Tuesday, January 24, 2017

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!

Monday, January 23, 2017

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Delightful Article on Bunny Williams

The main residence on the grounds was built in 1840 and is the subject of Williams’s best-selling "An Affair with a House".

Left to right: A loggia off the carriage house; baskets and birdhouses in the potting shed.

Detail of one of her gardens.
One of the world’s most respected interior designers has spent her career teaching folks that style doesn’t trump comfort—and that there should always be room for the dogs.

Bunny with one of her many dogs. 
Read the article here: 

Friday, January 20, 2017

Lovely Architectural Elements

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

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Little Houses Promote Love

I have always loved this quote and here it is! via

Frosty Leaves

It's way too warm at my house for any frost on the leaves. We are having the strangest winter in New Jersey and I'm not complaining. Light snows followed by quick melting followed by rain followed by warm days followed by more light snow. It's a good weather pattern and I hope it continues. xo

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Monday, January 16, 2017

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."

Sunday, January 15, 2017

PBS Tonight: SHERLOCK Finale + VICTORIA Premier

Victoria premier airs tonight on PBS at 9pm in my area. The finale of Sherlock, Season 4 starts two hours earlier at 7pm.
Don't forget to set your DVR for both programs. 
I cannot possible understand why PBS does this to us. Can't they just offer one blockbuster at a time? Why put the end of one before the start of another? 
Grumble, grumble.

Saturday, January 14, 2017

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Ann Landers on Cleaning Out the Attic

This goes for the basement and the garage too. Getting lost in reading matter is a great way to procrastinate dealing with the task at hand, isn't it? Love this quote and illustration! You know you are in trouble when you bring coffee and the cat. via

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Winter Blues

Fooled you, didn't I? You probably weren't expecting Winter Bluebirds! via

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Monday, January 9, 2017

Amazing Library

That decorative plasterwork!
Those fine bindings and antique furnishings.
Love it all!

Old Tools are The Best Tools

I buy all my tools at garage sales and estate sales. They are almost always American made and reasonably priced. Used but not abused! 
via google images

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Snow Cat

Yes, it's safe to come out now. It snowed all day long at my house yesterday and somehow amounted to nothing. I would say I have 2 inches of powder this morning. I was able to sweep my walk when it quit last night with a stiff broom. I cleaned off my car too. I know most of you were not this lucky and I hope you have the same cloudless blue sky that I have to dig yourself out Sunday morning. xo
google images

Saturday, January 7, 2017

Unseen Corner of My Pantry Office

This is the corner to the left of my Dutch door going into the home office in my pantry. The back window overlooks my red barn garage. I found the little cork board before Christmas and the window with the bicycle was blank and the glass had become dislodged behind the cork. I added the bicycle graphic that I had always loved and was already printed and ready to go. I organized my favorite things and several appointments on both boards yesterday. I am going to deal with little things like this that I have been sweeping under the rug. So Happy. We have light snow this morning and I need to go out before it gets any worse. Have a great weekend. Stay warm and good luck with the snow at your house. xo

Friday, January 6, 2017

Staffordshire Lamp: Thrift Shop Find

This delightful pair of Royals wearing Prince of Wales Feathers in their hats were waiting for me yesterday when I popped into a thrift shop to drop off some donations. I put this photo on Instagram yesterday.

It amuses me that my iPhone tried to do face recognition on the man. Don't you love the little dog the girl is holding? So happy. I bought a pair of blue silk shades ages ago at a house sale and finally found the proper base for one. The proportions are absolutely perfect too.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

1929 Two Story Brick House from Sears with Floor Plans

I like this 1929 brick two story house too, back when the family room and the living room were one and the same. It appears, there is only one bathroom and it's upstairs. That is considered to be a huge drawback when trying to sell a house with this drawback nowadays. But people managed back then and I think families were closer. via

1929 Brick English Cottage w/ Floor Plans from Sears

Every once in a great while, I have the privilege of touring one of these old cottages built from plans and kits available from Sears. I always love them too. via

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Just Enough Snow

I do love a light snow.
Just a dusting.
Enough to add beauty but no danger.
This one is perfect!

Monday, January 2, 2017

The Queen on Horseback

This must be a happy time for her because she can leave her purse behind. (smile) via

Wonderful Cottage in Dallas, Texas

‘Hanover’
Isler Homes, general contractors, Dallas, TX.
I am in love with this stone  cottage with a slate roof and a walled front yard! via

Sunday, January 1, 2017

The Most Wonderful Laundry Room

I do love a stacked washer and dryer! ‘Cottonwood.’ Jackson and LeRoy, home builders, Salt Lake City, UT. via