Winter Whites

Thanks everyone for your emails and comments about my money chasing adventure at the bank!  When I called Mr. Tide after it happened I had already regained my sense of humor, so it will be one of those things I can use as good cocktail party convo! ;-)

My daughter (who is now threatening to buy me a money clip) and son took great delight in saying that they kind of wished they had been there to witness it all.  I informed them that it was likely up on You Tube somewhere, so that everyone could share in my foibles!

Today has been one of those gray days, where everything outside looks kind of bleak and colorless.

I really don't mind it, though I do prefer the colors of spring and summer, but sometimes it's nice to give your eyes a rest and to be able to have something not too jarring to look at.

I think that is why we are drawn to white, because it gives us a sense of respite.  Now I've said it before and I'll say it again, I could not live in an all white house, where the walls, the furniture, the accessories were all white, or even just tone on tone, but I do love a well done all white home.  There is just something so soothing about an all white abode when it has enough interest and texture to not look sterile but serene instead!

I have touches of white in every room of my house and I find that this time of year in particular I am drawn to them.  Maybe it's my way of giving my senses a rest before the colors of spring and summer start popping out.

I can't imagine that white, or black, or any neutral will ever truly go out of style.  They play so nicely with other colors, and are often content to be the supporting cast so that other more vibrant colors can be the stars of the show.

The funny thing about white is that it is often hard to photograph, so some magazines shy away from all white homes in favor of more colorful fare.  I think that we are starting to see a change in that way of thinking thanks to blogging actually.

So many wonderful white decor loving bloggers have stepped to the forefront and shown that an all white home can be beautifully photographed, and I believe that that is why we are seeing some magazine and book publishers coming around to the beauty of white!  Information that some designers have known for years.

 Photo by Ellen van Deelen

And for one last bit of white, this time pure cuteness!  My daughter shared this with me and even if you aren't a fan of rats, you can't help but think this is pretty adorable!  The photographer, Ellen van Deelen, who is from Holland, has trained a few rats, (which are supposed to be very clean and smart little rodents), and she takes the most amazing and heart warming photos of them.  She even has a book of her images appropriately titled The Rat Pack! Here is a link to her Red Bubble account where you can see more of her work.  I'm thinking about ordering a calendar with some of her oh so cute images!

Tell me how you decorate with white, or if you prefer color in your world.  Happy Weekend!

The World in Black and White

I don't often voice my political or religious views on this blog, it's something I'm just not comfortable doing.  I believe that each of us is entitled to those views, to live our lives in a moral and just way, but sometimes things seem a little bass ackwards to me.

I had planned to chat about my new dining room chairs that I got for a steal yesterday at the Restoration Hardware outlet.

Regale you with tales of how, after a 3 hour drive each way, I lucked into a Pottery Barn outlet closing where the already reduced merchandise was another 40% off.  How I bought a beautiful ticking striped duvet cover and this pretty white platter for a song.

I wanted to tell you how delicious these organic honey crisp apples are, and how they are totally worth the long trip to Whole Foods to buy them.

I planned to go on and on about these pretty white napkins, also found at the Pottery Barn closing sale.

How I've been looking for some nice white napkins at a good price and how these were like a match made in heaven for my new dining room.   But...

Last night, as I sat down to catch up on the day's emails, do some blog reading, and skim through the online news sources, I was confronted with something that makes all of my great purchases seem more than just a little insignificant.

You see, sometimes we like to paint the world as black and white, but there is so much grey area in this world of ours.  Sometimes black and white is a good thing, like in these two photos of Misty Belle and Mr. Quinn, but sometimes, when it is used in a way that is hurtful, it's anything but beautiful.

As a blogger, I now have a sense of fellowship that only other bloggers can know.  Especially bloggers who use their blogs to share a little bit of themselves with each of us.  Those who put their heart and soul on the line for the world to see, the good, the bad and even the ugly that comes with living a real and authentic life.  So when one of us is having issues, I feel like we need to all step in and help out, even if that just means moral support.

Such is the case for Mark and his blog, entitled Our Simple Lives.  Kind of an ironic name for his blog, because life has been anything but simple for Mark and his partner Fred, and their 4 children.  You see, Mark and Fred are a gay couple who have adopted 4 children.

Now, some of you may be running for the hills right now, and that's your prerogative to do so, I surely can't, nor will I try to stop you.  But if you have a moment I'd like to say what I think about their current situation.

