Day 1063's pretty

The gardenia is blooming all over the grounds of my office building and the scent is intoxicating! I haven't plucked any yet, but that is on my list of things to do very soon!

Happy {long} Weekend!

Photo: Jacob Termansen Photography.

Inspired by: Putty-Colored Cabinets

I love a bright, white kitchen as much as the next person, but I am open to things less, well, white. Especially a soft beige -- for lack of a better term -- that is still neutral and clean, but is a little more warm than white white.



There's my faucet again!


Photos: Liz Williams, Cottage Living, via Greige, and unknown.

Could I Do This?

I've got curtains on my mind lately. Particularly the lack of them in our bedroom. I love these Greek key-trimmed beauties featured in Coastal Living and wonder, could I make these? I could save some cash by using a drop cloth or other inexpensive fabric, and I feel good about my box pleat-making skills after making the skirted desk. Wes could break out his carpentry skills to help me with the body of the valance, and surely my limited sewing skills could handle a trim. If not, a little hem tape would do the job.


Lewis & Sheron has a pretty and affordable Greek key trim ($12/yard).


This flat tape might be interesting ($8/yard).


But I am especially leaning toward this blue and blue geometric ($12/yard).

(Real) Bathrooms to Drool Over

I love getting to peek at the projects "real" people accomplish in blog land, and have lately been drooling over Rachel's two bathroom renovations. Simply stunning!


Instead of one long vanity, she flanked a large cabinet with two pedestal sinks. I love this as I find that the bathroom counter really only attracts clutter instead of serving a purpose.





Visit Rachel at Southern Exposure for all of the wonderful details!

Day 1056's pretty

This is pretty random, but one of my favorite times to be in my house is during an afternoon rain shower, with all of the lights turned off. The light is so quiet and pretty, and this photo reminded me of it when I saw it on Katy Elliott a few weeks ago. Just right for napping, which I'm hoping to do a little of this weekend!

Happy Weekend!

Picture of Perfection

A row of bell-jar lanterns, a blue porch ceiling, operable shutters, and an ocean view - what more can you ask for?? Maybe a steaming cup of coffee to help take it all in.

Photo.

May Backyard Progress

In addition to our deck, we've been sprucing up a little spot of the backyard. Our house only opens to the yard from the kitchen into the carport, so we moved the fence and gate into the carport (from the edge of the concrete you see here). It seemed a little strange at first, but there is still plenty of room to maneuver around a car, and it's nice to be able to leave the back door open when we are in and out without fear that Maddie will escape.

We also planted a little sod, moved three hydrangea to the inside of the fence (and added a fourth) and planted a few hosta. This part of the yard gets basically no sun, which is nice when sitting on the deck, but makes flower-planting challenging.

Still left to do here: add some stepping stones to the deck and the stairs that lead down into the yard, plant a few more shade-friendly plants (impatiens and ferns), and replace the top of the cinder-block wall with more attractive brick (which we dug out of various places in the yard). Oh, and finish the deck railing, but I'm still in no hurry for that.


I had lofty dreams of a small garden, but we really don't get enough sun for that (boo!). But my little herb garden -- planted in a galvanized tub we drilled holes in and placed in the sun in the middle of the deck -- is doing beautifully! I think it's about time to eat some basil.



They hydrangeas seem to like their new spot, as the fence shades them from the hot afternoon sun. They don't have quite as many buds as I'd hoped -- perhaps they need a good feeding?


The new set-up with the fence makes outdoor-dog washing a breeze! My bathroom drain and I are very thankful, as this girl is one hairy beast. I think I might have to get over my vanity and shave her this summer! Eeek.


For a dog who loves to swim, she sure does hate getting a bath. Here she is expressing her displeasure at being photographed instead of toweled off, brought inside, and given a treat for decent bathtime behavior.

Perfectly Imperfect

One of the last projects my mom and I tackled in our Tennessee house was the hall bathroom. What was supposed to be a quick fix (taking down the wallpaper and painting) turned into a much bigger ordeal, of course! After stripping the wallpaper (the bottom layers of which were affixed directly onto very, very old sheetrock), the walls were a total mess. We ended up putting a texture under the paint to disguise the disaster, but this homeowner decided to leave the beautiful mess exposed.


When guests ask how to get a similar wall treatment, he says to put up several layers of wallpaper, wait 50 years, and then peel it off. You really just can't fake a good patina, can you?

Photos: Martha Stewart Living.

Day 1049's pretty

There just isn't much that's prettier than old ironstone on a shelf, now is there?

Happy Weekend!

Photo: Lerkenfeldt Photography.

Two Are Better Than One

Photos: Good Bones, Great Pieces; Grace Happens; Urban Grace.

Simple and Beautiful (and smells nice, too)

I picked up a bunch (okay fine, two bunches) of peonies at Whole Foods last week and have so enjoyed them! They smell divine and look better as the frilly flowers fade. Makes me wonder why exactly I haven't planted any of my own.


I also snipped a Magnolia bud from a nearby tree. I knew it wouldn't last long, so I got it before it opened on Friday (it was brown by Monday morning -- they also shed like crazy, as you can see). The soft white petals and waxy green leaves are impossible for me to resist!

Southern Magnolias are one of my favorite blooms and they also smell woooooonderful. The sweet scent instantly reminds me of my childhood and the hours upon hours my sisters and I spent climbing the huge trees in front of my dad's office after school.

Day 1042's pretty

Our backyard was basically a blank slate (with a crumbling retaining wall) when we moved in, and we've slowly been taking it back from nature and restoring a little order. But we still have ways to go. I think this bench would really help, don't you?

Happy Weekend!

Crystal + Farm Table

I'm not really a crystal-chandelier type of girl. They're lovely, but I just don't see them in my house. However, when paired with a farm table or something equally casual, they are just right.





Photos: via A Country Farmhouse, House & Garden, unknown, Coastal Living, and unknown.

Inspiration from Elsewhere

I've been feeling a tad uninspired lately. In the blog world, at least. Luckily, several of you have been picking up my slack! Here's what I've loved the last few days ...

Stan Dixon's inspiring Atlanta office, as seen in Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles. I spotted it at Greige via Doug's twitter feed (talk about a rabbit trail).






This pretty home from Connecticut Cottage and Garden on Everything LEB. Simple, pretty, and interesting. Love it (above and below).




Rebecca posted another rockin' Atlanta office from AH&L: Suzanne Kasler's. Not that this is surprising, but, wow! Where can I send my resume?? (just kidding!)






And finally, this home from Country Home magazine circa 2005 via Greige. Anyone else notice a major color theme?



Yes, it's all pretty pictures around here, but my heart is heavy for the people of Nashville who have been affected by the weekend's floods. It's bad. Much of the city is still underwater. If you want to help, you can donate $10 by texting "RedCross" to 90999 (thanks Lindsay, for that info). Locals can find hands-on opportunities here.