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So I have achieved the seemingly-impossible… I succeeded in convincing my oh-so-busy-husband to agree that the canary-yellow living room in our new house not only needs to be painted, but it also needs a bit more character in the way of some wainscoting.  This is a big deal… trust me!  Feeling all excited about my recent victory, I quietly pick my time to bring the subject up again in an effort to shove the process along (since there are more changes heading our way rather soon, in the form of a baby boy!!  Woopie!).  But, of course, we are once again derailed by the subject of wainscoting height.

Here are MY thoughts:  Wainscoting in general is so lovely, but can come off as a bit too formal for our casual lifestyle.  Additionally, I am still contending with some very dark granite over there to the right and would like to have as much white as possible in this space to brighten and enliven it.  Soooo….  in order to casualify (that’s right, I am making up words again.  You really should try it sometime) the effect as well as give the opportunity for an increased amount of white, while also capitalizing on the more modern version of an old classic… I think that the wainscoting should start at shoulder height instead of the typical chair-rail height (which is also quite charming. Don’t get me wrong)

Here are my husbands thoughts:  ”That would look dumb”…  end of conversation.

Naturally I scurry to follow him out the door as he makes his escape to pleigh my case.  Its a no go. “Dumb” is followed by the lovely descriptor “ridiculous” and so on until I finally harumph in despair and plop down on the couch.  I have once again met my match in stubborness.  How does he always win these battles? and why exactly does he have such a strong, although shortly contemplated, opinion????  Oh, well.  It is what it is.  Right?

No!  I shall not give in so easily!  I must take one for the team.  Fight the good fight! (maybe if I use some more sports analogies it will help my case?)  I take a cleansing breath and try again.  ”Honey,” but this time he interupts me quickly with “Why don’t you just show me some pictures of what you are talking about”.  …

…  Hugh?…  What just happened here?  I was all ready for round 3 and he just threw in the towel?  Wuuullll …  OK!  Sounds good to me…  Here you go my dearest, sweetest husband.  Enjoy!

I just love the idea of having unexpected spots strewn about a house for extra guests to crash for the night or for the kids & dogs to curl up for some reading together or for all of the family to share a room for a night.  With that in mind, I continue to collect pictures of such spots.  Here’s to the chance, one day, to incorporate some of these ideas into my own home!  Cheers!

I have absolutely decided that, novice sewer though I may be, I am GOING TO LEARN TO SEW A SLIPCOVER!  How much fun would it be to be able to run to the fabric store and whip up some new, seasonal cover to adorn my favorite chair or stool?  But really, I would just like to be able to cover all of my beautiful heirloom wing-backs, chaise lounges and settees with gorgeous, white linen slipcovers.  Here are a few of my favorite styles.

casual linen with a pleated skirt

Not exactly a slipcover, but could be, and isn't it delicious!? Notice the burlap stool too!

simple tie-backs on a dining chair

elegant addition to a simple sink

lovely details on backs and nice skirt options

oh so beachy!

love the monogrammed seat on this simple cover

Clearly I have honed my ideal spaces down to mostly white, modern-cottagey styles.  But hey… shouldn’t there be some room in there for a few different inspirations…  This room is mostly white, I know, but reversed of my normal leaning.  Just love the black outlines on windows and the detailing around the crown molding.  Wonder if I could paint that?

Black outlines, blue walls & white everything else except for one print on the chair

Truly eclectic in its mixture of pieces and styles, but I mostly love the unexpected palette of navy, pink & aqua!

rather traditional, but had to throw it in

little geometric on the curtains, traditional chairs, funky wallpaper & ZEBRA!

I love it when people surprise you. Today I was listening to “All Things Considered” on NPR and heard an interview with Moby who was discussing his most recent musical release and a book of photography. What an interesting guy! I knew he was smart and creative and multi-talented. I did not know that he had such a unique and constructive perspective on things. He is one of those people I would love to hang around for a while just to see if I could find some of my lost brain cells somewhere… Here is a link to the interview.

Self Portrait by Moby

Nene just sent me a link to this little house in France by Franklin Azzi Architecture. He loves the seamless indoor and outdoor spaces. I must agree with that and include that I adore the mixture of modern and traditional materials and the simplicity of the design to create such a home with such a quintessential, if not expected, expression of shelter.

Shelter House

Shelter House

Shelter House- seamless transition to outdoor space

another view

...and another

bedroom

bath

I would have to add this modern pool from the Sebastopol Residence