I'm Dreaming of a White Beach House. . .

As a girl highly influenced by the changing of the season, I tend to want to redecorate when the weather changes.  Whichever season is setting in is my favorite. In the summer I want nothing more than to run away to a the beach, spending my days with my feet in the sand, sun on my face, and my nights nestled in a cedar shake clad beach cottage with windows flung open to let the breeze drift through.  Pale shades of creamy white with accent shades of sky blue and sea glass turquoise would fill the interior.  I picture myself reading a book on a cozy window seat while light, gauzy, sheer curtains waft in the breeze and an icy drink in a mason jar sits close at hand with beads of moisture condensing on the glass and a straw propped jauntily on the rim.  Ahhhh, summer.

Then autumn sets in and I'm filled with giddiness as the leaves turns a thousand brilliant shades and the comforting scent of wood smoke mixes with the crisp fresh air.  I bundle up in sweaters and scarves and dream of cable knit throw blankets and crackling fires and hot cocoa.  Chocolate browns and pumpkin orange and aged cream. . .

But fall, my true favorite, never lasts long enough.  And winter rain sets in, only broken by the festive cheeriness of holiday cheer; white and red and silver and glass and evergreen fill my home.  And of course the whispering of anticipation, cheerfulness and good will, and the secret hope for snow.

Finally, spring arrives in bursts of color; white and pink and yellow. . . bursts of happiness and unbidden smiles and peeks of sunshine.  I want to throw open my window and fill turquoise mason jars with pink flowering plum blossoms and full, white peonies and pale, fragrant lilacs. . .

Every season is distinct.

So you see, it was a little strange to find myself headed for the coast on a gray and misty autumn morning, driving past fields of spent corn and forests of fiery autumn splendor, listening to Christmas music. . . on my way to tour a few beach houses.

It was all mixed up.

But somehow we'd strung together the best of all the seasons, and once at the beach the sun was peeking through. And no matter how you slice it, the first house we saw screamed summer.  It was enough to make me giddy, no matter the season. . .

In Case Four Blogs Weren't Enough. . .

It has been a bit of a joke around here that I haven't got a lot of focus.  This collection of blogs is sort of the proof of that.  I have a lot of interests. And my latest venture may not prove otherwise!  For years it has been my goal to become a published author, and I while I haven't given up on that goal, I have certainly set it aside to pursue something else.

This section of my blog represents my love of projects and home decor, as well as gardening. But it might have a little competition in my new blog. . .

I have taken one of my hobbies and have turned it into a little business venture with the aid of my good friend Lisa.  It is small now, but we have big hopes for our little company.   Feel free to follow our blog, House of White, as we document our adventures into the wide world of employment.

Bathroom Sneak Peak

Did your mother ever tell you "Slow and steady wins the race."?  I like to think it's true.

It gives me an excuse for the dreadfully long time each of my projects takes.

Take my master bath for instance. . .

I have been painting my room and bathroom (I believe I first bought paint last November).  It's still not done.  I ran out of paint. . . twice.  I clearly don't plan well.  Actually, I ended up painting the laundry room and powder bath the same color so I needed more paint than I thought.  But somehow the master bath ended up getting painted last, so I still need to finish up the main area of the bathroom--just as soon as I get a couple unclaimed hours (and another bucket of paint). . . whenever that might be.

But since the little toilet and shower room got finished I decided to update it a little.  (Rob's ADD is rubbing off on me).   Ultimately the whole room will get remodeled (new tub, shower, vanity, lights and mirrors, and tile floor), but in the meantime I did an inexpensive little touch up. Because it makes the morning more fun.

We put up new hardware.

And one of those hotel towel racks I love.

And I printed some flower pictures I took last spring.

And put them in silver frames.

One day the whole room will be as fresh as those flowers.

For now I will just close the pocket door and pretend it already is. . .

It all Comes Down to Black or White

So, I have been working on Hannah's Room for a few weeks now, and it's nearly complete. . .

But while I show you around her little room. . .

I would like to get your opinion on a little matter. . .

. . . of black versus white.

I believe that a little black accent goes a long way in creating contrast--just look at my kitchen!

But my plan for this room was light and airy, crisp and white, warm and cream. . .with a hint of turquoise.

And I think I have succeeded for the most part.

But I still have some left over remnants of her previous decor, which was all red white and black (too bad I didn't take any before pictures of her room before we stripped it bare).

Note the pillow on the bed, the curtain rod, the nightstand, the lamp, the picture frames.

Also, the new dresser has antiqued silver knobs that sort of come across black.

Does it distract? Should I paint the rod, table etc? Or keep the little accents of black?

Either way, I am in love with this room. . . and that bed (which she practically needs a step stool to get into) is divinely comfortable.

You should have seen her all snuggled up in there last night in her light and airy white night gown. . .

I still need ideas for what to put above the bed and what to put on the shelves (that was me throwing things up there to get them off the dresser--not actually me arranging anything).

What do you think?