Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Tables for Two


Aren't these tables darling for cozy dining at home?  

As empty nesters, we now eat in front of the tv most days.  It seems strange for just the two of us to sit at a formal dining room table for our meals. There's no tv in the kitchen, so we don't want to eat there.  There's a table and a large screen tv in my art studio, but so are all my projects, so we won't eat there.  My husband has a dining table in his mancave, but with a large screen tv and sports blaring in the background, I can't eat there.  So, it's our living room where we meet for lunch to watch 'The View' and dinner in the evening while we watch the news.

So, I'm setting up a small table for two in front of one of our large living room windows.......just like below........then everyday will be cozy 'dining for two'.

Wish me luck!  And have a wonderful day!!







 
































Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Clove Brook Farm

This once dilapidated farmhouse is now the lovely home of Manhattan ceramic lamp designer, Christopher Spitzmiller.  Located in New York's Hudson Valley, Christopher happened upon it when it was at its worst and spent the next seven years revitalizing it to become the wonderful, casual, relaxed home it now is.

Following the advice of his mentor, Albert Hadley, Christopher proceeded to bring the bones of the house up to snuff and then to decorate it to his taste.  Some of the special items in this farmhouse came straight from the late Hadley's own home.  I'll point a few things out as you browse through.

Enjoy and have a wonderful day!


Love the deep red front doors and veranda on the right.....also notice the attic window.    

The lamp is a Christopher Spitzmiller design.

The hooked zebra rug came from Hadley's New York apartment.

I like the all white kitchen with painted floor.  Table from estate of Bunny Mellon.

Green ceramic collection adds a jolt of bold color.



The main guest room includes a four poster bed by Bunny Williams along with the draped wooden table.

Attic guest room.

Second attic guest room and it is my favorite room in the house.  Red and white on the blue painted floor makes for a wonderful look.  Again, lamps by Christopher.  And notice the newly installed attic windows.  Just lovely!



Architectural Digest





Friday, October 16, 2015

A Room of her Own

Just one image to share with you today - but a wonderful one!

What woman would not want 'a room of her own'?  Let's face it, with today's hectic pace of life, I think almost any woman would like a little escape - somewhere to relax with a cup of tea, a good book, a comfortable chair and a pretty environment.

This room is nicely set up for all of that, plus a desk area for paperwork (as a last resort) or just as a decorative addition to the room.

Ladies, if you don't already have such an escape at home, it's something to think about.

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend.


















Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Pretty is Back

This beautiful Dallas home decorated by Cathy Kincaid is a real delight to pore over.

The trelliswork is a wonderful addition to the interiors as it gives a feeling of bringing the outdoors in.  Also, the color chosen for the wall behind the trelliswork gives the room a very calming feeling. Apparently, this house was originally a Tudor with very dark interiors and dark woodwork throughout.  The transformation is spectacular.

This family has kids and dogs, so although the interiors may appear to be a little formal, in actuality all the rooms are well lived in.........a total English country ambience.

Enjoy! 

 
The solarium where the family entertains.

Hand painted floor and high gloss ceiling.

Egrets on palm wall bracket.

Notice the high gloss ceiling.

A small dining table in bay window of dining room.

Beautiful!

Extension of solarium.

Family room.

Two storey glass wall behind floating staircase floods the area with light.

Such a cozy master bedroom.



Sister Parish influenced attic guestroom.

Antique desk now vanity table.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Loving the Art of Heather Millar

Good morning, Everyone!

A few years ago, I attended a solo art exhibition at one of our local galleries.  It was a series of large (36" x 36") oil canvases of vintage toys.  As a baby boomer, I was immediately transported back to my own childhood.  Do you remember the bouncing ball baby, the little cowboy or perhaps the raggedy elephant?  The paintings were a reminder of days gone by and the colors, detail, highlights, shadows and whimsy were mesmerizing.  I loved them all.

The exhibition ended and they were gone.

A few years went by and I started noticing similarly familiar paintings at another nearby art gallery, such as Grandma's Pigeons (below).  Yes, a completely different subject and look, but something about the style and technique looked familiar.  Later, a fox canvas, One Last Look, caught my eye. Then, Aries, the ram appeared and Predator, the owl.  Each painting stood out in a sea of paintings......all so very eyecatching.

Finally,  I opened our local newspaper last week and there was a painting of a large brown bunny that was being donated as a fundraiser for our own PEI Humane Society.  And the artist was Heather Millar.  I googled her.  And lo and behold, she was the artist of all of the above-mentioned works and many more.  I knew immediately that I wanted to share a sampling of her work with you.  

To see more of this versatile artist's work, please go to her site here.  If you have any interest in purchasing tickets on the fundraising rabbit, Becoming Real, (below) e-mail Heather here and she will be able to help you and answer any questions you may have regarding her artwork (dimensions, prices, etc.).

Enjoy, and have a great day......and thanks for stopping by!

Bouncing Baby Ball











Listen Closely

Grandma's Pigeons



One Last Look

Aries

Predator

Something to Crow About







 

And last, but certainly not least, Becoming Real, the fundraising rabbit.  It is a 30" x 30" oil on canvas valued at $1,600.00.  There are tickets available through Heather and the Humane Society would be extremely grateful for any and all contributions......

Becoming Real