Filed For Later

Hello. And a nursery tour.

2011-06-19T22:53:00.000-04:00

I know I haven't posted anything in a while, but there is good reason. And look ... our apartment has a nursery now! It will be occupied by Baby P very soon--as in days--but before it is, here's a tour.

Here's a view from the door. I made the curtains using two pairs we had hanging in the dining room of our old apartment. I cut a few feet of fabric off the bottom, and added panels of blue and white fabric.

On the wall opposite the windows is the crib (Jenny Lind) and a twin bed that we filled with pillows to make it a comfortable lounging spot. The pillow cases are a mix of handmade ones (I'm still learning. Mostly winging it) and matelasse shams from Homegoods and Amazon). The slipcovers on the bed and the crib skirt match the fabric on the curtains. I love stripes. You should see the stacks of baby clothing that have accumulated. Stripey delight. It's a sickness.

The elephant sham is part of the Coyuchi "George" line, which is also on the crib bumper.

Here's the fourth wall: home of the door to the most narrow and unusable closet in the universe. We hung some bamboo hooks to showcase some cute little outfits. Actually, the yellow sweater in the middle was mine when I was little. My grandma made it. The sweater is just one small handmade element in the photo, though.

Here's the real show-stopper! My mom found this antique rocking chair at a flea market in Denver. She reupholstered it, and then made a slipcover for it. I love the scalloped edge along the bottom. It's hard to see this detail in the picture, but the underside of the skirt is lined in the same blue and white striped fabric. In the background, you can see another detail on the curtains that I didn't mention above: a green pom pom trim.

Here's another view of the crib. In this picture, you can see the blanket my grandma made for my sister when she was born. Does 1979-80 qualify as vintage? The paper mache giraffe bust is from Anthropologie.

In this picture, you can see the green pom poms on the curtains up close. The wooden storage cube is from Ikea. The shelf in the back just rests on the radiator for now. I didn't want to hang the shelf on the wall unless I could do it right, and I was hesitant to put huge holes in the walls of our rental apartment (especially not knowing how much longer we will be here).

Here's a good view of the animals on the crib bumper. I love the delicate colored embroidery on the crisp white cotton.

And, the Ikea Hemnes dresser, serving time as a changing table. Diapers and other supplies are in the top drawer, while the other two drawers are devoted to clothes. Instead of using the knobs that came with the dresser, we went with chunky wooden knobs.

Who needs wall art when there are cute baby clothes to put on display?

New Ottoman. It's pink!

2010-10-11T13:18:00.000-04:00

Yay, I have Columbus Day off. We celebrated by picking up the ottoman cushion (my mom helped reupholster the base during a recent visit, and it's been waiting naked for too many weeks for its top.).

I won't let the day go to waste, but before I start Operation Clean, I had to put my feet up and give it a true test.

No need to watch TV, though. Our neighbors seem to be installing an inflatable graveyard next door, complete with ghosts hanging in the trees. Far more interesting to watch.

If Operation Clean is a success, I'll be back later with more pictures of the living room.

Under the pantry: more before and after shots

2010-09-24T21:23:00.000-04:00

This is not my pantry, but I like it, so here it is:

In case you missed the post about my pantry, click here to read about how the linoleum counters in the pantry made me squeamish.

In that post, I didn't even mention what it looked like underneath the counters. It was nasty. So nasty that I honestly doubted we would store food under there. I thought it might be good for cleaning supplies, in a sealed container.

Clearly the landlord didn't touch the pantry when he was renovating the rest of the apartment.

Have you ever hear of Kilz? It's a primer that supposedly neutralizes odors and other gross germs and things that you don't want to spend too much time thinking about. I ended up sweeping and vacumming and scrubbing underneath the pantry, and then painting it with one or two or even three layers of Kilz. And the end result? Not bad at all. It feels fresh and -- dare I say? -- new.

We keep the dry goods on one side. There were some shelves already in there, which you can see in the pictures above. Yeah, they got a lot of paint.

On the other side, we keep extra plates, serving platters and random kitchen things.

There was no shelf on this side, so we went with our cheapest option: a metal contraption from Lowe's. Those things are functional, but they suck hard when it comes to putting them together.

The lower half is not as pretty as the upper half, but hey, it's not to be overlooked!

A good reason to go to London

2010-09-23T07:33:00.000-04:00

A good reason to go to London would be to see this blanket in person.

I'll take one in red, please. I should probably take the suitcase, too, since I'd also like to bring back these sheets.

Fall!

2010-09-22T07:22:00.001-04:00

Labor Day has come and gone, but today is the first official day of the fall. My scarves are set and ready for their prime season.

They used to reside in a basket, but I like seeing them arranged in a more orderly fashion. So, I rolled them up and tucked them into an over-the-door shoe organizer we had lying around. I love seeing the colors displayed like this. It's tempting to move the organizer to the outside of the closet door.

The summer of 2010 was one of the best I've ever had, and it's sad that it has come to an official end.

Oh, we had walks by the beach (in Little Compton, Rhode Island).

And we cooked more than ever. No frozen meals, which were a former staple in our house.

All in all, a pretty good prelude to Fall.

Pantry: Before and after

2010-09-20T22:56:00.000-04:00

The pantry was one of my favorite things about our new apartment, even though it needed some work.

That's linoleum tile on the countertops. It really didn't inspire me to prepare any food. And while I could think of lots of amazing things to do with this pantry if we owned this apartment, we had to use some restraint when it came to actually making the space usable as renters.

And here's the after! We covered the tile countertops with ikea butcher block -- it's just sitting on top, not attached in any way. When it's time for us to move in a few years, we'll have the option of taking the butcher block with us. It's in big enough pieces that it could be repurposed.

We wanted to make sure the shelves were sturdy enough to hold plates or appliances or anything else we might want to put on them. The linoleum tile that I could barely make myself touch before has been transformed into the most charming prep space I've ever had.

I enjoy making espresso in the pantry every morning. It's so cozy, and I love to bustle around making breakfast and packing my lunch. Grrr, but now I'm staring at the picture above because the middle drawer is open slightly. Why didn't I fix it? I'm too lazy to do it now, but I'm sure the pantry will be restyled soon. I'll make sure the drawers are closed next time.

I got the chalk drawing at a barn sale in Maine a couple of years ago. The old lady in the picture looks friendly for the most part, but now that she resides in the pantry, I've noticed her looking more stern. I think she wants me to make some whoopie pies!

See how she's eying those spatulas?

Brimfield finds: Vintage wallpaper and paisley tapestry

2010-09-17T07:13:00.000-04:00

I went to Brimfield last weekend. Brimfield comes three times a year: May, July and September. The last one is my favorite, because I think you can get better deals. Plus the September weather usually beats July or May.

I don't really need anything. Especially not four rolls of vintage wallpaper. But I love the pattern, and before I knew it, it was mine.

I also got this tapestry. Or maybe it's a tablecloth.

Whatever it is, I like the rich colors. Plus, paisley is one of my faves.

Pretty sure this wallpaper is going to make like my blog name and be filed for later. It's too good to waste on something less permanent than a wall!

New views of the bedroom

2010-09-10T07:48:00.000-04:00

So, I didn't feel like blogging for a few months, but now I kind of do again.

Some rooms in the new apartment feel like we've been here forever. And then others feel like it will be forever before they have that settled-in feeling. Our bedroom is one that is feeling pretty good to me, but that's probably not surprising since it has been the star of my only posts during the past few months.

Oh, whoops. This next picture illustrates that I'm not done in this room.The blue slipcovers are still not finished. But look, they're in our bedroom now instead of the family room. See? Everything is different.

The gold mirror came to us from my aunt and uncle's basement. You know what? Many of the other things in this room came with it. The armoire, the campaign dresser between the chairs, the glass lamp, ummm ... even the chairs. I'm so grateful, as 1) this keeps our house from looking like an Ikea showroom, and 2) I like when the things in my house have a history and not just a barcode.

There's one more corner of this room that is not ready to be revealed, but it will be soon.

In other news: Isn't the start of fall the best?

New pillows

2010-09-05T21:15:00.000-04:00

New pillows = my bed's version of back to school shopping.

Changes!

2010-06-19T22:06:00.000-04:00

We moved. Only a few miles away, but it's a lifestyle change fo' sho'. Goodbye, city bus commute with interesting and smelliful seatmates. Hello, shady suburban sidewalks and grocery stores that actually have parking lots. Do you know how nice it is to be able to get in the car, drive to the store for (insert needed item here), and be back at home in 10 minutes? I love it. This pretty much confirms that my heart belongs to the suburbs.

We are not all the way moved in yet, but most everything is out of boxes and stored in its holding place. Now it's time for the fun part - choosing what items go out on display and stacking books and placing coasters in convenient spots. That kind of thing.

And this is our bed, with the sheets rumpled just the way they should be (because ironing linens is not the best way to spend a summer day) and our brand new headboard. See the lamp? There are two of them, and I am searching for new lampshades. See the books? I'm proud of my growing collection. I don't add to it until I have finished what's there, and I only buy when I have a coupon. It's a slow and rewarding way of adding to the shelf.

Living rooms with navy blue

2010-04-23T08:13:00.000-04:00

I like blue and red in a living room. Tom Scheerer's room, below, looks so refreshing with the white painted staircase.

I also like this room from the most recent issue of Lonny Magazine. It looks comfortable and pretty.

Speaking of living rooms, here's something I found for my own. A set of matching Herendon dressers! I plan to push them together to use as a TV stand. They're already painted a deep navy blue, a color that makes the clean brass hardware pop.

They'll be in the new space next month!

Three for Thursday

2010-04-22T08:29:00.000-04:00

I've accumulated a lot of photos on during this lazy spring of not much blogging. Here are three of my current favorites.

(Domino)

The first two pictures are a little more masculine than is typical for me. I'll end with a flowery pic to soften the post.

Sometimes Craigslist thrills me

2010-04-14T06:38:00.000-04:00

Especially when it provides things like this:

It's pretty cute from the back, too.

Good job, Craigslist. Keep up the good work!

New apartment!

