the white picket fence

basement renovation

2011-07-31T20:01:00.001-04:00

June

July

We've been really busy with house stuff.. the basement renovation is almost close to complete.. here is the before and after of the main room!

porch makeover

2011-06-12T07:22:00.000-04:00

My little porch makeover! Spray painted the wicker chairs gray and the tables white and bought some aqua indoor/outdoor cushions from Pier 1!

The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell.. gorgeous!

2011-06-09T14:02:00.004-04:00

The Prairie.. Heavenly lodging now open by Rachel..
This is up there with one of the best things you have done Rachel!
I wish you happiness with the Prairie!
xoxo,
E

dining room coming along...

2011-06-06T12:33:00.004-04:00

So, without doing $5000 worth of built-ins, I recreated my inspiration look of Eva Longoria's dining area with Ikea bookshelves and a bench I painted white (behind the table)
It has really made a cool change to this big square room and I will make a bench cushion and pillows and put up some art in the middle...

Eva Longoria's dining nook inspiration page

the dining room before

Hi!

2011-06-04T12:54:00.002-04:00

A lot has been happening!.. I will post updates all this week..
I did a homemade version of my dining room built in idea!.. Worked out even better than planned!
The front porch is all done and looking gooood!
The basement renovation starts in 10 days!!
and.. I launched Anchored my design and textile business working day and night leading up to a trunk show and Farmers/Artisans Market debut that happened Thursday and Friday!! I posted photos here.
It is allll go.
I have my 24 week check up this Wednesday for #3 so all is very exciting!!
Check out all my links and let me know what you think! I'd love to hear from you.
xo,
Elena

dining room redo..

2011-05-03T11:48:00.001-04:00

This is my dining room right now.. I love the simplicity of the dining table still.. I've had it for 6 years now.. there is a middle extension so it works for up to 6 or 8 at a squeeze.
The room is kind of bigger than it needs to be so i've always had it in the back of my mind to do a built in on that back wall..

I've had this magazine clipping of Eva Longoria's dining area on my inspiration board for about a year..

With the baby coming in October, there are some changes I'm ready to make as I've mentioned.. so my fourth bedroom that is now a guest room will become the baby room then I will transform my basement office into the guest room.. then I would turn my wet bar area in my living room into my office and finally turn this wall into a banquet and storage for everything from the wet bar.. see makes perfect sense right? LOL
You'll get it once i start doing it.

Obsessed with built ins right now!..

2011-05-02T09:51:00.000-04:00

Sally Wheat

via decorpad

via decorpad

via decorpad

via decorpad

via decorpad

celerie kemble via delight by design

We had a TV built i done when we first moved in and I love it! There is also a built in wet bar in that room that I originally thought was really cool but now after living here for a year and half I realize it's not in a very convenient spot so I am dreaming up an office built in there.. In order to do that, I decided I need to do a banquet/buffet built in in the dining room to move all my glassware to!
Built ins give a clean look which I like in smaller rooms.

In honor of Kate and William..

2011-04-28T12:02:00.002-04:00

In honor of Kate and William's wedding this weekend, free shipping in my etsy shop today through Sunday on my Union Jack cards alone or combined with any other items!
xo,
Elena

gray weathered wicker

2011-04-27T12:32:00.004-04:00

via Sally Wheat

I love the look of gray weathered wicker with white pillows..
I'm off to Home Depot to get some white base paint and gray paint to create the weathered look on my brown Pier 1 chairs i bought last year.. I'm going to create a pretty little front porch. See you later and I'll post some photos.. let's see how this goes!!

Laurie Lenfestey's home

2011-04-26T09:39:00.003-04:00

Spring break, Easter and now my little Isobel home sick, it has been a busy week..
Sitting with my little one after a sleepless night for both of us, I started looking through my saved files on my old MacBook Pro and found these pictures I saved of Laurie Lenfestey's home featured in Country Living. Laurie's business is Bittersweet Designs, lot's of beautiful jewelry and paper goods!
Every room in her home has a feeling of peace and happiness. Laurie says, "Our home is peaceful enough that we can listen to life's whispers." I love that, such a lovely quote. Thanks Laurie!

My dresser...

2011-04-18T10:44:00.005-04:00

A quick grab of makeup and jewelry when I'm running out the door with the kids in the morning.. I like to have things easily accessible yet still pretty to look at.

Beach Day art prints

2011-04-14T11:36:00.002-04:00

Art prints April 2011, a set on Flickr.

