extras2
Citrus. You may live in a cold-winter climate, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own fresh lemons, limes, oranges and kumquats. You may not end up with a Florida-size citrus tree, but you can keep a smaller variety alive and well by planting it in a container that can be left outside to brighten your summer garden, then brought into a sheltered location, even indoors, during the winter.
not in kitchen, but another room? String up a row of rice paper lanterns. You can find string-light versions of these as well as individual lanterns (either with a light or just decorative) in plain white, colors and patterns. Hang a row in the kitchen window, over the breakfast bar or above the island for a cheery touch.
Accessories can kick up a space several notches and tell a story at the same time. Imagine this wood nook without Honest Abe. That simple but so very meaningful portrait takes the space from worker bee to extraordinary. I imagine an oblique nod to this great president’s humble beginnings, where splitting wood into fence rails was a primary occupation. And I hear the unspoken reminder to neither spurn hard work nor give up on your dreams.
Stainless steel refrigerators are so common these days, we’ve lost the most convenient place for displaying notes, postcards and children’s art. Why not install a giant magnet board in the kitchen to take over? The sleek metal looks cool and just begs for creative personalization.
Bring in small treasures from nature. A bird’s nest, a pile of pretty stones, shells from the seaside — reminders of the natural world are an essential ingredient in any cozy cottage home. See what you can find in the natural areas near your own home … treasure hunting should be part of the fun.
Practice with houseplants. An easy way to begin experimenting with greens is to bring in more houseplants, potted trees, cut foliage and windowsill herbs. If you have neutral rooms, you will find they suddenly feel more interesting and dynamic with the addition of living green things.
doors
mirror
art
long cabinet, plants, art
all the interior doors a dramatic dark color — Onyx by Benjamin Moore. The hallway is painted in Seashell from MetroPaint.
two screens from Lowe’s as an extended headboard
wall color is 'Caribbean Teal' by Benjamin Moore. Also, the white paint on the room transitions.
Alcove entry
rug
framed food-oriented prints and menus
single tile accent row
stairway light?
black, white, blue
ceiling, window in roofline
Provide cover over entrances. A sheltered entrance makes is safer and more comfortable for you — and for visitors waiting for you to answer your door. Think about adding a portico, covered porch or covered breezeway to your home.
This example shows how Exclusive Plum can work as a neutral base. It pairs well with shocking greens, bold oranges, bright reds and, yes, even Radiant Orchid. Just use the vibrant hues sparingly and mix in some light neutrals — shades of white, gray or tan — to keep the space feeling light and open.
Power punch. An assembly of bold red and white prints provides eye-popping color. The pattern mixing works well here because the prints are all of a similar scale and have the same color combination.
Wall paint: Monterey White, Benjamin Moore
I love the colors in this photo, the lavender plane at the bottom, the upright terra-cotta pots with tall grasses, the partial adobe framing with fencing that disappears against the background. It looks like redwoods in the background, so there's probably a soaring element to the space that's missing from the frame of the photograph. Someone did a brilliant job with this.
Q