{Home} Neutral ground

12 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Paint Color, Renovating, Trends

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I’ve always enjoyed color. I admit, when we moved into our smallish home 30 years ago {I was but a child :-)} a designer friend of mine gave me some very good advice. She recommended that I choose a color palate and use it as a guide with each room. A small house, she explained, will feel more spacious if there’s some uniformity within the overall décor. {Thank you, Gretchen} I would say it has worked well for us. I’ve always kept the baseboards, door casings, raise paneled doors, paned windows and French doors painted the same white throughout the house (Antique White to begin with, Porcelain now).

Maybe the sofa IS looking a little tired, it’s not that old but it does see a lot of wear.

Overall I had a cohesive color scheme that originated with hunter green as the bold color for carpet and even the walls of the family room. Later, as we added oak wood flooring throughout, the carpet was changed to a neutral and kept only in the bedrooms. Years passed and I needed a change. I switched the color combination to red, khaki and black, and boldly painted our family room and kitchen Benjamin Moore, Classic Burgundy. That was probably over 15 years ago. I bet you can see where this is heading.

I’ve recently been attracted to neutral rooms. I don’t want to go overboard with a neutral palate, and with budget constraints and upholstered furniture that isn’t overly worn or in need of re-upholstery work, will remain as it is right now. But somewhere down the line I think I’d like the family room and kitchen walls painted a taupe/gray. I would also love to introduce a bit more blue and white. As you can tell from the photographs, I’ve got a few items but I could see blue and white ginger jars on the mantle, maybe a neutral sofa at some far-off date, with some blue and white tapestry or other fabric pillows.

Tina’s shop at The Enchanted Home had these lovelies:

…and the most recent online issue of Lonny Magazine featured Christy Ford’s home, the author of …and George blog…isn’t this lovely…

There’s been no end to the inspiring neutral rooms and as I said, I believe I’ll always want color but I would like a change, and with it, maybe some calm in my surroundings. Early inspiration came from fellow blogger Joan, for the love of a house. I found the room’s of her restored farm house to be what my mind’s eye had envisioned…

John Saladino creates an understated beauty with his simple and neutral rooms.

This next room (I believe I found the image on Cote de Texas) features burlap curtains, but it’s the casual comfort and neutral color palate the room displays that draws my attention.

I fell in love with Michael Bastian’s apartment when adventures in tartanscot shared some of the space with his readers.

This room from a post at The Enchanted Home has neutral and blue and white touches {sigh}

I would love beams in our home, I have one that was created when we remodeled but check this dining room found at Ivy Clad…so pretty AND neutral.

Any Pam Pierce room is beautiful, this one is especially remarkable.

Mary Ann at Classic Casual Home lives in California, as do I, and I’ve noticed she shares some beautiful rooms, many of them have this neutral look I’m talking about, like…

And this final image I can’t recall where it’s from, but it sure is pretty.

{via Maison Decor}

I will always lean towards some amount of color within the room’s decor, but I might be ready for a more neutral palate.

All input and opinions are welcome. Share your thoughts with me, I love our chats!

xo, Karen

I’ve attached the link to the image above, {thanks to my blog friend, Kifus, at Inspiring Interiors)

I’m visiting Savvy Southern Style at her Wow us Wednesday, join the fun.

{Home} Cottage rooms

07 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Cottages, Decorating

≈ 12 Comments

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Cottage rooms

I thought since posting the exterior images of many of my recent favorite cottages, I would do a post featuring some of the rooms you might see once your walk through the cottage door…

This neutral palate would make any living room comfortable and inviting, but the smaller size seems like something you’d find in a smaller/cottage-sized home.

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A small kitchen most certainly can be an efficient kitchen, like the one below.

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I loved this image for it’s clever use of the cabinet and counter; the table for two is so charming. Toile lined cabinets seal the deal for me.

This small bathroom is a favorite, the black and white framed photographs and the white seem so crisp and clean for the space.

{via}

Hubby had this Ikea chair (below) during a work assignment in Oakland some years ago. The Ikea ottoman has storage space in it and the chair is very comfortable.

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I like this idea, using the space between the studs in a wall for storage works well for this tiny bath. I haven’t incorporated this into any of our renovated space but I may one day!

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Isn’t this bedroom cute, love the paneled, slopping ceiling.

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Talk about making good use of space with clever storage solutions.

