Mixed metals and new tables

I love to mix fun things in with unfun things. Who doesn't, right?

Well, I had the occasion to brave summertime 95 traffic, albeit on a Monday morning, to take my daughter to her college orientation and then make the roundtrip again on Tuesday.

A quick stop at the nearest coffee shop on Monday had me peering into the window of Random Harvest. I knew the Old Town Alexandria location but this section of Arlington, while unfamiliar, is now a favorite.They were not yet open at that hour but I knew my Tuesday trip might just be timed right for a visit. The visit proved worthy. It is a lovely mix of old and new and quite affordable for a place of that quality, I thought.

Most of my furniture is vintage.

 

It's funny how changes happen to a house and it's decor. Things got shuffled about for painting this room and adjacent ones and I discovered things I wanted in different places. I needed a table next to this chair, which is my perch for the rare occasions I watch TV. We tried a few we already have and I got a feel for the correct size. I was positive I would find something online or at Homegoods and my impatience almost won. Mr. Designdumonde had the winning words with , "I don't care what kind of great deal it is, I don't want any furniture that we don't love and intend to keep." Wise indeed.

Nesting tables- Random Harvest

This fantastic set of metal and stone tables was indeed a deal at $295 for the pair but one I will not tire of anytime soon and I feel comfortable that they could move to other rooms in my house..or next house as the case may be. 

As I photographed these I also noticed how much I loved the casual feel mixed metals can lend to a space. 

Table  from CB2

 The polished chrome of this table and the polished steel of my original vintage Brno chairs mixed with the brass accessories and the legs of my mid-century console really keep the room interesting to me.

 

 

 I also love the high-low mix and it happens to be the only room we allow toys in. 

Toys? What toys? It was a great laugh that I was able to photograph this with minimal tidying and still keep the pink Lego box out of the shot.

 

 

If you are local check out Random Harvest at one of their 4 locations and on Facebook

Dream house dreaming part 2

Yesterday I featured Castle Hill in Keswick, Virginia and today I want to show you Old Keswick which was also featured in the Kathryn Masson book Hunt Country Style. Masson's book states, " Old Keswick is one of the earliest houses in an exclusive area outside of Charlottesville, famed for its large horse farms and the Keswick Hunt. A rambling driveway begins at an entrance marked by two low fieldstone columns and winds past barns and stables, a stone springhouse, and pastures for finely bred horses, leading to a white weatherboard farmhouse hidden among trees. It is a rare piece of Virginia history."

It was originally built as the hunt lodge for the yesterday's property, Castle Hill and is located nearby. I would have a tough time choosing between the two.

This MLS photo instantly caught my attention as the east parlor and the image from the cover of  Hunt Country Style.

Masson's book goes on to say, " Keswick Stables has been a renowned Thoroughbred operation since the mid 1950s."

This is horsey style at its best.

Old Keswick is listed for $12,000, and the full listing can be seen HERE

Randomess

HERE

Today I am just posting unrelated photos of a few new  5 x 7 pieces while I tell you about my weekend.

I was hard at work on my son's room redo that I will be showing you on Thursday as part of Linda's Linking participant ORC.

The room isn't even done but I got so excited I emailed photos to my son, Mr. Death Metal Maniac, which is the name on his email profile and new to me. Nothing makes a mother prouder.

HERE

Mr. DMM also answered his phone, a rare occurrence, and told me all about his college classes. I was pleased to hear that he is crazy busy. He was also surprised to hear that I was redoing his room ( I only talked about it all summer) and that I have a website. I don't know how he crosses the street.

HERE

Saturday, my husband was home, another rare occurrence. We decided on an impromptu dinner out and nixed Oktoberfest in downtown Fredericksburg in favor of Culpeper. Culpeper, Virginia is about 40 minutes from my house and is a quaint little town in horse country. There is a restaurant that we had heard about and just not ever bothered to visit. I mean it is just Culpeper, right?

Boy, have we been missing out. The dinner was amazing and I am not easy to impress in the food department.

This is what we ate:

Crispy pork belly on rhubarb compote bruschetta

Grilled Lamb Steak served on a Citrus Braised Eggplant and finished with a Cardamom Scented Yogurt

 Pan seared Tuna  with roasted red pepper and golden raisin reduction

 Coffee and Chocolate Covered Almond Ice Cream

Chocolate Pots au creme 

It was heaven.

How was you weekend?

Virtual Show House starts Monday

I am so excited to start this blogger guest post series called "Virtual Show House". It is exactly what it sounds like. Designers from 5 of my favorite design blogs that are Virginia or D.C. based will be designing virtual rooms in the house above. 

Come back on Monday to see Loi Thai of Tone on Tone's entryway design and the rest of the week for

Beth of Chinoiserie Chic

Lindsay of Sadie and Stella

Stefan of Architect Design

 Nancy and Bethany of Powell-Brower Home

Just beachy

I have been mega busy, As in, not even commenting if I have a minute to read a blog.

We do have tentative plans to steal away to the beach for a few days. It is with three tens  (teens.. I meant teens, lol!) and a toddler, however, so the relaxing part of things will be minimal but I am excited anyway.

So in honor of all things beachy...

Have you gotten sand between your toes this year?

Friday's field trip

My new pal, Nancy, from Powell-Brower Home and I had a fun outing last Friday. She posted about it today.

 I brought a camera but for some reason...

 never got a chance to snap a photo.

Luckily, Nancy got a few shots in.

We saw tons of great art and chatted with artists and lounged in their studios. FUN!

Head on over and check it out.

In Southern preppy news...

Lilly Pulitzer recently asked Facebook fans to vote for their choice in a state related print. Six were chosen after the voting and I am thrilled that my choice, and home state, of Virginia will be include along with North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Georgia, and Florida.

For now, the print will be on scarves. I can't wait to see them.

Will you be scooping up your state?