Merry Christmas !

Hey guys, Long time, no see. I just wanted to share some photos I took yesterday. I am really enjoying this Christmas Season. Tate is so much fun at this age. He loves to say " HO HO HO "and is train crazy. . . We are wearing out " The Polar Express".

I am also loving my Standard Poodle!!! Let me let you in on a well kept secret. . . there is no better breed of dog ! She is the best dog in the world, so much fun! Carley is so smart and loving, I can't say enough good things about her. I will never have any other breed.

I hope everyone has a Wonderful Christmas. I miss talking with you, but I have moved on to other things. My disembarkment Syndrome illness is so much better ! I still have it, but due to all the dog walking ect. I am much better. Thanks to all of you that continue to check up on me. I love you guys!

Vicky

Because Every Decor . . .

can use a "touch of Black".

Meet "Carley", the reason I will not be blogging much from now on.

Belgium Style

For the most part I think images like this one is what most of us think of when we think of " Belgium Style". The lack of color, things that look old and used, yet so beautifully put together.

I prefer a Belgium influence to the real thing . . . I love to celebrate the less than perfect, but I also need a bit of color.

To me the Belgium look is a look of simplicity. . . it speaks quietly and like a person of few words, will always get your attention.

Sometimes just a hint is all that's needed. It's knowing when to say , "stop". A room not afraid to have a bit less, knowing all the while, it will always be more. . .

First Day at Nursery School

Okay, all together, "ahhhhhhhh."

Pet Peeve ~ Puddles

Quote by James Swan : " Never Puddle. Like shoulder pads and Lycra leggings, puddle curtains are fashion items just looking for new victims. Curtains should "break" (like a gentleman's trousers) one-half inch from the finished floor. No more and no less. Period."

Mr. Swan, I'd have to agree . . . Your thoughts?

And the Winner is . . .

Tammy @ In stitches ! Congrats ! Send me an e-mail !

Another Book Giveaway

101 Things I Hate About Your House, by James Swan. Okay guys you know what to do. . .

Things are Changing . . .

Gone are the days of hiding the television . . . Today we see them right over the fireplace or on focal walls like these. I would love to hear what you guys think of this current trend.

Just a few More . . .

I wanted to share a few more wedding pictures. We had the best time. Mandy dreamed of a vintage wedding filled with laughter and family, no big fussy , stressful day and she got it. Everyone enjoyed themselves, it was perfect.

The Wedding Pictures are In . . .

I know what you guys are interested in . . . the tables.

Old Book Collections

Recently I got a new design book with the most beautiful bookcases, filled with old leather book collections. The books were old and worn, the colors were perfect. They were works of art, and they were awesome . I looked at my own bookcase in my family room and thought about creating a similar look for myself. But what does one do with their "real " books? I love my books and look at them often. I know the books in this photo were very much planned and placed . . . this did not just happen.




I love the look of the old worn leather books and I do use them . I placed two in my foyer to add a bit of height to my plate holder. But would I enjoy a whole bookcase of non-functional books . . . I wonder.




I put two antique books in my guest room. I think they add lots of soul to the space. But no one is going to look at them, not inside anyway.

Notice that I brought the color black from the old box down to the middle shelf with the two black books. But in the lowest shelf are books that I read and look at over and over, getting ideals for clients ect. So I am not sure I would want to make art out of my bookcase regradless of how lovely it looked.



When using books to add height and interest, I do think about color and size and most of the time I remove the covers as well. What are your thoughts on the old antique books? Would you enjoy a bookcase turned to art? Great to look at , but non-functional . . . I would love to know.

Lunch for the Family

Don't forget to enjoy your life with your loves ones . . . it just may be the only one you will ever have.

My Antique French Chair

Remember this beautiful photo of my niece in my old chair. I just knew this would be a great photo and was so glad I had the groom's men take it outside and place it in the pasture field. After the wedding I took out my newly purchased "natural linen " to take it to the upholstery . . . but somehow it just did not feel like the right thing to do.

So I went on the hunt for a different fabric, one as close to the original as I could find. This is what I came up with, not silk, but the same color and feel as the old fabric. Everyone except Vanna that I talked to about covering my chair thought natural linen was the way to go and maybe it would have been. But somehow I always swim upstream if the rest are going down . . .

This is the BEFORE , it was so dirty and worn. I could have learned to love the worn, but not the dirty. So what do you think? I really love it all fresh and clean without looking like a completely different chair. Always follow your heart when it comes to your own castle.

Design Lesson

In this grouping of very different spaces, there is one thing very much alike . . . Can you give me the "Design Lesson " here?

When " White" Walls Dance

So tell me . . . do you know when white walls dance and why?