But I’m really hoping you like blue and white…

Lately I’ve been absolutely smitten with blue and white rooms.  The crispness, the clean lines, the happiness.

I’ll keep quiet and just let you enjoy!

from Architectural Digest

from Diamond Baretta

from bhg.com

from Atlanta Homes Magazine

Lovely, lovely from House Beautiful

from Butler Armsden Architects

from Pinterest

from House Beautiful

from Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Which were your favorites?  Is this style for you?

Have a fabulous weekend!!

Laundry is just one of those never-ending chores. Sometimes a small ‘make-over’ to your laundry space can make this daunting chore just a little bit more fun!  Here are some ideas to inspire you.

Love It! “No Sock Left Behind” – Don’t know if your washer and dryer eat socks like mine do – oh, who am I kidding, whose washer and dryer doesn’t eat socks!?!  Inspired by Rambling As Usual Blog.

Baskets under the washer and dryer! Love this idea smaller laundry rooms!  Inspired by Show and Tell blog.

How about a drying rack for your clothes? Re-nest blog has 15 inspiring ideas for drying racks.

And I LOVE this upcycling idea – an old ladder turned into drying rack! I found this idea on Pinterest, but not sure original source to give credit too!

How about a new place to keep your ironing board? Check out some of these brilliant ideas at Houzz website.  Here’s one of them:

Love this practical idea in which you can place them either side by side or stack on top of each other. From Ana White blog.

And if you want a major uplift to your laundry room…how about these laundry rooms?! I had no idea laundry rooms could be so beautiful! Found at Light Innovations blog.

Or this one from Junk Garden Girl’s blog…

So, is your laundry room in need of inspiration? Or do you have some inspiration to share with the rest of us?

Are you undertaking any projects around your home with the ringing of the New Year?  I’m tempted to paint, paint, paint, and I’ll let you know if The Running Man lets me have at it.

My friend Wendy suggested a gorgeous blue for my kitchen and I’ve been obsessed with the idea ever since.  My question is: when I paint one room, shouldn’t I really paint the others as well?

My other current obsession is with those spaces that require expert organization and storage options for maximizing every last spec of space.

Instead of our Home Tours this month, we’ll pick a room each week and focus our attention there.  Today: the MUDROOM!

I picked this room first as I’m ultimately jealous of the rooms that I’m about to show you.  Mine is 4.5 feet long, 3 feet wide, has an exterior door at one end and a window on the other.  I currently have 2 rows of hooks for all the coats that a family of 4 amasses living in the nether regions of c-o-l-d.  And that’s all I can fit.  No shoe storage, no sports storage (um, 2 hockey bags sit in my living room – we’re fancy like that), and no storage for all the milieu of things we accumulate.

So help me drool over some swanky mudrooms just for fun.

Love the lift-up storage.  Think I’d add some additional shelves as those baskets are beyond reach of the adorables.

Love the open cubbies below for storing shoes (read: kick off shoes into a single spot).  Also love the open hooks for bags, etc.  Might take advantage of the open space above for items that aren’t used often.

Take a gander at all this space!  While I love the individual locker concept, this is also very appealing.  More hooks though!

I saw this photo and thought, “Wait!  This looks familiar!”  I swear it was from a Good Stuff Guide Home Tour of Old and I was right!  Check out Wow Of A Home to see the rest of the house!

I do think this is a great solution for a formal front door storage.  That bottom molding pulls out for shoes.

I thought this concept was also brilliant: hooks that open to shoe cubbies.  Every speck of space folks!

Love, love, love this mudroom paired with a project room especially with the bulletin board on the side.

Now we’re getting into the major ones: love these closed lockers with the chalkboard space to doodle.

Reminds me of something I’ve been meaning to share or create: on a recent charity hometour, one house had these personalized individual plaques with funny quotes and quips about each family member hanging on their locker door.  They were awesome and I think there’s certainly a business there if someone had the interest.  I’d be your first customer!

Is this a beach cabana?  Just stunning.

This is IT for me: high moldings, a ladder to reach high places for vertically challenged me, under storage for shoes/boots, baskets for hats/gloves, closed storage for extra stuff.  I’d use the blank wall for a big bulletin board and vinyl lettering that said, “Be Great!” or “Go Forth and Prosper” or something silly like that to send us Team Farmers out into the world on the right foot.

