Beautiful Book Cover - Two Views

If you think this one is beautiful, you won't believe the next one.

There are so many talented and creative people out there that make moving gifs to delight me. Isn't this amazing? via

The technician will look at my car today and give me the news later. I'm fine at home today on a dreary day, far away from Hurricane Michael. Be safe if it's near you. I only watch BBC News America and they say the Gulf Coast and the Florida panhandle are in great danger from high winds and waves. All we can do is hope it is downgraded before hitting land and hope for a beautiful sunrise like this one soon.

xo

Washing Dishes: Jessie Willcox Smith

Thank God for dirty dishes;

they have a tale to tell.

While other folks go hungry,

we're eating pretty well.

With home and health and happiness,

we shouldn't want to fuss;

For by this stack of evidence,

God's very good to us.

~ Anonymous

I found this image and poem while searching on Pinterest. I love the beautiful blue and white Canton that this little girl is washing. Just look at the wear on the bottom. Maybe it wasn't valuable back in 1925 but now it's prized. I have quite a few pieces in my corner cupboard.

JWS is one of my favorite illustrators from the first quarter of the 20th century and this image is new to me. This little girl doesn't even have a step stool but has to balance precariously on a little ladder in old blue paint. I've been doing a lot of this lately but on a larger ladder, both outside and inside, dealing with my windows.

I have been a little distracted lately, since Sunday afternoon. I opened my car door for an errand and the car alarm started going off and I could not start my car. It completely shut down because it thought I was trying to steal it. I am still trying to figure out what to do. I stopped using my clicker about 10 years ago and never replaced it when the battery died. I have been using my key ever since. I am depending on friends for rides and will decide today what I should do. Will keep you posted. xo

Tennis: Katharine Hepburn in 1981

She was 74 in this tennis photo. I recently watched part of a movie on TCM entitled PAT AND MIKE with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. I didn't finish it because I thought the plot was too silly. I started watching it because the host who introduced the film said she actually played all the athletic parts, mainly golf and tennis and she was so good at both in real life. She also was an excellent swimmer and sailor but I don't know if she did either in the movie. Her father stressed the importance of exercise and she followed his advice and was active almost to the end of her life at age 96. 

I don't do any sports these days and I try to stay out of the sun. Walking, gardening, lawn work, and housework are about the only things I do with any regularity. Have you ever heard the old saying, "Housework, if done correctly, will kill you." That always makes me laugh. I haven't done mine correctly in a long time and I can see the wisdom behind the quote.

xo

Michael Bastian's Eclectic Livingroom

According to Michael, his rent-controlled apartment home is “a little of everything that’s been smashed together in slow motion over the past 20 years.” The plain cream canvas of the walls allows him to add as many layers of decor and furnishings as he pleases, without it appearing too cluttered.

Michael Bastian is an American fashion designer with his own label after working for Sotheby's, Tiffany's, Bergdorf's and Ralph Lauren. When asked how he arranged the salon-style wall art he said, “it should never just be paintings or just photography, but a mix -- that’s where the real magic is. There should be modern stuff, textiles, framed book covers all hanging together.” Read the entire article here.

There is a lot to see but it all works and I like it. I can aways manage to squeeze in something I love even though I have no more room. I like being surrounded by things that make me happy. The only real price I have to pay is the difficulty in cleaning under, over, and around my collections, something I'm dealing with, big time, right now. I'm not complaining as it is turning out to be very satisfying.

Enjoy your Sunday and be sure to watch the second episode of the new season of The Durrells in Corfu tonight on PBS. In case you missed the first episode last week, you can watch it on the link I provided. I so love this series. xo

Our Mothers Worked So Hard

Doesn't this vintage photo found Google Images make you love your mother more? Mine only had two children three years apart but I still marvel at all she did with no help. She kept our homes beautifully, sewed her clothes and mine too and she even sewed for my brother and my father. She cooked delicious and sometimes complicated food and we ate healthy meals. She always looked beautiful and I don't think we gave her the credit she so deserved. I was so proud to be her daughter and she did know that. This photo just struck a cord of how hard it must have been to hold it all together back in the day. 

