Day 815's day off

You may have seen that the Southeast has been getting a little more rain than usual. That's really an understatement, but we live on the crest of a hill so other than a super-saturated yard, we haven't been affected (thankfully). Until yesterday, when a tree fell near my office knocking the power out and closing shop for the day.


The surprise day off was so, so nice. I got caught up on housework and laundry. And even got to linger over my cup of coffee.


I (a tad prematurely) got the bedrooms looking a little more like fall, and a little less like a beach retreat. I'd show you pictures, but my memory card is apparently corrupted ...


And I worked on framing our architecture prints. I could get used to being a housewife!

Oh, and isn't today the first official day of fall? You know I'm excited!

Day 811's pretty

Photo by Luca Trovato for House Beautiful

Love the way this dark, cozy bedroom is such a contrast to the rest of the light, airy house. And the striped chair is pretty darn cute, too.

Happy Weekend!

Day 810's favorite country home

I l-o-v-e this little house. It's so simple: just white and the dark wood of the primitive antique furniture. The owner filled it to the brim with what she loves (ironstone, coin silver, baskets and more) and that's all there is to it. Perfect.





Here's what homeowner Sue Chandler says about collecting:
The Mix Dark antiques, white china. "It's bold and dramatic, and it just feels good to me."
The Art 19th Century oils, mainly portraits, from flea markets and antique shops -- always in gilt frames. "I like that touch of gold."
The Strategy "I buy what I like, not what's valuable. I'm always on the lookout for tureens without tops, which are really cheap and still look great."
The Philosophy "I trade up to improve and pare down my collection. For example, I sold six painted black chairs to get my four Windsor chairs, which are nicer and take up less space."



I'm sure not everyone will "get it" with this house, but I can't get enough! What about you? What would your house look like if it were simply filled with the things you loved?

Photos by Jack Thompson for Country Home (October 2006)

Day 809: fun finds

I popped into Hoover Antiques Gallery on my lunch break yesterday. There were several note-worthy items, but I was in a hurry, and only pulled out my camera in one booth. I thought these green pendants were super-cool. Not all that unremarkable, except for the rope detail. Wouldn't they look so delicious with a couple of bird prints? $500 for the pair.


Also loved this iron bench. I like benches, and I like to see garden accessories brought indoors. The pretty linen seat didn't hurt it much, but the $750 price tag -- ouch! -- sure did.


There were two of these chandeliers -- hung too high to get a great picture (unless I stood on the bench!). They reminded me of this one. While I had kitchen lighting on my mind (after seeing the green pendants) I thought they would look lovely over a big center island in a kitchen filled to the brim with white marble. So, in a kitchen I'll never own. Oh well, it's sure fun to dream!

Day 809's other favorite

You know about my love for architectural prints, but how about the birds?


Thanks to Jamie, I found a couple of great ones I can print myself here. Note that they are shown framed without a mat, which would make the process easier and less expensive.

Photos: Antoine Bootz for Southern Accents, Donna Griffith for Style At Home.

Day 808's lovely afternoon

It has been raining a lot. Like, every day. I'm not complaining though, because it has made for a mild summer, and should mean a spectacular showing of fall foliage in a couple of weeks. I got home from work on Friday to a perfect, still early fall afternoon. The rain had stopped (for the moment) so Maddie and I (and my camera) decided to hang out in the front yard. At first she was a little drowsy, as I came home in the middle of her afternoon nap (lucky dog).


But it wasn't long before silliness ensued.





Rolling around in the wet grass isn't my idea of a great time, so I headed over to check out the dogwood tree, which is showing signs of turning leaves.


The rain seemed to have saturated all of the colors. Aren't they lovely?

Day 807

Whew, Monday already?!

Day 804's pretty

I can barely stand it anymore, I'm ready for fall. I'll refrain from outfitting my front porch with mums (for now, at least), but I think I will bring in some bare branches from the yard. What are you doing to celebrate the changing season?

Happy Weekend!

Day 803: my dreamhouse

Mix all of this together, and you have my dreamhouse (for this week, at least).






Photos: Victoria Hagan, via Brilliant Asylum, Martha Stewart (and again), a friend, and unknown (oops!).

Day 802's inspiration

I think I'm ready to bite the bullet and get my architectural prints framed -- I've had them for 2+ years! I'm going to try my best to do it inexpensively, perhaps with a little DIY effort for good measure. Here is some of my inspiration.







Love, love this. I have four vertical prints, but could do something similar with two smaller prints ... hmm.

Photos: Sara Story, Jen West, Sara Gilbane, Elle Decor, Anne Coyle (bottom 2).