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bread, def
dessert - maybe a peach galette?
I've been eating Olivia's Spring Mix right along without issue...Mass.-based co sourcing only from US organic farmers... but to be on the safe side, esp after surgery, one of my faves with beef stew is a wilted cucumber salad....peel and thinly slice cukes and soak in salted water, a splash of vinegar, finely chopped onion (I use dried onion flakes) and dill as long as you want -- I usually do all day. Then drain and squeeze to remove excess water. Mix with salt, pepper to taste, a dollop of mayo. Delish and refreshing.
Oh yes, quick pickled cukes will be perfect ! Thanks
Edgecomb Gray is fine, (even full strength) it compliments the carpet flooring.
why not paint the trim the same color as the walls, same color different sheen. Walls, flat, matte or egg shell, Trim Satin.
The paint the whole fireplace the same Edgecomb Gray in a Satin finish. Even if you keep the trims and wall color what you have in the adjoining room, just the living room drenched.
Ditch the mirror and replace with a framed print.
Looks like the blue gray furniture will go GREAT with BM Edgecomb Gray
Feeling a little better but the spots are still apparent. Still scalp soreness but no new spots I noticed. Almost done with the anti-virus drug. Thanks !
NJmomma those beige pumps are classic and will look good with everything.
Thanks for showing me all those pretty bags! I want them all
I have added more bags to my list of candidates.
I have always liked the looks of Hammitt bags but haven’t seen many IRL. They are $$$ so this would be a bday gift.
This color seems to be big for fall, and I haven’t decided if I like it or not.
I like these too and the metallic is pretty daring for me (I don’t switch bags much — mostly just seasonally — so this would be an every day bag).
I want suede, or thought I did, but my bags tend to end up on floors, tossed in a back seat, etc etc, and I worry that I’d ruin a suede bag.
I may have to look for those Vionic boots. They’re a step up from my usual Blundstones.
My comments load from old to new. So when I open a thread, i scroll to the bottom. I usually can guess the poster from the items, can you? We all have distinct styles for sure!
Would bamboo (clumping varieties) survive where you are? I love its height and its soft featheriness.
Post a picture with only the items you want to keep in the living room. Post dimensions of the room.
As far as built-ins on either side of the fireplace, you could easily achieve that with cabinets. Built-ins for a small space like that aren't necessary unless you would really rather have them. I'm sure you could find some fairly inexpensive cabinets, unless you'd rather wait to do custom built-ins. As for a new side chair, I would be sure to get something with arms. It's more comfortable for guests to sit and chat, especially if they're holding a drink.
I like the second sofa from Poly & Bark. I’ve never purchased anything from them but I’ve heard good things. Agree with Katinparadise, the lower arms are more comfortable for me also.
My hair also expands with the humidity and I often think of what Diane von Furstenberg once said -- "But I can't go to Rio - my hair will frizz!"
The Backstory of the Quote
For the first several decades of her life, von Furstenberg famously hid her naturally big, curly, and textured hair, relying on frequent blowouts to keep it straight, smooth, and orderly. Her fear of humidity—specifically the intense tropical climate of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—was so strong that she actively avoided traveling there because she worried about losing control of her hair's texture.
Learning to Embrace the Frizz The quote marks the turning point where she stopped fighting her natural texture:
- The Studio 54 Era: She eventually decided to stop blow-drying her hair and let it dry naturally. This resulted in the iconic, voluminous, free-flowing 1970s waves that became synonymous with her look during the heyday of Studio 54.
- A Philosophy of Self-Acceptance: The moment she stopped fighting her hair, it became an extension of her personal philosophy. She has since used this story to teach women to "own who we are and turn our imperfections into our assets."
- Runway Inspiration: Decades later, she even used photos of her own 1970s wild, natural hair as the direct creative inspiration for her runway shows, instructing stylists to give models a carefree, beach-bitten, high-volume look.
Learn to embrace the frizz!!
Just add decor that balances the two sides out. Get draperies that touch the floor
I did tile in the powder room of my previous house, but I went all out and used a glass mosaic on all the walls from floor to ceiling. It was pricey and I wouldn't do it again on another project.
Sonoma Tilemakers - Vihara glass mosaic
Thanks everyone. To clarify, it is a total gut and there will be a light overhead. I’m also definitely changing the floor to the lighter tile. Here are the two options I’m currently playing with. One still has the tile, but as some other people mentioned I’m worried about closing the room in.
The other is just paint and stencil. Here I wonder is the design I chose is too dense and busy.
@mtnrdredux_gw thanks for the question. Sorry to have gone MIA. My DMIL passed away, and it’s been a tough few weeks. The decorating project is a welcome distraction, so thanks again for everyone's help, I really appreciate it.