Okay, what pieces would you put together for your dream mudroom?

A different sort of house tour today…

One of my favorite songs is Miranda Lambert’s The House That Built Me.  First time I heard it, I had chills.  On my 1,013,541st listening, I still adore it.

What if you could walk through the home where you grew up??

I recently discovered that the home my parents built in 1978 and we lived in until 1997 is for sale and I “borrowed” the photos for our home tour today.

Travel with me to Richland, Michigan just outside of Kalamazoo to see the house that built me.

Here she is… My bedroom window was the one on the right.

My grandfather built us this home, laying the brick and doing all of the carpentry.

A single gentleman bought the home from my parents, and I know my mom is squirming somewhere wishing she could get in and decorate!

While we were building the house, my newborn sister was habitually in her carrier in the fireplace – the safest place anyone could think of during all that heavy construction.  I have vivid memories – at 3 and 1/2 of varnishing (did they just give me scrap wood??) and drinking tons of Fresca.

It’s funny how rooms seem so much larger in your memory and the decorating now is much different.  My mom used to set up our Christmas Village every year on the bay window, and I would play, play, play.  This room is also where all my high school study groups met.  For Physics (ech!) and Calculus, my friends would teach me everything I was supposed to have learned during the year.  For History and English, I would teach them what they had slept through.

This was actually a screened porch during our tenure.  It has gorgeous views of the pond and golf course.

Here’s the kitchen that opens up to the sunroom.  One of our TVs was in the cabinet there where the books are now, and every afternoon at 4, Oprah would come on followed by Donahue while my mom cooked dinner.  We’d sit in these barstools here and do homework and talk about our day.  My sister would stack 12 Oreos on a plate (it was always 12) and get her tongs and a big glass of milk and get dunking.  Somehow this never interfered with dinner.

This is the study where my dad worked.  I used to take it over when I had big papers to write – it has a fabulous view to the golf course and my mom’s gardens.  We used to have another table and chairs in here which was Study Group site #2.

This was the sundeck where I mixed baby oil and my fair skin, which just wasn’t a good idea.

This was the racquetball my dad included when he saw in the plans that we would be filling a big hole with concrete.  My best friend Ingmar and I would play 2 games of racquetball and 3 games of basketball (hoop is at the other end) after school every day.  We also hosted 4 high school rock bands here for a big event.  The sound bouncing off all that concrete was, well, not so pretty.  My dad was up and down the driveway with a flashlight looking for anyone doing anything illegal.  I think mom and dad were super glad when that was over.

My sister used to scale up to her bedroom on the 3rd floor when she’d forget a Nintendo game.  Luckily, my mom didn’t know that until later…

If you’re in the market for real estate in Richland, MI, you can find more photos and info at Boris Realtors.

A happy birthday tomorrow to that same Racquetball buddy Ingmar! I sure was lucky when you moved in next door.

I was thinking family when I chose today’s home…

And with that, we’re off to Colorado to get a look at a happy, happy family home.

I just love the look of this house.  Sleek and modern, but also classic and traditional elements as well.

And all that golden light to welcome us.

Check out the funky colorful art hanging in the entryway.

These candles signify the color palette of the entire home.  And I love the yellow on the walls.

The great room opens directly onto the deck.  Love the tall ceilings with the open beams, the colors, the retro look.

And of course, my favorite (well 2 favorites): 1) the room is completely open to the kitchen, and 2) I love a big comfy sectional.

Here’s another look…

Now get a load of this kitchen.

Here’s a closer look.  The uniform color palette repeated throughout the home ties it all together.

Gorgeous bathroom…

And a very happy playroom!

I love the easel, but I’m also jealous of all that wide open space out the window.

Look at all the creating that has occurred at this table!

I just love how this home functions for its family.  The floor plan of large open rooms provides family togetherness, but also meets every family member’s needs.  I’m sold!

Special thanks to Jon Rentfrow, of Rentfrow Design, for the amazing tour.  Jon was the Home Designer on the project.  The home was built by Brannen Homes, custom home builders in Northern Colorado.