I'm Spring cleaning/early nesting?.. The sun is seeping through the windows, the kids are in school and my mother in law and husband left for Ireland yesterday (mother in law gonig home, husband going to a wedding that I opted out of) I am a little giddy at the freedom in my own home and have been dusting, rearranging and kind of loving my new beach art prints (if I do say so myself LOL) So I have changed the pictures in my etsy shop and off I go to dust some more! xo, Elena

1st floor floorplan and renovation ideas

2011-04-13T17:57:00.003-04:00

I sketched our first floor the other night using my architectural ruler I could scale 3/16"=1 foot.
Since we moved here, we've daydreamed about possible renovations, opening up rooms etc and so last week we talk to an architect. I picked up the survey may for the dept of planning and zoning and we awalked around our property with the architect. We wanted to get an idea of what was possible. The one thing we feel we should definitely do is add a garage so the first thing we needed to figure out is where within our set backs we could build one. It was pretty tricky just because of the angle of our house on our property and a drainage easement we have on one side.
One place we could surely make it work is where our dining room currently is and lose that room and then do an addition on the back of the house for the dining and family room.
Anyway since I have to do everything visually, here i added shaded areas where the changes would be..
We'll see. Half the fun is dreaming it up to me!

what do you think?
xo,
Elena

Trad Home is here and there's lots to love..

2011-04-12T17:48:00.005-04:00

Here are just a few snips from the premiere issue of Trad Home magazine created by Lonny magazine and Traditional Home.. There is lots and lots to love from this issue including a huge segment on the 20 new Traditionals and i love them all.. Each of them have a little something that speaks to me!

Trad Home magazine

2011-04-11T17:14:00.003-04:00

Today was one of those Mondays where nothing on the list got all the way finished!.. I hate that..
I did get some new product photos on my etsy shop but they didn't come out the way I wanted so they will eventually be redone (waste of time) I created a homemade light box to photograph my work but several things weren't right with it.. Not enough light bulbs, too small a box.. I've had knots in my stomach all day just feeling unaccomplished.. Not good for the baby I'm sure! So it's time to go upstairs and spend time with the kiddies..
On a happy note Trad Home premiers tomorrow.. very exciting!!!
xoxo, Elena

Small changes

2011-04-07T16:24:00.007-04:00

before

after

Sometimes just a small change in a small room can make a big difference.. I filled all the gaps in the wainscoting with wood putty and then painted it Benjamin Moore's Quiet Moments and ta-da!.. I think a huge improvement. Gets my head out of the big ideas for a while too!!

Inspiration

2011-04-04T22:18:00.003-04:00

via Simply Me

It was just another manic Monday and my head is spinning. It's nice to have a lovely blog like this to look at at the end of a crazy day.. Simply Me, who I am very happy found my blog, has the same passion for those romantic whites and everything shabby chic as I do. Check out her lovely blog. xx Elena

Spring chanting..

2011-04-01T11:25:00.006-04:00

With the cold and drizzle outside, here is my visual chanting to Spring!..

I don't seem to have references to some, but the second is Rachel Ashwell and the third is Sanctuary

J'adore Adore magazine!

2011-03-30T17:22:00.003-04:00

This home and lifestyle magazine is just stunning!!.. Created by Loni Parker, it is based in Australia, but thanks to the new world of online publications, it can be enjoyed worldwide at an instant.. love that! Adore Magazine
There is something about a fabulous magazine that can truly give me the giddy chills! and Adore magazine has nailed it for me..
The new April/May issue just out is a buffet of gorgeousness.. look at all that yum just in the cover!!
Loni, I love how you manage to capture an array of styles but yet appeal to everyone!.. and what a perfect mix of little boutiques, etsy sellers, bloggers and well known designers. You showcase the lovely in everything.
Thanks!
xx
Elena

New prints..

2011-03-29T17:31:00.002-04:00

I can't stop thinking about the warm beach season that's not that far away.. I designed, framed and photographed a couple of new prints today in the soft tones I am loving so much right now. They will be in my shop soon. xx, Elena

A cool blue IKEA trip

2011-03-28T20:11:00.002-04:00

I went to IKEA this weekend. The whites and cool blues that came home with me are begging for warm Spring days.
xx
Elena

mood board homework

2011-03-23T18:10:00.002-04:00

I'm taking an interior design class on Wednesday nights. It's really fun to be in the classroom again! Tonight we are presenting mood boards based on another students mood board form last week. The girl I got had an inspiration board for a bedroom with white as the main color with splashes of color in furniture and accessories.. right up my alley. I put together this board using some shabby chic white photos and presenting pool blue, grass green and hot pink as the three main splashes of color. There are some yummy peonies, a pool blue alarm clock, some bright nesting tables and a print of my pink crosshatch heart design.
It was fun to cut and paste for real since I've been doing mood boards digitally for a while.

Spring..

