Country In The City



Interior Design by Tricia Foley.  Photo source here.

There is a guest room in my house with two twin beds like these that could use some help.  The room doesn't get much use (it seems silly to refer to it as a guest room), but I do feel bad that it's not outfitted to its full potential.  This bedroom in Tricia Foley's country home looks so comfortable.  I'm already playing with gray paint and looking for striped sheets.  My home is in the city, but it's a modest house built in 1865 that from the inside looks more country than city. When I did some research, I learned that the house was originally home to a machinist (you've probably already guessed that I don't live in Beacon Hill).  I'm trying to embrace its humble roots, but sometimes long for a slick city space.

Everybody is going gray these days, it seems.  Is it here to stay or a passing fad? Note that the paint color in this room is Cape May Cobblestone by Benjamin Moore.

For more from Tricia Foley, visit one of her blogs linked below (The New General Store is Tricia's online store) .  Reading her blogs is a peaceful visit to the country. 

IN THE COUNTRY

THE PERFECT THING

THE WHITE LIST

THE TABLE

THE NEW GENERAL STORE

At Home With Ina Garten



Source

As a fan of Ina Garten's, I occasionally search the Internet for new information about her home or show.  Clearly, I'm a bit behind because this video clip of her on NBC's "Today" show is from December and has a holiday theme.  What surprised me, however, was that she has redecorated her kitchen and living room.  If you've watched the episodes of "Barefoot Contessa" that were filmed in her kitchen before she built her barn, you'll recall the signature tonal green striped walls in the kitchen and warm taupe walls in the living room.   The walls in both rooms are now a soft gray and the furniture in the living room appears to be from Belgium rather than the Hamptons. It shouldn't be a surprise though.  It seems that just like the rest of us,  the Barefoot Contessa likes to experiment with her interiors too. 

Enjoy (once you get past the commercial). 

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

If you can't view the video above, here is the link to the "Today" show's website with the video.

Winter White



Image via Pinterest. Source unknown.

This photo may be incongruous with a December post, but the contrast between the white petals and black background reminded me of a nighttime snow storm. 

Maybe I'm not so far off after all.  

Mission Accomplished - Christmas 2012



Our Christmas Tree

The tree is up and decorated, the shopping is over, and the gifts are wrapped.  I'm happy that there is nothing else I need to do for Christmas except to relax, reflect, be grateful, and enjoy time with my family.  

My very best wishes to you for a happy holiday.

~ D ~

The Stockings Were Hung.....



Scalamandre Tigre Velvet Stocking



I have no business browsing Barneys website, but there I was and here it is.  The fabric has been in the back of my mind for months.  A few Tigre Velvet pillows would be fun. Mix things up a bit. It's hard though, to justify buying that fabric for a few pillows. The stocking costs less than I expected, considering it's from Barneys (what am I saying?).   Such a waste though, that it would only be up for a month.  The rest of the time, it would languish in a plastic bin with other Christmas decorations. Hardly the place for such a luxurious item (the cuff is faux fur--another plus). 

Too bad Christmas only comes once a year.   

Christmas in Boston

Gregory Van Boven Interiors.  Photo by Eric Roth. Traditional Home Magazine, Holiday 2010

I've mentioned how much I like to stroll through Beacon Hill in the summer and at Christmastime more often than I can count.  The exteriors of the stately homes are festively decorated at this time of year with wreaths, swags of boxwood, and miniature spruce.  There is much to admire about the exteriors, but I'm always wondering how the interiors are decorated too.



Gregory Van Boven Interiors. Photo by Eric Roth.  Traditional Home Magazine, Holiday 2010

My curiosity was partially satisfied when Traditional Home featured the Beacon Hill home of designer Gregory Van Boven in its Holiday 2010 issue.  I've been browsing that issue again and enjoying Mr. Van Boven's taste in decor and Christmas decorating.  The Christmas tree is a stunner and is there anything cuter than a Yorkshire terrier in a red bow, (except for my Baxter and Bailey, pictured at right)?

Gregory Van Boven Interiors.  Photo by Eric Roth. Traditional Home Magazine, Holiday 2010

 I haven't decorated with red at Christmas in years, (I've been in a silver and taupe phase), but the touches of red throughout Mr. Van Boven's home make me nostalgic for a red and green Christmas. 

Gregory Van Boven Interiors.  Photo by Eric Roth.  Traditional Home Magazine, Holiday 2010

And here is the home's classic Beacon Hill door.  According to the magazine, Mr. Van Boven throws a large open house Christmas party every year.  It looks like the perfect home for entertaining. 

P.S. These older issues of Traditional Home are stand-outs to me, but I do recognize the need for original material now and then.  Otherwise, I will have to rename the blog, "Traditional Home Redux."