Not your Momma's Blue and White!

Jennifer of The Pink Pagoda Fame is hosting a Blue and White Bash today.  She is asking all bloggers who love Blue and White to link up to her Blog and show their stuff!

Well ... y'all know me ... If I am going to have a little Blue and White ... it is going to have orange in play and also a punch!

So here's my "Not your Momma's Blue and White Story" ...

Bold Wallpaper, perhaps just on one focal wall, BOCA is my choice.  Then you have to join in on the Highly Saturated LACQUER Blue Walls.  And then with such Gloss, you have to have sleek WHITE.  I can see this board used in a bedroom, with two beautiful X-Benches at the foot of your bed covered in ORANGE zebra.  Of course to match the PAGODA mirror. Or then perhaps you would like this mood in your Dining Room and the fun DARYA fabric could grace your chairs.  Or back to a large round lumbar pillow on your bed.  Then the CHARTREUSE chair ... just because it looks hot.  And it mixes things up.  I like to mix things up.  And a nod to settle the whole damn look down, two arm SCONCES ... sleek and simple!

Pop over to TPP today and link up your favorite Blue and White ... or just see what is inspiring everyone else!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip-It's ... Rescue Mode!

1.  Are you starting to think about Holiday Table settings?  Loving the "non-traditional". 

2. I have a desire to rescue old houses like some people want to rescue pets. Unfortunately I cannot save them all ... this one spoke to me.  A shame, I know, probably had terrible infrastructure issues.  But a shame nonetheless.

3. An early morning stroll this week gave me a wonderfully fresh perspective. 

4. Bedding ... I forget about PCH sometimes, they shouldn't be forgotten.

5.  These aren't your Momma's Sachets!

6.  All in the details.  Fabulous Horn Drawer pulls.

7.  Apples in our trees.  First time ever they have survived the deer and made it to our table.

8.  Luckily whoever is tearing down the house took a moment to find a few things to keep.

9.  Blogging has become a new sort of on-line shopping platform.  I hardly ever go into the stores anymore.  Sweet Kerry blogged about these last week.  It took me all of 2 seconds to buy mine! Love!  In fact I was so under the blogging shopper influence I didn't realize I could have purchased them in orange!!

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy these crisp days.  I have a feeling I am going to be pulling the boots out on a full time basis pretty soon!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

ORC and Link Up!

Ladies and Gentlemen, prepare yourselves for a 

Blogging Design Star Extravaganza 

to begin!

One Week from today, Linda, of Calling It Home, and 20 designers, DIY'ers, Interior Lovers will kick off the next One Room Challenge.

Six weeks of 20 Designers changing up one room each in 6 weeks!  

I was fortunate enough to participate in the first 3 Challenges and heres what I was able to create ... 

Challenge 1:  Family Room for a young couple and their 3 daughters.

Challenge 2:  Transforming an unused room for a young family into a Keeping Room.

Challenge 3:  Creating an Office Space for me!

Let me just tell you the competition is fierce ... these participants know what they are doing and I am certain we are all going to have a ball watching them!

On October 2 Linda kicks off the official One Room Challenge.  And

On October 3 Linda invites anyone who wants to link up their own challenge to her blog can join in!  Find the details here. Take advantage of all the fun and talent and get a project done!  You will be glad you did!

I am Linking Up this year to take my Powder Room to a new level and hope to you'll join in as well as we all attempt to:

Make the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

House Tour ... the Family Room

When we moved into our Farm Road house in 2007 I had visions of a Mid-Century Modern Living Room.  You know, where you sit all pretty on a teal velvet tuxedo sofa and sip martinis with your friends sipping with you and conversing in a very interesting manner.

Here's what happened ... I'll fill you in on some of the pieces as we go ... 

Kantha Quilt.  Brimfield Find. Duralee Fabric on Windows and Pillows.

So the room sat virtually empty with only pieces of random furniture and a baby grand piano for about 2 years.

Sad, Before State ... 

Then it was Thanksgiving and we were going to be having Christmas at our house.  For two years we let the largest "living" room in the house sit unused. Stupid.

Don, the kids and I (bad grouping) went to a big box store and bought the deal of the day ... Sofa, Loveseat and a TV for $1999.00.

Yep, we did it, I was horrified and stomped through the store having my own pity party.

Art. Mike Elsass. Abstracts on Metal.

Fake, Faux, Leather Sofas.  Oversized and COMFY.  The kids couldn't be more thrilled.  Don was keeping us on a budget.  I complained that "I am an interior DECORATOR" We cannot have these in our homes.  Besides, we would be throwing them out in a year because they would fall apart and would be gross and he would be SORRY.

