Wonderful Room with Rag Rug

This colorful rag rug just makes this room, doesn't it? I love the draperies edged with ball fringe too. I am trying to figure out the easy chair in striped fabric with green cushions. Are the arms freestanding? It's very interesting and looks comfortable. I love the gathered skirt.

New Arrangement in My LIving Room

I have done some major rearranging in my living room all because of my television. I recently bought a used but not abused Apple TV from a neighbor. It is third generation but it works wonderfully well and I am able to stream shows from my iPad to my TV. I have also joined Acorn TV with a one year subscription and am enjoying it thoroughly. I moved my largest sofa beside this antique tiger maple sewing stand because the companion sofa you see in this sofa was not long enough for naps and not as comfortable as my longer one that was formerly between my French doors leading to my balcony. I had to rearrange my lamps too. All of them. I bought this vintage cocktail shaker lamp with the hand-painted shade months ago at an estate sale. It has been up in my attic waiting for a home and got one this week. I am not a drinker but loved this lamp. I have a large collection of decanters all across the top of my bookcase so the martini glasses drawn on each panel are still appropriate. They don't even show when the lamp is turned on. It has a small bulb and casts a beautiful glow that is not too bright for TV binging. I am very happy with everything and will post more photos from time to time. I had many early morning errands to run this morning regarding real estate and I'm not finished yet. It's still too hot to work outside and I am thankful for my central air. I keep it at a high setting and turn it off at night and open the windows when I can. Otherwise a fan in the bedroom is all I need. Stay cool. and wear a mask when you go out xo

Making A Garden Quote

I agree. Such a beautiful quote. via

Gorgeous Yellow Flower

What an amazing flower and a spectacular photo too. via

Yard Goals: Mowed Path

This wide mowed path is quite wonderful. It probably wasn't always flanked by tall grasses left to go wild but it transitioned perfectly. The old house is charming too. Enjoy your Sunday and picture me hiding in my my cottage with the air conditioning running with three days of temps in the 90s coming up. Stay cool. xo

Extraordinary Curb Appeal

This is absolute perfection. I especially love the diamond walkway leading up to this beautiful home. via A larger view of this home is on Melissa Penfold's Instagram.

Middleburg VA Renovation

Just wonderful. via

Cultivated Wild Landscaping in Napa

I loved reading the article about this Architectural Landscaping couple who got stuck at their vacation home during quarantine and totally revamped the outside with cultivated wildness. It looks fabulous and the poppies growing in the cracks are right up my alley. Followed by hollyhocks! What could be better? Read the entire article here. Enjoy! xo

Blue Bermuda Shutters

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While we are on the subject of Bermuda shutters, I thought you might like to see another example. This one is wonderful. It must have been a challenge to get the paint color to match the pool water exactly! Stay cool. xo

Random Photos Around My Cottage

Red Poppy 

This poppy is one of the last due to the heatwave we've been having. The seed pods are still working hard though to produce seeds for next year.

I beat the birds one morning this week in order to have freshly picked raspberries on my morning yogurt.

Here is a portrait view of one of my wild raspberry bushes.

The bees and other pollinators are really enjoying my pink swamp milkweed flowers. Later the monarch butterflies will lay their eggs on the leaves as food for the caterpillars.

I have been busy indoors during this current heatwave but just had to open all the windows and enjoy listening to the birds this morning. I can only stand to be sealed up with the air condition turned on for so long. We had rain overnight and it was pleasantly cool when I got up early. I know I will have to close everything up later as it is supposed to be 91° later. Stay cool and be save. xo

Cottage with Pool

via This looks like a delightful place to cool off in this heatwave. xo

Pool House with Bermuda Shutters

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I adore this bungalow with a delightful pool house. The full-window Bermuda shutters are perfect here and they provide shade, airflow, and privacy. The clerestory windows are another architectural detail that make this compound so special. The understated mature landscaping is wonderful and so is the swimming pool. I love this little gem!

William Morris Wallpaper in Green

What a beautiful all-over floral design in green and white. William Morris hand-blocked wallpaper is always lovely, isn't it?

Inspiring Country Garden

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This wonderful country garden is certainly maximizing the space with only a little lawn for a path between the raised beds. The teepee trellis made from branches is wonderful too. Have a happy gardening weekend and I'll see you later. xo

Never Too Old to Garden

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This wonderful gardener's outfit reminds me of my mother in so many ways. She always wore jumpers and she never lost her love of digging in the garden. I take after her in many ways, preferring to do things myself rather than hire someone. My two-day mowing marathon this week is a good example. I honestly thought I had waited too long between mowings and wouldn't be able to handle the growth with my walk-behind mulching mower. I considered calling someone for help but decided to try a couple of rows myself first and found it to be pretty easy and the rest is history. I'm looking forward to a lazy day today as my reward with some Acorn TV. It has already spritzed rain several times and the sky is gloomy but I am cheerful. Cheers! [Update: I wrote the text for this post this morning and after lunch the sun came out and I was able to work outside on some weeding projects.] xo

Classic Low Country Cottage

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This is wonderful, isn't it? I have always loved low country cottages and this one is extra special. I finished my mowing today and it was a perfect day. The humidity was low and it wasn't too hot. There was a nice breeze, the kind you can feel blowing through your hair. I loved it. I had my central air surviced on Tuesday and turned it on for the first time this year. I got the house nice and cool just in time to turn it off and open all the windows again. I am a happy camper! xo

Trellis Love

via This is a clever way to train your wisteria to surround your entrance and keep it off the clapboards. It's lovely! I need to cut mine back because it's going wild and is quite happy with all the downpours we've been having. I did some intense mowing yesterday and plan to repeat the process today before the dark clouds overhead open up again. xo

Happy Music and a Sidekick

https://youtu.be/avlOGya53IU 

Click on this link if you can't see the video below.

Shower Love

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Best shower ever and a very thoughtful design.

My Lacecap Hydrangea

Pale blue flowers on this bunch.

All white flowers on this bunch.

Pink flowers on this bunch.

All on the same woody shrub that blooms on last year's growth. It is really thriving after all the rain we've had recently.

Architect's Own Seaside Cottage in Brooklin Maine

Architect Gil Schafer's dream kitchen.

Entrance hall at the seaside cottage.

There is so much more to see and love here. Enjoy! Keep scrolling. It's a great project by a great architect.

Lakeside Dining

 

This looks like a great place to enjoy the summer, doesn't it? via

Built to Last

I adore the carved stonework around the recessed door and the stone window surround. There is almost nothing requiring paint and upkeep and nothing to attract insect infestation. This is my idea of a forever house where you can just get on with living and enjoying rather than maintaining. Sadly, this thinking has gone out the window unless the end user has full control of the construction process and access to old world craftsmen who are not in a rush. The flowers are the icing on the cake. via

Best Porch Swing

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This swinging sofa on a three season porch looks delightful. I think it would be perfect for long summer naps if the cute little dog would be willing to share.

BEST DOG BOOKENDS

Do want! I adore these two good boys 🐾🐾 holding up the old books. via

Cottage Detail: Blue Stair Treads

This cottage hallway and curved stairs with blue painted treads is simply wonderful. I love the perfect proportions of everything in this photograph, especially the fine woodwork. Perfection! via