Fall is a new beginning…

15 Friday Oct 2010

Posted by in Entertaining, Food

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

,

Does anyone remember that little book by Joan Walsh Angland titled “Spring is a new beginning”?

This is such a sweet book!

I digress—Hubby and I are empty-nesters once again.  Son #2 has been living with us most of this past year when stability with his employer’s company seemed uncertain.  I’m happy to report the company has made a turn for the better so Son #2 is moving in with a couple of buddies he’s known since 2nd grade…history with friends is such a great thing.

Son #2 even tolerated the toile quilt, what a good sport!

Since we’ll have our Guest Room back I look forward to a good “spring fall cleaning” and a purge of unnecessary items.  I’ll also move my wrapping paper and ribbon back in that room (which will make hubby very happy since it currently sits in close proximity to his work bench)…it must be a guy thing.

I shop the after Christmas sale at Container Store every year with my friend, Debbie. I do have wrap for occasions other than Christmas.

Looks like my ribbon drawer could use some attention.

As with any new beginning—I’ve laid out plans for a few changes and I’ve decided one of those changes will be a plan to cook 1 new recipe (new to me) each week.  I’ve always thought that even if I NEVER bought another new cookbook, which isn’t going to happen, I’d never be able to cook all of the recipes I have amassed.  Besides Junior League cookbooks (which I almost always love, regular folks cooking good eats), Barefoot Contessa, Ian Garten, is probably one of my favorites!

That said, I prepared Coq a Vin from her (BC) Back to Basics last Saturday—hubby loved it.  I thought it was good but not great (my problem with it was that it tasted very much like beef stew only a little less full-bodied due to the chicken.

My walking buddies said I couldn’t post the recipe because my blog should only feature recipes that I love!  Anyway, I’m posting a recipe that I have never prepared before (how is that better you ask? Don’t know, but this recipe has been on my list for several weeks).  It was given to me by a friend who obtained it from a little inn in Italy (how romantic is that?) and she said she has prepared it for lots of dinner guests and the reviews are always wonderful.

So here goes…if you prepare this before me, please let me know what you think.  Once fall weather returns (it’s been a balmy 80+ degrees this past week) I’ll cook this…unless you tell me it’s awful (which will save me lots of time, so please report if it’s a winner! 🙂

Image via Google search for Lasagna Bolognese...looks delicious, doesn't it?

Lasagne Al Forno Recipe

From Felicita

Hotel Pasquale

Monterosso al mare

Cinque Terre, Italy

(My friend Linda’s comments are in parentheses)

Ingredients for 6 people

100 grams of flour  (3/4 cup)

100 grams butter  (4oz)

One liter milk  (4 1/3 cups)

A bit of salt

80 grams of powdered Parmesan cheese (2/3 cup, grated cheese)

In one pan put butter, flour, salt and stir together for five minutes.  Then add milk on medium heat.  It must boil until the sauce is smooth.  Remove from the heat, add powdered Parmesan cheese and mix Parmesan and sauce.

Place in one pan a first layer of besciamella sauce, then a layer of lasagna (cooked pasta sheet) and alternate lasagna and besciamella sauce for five layers.  Cover the last layer with besciamella.

Bake in the oven at 160 degrees (325 degrees F, covered with foil)

When you take off the pan from the oven you can put on the top pesto sauce or Bolognese sauce.

Have a good meal.

Felicita (the chef at the inn in Italy)

Happy Friday!

What says Country French design to you?

13 Wednesday Oct 2010

Posted by in Antiques, Decorating

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

I have only been to France once.  I visited Paris 20 years ago and haven’t had the opportunity to return!  Even though my visit was brief it began a long-standing crush on all things French and peaked my interest in Country French interiors.  Up until then I was headed towards the English Country style.  {Our home is a combination of French and British influences, two of my favorite places to visit}

Image via Sandra Malters

I believe I got a sense of what a visit to the French countryside would be like after reading Peter Mayle’s first two books on the subject, “A Year in Provence” and “Encore Provence”.  Note:  When I visited Amazon to borrow their image of the book jacket I realized Peter Mayle has a few more books about life in the south of France that I may want read.

I’ve oohed and ahhhed over Charles Faudree, Betty Lou Phillips and Linda Dannenberg images (to name but a few of the experts on the subject with books that will inspire you).  Still, I believe I’ve come to the conclusion that the French style is less a “look” but more a “feeling” one senses when you see it.  You just know it when you walk into a room that feels Country French.