Thank you also to Warren Diggles Photography for the use of his stunning photos.

This home is located in Boone, North Carolina, but was built to resemble a famous Swedish landmark.  The owners made several trips to Sweden during construction for inspiration and to import furniture and accessories.

While the outside might be a *little bit* much, I just loved the interior.  Warning: I’m a huge fan of yellow and blue.

This is just so pretty to me.

Another look from the other side.

And this is outstanding!

Living room.

Kitchen.

Happy, happy room.

Another view of the table.  Notice the Swedish under the painted beams.

Each bedroom is a little different, but each Swedish.

Love the yellow and blue!  (sorry)

This is just so pretty!

If you’d like to see more, you can find the listing here.  I just thought this home was so interesting, in how they carried the theme all way through.

What did you like?  What would you change?

Have a great weekend!  We’re *this* close to Christmas!

I found my wish in a stunning home located not too far from me in Connecticut.

As gorgeous as this welcome is (and it is!), the gorgeous only increases from here.

The grand entry…

Isn’t this something?

The living room.

Spectacular navy blue dining room.

Both the crown molding and the paneling is painted navy blue with matching navy grass cloth on the walls.  The effect is absolutely stunning.

Elf on the Shelf!

And we move to the library…

So, so, so lovely.

This owl perches in a little  man-cave with pocket doors to steal away for quiet, uninterrupted work (at least until he’s found).

This photo doesn’t quite do this room justice – it’s a solid black bathroom: black molding, black paneling, black wallpaper, black cabinetry.  I had to punch this photo up so you could see it.  It is much more dramatic in person.  But I had to show you anyway!

Yes, these are leather door handles.

The family room.  Soothing calm amid kid chaos.

Gorgeous, gorgeous.   With easy access to the covered porch outside.

Here’s what I love about this home: a real family lives here with all the toys and books and play that this involves.  These are the cabinets from Target that Sarah talked about here: A Must Share

I love how they look behind this fabulous sofa, all dressed up for Christmas.

Now I’ve raved about every room so far, but this next absolutely takes my breath away.

Welcome to the kitchen.

I just can’t tell you how happy this room makes me.

Can you stand it?

And remember when I said my favorite room was above?

Well, it may actually be this one…

There are just no words for this walk-in pantry, with it’s own play kitchen inside.

The main floor playroom in all it’s Lego, Super Hero glory.

The mom office.  Oh how I would love one of these.  The art is a photograph by Tipper Gore.

And now, upstairs.

This isn’t the master…

This isn’t the master…

This isn’t the master…

This definitely isn’t the master… (but it is so stinkin’ cute!)

This IS the master.  And I just love the blue…

(I feel your pain.)

How are you decorating for the holidays?   What is your favorite decoration or thing to decorate?

Happy weekend!

(Just pretend it’s Dennis himself taking us through…  Because I’m sure he would love to.)

Listed at $14 million, the ranch is located on 418 acres in in the Paradise Valley of Southwest Montana, in close proximity to Yellowstone to the south, Big Sky to the West and Bozeman to the north.  I read that as “Summer fun to the south, Skiing glory to the West, and an airport to get in and out easily. Oh, and maybe a Costco too.”

If you care to fish, you can(!) on Six Mile Creek and in two ponds on the property.  If you care to ride horses, you can ride both on the ranch in the adjoining National Forest.  Lucky, lucky you!

The estate includes an owners’ residence, four guest houses, ranch manager’s home and horse facilities. And here’s something to keep the adorables busy for a while: there are historic gold mines on the property.

Realtor.com reports that “Mr. Quaid built the three-bedroom main house in 2000. The 5,315-square-foot home has wide-plank hardwood floors salvaged from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and massive fireplaces made of Montana stone. A feature in Architectural Digest on the home notes that Quaid picked up many of the home’s furnishings in his home base of Austin, Texas. Quaid married his current wife here in 2004 and is reportedly currently on the lookout for property in Hawaii.”

I love the big open spaces within this house.

It’s very rustic, but a glamorous rustic.

I imagine some gallon-hat sized omelets to come out of this kitchen.

I just love this room!  Would love to see a big couch to sink into with a book.

