Curb appeal makeover

A significant overhaul is worth the cost and time with results like these. Here, designer Nancy Fishelson's tiny stoop was reborn as a wooden deck that spans the front of the house, expanding her outdoor living space.

(before)

(after)

Altering the direction of the stairs to the side – a dramatic structural change – makes for a grander entrance that also adds privacy. The lush foliage further softens the look, while a fresh coat of white paint unites the new porch with the house.  WOW!


{photo via Country Living}

Black doors

Black doors are classic and elegant whether they are on the front door or inside the house.  Picking just the right black is just as hard as picking the right white.  The white contrast really makes the black pop!

  

{photos via my Pinterest}

Banquette seating ideas #2

I think this post has been one of the most popular that I have blogged about so I wanted to go for round #2.
I have stuck with a more neutral palette in these banquettes and just love all of them.

I found all of these looks on Pinterest, and if you haven't discovered Pinterest, you really must!  It is a wonderful way to store and share your inspirations. 

Punches of purple

My daughter and I went to the Wisteria outlet in Dallas this weekend, and I couldn't resist snapping these great pieces in purple and the punch of purple mixed in other ways.  Very fun!

After seeing all the purple here, we went to Neiman Marcus and noticed how prominent the color burgundy is this year in fashion.  Just a deeper shade of purple! 

While I was away

I has been a little over 2 months since I blogged last and I hope to get more consistent and continue with this great love.  On my break I've been taking real estate classes in Texas, passed the Texas real estate test, prepared our son for his junior year of college and our youngest son for his senior year in high school.  We have survived one of the hottest summers on record in Dallas, Texas and took a much needed vacation to Orange County California.  We've enjoyed weekend trips to Oklahoma to see our newlywed daughter and tried to play a little tennis.  Because I love the coastal feel of homes and now that I am a real estate agent I decided to begin this week with an amazing home we saw on our vacation in Corona Del Mar, California.

305 Poppy Avenue

Corona Del Mar, California 92625

This 3 bedroom home is approximately 3,000 square feet and steps to the beach.  The town itself is so quaint and offers great shopping, family activities and beautiful weather.  For more information and photos go here.  

Enjoy!

Lovely kitchen in the Hamptons

I saw this bright and crisp kitchen when reading "Style at Home" online and was smitten.  I love the oversized lanterns and the colorful piece of art.  (wish I knew the artist!)  You can tell by the major curb appeal of this home that it will be amazing inside.  

Canadian-born designer Amanda Nisbet relied on bold colours when designing this beach house in the Hamptons.  See more of the interiors here.

{photos via Style at Home}

Beautiful Bride!

I have been planning our daughter's wedding since October and the cute couple was married two weeks ago.  Here is one of our favorites from her bridal portrait session.

We couldn't have been more please with our photographer, Jennefer Wilson, and the beautiful quality of work she does.  Finding her was a real gift!  Check out the rest of the photo session and I'll share wedding pictures as soon as they are available.  

{photos via Jennefer Wilson Photography}

Dining al fresco: blues and whites

The weather here has been fabulous and will surely not last long.  These table settings inspire me to serve dinner outside and take advantage of the comfortable temperatures.

I love the crisp feel of the blues and whites and how each setting is so unique.  The lush backdrops aren't bad to look at either!

{photos via Everything Fabulous}

Make your bed

Hello.  I have been busy these past few months planning and celebrating the wedding of our daughter.  The wedding was a week ago and I'll share some pictures with you soon.  We still need to update and redo her bedroom and I received a new catalog that is very inspiring.  Serena and Lily!

There are so many wonderful options in bedding, fabric, furnishings, etc... that I just couldn't post them all.  They have a link that allows you to "Make your bed".  You can experiment with hundreds of bedding combinations until you find the one you love.  You will find lots of inspiring ideas at Serena and Lily for your living room, rugs, furniture, paint, kids rooms and gifts.  Be sure to check them out soon.

{photos via Serena and Lily}

Clean and simple

We spend a lot of time doing laundry so I think this space should be enjoyable.

The whole point of doing laundry is to clean our garments so I think the space should also be clean and simple.  What is your style?

Doing away with cabinets?

I've been noticing a trend in some of the new kitchens and how they are doing away with upper cabinets.

It is such a nice, clean look, but you have to be a very organized person to keep it looking neat and tidy.  Plus it doesn't hurt to have great dishes to look at.  

{photos via The Polished Pebble, Urban Grace, Velvet and Linen, Alice Lane}

White holiday decor

I am always drawn to white interiors, even when it comes to holiday decorating.  Love the flocked trees, white candles and crystal accessories.

{photos via Canadian House and Home}

Rustic Retreat in North Carolina

 

Cashiers, North Carolina was once a rain forest and is set in a valley in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains.  This home is cozy and airy and very inviting - rustic yet refined.  The natural colors and large porch are my favorite parts of this home.  

{photos via House Beautiful}