There are plenty of talented souls in blog land that nail the look; Jermaine at French Kissed provides images of rooms she has styled that speak the language, and Cote de Texas often features rooms you’d swear were on location in a country house in the south of France.

A recent post on French Kissed---love the candlesticks.

I love the French screen and settee.

Cote de Texas recently posted this picture from Cabbages and Roses new book; I love the subtle gray tones in the room.

I believe this room could go either way, the buffalo-check and transfer ware plates could be English or French.  Its an inviting style that makes me want to take a break and read for awhile.

Image via BHG

The stone fireplace looks very Country French, doesn't it?

I love the symmetry of this vignette.   The French chalk ware figure add interest, as well as the basket under the side board.

I love the Trumeau mirror above the fireplace, so classic.

The above image could be comfortable and inviting  in a variety of home styles, English, Italian, or French!  I do love the stone floors and pan rack.

Even a little French bistro chair can add just the right amount of Country French to any space!  What says French style to you?

Avoir une belle journée, profitez de votre maison [have a lovely day, enjoy your home]

Trends in upholstery fabric

11 Monday Oct 2010

Posted by in Decorating, DIY (do it yourself), Trends

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

,

Trends [current style; the popular taste at a given time] tend to come and go so I typically don’t try to keep up with every little thing in vogue.   In part because I’m a person that likes change in my surroundings but I keep the bulk of my changes to seasonal accessories and re-purposing items I already own.  I change out upholstery and wall coverings when the room or item is old enough to warrant it.

This sofa may not be drop cloth upholstered but the canvas slip covers share the look.

Image via Country Living

I would say my design model is Traditional with a cottage/country leaning.  I prefer European influenced furnishings and accessories, but because our home is relatively small the cottage look is very appealing.  The traditional style leans towards furnishings that supposedly never really go out of style.  Maybe?

A trend I’ve noted in blog land and shelter magazines is the use of fabrics that aren’t manufactured to be ‘upholstery fabric’ in the strictest definition of the word.  I’m talking about Home Depot/Lowe’s canvas drop clothes.  There are even tutorials out there for the ambitious and talented do-it-yourself person.  I love the simplicity of white drop cloth upholstered chairs and benches.

Mustard Seed Creation covered this little bench and gave it a grain sack look with paint, including her initials...so cute.

Miss Mustard Seed's dining room chairs look amazing---bet you wouldn't guess that this is made with drop cloth!

Marian over at Mustard Seed Creations has covered several pieces of furniture with these drop clothes and they look amazing.  Visit HERE to read her instructions for making slipcovers for chairs using drop cloth.

This is another chair that the talented Miss Mustard upholstered. (I don't believe I could tackle this project but I have an upholstery guy that could do it if I provide the drop cloth.

Another favorite design-site is Brooke’s Velvet & Linen. Brooke recently wrote about a beautiful chair her husband designed called the Clive.  The first chair was covered in drop cloth fabric—it looks so amazing.

The Clive chair is so pretty, especially in this particular room.

Osnaberg fabric is another fabric not originally meant to grace a lovely wing back or cover an ottoman.  Osnaberg got it’s humble start as a loosely woven fabric designed to transport dry food…essentially the fabric originated in Osnabruck, Germany and it’s coarse but strong thread count was used for feedsacks, among other things.

Another fabric that is receiving exposure is burlap—A Country Farmhouse used a runner on their newly remodeled dining room that looks like it could be washed burlap.  The effect is so pretty…less really is more!

Isn't this a pretty room? I love it's light and simplicity.

Most of us have seen and loved the French grain-sack pillows/cushions that are so popular right now—they are earthy and appealing in homes around the globe.  Isn’t the whole global market amazing?  You can find sites that offer tutorials on how to apply words and pictures to fabric that provide the same look as some of the more costly grain sack cushions…this, in the words of MS, is a good thing!  A recent post by the charming site:  Ticking and Toile offered a tutorial HERE.

This is one of the many grain sack pillows sold by Ticking & Toile.

I love these pillows, not sure where I can use them but still...{dream}

Are you using/or have you used any of the above mentioned fabrics on any projects in your home?  I want to use the drop clothes for something, not sure what just yet.

Working my way thru Barefoot Contessa’s Back to Basics cookbook

08 Friday Oct 2010

Posted by in Entertaining, Food, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

,

As I mentioned previously, Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) has a new cookbook coming out titled, “How easy is that?” on October 26th.