2010-04-07T06:36:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy month. Our lease is about to expire, so we spent a lot of time apartment searching. A job change has made my schedule busy and unpredictable. And, March 2010 was the wettest on record -- 13 inches of rain! -- so things have been pretty dreary around here.

But things are looking up! The sun is shining, and we even found a new apartment that fit all (well, most) of our requirements. Namely, more space.

So many windows! The softly gleaming floors!! The space!!! Our lease doesn't start until the middle of May, but you better believe I'm already thinking of furniture placement and all the other fun stuff.

It's good to be back!

Rainboots, anyone?

2010-03-15T06:39:00.000-04:00

I like this little scene.

(Sally Steponkus)

If only the boots were rain boots. Then this picture would be relevant to everything outside my window.

Sundays of Yore: 1951 Armstrong Bedroom

2010-03-14T11:16:00.000-04:00

This bedroom from 1951 is quite clearly an eyesore. But don't write it off yet! I encourage you to take a closer look, because there are actually some interesting things hidden behind the awful ruffles and overused black floral pattern.

For one thing, the bed itself is kind of nice. If the ruffles went away, the bed might look something like this:

I like the crisp, tailored look of the black border on the floor. I think that could be achieved by layering a rug on top of seagrass. And, I love the way the black outline looks with the curly arm of the upholstered chair. Actually, I think I'd leave the chair just as it is.

The room would still need a lot more tweaks to make it current. New window treatments, an updated vanity, and different artwork, to name a few. Please don't forget new lamps. Also: Look what the lady of the house plans to slip into later. A nice green silky robe and high heeled red slippers. That's what I'm wearing right now!*

*Not true.

Kitchen things

2010-03-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

If I owned a house, I would probably try to find a place for this:

I think the pale blue pendant would look fantastic in the same kitchen that houses my beloved Tin Can Alley collection.

Speaking of kitchens, I don't believe I've shared a photo set I found on Flickr a couple of months ago.

I'd love to hang something just like it, but in painting form.

Before and after: Console

2010-03-09T09:10:00.000-05:00

Last week, my friend Colleen was in town. Lucky for me, she enjoys scouring Craigslist for good finds. Even luckier for me, she has a really good eye. I can pick out things that I like, but I never quite know what to do with them once they're in my possession. When Colleen is around, she works her magic and even the smallest surfaces are artfully arranged.

My very favorite surface that emerged from the week is a Craigslist find - a console turned bar.

You can see my front door just to the right of the bar. There used to be a small bench in this spot, but no one ever sat on it and it wasn't worth anything storage-wise. As soon as I brought the console home, I knew the bench had to go.

I painted it in a glossy white, and put a coat of gold on the hardware. Not only does the console have lots of storage, it also has room on top to display pretty things. Thanks, Colleen!

(The green and white striped dishes have since been moved, but I haven't had a chance to take more pictures.)

We also ventured to Ikea last week, and I was very excited to see their new textiles. Marc and I don't have a coat closet in our apartment, so we hang curtains in front of an odd shaped corner to block off our designated coat area. The new blue and white Ikea Henny curtains really brighten things up in the room. Plus, I love the way they look next to the old painting I found at a local consignment store. It used to be in an old, beat-up driftwood frame, but I like the look of the canvas hanging on its own - so fresh and crisp.

I don't stop to pour myself a drink every time I walk through the room, but I do stop to admire the new entryway. There's another little project to the left of the curtains, but it's not ready for a reveal yet. It's coming soon, though!

Three pairs of chairs

2010-03-08T07:02:00.004-05:00

I love a duo of upholstered chairs, and these three pairs are looking especially Spring-y. Pink flowers, bright accent pillows, and sunshine pouring through the windows. Just the way I like it!

(Country Living)

(Domino)

(Palmer Weiss)

Sundays of Yore: 1925 Traditional Living Room

2010-03-07T10:54:00.000-05:00

Pretty wallpaper panels, don't you think?

(Source)

Kitchen vignette

2010-03-03T07:52:00.000-05:00

Hi! I've been light on posts lately because I've been spending a lot of time away from my computer. Ahhh, it feels nice. I'll be posting lots of fun pictures soon - before and after shots of projects and scenes from around my house.

But not yet! Here's a vignette to enjoy while you wait.

(Tom Scheerer)

Have a good Wednesday!

More upholstery inspiration

2010-02-25T08:20:00.002-05:00

I'm sad today - the NYC trip has been postponed because of a Nor'easter that is headed this way. March and its lion tendencies!

Here are some pretty pictures to serve as a distraction.

Striped chair on its own:

Striped chair in a room:

No stripes here, but I love the details on this settee:

Striped upholstery and issues of symmetry

2010-02-24T07:26:00.000-05:00

Choosing fabric for chairs is a tad overwhelming. Solids or patterns? And if patterned, what kind? Florals? Zig zag? This pair makes a pretty good case for colorful stripes.

Same photo, different topic: The chairs are the only symmetrical items in this room, which is interesting. The yellow pillow is balanced by the yellow lamp, and if it weren't for that, I think the room would be way off kilter. The more I look at it, the more wacky I feel. I guess I like symmetry.

Located: This lamp

2010-02-23T07:52:00.000-05:00

In January, I posted this picture and asked if anyone knew where to find the lamp.

Yesterday, Jennifer at The Newlywed Diaries was my Hero of the Day when she revealed the lamp's source: John Darien. Oh, what a bittersweet moment to find the one you love, only to learn that it is beyond your means.

Also shocking: Decopauged items cost that much?

New chair

2010-02-22T07:49:00.000-05:00

Hey, did you know it's a good idea to start a new project when you haven't finished the ten other projects you've already started? It's true. Nothing gets the creative juices flowing like a little procrastination.

Here's a peek at a project I started yesterday:

It's a Craigslist find that less than 24 hours ago, looked like this:

I'm thinking the tufting will have to go. I like the blue and white stripes, but I'll cover the cushions in a more neutral fabric. The stripes will still play a role, though. You'll see.

I also want to find a colorful fabric to use in another spot. Something with poppies, perhaps? I like this fabric from a bedroom designed by Sara Gilbane.

(Sara Gilbane)

And on another note, I'm planning a trip to NYC next weekend/early next week. I'm trying to expand my horizons and go places I've never been before. The ABC Carpet and Home outlet is one of them. Let me know if you have any other suggestions!

Four bathrooms

2010-02-19T07:31:00.000-05:00

I don't put a lot of consideration into bathrooms during my Internet and magazine browsing, but sometimes I'm compelled to save an image. Like this rustic yet elegant bathroom

(Marie Claire Maison)

or this sweet pink and red combination (not to be confused with the same color scheme from a different decade).

Other bathrooms are really, really nice and of course I pause to admire them.

But I'm also honest with myself - bathrooms like the one above are a big dream. And then there are other bathrooms that are just ...

(Marie Claire Masion)

big. Whoa. Try brushing your teeth in the shadow of a child sumo wrestler!

Bed vs. commute

2010-02-18T07:12:00.000-05:00

Perfection in the form of white down.

Someday I will look back at these posts and wonder, "why are there so many pictures of beds?"

Then I will look at this picture and remember that soft, fluffly beds are hard to get out of your mind when the reality is a slushy, cold commute.

It is pretty, though. The view is of Central Square in Cambridge, with a straight shot down Massachusetts Avenue toward Boston. You can even see my favorite building off in the distance - the John Hancock Tower (an I.M. Pei creation).

Steven Sclaroff - colorful upholstery, Kate's apartment and vintage finds

2010-02-17T06:02:00.003-05:00

I want to find some cheap chairs and learn how to make them look like this:

Why stop at fabric? When you know how to upholster chairs this well, you can use leather too.

These pictures are all from the website of Steven Sclaroff, who helped design Kate and Andy Spade's apartment (which I love because it's what life would look like if we lived inside a lollipop.)

See?

In addition to making me want to upholster things, looking at Steven Sclaroff's website also makes me want to go back to Cambridge Antinque Market and scour for cool vintage items like this chair

and this umbrella stand.

My new month resolution will be to find an umbrella stand like this one for $25 or less. If it's not red, I will paint it. Come on, March, make it happen. Just in time for April showers.

Sorority life

2010-02-16T07:03:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of the room I lived in my sophomore year of college. It was too small to fit two twin beds on the floor, so my roommate and I had no choice but to stack 'em.

She liked blue, and I liked red. We both liked the way the two colors look together. What you can't see is the giant flotaki rug that is covering the commercial-grade carpeting in the room. His name was Dimitri, and he stayed with us for three years. A white rug in college! Not bad at all.

Also: I have no idea how many episodes of Trading Spaces were watched in this room, but I am going to guess that we never missed an episode.

Another also: The lower left drawer was filled with fruit snacks and Capri Sun.

I had a ball at the antique mall

2010-02-15T06:02:00.002-05:00

I was looking for something fun to do on Saturday while Marc was working. I was looking for the kind of place that you can just wander around and look at things, preferably of the non-generic variety. Google can be your friend in times like these. After just one search, I had my destination. And it was just a little more than a mile away.

The Cambridge Antique Market is five floors of ... stuff. As in, every single floor of the building pictured above is filled with oldness. Some was old and gross. Some was old and awesome. It was a standard New England antique mall, and it was exactly what I needed to pass the hours on a cold February day.

I love walking around and looking at things. It's fun to imagine what people will do -- or once did -- with all of the stuff, and it also makes for some truly great people watching. I got this picture from the Cambridge Antique Market's Facebook page. It's kind of blurry, but it shows the volume of objects in the store.

I did end up taking home a few treasures. Like this bronze horse

and these shiny green and white lacquered dishes from Austria.

The undersides of these dishes are shiny red. I love them! I think they'll be great to hold paperclips and other small desktop items.

I also got this scarf for $1. I'm thinking I'll eventually frame it, because I've had a thing for framed textiles lately.

And here's my big ticket item. I saw it within 2 minutes of entering the store, and I really think we were meant to be together.

You see, I have his cousin waiting at home:

I got the first block print at an antique print store on Charles Street in Beacon Hill. Thomas Jefferson has never looked so good in all his graphic, antique glory. I love the yellow border on the black and white print, and the way the gold frame I ended up choosing echoes the yellow rectangle in the print.

