reporting and restoring

<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dBzilyJNjdCK6Fewd5MQdZutO0zOSkPA7itvYTbN9nMvEHNp1ItvVMJFUlmWsc5i1-u5t0_BGhV1JaA7-TfVgYsh3yUli6jXZ5Jc17ysBqTpVtEnax6mpkfNFa7zGlL9e6-xefxkQJwL/s1600/item2.rendition.slideshowHorizontal.03_grey_gardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dBzilyJNjdCK6Fewd5MQdZutO0zOSkPA7itvYTbN9nMvEHNp1ItvVMJFUlmWsc5i1-u5t0_BGhV1JaA7-TfVgYsh3yUli6jXZ5Jc17ysBqTpVtEnax6mpkfNFa7zGlL9e6-xefxkQJwL/s1600/item2.rendition.slideshowHorizontal.03_grey_gardens.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2009-05/grey_gardens_slideshow_slideshow_item2_3" target="_blank">Architectural Digest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQHa24TLOQVP0LK4fZKKZ7tcwHaqrH5oWBgOlhLyzbNrin0z_2IHsC4v12W5R4X_CPbd7xoyNPfcbfYPz9frw1jlT8O6uFaNkksg3hgU0fOvfH6GF9_agHrgjgnbwQBqR_vXM0o8E-lbm/s1600/greygardensstairwaybefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQHa24TLOQVP0LK4fZKKZ7tcwHaqrH5oWBgOlhLyzbNrin0z_2IHsC4v12W5R4X_CPbd7xoyNPfcbfYPz9frw1jlT8O6uFaNkksg3hgU0fOvfH6GF9_agHrgjgnbwQBqR_vXM0o8E-lbm/s1600/greygardensstairwaybefore.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/04/17/garden/20090417-insidegreygardens_index.html" target="_blank">New York Times</a> </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGmJYCF9_7ZWNJ0PsSmGfKrMS62K3244VWJph9zSfvaCUbeknlSYykY96qTDzAoDDtpThAqKXpqLxG9P3GhuCy5xmxGtVweTqm-DHJXrbKKqkB-_QcfVYL93VNKDoAxs00hkOZvN2VCfw/s1600/item3.rendition.slideshowHorizontal.04_grey_gardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGmJYCF9_7ZWNJ0PsSmGfKrMS62K3244VWJph9zSfvaCUbeknlSYykY96qTDzAoDDtpThAqKXpqLxG9P3GhuCy5xmxGtVweTqm-DHJXrbKKqkB-_QcfVYL93VNKDoAxs00hkOZvN2VCfw/s1600/item3.rendition.slideshowHorizontal.04_grey_gardens.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2009-05/grey_gardens_article" target="_blank">Architectural Digest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjax0vWHnIoZTv3hStahtsB2mUS2T0eA4E_sfC78EWOrfIj0iWB16E5jhMs3xFNQ1_-eer7hqFuaMg2bctEWWucMghCamB-_ZA7jZhDqLZePHqQlCLYb5Nf5NE1q_mwlVtUez5GkYpbWCpg/s1600/Grey_Article2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjax0vWHnIoZTv3hStahtsB2mUS2T0eA4E_sfC78EWOrfIj0iWB16E5jhMs3xFNQ1_-eer7hqFuaMg2bctEWWucMghCamB-_ZA7jZhDqLZePHqQlCLYb5Nf5NE1q_mwlVtUez5GkYpbWCpg/s1600/Grey_Article2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cottages-gardens.com/New-York-Cottages-Gardens/May-2012/Grey-Gardens-Redux/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpByaAtLyZtMQInpixQZFqePJwgJ591lTbscbKNUbIfioXCw2Df75AJ_OETTLAOG2oV0-uabGxiQfSU-2NFtwdy9fLvMeQXH56LiQ7VI05kLOR_-XV7eRWhzcI0swMwCTMiB5YoCArehVk/s1600/03-the-sets-1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpByaAtLyZtMQInpixQZFqePJwgJ591lTbscbKNUbIfioXCw2Df75AJ_OETTLAOG2oV0-uabGxiQfSU-2NFtwdy9fLvMeQXH56LiQ7VI05kLOR_-XV7eRWhzcI0swMwCTMiB5YoCArehVk/s1600/03-the-sets-1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hbo.com/movies/grey-gardens/inside/making-grey-gardens/slideshow/the-sets.html#/" target="_blank">HBO</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Ben Bradlee, the former editor of the <i>Washington Post</i> died last week. I've admired Mr. Bradlee since my pre-teen days. First, thru my journalism years when I thought he was just about the smartest and strongest man in the field. And then later when he and his wife, journalist Sally Quinn, bought Grey Gardens from Little Eddie after Big Eddie's death in 1979.<br /><br />Now if you don't know about Grey Gardens, well then...for shame!!! Learn more about the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073076/" target="_blank">documentary here</a> and the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758751/" target="_blank">movie here</a>. Both are worth a watch on so many levels. Fascinating story, quotes delivered from a pot of gold, and oh course...duh, an amazing home.<br /><br />Bradlee and Quinn lived out my ultimate dream - taking an old, rundown estate and restoring it back to it's original glory. They've used it as a summer house and rented it out to some very lucky tenants over the years and most importantly, saved a beautiful piece of history.<br /><br />So in honor of Mr. Bradlee I will break out my old copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Life-Newspapering-Other-Adventures/dp/0684825236" target="_blank">A Good Life</a> and do some reading, and watch <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CEXEWA/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1476770514&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1Y2GRRS94ATAJ9FR08TC" target="_blank">All the Presidents Men</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grey-Gardens-Edith-Bouvier-Beale/dp/B0020QK5ZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1414415582&sr=1-1&keywords=grey+gardens" target="_blank">Grey Gardens</a> and cheers a man who represented so many of my interests all rolled into one.<br /><br /><br /><br />

reporting and restoring

Architectural Digest New York Times   Architectural Digest via HBO Ben Bradlee, the former editor of the Washington Post died last week. I...

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too much of a good thing?

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbphtxglZD-uHdpgci9PNdEjHfjcNmWytB07iuXddHat71JU1vVjO0HB9Qlcy5uvPvz9NbM9mI1omFBNHKb4rL3oqu0UPjGt9i6i306STM7G7rIPsKD7yWsDnZTYicaCvA_E_W6NOPvy8l/s1600/264e52c179b0be866fb54bfcc1f9211d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="517" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbphtxglZD-uHdpgci9PNdEjHfjcNmWytB07iuXddHat71JU1vVjO0HB9Qlcy5uvPvz9NbM9mI1omFBNHKb4rL3oqu0UPjGt9i6i306STM7G7rIPsKD7yWsDnZTYicaCvA_E_W6NOPvy8l/s1600/264e52c179b0be866fb54bfcc1f9211d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marymcdonald.com/" target="_blank">Mary McDonald</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Good Monday one and all. How's everyone today? Both of the girls have the next two days off school, so I'm pulling some tricks from my hat to entertain the crowd. But while I'll be coloring another picture of Elsa from Frozen and making playdough, I'll really be thinking of this room from Mary McDonald.<br /><br />Can you ever have too much of a good thing in a room? I love red (I know I'm in the minority) and pink, which is really just 'diet red', so of course I think this room is heaven. Great mix of pattern, shades of the same hue, texture etc. But with all the upholstered pieces, curtains and accessories in shades of red/pink, would you grow tired of the mix?<br /><br />What do you think? Too much or just right? Would you feel different if it was shades of blue instead of red? Do you have any idea why the girls have two days off in the middle of October? Yeah, me neither.<br /><br /><br />

too much of a good thing?

