Isn't It Romantic

Room by Belle Interiors

Now that it is the very first day in the month that we celebrate LOVE,  I thought I would do a post on Romantic Celebrations. What exactly makes a celebration Romantic?  I am sure it varies from person to person.  For me it would involve staying at home with the love of my life (Hubby), a fireplace, a table set for two, flowers, candlelight, and beautiful music playing softly in the background. I started looking around to find some examples of what I find romantic and it really is subjective. I did find a few things that I would like to share with you that may help you to make that special someone feel Verrrrry Special!!

How about a romantic dinner for two, fireside? If you have a fireplace you can easily put a small table in front of a warm and cozy fire.

Here is a book that will not only help you figure out what to cook and how to make it, but also has music to play along quietly while you eat dinner.

Along with dinner and nice easy listening music, I would have a video of ocean waves. Our favorite place to go is to the ocean.  I am very fortunate to live close enough to take trips to beautiful Carmel Beach in California. We go there as often as possible.

For those of you who live close enough to Carmel or Monterey check out this wonderful web-site and surprise your loved one with your own personal Bon Fire at the beach with a love message placed in the sand outlined in rose petals. It comes complete with blanket and all the fixings to make smores.  I actually purchased this as a gift for a very special person in my life on their anniversary. I was told it was one of the most wonderful surprise they had ever received. I highly recommend this as a special gift to a loved one or a couple in love.

I would like to leave you with these two pictures taken on one of our trips to Carmel. This was a very secluded little cove. Someone had made a heart in the sand with some sea kelp. I must say it made for a very romantic rest of the day. Aaaaaaah!

  Let me know what special plans you are making for your Special Someone.

"Enjoy the Process" Of: Making someone feel special.

Kathysue

What Is On Your "SOMEDAY" List?

Do you all make lists?  I do.  Sometimes I make them on paper or in a journal and other times just in my head.  I have two types of lists, a "Someday List" which is a list of things that are attainable.  The "Wish List,"  contains things that I probably will never have due too money issues, circumstances but I still like to dream about them.  

 I am very patient and will wait for a "Someday" for a really long time. I have always loved black and white checked floors, and they were on my "Someday" list for a long time. After being in my home over twenty-five years, I actually now have one.

 I would rather wait for a really long time for what I truly want, than to just get something to fill in an area.  I will share my "Someday List" with you, and keep it to my top seven.  Attached to my  "Someday List" are inspiration pictures. I can see the picture in my head, but the visual is a good reminder and it also helps Hubby see what I have in mind. I also hope that it inspires you.

"My Someday List"

A faux fireplace and bookcases for living room

This is obviously a room under construction. I like the fact that there are no distractions,just the bare bones of the fireplace surrounded by bookcases.  My room is no where close to being this large but the basic concept is something that is very appealing to me. The beamed ceiling is wonderful. Notice how wide the door casing is that leads into this room. Love that affect. Oh my! they even have a transom window above the French doors. I'm sorry , I got carried away. Now back to my list.

I am keeping my eyes open on treasure hunting trips for an older mantle to work around. This is a gorgeous marble beauty. I also like the moulding that has been applied to the sides. Very interesting.

I like the way the lower doors in the wall cabinet flow into the design of the wainscotting in this room. I also want wainscotting to be incorporated. This is my entry hall wainscotting, as you can see below. I think it would have a nice flow if it were also in the living room.

Love the sconces here. They have a nice traditonal line to them with a touch of black. My favorite combination, black and white!

Two sofas facing one another in front of fireplace in my familyroom

I know there is no fireplace in this picture, but I have also thought of a day bed to divide the room. The vote is still out on that.

A beautiful picture from Elle Decor Magazine.  Now we are talking.

Two chairs to divide the room are most likely what I will do.  I think that will give us more seating possibilities.

I love everything about this room.  Of course the two french doors with the amazing view might be swaying me, just a little. I am also drawn to the piece of art above the mantle. It gives a window affect, like you are looking out to some beautiful scenery.  Notice how the dark ottoman grounds the room.   This room has it all, texture, color, contrast, light,fresh flowers and ferns. Pretty close to Perfection for this girl!

Hardwood Floor running down the hallway to match existing floor in my kitchen and familyroom

This is not my hallway but it is very long like mine. My hallway is 29ft long and all of the bedrooms are running off of it. My uncle said," This isn't it a hallway it is a dormitory."  It gets the most wear and tear so carpet just does not hold up that well. In a narrow hallway I would run the boards horizontally to widen the look of the hallway. I think it would look quite nice to continue the wainscotting from the entry down this hall. Oh my! Poor Hubby! He has so much work ahead of him. Like I said I am willing to wait for my "Somedays"

French doors in master bed

 This is the actual window in my master bedroom that I would love to replace with a French door. Don't you think it would look perfect here?  Now we just have to convince Hubby. The more I look at the pictures below the more I think I reallllllllly need a French door!

