Visions of Southern Foods, Happy New Year!

Image from Living

Tomorrow is New Years Day and most people are planning their diets and how they’re going to get some of their extra weight off. For me I’m planning just the opposite, sort of. I know, I should be talking about diet food and recipes but after reading through the November issues of Garden & Gun, “The Best Southern Foods—100 things You Simply Must Eat before You Die”, I realized I had a ways to go. It appears most of these places and dishes I had never even heard of. Pigfat Cornbread from Skylight Inn—Ayden, North Carolina—where have I been?

I guess there were a few exceptions, such as the Watershed in Decatur, the Varsity in Atlanta, Fig and Hominy Grill in Charleston, South Carolina—Hominy Grill is one of my all time favorite restaurants! But all in all, I realized I had a ways to go with these dishes and restaurants, although ,the article did say Before You Die, so hopefully I have a little time but one really never knows now, do they? Being back in Atlanta, I figured we should start here and then take it to Macon Georgia, Josephine Alabama, Thibodaux Louisiana, Shreveport Louisiana (Hubby’s birthplace), Owensboro Kentucky, etc….

It’s New Years Eve and I need to go get ready for my date with the hubby—we’re off to the Atlanta Symphony which should be pretty fun –they’re doing showtunes. Oh, FYI—a small lesson that I’ve learned in life–to start keeping all three sizes of my skirts -small, medium, and large. I have no black skirt to wear: one’s to small and the other too big. Go figure!

Rolle & Me!

For some reason, I’m a little reluctant to go see Marley & Me. I’m not quite sure exactly why this is! It may have to do with the fact that Hubby and I also have an aging dog, our thirteen- year-old basset hound, whom we had now for basically as long as we been married.

I did attempt to read Marley & Me and got through several chapters and then quickly set it aside. Even more, as we were picking Ellie up last January from the Humane Society, a nice gentleman from New Jersey pretty much told me how the book ended. Needless to say, I could not bring myself to ever finish reading the book. It’s not that I’m not a dog lover. Rolle was even in our will – don’t get me wrong it’s nothing like Oprah’s golden retrievers, but it’s enough money to get him to his Aunt Susan’s in Missouri or even maybe to his Uncle Watson’s hip downtown Denver loft. My best friend in Missouri is first in line for Rolle—after all, she is a mother of two German sheppards. Plus, Uncle Watson is single, in his early 40’s, and still has commitment issues –he’s wanted a border collie for years but is still dogless!

Rolle in Nashville

So for now, for the Hubby and me, Rolle has taught us, especially when we lose sight of things, that one of life’s little lessons is to take time and sniff the flowers during the cold, rain, or shine! Enough! It’s beautiful here in Georgia, and Ellie and Rolle are ready to go sniff their flowers.

For those of you who are off to see Marley & Me--you may want to take a box of tissues, so I’ve heard! Please report!

I Almost Forgot--It's The Holidays!

Having moved just a week before Thanksgiving—one of my favorites, I finally realized on Christmas Day, while everyone was enjoying Christmas dinner, that it’s the holidays! Please note that being in a New Orleanean family, one cannot eat a meal while not preparing for one’s next meal or meals. So after discussing alligator cheesecake from Jackemo’s, and not really wanting to eat turkey plain for the next four days, I spoke out and said something about turkey gumbo, since turkey was our main course. What better way to use the leftovers then in a good delicious gumbo?

My own experience is that all men from New Orleans seem to think they can make the best gumbo. My list certainly includes my father-in-law, brother-in-law, as well as hubby’s uncles, cousins, etc., and of course Hubby himself–and he’s the worst one of them all! So during our Christmas dinner while my father-in-law, brother-in-law and hubby were discussing the correct way to make a roux and with all three wanting to make the turkey gumbo, guess who won—father-in-law!

FYI, after dinner while sitting in my in-laws family room, I discovered a new southern magazine --Garden & Gun. In the December/January issue is a recipe for Duck & Oyster Gumbo—looks like we may be having duck here soon!

Moving 101!

Several weeks prior to putting our house on the market, I had called the moving company that originally moved us from Atlanta to Nashville three plus years ago. I had remembered that their rates were very reasonable for an out of state move and most importantly they did a good job and did not break anything! As it turned out, they gave us another great rate; however, wanting to cut costs and save several thousand additional dollars, the hubby and I decided to undertake this little task ourselves—hmmm! Our plan was simple, I was the packer, the hubby the driver and we would hire a couple of strong guys to help us move it out and load it up.

