Colette's Cottage

Book Report: The Perfectly Imperfect Home

2012-01-26T06:44:00.000-05:00

I was so excited to read "The Perfectly Imperfect Home" by Deborah Needleman, as I'm a fan of the type of decorating that doesn't look too 'done'. And a fan of hers from Domino.

But a decorating book without photographs?

There are tons of adorable drawings, but not one photograph.

Despite the very useful information in the book, I couldn't enjoy it. Decorating is entirely visual and without seeing real-world pictures of the tips and advice, I couldn't process anything.

So, I'm disappointed. Gonna have to head off to Pinterest to get my visual decorating fix.

Ikea, You've Done it Again

2012-01-23T15:06:00.000-05:00

While at Ikea this weekend (getting stuff to make the basement more like a playroom for the boys), I discovered Ikea Family. It seems to be a rewards program- you sign up (for free) and get a card to swipe at the checkout. Certain products are less money for members.

But what excited me was the new products. I got a make-up bag for the gym- I LOOOVE it- so roomy.
It zips open to have a flat bottom. It's big, and the fabric is great quality. $5!!!!

Sadly, this was the highlight of my week.

Eat Your Heart Out, Carrie!

2012-01-20T13:10:00.001-05:00

My husband and I had a getaway weekend in NYC. Cold, but fabulous. Saw "Anything Goes", went to lots and lots of amazing restaurants, and caught up with a friend who used to live in Boston with us.

We knew she would live in a fabulous building. But my jaw dropped when we entered the building.
I didn't know how to politely ask "Can we just sit in the lobby and not go to brunch?"

Personally, I don't think anyone has ever sat on one of those chairs. For shame.

We didn't visit the indoor pool (!!!) or get any pics of her place,

but here are some images from the web.

Little Boy Blue

2012-01-05T05:14:00.000-05:00

I've been collecting images of boys' rooms to get ready to start making some tweaks to my 2-yr-olds room. Something traditional and coordinated but not theme-y.

Images: Elle Decor

Great Lines

2012-01-04T15:49:00.000-05:00

I'm into arches lately.

Photo: Houzz.com (witt construction)

For When You Decorate Your Teahouse

2012-01-03T15:38:00.000-05:00

Oprah has a teahouse. Yep.

It takes me 4 hours to finish a cup of tea- because the boys don't let me sit.

photos: Oprah.com

Transitional Boy's Room

2011-12-23T16:32:00.000-05:00

What do you do with your son's room when he is no longer a little kid?
Let him decide? NO! Ugh, too many commercialized superheros and tv characters.

This is the best older boy's room I've seen in a while. Not all kitschy like the recent Pottery Barn kid's rooms. Nice color palette. Loving the ceiling.

Holiday Decor

2011-12-22T16:11:00.000-05:00

I have been so bad about this blog. My life keeps me too busy. I don't know how these women with 5 kids, a job, and weekly trips to church also manage to blog every day. Seriously. If I get a shower in the course of a day, I feel accomplished.

Anyways, this house in Park City featured in Traditional Home is gorgeous. Simple, clean, pops of color to keep it warm.

I love double sided fireplaces- two beautiful rooms for only the cost of one fireplace.

This color is a little much, but maybe not in a Utah winter...

A sitting room in a master bedroom will never happen for me.

But this would be a perfect family room in a beach cottage

(which will never happen for me, either)

This kitchen!!!!

The island is my dream come true.

And a sunny eating area in the kitchen.

This is my favorite kitchen EVER!!!!

What My Thanksgiving Will NOT Look Like

2011-11-23T12:34:00.000-05:00

Martha Stewart had the Today Show for a Bedford Thanksgiving. Classic, gorgeous, and pure Martha.

Her cozy little kitchen:

Orchid centerpieces:

All images: MarthaStewart.com

Set Design Spotlight: The Change Up

2011-11-21T14:04:00.000-05:00

Just read the blog Cote de Texas and her in-depth look at the house in "The Change Up". Now I have to see the movie. Maybe I'll watch with the sound off, it looks like it could be really annoying, but between the house/Ryan Reynolds/Jason Bateman, I'll have more than enough to keep me happy.

Check out Cote de Texas' review. She has a ton of amazing photos.

