A charming upstate farm retreat

It's a dream of all (admit it, all) NYC dwellers to have a country retreat. Kathryn Windley was no exception to the rule. She was tired of her grueling hours as an art director for a Manhattan ad agencies, and was recently divorced. She added a new twist to the New Yorker turned farmer by actually marrying the realtor who found her the property a few years later on the 20-acre grounds!

This living room is kept bright and cheery by the white upholstery and brightly striped rug.

In NYC, unless you pay for a separate studio, on never has space in their apartment for a studio.
One day I hope to have the space to paint and draw again.

The barn is actually a garage they designed to look like a barn.

I adore this kitchen, and Kathryn claims the farmhouse sink is what sold her on the property.  The runner was a once a damaged full-sized carpet she had cut and bound to fit the kitchen.

What do you think?

Read the full story and see more at Country Living

A clutter-free and warm home of a Toronto artist

It's often a bit hard to find a home that is minimal and clean but not cold or sterile. This cozy home is a carefully edited space of meaningful objects.

The artist, Cylene

She keeps a rotating art wall, and displays collections, such as the cameras you see here, but the space still feels airy.

The kitchen is so cute.

The artist also let the folks over at Covet Garden tour her studio. I always love seeing a studio because I majored in ilustration and spent many years among other artists in their studios.

Her beautiful, whimsical paper art

via Covet Garden

A little eye candy for all you organization junkies out there...

If it involves baskets or bins and labels I can't resist...

Matching labels and matching canisters....!

Vintage suitcases as memorabilia containers!

the above and below are AMAZING

An artist's studio with organizational furnishings down to a T!

Check out the baskets with all the fabric swatches archived...

Paint cans mounted as spool reels! Also check out the buttons and other notions in small magnetic tins on the mirror!

1. Snakk Klikk
2. Pinterest  (labels free for download at BHG)
3. House to Home
4. Real Simple
5. Real Simple
6. Life Work
7. Little Green Notebook
8. Pinterest

Favorite images from my favorite blogs

I haven't written up a favorite images post in awhile so I thought I might today. Enjoy the eye candy!

I love that soap in the "milk" scent. A bar might cost you $7, but it lasts me a whole year!


These images were all shot by the wonderful photographer, Lara Rossignol - and from her wonderful blog, Piewacket.


Poppytalk features many "real artist studios," which I love. It is inspiring for me to see how other artists work. It's also nice to know that real studios don't look like perfect magazine offices!
via Poppytalk



Love that blue chest of drawers!
via Rdekko