House Crush No. 2 - Thomas, Thomas, Thomas

A dear friend from days gone by introduced me to the work of Thomas Pheasant.  Once introduced, we would try to "one up" each other in being the first to have seen his latest project.  And that is also when I was  enlightened to the fact that I am not the only one who "pets" magazine photographs of rooms that I love.  Yes, you too can feel relieved, there are more like you - because I am convinced that there are more of us "page petters" out there.

So this blog post is for you, my "page petters".  Unit and stand proud!

This latest project featured in the Veranda magazine is...it just is.  And, oh yes he did, he took his talents outside too.  

Image Sources:  Veranda

At The Window No. 7 - Hold Me Back

Just as a lady's delicate ear acts as an intriguing means to tucks one's hair, so does the drapery holdback offer this same intrigue.

The pairing of the holdback with the drapery is one that is like a dance lesson.  Where compliment is of the utmost importance and stepping on toes or taking the lead is not acceptable.

The holdback is the jewelry to the perfect dress, the tie to the perfectly tailored suit.

The style of its dance partner is reflected in its addition.  Vintage or casual it holds its partner with grace.

This dance doesn't need a ballroom, just a window to frame and a fabric to hold.

Image Sources:  Kravet, Samuel & Son, Pinterest, Houzz, HGTV, Good Style, Worthing Court, Apartment Theraphy

Gotta Love No. 33 - Glamping

Glamping

'n

a form of camping in which participants thoroughly enjoy comforts like real bed, real food and style traditionally associated with more luxurious holidays.

This glamping and I could become really good friends!  The only problem I see is picking my location.

Glamping on the beach, pros:  many, cons:  none!

This glamping location is amazing. Loving the bath.

Really?  Whatever did I have against camping? Whatever it was

this took it all away.

Glamping with a front porch!

Glamping at Calistoga Ranch in Napa Valley.  What more could a girl ask for?

Oh yeah, and did I mention it includes an outdoor shower

Image Sources:  Glamping Hub, iexpore, Prairie Hive, Real Life Runway, USA Today, Calistoga Ranch, Effortless Chic, Iloveittoo

Well Dressed Home No. 29 - Modern Williamsburg

CW65 Gunmetal Gray Trim

CW680 Mopboard Black Door

Modern Williamsburg - it's not an oxymoron - it's a revelation.  We think our colonial ancestors to be stodgy but this era's architecture, color palette, and furnishings offer many clean lines.  The clean lines, in my opinion, can only fully appreciated when offered in a edited modern setting.

 Benjamin Moore's recent introduction of updated Williamsburg colors is delictable.

CW5 Hardwood Putty Walls

CW105 Bracken Cream Shelves

CW590 Williamsburg Wythe Blue

CW715 Bone Black Walls

CW695 Lampblack Trim

CW585 Ewing Blue Upper Walls

CW30 Market Square Sheil Lower Walls

CW595 Chesapeake Blue Ceiling

CW5 Hardwood Putty Trim

CW50 Tyler Gray Walls

CW650 Palace Pearl Ceiling

CW25 Williamsburg Stone Walls

CW680 Mopboard Black Door

CW5 Hardwood Putty Trim

CW630 Washington Blue Walls

CW315 Cornwallis Red Highboy

Enjoy the short video below on the creation of this collection that is a winner!

Image Sources:  Benjamin Moore, You Tube

Garden Design No. 15 - Garden Trends 2013

These are by far my ultimate favorite garden trends ever!  These are so cool that if you haven't gardened before you will be!  And if you don't have your own patch to garden, you need to find one and quick! Beg and borrow your own patch and race to the garden center.

Buckle up and grab hold tight for this garden trend ride!


GARDEN TREND NO. 1 - Cocktail Garden (your knuckles are white already, aren't they?)

Turn your garden into an outdoor cocktail party.  So the Drunken Botanist Plant Collection was introduced for the 2013 gardening season by Territorial Seed Co. and is sold out!  But don't despair - get to your local garden center with book in hand and snap up the necessary plants with the help of the plant guru there!

Loving the collection names:   Old Havana Rum Garden, Farmers Market Vodka Garden, Heart of Agave Tequila Garden, Old Tom Gin Garden, Mixologist Simple Syrups, Southern Belle Whiskey Garden!

And here's a little teaser for you from the Drunken Botanist author, Amy Stewart credited to Tommy Klus from Portland, Oregon.

Pineapple Express

10 leaves pineapple sage

5 oz. agave nectar

1.5 oz. tequila reposado

.75 oz. Combier Kummel*

1 oz. fresh lemon juice

In a shaker, lightly muddle pineapple sage leaves in agave nectar, then add remaining ingredients and ice.  Shake and strain into a coupe or Martini glass. Garnish with a small pineapple sage sprig. (smack sprig in hand to release the plant's aromatic oils).

*Combier Kummel is a modern version of a traditional caraway, cumin and fennel-flavored herbal liquer. If you don't have it or can't get it - tequila and pineapple are amazing together. Get some pineapple juice and a good orange liquer (like Original Combier) and start experimenting with variations on this delightful theme.

GARDEN TREND NO. 2 - Insect Shelters

Totally loving this bee hotel!  Protecting wildlife, particularly pollinating insects, is obviously crucial to every garden.  This bee hotel aims to show urban gardeners how they can attract bees without compromising on the look of the garden.  

GARDEN TREND NO. 3 - White Gardening

Stunning!  The textures that one can appreciate with a White Garden is like looking at plants you've seen time and time again like you're seeing them for the first time!  White Gardening was introduced as early as the 1930's by Vita Sackville-West is credited with creating the look with her white garden at Sissinghurst Castle in the UK.

GARDEN TREND NO. 4 - Cha Cha Chive

This is the neatest chive sensation yet!  Cha Cha Chive, from the Cook's Garden, sprouts mini chive heads instead of flowers!  Yes, I kid you not!

GARDEN TREND NO. 5 - Pint Size Vegies

Sweet corn you can grow in a pot.  Yup a 24" container - sweet corn at your fingertips. Burpee Seed is leading this trend.  Nothing new in the tomato and pepper category of gardening but sweet corn? Pluck it and grill it without ever leaving your deck, pretty cool!

GARDEN TREND NO. 6 - Vertical Gardening (truly artist turned gardener)

Vertical gardening is not a new trend but an ever-increasing trend with more and more intriging ways to garden no matter where you live.  I am loving the recycled two-liter bottle vertical garden - is it art or garden?  Both, without a doubt!

(Oh, and this one? It started as a shoe storage bag!)

GARDEN TREND NO. 7 - Umbrel

Umbelliferous refers to plants that carry flowers blooming on the end of short, spoke-like stems radiating from a central stem.  Floral architecture at its best. I love Umbrels mixed with very tall topiaries, breathtaking!

GARDEN TREND NO. 8  - Vegetables are Playing with in the Formal Garden 

Mischievious defines this garden trend! The vegetables are playing in the formal garden and I don't care who knows it!   The raised vegetable garden is now not designated to its own section of our gardens.  We are into mingling now.  They have been invited to the formal dance and they fit right in.

GARDEN TREND NO. 8  - Mirrors in the Garden (yessirebob)

This trend needs no narrative.....(okay just a few words).

Yes - a mirror!

A mirror!

Reflecting an encore!

 Image Sources:  Chelsea Flower Show 2013, Pinterest, House and Leisure, Burpee, Territorial Seed, Urban Garden, Cook's Garden, Zono Ogrodnika