April Food Day

Don't you just love the thoughts of sitting down to a delicious meal? I sure do.

How many people can't do that these days? More than you think. I was very surprised that at a local church food bank. There were church members taking advantage of the services. They used to be the ones stocking the shelves and the freezer.

I think the blogging world is pretty amazing. Want to see what a community of internet folks can do to feed America? I'm game!

Everyday, the news is filled with the dire news about the current economic climate and a lot of us use the blogging community to take a break from the constant drumbeat. However, we can not ignore the fact that friends and family members, and even some blogger friends have lost their jobs because of the recession.

People who never had a worry in the world now have to think about where their next meal is coming from. People who never would have dreamt that they would need help are now showing up at the local food banks. But when they get there, the shelves are bare. There is not enough food being donated to meet the sudden rise in demand. There is not enough money to buy the food for the food banks. There is not a general understanding that food banks need help to help fill their shelves.

Former advertising executive, Chris Cox, the editor of Easy & Elegant Life, and fundraising professional, Meg Fairfax Fielding, editor of Pigtown*Design, have teamed up to create a blogger action day on April 1, 2009, which we are calling April Food Day – Bloggers Fighting Hunger.

We are asking our fellow bloggers to create a post about this project and ask each of you to make a contribution to Feeding America (formerly Second Harvest), a national food bank with 200 member banks across the country.

Every dollar contributed provides seven meals or 10 pounds of food. A gift of $25 provides 75 meals. If we all post together and ask our readers to make a contribution on April 1, we can make a huge difference in our communities.

To DONATE NOW, CLICK HERE.

Don't want to do cash, but have a stocked pantry? Donate food to a local food bank of your choice. Find one near you by CLICKING HERE.

Happy April FOOD Day Everyone!

You Never Get a Second Chance

(Tria Giovan)

I'm thinking of having the front door painted.  I've always had a stained door so this is a big change for me--and I don't do change very well.  My set up would be similar to the door shown above.  I'll have a glass door with a solid door behind it.  I've thought it would be fun to have a punch of color  in the foyer.  Blue, green, red...humm, I just don't know.

For fun, here are a few pictures of lovely "first impressions".  Enjoy.  

(photo: Pieter Estersohn; designer: John Bobbitt)

No color needed here--just oxygen.  I've gasped it all away!

(Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn)

What an interesting mix.  Traditional, contemporary, coastal, early American.  Anything goes.  Stained door.  

(photo: Jean-Francois Jaussaud; stylist: Emile Yannoukou)

Any one want to move in with me?  Looks like there will be plenty of room! (oxygen needed here too!)  Stained door--ugh, I'm so predictable!

(photo: Mark Lohman; stylist: Cynthia Marks)

Stained door, again! Casual, warm and welcoming.  This is a "take your shoes off" kind of house.  

 

Yes, I know, I'm GSG and this is a green door, but isn't it great!  I'm leaning this way.  That is until I see something like this:

Decisions, decisions.  

Alright blog friends, what kind of door do you see for GSG's future?  I'm all ears.  

Lovely Luxurious Linens

Who doesn't want to fall into this bed?

I can't begin to tell you how the peace and serenity of it is calling my name!  What a few weeks it has been.  

 

Does your bedding have color or are you a purist?  This duvet reminds me of a cottage garden.  

My bedding changes like my china.  I'm seasonal.  Spring in my bedroom is pure ivory.

 

Thank you, Sferra.  I adore you.

Rest well this wonderful weekend, dear friends.

Spring Color

(Suzanne Rheinstein)

(Thomas Jayne)

Today is the first official day of spring.  Are you celebrating in your home with wonderful color?  

As I'm sure you know, paint is the least expensive way to completely change the feeling of a room.  Imagine the foyer above in a decadent oxblood?  

(Residential Interiors)

                                               (Charlotte Moss)

How do you plan to bring in the spring?

Happy Spring to everyone!  

I hope you have a colorful weekend!

____________________________________________________________________

Speaking of positive spring color, our sweet friend Hopsy...

A very big thank you goes out to Hopsy of Monograms and Manicures.  She hosted a great give-a-way several months ago featuring Toss Designs.  I was the lucky winner of the Balboa Weekender.  It is so bright and colorful.  I am quite impressed with just how spacious it is too.  She is such a kind person.  I do hope that if you aren't familiar with her blog, you'll go over and say, "hello".    