Mary McDonald Good Monday one and all. How's everyone today? Both of the girls have the next two days off school, so I'm pulling som...

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design crush - schuyler samperton

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjlFKWM8ybiUp9NkipkbcJocsMXb825NFRSCQSk6OChUtPSkSLE19P5tc_g761NsYEUF8w8AZk9Cn7Y1ceETVDkMOu8cwisrMUHtwf3CrHP2DBs00Dnuo2DUyEaPeLyMpiBEBDBAgr9EL/s1600/03-hbx-oriental-rug-1014-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjlFKWM8ybiUp9NkipkbcJocsMXb825NFRSCQSk6OChUtPSkSLE19P5tc_g761NsYEUF8w8AZk9Cn7Y1ceETVDkMOu8cwisrMUHtwf3CrHP2DBs00Dnuo2DUyEaPeLyMpiBEBDBAgr9EL/s1600/03-hbx-oriental-rug-1014-lgn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Well here we are again, another Monday. And I don't know about you, but after that weekend I need something pretty good to slap me into action. Luckily I have just the thing. Two words - <a href="http://www.samperton.com/" target="_blank">Schuyler Samperton</a>. When I saw <a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/house-pictures/colorful-los-angeles-cottage#slide-3" target="_blank">this spread in House Beautiful</a> over the weekend I sat right up and said, "You are speaking to me HB. Give me more!" So of course I immediately went to <a href="http://www.samperton.com/" target="_blank">Schuyler's web site</a> and well, I was pretty much giddy for the rest of the day.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbowcq1H4L2rMgjBPsjTmJF3PygcYKuHp6gEP_y7QD6EXf4nkykh29rYkFYBs9gXcIo7lnFpJ8B8p5hDui8ZXGsGztRq1nXPvazXwmLrqamTvUChSTk1weHSOMBxzEqKHNb6CgtqxpL3V/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-hancock-park-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbowcq1H4L2rMgjBPsjTmJF3PygcYKuHp6gEP_y7QD6EXf4nkykh29rYkFYBs9gXcIo7lnFpJ8B8p5hDui8ZXGsGztRq1nXPvazXwmLrqamTvUChSTk1weHSOMBxzEqKHNb6CgtqxpL3V/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-hancock-park-04.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGX1ExQVc6_QyfTfWEvTRosH5qtJIXTxUckCHw2q7M1IUIN1KOlb4OuV6-E1ccJA4N4B1vQWg4X2SWIGXZWV1mj8A0DbrOBnIkkNot5_Gy5IbHZAVHUyYApb0yOLG2QoDVcWJA9Z4yQrw/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-westside-provencal-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGX1ExQVc6_QyfTfWEvTRosH5qtJIXTxUckCHw2q7M1IUIN1KOlb4OuV6-E1ccJA4N4B1vQWg4X2SWIGXZWV1mj8A0DbrOBnIkkNot5_Gy5IbHZAVHUyYApb0yOLG2QoDVcWJA9Z4yQrw/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-westside-provencal-06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBwvdWHX0P7bDBnYxUX5knkVjtTM60C9bsHNeGlqLMAswYOS_72lDoLDPy1ubyU-E0qLFd8d-drrC8G2u6G3c3Crz3tT-oLVFpDo-jxpIvbUB-DKNA2XSEuxMr3XC9iC_4oYD_NHqHISr/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-santa-monica-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBwvdWHX0P7bDBnYxUX5knkVjtTM60C9bsHNeGlqLMAswYOS_72lDoLDPy1ubyU-E0qLFd8d-drrC8G2u6G3c3Crz3tT-oLVFpDo-jxpIvbUB-DKNA2XSEuxMr3XC9iC_4oYD_NHqHISr/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-santa-monica-02.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIPkQXw0EEKUwTJ4W8v8X2IxbN7bUofqHrdCk7fm9OyI7ANrSNdMgjvF49XC84ju0MDI7nMghRwKztSPmJUYvHU1lJeS_iE7Qj-OapzBmzou8IASPn4pAM1x1aRgJG8RmeVgtWgGO2bkZ/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-santa-monica-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIPkQXw0EEKUwTJ4W8v8X2IxbN7bUofqHrdCk7fm9OyI7ANrSNdMgjvF49XC84ju0MDI7nMghRwKztSPmJUYvHU1lJeS_iE7Qj-OapzBmzou8IASPn4pAM1x1aRgJG8RmeVgtWgGO2bkZ/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-santa-monica-06.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7RH19M6dZDoQgXEnkyoBwTyCklfdHCnTfEd-2B7dI7PwTzfCrfgA_vj4kYnzI5RAveX2INigHJq0mFj8UgHHMIflfaBdOu_s41XS4kDzFFqd_gGkMhMkxOXjz0pwiK24DuPGl2LKkQbk/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-santa-monica-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7RH19M6dZDoQgXEnkyoBwTyCklfdHCnTfEd-2B7dI7PwTzfCrfgA_vj4kYnzI5RAveX2INigHJq0mFj8UgHHMIflfaBdOu_s41XS4kDzFFqd_gGkMhMkxOXjz0pwiK24DuPGl2LKkQbk/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-santa-monica-10.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmJeG6Nnq36JP0KYUeBNEoO7CF-qwmbSm82gs38jQBMOqDchu1Y4ANF8fIUvB-snnVzLikUdO0-32xavLZtQXX8YRK7lGJNhZHOfxlZd9ZbAkN-efoF8nUENgZG29g5Rkips-izbLkS8i/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-beverly-hills-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmJeG6Nnq36JP0KYUeBNEoO7CF-qwmbSm82gs38jQBMOqDchu1Y4ANF8fIUvB-snnVzLikUdO0-32xavLZtQXX8YRK7lGJNhZHOfxlZd9ZbAkN-efoF8nUENgZG29g5Rkips-izbLkS8i/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-beverly-hills-06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgPHeohZhulJEcPazOPQCvD99Fy7L80Z1BtwkkJXdg_rYR8AOnDMgTh6qxDoymt8vVwo6kO1549yHQLjBF4ooiUUM-h9R-9T2dmTtc2mD2AN7Y4nUliNEfyMTv21CKoxdPSQOTsJ0YnBi/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-backyard-bistro-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgPHeohZhulJEcPazOPQCvD99Fy7L80Z1BtwkkJXdg_rYR8AOnDMgTh6qxDoymt8vVwo6kO1549yHQLjBF4ooiUUM-h9R-9T2dmTtc2mD2AN7Y4nUliNEfyMTv21CKoxdPSQOTsJ0YnBi/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-backyard-bistro-04.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLQ8K1140QTGbzyUj9DzQbW9lpjS2dYFm4wsX7O_K8BEFGRBJi1fCvb0Z05__u1e_uXmHlQ7WN1nxx7T1kp4OJcQdunO6hesCevK20kPypaJz_QdkJqW8R0TnjfG5fZQHXOdQv5BQaxWs/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-palisades-traditional-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLQ8K1140QTGbzyUj9DzQbW9lpjS2dYFm4wsX7O_K8BEFGRBJi1fCvb0Z05__u1e_uXmHlQ7WN1nxx7T1kp4OJcQdunO6hesCevK20kPypaJz_QdkJqW8R0TnjfG5fZQHXOdQv5BQaxWs/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-palisades-traditional-12.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCOmpF9QhGlL_NDG348UDYV5E08zhwM7OnTZRXcX_m0NJ9MC-GiHU2qJtgbZTB6Hnd7IKwtKU-FvhyphenhyphenewWUJQ01nOlYZ-yN-6daRUEDj_vk4FR0hOev_39nYcHIPV0-DZzdqRYjFlFG7lR/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-venice-loft-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCOmpF9QhGlL_NDG348UDYV5E08zhwM7OnTZRXcX_m0NJ9MC-GiHU2qJtgbZTB6Hnd7IKwtKU-FvhyphenhyphenewWUJQ01nOlYZ-yN-6daRUEDj_vk4FR0hOev_39nYcHIPV0-DZzdqRYjFlFG7lR/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-venice-loft-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZUvODpIRxa9dN0dgmwIag1B8EsH3EU0BjChxwAhb_qySvcflqtWK-VM60HC9DqOiJnCqGnX0FjrzaDqj0mjefIz5f9Cg3t9nqSKCRHYtle3U0W9CEcL5oH4dBUtx5y4Gxd0sQLatYRj2/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-venice-loft-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZUvODpIRxa9dN0dgmwIag1B8EsH3EU0BjChxwAhb_qySvcflqtWK-VM60HC9DqOiJnCqGnX0FjrzaDqj0mjefIz5f9Cg3t9nqSKCRHYtle3U0W9CEcL5oH4dBUtx5y4Gxd0sQLatYRj2/s1600/schuyler-samperton-interior-design-venice-loft-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all images <a href="http://www.samperton.com/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />And there is a lot more where that came from. As I went thru her whole portfolio I noticed several images that I had ripped from magazines to put in my design binders, you know pre-Pinterest.<br /><br />So what about you - found any new inspiration lately? How do you get moving on Monday? Want to help me sift through a big pile of paint chips?<br /><br />

