

This doesn’t mean I won’t discover new blog sites to love…its like window shopping, you sometimes find something you aren’t sure you can live without. You can subscribe, it’s free, and you can always unsubscribe if you don’t find yourself in sync with what they’re all about.

Blogging is such a pleasurable adventure, don’t you agree?

I’m off to Austin to spend Easter with my granddaughter, oh, and her parents! See you when I return. Have a glorious Easter and may spring provide plenty of sunshine for your celebration. Karen ♥

{Home, Garden} Flower arranging, in a vase or in the garden

20 Wednesday Mar 2013

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

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Spring flowers

{1}

Those of us that enjoy our gardens, especially in the U.S., are still anticipating the full glory of spring. I thought I’d provide you with a little inspiration by sharing some pretty flower arrangements for you to enjoy. Some are simple and some are elaborate, all are beautiful [i.m.h.o].

{2}

…come along, through the magical gate that will place us squarely in spring on the other side…

{3}

Where can I find fuchsia’s this color?

{4}

wouldn’t I love a hedge of hydrangea like this…

{5}

and ranunculus this color?

{6}

{7}

Oh, how I wish I lived where lilacs would grow.

{8}

{9}

{10}

This color (below) is one of Ina Garten’s favorites…

{11}

{12}

{13}

{14}

I’m not sure what kind of bulb this is but it’s pretty even before it blooms.

{15}

Spring’s bounty, flowering branches, pussy willow and some kind of seed pod.

{16}

And for my final floral contestant…possibly a wedding prop, dancing in one direction, dining in the other. Either way, I love the rusty old bicycle used for the flowers.

{17}

Source: 1-13, Tumblr Fresh as a Daisy; 14, Tumblr A Gift Wrapped Life; 15, Tumblr Love French Bulldogs; 16-17, Tumblr Looking for Rainbows in the Moonlight

Spring will be here (in the U.S.) any time now, in fact we’ve been teased with some warm days. Wait for it, it will give us all a lift of spirits and a new level of energy. ♥ Karen

I’m joining Savvy Southern Style for her Wow Us Wednesday and on Thursday, Stone Gable, Tutorials Tips and Tidbits

{GHP} Happy St. Patrick’s Day

17 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Holidays, Travel

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

St. Patrick's Day

I’d like to invite you to drop by my house this morning, Sunday, March 17th,

St. Patrick’s Day…

{1}

We’ll travel through the countryside of Ireland, I’ll drive…

{2}

{3}

We’ll stop and visit a few of the stately homes…

Note: This post is pure fantasy. As it turns out this lovely structure (below) is located in Wales {thanks, Rosemary}

Photograph by: Gareth Hughes

{4}

maybe even visit one that offer tours…

{5}

{6}

{7}

{8}

{9}

Since the weather is pleasant, I suggest we have lunch at an old church that has been converted into a restaurant.

{10}

The courtyard of the church has a lovely outdoor dining spot…

{11}

if it starts to rain we can eat in the sun room, equally lovely…

{12}

We have to try the restaurant’s specialty St. Paddy’s Day beverage, “Liquid Luck”…

{13}

Remind me to show you a favorite little tree house on the way back…

{14}

Here’s the key…

{15}

I know we’ll have fun visiting, enjoying lunch and laughing…I can’t think of a better way to spend the day! ♥ Karen

♣Happy St. Patrick’s Day♣

Source: {1, 5, 8, 9 – tumblr The Fullerview; 2, 3, 10, 12 – tumblr Wasping through the Countryside; 4, 6, 7 – tumblr Connoisseur; 11 – tumblr Simply Pix; 13, 14 – tumblr Looking for Rainbows in the Moonlight, 15 – tumblr Lavender Colored Glasses}

{Home} The scrapbook of your life

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

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

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

accessories

For a home to hold great appeal and interest for me it has to have a personality. In fact, my friend Linda recently read a quote from a designer, “I like to surround myself with things I love because I feel that my home is like a scrapbook of my life”. This sums it up nicely. That is where the personality of a home comes in. When done well, a home reads like a scrapbook of where someone has been, their interests, their history and their pursuits.

{source}

I’ve ~~lectured~~ posted on this topic before {HERE and HERE}, but I think we’re currently in the midst of a design trend that embraces the use of reclaimed, recycled and antique (previously owned) pieces and I couldn’t be happier for it. For me personally, it’s the ideal way to go ‘green’.

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Some of the treasures we love to accessorize with have gotten pricey, even when you can find it on eBay, but if you’re lucky, you have a few items handed down through family. Those are my favorites, although I’m not opposed to adding to the collection by a decade long search of each antique shop or thrift store I encounter on vacations.

