A bright, white, beautiful kitchen

"Simple and white" was homeowner Julie Holloway's mantra for her kitchen renovation, and it's one I hope to have the means to adopt one day as well.  I adore white kitchens, they look so clean and bright!

Check out Julie's gorgeous Atlanta area kitchen (and some more of her gorgeous 70's home)

For some reason I have a lot of trouble finding bar stools I like, especially in a more open layout where they have to work well with the living room furnishings as well.  I think the brushed stainless steel ones look good.  What do you think?

One thing Julie manages that I don't think I could is open shelves instead of cabinets.  It would force me to get matching dish sets, which is good, but it means only I would ever be putting the dishes away, cause my sweetums wouldn't have the patience to stack everything perfectly.  He'd rather wash dishes by hand than unload the dishwasher!

I adore the dining area - everything about it - chandelier, table, mirror, shades....

Here are some shots of the rest of the house.

 At first I thought this was a home office, but now I realize that maybe that mirrored piece isn't a desk...Regardless, love the space.

Oh la la...white and dark wood - how I love thee!

Julie is co-owner (along with Anisa Darnell) of Milk and Honey Home, check it out, you'll love it.  All the images seen here belong to Milk and Honey Home, and some were featured in the Nov. 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.


this post in partnership with Lakeland Furniture

Oh so glamorous and elegant interiors in white

I am super excited about this post because I always have, and I think always will, have a soft spot for white interiors.  Having a room based in white is great by itself, and it's great for those who are afraid of color, because it lets you experiment with color in small doses, such as throws, pillows, and other accessories.

Aren't the windows to die for?  The room could easily go gloomy with all of the dark wood, however, so white furnishings and light and airy fabrics keep it bright.

The dramatic slate gray walls in this SF showhouse really contrast beautifully with the white upholstered chairs.

This dining room has superb bones, and the white and neutral colors let them take center stage.
I think I'd go without the rug though.

I like the painted floors in this room, but I think I'd sill like a rug at my feet when I get out of bed.  The chandelier and furniture is gorgeous.

*swoon...a modern parsons desk, an antique ladder-back chair, a tribal stool..the white netting..what an unexpected but delectable quartet.

What do you think?  Do any of these spaces make your heart skip a beat?

via Traditional Home

A Vermont home - full of nature and autumn inspiration

This home is featured in the most recent issue of Country Living - and I really like it.  It's country but not too sweet, and nature-inspired, but does it in a unique way.  See below-

What initially attracted me to this story was the homeowner - Laura Zindel's amazing earthy ceramics. Perfect for Halloween! You can purchase and/or read more about her ceramics on her site.

Laura and her husband commissioned Amish craftsmen to make all the furniture in their dining room

The home has a an interesting history. The original owner supposedly turned down many potential buyers.  He kept meticulous records of the home, and wanted the new owners to respect it's history.  One such example is the wallpaper in the master bedroom, which was installed by the original owner's (an elderly man) mother.  Laura livened up the wallpaper with sunny curtains from Anthropologie.

via Country Living

Gorgeous farmhouse modern in Chicago

This home is a great example of how one can do a modern interior and still keep it warm. All of the lovely, dark hardwoods keep it cozy, but the hard edges and careful editing keep it very zen.

What do you think?

Amazing window!


Love their entryway

A farmhouse table mixed with modern chairs keeps both rustic and modernity in check.

I'm a big fan of large mirrors leaning against the wall. It's luxurious but not stuffy.



via Rue Magazine

Creating a space with whites/neutrals, and dark accents

So reader Cynthia wrote me with a question regarding her bedroom suite and using it to create the look she's going for:

"We are in the process of moving into our new house and I was wondering if you could help us with the decoration of our bedroom? We have an antique white colour bedroom suite (same as the photo attached but the only difference is ours is antique white in colour).

We would like our room to be cosy and elegant,with loads of neutral colour and loads of dark wood. Our main inspiration is from the house in "Something's Gotta Give". We are just worried that it might look out of place with the white bedroom suite and that would throw the whole scheme off.."

Here is the style of her bedroom suite - but her's is antique white.

Here are shots from the home in "Something's Gotta Give, " to get an idea of the look she's going for


So lots of neutrals, creams, and dark wood accents. The floors are also a dark wood.
Movie shots via Hooked on Houses

Pretty much, I think the look Cynthia is going for is totally possible with the white bedroom suite that she already has. The important thing is to keep in mind the proportion of lights and darks when decorating the space. So Cynthia might want to balance out her white bedroom suite with some furniture pieces in dark wood - such as lamps, a side table, chair, etc.

This room has white furnishings but dark wood beams and a dark piano.
via Living Better Together

The white furniture in this room is kept from being too matchy-matchy be the addition of the brown leather chair.
via House to Home




3 above via DecorPad

via Ideal Home
The three images above all display a casual balance or white and/or neutrals, and dark woods.

This room is a mix of so many styles but still gorgeous
via DecorPad


via The Lennoxx


The four images above illustrate how even with dark walls white furnishings can be integrated with dark wood; just make sure you supply adequate lighting.
2 above via CocoCozy


Well, I hope I was some help Cynthia - or atleast provided some eye candy. If anyone else has some advice for Cynthia please comment!

A cabin retreat in Denmark - to rough for you or just right?

ahhh...that hot tub might just make it just right for me...


What do you think? Could you live in this cabin full time - or just a week?
via indenfor & udenfor