Gone Fishing - back July 7th

We're off for a family adventure - Paris, Salzburg & Hallstatt Austria, Rothenburg, Germany and Cinque Terre Italy. Back to blogging July 7th - do check out <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">Anne's office</span></strong> below. <span style="color:#cc0000;">Happy</span> <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>4th</strong></span> <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>July! </strong></span>

Gone Fishing - back July 7th

We're off for a family adventure - Paris, Salzburg & Hallstatt Austria, Rothenburg, Germany and Cinque Terre Italy. Back to blogging July 7th - do check out Anne's office below. Happy 4th July! …

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Pink & Green - Anne's Gorgeous Office

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaWB3zNsEzSGhtbUvMhrhRlUvmS2U4WoLr0ecoCEJoPmRp8k8VAt0l0Q2MIYD17M5XO-3pmz5ihPKolsxtzjP-oE9Cgxey4qTJPCZKwhOkzZNgm6yQgrZ1Oms1W-e6VEZkBtfD8BO3Hk/s1600-h/annesoffice20+(2).jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4_-R7KCm36fnoZmGhgbvrTV9E46RDl5uwu3sOXHmRl4pJFEn5x6KN2ym3v4FE3PcO_RgFVGw2x9p9vBTBmgoxCtbDlZI4v78KotDoEA9_oxwEf9vuoBQY_EpgYSCg86pQQvv5PeRjhY/s1600-h/annesoffice.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214173666645699234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4_-R7KCm36fnoZmGhgbvrTV9E46RDl5uwu3sOXHmRl4pJFEn5x6KN2ym3v4FE3PcO_RgFVGw2x9p9vBTBmgoxCtbDlZI4v78KotDoEA9_oxwEf9vuoBQY_EpgYSCg86pQQvv5PeRjhY/s800/annesoffice.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> It's wonderful to have such a nice friend who also happens to be a talented designer and partner at <a href="http://www.dwellingsbydesign.net/">Dwellings by Design</a>. Whenever I enter Anne's office, I don't want to leave. "Oh, what else can we chat about so I can linger a little longer!" I think to myself. From the overall concept to the execution of the details, this work space is inspired. Love the choice to concentrate the palette on two colors and then revel in the may ways to play out the pink and green combination.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRo2ZrTg2eWGwmZQIrbWfBuS2O8x-5fR9yDqkdQ3bV7d5fDPA0lSIklrTM_jl569V2eXjuTo4uRSVP1r8gWnWBmVE7cV7foM5lvK8qTnCOBLiNudpSlthKmbgkM3DHVevc0oFNHYcCCc/s1600-h/annesoffice10.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214173238327647730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRo2ZrTg2eWGwmZQIrbWfBuS2O8x-5fR9yDqkdQ3bV7d5fDPA0lSIklrTM_jl569V2eXjuTo4uRSVP1r8gWnWBmVE7cV7foM5lvK8qTnCOBLiNudpSlthKmbgkM3DHVevc0oFNHYcCCc/s800/annesoffice10.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Crisp, clean and lovely - the perfect spot to be creative. The <a href="http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&partNumber=WE-PRODf099&retainNav=true&parent_category_rn=&cmsrc=SCH&parentId=parsons+desk">Parson's desk</a> from West Elm allows Anne a full view of her inspiration board. Sadly, the desk is no longer offered in this spring green.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9Yv53YQ3paeY_86UHYcfYQ1XFNtN66G7onjbzCV86C3n21VxJckJVytLMGYQzOpYVMWtzq1lOeUenyRsl926q34QG5ythECuRxpO7VvRWNa1uRXjB368ZgoATkZo90HFVW14JbNNKlw/s1600-h/annesoffice3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214172352760476322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9Yv53YQ3paeY_86UHYcfYQ1XFNtN66G7onjbzCV86C3n21VxJckJVytLMGYQzOpYVMWtzq1lOeUenyRsl926q34QG5ythECuRxpO7VvRWNa1uRXjB368ZgoATkZo90HFVW14JbNNKlw/s800/annesoffice3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Anne ordered the Talia chaise from <a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/">Ballard Designs</a> and had it custom covered in this cheery pink/green stripe. This is the best place to lounge with a cup of tea and a stack of design magazines. (p.s - note to self - I need a pillow with pom-pom trim)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gM1r8Ij9Yy25-hTbtthIQuALNQmvoyJEIjRfN_SwmtRFFMbvxBANttYwZBzEY8BB1iZCGGY-ze_K67f0Mx5lFvrW8llxhh6MPUes9rjFJXVBSUcA6QwHb6iwVHlUdYyIuodaRVfD-pU/s1600-h/annesoffice17.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214173463235696578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gM1r8Ij9Yy25-hTbtthIQuALNQmvoyJEIjRfN_SwmtRFFMbvxBANttYwZBzEY8BB1iZCGGY-ze_K67f0Mx5lFvrW8llxhh6MPUes9rjFJXVBSUcA6QwHb6iwVHlUdYyIuodaRVfD-pU/s400/annesoffice17.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Love, love, love these vintage pieces from her grandmother. They catch your eye immediately as you enter the room.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-SHKX5oBK-6Y7YRV-pkbd0QteUesEMesBElpeiELiNi-fY6KhtGwnlok405cZDrTbTYkt5n-2MFdW5V6n54i07-4PtJsmlvL4tECbJNmG4DPlbOJccFAqM-jyjRIsgaMvoybobt8kFs/s1600-h/annesoffice4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214172913222854866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-SHKX5oBK-6Y7YRV-pkbd0QteUesEMesBElpeiELiNi-fY6KhtGwnlok405cZDrTbTYkt5n-2MFdW5V6n54i07-4PtJsmlvL4tECbJNmG4DPlbOJccFAqM-jyjRIsgaMvoybobt8kFs/s800/annesoffice4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Three framed pieces of wrapping paper anchor the wall behind the desk. Below is an expanse of bookcases within easy reach of the workspace.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnC3dhNL8MFN-t7zN2j6HekU-byaiphoHH_Hg6fvm52vUEKFln6CWNmF-WMf6NfAi93FjIgqH1c37Oii2tdPaJImomEpfXU_m-s5uk7kFeXvgKXThf-jKrbZ_A6YRZ7kCu0YNZTOXaBE/s1600-h/annesoffice2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214172185599777954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnC3dhNL8MFN-t7zN2j6HekU-byaiphoHH_Hg6fvm52vUEKFln6CWNmF-WMf6NfAi93FjIgqH1c37Oii2tdPaJImomEpfXU_m-s5uk7kFeXvgKXThf-jKrbZ_A6YRZ7kCu0YNZTOXaBE/s800/annesoffice2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Can't get enough of this chaise.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5vCE-Dsaqz-xERsPr2e7yJ4IJpDwct6URNzyouesaBRduIXpz6ZZd5wtwRRZURh-FHk5aweqCA7FZ6NwF6aeD37cNQsqeS7-A6a2QSLuHIP4R5-LSbo9xSvQ8vOuWHOG58FJGbDNELI/s1600-h/annesoffice9.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214171771252083282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5vCE-Dsaqz-xERsPr2e7yJ4IJpDwct6URNzyouesaBRduIXpz6ZZd5wtwRRZURh-FHk5aweqCA7FZ6NwF6aeD37cNQsqeS7-A6a2QSLuHIP4R5-LSbo9xSvQ8vOuWHOG58FJGbDNELI/s800/annesoffice9.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br />A closer look at the framed paper.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSZnQ5uoRSsA9PK2WKTV1SSik17IS_SKWisAtVbX9-_82zYkhwNJyJrx9r_baUAIZaKo6DM6T56ywy417LE_7Pl3wX2rk38crNqu8Oy5TipkpEIb5iTfwOxIlVX79z07RKjNfazqSVTs/s1600-h/annes0ffice7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214171038477170082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSZnQ5uoRSsA9PK2WKTV1SSik17IS_SKWisAtVbX9-_82zYkhwNJyJrx9r_baUAIZaKo6DM6T56ywy417LE_7Pl3wX2rk38crNqu8Oy5TipkpEIb5iTfwOxIlVX79z07RKjNfazqSVTs/s800/annes0ffice7.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Simple bookcases brought to a new level with pink trim and wallpaper lining.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4Vl0gxI3l9V68AmuTtj8HwqB_CvJE0krqCZMWyWseIcAmJkst60pNlYq37hd-sGxwI6x76O92w35zuoGG0suuD17ZgUU6aIWgmJhHomAwhIGp98EjlPdSugr7GSSdSNKvkIjln361ig/s1600-h/annesoffice8.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214170907214329314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4Vl0gxI3l9V68AmuTtj8HwqB_CvJE0krqCZMWyWseIcAmJkst60pNlYq37hd-sGxwI6x76O92w35zuoGG0suuD17ZgUU6aIWgmJhHomAwhIGp98EjlPdSugr7GSSdSNKvkIjln361ig/s400/annesoffice8.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Notice how she brought the pink trim to the back of the bookcase too - a great touch I haven't seen before.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLkm3_i271RxlACW3Vz2UtzX6emm42OzI_0gCsym9CjrlU1Sp8_VZ1p3qyvWULhOifsvN7EzvzRWkuMy5HnNdzNgdBERPIRUfbxZGpOVe_Zxdq2pLf0nL5sHaAVuxqUR5ZHRSLD4dFaI/s1600-h/annesoffice16.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214170714103687042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLkm3_i271RxlACW3Vz2UtzX6emm42OzI_0gCsym9CjrlU1Sp8_VZ1p3qyvWULhOifsvN7EzvzRWkuMy5HnNdzNgdBERPIRUfbxZGpOVe_Zxdq2pLf0nL5sHaAVuxqUR5ZHRSLD4dFaI/s800/annesoffice16.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> A close-up of the large message board that anchors the wall directly across from the desk. I think the design choice to make this board the same color as the wall keeps the space looking open and fresh and allows the inspirations to pop against the background. In particular I was drawn to one...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNvdWQpLrviSx8bnPgwd4WlxQrgV4GS0VVszlSAI5iMfOxi8UVYnCMfG993OyyYAcj46FiCYiIL4OEt4PDelQv9DVFlt_l2lxlqYaOyX98MxrC-O0kaMhNvQHonQ9_vhcs0IslF7Hbbc/s1600-h/annesoffice15.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214170579761348850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNvdWQpLrviSx8bnPgwd4WlxQrgV4GS0VVszlSAI5iMfOxi8UVYnCMfG993OyyYAcj46FiCYiIL4OEt4PDelQv9DVFlt_l2lxlqYaOyX98MxrC-O0kaMhNvQHonQ9_vhcs0IslF7Hbbc/s800/annesoffice15.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Mary Engelbreit I don't think we've met! I have to admit that this illustration looks alot like childhood photos of me when I, ahmm, was not in the sunniest disposition!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTxv81BVbBVzt1T7gsHsl27gzA1CuA0Uc1zi5JoSZRzXWpdVG-ZRT6lv2A-XyeR9lUaICVpgJ4HU9bQJ7d2WSqeohGQ5uhqU1Cr3UfuhvqNCIb80mm8nLKvskZBbYRgj0qbRNkipNK_0/s1600-h/annesoffice12.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214177745177837426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTxv81BVbBVzt1T7gsHsl27gzA1CuA0Uc1zi5JoSZRzXWpdVG-ZRT6lv2A-XyeR9lUaICVpgJ4HU9bQJ7d2WSqeohGQ5uhqU1Cr3UfuhvqNCIb80mm8nLKvskZBbYRgj0qbRNkipNK_0/s400/annesoffice12.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e0YSUorN0WJOO1xKVYx4iz-lQDQYSowBewLIgd486y_n6jE3QizDGnp3sNSyZi5ltOuYM07u6rcU5Gxnn-ecD3IBL40vmtZYRrdCbpMoTaG9pfhjzWfQUZ9w_5k-49p3zafe39Nbxko/s1600-h/annesoffice13.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214177581488023074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e0YSUorN0WJOO1xKVYx4iz-lQDQYSowBewLIgd486y_n6jE3QizDGnp3sNSyZi5ltOuYM07u6rcU5Gxnn-ecD3IBL40vmtZYRrdCbpMoTaG9pfhjzWfQUZ9w_5k-49p3zafe39Nbxko/s400/annesoffice13.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></div><div>Flowers and a crown as accent pieces - what else could a girl want!</div></div></div></div>

