Want It Wednesday {Master Bedroom Inspiration Board & Fabric Love}

I can not get Robert Allen's Neo Toile in Coral out of my mind. After the frigid winter and unseasonably cool spring, I am craving the vibrant colors of summer: teal, coral and aqua. I'm not quite certain in what manner, but I have added this "must have" fabric to my master bedroom inspiration board.

I think the lively colors lend a youthful feel to a rather formal print. And I love the appearance of the print hanging as drapery panels, although I'm not sure I could handle that much color in a bedroom drape.

After a day filled with 3 littles and their continual messes, I for one need a clutter free & neutral space in which to unwind. That said, a little pop of pattern & color helps pretty it all up. How about you, do you like your bedroom to be soothing and peaceful  or do you crave a space that emits energy and bold colors? 

Manor Monday {Happy Memorial Day}

In honor of all those who have bravely given their lives for our freedom, the B house is decked out in star and stripes.

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday. We have nothing major planned and that is just fine with me!

Family Friday {Baseball Buddy}

Last week the rain held off and Peanut was able to play his very first game of baseball. His excitement was contagious and despite the cold temps, he has an absolute blast out on the field.

Hubby is assistant coach for Peanut's team and having Dad by his side meant the world to our little man. Even though Peanut didn't quite understand the strategy behind the game, he hustled and wasn't afraid to get in on the action.

Who knows if baseball will be Peanut's passion, but it sure if great fun to watch your child develop and master new talents. I'm just waiting for the weather to cooperate and make these games a little more tolerable.

Want It Wednesday {Drapery Dilemma: Cast Your Vote!}

Monday's post I shared with you all the progress in the Living Room. I was happy to leave well enough alone until I saw this fabric posted on Instagram by Amanda over at Dixie Delights.

Could it be that this fabric is the prefect combination of aqua, green, blue & brown to tie in all the colors in both the living and dining room!?! I quickly ordered a sample and I am pleased to report the answer is an overwhelming YES! As an added bonus, the large scale print adds both softness and personality to the space.

Drapery for this room has always baffled me. Mainly, do I opt for floor to ceiling panels (image 1) or hang the drapes between the palladian and transom windows (image 2)?

When I consulted a designer for our first set of drapes (which I have since relocated to the office) she hung them under the palladian windows (similar to photo 2).  It is mainly an issue of taste and one I keep going back and forth on. So I'm asking you all, which way would you hang these drapes: image 1 or  image 2. I can't wait to hear all your design advice and opinions. Thanks in advance everyone!!!

Manor Monday {Living Room Switch Up}

Out of all the rooms in the house, the living room has been the biggest conundrum. I adore the large floor to ceiling windows and natural sunlight that fills this room sun up to sun down. But other than that, the rest of the room is a practice in learning to "love what you've got".  

That said, I did some furniture rearrangement a while back and I've taken to the new look. First I relocated YiaYia's childhood secretary from between the front windows, to the wall that use to house our piano (which I moved to the family room last fall). Flanking the secretary are our old dining room host and hostess chairs. In the far corner I set up a tiny bar cart/ vignette. 

Across the room the couch remained in the same spot,but I added a brown shade to the brass lamp on the end table to help carry the color across the room.

Finally, I hung the DIY art from the family room on the formerly blank wall behind the tufted reading chair. Using accessories from around the house or in storage I complied a small vignette on the duncan phyfe table to balance out the bar cart across the room.  

The room is far from finished, but the changes feel like a step in the right direction as I decide exactly how I want to transform this space. How about you all, any suggestions for taking what you've got and turning it into something you love? I'll be back Wednesday with my mood board for the room and along with a plea for some design assistance.

Want It Wednesday {Espalier Vines}

I've been logging in quite a few hours outdoors between our new garden & spring cleaning.  I  tend to pass the time by letting my mind dream up new designs for the space I'm working on. Sort of a bad habit, as it only leads to more work needing to be done and the vicious cycling continuing. Nonetheless, I've been stewing over landscaping ideas for the awhile now and here's what I'm loving, espalier vines.

I've always been drawn to the classic design of vines trained in geometric patterns along walls, fences, and houses. So it comes as no surprise that I am plotting a way to add some espalier to my life. From the research I've done, these designs are often high maintenance and require quite a bit of attention. At this point in my life my TLC slots have no vacancies so I'll just have to fill this inspiration away for another day.

sources:1&2 3 4

The former owner of our house was very much into the Prairie style: tall grasses & natural wildflowers. Slowly, we are working on changing that and someday I'll have my espalier vines. How about you? What's your garden style? Tailored & crisp? Maybe you're whimsical and cottage? 

Manor Monday {Coming Soon}

Hope you all had a lovely weekend and spent time with the special Mothers, Aunts, and Grandmothers in your life.

