More Beautiful Cranes

I'm expecting good things to happen but I may head to Japantown tomorrow to get paper for a thousand cranes.  It couldn't hurt!

photo: julia 

White Washed Beauty

I recently came across Me and Alice by way of Sacramento Street.  I am absolutely smitten with the simplicity of the rooms and the individual pieces photographed.  Gives me so many new ideas to think about.  I have similar chandeliers and the design is right up my alley.  Hope you like these as much as I do.

http://meandalice.blogspot.com/ 

One Thousand Cranes

I wonder if I make a thousand cranes, my wish will come true.  I think I might start making them right now!

I found this lovely photograph at Julia .  A new treasure of a site for me.

On the Road Again

I've been traveling and visiting family this past week and while I had good intentions of posting, it never seemed to happen.  I have been so busy I had no creative energy left.  But I'm back and my mind is racing with ideas.  I found some wonderful spaces on !maisonetdemeure.com.

 I really like the gray walls in this dining room.  It feels so warm and inviting.  I also am a sucker for a round dining room table.

I have been searching for a sofa forever and can't find the one that is just right.  I probably like the walls on this photograph better than the sofa but I thought I would post it to get "sofa energy" back!!!

If I had a beach house it would be all white, linen, and accents of blue.  So serene.

Is this bedroom taupe or gray?  I honestly can't tell.  Maybe a bit dull but pretty at the same time.

Summer Simplicity - Oh the Joy

I have finally finished the summer clean out (like none other!) and now I am feeling so ready for a retreat in a room like the these.  I adore their simplicity - so inviting.  All three of these rooms look like summer to me.  Light filled rooms, clean lines, and beautiful bones.  That is what makes a classic home to me.

{photos: 1 &3: haute design , 2: coco & kelley }

Rue Magazine

I can hardly wait for the September issue of Rue .  In my mind, September just can't get here soon enough!!! With the talents of these four ladies, I'm sure it will be a big hit.  Eye candy for all of us.

Small Spaces...Creating Your Nest

I was smitten with the latest House Beautiful.  It was nice to see a magazine focus on small space living.  Small spaces can be elegant and a very carefree way to live.  Lately I've been wondering if I should move out of my three story townhouse.  Maybe a smaller place would be an adventure I would enjoy.  Here is the place I fell in love with in House Beautiful and gave me the visual idea of a smaller space.

{photos: House Beautiful }

Changes in the Air

I have been working so hard on my house - cleaning out every closet, drawer, and even the garage.  I will be finishing today.  I felt that before I made any major changes, I needed to start with a completely clean palate.  It feels so great to finally get there.  I have now taken six car trips to a local Goodwill, one car filled with books, and even a load to the local dump (very small!).  Now that everything is done, I'm very excited for the changes I can create in my life.

I have always loved white linens and will continue to have them in my home.  Lately I have been very drawn to blues mixed with neutrals as well.  I think there will be a future touch of blue in my decor - which is quite astonishing since I am pretty much the queen of neutrals!

I really wish I could find a sofa similar to this one.  Right now I have a French daybed as my sofa and while I adore it, it would be more at home in my study.  I will continue my search for the perfect sofa.

And finally, I need to really focus on my wall of photographs,  I have several places where I think they would really pop!

{photos: style files }

The Big Summer Clean Up

This week I've been working like mad to organize and clean out my house.  Today I brought six bags of books to the local bookstore and got $190.  I also took three car loads of items to Goodwill.  It feels good to clear it out and organize things.  I can't believe how much I had collected that I really never use.

{photos: australian vogue dress, design, decor vogue }

Come Sail Away - Part Deux

I seem to have an obsession with boats lately.  The warmth of summer seems to call me to the water.  I also feel ready for a change and what would be a better way to get somewhere than by boat.  These amazing photos are from little brown pen - one of my favorite blogs.  Enjoy!

I especially like the last two photographs.  The boats name is Julia!!! Dreams of foreign seas and salty air are calling to me.  

{photos: little brown pen} 

Come Sail Away

Last night I went on a cruise on the Willamette River.  We could hear the Blues Festival going strong on the banks of the river and watched the sun set.  I have to say that I had forgotten how nice it is to be in a boat and watch the world go by.  I need to do that more often!  It's a great feeling to watch the world go by. Like a ship launching off from the shore, I feel changes in the air.

{photo: automatism }

Thinking Large

I love the large Buddha head on the mantel.  I also think the large metal clock on the wall provides texture to this blank slate.  I would love to stumble on an elephant toy - such beauty in a tattered toy!

{photos: stills location }

Happy Fourth of July!!!

I have a special place in my heart for two holidays in particular - the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving.  I think one of the reasons I treasure these two days in particular, is the fact that I have lived out of the country and had to celebrate the holidays with fellow patriots in less than traditional ways.  Days I remember most are the ones that were out of the box.  My Thanksgiving in Germany was interesting.  My brother was also living there at the time and was able to buy us a much coveted Turkey.  We were so excited.  The one problem - it didn't fit into the petite oven we had.  One of my favorite Thanksgivings in Mexico was spent at another ex patriots home.  It was a grand party with many Americans and others from around the world (I especially recall a British chap who had fought in World War I!!).  Anyway, when I got home I called my parents to wish them a happy Thanksgiving.  My mother was perplexed.  "Thanks" she said and proceeded to tell me that it was the follow Thursday.  We had celebrated a week early and no one even realized the error.  Fourth of July was usually a big fair but never on the Fourth - always in June! So to all Americans celebrating the holiday outside the country - a big Happy Holiday to all of you.

{photos: katy elliott , living. loving. small. , automatism }

Oh Happy Day...Rue Magazine

I'm so thrilled to hear that the fabulous four will be launching their online magazine this Fall.  I know that all of us will benefit from the inspiration they provide us with.  I can hardly wait!

Farmer's Market Day

I am tickled pink that a farmer's market has opened walking distance from my home.  I always think of my daughter when I stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables.  There have been times when we stop at a fruit stand on the way home from Napa and can barely shut the doors there is so much produce in our car.  This photograph is for you Mrs. C!

{photo: automatism }

Outdoor Living - Oh the Joy!

One of the things I love about summer is that the outdoors becomes another room of the house.  In my townhouse I only have a porch off of the kitchen and a front porch but I enjoy every minute I can out in the fresh air.  Today is cloudy but I still managed to sit out there for breakfast (yummy granola from San Francisco).

{photos: automatism }