design crush - schuyler samperton

Well here we are again, another Monday. And I don't know about you, but after that weekend I need something pretty good to slap me into ...

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read all about it - new design book titles for the fall

<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://shop.blackandspiro.com.au/cart" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHIEE1rwuv5XISQPTJzhhsQbi-pne4slrGZ4LTjIzAA4t_zMPGlG3BpHHDU11H-O54T2xVtF0VwImelL-kStIacErXV3OS548wDk4t2KcOLqFjKteJMi0WcXsCJEGpnldR4sCTcL4yzuW/s1600/Book_cover_from_Penguin_site_medium.jpg" width="296" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.blackandspiro.com.au/cart" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xQkBQUDz26cUaat3syflx0DpKTIJDZGk7EaLdzkEgpvorZ-FVDJ_084tvyolBrMyIOyRT_jdYiCpSZt9a_eH-kZQOjR0ezhdeAs_Wxrh52utOy0Lb0wunlXcMHV6LJ9eoARVZ7baVONj/s1600/jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xQkBQUDz26cUaat3syflx0DpKTIJDZGk7EaLdzkEgpvorZ-FVDJ_084tvyolBrMyIOyRT_jdYiCpSZt9a_eH-kZQOjR0ezhdeAs_Wxrh52utOy0Lb0wunlXcMHV6LJ9eoARVZ7baVONj/s1600/jpeg.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1419707477/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_img?_encoding=UTF8&colid=21LGZ5E0QSHNI&coliid=I3UIXYRV1M3X9L" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gX6334SJh3KxecoEbZTU5aPUtTEPGocx1UZI82ZrqFhvn6lP_Yz_k567Frewe3xR8D1v_xaU0lvUX05qzw1GNHnRltmlrMuLVKmjfc2oh4MOHzWu05PHLvsEysIIHBws_K_fhiCIoFXl/s1600/jpeg-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gX6334SJh3KxecoEbZTU5aPUtTEPGocx1UZI82ZrqFhvn6lP_Yz_k567Frewe3xR8D1v_xaU0lvUX05qzw1GNHnRltmlrMuLVKmjfc2oh4MOHzWu05PHLvsEysIIHBws_K_fhiCIoFXl/s1600/jpeg-1.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/147678437X/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=21LGZ5E0QSHNI&coliid=I1BH6EFDBOYWWO" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The publishing gods are smiling down on me my friends. Three new design books are getting ready to hit the shelves and they look good. Damn good.<br /><br /><a href="http://shop.blackandspiro.com.au/cart" target="_blank">Anna Spiro's first book</a> is in pre-sale right now on her site, <a href="http://shop.blackandspiro.com.au/cart" target="_blank">Black & Spiro</a>. And if you pre-order, she will sign the book for you. I know, right?! Shipping from Australia is more than the book itself so I'm hoping this will make it to Amazon, but the signed copy would be pretty special.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1419707477/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=21LGZ5E0QSHNI&coliid=I3UIXYRV1M3X9L" target="_blank">Tory Burch</a> gets me, as her new book is titled 'In Color'. Preach Tory. And it will be filled with pictures of her fashions, travels and home(S). It will be as close as I will ever get to having drinks over at Tory's house. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1419707477/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=21LGZ5E0QSHNI&coliid=I3UIXYRV1M3X9L" target="_blank">Pre-order on Amazon</a>.<br /><br />And finally my dear <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/147678437X/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=21LGZ5E0QSHNI&coliid=I1BH6EFDBOYWWO" target="_blank">Sarah</a> is set to release her first book in early November. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/147678437X/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=21LGZ5E0QSHNI&coliid=I1BH6EFDBOYWWO" target="_blank">Pre-order on Amazon</a> and then we can have a book club when it arrives, OK?<br /><br />Happy reading y'all!<br /><br />

read all about it - new design book titles for the fall

via via via The publishing gods are smiling down on me my friends. Three new design books are getting ready to hit the shelves and they look...

