Classic Colonial Interior

It's only a peek, but I know I would love the rest. Living with antiques is the best, isn't it? via

A Sophisticated Bar

I am a complete failure in the bar department but I think this setup is lovely. via I have a similar étagère in my bedroom with 2 drawers. It's perfect for holding all of my iPhone and iPad charging accessories and fits perfectly in its assigned space. I'm always thrilled when I find the perfect piece for the perfect spot. I am officially out of room for any more furniture unless I get rid of something or become a magician.

Perfect Way to Spend a Sunday Afternoon

I adore this photograph. It captures the perfect nap surrounded by a Duke's favorite things.

The Duke of Devonshire Taking a Nap in the Library at Chatsworth, Shot by Christopher Sykes. via

The Peacock House of Furlow Gatewood

His houses are follies—each has been an excuse to indulge his passions for vernacular Southern architecture, collecting antiques, and interior design. Peacock House is a typical Gatewood creation: He assembled a motley but sublime collection of architectural fragments, designed the house around them, and had a wondrously understanding builder bring it to life. Max Kim-Bee photo for Veranda Click on the link for more photos of this delightful sophisticated Georgia Cottage.

Such A Lovely Library and Print Room

This is fabulous. Teleport me there now! I think I will need a more comfortable chair, please, if it's not too much trouble. via

Gentrified Mud Room

No matter how refined the decor, everybody needs a mud room.  This looks like real life and I love it, don't you?  via

Watch the Butterflies

Don't you love this animated gif made from an antiquarian natural history print? The butterflies are all moving, but at different times. This is so clever. via

Folk Art Bust of George Washington

I love stories like this.

Early folk art carved bust of George Washington. Found as a finial on the top of a staircase in an old farmhouse in Sneedville, Tennessee. via

The Antiques Collection of Professor Sir Albert Richardson, P.R.A. with Video

The great eccentric architect Sir Albert Richardson filled his house with treasures. I have been fascinated by the story I posted a couple of days ago with a photo of a hallway full of antiques untouched since 1964.

Richardson’s passion for 18th-century artifacts became all-consuming. Now (September 2013) his grandson is reluctantly selling the collection (Christopher Simon Sykes/World of Interiors/Condé Nast) Be sure to read the article that goes with the above photo. You won't be able to see the other photos in the slideshow unless you subscribe to The London Sunday Times. You can read the article however HERE.

I also found the press release from Christie's in London with a video tour of Avenue House, Richardson's residence. It's amazing. The contents of Avenue House in Ampthill – the collection assembled by Sir Albert Richardson (1880–1964), architect, historian, writer, artist, teacher and sometime President of the Royal Academy – is now being sold by Christie’s in London.
“My house is my yardstick!” Richardson declared. “It is my measuring scale by which I contemplate the past and assess the future.”

Watch the VIDEO of the collections in his home HERE.

We could have been fast friends. He was definitely a kindred spirit. Enjoy reading about this wonderful man. Read one more article HERE and the sadness that was felt when his treasures left Avenue House. Sorry about so many links but I can't get enough. Enjoy. xo

English Manor Decor

I love this photo and the caption that came with it.

Upstairs hall, untouched since 1964 in leading British architect Sir Albert Richardson’s (1880-1964) perfect country home in Bedfordshire, England. Via Christies - London, September 2013, image by Simon Upton.
"If you don’t think this is wonderful, then you need to go to your room and think about ways to become a better person." via

Southern Gothic 19th Century Southern Cottage - Furlow Gatewood

Save this post to read on Sunday Morning. That's what I'm going to do, indepth. I'm rushing to watch the new season of Doctor Who that's recording right now.

LABOR OF LOVE 

-- article from Veranda

While it doesn't look it now, this splendid mid-nineteenth-century gothic house was sawn in half and trucked sixty-five miles through Georgia.

"Anywhere I travel, I'm always looking at houses," says Furlow Gatewood. "This one was going to be torn down."

When the structure arrived at his property in Americus, a passerby was heard to say: "There goes the neighborhood." Well, talk about premature judgments!

Sounds good, doesn't it?
View the 12-photo slide show here.
Enjoy. xo

Aiken SC Home - So Lovely !

Hitchcock Woods Residence. 

Melissa Ervin Interior Design.

This red sandy dirt road brings back memories of my previous life in South Carolina.

Yes, please.

Have a great Sunday. Mine is off to a good start. I woke up early and finished a movie I started last night. Then it started raining. Then it stopped. Now the sun is out and I have blue skies and white clouds and glistening raindrops on the trees. Sounds perfect, doesn't it? xo

Pale Pink Geranium

I'm doing better with my indoor gardening than the outdoor kind.

I'm enjoying the no-weed factor of house plants in the summer. My geraniums that are outside aren't doing nearly as well as the ones I have inside. 

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.

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

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

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.

Beautiful, Bountiful Yellow Roses

These roses are breathtaking, aren't they? via

A Delightful Spot

I love this corner bookcase, the table and chairs and the window seat. Such a cozy corner. Found on Pinterest. Have a great day. xo