i’m back …

… and I’m feeling lucky!  As some of you already know, I won Heather Bullard’s Christmas giveaway.  I opened up my front door to get my mail yesterday, and this is what I found. 

 

Aren’t those houses sweet?  I really like everything I got in this giveaway, and the kids are really loving the chocolate.  (They’re my two favorite flavors, but I’m trying to be good.)  This giveaway really made my day!    The little houses are already on the windowsill – the first decorations I put up this year.  Thank you to Heather (and Serena) for this terrific giveaway!! 

In other news, there’s a lot of blogging coming up soon.  A trip to DC,  and of course, getting ready for Christmas.   But before I do any of that – a load of laundry, work, parent-teacher conferences, and then some shopping.  Phew! It’s getting to that crazy busy time of year, right?   

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Best,

Stephanie

the view from outside …

The last show house post.  As I had mentioned, the family that owned the estate purchased this home for their daughter when she married and had it moved onto the estate, not too far from the main house.  The house is a few hundred years old, and was built by one of the founding families of Long Island.   They added on to the house after the move, and their daughter lived there until her death.  The show house is only the second time the home has been open to the public.  

 

You may recognize the main house from earlier posts.   I think the last time I showed it was in May, or possibly June, if you want to take a look. 

I will be taking a short break until after Thanksgiving to spend some time with family and enjoy the holiday.  I’ll be back with a terrific Christmas giveaway I won, and then of course, getting ready for Christmas.   

I hope that each of you celebrating Thanksgiving has a very happy day, and enjoys your family, friends, and all your blessings.   I hope that you all find many things to be grateful for, and that the holiday season brings you health, happiness and prosperity.   And I truly hope that you know how grateful I am for all the wonderful people that I have met here, for your kind comments, and the generosity of spirit that has you share your talents, your homes, and your families with us. 

Best, always,

Stephanie

blue monday …

There were two bedrooms at the show house that I loved.  One of them I was not permitted to photograph, and couldn’t be more different than this one.  The other is the one below.  I probably couldn’t live in this room, but it would make a really fun guest room or teen’s bedroom.  The designer called it a Palm Beach Holiday, designed with the idea that it’s for those who travel to warmer climes during the holidays.   It was so fun and fresh, and I love the color combination.  The attached bath was white with lime and turquoise accents.   I also love the paint treatment on the ceiling, and am trying to figure out if I can copy that somewhere at home.  

The white suitcases and the chair with the silver feet ?  Um, yeah, I want those!   I wouldn’t say no to the desk, either!

And finally a long view of the room and that ceiling I really liked.  

  

We’re almost done with the show house.  There were a lot of photos, but I thought they were worth showing to you.  There really was something for everyone, even though I couldn’t photograph everything.  

Hope you all have a great week!

Best,

Stephanie

the bedrooms

Today’s post is two of the bedrooms.  The first is the master, and the second is one of the guest rooms.  Can I tell you how small our master bedroom is and what I would give for one big enough for a bed, shelves, two seating areas, a desk and a fireplace?   I included the whole wall where the fireplace is, and a close-up of the fireplace too.    Opposite from the bed are a few floor to ceiling windows that step out onto a second story terrace.  I didn’t photograph it as it had gotten quite overgrown, but I definitely wouldn’t mind that either.   Especially when the view is of lovely, lush gardens.    

This is one of the guest rooms, decorated for Hanukkah.   The room was small, and the only other thing in it was a small writing desk and chair.  There was an arrangement of bowls filled with mini silver and gold dreidles and small coins.   Through the door is the en suite bath.   Every room had it’s own bathroom. 

 

A few more bedrooms are up in the next post, and then the outside views.  Hope you’re having a great weekend!

Best,

Stephanie

the sitting room …

The sitting room was beautiful.  There were so many beautiful things and textures.  It was a small room, and I photographed most of it, other than a small writing desk.   I don’t think the photographs convey how warm and inviting this room is.  Faux throws, gleaming silver, rich browns, the gorgeously soft texture of the velvet sofa.  Champagne in the sitting room, darling?  Happy Holidays, indeed! 

I thought the arrangement of the pictures and the mirror really worked, and I loved the two lamps on the table. 

I love the wreath over the window, and the mercury glass acorns.  I have a slightly smaller version of these.

I’m definitely coveting that large silver bowl.  I can think of a dozen ways to use it right off of the top of my head.   The sofa and pillows look a little shiny in the photograph, but the couch was velvet and the pillows were much softer in person. 

I hope you’re all enjoying the show house tour.   I think there really is an idea or two in here for any home and budget.   I definitely got some ideas, and saw some things that I already do, or have done.  The scattered crystals on the table, the bowl of ornaments, the candy jars, and the wreath on the inside window are ones I’ve done in the past.   I still have the bedroom photos to post, as well as some outdoor shots, so more to come soon.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Best,

Stephanie

part three … breakfast at tiffany’s …

…and one of my favorite rooms so far.  Off of the kitchen was a little breakfast room.  They did the entire room in Tiffany blue.  You can’t really from the photos, but the walls were a perfect match to that iconic little blue box.    I apologize for the quality of some of the photos – they’re not the best, but I didn’t want to leave anything out, down to the velvet buttons on the silk curtains.  I won’t decorate my house before Thanksgiving, but I got a lot of ideas from this show house.   I think I would cheerfully open all those blue boxes at the Christmas table – wouldn’t you? 

Best,

Stephanie

 

 

holiday show house … part two …

As promised, here are some more photos from the decorator’s holiday house.  The dining room was lovely, and I wanted to take more photos,  but they were looking at me like I was planning the great china heist of 2010.  So imagine that you see the sconces around the room covered with greenery with the prettiest soft blue frosted berries on them.   There was also a beautiful china cabinet covered in greenery and crystal garland.  So pretty.  I loved the topiaries too. 

Below is the butler’s pantry – not an inch of which was not decorated.  Really, it was a little too much for me, but there were some pretty elements in there. 

 

I have done the ornaments in the trifle bowl, but not in a few years.  I liked the candy jars filled with fake candy too.  A sweet touch.  Now I just need to find some cute candy for my jars.  I definitely got some ideas of how to change things up a little this year.  It’s hard to believe Christmas is less than six weeks away!   Are you getting ready yet?

Hope your day is going great!

Best,

Stephanie

hello, again …

Wow, have I been a bad blogger!  But I’m back and I have some great inspiration and beautiful rooms to share.  I went to a designer’s show house not too far from home, and have some pictures to share.  I still don’t know if photographs were allowed. I wasn’t hiding my camera – I used my small Sony, and it’s lime green, hardly inconspicuous.  But in some rooms they wouldn’t let us take photos.   So I didn’t get 3 or 4 of the rooms – 2 of which I loved – but I still got plenty to share.  And if photos aren’t allowed, well, shhh… don’t tell!

The entire show house had a holiday theme.  First up is the Flower Room.  Yes, they have a whole room dedicated to flower arranging.   This room was turned into a super luxe gift wrap room. 

I love that row of hydrangeas on the window sill.  I think I’ll be trying that one out in my kitchen soon.   I just need to find those cute square vases and I’m all set.  Up tomorrow, the dining room and butler’s pantry. 

Hope you all have a great week.  And thanks to all of you for stopping by and leaving your sweet comments! 

Best,

Stephanie