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framed - displaying family pictures

<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCF0Qauq-83aJBqnzuK508qNxzCLL539045qpfIpdhenq3bGHi-XzQmRFwuBMskduqbCDAA3W0tL58ALmfcTf3pK9HnqgT0YiCPvxqjLma5x359qiMuazlJZLU6tjZlxqyWyCNa7be-fWq/s1600/99bf572dd72c6d8364c1497ec41ef022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCF0Qauq-83aJBqnzuK508qNxzCLL539045qpfIpdhenq3bGHi-XzQmRFwuBMskduqbCDAA3W0tL58ALmfcTf3pK9HnqgT0YiCPvxqjLma5x359qiMuazlJZLU6tjZlxqyWyCNa7be-fWq/s1600/99bf572dd72c6d8364c1497ec41ef022.jpg" width="482" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charles-Faudree-Details/dp/1423611748" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />For a long time, it was drilled into our heads, thru design magazines, interviews with designers and books, that displaying family photos in picture frames around your home was a design no no. "Keep those things in your bedroom," I remember reading some fabulous designer say. You could feel the disdain in his voice, as if he was talking about dirty underwear.<br /><br />But we don't live on the pages of a magazine, rather a home where we raise (gasp) a family. And children and grandparents enjoy photographic evidence of life. They are weird that way. So inevitably there are going to be photos that you'll want to display. And if you follow the theory that I do, that your home should reflect your well lived, unique life, then photos should be apart of that.<br /><br />So how do you balance displaying family pics while satisfying that craving for a well designed space?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitM7T3vs25fakBaJ0-dPNamOK_rSwCGumqSRdLNSo5P46SddE7CNI_V_6nHHkRENRPN1Xsiq7ZQXseVOK58IgOgwIVinCVwbu0JOSYRfjfE3fmnSDxcw_Oe3z9gnIICpss1rY89tTncTEC/s1600/2d9984f2812babc00a4accdb23463ae8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitM7T3vs25fakBaJ0-dPNamOK_rSwCGumqSRdLNSo5P46SddE7CNI_V_6nHHkRENRPN1Xsiq7ZQXseVOK58IgOgwIVinCVwbu0JOSYRfjfE3fmnSDxcw_Oe3z9gnIICpss1rY89tTncTEC/s1600/2d9984f2812babc00a4accdb23463ae8.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://abodelove.blogspot.com/2012/04/kb-her-good-stuff.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1ComP26WuCDob4WFJ4zahrM0-XKDPYEbz4fMVM20hqDJmy_2rG0dacsaEPOr4IW2pQRctwkMmxhcOsPXHGEEkPdVfWSzgdvZO0uDjew70h8ZV-5XAF9fUdzD9WyPJNXNfsnl46RUwEg0/s1600/1d4f02e03bca8c2780fe2336d9fcac24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1ComP26WuCDob4WFJ4zahrM0-XKDPYEbz4fMVM20hqDJmy_2rG0dacsaEPOr4IW2pQRctwkMmxhcOsPXHGEEkPdVfWSzgdvZO0uDjew70h8ZV-5XAF9fUdzD9WyPJNXNfsnl46RUwEg0/s1600/1d4f02e03bca8c2780fe2336d9fcac24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bijoukaleidoscope.com/2010/06/23/chinese-chippendale-chairs/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Following a tried and true rule of thumb helps - display 'collections' (in this case your picture frames) together to give them more emphasis. Mixing styles and shapes of frames is cool, as long as they all have some unifying element - touches of black in each, no mats, etc.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LRNzIH_x5UsCiIrtGOFIDbH8YUK01-704GleLULU6iPLuootWjkkDMKC63K4kNgs3iWqWtKUFtvOw_1e2T76YF8KayQjgQ6mkx1NfGK9AtRgwFZU_1OETjNnrg_PvN2Mw2k2QIcL1zx-/s1600/5202ed89ea4cb7d7f74f56dba5f3f6bd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LRNzIH_x5UsCiIrtGOFIDbH8YUK01-704GleLULU6iPLuootWjkkDMKC63K4kNgs3iWqWtKUFtvOw_1e2T76YF8KayQjgQ6mkx1NfGK9AtRgwFZU_1OETjNnrg_PvN2Mw2k2QIcL1zx-/s1600/5202ed89ea4cb7d7f74f56dba5f3f6bd.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://erikabrechtel.com/2013/07/02/tumbln-summertime-state-of-mind/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquBzPqRkO4J-maOnNsvoq1QBGaJkY-1MPy0EoUYWuHl1-NVGVGXplwnG45koroBomOEEq6QsVehyeay-MqphhyphenhyphenVPjMO57uDFVMrZWuc8eb5L6Oq-ScsyDFtrEj0yYPJsyOTfvBVIzds5g/s1600/one_kings_lane_house_tour_lauren_weisbarth_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquBzPqRkO4J-maOnNsvoq1QBGaJkY-1MPy0EoUYWuHl1-NVGVGXplwnG45koroBomOEEq6QsVehyeay-MqphhyphenhyphenVPjMO57uDFVMrZWuc8eb5L6Oq-ScsyDFtrEj0yYPJsyOTfvBVIzds5g/s1600/one_kings_lane_house_tour_lauren_weisbarth_03.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/live-love-home/lauren-house-tour/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>This may put me in trouble with some, but I'm also a firm believer in ditching those JCPenny posed shots in favor of candids. The difference between candid shots and studio shots is like the difference between buying all of your furniture in one afternoon from a catalog and collecting unique pieces and styles over time. Those candid shots will give an original feel to your room, bring back great memories of when they were taken, and give visitors a reason to smile and kick off a great conversation. "When was this picture taken?" And chances are people will remember that funny shot of your kids in a mud puddle better than they will remember what flowers you had on the coffee table.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIha0vzzsfhFHBd28xvjOnIL2WFshHTdgiLIrSD1IT1joo0mLUWZ8RdoBDaWVT8_sS-6-DzGW-KDJjbbgTg8a2_LqrszNp-d88UoIUcdvnK2WPRD7lQeSwa4hZq4HLYofGTMwZG1yiC2L/s1600/one_kings_lane_house_tour_lauren_weisbarth_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIha0vzzsfhFHBd28xvjOnIL2WFshHTdgiLIrSD1IT1joo0mLUWZ8RdoBDaWVT8_sS-6-DzGW-KDJjbbgTg8a2_LqrszNp-d88UoIUcdvnK2WPRD7lQeSwa4hZq4HLYofGTMwZG1yiC2L/s1600/one_kings_lane_house_tour_lauren_weisbarth_10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/live-love-home/lauren-house-tour/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XSGOYEKCjtVEi5tQ6O02vv3T8939fG856m28mPW-HXZlyD_OV4rhXUA13jT1FKr3TTFlXcmS-CXmRAwCUONYcuPBVbdzPUJib0NUmwu05s6Gp6Kl7uWFuyK8FvKyGGSj6kRtjPHigUwK/s1600/e16405998df231b5f91b7e2f7c3fe810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XSGOYEKCjtVEi5tQ6O02vv3T8939fG856m28mPW-HXZlyD_OV4rhXUA13jT1FKr3TTFlXcmS-CXmRAwCUONYcuPBVbdzPUJib0NUmwu05s6Gp6Kl7uWFuyK8FvKyGGSj6kRtjPHigUwK/s1600/e16405998df231b5f91b7e2f7c3fe810.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.matchbookmag.com/daily/88-up-close-cornelia-guest" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQ7_CnmnApuUXJStiO2Al4_8zSrLSYPbAXa6zcv5d74kNlLd7CQ8U_jT0yiWbZbGwx3DHQy1f5wMwFySceHYmpQkombA_YsneXZjgCqMBbTuCAnJ5RZysKZaG2V2TlVEhSb2QX8CxrN5E/s1600/cd1f3b335936af5b0ed3a209afdd2db7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQ7_CnmnApuUXJStiO2Al4_8zSrLSYPbAXa6zcv5d74kNlLd7CQ8U_jT0yiWbZbGwx3DHQy1f5wMwFySceHYmpQkombA_YsneXZjgCqMBbTuCAnJ5RZysKZaG2V2TlVEhSb2QX8CxrN5E/s1600/cd1f3b335936af5b0ed3a209afdd2db7.jpg" width="470" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://issuu.com/matchbookmag/docs/matchbooknov2011/c/sl7uolz" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>So, what about you? Do you have picture frames all over your house? Just in a few rooms? Have any shots of yourself parachuting out of a plane? Picture frames always makes me think of Meet The Parents when they go over to Owen Wilson's house. But I digress.<br /><br /><br />