Pink & Green - Anne's Gorgeous Office

It's wonderful to have such a nice friend who also happens to be a talented designer and partner at Dwellings by Design. Whenever I enter Anne's office, I don't want to leave. "Oh, what else can we chat about so I can linger a little longer!" I think to myself. From the overall concept to the execu…

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Maison Living Georgetown, Washington DC - new website!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBl1NXhXLAVvjWJ_9iGdu8ZHQJVHlfPWM4Em3nPERrUi8CrC94TiXpFtGEOQpzRZxVruXWjteh0gDJA_eH7cA6o5Ks0LlLOtNYgoVaYsIJOYjbbn9zBgoth1bAiJ7o-SWvdYybqYBNjQ/s1600-h/maisonliving.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213736109511725586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBl1NXhXLAVvjWJ_9iGdu8ZHQJVHlfPWM4Em3nPERrUi8CrC94TiXpFtGEOQpzRZxVruXWjteh0gDJA_eH7cA6o5Ks0LlLOtNYgoVaYsIJOYjbbn9zBgoth1bAiJ7o-SWvdYybqYBNjQ/s800/maisonliving.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br />I posted about my visit to Maison Living back in <a href="http://mynottinghill.blogspot.com/2008/04/maison-living.html">April</a>. They were recently profiled in the July/Aug issue of Elle Decor - but it must have gone to press before their new website was up and running. If you're interested in checking out their newest finds here's their <span style="color:#cc0000;"><a href="http://web.mac.com/jacquessarfati/Site_3/Welcome.html">new website.</a></span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#666666;">(image via Jean Pierre Antiques/Maison Living's website)</span></em>

Maison Living Georgetown, Washington DC - new website!

I posted about my visit to Maison Living back in April. They were recently profiled in the July/Aug issue of Elle Decor - but it must have gone to press before their new website was up and running. If you're interested in checking out their newest finds here's their new website.(image via Jean Pierr…

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Instant Design Crush

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsm-43dQ_LZWQWZbOv60CkeKguBNvkGJiDHK_mmUUGehWk096F11FByqHEHegiQjeayFFVdoaaPai2bIH9Y__iHusolujThAbOkfecsI88RxIX6iYMlGDCSO8vEUk2M67D2QMNpbVVQ08/s1600-h/johnbarmanviadesiretoinspire.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213730213222181282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsm-43dQ_LZWQWZbOv60CkeKguBNvkGJiDHK_mmUUGehWk096F11FByqHEHegiQjeayFFVdoaaPai2bIH9Y__iHusolujThAbOkfecsI88RxIX6iYMlGDCSO8vEUk2M67D2QMNpbVVQ08/s800/johnbarmanviadesiretoinspire.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Just saw this room by designer <a href="http://www.johnbarman.com/">John Barman</a> on today's Desire to Inspire post. Instantly fell in love - go check out their <strong><a href="http://desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/2008/06/john-barman.html">full post</a></strong> to see more of his inspiring rooms. I want this one!