I love the way the two prints are so very different, yet share many of the same elements. Sure, they are from different eras. The dealer at CAM told me Johann was made by mid-century artist Mervin Jules. The print of Thomas is from a book from the 1800s. And in real life, the two men actually only overlapped for 7 years -- Jefferson was born in 1743, and Bach died in 1750.

But I don't care. I look at the two prints together, and I love the way they complement one another. The Bach picture on its own has the potential to be very poppy (as in pop art, not the flower), which is a look I'm not crazy about. So I know I need to choose the frame and the room it hangs in carefully. Good thing I have plenty of time! I see more tips to the Cambridge Antique Market in my future ...

Sundays of Yore: 1952 Bathroom

2010-02-14T09:01:00.000-05:00

This post could also be called "Trendy today, ugly tomorrow."

Think about it. In 1952, a home editor at a women's magazine picked this bathroom to feature because it looked good. It was what the readers wanted to see. If there were blogs back then, this bathroom would have made the cut and people would have commented that they love the wallpaper, and that pink and red are so fresh together. And that pink sink! LOVE. Maybe someone would have shown how to get the look for less.

Ugh. I can't help but wonder: which of today's trends will be tomorrow's ugly?

Wallpaper en Francais

2010-02-12T07:19:00.001-05:00

White Eames chairs and creamy flowered wallpaper look pretty and good together.

(Marie Claire Maison)

I love the stacks of pillows along the wall. Since I can't get in close to see the fabrics, I'll just have to imagine that the pillows look like this:

(Les Indiennes)

I think the home office below is from the same house as the dining room, but I'm not sure because I pulled these pictures from Marie Claire Maison and my francais is not what it used to be. C'est la vie. I'll just have to make it up.

(Marie Claire Maison)

I love the toile lamp in this room.

The question I really do want an answer to is, "what are those wall panels?" They're in both rooms, and the wallpapers seems to be layered underneath them. Is it something many French homes have, or is it something that one designer contrived and that's why this house is featured in Marie Claire? So many questions, so many answers in a foreign language.

I guess if you turn around and look out the office door, this is what you see.

Je n'aime pas the black rug, but I do like everything else!

Two bedrooms: a poem

2010-02-11T06:02:00.001-05:00

Light blue and pink ...

or pink and light blue.

(Sara Gilbane in Lonny Issue 3)

I like them both.
What about you?

Roman shades in the kitchen

2010-02-10T07:35:00.000-05:00

A lot of the kitchens in pictures I save on my computer have roman shades on the windows. I like the look of fabric in kitchens -- especially kitchens with a lot of white -- because it softens the room, and is a quick and easy way to add color.

Here's a picture from my parents' house. My mom made the curtain, and I think it looks great.

It's hard to see what the fabric and trim detail look like, so I zoomed in:

My mom specializes in pleats and ruffles - you can see her handiwork in my slipcovered armchairs from an earlier post. The quality of both pictures is not that great because I grabbed the stills from a Flip video, but you get the idea.

I've used this next picture before (in my round-up about red), but it fits in this post too, so here it is again.

Now I'm looking at the floors, too. Do you think they're painted wood? It's kind of hard to tell.

And finally, roman shades don't have to be in a colorful fabric to soften a room.

It's not really a fabric, and there are no colors in sight. But there's already a lot going on with this kitchen (in a good way), so I think the simple, natural texture works.

I love the picture of the kitchen below, but after noticing all the pretty roman shades, I can't help but imagine this window with a pretty dress on.

Happy Wednesday!

Pops of yellow in every room of the house

2010-02-09T06:02:00.002-05:00

The thing is, I don't even like yellow that much. But I guess there's something to be said for things that are the color of the sun. Especially when it's freeeezing cold out side.

It helps if the yellow object in question is in the form of a blanket draped across an elegant Parisian bed

(Marie Claire Maison)

(While you're looking at that room, please note the way the purple rugs are layered. Not sure if I could take that seriously if I saw it in a real house, but it's kind of fun to look at in a picture, don't you think?).

What about sunny yellow lampshades? Why sure.

(Domino)

Red and yellow usually remind me of Wendy's, but this room somehow evades that connotation.

Since the first portion of this post is shaping up to be all about yellow in the bedroom, here's a dash of Rubie Green

(Domino)

and a sprinkle of lemon yellow sheets from Anthropologie, too.

(Anthropologie)

Mmmm, I guess I like yellow more than I thought. Since it's such a summery color, I'll include one room that definitely has a beach house vibe to it. Yellow and white stripes + blue = total cabana vibe, but that's A-OK with me.

(It's mid-February in Boston, people. If you asked me in July what I thought of this room, I would probably say I liked it but that it reminded me of Zach and Kelly's summer job. One last fling at the Malibu Sands Beach Club before graduating from Bayside High. But seriously, right now I am so deep in the winter doldrums that I just don't even care. If this were my room, Zach and Kelly could spend the night and we'd all have a cookout on the beach and race ATVs on the sand.)

Let's move on. More yellow in the living room ...

so fresh and crisp with white pleats and pom pom detailing on pillows. I love the way the poms echo the round shapes of the lamp.

Wallpaper is a bit permanent, so here's something a little more flexible ... a throw blanket and a couple of pillows. Don't forget the flowers.

Yellow works in the kitchen, too. I love the pale color of this roman shade, and the even paler yellow of the cushions on the stools.

Does that little girl have ice cream? Oh, I want ice cream. In fifty degrees Farenheit more, I will indulge.

As lovely as this all is, I still would never be able to commit. But the good news is, lots and lots of flowers are yellow.

This arrangement in particular catches my eye.

One flower per vase? I could handle that.

What about you? Are you a true-blue fan of yellow, or do you only turn to it when the weather is frigid and you're in need of warmth?

Slipcovered armchairs, part 3: Getting there

2010-02-08T07:14:00.000-05:00

When I last posted about sewing slipcovers for the armchairs in my reading nook, I was struggling. Only one skirt was tacked on, and even the throw pillows were unfinished.

Where am I today?

I'm happy to report that TWO skirts are now tacked on, and both throw pillows are complete. I still have to actually stitch the skirts on (I don't know why I am dreading that step so much), and I also need to attach the piece of fabric that goes underneath the seat cushion. You won't actually be able to see this piece, but it will help keep the rest of the slipcover in place. See how the arms are kind of saggy baggy elephant?

Poor elephant. At least the chairs only have to deal with my scornful looks and laziness. There are no laughing parrots to deal with.

Sundays of Yore: 1954 Magic Chef Gas Range

2010-02-07T08:58:00.000-05:00

Whoa, this has to be in Texas.

(Source)

Let's talk about this picture. First of all, I love the buffalo checked dishtowel. (My love for checks is documented here, if you're interested.) It makes me laugh that the dishtowel is hanging off a set of bull horns ... over a big hunk of meat ... on a floating butcher block? This is an intense, manly scene going on here.

We can talk about the stool a little, too. It's pretty cool, don't you think? And what exactly do you call the object to the right of the Magic Chef Gas Range ... is that a free-standing salad bowl? A produce stand? I honestly can't decide if something like that would be convenient or useless. I'm guessing more of the latter since they're not really around today.

A project question and a pretty bedroom

2010-02-05T09:19:00.001-05:00

In November, when I had very few readers, I posted pictures of some vintage pharmacy labels I picked up at Brimfield.

I still haven't done anything with them. I guess I'm kind of frozen from all the possibilities. So ... does anyone have any thoughts? I'd love to hear them. You can read the original post here.

And, just because it's not a true Friday if my mind is not wandering to thoughts of cozy bedrooms and reading by the fire, here's a picture to help keep the vision alive:

(Phoebe Howard, Southern Accents)

On the auction block: Beacon Hill Row House

2010-02-04T07:21:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, the Boston Globe real estate section featured an 1860s Beacon Hill Row House that developers paid $2.25 million for four years ago. It's city living, but with five bedrooms, four baths, three powder rooms, and seven fireplaces, space is not really an issue for this property.

The article notes that the couple did not cut any corners in their $4 million dollar renovation. The luxury market was still booming!

Hence the marble bath

(which you get to by way of this hallway, lined with mirrored closet doors),

the gorgeous (albeit poorly photographed) kitchen,

the wine cellar,

the green house,

and the library with the adjoining wet bar (because every library needs a wet bar).

It obviously needs a little decor, but doesn't this space make you dream of all the possibilities?

To give an idea of the layout, the desk on the left in the picture above is seen in the picture below, on the right.

The property is just sitting there, and it seems the developers are ready to move on. So, to the auction block it goes, with a minimum starting bid of $5 million. Do you need a little more convincing? OK, here's a view of the street from the window.

I lived in Beacon Hill for a couple of years and loved it, even though my studio was the size of the marble bathroom pictured above. It really is one of the prettiest neighborhoods in Boston, so quaint and filled with character.

It's an added bonus to have a roof deck from which to enjoy the view!

Look, books!

2010-02-03T07:36:00.000-05:00

I love this doorway-turned-library, although I think I'd prefer a more comfortable chair by the shelves.

Books look good in a bedroom, too.

I was thinking I'd like to use magical powers to put bookshelves around this velvet bed,

and then I found that Anna at Absolutely Beautiful Things was thinking similarly. There are like a hundred thousand million and thirty bloggers out there who are all posting the same pictures and saying different things about them. That's what makes it kind of fun. But it's also fun when thoughts align!

Cream, white, blue, gray, lavender - Dreamy!

2010-02-02T07:02:00.005-05:00

What is it about this picture?

(Elizabeth Dinkel Design)

I don't really know. I've definitely been into lavender lately. That lampshade is just perfect - so soft and subtle. And crisp white sheets are always on my list of things that make me oh so happy. And then the blue and the gray ... and the upholstered cream headboard! And the cream nightstand! I haven't seen a room that I've wanted to copy (emulate?) this much since these little twinsies caught my eye in January 2009:

So, what have I learned from this little post? I love: white sheets, upholstered headboards, crisp nightstands, blue floral patterns, and gray.

