Beautiful Silver + Gold Designs

"Her godmother simply touched her with her wand, and, at the same moment, her clothes were turned into cloth of gold and silver, all decked with jewels." (Charles Perrault...Cinderella)

Ah, Cinderella...

gleaming golds and silvers... 

They do bring a bit of shine and drama,

 those Silvers and Golds!

Have a Shiny Day!

xo

Valerie

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Kitchen Style: Open Shelving

Open-shelving PRO: It looks great and it's practical because it's easy to see what you have and forces you not to just shove things away into hiding.

Open-shelving CON: Dust =extra work, like dusting each item - and around the items - to get the shelf clean, rinsing off each item before use. Can look cluttered. 

The pros and cons are even in my book, and the winner is always 

compromise: 

put up as much open shelving as you can comfortably maintain.

If you have the self-discipline to keep the colors and items 

as orderly as these then go for this pretty, stylish kitchen:

Here the discipline is far less rigid and

 the look is an updated, smart, friendly look:

I absolutely LOVE this stove shelf for the kitchen:

Open shelving for a pretty collection of tea-time vessels:

 Charming:

Glass-fronted cabinets are another option...
Have a great day!
xo
Valerie

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Color Made This Room

We have all experienced The Transformative Power of Color in a room :                                     

 They should all be red... 

Just kidding. The "shoulds" have no say in this.

 Thinking outside of the box makes things more interesting.

Just take a look, and think about the colors,

from  - and on -  the ceiling to the floor.

                                                                                                      

Jan Showers

Mary MacDonald

Jan Showers

                                                         I love the pink hiding in the curtains:

                                                                  Jan Showers

                        The so-called “painted ladies” of San Francisco: Their colors say, "Look at Me!" 

We all know that color can evoke warmth, security, freedom, purity, even humor.

 But if that doesn't impress you, keep in mind that 

color can also add $$$$ value to your property.

Chromium Yellow, the original color of 

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello Dining Room:

Color (and the creative, knowledgeable designers who chose them) made these rooms.

       Maybe they can nudge you to do something new with color.

       Have a great day!

       xo

       Valerie

P.S.  love this!

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Furniture and Phil

First, a quick notice, then cool design finds:

Happy Groundhog Day!

~PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL PREDICTS 6 MORE WEEKS OF WINTER~

I guess if it's more of the winter we've had so far, that means it will be Spring-like one day and tornadic or sub-zero the next....

what a cutie : )

Ok, now to the Important stuff~

After checking on  e-mails and reading some awesome design blogs, I wondered if  could afford one or two pieces of the furniture and bedding... I hate cheap or knock-off-ish -looking stuff, but I do have a budget. I found the answer for me. Maybe for you, too.  I suggest that you give your attention to the Horchow's online catalogue. It's been years since I've really looked, and it seems so much better.  I am not a regular customer, and I am not getting paid to do this (sigh), but the newest pieces are affordable and gorgeous!  Take a look at just a few, and I think I'll go now and do a little online shopping...(my poor VISA).

Sleek, simple design, great shapes, and that mantle is interesting....

                                                              Annie Selke for Horchow

Rug, sofa, coffee table, mirror, side tabel -- all so chic.

I am so impressed with Barclay Butera's British Colonial look.

 (And his Plantation designs, and everything else he does!)

Sweet small crystal lamp

Unusual, striking Porcupine Quills Mirror. I wonder 

what a Porcupine Day might be for...oh, too random!

Peaceful, lovely abstract painting

Enjoy this Groundhog Day!

xo

Valerie

all images via http://www.horchow.com

A Bouquet of Pencils

 “Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” (Nora Ephron, "You've Got Mail" )

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                        COMING TO A METEOROLOGICAL

                              THEATER NEAR YOU!

Time to think about changing out /editing accessories again >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

                                         
 Changing clocks and smoke detector batteries...

FALL BACK   2am, November 6th

Reviewing the wardrobe..........

Warm, comfortable and stylish           

Burberry Children via Childmode.com

                                                                                                     

Vogue Paris - Seeing a lot of this look .

Chanel Ready to Wear fall 2011

Putting out furry throws and pillows...

Elle Decor

Atumn flowers

Tobi Fairley

  White and green pumpkins ( what are they called?)

Country Living:

 Light a fire...

From MR Architecture + Decor;  find it here. Genius.

Snuggling up under plaid quilts........

This room is ... just ... Tobi Fairley  : )  

AmericanMeadows.com - Fall Wildflowers of America

Lexington Furniture:  The shutters behind the bed look so good against the white walls.  Layered rugs. perfect fall bedroom.

(belle maison)

via belle maison

Southern Living

Summer's  just about over, everyone is back in town and into the usual routine. Work, school, social events. 

And (below) wouldn't these pictures-- framed, matted and hung together --  look great in any of those rooms!  A  playful comment on our nosy, gossipy neighbors and selves! I have been told that in this neck of the woods, it's NOT gossip...we're just, "sharing prayer concerns."    

 On that note, from 1922, by H.M. Bateman,  The Neighborhood Promenade :

H.M. Bateman, 1922

"An Introduction to the Richest People in the Neighborhood"

"The Mysteries"

Now, what is he thinking?!

Reading by the fire... 

Braebourne Farm

                                                          ^
                                                                        Look at these chairs!
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via Decor Pad.

Savor the Season

~vbk~