2011-03-22T21:58:00.003-04:00

Spring is in the air (well sort of, it's supposed to snow again tomorrow!.. although it was 75 on Friday) and fresh change is on the horizon..
It has been a looong winter, and we are coming out of hibernation with lot's of new and exciting adventures ahead!
My biggest announcement is... We are having baby #3 in October!!
I'm also working on a textile design project with a friend,
I gave my stationery business, Wee card company, a fresh new look at Leeny designs
and of course lot's of home decorating plans, dreams and projects underway small and large.
I'm happy to be writing again and look forward to sharing it all.

peony card via leeny designs

Lauren Moffatt inspired room

2010-09-28T11:52:00.004-04:00

My friend and amazing designer Lauren Moffatt has a fabulous Fall line out!!..
Her inspiration was a grandmother's closet.. I love it! I have such nice memories of going to my grandmother's house and just wanting to dive into the chests of clothes she had and transport myself to a different time and a glamorous place.
Using inspiration from Lauren's designs and her theme, I put together a room that I think grandma would approve of.
1. lamp- Lamp Store
2. Cirrus chandelier shade- Anthropologie
3. Treillage gold leaf mirror- Layla Grayce
4. rust pillow- The Home Centric- etsy
5. sand ruffle pillow- Pier 1
6. carved chair in vintage grey - Layla Grayce
7. curtain fabric- no resource
8. ottoman- no longer available
9. couch- Wisteria
10. tartan throw blanket- The Good Gift Company

xx
Elena

i like this cool bubble chandelier from etsy

2010-05-24T12:55:00.008-04:00

bubble chandelier

Living Room

2010-05-11T11:30:00.016-04:00

The living room has been pretty much just simple and functional since we moved in. We painted the whole downstairs Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, bought these simple full length linen curtains, had the built in TV space redone which was a fabulous job. We bought this very comfy cozy Comfort Sectional from Pottery Barn, threw down a zebra rug and got a few yummy pillows in a bolder zebra print and a faux sheepskin. I put my floor lamps and Nantucket cube end tables from the city in here and hung up my favorite For Like Ever Limited Edition gold poster by Vllg.
It's pretty much stayed this way while we've been well living and doing other bits around the house..

This is a rough sketch I did of the floorplan of the room:

As you can see it was functional (especially functional with the wet bar on hand) but has that "space I couldn't figure out to do with" and also needs a little vavoom.

Here are some pictures of the room before we moved in. The previous owner styled the house really well I think.. very clean look.. This built in was redone in December to fit a larger flat screen and to update the cabinets a bit.

Yesterday I was in Pier 1 Imports, a store I rarely go in, and found the wicker chair in the mood board below on a serious markdown, like to good to pass when you have "a space you don't know what to do with but was thinking 2 occasional chairs for cocktails" This chair was $63 down from $300. Now I'm not a huge wicker fan, it has to be the right kind or I think it can look not so cute, but I liked this chair. So I bought the chair and the next day, went back for the pillows and found a second matching one so I have them home set up in the space and I like them a lot. It has got me motivated to give the living room some love so I've hung my 20 martinis are plenty print by Stephen Pitliuk and I'm eyeing this Apothecary Floor Lamp from Ballard Designs for reading on said chairs. I think this Sheepskin Pouf/Ottoman from West Elm would be fun, continue the texture from the throw pillows on the sectional to this end of the room and I like texture especially when it doubles as a kid friendly piece. The Henriette table from Ballard Designs is what I had in mind to place between the chairs. I'll post the final look when it gets there!

Michael Kors

2010-04-20T18:29:00.006-04:00

We went to a wedding on Friday night at Tribeca rooftop. It was a gorgeous venue and fabulous night for Paul Barry and Gemma Burgess, the author of The Dating Detox. The unfortunate free hour I had before my hair appointment at my friend's fab salon Whittemore House led my into one of my favorites, Michael Kors. A couple of these lovely items above have a new owner.. moi.
Wouldn't it be fun to turn this outfit into a room?.. Aren't you lucky? I did...
1. Michael Kors Vertical Zebra-Print Dress
2. Michael Kors Charlton Tote, Gold
3. Michael Kors Two-Tone Jet Set Watch, Horn/Gold
4. Michael Kors Perky Wedge Sandal, Camel

Combining textures, prints and shades of the same color creates a fun and interesting room that is still easy on the eye..
1. Yummy tan zebra cowhide pillows
2. A glamorous square horn mirror
3. The chic Sofia settee at Ballard Designs
4. A textured sisal rug
5. Bit o' bling in the gold pouf from Lillie a shop
6. A fun Jamie Young classic drum shade in cork on a glass jar lamp, both from from Layla Grayce.
.. and that my friends is an outfit made into a room. It was a fun exercise. It reminded my of the thinking out of the box projects we did at F.I.T. in my college days.

pretty little page

2010-04-13T15:23:00.003-04:00

Just back from a long weekend in Ireland and I picked up one of the yummiest interiors magazine, Country Homes and Interiors.. Here's a pretty little page.

hoppity hop!! I better get hoppin!

2010-04-01T06:56:00.013-04:00

Trying to not go OTT with sweets in the baskets!.. Martha

Just gorgeous! Family Circle

I love this! Super simple and nice bold colors on my favorite.. white. Family Circle

The kids and I will do this tomorrow on their day off. Family Circle

Martha

The kids are counting down the days until Easter.. umm this Easter Bunny better get hoppin!!

