Have you heard about Pinterest?

I wished for it – I really did. There is finally a way to save, organize and share fabulous inspiration photos online.

It is called Pinterest and if you haven’t already heard about it  – you need to check it out.

It is the perfect way to store and share inspiration photos from blogs and websites. My favorite part is that it records the SOURCE!!!! of the photo. This was the big problem with copy/pasting or saving photos from other peoples blogs into my inspiration folders on my computer. I could never remember where I found the photo in the first place. I have only started to enjoy this online tool but wanted you to all know about it so that we can start following each others boards!!!

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Is your dream home with in reach?

One of the best things that has come from design blogs is the ability to see into “everyday” homes that are well designed. In the past, our only window into the world of design was through shelter magazines, and books, which typically feature homes that leave us saying…”only in my dreams”. Don’t get me wrong, I love to dream but nothing excites me more then a blog post about a beautiful home that I can see myself living in and actually AFFORDING!

Dream home - Photo Source Things that Inspire

Joni, of Cote De Texas, has posted some of my all time favorites. I love that because she is so cool people just send her pictures of their homes. Joni’s home is fabulous too! I went head over heals for this home that she featured last week.

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Photo Source Cote De Texas

Partly because I think it is fabulous but also because it just kept saying to me, “you could do this Bethany!”

I think that is one of the reasons we love design blogs so much. It gives us a glimpse into another persons life and home and allows us to wonder, “how is she doing this?” and “could I do it too?”

Photo Source Cote De Texas

Last night I read about Laurel at Abode Love and her adventures painting horizontal stripes down her hallway.  Where else, besides a blog, do you get such honest details about what it really took to accomplish a look?

Photo Source Abode Love

Not only does she tell us how to do it, she also admits that she screwed it up the first time around and spent three weeks fixing the paint bleeds through the tape. OK I get it- it looks great but it took some work- this didn’t happen overnight.

Photo Source Abode Love

As design blog readers and writers, I think we are all looking for a little bit more then just great ideas. I think we want reassurance that we too can create the home of our dreams and that with a little bit of creativity - it is all with in our reach !

What do you think?

Cotswold-style cottage for sale in San Diego

When I saw this home listed on the California MLS, I felt like I had been there before. Then today, as I was going through my inspiration file I found this photo.

I am not sure what magazine it came from but that was it! Here is another photo of the house from the MLS.

I like that they painted the door red. The home has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and is 2,408 square feet. They are asking $1.5M.

At the time the magazine article was written the home owners had lived there for twenty years. It was a classic home-love-story. They had been watching and dreaming about the home for years and finally it up for sale. They purchased it and redid just about everything.

It makes me sad that they are selling it. Twenty-plus years in a home that you love is a long time. However, I am sure they are moving on to something else fabulous.

This is the other photo from the magazine. You can see the floral slipcovered chair and white slipcovered sofa from the living room MLS photo.

It was fun to learn more about this house from the MLS. I also learned a little bit about the roof (by googling) which looks like a thatched roof but might also be a Zook Roof- named after the architect who developed the technique,  R. Harold Zook, from Illinois. His son Harold B. Zook also became an architect but moved to Southern California to set up shop…could there be a connection? Who knows?  But I hope you enjoyed the tour.

Where are you going on vacation this summer?

Last year I thought it was so much fun to read about everyone's’ summer vacations on their blogs. It gave me lots of great ideas for future vacations to plan with my family.

I learned about the website, Home Away, that is super fun and easy to use to find vacation rental property all over the world.  I used it to find this home which I booked today for our family vacation in central Idaho.

My family is full of outdoor enthusiasts (me included) who will enjoy the many activities near-by including: whitewater rafting, mountain biking, hiking, water skiing, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, and just hanging out together by the lake.

But I dog-eared this property for when I have a little bit bigger budget. OK a lot bigger budget!