Monday take me away

2010-02-01T07:57:00.001-05:00

On any given Monday morning, there are scores of places I'd rather be. Drop me into any of these rooms -- all photographed by Jean Randazzo (whom I discovered via Deliciously Organized) -- and I would pretty content.

I love each of these rooms from Jean's photography portfolio. I haven't yet attached each room to its designer, but Jean's clients include Peter Dunham Design, Mary McDonald, and Elizabeth Dinkel, among others. I'll be doing some more investigating when I return home from work.

For now, Monday morning obligations are calling.

p.s. In case you didn't notice, Filed For Later is on Twitter now. If you are too, please follow me? I haven't tweeted a single thing yet, because it's too sad to tweet to an audience of zero. But I'll start tweeting soon ... it will be fun! I hope to see you there!

Tweet this

2010-01-31T22:29:00.000-05:00

Filed for Later is now on Twitter. If you're there already, won't you please follow me? See you there!

Sundays of Yore: 1950 Birge Wallpaper

2010-01-31T08:53:00.002-05:00

This wallpaper is cute.

(Source)

Doesn't Birge's version of Paris in the 1950's look fabulous and fun? You know, An American in Paris came out in 1951.

With a soundtrack, of course.

OK, I'm convinced. If only planes could fly back in time, too.

(A plane that departs in 2010 and lands in 1950 Paris? A planeful of people, confused and displaced, end up having the time of their lives. Hollywood just called. I'm writing the script!)

FFL's Guide to Fabric Shopping

2010-01-29T07:29:00.000-05:00

There are certain activities that can be done at any time, but when the conditions are just right: Perfection. Skiing is one of those activities. A picnic is another. And the one I'm thinking about now, in preparation for Zimman's Customer Appreciation Sale this Sunday, is shopping for fabric.

Maybe these guidelines are going to make me sound crazy. But hey, it's what I've picked up from personal experience and maybe you can relate. Maybe you even have your own tips to add to the list. Please do!

Here goes (Note: I peppered the list with photos of textiles that I've been enjoying lately. They don't have anything to do with the actual guidelines):

1) Know your needs. Not specifics in terms of color or print, but in terms of projects. I get so overwhelmed when I get to the store that half of my plans quickly exit my brain. It helps me to make a list of what I have going on.

2) Bring fabric and paint samples from your current projects/rooms. Pictures too, if applicable. I've started bringing fabric samples from pretty much every room in my house (umm, all four of them!). That way, if I encounter a fabric that screams "bedroom pillow," I can do a quick check to make sure the fabric truly fits.

3) I study photos of my favorite rooms before I go. I don't bring them with me, because I don't want to feel limited and like I have to copy them exactly. But looking at my favorite rooms helps my decor ideals stay top of mind, and that's a good condition to be in when you're looking at hundreds of bolts (or swatches) of fabric.

4) Dress carefully. For me, wearing a brightly colored sweater will influence the colors and patterns I'm drawn to. Like if I was shopping for fabrics in the light blue and gray families, I wouldn't wear green. I would see clashing colors everytime I held out my arm, and it would affect how I feel about the selection. This works in the reverse, too. If a red T-shirt casually tossed on the bed inspires me to find a red fabric for a new pillow, I might just wear that very red shirt to the fabric store. Do you see what I'm saying?

5) Here's my fifth and final tip: NO HANGNAILS! That should be a guideline for everyday life, but it should be doubly enforced while shopping for fabric. Choosing fabric is often just as much about the feel as it is about the look, and who can say a fabric feels nice when it has pulled a hangnail? So yes, I'm saying that I recommend a good manicure before fabric shopping. In a neutral color, of course.

Have you seen this lady? She holds the world record for the longest fingernails. Thirty-four inches of gross, times 10. (I just noticed her rings. I wonder how she puts them on? Someone must help her with that. Ew.)

Why stylists should eat breakfast before going to work

2010-01-28T07:25:00.000-05:00

I wrote a post about finding the perfect rental apartment, and just before I saved the finished version, my (new) computer suddenly shut down to reconfigure or something.

So, the rental apartments will have to wait for another day. Here's a pretty picture instead.

(Margot Austin)

I named this photo "Cereal" on my desk top, because the first thing I thought when I saw it was "That's a big bowl of cereal! The stylist who set this shot up must have been very hungry."

Then I thought about how nice the marble side counter is, and how pretty the dark wood looks with the crisp gray and white. Yes, I would be quite happy eating my breakfast here.

Fabric sale in Boston!

2010-01-27T07:17:00.003-05:00

Last night I dreamt it was raining fireballs. When I woke up, I was feeling kind of down. You know, because I had been running from fire pellets all night long.

I think this has the power to change my day: Customer Appreciation Day at Zimman's!

I love Zimman's ... it's like the fabric mecca. It's a Target-sized building filled with fabrics -- mostly decorating (as opposed to clothing or quilting) -- and I could spend hours there each visit.

Just look at this!

Apartment Therapy

The first time I visited Zimman's, my heart was beating so fast. I was seriously overwhelmed, and I wandered through the aisles in no particular order. It was like I was drunk.

(Katy Elliot)

You better believe I plan on going this Sunday. No matter how much I prepare for the big event, I'm pretty sure I'll still end up wandering aisles, skipping key areas and looping back and then skipping more key areas. But at least this time, I'll be darting around out of excitement and not because I'm avoiding fireballs.

Note to self: Never have that dream again.

Second note to self: GO TO ZIMMAN'S ON SUNDAY!

Fun with Polyvore

2010-01-26T08:22:00.000-05:00

You know about Polyvore, right? It's the site that allows you to pull images (and item information) from almost any website and use them to create your very own idea board ... or inspiration board ... or vignette. I've pulled stuff together before, but I've never spent time arranging things. Until recently.

I had so much fun making little collages that I really couldn't stop. I ended up using things that I would most likely never choose in real life, but that's the fun of it.

Here's what I call "Dog on White Couch:"

And here's what I call "Dog on Red Couch:"

It's so easy to switch things out. It totally reminds me of my dollhouse days -- my favorite thing to do was to redecorate the rooms, but it got so messy. This is all of the fun, with zero mess.

I was having such a good time with patterns that things got a little out of control. I decided this was the perfect medium to test the Bob Dylan poster that I've been secretly coveting.

Here it is again with a red dhurrie.

I had a couple of other rugs lined up, but grrrrr, I closed the window by accident and hadn't been saving. Oh, well. Lesson learned.

Are you wondering what is up with the Bob and Joan poster? I don't know! I've been drawn to hippy/bohemian spaces lately. Rooms like this one

and tapestries like this one

Les Indiennes Tree of Life

It may seem like this is dorm room taste, but there's one thing that keeps it from acquiring that label: $$$. That Bob and Joan poster I've been eyeing is a rare edition and goes for about $15,000.

I'm sure I could find a print somewhere, but quite honestly, I don't think it's a good thing to spend even $50 on this whim. The good news is, I think my need to use the poster has been satisfied for now. Thanks, Polyvore, for helping me work through my hippy decor craving!

Bedrooms tailored and sweet

2010-01-25T07:02:00.001-05:00

Usually it's the bedrooms with fluffy details that speak to me, but sometimes tufts and pleats are just as sweet. Especially if the tufts in question are on pink pillows.

I love cream and white together, and here's that combo again in a room with a creamy tufted headboard and crisp white sheets. Note the pleats of the creamy bedskirt ... lovely.

My absolute favorite detail of this room is the slipcover on the nightstand. This is a look that might come into play in my own house someday, as I have plenty of not-so-great furniture that is just crying to be covered with a pretty fabric.

Sundays of Yore: 1957 American Standard Tiny Tub

2010-01-24T10:50:00.005-05:00

OK, four things about today's post:

1) The full name is actually "1957 American Standard Tiny Neo-Angle Tub" but I like the way "tiny tub" sounds much, much better.

2) I guess gun play sold bathtubs in the 1950s.

3) Why is there a little floatie hanging on the wall?

4) It's kind of ugly, but it's also weirdly cute. Not all vintage ads are inspiring (unless you're into rope ladder towel holders and pink tile and carpet)!

Pastel, ma belle

2010-01-22T08:11:00.001-05:00

When the Spring 2010 J.Crew catalog arrived a couple of weeks ago, I could barely even glance at it. Who can think Spring when the sun sets at 4:30 p.m.? Yay, New England. I finally took a look when the second catalog arrived (like two days later, ha!), and I felt a warm sense of familiarity.

That's because this lovely outfit

J. Crew, Spring 2010

is awfully similar to this room.

Palmer Weiss, via Things that Inspire

Love the gray and white striped scarf?

J. Crew, Spring 2010

Then you'll probably love the gray and white striped chair featured in Phoebe Howard's Atlanta showroom.

Phoebe Howard, Photo by Brooke Giannetti

The soft colors of J. Crew's crinkled silk shell are beautiful, especially when paired with delicate pearls and omg -Crystal symphony necklace, you're beautiful. Black ribbons and pastel colors ... who knew?

J. Crew, Spring 2010

Actually, I think Phoebe Howard probably knew. She pulled a similar trick (well, that just sounds wrong!) in her Atlanta showroom when she placed thin black frames in an otherwise mostly light room.

Phoebe Howard, Photo by Brooke Giannetti

I love the moodiness of the big painting. It keeps the room soft, but not too sweet. Sometimes, though, a little sweet is good. Perhaps it's in the form of a Ruffled Carly dress accented with a beautiful bronze hobo bag

J. Crew, Spring 2010

or perhaps it's in the form of a lavender room accented with light blue, white, and a gorgeous peach couch.

Phoebe Howard, Photo by Brooke Giannetti

OK, last one. This outfit is pretty much the epitome of J. Crew casual. Beachy, soft, wrinkled ... and I love the pop of color in the orange clutch.

J. Crew, Spring 2010

This is the the same room as before, but honestly, if the woman above stepped out of the catalog and into Phoebe's showroom, I think we'd lose her forever.

Phoebe Howard, Photo by Brooke Giannetti

It's the most beautiful camouflage I've ever seen!

p.s. I am pleased to announce that Boston now has daylight until after 5 p.m.! What a happy thing to see the sun.

