Tudor Magic

House & Garden Nov 2005 Photos by Simon Watson

The most magical of Tudor homes in my opinion. The incredible proportions of the windows cannot be forgotten. (I rediscovered this article by Katrine Ames while unpacking boxes from storage. It was like finding a long lost friend. ) The home was once the Playhouse, a performance space located in East Hampton.

The homeowner resurrected the structure after it remained empty for over 10 years.

A graduate of Julliard the homeowner and pianist put the homes strength of acoustics to good use by hosting performances and teaching master classes in the great hall.

Stairway to heaven connects two bedrooms added on what was once a stage.
Have a magical weekend.

The Ultimate Grocery Getter!

I think the universe is trying to tell me something. LOOK what pulled in next to me in the grocery parking lot tonight! Message received. London is calling. Loudly. Back to blogging tomorrow!

See you then.

Falling down the rabbit hole...

Alice down the rabbit hole c. Disney

A kind reader and blogging friend inquired " Where are you? Did you fall down a hole?". Indeed I did - like Alice I have found myself in a free fall for the last 6 weeks since we made the decision to close out our business. The goal is to wrap up things by end of the month. Like many other small businesses these days I imagine, it was a difficult decision but will be worth it in the long run. Paying off in less stress and without question less financial burden.

The greatest gift will be more time. Time to devote to working on the beloved "tiny Tudor". To showing more of our progress around here and to devote to finishing this remodel and planning a wedding on a budget without sacrificing style.

So if you are reading this, thanks for being patient and we should be back to regularly scheduled programming very soon! Smiles, LC

Deco Detective

Today I'm crushing on...
this Black and White Deco Shade from School House Electric. Two of these might be just the thing in our kitchen to go along with the new hood. Only trouble is we already have a fixture for the kitchen. I may have to get over it. Or not.

Thank you Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A big thank you to MacKenzie Carpenter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for mentioning London Calling today in her article 'Bloggers Offer Shelter to Fans of Decor, Design, Style' . I am so flattered to be included in such great company .

Gobsmacked.

Am so completely bowled over by our latest acquisition. A bargain in its truest form - the above hood. Found for us by the fabulous Shady Couple on this weekend's scout of the Habitat for Humanity's ReStore . If you have never been I highly suggest a visit. Habitat's ReStore is a complete box of chocolate, one in which you never know just what you will get. For instance, this hood for our in-progress kitchen remodel, a complete SCORE at just 20 bucks!

image via Desire to Inspire

Perfect timing we are gearing up to tackle that side of the kitchen right now. Tweaks to the floor plan are gladly being made to make it work.

Shooting for a finished project at least half as beautiful as the kitchen above.

Reflections

Photo via Elle Decor Aug. 2003

Reflections. Of the year behind us and where we are going. Some, like to make a resolution or maybe a few to ring in the New Year. I prefer to take stock and reflect. Do some tweaking. You know- the old attitude adjustment. Its a good time for change. Even an innately positive person can slip a bit. Negativity can just creep up on you.

via La Dolce Vita

Behold the new mission statement around here. "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." Thank you Thoreau (and La Dolce Vita ). It resonates with me. It's really ALL about perspective. Quite a mantra for 2009. Happy New Year!