I don’t really have a defined style, but I do have a style icon—a former colleague whose house in Milan I always loved. It was very contemporary—long, clean lines, understated, a mix of materials, and then a few very old pieces. I couldn’t begin to guess the century of some of them. I remember one chest of drawers with paint literally peeling off, and sculpture and art that had real age to them.
Nothing was matchy-matchy or crowded. Obviously my house and climate are completely different, but I’m really drawn to that mix of clean and collected or inherited pieces that feel almost casually dropped in. I guess this is my very Florida attempt at finding some version of that.
I like this RH tulip table and the clean geometric chairs—they feel like a foil to the squarer bergere, and give a little nod to its French roots. I decided for throw caution to the wind regarding the centering of it. I'll keep it centered and push it out a few inches when I entertain. Centered I think I have about 30" from the wall. That will be my seat lol.
To finish the Dining Room, I need a buffet. I'll get 6 chairs and then decide on the arm chairs. The arms might look good flanking the art wall.
For the Living Room, I’m leaning toward @Allison0704’s round cocktail table, still looking for suggestions for the brown console (that you see between the doors, it's directly across from the sofa), the end table, and whether to center the sofa on the wall rather than the chandelier...
I would use Alabaster (wall paint color) on everything in the room (walls/ceilings/trim).
Why two colors at all? They are not a great combination--one is very white and the other more yellow-ish. Too close for contrast. I'd paint the entire room one or the other, whichever works better with the furnishings.
All one color and probably alabaster
I used Waterworks in our last house - two bathrooms and kitchen. I loved the patiina it created the few years we were there. But if want to start fresh, or don't like, it is easy to restore and start over.
ETA photos:
Shower used daily for three years.
Main bathroom faucets
Kitchen
Rohl has (had?) a living finish I used in house on lake kitchen. I really liked the way it aged. Much slower, at touch spots. The finish worn down to unlacquered brass. Our Emtek bronze door hardware did the same.
If you paint it two different colors, the space will feel smaller/broken up. Suggest choosing a neutral color and create a visual separation with two rugs and accessorize the entrance to feel more like a foyer.
If interested, I’d remove all the smaller accessories, as larger items will ground/define each space better.
Don't.
@njmomma I love that!! I’m sure your daughter treasures her ring snd si will your grandaughters 🩷.
I also have a wrap, it is my original (and only) ”wedding band”; worn with my solitaire.
gscience, I absolutely love that - it's beautiful!
njmomma, what a brilliant idea!
@gsciencechick - so, so pretty!
Another vote for Charleston Mist
I like both papers, but, think they may be too cutesy for a powder room.
I notice there are a few tones of green in the bathroom. Find a paper to include them>
Aren't you in Maine? I'm somewhat of a traditionalist and I wouldn't use a tropical or color-saturated paper just because a powder room allows you to be bold. It's a Maine powder room.
I like the idea of a colored background rather than a cream background, like the blue-gray paper Emily posted. I like how the creamy white flowers pick up the color of the vanity and window trim while the background matches the floor tile. I wouldn't use that particular paper however.
You don’t have to pull the units all the way apart. Place them so they sit behind the ends of the sofa. Add a small console or even a floating shelf behind the sofa so you can add lighting or have a place to set a drink.
We had our long weekend in NYC so that was fun. Had a nice anniversary dinner at Tavern on the Green. I had a whole branzino with grilled artichokes. Then we went to the Flatiron Room where I had a drink called “Ideal Husband” LOL We also had counter diner type of breakfast. So good! That’s what you go to NYC for. Unfortunately it poured Monday morning so that limited our activities that day before the Rush concert at MSG. We did use the hotel gym for weights. Then it did clear up so we went to the 9/11 memorial since we have never been there.
Was hoping to get to a Pilates class in NYC but most of the classes were super early morning, and the best morning to go it was the one when it was pouring.
I did both a BodPod and DEXA scan last week. Body fat and visceral fat are down a little, and bone density is good. Had weight management doctor this morning, and he is happy with everything so I will stay on Zepbound 10 mg for maintenance. I’ve maintained my weight +/- about 2 lbs since December, and I’m happy where I am. Just want to work on increasing lean body mass and reducing visceral/abdominal fat.
Yes, you can hang sheers over blinds. Use clip rings on the sheers and a drapery wand to easily open them. Both available at amazon.com
Sue, what pretty pictures. I agree that sunflowers against a blue sky are a lovely sight.
One year my neighbor planted some along our fence line. Itook a picture of the back of its head.
Ded, I was saying to DH that they’re even pretty from behind, which isn’t true of all flowers. And I even like them like this.
Love the photos. I used to purchas sunflowers at the grocery store. I guess I bought too often, and while they always catch my eye, I haven't purchased in a while. Added some vine fron the yard. I am partial to the ons with dark centers.
At our last house, a bird dropped a seed I watched grow and bloom.
Maybe it's time I purchased again.
Thank you all! I dropped off the basket today and got pressured to offer classes. lol!