Friday, December 7, 2018

Diane Keaton Designs Rustic Residence for Herself

For the past few decades, Academy Award-winning actress Diane Keaton has spent much of her free time off set on a series of construction sites flipping houses. Who knew?

Inside you'll find distressed brick, chicken wire cabinetry, raw wooden beams, old chicken coops repurposed into pendant lights, shiplap-covered walls, subway tile, black french shower doors, and a plethora of antiques. I chose to feature the kitchen; click here to see the rest of the home she designed for herself with the help of Pinterest. The photos and article appeared in both Country Living and Wine Spectator Magazines.

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Dream House In England

Teleport me there, now! via

Tree in Winter

This tree is lovely in the winter landscape. I love the shape of it and the fence fascinates me. It appears to be a "forever" fence with sturdy wooden posts and rails made of connected metal pipes. via

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Mountain Village at Night

This snow-covered mountain village at night is absolutely gorgeous, isn't it? via

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Anne Hathaway's Cottage

The cottage of William Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway.

Winter Garden by Lucy Goldsmith

I love this charming "Winter Garden" illustration by Lucy Grossmith, a Suffolk UK based artist and illustrator. The outdoor activity comes alive when the lights go on inside our cottages. 

Monday, December 3, 2018

December by Walter Crane

The Procession of the Months, collection in the Houghton Library at Harvard. Illustration by Walter Crane. Verse by his daughter Beatrice Crane. See their November calendar page here. See his woodcut engraving called The Angels here. More information on Walter Crane's life and career here.

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Farmhouse Style: Christmas Decor

Just gorgeous. An all white farmhouse with wreaths on every window, garlands on the porch railings, and snow. via

Simple Christmas Decor Outdoors

If you are lucky enough to have an ivy-covered house, all you need is green wreaths with red bows for Christmas. A dusting of snow would be nice too. via Happy December. xo

Friday, November 30, 2018

Appley Dappley: Beatrix Potter 18890

Appley Dapply - Beatrix Potter 1890 via

APPLEY DAPPLY, a little brown mouse,
Goes to the cupboard in somebody's house.

IN somebody's cupboard
⁠There's everything nice,
⁠Cake, cheese, jam, biscuits,
⁠—All charming for mice!

Click HERE to read all of APPLEY DAPPLY'S NURSERY RHYMES, all with Beatrix Potter illustrations.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Gorgeous Fireplace Garland

This is breathtakingly beautiful. Dried oranges and kumquats brighten a garland of olive boughs. Photo: @sanganphotography; Design: @putnamflowers via

Monday, November 26, 2018

New House Love

It's bigger than it looks in this side view.

Interesting roof line.

Family room is part of the kitchen.

Kitchen view.

All the lights on for a dusk view.
View more photos and an article here.
POLHEMUS SAVERY DASILVA
Architects-Builders East Harwich MA

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Wreath on Farmhouse Door

I love this old door decorated with a vine and wildflower wreath. I wonder if the recession behind the wreath opens somehow from the inside to check who's calling? Look closely, there's a lit Christmas tree inside. via

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Friday, November 23, 2018

Wonderful Bedroom for Two Boys

Another celebrity couple are featured in a July 2017 post in Architectural Digest. This is my favorite room, shared by two young brothers. The caption below the photo in the article (link is fixed) mentions the source of all decorator items except the elephants quilts, which make the room. Sadly, since publication, the couple is no longer together. 
I made a delicious broccoli soup late yesterday garnished with leftovers. I had it for breakfast this morning and it was a delicious way to start my day. xo

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Wonderful Slideshow of A Celebrity Couple's Colorado Hideaway



Whose house is this? I'm not telling. I am so impressed with their good taste. View the slideshow with 13 photos here. Click on the + sign to read the captions (the photo will get smaller). Click on the X to enlarge the photo again. Source: Architectural Digest - Read the longer article here.

