In My 'Hood

I've been meaning to write about Chris Barrett's Brentwood home that was on the cover of House Beautiful this summer, and here we are in Fall now and I figured, better late than never.  So here's the deal:  I about died when I saw this cover!  I walk by this house every time I take little Barron on our neighborhood walks (there's an adorable little 1200 sq. ft colonial style with a white picket fence on the same street listed for just under a million$ that I've had my eye on all summer).  So when I saw that front door with those crawling flowers I knew exactly which house was hers!

It got me thinking that I would love to live in a cozy little house, that was perfectly mapped out with little nooks to curl up in and read.  Everything has it's place and there's definitely no place for clutter and crap when you live in 1000 sq. ft, which I like.  I love a dining room that has built ins and lots of books.  It just creates conversation and thoughts and who doesn't love a banquette like the one above???

I love the dark rich woods and lots of white!  The perfect balance of texture and clean lines.  I would love to just lay here, light the fire and drink wine.

The kitchen is my favorite part by far!  The floor to ceiling subway tiles, white marble and dark cabinets are so homey.  Don't you just want to pick some oranges from the trees outside and juice them??  This is the California I love and this kitchen is the epitome of casual, healthy living that we love in California.

I love the open shelves with everything easily at hand.  I adore a white kitchen but this one makes me remember why I love dark rich woods as well.  There's something so earthy about this kitchen that feels really comfortable, yet refined and sophisticated at the same time.  It's romantic and I like that.

 White tufted bed and white sheets is perfection.

Dining al fresco year round with the cool breezes floating off the Pacific is what makes this whole picture perfect.  I can't describe to you how beautiful this neighborhood smells in the summer and winter.    There are fruit trees in everyone's yards, gardenias and night jasmines blooming, and the sun shines year round.  

The temperature rarely gets above 82 degrees and under 60, which (to me) perfectly justifies the million dollar plus price tag it costs to live in this adorable neighborhood.    

Organized

I came across this studio and am totally inspired by this hanging bookcase of "cubby holes." What a great way to create storage that doesn't take up precious floor space, especially in small rooms or apartments. I would love to create a space like this for my office.

Now the trick is actually pulling this off by having it installed so it doesn't come tumbling down! Do you have any suggestions???

Images via The Glamourai

The Baby Diaries: Nursery Art

I've had my eye on these 2 little guys for quite sometime now. Katie Armour, over at The Neotraditionalist (one of my favorite daily reads), first introduced me to Eastwitching Gallery on Etsy and I have been in love with these watercolors ever since! You may have seen "The King of Fox Hollow" as one of Katie's favorites in latest issue of Lonny. I think either of these regal creatures would add the perfect Anglo touch to my little one's nursery. The print is 8x10" and I'd like to frame it and lean it on the little white shelf right by the crib. I'm torn between the Fox and the Lion...

If I had more room I'd buy a collection to hang on the wall...here are some of my other favorites...

Woo hoo for Rue!

If you're like me and waiting with anticipation for the September 16th debut of Rue Magazine wait no longer! Here are a couple of sneak peek's of what's to come!

The lovely Crystal Gentilello over at Plush Palette is the Editor-in-Chief, along with 3 other passionate bloggers Anne Sage, Alaina Kaczmarski, and Caitlin Flemming. You won't want to miss this one!