English, Dutch, American, French... Country Styles

Country Style is lovely, anywhere you look:

Elegant Country Style, Brazil

English Country

Dutch Country

Swedish Country

American Country

American Country - Prairie Style

~Check out the holes drilled to hold the wooden utensils!~

An Elegant version of French Country

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BUGGED

(many more below)

~

I am slightly bugged by this article about an "overpropped life" in Thursday's NYTimes.

Now I should point out that he writer, Steven Kurutz, really didn't do anything all that bad...he wrote a slightly tongue-in-cheek, gentle criticism of some of the excesses of the design world. 

His points had plenty of truth.

But it bothers me! 

Yes, it seems a waste to hold on to an old typewriter if you never use it.

But that's if you are a minimalist. Or my husband.

Turning each and every book around so the binding doesn't show...

...yeah, kind of silly.

But it sure looks good!  

Doesn't he understand Eye Candy?!

He surely understands how  pleasing, attractive, sexy, edgy, visual cues can affect a person.

Sadly, I  think that perhaps he does not grasp the thrill of the well-done Industrial Look .

Or the clever Bohemian style, or Color-Blocking. 

Does he even know about Neutral-tones and rooms that POP?!?

As a result, Mr. Kurutz's article is slightly arrogant.

                                                   Yes, overall, it was all in good fun. 

But this kind of burned:

 " vintage typewriters sit on school desks too small to be functional; books have been arranged on shelves by color to reflect some perceived notion of good design. A few examples are shown on this page; if you can count three or more in your home, you may be over-propped."

sigh...

I perceive BUGS as great Design today!

Other than this first guy (whose mother probably ate his father),

 I found some great looking stuff:

ENJOY!

                             

I love this bathroom!

 And, finally, a word of Wisdom~

If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito. 

 ~Betty Reese

Have a great day!

xo

Valerie

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Design with Big, Beautiful Birds!

 It's hard to go wrong with mirrors and botanical prints as wall decor --  and the scientific/biology-oriented nature designs are great. But let's remember the Birds, who, by the way, are descendants of Dinosaurs. So much new wallpaper has birds...it's gorgeous!  So think of bird-art as a great idea for your walls. And, when looking to put up those pictures, I say -- and, apparently, do many designers -- 

"The bigger the better!"

This one really puts the birds ( pigeons, not real) on display!

houzz

 veranda

Of course, the amazing selection of John James Audubon prints is always going to be a great source of wonderful bird art.... also Mark Catesby, John Gould, Alexander Wilson...whether you like museum-type or folk art, birds work!

One of my favorite National Geographic articles ever (July 1998, p.96)  was called , There's a Dinosaur in Your Backyard. Talk about fascinating....

Anyway, birds are beautiful...why not put these kinder, gentler dinosaurs up on your wall?

Have an awesome day!

xo

Valerie

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Winter Outside? It's Spring Indoors!

Six more weeks of Winter?  Perhaps outdoors. But these interiors enjoy year-round Spring colors, flowers, happiness and style. Quite inspiring!

Thanks for dropping by! 
 I hope you liked the rooms and got some ideas~
 Have a great day!
xo
Valerie

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Really, Truly, Inspiring Rooms

Great great ideas in each and every shot!

 Kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom.

I wish I could do all of these....!


Have an Innovative Day!
xo
Valerie




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