Sandy ... is she coming to a town near you?

As everyone on the East Coast is busy preparing for Hurricane Sandy ... I so send prayers that everyone will be safe. 

Scenes from our home last year during Hurricane Irene.  We were safe thank goodness, but did experience 4 days without power.  School was cancelled.  Callie thought this would be the perfect opportunity to have friends over. 

I thought that was fine as well.

Don reminded me that we have a well ... so we can't flush the toilet without electricity. Hmmm ... this presents a problem. 6 girls, no flushing.  

Girls ...  price of admission: One Gallon of Water.  

DONE!

Now we are facing the threat of Sandy.  Repeat Situation.  The call came in last night at 7pm.  School Cancelled.  The Governor declared an emergency.  Calls went out and 7 girls have now landed on Farm Road.

One, bless her heart, remembered the rule from last year and brought her admission ticket!  She must have been a Girl Scout.  Always Prepared.  I love that!

If something happens, she will be the only one allowed to go to the bathroom.  

I don't take this lightly, I know that Irene created havoc for many.  But do want to say that last year our four days without power were kind of fun.  We lived by candle light and played numerous games of Scrabble. On the Board. No electronics were involved.  We chatted and laughed by candles.  We ate weird stuff and we enjoyed one another. 

Thankfully we had no terrible after effects.  And I do know that for some it was far more serious.  

I guess I just want us to make the most of what is thrown at us the next few days ... and know that we will all come out of it with some positive memories.  

The girls all started arriving around 9 last night ... 

Hope you are having a wonderful day and making the most of what Nature is throwing our way.  

xo,

kim  

Red Carpet Day!

You know how some people feel about meeting Brad Pitt ... say, or George Clooney ... or I would have liked to meet Audrey Hepburn.  

Yesterday I met MY stars!!

Bunny Williams!  Y'all know how much I love her work.  Yes, I try to channel her in most of what I do.  The Reason I try to channel her?  

Because she Rocks ... obviously.  But also, she strives for "livable" interiors.  Beautiful, yes.  Attention to Detail, yes.  Mix of elements, yes.  But Mostly ... Livable!

Bunny was introducing some of her newest pieces of her BeeLine Furniture Line.  Tables and Lamps to DIE for ... plus much more!

I was BEYOND thrilled to be invited to hear Bunny chat about Interior Design and how she does business.  Seriously, it was like a CHAT.  She was most gracious and handled all of us Stalkers quite elegantly!!

She told us about her new line and how she is involved with every step of production.  Quality.  What I try to share with my customers ... buy ONCE ... quality ... and you will keep it FOREVER!

Her Lamps.  EXQUISITE!  Along with all the upholstered pieces.  Her Design matches her philosophy perfectly.  Stunning.  Detail Oriented. Classic.  Eclectic.  Traditional.  All of BeeLine Home.  It Did NOT disappoint.

And then ... as if I were truly on a Magic Carpet ... I met Erin ... y'all know her!!  Erin of Elements of Style Blog!

  What a doll ... cute as can be ... gracious to my Stalking ... and simply Fantastic.  It was bizarre, I was telling my friend about her new house, moving from the City to the Suburbs.  And then I stopped.  Mid-sentence.  Kind of scared myself.  I think she knows I'm a very positive stalker!!

What a perfect day!  and I have to say ... Thank you Thank you to Lee Jofa and the Boston Design Center for putting such a wonderful Aftenoon Soiree together for all of us!

Ahhh ... back to reality today ... Have a wonderful Weekend!

xo,

kim

C&T Installed!

My Favorite time ... INstallation!  

We've been working on this Renovation since January ... and oh how I love it when it starts to come to life. 

Remember where we started here ... My client loved this Cowtan & Tout fabric and carried her inspiration piece with her for more than 10 years!  Some things are definitely worth waiting for!

And here is where it really becomes REAL!  Kids have already begun decorating for Halloween ... Spider Webs are creepin' in!!

just a sneak peak for now ... more to come later in the week as this space truly comes to life!!  Happy Tuesday My Friends!

xo,

kim

White Farm Houses + Fall Foliage

Thanks to all my sweet friends for checking in last week ... I took a needed little hiatus to get a few things together and am back this week to bring you lot's of eye candy!

This past weekend in New England was breathtaking.  Truly, the kind of weather and vision that will keep you coming back for more.  I have always professed to being a Summer Girl.  Well, I may be shifting ... that's legal by the way!!

I am a sucker for a FarmHouse.  I have found that I appreciate all architecture ... but my heart lies in a FarmHouse.  And the Fall Colors against a White FarmHouse ... can't find anything prettier in my book!

The stone walls winding down the road ... part of the magic of this little town I get to live in ... just add to the beauty and texture of Fall.

Sharing a few of my favorite FarmHouses in town today ... some I know well, others I am simply a Stalker.

The Simplicity of a Bench and Pumpkins and a few leaves blowing by.  Simple Beauty is What I am Loving today.

 I know!  You can just feel the clouds moving in this photo ... A gorgeous New England Sky!

Porches ... they speak volumes of HOME while just sitting there!  These FarmHouse Porches remind me of the South.