Monday, November 19, 2018

Plantation Drive, Woodruff SC: Historic Home

Be still my heart. 120 Plantation Drive Woodruff, South Carolina $664,900 Read all about it here and tour the home inside and out. 

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Nursery Tales by Katharine Pyle 1918

Frontispiece: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
I love this sweet illustration by Katharine Pyle

1918 Book Cover

Title Page

This entire 1918 book has been uploaded as an ebook that you can read on a computer or mobile device. The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mother's Nursery Tales, by Katharine Pyle. Click HERE to get started reading this delightful book. I adore the illustrations. You're welcome. xo

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Butter-Rum Walnut Cake: King Arthur Flour Recipe

Oh, WOW. This looks so delicious. Be sure to read the reviews below the recipe for one lady's changes. The recipe is very versatile. King Arthur Flour Recipe

Best Kitchen Window

A wreath on the window over the kitchen sink is a great idea! via

Friday, November 16, 2018

Newborn Lamb Transport in Italy

Donkey nannies in Italy.
Each year in Italy, grazing animals are moved from high pastures down to the plains. Newborn lambs are unable to make this journey on their own. Instead, they ride in the pouches of a specially made saddle on the back of a donkey or a mule nanny. They are taken down at rest stops and returned to their mothers for a bite to eat and a bit of nuzzling.
Photo: medeamoon

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Suffragette on A Scooter 1916

c. 1916 Lady Norman on her scooter.
IMAGE: PAUL THOMPSON/FPG/ARCHIVE PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES click here for more photos of early scooters of all kinds.

Yes, she is a suffragette, and yes, that is her scooter. English socialite and activist Florence Priscilla, Lady Norman, CBE was given this Autoped as a birthday present by her husband, Sir Henry Norman. She used it to travel to her office in central London. Florence was following in her mother's footsteps in her active support for women's suffrage. Her CBE (Commander of the British Empire) came when she ran a hospital in France during World War I.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Snow Bunny

A Nor'easter is coming tomorrow around lunch time with snow and sleet and then rain on Friday. I am not at all excited, but seeing a cute snow bunny like this would soften the blow. via

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Monday, November 12, 2018

Sunday, November 11, 2018

A View Like A Living Painting

The view is stunningly beautiful, isn't it? And this window frames it perfectly. I can't seem to look away. via

Friday, November 9, 2018

Woodpile: Neatness Counts

This is lovely. There must be a really large fireplace somewhere to use these unsplit logs. via

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Blue Footed Booby

It's almost too much isn't it? To have blue feet and be called a booby. I think they are adorable.

This made me laugh. Both photos found on Google Images. National Geographic has more information and photos on their website.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

'The Angels' by Walter Crane

I am somewhat obsessed with the artwork of Walter Crane. He was friends with William Morris and I love the Pre-Raphaelites of the Arts and Crafts Movement. I found this image on Pinterest.

I voted today in the midterm election but it's way too early to get a feel for who won. The polls don't close in NJ until 8PM. I went this morning in the pouring rain.

Monday, November 5, 2018

November: Poem and Image 1889

Please click on the link and view this lovely poem by Beatrice Crane and the illustration by Walter Crane 1889. Have you ever read a more perfect description of the month of November? I have not! This is another image I want to print and keep forever.

Perfect Cabin Bedroom

Bring on the red woolen blankets! via I redid my bedding yesterday for winter and I slept like a log last night. I found a red and white toile duvet cover in my linen closet that I had forgotten all about and had never used. I put on clean white percale sheets (top sheet was ironed) and then I put on the down comforter layer. I put the reversible duvet cover on as a bedspread and it looks so nice. It was larger than my comforter and makes the perfect spread. My bed was so easy to make up this morning and I can't wait to jump in it again tonight. Is it wrong to wake up already planning going back to bed again? I think now. It's all about getting accustomed to daylight time minus the "savings". They say it takes a week for your body to get in the new rhythm. xo

Sunday, November 4, 2018