Sunday showhouse.......and you're invited!

Happy Sunday! Its Oscar day....love watching the Academy awards and am making a wonderful dinner for the occasion! I am in an "arugula state of mind" hence my menu of  Spaghetti with arugula and lemon, a small flank steak marinated in arugula oil and a fresh baby arugula salad with a spritz of lemon and olive oil. I have made them all before and they are each AMAZING in a simple, fresh kind of way.  Normally we go out on Sunday night but there is no way I am missing a minute of the fun pre shows, watching all the glamorous and sometimes not so glamorous fashions make their grand entrance onto the famed red carpet. I am personally rooting for The Kings speech, such a wonderful film and I am always thrilled when I see a movie "of real substance"  honored and recognized by being given an esteemed award like an Oscar, which I personally think its very deserving of. Just in case you too, are in for the day or just having a lazy morning...you might enjoy this quick run through of open house Sunday. Three entirely different locales...and three very different homes. All so beautiful, each with its own distinct personality. Do you have a favorite? Enjoy your day!





First stop is in Palm Beach,Florida and to this gorgeous Mediterranean..I am normally not a big fan of Mediterranean homes but when done right, they are truly magnificent. Case in point is this fabulous newly constructed home with vistas and views out of this world! I appreciate the attention to detail shown throughout the house from the main hallways and their softly glazed gray walls to the stunning covered porch. The house also has so much natural sunlight.....everything just glows. I think this house does Addison Mizner proud!

Then we are off to Houston, Texas..... an area certainly no stranger to beautiful grand homes. This French inspired home is beautifully done in soft neutrals throughout and though formal it is still very much a family home. Love the lush green foliage and old world feeling that the home, though newer has maintained. It is so important when building a new home to pay close attention to the landscape, the setting and to do ones best to preserve the integrity of the land on which the home is built. I think they did an outstanding job here.

Last we go back to East Coast, to the famous quintessential New England vacation island, none other than wonderful Nantucket ...here is a beautiful understated wood shingle home decorated by Victoria Hagan. Love the crisp, fresh decor...very cohesive, elegant without feeling stuffy and breathtaking at every turn. Definitely the ultimate beach house in my book!

Wow! Those are some beautiful homes indeed. Do you have a favorite? I would have to pick a few spaces from each home to make the ultimate home......each of them are so well done. Enjoy your Sunday, hope its relaxing!

Teen bedroom designs for boys !!

Teen bedroom designs for boys can be based on different themes and color schemes. The popular choice of themes include sports like soccer, baseball, hockey or interests and hobbies like travel, science or geography. Its is so much fun getting to know the personality of kids when choosing the decor and accents. Cool themes and creative designs can help you decorate your teens room into their favorite place.

These designs featured today are centered around a theme, are practical, super stylish and cool and includes study space as well as storage making it very practical.

Love the color scheme in this design. Bunk bed is the main furniture which hides a lot of storage underneath. The  steel gray table and mesh baskets are all in perfect theme. Ice hockey buffs this the one !!

This bedroom layout is simple and well organized. Love the pop of color on one wall while the light streams in from the windows. Very practical yet stylish space for you teen kids. Every element is chosen thoughtfully and makes a perfect fit.

Another really classy teen bedroom design. Centered around the blue backdrop, this baseball theme design is interesting as well as practical. Love the quilt, my fav, adds the extra zing and color to this bedroom. Cute little study space near the window is so inviting !!

For those who love the waves and sports. Love the mirror on the surf board. The little details in the accessories take the whole look to a different level. The pin up board make of slat wood, the bedsheets which tie and die design, lamp shade with flowy wooden design I love them all. Cheerful :)

This bedroom design is for the kid who loves army !! The beautiful camoflage green on the bedspread is such an amazing idea. The simple sand dune shade coupled with interesting patterns make it an easy one to design and looks absolutely stunning !! My personal fav, the battered iron case on the wooden crate.

Wall decals are such a great way to easy make over for kids room. This design has huge atlas pasted on the wall, which pictures forming a unique collage. This room is so cheerful with so many colors and memories in it. Definitely a dream room for a travel enthusiast.

These theme designs are just an assortment of ways you can design and decorate your kids room. Have fun deciding on the color and decor theme. The more involved you get, more spectacular the result. The focus should be on getting the details and accents right, it need not be costly but creative.

All the Colors of the Rainbow!

Hello everyone,

     How is your weekend going? We did get the snow storm that was predicted so everyone here had some digging out to do today. The annual community tea party that I planned to attend morning had to be postponed as well as many other events. The snow plows are being kept busy this year keeping our Island roads open.

 Anyway, since I was home I did some garden planning and then enjoyed viewing some of my garden photos from previous years. So, I made some collages for you again- I hope I didn't hear you groan!

orange-well, actually peach

Yellow (sort of)

Green

Blue

Violet

While I may be dreaming of spring this is my reality! We have more snow then we have had for several years and I hate to say it, but winter is not over yet- we can still get a lot of snow in March at the rate things are going. There is no frost in the ground though so when it starts to melt it can go fairly quickly.....maybe!
 Now, if you southern bloggers(or European) have flowers blooming in your garden could you please hold off on posting them for awhile yet? It's not easy for me being green(with envy)! Actually, I love seeing your gardens and I know spring will come here sooner or later and you never know what ideas I can steal from seeing yours!
So, do you have a favorite color of the rainbow?

Enjoy the rest of your weekend,

Carolyn