You can read much more about it on Mark's blog, and on CNN, where it made front page news yesterday.  Fred is a French Citizen, while Mark is an American citizen.  The two fell in love, got married when it was legal in the State of California, and have adopted 4 beautiful and thriving children.  They have been together longer than many couples seem to be able to make it these days, I believe it's 20 years, and the love they share for their children is undeniable and real.  As in the life is messy kind of real.

Because they are a gay couple, Fred now faces deportation, because even though they legally married in California a number of years ago, and Mark is a US citizen, our federal government doesn't recognize their marriage.  So now Fred must return to his home country after living her for 2 decades.

To those of you still reading, those who haven't unfollowed me, or made snap judgements, or turned away in disgust at the thought of a non traditional family, thank you.  You see, I would much rather see a family like Mark and Fred's, one which has contributed to society, worked hard for everything they have, and given 4 beautiful and innocent children the chance at a wonderful life, than I would half the people I see in what is deemed an appropriate marriage, dragging their children around Walmart at 11 pm.  Cursing at them, threatening them, but given the rights denied to Mark, Fred and their 4 children.

You have to ask yourself, why is it that our society rewards people who misbehave like Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Kim Kardasian with multi million dollar contracts for doing nothing to help society, while it penalizes people like Mark and Fred who kept 4 children from possibly knowing the instability and often horrors of the foster care system?!

As a magazine writer for beautiful homes, I have lots of gay friends, it just comes with the territory my friends.  So I can say that my world is a richer and more wonderful place because of those friendships.  So while you peruse the latest designs and heap praise on many notable designers, who just happen to also be gay, but then turn your back when you see the injustice of it all, well I would have to say that in my book that would be the definition of hypocritical.

You don't have to support gay marriage, or want marriage redefined, but when people like Mark and Fred's family will be torn apart because the world doesn't operate in black and white, I would hope you would at least try and support them so that our society could have one more stable family to help keep this country's future bright!

If you would like to learn about more ways you can support Mark and Fred, please go here.

The Faster I Go, The Behinder I Get and A Giveaway

I can scarcely believe it's been almost a week since my last post...time flies when you're feeling ill...actually it just kind of drags on when you realize how many things are piling up as you huddle in bed!  My title is a quote from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, and it perfectly describes my life at the moment!  You all were so sweet to leave me wonderful comments about my blog anniversary, and send me well wishes as I muddled through the virus I had, and when I was feeling better and finally sat down to try and return emails and answer comments, I realized how very far behind I am on absolutely everything right now!

So instead of becoming overwhelmed, I'm doing what I said I should do, I'm moving forward and tackling what I can and letting go of the rest.  Which reminds me of another great quote from wise Mr. Carroll... "Alice generally gave herself good advice (though she very seldom followed it)."  This time I'm following my own good advice which was Tip #5 from my recent post on blogging!  See, you can teach an old dog new tricks!

I truly did appreciate each and every comment and email and if I could clone myself I would reply personally to every single one of them, but a stack of work emails and deadlines has me busier than a one armed paper hanger right now.

If you could see the Christmas tree still standing in my family room (sans ornaments at least), the holiday decor stacked on my dining room table waiting to be put away, the dust Velociraptors (oh they've grown way past cute bunnies) that litter my floors, and the empty pantry that cries Mother Hubbard's Cupboard each time I open it, you'd understand!

I did however manage to make it out of my house yesterday and today.  Last night I took homemade chili over to my friend Ms. M, and we had dinner with her.  She is doing great and because she's housebound and reliant on the help she has hired, she was thrilled to have a little extra company and one of her favorite meals.  Then today I met a realtor at my parent's house.  We are so very close to getting it on the market, and we hope to finish up the final details before the end of the month!

On my way home tonight, I decided to pop into a few of my favorite stores since I feel like I've been out of the loop for so long now.  I know I should have headed to the grocery store, but it was 4:30 and that meant that everyone and their brother was shopping after work and in preparation of the ice storm we might be getting so I decided we could subsist on what's in the freezer for a few more days...English muffins aren't just for breakfast right?!

I first stopped at Cecil's Country Store, but they had wisely closed down early since it was starting to sleet.  So I drove to another favorite, Lola Belle Co. in Leonardtown and picked up a few things to use as a giveaway.  It's my way of saying thank you for understanding, being supportive, and well, for just being you!