Book Report: Design*Sponge at Home by Grace Bonney

2011-11-19T16:22:00.001-05:00

I should have known. I occasionally visit the Design*Sponge website. But never get 'stuck' there. I lose interest and head off elsewhere. So it should come as no surprise I wasn't a big fan of the book. Not for any reason other that my own personal likes and dislikes don't coincide with the website.

On a purely objective level, the book is great.

High-quality pictures of tons of different spaces.

Interviews with the owners/decorators.

A how-to section for making your own decor elements.

I appreciate Design*Sponge on an aesthetic level, I just don't share it.

No biggie, the world would be a boring place if we all liked the same things.

Stylish Ikea Rast

2011-10-31T14:51:00.001-04:00

There's so much potential with Ikea furniture. Love this idea for bedside tables.

Take the Ikea Rast. It's $35.

Then make it sleek and white.

Or dark and stylish.

Office Sneak Peak: Textures

2011-10-21T14:31:00.000-04:00

Getting close to finishing the office makeover.
My goal was accomplished: to smile when I enter the room.

Some texture closeups (I'm also practicing my photography skills)

Book Report time: "The Way Home" by J. Bilhuber

2011-10-20T14:52:00.001-04:00

Jeffrey Bilhuber presents 12 of his decorating projects to show how a designer works with clients to create a cohesive look for an entire house. What's interesting is to see how Bilhuber's overall aesthetic was the same for each client (layered eclectic traditional- is that a 'type?) with slight modifications for the client's interests and preferences.

My main take-away is not to hire a decorator unless you've reviewed their portfolio and find that their design sense is in line with your own.

Highlights: Gorgeous pictures, in-depth descriptions of how a client's requests become reality.

Lowlights: Slightly pretentious ("Jenny grew up in a family that embraced the pleasure of creative expression and gloried in celebrating the domestic narrative"), photos of a client's camel in their house, some needless artsy shots of seagrass through a screen door.

Bring it!

2011-10-18T15:48:00.000-04:00

Williams-Sonoma Home quietly went under. Not surprising- who buys fairly expensive furniture without seeing it in person? Little upset that my order for a super cheap rug was "lost". Gotta find a new rug for the office for under $100.

Traditional Home is bringing it!!! Not stuffy traditional...but kick-some-ass-new-traditional.

Slower than....

2011-09-30T20:59:00.000-04:00

The office makeover is coming along slowly. Very slowly. But some items are on their way.

Rug from Williams Sonoma Home. On sale.

Pillow for reading chair from CB2.

Now I just have to get in gear and figure out the curtain situation.

And I was going to commission a painting from MFAMB, but that didn't work out (on my end, she was unbelievably nice). Do I try to paint my own?!?!?! Now THAT would be an adventure...

Office Makeover Inspirations

2011-09-01T21:51:00.000-04:00

Let's not even get into why I haven't posted in a month (2 week vacation, kids not in camp OR school yet).

My fall goal is to decorate our home office. It's been a year in this townhouse and we just renewed the lease. I'm really excited, but need to focus my inspiration to a definite color scheme. Above are just random inspirations I've been collecting here and there the past few weeks.

More Black Kitchen Cabinets

2011-08-04T06:46:00.001-04:00

The room is so light (cream walls, skylights, sheer size), that it NEEDS black cabinets in the open kitchen to ground it. Very attainable room in terms of design and cost. But the couch and chair are booooring.

Images: Boston Globe (Eric Roth)

Parma 8200 Restaurant- Mahogany and Crocodile

2011-08-01T16:10:00.001-04:00

We tried a new restaurant for my birthday and you can't go wrong with Italian. What I didn't expect when we arrived at the office park was such a well-designed space.

The bar area had tons of leather couches and rough wood topped coffee tables. Over at the bar, the barstools were a rich brown crocodile leather. The bar also had low lamps with a patterned brown and white lampshade. Gorgeous.

The dining room was just as luxurious. Crocodile chairs, pendant lights and shades, mahogany plantation shutters.

And my shrimp risotto was great, too.....

A Twist on Windsor Chairs

2011-07-30T14:51:00.001-04:00

I'm partial to Windsor chairs. Classic look and the open back makes the table area seem less dense.

