Regency Library Detail

Gorgeous room, agreed? via

A Table with a View

I love this table in front of the window and the symmetry of the whole arrangement. The botanical print draperies are lovely too. via

Secret Window

Bifold raised-panel shutters not only make a handsome frame for the window, as in this Georgian-era library, but they also help keep drafts at bay. If you look closely, you will see the hinges for the bottom shutters. When they are open the room must be twice as wonderful with such a large window to frame the view and let in more natural light. via

Super Duper Kitchen Detail

I love the wooden over-mounted counter top with the drainboard ridges on one side. The sink is amazing with the side pocket for the stopper and overflow drain. The wide windowsill that extends all the way to the wall on both sides is a nice feature and the cutout curve for the faucet is an interesting touch. I've always wanted a plate rack in old paint too. The cool weather is still here, it's only 64° at 3:30 pm. Mother Nature is showing off again after trying to melt us last week. There is no happy medium these days, is there? It's broil or shiver. Photo found here.

A Sophisticated Loft

I adore this arrangement and everything in this room designed by Michael Penney. Photography by Donna Griffith; House and Home January 2010.

The weather at the cottage cooled down enough for me to open my bedroom windows before I went to sleep. I'm sitting in the living room with my first cup of coffee with fresh air and I'm so happy. See you later.

An Eclectic Country Kitchen

Yes.Yes.Yes. I love the wall of many drawers. I could fill them all up too.

So many interesting vintage items in this large country kitchen.

 via

The Cat Did It

“Mischief – Cat and Workbox”
Newbold H. Trotter (1827-1898)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dated 1858
SOLD -- before the ink bottle was overturned.

Grueby Tile and A New Laundry Detergent

I should have cleaned off the two coffee stains before taking the picture. I put my coffee cup on this tile every morning. It's a big one 6" square stamped Grueby Boston. We had a surprise downpour yesterday and I had clothes drying outside on a big expanding rack and just barely got them inside before they were soaked. I slept on freshly laundered linens last night and they smelled like lemons thanks to the new detergent I'm using. It's overcast again today so the same thing will probably happen. Then we are supposed to have 4 straight days of sun, sun, and more sun. I'll believe it when I see it. I'm off to do errands now. 

This is the aforementioned detergent I picked up on a whim at the grocery store because it was on sale. It says the scent is Clean Burst but believe me when I say the clothes smell like lemons whether you dry them outside or in the dryer. I'll never buy anything else. I am thrilled I finally found something I like. Watch, it will be discontinued shortly. I must stock up, just in case. 

Cast Iron Frog in My Garden

I took this photo early one morning last week. Ribbit. He's a big old one and I love him. I got up before the cat for some reason this morning and decided to start watching PBS Masterpiece recorded from Sunday night. I love Inspector Lewis Mysteries and this episode is the  beginning of Season VI. Here is a review from Forbes Magazine. See you later.

Fabulous New Hampshire Traditional Home

New Hampshire mountain home built and decorated with antiques by a transplanted Texas couple with fabulous taste.

Lovely hallway appointed with antiques, oriental rugs and books.

Tiger maple secretary bookcase filled with lusterware pitchers and other wonderful things. You will be thrilled with this wonderful article in Traditional Home Magazine with a 22-photo slideshow. I had to contain myself from putting all of them on my blog. Click here for my favorite house tour ever.

Stone Garden Ornament with Flame Finial

It really is carved in stone and it's beautiful. The image source identifies this antique architectural element as French. I'll take two, please.
I've been mowing since 5pm. I got a lot done. I did the front with my old-fashioned push reel mower like we had when I was a kid. If the grass isn't too long, it's actually faster than the riding mower. My front is tight with the brick wall. The riding mower throws too much grass up against the house. It was fun. I'm doing the back in sections. I did a field down there for the first time this year. It took about 2 hours. Now I'm going to relax and watch TV. See you tomorrow.

My Kitchen Sink with Daffodils

In a previous post, I blogged about the history of my recycled white porcelain double farm sink. I was just looking through some old photos and came across the lead photo with two big bunches of daffodils on the ledge. My mother and I picked them at an old abandoned farm house where we used to go to pick lilacs in the spring. I forgot to do it this year. I don't remember picking my own daffodils either. Next year, I shall. If you missed it, read more about my wonderful sink here. my photo

Antique Urns in An English Garden

The walls, the urns, the patina -- only in England! via

Maury Island Kitchen with 15" Wide Floor Boards

Look at the width of those old floor boards. WOW. I love this walk-thru galley kitchen. There is a pass through over the kitchen sink too. I want to see the rest of this house. Seek and ye shall find...I found an amazing tour of this Maury Island lake house in Washington State designed by Bosworth Hoedemaker. After you open the link, put your mouse cursor on the first image and a next button will appear. Enjoy. You're welcome. The description of the project is very interesting too. The floor boards are 15" wide and were recycled from an old gymnasium.

Radishes

This beautiful photograph of fresh radishes in an antique yellowware bowl looks like a painting. by raewillow on Flickr.

Antique Pocket Sundial dated 1585

An Elizabethan gilded pocket sundial by Augustine Ryther dated 1585. Made for Sir George St Paul, a Lincolnshire squire. via I can't think of anything I'd rather own at the moment even though there is no sun on this rainy Sunday.

I'm Stuck -- Help Me Out After My Nap.

Traditional Dining Room by Palo Alto Architect FGY Architects

Wonderful Eat-in Kitchen

This kitchen is very nice with the table in chairs in the center of the room instead of an island. I love the beamed ceiling and the painted floor. Hopefully I will be able to find a link so we can see the rest of the house. I'll let you know if I am successful. via

Dining Room Library in NYC

Suzanne Slesin’s library/dining room may be in New York City, but the light fixture, chairs and glass doors give the room an “English library atmosphere”. Combining the dining room, which tends to get little use, with a library is such a typical NYC trick, but one that would be useful anywhere. Books are always the best decoration! via

The weekend has begun. Have a good one!

The Bookcase

I love looking at the various things that end up on a bookcase. Old things like to be together, don't they? via