By the time I reached the store the temperature had dropped significantly and the roads were starting to get slippery so I immediately gravitated toward anything that reminded me of spring or summer.  You can tell by my photos that I was craving a little pop of color in everything I purchased, probably because it's been so bleak and colorless outside.

After milling about in the store, I got a phone call from Mr. Tide telling me that I should really head home since he almost fell on our back patio.  So I gathered up my treasures and then jumped in my car to head home before the roads got really bad.

So here is my spring/summer wishes giveaway.  A little mercury glass birdie in pale green to remind you that springtime and birds chirping are just around the corner.  A Village Candle called Summer Breeze, because I could use one right about now!  A bright floral hand towel that ironically is made by Dena Fishbein, whose house I wrote about in Romantic Country Magazine, and I didn't even notice that until I got home...such a small world!  Some lavender bath salts from PRE de Provence, because lavender is soothing no matter what the season.  And last but not least, a bracelet made from shells to remind you that beach weather will be upon those of us in the northern hemisphere before we know it!

This little group of goodies is my way of sending a little springtime and sunshine your way along with a great big hug of thanks!

In order to enter, and because I know you all are just as crazy busy as I am, all you need to do is leave me a comment telling me whatever you like.  Yup, you can say "hi" or maybe tell me what the weather is like in your neck of the woods today, it's up to you!

The Giveaway is open to everyone, and will end on Tuesday, January 18th, at Midnight PST.

A Sneak Peek and A Reminder

I finally got a little mojo going last night and finished the tree in my living and dining room.  It's not a complicated tree, or even a tree in the traditional sense really, but after several days of staring at bare branches in a container I decided it was time to dress them up a bit. 

Once I'm done with both of these rooms I'll take some pictures to give you the full effect of it, I'm really loving the way it turned out.  Simple and natural with a touch of sparkle and beachy'ness, my favorite combination this time of year.

I also wanted to remind you of a few wonderful things going on this weekend.  Starting today, there are two wonderful barn/tag sales happening.  One is at Ekster Antiques outside of Leesburg, Virginia.  I featured Ekster's last sale in a post (HERE).  And several of the photos I took at that sale are also gracing the pages of this month's Romantic Country Magazine (Yipee!!), which should be in your mailbox or on newsstands sometime in the next few days.

If you live in or around DC or northern Virginia you won't want to miss this weekend's barn sale at Ekster!

The other sale which starts today is a tag sale going on at Chartreuse and Co. in Frederick, Maryland.  I've never been to Chartreuse and Co., but my dear friend Connie has and she tells me it's a "must" see.  If you click on the link above to their site you'll be treated to lots of photos of all of the wonderful things they currently have for sale!

It's also a Vintage Source weekend, the last one for 2010, and it's sure to be a good one!  The Vintage Source girls always end the year with a bang, and based on their "New Arrivals" page this sale looks like a great one!  During their sale weekend in December last year I picked up my lovely horse pull which holds my Christmas stockings!

I also want to take this opportunity to say goodbye to a wonderful woman, great friend, and one of the Vintage Source "mommas,"...Cathe Chiomento.  From the moment you meet Cathe you can feel her warmth and great infectious personality.  Cathe also has an amazing sense of style as you can see by the photos above of her home, which sold in just a week!  She and her husband are moving back to Pennsylvania to be closer to their children and grandchildren and St. Mary's County will be a little less bright once they leave at the end of this month.  Best wishes Cathe, and I can't wait to see all of the beautiful things you will do in your new home...I'll definitely be coming for a visit sometime soon, with camera in hand!

And last, but certainly not least, don't forget about the wonderful sale going on this Saturday at my friend Susan's home which I wrote about HERE!  Trust me when I say that you won't want to miss this sale either, and why not make a day of it and go to both Susan's sale AND The Vintage Source's sale...with lunch in between of course! 

If you live too far away to go to any of these sales never fear.  Over the next week I'll be sharing with you a few of my favorite Etsy stores and online retailers.

And for those of you who live in southern Maryland, I'll also be sharing a few of my favorite local stores so be sure to check back!

In the meantime...Happy Shopping everyone!

House Love

A special thank you to everyone who gave me their honest feedback for my questions in yesterday's post, I really appreciate it!  It's great to hear all the different perspectives so that I can make a more informed choice about whether to open an Etsy shop or not.

I sometimes get asked if I have a favorite house among the ones I've written about over the years.  And I have to say that it's a tough question to answer.  I see so many different styles, from contemporary to all out Victorians, that to pick a favorite would be like saying you love strawberries more than peaches...I love them both!

