Red revival

Bungalow with red door, John Gidding Design Inc. 

http://johngidding.com/

Gone are the days of the power red tie, and the 1980s are a distant memory.  As for red front doors... "Don't call it a comeback; {they've} been here for years!"  

Hopefully, LL Cool J will appreciate the poetic license.  And, red front doors are as popular today as they have ever been. 

San Francisco Victorian by Ken Fulk

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/house-pictures/san-francisco-victorian-ken-fulk-0611

They can, however, create a bit of a color conundrum.  Red front doors must be well executed or they become "expected"....a likely color choice.     

Beautiful home but... the color choices are predictable!

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not suggesting hot pink for the door in the photo above.  I just think that a little color fine-tuning might be in order to update the scene. 

So... consider the following front porch scenario:    White house, red brick foundation, concrete porch slab, light charcoal roofing, and white porch railings.   Oh, did I mention, the front door is going to be red?  Smoked paprika to be exact....

Paprika

What other colors does the porch need?????  The plan is to paint the concrete... resurfacing is just a costly pain in the a$$.  A porch swing, two rocking chairs, and a side table are also in the "need to be repainted" mix. 

Think think think.....  

First, a personal bias:  Front porches ARE a Southern staple and grounding element for many homes.  They welcome you, and they set the mood for the homestead.  Therefore, it must be amazing…. understated, functional, non-haphazard, and… amazing.  Did I say that before?????

For intance, the HGTV "Dream House" in California a couple of years ago was lovely... but definitely NOT Southern.   That entrance and attached porch were, quite honestly, a beautiful bore!   Give me some plants, a couple of chairs, a few lanterns, and a more substantial light fixture and we'd be cooking. 

Zzzzzzzzzz!    Photo from www.HGTV.com

We want something more like this.....

http://155dreamlane.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-adore-porches.html

At this point, the only thing that is established is the color of the front door.  Paprika!  Got to start somewhere... what about the floor?

The good news, red goes with just about everything.

But, the color of the roof and the red brick need to be considered.  Slate grey or camel brown would be my first suggestions.

 Paint swatches, RalphLauren.com

Me thinks that someone is going to need to find a roofing shingle or climb a ladder to check out the exact color of that roof.  The tone of the floor color should be slightly darker than that of the roof but without distracting from the brick.  One trick is to look at the color of the mortar around the brick and then go 2 to 3 shades darker for the porch floor.  For instance, the black porch floor color in this next photo is just too dramatic.  It looks like someone tried to hit the "underline" feature while painting their house.

http://www.urbannestblog.com/tag/front-porch/

I'm also a believer in the John Gidding school-of-thought... the foundation of a home should be one of the darkest colors in order to visually ground the residence.  That green door'd thing looks like it could take flight.   I like the ideas... just not the execution.

Ok... back to the task at hand.  "Red-esque" door, slate or dark chamois for the floor...  Color for the chairs and accessories?

White???

http://www.southern-house-plans.com/southerncharm/front_porches.html

 Photo from Coastal Living

 http://iheartoldhouses.wordpress.com/

Unfortunately, white against white doesn't POP.  What about brown or natural wood???

www.southernliving.com

 Ok, I just ain't feeling the brown.  So, what about black and white?????   I think that this might just work.  Ignore the stone and imagine that it is brick......  We might just have a winning plan. 

http://155dreamlane.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-adore-porches.html 

At least, the idea of the red door has been settled!  The rest may take a few paint swatches.  

 

 

Backsplash bonanza

"Mission Makeover,"  HGTV Magazine, June/July 2012

Was having dinner with my buddy, Suzi, earlier this week.  She is buying this amazing farmhouse and we were talking about kitchen rehab.  The kitchen in her new home is functional with good bones.  Fortunately, it is NOT a gut job; she is just considering some cosmetic changes.

The cabinets are white and the appliances are stainless steel.  Woo hoo... we are off to a good start.  However... the counters are dated, the backsplash is missing, and the center island needs a tweak.  Then again, what do you expect?  The house IS well-over 100 years old.

In the current issue of HGTV Magazine, the owner of the kitchen in that first photo completed a complete house "makeover" while her husband was stationed overseas.  The kitchen, in particular, caught my eye. 

