Vogue Christmas Cover 1914

Enjoy your weekend and try not to overwork your entourage. via

Antique Bird Prints

I love this mixed media image I scanned from an old copy of Town and Country magazine. I have always admired these antiquarian prints from The Natural History of Birds, by Eleazar Albin, published between 1731 and 1738. These large scale hand-colored antique bird prints are favored by decoupage artist John Derian. When reproduced and laser printed they make wonderful trays. 

Lauren Bush weds David Lauren = Lauren Lauren

The bride wears a dress, designed by the father of the groom (also in Ralph Lauren), of antique tulle hand-embroidered with Swarovski Elements, beads, and pearls.

Hair, Julien Farel for Julien Farel Group; makeup, Bobbi Brown.

Photographed by Norman Jean Roy

Read the article and see the slideshow at Vogue.com

Plaid Rooms | Architectural Digest

A couple with three teenage sons looked to Elissa Cullman to make their new house in Colorado ski country cozy but not clichéd. The “mountainy theme-park look, with antlers everywhere,” as the homeowner puts it, was not going to work. For the main living area of the attached barn, Cullman devised a fresh Western look with a jolt of color provided by red tartan sofas. (June 2010) Photo: David O. Marlow

“I think of my home as my showplace,” says Glasgow art dealer Anthony Ferrie, but, he adds, “comfort can never be secondary.” He outfitted his bedroom in a blue-and-white palette (he finds the two colors very restful); the plaid curtains and regal framed prints lend the space a cosseted atmosphere. (September 2006) Photo: Durston Saylor

See more plaid rooms in the December 2011 edition of Architectural Digest.

Babysitting for Peanuts

I wish I knew more about the history of this fascinating vintage photo from Life magazine showing an elephant nursemaid pushing a baby carriage. Were they running away to join the circus? via 

Steve Jobs’s Genius ----- A Fascinating Article

Jobs’s sensibility was more editorial than inventive.

 “I’ll know it when I see it,” he said.

Steve Jobs’s Real Genius : The New Yorker

If you want to save yourself some time and money, read the 1,000 word review of Steve Jobs's authorized biography in The New Yorker. It's absolutely fascinating. Steve's wife deserves a medal.

Leaf Magazine | Preview Issue | Read On-Line

Leaf Magazine 

Have you seen this? Don't you love it? Inspiring Gardens - Seasonal Outdoor Style - Fall Flowers. I can't wait until I have time to sit down and 'dig' into this new magazine. I hope they do some articles on gravel driveways overgrown with crabgrass.

George VI: The Reluctant King

The Real King George VI greeting a pig in 1942.

George VI: The Reluctant King Don't fail to click on these wonderful photos of the King from infancy. There are 28 pictures in all and believe me, you are in for a real treat. I never knew how much Prince Charles takes after his grandfather before seeing these great vintage photos from Life Magazine.

Amy Sedaris’s Child-like Decor

The Craft Corner in Amy Sedaris's New York City Apartment. She made all of the potholders on the floor. She decorates as if she owned a child but she never has children over. I don't think she wants them touching her stuff.

Amy Sedaris’s Child-Friendly Abode: Slideshow and Humorous Article in New York Magazine 

"I wouldn’t call myself a shut-in. I have the ability to leave my home; I just choose not to. But because I’m such a homebody, it’s important to be surrounded by things I love. I prefer items that convey a sense of mystery, playfulness, or theatricality. My favorite things often have a story behind them and are usually handmade or discovered at a flea market. My furniture is small and low. It’s not unlike living in a dollhouse."

History of Mother's Day

In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother's Day to be an official holiday, and in commemoration of that declaration J. C. Leyendecker painted 'Pot of Hyacinths' to be used on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post's May 30, 1914 issue. Not only did 'Pot of Hyacinths' singlehandedly create the American tradition of giving flower arrangements to one's mother on Mother's Day, it also helped create the modern flower delivery industry as a whole. That's the story .. I didn't know any of this, did you? Source

Celebrities with Big Dogs

Audrey Hepburn Walks Her Dog

Movie Stars and their large dogs ~ photos from vintage Life Magazines. Gallery - LIFE Click to see many more photos.

Aga Love - Pictures of Beautiful Dream Kitchens

Designer Kitchens - Pictures of Beautiful Dream Kitchens - House Beautiful In a kitchen designed by Susan Tully, an Aga range works beautifully with the spare aesthetic. The simple black-and-white color scheme adds a nice touch. Don't you love the subway tile backsplash? Kitchen perfection!

A Kitchen To Love

A creamy palette adds charm to a remodeled space.

This kitchen is new but feels original to the home. The old-meets-new design was achieved with sage-coloured, Shaker-style cabinets, a tongue-and-groove ceiling and vintage-look hardware. A footed cabinet houses the appliances, and sets it apart from the rest of the room. Meanwhile, the paneled dishwasher to the right of the sink cleverly masquerades as drawers. Photo Source I think this kitchen is amazing, don't you?

Dogs at Rest | This Sofa is Taken

Mae Belle, Maggie, and Banjo ~ Labradors from Raleigh, NC

I love this winning photo from Garden and Gun Magazine's Dogs at Rest contest. I dare not show it to Webster who is not allowed on my similar sofa. I'm picking up Piggie this afternoon for a 2-week visit while my friends go on a spring-break vacation. Remember him, he's our French Bulldog friend. I wonder how he will react to my new rule?

Something tells me I will be outnumbered when Webster and Piggie get back to their old routine here at the cottage.

Windsor Smith's Home in House Beautiful

Windsor Smith's Stunning LA Home - House Beautiful
Pottery Barn sconces and an antique French repoussé mirror add a little romance to the master bath. The sink is skirted in smoky gray-and-white silk from the Silk Trading Company.

How lovely! I can only imagine what a water-spotted mess this sink skirt would be if I had one. Silk is for the very neat, brave and daring, or a little-used bathroom.

Queen Elizabeth II of England's Parents

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother). By Popperfoto/Getty Images via VanityFair.com

I don't know about you but I want to know everything about these two royals since seeing The King's Speech. I loved this article and slideshow in Vanity Fair From Sketch to Still, A Visual History of The King’s Speech Sets and Costumes. It's a very good pre-Oscar read. Enjoy.

Sweet Potato Pie Recipe from Pure Green Magazine

I love illustrated recipes and this is a great one for Sweet Potato Pie.

The creator of that recipe is an illustrator for Pure Green Magazine which is new to me. It looks like a wonderful on-line publication. Have fun reading it this weekend.

Fabulous Kitchen Decorating Ideas

If you like the four kitchens I picked to show you, you will definitely love this wonderful slideshow from Country Living Magazine. The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Decorating ~ with decorating ideas and tips to help you create your dream kitchen. Ideas for Decorating Your Kitchen

A Valentine's Day Surprise

I hope there's a Valentine's Day surprise under your door today.

Princess Margaret Showhome 2010

How do you like this clubby game and media room? It's one I really like in the 2010 Princess Margaret Showhome via Canadian House and Home Magazine. Click on the link to see a slideshow of the whole decorator showcase house. I love these dark bookcases that make the media center almost disappear and the books and artwork 'pop' making them the focus when the TV is off. Nice.

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