Note to my clients that have husbands' that won't give up the leather sectional.  I get it!  

Antique French Step Ladder.

Just because I didn't win the sofa debate ... I marched forward bringing in color and warmth in every other aspect that I could.  One day they will be gone (PLEASE) ... but I kind of like the way the room turned out!

The Faux Grouping has held up to popcorn, pizza, snacks, kids lounging in all manners and the room gets used.  While I am still on a mission to change the sofas, the room makes me smile.  

I even carved out my own little corner.

Chair, Brimfield Find.

Secretary, English Antiques, Atlanta.

This Secretary has served as an office, homework spot and all the school notebook paper, index cards, pencils etc have a nice place to live.  Thank the Lord!

Peacock Lamp. Brimfield Find. Antique Family Bibles.

The TV is over the fireplace and we NEVER use this fireplace ... so here's where I have a little fun changing up the look each season.

Brass Planter.  Estate Sale Find.

I believe we all have pieces of furniture that probably aren't our first pick.  But in this true "family" room ... we are all happy and I don't have a freak if anyone spills or puts their feet on the table.  

Real Life.

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip-Its/Fall Inspiration ...

1. Chartreuse and Greek Key.  All fabrics from Kravet.

2. Embroidered Modern Floral, Jonathan Adler and Modern tones.

3.  Birds.  I cut off one of their heads.  Not intentionally!

4. Lavender, Celery and Creme.  I have a new love.

5. In my Space!

6. Grays ... monochromatic ... lots of texture.

7.  Warm browns and mint (the mint chinoiserie is Schumacher).

8.  Plums ... because everyone needs some.

9.  Thank you to European Manor for the fun day and wonderful clients!

This week was fun, design filled and completely Fall Focused!  I was invited to talk with the customers of European Manor in Wellesley about Fall decorating ... not the kind where you just bring in autumn leaves and pumpkins!

We styled the luscious fabrics in beautiful warm hues to create vignettes with their collection of Classic accent pieces, small furnishing and amazing lamps.  The fabric textures and colors will create an updated look in any type of home!

Happy Friday my friends!  Go Warm your place up!  You can even buy a pumpkin or two!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Down - Sizing ...

I hate dark paneled walls.  Period.

But I love this room.  

Why?

Let's break it down.

Amazing Art ... which gives light, life and flow.

Fantastic Chandelier.  A little Glitz for me.

Just a little bit cluttered.  You know I like some clutter.

Layered Oriental Rugs.  I think you aren't supposed to say Oriental.  But I like them.

Traditional ... another word for Classic ... Sofa.

VIA

I could drink a glass of tea in here ... or a glass of wine.  preferably, a glass of wine.  

But I'd do tea.

It has books (maybe it is a fake book table) but I like this.

There is a green plant coming out of the fireplace.  

And the blue and white bowl on the glass table.

Perfect for me.

As we "evolve" we learn more about ourselves.  I like small spaces.

I want to be cocooned when it gets dark at 4:30 in December.

I feel my cocoon beckoning me here.

What about you?  Do you like small, cozy rooms?

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip - Its. A look at my week of Inspiration ...

1. Gorgeous Necklaces as Art. I am in love with the texture, the edginess. FDO.

2.  Waiting on Martha. The Shop. Monkey Soaps ... for the Powder Room.

3.  Bedroom Inspiration. Kravet and Duralee ... in the same breath.
4.  Bedroom Inspiration Number 2.  Kravet and Duralee. Again.

5.  Greek Key courtesy of M&JTrimmings. 

6. Come visit me on Thursday 9/19 as I discuss starting with a Classic Base 
at European Manor in Wellesley.

7. Lions heads.  I cannot help it.

8.  Glass Knots ... more new "little things" from FDO.

9.  My Bedroom Inspiration Ideas.  Starting with a Plan.  
Then coming up with the pieces that speak to the client.
Round 2!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Serene Summer end ...

September 11 always brings emotions to the surface.  

As we approach the day thoughtfully,

Summer has come back in one last gasp.

Perhaps it's nature's way to snap us into attention.

It's going to be in the 90's here.

This image speaks to my mood.

via

Full of Color.

Yet Serene.

Shaded from the heat (and perhaps the world).

And the three Garden Stools as a table.  

Complete.

Enjoy your day, remember all we have to be thankful for!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Sir Rufus King Murphy ...

This has been a tough week.

My precious Murphy died on Friday.

I am blessed.

To have had him in my life.