It’s a classic “Something’s Gotta Give House” . Designed to look like the beautiful Hampton’s home that was featured in the movie, “Something’s Gotta Give”. I find it a little bit funny as I picture the architect, designer, and homeowner sitting down together pausing the DVD when a great shot of the home appears on screen.  Of course, we have all done that, right.

And looking at luxury homes which have copied the movie set is getting as old as the blog posts about them. But alas…I thought I would share anyway. 

It really is a beautiful home and I could imagine having a great time on vacation here. I would never have to leave.

 This home is in Sun Valley, Idaho and boasts 10,000 square feet, 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. There is room for 15 of your favorite friends and family members. The rental fee is $15,000 a week or $30,000 a month. I loved this part “We supply Gilchrest & Soames Shampoos, Soaps, Lotions and Bath Salts from London for your pleasure and Sun Valley Robes for your comfort.” GOOD THING!!!

It sounds like the homeowners are gracious hosts! I cant wait to hear about your vacations this summer. Where are you going?

Diamond Baretta Designs

I learn so much through blogging! Don’t you? This week I came across a link to Diamond Baretta Design. You know how you follow a link to a link to a link? Well, that is what a did and I was so excited  when I saw these photos.

 

I have had an article about one of the homes they designed in Connecticut (probably from Country Living) in my inspiration book forever.

You can imagine my delight when I saw more images from their portfolio. What struck me the first time I discovered Diamond Baretta seemed to echo through all of their work.

First, their interpretation of a traditional New England look is so much fun and playful. It is like they have no fear when using color and pattern.

Second, all of their rugs are out-of-this-world. I remember looking up the source for the rug in the Country Living Magazine years ago and discovering that it was custom. I thought, can you do that? LOL. Seriously, look closely at every room.

Third, don’t miss the wallpaper and ceiling treatments. Look how they bring every vault to LIFE.

 

Fourth, The quilts!!! In my old inspiration photos they even had upholstered a wing back chair in a quilt. I am a quilter, my mom is a quilter and my aunts, cousins and grandma are quilters too. I love displaying treasured family heirlooms in my home.

Wouldn't you love to have a custom rug created for your home? I would.

What is Slipcovered, Washable, and Fabulous?

Everything at Quatrine Home. (My four-year-old has recently been explaining things to me in riddles. It is so cute).

Photo: Beautiful Homes April 2006 -

On a recent trip, I finally got to go into a Quatrine Home store. My sister, who lives in Dallas, has been telling me about it forever and now I know why. All of their furniture is slipcovered and machine washable and really beautiful.  I know it seems that slipcovered furniture is always washable but it is not so. Many pieces are dry clean only.

Some of my favorite pieces at Quatrine Home were the pillows;all covered in thick chunky linen with the most adorable ruffles in contrasting colors.

I also loved the many cotton and linen fabrics that they pre-wash to make amazing slipcovers. The lavender cotton velvet was to die for.

 

Photo: Country Living

Their web-site doesn't do them justice. But check out their press section.  I found many familiar images from my inspiration files!  I can’t wait to get my hands on some of those fabrics!!!

Does your home have good bones?

I create my own homes one layer at a time. It surprises some people that even though I have lived here for 18 months, I still don’t have pictures hanging on my walls or even an accessory to speak of. I am not to that layer yet and for some reason it just doesn't feel right to gussy up the tables when the rugs are all wrong. I like nothing more then to be able to start a home from scratch and complete it one perfect layer at a time.

The truth is that most homes develop over time. Very few of us can afford to move into a new home with new furnishings and accessories all at once. The first layers of a home are so important because they lay the foundation for what is to come.

I love this home showcased on Willow Decor. First of all, it is in Alpine, Utah, which is my neck of the woods. Second of all, it has such great bones.

Can you believe this view? Location is the very fist layer of your home. This is the one thing you can’t change!!!  It dictates so much about what your home can and will become. A great neighborhood, the perfect setting, mature trees, and spectacular views all contribute to the ambiance of your home. The surrounding homes also play an important roll in how big or small your home can become and the style that will work within your neighborhood. 