framed - displaying family pictures

via For a long time, it was drilled into our heads, thru design magazines, interviews with designers and books, that displaying family photo...

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blog hop: a tour thru blogland

Happy Monday one and all! I hope your weekend was all you had hoped for. And if not, I hope you at least got to take a nap. Thank each and every one of you who commented and emailed me about the <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2014/09/home-office-makeover-before-and-after.html" target="_blank">office reveal</a>. Y'all know how to make me smile, that's for sure. And now whenever you imagine me working away, you know exactly where I am. Although, I doubt you ever imagine me working, but you know what I mean. That took a turn.<br /><br />So today I get to play in the latest round of blogging musical chairs with the now well known blog hop. I was tagged by two lovely girls that I've long admired. First up, my dear <a href="http://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kimberly from Swoon Worthy</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SGAPI94QGpv7kGSCM2eVa8Gb935LzjHN7TTg08da8zI40W3z_4VnyTX20rG_pS7muBt-RHl88LB9ds4Fo2QkUPnjohz_2YyRXbkJqV80HR8tTf6RK0g_ncy9ZcvJo4bcct19ZwZi-gKd/s1600/IMG_7386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SGAPI94QGpv7kGSCM2eVa8Gb935LzjHN7TTg08da8zI40W3z_4VnyTX20rG_pS7muBt-RHl88LB9ds4Fo2QkUPnjohz_2YyRXbkJqV80HR8tTf6RK0g_ncy9ZcvJo4bcct19ZwZi-gKd/s1600/IMG_7386.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/search/label/dining%20room" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Kimberly and I have been buddies since the early days and we share a deep love of color, and a good stiff drink. Her taste and skill is inspirational and I've loved watching her take England by storm as she gives them a big dose of expat style.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpeCZov134v9xi4lDrxzEWwdCpMObAKpnyctdHWhFJVRGQlvmOg7pG2Vr0tF8lb2gNKi2YZVr92FaG71EMD_zPGQRK3PyMZfL-F6ss47Xdvwk1Df_sQe4ZPWwQQxPDrjUi2T4LxOQRUbA/s1600/IMG_3571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpeCZov134v9xi4lDrxzEWwdCpMObAKpnyctdHWhFJVRGQlvmOg7pG2Vr0tF8lb2gNKi2YZVr92FaG71EMD_zPGQRK3PyMZfL-F6ss47Xdvwk1Df_sQe4ZPWwQQxPDrjUi2T4LxOQRUbA/s1600/IMG_3571.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/search/label/my%20paintings" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />She is pretty much a big deal, and I will never stop twisting her arm until she opens up her Etsy shop, because on top of her design prowess, girlfriend is an artist!<br /><br />And the other person who tagged me is the one and only <a href="http://sarahmdorseydesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah M. Dorsey</a>. If you don't know Sarah, let me be the first to congratulate you on finally crawling out from under that rock and give you her URL ASAP.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCHJz3bOfQeyWyc-uveMhHUdM6hiERoCQpreg03mLTrZA36FeXaG9PBxCU9WKEuLICiC6E6Lv2qOebkTFDR1nzMH4V8CPk3YKQsli5h9xJc76q7ISBuDQ8X8CLWmaNymOL1-NrTvFHFoN/s1600/campaign-dresser-serena-and-lily-inspired-mirror10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCHJz3bOfQeyWyc-uveMhHUdM6hiERoCQpreg03mLTrZA36FeXaG9PBxCU9WKEuLICiC6E6Lv2qOebkTFDR1nzMH4V8CPk3YKQsli5h9xJc76q7ISBuDQ8X8CLWmaNymOL1-NrTvFHFoN/s1600/campaign-dresser-serena-and-lily-inspired-mirror10.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahmdorseydesigns.blogspot.com/2014/06/white-brass-campaign-dresser-game.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Sarah is pretty much the MacGyver of DIY. Anything you could think of Sarah can make and chances are it will look a million times better than the inspiration piece that she started with.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyse2U-BPdGw0tj0BfobRgZpLYDl0_ZjZe4zNCrexA1-GIoeRb3fO5eiyIOloACkmHHPehsiJ2L5VCMjxxVEctfFXGuRK57Hgw3lCdMQTxDAiSdj4ZB0ZeTF7YVv8UABKJwCswa4vMQJX/s1600/entry-mudroom-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyse2U-BPdGw0tj0BfobRgZpLYDl0_ZjZe4zNCrexA1-GIoeRb3fO5eiyIOloACkmHHPehsiJ2L5VCMjxxVEctfFXGuRK57Hgw3lCdMQTxDAiSdj4ZB0ZeTF7YVv8UABKJwCswa4vMQJX/s1600/entry-mudroom-10.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahmdorseydesigns.blogspot.com/2014/08/how-to-install-herringbone-marble-tile.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>And she does it with such ease, and explains things so perfectly that she makes me completely believe that I could do those things too. I've learned so many invaluable tips and tricks from her, and to top it all off, she couldn't be any sweeter.<br /><br />Thank you ladies for having me join in on the fun. Now to the questions...<br /><br /><i>Why do I write?