Dining Alfresco

2010-03-31T10:10:00.004-04:00

There is a buzz about this drizzly week in Spring that cries Summer is nearly here! One of the best things about summer is dining alfresco!! The summer air, the sound of the crickets, the stars above you and meals that are fresh, light and lot's of beautiful bright colors.
The daffodils are just desperate to burst into colorful life. My new outdoor dining set is being delivered sometime today (you know, sometime between 8am and 11pm). The kids and I are watching our homegrown vegetables and herbs sprout and grow super fast in their little greenhouse trays. Jamie Oliver is inspiring the country to eat right in Jamie's Food Revolution on ABC on Friday nights and in his cookbook Jamie's America. I am starting my P90X workout and we are transitioning into an organic and whole foods household. There is something about the sweet air of Spring that inspires all these wonderful things; life, health and new growth. Do ya dig it? Check out that awesome lighthouse lantern that hubby picked up at Crate and Barrel this weekend and loads more fun shatterproof dinnerware at French Bull.
The sun is coming out and there's a pep in my step!
xo
Elena

Stunning bathroom design!

2010-03-30T11:55:00.008-04:00

Our friend Oli, and as you can see very talented builder of Oliver Wilson Construction just finished this fabulous bathroom so I just had to share with you! oliverwilsonconstruction@yahoo.com

Feel Good Monday

2010-03-29T15:53:00.002-04:00

It is raining. It is cold. It is Monday. Sunday was hugely unproductive which had nothing to do with the goings on on Saturday night (big lie..huge). There is a lot of laundry. There is a very long to do list on my desk. So let's go to our happy place and enjoy these Feel Good finds:
This Zia shag rug from Crate and Barrel to tickle my toes into. A Sugar scented candle from Fresh that is on my wish list. Earl Grey tea from Bamboo Tea Company, because we can't drink Savingnon Blanc all the time. My Wedgwood "Nantucket Basket" cup that I use every day. The fabulous Ektorp chair from Ikea that I have to find a spot for because really you just can't afford not to have it. This kimono from Etsy is just gorgeous and it has "take me away" written all over it.
Happy Monday! xo Elena

Family wall

2010-03-23T13:42:00.009-04:00

via Peggy Wong on Design Sponge

via BHG

via Living Etc

via House of Bliss

via Pottery Barn

We have a debate going on here.. Whether to do a "family wall" or just display out pictures randomly around the house. I'd like to do a wall on upstairs landing (do we it call it that here? I grew up in London until I was 12 so I forget sometimes what is correct here) Maybe we call it upstairs hall. OK, annnnyway, I have a selection of pictures old and new, candid and professional that I want to display. I need to get some printed and then get some framed.. So OK, see you here in a year when I get this project underway! Here are some ideas and inspiration.
xo
Elena

Spring Gardening..

2010-03-22T15:26:00.004-04:00

Spring is in the air! (or at least is was this weekend.. it's wet, foggy and miserable today) We were the merriest little family of suburbanites all weekend long raking, weeding, moving over-sized shrubbery, and overall doing a great job looking like we knew what we were doing. I know the ones with bulbs and petals in pretty colors are most likely not weeds and my fingers are crossed that paring down long straggly branches and things is the way to go. A Friday road trip to Home Depot for packets of seeds that the kids were pulling off the shelves like they were gummy bears and sour patch kids (wait until they see them full grown and ready to eat.. can't see quite the same enthusiasm) and then a Target trip for all the pretty little gardening tool must haves.
In our little Spring Gardening selection above, we have:
A crocus: (plural: crocuses, croci) is a perennial flowering plant placed botanically in the iris family. The plants grow from cormshrdy perennials, and are found in a wide range of habitats, including woodland, scrub and meadows. There are about eighty species of crocus (of which approximately 30 are cultivated). Their cup-shaped, solitary, salverform flowers taper off into a narrow tube. Their color varies enormously, although lilac, mauve, yellow and white are predominant. from Wikipedia.
A Cynthia Rowley pink gardening hose: You can longer get this so I hope you didn't fall in love already, but it is pretty hot right? (She is a friend of a friend so if you're desperate for it, I'll see what I can do ah)
A blue OXO watering can: This you can actually get. They have it at Kmart, so knock yourself out!
Purple gardening gloves: From West County Gloves and you don't have to get purple, I just liked the way they looked with the pink hose (which you can't get)
Buzzy gardening tools: from Target, beats the usual boring green they come in.
You Grow Girl: A book I so need to get so I can actually figure out what I'm doing back there.
I'm making some gardening worksheets! I'll post them next week.
xo
Elena

portrait of me on day 4 of no school..

2010-03-18T08:01:00.002-04:00

OK, not really me but isn't this an awesome painting? I love love it. See more here Kelly Reemtsen. And the reference in the title is in regard to it being the 4th day this week that my kids school has been canceled due to the storm that hit last Saturday night knocking down trees all over town and causing power outages everywhere. We got lucky but a lot of people were without power for days!

Leo's room

2010-03-10T15:51:00.017-05:00

Leo's love of Buzz and Toy Story shows in his room. We think we kept it still pretty classy and versatile if the admiration should someday dwindle!..

He has quite a collection of Buzz's so I used these box displays to show them off.

Our neighbor/babysitter surprised Leo with these Toy Story 3 posters straight from the movie theater.