Notice the wallpaper (below)…it looks to be antique newsprint, and that mirror, I can only imagine those that stole a glance at themselves as they passed it in a hallway or bedroom!

{source}

My father-in-law left us his binoculars in their original black leather case, the smaller pair were from a friend of my mother’s. All rest on the antique French coat rack in our hallway…at the ready for bird watching {joke}.

I believe furniture made from reclaimed woods can be found for reasonable prices, but I’ve seen some that out pace an antique, pricing wise.

{I think the above image is Restoration Hardware, but the antique prints make the wall sconces, mirrors, hanging light and vanity all look vintage or antique}

{Amy Howard via Cote de Texas}

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A closing post of a much loved blog site, Henhurst Interiors, 2.7.13 featured this quote “People who collect out of love are exempt from the dictates that govern traditional design, for there are no rules for true lovers.” – Rose Tarlow in The Private House ♥ Phyllis, we’ll miss you, I hope you will return to your blog sometime in the not too distant future.

{Party} Meatloaf, recipe variations

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, House and Home, Recipes

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

Meatloaf

As I mentioned in my Valentine’s Dinner post, meatloaf, especially in the winter months, is a comfort food…for some, not for me. It is one of Mr. B’s favorite meals and it used to be a favorite of my father’s. I can remember mom making a huge meatloaf and then we would eat meatloaf sandwiches for a couple of days after she served the beast.

{1770 House Meatloaf ~ Ina Garten, Foolproof}

Years ago, when my mom fixed meatloaf for Mr. B (shortly after we were married) on our drive home he said, “why don’t you ever fix meatloaf?” To which I stated, “because I don’t really care for it”…yep, I can be selfish that way. After giving it some thought I decided maybe it was my mom’s meatloaf that I really didn’t like (bless you, mom) so I began trying meatloaf recipes from a wide array of sources.

{source}

{Charlotte Moss}

I hit upon a recipe that I was certain couldn’t be rivaled in a 2001 Bon Appetit. The March issue featured a meatloaf called “Red-Onion Meat Loaf“. Since Mr. B loved red onion and I didn’t mind it I figured I’d give it a go. It’s a delicious recipe and I’ve given you the link so that you can easily print it and try it yourself.

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Then, a few years ago we were watching Bobby Flay’s Throw Down, on Food TV. He threw down for a meatloaf cook-off with the Collucci brothers of Hyannis, Mass. They have been serving their meatloaf recipe for generations at the Collucci’s 4 Brothers Bistro & Last Resort. I seem to remember that Bobby lost the throw down, but it was his recipe that sounded best to Mr. B. and I. I’ve been making the recipe ever since…until Ian Garten’s new Foolproof cookbook had a recipe for 1770 House meatloaf. I had to try it. It’s delicious but Mr. B, and fortunately, I agree that Bobby Flay’s recipe still wins our cravings, hands down.

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Click on the link for each recipe and give them a try if you and yours love meat loaf. I’ve included table settings to jazz things up a bit. Hey, if you’re going to eat you have to set the table, right?

{Martha Stewart ~ photo by Maura McEvoy}

Do you like meatloaf? If you have a wonderful recipe, I’d love to borrow it. I’m always searching for the next “best” meatloaf ever for my honey!

{Happy 40th Anniversary, Mr. B}

{Home} Take a load off

01 Friday Mar 2013

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

≈ 27 Comments

Tags

furniture

Chairs…we all have at least a few of them where we live, right? A couple of my best friends make a hobby of collecting them. I confess, I’ve become more fascinated with chairs and their overall design of late and if it weren’t for the fact that there isn’t one square inch of space left in our home, I could see myself buying a few of the beauties I’ve posted here.

{Possibly my favorite chair…the ottoman makes this a ideal spot for me to relax and read. The room is a south-facing room so it’s usually light and warm in the winter months}

{I have more than one version of the chair above, I love the wood wings on the chair and the slope of the back}

{The chairs on either side of the fireplace are inviting and appear to be comfortable}

{The leather and nail head wing back chair above is something I think could fit in almost anywhere—it’s got a wing-back look but doesn’t have the bulk of a wing back chair}

It was a great coincidence for me that I had started a folder of pictures of chairs in anticipation of writing a post about the topic. Alison of The Polohouse invited her readers to join her “Favorites on the First” with talk of chairs.
{I love it when the planets align!}

{Circa designs via heirloom philosophy}

{This club chair came from a consignment store years ago, it’s been recovered more than once, this Ralph Lauren fabric is the latest. The chair is very comfortable, just ask Madison (our dog) who spends most of her day in it!}