This is the exact style of my love seat - it's from William Sonoma Home and I've wanted it for several years.  I got it for a perfect price (80% off) and I am head over heals except for the fact that the day after I bought it a darling child jumped up on it with muddy feet.  Now since my version of this sofa is off-white I am crossing my fingers the store can get the stains out!  I LOVE the sofa and hope it ends up in my home!!!

photo: traditional home via northern lights 

Perfect New Year's Thought...

Ringing In the New Year

This photograph reminded me of my years living in Mexico.  Not only did small villages string lights for holidays but they would also string papel picado for special events.  So simple but such a festive spirit to it.

photos: department of interior 

Love Seat Part Deux

I purchased the love seat of my dreams at Williams Sonoma Home this week only to receive a call from the store saying it had been damaged by a child with muddy feet.  They're going to try to get it professionally cleaned for me.  Please cross your fingers that its able to come out.  My heart sank when I heard the news.  I had already arranged for the pick up which is now on hold.  I hope children with muddy feet stay away!

photo: greige 

Simplicity Rules

With the New Year quickly approaching, I find that simple interiors are the ones I'm attracted to the most.  I love these images of rooms that only have the basic items yet somehow retain a regal presence.  Hard to accomplish yet so perfect when done right.

photos: linen & lavendar

dress design decor

My thoughts are racing about new projects for 2012 around the house.  I just purchased the love seat I have been eyeing for over a year.  It went on 60% off and that was off of the sale price.  We have a Williams Sonoma Home in town and they're closing for three months to remodel.  As a result, everything is at amazing sales prices.  I'm over the moon with excitement to change my kitchen nook.

But I want to mention that over the last year, much of my inspiration has come from dress design decor . Daniella has an incredible eye and finds images that always make my heart skip a beat.  It's so encouraging to have blogs like hers and so many others to get my daily inspiration from.  Thank you Daniella for your beautiful blog.

photos: dress design decor 

Let it Snow

I'm smitten at the thought of snow.  This was supposed to be a year we would get quite a lot of snow but it's ended up that snow has hit in just about everywhere BUT here.  I'm still waiting for the quiet that envelopes the city when it's blanketed by snow.  I'm patiently waiting...
photo: style-files 

Old World Beauty

I saw these images on greige today.  Does anyone know where the images are from?  I especially love the study off of the kitchen and the plates hung above the desk with hats.  All of these images look so old world to me.

Someone let me know who these images are from - here's the link. http://www.romanandwilliams.com/

Boxing Day

For those of you in Great Britain - HAPPY BOXING DAY!!!  I hope my daughter's best friend makes it home.  She's been stuck in London since her flight was cancelled before Christmas.  We miss you Amy!!

photos: delight by design & dept of interiors 

Lovely London

Could you please let me have an office like this?  I love everything about it - the black & white photographs, the space, and the large door to the outdoors.  A little piece of heaven.

photo: here 

Unexpected Decor

There is something so wonderful about decor that is unexpected.  I LOVE these steps overflowing with ornaments.  My luck I'd probably wake up in the middle of the night and forget they're there!  However, they are stunning.  I hope your holidays are filled with family and friends.

photo: automatism 

Table Decor for the Holidays

My daughter Caitlin at Sacramento Street , did a lovely shoot for a San Francisco magazine 7x7 .  As I'm getting the house ready for all of the festivities, I think I'll steal an idea or two from what she put together.  The black and white photo is actually of me when I was four years old.  I love how Caitlin used items from nature on the table along with heirlooms.  I hope mine can look half this nice!

Good Tidings...

I have most of my shopping done except for a last minute trip I'll probably make with my daughter.  Today I have to do the food shopping - hopefully it will all fit into my Mini Cooper.  I hope all of you are having a lovely time preparing for your holiday!

photo: here 

Serenity for the Home

I saw these images on delight by design a nd went crazy for them.  I love the modern simplicity of each room and yet there is something about each room that is rooted in tradition as well.  This is my kind of decorating!

The Heart of a Home

This time of year its especially nice to spend a bit more time in the kitchen.  Holiday and family recipes are pulled out of the cupboards and familiar smells fill the air.  I'm already beginning to think about the things I'd like to bake!  I am making my grocery lists tonight - I can hardly wait!

photo - here 

Simple Sunday

I've been feeling a bit under the weather so I haven't been posting - today I lived on tea and toast.  It's so dark outside that it was the perfect day to stay nestled inside taking it easy.  One more week of work and I have a two week holiday.  I am so ready to switch gears for a while and especially spend more time with my family.

photos: french by design 

Deck the Halls

This week is it - time to decorate the house from top to bottom.  I bought a boxwood wreath, cedar boughs are hung, and even a small Christmas tree awaits its lights.  It's definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!

photo: apartment 34 

Anglophile Tendencies - I gigi

I keep finding more and more places I'd like to visit on my next voyage to Great Britain.  Yesterday I found this phenomenal store when I was visiting Pia Jane's blog  from Amsterdam.  I would love to have my furniture recovered using old French Sheets like the ones in these photos.  The bangles are to die for and everything else including the chalk board wall have my head spinning.

 photos: I gigi 

Embrace the Season

photos: here 

A Natural Christmas

Lately, I have been more and more attracted to the handmade version of Christmas.  I'm determined to learn how to knit this next year and in turn, begin to enjoy the beauty of simplicity.  These items really caught my eye!

photo: style files 

Shopping Bliss

The thing I love about spending time with my daughter is that I know we'll always have a great time.  We only shopped at a few chosen local stores - like Summer House in Mill Valley and the new Erica Tanov store in Larkspur.  We found beautiful treasures for the holidays and many of them were one of a kind. These photos evoke the beauty of our found objects.

photos: here 

Time to Deck the Halls!

I'm back from a wonderful weekend with my dear family in San Francisco.  I spent Thanksgiving at my daughter and her husband's home where they prepared their first Thanksgiving meal.  It was spectacular - every detail was perfect.  The best part was being able to spend time with people I love.  Now that I'm back, I am so ready to get my house prepared for the holiday season.  I am putting a few things out each evening - and this makes me look forward to getting home each evening.  There are a few new goodies I've bought over the last year but most of what I put out, I've had for many years and as I unwrap them from their boxes they are like dear friends greeting me hello.  It's crisp and cool here and just the perfect setting for the holidays.

photos here 

Get Out the Sparkle

I've begun figuring out where all of my Christmas ornaments and decorations will go this year.  Last weekend I bought a 1950s aluminum tree.  This will be the first year I don't have a real tree.  I will more than make up for it with loads of greenery everywhere to transform the house into a pine filled abode.  I am so excited.  As soon as Thanksgiving is over, I will put out all of the goodies.

photos: white flower farmhouse 

Office Dreams

I have to admit, my townhouse has an office but I rarely use it. I tend to wander from one room to the other with my laptop in tow.  Lately I've been thinking about what the ideal office would look like. I tend to be a bit neat and tidy but there is something about these offices that are overflowing with books that attracts me so much.  I would love nothing more than to be able to pull a treasured book from its place on the shelf and know it will be there the next time I need it.

photo:automatism