Knock Knock

Here is an absolutely amazing 19th Century townhouse in Brooklyn that was renovated by Levenson McDavid Architect. It makes me miss my time in NYC so much, and it also makes me regret that I never went to Brooklyn and i lived there for 4 years...guess it is time to go back.

I would love to roll up in a bright yellow cab and enter through the

front door for a great dinner party, I'll bring the wine.

In the great room the subtle color pallet allows the trim work to stand out...

 

I love how they matched the chandeliers in both the dining room & great room, 

brings cohesiveness to the area.

 

The kitchen flows with the colors and simplicity. I just love the seating alcove with all of the windows. Great spot for a cup of coffee in the morning.

The master bedroom uses the original fireplace and a large modern chandelier as the focal points.

 

Yes, I love you to the herringbone hardwood in the the bath, stunning.

Finally, how fun is this backyard. The curved staircase takes you to an area where great 

memories are sure to be made.

All images via Levenson McDavid Architects

Hope you found some inspiration in one of these images, I know I did. Have a great day!! Mel :)

A little retail therapy...

A little retail therapy can make any rainy day better. Here are a few items I ordered up for the cabin while the rain came down...

I have been trying to decide on which rugs to order from Dash & Albert. I just adore the fun woven cotton rugs, between the colors, the patterns, and the price point...you really can't find anything better. Needless to say it was a difficult choice, but I decided to go for the 'Fisher Ticking' rug seen below for in front of the kitchen sink and the entry door. 

Such an easy way to add some color and vitality to an area.

Then from Anthropologie I have been eying some of the super fun dishes by Nathalie Lete for right above the stove to help add some color to the space. We have white cabinets, white sub-way backsplash, and a limestone color counter tops...so not a lot going on. While I was on the phone with them I decided to order the 3 below. I'll decide when they arrive which I will use if any, I might just find a different space for them all together.

OK, now off to hit up some antique stores, fingers crossed I can find some good things. Have a fantastic day! Mel :)

Stripes or Chevron, I picked...

So I decided on a Chevron pattern for the half wall in the stairwell, it was a bit more work than the stripes but so much fun and I just love it, especially the color, Pratt & Lambert French Blue.

Here is the terrible 'Before' pic from when we first took possession of the cabin. Unfortunately you can't see the nasty stained carpet that was on the stairwell, why is it we
never take great 'Before' images??

I found THIS link when searching for easy ways to get the template down for the pattern. After starting with the first row I then got out the level and started taping off each line, then simply cutting out the sections that were not needed.
Needless to say there was some trial and error till I got my grove.

 

Here is the 'After' pic. We still need to hang all of the art work that I have collected for the upper portion of the wall and finish accessorizing the area, but it is getting there. A bit of paint and some penitence has really helped transform the once blah area into a fun space...

   
All images my own

Now I am going to try and convince Rob to take down the light so I can paint the metal parts bright red...but I will not hold my breath on that one since it is less than a year old.

Hope your weekend was filled with laughter, enjoy your day!! Mel :)

Fridays Favorite

My new addiction for a fun summer drink on a hot day is a Watermelon Crush. So yummy, but be careful, they go down really quick and they have a punch!

Image via Feastingonart.com

Watermelon Crush

1 seedless watermelon

1 can frozen lemonade concentrate (do not add water)

1/2 liter citrus vodka

1/2 liter vodka

Cut up the watermelon and discard the rind, puree the watermelon in a blender or food processor. Mix all ingredients together and stir well. Freeze overnight (it stays fresh for quiet a while, it just won't last that long!). Before serving stir with a large spoon to break up any frozen clumps. Serve in a glass and enjoy!! 

How easy is that? You can also add some mint to it when freezing if you want to add a zip to it, both ways are addictive. 

Hope you give this a shot, but if you do, remember not to drink & drive, or in our case, boat & drive. Have a fab weekend! Mel :)

Knock Knock...

Wouldn't you just love to be able to knock on some of the doors of the beautiful homes you see in magazines or on-line?? This is one particular home that I just adore, it was featured in Elle Decor.

Symmetry & perfection, love the pop of color with the ever so fun turquoise...

The antique window give the swan such a lovely home...

Beautiful bedroom and a great retreat all in one...

Hi, antlers & a lantern, two of my favorite things in one bathroom...

The dark windows & doors through the opening are making you wonder, aren't they?

The fun combination of items here just steals my heart here...

All Images via Elle Decor

We are enjoying the heat wave here in the mid-west, even getting a bit of outside work in between the fun on the water. Hope you are staying nice and cool today. Mel :)

To Stripe or Chevron, that is the question...

Stripes or chevron (aka zig zag)...which to choose for the small wall I have an itching to paint in our stairwell?? Here are some examples....

Stripes

Image via Lathered Cottage

Chevron

Image via Curbly

Now, I know both are trendy right now, especially the chevron pattern since it is everywhere in the decor world right now. But hey, it is for the cabin and after all it is just paint and not something I will have to live with for years to come. Give me your thoughts since I am saving this project for a rainy day and one is projected for Thursday. Thanks so much and hope that the sun is treating you well!! Mel :)

What a weekend!!

Wow, talk about a few days here. We made our way back from Dallas, the drive wasn't too bad and the boys were terrific for the 8 hours we were in the car. Keep your eyes peeled for the follow up to my sisters backyard, it really is stunning!! While we were there she was interviewed for the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, they are going to be featuring her yard as well, so I really am not bias, it is beautiful!

As well Mr. Myles turned the big 2 yesterday. We had some of the family over for great food, my red velvet cupcakes from scratch, and lots of fun. He is growing so fast and talks up a storm, he always makes me smile.