Instant Design Crush

Just saw this room by designer John Barman on today's Desire to Inspire post. Instantly fell in love - go check out their full post to see more of his inspiring rooms. I want this one!…

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Orderly Eye Candy

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEjKA7Hp-I-_QHSEpt5rrcUbcyCLoG3DmIik4JjK-CoDLo12LJg9n8XcS84-wBws5Di_ITaxxCXbG19t5q5WHdBk64nYqab77aGs9WmbXs0nBflTRCtGfk2UxWU_jsZvKnqRS94tJqAY/s1600-h/HBJune2007dKariCusack.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213425901954015938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEjKA7Hp-I-_QHSEpt5rrcUbcyCLoG3DmIik4JjK-CoDLo12LJg9n8XcS84-wBws5Di_ITaxxCXbG19t5q5WHdBk64nYqab77aGs9WmbXs0nBflTRCtGfk2UxWU_jsZvKnqRS94tJqAY/s800/HBJune2007dKariCusack.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><span style="color:#666666;">House Beautiful June 2007, designer Kari Cusack</span>

Orderly Eye Candy

House Beautiful June 2007, designer Kari Cusack…

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Summer Cottage: Not the Size but How We Live In Them That Matters

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUKQPbOqeicuIjZUhXyc-o64dgHYv-VraPeXVq196bqU7xOdBM9-4oEFme-tc0lkz-A7BopJwnctenyjJC7EcEGEAxTdJB6Ik58DDtUDXc77VwN2wceTPulE5oxXcsySoKjWFbq9JZBw/s1600-h/aeire5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212194416945683858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUKQPbOqeicuIjZUhXyc-o64dgHYv-VraPeXVq196bqU7xOdBM9-4oEFme-tc0lkz-A7BopJwnctenyjJC7EcEGEAxTdJB6Ik58DDtUDXc77VwN2wceTPulE5oxXcsySoKjWFbq9JZBw/s800/aeire5.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>This weekend I was reading <em>Paradise Lost</em> by Wendy Dennis in <a href="http://www.houseandhome.com/">House & Home's</a> Notes From Home, one of the few shelter magazines that stills devotes precious pages to essays about the meaning of home. The author laments the advent of the McCottage and the loss of the simple ways previous generations have appreciated the beauty of Ontario's Muskoka region.<br />In response to her question "Do you like your cottage?" the renter next door replied, <span style="color:#cc0000;">"It's fantastic. It has this unbelievably massive media room downstairs."</span> That response captures it all...With all the beauty of the surrounding area, rain or shine, why a media room?<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">I think in the end it's not the square footage of the summer place but what you do and who you are when you're there that matters. </span><br />Architecture and design can, if we let it, help us truly vacation - leave behind the usual and find the extraordinary of summer time.<br /><br />What architecture can create this way of being? Here are some pics of my version. <span style="color:#999999;"><em>(</em></span><a href="http://www.houseandhome.com/features.php?c=127552"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Click here</em></span></a><span style="color:#999999;"><em> to see a gallery of cottage pics from House & Home)<br /></em></span><br />A gathering place for meals and card games or the 3,000 piece jigsaw puzzle that takes a whole summer to complete.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8L77JidfipDYiXoVyLm9E3VGSFtHiFrRatu9HIV2DI5Q502KXkrDOZRh-R_yI_wlajOhTKHveh405GJ7B2RMQqJAf87PYobwlVTBk7Dn4jBYJ1KQQwFm9udmH_b1sBrzRRxPjMZo1MY/s1600-h/viaHBpDonFreemant.jpg"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8L77JidfipDYiXoVyLm9E3VGSFtHiFrRatu9HIV2DI5Q502KXkrDOZRh-R_yI_wlajOhTKHveh405GJ7B2RMQqJAf87PYobwlVTBk7Dn4jBYJ1KQQwFm9udmH_b1sBrzRRxPjMZo1MY/s1600-h/viaHBpDonFreemant.jpg"></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212302584550508786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8L77JidfipDYiXoVyLm9E3VGSFtHiFrRatu9HIV2DI5Q502KXkrDOZRh-R_yI_wlajOhTKHveh405GJ7B2RMQqJAf87PYobwlVTBk7Dn4jBYJ1KQQwFm9udmH_b1sBrzRRxPjMZo1MY/s800/viaHBpDonFreemant.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <span style="font-size:130%;">Everything is simple.</span> <em><span style="color:#999999;">(via House Beautiful, photography by Don Freeman)<br /></span></em><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6i1UhxRb386PG9fcENeRm8K08hhw3ZrE9eAWXSasfae_-C5EZ-hT4WX1obwiihCTBq4nxOHsSC6BpJrnJ_cZ2O5T-tnaqTGhXpAsy_HOvktXl8yXET8BUtEq3S3TzOha6TP7Jm9TPLg/s1600-h/viapointclickhomepEricStriffler.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212302425015808146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6i1UhxRb386PG9fcENeRm8K08hhw3ZrE9eAWXSasfae_-C5EZ-hT4WX1obwiihCTBq4nxOHsSC6BpJrnJ_cZ2O5T-tnaqTGhXpAsy_HOvktXl8yXET8BUtEq3S3TzOha6TP7Jm9TPLg/s800/viapointclickhomepEricStriffler.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><em><span style="color:#999999;">via Pointclick home, photography by Eric Striffler</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLn2DekSlnURhlzGdo6O_wiWhRDzzUPXGrYfuIGQYJFZDQBFtXzn7gD0fKQTCLdnr09jgZf-ryzc9Mk1Tyh-qLPLKULfLkz0q42YCFpb92w-92PEIVnZjZi5L0D9GxStu8Y6ljtdMaoQ/s1600-h/viapointclickhomepMarkLohman.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212302346464458818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLn2DekSlnURhlzGdo6O_wiWhRDzzUPXGrYfuIGQYJFZDQBFtXzn7gD0fKQTCLdnr09jgZf-ryzc9Mk1Tyh-qLPLKULfLkz0q42YCFpb92w-92PEIVnZjZi5L0D9GxStu8Y6ljtdMaoQ/s400/viapointclickhomepMarkLohman.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><span style="color:#999999;"><em>via PointClickHome, photography by Mark Lohman</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The bedrooms are small and cozy and made even better by oddly angled walls.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVnCxm7yWpbujP8-A935xTuohW3CSa2Nxg2EamGlw0VDqInneN90GPIKtpBh2iHBn3WYA_fa9SN-TDIcHH3i2v5wQBSZzU0GUoWnJ59Rs3M9YcgAGA5DAyD-IdV-gMzHFyKx7H0kQOjE/s1600-h/aerie3.jpg"></a><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212250597124042866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZr1wKANdS3zm20wNEyC5v1bfvh7aIEAM6RJjyPXwzDExCVM93wc4Dy0vdEbG2LhdOP2fhjQarXqEG5oWe4sQ9axS0HWyWtaAEJSXCSd-4oN2_16NXQ8oTDh0DdCbg7zQswtLEKiaCQ5w/s800/viahousebeautifulpDonFreeman.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYl4Da9WjfEV4MXCxsZABWGiwFx7IcakULlGJXVVw4Qx_qigH93t1QanzOULNCzgHKUAhYaIp-EAw6kbUK7ZexI0yvgpx4Ayh3FDU_22CytaCYrjPlymrgBqCFyaEYAy-RECUiMJPHy4/s1600-h/housebeautifulpDonFreeman.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212302004339772802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYl4Da9WjfEV4MXCxsZABWGiwFx7IcakULlGJXVVw4Qx_qigH93t1QanzOULNCzgHKUAhYaIp-EAw6kbUK7ZexI0yvgpx4Ayh3FDU_22CytaCYrjPlymrgBqCFyaEYAy-RECUiMJPHy4/s400/housebeautifulpDonFreeman.