Now don't you think this look would be perfect for my master bedroom?

I don't want the black shuttered doors but I think this door is interesting in this room

White tile countertops in Kitchen with Carrara marble backsplash

Am I the only girl around that actually wants a new white tile countertop in her kitchen?  Yes, you heard right, I want tile. I love its durability ,textural interest and fresh look. With the counter I would like a carrera marble back splash.  If truth be known I would really love a carrara marble countertop but I have read a lot about having carrara. Everything I read says it stains too easily and I really use my kitchen a lot.  I don't want to worry about maintenance. If there is anyone out there in blogland that reallllly uses their kitchen a lot and you have the carrera marble counters please let me know.  I would love to be convinced!!!

Four matching chairs facing eachother in the living room

I love this clean and uncomplicated look. I can just see me sitting here and having great conversations with family and friends.

Although these four chairs are only matched in pairs it still gives the look I like. Notice the fireplace and the wainscotting?

I think this room looks a bit crowded but the concept is there.

I really like this! I plan on putting a mirror in my faux fireplace with a nice fern in front of it.  I have done that in my operating fireplace for a summer look.  Hubby just made me a trifold mirror so I could easily move it in and out for my summer look. We even attached a clip light to the flue to illuminate the fire box. It was a really nice affect. (Note to self: wire for lighting inside faux fireplace)

Great inspiration picture for me, fireplace and four chairs.

Black and white striped awnings on windows

I just think this house is so charming!  My house is a small ranch so I think the awnings would add so much character.

There you have it, my "Someday List," complete with pictures to inspire.

Do you have a "Someday List"? I would love to hear what you have on your list.

"Enjoy the Process," Of: Making a" Someday List"

Kathysue

Do You Toss Your Throws?

Designer Suzanne Kasler

I have a question for all of you. Do you toss your throws?  You know how you stand back and just toss it on a piece of furniture to make it look as if someone had just gotten up and threw it there .  It is a relaxed comfortable look.  It helps people visualize in their minds how wonderful it would be to sit on that piece of furniture all snuggled up in the softness of that very throw.

Maybe you are in the other camp of those who like their throws nicely folded and placed in a very intentional manner. It will be neatly folded and placed either on the end of a bed or on the arm of a chair or sofa.  I am going to show you some pictures of both methods.  Let me know which way you prefer your throws??? Tossed or Placed

In this lovely and comfortable looking room the throw has been tossed in a gentle manor. I think maybe there was just a little bit of tossing with purpose here. It almost looks too neat to be considered a toss.

This pretty bedroom designed by Lynn Morgan actually has two throws. One on the chaise and another on the bed . These are in the neatly folded and placed camp.  Which way are you starting to prefer?

Whoever did the tossing of the throw here did a great job at making it look as if someone just got out of that chair and tossed the throw on the arm of the chair. This is tossing at its best.

There is no doubt that this is deliberately placed.  This throw is more for decorative purposes to add a punch of color on the all white sofa.  I have had clients use two throws in the same color lined up on the back of the sofa for a color spot.  This is a way to totally change the look of a room  very inexpensively.

I had to show you this picture. It is one of my favorites and  I have had it  in my inspiration file for quite awhile. It is from the  wonderful blog,Three Men and A Lady, written by a very talented homeowner, Michelle.  Be sure and  take a peek at her blog. The transformation of her bedroom is amazing!  It is obvious that Michelle is in the camp of placing her throw deliberately and neatly.  I love the way she took it a step further and actually tucked it under the cushion.  Brillant!

Someone must have been very cold! They have actually realllly tossed two of their throws.

This is a picture from Elle Decor magazine.  First I must say cover me up now!! Love this warm and cozy look.  It has a purposeful tossed look to it.  I can tell that the stylist was keeping this shot nice and cozy, but not messy.

Neat and tidy here! No tossing was done in the styling of this room.

Here we have another neatly placed and tucked throw. Because of its texture and the little bit of rumpling it looks a little more casual.

Definitely tossed!

Very neat and with purpose.

Designer Christina Rottman

This picture from House Beautiful is showing two gorgeous throws that were placed very intentionally almost to cover up the sofa and make the throws the focal point on the sofa. Very interesting

Designer Jeffrey Bilhuber

We have both examples of tossing and placing in this room .

Now you have seen all of the pictures.  Which camp do you fall in?  The toss and go camp. The toss and straighten it just a little bit camp. Or are you in the neatly placed camp?

I bet you are wondering which camp I am in?  Have a guess?

"Enjoy the Process" Of: Tossing or Placing your Throws

Kathysue

BTW: Rhoda at Southern Hospitality has a post on making your own throw, after you make it you can decide to toss or place it.