Electrical outlets in baseboards.

I wish I had my outlets down low like this. I think they are an eyesore no matter where they are placed, especially if you have paneled walls. I honestly didn't think of putting them down low when my house was being rewired. I anxiously await the day when all lamps are wireless, just as they appear in interior design magazines where they have been photoshopped. Wouldn't that be nice? photo source

Manners and Paint by Numbers Art

I like this illustrated quote. via

This takes me back. I got a paint by numbers kit every Christmas for as long as I can remember when I was a kid. I like this one. People collect these now, you know. via

The vintage paint by numbers artwork looks perfect here, doesn't it? via

The Wisdom of Shakespeare

I love the graphic that illustrates this quote by William Shakespeare. Everything went well at my Certificate of Occupancy inspection today and the carpenter bee treatment. We had some fierce blowing rain late this afternoon and I had quite a time cleaning up my wet floors and windowsills. I had open windows all over the house and couldn't close them quickly enough. It really cooled things off for my after supper walk with the Wonder Dog. 

I found a photo of the bedroom in the house where my new love seats once lived. I'm still over the moon with joy over them. Webster is still being a perfect gentleman and is respecting them too. 

My tall brass lamps were once in the dining room of this lovely house.

Here are the furnishings in my cottage for those of you who missed my previous posts.

I think everything looks perfectly cozy at my house, don't you? Enjoy your Friday evening. I'll be stretching out on the love seat by the window pretty soon, watching my small television. I changed the artwork to the right of the window. See photo here. See you tomorrow. xo

Country Kitchen in Summer

Nothing says summer better than watermelon and peaches, right? via

For Sale: Renée Zellweger’s Old House in Connecticut

Click here for slideshow from Architectural Digest.

The clapboard exterior of Renée Zellweger’s 18th century Connecticut retreat.

The primarily white kitchen has butcher-block countertops. I wouldn't want this half-wall looking into the formal dining room. I wouldn't want to look at the hanging pot rack in the kitchen from the dining room. 

The Quinebaug River runs through the property.

Webster is still playing nice.

I still can't believe my good luck with Webster and Tabitha and the new furniture in my living room. I have stopped putting barricades in front of the sofas at night because Webster knows his place in the world of new furnishings. I'm not sure how Tabitha is going to behave this winter but we'll see. For now, when I bring her inside she's happy on a blanket on my bed. It was very chilly last night and she slept there all night and went out first thing this morning. We are having delightful weather and the high today is supposed to be only 79° and it feels like the beginning of fall instead of the end of July! Having all the windows wide open is my idea of heaven. See you later. xo

Love this Kitchen

I love the floor. It looks like cork tiles which I love because they are so easy on the feet, legs, and back when standing for long periods. This is a great layout and I wouldn't change much. I would want a sink the width of the window even though there's another in the island. I would probably skip that one for a deep double sink under the window. Wish I could see the rest of the room. via

Fresh Eggs from Happy Chickens

Great sign in a very interesting kitchen. via

Wonderful Pantry Cupboard

At first glance, I thought this was a corner cupboard, but it's not. It tapers back slightly, but it's flat across the back. I love it, don't you? The floor to ceiling glazed double doors are fabulous. via

Dining Room Table Piled High with Books

I think we are all running out of horizontal surfaces for our books and treasures, so why not use the dining room table? via I love these green leather chairs with nailhead trim. 

What a Great Country Kitchen

I like it! via

Dogs on Sofa - Ganging up against me!

This ad follows me whereever I go on the internet. I think I told you I had been spending countless hours searching for new seating furniture online. I think it's hilarious that they keep wanting me to click on sofas with dogs sitting on them. There is definitely a spy in my computer.

A Lovely Room

I would prefer a thicker cushion on the chaise and upholstered arms too, please. Anyway, this is a lovely photo of a lovely room. Thankfully, it is cool enough to have my windows open this morning and Webster is better too and he's whining for his breakfast. Off I go to cook the oatmeal. xo

Still Not Touching!

This is becoming a game, I think. How close can he get without touching the new sofa? I'll keep you posted. See previous post for details.

I know there are those who think I am being mean. This was Webster's favorite spot on the floor rubbed up against my old sofa. The body oils he left behind were quite embarrassing. I cannot do this again. I put my old sofas outside near the road on Saturday hoping someone would pick them up. I had to pay someone on Monday morning to haul them away. Tabitha is sitting on a leather chair right now and that's allowed. I don't feel mean at all, just in charge. Webster is happy with two dog beds in the room, one looking out a front window and the other looking out a French door. Tabitha spent most of this rainy day on my bed on a nice blanket. I think my animals are lucky. I finally have a room I can be proud of and I want to keep it that way.

Another view of my living room.

It's really hard to get a good shot of my front to back living room with my iPhone.

As you can see, Webster is on his best behavior. Every time I see him lounging near my new sofas, I can just hear him saying, "I'm not touching." He's such a good dog. So far, Tabitha has walked by them and hasn't been interested in the least. She's happy when I throw her favorite blanket on top of my bed. We had hard rain yesterday and more is predicted today. It's beyond muggy and it looks almost like fog outside. Stay dry. xo

200 Year Old Stylishly Restored Rectory in England

The 200-year-old house, built from Cotswold limestone, sits in a valley in Gloucestershire on a site that has been occupied since the 15th century. The garden has been re-planted by the current owners, who tackle a new project each year, adding two ponds and developing a rose garden, orchard and vegetable garden. The formal garden in front of the house looks out over a wooded valley, part of its seven-acre estate; the small summerhouse behind it was originally built for a footman. View the interior photos here. I wish I could see the footman's cottage too.
photo Simon Brown via The Telegraph

Charming Bathroom

The floor to ceiling window really makes this room! via

Moving Furniture Again

Every time I move a piece of furniture to a new location, I end up spending at least one whole day moving accessories around. This hunt board was downstairs in my mother's sitting room. I moved it into a recessed area in my kitchen and I love it there. My slant front desk used to be in this location and if you remember, I moved that to the living room after having the lid repaired. The same restorers took this piece with them when they delivered the desk. They evened out the color from some water damage and gave it a good French polish. They did such a good job and I'm thrilled. I now have all of my miniatures on ivory displayed together for the first time. I think I need a few more, don't you? The weather is cool and breezy, a rare treat for July. No A/C and all the windows are open so I'm a happy camper and so is Webster. Have a great weekend. xo

Lovely Staircase in an Old House

I love the gentle curve of the stairs instead of a landing. I also like this thin radiator and the floors. And the window and the lantern. I guess I like it all ! ! ! via

My 18th Century House Listing

The owners bought a reproduction of a New Jersey fireback from the same period as the house. It is perfect behind the stove. I never even thought of using a cast iron piece instead of tile as a backsplast but it's very appropriate.

The right wing was built in 1763 and the main body of the house was added in 1793. The home inspection was today and I think it went well. "It's not good because it's old, it's old because it's good." This quote is so true. You can't beat 18th century post and beam construction.

Side view looking at the 1763 side facing east. Wish me luck getting through these inspections.