I got to take a few extra photos here because I actually KNOW the people who live here!!  They already know I am a bit whacked in regard to design!

Built just in the past several years ... this FarmHouse evokes the charm and look of our more historical FarmHouses.

I am just a straight up Stalker of this one ... we drive by it frequently ... so much so that I feel like I know the people that live here!

Don't you want to just sit in those rockers and watch the world go by?  I think they would think I am off my ROCKER if  I stopped by, knocked on the door ... and asked for a Tour.  

Another one of my Stalking Houses ... this one Historical.  I often wonder how people would react if a stranger knocked and admired ... would you do it?  Would you let someone in if they said this?

The dog was out in this yard ... so I Snapped and Ran!!  How weird???

I hope your weekend was as beautiful!  And anytime you want to drop in here ... You are More than Welcome and I hope you'll stay and visit a while!!

Happy Monday!

xo,

kim

BOHO ... with a touch of SASS!

via

I am certain y'all know Erin of Elements of Style Blog ... well yesterday she posted about teaming up with HomeGoods and HGTV Designer Taniy Nayak to help people find out their "style" and how to make it come to life. There is a quiz, so go to Erin's blog and take it from there so you can win a gift card to Home Goods.  Who doesn't want that????

I kind of knew this about myself ... but oh so nice to be affirmed in Life!!  

Have a Wonderful weekend ... I'm enjoying the Fall Flowers happening.  It is no secret I am not a gardener, sometimes Nature just behaves on it's own for me!!

xo,

kim

Classic Dragon!

I love Chiang Mai Dragon ... it's happy and bold and dragon like!  But truthfully ... once I start seeing too much of something ... I am ready to move on. 

Via

But here it is in 'chandy' form ... okay ... I am back in love! The Star of the Show Here.

Simple. Bold. Good.

Goes to show ... a Good Thing Keeps coming Back!!

Here

Is there something in your design world that you WANT to be tired of ... but just cannot?

xo,

kim

Chicken "Beau Coop" ... Thanks NM!

Well, now you all will know ... my obsessions with Chickens ... this is Really Why I want them!

Another space to create ... I have always believed that every Room in Every home should have something Living in it!

I happen to like CRITTERS!

If I needed a break, I could go live with them.  I keep talking about down-sizing!!

Most people stick with a Plant.  I like LIVING things ... besides the people!

Christmas Book!

So in order to have a Chicken "Beau Coop" ... I have to have the Chickens!!

But I'd really be okay with just the Beau Coop!  Have you ever done something crazy as a means to an end?  I really am going to stop myself on this one!!

xo,

kim

Yellow Bunny!

Yellow has always been a tough one for me.  I like it, it is happy and warm.  But I never really WENT for it.  

But then something happened.  This ShowStopper Room is very appealing.

Elle Decor ... I think!!!

 Let's break it down.  To the Ground.

The Uber Wide Yellow and White Rug ...  Perfection.

The Subtle Soft Blue Upholstery ...  Perfection.

Accents of Blue and White Chinoiserie ...  Perfection.

Just enough Dark Wood to feel Grounded ...  Perfection.

Clutter .... Not Hoarding ... Just Enough ... Perfection.

The Tall Ceilings.  I am extremely envious ... Perfection.

Bunny Williams Rocks the Yellow and I am a Believer!!

Fall is the time to bring in the Warmth of Yellow ...
 for a little ... Perfection!!

xo,

kim

Fabrics and YaYa's ... no better therapy!

I like to touch fabrics.  It is kind of a sickness ... but it is also Therapy.  I love touching, feeling ... I want fabrics that not only look good, but feel good, physically AND mentally.

The three fabrics in the middle my client already has. Chair, Window Seat Cushion and MGBW Sofa  ... we are looking for a little fluff for the room. You know ... in Pillows.

Therapy day at Forsyth's ... I've mentioned them  before here ...  

I just threw them all in ... and started eliminating ... and re arranging ... quite like a puzzle ... but more than one possibility!

Then I popped over to Lewis and Sheron ... to throw in a few more superstars.

Open. Tight. Flowing.  Sounds like what I think a yoga class would be ... except for I don't do yoga.  But have thought about it and agree that it would be good for me.  In the meantime, I meditate with fabrics.

This mix and match all took place on the L&S cutting table.  They were extremely hospitable as I played and took photos and emailed my client. She was walking in the rain in Boston at the time and I filled her text message InBox with my Rambling Creations.

Enough ... I was hungry and ready for the next stop.  What I didn't expect, was to be stopped in my tracks.  You see, I will see my Ya Ya's and Erin tomorrow at the AU/Ark game in Auburn.  We have been planning this for days ... and as I step outside the door of L&S ... this license tag was parked next to me.  Yep ... a good day all around!!

We must not be the only YaYa's out there ... feeling a kindred spirit today. Except I am very envious.  I want this tag.  I think they might have noticed if I stole it.  So I didn't.

Damn!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you all back next week ... thank you so much for continuing to check in with me!

xo,

kim

Gone to the Birds ...

