Over Here

While it appears I've fallen off the face of the earth, I can assure you the opposite is true:  life is moving at warp speed.  Lately stress monopolizes my Covet du Jours, yet I am hopeful the near future holds lots of exciting opportunities.

Is your life in high gear as well?  Take a gander at this ethereal apartment, by Kelly G Design, and feel the stress melt away.

To view more images of this gorgeous space click here.  

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"In the middle of a difficulty lies opportunity."

~Albert Einstein 

A Man After My Own Heart

Maximilian Sinsteden provides me with hope.  You see, I live in a house full of the opposite sex.  One of my concerns for the future is the lack of companionship.  That is, I worry my boys would prefer golf with Dad over fabric shopping with Mom.  Plus, I am hopeless when it comes to sports terminology and comprehension.  

Why am I optimistic?  Take a tour of this chap's dorm room.

 

Images via.

To read more about this dapper young man click here. 

Disclaimer for anyone that considers this selfish: I will certainly be at every match (or what-have-you) cheering my children on.  I will appreciate and cherish any amount of time my kids offer.   I simply wish that a small fraction of that time can be spent exploring something I am interested in. 

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"The finest clothing made is a person's skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this."  ~Mark Twain

Small Spaces: The Winning Butler

While my husband was watching the college basketball championship game last night, I was spinning my wheels to come up with something for today's post.  I asked which team he was cheering for and he replied, "the underdog, Butler." The proverbial light bulb lit up and I decreed, "I will write about the ever so alluring Butler Pantry!"  Any room with a nod to old world charm is deserving of the CDJ title.

The Butler Pantry dates back to 1757 and was typically found in grand homes.  Traditionally the utility space was used for storage and cleaning of serving pieces, as well as counting of silver.  Butlers often slept in the pantry to ensure the silver did not wander off. 

Today, butler's pantries seem to be making a come back.  The service space between the kitchen and dining room is utilized for storage as well as a staging area for serving meals.  One may find simple storage pantries in a modest home or more elaborate versions including sinks, refrigerators or dishwashers  in stately residences.  

House Beautiful

Kitchen Lab

Elizabeth Kimberly

Tish Key

Newman & Wolen Design, LLC via cococozy.com

Miles Redd via Elle Decor

Bunny Williams via House Beautiful

House Beautiful

This is a space I will absolutely incorporate into our next home if the space and our pocket book allow.  I have so many serving pieces piled high in closets.  Having a home for everything would be a dream come true.

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"It is the personality of the mistress that the home expresses. Men are forever guests in our homes, no matter how much happiness they may find there."  - Elise de Wolfe 

Casual Friday: Small Spaces

My mother insists I am drawn to small spaces .   Her words - "You moved from a small apartment, to a small row house, to a small house.  They (were) are all beautifully decorated, but the next house you buy needs LOTS of space."  Trust me, I want a home with tons of extra space, however there is something to be said for small spaces.  They require you to utilize every square inch and get extremely creative.  Plus, there is a certain charm about a thoughtfully decorated petite pied-à-terre.  Take a look at these positively enchanting small spaces.  

An over-sized birdhouse turned guest cottage.  Image courtesy of Apartment Therapy  

To me, this delightful pigeonnier  is a play house for the child in us.     

This tiny NYC apartment is a little gem.  (I've had this picture in my file for a long time.  Please forgive me, because I can't remember where I found this or who designed it.  If you know, please tell me.)

I will not step foot in our shed for fear of an "encounter" (snake, bat, insect, murderer, etc.), but I would happily spend my days writing in Michael Devine's "Garden Blogger's Shed".  

Love the painted floor!

A child lives in this small one bedroom apartment!!!  I love that everything has a place - perfect for an organization enthusiast like me.

Images courtesy House Beautiful   The trundle hides under the bed when not in use.

The regal color scheme makes a big impact in this small space.  (PS - we have this high chair in black.  I highly recommend it!)

Images courtesy The New York Times

This tiny house (the blue one) is in my former neighborhood - Old Town Alexandria, VA.  The 7 feet wide by 25 feet deep "Spite House" has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post and Oprah

Every inch of this terrific teensy-weensy kitchen was considered when Stephanie Stokes designed it.  The mirrored back splash opens up the slight space.  

Images courtesy House Beautiful

This Saturday we have a big celebration for a wee lad - my baby's 1st birthday party!  No matter how big or small your weekend plans are, enjoy!

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"Small rooms or dwellings discipline the mind, large ones weaken it.”

– Leonardo Da Vinci