Hydrangea Hill Cottage

Friday, May 27, 2016

A Room of Her Own - Charlotte Moss

Sometimes all a woman needs is a reading corner where she can enjoy a little solitude and spend some time catching up with her reading!

Charlotte Moss

Thursday, May 26, 2016

A Colorful Summer Home

This spectacular summer home on a Michigan lake was built to accommodate the homeowner's complete family - three grown married children and ten grandchildren.

The interiors were designed by one of my favorite designers, Elizabeth Schmidt. Elizabeth was a friend of the homeowners and had worked with them on their other residence and knew that the homeowner loved these bright Lilly Pulitzer-like colors.

As you will see below, the outcome is a perfect blend of bright, cheerful and sunny colors and details resulting in a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere for young and old.

Aren't these scrumptious colors?

Perfection!

Notice the whitewashed hardwood floors throughout.

The pantry is painted in Benjamin Moore's 'Swiss Blue'.

A farmhouse table is perfect for this space.

This porch with a built in barbecue is nice to have!

Master Bedroom with Benjamin Moore's 'Pleasing Pink' on the walls.

Master bathroom painted in Benjamin Moore 'Pink Carnation'

Mudroom with baskets for the grandchildren's supplies.

The six granddaughters share a room with 3 four-poster beds with trundles. Love it!

The four grandsons also share a bedroom with two bright red trundle beds which wasn't shown.

One of the three guest suites with balconies for the homeowner's three married children.

Guest bathroom

The grandchildren's playroom.

Elizabeth Schmidt Designs

To see another of Elizabeth Schmidt's designs, click here.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Loving these Farmhouse Tables

Loving these farmhouse tables - they seat a nice large group of guests and depending on how you accessorize them with chairs and surrounding decor, fit nicely into a contemporary, classic, country or cottage look.

Melissa Wyndham

Pottery Barn

South Shore Decorating Blog

Muskoka Living

House of Turquoise

Elizabeth Schmidt Design

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Rosecliff Cottage

Rosecliff Cottage in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, is a cottage I have long admired.

A 1920's Gothic Revival cottage, it was owned by interior designer Cornelia Smithwick when I first came upon it a few years ago. I believe it has since been sold.

The cottage began as a fisherman's shack and was added onto over the years. However, once the Smithwick's took over the cottage (around 2000) they added the front veranda and surrounded the property with rugosa roses, lilacs, peonies and other cottage garden flowers. The front of the house faces the Atlantic ocean and the back yard was developed into a beautiful meandering path.

As their retirement home, Cornelia put her 30 years of design experience to work and filled the cottage with floral fabrics, lightening and brightening each room. Surrounded by her favorite comforts and collections, it became their little haven by the sea.

Just love its charm!

This was the room that I fell in love with in a magazine

(which I had to scan - hence, the faded look -

it's really bright and cheerful in the magazine!)

Monday, May 23, 2016

Moodboard Monday - Lilac Lovelies

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between lilac and lavender? Lilac is a pale purple with a pinkish tinge, while lavender is a pale purple with a bluish tinge.

Although they are often interchanged, I'm concentrating on lilac today - the perfect time of year, too, as the lilacs should be blooming soon! Perhaps they already are in some areas - such a beautiful and fragrant flower!

Hope you enjoy these images and ideas!

Have a wonderful day!