Loving Windsors at a kitchen island- what a statement piece against a white kitchen.

Also loving Windsors in different colors. Modern update to a classic

I might have to do this to mine someday as they are getting destroyed by my kids...

Images: House Beautiful, Country Living, House Beautiful, Restoration Hardware

Antlers

2011-07-28T11:17:00.000-04:00

Am I the only one who hates the antler fad? Personally, I do not wish to look at animal body parts.

Rant over.

Image: West Elm

Pink Kitchens

2011-07-25T14:57:00.001-04:00

The trend with non-traditional kitchen colors had me thinking of pink. Lord, it is hard to do an attractive pink kitchen (to which you're saying "no shit").
Let's keep the pink subtle, people, and balance it with a lot of white. Like this:

NOT LIKE THIS: (and the ceiling light bothers me too)

Images: design pad, kagozi, kitchenisms, flicker

Skylights for All

2011-07-20T08:17:00.000-04:00

Oooooh, skylights.
Although we had them in the family room of our last home and had to cover them in the summer. You would bake. I'm sure this family has central air.

Photo: Boston Globe(Eric Roth)

Sweet Cottage Kitchen

2011-07-16T03:09:00.000-04:00

Love: floors, chair skirts, huge doors to outside, brick wall
Hate: it's not mine

Image: House Beautiful

Preppy Right Now

2011-06-23T05:01:00.000-04:00

Takes the pink-and-green preppy thing to a modern and more subtle level

Image: Tria Giovan

Storybook Cottage

2011-06-06T14:41:00.001-04:00

All I would need is 7 dwarfs. Is that politically incorrect?

Image: Canadian House & Home

Windsor Chairs

2011-06-03T13:29:00.001-04:00

I'm partial b/c I have black windsor chairs with a wood farm table in my kitchen.

No green wall.

Image: Traditional Home

Summer Porches for Girls

2011-06-01T15:02:00.000-04:00

Summer porches with white as a base color makes it so serene.

Image: House Beautiful

Copper Collectables

2011-05-31T13:15:00.000-04:00

Copper is so beautiful in the kitchen.

Image: Lonny

I need to relax

2011-05-29T16:39:00.000-04:00

And this is where I want to do it...

Image: Trad Home

Spring Setting

2011-04-26T07:33:00.002-04:00

The mailbox was what first caught my eye. As I learned from buying one for our house- the only nice mailboxes cost A LOT!!! This Pottery Barn option is classic and cheap.

I'm loving the red doors. But doesn't the mailbox and house numbers mean it's the front door? Who in their right mind has a french door for their front door? How do you peak at who is ringing the doorbell and decide if it's someone you will allow to see you in your ripped sweatpants and hair-that-hasn't-been-washed-in-3-days? And the mailman isn't going to enjoy the plant obstacle course you've set up for him. But he could always rest in the chair and read the paper.

Image: Pottery Barn

Set Design Spotlight: Life As We Know It

2011-04-23T06:04:00.001-04:00

I'm jumping on this bandwagon. Loved, loved the house in "Life as We Know It".

No good pictures on the internets. They all feature THE ACTORS instead of the house.

Time to vote: Which is prettier? The house or Josh Duhamel?

Black Casement Windows

2011-04-19T13:48:00.000-04:00

Seeing black casement windows everywhere. So striking and classic.

Image 1: House Beautiful; Images 2-4:Lonny; Image 5: Traditional Home

Favorites- TradHome

2011-04-18T20:55:00.001-04:00

General consensus is that TradHome is a hit. What does it say about me that I didn't feel it was traditional enough? But I loved it, just the same. I saw "347 pages" and squealed.

Anything with brass tacks has my vote. Anything.

And I'm a sucker for a black table or chest with gold mirror.

Also like the idea of a self-contained TV area. This is a great idea for a basement TV room.

Images: TradHome

Book Report: My Passion for Design

2011-04-08T15:16:00.002-04:00

Just got Barbra Streisand's My Passion for Design from the library and read the entire thing in one sitting with my jaw open. Amazing. Fascinating.

