All the Comforts of Home

Photo by Chipper Hatter for Elegant Homes Fall/Winter 2008

Houston's Pink Ribbon Showhouse is the brainchild of Patti Barnett, the talented designer of this understatedly elegant abode. It is certainly full of charming details similar to those we are incorporating into the remodel.

Exhibit A: The soaring library...

Exhibit B : Beams, of course! (And a mirrored former window, that is in the works too.)

Exhibit C : Is for cast-iron tub. Similar to our latest bathroom acquisition.

Without a doubt "All the comforts of Home"!

Red letter date

Couldn't wait to share our good news. Over an impromptu Monday night dinner at our favorite local restaurant, the Liberty Bar (our Volkswagen Easter Post). LondonHim popped "The Question". Completely surprising me into speechlessness. I believe I just shook my head in the affirmative- a lot. LH says he has been hunting just the right ring for a year. Apparently my engagement ring has been hanging out on the top shelf of our pantry for a month or so. Why the top shelf, you ask? Because shorty can't reach.

New Source: Urban Archeology

photo via House Beautiful February 2007

This photo from the House Beautiful website of a wonderfully white Massachusetts kitchen, sparked an interest in those unusual sconces. Leading to my discovery of Urban Archaeology the maker of that striking pair of lights chosen for this space by designer Judith Barrett.

Here are just a few of my favorites from Urban Archeology's online catalogue:

The hanging version of the sconces I fell so hard for.

The last two are budget busters (for me anyway). But a girl can dream...

In the Pink

Photography by Andrew Bordwin for House & Garden July 2006

Fresh from the inspiration archives. I had this article marked for master bathroom inspiration. This July 2006 spread from House & Garden by Damaris Colhoun features the Berkshire home of Pine Cone Hill, Potluck Studios (tableware) and Dash & Albert (my favorite rug company) proprietress Annie Selkie. I couldn't resist sharing some more pictures from the warmly elegant home. Enjoy.

Love the tones of pink and sages and blues. It makes for a serene yet cheerful mix.

This is "THE" bathroom !
Such a gentle, peaceful and magical home. Completely inspiring home and a successful entrepreneur to boot. Annie Selkie seems to me to be very much "in the pink".

The One that got away.

I totally dropped the ball on this one. Missed out on this one of a kind stunner from my favorite ebay vintage fixture importer/vendor! The awesome empire chandelier would have been so perfect over the dining table- you have no idea. In the immortal words of Winnie the Pooh, "Oh, Bother."

Fabulous 4th! Recap

Hope you had a fabulous 4th of July! We had a wonderful day in Fredricksburg enjoying hospitality and a gorgeous Hill Country home I hope to photograph at a later date.

The rest of the weekend was demo and more demo! Working on our kitchen remodel. These shots are of the sleeping porch off the back of the tiny Tudor it will be open to the kitchen- kind of like a great room (although it doesn't look very great right now.) Going to the studs! And beyond...

(Beware - renovation is not always pretty. So you may wish to cover your eyes if u-g-l-y offends your sensibilities.)
Isn't demo lovely -- NOT!

Deciding to save the original bead board ceiling made things a bit tricky to say the least. Satisfying though, to get another big project tackled. All in all, a good weekend.

Kitchen Inspiration

image via House Beautiful website

Just adore this light, bright and classic cottage kitchen via House Beautiful. Black and white is a winning combination in my book. The only thing missing in this picture is ME and perhaps some french toast and hazelnut coffee. The vintage inspired chairs are an unexpected choice for a breakfast table. But it works. Check out the slide show with more fabulous kitchen inspiration on the House Beautiful website.