I’ve linked to Amazon for the book but only because it was where I borrowed the images from.

When I read about her new book I suddenly realized that I had started out cooking out of her last cookbook, “Back to Basics” with great enthusiasm and then I got busy or something.  I hate making excuses, not very good at it.  In any event, I decided that between now and the 26th, I would start preparing a few recipes each week from book #6 (BtB).

Last evening I prepared Mustard-Roasted Fish.  I’ve posted the recipe below (courtesy of foodTV website). The only modifications I made was to use Trader Joe’s frozen tilapia (they didn’t have red snapper) and it was delicious.  The sauce is mild but flavorful and, the best part, this recipe is super easy.  I made her Roasted-Broccoli Parmesan which was also very easy and tasty.  You can find the recipe HERE.

Mustard Roasted Fish

Fish (Barefoot Contessa, Back to Basics)

—————————————————————————————————————————————-

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 (8-ounce) fish fillets such as red snapper
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 ounces crème fraiche
  • 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 2 teaspoons drained capers

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. (You can also use an ovenproof baking dish.) Place the fish fillets skin side down on the sheet pan. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.

Combine the crème fraiche, 2 mustards, shallots, capers, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Spoon the sauce evenly over the fish fillets, making sure the fish is completely covered. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish, until it’s barely done. (The fish will flake easily at the thickest part when it’s done.) Be sure not to overcook it! Serve hot or at room temperature with the sauce from the pan spooned over the top.

Make your kitchen seem larger than it is

06 Wednesday Oct 2010

Posted by in Renovating

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for small homes—maybe it’s me romanticizing the whole “cottage” idea.  That said, I love to cook and the one room in my house I wish were larger is my kitchen.  I was able to remodel my kitchen in 2003 but budget constraints made it necessary to keep the same foot print.  My friend and kitchen designer, Sotera, helped us maximize the storage and space available and the kitchen works well.

As you can see, my kitchen is what I believe is called a "galley" kitchen; really best if there is only 1 cook in the kitchen as one time.

My little desk sits beside the pantry, which was made to look like a piece of furniture, a look I really like. (Pantry picture is below this picture.

I'm afraid my photography doesn't do this justice. The pantry is painted black with some detailing that makes it look like a hutch. It holds everything we need including a few decorative pieces behind the glass.

There used to be a bank of cupboards above the counter that faced the family room. We took those down to open the space between the kitchen and family room, something that seems to make the kitchen feel larger.

So I read with interest the Better Homes and Garden, “Weekly Home Improvement Newsletter” by Alicia Warden, Assistant Editor of Home Improvement, which was sent via email last week.  The title of the piece is “How to make a Small Kitchen Look Larger”.

I do love white kitchens.Right out of the shoot my kitchen failed the first suggestion, paint your kitchen white but I do see the wisdom of having a white kitchen if you are limited on space.  As BHG states, “White is your best friend in a small kitchen. It reflects the light, which enhances the sense of space and makes the walls seem to recede”.  As these pictures demonstrate, there is wisdom in those words!

A surprise suggestion (for me) was to remove the doors on upper cabinets or add glass front cabinets.  I love open shelves but I didn’t realize it would help make a kitchen look larger.

Minimal window covering is another great tip, let there be light.  That and borrow space from another room (by opening your kitchen to another space)—we did that and I admit, most of our friends who first viewed our remodeled kitchen thought for sure we had increased the floor space.

Another idea was to add a mirror, framed or as a back splash.  I think the back splash idea would be a challenge to keep clean but I’m here to tell you a mirror in the room can make a difference.  Hubby and I once visited a charming, small restaurant in Laguna Beach and the mirrored wall tricked my hubby—he backed his chair up and when he looked over his shoulder he mistakenly thought there was someone he had bumped into.  It was his reflection! {smile}

I love this idea, carve out storage.  I would like to try this when we get around to remodeling our guest bathroom.  It makes sense and looks to be something that wouldn’t be horribly expensive.  Eliminating clutter is a no-brainer but sometimes harder than it seems, especially in a kitchen—what do you do with your coffee maker, toaster, and espresso machine?  Okay, I HAVE heard of appliance “garages” but in a very small kitchen that is a luxury that might take up too much space.

Lastly, make doors disappear.  Using French doors or frosted glass doors as opposed to solid doors opens up the room and makes it feel lighter and more open.

I hope you have an enormous kitchen but if you don’t try some of these tips and see how much more room it will seem you have.  What do you think?  Any ideas for those of us with “cottage kitchens”?

