Happy Weekend!

Don't you just love this beautiful outdoor room? This is featured on the cover of Elle Decor.

By the way, if you are interested-- those cute little flower tealight holders can be purchased right here.

Good Housekeeping

Melissa at The Inspired Room is hosting a Drive By Around The World and I am participating. She comes up with the greatest ideas! You can visit her Drive By - just click here.

So please join me as we travel by boat, car and even on foot to take a peek at many diverse styles. While looking around, I decided that it really doesn't matter if the house is large or small, new or old, humble or grandiose. What matters is that you make the most of what you have. So my tour is dedicated to Good Housekeeping!

Front Doors are a great place to create a welcoming vignette. I like these with their use of symmetry.




I love the use of lawn furniture, statues and urns.





Hey- This isn't a lawn statue but isn't he cute? He was at the edge of the woods while I was on one of my walks.
Aren't these wood doors and columns just fab?



The ground cover is doing a terrific job for curb appeal to this simple structure! I love how this house looks with the great oak tree shading the house.


These homes are picture perfect!



Look what I spotted on my walk.... A baby mockingbird calling to his mother. She wasn't far away- Calling to him from a nearby tree.


The use of stone gives great texture to this house- I think it is a beautiful stone.


What a view from the lake! Simply beautiful!


I couldn't help but be attracted to this little guy perched atop the hydrangea. Sitting on top of the world!


A wonderful wrought iron garden gate!


No tour of Louisiana would be complete without one of these....


Sorry the pic is not so sharp- No one wanted to get too close ;) Hope you enjoyed!

One of my favorite designers- Kelly Hoppen

Kelly Hoppen is at the top of my list of designers and I see where she has put her signature on the new Hotel Murmuri in Barcelona. It looks divine! Wish I were there to see it in person!

Memorial Day

photo: Paula Lofton

More White Love

Last week I had a post on white rooms that was inspired by a conversation with a friend. Well, I am still indulging in the white zone and loving it. Looking through my new Interiors Magazine I spotted this home created by Janna Levenstein. She states in her interview that when she first bought this house, it looked as though someone had ran through Home Depot with a $100,000 gift card. It was a dark, enclosed space. But no more!!!

She layers textures beautifully- in the kitchen vintage Chinese wooden stools contrast with the crisp countertops and glossy white cabinets that were covered in automobile paint.

Happy Relaxing Weekend!

image: Jerry

Ah Oh Those Summer Nights

Are you ready for summer? School is now out and it is officially summer around here! I love to enjoy wonderful summer evenings outside. Ah- to be in Argentina sitting on the balcony looking out over the city!

photo: Esteban

Shameless Self Indulgence Again

A shout out goes to Ashley Trent with Home Decor Buyer. She gave a favorable review of the Neutral Dwelling website in her column "The A List" in the weekly newsletter "This Week in Home Decor". Here is a little excerpt:

"The online-only shop carries furniture, tabletop, accessories and lighting in transitional styles. Lofton's expansive palette of neutrals is chic and sophisticated; I can tell she has chosen her products carefully.

What I like:
Large photos of products make it easy to see important details.
Lofton provides links to her favorite design sites on her blog; she also analyzes trends and room layouts.
You can recommend the site to a friend. There is also a newsletter, gift registry and gift certificates available."

Thanks so much Ashley for your kind words!

Glide into Design

I just love the panel glides from Silent Gliss with my favorite being the Panel Fold. What a way to create a distinctive look!



What about these panels used to design a room?



I can just imagine lounging around reading a great book-- Sigh..........

White is Alright with Me

The other day I was having a conversation with a friend who was expressing disdain for her white kitchen and once upon a time I had a white kitchen that I did not like just because it was white. What's up with that? But today, I am finding that I am drawn to white rooms with wood contrasts. Maybe it is like other things in life- an acquired taste??? Who knows- But I do find these examples striking.














sources: Metropolitan Home and Roz Shuster Designs

Shapes in your Dining Room

Interested in expressing your preference for the shape of your dining table? Please look in the sidebar to the right and cast your vote- totally anonymous- you don't even have to leave a comment- although if you want to express your opinion, I would enjoy reading it. I personally have a rectangular marble dining table but have always been intrigued by the lure of a round one. I think when I do purchase a new one for my breakfast area- it will be round since it seems to be the area people tend to congregate in the kitchen and a round one seems to lend itself to easily pulling up a chair and having great conversation. What's your choice?

source- Attention to Detail by Suzanne Trocme

source- Attention to Detail by Suzanne Trocme

source- Attention to Detail by Suzanne Trocme

source - Sheelah Clarkson

source-Architectural Digest

source- Attention to Detail by Suzanne Trocme