Lazy Christmas Afternoon Eye Candy

I took these images from my Pinterest boards, which means they came from someone else, and from someone else before that , and someone else before that, and so on.

Thank goodness we share.....but the downside to so much sharing these days is that the initial creative source so often does not get due credit.

So, to those of you who initially posted these on Pinterest, thank you......

To the designers of these spaces, and to the homeowners, thank you!!

They make my heart sing!! 

Let me know who you are and I will shout your praises from the tree tops!!

 To all of you who took these splendid colorful photographs, let me know and I will also shout your praises from the tree tops!

To all of you who continue to visit and read my blog, in spite of my inconsistency in posting, my random subject matter in the areas of art, design and antiques.....................or whatever moves me at that moment, thank you!! 

I really am flattered that you take the time to read Hill Country House.

I am crazy for the colors, the composition of texture, of form, and scale, and light in these rooms.
They are delicious to me! 

This, from the girl who also loves contemporary, modern  architecture. 

I know, I know....go figure!!

I love the simplicity of this space....

and the busyness of this space....

A Jeffrey Bilhuber designed room, I am sure, but from where, I am not sure. 

I grab them and save them whenever I run across them  (the images, not the rooms...I wish).

 I know this is a room designed by Peter Dunham. I have loved these chairs for many years. Maybe one day I will get to have some!

I think this image, too, came from my Peter Dunham collection of photos. 
 Love his comfortable mix of style and color.

Thanks for stopping by, and I wish you all a happy and healthy 2012!!

Design - Holiday Blogging Block

I think this happened to me last year about this time. 

Between wanting to be with family, wanting to decorate the house, or not, addressing Christmas cards, cooking, figuring out gifts for teachers, friends and family, and on and on .....well, blogging just does not come up on the priority list.

 My friend, Jan's, wonderful house last Christmas.

  I guess if the spirit moved me, if the creative juices flowed, I would make the time, but it just isn't happening. 

 

. My friend, Barbara's, faux bois bowl of ornaments - to die for, right?

Blogger's block.

Have you had it? Do you have it?

 

So, for all of you incredibly nice people who choose to read my blog, I thank you so much, and ask you to be patient with me. 

One day I will be creative and thoughtful and inspired to post again. 

Until then, have a wonderful holiday season and a very Merry Christmas!

 All photos mine from Christmas 2010 with the exception of the ones noted.

Design - Thanksgiving Fantasies

For me, Thanksgiving week is about being thankful for many, many things,  and for being with those I  love.

I am a homebody at heart, and while I love my own home, I am a professed design junkie.

Sooooo,  I would happily celebrate Thanksgiving in any of these spaces with my family, curling up by a fire,  dining on turkey and dressing,  and giving thanks for all of our blessings.

These images are all saved in my favorites files, and I am sorry to say I do not save sources. You will recognize some designers and homes from magazines, but I sincerely apologize for not being able to credit every source and photographer. If you would like to be credited, please let me know and I will happily do so. 

Now, on to my favorites!

Kinfolk - My New Love

 Those who know me know that my most favorite social event is a small, unpretentious dinner party -  sitting around the dinner table over a tasty meal with good friends, or new friends, and talking.....and eating....and drinking wine or tea or whatever pleases you.....and more talking, sharing stories and joys and sorrows and lots of laughter.  

Then comes more coffee and dessert, and more good conversation with more laughter thrown in - good stories and sharing, and more wine or de-caf at that point. 

All of this is soooo much more fun and meaningful to me than a large social gathering of many small conversations and loud music.

I have just discovered the journal/blog and on line magazine Kinfolk and am totally enamored.

                                                                 
                                                                    In their own words,

"Kinfolk is a collaborative effort to encourage a more natural approach to entertaining. It's the marriage of our appreciation for art and our love for spending time with family and friends."

 Three things I love a lot - art, family and friends.

The people in our lives are what makes life rich and full. I have shared a photo from an annual Christmas party we used to have. 

We don't have this particular party any more as traditions have changed, but still love gathering small groups of friends around the table for dinner and conversation. 

I try to practice what I preach,  which is that it's not about being a gourmet cook, but about the sharing of one's home and time. 

Take out Chinese or pizza is just as good as the finest meal.

Sometimes I forget and get insecure about my inability to juggle food prep, decorate, and be a gracious hostess all at once. 

Then I remind myself what I truly believe:

Loving and sharing with the people in our lives is what it's all about.

 Kinfolk has great photos and articles about good food and waaaaay more adventure than it in my life.

Here I am on one such adventure, though......

 Source

 That's my husband in the red union suit and I am just to his right in the black nightie - (mmm..hmmmm....maybe in my next life)

Seriously, it is a cool blog

 and I have to quote them again because I couldn't say it any better if I tried:

 Kinfolk is a growing community of artists with a shared interest in small gatherings. We recognize that there is something about a table shared by friends, not just a wedding or once-a-year holiday extravaganza, that anchors our relationships and energizes us. We have come together to create Kinfolk as our collaborative way of advocating the natural approach to entertaining that we love.

 Every element of Kinfolk – the features, photography, and general aesthetics – are consistent with the way we feel entertaining should be: simple, uncomplicated, and less contrived. Kinfolk is the marriage of our appreciation for art and design and our love for spending time with family and friends.

 Love this image from Kinfolk Journal.

Kinfolk - check it out .

Design - Minimalist?

                                                                                   Source

Designer Carolina Irving's living room......

                                                                           Source

My living room..............

Hmmmm.......who says I'm not a minimalist?

Maybe it's all relative.

Design - Bathrooms I Could Live In

These images are from my personal files and I have no credit information.

If any of these are yours and you would like credit, kindly email me and I will do so. Thank you.