I wish I hadn't been so lazy all summer long because it is really hard now. I should have taken my grandmother's advice.

She really did say this, I'm not making it up. I am playing catch up and have the feeling I will never get to the point of having every room cleaned from top to bottom the way she did. I have told you before that she devoted one week to each room for spring and fall cleaning. I just seem to jump around and do the same task in each room instead. Right now it's still windows and I'm almost finished.

Have a great weekend. Thank you for giving me the will to continue blogging. I am enjoying it again and will continue. Thanks for clicking on the ads in my sidebar too. xo

TV: Penelope Keith's Hidden Villages (in England)

If you cannot see the video above, click here.

My Georgia friend Judy, aka JudyMac, told me several months ago to be on the lookout for this series on PBS. I checked but my three PBS stations in New Jersey had not yet signed up for it. I watched the previews and knew I would love it. It finally came my way several Friday nights ago at 8pm and luckily I discovered it just in time to watch Episode 1 of Season 2. My area did not get it in time to show Season 1 but that's okay. I absolutely love it and you will too. I found this complete episode on YouTube. I know it's on Acorn TV in addition to PBS and you can purchase the series on DVD. Check your listings. My programming is being shown on WLIW channel 21 or 521 on my FiOS. I understand Dame Penelope Keith was in "To The Manor Born" but I don't recall ever having watched that three-season series back in 1979-81. The entire series is available on YouTube here.

You are Welcome. Thank you all once again for all the comments you have been leaving. It's very heartwarming to know I have such a fan base.
PS: Thanks for all the clicks too! xo

Beautiful Sun Porch with Chintz Chair

When it gets too chilly to sit outside, come in and sit in the sunroom. I hope this lovely chair in beautiful chintz is facing a fireplace. Image from House & Home Magazine. 

I am way ahead of the chilly season at my cottage. I have already put my deck furniture in the barn. I washed my front windows on the outside yesterday and I am not going to put the screens back in until spring. The rooms are so much brighter without them. 

Thank you all once again for all your positive comments. It's good to know how many of you are tuning in daily and that matters to me and I shall continue trying to find something interesting or beautiful to bring you as often as I can.

xo 

A Scarlet Ibis in a Powder Room

There is so much to study in this marvelous powder room. Which came first, the statement painting of a flamingo Scarlet Ibis (thank you Brenda) and her egg or the room? I adore the floor and the marble sink as well as the shutters on the window. Every detail is perfect including the raised commode.

Thank you so much for all of your comments from yesterday's post. I truly appreciate all of your kind words and your support. xo

Pumpkin Pie Crusts for Fall

If you could ever find these little leaf and pumpkin cookie cutters, you could make these beautiful pies. Actually, after I typed the previous sentence, I searched and found them here. Pumpkin pie is my favorite because it isn't too sweet and has some nutritional value too. Get ready, the season is coming, ready or not.

I am feeling very smug and pleased with myself because I got rid of a lot of junk this week at annual trash day in town. I put it out several days early as did my neighbors, so people driving by could stop and take what they wanted and it worked! I searched my neighbor's pile too and discovered a 10-ton log splitter they were getting rid of. I immediately called a friend who helps me with big tasks and he came right over and got it. I guarded it while he was in transit. Luckily, he was nearby in his truck. Some things are just meant to be, right?

Thanks for stopping by. I have been disappointed in my blog lately and most days I have to force myself to post. My readership is way down and when Google discontinued Feedburner I lost about 3,000 followers. Instagram is so much easier to post and respond to comments as you know. But I'm hanging in there for my loyal few. xo

Cozy Living Room near The Kitchen

I like what I see in this photograph. The cabinet next to the stove makes a nice room divider for the dining area looking into the living room. The ceiling fixture with the schoolhouse light globe is perfect. image found here

Pumpkin Season is Here

It's here. I see pumpkins on doorsteps already but few colors in the leaves in my area. via

Halloween decorations are starting to appear too. I made this greeting from an image I photographed from my Royal Book of Crests and added the seasonal text. I saved it to my phone so I can text it to friends later in the month. I really wouldn't want a bat on my family crest or coat of arms, would you? But this little bat has a very friendly face and is rather cute when all the other bats on the antiquarian book page were pretty scary. Happy Halloween! xo