If you’d like to visit this site click HERE.  All images via Better Homes & Gardens

A weekend in Austin

04 Monday Oct 2010

Posted by in Food

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

,

When I got back from a whirlwind extended weekend in Austin I planned to post about my trip right away—alas, this is a couple of weeks late but I hope you enjoy reading about some of the delicious places my son and his lovely wife introduced me to…

I was invited to a baby shower in honor of my lovely daughter-in-law.  Work obligations shortened my trip to 4 days, but the 4 days were chock full of fun and I’m thrilled I was able to go.

One of my daughter-in-laws friends made this diaper cake...see the tine tennis shoes on the cake---it's actually made from real diapers. Amazing.

The shower provided a delicious array of foods prepared by one of the hostesses...I'm here to tell you I sampled one (or more...much more) of everything and it was all fabulous.

There were tulips on the beverage table and I love the blue glasses!

Son #1 and his lovely wife seem to seek out the most amazing places for us to eat.  So I’m passing the names, and where possible the links, to these restaurants and cafes—enjoy.

A favorite “tradition” has been established with a visit to Torchy’s Tacos once I’m off the plane…I’ve posted about this place before and it’s still as tasty as ever.  The location we visit (there is a more conventional sit-down location in the city as well, but I love the trailer park place) is a trailer in a food trailer park—an unusual concept for Southern California but in Austin this is a hot trend that seems to work!

I don't know the person whose head I've captured in the left corner of this picture but I think the logo to Torchy's is cute and it was the only photo I took so bear with me.

For excellent coffee and French pastry we visited Le Boite, another trailer, with simply fresh pastry and amazing lattes.

One of my favorite places to visit when in Austin is Book People.  The store is a 2 story building with great books, obviously, but they also have one of the best selections of greeting cards and note cards I’ve ever encountered.

We had lunch at Food Heads one afternoon---the restaurant in located in a former house and features an amazing array of sandwiches and salads.

We had dinner at a hip/happening’ place on 6th street in Austin called Parkside.  As you can see from the menu, you are in for an exceptional and unique dining experience.  DIL and I had the risotto, which was memorable.  (sorry, no picture).

My final day of my brief visit was with my DIL’s mom, Linda.  She treated me to lunch at Eastside Cafe (another restaurant utilizing a former home).  The restaurant is known for growing many of their own vegetables and they have an exotic (at least to this city girl) array of chickens—they use the eggs for a variety of menu items.  We “grandma to be” gals loved our lunch and the stroll around the grounds afterward.

Wouldn’t it be fun to own your own chickens?  Maybe they’re a lot more work than it seems but I think I’d like to be able to harvest my own farm fresh eggs from my own back yard.

My visit, as always, was so much fun and I love Austin!

A Blue and White birthday

01 Friday Oct 2010

Posted by in Entertaining, Food, Party Planning

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

I may have told you before; we enjoy a group of friends (5 couples, including hubby and me) that we call “The Birthday Group”.  Each couple hosts 1 birthday celebration for 2 of our “members” each year.

Stay with me…this year its my turn to host Carla and Wendy’s birthdays, two of my nearest and dearest.  The ladies in the group select names from a hat in December during our annual Christmas Caroling evening (but more about that  later) so we know well in advance what month we will be responsible for a birthday celebration dinner.

I ended up making the invitations since the blue card stock and envelopes were on sale at a party store “Where’s the Party“.  I used blue ink on plain paper for the invitation body and simply glued it to the card stock.  Note:  I thought I had taken a picture of the invitation before I sent them out but cannot find them in my photo file, sorry.

The invitation I made was pretty simple, not nearly as cute as this one from Paper Source, but they were very tailored and worked just fine.

Since I seem to be on a blue and white kick I decided to take my inspiration for the table setting from one of my good friends, Carol, as well as the impressive Carolyne Roehm [A Passion for Blue and White].

Carolyne Roehm's blue and white table setting was 1 of 2 inspirations.

Below are pictures of my table setting—I had fun with the blue and white vases and the Chinese Emperor that kept a stately watch on our dinner.

Note to self:  Must continue to practice photography!  I can only get better, right?

(I borrowed the vases from Carol, who had set this table for a ladies lunch back in February)

As hostess, I am only responsible for the main course portion of the meal and the birthday girls… Carla and Wendy, requested a recipe I’ve made before (see below for recipe).