I've made some exciting changes around here, but the days have been too short and the to do list too long that I've yet to photograph any of them. So for now I leave you with the promise of details to come. XOXO

Family Friday {Firsts}

This past month both boys have had noteworthy firsts. The baby came down with a sudden and vicious case of croup that landed us in the ER from midnight-3am this past weekend. This was his first trip (and hopefully last) to the emergency room and he has asked to go back daily since then. Thankfully the steroid and breathing treatment helped open his airway and even upped his energy level. In no time flat he was bouncing on the bed and tossing his triceratops mask around. The cough is still lingering along with some cold symptoms, but he seems to be 80% better.

Thankfully Peanut's news is much happier. On Holy Saturday Peanut served as an alter boy during Liturgy for the first time. He absolutely LOVED it. A few times we observed him twirling the candle (battery operated) and even using it as a back scratcher, but all in all he did a fine job. Peanut has requested serving in the alter every Sunday since then.

The natives are getting restless so I better get breakfast started. Happy Friday!

Want It Wednesday {Lily of the Valley}

Since it is the week before Mother's Day & I seem to have flowers on the brain, I figured why not continue this week's posts with one of my absolute favorite flowers of all: Lily of the Valley. These tiny little bells have a heavenly aroma and are graceful while completely unassuming.

Source

I have loved them for ages, in fact I wanted to carry them solely as my wedding bouquet nearly a decade before Kate Middleton, but the florist couldn't guarantee that the bouquet wouldn't wilt or that the flowers would even arrive open (all the way from Ireland mind you). 

So as Hubby & I approach nearly a dozen years of wedded bliss, I think it is time to add some Lily of the Valley to our lives and lucky we have just the right spot.  Right now it is bare mulch under a maple tree, but in a year or so I am hoping it looks like this:

Now it is important to point out that Lilly of the Valley is poisonous so if you have children (or pets) who regularly ingest your landscaping, you might want to seek out other options to get your fix. One of which is Crabtree & Evelyn's Lily home spray. 

I think I used this spray religiously the first few years Hubby & I were married...I was completely obsessed. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to locate some Lily of the Valley pips.

Manor Monday {Tulip Border}

Hubby & I managed to squeeze away for an hour or so last fall to plant 100 tulip bulbs on the front walkway. With the arctic winter we had I was afraid the bulbs wouldn't make it, but I thankfully they did and are here now cheerfully gracing our front lawn. 

And I can't help but think of Steve Martin in Father of the Bride when I speak of a "tulip border". Now all we need are some swans.

The front yard is undergoing treatment for brown patch fungus, which we've been battling for a few years now. Thankfully the pink & apricot tulips draw your eye away from the yard. I know I alway talk about my love of green & white gardens, but these pink & peach beauties have won me over.

Happy Monday!

Family Friday {Happenings: The P Edition}

With school winding down and Spring finally making its arrival, we have had quite a bit of hustle and bustle around these parts.

Play Ball

Peanut is officially old enough to start baseball and he hit the ground running. First game is May 13th and I'm crossing my fingers that the 40s and 50s are long gone by then.

Party Time

After Spring Break we had the whole family over to celebrate Hubby's new promotion. The baby couldn't figure out why there weren't candles on the "cake" and kept wanting to sing "Happy Burday".

Potty Talk

Speaking of M, he runs hot and cold with potty training. Some days he refuses a diaper and the next he refuses the potty. Truth be told, it is easier for me to have him in a diaper especially this summer as we have added swim team, tennis & golf to the schedule. I'm just following his lead for the time being.

Pretty, Pretty Princess

On Holy Saturday I took a few shots of Belle in her Easter dress YiaYia & Bopi bought her. I'm not sure how many more years I've got left of puffy dresses and big bows, but I am secretly thrilled that she still loves to wear them...she "oohhed and ahhhhed"while unwrapping them.

Plantings

On Earth Day I bundled up the Boys and we headed outside to plant seeds. Gardening is something both of them really enjoy (boys + dirt = true love) and they are enthralled watching the seedlings grow in our dining room window.

We also marked the day by climbing trees and making pipe cleaner & cherrios bird feeders. I turned my back for a moment and M emptied the entire contents of a Costco sized box onto the table...lesson learned.

Prize Patrol

This past Sunday Belle & I attended an American Girl doll tea. We were shocked and pleasantly surprised that Belle won the last raffle prize, Honey the pup. I'm trying to convince her that Honey is the perfect dog for our family. So far I've yet to succeed. 

Putt-Putt

The golf season officially began in the B house this week and Bestie H's text is a perfect way to mark the bromance brewing between our Hubbies as they take to the course together.

And with that we are ready to start an early weekend with a half day of school and two playdates. The rest of the weekend is filled with a girl's night out for moi, double header ballet rehearsal for Belle, baseball for Peanut, golf for Hubby, & M is just along for the ride. I think I need a weekend to relax from the weekend.