Giving Equal Time to Cats

I decided I should give equal time to cats since posting several photos featuring dogs. The engraving above is from my 19th century Royal Book of Crests and I love it. It has been posted before here and on Instagram. The photo below is of a mother cat with her kitten. Their markings are very similar and the cute little kitten is going to grow up to look just like her mom. via

Have a great Sunday, the last day of September. Whereever did the month go?

xo

View this image with a quote by Charles Dickens about cats. I created it back in 2010 when my blog was only two years old.  Click here.

Powder Room with Antiques

I love this room. I tried to find the original source but the only thing that came up was the name of the paint color  Peale Green by Benjamin Moore (HC-121). Should I name the things I like in this space? I think not because there is nothing I don't like. It is simply stunning. Found here.

Have a great weekend. xo

Creating A Space for The Dogs

THE NORTH FRONT

This 18th Century house was 'turned around' in the 1870s, with the north front refaced as the main entrance.

Simon Upton Photo - THE HALLWAY

An eighteenth-century console from Jamb provides shelter for two dogs in this house.

THE ENTRANCE HALL

The spacious entrance hall was originally the drawing room in this 18th Century house. 

All photos by Simon Upton.
Traditional Interior Design Ideas. House and Garden UK

Gorgeous Bedroom

This room is perfection. I love the painted floor and the rug that looks like a sweater. The artwork on the walls is gorgeous, the side table is lovely, the bed is spectacular, the chair is beautiful as is the upholstered headboard. It all works so nicely together. Found here.

UPDATE: I decided to search the original source for the first photo and found it was the Southhampton bedroom of Tory Burch. Here is another view. Isn't it lovely?

Lee Radziwill’s former Fifth Avenue bedroom, via the July/August 1975 issue of Architectural Digest. The central theme is Colfax and Fowler's classic chintz called Fuscia. The botanical prints are also a theme. Somehow Tory Burch found a very similar rug and duplicated this floor with a painted version.

You are in for a treat. There are so many more photos of rooms with this chintz fabric to study and love here. ENJOY!!!

xo

Goodbye to Summer

It is hot and muggy at my cottage today but a change is coming tomorrow when the high will be only 68° which is a big drop from 82° now. Can't wait! This image personifies the end of summer, doesn't it? via

Gallery Wall of Silhouettes

I love a good gallery wall and this one, going up the stairs, is especially nice because of the antique silhouettes. via

Dogs Around an AGA Range

What? You want us to move so you can cook on our AGA? Could you come back later? We aren't quite toasty enough yet! via

Elegant Entry

Perfection. No furnishings required. via

Halloween Cats Escaping Ink Bottle

This is a very clever drawing. Black cats and kittens are in high demand with Halloween approaching. via

Dining Room Turned Library

My brother and I always did homework at the dining room table. We used it for board games too and my mother and I used our big table for cutting out the clothes we sewed. It was our "family room". This photo shows the evolution of a dining room that became a library. via

New House Tour on Cape Cod

The wooden box beside the side door is an outside shower enclosure and I love it. This is the wing of a new Cape Cod home and it is lovely. You can see many more photos here including the interior. I would prefer to live in the charming cottage style carriage house/garage. 

Vintage Kitchen Items to Love

Who remembers the endless kitchen towel? This is so much better than a roll of paper towels for wiping your hands. Is it coming back? Let's hope so. I love this table beside the stove instead of a kitchen counter with a marble or granite top. It matches the windowsill too. I love all the vintage things on it; cutting boards, wooden spoons, ball jars with zinc tops and an old porcelain bread box.

Above: To be filed under why didn’t we think of that: beechwood plate rack modeled after hymnal racks in churches. They can also be used for displaying books and other objects. They look amazing mounted in long rows. Both images and resources found here.

My New Haircut

I got a haircut today and I am very pleased. I have been letting my layers grow out. This is a blunt cut with the ends beveled so they turn under naturally. A friend recommended the stylist at Supercuts in Morristown and I will definitely go back. She gave me the precision cut I have longed for but nobody else could pull it off. You know I have to be pleased to pose for a selfie. xo

UPDATE: I just found this adorable post about a little girl and how she feels about her first haircut. Watch. I promise you will love it.