To feel the unconditional Love this big creature gave me.

He listened to me when no one else did.

He didn't always obey!   But he heard.

I am blessed that he made it easy on me.

He was always stoic.  Never complained.  About anything.

He went under our deck to his favorite spot and chose to move on.

He made my world Whole.

Just last week I shared how our nest is getting smaller.  

He lived to be 8 and 1/2 years old. A pretty good life for a Newfie.  Just not enough for me.

Thank you for letting me share not only my adventures in design, but my life and how the simple things in life really do make the difference.

xo,

kim

More Gold Diggin' ...

I'm not certain when I bought the Gold Spray Paint.  

But it was waiting for me on my Spray Paint Shelf in the garage.

I have a spray paint shelf.  Don't you?

And now.

I am a Gold Addict. 

Here's what is happening in my little vortex. 

When I moved my Dad to be closer to me last year, 

I happened to find a place for him right near a thrift shop. 

 Karma?  Perhaps.  

Good Stuff ... umm ... yes.

I found this table ... trust me it was gross.  I used a sweater I had on to carry it.

Before you think I am a freak, I am NOT a germaphobe.

In fact, my grandmother's statement,

A teaspoon of dirt a year is required to keep you healthy.

Yes, she believed this.

I might be in her corner.

So ... it takes a lot to make me squirm.

This blackness, it made me squirm.

I did it for you ... and me ... to show the potential!

Even the Glass was "smoked"

And then as I prep my home and mind for Fall.

A little Gold Action in my Family Room.

Because as much as I strive for simplicity.

I want more.

I want more.

And find happiness in Spray Painted Gold!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip-Its ...

I have fallen in love with Instagram.  

Seriously, it is easy, fun and catches my life on the go.

Go here to follow me ... would love to share with you!

1. Oldest German Pub in Boston.  Good Beer Drinking!

2. Found the baskets at Brimfield.  I'm going to be giving you some love next week!

3. Dresden Porcelain Rams Head Ice Bucket.  $2200.00.  Not giving you this!

4. Faux Bamboo, Hollywood Regency Dining Table.  Could be Cocktail Table.  Interested?

5. North End Flowers.

6.  Customizing Guest Towels for my Powder Room.  I swear it is almost Done!

7.  Chinese Junk Boats painted on Silk Prints.  About to be Redone.

8.  Successful Day at Brimfield.  Need more Trunk Space!

9. Colorful. End of Summer.  Nautical.

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Thank You Boston ... From two Reluctant "part time" Empty Nesters!

Labor Day Weekend found Don and I as "part time" empty nesters.  We had three days to ourselves ... the world was our Oyster!  What on earth were we going to do?  No soccer games, hair cuts, football practice, shopping needs, breakfasts or lunches to be made ... oh the Freedom!

Oh the unknown territory!!

Those of you who have been following along know that when Don and I married, it wasn't only about us. 

 It was about starting a new Family.

  Erin - 12, Callie - 9, Christopher - 7 and Sammy 4 when we got married.

We have had a houseful for 10 years.  And, very honestly, I couldn't have imagined how wonderful it has been.  But now, with Erin and Callie in College, we only have children in our home every other week.  We would prefer to have them all the time, I've stated it before. I thrive in Chaos.  Others might disagree ... but it makes me happy!

So ... here we go in "empty nester" trial mode.

Holy Crap ... do we like each other enough?  Are we going to have anything to talk about besides the kids which have been the entire center piece of our marriage?

We chose to drive into Boston on the day that the Entire City of Boston was in "move-in mode".  All colleges had the weekend to move the kids in.  Traffic sucked and Don hates traffic almost as much as he hates crowds. We might have been the only car in town without a mattress strapped to the top. 

We made it in.  

And laughed. 

And the City welcomed us with its' Beauty.

And we found a million things to talk about that we hadn't had the time to before.

And we laughed.

Yep ... we agreed ... to step into this next Adventure of our life with Love and Laughter.

And New Discoveries.

And this Southern Girl feels secure in her decision to marry this man and relocate her life to New England.  

To Share New Adventures in a Life with Love and Laughter.

Nothing could be more Simple.  Or Bring More Happiness.

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Simplicity

Loving the Simplicity 

of this Window Treatment.

Relaxed Roman over Standard Roman

Softer than a cornice, but structured just the same.

Soft. Warm. Perfection.

Source

Loving the Simplicity

of the narrow cabinets, with small sinks.  

Wonderful use of a tight space. 

It's really all one needs.

Note to Self.

Simple does NOT mean Boring.

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim