Everything about Kate Spade is bright, bold, and beautiful ...
Need I say more?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
THE WHITE HOUSE LOST MARKET VALUE TOO…
The Palm Beach Post Real Estate News page reports that, “you and your neighbors are not alone. The place the president and his family call home was worth 5.1% less last year, one analyst says.”
CHARMING 1600’s HISTORIC HOME, ROSEGILL, IN ONE OF THE OLDEST TOWNS IN VIRGINIA
One of the oldest Colonial brick homes in the country still stands, with 11 rooms, built in 1650. Originally a grant from King Charles I of England of 10,000 acres, it now contains 735 acres in Middlesex County with 2 mils of Rappahannock River frontage in Urbanna, Virginia, a historic port town.
Rosegill was acquired by Captain Ralph Wormeley in the early seventeenth century, as a grant from King Charles I of England. Myriads of wild roses gave the place its name. Wormeley was one of the most influential men in Virginia. Rosegill is listed in the National Historic Register of Colonial Plantations. Eventually Rosegill included an airstrip. To wind up the long hill from the little village of Urbanna, along a shady road, and to behold the fine old mansion a way off from its double outer gates is to realize delightfully how well some Virginians planned and built. The kitchen includes a fireplace. There is a dining room, paneled in mahogany, sitting room and library in oak and white drawing room. At either end of a very large hall you will find winding stairs. Five bedrooms are upstairs.
As the international sailing vessels of the colonial tobacco trade yielded to Chesapeake Bay schooners, then steamboats, then the pleasure boats of today, one thing remained constant: Urbanna’s history and fortunes are one with the Bay. There is one huge bedroom in the attic with 14 beds for bachelors. The lawn is 5 miles wide. The green walk from the house to the river is bordered with roses its whole length.
Stone Crabs For Andi
The pink dot on the right
is where I come from. Boca Raton, Florida.
The pink dot on the left is where we went to.
Everglades City.
For Andi's birthday her boyfriend flew in from Sweden.
And her father, myself and some other family friends headed over to Everglades City for some stone crabs,conch fritters, soft shell crabs, and key lime pie.
This is where the stone crabs come from for the famous
'Joe's Stone Crab' on Miami Beach!
We have to drive across the state through this.
Doesn't it look pretty from the air?
On the ground .....
But this is what it really looks like.
If you like weeds , snakes and gators.....
this is your kind of place.
Pythons and gators galore and fighting for turf.
Have you heard about all the 'loonie birds'
that have let their pythons go free in the Everglades?
Talk about irresponsible....
Well, it is a real mess.
But this is no mess.
This is the gold of Florida.
Our state prize.
Maine has Lobster, and we have stone crabs.
Don't freak out.
But, can you tell me what this is?
I will give you a hint.....it tastes like chicken.
That's my girl!
She loves her stone crabs!!
Not the stuff that 'tastes like chicken.'
I surprised her with a birthday cake.
Okay peeps,
what do you think?
Is he cute?
They met while being counselors at summer camp last year.
They are going back again this summer.
He is in college in Sweden, and studying law.
I like that.
*But let me get back to where we were......
FLORIDA "EVERGLADES CITY and CHOKOLOSKEE, at the entrance to the Western Everglades, were two frontier outposts until 1923 when Barron Collier made Everglades City the seat of Collier County Florida
There is all kinds of history about this area.
Great stories.
The towns people actually killed the town bully.
The people that were 'wanted by the law' could safely live here.
It took law enforcement about 2 days to get out here.
A real city of outlaws in a lawless environment.
The man in the black and white picture....
this is a wax model of him
Note the fly swatter.
This place is uninhabitable from the spring months to fall.
There are mosquito's, nats , 'no-see-ums' (these are really bad),
I just don't know how they did it for an entire lifetime.
I had enough of the glades in this short visit.
I love nature, but not 'Everglades' nature.
To me is it scary.
