Friday, August 31, 2012

Elephant Rescue Attempt

This elephant appears to be trying to reach out to the stranded cat. How sweet. I hope there was a happy ending. via

Fountain and Flowers

This photo is almost too beautiful for words. via

DUTCH DOOR

This entrance hall is so beautiful. I love the big windows on either and the transom lights above. I would love to see this from the outside looking in, wouldn't you? via

Webster and The Oatmeal Pot

This is Webster's version of breakfast in bed.

Early Morning Light on My Fireplace

Happy Friday everyone. Webster is still in bed and I'm having my morning quiet time with my first cup of coffee. It's cool and crisp with nice sunshine and the feeling of fall in the air. Enjoy the last day of August and, for some, the beginning of the long Labor Day weekend. I took this photo with my iPhone. The new model is coming out next month but I'm still thrilled with the one I have (the 4S) so I won't be rushing to get a replacement. It's time for my second cup of java now -- see you later.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Montauk Long Island

I love the unassuming country drive with the grass growing up the middle, don't you? The shingle style homes from the Hamptons to Montauk are fabulous. Are you enjoying the last few days of August? via

Old Garden Shovel Handle Detail

I found an old Nikon photo I took in my back garden several years ago. This old gardening shovel has a cracked handle so I use it as a perch for the birds.

Beautiful Country Garden in England

Beautiful Foyer in Aspen

Aspen foyer by Mcalpine Tankersley via Pinterest. I love it all. The door is especially nice as is the paint color but the door hardware looks too low to me. I would have to bend over to open it. 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Trinity College Library Dublin Ireland

Long room in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. This is simply wonderful if you love antiquarian books as much as I do! via

Almost Perfect Bedroom


I would add reading lights to the sides of the bookcases and would require a TV on the wall opposite the foot of the bed. Otherwise, it's perfect. Agreed? I'm up on the third floor paying bills and looking at saved photos. I think I must have already blogged this and I have no idea of the photo source. Those old boards with the great patina on the ceiling must have been old floorboards from the attic. I love the cozy size of the room. My own bedroom is about this size. I have bookcases and a television on the far wall. And a window on each side of the bed.

Dehydrated Water ~ WHAT?

I wonder how many cans of this were sold? Hilarious! via Flickr

Kitten in Training

In case you are wondering where your cat's bad habits came from. via

Cat on mega steps in Kyoto City Japan. I love the railing and metal finial caps.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Goodnight World


See you in the morning! via

Floor to Ceiling Bookcases


With a window seat. How nice. via

You can never have too many drawers, can you? I love this bank of drawers at the end of a kitchen island so much better than the usual bookcase for cookbooks. This would be so much more useful. Everything else in the room is pretty wonderful too. via

Another Repurposed Door in the Garden


Doyle Herman Design Associates via Henhurst Interiors. I like this one too.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Lullaby in Ragtime by Harry Nilsson


I wish I had this song on a continuous loop so I could play it to myself every night to sing me to sleep. It is hauntingly beautiful. Click HERE if you can't see the embedded video. Goodnight.

Fabulous Seahorse Door Handle


This is truly a work of art, isn't it? I never would have thought of using a seahorse motif if I were designing a door handle but I think it's perfect! The backplate looks like a scallop shell. Found on a Castle door in Death Valley

Which DO is for you?


I'll go with Frank too. :-) via

Prairie Home Companion Floor Mat


I photographed this floor mat at the bottom of the basement stairs a while ago at an open house. I blocked out the owners' name. It was probably one of those promotional bonuses for contributing to NPR. Sometimes I sometimes listen to a little bit of Garrison Keillor on Prairie Home Companion when it begins on Saturday nights before I turn off the radio and switch to the television.
I thought this might be a good thing to stencil for DIY Christmas gifts or housewarming presents. All you would have to do is fill in the family name after you get the original pattern made. You could also make something to frame on your printer as well. What are you doing with all of those fonts anyway? This would be a good project to use some of them, wouldn't it? Have fun.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Big Mowing Today