The concept of marble tiles above those stained wooden counters looks great!  And, the contrast between the white cabinets and dark wood floors is amazing.  From an aesthetic standpoint, it is spot on!  But, from a practical standpoint, I'm not so sure.  Hmmm???  The wood on the center island looks fantastic, but is wood beside the sink and the stove a good choice?  With my OCD tendencies, keeping those counters "picture perfect" would drive me to drink.  Oh... who am I kidding... drink more, perhaps.  Ha!  What are some other options?

What about subway tile?

http://www.decoist.com/2012-05-24/kitchen-cabinets-replace-reface/

I  have a slight infatuation with subway tile, and this kitchen is GRRRRREAT.  But, it is also enormous!  Check out the double door fridge and the size of that island.  With miles of marble and a pot filler, they certainly spared no expense.  Though I personally like this design, that kitchen is not the best idea for a chic farmhouse.  This looks like it belongs in the Hamptons and not the rural south. 

Not to be discouraged......... glass tile, peut-être?

http://www.housebeautiful.com/kitchens/blue-island-kitchen#slide-1

Forget the color, look at the concept.  White cabinets, stainless steel, traditional cabinets... it might work.  Glass tile does come in a myriad of color choices.

"Trumpet" glass tile from Anchor Bay Tile

Somehow, the idea of glass tile backsplash in a farmhouse that is 145 years old seems..... well... just a tad.... OFF!

Where's GOOGLE? 

Oh, wait!!!!  What about THIS????????????   Please cue angels singing in the background.  ♫

photos via Southern Living

http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/cape-cod-cottage-makeover-decorating-ideas-00417000072851/page18.html

This IS absolutely spectacular... tasteful, simple, and speaks to the age of the home.  The recycled wood used as a backsplash is just the cat's meow.  The article states, "As for a backsplash, wooden plank walls -- instead of tile -- keep the style of the room seamless and add old-fashioned charm."  Amen!  Preach on, little decorator.

Check out the island in the second photo -- it is painted a few shades darker than the room.  That island looks appropriate and thoughtful.  And... guess what.... that butler's pantry has a wooden counter.  I knew that I liked Southern Living. 

Well, there are a few ideas to ponder.  Wonder what Suzi will choose?

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. 

Take a minute to remember.......

Happy Memorial Day!



Farm fresh...

One of my best friends sent me a text this afternoon.  And, then an e-mail.  Hmmmm... what is she up to on this Memorial Day weekend????

Well... she is in the process of purchasing this charming home that is photographed above.  This little southern beauty is about 145 years old, has a gold fish pond in the back yard, and enough character for half-a-dozen homes.  And, she asked for my help making it look like something out of the pages of Southern Living. 

Absolutely.  When do we start????  It IS always more fun to spend someone else's money.  {Giggle}

OK, down to business. 

The home is probably best described as a farmhouse.  And, that can be a good thing or a bad thing.  When done well, they are spectacular.  When done poorly... well... they are AWFUL!

Why?  The problem is that people take the design too literally.  Living in a farmhouse doesn't mean that you need to buy gobs of gingham.  Just say, NO. 

Looking to others for inspiration is never a bad thing.  Fortunately, a couple of years ago on HGTV, Sarah Richardson and her side kick, Tommy Smythe, rehabilitated a farmhouse in Canada.  It wasn't cheap but... wow!  The end result was impressive -- giving homage to "farm life" without being totally predictable.  Maybe we can borrow a few ideas. 

http://www.sarahrichardsondesign.com/

Sarah Richardson and her family in the foyer of her farmhouse.

The closets with the red doors were added to the space for storage.  Then, Sarah and Tommy found that great chest to use between them.  While this room is undoubtedly country, the rest of the house has a more urbane feel.

This living room IS amazing... I love almost everything about it! 

Who says that you can't have grass cloth wallpaper in a farmhouse?  It looks fantastic.

Industrial appliances, marble countertops, and a yellow island.   The room certainly doesn't scream farmhouse....

The polka dot vinyl on the chairs was chosen to be kid proof, and the stairs were painted to help the kids learn to count.  Why not?

The wallpaper, above that massive amount of bead board, is a pheasant mofit... and a great little touch of color in the dining room.  And, those antique corbels are a clever way to help define the space. 

Not exactly what you would expect in a farmhouse bedroom.  That's why it is perfect.

The yellow claw foot tub and yellow curtains are certainly cheerful.  Yellow... but cheerful. 

Quilts and carpets are a great way to "remember" the history of the home without being too stuffy... especially if you include a crazy red lacquered chair. 

That is a big a$$ headboard.  The design of it is fun... but, I'm not so sure that I would have picked those colors.