Tricia Foley Style

Tricia Foley's romantic Long Island, New York property, consisting of an 18th century farmhouse and several outbuildings, serves as her personal laboratory, and reflects a style influenced by the simple tenets of Shaker design.

photo by William Abranowicz

Photos in this blog post found here. The article has more photos too.

photo by Marili Forastieri

Foley is best known for her timeless classical style, characterized by clean lines, natural materials, and vintage furnishings, from flea market finds to fine antiques, and a serene palette of cream, ivory, and white.

Burberry Burns Unsold Merchandise

The Burberry store in Mayfair on April 26, 2018 in London, England. Photo: Jack Taylor (Getty Images)

I have been watching/listening almost exclusively to BBC World News America lately and today I learned something shocking about Burberry, a brand I have long admired. "The British luxury retailer Burberry has taken protecting their brand to new extremes, reportedly burning over $33 million in unsold merchandise rather than sell it at discount or donate it." Read more here.
I hate to shop and I am not a fashionista but if I were, this brand would be off my list forever as it takes planned obsolesce to new heights. I am completely stunned, how about you?

1917 Illustration from a Children's Book

Sweetest illustration by Janet Laura Scott 

Verse by John G. Bowman

The book, Happy All Through The Day, was published in 1917. I love the way the girls' room is decorated. I have always loved to study interior design in children's books.

There is a hole through almost every page in the book. It was presented to a boy named George for Christmas in 1924 by his mother. George must have gotten a compass too. He practiced drawing circles on the back cover and the sharp pointed thing made a hole like the one above. I was able to clone it out in the first photo using iPhoto on my Mac.

Beautiful Relaxed Slipcover

I really love the look of this chair with a relaxed-fit slipcover. Maybe it would be easy to make but I'm not sure. The whole setting is quite lovely too. Don't you love the fabric choices for the chair and the pillow? photo found on Pinterest and traced back to here.

Small Kitchen Island On Wheels

One of my friends bought a house over a year ago and she's still working on it. She wanted an island in her kitchen but didn't think she had room. I found this photo last week on Houzz and sent it to her. She loved it and is having her carpenter copy it. She has a small table and chairs for kitchen dining so she doesn't need an island with an overhang for seating.

Kitchens Without A Center Island

I was so excited this morning when I found an article that once appeared in the Wall Street Journal about "Why Kitchen Islands are Ruining America's Kitchens". I went thru this process when I was designing my own cottage kitchen in 2002. My contractor wanted me to put in a breakfast bar and I didn't want one. I don't like them because people can't look one another in the eye when sitting side by side. Please read the article in the link because I think it hits the nail right on the head. The photo above is the author's kitchen. She shows other views in the article.

I measured and measured, put down a cardboard cutout the size of my farm table and it worked perfectly in my cottage as you can see below.

This is my kitchen that was designed around this antique farm table. The bentwood chairs came with my cottage. I have never looked back. xo

DIY Fabric Shoe Bag to Love

I found this photo in a box of magazine clippings I've been saving and I still love. Sorry, there were no instructions. I made a shoe storage bag without a pattern years and years ago. I made it the width and height of my closet door and it was wonderful. My mother ended up with it in her condo in Charlotte before she came to live with me, so it lived a long life. We gave it to one of her friends so it's still being used. If you have some fabric that makes your heart sing (yes, there are such things), this is a great project for you. This one was designed around the width of the clothes hanger. The one I made had metal eyelets across the top for nails and the fabric was folded over several times for reinforcement to hold the weight. The one above illustrates the creative uses you can come up with for your own needs, such as storing and saving seed envelopes. 

I found a youtube video with instructions https://youtu.be/30idKV4qZnk - there is a link within for illustrated step-by-step instructions.

Elegant Formal Living Room

This elegant living room filled with fine art,  period antiques, antiquarian books, and oriental rugs still looks quite comfortable and cozy.

  Estate Home-Living Room: Solaris Inc.