From my library: Speed Decorating by Jill Vegas

I really like the tips in "Speed Decorating: A Pro Stager's Tips And Trade Secrets For A Fabulous Home In A Week Or Less," and the pictures are mighty cute too!



Two lovely entryways - check out the wood "bottles" to the right of the red secretary.

Five Musts For A Great-Looking Entry

1. Clutter-free surfaces. Get rid of boxes, shoes, anything that doesn't belong in the space.

2. Brilliant light. Replace any burned-out or too-dim bulbs. Clean and polish light fixtures.

3. A nice-looking floor. Vacuum and mop the floor. Replace the doormat if it's dingy. If the floor's condition is really bad, buy some floor polish and buff out scratches, or buy some carpet tiles (FLOR brand is an example) and make a runner to hide them.

4. Clean walls. Get rid of scuff marks (a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is great for this), or touch up the paint in spots to hide them. If the walls are in really bad shape, repaint.


I really like how the side of this settee is just a bare wood.

What a dreamy reading nook!

A sweet little writing area in the bedroom


I love this bathroom! "A bathroom adorned with unique accessories and artwork feels comfy. Here, botanical prints, a fern in a simple vase, and a vintage map makes this room memorable."

Anyway, I'm sure you can see why Speed Decorating is a fav. new addition to my humble library!
All photography by Michael Grimm<

Help with ideas for bay windows!?

A reader emailed me with a really great (and challenging!) question:

"My fiance and I are moving into an apartment that has bay windows (in both the bedroom and living room). A lot of people convert them into benches, but I'd rather use the space as a showcase for special items, while not allowing it to look cluttered (clutter is my worst enemy!)."

As you can imagine, you have to dig deep to find bay windows that haven't been converted into window seats - and here are some solutions I found...


via Living Etc.



The above two photos are from an AT reader's home - I really like her solution of using a narrow console table in front of the window to create a beautiful display. Make sure the objects you use are edited and the arrangement is thought out to keep the console or shelf from simply looking like a catch-all place for objects.
Here's another example - though this is an unusual bay window, you can imagine the effect of having a narrow bench/table/shelf, etc. and using it as a display area.
via House Beautiful

You could create a glamorous reading nook - an excuse to buy a chaise lounge!
via Apartment Therapy

Found this on Apartment Therapy, but it's Victoria of SF Girl by Bay apartment. So pretty - and a great sun-filled reading nook.

via Apartment Therapy

via House to Home



A teapot collection displayed on a bay window
via FotoSA

I really like this shelf/drawer window sill display.
via Country Living

A display is especially striking when all of the objects are similar, or part of a collection.
via Canadian House and Home

I included this photo to show that, if all else fails, bay windows can be beautiful bare - just add some dramatic or interesting curtains, and/or some striking paint to make the area pop.
via Beecroft


via Design Sponge Online

Bring window boxes inside and grow flowers or herbs.
via House Beautiful

My sister utilizes her bay window for this exact purpose, as a pretty indoor green house.
via Martha Stewart

Does anyone else know of any great bay window solutions that aren't window seats? I'm all ears!

Cozy autumn interiors (real interiors!), and some easy feng shui ideas

I was recently introduced to Manoblue Interior Design & Feng Shui, and I wanted to share with you a few images from the portfolio which just really spoke to me. As you may know, I really like real, lived in images of homes over staged environments any day. They're inspiring because you know a real person lives there, and it just gives me hope!

I ADORE this bedroom! The fireplace, the tall pillar candles beside it, the wood bedframe, the corner window with the reading nook! This is my dream bedroom! Even better is that it's real and attainable.

This hall with the artwork is so welcoming. This is what feng shui is all about and why it makes so much sense.




See more at http://www.manobluedesign.com. Marie also has lots of helpful feng shui tips on her blog - such as this one, which I'll be reading, on bringing money!

You can smell spring coming in these photos!

These gorgeous shots are the genius of photographer Debi Treloar. They remind me of hot summers growing up on the Chesapeake Bay. There was a time of day that was so still one couldn't do anything but nap in a shady spot or read in a corner by an open window. I can smell the warm air and almost hear the flower buds opening. *sigh* I need a country garden!

I would have spent so many days in this room reading Anne of Green Gables.





It's hard to imagine days so hot you didn't even want to turn on the lights, but that's what this image reminds me of.

























via Debi Treloar