Understated & Fabulous

Subtle muted tones and classic timeless furnishings--this is my kind of house.

I wish I had the time to blog and dissect a photo like Joni,

but alas, time does not allow.

Just admire the quite details in this house.

The stairs are absolutely beautiful.

The mirror, the chandelier...

A peek of the kitchen.

Functional and simple, and quite elegant. I think it is truly the lack of "fluff" that makes this kitchen so relaxing. What do you think? Any other kitchen minimalist out there?

Just the right amount of pattern and texture to keep our interest.

This room would be the fall and winter retreat. I wonder if I would be as drawn to it in the spring? Do you search for the sunlight and brighter interiors?

Clean and not fussy. The mirrors give us all that we need.

A little goes a long way.

The marble countertops are an added lovely.

The ogee edge detail makes it for me.

My one hang-up here is the finish on the cabinetry. I think I would have preferred something more simple--like the kitchen cabinets.

Does anyone "faux" anything anymore?

A beautiful sunset to end the day.

(As a side note, this picture is from the front of the house, looking away from the main entry.)

Since all of our favorite interior design magazines are leaving us,

we may now be searching the real estate listings like never before.

The images above are from just that.

I welcome your comments.

Five Star Sea Island *****

Friends, I hardly know where to start!  My trip to Sea Island was just wonderful.  I rested, I relaxed, I slept late!  I think I took enough pictures to write posts for a year!  I hope to share some of them with you, bit by bit.   

(Thank you to Sea Island Company for the use of some of the pictures shown below.)

The Solarium--my tea time favorite spot!  

To start, I'd like to set the stage for those of you who have not been:

Imagine if Blackberry Farm is the fine country house then  The Cloister is the elegant beach house.  Southern, elegant, hospitable, and special are all words that come to mind.  Sounds great, doesn't it?

Five Stars you say?  Yes.

"Criteria to earn a Mobil Five-Star rating are stringent, based on more than 750 standards for hotels, more than 250 for restaurants, and more recently 450 different guidelines for spas, making it the most rigorous and comprehensive in the industry. To achieve Mobil Five-Star status, properties must then meet or exceed Mobil's bar-setting service standards, which are determined through an unannounced, undercover service evaluation conducted by Mobil Travel Guide's expert inspectors."

Congratulations are in order.

The Sea Island Company received four different 5 Star ratings:

1.  The Cloister Hotel (this is a view from the back side)

2.  The Cloister Spa--absolutely unbelievable!

3.  The Georgian Room (Restaurant in The Cloister)

(Sorry for the photo duplication.)

4.  The Lodge (golf haven hotel on St. Simons)

This is just a taste of what is yet to come!  Any special request or questions about the stay, please leave a comment or send an email.  I always enjoy hearing from you.  

First Impressions

Don't you just love to be entertained in someone's home?  I'd rather dine at someone's table than at the finest restaurant in town.  There is something so warm and welcoming to be escorted into their private spaces.  Here are a few foyers or entry halls.

Do you feel a sense of anticipation--what's the rest of the house going to look or feel like? 

Have you been transported to the South of France or Tuscany?  Some homes tell of the owners travels or heritage.  What does this foyer tell you?

Simple, clean and straight forward.  Honest.

Cozy.  The brick floor matches that of the front porch and the driveway.  

Everyone seems to be talking about this style of hanging prints--the gallery wall.  Also, notice that the wooden floor has been painted.    

(thanks to Southern Accents, Southern Living, and Mary Evelyn McKee.  You never disappoint.)

Does your foyer welcome your guest?  What does it say about you?  Tell me about it.