I love them ... I don't know why ... I don't like birds really.  But birdcages ... old birdcages ... suck me in.  I have one in my house.  People question me.  Where are your birds?  

Source

Don't you want a plant or something in there?  My MIL thinks I need some greenery, she doesn't understand my love of old things.  But she is a treasure trove ... she brings me wonderful old things from her home.  She doesn't have to go to the dump ... just brings me the stuff and I couldn't be happier!!  

Bunny Williams

Do you want a bird? 

Elizabeth Street Antiques

I just like them. For some reason they appeal ... they are interesting.  With birds, you'd have to clean them ... ewww. Without birds, they just look pretty.  I like pretty!!

Source

Pinterest

I have dogs ... I don't need anything/one to clean up after.  I just like them.  Remember this when I was thinking about the chickens?  Well thank the Lord, I came to my senses.  I am just investing in birdcages.  Well, Only One.  My family doesn't get that either ... but much better than the real thing.  Besides, I think my Dogs would have eaten those precious chickens!!

xo

kim

Vivid hue home

I am traveling today ... but wanted to bring you a little bit of love from Vivid hue home!  My sweet new Blog friend Heather is offering a fantastic giveaway ... and YES I'd like to win ... but more importantly you should check out her blog and enter to see if you can WIN!

I have been seeing these wonderful pieces while out and about.  The colors are so vibrant and fresh.  Go to Heather's blog here and Enter to win one of these little pretties!!

When Don and I were leaving home early yesterday morning, here's what we found in the front yard .... just another way for our little community to raise money for our Football Team ... We had been FLOCKED!!  It's like being in jail ... you have to pay to have them removed ... we didn't buy the insurance to keep them away for the year.  We may be sorry!!  

Have a wonderful Wednesday ... hope you are fortunate enough to win a bird on a plate from Heather, not a yard full of Flamingos from me!!  

xo,

kim

The PineApple Inn

On a continuation of Callie's search for the best suited college ...  I am finding it to be a little grueling.  Not because I am not excited for her or anything like that.  But, they are beginning to all look alike.  Callie continues to look at each one with wide-eyed wonder.  Plus, I am not a "hover" parent as many of us have been termed.  I just want her to find a place to be happy, learn, take advantage of the opportunities each Institution brings to the table, and make lifelong friends.  

Mind you, I did this three years ago with Erin ... and although we are visiting new and different schools, my observances are becoming more like ... hmm, more stone on these buildings or Oh, these buildings are made out of mostly brick.  Not fair to the institutions ... but right now it is all about FEEL for her.  

I have redirected my my own little quest to enjoy new parts of the country and towns that I have never visited.  Last Friday took us to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania to visit Bucknell.  

A week ago Callie went with a friend and her Mom to Colgate.  So this weekend was my turn! The Girls had big plans to spend the night on campus with another friend and I was on my own for the evening.  I called blindly and made myself a reservation at the Pineapple Inn on Market Street.

I love B&B's ... in fact have always wanted to run one.  Mostly because I could decorate many, many, many rooms ... and Don could cook!!  This one was filled with gorgeous antiques.  REALLY filled with antiques.  Beautiful and lots to look at ... but it became a little overpowering for me.  Then I met the InnKeeper and through a little conversation discovered I went to elementary school with his cousins in Nashville!

Now he was very nice so I was trying to be very at ease when he told me there were no locks on the doors ... their little Inn is like Mayberry.  I get it, I live in a town like Mayberry ... but I live with my family, not strangers!  So ... I moved on, went across the street, bought myself a bottle of Wine and turned on the Hunger Games on my computer.  All with the Door Unlocked.  

Before I hopped in bed to cozy down ... I peaked into this beautiful old trunk at the end of my bed.  My children have had me watching too many Crime Shows.  It was filled with old rusty tools and one very large saw.

I called Don ... okay, if you don't hear from me in the morning I was chopped up and my body parts could be easily stuffed all around the house.  You will know where the murder weapon is.  Don told me to go to bed.

It was cozy ... the details on the pillows and my duvet were very worth noting.  I can use this somewhere, somehow.  

My Inn Keeper had me assigned to breakfast at 8 am the next morning.  Farm Fresh Eggs and Homemade Amish Bread. I wish we had had a little more time to really enjoy the area.  I would have loved to see some of the Amish Farms. 

The Bed linens were luxurious in every way ... kind of made me forget about the Tool Box.

I haven't been much into pumpkin decorating since my kids were much smaller ... but I like this ... it was very Fallish and Welcoming.

The Hydrangeas, of course, drew me in.

When I departed and said good bye to the Pineapple Man after my yummy breakfast ... I laughed at my worry about the tools in the chest.  Still a little weird though, huh?

Our official Bucknell tour began here.

The Rolling Hills remind me of Tennessee and I really found it quite lovely.  Very quiet ... I think they study alot here! Although it was a Saturday morning.

Six hours down on Friday ... a night at the Pineapple Inn, Tour of the School and town on Saturday morning ... lunch and back in the car for home. A long ride, but fun to listen to the girls chat ... they kept me entertained for sure!

Hoping you can find entertainment and inspiration wherever the RoadTrip of life takes you this week!

xo,

kim