It's (still) the weekend...

Perfect Sunday nook, courtesy of Windsor Smith.
We had thunder and a little rain this afternoon, love curling up and listening to the rain.... Everything I love; Large cushion, pretty throw, natural light, white and black with pops of vibrant color, flowers and a couple of magazines. Enjoy the last few hours of your weekend!!

Natasha

Island Hopping

Since I've been island hopping this week, I figured I would invite you back to St. Barth!
Can you imagine how cool this would be, lounging here, enjoying the view and the warm sun..

The weekend is (almost) upon us, so why not just relax and dream ourselves away to this beautiful, tropical spot....
Love the strong, vibrant colors and that fan palm right there!

 




Come on in! I'm happy to share :)

Have a wonderful weekend what ever you do; I am planning a trip to the green market, dinner guests on Saturday evening, and brunch with friends on Sunday. YEAH!   TGIF!!

Natasha

Images via Coastal Living

M is for...

... Mauritius!


Come and enjoy this house tour with me, it's a refreshingly calm vibe you get from this house!! The somewhat enclosed warp around porch, gives shade from the sun, while still feeling like you are outside.

As much as I love color, this vacation home is sooo nice, and really well thought through!!! Living in the tropics I know all to well what havoc sun, wind and saltwater can do to your home.... Using weather resistant outdoor furniture "inside", as above, is brilliant!! Look how nice it looks, and you don't even have to worry about color fading, saltwater, sandy feet etc. Even the dining chairs are, shhhh, plastic...

Here the views are what is in focus and the house is kept to a bare minimum of a structure. Polished concrete floors, natural wood beams, cane / rush covered ceilings and NO windows! (Reminds me of my trip to China..)

Hidden from sight are the rolled up hurricane shutters, bare window and door openings keep the air circulating, and if privacy is wanted, roll down the shades and the breeze still comes through!

When closing up the house, these bamboo roller curtains hook right off the wall, no fuss!














































Now, when I think of low maintenance, this kind of furniture is exactly what comes to mind! It can be very useful inside, as above,  or if you want, pull the loungers outside...

The accessories are kept to a minimum, and a simple wooden bowl is filled with a shriveled up palm remnant and a branch, a simple glass hurricane filled with sand, and another wooden vessel, and voila.

Eating here would be so wonderful! LOVE the red punch of color from the pitcher!! Notice the roll up shutters, bet you didn't notice them in the other images... ;)

I think these glasses are the only fancy thing about this whole house....

That little tiny bit of red from the pitcher has been carried through to the bedroom. The wood floors have been painted a soft beige, and the walls are muted. Notice how the hardboard and the frames compliment each other.

Imagine waking up to this view, or simply just sipping an afternoon drink here....

Catch your own dinner....

Wait, wait....
I want to come swimming as well!

I am currious to know if you like this house and the pale, earthy colors, or if you prefer the bright colors of this tropical house?

Have a wonderful day!

Natasha

Images via Vaart Nye Hem

Inspirational space

Not only is the light fantastic in this space, but WHAT A SPACE!!!!
Who do you think works and lives here?

Natasha

Image via tumblr

I spy...

... a beautiful dusty green!
How soothing is this pretty bedroom, not to mention the beautiful view just outside the open door!

I really like the pretty dusty green of the headboard against the soft gray walls! Notice the pattern in the quilt has the same sage color. Makes you wonder what came first, the bed spread or the painted headboard?? Hmmm....

Well, I think the answer is the fabric came first, and then the paint was mixed (now that you see the color in the kitchen as well), am I right?? Then again, they could just have been lucky with the fabric....
Isn't this a wonderful country kitchen? Love the color of the bench, not a fan of Spanish tile, never was, but they work in this house, grounding the space. Considering this is probably a vacation home, they are super easy to clean, so why not....

Did you notice the tiny little touch of pink in the chandelier?

Natasha

Images via Nuevo Estilo

(Water) color my world!

I was going to do an "I Spy..." post today, but found myself loving these cute watercolor renderings by Inslee and Caitlin!

Just wanted to share, not a whole lot of words needed......

These bathing beauties are so wonderful, simple and stylish :)

Are you ready for a camel ride? I actually did this with my mother and sister one summer while on vacation...

And in the spirit of the Oscars, a little bling!

Tea canisters can be so pretty, why not line 'em up?
That's all for today folks, hope you have a wonderful start to your week!!

Natasha

Image #1 - #3 Inslee, Image #4 - #6 Caitlin.