Wanted: This lamp, please

2010-01-21T17:09:00.004-05:00

I wonder where this lamp comes from. Does anyone know?

Slipcovers for office chairs

2010-01-21T07:54:00.000-05:00

What's better than Ikea? Well, a lot of things. But one of them is Ikea furniture that doesn't look like Ikea furniture. Ikea hackers know this first hand, but as inspiring as it is to browse through the blog and see all the amazing transformations, I still question the quality of the finished product. An Ikea dresser is an Ikea dresser, even if the knobs have been changed. Is it worth it to put that much effort into a piece of furniture that might not last for more than five years?

Which is why this photo stopped me in my tracks. It's been hanging out in my files for a while, but I never really took a good look at the chair.

Margot Austin

That, my friends, is the Ikea Karsten Swivel Chair with a slipcover! Here is the chair in all its naked glory:

Ikea Karsten Swivel Chair

The colorful slipcover and tidy office are very painful for me to look at, because three weeks ago, I trekked out to Ikea in search of a desk chair. The Karsten Swivel Chair caught my eye, and I had grand plans of making a slipcover pretty much exactly like the one in the picture above. But unfortunately, the chair never made it through customs. Marc sent it back to Ikea because it was missing arms, which apparently is an important feature when it comes to office chairs.*

During the same trip to Ikea, I spent a lot of time caressing furniture from the Trollsta collection. I have no use for a bright yellow end table, but isn't it a cutie?

Ikea Trollsta Table

And here it is looking like a bright spot of sunshine in a room with sky blue walls, breezy curtains, and spring flowers on the pillows.

Margot Austin

When Ikea looks this good with minimal hacking involved, I'm all for it!

* The office chair we ended up getting came from Staples and is also of the black mesh variety. This one is "more solid feeling" and comes with arms ... but it's still U.G.L.Y. If you have a slipcovered Karsten chair -- or any other office chair -- I'd love to see a picture. Anything to convince Marc that fabric beats black mesh any day.

Bee happy: A painting from Etsy and other pretty things

2010-01-19T21:28:00.008-05:00

This painting by RozArt is so pretty. Never mind that it's of bees and gray clouds, two things that don't exactly whisper "soft bedroom retreat." Something about it is just so soothing.

Bee 38 by Roz 16x20, oil

I see it hanging in a bedroom like this

with a soft velvet tufted headboard

(Urban Outfitters)

and a giant mirror with pretty details like a beaded frame.

(Restoration Hardware)

It's all kind of glamorous for something that "bee"gan with a single oil painting!

Connecticut farmhouse, Round 2

2010-01-18T22:18:00.007-05:00

Marc and I spent the long weekend in Connecticut and NYC. On our way back to Boston, we drove through Newtown, which is something I've been wanting to do since I discovered this farmhouse during my Trulia searches.

For as long as I can remember, I've had a thing for old houses. I grew up in Colorado, so "old" to me was 1940. I thought I was looking at a typo the first time I saw a house listed with a date from the 1700s ... how can something so old still be standing? And people living in it? Amazing. Lucky for me, New England is filled with old homes.

So, back to Newtown. We entered the address of the original farmhouse into our GPS, which gave us the opportunity to see a neighborhood with houses in our range (size and price). This type of exercise is mostly fantasy. We have no idea where we'll actually move to when Marc's residency is done. But it's fun to dream, especially when the setting is this beautiful.

When we were back in Boston, I continued my Newtown house tour online. This is my new current favorite: 1 Jeremiah Road.

The house is filled with things that make my heart flutter, like the vaulted ceilings in the kitchen

with wooden beams, of course.

The wooden door is amazing. I wonder if it's a main entrance?

I think the house would lend itself very well to a Tom Scheerer type of decor. Everything is so cozy and small-proportioned. Except for the fireplaces - nothing small about those.

But really ... I could see a room like the one above, and like the dining room below,

filled with comfortable furniture like this Tom Scheerer living room.

One of the things I like about Tom Scheerer is that he doesn't fill old houses with old things. In the next picture, for example, the coffee table and side table keep the room from feeling like a museum. And those lamps!

The real estate websites only show one of the four bedrooms in the house

and two of the four fireplaces.

It's an eyesore now, but I love to stare at every detail and imagine how I would change it.

If you're still with me, things are about to get more fun. That's because this house has a party barn!!

The barn is a "rare find," featuring a stone fireplace and plenty of space.

I imagine it being used as a three-season gathering spot, with a long rustic table and mismatched chairs that can fit more people than the small proportioned house probably can. The fireplace looks big enough to keep the barn warm even on a crisp fall night. Mmm, when my daydreams take a turn like this, I never want to wake up.

Picture perfect

2010-01-18T08:16:00.005-05:00

Ahhh .... this picture just makes me feel good.

It's so exciting to stumble across new blogs that are filled with image after image of pure goodness. It's right up there with taking warm sheets out of the dryer ... that's how good it is.

I found today's picture on The Brass Petal, via The City Sage. It's close to perfection, don't you think?

Time to declutter

2010-01-14T06:02:00.000-05:00

I identify with this room because it's a small space, like the one in which I live,

and I admire this room because of it's realistic simplicity. It looks lived in, yet not cluttered. Sometimes I am drawn to rooms that seem to have nothing in them, and I can't help but wonder where all the stuff is. I like things to look clean, but not empty, you know?

OK, it's becoming clear that I have a new clutter phobia. Besides mentally assessing the stuff on display in almost every photo I look at, I have also been attacking my house -- one corner at a time -- by taking a good, hard look at everything I have out. Why is it there? What value does it bring to the room? If I can't answer those questions, then - whoosh! It's gone. Don't worry, not for good. Just please don't open the curtained armoire in the living room ;-)

p.s. I love the potted plant on the table! It's charming and fresh and whispers of Spring.

Reality bites - aka, a slipcover update

2010-01-13T07:33:00.003-05:00

I had the best of intentions, I really did. And the slipcovers have come a long way. But the reality is, I still have a long way to go on these puppies. I thought maybe if I went public with it, I'd have some motivation to actually finish the project(s).

So, here it is. The "reading nook." (Obvious disclaimer: I need to take a photography class.)

Eeeek! Sure, it's come a long way since these days:

But I need to motivate! Actually sew the first skirt on to the slipcover, and pin and sew the second skirt while I'm at it. And how about ironing the fabric for the pillows and actually making cases, instead of just wrapping the fabric around the pillow forms.

Have you ever heard the saying "Fake it until you make it?" (My husband learned it in medical school ... scary thought, huh?) Well, I'm faking it all right. Now I need to make it.

Do you ever lose steam halfway through a project? How do you finally make yourself finish?

Tasteful decor: Gumballs and lollipops

2010-01-12T06:32:00.002-05:00

Colorful rooms

sometimes remind me of gumballs.

And I kind of like that. I also like stacks of colorful latte bowls

(Anthropologie)

and pillows with candy colorful prints.

(John Robshaw)

This last picture is from Kate and Andy Spade's apartment.

Yes, Kate knows color. It's like living in a lollipop!

What's your favorite design book?

2010-01-11T07:02:00.000-05:00

What's your favor design book? My library currently consists of one: The ubiquitous Domino: The Book of Decorating. I like it, but I know there are others out there that are more "me."

I have lots of books on my wish list (of course!), and the top-spots change on a near daily basis. But, the following two books have been up there for a while now. They are -

1) At Home with Wedgwood: The Art of the Table

All that white with the dark wood fireplace? Love!

Those tea cups get me everytime. Seriously, what is it with my mug fetish? My idea of a good time is perusing the internet looking at mug shape and design. These Wedgwood beauties are classics.

(Thanks to Jennifer at the Newlywed Diaries for posting about this one.)

2) Restoring a House in the City

One of my dreams is to someday restore an old house. I want one that is filled with character, yet needs enough work that we have a chance to make it exactly what we want to be. Restoring a House in the City looks like it is filled with just the right eye candy to feul my daydreams for a long time.

Do you have a favorite design book -- one where you never get tired of looking at the pictures and that inspires you when you open it for the first, fifth, and even tenth time? If you do, what is it that keeps you coming back for more?

Sundays of Yore: 1921 Armstrong Kitchen

2010-01-10T16:38:00.003-05:00

This cute little blue and white kitchen is from an Armstrong Kitchen ad is 1921.

I love the open shelving, and look -- another stool by the sink. I think it's so interesting how so much in this photo is popular even almost 80 years later. White cabinetry? Check. Open shelving? Farmhouse sink? Silver drawer pulls? Check, check, check.

Friday is my day

2010-01-08T06:35:00.005-05:00

Fridays are my favorite. Two glorious days are right before you, ready to fill with Whatever. You. Want. I love that. In the summer I daydream about Saturdays and Sundays that consist of neighborhood strolls and barbecues. In January, I have other plans for the cold, dark days.

Like this -

Except maybe without the gloomy painted woman staring down at me. That would be a creepy Saturday.

I do have more ambitious plans for this weekend, too. Finishing the slipcovers, for one. Also a possible trip to Ikea (and beyond?) in search of a desk chair and a replacement part for a broken Hemnes dresser. I hope it's cheap to fix. Grrr, temporary furniture is not supposed to require maintenance!

What about you -- what do you have planned for this weekend?

Fun with two-toned walls

2010-01-07T07:22:00.003-05:00

In an earlier post, I said I'm not usually a fan of accent walls, but that this room won me over anyway. It's not technically an "accent wall," as a commenter pointed out. It turns a corner. It doesn't ever end abruptly -- it's framed by molding at the top and by the window frame on the left. I wonder what the other side looks like?

(Apartment Therapy)

Then I stumbled across this photo.

(Southern Accents)

Ah, here we are again! Except instead of an accent wall and a half, it's a half accent wall. I like it. A chair rail along the top would probably date it. Somehow, it's fresh looking as it is.

Two days away from Friday

2010-01-06T06:44:00.004-05:00

Whew, this week! The break is definitely over.