But there are a few notable homes which come to mind when I think of the type of home I would want to create if given a blank canvas to work from, and the house I'm about to show you would be one that would surely be at the top of my list!

I have to honestly say that sometimes it is not only the house that I love, but also the homeowners.  In my career as a writer I'm happy to say that I've never come across an unfriendly owner, which makes my job much easier.  But there are some owners who you connect with better than others, and who you end up staying in contact with over the years.

The moment I set foot inside this gorgeous waterfront home I knew it would be something special.  Even from the outside you could tell it wasn't your typical house.  And it didn't take long for me to figure out that the owners were special people too, an added bonus for me!

Because I have so many photos to share with you, and because the house truly is the star of the show, I'll try and keep my comments to a minimum and just let you enjoy the beauty of this very unique and special place.

What's not to love about a house that has a boat hanging from the ceiling...

And a graceful floating curved staircase...

I love the stained treads, handrail, and detailed tread brackets against the crisp white spindles which resemble rope.

Lots of windows, including skylights, fill the entryway with beautiful natural light.

Off of the foyer is a round game table, grounded by a colorful rug.  To the right and down a few steps is an intimate sitting area with a one of a kind fireplace clad in old barn wood and created by local artisans.

Comfortable furnishings make this a perfect spot to read a book or simply enjoy the view.  French doors lead to one of the many decks found on the water side of the home.

Also located just off the gaming area is a small bar with a beautiful stained glass window depicting the view from the house to the opposite shoreline.

A large great room is the centerpiece of the main level of the home, featuring lovely antiques, soaring ceilings, and colorful furnishings.  Beautiful artwork and sculptures can be found everywhere in the house, and a series of french doors frame one of the prettiest pieces of art, the view to the water.

One of the homeowners is an artist, with a keen eye for beautiful things.

Located just off the great room is the spacious dining room.  A large custom made table, which comfortably seats 10, boasts a correctly oriented compass rose in the center.  A catwalk accessed from the master bedroom upstairs creates a unique ceiling and french doors flood the room with additional light, highlighting this beautiful handmade chandelier constructed from driftwood the homeowners collected during their travels!

A gourmet kitchen flows off the dining area and features a mix of stained and painted shaker style cabinetry.  Dark granite counters, professional style appliances, and two large islands make this a chef's dream kitchen!  I love the way wood and tile were used to create the unique diamond patterned floor, it's both stylish and practical!

As you head up the grand staircase you get a unique perspective on the first floor, and breathtaking views of the grounds and water beyond.  

No detail was overlooked, even the boat sports a vintage life ring, not seen from below.  And the white built-in bookcase holds a secret too...it is actually a secret door that leads to the downstairs powder room...I love that!

The entire upstairs is comprised of a lovely master suite and office area.  Soft yellow walls, punctuated by beautiful white trim highlight the curves of the room.  A semi circular headboard floats in the middle of the room orienting the bed toward the windows and water views, while providing built-in nightstands.

Narrow doors and luxurious draperies in the bedroom close the catwalk off from the dining room below, allowing for extra privacy.  But with just a step through either door, you can wind your way out to an upper level deck to enjoy a morning cup of coffee, or you can always put in your breakfast order to someone downstairs in the kitchen. 

 

Dormers create a light filled hallway which leads from the master bedroom to the bathroom and office/studio area.  

The bathroom is made up of his and her spaces connected by a sumptuous dressing area and ample glass fronted closets.  "His" side of the bath houses a large glass fronted shower with a television, while "Hers" features a deep tub for long relaxing bubble baths.  I love the ornate mirror and beautiful sconces which give a feminine feel to the space.

If any of you are avid golfers, this will tickle your fancy.  An upstairs balcony located off of the office area sports a gate which can be opened, allowing you to practice your swing out to the green located on the property's side yard.

Even the outbuildings on this property were carefully thought out and executed! 

Believe it or not there is even a large basement area with guest rooms, a covered stone patio, and a wine cellar...swoon!

If lounging is more your style, why not wile away the hours soaking up the sun by the pool, or laying in the hammock taking in that view?!

And if you grow tired of your surroundings you can even head out for an afternoon on the boat...for a little added relaxation.

I hope you've enjoyed touring this beautiful one of a kind home as much as I did when I photographed it.  The homeowners are both extremely hardworking people who appreciate every square inch of this home and I'm so happy they let me share it with all of you!  Thanks A & M!