A Weekend Escape to a Martha’s Vineyard Cottage

Lately, I’ve been feeling that my summer was missing something, and then I realized it was one of my favorite television shows – Monk.  I don’t know about you, but I actually found Tony Shalhoub’s character Adrian Monk and all of his eccentricities endearing in a very odd way and miss the intelligence of the humor of the show.

Thankfully though, he can be found (as himself) in Country Living with his wife Brooke Adams letting us take a look at their 2500 square food Martha’s Vineyard cottage which was built in the 1930s.  Such simplicity and an air of unpretentiousness can be seen in each of the rooms.  Wearing jeans, your most comfortable t-shirt and letting your hair down is what appears this home calls for, in other words come and relax, unwind and forget about the rush of life.

Written by Katy McColl, you can view the entire article here and see even more details about each room.  One thing that I love is seeing flea market finds next to quality purchases. The master bed is covered in a gorgeous Anthropologie coverlet and on the shelves on either side are simple bottles with a single flower. What a wonderful idea. Enjoy the tour.

Up on a Pedestal

When dealing with older houses, one becomes creative in dealing with expansive square footage parceled out into a multitude of small rooms.  Recently I have begun to look for a pedestal table that will fit into the kitchen nook of my 1930’s Normandy home.  It is amazing the space that is discovered when three obstructive legs disappear – ah, the leg room! (And trust me, I need my leg room.)

The beauty of pedestal tables is their ability to function in a variety of rooms throughout the house.  For example:

 

The Foyer

Placing a solitary legged table in the entrance of a home allows for passage around it, but also for a grand arrangement to be placed on top.

 

A Kitchen Nook

Round tables symbolically promote inclusion, and a small pedestal table in a cozy kitchen nook invites conversation and the sharing of each other’s breakfast goodies. Place four chairs around a pedestal or two chairs and a bench.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve already had breakfast and each of these is tempting me to go back and eat a bit more – so inviting!

 

The Dining Room

For small dinner parties, a round pedestal table is perfect for intimate conversation.  And so much design can be displayed on the singular leg.  I love this carved bulging alabaster column in the last image.

 Images: (1) Decor Pad (2) Decor Pad (3) House Beautiful (4) Decor Pad (5) Decor Pad (6) Country Living (7) Decor Pad (8) Decor Pad (9) Elle Decor (10) Decor Pad (11) Decor Pad

Outdoor Leisure

The lazy days of summer are about upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere, and with the Memorial Day weekend just a few days away, I thought I’d tease our poppers a bit with some beautiful outdoor spaces.  Whether we are able to create them on our front or back porch, or simply out in an open lawn, dining and gathering outdoors is a treat for the senses and our well-being.

In what type of setting do you like to take in Mother Nature?  I’d love to hear.

Have a beautiful day and hopefully a little sunshine will be accompanying you. Bonjour!

 

Images: (1) Country Living (2) Elle Decor (3) Inspiring Interiors (4) & (5)Elle Decor (6) Country Living (7) Cactus Creek Daily (8) House Lovely (9) Poetic Home