Saltbox Love

I have always loved the Saltbox style of architecture. I adore the simplicity of this one with the wonderful windows with small panes of glass and no shutters. White on white is always right and so Early American. via

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A House with Curb Appeal

This house certainly has everything going for it, doesn't it? It's close to the street yet still manages a curved walkway. I love it! via

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Open Porch w/ Brick Floor, More Views

I found another view of the brick-floored in yesterday's post. It goes on forever in this house overlooking the Navesink River in Rumson, NJ ~ See link below.

Sitting room with a river view. This new house is simply stunning, designed by Gil Schafer Architect. You will enjoy seeing the entire house, inside and out.

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Covered Open Porch with Brick Floor

 

It will soon be time to throw open the front door and welcome in some fresh air and put the houseplants you have been overwintering outside! via

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Ephrata Cloister: Ephrata, PA

The Ephrata Cloister preserves the remains of a religious communal society founded in 1732 by German immigrant Conrad Beissel. The monastic society of brothers and sisters lived an austere life of work, study, and prayer. They ate one meal a day of grains, fruits, and vegetables, and encouraged celibacy. They even slept on wooden benches with wooden "pillows." Known for its a cappella singing and publishing, the society lived and worked in a cluster of striking buildings with steep-roofed medieval-style architecture. The last sister died in 1813.

Pushing William Penn's "Holy Experiment" to its Limits: Ephrata Cloister

I have never heard of this historic site in Lancaster County. The above link is from the Pennsylvania Heritage website and has more photos including some of the interior with furnishings. I haven't finished reading it yet but have it bookmarked. It is absolutely fascinating! Enjoy. xo

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A Castle in The Cloud

I made this illustrated quote with a photograph of a beautiful sky over my cottage and added the text using one of my photo editing apps. This was posted on my blog long ago (2010) but it deserves to be seen again. I am thoroughly enjoying a cool, lazy, Sunday morning with rain. xo

 

Tree House Designed By An Architect

This fantasy tree house is the stuff dreams are made of, isn't it? I love looking at architectural drawings and house plans and this could possibly be my favorite one ever. xo

New House Looks Old Great Fireplace

This new construction in Gladwyn Pennsylvania is truly wonderful, inside and out. See all the photos and be inspired that architecture is not dead. look for the < > symbols with numbers in the cent to click through all 12. Archer & Buchanan Architects.

Wonderful Entrance

Old Door. Old Stone Floor. Just Wonderful!

It doesn't get much better than this, does it?

Ancient Egyptian Pillars

Temple of Esna, Egypt

Interior of the Hypostyle Hall at the Temple of Khnum, Esna. Photo: Wolfgang Kaehler

Hypostyle hall, in architecture, interior space whose roof rests on pillars or columns. The word means literally “under pillars,” and the design allows for the construction of large spaces—as in temples, palaces, or public buildings—without the need for arches. This particular temple was built of red sandstone, and its portico consisted of six rows of four columns each, with lotus-leaf capitals, all of which however differ from each other. The temple contains very late hieroglyphic inscription, dating from the reign of Decius (249–251 AD).

Manor House Dusted with Snow

Snow is such beautiful decoration for the plantings around this English Country House. A dusting is the perfect amount too requiring no shoveling. via

A Real Rocking Chair Porch

I like a porch with a floor low enough to the ground to not require a railing. That makes it so much easier to sweep and eliminates a lot of upkeep, i.e. painting. The view from this one is spectacular! via

White on White Painted House

I love an all white house and am planning that no-color palate when my cottage is painted again. I have similar architectural pediments over my front windows for interest without color. When I washed my house recently and released the shutters to clean behind them, I noticed they are deteriorating on the reverse side and will soon need replacing. The spiders will just have to find someplace else to live!
via @Upcountryliving on Instagram

The goldfinches that have discovered my feeder cannot read and do not realize their food is no waste. They are still throwing shelled sunflower seeds everywhere on my balcony floor. I am sweeping it up with the dustpan and transferring to a dish in my front garden. This experiment is not going as planned but is still enjoyable. xo

Best Courtyard Garden!

This landscape design is simply stunning. It's simple yet sophisticated. Perfection! I am particularly fond of the wattle fencing around those blue flowers. Are they forget-me-nots?  The potted primroses on the leaning fence-like shelves are pretty wonderful too. via

Ancient Plantings at Powis Castle in Wales

No words.

Surreal plantings that have stood the test of time.

via

See many more photos and read more about Powis Castle

Perfect 1727 Colonial

Yes, please.

Such perfection has taken years and years to achieve. Someone had a vision when the shrubbery was planted and knew just how to take care of it. Circa 1727, Essex Connecticut. Just lovely! via

Interior Design Oil Painting

Peter Brown, Moses Back From His Walk, 2020, Oil on board via This oil painting is about a dog coming back from a walk but the architectural detals and interior design seem to be the main theme. Peter Brown is certainly a house-proud artist, isn't he? I love the reflections on the beautiful wide board floor and the fine  woodwork. I hope Moses wiped his paws. Happy Monday. xo

New House Filled with Antiques

John B Murray Architect

I always say I wouldn't change a thing and this time I really mean it. The architect must have worked closely with the homeowners to design the rooms around the furnishings. 

18thC Shingled Cottage

This shingled cottage is in the Hamptons. It is simple and understated with all green landscaping and a curved stepping stone walkway. So nice! via

Porch Envy

Happy Friday everyone. This enviable porch has so many things to love. Double doors, double dogs, double benches, and a painted floor to name just a few. I love the charcoal paint on the door and shutters against the light gray diamonds on the floor. Perfection! via