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Even a cottage can find room for a garden work bench…

{via}

…and room for doggies is a MUST!

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Maybe even a cat!

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There are always ways to save space and a small home/cottage forces me to be more creative with storage and to edit some of the “stuff” collected along life’s path. What do you think? I love hearing from you.

I’m over at No Minimalist Here today, stop by for a visit.

{Party} This was the inspiration…

05 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Party Planning

≈ 10 Comments

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Spring birthday dinner 2012

I’ve mentioned our “birthday group” before { HERE }. This year it was my turn to host the May birthday and weeks before the date I begin thinking about what the invitations might look like, the dishes I wanted to use and what color(s) the linens would be. If you entertain, even casually, you understand the best part of throwing a party is often the planning. Kind of like remodeling or renovating a room, planning brings pleasure.

Here is our table at a birthday dinner we hosted in May 2009. I had just inherited my grandmother’s beautiful violet strewn china pattern. A friend was able to find fabric patterned with violets {and she made a table runner for me, thank you Gretchen} and I used dried violets on the invitations and place cards (found at Paper Source).

I finally have all the images and details for this past strawberry strewn birthday dinner. The inspiration for the theme started with some very pretty invitations I had picked up on sale a few years back. [I forgot to take a picture, sorry] The invitations were a card stock image of a botanic wild strawberry with a vellum over-page. I have Wedgwood Wild Strawberry china so it was easy to determine which dinnerware I would use.

The table runner was a find from Home Goods (TJ Maxx). The soft green paisley picked up the leaf green in the plates.

Carla found these English daisies and delivered them for a touch of pinkish-red and white in the maiden hair fern planter.

I planted strawberry in four footed mini-urns…the strawberries didn’t ripen in time to be red, but you could make the connection in spite of that. 🙂

The octagon shaped glass plates were found by mom at a garage sale. She managed to buy 10 of the salad plates and one dinner plate for me for $10. I think of her when I use them, a sweet memory.

The menu was my next hurdle. I happened upon a great recipe for grilled / marinated pork tenderloin with balsamic and rosemary HERE and I had saved a recipe for balsamic reduction sauce for some time, so that made things easy. I served a new mashed potato dish I had recently tried out on Hubby, and prepared fresh roasted green beans.

Our little lute playing cherub, decked out with a rosemary wreath on her head—greeted guests as they arrived.

I’ll post recipes for the dinner in an upcoming post.

{Home} TV over the mantle

31 Thursday May 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Trends

≈ 19 Comments

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television

Not too long ago I posted some images of pretty rooms, no specific theme or particular area of the home, just some “Calorie free, eye candy”

This room designed by Daniel Brisset prompted me to look more closely and see if this trend is taking fireplace/television placement by storm.

This doggie is requesting the Animal Planet channel, please.

I brought up the question, what do we think about mounting a flat screen television over the fireplace?

So here’s some images I’ve found, I’d love to hear your thoughts on mounting a television over the fireplace.

This Veranda “Paris in Pebble Beach” feature showed us how an antique door from Burgundy, France could be installed to hide the television when not in use. I really like the room and the fireplace! {Photo :: Roger Davies} Sorry the image is small.

Then there’s this…if one TV is good, four must be better! [Note to self, do NOT let Hubby see this image]

I’m not completely sure how I feel about it. It seems practical in certain rooms and certainly convenient…if you’re watching something boring you can divert your eyes to the fireplace. If the fireplace is lit that works for me, I love watching a crackling, well laid fire; if the fireplace isn’t lit, not so much.

I guess the traditionalist in me loves a painting or mirror over the fireplace, and plenty of pretty accessories on the mantle.

Still, if this is the best alternative for a family room due to floor plan, I think I’d do it…

Let me know what you think…do you like the idea of a television over your mantle? Even if you don’t have a fireplace, share your thoughts with me, I love to hear from you.

I’m over at Sherry’s Open House ~ No Minimalist Here, if you’re looking for me.

and

Favorite on the First with Alison at The Polohouse

{Garden} Breakfast outdoors

29 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Gardens, Outdoor living, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 7 Comments

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cinnamon roll cake

I know I’m not alone in wanting to enjoy every possible minute outdoors before it gets too hot. So I plan to make an extra effort to announce to Hubby in advance that we’re going to be enjoying breakfast on the patio. {He responds so much better to change with advance notice}

To go along with dining outdoors, which always feel special, I’m sharing a recipe I found on a relatively new (to me) blog site. Pine Cones and Acorns is written by Elizabeth and she recently posted a recipe for Cinnamon Roll Cake. It is just what the title implies…the yummy goodness of a rich, buttery cinnamon roll in an easy, make-ahead, cake. That with a cup of steaming hot coffee and a bit of half and half and I’m in heaven.