Blue and green sheets accent the Toy Story colors.

A Toy Story 2 poster next to his real clock and his learning clock.

Toy Story the original movie poster next Leo's reward chart. The purple frame lists his daily jobs that he checks off with a wipe off marker and each night he gets a big blue star on the blue board. 5 stars gets a little reward toy. It works really well and encourages good behavior!

The man himself.

Sun, sea and sand..

2010-03-10T13:05:00.004-05:00

Last week i was doing a whole lot of this in Turks and Caicos.. ahh.. beautiful beautiful place!!

I heart Rachel Ashwell.. (as if you didn't know!)

2010-02-23T13:15:00.000-05:00

Back in November, I met the lovely Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic when she was on her book tour for Shabby Chic Interiors. The last year has thrown a lot at her and yet she has spun it around to be something even better than before!.. After Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic stores closed last year, months later, Rachel relaunched the brand Shabby Chic Couture in Santa Monica, New York and now London too. She is truly amazing.

Here are some images from the gorgeous book..

She is so inspiring in her laid back and serene style. There is something about lovely pale linens, squishy couches, sweet smelling candles, and beat up furniture that just says "flop down and enjoy"

Rachel shared her home with SFgirlbybay back in December. Lot's of lovely pictures here.. behind the scenes with Rachel Ashwell

Rachel's kitchen via SFgirlbybay

One question SFgirlbybay asked Rachel:

Q. What is your biggest interior design nightmare?
A. People want things, too much, too fast, too perfect.

I just love that!.. It's true. Less is more, slow down and see the lovely in the unmade bed!

Ikea stop...

2010-02-22T08:05:00.001-05:00

Ikea is in the last 45 minute stretch home from my parents house, where we were for the kids winter break last week, so with Ikea fro yo promises, off we went.. We got rock star parking, speed shopped and left with a few fun bits and pieces...

cute cacti

little ceramic pots for the cute cacti

always a home for a basket that will make clutter look better

yummy sheepskin rugs for either side of our bed

and deep frames so I can do some Darcy Miller scrapboxing!

mirrored sconces

2010-02-19T09:46:00.003-05:00

Lovely mirrored sconces.

Have a lovely weekend. I'm working on a mood board for the living room!

LOVE

2010-02-16T13:36:00.003-05:00

With a house of head colds, winter break, a snow day and a Valentine's Day been and gone... the days are flying! Don't you just LOVE this pillow? Nice addition to lounge I think.. from via maris nyc

Home Office mood board

2010-02-11T12:17:00.011-05:00

The office plan is bright white, glossy white where I can. Working with the built in desk that is already there, I am going to paint it glossy white and add the Safari zebra rug. I already have the Captain's desk lamp and artist's studio chair. The clipboards I will hang on one wall to hold receipts and invoices. Stockholm boxes are a very clean way of keeping organized. I've used them for years. They are nice and easy on the eye stacked and they can be holding all sorts or bits and pieces for different projects. The yellow indoor planter, hot pink lacquer stash box, Peony photograph, yellow stripe pillow and patterned Spring balls are all the fun little accents bringing bright yellow and hot pink in to the basic black and white palette.

Addicited to illustating and illustrations right now..

2010-02-08T12:25:00.004-05:00

My etsy purchase today from Janice Jong... her etsy shop

scrapboxing... Darcy Miller style

2010-01-28T11:28:00.005-05:00

The idea of scrapbooks always appealed to me, however the act of scrapbooking.. uggh, I instantly envision boxes of dried out stamp pads, colored papers that have been half cut into.. we're back to the nightmare of boxes of STUFF. See I'm a creative type but also mildly neat freak type A (mildly).. the combination is tricky.. Anyhoo.. I like this idea of "scrapboxing" a lot!
It it is a little less committal than a whole book of memories and there is a bonus, art for your home that tells a personal story.. Win Win.
Darcy Miller, the editorial director of Martha Stewart Wedding recently had an art exhibit of her "scrapboxing" in Manhattan called "Family" that was featured in the February issue of Martha Stewart Living. Read about it here.

The office needs love.. lot's of love..

2010-01-27T15:04:00.000-05:00

In the beginning there was a simple little room full of home office potential.. Not only is it next to the laundry, play room and a bathroom, but it has a built in desk area on two walls and two windows....

... and then I came along and filled it with STUFF.. piles of stuff, boxes of stuff, and then some more stuff. I'm not even a pack rat.. in fact I am the opposite, however being a creative type with a small home stationery business.. there is STUFF..... Being so many little things I want to do to the house, I have to start prioritizing. So the office won first dibs! I recently decided to close wee card company for a while so I can devote more time to:

1. health and fitness
2. time with my kids
3. cooking
4. drawing
5. photography
6. decorating our home

So here is some inspiration for the office revamp...

via spaceplanner

via home-designing

via house of bliss

Front door makeover done..

2009-10-08T19:19:00.003-04:00

The whale's tail shiny silver knocker won.