 

And of course, it was also Fathers Day weekend, a time to celebrate the amazing men in our life. We were so lucky that we were able to spend that day with our dad, Rob, and one of my brothers on his first fathers day. I can't tell you how lucky I am to have such amazing men in my life, our boys have such amazing roll models and teachers.

  

And on that note, enjoy your first day of summer, get some fresh air and breath it in!! Mel :)

Sneak peak...

So, if you recall in my past post about my landscaping I mentioned that my sister was blessed with all of the landscaping talent and skill. Now don't get me wrong, I love a beautiful garden, I just prefer to design it and pay someone else to kill their back. Well, we are in Dallas at her home right now and I am taking picture after picture for a few post to come. Here is a sneak peak of what you will get to see...

I hope your week is treating you well!! Mel :)

Great job House Beautiful!!

I just picked up the House Beautiful 500+ Favorite Paint Colors special publication, now go out and get one for yourself!!

Besides stunning images throughout the magazine there are great snippets 

of advice from talented designers.

Your eyes will love the fresh take that some of the colors will have on you now. It is easy to get in a 'rut' at times with selecting colors, but this magazine will be just the boost you need to get you 

revamped for some fun and daring selections.

Even if you are a talented DIYer or just one who daydreams about making over your space you will appreciate this magazine, it is laid out so well. With the chapters focusing on Neutrals, Color by color, Room by room, Bold colors, & Solving problems with color everyone will find it a valuable resource to hold onto for years. That is why I bought 2 copies, better safe than sorry!

All images via House Beautiful

Have a great day, I am off for a run and then some coffee, lots and lots of coffee. Mel :)

Off to D-Town...

We are off to Big Dallas today, whoo hooo!! I am driving down with my mom, a sister, a nephew, and the boys...a long 7 hour drive. It will be worth it once we get there, fun with 2 of my sisters and my mom, along with some of the nephews & nieces for the boys to hang with.

 

Image via roadtrip.net

Lots of shopping, sun, shopping, eating, shopping, and a margarita or two. Hoping to find lots of inspiration for our new home and a few great items for the cabin too. Hope everyone has a fantastic week and I am excited to share with you a few post from our trip next week. Mel :)

Fridays Favorite

My favorite summer desert that is too easy, beautiful, and yummy!!! This is my version, an adaption from Martha Stewart, enjoy...

Image via Martha Stewart

STRAWBERRY GALETTE W/ BASIL CREAM

Served 4 - 6

FOR THE BASIL CREAM

3/4 C. heavy cream

1/3 C. loosley packed chopped fresh basil

2 T. sugar

3/4 C. mascarpone cheese

FOR THE GALETTE

1 lb. strawberries

1/4 C. sugar + 1 T. sugar

2 t. cornstarch

1 large egg yoke

1 T. water

1 T. cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1 pie crust from the refrigerated section, such as Pillsbury

Make the basil cream: 

Combine cream, basil, and sugar in a heatproof bowl. Set over a small saucepan of simmering water, and stir until the sugar dissolves, about 4 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or longer (the longer it sits you will get a more pronounced basil flavor). Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl. Add mascapone, and whisk until medium peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.

Image my own

Make the galette: 

Pre-heat the oven to 350. Roll out the pie crust on a sheet of parchment paper. Cut strawberries lengthwise into 1/4-in-thick slices. Toss slices with 1/4 C. sugar and the cornstarch, and immediately arrange them in circles on the dough. Start 1 inch from the edge, overlapping slices slightly. 

Fold edge of dough over berries. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Whisk together yoke and water. Brush dough with the egg wash, and sprinkle with remaining 1 T. sugar. Dot berries with butter. Bake until crust is golden brown, 40 - 50 minutes.

Transfer to serving plate. Serve warm or room temperature with basil cream.

Image my own

I hope that you give it a shot, I have made it for numerous get togethers and BBQ's...it is ALWAYS a hit. Have a great, safe, & fun weekend, I am off to get ready to entertain again this evening. Mel :)

Long lost friends...

One of my favorite things to do on a rainy day is curl up on the sofa with some of my long lost friends, my old magazines. I have quiet the stock pile here at the cabin, so when the opportunity came the other day to snuggle up with them while the boys were napping I took advantage of it.

Here are a few of the magazines that I had a chance to rediscover.

   

House Beautiful & Southern Accents from August 2009

It isn't just images that look new and inspiring, it is also the internet sources and the articles that seem to have new life to them. You are looking at them with fresh eyes, seeing things that you might have surpassed the last time you were hanging out together.

   

Beautiful Kitchens & Architectural Digest from August 2009

Do you save your magazines for a later glance?? If not give it a shot, that lone image that you thought you found might have some fabulous acquaintances.

  

House Beautiful & Elle Decor from December 2009

Hope you week is going well, can't believe how fast time is going by right now...take a moment and enjoy it! Mel :)

Hello lover...

I wrote this post over a month ago and forgot to post it!! So since I managed to have a bottle of wine last night I thought it would be the perfect post since it takes no brain power...

"Hello lover!!!" were my exact words when I finally saw a full slab illuminated of the Ceasarstone Motivo in the white damask pattern. I have seen it on-line and small samples but not in person, until now. Stunning!

It is subtle and simple yet it takes white to a new level.

 

Right away my head started spinning and my mind was exploding with ways to incorporate it into our next master bathroom. Some thoughts are using it as in inset under the free standing tub, almost creating the illusion of a 'rug'. Or possibly using it in a lineal way, having it cut in 2' strips and alternated with a beautiful white floor tile, possibly a marble??

 

It was love at first sight and it will be used in one way or another in the new home. 

They also have a funky crocodile pattern in black, again, the full slab was just beautiful. A bit more on the modern and masculine side with the color and design, but oh so fun. 

Just image what we will be seeing in the next few years from Ceasarstone, this is only the start. Hope your day is going well! Mel :)