Master bath.  Does anyone else think it’s kinda funny that there’s pair of binoculars on a tripod here?  (Read Chandler via Friends: “Too many jokes!”)

My apologies to Mr. Quaid – I’m sure there are lots of wildlife viewing opportunities out these windows.

Gorgeous!

A guest house…

Inside of said guest house.

And here’s an observatory for those cloud-less, city lights-are-a-million-miles-away-nights.

Another guest house…

And that view!

Sorry Mr. Quaid, no house in Hawaii could possibly be as incredible as this ranch (to me).

So here’s my question for you: if you had the choice, i.e. any place to have a second home, are you mountains, beach, etc?

Have a fabulous weekend!

We’re heading to the shores of beautiful Lake Ontario in Wellington, Canada to a cottage that has been in this family for 4 generations (these are some lucky descendants).  The entire extended family gather here every Canadian Thanksgiving to celebrate their heritage, their new home and their gratitude for each other.

The cottage was completely rebuilt in 2004 as the original 1927 structure was in desperate need of repair as the harsh northern weather and passing of years finally took its toll.  The new space is open, clean, and superbly elegant.   The dining room table was once a lab table from an English school’s science class and it seats 18.

You can see the updated design elements here in the cabinet hardware and the light fixtures.  Hello view!

Yet, it captures the traditional easy living of the cottage lifestyle.  This is an additional kitchen found in the guest cottage.

Did you know I used to be a quilter?  I just love the look of homemade quilts in cottages.

I love the particular shade of sunny yellow, and I love how it is repeated throughout the home.  I’m always so impressed when designers successfully adhere to a color palette throughout the home.

Stark, cool, beautiful.  Love the stone floor.

Another bathroom.  And again, I love the floor.

This chair is just so gorgeous.   Naturally, it is from the original home, which means it will be seriously hard to find one for yourself.

Okay, I saved this for last: this shelf that hangs over the entire perimeter of the room is so awesome!  I love the birdhouse collection here, but I’m also seeing stuffed animals, music boxes, train set, etc, etc.  I just adore this idea.

Special thanks to Joanne Hudson for letting me show off her Canadian cottage.  Joanne is a premier kitchen and bath designer based in Philadelphia, PA.  Check out more of her work at www.joannehudson.com.  She has a housewares area that is worth the look!

Have a wonderful weekend!  Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving.

And now….

This is a home tour from the archives (2 years ago!), but I had to show you something funny at the end!

Happy, Happy Home Tour Friday to ya!

Today we’re heading to Lake Gatson, Virginia, a gorgeous lake that sits right along the North Carolina/Virginia border.

Why am I suddenly hungry for Gingerbread?

Never mind.

This is the delicious second home of one lucky couple.  Isn’t she beautiful?

The wood, the stone, the openness, the big double doors – I’m home.

The Lodge Room, with its vaulted greatness, opens directly to the deck and stunning views of the lake.

The heart and soul of the home – the kitchen.  This one is a stunner.  Love the floors.

Another look.  Also love the tiled mosaic backsplash.

My favorite part of any home is when the kitchen opens directly into the family room, so it makes essentially one big room.

Love the coffered ceiling, the built-ins, the giant flatscreen, the comfy couches, the colors.  I think this room is perfect.

The game room in the lower level.  I don’t even know where to start.

Gorgeous view, and please notice that two-level dock.  I’ve never seen anything like it and I’m thinking brilliant.

His and Her showers.  And if that art doesn’t get you singing a snappy tune… (or keep singing in my case)

Stunning tile work.

And because you understand my thing for bunk rooms, I had to save it for last.

Happy, happy room.  Perhaps it’s because I imagine all the giggling…

Anyway, many thanks to the following team for creating all this beauty:

Interior Design:
Vicky Serany, Southern Studio Interior Design

Builder/Contractor:
Sid Cutts, Corbitt Hills Construction

Photograhy:
Jennings Mitchell phone 252.792.6690

Okay, remember those Beatles inspired art in the Master Bath?

I treated myself for my Birthday (happy birthday to me wayy back in Sept) and thought they looked familiar!

For better or worse, I can not leave the bathroom without singing that song!

Happy Weekend to each and all!