</i><br />I don't really know how best to answer that (ironically, since it is a question about writing). Why do some people dance, or paint, or sing? Because it feels good and it feels natural. I've always written stories, I just didn't always have a forum in which to share them. I write in much the same way I chat with people in person in an attempt to be as authentic as I can with you because what is this whole virtual community about if not to build relationships, right? But with that said, I've always treated this blog (and the writing) as a selfish act, something I do purely for myself about something that I truly enjoy: design. So I write because I love to do it and I love to talk about design.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgN2800Na1RW_90r6gEWgbACxJpXsVwGCyBFXFB8ctf4NacxgB5bQuCmrrfgI6ASERx4fQU4QmEzJjfccUKsg9RxBBNPieq7f1erFDXPDFE0WkpykAhxxwAH1Iea5vRn9aimgWdRLv0sw/s1600/CoffeTableClose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgN2800Na1RW_90r6gEWgbACxJpXsVwGCyBFXFB8ctf4NacxgB5bQuCmrrfgI6ASERx4fQU4QmEzJjfccUKsg9RxBBNPieq7f1erFDXPDFE0WkpykAhxxwAH1Iea5vRn9aimgWdRLv0sw/s1600/CoffeTableClose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><i>What are you working on?</i><br />For the first time in Little Black Door's life I find myself with far more going on outside of my home than I do inside of it. I have a few projects planned for this fall that include some renovations and repurposing but mostly I am working with a lot of amazing families in St. Louis and beyond on some pretty awesome projects. This will be a good test for me, because as I've discussed before, (<a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/01/shameless-plug-friday.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2014/01/how-did-i-do-2013-review.html" target="_blank">here</a>) I tend to want to talk about anything except myself. I've always focused the blog on my own house rather than talking about what I do for others. But as I get busier with others, the time to do stuff just 'for the blog' gets harder and the cat continues to chase its tail. So I'm just going to have to cut that tail clean off and move forward. Eww. So I guess that is a long winded way of saying, I'm working on living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. And I swear I'll get off my arse and start sharing them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0-f_xmr4upBZ2lVblzT6EShbSAYMnuFONGnjEOfVsyhxBiBq9wnUduJnmPjnOYKAKn-iAKz213u0ZIz6f8-eY_yp6iylzFZphaXfcFplZdQ_gxtfxRNwWLmUTo8RZ8pr_zV124Hp-aFE/s1600/GirlsBedsideTable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0-f_xmr4upBZ2lVblzT6EShbSAYMnuFONGnjEOfVsyhxBiBq9wnUduJnmPjnOYKAKn-iAKz213u0ZIz6f8-eY_yp6iylzFZphaXfcFplZdQ_gxtfxRNwWLmUTo8RZ8pr_zV124Hp-aFE/s1600/GirlsBedsideTable.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><i>How does your blog differ from others in your genre?</i><br />I probably mention cocktails more than anyone else. Does that count? This really is a hard question as I think one of the things that is so valuable about reading design blogs and being apart of this community is that every single person is different in the way they express their style. I would say I'm more color heavy than some and I do my very best to attain something out of the box, but relatable. I'm very drawn to things that have already been around the block and have a story to tell and I hope to encourage others to try a local antique or consignment shop before going out to buy new.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJtCTzUnkQkxqkLVA0cI8a7NDOLgXdOir53EPKXzrocSDeG_UxC-fd1lkQ82gs6OF_5KaYoKUwwQCMHu9HTiCuRBXQP7tAjzj9iIVQr1xZTotgQoZyx-C0mBNlr-86M3-OwmOQ61t-XSI/s1600/4e3d7d57b9b1cd481d4ab718830ee93a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJtCTzUnkQkxqkLVA0cI8a7NDOLgXdOir53EPKXzrocSDeG_UxC-fd1lkQ82gs6OF_5KaYoKUwwQCMHu9HTiCuRBXQP7tAjzj9iIVQr1xZTotgQoZyx-C0mBNlr-86M3-OwmOQ61t-XSI/s1600/4e3d7d57b9b1cd481d4ab718830ee93a.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><br /><i>What is your writing process?</i><br />Well, I'll tell you, it is not one that sets a good example, that's for sure. Everything I've read about blogging, and to be honest it hasn't been much, says you should have a schedule and plan out your posts in advance etc. And well, I'm the opposite. I am a fly by the seat of my pants type of writer. Any time I've tried to follow a schedule I find I don't have much heart in what I write. It begins to feel more like a task rather than a pleasure, and that is when you've lost me. So because of that, I write when I feel inspired and when I have something to share. I'm of the opinion that you'd much rather like to read something with some teeth two or three times a week rather than a bunch of filler 5 days a week. Am I right?<br /><br />So there I am. This was a great exercise really, I'm glad I did it. Thanks again Sarah and Kimberly!<br /><br />And to keep the ball rolling, Sarah at <a href="http://www.702parkproject.com/" target="_blank">702 Park Project</a> and my dear Albertina at <a href="http://mimosalaneblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mimosa Lane</a>, I want to hear your answers to these questions next Monday.<br /><br />Do you like a good old fashioned Q&A? Who would you interview if you had the chance? Does a constant stream of questions from your children count as an interview? No wait, that's an interrogation.<br /><br /><br />

