Black Doors and the Versatile Blogger Award

Interior designers 

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt

hail from southern California and are the team at 

T&G Interiors, they now pen a blog by the same name.

They are new blog friends to me and have graciously passed on the Versatile Blogger Award.  Thank you so much!

Many of you have been readers of mine for a while and probably know more about me than you really want to but the rules of the award are:

 to be a gracious receiver and thank the one (or two) that presented to you and then link 15 blogs you love to follow for the award to go to next, and share 7 things about yourself. 

It's no surprise I love black, both in clothing and decor.  See post here on painting all (23) of the inside doors on 2 floors of my home black.

Every week I volunteer at a senior living facility and do crafts with some outstanding ladies full of wisdom and grace. 

I don't 'do' fake flowers, but love creating beautiful arrangements with natural elements or fresh flowers. 

I have a pet peeve of cords showing when decorating a room.  It becomes a game of how I can hide them.

I am a 'neat freak', not one to clutter or stack.  I stop at the garbage can between the mail box and the door to throw away most of what comes in the mail.

I believe in gracious manners and write notes of thanks or encouragement on lovely paper...promptly, to be delivered by the post person.

I can be found on my bicycle 2 or 3 times a week 

for 30 - 45 mile adventures with fab friends.

Thanks again to Julie and Danni, please go visit their blog 

T&G Interiors, they have a lovely eye for design.

15 of my 'go to' blogs are: 

 the Visual Vamp,  Linda@Lime in the Coconut, 

Debra@5th and State,  A Gift Wrapped Life, 

 Acanthus and Acorn, Art by Karena, 

Classic Casual Home,

Design Indulgence,Eclectic Revisited,

Fifi Flowers Design, French Essence,

 Greige, Lovely Things, Sanity Fair,  

Shannon Berry Design

♥

If you would like help making your house into a lovely home, 

contact MD, we will work online or in person.

Scott's Antiques

I know all around blog land most of you have heard of Scott's Antiques that comes to Atlanta every month. It inhabits 2 giant buildings and some out buildings and tents.  It is amazing how much 'stuff' is out there.

I went a couple of weeks ago on the 'hunt' for some things.

While on my hunt I found a feller who makes these chicken coups and the birdhouses above.  

Years ago when I lived in Alaska, our 'girls night out' activities including making baskets.  The varieties of these reeds brought back lots of fun memories of laughter and girlfriends.

So many great colors and sizes.

This is an interesting greenhouse/outdoor room.

Love the top on this table...

...and the zinc top double sink. Perfect for a mountain retreat!

Great chest, really like the shape.

 Everywhere you look there is painted furniture.  I think a little goes a long way.

Bamboo umbrella stand, lots of $$$. 

Original art deco.

How about these doors?  So much goodness can be done with them.

Chandy's anyone?

These actually were pretty reasonable.

How lovely these French doors would be along one side of a house.

Mr. MD loves his truck and gives me looks when I want to drive it (which is about twice a year).  He thinks I am going to 'do something' to it.  Sooo, I took a picture to show him the lengths I went to make sure nothing would happen to it! :)

♥

Do you want to make your house a lovely home?

Contact MD for online or personal design.

Baths and Bars

 Towel bars - what do you think?

John Saladino

In the powder bath why not fold a small towel and set to the side?

Brooke Giannetti Velvet and Linen

I love where her inspiration comes from.

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd.

More Saladino inspiration?  Note the bar with the linen towels, decorative vs. function.

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd.

Sure beats one of these.

Mona Thompson

Beautiful hooks, again decorative vs function.

Towel to be used laid to the side.

John Saladino

Towel bar here...

I would opt for hooks.

Who am I to disagree with the master?

John Saladino

over the side

isn't this tub to die for?

Josephine Ryan French Home

a nice hook is far more pleasing to the eye

Josephine Ryan French Home

What would this room look like with a bar hanging across that wall?

Josephine Ryan French Home

Notice through the mirror the towel hanging on the hook on the door for the bath?  Here the hand towel is laid to the side.

Betty Lou Phillips French Influences

Suzanne Kasler

So what happens when the towel is wet?

A hook either in the room somewhere or on the back of a door...

 Carolyn Roehm

...or as Carolyn shows here.

Brooke Giannetti

This is my favorite for the bath, nicely hung hooks.  Again, what would this room look like with an unsightly bar?

Sandy Keller

My sister has her own aversion to bars.

Wonder if it's in the genes?

♥

Do you want your house to be a lovely home?

Contact MD!

Blue Decor - Is it You?

I am not partial to blue decor personally but many clients are. 

What about you, what do you gravitate towards or what colors make you happy?

I thought I would put pictures out for your perusal. I would love to hear what you have to say about each room's styling, colors, balance or anything else you see positively or negatively. 

I can't wait to hear your take on these images and the styles (or lack thereof) of decor!

Images from House Beautiful