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><em><span style="color:#999999;">above images via House Beautiful, photography by Don Freeman<br /></span></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-ggXhWIi1EasZR8_fQOKZIKGdTBsKB4E96PkUomhNLs0VbRC2y0V1ZkXgTDWc8IoTwazkfDUrpH5-gUx1y1lCG5veIcvEfrB6BATSrN5Mgc3_EZ2NEkPWzOJszktA28EBj-lcSKFRLY/s1600-h/coastallivingpJeanAllsopp1+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212250426777448114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-ggXhWIi1EasZR8_fQOKZIKGdTBsKB4E96PkUomhNLs0VbRC2y0V1ZkXgTDWc8IoTwazkfDUrpH5-gUx1y1lCG5veIcvEfrB6BATSrN5Mgc3_EZ2NEkPWzOJszktA28EBj-lcSKFRLY/s800/coastallivingpJeanAllsopp1+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></p><em><span style="color:#999999;">image via Coastal Living, photography by Jean Allsopp<br /></span></em><p><span style="font-size:130%;">There a bikes with baskets in the front and a bell on the handlebar.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzczbSgnda6BQ7ZkoIK-BZU2CDtMclYNxjUNTyVksKl5vrjgarFFFqiZrDKcjRz9fKkJOn86rmNnXRSAb4wMaFNnn_nQ6Oap8KLjKN8fbueglzGGrJS65XXr7D14VhMyWaV1UYyR8QzLw/s1600-h/viasmallspacestyleblogspot.jpg"></p></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzczbSgnda6BQ7ZkoIK-BZU2CDtMclYNxjUNTyVksKl5vrjgarFFFqiZrDKcjRz9fKkJOn86rmNnXRSAb4wMaFNnn_nQ6Oap8KLjKN8fbueglzGGrJS65XXr7D14VhMyWaV1UYyR8QzLw/s1600-h/viasmallspacestyleblogspot.jpg"><p><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212303084694378034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzczbSgnda6BQ7ZkoIK-BZU2CDtMclYNxjUNTyVksKl5vrjgarFFFqiZrDKcjRz9fKkJOn86rmNnXRSAb4wMaFNnn_nQ6Oap8KLjKN8fbueglzGGrJS65XXr7D14VhMyWaV1UYyR8QzLw/s800/viasmallspacestyleblogspot.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></p><p><em><span style="color:#999999;">via </span></em><a href="http://www.smallplacestyle.blogspot.com/"><em><span style="color:#999999;">Small Place Style </span></em></a></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">You take the time to wander down paths and up trails.<br /></span></p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVwylw-jJ3-nDVEbEBkHIY5EmImccok25qjHFZ22RPtMFbaK6qOEqeaOK7_z0UHiA0hF-37xu_wjrL-kLpMLZJpSX-3181dQXPmo4hrbMVpXXKCaVwCbMzvstAUuGCEXZtRG7TrrTcb0/s1600-h/Maine2007+013+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212314872468777538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVwylw-jJ3-nDVEbEBkHIY5EmImccok25qjHFZ22RPtMFbaK6qOEqeaOK7_z0UHiA0hF-37xu_wjrL-kLpMLZJpSX-3181dQXPmo4hrbMVpXXKCaVwCbMzvstAUuGCEXZtRG7TrrTcb0/s400/Maine2007+013+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">No matter the view from your cottage window, you spend time just gazing.</span></p><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZSSV-ouyU5NRRs74bHxQ7e959g0tdYCgnIXVStsI-JpI88FpL2Rze8gcqEbjDuKX3sDoljNkRE6DhF-REpSLHO1RkkMnYZauQIWE1qn43I282-RntjMPM27_YL_SxqXJNQs85ZMNy10/s1600-h/Maine2007+123+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212315086783251778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZSSV-ouyU5NRRs74bHxQ7e959g0tdYCgnIXVStsI-JpI88FpL2Rze8gcqEbjDuKX3sDoljNkRE6DhF-REpSLHO1RkkMnYZauQIWE1qn43I282-RntjMPM27_YL_SxqXJNQs85ZMNy10/s400/Maine2007+123+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">You notice little stuff - you open up to less formal ways of doing things.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-2duf-zk7VMEt7vw37kHokn0ERFJmernSXjvZz2WBdzAEx6nZMhWhauUNCNkbdU9PUUiu5LUs0OTkmNy7Wl202wAqZJdbfjYpjVlParvJ94JWcD8ihx-z-zCba-WbBxsKAnp1Y_yBBU/s1600-h/Maine2007+113+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212306132006715426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-2duf-zk7VMEt7vw37kHokn0ERFJmernSXjvZz2WBdzAEx6nZMhWhauUNCNkbdU9PUUiu5LUs0OTkmNy7Wl202wAqZJdbfjYpjVlParvJ94JWcD8ihx-z-zCba-WbBxsKAnp1Y_yBBU/s400/Maine2007+113+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">You choose words like "tinker" instead of "fix." You sense you have time.</span></p><br /><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEnmrEhqUfZVR_j1ZBtQP-Xyd6vPo_BnPgbC4UTTeBhDB4blMUSujuhKVkpDsyJEq8baE7aEXTbUvvvLHLhj_oCAFfRh0C5Utx-h5U93sb8UYafmdMjDSqaRzRBmKlfq_Qd-kH5gn7M4/s1600-h/Maine2007+026+(2).jpg"></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Sandals get left at the edge of the beach. People trust they'll be there when they return.</span> <span style="color:#999999;">(Chatham, Cape Cod)</span><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoz8OyL762dZljNQMll9p2K0-2ckv8nyWcw3vIT-LLj1e_rGgGRuOLCf9brlYrNXdTYUItNZrUgBnO2SUltGUvfUz5FfyA2z2FBsxyYmTa9cZsrZVTQDFuYwJ-Ff_-IeL86LPud2r2KE/s1600-h/Maine2007+041+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212312037825756978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoz8OyL762dZljNQMll9p2K0-2ckv8nyWcw3vIT-LLj1e_rGgGRuOLCf9brlYrNXdTYUItNZrUgBnO2SUltGUvfUz5FfyA2z2FBsxyYmTa9cZsrZVTQDFuYwJ-Ff_-IeL86LPud2r2KE/s400/Maine2007+041+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></p><span style="font-size:130%;">You sit next to people you care about. You make conversation with people walking by.</span><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWUZFiGVr3-_nmfEg5ZI_pG8IWchu4iB41OLjIhGft5uYS3BB3GAVODHszpQzBc1PybRLytXw_DLktTHs1uhmM2JKENDuGSwNo0sk6SGIxbyWIA3Vc0UDtFh2crHfmYCVTkxuumcs1qA/s1600-h/Maine2007+024+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212311324817167458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWUZFiGVr3-_nmfEg5ZI_pG8IWchu4iB41OLjIhGft5uYS3BB3GAVODHszpQzBc1PybRLytXw_DLktTHs1uhmM2JKENDuGSwNo0sk6SGIxbyWIA3Vc0UDtFh2crHfmYCVTkxuumcs1qA/s800/Maine2007+024+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <span style="color:#999999;">Wellfleet, Cape Cod</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOItuL5XWo2qh0xLiMYc2_KoVlL62aheFgBOT3eA92LM-O7bql-fN5O1TcgDAxoFPL6jxv1XrJLXTW7-wV0AVIFiKy7bqe_KIho8juyDPFF-BzM0EFk0SOsMxVRPtua7Ha6kVZt6ihVhQ/s1600-h/Maine2007+026+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212304871824356690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOItuL5XWo2qh0xLiMYc2_KoVlL62aheFgBOT3eA92LM-O7bql-fN5O1TcgDAxoFPL6jxv1XrJLXTW7-wV0AVIFiKy7bqe_KIho8juyDPFF-BzM0EFk0SOsMxVRPtua7Ha6kVZt6ihVhQ/s400/Maine2007+026+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <span style="color:#999999;">Wellfleet, Cape Cod</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9c7FgrurO7RoS3LJNcpgt-ZZgVDMsIJTLC5H4pXdcHOXvpmA-BQ9C0SxREYNW8xd2ionh_sDF5IJOzbqnw1FDKoI8Gpx_yF3bGhw0CnCx8kQdhP1Xrrq63GLLpMRjqvFImeNgIadjlU/s1600-h/Maine2007+137+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212304698858370882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9c7FgrurO7RoS3LJNcpgt-ZZgVDMsIJTLC5H4pXdcHOXvpmA-BQ9C0SxREYNW8xd2ionh_sDF5IJOzbqnw1FDKoI8Gpx_yF3bGhw0CnCx8kQdhP1Xrrq63GLLpMRjqvFImeNgIadjlU/s800/Maine2007+137+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> You find that TV is a poor substitute for nights spent watching this and then gazing up at the stars.</span> <span style="color:#999999;">(Stonington, Deer Isle Maine)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">And when your summer stay comes to an end, you are all the better for it.</span></p>

