California Cottage

It is summer and there is nothing better than being at the cottage, especially when it is decorated all in white (so fresh and relaxing) This wonderful cottage, featured in House Beautiful, has all the right elements. Plenty of space, beautiful decor and a fabulous view on the water!

Photos by ALEC HEMER

Check these amazing buoy lights used as ceiling fixtures!

Great window coverings and the bench seat doubles as a bed. 

Love the chalkboard on the front of the island!

Cool white icebox refrigerator.

French linen bed cover is amazing.

Root table and sink in the Master bedroom.

Built in bunk beds are great for guests!

Happy Monday to all!

Enjoy,

Trudy

xx

Greek Island Beauty

Paola Navone is a well known designer from Italy that has been producing wonderful interiors and products for over 30 years. Today I am featuring her wonderful home situated on the Greek Island of Serifos.

The simple white interiors of her home are open to the incredible blue sea and sky view that is so spectacular in Greece. I was lucky enough to spend some time in Greece two years ago and fell in love with the white homes, the blue sky and the wonderful people!

The entryway of the home features a painted carpet that she repeats throughout her home.

Here Paolo crafted a table with three white planks and placed them on top of large white ceramic pots.

Take a look at the painted carpet on the cement floors. Also love the tables.

Beautiful bed with a view of the ocean. Imagine waking up to that everyday!

The kitchen has three work areas that hold all of the storage leaving the walls above the counters as open as the rest of the house. So well done!

The dining room table is at a very low height to accomodate the small childrens chairs Paola found at the local flea market. A bench on the other side of the table is made in cement and is part of the mezzanine that is elevated on a platform in the dining room. So inventive!

 

Bon weekend! Enjoy!

Trudy

xx

 Photos: Marie Claire Maison

Ikea Style

Ikea is the King of all that we love in Scandinavian design, and at a price that is affordable for many people (no I don't work for Ikea!). I came across a website called Ikea Family Live and it shows how families have put together their homes with product from Ikea. 

This couple has 4 small children and live in an all white house so it is true that living in white, even with kids, can be easy! (I know, I lived in white with a young family. Slipcovers are key!). I love this style of home with clean lines and the consistent use of white throughout all the rooms.

How do you live with white in your home?

Enjoy,

Trudy

xx

White Interiors by Jacqueline Morabito

So clean and spare yet warm and welcoming, these interiors highlight how individual and inspiring decorating with white can be!! They are all done by the wonderful french designer Jacqueline Morabito who is known for her minimalist interiors. (You can go on her website to see more of her work.) She has also designed a line of home accessories that is sold through Bodie and Fou.  Enjoy.

 

Jacqueline in her studio.

 

Trudy

xx

All images from Vosesparis

You can never have too many chandeliers (or mirrors)!

This is what I would say to friends and colleagues as we travelled around the country (US and Canada) for our work. As part of my job (at the time) I would go to other stores in New York, LA, Chicago, Toronto and find great display ideas. Well, I love to shop for just about anything but I have a serious love for chandeliers and lamps. Even when I would go on vacation I had to come back with a chandelier. Now, this posed many challenges...how were we going to get that big chandelier on the plane from say..Paris or Nice or Los Angeles. My husband at times was ready to pull his hair out but, when we managed to get that chandelier home and placed in the perfect spot, he admired my persistance at getting my beloved find into our home!

I love the way a chandelier adds warmth and elegance to a room and I love all types from traditional to contemporary.

I am sure I will do many posts about this subject but for now I will share a few photos of some great ones I found!

PS: I will share a few photos of some of my own soon with the back story as well! Send me some photos of yours too!

 

I love the mix of styles here with this elegant chandelier and the rustic wood table.

Just wow! Not just a gorgeous chandelier in a kitchen but that mirror!

So cool.

This look is amazing with the fur on the chair. What do you think?

Not sure if it is beads or shells but I like it!

 Photo from At Home in Arkansas

Give me anything from Restoration Hardware and I am happy!

Enjoy!

Trudy

xx

Decorating with White!

I found some interesting thoughts on decorating with white from Rachel Ashwell (the undisputed queen of white decorating as well as anything shabby and chic) and thought I would share them with you. 

1. White is never boring! - It is a very dramatic color. That's proven over and over by weddings - we never tire of looking at them.

 

2. White can be cozy - People think white is cold because they believe it must be neat and uniform. Avoid using only hard modern pieces and add softer elements and distressed finishes to add warmth.

(llw:My thought is that it is not cold but serene and relaxing!)

Image dreamywhites.blogspot.com

 

3. White makes for a flexible first step - Paint a room white and you have a blank canvas for anything. Start with a bold wallpaper and you are already committed. (llw: Add color where you want, in pillows, tablecloths, rugs or art. Don't you love the room below!)

 

 4. White is easy to care for! - Let the white be lived in! Use slipcovers and don't iron. If your human that gets old very quickly.

(lookslikewhite:  My tip for getting out stains from white: Put a couple of tablespoons of Oxi-Clean in a bowl and add a bit of water to make a paste. Rub this on the stain and leave for 10 minutes and it usually does the trick. Wash in the machine, if you can, with another couple of spoonfuls of Oxi-Clean and you're done! We had a party and I got a full glass of red wine on my new white couch and it did the trick!)

 

Let me know your thoughts and tips on decorating with white!

Trudy

xx

(edited from Country Living  Feb. 2011 issue)

Settee for two please!

I was scrolling through my Tumblr photos and realized I kind of have a Settee obsession (white ones of course)!! I had so many photos of these small white sofas that I decided to share a few with you. I have a settee in my dining room and when I have a big group come for dinner (as I did Saturday night..) I pull the settee up to one end of the table. It looks great mixed with my dining chairs. Enjoy! 

Trudy xx

 

Veranda Magazine

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Love this one! 

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Beautiful setting and that floor is fantastic.

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This one is mine and when I found it at a flea market the wood was gold and the fabric was green velvet! I tried refinishing it myself and about halfway through I decided it is best to leave it to the professionals...they did a great job!

Cozy Spaces

When I was a kid, I loved to make tents in my living room out of blankets and pillows attached to the surrounding furniture. When my daughter was little we used to do the same thing and nothing could make her happier than creating this mini home for her and her toys. As we grow up I think we still try to create these spaces in our own grown up and glamourous ways! I would love to have a cabana or mini tent in my backyard for afternoon naps or as a little place to escape. What do you think? Did you make tents when you were little?

Trudy

xx

 

Super cool tent by Fute Design.

 

Canopy on a bed gives us the same feeling as a tent... cozy space!

 

Love these beds!

 

 

A fantasy outdoor canopy..

 

...and finally a bed tent with magic lights...enjoy!

 

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White Flowers

I love fresh flowers and always have many bouquets on hand in my home. I love the effect of combining green and white in a bouquet and have some great examples of how to use these throughout you home. How come flowers don't smell much anymore? I don't find they smell like they did when I was young..just pondering..

I also think flowers look good in many different containers. You can pretty much use anything depending on what kind of look you are going for. I like to use white or clear vases (oh really Trudy?? so suprising) and to use them in combination on the table when I am setting it for a supper with company.

 Take a look and be inspired..xx

 

Flowers in the bathroom...why not!!

 

 Paper whites and iris under glass. Very nice..

 

 

A single bud in a jar. Great for a casual table.

 

 

Love this vignettes with the the flowers on the floor beside the chair. Perfect.

 

 

Single branches of blossom.

 

 Okay green plants and flowers everywhere!!

 

 On my dining room table!

 

 

In my entryway I put a couple of flowers in my own pottery. What do you think?