Note: For original recipe visit the link above or below. I halved the recipe since I knew I was baking for 2 and I didn’t want to be forced to eat all of it and thereby gain 5 lbs. As a result, I cooked it in a loaf pan and baked it the night before. I glazed it the morning I served it. It was delicious!

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Recipe adapted from Pine Cones and Acorns

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour

1/8 tps salt

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 cup milk

1 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 Tb. butter, melted

2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 T flour

1 1/2 Tb cinnamon

nuts (optional)

Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1-2 Tb milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions for cake: With an electric mixer or stand-up mixer, mix flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Once combined well, slowly stir in 2 T melted butter. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan pan.

Directions for cinnamon mixture that goes in cake before baked: In a large bowl, mix the 1 stick of softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nuts (optional) until well combined. Drop evenly over cake batter by the tablespoon and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out nearly clean from center.

Directions for Glaze: Place powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Serve warm or (if you prepare it the night before) at room temperature.

But wait, there’s more, with this recipe I’m including some lovely outdoor dining tablescapes, compliments of hours of on-line searching by moi!

I realize that the images are showing tables with multiple place settings but I trust you can gather some inspiration and set your table for however many folks you are serving.

Don’t you love the little rock on each napkin to hold them if there’s a strong breeze? I also like the small galvanized cup holding a plant. You can get creative and informal outdoors, I say the more rustic the better.

I’ve always liked the idea of using throws when dining outdoors. I’ve even seen them priced so reasonably online.

How lucky are these people (below). I would love to have a body of water in my backyard to dine by. A stream, a lake, a pond…any of those would rock my world.

I really need to update my photo portfolio of my own patio table. This is the table we still use, but these are the “killer chairs” and now we have Kooboo wicker chairs.

Here’s the new chairs. Very comfy and relaxing.

A fireplace would be nice on a chilly morning, don’t you agree?

{via}

Do you have an outdoor dining space?

I’m visiting Fishtail Cottage for her garden party.

{Garden} Appreciating nature, my fine feathered friends

24 Thursday May 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Gardens, Misc

≈ 9 Comments

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Nature, nests

We’re off to Austin to do our first solo gig as babysitters for our sweet granddaughter. I’ve put a few posts in the queue and I’ll be back mid-week next week. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

xo, Karen

As we head towards a long weekend, hopefully for everyone, I thought you might have time to enjoy nature…it can be as simple as appreciating the sunset each evening, admiring the lake you may be skiing on, being thankful for the beach or the fabulous scents of pine while hiking or taking a relaxing walk in the forest, or you can observe with wonder the work of our fine feathered friends…

While reading the Sunday paper a couple of weeks ago an news article caught my eye due in part to the beautiful watercolor drawings associated with the feature. The piece, titled “A family’s strong nesting instinct” by Liesl Bradner, told of a family living in Ohio in the mid-1800’s and of their appreciation and love of the “natural world”. Genevieve “Gennie” Jones would ride with her country doctor father to visit patients and her father would discuss nature. This father-daughter practice ultimately resulted in the making of a book titled “America’s Other Audubon”. The fascinating story can be found HERE.

Smithsonian Institution Libraries on Display

…and all of the plates from the book can be viewed HERE.

Smithsonian Institution Libraries on Display

I realize it may seem as though I’m overly focused on birds lately, but I must admit, I do love watching them during these warmer months. They enrich the garden with their singing and chirping and hopefully they are devouring some of the insects that eat too freely of my flowers. 🙂

Smithsonian Institution Libraries on Display

I found a nest in our Cecile Brunner rose last fall…the birds had nested when the rose was filled with blossoms and leaves. I left it in hopes it would provide materials for another bird family.

{Note: Please ignore the saw fly holes in the leaves, I’m working on the problem}

We have lots of hummingbirds in our garden, they especially love the Mexican sage and lavender. We often think they arrive on cue, it almost seems they are asking us to keep it down, they are dining.