I saw bits and pieces of her house last year on "Oprah" and the book doesn't disappoint. Personally, I don't like Early American decorating, but I certainly appreciate it. The house encompasses Colonial, Arts & Crafts, Shaker, Federal, Victorian, Art Nouveau (believe me, I could go on and on). The house escapes the threat of coming off as schizophrenic due to the attention to detail. It is like a museum rather than a house. Literally- she lives in another house on the property.

This book shows what you can do with enough money. And I mean that as a compliment. Barbra did an INCREDIBLE amount of research and it shows. Design elements exist in her house(s) that cannot exist in 99% of America due to the sheer cost (e.g. doors with different paneling on each side to coordinate with the room it faces).

She addresses accusations of her perfectionism and defends it. She's an incredibly talented woman, but no one gets to the level of fame and accomplishment she has attained without perfectionism and intellect.

I highly recommed this book. I thought it would be nice to flip through. But the descriptions of the process of building the house and lengths she goes to so that it is 100% "perfect" drew me in. I just kept reading and reading and murmuring "Oh my gawd!!"

Ivy Covered Cottage

2011-03-22T14:36:00.001-04:00

Nothing is more romantic than an ivy-covered cottage.
And the bedrooms inside are so peaceful.
Love the silhouettes over the bedroom windows.

Image: Country Living

White and Wood

2011-03-16T14:46:00.000-04:00

White clean-lined desks with dark wood in the room to offset it with a natural, antique feel.
YUM

Image: House Beautiful

Classic Bedroom

2011-03-11T21:56:00.002-05:00

Love this bedroom- all my favorite elements. Neutrals, gold frames, french doors, lots of pillows, antique wood...

Image: Lonny- Jennifer Dyer Interiors

Welcome Back, Pottery Barn

2011-03-05T14:52:00.000-05:00

The last couple years, I haven't been excited by Pottery Barn. They seemed to be going in a more modern-California direction and I'm a traditional-cottagey girl.

But there was a ton of stuff I loved in the new catalog:

Boy's Bedroom

2011-02-24T13:06:00.001-05:00

Nice and simple for an older boy. Favorites: curtains, bureau, globe.

Image: Southern Living

Hotel Crush: San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge

2011-02-22T14:21:00.000-05:00

February is the time for dreaming of vacation. High in the mountains of northern Italy, the San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge has a 4 bedroom lodge you can rent. Beautiful views, mountainside hot tub, gorgeous rooms.

Room Collection

2011-02-08T12:56:00.001-05:00

Love this serene combination of rooms

Images: Traditional Home (except for last image- House Beautiful)

Dark Wood Library

2011-01-31T16:03:00.000-05:00

There's nothing like a library done in dark wood. This one managed to escape the masculine-dark wood cliche with the feminine details (rug, lamps, ottoman)

Image: House Beautiful

Pint Sized Garden

2011-01-28T12:23:00.000-05:00

You don't need a lot of space to have a gorgeous garden
In fact, it might be better to have a limited amount of space- more time to spend perfecting it- and more time to catch up on Housewives of Beverly Hills

Image: Country Living

Reading Nook

2011-01-27T12:59:00.001-05:00

My dream house would have a cozy space for curling up with a good book
big windows, white couch, cozy duvet/throw.

Images: homedit,homedit, bhg

Wood Shingle Roofs

2011-01-25T12:52:00.002-05:00

Images: curbed.com, certified pros, openwindow, cape cod sheds, coastal online, frontdoor

Earl Young Houses

2011-01-23T14:09:00.001-05:00

Earl Young spent a year at architecture school and then dropped out and went into insurance. But his hobby was collecting stones in Michigan and he started building houses in Charlevoix. He was known for not having any architectural plans for his homes (making the builders very happy, I'm sure).
The resulting homes vary from Manors to one bedroom cottages. They're referred to as Mushroom Houses or Hobbit Homes due to their appearance.

There are 30-odd houses in the town, some are available as summer rentals (see below).

Possible vacation spot? I will think of myself as a princess in her cottage rather than a Hobbit in her hovel.

Images: Boulder Press, McLathey Tribune, vrbo, vrbo

High Ceilings Anyone?