It's funny...

It's funny how one image can bring back memories!

I recently came across this bedroom, designed by John Robshaw, while looking through the Lonny website. What first drew me in was the navy, white and chocolate pillow cover, a very interesting and classic combo, but what really got me was the stool!

I remember growing up with a house full of these, or at least that's what I think I remember, there may actually just have been two... :) I remember one in the bathroom, and one or more in a bed room...
Haven't seen them since & just happened to stumble upon one over at "Lonny's house"!

Natasha

Image via Lonny

Happy Weekend!

Hi...
Just sharing a great out door space with you, just in time for a great weekend!!
Want to take a full tour of Sharnel's cheerful house, head on over here.

The touch of Anna Spiro is all over the house.... Who other than her could do this Blue & White + Pink theme so well??? SO PRETTY, wouldn't you just be so happy coming home to this in your foyer?

If you - like me - like LOVE this chair, it can be yours through Veranda House.

Hope you have a FUN and HAPPY weekend, any plans you want to share?
I'll be at the beach for a few hours, at the green market and helping a friend style up a new apartment, should be so much fun!!!!

Natasha

Image #1 via MyLife - MyLoves, Image #2 via In My House Design, Image #3 via Veranda House

Am I dreaming?

... as I matter of fact I am! I am dreaming of St. Barth, and after seeing these images, so will you.... :) Imagine standing here with your morning coffee, how super great would that be?
Notice how every little nook is used thoughtfully; glassware is lined up above the window.

Why not take a clue from the surrounding landscape and bring in the bright colors of the Caribbean! Since all you will need are bikinis, board shorts, a cover up or two and lots of towels, this is the perfect amount of storage. LOVE the color in the all white space!!!!

GREAT, just great!
Imaging laying here listening to the wind playing with the palms, the sound of the water.....

Fresh fruit, green palms, in door / out door living at it's best! Lot's of light, easy to maintain surfaces. Notice the tall vaulted ceiling, a traditional way to keep cool, as heat rises.. I like how the boards are kept natural, and beams white.

Hmmm... trying not to say "cute", but what a great way to make the loo look like you want to go in there.

Extending the living space with a nice shaded patio, colorful pillows and soft blue table and bench. Great place for a hammock!!

I think I need a tropical vacation! :) Want to come along?

Natasha

Images via Vaart Nye Hem

Queen of Ginger Jars...

I have always loved the Blue and White color combination, it's fresh and pretty! As many of you are aware, the Queen of Ginger Jars - Anna Spiro - use them in her store, in her house, in client's houses, for flowers, for display, for lamps and the list goes on and on...

 





So I figured I would share a few with you, hoping to bring a little inspiration you way!  
(OK, so I am aware that the image above is not a Ginger Jar, but it was so pretty I had to include it :)! )

Why just put the jars on a shelf, why not fill them with pretty flowers? Often at flea markets you can find versions that have lost their lids (and are inexpensive) pick them up anyway, and use them for flowers! Notice those little boxes on the tray? Pretty!

See what I mean? And Anna's trademark pink sneaks in everywhere....

I love this image of her new kitchen. The Blue and White is soooo great displayed all together, great impact!!

Black & Spiro window display, ginger jars used as lamps...  also, I LOVE the color of the big green ones on the floor!

The current window, just featured on Anna's blog Absolutely Beautiful Things, show not only lamps, but also a FAN.TAS.TIC fabric backdrop featuring the blue and white Ginger Jars.

And this is the image that started the whole thing for me; the white cabinet with the collection of Ginger Jars on top! In fact, after seeing this image a long time ago, I was inspired to start my own little collection.
Perhaps I will share tomorrow....

Do you have a Ginger Jar collection? How does the look fit your decorating style? Any tips for finding them??

Natasha

All images via ABT

New Blog Love

For all you lovers of beautiful flowers, DIY projects and fantastic styling,
check out A Creative Mint!

I bet this the cutest little desk "get-up" you have seen in a while!

Dreamy photography, fantastic detail, fresh and spring-y colors...
Imagine this blown up and framed!

Don't you just want to "Stop and smell the Roses?"

My favorite!!!

I can even smell the geranium leaves... The colors and the layers & layers of petals.. Yummy!!

I am new to Leslie's blog, but can't wait to see what she posts tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that... Flowers make me so HAPPY!!!!

Natasha

All images via A Creative Mint

Start creating...

 Is it really that simple.... ?

Natasha

Image via tumblr