A Home by Ashley Whittaker

Hi there,

This Westchester, N.Y. home by Ashley Whittaker is a like a breath of fresh air.

You may recognize the living room and dining room as I used them in my moodboard on lavender and celery a while back.  Now, you can see what the rest of the house looks like.

The fresh spring colors remind me of what's ahead for us........and real soon, I hope.

Enjoy!

A Colorful Connecticut Home

Good morning to all of you!  Hope you all had a fab weekend!  

My weekend flew by in a flash.  I always heard that time goes faster as we age, but this is ridiculous!

I'm taking a little break from Moodboard Monday today and going with a shorter post.

Surfing the internet over the weekend and happened upon a new Connecticut home by Anthony Baratta.  

It's a 'pretty' home as many of Baratta's homes are and it appears to be a little 'quieter' than some of his past homes.  The thing I noticed most was the lack of wall art in many of the rooms.  As you look through the rooms, you'll notice a lot of bare walls.  The whole foyer has only a mirror, for instance.  The yellow bedroom has nothing on the walls.  The dining room has no wall art.  

Anyway, you'll see what I mean as you browse.  

And it works beautifully - a calm and colorful home for the lucky homeowners to enjoy.  

Baratta at his best......again!

So simple and pretty!  Gorgeous colors!

I love the colors in the living room - the touch of red adds such life to the room!

A perfect spot for a daybed at the other end of the living room.

Other than the mirror over the fireplace, this piece of art over the sofa is the only wall art in the living room.

The white chairs against the dark table are a nice contrast.  Another pretty and welcoming room.

The hand painted panels on the cupboard doors act as wall art in this bright and cheerful kitchen.

Patchwork sofa of Pierre Deux fabrics and gingham window treatments make for a cheerful family room.  Lots of color and pattern here - love it!

This bedroom (with no wall art) is absolutely charming and I wonder how many of you would even notice the lack of it (wall art, that is) if I didn't keep bringing it up!  This room doesn't need anything else to adorn it - it's perfect as it is!

The tile work adds the pattern and extra color and detail to this pretty and spacious bath.

Connecticut Cottages and Gardens

A Room of Her Own - Mary MacDonald

Isn't this a perfect lady's office and space?  Beautiful colors, lots of lighting and storage, comfortable chairs and surrounded by her favorite art, flowers and collectibles?  The walls appear to have speakers in them so music is piped in, as well.  

A welcoming and pretty space for any woman to enjoy!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Throwback Thursday - The Home of Annie Brahler

This is the Illinois home of Euro Trash owner, Annie Brahler.  Of Dutch heritage, Annie grew up using the 'good' china and silver every day (unlike in America where the 'good' things are often kept for special occasions).  If something got nicked or cracked it only added to the patina and "became a memory and not a scar". What a nice way to look at it!

Loving what appealed to her keen eye allowed her to load up on 'old' pieces and not necessarily anything with a pedigree.  So, searching for antiques in France, Belgium and Holland became a business and with her interest in design Euro Trash was born.                                  
Enjoy!

Beaux Art Italianate Victorian 1868

 Country Living

Foyer via The Paris Itinerary

Belgian bergeres and Louis XVI side tables

French gilt settee and Dutch footstools

Belgian crystal chandelier

Daybed, gilt tables, overmantel and chandelier are all French.  A large empty gold frame sits in front of the large mirror and antlers her children found on hikes decorate the mantel.

Magnolias from Annie's backyard.

Annie's Dutch heritage is reflected in the blue Delft tiles around the fireplace.  Double door cupboard, chandelier and zinc finial (on left by window) all come from Holland.

Notice the antique demilune cabinet as the island.  Annie added cupboard space to the back and a marble top to create the island.

Love that!

The back of the demilune island.

Antique cabinet and caned chairs from Holland with Rachel Ashwell's pendants over the table.

Rachel Ashwell's slipcovered chairs surround a 19th century Dutch dining table.  Notice the portiere curtains to close off the parlor during colder months.  Portieres are commonly used in Europe instead of doors.

Dutch chandelier and several mirrors reflect the light in the upstairs hallway.

The master bedroom headboard was retrofitted from an antique daybed by joining the headboard and footboard together.

Annie's daughter, Isabel, decorated her own room with a Louis XV style bed and French mirror.

Son Daniel's room reflects his interest in British history with a Jonathan Adler Union Jack rug .

Master bath with recycle tub and chocolate walls.

Annie's carpenter 'stretched' an antique armoire to hold Annie's shoes and the Belle Epoque chandelier casts a rosy glow over the room.

House Beautiful

May 2012

Conversational Quartets

Hi there,

Here's a trend that has been around for some time now and seems to be growing.  A conversation area consisting of 4 chairs in a circle. Sometimes there's an ottoman in the middle, a low coffee table, a tall (tea) table or nothing in the middle - perhaps small side tables or garden stools instead.

I prefer the ottoman in the middle (to elevate your legs and provide comfort while alone and reading) with two small tables situated between each of a pair of chairs (to provide functional table space for drinks, etc. while entertaining, as in the last photo below.  I also like the reading lamps in that photo.....because I love to read!!). The tall table also functions well for entertaining as do the garden stools, and the stools could be moved around or into the centre of the circle, as needed.  

So, all would work and all would look good and function for entertaining - what look would you choose?  Something to think about!

Dustjacketattic

Traditional Home

Traditional Home

Willowbeeinspired

BHG

Lauren Nicole Designs

Henry Brown

At Home in Arkansas

Penny Bianchi

Coastal Living

Harbor Springs Cottages

Houzz

Sarah Richardson

Southern Living

Traditional Home