Monday, August 18, 2008

~ English Country ~

Do you sometimes walk around your house and think, what was I thinking? Well, I do too. Walking around the hall up stairs this morning getting ready to start the day I took note of all the disparaging colors and thought, this has got to change. But, then on second thought consoled myself with the knowledge that somehow even with the pink and red, French and English, oak, maple, mahogany and orange cherry this is home. This is a home where each and every thing tells a story or recalls a precious memory. So, the deer hunt pictures that represent a long line of deer stalkers in our family sit on fussy French toile wallpaper that represents the spring we spent in the south of France visiting the vineyards that provided the grapes for the wine that was imported for the wine business that was housed in the basement of one of our companies.
For years I collected old deer hunting pictures and had them framed in gold frames like were seen in English Country books. The addition of deer plates and 3-D items like this deer head hat rack added dimension to the groupings. In our old house we had other pieces that filled our family room but many of those have moved on to Dana's house.
This old demi-lune table made out of who knows what sits at the top of the oak stair way. It works because the rounded edges prevent nasty bruises when rounding the corner from the bedrooms. It matches nothing but its shape makes it work. The stacking boxes on top of it hold John's old family pictures that were passed down to him when his mom passed away 4 years ago.
The wall at the end of the hall holds family pictures that are badly in need of updating. This little shelf is right outside my laundry room. The little lady on a ribbon has a pair of scissors attached to her that I use to trim loose threads from freshly ironed items.
This book by Caroline Seebohm and Christopher Simon Sykes is one of my favorites and when I get to thinking that nothing matches around here I pull out this book and enjoy seeing all the things that are plunked down together and form a cozy mish-mash of loveliness.
I love this picture of the pure white stair case and hope one of these days to give our oak stair case this same treatment.
Did you all have a good weekend? We had fun up north with Kyle and Carrie on the boat. Hopefully Carrie will e-mail me some pictures because I forgot to take my camera.

15 comments:

  1. First time visiting and I enjoy looking at all your things. You have a lovely home.
    Have a great and Bless day. Virginia

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  2. Hi Sue,
    You do have a great blog. I'm going to have to stick around and explore a little!
    Thanks for stopping by mine,
    Diane

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  3. I love that wallpaper. Just love it. Great post! Your home is beautiful.

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  4. Good Evening Sue, I have enjoyed this post...you see, I have the hardest time putting nails in my walls...I think I am afraid, I will not like the painting, picture or mirror hanging where I have just put a hole in my wall...I am tring to overcome the phobia...LOL:)(did I misspell that word?) This post as been inspiring for me, I really need to hang some art or pictures in my hallways, I love everything and I would love to see more of that shelf next to your laundry room..it looks so interesting. Nancy

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  5. Good morning Sue :)

    Like you, I always veer towards English Country and my home is a mish mash of things I love. Some of them have been passed onto me and others were picked just because, but all of it holds a memory of some sort that I can't bare to part with. Your home is gorgeous, so don't fret :)

    hugs,
    rue

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  6. Anonymous11:00 AM

    Sue,

    I love your deer pictures, maybe because I collect cow pictures for our house.

    I have that book too and I just love how everything is so elegant but so very inviting.

    Gretchen
    birdnestcottage.typepad.com

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  7. I think I've already said so, but I love your home and style of decorating more than almost any home I've seen on a blog. It is very English Country, but also refreshingly unique. I wouldn't change a thing. If you could see it through my eyes, you would know it was perfect. We moved into my current house last fall and what attracted me to this house was its English Country feel- so different from the cottages I have lived in in the past. I confess that at the same time, I am intimidated and a little overwhelmed with how to furnish and decorate this house, but I always get inspiration from your pictures. Im going to order the book you mentioned. I just bought Bunny Williams Affair With A House- bet you'd love it too. My all time favorite book is called Great Traditional Style. I bought it on Amazon used for almost nothing. You might enjoy reading it.

    Sometimes I look at rooms decorated in the current trends ie robins egg blue and chocolate brown and wonder if I should follow, but I am determined to stay true to what I know I love, which is the style in which you have decorated your home.

    Sorry to write a book!

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  8. Anonymous3:28 PM

    Decorate with what you love, we should all be surrounded with our memories, I too have trouble parting with things. Sometimes just looking at a picture can transport me to that day.

    You have a lovely, cozy home Sue. Isn't that what we all strive for ?

    All the Best,
    Kathy :)

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  9. Hi Sue!
    Everything is lovely...just lovely. I always love pictures of your beautiful home, they are always an inspiration. Great minds think alike, I have plans to paint my staircase walls under the chairrail in white and add some molding....someday that is.
    Hugs,
    Rose

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  10. What a beautiful home for us to visit today! Thank you for your encouraging words... Thank you again for all your thoughtful comments, time and prayers.

    blessings,
    kari & kijsa

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  11. Aaahh! I don't think we took any pictures all weekend! What were we thinking? O-well, it was a great weekend. We had a ton of fun on the boat with you.
    I love reading your blog. I feel like I am right there with you even though we are so far away. Love, Carrie

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  12. I have that book!!!!! I love it!


    thanks for your comment on my blog!
    Joni

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  13. This is my first time visiting. I came over from Karin's blog. I'm determined to discover new and interesting blogs tonight, and it looks like I've gotten a great start! I can't wait to look around. I know if Karin sent us, it has to be good! :)

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  14. I love it all...I adore the English country look after all!
    It is so warm, beautiful and cozy. Your home oozes that sort of charm.
    I think you were thinking quite well when you decorated! : ) No need to worry about that! It is all lovely!

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  15. I love it all...I adore the English country look after all!
    It is so warm, beautiful and cozy. Your home oozes that sort of charm.
    I think you were thinking quite well when you decorated! : ) No need to worry about that! It is all lovely!

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Thanks for leaving a comment. I so appreciate it when you take the time to leave a bit of encouragement.
Hugs,
Sue