Friday, December 02, 2011

There's No Place Like Home......

As mentioned in my previous post, we were off on a little break to Harbour Island in the Bahamas.  I was hoping to see 'The Lone Tree' which had washed ashore years ago during a hurricane, but alas, Hurricane Irene had blown through in August and taken it back!!  So much for a picture under that tree!

It's like the time I went to London and eagerly anticipated visiting the bookstore on Charing Cross Road that was written about in 84 Charing Cross Road........loved that story and movie!!  However, by the time I got there, all I found was a plaque on the side of a pizza restaurant commemorating the well-known shop which had closed years before.

I must say, though, that this visit to Harbour Island was lovely by any standard.  Warm, balmy, picturesque and slow paced......it was a perfect place to relax and enjoy two weeks of sun, sightseeing and great food.  And three miles of pink sand beach was pretty spectacular!

The fact that there were virtually no vehicles on the island appealed to us as well......getting around by golf cart, or by foot, was just what we needed......for the first week, we walked and then we rented a golf cart for the second week. 

Trying out the various inns at lunch and dinner was a real treat, as they all have executive chefs, so the food was outstanding.

But, all in all, I was quite happy just wandering around taking pictures of some of the delightful little shops and the array of pastel colored cottages surrounded by white picket fences.  The town of Dunmore is an artist's dream!

But, at the end of the day......there really is 'no place like home'!



Beautiful beach!





Fascinating trees and inviting paths



Ruby - a children's shop

Shine - jewelry and gift shop







Runaway Hill Inn - beautifully located on ocean bluff.
Loved this mosaic mural in the library!
It was a pleasure to meet Jennifer Messier, Ryan and Luc
This inn is owned by former NHLer, Mark Messier
Best meal!

Incredible dining experience in the night garden!













Charming homes and cottages everywhere I looked!

All photos by Kay Furlong


Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Time for a little break........

Where in the world is this?

It's where I am going on vacation!  Be back soon and I'll have lots of photos and info to share with you!

(Clue:  it blew onto this beach during a hurricane several years ago and now moves around with the waves!)




Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Monday, November 07, 2011

Anthropomorphic Art Trays

I happened upon these trays in a magazine over the weekend, and fell in love with them.  They were used as wall art in the images I saw, but could be used for serving, as well.

They are manufactured in the south of France by a family-owned company called ibride, meaning hybrid.  The trays are moulded wood with vintage, Victorian era images applied.

They can be found at http://www.madebydesign.co.uk/ and http://www.switchmodern.com/.


Rosita
Ambroise

Berenice

Bernardo
  
Honore

Islid
  
Octavie

Martial and Marius

All images ibride




Wednesday, October 26, 2011

French Country Cottage in Reds and Yellows

As a followup to yesterday's post, I would like to share this charming cottage with you.  The homeowner is an antique shop owner who surrounds herself only with items she really loves and  has done it beautifully.












All images via Decorating


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

French Country Cottage Charm in California

I've loved this 1930s, 1600 sq. ft. Montecito cottage ever since I first laid eyes on it.

Homeowner, Lee Kirch, a Colorado resident, uses this cottage as her second home.

Lee has been an avid antique collector and French country enthusiast for many years.  It's clear she has given a lot of thought to her interior designs and picks up most of her antiques locally at Rue de Lillie in Summerland, which is owned by her good friend, Ruth Ann Risvold.  (Tomorrow, I will show you Ruth Ann's cottage).

This cottage may be small by some standards, but it packs a real whollop in the style department.

For instance, in the living room the walls, sofa and artwork are quite neutral, but Lee has personalized and added warmth with her mix of fabrics.....mostly reds....with a dash of yellow in one of the living room windows.  As Lee says, "Every room needs a touch of yellow" and I agree.  The chairs with the turquoise legs were found at Indigo Seas, Lynn von Kersting's shop.

The dining room has an eclectic choice of fabrics as well......with mix and match fabrics at the windows and on each of the chairs.....another way to keep the eye moving around the room and add interest.

And how can one go wrong with the toiles and quilts in the bedroom and seashells in the bath?  You can't!

Hope you enjoy this home as much as I do!
























All images via Country Living