I got an early start this afternoon and mowed on an overcast Saturday. It was perfect. Not too hot either. I got it done except for the trimming. That's for another day. my iphone photo

Wonderful Home


I know everyone is going to love this beautiful white house with the gable-end entrance as much as I do! Isn't it great? I love the stark white on white with the gray doors. Can you believe this is the last weekend in August? Enjoy it to the fullest. via 

Family Portrait with House


Isn't this a clever idea? I think the timbered house is spectacular and I'm sure this lovely family enjoys it to the fullest! via

Laundry Day in Rome


I love this shot of laundry hanging outside against the ivy in Rome, Italy. There is nothing like the smell of clothes that were dried outside in the sunshine. Having greenery behind is a super bonus! via

Friday, August 24, 2012

Mad Dog Eats Shakespeare


How's this for revenge? Don't you love his guilty expression? via

Repurposed Door as Garden Gate


This is such a clever idea, isn't it? This would be a neat DIY project that is out of the ordinary. I like this entrance into a secret garden! Have a great weekend. via

Grand Central Station - Vintage Photo


I've heard so many commentaries about how the light used to stream inside Grand Central Station but does no longer because of the tall buildings surrounding it. This vintage photo is probably circa 1930s. Isn't it beautiful? via

Bluebird's Bird's-Eye View


I love this picture in a picture with the landscape reflected in the glass of an abandoned dwelling. via

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Origins of The Grinning Cheshire Cat


I read all of the possibilities here. I'm going with this one. The carving at St. Wilfrid's Church:
In the Cheshire village of Grappenhall, there’s a church that has stood since the 12th century, where Lewis Carroll’s father, a vicar, used to preach and the young Carroll often visited. A carving of a grinning cat peeks out from above the church’s main entrance. One assumes the adornment would have left a deep impression on the little boy’s imagination.
Thanks Catster...that was an interesting article.

Drayton Hall Circa 1738 - Charleston SC




I didn't visit Drayton Hall the one and only time I was in Charleston. I must go and see this wonderful place. The 360° online tour is wonderful -- take it here. It really makes you feel as if you are there.

Monarch Butterfly


I don't even remember taking this photo but it is on my camera roll and I didn't loan my iPhone to anyone. Maybe it was outside my office. Anyway---here it is.

The Big Three


1. Fabulous Architect 2. Talented Builder
3. Wonderful Interior Designer and Owner

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

South Side Sportsmen's Club Long Island


Main House - Photo by Howie Guja
Read more about the history here.

A Truly Rich Man with Children


I know a family with a father like this. Do you? via

Porch Alcove with Roses


I would like this at my house. A little alcove on a porch so I could be inside and outside at the same time. I would especially love being out there with a book and a camera on a rainy day. via

Prairie Mallow


Sidalcea malviflora. Malvaceae Family. These 2- to 4-foot-tall perennials bear showy spikes of 2-inch-wide blooms in shades from pale pink to bright rosy purple. Also called miniature hollyhock.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Beautiful Globes


I have a real love for antique globes. These look like balloons. via + via

Abandoned Cottage By The Sea


I see new boards so hopefully someone is trying to save this beauty by the sea. via

Best Infinity Pool Ever


This must have been quite a challenge to build but isn't it wonderful? I hope nobody floats over the edge.  via

Bathroom Vanity with Many Drawers


I love this clever use of a chest with 9 drawers as a double vanity. I found this photo on my PC up on the third floor and I don't know the source. It's something I've been saving for a long time and it's perfect for posting since we all are loving lots of drawers lately. 

Monday, August 20, 2012

The Blew Linnet - Mark Catesby


An antiquarian print from my flat files. I'm not sure if this is still in there or if I sold it and I'm too lazy to look. I just love the spelling of the word blue (blew), don't you? A hand-colored folio engraving from 'The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands' Published in London 1731-43
I digitally cropped the photo at the plate line so the huge margins wouldn't interfere with your being able to see the image of the bird and plant clearly. This is a very high quality hand-colored reproduction. my photo

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Pages 54 and 55

 
 

More excellent fatherly advice that has stood the test of time.