Guest Cottage of Richard Keith Langham

Hi there,

We're in the middle of a nor'easter here today - a springtime storm after enjoying a relatively mild winter.......go figure!

Despite the weather, I'm in the mood for small and quaint cottage ideas this week, so I'll start with this small guest cottage by interior designer Richard Keith Langham.

Formerly a garage, Langham has made it feel spacious by completely utilizing the main home's outdoor space.  

Delightful!

Isn't this cozy?

 This covered pool pagoda is a great conversation area.

Langham painted this concrete patio in a checkerboard design for the pool pagoda.

Table from Pier 1.

A bright splash of color in the bar cart.

This simple but inviting al fresco dining area is on a simple wooden platform.

Combining all the outdoor conversation, swimming and dining areas makes for a small guest cottage with very big style.

Don't you think?

Hamptons Cottages & Gardens

A Room of Her Own - Sandra Morgan Interiors

A small room with all the elements of a cosy, relaxing and productive space.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Sandra Morgan Interiors

Annie Selke's Homes - Part 2

Hi again!

So, here we are with the rest of Annie Selke's story.

After her divorce and sale of her large Victorian home that we saw last week, Annie decided to move to Lenox, Massachusetts, so she could be closer to her aging mother.  With a small, mid-century ranch style house for sale just down the street from her mother, she decided to buy it, and along with the help of an architect, completely renovated the home inside and out.

I am just posting a few photos of this house, but you can see more by clicking below the pictures.  And, if you would like to see other rooms in the house, just google Annie Selke House Beautiful, as the renovation was documented over several issues in 2010.

To see more of the exterior makeover, click Ranch exterior makeover here

  

To see more of the kitchen makeover, click Kitchen makeover here

Living room makeover here

To see more of the bedroom, click Bedroom makeover here

Basement before

To see more of the basement makeover, click Basement makeover here

Finally, the reno was completed and Annie was settling in nicely with her beloved dogs, when her mother suddenly passed away unexpectedly.

Annie with Googie, Impy and Emmett

It was then that Annie decided to sell her small ranch style home and takeover where her mother left off.  So, she moved up the street and into her mother's home........more to protect all the work her mother had put into her gardens than for any other reason.  She couldn't bear the thought of the gardens possibly being lost.

And another makeover began, which you will see below.

Perhaps this is where Annie finally belongs.......back in the home of her mother....full circle.

Enjoy and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Master bedroom

Guest room

Other end of guest room

Second guest room

Second guest room

Overlooking beautiful gardens

Lonny and Berkshire Magazine

The Easter Bunny is on his Way..........

I can hardly believe Easter is next week!

I guess it's time to check out the latest Easter decorating tips.  

These ideas below by Dylan Lauren (Ralph's daughter) and owner of Dylan's Candy stores across the United States are simple and colorful and look like they would be easy to replicate.  And with twin babies now, I'm sure Dylan had them in mind when co-ordinating her ideas.

Nevertheless, these are ideas anyone could incorporate........lots of tulips, daffodils, chocolate bunnies and foil covered easter eggs.  A few spring branches off of one of our trees would look nice in a vase, as she has done behind her.

Also, the royal icing cookies that are shown throughout below look simple to make and I've included a link to a 'royal icing cookie' video below.  The royal icing cookies caught my eye at Christmas when they began appearing everywhere.  I had to find out how to make them and they appear to be very simple.  Enjoy the video.

And I hope you try the dessert recipe too.......it looks delicious.

Have fun!

All of the above One Kings Lane

Desdemvanata Blog

Flickr

Sweetsugarbelle

Recipe here

Whipperberry.com

Recipe here

Go here to watch a quick tutorial on how to decorate cookies with royal icing.  Once you see it, you might want to try it yourself - if you haven't already, that is.

Moody Blue

What was once known as 'navy blue' is now sometimes referred to as 'indigo blue' and the newest neutral.......

I seem to be seeing it everywhere and I must say, it makes quite a statement.

Whether you use a lot of it or just a touch here and there - in your home, fashion, food or accessories, it's an attention getter.

 Enjoy!

Ralph Lauren

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Veranda

What a stunning kitchen!

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Ralph Lauren

Loving this blue and gold!

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West Elm

Lonny

One Kings Lane

Florence Broadhurst

New England Home

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Pinterest

Indigo Quilt

Vintage Blessings

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Pinterest