{via}

I have posted about the wren family* that lived in a decorative bird house in our garden, raised a family, sent them to flight school and returned a couple of months later to raise their second set of twins.

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Meanwhile, my roses are now finished with their first bloom cycle. Here are a few of the examples of the best of the lot during the initial spring bloom.

French Lace~ Hybrid Tea Rose

Iceberg Rose ~ considered by some to be “common” but they sure bloom a ton almost all year in Southern California.

This was a no-name rose I picked up at Lowe’s but the yellow is so pretty and the petals so plentiful, I really like it.

This (below) setting must be high rent for birds, so lush and green and peaceful.

{via}

I guess there might be birds that would truly appreciate this little house in the dead of winter! Brrrr!

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I enjoy seeing the use of nature’s best as decorative accessory in a home. If you can’t find nests in and around your yard, {and please make sure the owner is finished with the next before taking possession!} there are hobby shops that sell some realistic imitations.

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And, while I’m on the topic of appreciating nature, while in Austin last month the in-laws took me to a restaurant in San Marcos, just outside of Austin, where this 100+ year old oak tree greets all who visit. Majestic!

San Marcos, Texas

How’s nature in your region? Do you have birds or other creatures visiting your yard this time of year? I love hearing from you!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day, take a minute to be thankful we live in a nation that has been kept safe thanks to those that fight and sometime fall for our freedom.

*By the way, if you click the link to my story about the wren family we housed in our birdhouse, please note that this was my earliest days of blogging and I wasn’t sure how to put an image into the post, so one post has the image of the wren house and one post has the story. 🙂 Oh how far we’ve come.

I’m joining the Garden Party at Fishtail Cottage, have a look.

{Party} Chicken fajitas recipe and dining al fresco

22 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 3 Comments

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chicken fajitas

Happy Tuesday!

Since the warm weather has been visiting on and off, each warm day reminds me how enjoyable easy summer living can be. I love eating outdoors and when the meal is simple, that adds to the enjoyment.

unknown

I have included (below) a standby recipe in our house. This is so simple and yet so tasty and while it’s not health food, it is definitely pretty low in fat grams (not that I worry about those pesky things). 🙂

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If you add a couple of courses to the fajitas, it makes for a fun, summer meal for guests. The possibilities are endless.

As the warm weather visits with more frequency I thought I’d include some delightful table settings, al fresco. Enjoy!

Beef-and-Chicken Fajitas with Peppers and Onions Recipe

Chicken Fajitas ~ Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (a store bought roasted chicken may be substituted)
3 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 yellow onion, skinned, halved and sliced thin
1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced thin
1 tablespoon chili powder (or more to taste)
1 teaspoon Lawry’s seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)
Fajita sized flower tortillas (corn tortillas may be substituted*), warmed just before serving in microwave
salsa, guacamole, chips are good accompaniment items.

Instructions:

Rub chicken breasts with 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in a baking dish in 375° for 20-30 minutes, or until done (do not overcook). Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly.

While chicken is roasting heat large skillet with remaining 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil. Add onion and pepper slices and spices, cook over medium heat until soft, about 10-15 minutes. Shred chicken (or if using store bought roasted chicken remove skin, bones and shred) and add chicken and broth from baking (if oven baked at home) to pan with onion and peppers. Cook until hot, about 5 minutes over medium high heat. Serve on warmed tortillas with salsa, and any toppings preferred. We sometimes top with salsa, shredded cheddar or a fresh avocado slice.

Notes

*Corn tortillas tend to tear but they are a little healthier for you.

I sometimes serve with Spanish rice and/or some Bush’s Grillin’ Black Bean Fiesta beans.

This recipe can be easily doubled for a crowd.

Images: 1-3 Party Resources; 4 Providence Ltd. Design; 5 Vignette Design;
6 My Recipes

{GHP} Cottage love

17 Thursday May 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Architects & Builders, Collections & Accessories, Travel

≈ 10 Comments

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Carmel by the Sea, cottage, Fairytale Cottages

♥What I love about the blogosphere is that there is something for everyone, literally. If you are so inclined you can find blog sites that cater to the mansion owner {or the dreamer who dreams of one day living in one}, the industrious do-it-yourself artists, those who live on a ranch or farm, city dwellers and last but not least, cottage lovers. Trust me, I’ve only hit a few of the themes, but you get what I’m saying, right?
There is room (no pun intended) in my heart for admiration of a little of each of the above, but when push comes to shove, I prefer the cottage and the smaller rooms that generally accompany that.

