Two Book Shelves in my Bedroom

Two shelves full of some of my favorite things in my bedroom. On Instagram, this is known as a #shelfie. I am loving taking interior photos on my second-hand iPhone which was a gift from a friend. The dual cameras are awesome and have encouraged me to take more photos for my followers.

Thursday Ramblings with Pictures

All images above are from This Delightful Blog

Maine Farmhouse All Lit Up

There is nothing better than driving by a house with a light in every window. This house must be in a very private location since there are no window treatments. I love it! This looks like an old house that has been renovated. Or perhaps it's a new house. 

Stonewall farmhouse, Portland, ME. Whitten Architects. photography by Rob Karosis.

Laundry Room with Visiting Goat

Look what happens when you leave the mudroom door open. This room is fabulous, isn't it? Do you think there is a washer and dryer in the room too. That would make it perfect. It is already doing service as a potting shed and a place to wash off the vegetables from the garden. Love it❤❤❤

Perfect Greenhouse + An Appalachian Cottage

Dream on. 

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Cottage in Appalachia.

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I took a road trip in Baby Shark this morning to the Department of Motor Vehicles to return my old license plates and it was wonderful. I left around 10:00 and there wasn't much traffic. It is a trip I usually dread but it was painless in my new car. I am still learning things about it. I didn't even turn on the radio because I wanted total concentration. I was familiar with the route so it went very smoothly. I love the way my Honda handles and we are becoming fast friends.

xo

Great Laundry Room with Old Sink

I especially love the vintage porcelain sink with built-in drainboard. It looks perfect in this wonderful laundry room. The wall drying rack is nice too. via

Gorgeous Marble Bathroom

I love the huge floor to ceiling marble tiles surrounding the window opposite the tub. The large square marble floor tiles are gorgeous too. It's a lovely room in all respects, isn't it? via

Wonderful Greenhouse Interior

I love every detail of what I can see of the interior of this greenhouse. The door is especially beautiful. via Click photo to enlarge and swoon.

Dream Cottage

The forever timeless center-chimney cottage of everyone's dreams. Not too big, not too small, just right. via

Flying Staircase at Shirley Plantation

The flying staircase at Shirley Plantation, Charles City County, Virginia. Shirley is one of Virginia's oldest plantations, founded in 1613, and construction of the current house began in 1723. Eleven generations of one family have lived in the mansion, and descendants still operate it as a farm. via

I never cease to be amazed at beautiful architecture created without the aid of power tools.

Christmas Eve for Three Lucky Girls

Isn't this the sweetest bedroom for three little girls to share? The rustic beds with the flannel sheets and woolen blankets must be so cozy. I love the windows over the beds too with deep sills. Waking up on Christmas morning with filled stockings at the foot of your bed must be the happiest childhood memories ever for these girls. via

Small Garden w/ Greenhouse + Washing Maching Update

This small but mighty garden is so special. There is something to oooh and ahhh over everywhere you rest your eyes. I cannot believe there is even a sizable greenhouse behind the dahlias. A tall wooden privacy fence, assorted picket fences, pea gravel paths, raised beds herbs, flowers, lawn brick patio, etc. Too many amenities to list! Swoon. Found here.

Washing Machine Update: I washed two woolen sweaters by hand in the kitchen sink this morning. It was quick work and I folded them somewhat and took them downstairs to my laundry room and put them soaking wet in my new Maytag washer. I set the dial to "drain and spin" and walked away. I was very pleased at how nearly dry they were. I always take my window screens out for the winter because they block so much light. I put a screen atop each of two wooden drying racks in my furnace room and put a terry towel atop each one. I took a while to arrange them and reblock them somewhat and to pat and shake out the wrinkles.  I went back downstairs after a couple of hours and they had already begun to dry. I shook each one and turned them over. I was afraid to use the handwash cycle but am quite pleased with hand washing them myself. If you try this make sure you have two or more items for balance in the spin cycle rather than just one.

BBC: Celebration Chocolate Cake recipe

This recipe is by Mary Berry from The Great British Baking Show. It looks easy and delicious. It is even recommended to bake with and for children. I am not sure how to convert the flour to cups but you'll figure it out. I am a huge fan of cream cheese icing! recipe here

Dutch Door Love

This charming photo has so many things I like. A screen door, a Dutch door, a porch, stepping stones surrounded by grass, side lights, a brass "door" bell, river rocks under the bluestone porch floor, and a beautiful entrance hall. Found here.

Bookcase, Staircase, Home Library Love

This photo gives new meaning to under the stairs storage. I have always loved a twisty curved staircase and this one is spectacular. That bentwood handrail ❤💓!

Home Office with Murphy Bed: AWESOME!

It's a home office with storage for office supplies, right?

Wrong. It's a bedroom or guest room in disguise.

I couldn't love this more. I found it in my iPhone photos and I've been saving the photos for a long time and have no idea where I found them. Isn't this the best home office ever? xo
UPDATE: California Closets designed this room and there are other Murphy Bed Designs HERE.

DIY Halloween Tablescape by David Stark Design

Click photo to enlarge.

Isn't this the best Halloween Table? If you like dark and moody, be sure to plant lots of gourds in your garden next year so you will have a good supply for almost no money. DIY instructions here. 

The Garden Path by Frits Thaulow

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Frits Thaulow (Norwegian, 1847-1906), A Garden Path. Oil on canvas. This artist is new to me and I adore this painting. Click to enlarge.

Lovely Interior Design

I will never be a minimalist and never will the owner of the home shown above. I like lots of water in my washing machine and lots of things to love in my cottage. I have had people tell me, "You have so many things, but it doesn't look crowded." There is an art to this; you must choose things that are appropriately scaled to the size of your rooms so nothing overwhelms them.

I have been donating like crazy lately, giving away things that were duplicates in my newly cleaned out cupboards. At the end of this month, I can put things out at the road for the yearly pickup. I love driving around to see what other people are throwing away and maybe finding a treasure to bring back home.

New Village Homes: Tornagrain Inverness Scotland

I adore this new planned village in Scotland. See more here. Their Instagram account is named @tornagrain_newtown and the photos there capture the charm of this village. Be sure to check it out.