Pretty nickel hardware added to our shiny "Chantilly Lace" front door completes the entrance.

Remember the before above? Do you like the change?

lounge in progress

2009-10-06T13:24:00.008-04:00

lounge 8/18- 5 days after moving in.. walls prepped for painting.

lounge 8/24- walls painted chantilly lace by Benjamin Moore.

lounge 9/2- pictures and mirrors getting arranged for placement.

lounge 9/26- brown velvet arm chair moved in, new sea grass rug, straw loveseat couch and brown paisley armchair bought.

lounge 9/30- some lighting coming together.

The house is shaping up a little more every day. I'm quite the pro and the old drill and hammer.. 3 curtain rods up this past weekend... and they are straight!
The lounge is making the most progress at the moment as one thing led to another and it just ended up getting all the attention.

Here it is as of 10/6 getting quite cozy!

Waiting on strong men to hang mirror above fireplace and chimney sweep.

Throw blanket, roaring fire, vino and a good book.. can you see it?

Yummy cushy paisley armchair. I so chose this and pictured it as my spot and then hubbie claimed it his chair last night!..hmph!

bit'a'sparkle for the pasiley chair!

So I guess this is MY chair.. Not so bad, this was my chair in the apartment.

My pretty hourglass purchased in Nantucket last summer with a "smelly" candle and a pretty ceramic ghost tealight holder.

My mom brought us this dried hydrangea wreath last week. It lasts forever in these lovely colors as long as it's not in direct sunlight.

Starting new lets me surround myself with things i love and move the rest on.. My fish card is the welcome to the neighborhood card from lovely Ali. This candle of ladies has been around for many years.. Ken and I bought it at a restaurant that had them at the bar about 9 years ago! It smells like lilacs and it is collapsed on one side because we left it in a sunny window sill once!.. I can't give it up though! The iron fly is from a friend of my mom's. It was in a housewarming gift basket from when we bought our place in the city 6 years ago. The peonies are silk. I don't love fake flowers but I do love peonies so these are more of an ornament than a fake out!

Velvety armchair and its crisscross pillow got a little bling with a metallic leather boudoir pillow!

Love the chandelier but too low for this room arrangement so it might get moved to the dining room.
The lamps and tables I bought with the intention of painting but I've ended up doing a "Rachel" and leaving it alone and being happily surprised.

With a pencil, ruler, measuring tape, drill and a little patience, this happened.

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Stores Are Re-Opening!

2009-09-16T09:54:00.003-04:00

This was the title of one of my morning emails!!!
How happy am I? YAY Rachel fabulous news!!
Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture

image from Rachel Ashwell's new book Shabby Chic Interiors.

I spend hours wandering my garden..

2009-09-10T07:52:00.010-04:00

...Yeah right!
I did inherit a beautiful mature garden with our new home though and am trying to be a green fingered goddess.. It's just hard when one is also trying to be a domestic culinary goddess, a decorating goddess, an un-packing goddess, a laundry goddess, a pre-school parent board goddess and a non-shouting mommy goddess. I have had time however to be a social goddess too.
Lot's going on. School starts in 3 days (still who's counting) and I will be on a curtain mission, my first order of business to tackle here! I just have to try to stay ahead by not getting any ideas to silkscreen and sew each panel myself.
p.s. If you know what any of these plants are please comment! I know a rose and I hope the last one is basil because we've been eating it with tomatoes.

Getting whiter, getting whiter...

2009-09-03T20:10:00.008-04:00

shingles are Benjamin Moore white cloud

all the downstairs walls are Benjamin Moore chantilly lace

We're getting there. Painting is officially complete.

loveee!

2009-09-02T20:04:00.000-04:00

So here's something pretty to look at before you read my vent..
So my head is a mass of unfinished rooms. Days are rolling into the next with fun things like bills and organizing filing systems at the top of the list. My 2 sweet angels, 4 and 2 are running wild from 6am until 8pm so there's not much time to really get things done. The good news is, I am thoroughly enjoying just being with my kiddos.. A walk by the water, lunch sitting outside at the pizzeria today and just giggling with them.. The city as much as I love it, was too tough on our relationship.. (the toddlers and mine that is) Here we run crazy and get in each others hair but there's room for it.. loads of room! Although chicken nuggets were on the menu tonight, I have to boast that fabulous meatballs were served two nights ago and mini lemon cakes from scratch in my inherited KitchenAid (thank you Pamela) were made yesterday.. so there's a lot going on and I'm keeping it interesting with culinary wowing but I must say when preschool starts in 10 days (who's counting?) I am looking forward to giving this house a little one on one time. I have floorplans and design boards, furniture finishes and inspiration clips swirling!

pretend and pretty too

2009-09-01T22:10:00.002-04:00

Silicone to-go cup.. Isn't it cool? Urban Outfitters. Now that I'm making my own coffee every morning and jumping in the car, this is a fun alternative to my Starbucks in stroller cup holder of city days. So the settling in has been fun, exciting and pretty tiring! Each day is finding a new shop, taking a walk in a new part of the area, and just enjoying our new home. I have been putting off first picture to hang but i think I'm finally ready to take the plunge! I wanted to get the boring unpacking stuff out of the way before the decorating. Will start posting photo updates shortly!

the house (before pics)

2009-08-26T12:22:00.030-04:00

So here are before pictures. These photographs were taken before we moved in so things are changing slowly. The house is nearly all white outside and all the rooms are painted. I'll post the progress over the next few weeks.

the front

front door

front porch

above 2- dining room with fireplace

above 4- living room

above 2 - kitchen

above 2- room off kitchen

above 4- basement (playroom, office, TV area and laundry and half bath also)

master bedroom

boys room

girls room

guest room

backyard

We survived the move!