blog hop: a tour thru blogland

Happy Monday one and all! I hope your weekend was all you had hoped for. And if not, I hope you at least got to take a nap. Thank each and e...

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do you flip a switch: overhead lights vs lamps

Happy Monday y'all. Did everyone have some rest and relaxation over the past 48 hours? I did it up right and feel like I've had several days off rather than just two. Summer is slipping away, you've gotta fit it in while you can people!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jlxZLHn_2D6lplsNAP3NgpymPGBWmEsyvACmkvjqn0gNswZm3QSlJ-6G6sGsxMHJbRv8Mvp5ItAFfDxvlSlwVOqsAwNqJXahIQKyXf7QCcSeYAthnICYFC7UV45qSZwPQj8fkiBnyO5q/s1600/c5d66d1e447ecd38b2fede36102014de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jlxZLHn_2D6lplsNAP3NgpymPGBWmEsyvACmkvjqn0gNswZm3QSlJ-6G6sGsxMHJbRv8Mvp5ItAFfDxvlSlwVOqsAwNqJXahIQKyXf7QCcSeYAthnICYFC7UV45qSZwPQj8fkiBnyO5q/s1600/c5d66d1e447ecd38b2fede36102014de.jpg" width="477" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/6896205654440197/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>So today I've got light planning on the brain. I had a conversation with a friend not long ago who said she hates to walk into a her living room without being able to just flip the switch. She doesn't want to walk halfway across the room to turn on a lamp.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYbiawCPVrzzxM6j9AGC_a-sjBZQ9S1UXnT0d4EGEEp5YPN_RAeijuz0Qke-5Yj4egaa0f4QxUnof9giqF5fMk_bzK956CPd4t1-78qL9eQfApt2IUSOUVKMZQF8Hox2k6oBtId9AvyE2/s1600/1d02b757d97e49a581e582df37fa0e17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYbiawCPVrzzxM6j9AGC_a-sjBZQ9S1UXnT0d4EGEEp5YPN_RAeijuz0Qke-5Yj4egaa0f4QxUnof9giqF5fMk_bzK956CPd4t1-78qL9eQfApt2IUSOUVKMZQF8Hox2k6oBtId9AvyE2/s1600/1d02b757d97e49a581e582df37fa0e17.jpg" width="481" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I get what she's saying, but especially in older homes it is common to have to walk into a room and turning on a lamp for a little bit of light.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzly2D9VXlCfCSN_BITq7xoePoxgmTetktjIkU_a-82SVR81qn7cTIgsbjihBGtJPQFMCgU2mWoY9RSqJfFXmYnwuY8N9x7eDItP5rmIOOZUjufIECbDvrOkRUbbTnGtxZgD9SOXl_fg9h/s1600/67eb07e5bfdfcce087a94eda72a15718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzly2D9VXlCfCSN_BITq7xoePoxgmTetktjIkU_a-82SVR81qn7cTIgsbjihBGtJPQFMCgU2mWoY9RSqJfFXmYnwuY8N9x7eDItP5rmIOOZUjufIECbDvrOkRUbbTnGtxZgD9SOXl_fg9h/s1600/67eb07e5bfdfcce087a94eda72a15718.jpg" width="541" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.domainehome.com/jessica-waks/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Without being able to see the entire room, it looks as though the overhead light is used most in this space as there is only one library light in the whole room.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj5SKtIX8Zps7UQj_sidgUsfzTSrObISIHM5ne-vEhv5dVoz6G1nU5v4h7v8iOufNn9I0ympvuOBn58IDLEABXEgvLxMFKNiq_AUFgU-kCc2mTgYzSHr7CAQsnvtpjvD5rG7v8aV3nny2/s1600/f078f05a0f63dff4463b0d38216bf279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj5SKtIX8Zps7UQj_sidgUsfzTSrObISIHM5ne-vEhv5dVoz6G1nU5v4h7v8iOufNn9I0ympvuOBn58IDLEABXEgvLxMFKNiq_AUFgU-kCc2mTgYzSHr7CAQsnvtpjvD5rG7v8aV3nny2/s1600/f078f05a0f63dff4463b0d38216bf279.jpg" width="583" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/beach-living-room-christopher-maya-marina-lanina-studio-southampton-new-york-201308-2" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Where this room has plenty of both - a textbook example of light planning - overhead lighting, sconces and table and floor lamps spread through out the room at varying heights and sizes. The ideal is always the best of both worlds.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tIGplN-oXEJ_efiuO2bxEiVkuOe7JEJ7ICwBymoMzo91TOvVC-YJPmWcreeLRtwgUx-8EHpqT76rjh_Fg2foFDaalCm92nBrHRPGs1kAgxGtkCjBU2Zbh0anDbvq1Qa1GGWpNMQ8zR1v/s1600/Living-Pink.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tIGplN-oXEJ_efiuO2bxEiVkuOe7JEJ7ICwBymoMzo91TOvVC-YJPmWcreeLRtwgUx-8EHpqT76rjh_Fg2foFDaalCm92nBrHRPGs1kAgxGtkCjBU2Zbh0anDbvq1Qa1GGWpNMQ8zR1v/s1600/Living-Pink.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mimosalaneblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/interior-design-colorful-gem-by-living.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI3r-a6fmrH5uELNDOUZT_uq2wfcVrQEcSZQmvXS1dfZZOLxoaJu3boFIOhzQmupouL-hev6ZAdwN3Zkt3_2vTlFr2j5ls1IDVeyc2oWdRrLbulN9gkOK13vdAJm2lxJ_ac0uOVw_v-J9/s1600/d47a2505fdce1f50875c8abd9777d205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI3r-a6fmrH5uELNDOUZT_uq2wfcVrQEcSZQmvXS1dfZZOLxoaJu3boFIOhzQmupouL-hev6ZAdwN3Zkt3_2vTlFr2j5ls1IDVeyc2oWdRrLbulN9gkOK13vdAJm2lxJ_ac0uOVw_v-J9/s1600/d47a2505fdce1f50875c8abd9777d205.jpg" width="613" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/6896205653797404/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAvMO1AMPbvXUG3rH5AVoig-eGy-Ai9gwp41lozDydjDP0sISbvgTxwBboBe1nyiz5JAfWe-1LtbTG1XlSdpCnfqb_2JTAd-DExClU-3nWWphjJF32Lxe8cNGHc5FVfw7FTQUtlPcYhjH/s1600/595c7fdf6874e275019b08eb9aeb8f9b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAvMO1AMPbvXUG3rH5AVoig-eGy-Ai9gwp41lozDydjDP0sISbvgTxwBboBe1nyiz5JAfWe-1LtbTG1XlSdpCnfqb_2JTAd-DExClU-3nWWphjJF32Lxe8cNGHc5FVfw7FTQUtlPcYhjH/s1600/595c7fdf6874e275019b08eb9aeb8f9b.jpg" width="517" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://domino.com/style-me-pretty-abby-larson-at-home-with-color" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>So which do you prefer? The ease of overhead lighting or the 'character' of a room full of lamps? How much light do you need in a space to feel comfortable? Just promise me you aren't using a bulb over 40 watts.<br /><br />

do you flip a switch: overhead lights vs lamps

Happy Monday y'all. Did everyone have some rest and relaxation over the past 48 hours? I did it up right and feel like I've had seve...

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glass front doors - don't be afraid

