The Four B's ...

Country Living Magazine contacted me to share what they have been up to for their 2013 ShowHouse.  You have probably seen some of the ramp up for their Real House Makeover lead by Designer Emily Henderson.

Kind of fun that we bloggers are contacted by different companies in regard to design trends or happenings in the Design World in hopes that we might help them promote their particular product or project.

I always try to read them and consider my options ... write or don't write.  
And, honestly, I usually don't write.

Well this little tid-bit from Country Living seemed appropriate.
 Beautifully appropriate I might add!

And here are the Four B's 

Things I love ... 

and love to share ...

Bungalows

This little Bungalow was left standing full of water and virtually destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. 

Benevolence 

Country Living stepped in to help this homeowner get this place back into shape.

BrightStar

Well, who wouldn't love Emily Henderson to bounce her vivacious style into their "new" home!

Here's a look at some of the transformation ... and I'd like to point out some of the design elements that I try to use with my clients and these are PERFECT examples!

Before look at the dark wood/beam ceiling.  

Sometimes people are afraid of painting pretty wood. 

Well, FEAR NO MORE!

The Fourth B ... 

BALANCE.

Many times balance and symmetry are thought about as in "the same thing on both sides". 

A Mirror Image.

NO, NO ... look at the BALANCE created by the tripod lamp and the fig.

This is Perfectly Creative Balance.

This Kitchen is so fun and notice the paint going all the way up! 

Such a perfect way to make a space feel larger and sunnier.

Again in the Bedroom ... Paint all the way UP!  

Balance again in the Bedroom. 

Bold UP.

Calm DOWN.

This bathroom is so Bungalow Good!

An example here of the clean white space with a terrifically bold floor.  

I am a big fan of Big Punch in Small spaces.

Also giving the Balance Example.  

Bold Floor.

Quiet Ceiling.

Not only did I adore what Emily and the Country Living Team did with this Bungalow and lucky homeowner, but found the implementation and lessons to be well worth sharing!

You can read more details here or when the new CL hits the stands next week!

It's Wednesday ... I think I will strive for Balance today ... what are you up to?

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

xo,

kim

For the Love of ... Quilts

They are story tellers. 

Ours are always kept at the ready in the summer time. 

Not so much in the past couple of weeks, but generally we have cooler nights in New England and these make the perfect companion to the hammock or outdoor movie.

This is one of the first photos I pinned on Pinterest.

I am not really a "shabby chic" kind of person. 

But I still find it particularly pleasing.

It is a style boat that I would probably jump on if I had a beach or lake home.

The Quilts are what drew me in.

Via

Mine are collected. 

I hope to see them used, loved and a few more added through the years.

Starting at the Top:

1. I remember my mother cross - stitching this one when I was around 7 years old.

2. Blue heart quilt in Erin's room when she first moved to a big girl bed.

3.  Kantha Vintage Quilt that I just added this year ...loved the soothing colors.

4.  Handmade by my Grandmother.  She gave each of her Grandchildren one when we were in our teens.

Byron, in particular, loves the hammock and won't get on without a quilt ... he figured out that he would fall through without it ... He's a quick study!

When Winter starts creeping in,  I stack them up and out of the way waiting for the warm weather to return.  

Sometimes I look at them and think I really don't need all these. 

 Maybe I should streamline and move them on.

 But more than just their functionality they seem to be a part of me and bring wonderful memories.  

I have shared these memories with my children ... and hope that one day they will be sitting on a hammock or adirondack chair somewhere wrapped up in one of them.

And They will feel the love. 

And know their stories.

And will store them away in Winter waiting to bring them out again in the Summer.

 And then, in turn, wrap their babies in the love they hold.

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

xo,

kim