2009-08-17T15:38:00.004-04:00

Hi all! So we survived the move!! Wednesday was the close, Thursday was the move. The color code system helped immensley. Every box was in the right place and I didn't have much directing to do. It was a very smooth process and so fun and exciting. Thursday night we ordered in steaks and got a bottle of wine and my only real important thing to do was make our beds for that night. Friday was busy busy. We unpacked box upon box and ran errands for essentials. We have been showered.. i mean drenched with neighbor love! It really has made the whole transition even more amazing. Cupcake delivery from the next door neighbors, sidewalk chalk, flowers from another neighbor and everyone has taken time to come over and introduce themselves. We were invited for cocktails down the road on Saturday and they invited other neighbors to come meet us. So so lovely.
The painters have started power-washing the house. We picked up our new wheels, a sweet black on black Acura MDX. We have a Home Depot about 8 minutes away and we've been there more often that Super Stop & Shop (our grocery store) We bought this couch to get things started in the living room and well to have somewhere to sit! We threw out our old couch in the move. I thought the denim was fun and we can move it to the kids playroom if we go more formal in the living room.
I know, I know, it's not white. If there is any item that you should resist from choosing in white when you have toddlers, it's your couch. Our last one was white and we said farewell to it in it's aged shade of grayish-cream and hand decorated in marker, ketchup and juice. I think with white pillows and against white walls it will look quite nice.
OK, I'm off to fight with more cardboard boxes in this 90 degree heat!!

pinkalicious!

2009-08-10T07:19:00.014-04:00

Thanks to Nicole from Making it Lovely I have perfected my paint splash making skills and gone splash happy choosing a pink for Izo's bedroom.. Of course there are MANY soft pinks to choose from. She is a sophisticated and trendy 2 1/2 so I'm trying to steer away from nursery pink and I am under strict instruction of my husband that her room is not to be a princess palace type parlor!

Above is a "non-princess" soft pink for the walls and some bold bohemian accent colors for fabrics and other items I'd like to use in her room.
Below are some inspirational pictures I've saved for her room.

martha stewart pom poms via project nursery

via sanctuary

jdesign salon via desire to inspire

shoot factory

debi treloar via desire to inspire

A day and a half until closing day and two and a half days until moving day! Brown boxes everywhere and no rest this week! Back to packing! The painters should be starting Friday so it's time to make final color decisions!

Friday Flickr Favorites week 3

2009-08-07T17:16:00.002-04:00

via flickr

Knockers!

2009-08-06T15:20:00.004-04:00

So we're painting the front door white and I'd like a silver knocker.
I like the ring the best I think.. simple, classy, pretty.

1 and 2 are Michael Healy, 3 is Restoration Hardware.

just snooping... Denise Richards

2009-08-04T21:54:00.009-04:00

Denise Richard's Hidden Hills home.

Moving planning and checklist

2009-08-03T08:00:00.001-04:00

Here's my detailed checklist for all the moving details:
and here is my color code system to make the move go smoothly and quickly...
the master list..

and this is a sample of the sign that i'll tape outside each room on moving day..

and these are the labels for the boxes..

today i treated myself to...

2009-08-01T18:32:00.004-04:00

A gorgeous book by Atlanta Bartlett.. when i've moved and printer/scanner connected again, i will share pages.
Enjoy the weekend. I am having a quiet Saturday night and retiring with a glass of sav blanc and my new read.

Friday Flickr Favorites week 2

2009-07-31T16:46:00.001-04:00

Front Door Ornament, Hollywood Vintage Tropical Architecture 023, originally uploaded by Ron Gunzburger.

Front Door Ornament, Hollywood Vintage Tropical Architecture 023

Buzz Lightyear BBQ planning

2009-07-29T08:14:00.000-04:00

I am working on my little soon to be 4 year old's party that will be days after we move in!
Yeah, I'm crazy!.. It'll be fun and chaotic!

Here's my inspiration board/planner in it's first stage. It's very hard for me to keep things simple when it comes to party planning. I like to have the theme carried throughout the invitation, decorating, activities, menu, cake etc etc

i wish whimsical cakes was close to us to make this amazing Toy Story cake!

