holiday cheer

Even though I'm a decorator, I am not over-the-top with holiday decor.  I like a little bit.  Natural is my preference (flowers that represent the season & evergreens for Christmas).  And I love a tree!

When we are deep in December and you head home after it's already been dark for two hours to find the roads like parking lots and ice or slush mucking it all up, anything creative you've done in the day has evaporated into the impossible to temperature control air of your car.  Then you're 45 minutes into a drive that should take 15 and you see flashing signs indicating the next exit, your exit, will take another 20 minutes.  Then you find that you're gripping the steering wheel and scanning the radio because you've already heard All Things Considered when you first got in the car.
When you finally slip into your drive way, how nice is it to see this?

And then come inside to smell the best smell of forest pine.

This is the biggest damn tree we've ever gotten!

It's beginning to look like Christmas.

This time of year makes me corny.  I don't care.

Stair Runners

I finally got my long awaited stair runners replaced.  There is a slight snafu with the "back" stair so I will have a little painting to do this weekend, however, I am super happy with the new goods!
Before there was a gray and slightly corporate looking runner.  It was probably 15 years old and while it camouflaged dirt really well, it was not very pretty.

The back stair had the same carpet.

Picking out something fun for the back stair that we use to go to our bedroom.  It's also the first thing you see when you come in the oft used side door.  Dash & Albert samples available through Hudson.

I knew I wanted sisal on the main stairs.  This is from Steven King (to the trade).

Another before of the back stairs with paint color swatches

Exposed treads.

On it's way!

If I had a wider staircase, I would have done a wider contrast border for more interest, but it's actually a little narrow in person (which is surprising), so I kept it really simple.

Pretty!

I specified wall-to-wall carpet for the back stairs, but then mis-communicated when I asked the installer if I can use the Dash & Albert runners for the area.  He assumed that I wanted a runner instead.  Now I have some old beat up stairs exposed on either side.  Thus my aforementioned paint project.  Glad this wasn't a client's job.

Front stairs are pretty at night with the Christmas garland.

master bath

I've been hesitant to post about the master bath because there are some finishing touches that are needed.  However, it's pretty close, so here it is so far.

We still need a medicine cabinet or mirror above the vanity.  I also have yet to purchase the proper baskets for below the sink.  The sconces are working out well.  The lucite base matches the lucite towel rods.  I also plan to add some trim to the Roman shades on the windows.  The space is clean and nice, but needs a little life with color or pattern.

Just a quick reminder of what it was before:

Two bathrooms back to back got transformed into one.

love a library

I have ALWAYS wanted a home that had a library.  Every time I see a room with walls lined in books, I swoon.

Moving to the "country house," as I like to call this suburban abode, has given me just that.  It's a small in-between room that previous owners have added a floor-to-ceiling book case.  The wood finish was not exactly my favorite.  Before pic:

Immediately when I entered, I knew I wanted to paint out all the walls, trim detail and bookcases the same color.  I toyed with a few historic colors and settled on Farrow & Ball Card Room Green.  I wanted it to feel like an old English library or sitting room.
Here is what it looked like before:

And now... how cozy and fun! 

A few things to note.  I plan to install inexpensive roller bamboo shades.  I am also waiting on the carpet installer to put in wall-to-wall sisal.  I thought it would be done by now, but you know how that goes.

Last and (most important) is changing out the hideous sconces.  I want a great looking brass library sconce.  This, however, has fallen into the "not immediately necessary!" category.  I'll wait to find a great deal or wait until the coffers have been replenished.

*I do realize that the pictures in this post are particularly bad.  The room looks best in the evening, but my iPhone refuses to capture the magic.  For you readers and potential clients: This room rocks in person.  I have not given it justice in these pictures.  It will be better when complete.)