MENU:

Appetizers: 2 delicious appetizers were provided by Linda

Linda prepared this Salsa Cheesecake which was so delicious. She served it with tortilla chips and a variety of crackers that complimented the wonderful flavors of salsa and creamy cheesecake goodness. She also made an amazing guacamole to go with the Salsa Cheesecake...yummy.

Entrée: Pistachio-crusted Chicken with Herbs and Mustard-Cream Sauce;

...must work on food photography. This is the Pistachio crusted chicken as it came out of the skillet. Too busy plating everything to remember to get a picture of the chicken with the sauce applied and the lovely garnish of two chives. Oh well, you get the jest of it, right? My guests seemed to enjoy!

Roasted potatoes — sorry, no picture (potatoes were absent on picture day)

Fresh Asparagus

I blanched the asparagus and then just before serving dinner I re-heated it in a little butter with salt and pepper and a squeeze (just one) of lemon juice.

Dessert: Brownie sundaes with ice cream and assorted toppings

Pistachio-crusted Chicken with Mustard Cream Sauce

(adapted from a recipe from Bon Appetit/June 1998)

———————————————————————————————-

Ingredients

  • 1 cup shelled raw pistachios (about 4 ounces)
  • ½ cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • Oil for sautéing chicken
  • Mustard Cream Sauce (recipe below)

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°.  Finely grind nuts in processor.  Add panko and blend, using on/off turns.  Transfer to shallow baking dish.  Spread Dijon mustard over both sides of chicken breast.  Dip chicken into nut/panko mixture, coating completely.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add 2 chicken breasts to skillet and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.  Transfer chicken to baking sheet.  Remove any leftover nuts from skillet and repeat process with remaining 2 breasts, adding more oil if necessary.  Bake chicken until cooked through, about 10 minutes.  Spoon mustard-cream sauce over chicken and serve immediately.

Mustard-Cream Sauce

Ingredients

  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • ¼ cup chopped shallots
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Preparation Instructions

Boil white wine and shallots in a heavy medium saucepan over high heat until liquid reduces by half, about 3 minutes.  Reduce heat to medium-high.  Add whipping cream and simmer until reduced to 1 cup, about 2 minutes.  Add Dijon mustard and simmer 2 minutes to blend flavors.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

*I doubled the recipe but added enough chicken breasts to have 1 for each guest.

Just another fall day

29 Wednesday Sep 2010

Posted by in Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Food

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

, ,

Since FALL is one of my favorite seasons (I love SPRING equally; I feel a bit guilty that I don’t love SUMMER and only like WINTER!)  I thought I’d post these images that I stumbled upon while visiting various blog sites that I love.

Alright all of you traditionalists, have you ever bought one of these beautiful blue-gray pumpkins? They really are beautiful. Image via Country Living

There is something wonderful about fall's natural bounty on an antique table that just feels like home. Image via Country Living

Doesn't this image conjure up a hike on a brisk, fall day? We Southern California folks might have to endure a Santa Ana condition (warm winds) but a girl can dream, right? Image via Country Living

If YOU love FALL you may be inspired to put out some pumpkins, bake a pumpkin bread (recipe below) or curl up with a good book…OR, if you’re like most in my family, watch football!

Fight on!

Note regarding this recipe:  My friend Alison has a wonderful blog site called paper{whites} and she posted about this pumpkin bread which came from a site Tulips & Flight Suits—I knew the recipe had to be good when “Tulips” says that she believes this recipe is 40% of the reason her husband married her! 🙂

Pumpkin Bread

Bread (found on Tulip & Flight Suits via paper{whites} )

——————————————————————————–

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/4 cup pumpkin pie puree (Libby’s)
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat oven to 350° F. Oil a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin pie filling, oil, sugar, syrup, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Slowly stir the flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture.

Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack for 10 minutes. Using a knife, loosen the bread from the pan. Serve warm. Can also be frozen

Planning ~ Dreaming

27 Monday Sep 2010

Posted by in Renovating

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, ,

plan – 1.  to devise a scheme for doing, making or arranging  2.  to have in mind as a project or purpose;   dream – a fond hope or aspiration

Cart before the horse…I’m always dreaming of the next “thing” (code for project) I’d like to do to my home.  The project list is long and money (money being the horse in this whole cart horse scenario)  is usually the only hiccup in starting on that project, but that doesn’t stop me.  I’m forever thinking of things I’d like to do to our home.  I know some you must feel the same way—when you love doing something it occupies your thoughts more often than not, right?

