Merry Christmas 2013!

Well, I guess it's pretty clear from my lack of posts that my "to do" list has gotten the best of me lately..... and, as of about 30 minutes ago my girls are off on holiday break for 3 weeks! (yes, you read that right).  So, I'm going to take this opportunity now before the holiday chaos ensues to wish you a very Merry Christmas from our home to yours.....

 A heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who has stopped by House of Marlowe this year.
I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store!

Making an Entrance....

Tis the season for welcoming neighbors, friends and families to our homes for holiday gatherings.  And, just like wardrobes, it's fun to "spiff up" entrys to make them extra warm and inviting this time of year.  Here's a peak at our home this season.... in keeping with my "simple" theme I didn't fuss....  evergreen swags purchased at the local nursery tied with ribbon I had on hand and a few shiny ornaments tucked in around my existing boxwood planters....

Wow, this month is really flying by!

Best wishes for a weekend filled with holiday cheer!

Color Crush: Lilac

cocktail ring, converse, nail polish, forever 21 maxi dress, tote

This color has been happily popping up in my life recently... in the blooming wisteria in our village; on the label of my new favorite breakfast condiment, lavender miel; to a Mother's Day gift; a new tank; and these beautiful blooms my husband brought home to me Monday (perfectly coinciding with our first opportunity to dine al fresco)..... lilac epitomizes the word "lovely" in my book.

Do you have a color wooing you these days?

Fashion: The Spring/Summer Closet

I was more than happy to spend a couple hours yesterday tackling this chore.... banishing all my heavy sweaters, dark colors and that tiresome winter coat to storage in favor of light-weight fabrics and cheerful hues.   Summertime dressing is my favorite.... perhaps because one can rely on a handful of simple basics and have fun adding a few new pieces each season.  Here's a handful of my "must-haves"that never seem to fail me... year after year...

lightweight scarf, sunhat, sunglasses, white denim, Jack Rogers, basket clutch, tank swimsuit, gold jewelry, tank

What are your "go-to" pieces for Spring/Summer?

Coming to my senses.....

literally.....

Wishing you the joy of simple pleasures this weekend!

Tartan Holiday

.....so, I'm guessing it's pretty obvious by the photos I took today what suits my fancy when it comes to holiday decorating.  In other areas of decorating my tastes seem to change ever so slightly over time (and are much "cleaner" and "simpler")....... but not so with Christmas decor..... my delight in an abundance of classic tartans paired with bright red berries, gold accents, boxwood and paperwhites never wavers.

..... it's what I'd imagine Ralph Lauren meets J.Crew for a holiday soiree might be like..... :)

... and here are  a few items I wouldn't mind adding to my collection....

Ralph Lauren tartan frame, everlasting mistletoe, faux malachite photo ornament, monogrammed high ball glass, peppermint striped taper, tartan tree skirt, tartan napkin rings

Do you have a "signature" holiday decor?

Swiss Home Tour: Girls' Room

Welcome to the happiest (and, well, pinkest) room in the house.  Lovingly referred to as the "treehouse" as it resides on the third floor; this is the bedroom and play area of my two youngest girls.

I tend to only buy things I love so subsequently I hang on to them for a long time. The majority of the furnishings and bedding in this room have been "hand-me-downs" from my oldest daughter (who is now 12.... what can I say?).  However,  I do like to edit and/or add things as I happen upon them.  The latest additions in anticipation of our move..... the Dash & Albert rug (for comfort on the hardwood floor), the monogrammed bolsters (to "mark the territory" as Marlowe moved from her nursery to share a room with Holden as part of this move) ;  and a pair of Ektorp bookcases on casters (for storage and to partition off the slanted ceiling).  

The very latest addition came this morning as a result of Marlowe's recent "princess complex".  I've been in danger of going mad over having to stuff gobs of dress-up into a trunk several times a day everyday with the boas getting tangled up with the glitter shoes and wands and whatnot.  So, I graciously gave up the rolling rack in my room so that the dresses could be easily accessed and admired 24/7...... :)

oh.... the sacrifices we mothers make :)

...... Holden just got home from school and proclaimed with delight that it's "perfect" for staging her performances too.....

just what I thought :)

Swiss Home Tour: Guest Bedroom

I'm sure almost any expat living in Europe would agree...... the guest bedroom is one of the busiest rooms in the house..... and rightly so!  We've already hosted guests for 5 out of the 13 weeks we've lived in Geneva and are expecting many more over the next several months.

When furnishing the guest room, I focused on what I look for and/or enjoy when staying at a hotel....

• 2 full-size beds for adults and/or children; or couples that can't sleep in a bed together smaller than a king (like my guy and me);
• white sheets..... because I'm obsessed and they just read "clean" to me;
• a selection of various types of pillows.... fluffy, flat, and a bolster type for reading;
• extra blankets for lounging and/or for those who run "cold" like me;
• a tray for snacks or coffee; and in this case writing since we had to forego a desk in favor of the extra bed;
• a full-size mirror;
• a clean closet with plenty of hangers;
• a laundry basket;
• an extension cord and converters for charging electronics;
• reading materials (books about Switzerland and Europe as well as magazines);
• fresh flowers;
• a lavender scented candle and matches;
• a box of tissues;
• and, last but certainly not least,  treats...... we are in the land of bottled water and chocolate after all.... :)

.......sadly, however, I do not offer 24 hour room service. :)

What's on your "wish list" for guest bedrooms?

