Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Ribbons, Roses, Ruffles and Lace

There are some amazing cakes today, but I chose these ones because they all have dressmaker details......ribbons, roses, ruffles, draping, lace and a bit of toile.

































Martha Stewart







And finally, a real wedding cake that is a dress!



All images from Pinterest













Tuesday, June 04, 2013

A Betsy Schmidt Kitchen

Hi Everyone!

Here is a kitchen I saw in a magazine a few years ago and it is one of those unforgettable images........it's a very striking design and when you see the pictures, you will see what I mean.

The designer, Betsy Schmidt, of Cincinnati, is a designer after my own heart.........she loves color!!!  Pinks, greens, blues, yellows, red......whatever!  And she has a fabulous eye for working them all together!
  This is her own remodelled, 80-year old kitchen in which she has blended raspberry toile, periwinkle chintz on the bar stools, blue and white delft backsplash tiles, lime green floor tiles as well as blue and white gingham with roses decoupaged onto the buffet drawers.

She is able to accommodate all that color beautifully by adding large doses of white in the cabinetry, ceiling and woodwork.  She has also mixed the metals beautifully with brass cabinetry hardware, brushed nickel faucets and stainless steel appliances.

Two sinks, two refrigerator drawers, two dishwashers and a wet bar make an irresistible kitchen for entertaining and for guests who can't seem to pull themselves away from it all!

Enjoy!!





I was hoping to offer you more photos of this kitchen, but I'm unable to at this time........to see more of her work, check out elizabethschmidtinteriordesign.com............her colors are wonderful!


BHG Remodel Magazine
Elizabeth Schmidt Interior Design





















Monday, June 03, 2013

Michigan Summer Home

Good morning, Everyone!

Hope you all had a great weekend.

I still have summer living on my mind (of course!) and thought I would share another shingled cottage. 

I saw this Michigan home with interiors by Tom Stringer in Traditional Home last year and thought it was a wonderful family getaway - with lots of room for everyone and guests.  It's pleasingly colorful and relaxed!

Hope you enjoy it, too!


















Tom Stringer Designs


Thursday, May 30, 2013

Colette van den Thillart's Barbados Getaway

Wow!  The more I see of Colette's designs, the more I love them.

After seeing her family's Barbados getaway, I feel a real 'kindred spirit' in her work........especially in this house where she has used shades of pink throughout and uses her beachcombing finds to accessorize her island home.

Colette mentions in this Canadian House and Home article that she has always been inspired by the great English designer, Oliver Messel, who famously designed and decorated many Caribbean homes with several of them in Barbados.  While using a couple of his ideas, Colette used shades of coral pink and brown to give her getaway her own special touch.

The Messel green wrought iron railings and gingerbread trim.  A very inviting entrance.

The coral pink in the living room, wicker and seashell accented hutch produce a calming, tropical touch.  The pink slipper chairs add to the softness, as well as the two blush pink chairs on each side of the hutch.

Love this desk area where Colette can work and/or craft with her beach finds.

Love the seashell lamp and that she color co-ordinated the books in shades of pink.....if they weren't already pink, she covered them so they would be!

The Chinese pagoda chandelier is an Oliver Messel reminder.......

Now, look at this pink striped ceiling in the kitchen and the co-ordinating pillows in the living room.
Thoughtful details give it a unique look!

A welcoming bath with an outdoor screen for privacy.

This is the outdoor family room!

The coral lamps on the night table are distinct and it's nice to see the foot stools/seats at the foot of the bed match the two in the living room and could be moved out there when extra seating is required.  

All in all, an absolutely wonderful family getaway - colorful, casual and personalized to suit the family!

To see more of this home and other work by Colette, check out houseandhome.com

Also, be sure and visit nh-design.co.uk to see more of Colette's collaborations with Nicky Haslam.

Enjoy!