On Halloween, the hubby was off and had been assigned the task of fetching Halloween candy. Basically, he ended up popping into the U-haul store, and he called me at work to see if I wanted him to pick up a bundle of boxes for seventy dollars. “Seventy dollars on boxes? No way!” I said, “That’s outrageous!” I happened to be cruising around Martha’s website at the time and read all about her move from Turkey Hill to her new home (which I don’t think is that far away). However, unlike Martha, I did not have the option to make several small trips-- everything had to go at once! Hubby was very busy complaining about work after the U-haul incident, so I told him to relax and that I’d take care of the move. The only thing he had to do was drive the truck and not kill himself! After all, I had crammed tea sets, china, paper mache, etc. into suitcases from the London to Atlanta with no problems, not one crack– I can do this little move from Nashville.

I had waited until after the inspection to really start packing, for fear I would jinx the sale of the house. The Friday before we were to close, I ran out to get more boxes and some guy slammed into my Honda. Not good timing for my CRV to be totaled! I had plans for it to carry my breakables and my dogs. Anyway, like Martha, I bought several plastic tubs for my Mulberryware, transferware, and everything else that I did not want the hubby to smash into a million pieces. I had slowly started to remembered why I had fired the hubby from my antiquing business years ago, and I quickly decided that I would have Wednesday, the day we were to load up the truck, to be my last day at work. After all, we were going to hire nice strong guys to carry everything out, and they should all be very happy that I’m no longer mass producing cast iron! Then I remembered our latest intrastate. The guys from Two Men and a Truck miraculously moved a box of pillows, but ran out of room for the giant box of books.

During our closing, I mentioned to our real-estate agent, who is a big garden guru, that we had left a few things behind that she may want – a huge terracotta pot, a lot of dirt (which I had warned the hubby I wanted)! Earlier, I had given her several mums that I had bought for the house (I had no intention of planting them, but I knew she would). Talking to my agent later, she said she went over to the house immediately after our closing and the new cute couple helped her load up the huge terracotta pot and all the dirt—she was most happy!


The end result—we ended up spending way, way, way more than seventy dollars on boxes, an old piecrust table I bought last year and got at a great price is in three different pieces, a gate leg walnut table was dropped a few times the patina is ruined, an English mahogany table is also in a couple of pieces, my 1940’s crystal chandelier not a pretty site , we dumped several huge boxwoods that I’ve had for a awhile (should of given then to my agent too), and we ran out of space and left a few other things behind. I’ve not had a chance to open up the tubs yet! False economy? Probably!

The Willcox!

The Willcox

Last Tuesday, the hubby I celebrated our #### wedding anniversary, I know, I didn’t say what year because we are getting up there, but if you know the age of my basset hound then you could probably figure it out. Being back in Atlanta already, and with really no plans for our anniversary I decided that we needed a day or two away—I would have preferred a week or two but we have to take what we can get. Early Tuesday morning, I woke up and thought hey let’s go to Aiken, South Carolina. I have always heard wonderful things about Aiken but never had the chance to visit myself. While living in Charleston I would always drive I-75 & I-16 through Macon and then take the low country route of SC17--which I loved! Anyway, it seemed the hubby would take the other route, I-20 east through Augusta to Highway 78, and, as it turned out, he had been to Aiken before--to the courthouse to be exact, to pay a speeding ticket! So before we left I had asked my mother-in-law where we could stay—most preferably with two dogs (she knows a lot about all the Southern towns). So she gave me some information and said good luck!

Lucky for us, the first place that I noticed that took dogs and that looked somewhat clean and interesting was The Wilcox. When I called and asked for availability the desk clerk told me about their holiday special and this was just what I wanted to hear--$185 a night with complimentary tea, breakfast and a bottle of Champaign for your room. I started calculating all that in my head and thought that’s a good special! Then I confirmed about the dog—oops—dogs, and he said fifty dollars–perfect!

We arrived at The Wilcox and parked the Element under a magnolia tree. We got out with Rolle and Ellie and a couple of bags and walked through the warm and inviting lobby and went to our room. Rolle and Ellie went straight for their basket of goodies that included biscuits, toys, a leash, a collar and bottle water—perfect, they were happy!

The special goes until they end of Jan. I highly recommend it!

