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.

Always in Style

What's always in style?  Manners-sincere, plain manners.  

The simple gesture of being polite makes all the difference .

  

Take a moment out of your day to show your appreciation.  It's easy.

  

Have a few blossoms in your garden?  Snip a few and take them to someone--unexpectedly.

Sometimes it just an expression on our face that will change someone.  

Have you looked in the mirror lately?

Thank you, kind readers, for all of the joy you bring to my day.  

How I wish I could send all of you a few blooms.

I appreciate each and every one of you.

What are your ideas for spreading kindness?

How have you experienced graciousness?

Didn't She carry Herself Well?

A Few of My Favorite Things

                                                                     A classic scarf
So, what are a few of your favorite things?  Please leave a comment and tell me your three favorite fashion items.  (We'll talk about interiors in another post.)

What better way to get the ball rolling than for me to start out by showing you some of my fashion faves:

                                                                             pearls

                                                                                             THE handbag

HRH The Home Queen

Straight from the UK, for all of my Anglophile buddies-

Go to myDeco.com and take the design profile quiz.  It's fun and interesting.  Leave me comments describing your style.  I'm a "Home Queen"  I wonder if many of you are a match!  Here are my results:

HOME QUEEN
You have an almost theatrical approach to interior design, dressing up rooms just as you yourself would for a glamorous night out (or in). The look is opulent and luxurious, but can be equally sexy and sophisticated - just like you!

Living Room
You are drawn to all things that combine beauty with adventure. This is a high-octane, unabashed, sensual look that encompasses everything that's luxurious, voluptuous and curvaceous. Think rich fabrics, textured materials and glossy surfaces. While glamour makes a big, bold statement, it also smacks of total comfort and fun. Choosing accessories with a classical influence will give the room a sophistication it might otherwise have lacked, and will confirm your style credentials. Pastel pinks and yellows give the room a fresh, feminine feel, while shapely and harmonious prints add a polished sense of style. After pottering about in the garden, your living room's somewhere to put up your feet and take a well-earned rest.

Bedroom
Your bedroom has that classic look that never goes out of style. Sleep is fundamentally important to our well being. Clean, fresh air can truly aid sleep, but so, too, does a well-made bed and the best mattress you can afford. Touch is an important issue in the bedroom, from crisp, linen sheets to wool or even sheepskin underfoot. Elegance and relative simplicity are keynotes in your bedroom, using earthy, rustic colours and textures to create a sense of harmony with the natural world.

Dining Room
You're a paragon of style, no-holds-barred entertainer. At home, you have a classic dining area that's perfect for formal or glamorous dinner parties. It's a tried and trusted look that will never go out of style. Carver chairs take up space and so are best limited to top and tail of the dining table, and they need not even match the dining chairs down either side. Though expensive, a bone china dinner service really does set off the table to magnificently and can detract from other compromises if budget is an issue.

Home Office
Who says paying the bills can't be glamorous? Working from home is an increasingly popular solution to the challenge of bringing up a young family and making ends meet. A dedicated home office - even if it's just the corner of a room - will help keep you focused and separate work from hectic family life. Even if your desk is quite utilitarian, you can use colour and texture to add a touch of glamour and pizzazz.

Conclusion
Glorious and gorgeous, your home affirms your love of life.

What is Southern Style?

According to Southern Accents Magazine, which I highly recommend, this is Southern Style.