Your floor plan is the next layer  –  A good floor plan is flexible, and reflects the way you want to live. It works as well for 2 people as it does for 20. Although it is hard to see from these pictures, this home appears to have a wonderful flow and very practical spaces. Most importantly, a good floor plan has a seamless connection to the outdoors. Wouldn’t you love to watch the sun rise on this balcony?

Fixtures make up the third layer – this includes everything that is bolted onto the house. Flooring, trim work, light fixtures, cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, appliances, railings, fireplaces, …I am sure I forgot something.

I love the choices this homeowner made. You can see how much thought and detail they put into this house from the hardwood floors to the reclaimed beams and coffered ceilings. It is so beautiful – even without a single piece of furniture, accessory or picture on the wall. 

This is what “good bones” look like to me. The cabinets are to die for. Apparently the homeowner is a cabinet maker.

Willow Decor gives a much more in depth tour of the home here. If you are in the market for a beautiful home in Alpine, Utah, contact me and I will put you in touch with the best Realtor in the Salt Lake Valley (my mom!!!) or click here.  

Or if you are getting ready to build or remodel a home I would love to help you think through the foundation layers and select the perfect fixtures to complete each space.

Where ever you are in the process of creating your home remember that it is a process and don’t get discouraged. Each decision is important and will play a roll in the ambiance and beauty of your home.

Finding the perfect fabric…and good luck.

During the holidays I was able to see so many of my favorite people! It was the best. Thanks Gayla for hosting me at your fabulous ranch retreat. We have been friends for 10 years and together we have helped each other buy, build, and furnish five homes between us. Our shopping adventures have taken us from Brimfield Massachusetts, to High Point North Carolina, and to New York City, just to name a few. When we get together we love to talk design. I have learned so much from her over the years.

Galya mentioned that she was on the hunt for a certain fabric.

Something that would blend her brown leather sofas with the sea salt blues and greens in the rest of her home.

The next day my first issue of Coastal Living showed up and inside I saw this fabulous home designed by Cathy Chapman of Houston Texas.

I love the fabrics that she used which…blend the brown sofas into the sea salt blues and greens in the home.

I knew Galya would love them but I also thought you might too.

Unfortunately the sources were a little bit vague so I am still tracking down the actual fabrics. But having a picture makes it so much easier. Happy New Year Gayla! It was great to see you.

Harman Wilde Interior Design – Style in Salt Lake City

I am really excited to share this home with you. It is one of my favorites and was published in the Utah Style and Design Spring 2009 issue. It was decorated by the Harman Wilde Interior Design Team, Sue Harman and Jason Wilde. Be sure to check out their website to see more amazing spaces.

The photos have been taken from the designer’s website with their permission.

AFTER! Quaint, charming, and full of character. Wouldn’t we all love a front porch like this one. Talk about curb appeal!

You can see how much potential this home had from the beginning!

What I love…It has a playful mix of pattern, texture, and color that manages a sophisticated and relaxing feel at the same time. I also like the way they paired geometrics, like the Kelly Wearstler Imperial Trellis fabric on the roman shades, with florals and stripes on the chairs and sofa.

Ahhhhh, a beautiful white kitchen with limestone countertops and simple lines. Perfection. The top halves of the cabinet doors look like true-divided glass which gives a nice open feeling to the room. But since they left 3/4 of the cabinets out of sight – the homeowner has more storage space and less display space. I would like that.

While I don’t know the exact square footage, I think that this “cottage” it is much bigger then it looks. Are we starting to see a trend away from bigger open floor plans and toward smaller more intimate spaces?

This master bathroom is a nice departure from the all white spaces we are seeing so often these days. Don’t get me wrong, I love them too! But I could really go for this fun combination of granite and glass hexagonal tiles.

These great bedrooms have lots of charm and just the right amount of color, pattern and texture!

I left the best for last. This home really has everything. I love their updated fresh take on cottage style. What did you think?