Swiss Home Tour: Dining Room

Given the small size of our home, I can't believe it is taking me so long to show you all around!   

Next up is the dining room.... a hive of activity in our home here..... it's where we enter...so it doubles as a foyer where the shoes get thrown off, the coats get hung,  the groceries and "stuff" get plopped down, the kids do homework, the bills get paid, and, oh yeah.... we eat all our meals. 

..... another example of using what we already had..... pillows from the foyer, a bench from the bedroom, artwork and lamps from around the house....  The thing I miss most from my dining room in the States is my round table...... but I'm thinking fireside dining will make up for it this Winter. :)

How about your dining room?

Hard-working? or Hardly ever?

Swiss Home Tour: TV Room

If you've been following along for a while now, you might remember this:

or this:

..... the entry for our rented home in Switzerland (intended to be used as our TV room instead); 

as well as some low-budget ideas for "spiffing it up" with bargains from Ballard Designs & Ikea.

Well, here's how it worked out.....

   

I ended up going with navy velvet drapes from Ikea instead of a canvas with a trim and I "splurged" on the Dash & Albert striped rug to warm up the cold tile...... but other than that it's like a good "remix" of things we already owned and love..... nothing grand for sure; but just right for our crew who loves to cuddle.

Swiss Home Tour: Master Bedroom

..... so, we've been in our Swiss home two months now and I thought it was time I show you around a bit..... why start off with the master bedroom?..... well, because it happened to be the one most organized at the moment.

Lots of Ikea thrown in with our previous furniture to make up for lack of closets and storage space.  My favorite features of this home are the wooden ceiling beams, concrete walls and stone accents giving it true old world European charm.  In fact, the home was built in 1678!

It's hard to tell what is original to the home and what has been added thru renovations but the overall effect of the floor tones, wood beams and wall color creates such a nice warm glow that I hardly ever want to leave..... and from what I hear this might be a good thing given the long, gray winters here! 

Happy weekend!

Interiors: My Favorite Accessories

As part of our upcoming move, I have the unenviable task of creating a worksheet detailing out each item we are shipping across the ocean as well as the replacement value (in Swiss francs, no less).  Now, thankfully, I am no pack rat collector :)  But even with that said, I'm finding myself wanting to pare down to the bare necessities in all areas and I've been challenging myself to think about what items really bring me and my family joy.......   Here's what I've come up with in the home accessories department..... (pardon the iphone pics)

Family photos in frames:  It goes without saying, right?  I love visual reminders of good times and sweet memories

Throws:  We love to cuddle up under a throw in our house.... and you can find one in practically every room.  We even have what we refer to as a "car blanket" in the car.  I'm partial to the yummy feel of cashmere and there isn't a time I walk into Homegoods or TJMaxx and don't check their selection for one.....

A Bowl of candy:  I did a post a while ago about a charming little book called "Let's Bring Back".... I'm sure this one is in there and I agree.  Didn't your grandma or mom always have out a candy dish full of butter mints?..... I'm partial to Swedish Fish (and endearing myself to my nieces and nephews)  :)

Candles:  Now, my favorite scent is this and my husband bought me the scent machine as a gift last year.  But, sadly, I've been told it is certain to surge out on me over there.  Regardless, I love the look of candles (scented or not) and they add instant warmth (figuratively & literally) to a room.

Books:  I can't imagine my home without books..... again, in every room.  They lend so much personality to a home and while I won't be taking my entire collection; I will certainly be shipping our family's favorites.

Collections:  Ok, maybe I'm a tiny bit of a collector..... case in point.... these pillows from Cat Studio.    While the bench won't be coming with me, the pillows will because as with all good collections... they bring me joy when I see them and there's sentimental value attached.

Trays:  I can't seem to get enough of a good tray..... wicker, metal, lacquered..... they help corral the everyday clutter and are also great on-hand stand-bys for a bar or breakfast in bed. 

  

Art:  I tend to find a home "cold" without art..... it's what breathes personality into a room and gives a sneak peek into the owner's taste and interests.  Almost every piece of art in our home was collected on a trip, given as a gift or made by one of my girls..... an instant reminder of good times when I see each piece.

Flowers:  I haven't lived without an orchid in my home for some 10 odd years now and I'd trade Starbucks any day for a $4 bouquet of flowers from the grocery.  In my mind, flowers mean something special is happening in the house...... and I love that feeling..... especially on an ordinary day. 

Do tell..... What's your "must-have" home accessory?

Transformations..... the Chaise Lounge

.......from neglected during construction (see it down there shoved into the bushes for a year):

and then salvaged only to be further abused;

to transformed via 3 yards of fabric and a good seamstress:

I will simply never tire of an awning stripe outdoors.  I think I'll take care of these!

Do you ever feel this way?

Interiors: Hats as Art

Lately, I've been thinking of creating a display of straw hats.  If you've been reading this blog for a little while now, you know that I am very fond of two things in my home:  things that tell a story and quirk.  Therefore, I think this might just be the perfect kind of display for me in which to marry the two along with function (an added bonus).  Here is my inspiration:

photo sources here

 I already have hats on display in other areas of my home..... 

a vintage jockey hat .... in honor of Kentucky where I live;

and a decorative hat of the metal variety that I have had for years and that makes me happy each time I see it.  

I'm thinking of creating a simple horizontal display of my floppy straw hats at the end of our back hall.  What do you think?

"Enough with the hats already and you are ruining the sight line!" 

or 

"You can never have too much of a good thing. Go for it!"

Thanks for helping this indecisive girl out! :)