P.S. arrive early so you can enjoy the tea and have time for a walk by all the wonderful old clapboard mansions before you drink your Champaign!

Goodbye Nashville!

One evening just this past October I came home and found my Southern Accents Nov- Dec issue. This particular issue stood out a little more, and it was a little ironic that Nashville was one of the Southern destinations that was featured. While reading through the article, I recognized several of the places that were mentioned, and even a few of the restaurants were located in my very own neighborhood. The reason I say ironic is that the hubby and I had placed our 1930’s cottage house on the market Labor Day weekend – I know, perfect timing, right?! In August you may recall I was complaining about several things, and one of them was my neighbor Sandy’s Hackberry tree. Her tree arrived in our yard just in time for our first open house! Anyway, for two months the hubby and I played minutemen, with ready-to-conquer –“I’m going to sell this house” attitudes! The phone call we would get from our real estate agency was like trumpets blowing, and once we answered, up and off we went into full cleaning mode. The showings were very sporadic during the week and on the weekends. With each one, I would run home no matter where I was-- antique stores, hairdresser, work etc... I would even call the hubby and have him leave work too. Basically we would gather up the dogs, sweep, mop, turn on every light in the house, fluff the pillows, make sure the closets (especially mine) were neat & tidy, make sure fresh flowers were not dead, and clean the deck (don’t ever paint a deck white). I’ll talk more about the details later!

Anyway, the good news is the hubby and I closed on our house November 20th. It took us sixty-five days to get a contract where everyone, including the agents, was happy. The hubby and I did exactly what we set out to do when we bought the dilapidated house, and, given the state of the economy, we are very grateful, because in the end, all of our hard work paid off. Thinking back to the article, it had been a year since I started my blog and wrote about a few of the very same places it mentioned. All the restaurants and museums are wonderful, but what we’ll miss the most about Nashville is our old neighborhood—one gentleman compared it to Mayberry and I couldn’t agree more!

Our neighborhood is one where parents walk their children to school, oaks, hackberry, and magnolia trees line the streets. The houses date back to the late 1800’s, and even the few new ones are built to look like the old ones. But the most important part is that it is a neighborhood where it’s very easy to get to know you neighbors. Sandy—our bohemian transplant from San Francisco who studied for years and years at Stanford, Frank and Eula—our elderly retired neighbors who made me remember homemade peanut brittle and fudge again, Gary--our single fifty-something neighbor who still lives with his mother and always lent a hand (and lots of tools) to the hubby, Miss Judy—who walked by each evening this summer while we were sitting on our porch, and would always have to stop to dote on Rolle our Bassett hound so his head would get even bigger than it already is, Raymond—who always took off for his summer house in Florida when the first freeze would hit the Nashville air, and yes even the crazy Italian Lucilla!

Amazingly enough it had always been a dream of mine to own an old home in a Southern town and to have neighbors whom I enjoy spending time with and talking to.

Goodbye Nashville! We’ve enjoyed our journey.

Searching For Charlotte York's Wallpaper!

Osborne & Little

Last Sunday night, I was up very late on a mad search for Charlotte's wallpaper -from this year's movie. When I first started my blog, I wrote how I was obsessed with her bedroom wallpaper from the series, and found Farrow & Ball's Ringwold that subsituted quite nicely. Currently, I've been thinking about that wallpaper a lot lately--hopefully in the context of starting some new projects. Anyway, the evening before, I picked up the DVD while out on a date with the hubby. I had secretly wanted to try to figure out the wallpaper, and of course had to see the movie again, as I explained to the hubby. He doesn't like it when I have a hidden agenda, especially when he wanted the overpriced blue rae disk. By last Wednesday, I had destroyed my new DVD because of stopping and forwarding--hmmm! So between google searches and only getting to where Lily grabs Carrie's phone, I was able to figure out the dining room. Yeah. The wallpaper is by Osborne & Little--Nina Campbell, the collection is Birdcage Walk Amazonas.


Now, what I did not get to was the rest of the apartment. I love Charlotte's enrtry hall, as well as the hall into which Carrie steps out to talk to Big. I could have sworn that was de Gournay but not sure because now my DVD is all messed up! And finally, Charlotte's new bedroom! Anyway, if anyone, anyone at all, knows anything about the beautiful wallpapers that were used in Charlotte's apartment --I would love to know!!!!

One Fine Day--de Gournay!