Summer Cottage: Not the Size but How We Live In Them That Matters

This weekend I was reading Paradise Lost by Wendy Dennis in House & Home's Notes From Home, one of the few shelter magazines that stills devotes precious pages to essays about the meaning of home. The author laments the advent of the McCottage and the loss of the simple ways previous generations hav…

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Beautiful Pillows

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8haD-4_Av5UqVL6I639nYJxsNkT163HcYOtAcvzmhkipM6iDlYqrWNSY1CYvvJwIjhu3x5r9YvlsMpXLYPOoQeVj1rO8ClnxUqxDtn_nk4ntrUBmSZBF4mBXvggDerNvn9HVUO8bANqE/s1600-h/blissstuido.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211744654528343186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8haD-4_Av5UqVL6I639nYJxsNkT163HcYOtAcvzmhkipM6iDlYqrWNSY1CYvvJwIjhu3x5r9YvlsMpXLYPOoQeVj1rO8ClnxUqxDtn_nk4ntrUBmSZBF4mBXvggDerNvn9HVUO8bANqE/s800/blissstuido.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Gorgeous pillows from <a href="http://www.blissstudio.com/">Bliss Studio </a>in such dreamy, comforting colors.<br /><br /><br />Seeing the above picture made me think of these equally gorgeous pillows <a href="http://www.little-byrd.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-pillows.html">Little Byrd</a> made custom for a client.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN51NP-IudcU1DAvaXqd20nrRoTlt5Qge8HavF4EXOwUAF8j1KtplSSKNSEbEoL55XCxx7e9bWH-7xvPU8AL1aJl6I4sVnRpxwo_g2_jqC0mi9wWpYwCG6OVSZQS6M0_zePgdO0zAPyjk/s1600-h/pillowslittlebyrd.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211744592667310290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN51NP-IudcU1DAvaXqd20nrRoTlt5Qge8HavF4EXOwUAF8j1KtplSSKNSEbEoL55XCxx7e9bWH-7xvPU8AL1aJl6I4sVnRpxwo_g2_jqC0mi9wWpYwCG6OVSZQS6M0_zePgdO0zAPyjk/s800/pillowslittlebyrd.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>

Beautiful Pillows

Gorgeous pillows from Bliss Studio in such dreamy, comforting colors.Seeing the above picture made me think of these equally gorgeous pillows Little Byrd made custom for a client.…

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Part 1: Beautiful Rooms....Part 2: Grateful Blogger