Oh yeah, this is on the list as well---I've even talked to a friend who is a contractor and he said it wouldn't be that difficult to build!

That said, I was reminded recently how dreaming it is only the first step in the process, duh.

Carol and Barry, good friends of ours, recently did a major remodeling job on their home.  It took months of working with an architect to determine how the exterior of the home would change, to how each room within the new space would work.  Carol is an exercise buddy and know how much time and energy went into the planning process for her remodel, but it was only the tip of the iceberg.

I'd love a little playhouse in the back yard. Image via House Beautiful

As the construction began there were additional details and decisions that had to be made—what kind of hardware for the cabinetry, appliances for the kitchen, flooring, paint color, tile selection, marble/granite, finish on the floors, carpet (where used), lighting and on and on.

The learning curve is very steep on a major remodel, kind of like the learning curve on planning a wedding—there are always things that come up that are somewhat unexpected.

Love the wood walls. Image via KML Design

A recent guest blog on one of my favorite sites, Velvet & Linen, was given by Interior Designer Gwen Driscoll and it addressed this very topic.  She said that she feels the most important part of her work with a client is A MASTER PLAN.  Read her feature HERE.

…and my point you ask?  I believe that dreaming about the next big project could be very helpful if and when that lottery money arrives (no, I don’t actually buy lottery tickets but maybe I should).   I’ll have some of the planning done and be better equipped to remodel that guest bathroom that is currently in a sad state to be sure!

I've priced vanities, mirrors, wall sconces and hardware for this bathroom...now all I need is the money, easy-peasy!

Note:  I’m happy to report that my friend’s house is close to being finished and I believe it’s going to be amazing.  I hope to talk her into a few pics for my blog!

Red rooms vs. white rooms

24 Friday Sep 2010

Posted by in Decorating, DIY (do it yourself)

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

,

I don’t think I’ve ever thought of myself as a “follower”; in fact I’ve usually thought that if anything, I had the ability to be a “leader”—although I don’t especially like to be in charge so maybe that whole “leader” thing is something I imagined about myself, or my mom told me I was a leader when she wanted me to do something…(Moms can be clever that way).

Hold that thought—so about 1 ½ years ago, when I seriously discovered the wide world of blog sites that featured interior design (a self-admitted passion (interiors) since I was a pre-teen) I have found myself torn between what I like and what I think I might like due to the influence of others.

I’ve never been afraid of color in rooms…my family room exhibits this fact.

White is my accent color in my family room.

Red anyone?

But—I love this look.  I keep thinking of rooms that I could change to create this look.  What do you think?  Can a girl who is usually thrilled with the drama of a red family room ever find true love in a white room?

There is something so fresh about white wood and white dishes.

Image via a Better Homes and Gardens piece on French rooms...so pretty, love the symetry.

I first saw this image on Melissa Michael's site, The Inspired Room. Image via Country Living

My friend, Alison, over at paper{whites} once posted that white was her favorite color, I can see why.

I love the white table and chairs and the white salt/pepper grinder.

Layla Palmer at The Lettered Cottage redid their dining room wall—how great is this, white never looked so good.

Layla & her talented husband created this dining room in white. Visit the link to see how they did this...amazing talent!

Things that Inspire did a post about choosing a fireplace mantle for her home and most of the rooms were shades of white {ohhh, sigh}.

I realize the walls aren't white-white but the overall effect is soothing with white chairs and white fireplace.

A Country Farmhouse just redid her dining room.  I love the clean lines and brightness of this room.  Her whole house is so fresh.

A Country Farmhouse has an incredible house---most of her rooms are white. This reminds me of the "less is more" philosophy.

Then I stumble across these images and I think, I must have some red in my house.  Don’t get me wrong, I only have a red family room/kitchen.  I haven’t gone completely overboard.  But I do love red.

Image via Better Homes and Gardens---too much for a small space? Maybe.

I'm not sure I'm bold enough to put red on the wood (mostly because I'd be afraid I'd tire of it and it would cost a lot of money to re-do, right?

Faithful friends/readers will already know that I love toile and red is just fine, thank you.

Ditto.

See, I’m really attracted to white, but I love other colors (red, blue & white, black, taupe, gray) too.  Wait, am I whining?  Maybe just a little—I just love so many beautiful rooms and I’d have to have a 30-room house to accommodate all of them!  What do you do when you see something you love but aren’t sure is really YOU?