Three smart things

I need this! 

I hate cluttered kitchen counters and guess what I have. My husband and I have a longstanding war where takes the papertowels or any number of things an leaves them on the counter. I walk in the kitchen and put them away only to have him open a cabinet (while I am still standing there!!) and take said item back out.

I think empty counters are a long way off for me but a tidy garage is more up my husband's alley. I may be able to convince him on these.

Blowing up a classic

Bombe chests are the ultimate in girly, French classic looks. I love them as an alternative to a bar.

my own Bombe that has been moved and restyled

I love them styled with modern art on the wall to balance out the sweetness. My own Bombe chest has just that, a vignette with modern art.

There have always been less ornate versions available and in the last few years I have seen even more pared down, modern versions.

Trendy takes on the style are everywhere too.

Would you go for an original, replete with ormulu trim or a more modern, perhaps trendy version of these?

Kerrybot

If you have ever seen the children's movie Wall-e you will recognize M-O the floor cleaning robot that follow mess makers closely, cleaning their tracks. My husband call it "Kerrybot" because I am a clean floor freak. I have mentioned my germaphobia before but floors a another thing all together.

 I thought I'd share a quick tip that keep a dirty floor panic attack at bay, LOL!

This is not a sponsored post. I just like this product. I seriously do not have time to haul out my Hoover Floormate everyday but I do have 5 minutes to clean with this baby. 

This $20 mop has a small tank that sprays. I will tell you upfront, don't bother putting anything but water in it. It will clog if you do.

The benefit is that the microfiber pads are washable and reuseable and you can clean with whatever you like. Sometimes I use just water or a gentle spray cleaner but I often fell compelled to use bleach, especially if shoes have been worn in the kitchen. I know I'm  weird but it really freaks me out to think where everyone's shoes have been.

My girlfriends with young families often express frustration at the lack of time to clean floors properly so I always tell them about this timesaver.

I see crumbs!!! Gotta go! ;)

Mantel refresher

New understated look

Lately my mantel has been trying on new looks to cover the "hole" or TV niche that I find beyond tacky and totally useless.

Mickey, you have been painted over

This painting was the first large painting I did for myself and is, admittedly,  pretty bad.

I heard things like its an elephant, Andre the giant, and Mickey Mouse. Mickey had to go.

I put this painting by Jenny at MFAMB in front of it for awhile.

To be honest all of the color was getting on my nerves. The room began to have juvenile, circus-ey feel. So out it went as soon as I needed a spot for this...

"Being There" by Kerry Steele

This painting just needs a spot until I sell it. My family loves it but it really did not work with the feel of my family room. So out IT went and I got to painting over Mickey.

The resulting look is so completely different than all of its predecessors that it makes me laugh but I am liking it for now.

 Speaking of mantels and my work, have you seen the painting I did for Jennifer of The Pink Pagoda?

She did a beautiful job of styling it in her gorgeous home.

Cocktails in the salon

It is a running joke between me and our pals from Pennsylvania to refer to rooms with a pretentious word. Years ago, I insisted on calling their apartment balcony the "veranda" so my living rooms have been referred to as the "salon" with emphasis on the first syllable.

I can't stand formal living rooms that no one ever uses but ours has been mostly untouched until this weekend.

We had cocktails in the living room and I quite enjoyed sitting in that room with old friends.

I was worried that I had failed in the comfortable department and that the room was just not inviting.

I was glad to have those fears quelled.

The dining room got a workout too, thanks to my husband's culinary skill and...

the porch was useable for late night drinks only. It was 103 degrees on Saturday. If it had been cooler we would have been visiting some of the historic sites nearby instead.

This weekend allowed me to really enjoy all of the spaces in my house and vow to use them more.
Do you use every room in your house?

on trend

Just a quick post today. My guests are on their way and we have a jam packed, 100 degree weekend ahead.

This Beni Ourain rug is super trendy right now. I normally don't apologize for my opinions but some of the most stylish people I know love these...and I don't.

In fact I hate them. Them remind me of a 1970s bachelor pad. Kinda skeevy and smelly. Sorry people but its trend I just can't get on board with.

What trend are you avoiding?

Vintage suitcases

I saw these vintage suitcases, front and center, on Etsy yesterday and got to thinking what I might do with such lovely crustiness.

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Most of the things I saw were more shabby than chic but I rather fancy that little suitcase/picnic table.

What would you do with a vintage suitcase or two?

Happy Independence Day!