2011-01-18T12:40:00.000-05:00

Nothing like a high ceiling to add drama

Image: Traditional Home

Sunny Eating Area

2011-01-16T20:05:00.000-05:00

Love the colors in this breakfast nook. I think I would have a little less going on (e.g. less ornate chandelier, no curtains, black wood chairs instead of wicker...

Image: Traditional Home

Bridgehampton Bedroom

2011-01-13T14:35:00.000-05:00

Of course Sarah Jessica Parker's master bedroom in their Bridgehampton house is gorgeous.
I would expect nothing less.

Image: Elle Decor

Casual Dining

2011-01-06T12:56:00.000-05:00

In the same vein that formal living rooms have disappeared from most new homes, the dining rooms that have survived are much less formal. Unmatching chairs, cheery colors, casual floors.

Image: Traditional Home

Inside Out

2011-01-04T07:12:00.000-05:00

Never thought to have a shrub inside the front hall.
Would need a front hall about 500 times my current one.

Image: House Beautiful (Dunham House)

Book Report: The Well-Dressed Home

2011-01-03T20:55:00.001-05:00

Browsing at library, I came across the book The Well-Dressed Home.

Annette Tatum explains that you should use your fashion style to help inspire your home. Considering how many decor blogs also feature clothes, it makes perfect sense that everyone is drawn to a certain "look" and that having the knowledge of the style that most appeals to you will help you in creating a cohesive design sense for your house.

The book was the perfect combination of explanation and illustrations. She describes 11 types of fashion styles and then gives examples of how various styles can be combined in decorating.

I'm Casual and Classic, with a touch of vintage thrown in for accessories.

I love that her inspiration wall is so uniform. My inner perfectionist approves.

Sorry for the awful photo quality.

Photos: Well-dressed Home, Annette Tatum

Decorating Porn for Women with Toddlers

2010-12-11T10:10:00.000-05:00

Safe to say that Lulu doesn't have two toddlers.
But thank you Lonny for your holiday issue, just when I needed you most.

Image: Lonny mag

Happy Little Yellow Living Room

2010-11-23T13:57:00.001-05:00

How I will decorate my pied-a-terre in Manhattan.

Image: Country Home

Bedroom with Arches

2010-11-19T13:33:00.000-05:00

Bright, happy colors. Matching arch bookcase. Comfortable and unpretentious.

Snug Library

2010-11-18T07:19:00.000-05:00

Bookshelf under the eaves. Perfect way to spend a winter day.
The skylight above is genius.

Image: House Beautiful

Set Design Spotlight: Alvin and the Chipmunks

2010-11-11T13:58:00.001-05:00

You know your life is sad when you're watching Alvin and the Chipmunks and lusting after the house.
Cute little cottage in California. Hooked on Houses has a really good post about the history of the neighborhood used in the film.

Images: Hooked on Houses

Room with a caveat

2010-11-10T21:04:00.000-05:00

I just hope they move the centerpiece before the meal.

Image: House Beautiful

Room Pairings

2010-11-09T13:35:00.000-05:00

I would pair this bedroom and bath for a teenage girl. Or me.

Bedroom: Ruthie Sommers Bath: Heather Chadduck

Cape Cod Landscaping

2010-10-22T13:05:00.001-04:00

My parents are landscaping the backyard. This is what it will look like:

Just kidding.

Hi, mom!

Images: Better Homes and Gardens, gardenvisit.com

Dream NYC Apartment

2010-10-21T13:30:00.000-04:00

Oooh, House Beautiful- thank you for the pictures of a NYC apartment inspired by the movie "Something's Gotta Give".
You had me at hello.

I would get NO work done in this office space. Just sayin'

Images: House Beautiful

Heather Chadduck Rocks

2010-10-18T20:42:00.000-04:00

I'm pining for Cottage Living and Heather Chadduck. Yes, I know she's with Coastal Living now (which I subscribe to), but it's not the same. Sniff, sniff.

Images: CottageLiving

Just realized how traditional I am...

2010-10-15T13:40:00.001-04:00

Posting my favorite pics from the most recent Lonny for inspiration.
It just hit me how they could all be in one house- a very traditional house.

Love the giant flowerpots.

Love the bedside tables

Images: Lonny

Paula Deen Furniture

2010-10-14T14:23:00.000-04:00

Why does every celebrity have furniture?
and/or perfume?