About a year after we moved into our house I was locking the front door when the door knob literally fell thru the door. It was original to the house (70+ years old) and it had rotted from the inside out. Since our house is old and nothing is standard we had to get a custom door so I decided to get exactly what I wanted. I believe my door salesmen's exact words were "You sure lady?!" when I told him. But I've been thrilled with our choice. This door lets a lot of light into what would otherwise be a dark corner of the house and I love the character it adds inside and out.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATDG5liuXbXHdThMBRliNCOHyjxOF0YAahf5NvAkBi8s11kuNAcyaMas-jvhP9oG_y0HbqsXbQ3Ev05ENDgLv8ITCNE0XJ19dqSvFER9ssd_6FvRQXY_GzEs9lS1NdtWBn1W9EL4OOZNd/s1600/LittleBlackDoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATDG5liuXbXHdThMBRliNCOHyjxOF0YAahf5NvAkBi8s11kuNAcyaMas-jvhP9oG_y0HbqsXbQ3Ev05ENDgLv8ITCNE0XJ19dqSvFER9ssd_6FvRQXY_GzEs9lS1NdtWBn1W9EL4OOZNd/s1600/LittleBlackDoor.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><br />We get a lot of complements on our front door. But those complements are often followed by questions. Don't you feel exposed? Aren't you worried about your privacy? How do you check to see who is at the door?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSl1k1rgV7-eDkyFjW0C7PTBa1J1GH7XrFh91jw1MI4SVRoK9KD5m-LKc0wnjuZ6BrkwLJe4WRZAmCU0n7qT6NhNZovmOPLYSMRCKH8ELL3TZ4mZk3vuXL4g_oxVxQ1G3sRMInIVA0tIj/s1600/f2fa6e7517905cf9d7b2be5cc7ad8c14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSl1k1rgV7-eDkyFjW0C7PTBa1J1GH7XrFh91jw1MI4SVRoK9KD5m-LKc0wnjuZ6BrkwLJe4WRZAmCU0n7qT6NhNZovmOPLYSMRCKH8ELL3TZ4mZk3vuXL4g_oxVxQ1G3sRMInIVA0tIj/s1600/f2fa6e7517905cf9d7b2be5cc7ad8c14.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/live-love-home/lauren-house-tour/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>While I understand the curiosity, I always find these questions a bit odd. No one cares what is going on inside my house. I have yet to find people standing in my yard trying to peek into my windows.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS7vGJonWVfXtfBmpPZNoMg-d_P_xgy_o9E_Zfs2aHi3t_6lN4FC1NEz24boADDr_Xo12AjQP6XFsQMw1_mkD6ppC7KK55GtGywd5_dEEklRKZCMuZFAVogvNTU92W5ZLtvy3TPbi3DQO/s1600/0cc8ccfc89c8068fe2b2252e32bee579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS7vGJonWVfXtfBmpPZNoMg-d_P_xgy_o9E_Zfs2aHi3t_6lN4FC1NEz24boADDr_Xo12AjQP6XFsQMw1_mkD6ppC7KK55GtGywd5_dEEklRKZCMuZFAVogvNTU92W5ZLtvy3TPbi3DQO/s1600/0cc8ccfc89c8068fe2b2252e32bee579.jpg" width="630" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.therugcompany.com/us/skull" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Anyone who would try to break into my house isn't going to case the joint by looking thru the front door first. I'm pretty sure most thieves are a bit sneakier than that. And nosy neighbors are more concerned about what is happening in other rooms than the entry.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeXxiPGWVqY2BsxAZckJX68k1kkgCjxO7H3SanKGLpnB7Jfn8SgpB3TSKctaKdt6qaavHhlSl9gG0oZyNgalw_kJ-sWWfcKc_eMZlZdkdLRt98kPE7KoSf0AMI6DdYWvYPsPh3VWFHpXQ/s1600/56ee348fc5efdcdaa253ba351eb4457d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeXxiPGWVqY2BsxAZckJX68k1kkgCjxO7H3SanKGLpnB7Jfn8SgpB3TSKctaKdt6qaavHhlSl9gG0oZyNgalw_kJ-sWWfcKc_eMZlZdkdLRt98kPE7KoSf0AMI6DdYWvYPsPh3VWFHpXQ/s1600/56ee348fc5efdcdaa253ba351eb4457d.jpg" width="490" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://europaconcorsi.com/projects/214722?utm_campaign=ec_newsletter&utm_content=project_214722&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_290" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />There is a house not far from us with beautiful windows, great exposure and fabulous plantation shutters in every single window that are. never. open. Why?? I don't understand. Let in that beautiful light people!!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR8IYP5UOtFmMun6bn0P0M1KDKDAfBnEA5b7L-WJpVgBXZhQVlrLrBxs1GDhBXpeay2Ms70r3YlmvB9uDgPUQ2yFkTMFKiGSN4iRp-Ep3qi7-qGMvAwPyi3TyAncZEByerjr9HoH3Jsef/s1600/404c813c1b792db76526a59387b67189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR8IYP5UOtFmMun6bn0P0M1KDKDAfBnEA5b7L-WJpVgBXZhQVlrLrBxs1GDhBXpeay2Ms70r3YlmvB9uDgPUQ2yFkTMFKiGSN4iRp-Ep3qi7-qGMvAwPyi3TyAncZEByerjr9HoH3Jsef/s1600/404c813c1b792db76526a59387b67189.jpg" width="590" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />And who are all of these people that are coming to your door? In the whole time I've lived here I can honestly think of only four times a stranger knocked on my door unannounced.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJOx_O95idC1f7IT3kSSFUCgfi8hbNWTiuPXQXuf_LNtvvicJ8oln_6cIqWgorcM-Cs0-3C4y_ZOh3jyg6kOrMrQQTOfnH5C-nEGnBuRwgUlZ1RdBCCIa38Q5VzXIvFxaC2Mo2S22_RnI/s1600/63c0b7ca1d7833b24c1496342df2c236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJOx_O95idC1f7IT3kSSFUCgfi8hbNWTiuPXQXuf_LNtvvicJ8oln_6cIqWgorcM-Cs0-3C4y_ZOh3jyg6kOrMrQQTOfnH5C-nEGnBuRwgUlZ1RdBCCIa38Q5VzXIvFxaC2Mo2S22_RnI/s1600/63c0b7ca1d7833b24c1496342df2c236.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/auntnanny/56946278/in/set-1329856/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>As for people you know dropping by unannounced, the car in the driveway is going to give me away so I don't have a lot of places to hide, glass door or not.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT9ihOZ80zSrC_tIJ7fN7Q2uDLkpnUJXspTeBOMdrkMVM4xYYfu0c4qiUb7ce27FjXBoNv6jLwi9U46E8QY7kKZW8gFqv1jrsRMzT3ECLkeNkEHPktQI1gnGt78i7QQBiv-DBULrGcxzR/s1600/e37d4a65c96956712c3dbc34557603a2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT9ihOZ80zSrC_tIJ7fN7Q2uDLkpnUJXspTeBOMdrkMVM4xYYfu0c4qiUb7ce27FjXBoNv6jLwi9U46E8QY7kKZW8gFqv1jrsRMzT3ECLkeNkEHPktQI1gnGt78i7QQBiv-DBULrGcxzR/s1600/e37d4a65c96956712c3dbc34557603a2.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cococozy.com/2014/05/glass-front-doors-steel-windows.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>It is one of the best ways to get a double bang for your buck - big curb appeal boost and indoor light and style queen. What is not to love?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcJJ7JuG73YOLdkRFXo61WoTzaaMGMnSOEDhpzCG7EZO2uUifg_au8cQoRJQ6dQViJkrn_-6CUmmDOoctUMxhU5I0fPgajuoiaf3b3QVvldPVda-3ERtj18PRBuv0y8dXnvR1lGY7pVkv/s1600/9d567206ef809a0f85ce5a9130d57c62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcJJ7JuG73YOLdkRFXo61WoTzaaMGMnSOEDhpzCG7EZO2uUifg_au8cQoRJQ6dQViJkrn_-6CUmmDOoctUMxhU5I0fPgajuoiaf3b3QVvldPVda-3ERtj18PRBuv0y8dXnvR1lGY7pVkv/s1600/9d567206ef809a0f85ce5a9130d57c62.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetweekend/6932802669/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>So if you are considering it, or at all on the fence, I am here to tell you to go for it. You won't be sorry.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KzO-_59OBZHtPHVYp1svfStUN6XDbkxVhrH4yCil94_nq2I9REbeCPeyc87-MCaevoEAbfWI4tTpEROXzXLsJ_gRmHUEqKUOoCjbxeLla8TpCOXuhyphenhyphenQmv6L2HMVfAdwCCBOT_aqIy3kR/s1600/EveandZoey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KzO-_59OBZHtPHVYp1svfStUN6XDbkxVhrH4yCil94_nq2I9REbeCPeyc87-MCaevoEAbfWI4tTpEROXzXLsJ_gRmHUEqKUOoCjbxeLla8TpCOXuhyphenhyphenQmv6L2HMVfAdwCCBOT_aqIy3kR/s1600/EveandZoey.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br />And remember, no matter how much glass we have, we still open it up to peek around the corner.<br /><br />What do you think? Could you have a glass front door? Are you worried about privacy?<br /><br />

glass front doors - don't be afraid

About a year after we moved into our house I was locking the front door when the door knob literally fell thru the door. It was original to ...

Read more »