Things are a little foggy................

I love fog.  Perhaps it's because I have fond memories of growing up in Southern California where most mornings were foggy and on some days it would burn off and on other days it wouldn't. I love the way that fog draws your eyes to the silhouettes of shapes allowing you to focus on the simple beauty of something.  There's a mystery with fog that makes you feel like even if you are in a familiar place, there are things that have always been there that you've never seen. Energizing and Inspirational to me, here are some snapshots of my morning.  Have a beautiful day.

 

Alfresco Dining Anyone?

 

 

My Backyard past the Garden



 

Entrance to the Garden



 

Back in Black.........

 Although it is slow, I am happy to report that progress is being made with my closet.  The sheetrock is finished, the walls and ceiling have been painted and the closet itself is up.  What a difference.  Everything looks so much nicer and it' so nice that everything has it's place.  Another benefit to this has been to go through and purge all of the stuff that doesn't fit I don't wear anymore and really focus on keeping the stuff I love and donate the rest.  A few things are left to do to complete this project.  The closet doors need to be painted and moldings need to be installed and painted.  We have decided to bring the modling up to the ceiling on this closet and paint the entire thing black. That means picking out the right color black and the correct finish.  I love the contrast of black with anything and I really feel that black is neutral.  I love how it makes a space feel both masculine and feminine.  Here are some shots of inspiration for creating chic spaces using black paint.  I'd love to see what you've done with black paint in your space.  I'll let you know what I decide and show you the finished room when it's completed.   Meanwhile, here are some pictures that I gathered inspiration from.  What do you think about balck walls?



 

James Merrell Photography

 

Elle Decor



 

Hotel Blakes Amsterdam Photo: Architectural Digest



 

James Merrell Photography



 

Elle Decor



 

J.K. Place Florence

 

Elle Decor



 

James Merrell Photography



 

James Merrell Photography



Party Time......

For me, February is a busy month for birthdays.  My daughters birthday is on the 26th and this year they decided not to have a birthday party.  Instead, they would rather invite one friend over to spend the night, get their nails done and go to dinner. Sounds good to me.  Even though this is a low key birthday I still wanted to send out an inviation to the lucky friend to invite them to spend the day (and night) with us.  I found a beautiful template on Download and Print  and it's perfect. The colors and graphics are great and best of all, free. Thank you Anna Skye!  Don't these invitations make you want to host a party?



 

This is the template I chose.  I changed the fonts so my end result is less formal.





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Anna also has free envelope templates, address labels and recipe cards too.  

I'll take it...... I know I can use it someday........

For those of you who are like me and come across certain things and say to yourself "I know I can find a place for it someday", this post is for you.  Last year we were visiting family at their house on the lake and I saw this piece of wood drifting in the water.  You could tell it had been in there a while and  I loved the shape and texture of it so I pulled it out of the water and took it home.  I thought about making a lamp out of it but hated the thought of cutting this piece of wood.  It has been beautifully crafted by nature and I wanted to appreciate it as I found it.  After 8 months of thinking, I finally found a place for it.  It is now proudly displayed on the front of house with our house numbers on it.  I couldn't think of a better place for it (although it has been made to bring inside if I choose to do so at a later date).  My husband made a bracket for it so it can be mounted to the brick and the numbers are drilled in with the smallest and longest screws possible. The numbers are a brushed nickel and although I like them, I'm keeping my eyes out for something maybe a little more contemporary.  What do you think? 

 

 

Decorating Virgo Style



I am one of those people that get cranky if things are disorganized.  I definitely think that as a Virgo, organization is a way to stay in control of my surroundings but being organized also helps me to appreciate the things that I have. I can handle a junk drawer here and there but when spaces look messy even though you've straightened up, that's a problem.  Case in point, my closet. My Master Bathroom/Closet is an addition by the preious owners and consists of a ridiculous skinny cabinet and several hanging bars.  That's it. The Master Bedroom is quite large and my HH (Handy Husband) and I decided to take the closet out of the bathroom and build a closet in the bedroom.  Another perk to this scenario is that the antique pedestal tub that has been in my backyard holding basketballs and jump ropes will now have the home it deserves in the Master Bathroom.  The shell has been built and the recessed lights have been put in (Thank You HH)! Sheetrock work will commence this weekend and when that's all done it's time for the fun part.....    A few months ago I went into the Container Store to do some Christmas shopping and went over to the Elfa storage department and never looked back.  Measurements in hand, I worked with one of the designers and planned both closets down to the last hook.  My Elfa closet is now in pieces in my office and I can't wait to put  it together. With options like a jewelry box, valet rod and belt hooks, there's nothing that won't have it's place.  I'll keep you posted on progress and will post the before and after's. 



 

Elfa Jewelry Box with Sliding Top (Container Store)

 



 

Expandable Valet Rod



Elfa Walnut Belt Hook



 

Left Side of Closet




 

Right Side



Both Sides

A Room Where People Live..........

In other words, a Living Room.  But who's living here?  I know the people that live in this room and they are a family of four people and two dogs.  My favortie part of this room is all of the vintage drawings on the wall.  The furniture has vintage pieces ( club chairs purchased at a thrift store) mixed in that have been updated with slipcovers that blend perfectly with the newer pieces.  The sitting area has custom built in bookcases (made by my very talented husband) that showcase bits and pieces of nostalgia along with vintage books and a collection of vases along the top.  The wing back chairs were purchased at a thrift store (and then slip covered) and the console table was found on Craigslist.  The bookcase contents are from various thrift stores and consignment stores along with family items.  The drawings are a collection from ebay, and thrift stores.  What do I like best about this room?  It's mine.  I share it with my beautiful twin daughters and my uber handy husband.  Welcome.