This would be a perfect Savannah bedroom.

This is Paula's kitchen-I like the table on wheels at the end of the island.

Tons of junk (mail, toys, phones) end up on my island and it annoys the perfectionist side of me.

Decorating or Narcissism?

2010-10-13T14:28:00.001-04:00

Loved Lonny.
Don't understand the trend of decorating with boxes from expensive stores (Hermes, Smythson, etc)

Image: Lonny

Brown and White Kitchens

2010-10-06T22:02:00.000-04:00

Lots of windows are the trick...

Maybe not the rooster and curtains...but I like the island

Images: classicinteriordesign.blogspot, decorpad, decorpad, house beautiful

Laundry Room Fantasies

2010-10-05T21:20:00.000-04:00

Do people really have laundry rooms like this?

I mean, a chair in the corner? A plant? Are you curling up with a novel during the 2nd rinse?

Something tells me that if you can afford these laundry rooms, you're not the one doing the laundry.

Geesh, I was happy to get out of the basement.

Images: New Home at Lavender, HomebyRexBrown, LemonAnnie

Crunch Time- Guest Room Makeover

2010-10-03T14:24:00.000-04:00

The in-laws are coming next weekend to visit. Therefore I have to finish up the guest room.
The wall with the window has a multitude of problems:
1) The window is not centered on the wall
2) There is an 8 inch ledge under the window
3) The guest room is in the "garden level" (what they called the basement in my last workplace so the people who worked down there wouldn't feel bad) and doesn't get a lot of natural light
4) We're renting so I don't want to spend ANY MONEY

Before and After:

I screwed the curtain rod hooks into the ceiling so the curtain would clear the ledge.

Total price: $0 Total time: 20 minutes

My favorite type of makeover.

Cabbage Centerpieces

2010-10-01T21:03:00.000-04:00

I love cabbage or kale for fall centerpieces. Because they resemble a giant rose or because you can garnish your plates with your centerpiece?

Images: Martha Stewart, homebysunset, brideandbloomflowers, hgtv, theweddingcouturier, apt therapy

Bedside Shelf

2010-09-23T12:53:00.000-04:00

My goal for renting is not to spend any money decorating, unless it's something we can bring with us to our next place. But after packing and unpacking an entire house, I don't want to get more
"stuff".

Therefore, we're going to do shelves for our guest room bedside tables. This weekend, hopefully.

Image: Better Homes and Gardens

Suit up- Bedroom Edition

2010-09-22T08:41:00.000-04:00

Deep gray walls in a bedroom are like a formal suit.

Images: Courtney Giles, Cottage Living, Coastal Living

Symmetry

2010-09-20T17:59:00.000-04:00

My favorites in one place- symmetry, yellow, black furniture

Image: Coastal Living

Window Art

2010-09-15T14:20:00.000-04:00

I'm liking black window frames lately. Makes me think of the window panes as a framed picture.

Image: San Fran Examiner

Pure class

2010-09-14T14:04:00.000-04:00

Lovely vignette

Image: Southern Living

Dear Apt Therapy Haters,

2010-09-10T11:51:00.002-04:00

I like Apartment Therapy because it profiles REAL homes, that look like real people actually live there (magazines can bother me with the "where do they store the toothbrush" factor).

Yesterday I was looking at "Sharon and Chris' Monochrome Wonder" and scrolled through the comments section to find out where they got the wire baskets for the kids' toys. Some of the comments were sooo negative- about the color scheme, placement of electrical sockets, bathroom, furniture, etc, etc.

Am I the only one who looks at decor blogs in order to appreciate all the DIFFERENT design sensibilities out there?

Images: Apt Therapy

Occasional Sales in Buffalo, MN

2010-09-07T12:32:00.001-04:00

The local paper advertised Occasional Sales in Buffalo, MN. Since it's only 30 minutes away, I had a relaxing Sunday morning looking around all the shops

The Porch didn't even open until noon and all this stuff was outside at 10am with no one around.

Fell in LOVE with this buffett at "This 'n That.

Would love to use it for a dresser in one of the boys' rooms.

Only $89. Maybe I'll visit it next month...

They also had a huge set of antique mailboxes. So cool.

