Farmhouse Chic

 

The kitchen truly has so much potential for becoming the heart of the home.  It is where magical creations begin, experiments grow legs and conversations tend to naturally take on a life of their own while one goes about their business preparing food. Comfort is found here, and comfort is produced here as well. 

Before I remodeled my bathroom, I almost decided to take on the kitchen instead, however, it is still waiting a much needed gut as my bathroom won the battle.  I gravitate toward a French country style that is cozy, yet designed for a cook, so a must in my kitchen would most definitely be a farmhouse sink.  As you can see above, Mark Badgley and James Mischka’s kitchen incorporates two farmhouse sinks which look absolutely lovely in this light filled room.  Now I don’t know if I would need two, but having one would be a treat in and of itself, and a second would just be the cherry on top.  Have a look at an assembly of farmhouse sinks and how they have been entwined into different design styles.

Out of curiosity, what would your dream kitchen include?  I would love to hear.

 

Images: (1) Decor Pad (2) Decor Pad (3) Auction Girl Vintage (4) Decor Pad (5) Decor Pad (6) House Beautiful (7) Source (8) Rare & Beautiful Treasures (9) Decor Pad (10) Source (11) Source (12) Source (13) Decor Pad (14) Elle Decor (15) Elle Decor

Let’s Get Cozy

Comforting, a place to unwind, a place to put your feet up, a soft place to land – ideally these attributes would be found with someone special, but in today’s Rooms for Inspiration they are found with sofas.  An extra long sofa should be inviting, beckoning its inhabitants to partake in the leisure it can provide and maybe conjure up a few Z’s if you’re anything like me.  The sofa in my great room is used quite often on the weekends for a nap or two.  Add a blanket, some natural light and a quiet home, and I’m in dreamland.  However, it all must begin with the sofa.

Today, I’ve gathered up a handful of sofas of a variety of colors which are set in very different rooms or furniture layouts.  Have a look, and please share your ideal sofa and locale for it in your home.  Enjoy your Tuesday!

 

Images: (1) Decor Pad (2) Material Girls (3) Decor Pad (4)  J Covington Designs (6) Southern Accents (7) Shabby Chic (8) Elle Decor (9) Design to Inspire (10) Chic Home (11) Decor Pad (12) Decor Pad (13) Decor Pad (14) Decor Pad (15) Decor Pad

First Impression

Whether we want to accept the truth of the following statement or not, deep down we know it’s true; after all, we are human and the most abundantly relied upon of all our senses is our sight.  We base are initial judgment of someone or something partially on how they present themselves upon our first introduction.  First impressions are a reality.   Whether we are interviewing someone for a job, meeting someone on a first date, visiting a destination for the first time, our first impression is just that – an impression upon our memory.  

With a home it is no different.  I remember the first time I was taken on a tour of my current home.  I can vividly remember standing in front of the front door with its worn-from-use, black iron knocker and being taken aback.  No door bell was necessary because one rap of this knocker would alert the attention of the owner from anywhere in the house. This particular knocker exuded a unique and original quality in my eyes, and I was immediately attracted. 

The entrance and foyer of a house set the mood, the tone, and reveal in a very small, compact window what is in store for the visitor.   Welcoming, tidy, presentable, contemporary, eclectic, bold, romantic or traditional – any number of adjectives have the potential of being set in stone in someone’s mind before they enter your home for the first time.  What impression do you want to send?  And what impression does your foyer send now?  It is certainly something to think about.

Keeping these two thoughts in mind, I’ve included a list of foyers that all make unique first impressions. Items that seem to be in just about every foyer for practical reasons are a mirror, unique and distinctive lighting, a console table of varying size and a place to sit down and remove one’s shoes.  As to what these items look like is completely dependant upon the style the owner is trying to achieve. What items do you feel a foyer must include? Enjoy having a look and welcome to each one of these homes.

I felt I needed to include two photos of the above foyer found at Decor Pad because there are so many beautiful elements – notice the seating, tiny table, a mirror and exquisite lighting.

A bold color immediately grabs the eye of any who enter this home, and with the added accessories and lovely console table a mood is immediately set. - House Beautiful

A simple, classic-ly clean foyer that allows the bones of the house to speak for themselves.  I appreciate how the color comes from simple elements such as the flowers in this case.   -Elle Decor

Cottage style with the above beams being revealed immediately whispers comfort can be found within.-Decor Pad

I have always been enamored with a spacious foyer furnished with a single table in the center of the floor. So powerful and screaming quality. –Decor Pad

If you happen to live in an older home, you may be fortunate (or unfortunate, depending upon your perspective) to have built-in decor by way of radiators.  I myself have a handful of radiators throughout my home, and love the character they bring.  But , how does one decorate with them?  One idea is displayed above, incorporate them into your design.  -Architect Design

The use of wallpaper and wainscoting announce a classic traditional look as one enters.  -Decor Pad 

A bit more rugged, yet clean and structured.-Decor Pad

I love the combination of the natural light, the long corridor and lavender in this particular foyer.  Scrumptious!  I would count the minutes while I was at work until the time came when I was able to walk in this front door.-Decor Pad

The double door, the glass chandelier and the mixing and matching of prints are simply stunning and work in an unexpected way. -Elle Decor

My eyes immediately were drawn to the blue and white urns on the floor and then they gently rose to the gorgeous bouquet on the console.  I enjoy the beige and china blue color combination as well. –Decor Pad

I will keep this short – the doors, the wallpaper – black and gold – gorgeous! -Elle Decor January 2010

And as we leave our homes this morning to venture out onto a new day  (with no mistakes in it –as Anne Shirley would say), it appears the sun is shining at least in the above photo, hopefully it is in your town as well.    Bonjour!