Really, I'm grateful that I had so much down time over the past couple of weeks. But now things are back in gear, full speed ahead, full throttle ... pretty much every car metaphor you can think of. Clunkers included.

So I've put on the brakes for a short while to find one good room.

I like it a lot.

And now it's time to rev things up. Friday is on the horizon!

(Go, Dog, Go!)

Jolts of color for January

2010-01-05T07:02:00.001-05:00

The start of a new year always makes me crave bright, fresh colors. Not springy pastels. I need something much brighter in the cold and overcast Boston.

Fuscia flowers do the trick.

(Domino Magazine)

So do these chair cushions. So cheerful, yet in a cozy velvet.

(Mary McGee)

Now imagine that you're walking home from work. It's been snowing, and there is slush on the streets. It's 4:30 p.m. and pitch dark outside, because that's what happens in the Northeast. You open the front door to your house, and you walk into this:

(Austin Patterson)

Wouldn't that pink chair be nice thing to see everytime you walked through the door? I think so. In fact, I think any jolt of bright color makes a home feel so much cheerier in the winter.

Take this next picture, for example. I'm not usually a huge fan of accent walls. But this room has reopened my mind to the possibilities.

(Apartment Therapy)

It's definitely the architectural details that make the brightly colored wall work. The gently arched window, the oddly shaped closet that juts out ever so slightly, and the single pendant lamp hanging over the wooden table. It's so simple and fresh.

I've been stashing away different fabrics to use for pillows in my living room, but not of them feels quite right. After seeing these pictures, I'm thinking I need something bright. Pink velvet? It's tempting ...

Sundays of Yore: 1926 Crane kitchen

2010-01-03T13:02:00.000-05:00

This kitchen is from a 1926 issue of American Builder.

(American Vintage Home)

It's sweet - maybe too sweet. But at the same time, I appreciate the simplicity of it. There is so much less stuff in this kitchen than what we have today. It's refreshing (not that I don't want my dishwasher or microwave. I'm just sayin'...).

I've noticed that a lot of older kitchens have stools near the sink. When there's no dishwasher, I guess standing would get old pretty fast. I imagine sitting on the stool, peeling potatoes while I stare out the window.

Colorful bedding for my alter ego

2010-01-02T16:30:00.000-05:00

This is my sister's puppy. His name is Tommy. If you hang out with him enough, you will come to realize that he is perfect. He never misbehaves, and knows "sit," "lie down," and "roll over" exceptionally well for a four-month old pup.

But, Tommy has an alter ego name Roger. Roger is very, very naughty. He occasionally forgets to ask to go outside, and finds an inside corner instead. His teeth are as shop as staples -- in a heartbeat, they will tear through pajama pants you've had since 1993.

As you can see, Roger and Tommy are the identical kind of cute.

Tommy and his alter ego are slightly related my post today. You see, for a couple of years now, I have been all about crisp, white sheets. I still am.

(Hudson Park)

But for some reason, on the first evening of 2010, I found myself staring lovingly into my screen. At these sheets:

(Drowsy Vine sheets by Plover Organic)

And these:

(Azure Vine sheets by Plover Organic)

And even this colorful quilt:

(Lilac Crescent/Gold Waves by Plover Organic)

Tommy the puppy has an alter ego. It appears I do, too, and she loves colorful patterns.

You know what else my alter ego loves? The guest room in Amanda Peet's apartment. I know this because these pictures have been filed for later for a long time now.

I love the varying shades of blue and silver, and the occasional pop of red or yellow.

Color, color, everywhere. It's so refreshing! Perfect for the new year.

Vignettes or clutter? A real estate question

2010-01-01T11:59:00.007-05:00

OK, readers, I need your opinions on this. My friend Colleen rents a cute little house in Boulder, Colorado.

A couple of days before Christmas (when she was out of town), her landlord informed her that he was putting the house on the market. Totally out of the blue, but she has a month-to-month lease, so it's all legal. Anyway, Colleen returned from her holiday travels and had about 24 hours to straighten up before the real estate agent arrived to take pictures. I think she did a great job.

Wouldn't you want to live in a house like this?

I know I'd be happy.

Check out the shelves in the kitchen. Colleen installed those this fall when she was holed up with H1N1. It set her recovery back a couple of days, but I think it was worth it, don't you?

Speaking of H1N1, you know what gives me fever? Attic bedrooms. I've mentioned it before on this blog, here. Aren't these two cute rooms?

OK, so here's where I'd like to hear opinions. Colleen's landlord (who owns the house) received an e-mail from an agent who showed the house (not the listing agent). This is what it said:

Thank you for letting me preview, I have buyers in this area in this price range.
OK, sorry to brutally honest here but the home did not show well at all.
Very cluttered and dirty/messy. Seems overpriced.
Thank you, X

First of all, I have been in her house. It's lovely, especially when you consider the fact that it's a rental. And the agent who is selling the house has been inside multiple times and has said it looks "beautiful." But "very cluttered and dirty/messy"?! Ouch. It is a small house to begin with. It will never feel big and open because it's not. But I definitely don't think it looks dirty or messy.

Colleen spent New Year's Eve day "decluttering." She moved tons of stuff to a storage locker, which is probably time well spent since she will be moving soon anyway. But tell us, please. Does the house look messy to you?

More broadly, Colleen (like me) puts time and energy into her house. It's very "her" - the artwork on the walls, the comfortable furniture, the attention to details. Do you think that the agent's criticism of the house was because the decor wasn't his style? Does a vignette that we think is lovely really look like messy clutter to someone else? Even if something is nicely decorated, it will never be in every person's taste. Is this purely a house-selling point, or does it go beyond that? No, you don't need to please everyone when it comes to decorating your house. Some people might love your style, others might not care for it at all. But "cluttered" and "messy"? Are we being too sensitive? Should we just let it go? Or should we take a closer look at our homes and maybe do some early spring cleaning?

Coming to terms with a brown couch

2009-12-30T13:44:00.000-05:00

Our couch is brown. I'm not crazy about it, but it's too new to replace. I've been looking for examples of rooms that I like that happen to have a lot of brown in them, and here's what I've come up with so far.

I actually have a fabric that is very similar to the blue flowers on the chairs above. I like the color palate above, but the browns in my family room are a little deeper toned.

I'm pretty sure the next couch is gray, but I think an espresso-colored sofa in that place would have the same effect.

In the picture above, I like the light blue and the hints of pink and lavender in the artwork and flowers. There's a brown couch in the next picture, but look at all that white! It's way too stark with the brown.

I wish the pillow on the chair in front of the fireplace was covered with a brightly colored fabric. Something like the back of the chair in the room below:

I love the pink. Not the black zebra pattern.

This one's good, too:

Varying shades of brown, with soft white accents. And more purple flowers! I guess I like purple and brown together.

Purple and blue, here's my message to you: thanks for helping me come to terms with a brown couch. I think we can make it work.

Sundays of Yore: 1929 Vitrolite Kitchen

2009-12-27T11:06:00.004-05:00

Do you ever find yourself lost in someone else's Flickr photostream? Well, that's what happened to me when I discovered American Vintage Home. It's an amazing collection of photos and drawings from the home magazines of decades past. I am not exaggerating when I say I spent hours looking at these pictures.

I think it's so cool to see what people's homes looked like 100 years ago. What has changed? What has stayed the same? I'm not able to condense my excitement for these pictures into just one post, so I've decided to make it a weekly installment. Welcome to Filed For Later's Sundays of Yore.

This is a Vitrolite ad from 1929. I can't lie - I had no idea what Vitrolite was until I googled it. It's an opaque pigmented glass that was used for internal and external tiling from the 1920s to the 1950s. It hasn't been manufactured in the U.S. since 1947. In the drawing above, I'm guessing the floors are Vitrolite, and maybe the wall tiles, too?

This kitchen is small, yet it looks practical and functional. I love the pattern on the floor. I think it would make a stunning rug!

Trees, please

2009-12-26T18:03:00.002-05:00

Trees and city living don't always go hand in hand. Here's one way to get your fix:

(AllPosters.com)

Take it or leave it.

Couch fetish

2009-12-24T08:40:00.000-05:00

Shapely, graceful legs ... always showing. Gentle curves. Plump and soft. That's how I like my couches.

A little English roll arm is a nice touch

(Overstock.com)

with three seat cushions (the more, the merrier!)

(Bloomingdales)

or two seat cushions (nice and intimate)

(Sofa.com)

or even just one (but only if it has a plump, plush filling).

(Wisteria)

Perhaps you like a little more padding in the backside? It can be super plush and compact

(Ethan Allen)

or a little roomier.

(Restoration Hardware)

Just as long as the legs are curvy or bulbous or some shape other than stick-straight or square. That's how I like my couches.

p.s. They should also be in a pleasing, neutral color that allows for plenty of wool blanket and throw pillow switching.

Sitting room, and then some more

2009-12-23T06:37:00.005-05:00

On Monday, I posted about how many places to sit there should be in one room (dining room excluded).

The consensus among the commenters was that 12 seats was way too many for a room that's on the small size. There was distracting artwork in the background and just way too much going on in the room. Since then, I've been paying close attention to this "issue."

Imagine my reaction when I came across this image on Houzz:

Talk about lacking a center of focus! It looks like some sort of luxury funhouse. The giant hurricane glass in front of the camera lens isn't helping things -- the reflections just cause more visual clutter. And, I have a feeling there are more seats that didn't make it into the view.

I thought design dizziness was caused by crazy patterns and clashing colors, not by a creamy oasis. I mean, look at those windows! This room has all the elements to be a calm and relaxing retreat.

And now, here's the "sitting room" question: Where would you choose to sit? Ha, I'd sit in the chair that's farthest away. You know, the one that's alone on the wall and facing the back of the chair in front of it. From there, I'd be able to see the bewildered look on people's faces as they enter the room.

Holiday place setting

2009-12-22T12:46:00.003-05:00

I wish that when you order food at a restaurant, you could order the place setting along with it.

(Sunset Magazine)

I would order one veggie omelette, served on this plate. Bloody Mary on the side, please. And that's perfection in the form of a New Year's Day brunch.