There were also boutiques in town that have Occasional Sales.
$16 for these shoes! None in my size....

I got an antique school map of Europe for my son's room.
Loved the colors. $27 woo-woo!

Print for $2. I have a print addiction.

And a milk-bottle vase for flowers and pumpkin for the kids. $1 each

My Summer House

2010-09-03T20:42:00.000-04:00

A day in my life of my (imaginary) summer house:

Breakfast:

Read outside for a while (loving the novel "One Day") and then nap:

Whip up an amazing dinner in my amazing kitchen:

Dinner outside with our families:

Goodnight:

All images Coastal Living except dinner outside: Southern Accents

Pendant Lighting Quandry

2010-09-02T12:07:00.000-04:00

We need a light over our farm table- it's in a sunroom that has a rough-in for an overhead light.
In our former house, we had the traditional iron-looking chandelier with little ivory shades:

Now I want something a little less traditional.

The question is how to do that and spend less than $50?

This option from Lowes ($39) is funky:

West Elm has my favorite- but it's too expensive for a rental ($149):

And my husband wouldn't go for the World Market Capiz ($69):

Images: Home Depot, Lowes, West Elm, World Market

Martha is everywhere

2010-08-30T20:30:00.000-04:00

Martha Stewart now has furniture at Home Decorators. Desk, chair, and rug for my office please.

Images: Home Decorators.com

Sunny Saturday Nook

2010-08-28T14:39:00.001-04:00

Unpretentious and beautiful.
I love interiors that aren't out-of-reach financially.

Image: Canadian House and Home

Care of Wood Kitchen Counters

2010-08-26T11:28:00.000-04:00

The townhouse we're renting has a wood counter island. I like it, but am afraid of staining/scratching/cutting it. Looked online and proper maintenace (courtesy of "This Old House" Magazine) is to massage Mineral Oil on the wood once a month. The oil will increase the resistance to stains and scratches.
Now, if I could just get a massage once a month, too....

Images: Country Living (pics 1 & 2), Devos Woodworking, Coastal Living, Southern Living

Hotel Crush- Hilton Maldives

2010-08-25T12:14:00.000-04:00

OK, you know the Hilton Maldives is going to be amazing because it's in MALDIVES!!!

But, they also have an underwater restaurant and hotel room. Is it rude to order fish for dinner?

All images: Hilton.com

Toys and Shelves

2010-08-24T12:08:00.001-04:00

My son's new room has a bookcase on one entire wall. Which is great for storing toys out of the way. The problem is that when I went to get cute little bins (a la Land of Nod), they're $8/ea. Not bad until I realized I was looking at $150 worth of bins since his bookcase is 10 feet long and 8 feet high.

So, I've been looking online for styling ideas for the bookshelves. But stylists seem to shy away from actual kids' toys. The beeping, primary-colored, plastic montrosities that are ALL OVER THE PLACE IN MY HOUSE. If I step on one more Lego man, I'm going to lose it.

And these bookcases don't seem to have books that have been eaten/ripped/smushed by kids.

Images: Land of Nod, PorterHouse, Pottery Barn Kids, Land of Nod (last 3 images)

Architectural Design

2010-08-21T12:20:00.001-04:00

A perfect example of how the architecture of a room is the main feature and everything else is superfluous. You could have almost any type of furniture in this room and it would look gorgeous.

Images: Yossawat.com - Diamond Baratta Design

Duvet Love

2010-08-17T11:03:00.002-04:00

New West Elm arrived with a "Welcome Coupon" of 10% off.
It's like they're daring me NOT to get this duvet cover.

Image: West Elm

Traditional Style, Updated

2010-08-13T15:24:00.001-04:00

Love the home featured in "Traditional Home" with decorating by Ken Gemes. And the website lists the wall colors. Hello, Benjamin Moore "Linen Sand".

This room is everything I adore. Light traditional (does that exist?)

And below is the TV room!! Like the colors of the couch,pillows, rug. Not so crazy about the curtains/shades.

Images: Traditional Home

Summer House Design

2010-08-12T11:49:00.000-04:00

My idea of a summer house is white and open.
I read recently on Garance Dore's blog that when she buys a house, she's going to decorate it like it's her summer house. That's exactly it! Then every day would feel like you're on vacation...

or is it the fact that you can't live like that every day what makes it so special?