Haus Design

Home Bunch

5th & State

I’m sure that a psychologist might say I need the security of close environs. I’m not sure there is anything to that other than a subconscious draw to cozy and quaint. I appreciate good design whether it’s been achieved in a spacious room or home, or a small one, but when I stumble upon a smaller home, layered with antiques, comfortable and inviting furnishings, I swoon.

A rose growing over the front door only works to seal the deal…

{The image above was taken by the talented Trish of Trouvais. This lovely cottage is in Montecito, California}

Laguna Beach ~ photo by Linda Yvonne, flickr

Hubby and I were both born and raised on the west coast, Southern California to be exact, and early in our marriage we discovered the charming town of Carmel. It has been a favorite weekend getaway since before we had our children. It remains top on our list of destinations, in fact it has always been a bit of a dream to live there one day. The Fairytale Cottages are amazing and I enjoy taking pictures each visit.

I love the shingles that are made to look like thatching…

Fairytale Cottage ~ photo by Linda Yvonne

Fairytale Cottage ~ photo by Andreas Graemiger, flickr

Raindrop Cottage, Carmel ~ Linda Yvonne, flickr

For more detailed information about the Fairytale Cottages built by Hugh Comstock visit HERE

“I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give.”

~ Thomas Jefferson

What are your thoughts on this? No right or wrong answer, just a preference!

Join me at No Minimalist Here open house party…she features a lovely home in New Orleans!

{Home} No calorie eye candy

15 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Misc

≈ 13 Comments

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pretty rooms

I’ve gone off the reservation lately with my overabundance of posts on the joy of being outdoors, communing with nature. I’ve even covered gates, picnics, bird baths and exterior front doors!

I think it’s time I came indoors and shared some of the pretty rooms I’ve encountered in my perusing of the world wide blog land ♥♥♥

This entry is one of the prettiest I’ve seen in awhile. The doggies only add to its beauty as far as I’m concerned. I think the small doggie closest to the door is a Border Terrier (a cousin to my little ~~terror~~ terrier mix).

Providence Ltd.

Look at the detailing on the interior around the door, isn’t it beautiful. I love a Dutch door for a front door (we’re lucky enough to have one).

Unknown

The sconces, the antique mirror, books and decorative accessories, what’s not to love? Old world finishes are a favorite and this image has great examples of that.

Kay O’Toole ~ Cote de Texas

I really like this room, the wood paneling gives the room a comfortable “country” vibe, while the palladian-style windows over the french doors and the carved piece above the TV gives the room a history and elegance. I’m not sure how I feel about a TV over the fireplace. We’ll have to have an open panel discussion sometime.

Daniel Brisset

Kitchens in general always get my attention, but this one is striking with the charcoal walls and cream cabinetry. I love the lamps on the island.

Unknown

A bathroom fit for a princess.

Phoebe Howard

There’s always something fresh and inviting about a mostly white room…

Little Emma English Home

This is a study/office I could get comfortable in.

Ship and Anchor ~ tumblr

And the pretty room below belongs to Son #2 and his lovely fiance. They have purchased their first home!

I hope this has been entertaining for my dear readers who share my passion for wonderful decorating…I have been a little distracted with spring and the great outdoors but will return to focusing on inviting rooms.

{GHP} Happy Mother’s Day

10 Thursday May 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Decorating, Family, Flowers, Holiday/Seasonal cooking

≈ 14 Comments

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Mother's Day

Parenting is not a duty. It is a privilege and an opportunity; A journey of self-discovery. -Becca Glouzstein

Charles Faudree ~ French Country Living

Oh for the clothing of earlier mom’s!

I lost my mom nearly two years ago to the day. I really never thought about what life would be without her, I miss her.

Since we’re going to celebrate MOTHERS this coming Sunday I thought I would share images that seem to reflect a feminine side to life as it pertains to home life and decor. As a mom, I feel blessed to have two wonderful sons and a wonderful daughter-in-law, with another lovely lady to join our family this December!

Donna Talley

Mary McDonald

The Paper Mulberry

Ralph Lauren Home

So, if you’re lucky enough to have a mom, especially one that lives nearby, be sure to treat her to a relaxing day filled with thoughtful deeds and loving gestures.