Irish Furniture

(M. Ford Creech)

Pair of George I Irish Cuban Mahogany Carved Side Chairs with ribbon carved knees and web carved pad feet.

(M. Ford Creech)

The rectangular molded top above a conforming case with three short drawers and a shaped apron, on

foliate-carved well shaped cabriole legs ending in ball and claw feet; excellent color and patination.

Anyone swooning?  I'm on the floor!  Want to see more beauties?  

Be sure to visit:

M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES 

Laurelwood Collection
581 South Perkins Road
Memphis, TN 38117
901-761-1163 / Fax 901-761-1227
Wed - Sat 11-6, or by appointment

Hopefully, you'll have the luck of the Irish and find a pot full of fabulous treasures!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

One more thing:

Today is PVE's birthday.  Run over and wish her the best.  

She's so very kind and talented!

Could it be? A Country Revival?

(Country Living)

French country kitchen here.  Don't you admire the portraits?  Can't you here the discussion, "Margaux and Louis were relegated to the kitchen.  Wonder what that means?  Wonder why they didn't make it to the dining room?"  Maybe they were the French ancestors.  Another way to dress up the utilitarian space-the crystal chandelier.  Why not?  Life is short.  Enjoy.  Use the "good stuff".  

  

(House Beautiful)

This kitchen seems to have such warmth and history.  I could sit her for quite a while.  This is one of those kitchens that I'd have such fun finding out the story behind each and every object. 

Look.  Another chandelier in the kitchen.  Notice the outdoor cafe chairs--a French picnic in an farmhouse kitchen?

What am I seeing?  A revival of the "warm and cozy" kitchen?  It certainly looks that way.  What do you say?  Take it or leave it?  Are we over the crisp clean utilitarian look?  

  

Thank you!

A long overdue thanks to Southern & Preppy (Preppy 101).  Isn't she a sweetheart?  Thank you, friend!  

When you can, stop by for a visit.  She'll welcome you with open arms!

Marker Miracle

What's wrong with this picture?  

Yes, you are correct.  Never should these two things be near one another.  

Well, they were.  Think toddler.

Guess what?  Marker miracles happen.  

Anyone heard of using hair spray to remove permanent marker?  IT WORKS!

Now I'm wondering what in the world does this spray do to our lungs, or the poor hair dresser?

Have a wonderful, miracle filled weekend!    

Fabulous

(Robb Report)

Gasp!  These are amazingly beautiful rooms.  

Understated, but well textured rooms.  Amelia Handegan you are speaking my language.

“In addition to studying interior design, I majored in art history, which has really influenced the way I approach my work,” says Amelia Handegan.

Humm, that sounds familiar.

English Kitchen Contrast

(Tim Wood)

Here are two bespoke English kitchens that I really find smashing!  They are quite different from one another.  Let's take a look at the two of the a bit closer. 

The first kitchen offers so many layers of interest.  Notice how many textures are involved:

-the walls 

-the wooden cabinetry

-the floors

-the furniture (the chair, in particular)

-the accessories

-the tile backsplash and counters

The second kitchen is very different from the first.  I think it's the simplicity that I find pleasing.  It's clean and straight forward, without being too utilitarian or clinical.  This kitchen has great warmth without sacrificing function.  

I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't say that the rack/lighting over the island really bothers me.  It's just distracting.  What's going on with those chains?  Cord covers would have made such a difference.  Also, I think I would have hung pots rather than tools.  They look out of scale to me.  Can't you just see a few copper pot up there?  An amazing chandelier would have been my choice--but they didn't ask me.  

Decision time.  If you had to choose, which kitchen would it be--and why?  

I've made up my mind--I think!

British Bespoke Kitchens

(photo Maia C.) (and thank you Henry Ford)

A bit of fantasy here.  The homes and the kitchens featured below don't belong to one another.  

One of our fabulous bloggers from across-the-pond has been so kind to inspire me with thoughts of an English kitchen.  In honor of Europafox, I give you English "handmade" kitchens:

Any of you out there have a blue front door?  

This garden is for Pearls and Grace.  It's got her name on it.

I really like the table in the center of the room.  It makes the people the focus-not the appliances.   Adore the wooden counter tops.

This exterior is for you Tartanscot!  Although, I think you may need something a bit more Scottish! 

(All kitchen by Violet Designs, West Sussex, UK)

Wasn't it refreshing to see a few kitchens that you haven't seen in blog land a million times?  Let's hear it.  What are your likes here?  Any one ohhing and ahhing--or are they just o.k.?