Flipping through my copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1588164764/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1588164764&linkCode=as2&tag=myno0ab-20">House Beautiful 750 Designer Secrets: Exclusive Design Ideas from the Pros</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=myno0ab-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1588164764" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />I came across so many beautiful rooms. This is an excellent book, not one with a constant narrative running throughout, but the type of book you pick up again and again for new ideas and inspirations.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaX0raSWDzjgxasv57voBu-LTQYQbPwq2nz0EPb1o2mUtOxC6sH8ut1WN2m4fbqt8HN5YYELiTntTmi65Ef61IShyphenhyphen6KgjDvELzHkUmPPlJRoYLyGbdvsx5gf86YuHJ-Z36tqtz5JPCSiI/s1600-h/March2008+610+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210626783556765106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaX0raSWDzjgxasv57voBu-LTQYQbPwq2nz0EPb1o2mUtOxC6sH8ut1WN2m4fbqt8HN5YYELiTntTmi65Ef61IShyphenhyphen6KgjDvELzHkUmPPlJRoYLyGbdvsx5gf86YuHJ-Z36tqtz5JPCSiI/s800/March2008+610+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>photography by Dana Gallagher <span style="color: #666666;">(The photos in this post were taken of the book, original photographers noted. I could not find designer credits for the rooms.)</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWykFP7hrGBk5ml9mYmlfdp6p5HqDSa6xd8xPJXb1grGkyhlpv3RBpTOe4Moua_NdmT6wUFVUS8yd-yrAqJIajF4AAfwvA2WTHTw-t-iSku7bsvpFFdx48cEE0AXaAxZEDQhK5hsNZeFU/s1600-h/March2008+612+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210626606743548514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWykFP7hrGBk5ml9mYmlfdp6p5HqDSa6xd8xPJXb1grGkyhlpv3RBpTOe4Moua_NdmT6wUFVUS8yd-yrAqJIajF4AAfwvA2WTHTw-t-iSku7bsvpFFdx48cEE0AXaAxZEDQhK5hsNZeFU/s800/March2008+612+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>photography by Dana Gallagher<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nWdMa2EKHFkQxasSZFnfUKV4H5iQ8NJcwafdQdjXUXw6LpS_KWrJIoHQmV4a0_a7t8j1kOTmwyy5G9QU5MhLq_Wn4wUuOsC9tv5hfSqPYP6ClKseyzG8spGDS1TvQK9jhr-uciK-zbk/s1600-h/March2008+619+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210630910275203618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nWdMa2EKHFkQxasSZFnfUKV4H5iQ8NJcwafdQdjXUXw6LpS_KWrJIoHQmV4a0_a7t8j1kOTmwyy5G9QU5MhLq_Wn4wUuOsC9tv5hfSqPYP6ClKseyzG8spGDS1TvQK9jhr-uciK-zbk/s800/March2008+619+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> photography by Dana Gallager<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOlHvknO8BsOdaxG4tvxrceRc_merf_pyzI9F62kFlcbV0uGd0fUqffk4Wi-hTV11XPSPPAJ77_gTVGJpS2rZz7mXvFawncpjzm6GJOCL5fYq4j-mfYZP83cynHnHXERAAhDuLNYWjL0/s1600-h/March2008+617+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210626425572584370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOlHvknO8BsOdaxG4tvxrceRc_merf_pyzI9F62kFlcbV0uGd0fUqffk4Wi-hTV11XPSPPAJ77_gTVGJpS2rZz7mXvFawncpjzm6GJOCL5fYq4j-mfYZP83cynHnHXERAAhDuLNYWjL0/s800/March2008+617+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> photography by Roger Davies<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBihVfGuRYb9oiXEYvGiApQRT_cfMbIXivYYf-Z7xixa5BIBkHSOX65yLV08UVZiJvczLox-zKXpZESFYHFeq9Jmpx-vARG39l4UHk8QbtsZo6h6xZCs7dNBYV95PeDpYOf8fFhORvopA/s1600-h/March2008+615+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210626244641796098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBihVfGuRYb9oiXEYvGiApQRT_cfMbIXivYYf-Z7xixa5BIBkHSOX65yLV08UVZiJvczLox-zKXpZESFYHFeq9Jmpx-vARG39l4UHk8QbtsZo6h6xZCs7dNBYV95PeDpYOf8fFhORvopA/s800/March2008+615+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> photography by Dana Gallagher<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWai7mF8YGHl34Rd5qssgbc_HTP_xdflXVNeyErXWzxq8sEC38dzvwInSmJEp0w7Ibf2KzuCcJIyGVsIKAnHK-3gfA_sL3_Z1ylQDD8HzmQp5SDgW5uF50T7dPtn5LSPp8_gHW350ry0U/s1600-h/March2008+622+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210626038732154434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWai7mF8YGHl34Rd5qssgbc_HTP_xdflXVNeyErXWzxq8sEC38dzvwInSmJEp0w7Ibf2KzuCcJIyGVsIKAnHK-3gfA_sL3_Z1ylQDD8HzmQp5SDgW5uF50T7dPtn5LSPp8_gHW350ry0U/s400/March2008+622+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> photography by Gordon Beall<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0ESXvkG4G9vQ1NvWxRgNl63aZzstfA2x_LV_iuEg5hyuFbAk103EV8u2EwbVbViqkYZeEJKqN6KdwvpfB8tR4VnqAsOB0M2LJEMGRFCNdzy9WryYD7jUzHokWpoMDOqMpgkYAtEQUQ0/s1600-h/March2008+616+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210625866621818482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0ESXvkG4G9vQ1NvWxRgNl63aZzstfA2x_LV_iuEg5hyuFbAk103EV8u2EwbVbViqkYZeEJKqN6KdwvpfB8tR4VnqAsOB0M2LJEMGRFCNdzy9WryYD7jUzHokWpoMDOqMpgkYAtEQUQ0/s800/March2008+616+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> photography by Gordon Bealle<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnt6tQjADZYwVYTbmU86y9wncjgA5kIqlMSy1Lt2we6p1D11XMEbyBZ98n3GPz12Gpg_afB3vIhHQ8-Zd-kEwhgF7KXfL0gZpA1naTdNRs8cQaIBuUIpi1GQOsnXmV5SDeTtdeR_HuZak/s1600-h/March2008+623+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210625665244262386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnt6tQjADZYwVYTbmU86y9wncjgA5kIqlMSy1Lt2we6p1D11XMEbyBZ98n3GPz12Gpg_afB3vIhHQ8-Zd-kEwhgF7KXfL0gZpA1naTdNRs8cQaIBuUIpi1GQOsnXmV5SDeTtdeR_HuZak/s800/March2008+623+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> photography by John Hall<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdN2oL-r9lyp13pBnJcC7bLWgHYybKhhZW4yVb_zQU2pQ7V4TqKZ9cQfczTLId1XTgvmTOpAIFuVvTjLpeu64c1gbYO8v1UsI7sV8UwfiktlYk92vUYR8CDg1-PNo064LvD2Li6zIuNo/s1600-h/March2008+621+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210612907671767394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdN2oL-r9lyp13pBnJcC7bLWgHYybKhhZW4yVb_zQU2pQ7V4TqKZ9cQfczTLId1XTgvmTOpAIFuVvTjLpeu64c1gbYO8v1UsI7sV8UwfiktlYk92vUYR8CDg1-PNo064LvD2Li6zIuNo/s800/March2008+621+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>photography by Gordon Beall<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1588164764/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1588164764&linkCode=as2&tag=myno0ab-20">House Beautiful 750 Designer Secrets: Exclusive Design Ideas from the Pros</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=myno0ab-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1588164764" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-size: 180%;">Part 2: Grateful Blogger</span></span><br />This past week I have been the recipient of some lovely, wonderful gestures that I wanted to share and acknowledge. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1g5sjS1b3gdqshyphenhyphenJSHIFR-kSJV4i1xe7LeiSuR3M488zKhtiXKhe-G3ucUtoWevxO8jgESBPdoStPxiVXK2EnroR4p3bjiLuke1ygRqN6_3cLMJs2iOgrlMxm-X-WvF3ybv4QHUHYM4/s1600-h/March2008+685+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210627785096053522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1g5sjS1b3gdqshyphenhyphenJSHIFR-kSJV4i1xe7LeiSuR3M488zKhtiXKhe-G3ucUtoWevxO8jgESBPdoStPxiVXK2EnroR4p3bjiLuke1ygRqN6_3cLMJs2iOgrlMxm-X-WvF3ybv4QHUHYM4/s400/March2008+685+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> A beautiful photo frame from <a href="http://mrrdesign.blogspot.com/">MRR Designs</a> for some very minor assistance with resizing an image (the technological credit actually belongs to my 14 year old son.) This frame is lovely - and so incredibly well made. I have attempted these before - and failed. Check out her wonderful site - you can even have custom message boards made.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlW7KSjLORm9wMeVA0gnsZMbU8laWQwek_UC9UXms75hr0VsJeSCvU2-1078i7nXMRDsuyyjc0b66Gj7TSVCM0eBVmAoCDVZMNZAvj5xBx021BNzfjIQ5rlsr3w559v1BE_bFHc0w4p8/s1600-h/March2008+682+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210627623397265762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlW7KSjLORm9wMeVA0gnsZMbU8laWQwek_UC9UXms75hr0VsJeSCvU2-1078i7nXMRDsuyyjc0b66Gj7TSVCM0eBVmAoCDVZMNZAvj5xBx021BNzfjIQ5rlsr3w559v1BE_bFHc0w4p8/s400/March2008+682+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> From the lovely and inimitable Patricia of PVE Design - an original rendering of a florist shop in gorgeous brown and greens. <a href="http://pvedesign.blogspot.com/2008/05/green-thumb.html">Click here </a>to see a full sized image of this painting from her original post. Patricia designed my blog header and I'll be posting more on some of the other things she's created for this blog.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3X7ZntcXgxXjH9tFxUs3J42Jl7T-g0byL-9qrlrp973cJVWYEqdEgUJZrlcz398BFgr8WbgbNaL5d7DkS0Bm5XfUOELy2iFv1cci0hbdJIgMlTky8Q6H0RzHl1URasjd5rnx_gLppta4/s1600-h/March2008+688+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210627456461229762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3X7ZntcXgxXjH9tFxUs3J42Jl7T-g0byL-9qrlrp973cJVWYEqdEgUJZrlcz398BFgr8WbgbNaL5d7DkS0Bm5XfUOELy2iFv1cci0hbdJIgMlTky8Q6H0RzHl1URasjd5rnx_gLppta4/s400/March2008+688+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> Out of the blue, a packet arrived from northwest Canada - more beautiful <a href="http://www.cartolinacards.com/">Cartolina Cards </a>from artist Fiona Richards. I so love this little Hello card - the blue and red are so perfect together. Now I want wallpaper like this for my downstairs bathroom!!<br /><span style="color: #333399;"><strong>AND from my husband - this Mocha Rumbie delivered to me pool side in our backyard. This past week we celebrated our <em><span style="color: #cc0000;">20th Wedding Anniversary</span></em>!!</strong></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_S0CjQHKDZBuYjmyxejT4ThIwHxr2eh1EdWWmp-sWlQdJrXOlmzeIW3f426J0ywr55Q7_PECI8XSPKZN6_W_y7SejU9d7otacs1z59sHWmlTLQgIk_n56CmQEKTRGj_cYPHhjSQ9lqI/s1600-h/March2008+659+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210636544819581986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_S0CjQHKDZBuYjmyxejT4ThIwHxr2eh1EdWWmp-sWlQdJrXOlmzeIW3f426J0ywr55Q7_PECI8XSPKZN6_W_y7SejU9d7otacs1z59sHWmlTLQgIk_n56CmQEKTRGj_cYPHhjSQ9lqI/s400/March2008+659+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1HIJ8Yb8LfThQh9s5lSx40xGaV-4QNUi3YqJOVdAfagx_B8EAzx2R3tdei7SGSEnnIBgM8hJyBTRgfKaLJtIefqsmRSAarT6fUWhXZqoWXFC_tKLrdh5S5M2zyrHfWGZJSsQ44hCn-g/s1600-h/March2008+663+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210636079205164594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1HIJ8Yb8LfThQh9s5lSx40xGaV-4QNUi3YqJOVdAfagx_B8EAzx2R3tdei7SGSEnnIBgM8hJyBTRgfKaLJtIefqsmRSAarT6fUWhXZqoWXFC_tKLrdh5S5M2zyrHfWGZJSsQ44hCn-g/s400/March2008+663+(2).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>

