Lovely Wet Bar in A Butler's Pantry

I love the sink, marble countertop and backsplash and especially the faucet. The framed black and white engravings are perfect too. I like everything I see in this Birmingham, Alabama home. via

Have a great weekend!

Trimming the Ancient Hedges

Trimming the ancient hedges.

What a Herculean effort!

This photo takes my breath away.

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Wonderful Small Kitchen w/ Two Sinks

This kitchen would suit me just fine.

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Sweet Cottage with Front Garden

image source

Everyone I know is anxious for spring even though we have snow on the ground and a rumored big storm is coming on Tuesday. We can dream, can't we? Enjoy the weekend and be safe. xo

Don't forget to set your clocks forward one hour tonight before you go to bed. Spring forward, you know!

An Inspiring Poem and Its History

1932 Mary Elizabeth Frye [American housewife, florist; 1905-2004]

Abigail Van Buren [Dear Abby] researched the poem’s history and concluded in 1998 that Mary Elizabeth Frye, who was living in Baltimore at the time, wrote the poem in 1932.

According to Van Buren’s research, Frye had never written any poetry, but the plight of a German Jewish woman, Margaret Schwarzkopf, who was staying with Mary and her husband, inspired the poem.

Margaret Schwarzkopf was concerned about her mother, who was ill in Germany, but she had been warned not to return home because of increasing unrest. When her mother died, the heartbroken young woman told Frye that she never had the chance to “stand by my mother’s grave and shed a tear”.

Frye, according to Van Buren’s research, found herself composing a piece of verse on a brown paper shopping bag. Later she said that the words “just came to her” and expressed what she felt about life and death. - thanks, internet

found here

Ancient Cotswold Cottage Renovation

Drink coffee or tea, wash clothes, and play with plants here.
Photo by Sims Hilditch

Sims Hilditch, The White Hart

Located in one of the most beautiful corners of the Cotswolds, we discovered a piece of English heritage once known as the White Hart. Dating from the late 16th century this Grade 2 listed building was one of many countryside pubs which had fallen into disrepair in recent years.

We successfully purchased the White Hart in 2013 and undertook a complete refurbishment with the aim to preserve the building’s history while re-purposing it as contemporary design studio. The White Hart embodies the Sims Hilditch design ethos and is the perfect location to get a feel for what we do.

Want the complete house tour? Click here.

Tall Hedges Secret Garden

Tall clipped hedges with low hedges trimmed to resemble benches. Love the two shades of green and the topiaries in pots beside the stairs. Nice gravel path too. via

This kitchen really speaks to me.

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Have a great weekend. xo

Cozy Living Room

It looks very inviting, doesn't it?

I would like to be sitting by that fire right now.

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All About FARMHOUSE SINKS

I found a great article about Farmhouse Sinks, also called Apron-Front Sinks. If this photo appeals to you, read more here.

Charming Attic Bedroom

You would have to mind your head when getting up in the morning but I dearly love what I see in this charming attic bedroom. The ticking duvet cover and pillow cases are perfect. via

Needlework Landscape Design

Gardening with a needle.

I really love this garden design.

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DIY Kitchen Island

How One Couple Used IKEA Finnvard Trestle Legs to Make a Kitchen Island

I have this setup in my attic for my desktop computer desk. I used a very large storm shutter in blue paint from an old house as the top. Works perfectly and I love this idea for a kitchen island. It is an especially great idea if you are renting.

A Delightful Bedroom

Yes. I can see myself waking up here. I love everything I see. via

Great Kitchen Sink

I love the double porcelain sink. Not sure about the stacked cement brick/blocks for the counter and backsplash. They are perfectly imperfect and that would probably bother me. I think I would like this setup better in a laundry room instead of a kitchen. Anyway, it's very interesting. via

Dormer Love

Most beautiful dormer ever!

Is this not perfect? I love every pixel in this digital photo. via

Thoughts on A Play Room Looking to the Future

Good idea. via I have a friend who can attest to this rule. The family put in a state of the art play room in the basement of their new home for their four young children and they never wanted to go down there to play. It was too far from the large country kitchen that was the real heart of the house. It wasn't until the children became teens and tweens that they ventured down there. When they were young, they wanted to be around the parents. As they got older, they wanted to get away from them. Smile. Such is life!

Lovely Architectural Elements

I love the balcony railing and the lattice as well as everything else about this lovely entrance. via

White Kitchen to Love with Island

I love this kitchen. It's very well thought out in every respect. Makes me want paperwhites on my windowsill  too. via

Enjoy the holiday for MLKjr Day.

"The time is always right to do what is right."

Nice Library with Fireplace

Easy chairs, reading lamps and an open fire. Who could ask for more in this lovely library? via