Inspiration...

…how about we take a 2 minute breather from Old Man Winter today in favor of a 'virtual' stroll in the  stunning gardens of one of my favorites - the late Oscar de la Renta….

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Indeed…. 

Inspiration: Grey & White

Well, hello there and Bonne Annee! 

The girls were back to school this week; so I found myself roaming around a 'Downton Abbeyesque' Chateau up the road in the city of Nyon, Switzerland.  I am absolutely intrigued by these homes and the lives that were led inside them…. and I always leave inspired…. This one had me at "hello" with entry doors in the most beautiful shade of grey….

In general, I prefer bolder colors and more high contrast pairings but there is something so sophisticated  and appealing about a nice (not too dark) grey with a large dose of white… throw in some interesting detail or texture and… perfection!

   

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A Warm Welcome...

One of my favorite past-times here in Europe is checking out old door hardware as we stroll around.  Just this week, I took my mom to one of my favorite villages.... Yvoire, France, and while I've been there many times before; I just noticed this fantastic door handle on the 16th century church...

It's fun to think that even hundreds of years ago, folks cared about a little thing we now call "curb appeal".  

Spring is the perfect time to spruce up an entry with flowers in planters or a new door color.  I especially love when an entry not only works well with the style of the home but also gives a sense of the homeowner's personality.  I think this combination would capture me pretty well...

 door mat, brass letters, planter, vintage stirrup door knocker

T'Goodness'IF...

if you like a little 'kick' in your food... try out this guacamole recipe I made earlier this week... addictive!

starting to pull out some warm weather clothes.... this top would be a great addition to wear with just about anything; 

This quote reminds me of my girls.... and is so true...;

Dreaming of creating a version of this at my home in Kentucky when we return.... boxwoods and hydrangea are the perfect pairing in my book!

Bon weekend everyone!

Knock, Knock...

One of my favorite things to do as we travel throughout Europe is take pictures of door knockers (and cappuccinos) :).  There is just something about them that mesmerizes me... their intricate patterns, symbolism..... perhaps knowing that some of these doors are centuries old excites my imagination.... the hands that have touched them, the stories they could tell....

The elderly couple who lives across the street from me in Switzerland still has a door knocker (no bell)... and it makes me smile each time I hear that "clank, clank, clank" of the iron....

Ofcourse, there is little practical use for door knockers in modern construction today.... but since when has practical use ever really trumped good old fashioned charm?  The door knocker business appears to be alive and well with a variety of finishes and styles to suit any taste.  Here is just a tiny sampling of some catching my eye (Amazon has a huge selection)...

anchor/whale/pineapple/ring/lion/hand/contemporary ring/monogram

Some friends of mine gave me a lion from Venice and those of you who know me (or have been following along for more than, oh, a week) will know that I couldn't resist the initial one either.  Herein lies the problem.... both my front and back door in the States are glass paned!  Hmmm... the powder room is definitely a target as is my teenager's room. :)

'Mat' finish....

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Love these quirky doormats which serve to inspire and cheer both homeowners and guests; coming and going.... 

Easy Breezy...

.... so, I guess it is pretty obvious that I haven't been dedicating a lot of brain space to home design recently (which is good, because I need all I can get for the French language)....  However,  I do still happen upon pics which cause me to dream about what I'd like to do to our home when we return to the States.

We, visually oriented folks, always seem to have a list of things that we can't resist.... for me, it's white houses, garden gates, boxwoods with hydrangeas, weather vanes, gravel driveways (the list goes on and on)..... and breezeways....

Open and airy or light-filled and enclosed; au naturale; combined with a beautifully manicured garden or simple and modern....

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it's all "bonheur pour les yeux" in my book...

.... sigh.

The Garden...

I love how Europeans here in Switzerland refer to their backyard as "the garden".  It could, ofcourse, be a big swath of grass filled with wildflowers or a tiny terrace like ours.... but it makes no difference.... just the word "garden" itself speaks of possibility and stirs the imagination to wonder what lies behind the nearest hedge....

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I've never really been inspired to garden but I feel it creeping up on me like ivy on a brick wall.... starting off as a single shoot.... destined to take over without notice...  

Good thing I love a good ivy. :)

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Cool....

Over dinner with friends Tuesday night; we came upon one of those "six degrees of separation" conversations about a fun, creative couple that we had all separately had business associations with..... he started an ad agency.... she started a photography business... 

.... so, I wasn't altogether surprised when our friends mentioned stumbling upon their amazing "floating" vacation home featured in Dwell magazine....  This home clearly showcases great innovative thinking and a sense of restraint which I believe results in the best design....

.... regardless of the genre.... traditional or contemporary.  This couple has had a chance to exercise their creative muscles on both.... for their permanent home (which oddly enough used to house circus animals) was featured in Traditional Home a few years back as well...

Leaves me wondering what they are up to now.... something cool, I'm sure.

Exteriors: The White Picket Fence

In the spirit of President's Day yesterday and my recent travels abroad.... a deep-rooted appreciation for the "American Dream" and all that it embodies.... freedom, opportunity, hope.....
It certainly doesn't have to involve a white picket fence; but they sure are nice.....

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"Father of the Bride" movie

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I'll take mine laden with flowers please :)

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Have a great day everyone!