Nice Conversation Area with Fireplace

I like this arrangement. Each wing chair has a reading lamp and an ottoman. Reading around an open fire is one of life's pleasures.The side tables are lower than the arms of the furniture too. This is one of the rules of good interior design and a very hard one to comply with when searching for low antique tables that you like. I am pleased that I finally found mine and it's much easier for the sitter to put down a drink or a cup of coffee on a lower table than reaching up to do so. Plus it looks nicer too. It's all about scale, you know. via

It is warm and rainy today and all the snow has melted. I entered my subscription to Netflix on Sunday and love it. I have watched both seasons of The Crown and later today I will search for another addicting series to watch. 

I just cooked some chick peas in my Instant Pot and have another batch of soy milk yogurt in the pot for a 10 hour session. My last batch (8 hours) wasn't tart enough. I have a new method. I inserted my pyrex 32 oz. (4 cup) measuring cup inside the pot, added 2 tablespoons of my own yogurt to a 32 oz. box of Westsoy as a starter, stirred it up and this method was perfect. No condensation on the sides of the pot to run down and dilute the yogurt and the yogurt was much thicker. Yay.

I stumbled on a very interesting article about the invention of the Instant Pot in the business section of the New York Times. Now I love mine even more! xo

Marie-France: Tour Her Parisian Home

Marie-France’s home in Paris is deeply rooted, and elegantly dressed, in old world charm. Today, she invites us and shares what turns a house into a home. See many more photos and read the article here.

My Christmas Tree 2017

I put my Christmas tree in the middle of my farm table this year. It is super hard to photograph without the solid backdrop of a wall. But anyway, here it is.

Here's another view.

I am sitting in my pantry office and a herd of deer just pranced by, crossed the street, and ran through the neighbor's snowy field. I'm glad I looked up when I did. Enjoy your Sunday evening. See you tomorrow. xo

Stone Barn Converted to Guest Cottage and Library

All photos by Paul Massey

Wanting a place to display her treasured collection, Emma Burns, senior decorator at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, transformed a converted barn at her country home into a sitting-room-cum-guest-cottage full of hidden surprises and witty details...tour the inside here.

Amelia Handegan Virginia Restoration

18th Century Rose Hill Plantation

The music room at Rose Hill, an 18th century estate. I adore this painted floor.

The library holds books that have been at Rose Hill for two centuries.

Isn't this the perfect place to enjoy the books in the Rose Hill library before retiring to the adjacent master bedroom? The open fire is the icing on the cake. This old house has been decorated in such a livable manner. Read the article and see many more photographs of this plantation country house via Architectural Digest. Have a great weekend. xo

Fabulous Bunny Downspout

I need this kind of whimsy in my life. Bring back the bunny downspouts! I could spend DAYS on this page looking at other examples. Have fun looking when you need a break from Thanksgiving preparations. xo

Black and White Perfection

Love.Every.Single.Thing

via

Gorgeous Painted Stairway

I like everything I see in this gorgeous interior. via

Coziest Dogs Ever

At first look, I didn't realize there were TWO dogs on the bed, warming themselves before the fire. via

Vermont Friendship Album Hearts 1849

Friendship album. Calais Vermont. Made in 1849. Hearts of woven hair. via

Winter Table in Living Room

I was out pretty early on Saturday with a dental appointment and a real estate showing afterward. On my way home I passed a nice house with "free" stuff in the yard. One was a wonderful metal table base with great patina and definition and I grabbed it. There was a glass top too but I couldn't lift it. I thought I had an old storm shutter in original blue paint in the garage and it turned out to be the perfect size.

As you can see the top turned out to be perfect! It really looks made to measure.

It's nice for my potted plants and various pretties i already had. You really can't see the table base in these photos,

Here is a repeat of the first photo with less contrast so you can see the table base better. I had a tea table in that spot before but like the lower table so much better. The nesting has begun.

Most Gorgeous Living/Family Room

This formal yet casual cozy large living/family room is fabulous. What a great seating arrangement for conversing with family and friends. I like the rag rug too and the wallpaper is subtle and interesting. I see it was in Architectural Digest and would love to find it online but haven't yet. via

My tired bones are looking forward to PBS tonight with The Durrells and The Collection. I raked tons of leaves and did quite a lot of outside work. I got a 9KW Generac Generator and it was installed on Friday. The plumber is coming tomorrow to connect the gas line and the plumbing inspection is on Thursday. It will be turned on and tested when the electrical inspector comes. It looks gorgeous and made my picket fence and the north side of my cottage look shabby so I washed everything down with Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day multi-surface spray and the shingles, my air-conditioning unit, all the panel boxes and pipes and especially the picket fence look almost new. I got rid of that green algae or whatever it is that likes to get on surfaces where there is no direct sun. It wasn't that hard since there was the nicest very soft rain that wet down everything for me so my spray cleaner could get right to work. I didn't have to scrub with any brushes, just a 3M thin pad and some old rags. I did a lot of raking and pruning earlier in the day before the rain. Will post pics later. Enjoy your Sunday night. xo

Wonderful Hallway / Art and Antiques

I was so happy to find this photo to share with you today. I know these antique dealers/interior designers personally from my days as an antiques dealer and this gorgeous home is in my neighborhood. See more gorgeous photos here. You are in for a real treat! Enjoy. xo

Great Living Room, Nice Floors

I like this cozy setting around the fireplace flanked by French doors. The bookcase is perfect and I love these floors! via

Lovely Hallway

I like it all. The painted floor, the high ceiling, the shiplap wall, the glazed door and the room beside. via

Blackberries in a Basket: August Laux

August Laux 1847-1921

This lovely painting perfectly illustrates this time of year. Eat all the fresh local fruit you can because soon there will be no more. via

Perfect Spot to Sit and Read

This chair looks very comfortable and it has a matching ottoman and to me, that's a huge plus. The lamp is on the left and there's a side table. I love the mahogany piece against the wall and the free-standing bookcase. I wish I could see the rest of the room before I declare it perfect. via

Old Photos at My Cottage

I lugged the two bottom leather cases from a flea market in England back to my Bed and Breakfast and later to the airport. They are SO heavy. The top case is fitted with the most beautiful enameled glass toiletry containers and comb and brush sets.

Everything has been arranged except for the art and the sofa and the bookcase in the far corner. It's fun to see my room the way it looked around 5 years ago.

Best Kitchen Ever

The airy kitchen opens to a sitting room and hearth with windows that overlook the Potomac. Read and See More: Inside A West Virginia Time Piece via Garden and Gun.

Pantry Entrance Display

Sometimes you just want to display your favorite things, and this is a wonderful way to do it. Love the sliding pocket doors into the pantry. via