Image from de Gournay

Ever since last Sunday, obsessing over Michael Smith’s farm house, and admiring basically every single room, I noticed that there’s one room in particular that I cannot stop thinking about—the master bedroom. Unfortunately, with the picture I showed of the master bedroom, you were probably not able to capture the beautiful hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper that really made the whole room. Note, the house is also featured in Michael’s new book (trust me; I don’t work for these people, I just post what truly inspires me), and I was able to see a few more photos from there. Anyway, that same day I was also reading through Domino’s new book with its beautiful de Gournay cover. I quickly starting pondering all the rooms that I had seen done with de Gournay wallpaper and fabric, and immediately started thinking to myself how that maybe, One Fine Day, I might be able to incorporate it. Perhaps in my tiny little closet, a small powder room, or perhaps on one wall in my dining room or office—basically, where I could afford to put it and admire it every single day. For me, my favorite pattern is the chinoiserie. The wallpaper is hand painted, which comes with a price tag—a 3’wide panel is $600—so not exactly cheap! To do a whole room would quickly, quickly, quickly add up! However, I don’t think you would have to break the bank to use it because a little of this beautiful wallpaper would go a long way!!!

The wallpaper Michael Smith used here is Earlham by de Gournay - love it!

Image from Elle Decor Nov 2008

One of my favorite rooms by Miles Redd! Image from Domino

Love this dining room by Todd Romano!

Image from Southern Accents

Here is one of my absolute favorite rooms by Barbara Barry. The sunroom is done with a silk chinoiserie. Image from Architectural Digest

I have an anniversary coming up and I’ve never really been a jewelry-type girl. Yes, as strange as that sounds, I know. The hubby even thinks so but he is secretly quite pleased about it . Although he never really knows what to get me since he does not have the standby like jewelry. Hey hubby-- how about a panel of de Gournay chinoiserie hand painted wallpaper! That would, no doubt, do very nicely!!! But for now, until that fine day, I guess Domino’s new book cover will have to suffice!!!

Domino

Soup's On!

Great Settings

A few years ago, I picked up Great Settings, a book that I highly recommended for your entertaining collection—that is, if you don’t already have it. It has been out for a while. Now every fall, the hubby and I like to make Escarole Soup with chicken sausage and that recipe, of course, comes from Great Settings. But once you put it all together you will be able to eat on it for a several days and then the only things you have to do is heat it up, slap your French bread in the oven, and grab some cheese. It’s simple and makes the perfect meal–especially for us—after coming home from work, going through the daily mail, and then walking two demanding dogs in the fall chilly evening air. Now, for the hubby, anything with chicken sausage will do the trick (it’s the Cajun in him I reckon). So here it is, and please let me know what you think.

Escarole Soup with Chicken Sausage

2 Tablespoons olive oil

6 Links of chicken Sausage

4 Garlic Clover, coarsely chopped

1 Large Spanish Onion, sliced

Salt And Pepper To Taste

1/2 Bottle Dry White Wine

6 Cups Chicken Stock

2 Cups Water

5 Carrots, Peeled And Sliced into 1/2 - Inch Rounds

3 Cups Cooked Cannellini Beans

2 Heads Escarole, well washed, trimmed, and coarsely chopped

Parmesan Cheese For Grating

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy stock- pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned all over. Remove the sausage, cut it into bite-sized chunks, and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic, and cook until fragrant. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the wine and stir to dissolve any of the brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken stock, water, and carrots, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Add the sausage and cook for 5 minutes, then add the beans and escarole. Cook for 5 minutes, until the escarole is wilted but not overcooked. Check the seasoning and serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!!!

Loving Michael Smith!

All images Elle Decor & photograped by Henry Bourne

This past Sunday, while at the bookstore I was leafing through the new November issue of Elle Decor and quickly noticed this beautiful home designed by Michael Smith. All week, I've been longing over this country farm house and hitting a few antique store as well. Thanks Michael!!!

The library

The dining room

The Master bedroom

I love this bathroom !!!

In Need Of Inspiration!

Both Image from Farrow&Ball The Art Of Color

A few weeks ago, while at a fabric store here in Nashville, and a little frustrated with a few current projects, I ran across Farrow&Ball's The Art Of Color. I don't know how this book slipped through my radar last year when it first came out, but it arrived last Saturday and I have read it cover to cover.

Ina's Crackers!