The ugly post

2009-07-28T14:26:00.000-04:00

Pardon the appearance while I do some moving planning! This is what i'm pricing.. moving boxes.. no swooning over here today!

loveeeee

2009-07-28T00:15:00.000-04:00

via fragment freaks on ebay

via target

Friday Flickr Favorites week 1

2009-07-24T11:43:00.000-04:00

For my first week of Friday Flickr Favorites,
I have selected a gorgeous illustration called Teatime by Kate Doodles.
See it at Flickr here and see her other work at her etsy shop and her blog

stairs (a new concept)

2009-07-20T12:21:00.000-04:00

I want to do something with the stairs. Paint the railings white and also do a runner.
Here are some inspirations:

Pamela Anderson on her sisal lined stairs.
I like sisal with white railings. Lining the stairs is safer for the kids.

via apartment therapy- love these stairs! gorgeous! Just had to share!

via sanctuary (I love the family wall here too)

above 2 via shoot factory

via apartment therapy
this is such a cool look! lovely!

via desire to inspire via flickr

there's my wall railing painted white

Exterior painting..

2009-07-17T11:56:00.001-04:00

I've just added this first picture of "the house" to the sidebar. Choosing the exterior paint color including the trim is another "white paint" post! Boring but very important. As soon as the painting stage is over, there will be more exciting decisions than shades of white!!
So, I think the shingles will be Benjamin Moore Brilliant White and the trim, shutters and front door will be a nice glossy Benjamin Moore White Dove.

Benjamin Moore White Dove

white front door for sure

2009-07-15T14:06:00.000-04:00

via country living

We're just looking at the door here, the beautiful fresh white door with silver knocker, pull and lock.

To do list...

2009-07-14T11:16:00.000-04:00

I'm going to sit in the sun in my hour of peace while kids are at the beach with grandma and grandpa and work down the to do list:
- schedule kids physicals before starting new school
- cancel cable
- find new pediatrician
- get last moving estimate
- get 3 house painting estimates
- arrange cleaning for new house day after closing
- arrange cleaning apartment day after move
- plan a 4 year olds birthday party for weekend after we move in!
- make next to do list

Happy Tuesday!

i heart white hardwood floors!

2009-07-13T10:37:00.000-04:00

via Sactuary

via Sanctuary
This is one of her kids rooms. I obsessively looked at every page of Sanctuary the other night. Stunning!!!

white rooms book by Jordi Sarra. I don't have this yet, but it's on my wishlist!

via BHG

via BHG

can't remember where i found this!

Ian Schrager's Delano Hotel Miami via NYT

via apartment therapy

via concrete and honey via Living Etc from house of photographer Paul Massey..
see rest of house at concrete and honey.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.... I love white painted wood floors.. High gloss is beautiful as much as matte scuffed shabby look. The house has fairly new natural hardwood floors throughout so I don't think I'll be taking my can of paint to them just yet but I do love this look so much! I might have to test it out in one room!

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Interiors coming in October.. counting down the days!!!

2009-07-10T10:26:00.000-04:00

See you in NYC in October Rachel!

Front door makeover

2009-07-09T06:30:00.000-04:00

via flickr

via flickr

via decorology

via tiennieknits

A front door can really create an impression for the home.. like the wrapping on a gift or the cover of a book.
The front door of the house currently is dark green with a very dark oiled bronze scallop shell door knocker... This is not what the cover of my book would look like, so the front door color will be one of the first jobs. The shingles are light gray and of course I would prefer them white, but that is a bigger job for the "later on" list. Although there are so many fabulous color directions to go with this, I think I have to go with bright glossy white! (surprise surprise) .. and a stunning new silver knocker??

buy white paint- sounds simple doesn't it???

2009-07-08T11:34:00.000-04:00

simply white, snowfall white,

alpine white, moonlight white,
i wish i may, i wish i might,
narrow it down to the white that's right!

When we close on the house, there are several rooms that I want to paint. Most of the downstairs is in great shape and all white and newly done so I am happy with that. The bedrooms however are all different colors, yellow, blue, green, pink. Basically the upstairs needs a clean sweep of white everywhere. So there are several billion shades of white (and that's only Benjamin Moore) I'm going with slightly warmer shade of white.. the cooler shades with undertones of blue can make a room feel cold. I like trim in a higher gloss and a shade darker than walls for a slight contrast. Colors however undecided so far!

Check these articles out: Southern Living- Getting the right white can be tricky here and Choosing the right white by 2Modern Design Talk here

and if you thought you'd seen it all, take a look at this the ben Color Capture app for iPhone. Love it!!!

The beginning of a blog, a new era, home #2

2009-07-07T11:18:00.001-04:00

t w o, originally uploaded by claude....

Welcome to my new world with a white picket fence. My husband, 3 year old son, 2 year old daughter, little shih tzu and I are leaving our 950 square foot apartment in NYC for a new home in a small fishing town. In about 6 weeks, we are making the big move. It is incredibly exciting and emotional! Follow me on the journey of change as i journal about leaving the city, decorating a gorgeous new home, learning about gardening in my lovely new yard (that should be interesting), cooking up new recipes and doing craft projects with the kids. xox

*image via flickr