House and Life

House and Life

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Farm to Table.

I consider myself very lucky in life that I get to do what I love and I have the most terrific clients. Take in point Kristi. She is an amazing mom of two adorable kids that along with her husband bought a house about an hour away from Scranton. Its on a beautiful piece of land and word is her surrounding landscape is becoming the place to be. Rumor also has it that Ms. Martha bought a house not too far away.
Kristi is a follower of the blog and called me up to see if I could help with her living room project. I was happy to get on board when I quickly learned she had a great eye and a williness to explore all ideas to get this room to rise up to meet this wonderful family. Once again, terrific client.

Ok lets start with the carpet. I am not going to lie, it was an awful color. I give her credit for the strength to live with it as she inherited it from the previous owner. It had to go. Here is a visual before its demise.




So we then replaced it with a gorgeous wide board pre-engineered hardwood in a dark, variegated stain. The room opened up and came alive.

So we have 2 herringbone sofas coming from Lee Industries. The antique dining table is something she had and wanted to work in. We plan on laying down a couple of seagrass rugs. And paint swatches are up on the wall. Those funny little cornices (once again old owner) are a comin down and we are looking to some striped romans with tall, no frills white panels hung high. The brass ceiling fan (why people?) is being replaced with a new chandelier. And lots of mid level lighting as well. And don't forget the accessories! Some zinc and wood dining chairs are coming to join our nailhead wings this week. Now for a touch of glamour for Mommy, our armories to pull together the dining area:


Wow!! Is there such a thing as farmhouse glam? I think so! I love how the mirror reflects the landscape and adds a bit more light to this not so bright room. And client has reported that the have somewhat of an antique finish so fingerprints haven't been a problem. And thank you to said husband client for approving the mirrors. Hooray! But as we move on our direction is clear, a master of the mix in which lots of materials and textures are put to work that make for a successful room I hope! Progress reports to follow.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

More Reports from the Yard







My covered back porch is just big enough for a couple of people to hang out. I was also aiming for a bit more privacy and sun control. I found super inexpensive on sale IKEA drapes at over 100 inches and they are perfect! I love how they blow in the breeze and get a diamond pattern on them from the lattice behind. Added the mirror for a bit of shimmer. I found those great jars at our local Ollies for like 3 bucks and put some moss in them which has lived for weeks! A couple of striped cushions and planted potato vines, and you have a pretty little perch. Hubbie set up a table next to the hydrangeas the last couple days to have some friends over. I made Tyler Florence's Calamari salad from this month's House Beautiful. Totally cheated and ordered the calamari from our favorite Italian restaurant in Scranton, but it was very good!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Yard Truce









My cut peonies in my kitchen.

This is the first year in this house that I feel like I can go outside and not wince at a major yard issue. I'm happy!! My bed along the fence as you can see is really starting to take off and could probably use some trimming. I planted 3 Limelight Hydrangeas 2 years ago and boy are they getting big! I also "borrowed" a stalk of sedum from Cape May's Congress Hall because I loved how beautiful it looked, and can you imagine how it multiplied???? I laugh cause the husband said it would never make it home alive and was freaking that there was ants crawling all over it. I consider it a win... Also two peonies, funny the expensive Philadelphia Flower Show one didn't bloom, the 12 dollar Walmart one did.w Goes to show you. But as my friend Jen pointed out, it could take a couple of years. And of course rows of boxwood. I think I need to add some color, but still feeling successful. The yard was about a foot of brush all the way across with nothing but anaconda size grapevines. Dug them up one by one in previous years and just kept seeding with grass. It's looking good!! Here's your yard paying you back too this year! A couple of images that inspire as well....hope you feel the same way.

Images from House and Life,Rural Intelligence, Michael Devine, Domino, Unknown, Elle Decor

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Howdy

The finger is still not happy. A couple of goodies today.


How cute are these new flats from Kate Spade?

I still obsess over Rita Konig's powder from Domino. Do you know she's with WSJ now?

Isn't Chanel's Show so summery and chic?

It's amazing what great landscaping in the front of a house achieves, right? My good friend did hers around the corner and it looks amazing like this one from CHH.

Did you see this great speckled number I have for sale in the Etsy shop?



Images from Kate Spade, Domino, Canadian House and Home, Unknown, and House and Life