Part 1: Beautiful Rooms....Part 2: Grateful Blogger

Flipping through my copy of House Beautiful 750 Designer Secrets: Exclusive Design Ideas from the ProsI came across so many beautiful rooms. This is an excellent book, not one with a constant narrative running throughout, but the type of book you pick up again and again for new ideas and inspiration…

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English Manor Gardens & Interiors - Leesburg

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmg5hFUL2uxlgaDvUKvGQg2QG7hj7O1tAZkQDXI4czI4H_FtrEd_1PHpuZiblHADQW0ctuyCvvvtRBBp1UAAPf6ZMtxz2Rgghmshd_FcRfk9x5N5t34dDQfihwN6nkgcEGXvsGJmUylg/s1600-h/March2008+605+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208964876302964530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmg5hFUL2uxlgaDvUKvGQg2QG7hj7O1tAZkQDXI4czI4H_FtrEd_1PHpuZiblHADQW0ctuyCvvvtRBBp1UAAPf6ZMtxz2Rgghmshd_FcRfk9x5N5t34dDQfihwN6nkgcEGXvsGJmUylg/s400/March2008+605+(2).jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Fun day today - no work and lots of play! I had a lovely lunch with two college friends - one of whom has taken a 2 year post to Switzerland with her company. She and her husband and two boys are off on a wonderful adventure! We had a lot of catching up to do - even though the three of us live only 45 minutes apart we hadn't seen each other in a long while. We joked we'll probably see more of each other in Europe (we'll have to visit!) than here in Northern Virginia.<br /><br />If you come to No. Va, put <a href="http://www.visitloudoun.org/shopping/details?id=10536">Leesburg</a> on your list of places to see. After lunch it was time for shopping - first stop was English Manor Garden & Interiors. Painted furniture and antiqued mirror surfaces dominated, along with lovely accessories and pretty tablescapes.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMnRkmOF4AIrFMxjNiLkIKp5LtGDQpDQJBsY8Vb1GnRvpxEYaD42rIzDJJZTegc7ODubVewARxIyOhv7NaYwioxmjZs1nynQEwYnkXDA6ajjTvMQyomDu3YjmBl0F4ZKhuKner8VFdTc/s1600-h/March2008+591+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208964710532583378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMnRkmOF4AIrFMxjNiLkIKp5LtGDQpDQJBsY8Vb1GnRvpxEYaD42rIzDJJZTegc7ODubVewARxIyOhv7NaYwioxmjZs1nynQEwYnkXDA6ajjTvMQyomDu3YjmBl0F4ZKhuKner8VFdTc/s800/March2008+591+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNh3S62aryjG146HinGuVK_53ByL9Q12zDnQnBCFcWXvlRsXftMSq7hmGhlVKieL0FNO0czZ_3ADrHwsQcfggARNy_STnImFpzM4DxZ3JBpoeF1iIov2ugZEGqvH9hNWYlEAihO2i1rXk/s1600-h/March2008+589+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208964576627451186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNh3S62aryjG146HinGuVK_53ByL9Q12zDnQnBCFcWXvlRsXftMSq7hmGhlVKieL0FNO0czZ_3ADrHwsQcfggARNy_STnImFpzM4DxZ3JBpoeF1iIov2ugZEGqvH9hNWYlEAihO2i1rXk/s800/March2008+589+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><span style="color:#666666;"> </span><span style="color:#333333;">Love how this book is displayed on a stand - I need to do that!</span><br /></p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDgQy1vMKPYmz0mAtr5kr2D1UlTxIEN5_EvGImXjFVKbzBORmdijvS6Pj9BKpo7QZuHtVgyUsNUj9TyC0vNijgS1tq7c0g3A00eBzlUoyMF51ZGmbw3U6WM8T6cj4Kxj4YRG8MLTERsc/s1600-h/March2008+585+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208964412619417730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDgQy1vMKPYmz0mAtr5kr2D1UlTxIEN5_EvGImXjFVKbzBORmdijvS6Pj9BKpo7QZuHtVgyUsNUj9TyC0vNijgS1tq7c0g3A00eBzlUoyMF51ZGmbw3U6WM8T6cj4Kxj4YRG8MLTERsc/s800/March2008+585+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <span style="color:#333333;">Gorgeous lamp.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7n3d-kD_mzE200kI5UixfLZWKxjqIqgc6dpFxAra6B2F2oguT7xrbk2nQWqjEVrtxwcH_Q5rCke3LDT9rCBdwQTPiPIbADj9ww4hkh8wZsf3ZZafyy5cYrK61bRksFrLf8fONui5Gbdg/s1600-h/March2008+585+(3).jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6rfV-hIWGKwNNMxvSew3TvCW1ENI-IA2ILAcexYaOEqz916zISO2Y5yF1-HrpEbTCF_6itOpLUJsC1iEpCIaH0pcLEYOwxTgAaKp5GWwNM_DcCtEx1o9a5i0D84Gvk3aYfGp6_1z7G4/s1600-h/March2008+588+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208964060146642130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6rfV-hIWGKwNNMxvSew3TvCW1ENI-IA2ILAcexYaOEqz916zISO2Y5yF1-HrpEbTCF_6itOpLUJsC1iEpCIaH0pcLEYOwxTgAaKp5GWwNM_DcCtEx1o9a5i0D84Gvk3aYfGp6_1z7G4/s800/March2008+588+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <span style="color:#333333;">Faux artichokes in a beautiful wooden bowl.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUTEw130rHvlmQgDfIa1Of2DRZqZuVbgRv2jJF4JHCF14LVWYhMPHq2ZGsxOJ0FvQaFdX-o_ULaqFgVDYpa19i_0jx3_hLwWc6cAB-_n4OrV_StRflhTD8qhoEyv9q-cIAXm56tXoqJI/s1600-h/March2008+601+(2).jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYcfJMxWW1xmfcIn5tknlac50fwPJfuuvC1_ElweKGVSmBsr-nVMT_NajOvNomwuQyYAummrZx2l0p9EKwHqu7fbXnUl-F8Dpiaf_t89i9-kZUK9WHhrHQxjWj3PXs_uCYBP-CBEsB1k/s1600-h/March2008+602+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208963601852252162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYcfJMxWW1xmfcIn5tknlac50fwPJfuuvC1_ElweKGVSmBsr-nVMT_NajOvNomwuQyYAummrZx2l0p9EKwHqu7fbXnUl-F8Dpiaf_t89i9-kZUK9WHhrHQxjWj3PXs_uCYBP-CBEsB1k/s800/March2008+602+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQeZ7GdmeKyk-2rolsV4bJG79H3Yx9EXLBNeYzP6FGS2E9-wR7g