Imagine being lost out there.
*Snakes, gators, panthers, and yes, we have panthers.
We took a few last pictures and packed up and headed home.
Hope you enjoyed our day trip.
Would you
drive through the everglades for stone crabs ?
Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her BLOG.....
Interior Design, Palm Beach, Boca Raton,Ft.Lauderdale,Design Service, Window Treatments,
TurnKey Interior Design Service,Paint selection, Floor-Plans,Online Interior Design,
Design Center of The Americas, D.C.O.T.A., Stone crabs, everglades city
Bright and Beautiful Art: Tina Tarnoff
I am so excited to share with you this wonderful papercut art by Tina Tarnoff! Her work has such a lively and romantic feel. She has a fabulous blog as well!
WALTON COUNTY FL VALENTINES HOME TOUR
The Walton County Cultural Arts Association is presenting a tour of 5 homes along the beaches in the area as a fund raiser for their Educational Giving Program. The tour starts on February 13th at 10 am and concludes at 4 pm Central Time. The homes are in exception settings.
An Exquisite French Manor in Utah
Earlier in the week I promised you a tour of a wonderful newly constructed house in Utah. Built by a reader of WD and her husband (who previously worked for Christopher Peacock Kitchens). The house is an wonderful example of true craftsmanship.
We were able to get a private sneak peak into this home which they refer to as the "French House". The home is currently for sale, and unfurnished.More often than not designers spend large amounts of time bringing interest and depth to plain rooms. I think it's important to show how wonderful and warm a home can look, even unfurnished, for you to have a true appreciation what good architecture and craftsmanship can bring to a space. Even empty this home is stunning.
The main entry, though not grand in size is really beautiful. Notice the key details here: herringbone floors, hand forged iron railings, exquisite moulding details and a beamed ceiling. Beyond we see an interesting curved hallway.
Here is a close up of the reclaimed hand hewn barn beams
Of course when the builder is also a world class cabinet maker you know the kitchen will be the jewel of the home and this one is gorgeous! It has a very Christopher Peacock feel, but I think this particular kitchen has even more personality. I love the front X detailing on the center island. Also notice the coffered ceiling. I also like the choice of light fixtures!
Notice the the first center island has a soft curve to it, which was harder to see in the picture above. Having a conversation at a curved island versus a straight one is much more enjoyable. You should always try to incorporate even a soft curve in a kitchen island if possible.
I love the subtle diamond shaped marble tile backsplash. As expected the kitchen is outfitted with top of the line appliances.
The first island has been thoughtfully designed with a step down so guests can't view a messy sink. The second island is topped walnut for food prep.
Here is a close up of the corner detailing on the island! Wonderful!
A close up of the walnut top - notice its tongue in groove and bread board sides.
Coffered ceilings continue in the Living room, which also has a stunning fireplace and surround. Can you imagine how wonderful this home would look furnished?
The dining room with French doors and interesting moulding details
The family room continues the coffered ceilings. I love the fireplace! My imagination is going wild furnishing it in my head!
The curved staircase is just stunning - hand forged iron railings are beautiful.
A quick peek into the master bath which reveals a coveted zinc soaking tub.
This porch off the Master bedroom is one of several porches to take in the spectacular mountain views.
Notice that the outdoor detailing and stonework are as elaborate and thoughtful as the indoor detailing. This shows just part of the back of the home. See the mountains on the right.
Here is a side view - a lovely landscaped path - notice the copper gutters and cedar shake roof. More spectacular mountain views.
I adore the charm of these shutters!
No detail was left out. Look at the close up of these iron fleur de lys.
Even the garage was not overlooked. I love the heft and depth of the stone outside the garage. Look closely to see the herringbone brick detail in the driveway.
This gorgeous house is a spectacular example of craftsmanship. It was recently on the local "Parade of Homes". For more information on this home and to seethe real estate listing click here.
For more information on the iron work and railings click here.