Inspired by Soap: The bathroom! (Part 1)

2009-12-21T21:03:00.018-05:00

The very first entry I ever posted on Filed for Later (waaaaaay back in November '09) was based around this picture:

I just love it. The muted color pallate is so soothing and calm and pretty. I had a great time combing my galleries of saved images for rooms that incorporate these colors. This was my favorite of the bunch:

My friend Sarah told me she was equally smitten with the colors. She asked for some images that she could use as inspiration for her master bathroom. She wrote:

"I'm redecorating (wish I could be remodeling) our master bathroom over the next couple of weeks. While a very light blue and white will be the main colors, I hope to be able to also use the palette in your soap post from a while back... Pretty sure that we're going to use brushed nickel for the new light fixtures and hardware. I am going for a coastal look without getting too into the theme since we're not exactly in a beach house."

Sarah's cabinets are a light/medium oak (she plans to replace the vanity eventually, and will likely choose either white or a very dark wood). The current counter is a "fabulous" white laminate.

She's already chosen the color - Benjamin Moore's glass slipper.

Isn't it pretty? It seems this color is most blogged about for its use in a bedroom that appeared in House Beautiful.

Here it is again, in Wes and Kayla's Brookline apartment on Apartment Therapy. (Side note: Yay, Boston!)

The interesting thing about Glass Slipper is, while there's actually very little (if any at all) blue in the soap photo ...

(see?) ... the color still works for the overall look. It is the right intensity, and maintains that washed pastel feel that makes up the "soap palette."

I'm not sure if Sarah is into painting the cupboards, particularly since she plans to replace them soon. But if she is, I think a soft ivory would be beautiful. Something along the lines of the bed in this picture. (Pasted again - no scrolling up needed.)

Another option is to go dark on the cupboards. This bedroom has dark, dark blue/gray walls that look very pretty against the blue bed.

I love the peach stool at the foot of the bed!

Finally, a third option is to pick a medium shade of grayish blue (a few shades darker than Glass Slipper, and with more gray in it). The effect would be along the lines of this

or this

One thing that is particularly eye-catching with the soap photo is that there are so many colors used together. I say this calls for a stack of colorfully folded towels!

If there's room in the bathroom, wouldn't the towels look so pretty folded on this?

I have many more pictures to share with Sarah, but I'm going to save them for Part 2. Stay tuned for accessories and the question of brushed vs. polished nickel ...

Sitting room, and then some

2009-12-21T07:25:00.000-05:00

Imagine that you've just entered this room, and the host is inviting you to sit down:

Which seat would you choose? I think I'd go for one of the blue patterned armchairs. So many choices! If there were three people on each couch, the room could comfortably seat 12.

This makes me curious. How many people could sit in your family room? I just counted -- I have 7 spots -- one couch, a leather chair, two armchairs, and a desk chair.

I think this room, while lovely, looks too full, and if I were more scientific, I'd calculate a chair per square footage ratio - kind of like per capita, but we'll call it per infra.

So what do you think? Do more seats make a room more welcoming, or does it come to a point where enough is enough?

Kindred Spirits Countdown to Christmas

2009-12-19T09:26:00.007-05:00

Nicole of Colette's Cottage recently guest posted on Live Creating Yourself's Countdown to Christmas feature ... and she named "Tasteful Decor: Peppermint Candy" as her favorite holiday post!

Thank you, Nicole! I've been blogging for a little over a month now, and I'm still at the point where every single comment is cause for excitement. So a mention on another blog? Thrilling!

I love reading Colette's Cottage because she posts great pictures, and is very funny, to boot. She was in good company in the Kindred Spirits Countdown posts -- other guest bloggers include Sherry and John of Young House Love, Ashley of Smitten Design, and Ashley of Decorology. Ooooh, these are some of my most favorite blogs! I can't wait to see who else will be making an appearance!!

And, now that I've admitted to the thrill I get from comments, I'll also admit that I get a thrill from followers, links, page visits ... you name it. So if you're here, reading this, leave a comment! Show me your blog (or, if you don't have one of your own, ones you like to read).

Remember how the new kid at school would sit alone in the lunch room for the first couple of days? That was me.

But now I feel like the table is filling up. We're even trading desserts (that's a metaphor for linking to other blogs. I'm trying, here). So, keep coming by. Bring friends. Introduce yourself and stay for a while. Maybe soon, we'll be dancing on the tables!

(Side note: Seriously, what is going on in this picture?!?! Superstock has some weird photos.)

p.s. Nicole, though I like number 5 on your list (for obvious reasons), number 6 is the cutest of all!

Christmas in Vermont

2009-12-18T15:02:00.002-05:00

Christmas in Vermont? Hanukkah in Colorado or Massachusetts is more how I roll. But a good winter scene is truly non-dominational, wouldn't you agree?

Fireplace? Check. Rustic wood floors? Check. Comfortable couch? Check minus. It photographs nicely, but I can't decide if I'd actually want to sit on it. Maybe for a couple of minutes ... long enough to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.

I'd probably reserve my more long-term lounging for the bed. It looks slightly more welcoming.

Country Living, via Apartment Therapy

I see a pattern here

2009-12-18T07:02:00.002-05:00

I really can't stop looking at pictures of rooms with dominant patterns. Like this couch -

and the curtains in this kitchen. Is this kitchen practical at all?

The answer is probably no. One chair, marble counters, no cupboards, etc. etc. etc. At least there's a dishwasher! And a pitcher that holds some very pretty lavender (Is that what it is? My flora-identifying skills are very limited. If it wasn't on my Laura Ashley wallpaper growing up, I probably don't know what it is. So basically, the only flower I can point out with confidence is a rose.).

The next picture is from a house on Nantucket. The patterned wallpaper is so pretty, especially with the thin wood trim accents. It's like giant delicate picture frames around each wall.

(Tom Scheerer)

The Dec. 2009 issue of Country Living magazine featured a house that had the same wallpaper (Waverly's Gramercy) in every room, but in different colors. For a small house, I think that's a great idea. It gives it a sense of continuity, but each room is still different. Here's the family room, which has the wallpaper in brown.

(Country Living, Dec. 2009)

And, on a smaller scale, one chair upholstered in a patterned fabric pops against a white wall.

And finally, here's a photo that I snagged from Katy Elliot (who credits The City Sage).

There's been an awful lot of pattern activity on Filed For Later, lately. Maybe it's time to cleanse the palate with some solids ... or maybe not ;-)

A cottage kitchen before and after

2009-12-17T07:02:00.002-05:00

Nothing is quite as inspiring as a good before and after picture. This one is from Sunset Magazine. It's hard to imagine that the kitchen below

would grow up to become this:

The cottage was built in the 1920's. Its owner, Caroline Willis, made minimal changes, but each one had a huge impact. A fresh coat of paint in soft, neutral tones and baskets on shelves instead of cupboard doors make the biggest difference in the small room.

I couldn't believe it when I read that the new kitchen uses the old countertops. I didn't even recognize them! The tile trim around the island looks 1,000 times more updated in the white kitchen.

The rest of the house is just as cozy. The den is filled with a sea grass rug and the cutest little pair of checkered chairs.

And in the living room, Caroline painted the insides of her bookshelves darker than the walls to help her creamware collection stand out. I'm also admiring the dark wooden fireplace with the tile trim. A very small addition of color, and it's just perfect for the room.

I bought this poster

2009-12-16T08:21:00.003-05:00

I've been looking at it online for two years now, but wasn't about to spend $60 on it. But it still makes me smile! And then the price dropped! And then I found out it was an additional 20 percent off, which makes me smile even more.

Now what?

Hand-blocked fabrics

2009-12-16T07:02:00.005-05:00

Hand-blocked fabrics stop me in my tracks every time. Not the heavy, densely patterned variety. I'm drawn to patterns that are simple on a grand scale, but if you look closely, you notice tiny detail after tiny detail.

Like this bed, for instance:

(TomScheerer.com )

I love the grand scale of the print, and what appears to be a chenille fabric on top of the canopy.

And here's a pattern that's similar in scale, but as a duvet cover. Isn't that headboard beautiful?

(House Beautiful, August 2008)

I'm equally as drawn to this next room, which has a similar style print, but in a smaller scale.

(House Beautiful, March 2009)

And, even though this cover is everywhere these days (mostly because it's one of the only decor magazines left), I feel compelled to include this picture because look at the printed fabric hanging over the railing and on the pillow!

I love the purples, blues and browns, which is evident if you see my living room. Someday soon, when my sewing machine stops humming, I will post pictures.

John Robshaw is behind most, if not all (I don't have sources for all the pictures), of the patterns above. I can't afford J.R.! Enter: Saffron Marigold, where patterns like this

and this

give you the Robshaw feel but at a much lower price. A queen bedspread is under $70! My current favorite print is the first one listed above, called Lavender Dreams. Here are a couple of closer looks:

A duvet cover would be lovely, but I'd also like to see it made into long curtains, layered on top of blackout fabric so the pattern pops even when the sun is streaming through the windows.

If you live near Boston ...

2009-12-15T21:52:00.007-05:00

... here's what's beautiful on Craigslist right now.

Three heavy duty vintage army footlocker trunks:

Only $30 each, or all three for $75. If I were a true potential buyer, I'd ask - What are they made out of? and - Do they smell?

There's also an antique bench with a serious industrial vibe that is just $150.

I think the bench would look great in a room with neutral colors. My sister says it looks like a robot.

More Tom Scheerer

2009-12-15T14:02:00.002-05:00

What can I say, it's hard to choose favorites from Tom Scheerer's portfolio.

This bedroom is my new favorite:

And this just might be the family room of my dreams:

I would like to have Tom looking over my shoulder and whispering "yes" or "no" the next time I'm picking furniture.

Patterned sofa done right

2009-12-15T07:02:00.005-05:00

So many things to like about this room:

(Tom Scheerer)

Let me list them:

1) The printed couch
2) The matching printed chair
3) The matching printed upholstered bench.
* who knew so many pieces covered with the same fabric could look so fresh?
4) The periwinkle throw
5) The subtle texture of the carpet
6) The subtle texture of the walls
7) The fireplace
8) The blue pillows

What I want to know is, which element came first? It all comes together so nicely, it's hard to imagine the room with anything missing.

