Make An Entrance!

 

This will be short and sweet but at least you know I still exist.  This "job" thing really gets in the way of my time spent searching for beautiful things!  Abigail Van Buren said, "There are two kinds of people in the world.  Those who walk into a room and say, 'There you are' and those who say, 'Here I am'."  I would argue entrance halls can say the same thing.  The last photo certainly screams, "Here I am!!!"  In fact, that fun display of stripes doesn't even need you to show up.  It is having it's own little entrance hall party all day everyday!  Although I appreciate such fun decor, I would probably go for the look of photos 2 or 3 myself.  As a girl who loves shoes, my eyes are drawn to the floors.  I LOVE the brick herringbone pattern and the yellow rug is sophisticated and happy.  What does your entrance hall say?  Right now, mine says, "Go through your mail and tell your son to take the graduation gifts upstairs."  I guess mine needs a little work...

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The Iron Lady

Aside from her signature pin, Margaret Thatcher was not known for her beauty or fashion style.  However, one of her most well known quotes sums it up, "Being powerful is like being a lady.  If you have to tell people you are, you aren't."  There are many Margaret Thatcher quotes I love.  I never knew much about her until I saw the movie, The Iron Lady.  What an incredible and inspiring person she was.  She not only broke barriers into the man's political world but really made a difference at a time when Britain needed strong leadership.  She did the job because she was passionate about her beliefs and felt everyone needed to have a purpose.  She didn't need to be popular or loved by everyone because she knew who she was and was strong enough not to bend on her values.  That is tough to do - especially since most politicians govern by polls now.  "Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self esteem, and personal satisfaction," she said.  If that isn't a thought to pass on, I don't know what is!  I'm sad a woman with so much to say and contribute ended up having alzheimer's disease.  I'm sure she has been restored to her former self in Heaven and will let the angels know if something needs an upgrade!  Rest in peace Margaret Thatcher.


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Photos via the Margaret Thatcher Foundation Site

Posh Pantries

 Separate room off of the kitchen...square foot luxury!

 Screened door is a clever touch.

 I love the sliding door!  Architectural interest while hiding the mess.

 Never having to put the toaster or waffle maker away - love it.

 The pantry doors continue the look of everything else for a sophisticated feel.

 Again, hiding the mess but the presentation of the side cabinets are both functional and pretty.

 For the super neat person who could stock a general store! 

I love the dark counter resembling a table.

My pantry is not a separate room and consists of 2 cabinets by the back door.  After tossing every single item due to pantry pests, (gross) I vowed never to fill it up again....that didn't last!  As much as I try not to shop for processed pantry foods, I am notorious for having a Barefoot Contessa moment where I buy jars of spices, sun-dried tomatoes, different kinds of oils or whatever the recipe calls for.  I never get around to cooking it and might even buy it twice when Barefoot Contessa moment #2 happens several weeks later.  As I have said before, in my imaginary house I am building, I would most definitely have a pantry room.  One where toasters and latte machines and blenders could be loud and proud in the closet and happily reside amongst the 9 jars of pesto and sun-dried tomatoes of tarts never made.  If you read my post on the ultimate mud room with the built-in dog kennels, you might be thinking what I am thinking...this imaginary house is getting bigger all the time.  Oh well, who in their right mind dreams with limitations!

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Photos via Attic Mag

Bow Wow Built-Ins

In my imaginary house I am building, Trixie (my Golden Retriever) would have a built-in bed in the mud room.  I would have slate floors and probably copy the design of photo #2 with the Yellow Lab.  I love the windows!  I wonder who draws the short stick on cleaning nose smudges though. The last photo is cute but I wouldn't want dog hair close to food preparation...yuck!  That would be a tough place to clean as well.  The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, says Americans are trained by their dogs - not the other way around.  When Trixie went to school, her trainer was also a cop.  Before leaving my precious, furry friend, I reminded him that she liked the right side of the bed.  He rolled his eyes and said, "Oh yes, I'll remember that."  What would we do without our dogs?  Other than having a cleaner house, I would have to find someone to get SUPER excited to see me every time I walked through the door.  That might be a challenge...

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Photos via Attic Mag

Beyond Valentine's Day

These are photos I gathered for Valentine's Day that obviously never made it out on time!  Passion and love should exist 365 days a year anyway, so consider this your reminder!  I LOVE the outfit in the first photo, which is odd for a person usually dressed in black!  It is so classic and chic.  My usual interior design style is probably more like photo #2 - just a pop of color for visual interest.  I previewed a house in Houston yesterday where every room had a different color.  The kitchen had subtle mint (some say turquoise or teal) Corian counters in the kitchen with white cabinets.  Usually, when I hear "Corian" I immediately think of early '90's decor but this was a great looking kitchen.  It was such a nice break from most of the kitchens I see that are so bland and brown.  Photo #5 with the chinoiserie table reminds me of working at the Harold Powell store in the late 80's.  That was the era of everything Ralph Lauren and mixing prints with stripes with plaids all in one outfit, but it worked.  Don't you love all the access to interesting design we have today?  It really reminds me to think differently.  Even if something isn't exactly my style, I'm still inspired by creative people.  Oh...and don't forget to tell someone you love them today!

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Photos via: Chinoiserie Chic, Atlantic-Pacific, Tumblr

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

As a Realtor, I see a lot of typical cabinets, with typical hardware, in typical paint colors.  Many people prefer predictable houses so for them, it's a safe choice that satisfies their taste and expectations.  For those of us yearning for unique, it's exciting to see new (old) ways to display items and add charm and character to a home.  Grant it, this post doesn't really appeal to modern architecture enthusiasts, however, I seriously doubt Clever Confidante is their "go to" source for decor!  Chicken wire without fabric forces one to display in a neat, organized way, while chicken wire with fabric obviously conceals the mess.  Both add texture and interest to a room but beg the question of how tidy you plan to live on a daily basis.  Although I am not a connoisseur of chicken tureens, I have to admit this is a pretty clever way to house the collection.  Chicken wire might not be the golden egg you seek, but it's always good to think outside the box and add a little chic to the coop. 

Photos via Attic Mag

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CHECK This Out

Lately, I have been drawn to checked fabric.  Although the royal blue checks shown above is smart looking in a pristine white room, I tend to like the pastel colors the best.  I really love the combination of fabrics in the last photo.  What a relaxing place to read!  I have also been paying attention to bedding.  In general, it seems as if people are in two camps - all white or full-on print and pattern.  I don't think I could ever sleep on anything other than white sheets but I do like the way pattern and color was brought in on the beds pictured above.  In all these rooms, it's hip to be square!

Photos via Pinterest, Attic Mag, Belgian Pearls

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