Southern Charm

Hi there!

Another beautiful sunny day here in Charlottetown.........maybe I'll get three walks in today with our little dog, Ruby.......she's always ready for another adventure around town.

But first, I must share this southern mansion with you.  It was featured on the decorating show "Southern Charm" last year in the U.S., but unfortunately we don't get that show.  I have only heard about it.  Thank heavens Architectural Digest had the good sense to publish the article - how else would we get to see such spectacular homes if not for the plethora of design magazines out there?

You know there are some interior designers whose work is so spectacular it actually makes my heart palpitate.  Mario Buatta does it to me every time.  His designs never fail to get my heart pounding. While I love everything he does, it seems to me it's his bedrooms that are so outstanding.

This Charleston home he designed for Patricia Altschul is perfection throughout.......from the entrance hall to the kitchen.  Not a thing I would change if I were to move in there tomorrow!

However, my personal favorite rooms in this house are the two bedrooms and the master bathroom with the toilet in the chinoiserie cabinet......leave it to Mario to come up with that detail!

Absolute perfection, as always!

Enjoy!

To start with, the exterior of this house is soft pink with green shutters.  My favorite color combination!

Patricia Altschul

Mario had this floor hand painted over the original wood floor.  Notice the silhouettes up the stairwell.

Entrance hall with another hand painted floor.

Double living room with Mario's signature chintz fabrics, beautiful colors and English country coziness.

Wall murals and round table - the best.

I even love that the kitchen floor was left in a rustic state.....

Smoochie and Monty oversee the work in the kitchen.

Sitting/morning room with dog art.

How inviting is this cherry red library?

Masterpiece - what more can I say?

And another masterpiece - Patricia's master bedroom.

And finally, the piece de resistance - the master bathroom complete with large screen tv, soaking tub, easy chairs, painted floor and dressing table - with the toilet concealed in the chinoiserie cabinet.

Architectural Digest

At Home with Michelle Nussbaumer in Switzerland

Hi Everyone!

As you know, I've been on a little hiatus.  Now that I'm back, there are some homes that I came across during the past months that have stuck in my mind - in other words, unforgettable. And this is one of them!  I would be remiss if I didn't share it with you!

Perhaps some of you have seen this house already, and if so, enjoy again.  For those of you who haven't seen it, you are in for a special treat.

It happens to be the Swiss chalet home of Dallas designer, Michelle Nussbaumer.  The proprietress of design shop, Ceylon et Cie, in Dallas, Michelle is a world traveller and shopper.  And this home not only showcases her design sensibilities but her shopping credentials, as well.  

What a wonderful lifestyle she has.  

And having a neighbor who arrives regularly in a 'velvety fur coat' to visit her has to be the icing on the cake!  That neighbor, being none other than Cindy, the Swiss cow..........if that wouldn't bring a smile to one's day, I don't know what would.

Enjoy this visual delight!

         

Veranda

Cabin Fever

This rustic and refined, 5,200 sq. foot cabin in Cashiers, North Carolina, was the last project the wonderfully talented, late interior designer, Charles Faudree, completed before he passed away in 2013.

The cosy, inviting and unique interiors are a perfect example of Faudree's ability to refine any interior and personalize it for the homeowners, who own an antique shop and travelled to the Paris flea markets a couple of times with Faudree to acquire the appropriate pieces for their home.

Just love the warmth of this home.

Enjoy!

Fall Al Fresco Dining

Hi again everyone,

We are having a spectacular fall here in Charlottetown with summer like temperatures.  Our leaves have not begun to turn color yet, which usually doesn't take place until October, around our Thanksgiving.   

While walking our dog today, I met two people on our street who were visiting from a cruise ship and travelling to our east coast for the first time from Brisbane, Australia.  They were hoping to see 'more color' in the trees, but I'm afraid they were just a tad bit early for that.  They did, however, love what they were seeing here in Old Charlottetown and the east coast in general as they cruised from Montreal to Boston.

With such amazing fall weather, I couldn't help but think what a perfect opportunity it is to enjoy some al fresco dining.........     
  

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These ideas have certainly inspired me and I hope they will do the same for you.......even without the colorful leaves, we have a bounty of beautiful fruit, gourds, pumpkins, flowers, tartans and dishes to produce some delightful table settings.

Enjoy!

Kay

The Last Honest Man in Havana

Hello Everyone!

Wow!  It feels good (and so natural) to be sitting here writing on my blog.  So good, in fact, I have to wonder why I ever stopped in the first place.   

Who knows?  Sometimes, life happens so fast, it's hard to keep up with everything.  

Recently, however, there's been an exciting new development in our family and I wanted to share it with my readers (those of you who still check in now and then, anyway!)  According to my stats, I am getting more visitors now per day, than ever!  Who knew???

Here's the latest!  After working on her novel part-time for the past seven years, our daughter, Melanie, has finally published her book, The Last Honest Man in Havana, which takes place in Cuba during the 1980s and 90s.

For those of us who weren't familiar with what was really happening in Cuba at that time, here is an opportunity to find out.  I think you'll like the main characters, Rafael and Elena, and will learn to love them as you discover what they endured to survive the times.  It was very enlightening to me and I enjoyed it immensely and I highly recommend it! And not just because it was written by our daughter, but because it showed me how resilient, determined, creative and loving the people of Cuba are despite the obstacles they endured.  I know that personally, as well, because our son-in-law, Roberto, grew up in Cuba at that time and he managed to not only survive the hunger and deprivation, but has retained his wonderful sense of humor and has blossomed in his new life in Canada.  He, as you can imagine, has a deep seated appreciation for all that we sometimes take for granted, such as the mere ability to go to a grocery store and buy whatever you want, or to work hard and make a decent living, to be able to do what you want with your own hard earned money, or simply to hop in your own car and go to the beach for the day - you get the picture.  In other words, simple everyday pleasures.

You'll see what I mean when you read the book!

The book is available at www.amazon.com, click here.

Also, at www.amazon.ca, click here.

And at www.CreateSpace.com here.

I'm certain you will enjoy this story and we would love to hear from you!

Thank you for stopping by today and I will be back soon with more interiors posts.

Have a great day!

Kay