What's your favorite part of this room? Do you have a new outlook on patterned sofas now? I know I do.

Check the halls

2009-12-14T07:02:00.003-05:00

When the weather is cold, rooms need to be extra cozy. In my opinion, nothing warms a room quite like a good check.

This room is doubling up on the checkered pieces, but something feels slightly off with the scale. Is it the small rug? The size of the chairs compared to the size of the couches? Regardless of the size issues, it's the couches I'm eying for this particular post.

Ahh, here's one that needs no tweaking at all. It's from Ginger Barber's house, and was included in the Cote de Texas check round-up I link to below.

A large-scale check done right can be like a well-worn pair of flannel pajama pants for the living room, don't you agree? Here it is again, this time in curtains in a breakfast nook.

As pleasing as the large patterns are, so too are the smaller scale checks in smaller doses. It might be a bed skirt:

Or a pillow:

Right now, I'm more into the high-contrast checks. Black and white, brown and white, and even navy and white. I don't discriminate, though. To see many more photos of checks of all different colors, check out this post on Cote de Texas. It's a virtual checkered rainbow!

A nice place to lounge on a Sunday morning

2009-12-13T10:07:00.002-05:00

... or any other day of the week.

(Coastal Living)

Crewel intentions

2009-12-11T17:32:00.005-05:00

Look at this pillow. It's vintage crewel on linen, and I think it's beautiful.

Isn't is lovely? I think it would be just right for the reading nook. Maybe it will be mine someday soon ... I just entered my first-ever giveaway, hosted by High-Heeled Foot in the Door. Stop by and check it out. Fabricadabra has lots of eye candy!

Building a reading nook

2009-12-11T11:05:00.005-05:00

As the slipcovers for our two armchairs near completion, I'm starting to think about what items will complete the bay window area I'm affectionately calling the "reading nook." I'm still on vacation, but when I return to Massachusetts, I'll post pictures of the chairs in their habitat.

For now, I'm picturing stacks of books, old:

and new:

I've loved these Penguin Classics from the moment I laid eyes on them. At the time, they were only available in England. Now they're on Amazon, and only $13 each! Next time I'm at a bookstore and about to throw down $15 for an ugly, plain-old paperback, I'm going to close my eyes and think of this:

And no reading nook would be complete without a soft wool blanket:

(Wool Throws, Atlanta Bartlett)

Vacation destination: Paris ... for rent

2009-12-11T07:02:00.000-05:00

Behold the wonders that await when one does a Google image search for "Paris Apartment."

Is this a green table? I think I love it. And look at the couch/daybed combo. I wonder if this is a studio apartment.

If this next picture had a higher resolution, I'd be magnifying like crazy. What's on the wall over the table? And I'd love a closer look at the plush down cushions on the two accent chairs across from the couch. What an airy space.

The next room has a lot of purple, and I mean that in a good way. A perfect complement to the painting and the chandelier.

This next room has many of my favorite elements - mainly that it's light, bright and airy.

Ditto to this one. Look at the balconies and the view!

Again with the lavender. The curtains are so full, and they bring a very elegant feel to a room that might otherwise feel cramped.

Look at this next one. It's in an old, old building. You can just tell.

It looks like there's a table and couch right across from the beds. I honestly believe I could live in this space, just as it is, for a long, long time:

And this one is pretty much the epitome of chic. Not that I know that much about chic, but does this room look like it would be in a city anywhere other than Paris? The bolster at the foot of the bed is the perfect detail, and looks so effortless.

Thus concludes my Google jaunt to Paris. I think the next time I travel, I will look into renting an apartment for a week instead of staying at a hotel. Know of any good ones?

Tasteful decor: Peppermint candy

2009-12-10T07:02:00.000-05:00

A pink bedroom is sweet enough as it is, without anyone pointing out that if it needed a candy comparison,

it would be peppermint ribbon candy. See the red trim on the pillows? It's there on the candy, too. You see where this is going ...

(ribbon candy)

You can practically taste the hand-blocked red and white striped wallpaper in a Cote d'Azur beach house designed by Nicholas Haslam.

It tastes like peppermint sticks, of course.

(peppermint stick)

A sweet settee with pink bolster pillows ...

... is, in candy form, a round peppermint lollipop. If you squint, the ends of the pillows look like the classic peppermint spiral design.

(peppermint lollipop)

And fluffy pink pillows combined with a red blanket

( Decor Pad )

or a crisp wintergreen trim

(Sharyn Blond linens)

couldn't be anything else but pink peppermint marshmallows.

(peppermint marshmallows )

A creamy bed with the vaguest hints of stripes and red (see the tie on the pillow in the back?) and a tufted bench ...

... is a bowl of peppermint ice cream.

And finally, a sparkly white mantel with wintergreen accents and icy, glittery snowflakes

(holiday mantel)

is, in foodie form, an icy, minty drink, appropriately called "Peppermint Cheer."

(Peppermint Cheer)

Lucky for us, Peppermint Cheer has a recipe.

Peppermint Cheer
Ingredients:
1 1/2 parts Vanille Royale
1/2 part peppermint schnapps
1/2 Grey Goose vodka
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass, or serve on the rocks. Garnish with a peppermint stick or sprig of mint.

And lucky for me, Peppermint Cheer sounds like it will be a delicious pairing with potato latkes!

Vacation destination: The Porches Inn

2009-12-09T07:02:00.001-05:00

It's always fun to travel (OK, more so when you're on vacation and not on a work trip) and it's a bonus when your lodging is as inspiring as the destination itself. On Monday, I posted about one of my favorite places to go, and today I'm posting about a place I've never been.

One of my coworkers told me about The Porches Inn in North Adams, Mass. It's in the Berkshires, so is a great destination for any season. Frolic through foliage by day, and relax by the fire at night. This fireplace is in one of the guest suites.

The inn is a revamp of six Victorian row houses, located right across the street from the MASS MoCA art museum. Imagine the surroundings during peak foliage season! And it's not too shabby if it's blanketed by snow, either.

Some of the rooms are two-story, spiral-staircase lofts.

And here's a cute mini kitchen in one of the extended stay suites:

There are no polyester coverlets under these roofs. This bedroom is something I wouldn't mind waking up in everyday:

Oooh, look at the slate floors and wooden chairs in the white bathroom!

In a May 2, 2008, New York Times article, the owners refer to the decor as "retro-industrial-granny-chic." The bathroom is a perfect example of that. If Porches Inn were a store, it would be Anthropologie with a dash of Brimfield.

I think this picture is of one of the communal spaces:

The yellow walls remind me of the Montana real estate listing I blogged about in November. Here's a picture of that house, to refresh your memory:

Here's another communal space - the dining room:

I wish there was a way to get a closer look at the plates on the ledge. I love how it is decorated in a very New England-y style, yet updated.

There's plenty to see on the outside grounds, too. Like this gazebo:

So, what do you think? Are you as inspired as I am by the rooms at Porches Inn?

Architect: Ann McCallum of Burr and McCallum, Williamstown, Massachusetts

Interior Design: Nancy Fitzpatrick and Ann McCallum

All photos from Porches' website

Patterns of blue and white

2009-12-08T07:02:00.004-05:00

I love blue and white patterns in spaces with otherwise neutral colors.

(Coast Magazine)

It's amazing how two vivid patterns together can still look so calm. The wood tones and light filtering through the sheer white curtains probably help.

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures:

The ruffled edges on the pillows combined with the tailored headboards and the white night table is just right. I want to know more about what's on the ceiling. Also, I've searched far and wide for similar pillowcases, but to no avail. Do you know of any?

This rug has a similar blue to white ratio, but in a less traditional pattern:

(Coqo Rug from Anthropologie)

And this wallpaper is equally lovely:

Vacation destination: Devil's Thumb Ranch

2009-12-07T07:02:00.003-05:00

I love Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado.

But then, I'm biased, because that's where my wedding was in October 2008.

(Photo by Paige Elizabeth)

We were lucky that the day we picked was sunny and warm.

(Photo by Paige Elizabeth)

It easily could have looked like this:

But you know, that wouldn't have been the worst thing. There are endless cozy spaces in the lodge, in both the private rooms and public spaces. When you walk into the front door, you're greeted with this:

A roaring fire is just what you want to see when you're returning from a brisk jaunt on the snowshoes or cross country skis.

Here's one of the many public spaces. If there's ever a place where rustic decor is not over the top, this is it. Look at those leather couches! I wish you could see the view out the window. The whole lodge is surrounded by mountains, beautiful in all seasons. You can tell this picture was taken on a cold day ... see the snow piled up on the window ledge?

Here's a glimpse of one of the lodge rooms:

Devil's Thumb Ranch has rooms inside the main lodge, and it also has cabins on the property.

Here's another picture of a shared space in the main lodge:

So many times, "Western" decor is done terribly wrong. Bears on the lamps, cowboy statues, and Navajo-print couches. Devil's Thumb is Western-themed in a good way though. It's not subtle, but it shouldn't be - it's a ranch! But, it is authentic and doesn't feel forced. I think it's perfect. (Did I mention I'm biased?)

Here's one of the guestroom bathrooms. The bathtub is just right for the space. Actually, all of the fixtures are, from the stone floor in the shower stall:

... to the faucet and the sink:

The guestrooms themselves are all a little different. This one happens to have wood-paneled walls, but not all of them do.

For our wedding, we hung a branch wreath on one of the outside doors. I had a lot of black and white accents, and this was one of our ways of tying it in (umm, no pun intended) to the existing decor.

(Photo by Paige Elizabeth)

Oh, look. I just happen to have a photo or two of the aforementioned rustic black and white accents. They were in the table centerpieces, and on the ribbons around the napkins.

(Photo by Paige Elizabeth)

And also on the menus that were placed at each table setting:

(Photo by Paige Elizabeth)

We're in Colorado now, and will be heading to Devil's Thumb Ranch this week. It's snowing as I type this, and I'm already dreaming of hot chocolate by the fire.

December in a Colorado mountain lodge is my idea of the perfect winter retreat. What's yours?