I was so happy last Friday after coming home from work and finding Ina’s barn on the cover of House Beautiful—I love Ina! After walking Rolle & Ellie I plopped down for the evening with a glass of red wine and read it cover to cover. One thing that really caught my eye was Ina's new cookbook (Back to Basics). I thought these Parmesan & Thyme crackers looked wonderful! My plans are to make them for Halloween while passing out candy, so we adults will have something to munch on. The crackers will go much better with wine then Snickers bars, don’t you think? I'll cut them out as small pumpkins – now how cute is that!!! Here's the recipe courtesy of House Beautiful & Ina!

PARMESAN & THYME CRACKERS
Makes 24 crackers
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature4 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves1/2 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter for 1 minute with the mixer on low speed, add the Parmesan, thyme, salt, and pepper and combine. With the mixer still on low, add the flour and combine until the mixture is in large crumbles, about 1 minute.
2. Dump the dough onto a floured board, press it into a ball, and roll into a 9-inch log. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or for up to 4 days.
3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the log 3/8 inch thick with a small sharp knife and place the crackers on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 22 minutes, until very lightly browned. Rotate the pan once during baking. Cook and serve at room temperature.

back to basics

Fall Picks -- On a Budget!

Finally, after dusting off my computer and settling down a little bit, I’m finally able to spend a little time blogging –yeah! So back to where I left things off—fall picks, budget or not! So here are a few of my very budget-friendly picks.

Earlier, I had mentioned a pretty, brown vase from Carolyem Roehm for $20—not bad at all—although I still need to order it! But here’s something that you will have fun tracking down— vintage, colored mason jars, which you can easily find at flea markets, junk stores, etc., for $3-$6. Depending on the season, I like them with orange mums. Red Gerber daisies also work, or one single white hydrangea–the sky’s the limit. This past Sunday morning after my jog, I told my neighbor Sandy I was heading to Whole Foods for some flowers, and she asked me to pick her up a few for a little evening fall soiree. So instead of just knocking on Sandy’s door and handing them to her-- I pulled out one of my mason jars, chopped and viola—easy—and Sandy was thrilled. I should probably say that Sandy is easy to please, but hey, it met all our needs.

Just wondering how many Whole Foods stores in the country carry Dolly Parton CD’s while checking out – just a thought!

Anyway, next, even though I have not been posting my own blogs, I have spent a little time pouring over Eddie Ross’s new and very inspirational blog. With fall upon us Eddie has been talking about his love of copper. I love copper too, and it’s one of the few collections I have. However, most importantly, I picked it up while working (in the fields of the U.K) so it was very inexpensive! But, trust me, you can find it here in the states just as inexpensively. One thing I like to do is use my Victorian copper boiler (which I see everywhere here in the south) The boiler has several great uses. The Victorians used them to wash their clothes, but we have better methods for that. I like to use mine especially for fall (actually, I have two of them) to put a pretty golden yellow mum in. I also like to ice it down for white wine or sparking water for a fall evening dinner. Later on, when I’m lazy, I’ll throw fire logs in it and I’ll use the one in my mudroom to recycle the New York Times! More later! Thanks Granny!

Happy Fall

Ohhhh Fall!

Image from A Home for all Seasons

After reading this past Thursday’s New York Times Home section article on design bloggers and their favorite new Fall picks, I started pondering a few things that I thought would do quite nicely for Fall. So with Fall being the operative word here, and with budget (particularly mine) and needs in mind (particulary mine), here’s my take.

In the October issue of House Beautiful I could not help but notice this cozy supper for two by Ralph Lauren. I love the buffalo check napkins and I think they would add a nice big impact for a festive Fall table setting. If you’re thinking that may be a little much for your pocketbook, feel free to zap me an e-mail and I would be happy to suggest something even more budget-friendly—napkins with a similar look.

Applewood Check Napkin $25.00

Now, how about this brown bud vase from Carolyne Roehm, which is currently on sale for $20.00. I would like to order a couple of these today to fill later with a few spray roses-- orange in particular for the fall sesaon. Looking for something even more budget-friendly (especially after the turn of events in the last couple of days) that will add a touch of fall -- just give me a shout, I think I may have a few things in mind which would involve my favorite thing to do (antiquing or junking depending how you look at).