Image: House and Home

White, Bright, Light

2010-08-10T21:13:00.000-04:00

This is where I would like to read Lonny

Image: Canadian House and Home

Savannah Style

2010-08-09T20:41:00.000-04:00

Love, love, love southern decorating. The light, the formality, the colors.

Images: Martha Stewart Living

Dark Basement Decorating

2010-08-06T11:44:00.001-04:00

I need inspiration for decorating our basement level in the townhouse. It's dark. Because it's a basement. We got a couch and chair on sale. They're dark. So I'm not going to fight the fact that the room is light-challenged. And try to make it a really cozy, library-feeling, cuddle up under a blanket and watch an old movie type of room. We're hitting Ikea for a coffee table and accessories this weekend.

And try to ignore that half the room is a play area for the kids.

Images: Coastal Living, Candice Olson, Candice Olson

Porches for Summertime

2010-08-04T20:40:00.001-04:00

I want to sit on this sunporch reading my current summer beach book ("Anyone but You" by Jennifer Crusie) and eating Oreos (they feature heavily in the book and now I'm craving them).

As long as this is a fantasy, there would be no Oreo crumbs on the sofa.

Image: Coastal Living

Serene Guest Room

2010-08-03T12:25:00.000-04:00

The perfect guest room for a summer visit- crisp, clean, serene.
But I would spend all my time in the guest room and not with my hosts.

Image: Elle Decor

Amrath Hotel

2010-08-02T07:55:00.000-04:00

Luxury hotel in Amsterdam. On an island in the city.

Image: AmrathAmsterdam.com

Set Design Spotlight: Baby Mama

2010-07-31T11:36:00.002-04:00

I wanted a funny movie and just looking at Tina Fey and Amy Poehler makes me laugh, so I hijacked our Netflix account and got "Baby Mama" . It was a surprise because 1.) It was not dreadful- the commercials actually made the movie seem worse that it is, what with the stupid peeing in the sink scene 2.) Tina's apartment in the movie is gorgeous!

Unfortunately, the only online pictures are of the "surrogate moves in and is messy" scenes.

My husband didn't understand my whispers of "Move, Tina, move- so I can see if that's nailhead trim on the headboard!"
.

We all need improvements....

2010-07-29T12:25:00.000-04:00

Just got my new Country Living. Likey the new size. They just need to hire some Domino and Cottage Living people and we'll be in business.

Image: Country Living

Grandiose doesn't even begin to describe it

2010-07-28T14:22:00.001-04:00

Across the street is a development called Seven Greens. The pictures say it all.

This is a BASEMENT, people!!!!

Images: Swanson Homes

...and I'm back!

2010-07-27T12:37:00.000-04:00

It only took 3 1/2 months of living as a single mother and having house showings and getting everything ready to move, but we're here in Minnesota renting a townhouse. I'll post pictures soon.

We needed a couch for the downstairs family room. Bought a couch on sale that I LOVED. It wouldn't fit through the door. Of course. We bought couch #2 yesterday and they're coming Thur to measure if it will fit. Fingers crossed.

In the meantime- I'll focus on pictures of how I wish my house looked. Sans boxes and crap everywhere.

Image: Cottage Living

Minnesota Bound

2010-03-29T12:50:00.000-04:00

It's been a whirlwind month- my husband got a great promotion and we're moving to Minnesota. It's hard to blog and get a house ready to sell in 2 weeks with kids under the age of 3.

But I am looking forward to finding a new house out there and decorating it. I can't wait to use the images I've collected here as inspiration for rooms.

Habersham, SC

2010-03-06T14:08:00.000-05:00

I've always remembered reading about Habersham, SC in Coastal Living magazine. We even drove through Beaufort during a trip south a few years ago and it was gorgeous.

Come to find out, the above cottage in Habersham was the 2002 Coastal Living Idea Cottage.

In looking for more images, I came across some recent townhouses being built. I loved the kitchen, but then saw what the kitchen opened up onto. Is that A CURVED WALL OF FRENCH DOORS?!?!?! ...faint....

Images: Flickr site "Habersham, SC", My Home Ideas (Coastal Living)