December 25

Centerpiece of garden roses, truffula trees, ornaments and candles



A simple tree of silver lights

Candles and snow flakes

A kid's eye view of the setting

Bedroom Ideas

I am determined to have doors like these in my bedroom. We have a niche that will be perfect. Stay tuned for the "after" photo. Photo: Elle Decor



Thanks to Estelle who directed me to these panels at Think Twice (Hi Christian!) in Dallas at Hollywood Floral. It's a wonderful little collection of fabulous. Check it out.  You won't be disappointed.


These panels will be the focal point of the custom doors for the master bedroom. Hopefully they will look like the image above: the inspiration for the whole project. Fingers crossed.

 


Fabulous nightstand. Photo: House and Home (Canada)

  

Ultimately, I went with one of these for the master bedroom. Photo: from a MGBW tear sheet.

 


And one of these for the other side of the bed. Photo: from a MGBW tear sheet

 


A pair of these Petrie Chairs from Crate and Barrel will go in the master. Photo: Crate and Barrel

 


Inspiration for the guest room color scheme. Photo: House and Home (Canada)  

 


Love the Foo Dog lamp. A good option for the guest room. The dresser is modern with a traditional flair. Photo: House Beautiful

 


Clean lines, lots of natural light. A lovely guest room. Who wouldn't want to rest here? 
Photo: House and Home (Canada)

 

Fireplace Ideas

Gold leaf? Yes! Fabulous flash that adds warmpth and reflective light. Love it. Photo: Metropolitan Home "Glamour".

I don't even know where to start. The open pit, the raised platform, the gorgeous hood, and the sculpture. A dream of a fireplace.  This beauty is located somewhere in Dallas. So close and yet so far....
Photo: Metropolitan Home "Glamour".

 

Simple clean lines compliment the simple clean lines of the fireplace. This screen from Crate and Barrel a few years ago. I've used it in the living room and may track down another for the sitting room. Photo: Crate and Barrel.

 

My dream od a fireplace screen. I'd love it in the sitting room, with a fire, a velvet lounge, a good book and a hot cup of tea. Cue Cole Porter and relax. Photo: House and Home. 



More gold leaf with a sexy peek-a-boo fire pit. Meow! Photo: probably Metropolitan Home.

 

Powder Room

The inspiration (Thanks Estelle!)
Photo: Elle Decor
Paint: Benjamin Moore Silver Streak



Inspiration for the Murano Glass Mirror
Photo: Elle Decor



Kitchen Ideas

The "Before" pictures of the dining table chairs. Thanks to John B. at Antiques Moderne for finding these gems.



The "After". Not bad!




Now I need 3 more, but I have no idea where to find them. Let the hunt begin.




The Kitchen eating area...in progress. I need 3 more chairs, a rug and some fabulousness for the table.
Table: Crate and Barrel. Credit to my spouse for the color choice.

  

Inspiration for the kitchen eating area. I love the natural light, the modern chairs and the traditional farm table. It's warm and fresh. You could linger here with a cup of coffee and a friend for hours. Photo: House Beautiful.

 


Love the bar stools, hate the price. I may add this to the design bucket list, but for now, I'll stick with kid-friendly Ikea stools. Photo: InStyle.  



Front Door Ideas

Our current front door. Did you notice there is no entryway? I didn't until a landscaper pointed it out. Now it's all I see. Dang. I know he planned that. Apparently the builder wanted guests to drive up to the door. So part of the front yard landscape overhaul will include replacing the front door. So now I'm hunting for specimen. Here's a few:

I'm imagining a single door with this trim work, but in a bold color. Red is the Fung Shui favorite. Who doesn't want good fortune. I wonder what a flame orange door means? The circle detail echos the window above the entryway and will be a sweet spot for the door knocker. The first thought upon seeing the door should be "Nice Knockers" after Young Frankenstein.

10 Downing Street, Luhnduhn, Enguhlund
I'm inspired by this door and not just because The Iron Lady and I share a birthdate. The huge door knocker, center knob and glossy black finish, but do I really want to dust my front door?? Uh...no.
Photo: Photographerdirect.com 

The Greeter



A nice example of symmetry in action. Love the Asian influence, the stripe and the modern art work. Photo: Elle Decor or Met Home.  



It must be the tree branch and the tortoise shell, but I'm drawn to this little niche. Photo: House Beautiful.



I LOVE this. I love the feathers, the beads, the floral offering. The vivid colors grab me. Photo: Elle Decor.



This is the inspiration for the stair rails, but I do love the cabinet. It anchors the space with flair. Makes me want to see what's inside when the hostess has her back turned. Photo: unknown shelter magazine.



More beads on a statue. Appeals to the Catholic inside me. I want to show my gratitude to the saints with beautiful objects. Photo: House Beautiful.



I like the gallery set up here. Photo: unknown shelter magazine.  

 

Mr. Personality's Room



Mr. Personality's Room





Color scheme



Fabric for the Danish Modern arm chair.






Bold colors for a bold boy.
Photo: Elle Decor.

 

Hanging chair from Ikea. Famous designer and stylist not included. Dang.
Photo: no clue. 





The Lady's Bedroom





The Lady's Room

 

Paper blossoms. They will bloom for the Lady in some shape or form. Photo: PB Kids.



The color scheme and textiles



The Lady requested a canopy (or as she says "campony") for her daybed. This image from Elle Decor served as the original inspiration. However, several fits and starts later, it will look NOTHING like this photo. Who knew a bed canopy could be so difficult. I'm not giving up. Stay tuned. Things to remember from this project:

• there are no less than 20,000 shades of pink.
• Choose one shade of pink and stick with it.
• Break it up with white because I've got no shot at introducing another color.
• Do not buy non-returnable custom curtains until and unless you match the color.



Green Louis Chairs break up a Great Pink Sea. Photo: House Beautiful.



I would have loved to have had this room for tea parties. Photo: the late great Domino.





Curtains Scarlett O'Hara could appreciate. I bought these for the Lady's room, but they are salmon not ballerina pink. Wrong color and non-returnable. Re-sale anyone?!
Photo: Domino.



Another horrible tear sheet page. My apologies to Elle Decor for the rumpled image.I like how the headboard and the curtain works together to create a canopy, the Hollywood Regency stands and the cactus lamp.  

 

Monique Lhuillier Home 2011

Unbelievable. Glamourous, comfortable, open, inviting and maybe even kid-friendly. This is proof positive that it CAN exist! I am inspired to re-create these characteristics in my own home.

Office




The renovated office



This was huge for me. An actual home office from which to consult. My former home office in our former home was a mini-bar turned cubicle. It was a good reno, but the space was about 4x6 feet square smack in the middle of the house. Not exactly quiet or spacious. Now I can stetch out my arms when I sit at the desk. Small pleasures are often the most meaningful.



Another shot of the bookcase. A work in progress that allows me to continue to collect favorite books and meaningful objects and surround myself with images of the Circle of Trust.



Book titles give quiet clues about the inhabitant.

Detail of a watercolor my Dear Sweet Husband bought me on a perfect spring day at the Met.




Offical scent of the office.



I really love this space. Colors, comfort, floods of natural light. The inspiration for my office. I think it translates successfully. Photo: Elle Decor.



I wanted a Ponti desk, but the Parsons Desk from West Elm is is roughly $2000 less that the coveted Ponti. So the Parsons Desk will suffice until a load of cash falls from the sky. Photo: Elle Decor



I like the inspiration board, unfortuanely I do not have the wall space.Photo: House and Home.