Moving on, in the October issue of Domino, I loved this bathroom done by Rita Konig. I almost bought the magazine while at the bookstore the other day but figured I would wait until my mailman decided to deliver it! I love those sconces and I’m thinking about adding them to my fall list—either for hubby’s bathroom (that I hope to have in the works here soon-- lord knows he been complaining long enough) or to add to a few bookcases that I currently don’t have (and that is another story, I’m afraid). Also, I’m thinking that is a pretty good price for the sconces.

Circa Lighting "Boston" Wall Lamps $273.00 each.

Hmmm Hound-Tooth!!! I always love this classic….

Bantry check Place Textiles

Indeed nothing screams Fall more than a tartan throw, and this one I think would do very nicely! Price is not too bad at all.

Throw from Pendleton

Finally, now that the temperature has cooled down and my basset hound has came out of hibernation-- I think the hubby and I will take him and his sister Ellie for a nice long walk in the woods this weekend. While walking I’ll gather some pinecones to place in an old bowl ---hey it’s free!!!!!!!!!!!! Perhaps I should rename my blog to the Thrifty Southern –More later!

Please share some of your Fall picks…budget or not!

Image here & above from A Home for all Seasons

Congratulations Cote de Texas

This past Wednesday, I finally had some much needed time to myself and I was able to spend a few hours at the bookstore ---probably by now if you have read a few of my posts, you would probably know that spending time in the bookstore for me is better than going to the spa -- it’s free, other then my coffee and perhaps a new book or magazine and a cookie. The point being is I’m finally relaxed, and I’m able to do what I like to do best-- read design magazine and books! So after picking up my selection and sitting down with my coffee of the day (I’m on budget…no sweets) and flipping through Better Homes and Gardens, I saw Joni from Cote de Texas. I will not spoil anything for you, but you should treat yourself this weekend and go to the bookstore and read how to get her French – Tex Mix!

Images from Better Home & Garden & Photos Kim Cornelison

P.S. I want those Spaniels!!

About Time!

Just yesterday, I finally received my House Beautiful --- it seems ever since this past Friday, after Mrs. Blandings posted this room designed by Markham Roberts, I can't get the beautiful chintz (Dahlia fabric by Clarence House ) out of my head!

The Perfect Hostess Gift!

Carolyne Roehm is having her End of the Summer Sale. I love these linen handtowels with blue and green wave borders and have been eyeing them all summer. A set of two with the sale price of $19.00---the perfect hostess gift!

Bunny's Barn

Both Images from Bunny Williams An Affair with A House

I'm signing out for the week and leaving you with a few images from Bunny Williams' incredible barn!

Have a great weekend!

Living In a Barn!

Just the other day GrannySmithGreen posted a few pictures of her most recent vacation to Blackberry Farm and one of the pictures was of the barn where they dined every night. I happen to be loving barns about now and simply cannot get them out of my mind. A few weeks, ago while hunting through a few Southern Accents for some monogram examples I ran across this Virginia barn and thought to myself wow--I love it! And again yesterday, while sipping on some coffee and waiting for the hubby to pick me, up I started thinking about my cousin's Grandmother's barn house, and how to this day I still remember everything about that Barn. It had natural light, a modern galley kitchen (for it's time), beautiful wooded floors, and overall great style (her grandmother was an artist) just like the one below. Enjoy!

All images from Southern Accents Novembe-December 2007 issues

Photograpphed by Antoine Bootz

George 11 secretary and Chippendale chair with Pierre Frey toile slipcover- love it!

Open Kitchen



Brunschwig & Fils' Carsten Check used here

I love the monograms on the pillowcase. Hmmm why did'nt I see that earlier in my search for monograms may have to try that myself!

This beautiful room is the home owner's office

Bunny's barn tomorrow!

Still Hunting!

Things have been a little hectic in my household lately! The good news is that, coming home last week from Atlanta after having to cancel vacation plans, it was nice seeing my fence completely redone by my beloved carpenter–like nothing ever happened. Even better, my mail box was even welded back on after being knocked off by the AT&T guy's truck. Indeed, things are picking up in our household! For the last few days now, I’ve not been able to the get that equestrian look out of my head! So the hubby and I have decided on a much needed trip to Louisville and Lexington at the end of the month!

All Images from Hunt Country Style by Kathryn Masson

Photography by Paul Rocheleau

The book is filled with beautiful images such as this black barn set off with white trim & fencing.

I love this 1831 Greek Revival style manor house

Beautiful warm palette in a sitting room.

More later!