There are some iconic pairings that stand the test of time. Like peanut butter and jelly (still a viable dinner option after a long day in the shop for this working mama), Holmes and Watson, and of course Blue and White chinoiserie in home décor. This iconic color combo is having a major moment in … [Read more...]
An Affair with Artwork
Settling into our cottage has been a long and languid journey. It started with the Great Purge, when Dan and I let go of many of the furnishings that filled our larger home in Atchison. Because our cottage is so small, we could only keep the things we loved most. For Dan, it was all those books. For … [Read more...]
Cheers in the New Year
Even though our lake cottage is snug, during the holidays, we still manage to fill it with lots of family and friends. One of the keys to fitting in so many folks is to find ways to encourage everyone to spread out through the house, not just wedge into the kitchen like merry making sardines. At … [Read more...]
A Grow-With-Them Room for Boys
I predict that when Tammy and Tyler’s boys are 27, they will still want to live at home with their folks, just so they don’t have to leave their amazing bedroom behind. This welcoming retreat is designed to delight its current inhabitants – 11-year-old Carter and 8-year-old Sawyer – … [Read more...]
Interesting Art Arrangements Finish a Room
You can fill your room with beautiful furniture and accents, but it won’t look “finished” until the walls come alive with artwork. If you have blank walls, or pieces of art stored away that you’ve never hung, make that your new year’s resolution. You will be blown away by how putting a few pieces up … [Read more...]
Abstract Thinking: Contemporary Art in Your Traditional Home
My 140-year-old Greek Revival home in Atchison was about as traditional as you can get. I filled it with antiques, when I could afford them, and to stretch my budget as far as I could, good reproduction cheater pieces. I covered the walls with classic artwork, like botanicals. As much as I loved it, … [Read more...]