4GFFlD0OjbehgzQ41IWL_mp4QDZtYTrDmbzrwMobg6FjjSLhii_9C9x1-fNdQTYdICzFvzuAOkIGl_42Oi5hV6s_g/s1600-h/March2008+592+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208963403316604178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQeZ7GdmeKyk-2rolsV4bJG79H3Yx9EXLBNeYzP6FGS2E9-wR7g4GFFlD0OjbehgzQ41IWL_mp4QDZtYTrDmbzrwMobg6FjjSLhii_9C9x1-fNdQTYdICzFvzuAOkIGl_42Oi5hV6s_g/s800/March2008+592+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyeH97-kfkg1Vmlyl-3iSoy-en4iNM9gbXrBj-2o0NqPKWqzfw7V6Qp32DIdNV70dHxUJdPzo8wg2_Uzr7O7R9SVTJ0rxCL2TJKeAVo4I1yYJiXvyXqV7gXMGtrNfuKIqF1OA42s2jd8/s1600-h/March2008+593+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208963221076659010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyeH97-kfkg1Vmlyl-3iSoy-en4iNM9gbXrBj-2o0NqPKWqzfw7V6Qp32DIdNV70dHxUJdPzo8wg2_Uzr7O7R9SVTJ0rxCL2TJKeAVo4I1yYJiXvyXqV7gXMGtrNfuKIqF1OA42s2jd8/s800/March2008+593+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <span style="color:#333333;">Somehow these hot pink Christmas bulbs look so in-season in this tablescape.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fOza6QLiYbHeem8Sn5fQ8-Z_vB4frr31t27kZtrjmzXsjZ6Qud-dnNVci9yHDdDwNJ9TIoK5yoTIWG54elPPnwJZWNpvANLIn4m-KwT4L8ZrTTpVhXkDbRZsSL8X5_Z4U4AkYwQSlY8/s1600-h/March2008+592+(3).jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_53DmAI3EMOWCFVVTc7nDDknMkg5a8urWuo04xZaj-EuEALIMqNsLy4eaGagaA0qaDYbqeSnqW5RSJ2YxpspGEaGDF0Y73C9VHgfIg63VOUOg_BbVxROXzbiPGeULL8PCWi2kqFNZhvM/s1600-h/March2008+599+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208962910215046370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_53DmAI3EMOWCFVVTc7nDDknMkg5a8urWuo04xZaj-EuEALIMqNsLy4eaGagaA0qaDYbqeSnqW5RSJ2YxpspGEaGDF0Y73C9VHgfIg63VOUOg_BbVxROXzbiPGeULL8PCWi2kqFNZhvM/s800/March2008+599+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <span style="color:#333333;">Love the circle motif on these painted cabinets.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOeYNfRz_8cUPX4lVkhsPbUQLF3IZO-bKOkDaVb-qyXOWx9cahCWHW9a6GbpJu03KHPUn-TJQn00xa-hawR1vFTkJn9Jsh7xEPBuXk15-uvgJsa5372CAMKLWNXemGEGQrGS5G2g-U_o/s1600-h/March2008+599+(3).jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjrMpYUv2nENpYMjwEzXBGlYXyCTnxAl82WfVVRu7YiQnl-Tl7pxlFzTRzh0cf4TGEVUhtSwF6wXG6A4iLGDMD3qUnJJzrhLN60gqRjJRct14hh6QnKg1LiozrEpNxRD4hzcXbC_t9QM/s1600-h/March2008+599+(3).jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsF8ZCIrSL46XOHUa4fa9sKjlkV1wmvLnUc6hAHfU3XHNArwvAfxi992EpcScSF-UFmyj3ZvVWXM2KcqMiW-xJUJPtvfeeaXcIuim6U78-34Ik-uH1jU_8XTwrXaQ0D0AwlaLVojGRZI/s1600-h/March2008+600+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208962466297864530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsF8ZCIrSL46XOHUa4fa9sKjlkV1wmvLnUc6hAHfU3XHNArwvAfxi992EpcScSF-UFmyj3ZvVWXM2KcqMiW-xJUJPtvfeeaXcIuim6U78-34Ik-uH1jU_8XTwrXaQ0D0AwlaLVojGRZI/s400/March2008+600+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8n4O6WHflmFQULg9Ka71ToTtnFfqLbYlz7hflBLC7eKPhGZwLd0XIRbIF6YmJ_NOPFWr1_W7i57Hfd1BwTnO04GPH5DofIdxUb3mRrJA9o55c-1FPz-JoUOBg33_iuYtMRUhtR3B_7o/s1600-h/March2008+606+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208962304666518674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8n4O6WHflmFQULg9Ka71ToTtnFfqLbYlz7hflBLC7eKPhGZwLd0XIRbIF6YmJ_NOPFWr1_W7i57Hfd1BwTnO04GPH5DofIdxUb3mRrJA9o55c-1FPz-JoUOBg33_iuYtMRUhtR3B_7o/s400/March2008+606+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2B8hNTJXmgA17ouJVHYojI_f0e8H91SIrISCvZx5_1LrZZtXjweiXdXhCRqO1jByxISGP68YfqAv3wlndYbem-tm3rOWFqT8NWnrSncSiYzdzmMbbrdVgYNPre-J4aQQymVD2vZ_F_Y/s1600-h/March2008+609+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208965090939583954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2B8hNTJXmgA17ouJVHYojI_f0e8H91SIrISCvZx5_1LrZZtXjweiXdXhCRqO1jByxISGP68YfqAv3wlndYbem-tm3rOWFqT8NWnrSncSiYzdzmMbbrdVgYNPre-J4aQQymVD2vZ_F_Y/s400/March2008+609+(2).jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />This is the illustration from English Manor Gardens & Interiors' business card. They don't currently have a web site but can be reached at 703.669.3300 - 27 South King Street - Leesburg, VA - 20175</p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p>The shot below is from a narrow alley leading to the town's parking garage. A store devoted to pets has this wonderful topiary dog there to greet you - how apropos.</p><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9OSff__ctUv-Gb1Efd02Tzz8qna32HT1jE2fnT6IK1yO1uzgvE9mHJEtQUJdGpgxcaE4lZ_sqwUCgBlTjT27I7oHHpak8voPYw3LWoV9zPXKTSXiXjFMuh5wdV3y8F34jyGRG45odGU/s1600-h/March2008+607+(2).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208962149910911810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9OSff__ctUv-Gb1Efd02Tzz8qna32HT1jE2fnT6IK1yO1uzgvE9mHJEtQUJdGpgxcaE4lZ_sqwUCgBlTjT27I7oHHpak8voPYw3LWoV9zPXKTSXiXjFMuh5wdV3y8F34jyGRG45odGU/s400/March2008+607+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></p>

English Manor Gardens & Interiors - Leesburg

Fun day today - no work and lots of play! I had a lovely lunch with two college friends - one of whom has taken a 2 year post to Switzerland with her company. She and her husband and two boys are off on a wonderful adventure! We had a lot of catching up to do - even though the three of us live only …

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