The master bedroom is one of my favorite spaces.  Green tufted loveseat, orange lamps, yellow pillows, oriental rug, great curtains, and that amazing four-poster bed.  Two thumbs up!

Hopefully, this will give us some ideas. 

I'm so excited for my friend and her new purchase.   And, I'm excited that I get to help!

Dietary dilemma

A couple of years ago, I remember watching Suze Orman tell Americans that they needed to get their heads out of the sand.  She said that most of us deceive ourselves about our actual debt.  During that discussion, she was encouraging people to take charge of their money and their lives. 

Following that philosophy.... guess who decided to get on the bathroom scales over the weekend?   Oh, God.  What was I thinking?  Ignorance WAS bliss. 

Hmmmph.  {Insert appropriate curse word.}

Yes, I'm a stress snacker.  And, good food decisions are not my strong suit when tired and overworked.  But, dammit... Have I really gained 12 lbs since being in Europe last May?????

Guess that I was trying to color coordinate my scarf with the flowers in Paris.  May 2011.

Ok, there were a few options.  Bitch about it.  Get my jaws wired together and superglue my mouth shut.  Or.... get off of my fat a$$ and do something.

In attempts to be proactive (no.... not the acne medicine), I decided to keep a food diary.  But not the normal food diary; rather, food photographs.  Forget counting those pesky Weight Watchers points.  I wanted to SEE what I had eaten and then make an informed decision about my next meal!

Why?

Well, I'm a bit tired of diet food looking like the dog's breakfast.  Many times, when people are trying to watch their calorie intake, the food looks like something fit for a rabbit.  I'm a grown man and like to eat; as a result, there is absolutely NO way that I'm going to drink protein shakes for meal replacement.... and most of them are absolutely awful.   And, if I'm drinking dinner, it is going to be bourbon.  Just sayin'! 

This is what I decided:
1.  Since we eat with our eyes first, the food needs to be placed on a plate.  No cardboard boxes, here.  And, when appropriate, make it as aesthetically pleasing as possible.  These efforts should take minimal time and effort (less than a minute or two).
2.  When getting take out, make good decisions.  High protein, high fiber, and low fat.  Sorry fast food industry.
3.  This dietary modification will not contain cottage cheese, iceberg lettuce, or anything that resembles tree bark. 
4.  Alcohol will be kept to a minimum.  Hard work doesn't "entitle" me to drink a bottle of wine on a random Tuesday night.  Grumble.
5.  Decisions must be sensible, but no foods are completely off limits.  A feeling of being "deprived" doesn't work well for my dietary headspace.  Ergo, if french fries are calling my name for lunch, then tofu may be the consequence at dinner.  You get the idea. 
6.  Eat the rainbow.   Foods need to be brightly COLORED -- not beige and fried.  Attempts will be made to eat something everyday that is:  red, orange, yellow, green, blue or purple, white, black, and pink.  And, NO...white doesn't refer to bread or sugar. 

http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2010/02/eat-rainbow-colorful-fruits-and-veggies.html

One final clarification.  Since my tendency is to fall of the caloric modification wagon, I decided:  If and when that happens, then just hop back on and start again!  Don't make it a capital offence; just get over it and re-focus. 

That "Caution" sign on the wagon seemed rather poetic.

Here is a sample of my diet during the past wk... photos were taken with my phone on either the kitchen or dining room table.  Some days I managed to set the table; other days, not so much.  Many times, the food was purchased, and I assembled it onto the plate.  Fresh fruit, fresh veggies, lean meats and protein, and lots of herbs and spices.  Nothing fancy or exciting; just a few ideas to ponder.

 Wheat toast with peanut butter... dried cherries and golden raisins; banana, honey, and salted almonds.  I never claimed that my "diet" was glamorous!  Ha

 Steel cut oatmeal with currants, sauteed banana with cinnamon, and pecans.  This IS one of my favorite weekend foods... the idea was stolen from the Corner Cafe in Chicago.

 Greek yogurt with granola, honey, and blueberries... it does look a bit like tree bark.  Fortunately, it tasted better!

 Vegetarian chili with cilantro and red onions; corn muffin... all straight from the grocery store deli.

 Low sodium canned chicken soup with edamame and spinach; side salad.  Sometimes, my inner Sandra Lee comes out... I'm in semi-homemade hell. 

 Chicken stuffed with sundried tomatoes, broccoli and almonds, steamed veggies, and curried couscous with cranberries

 Lemon pepper salmon and mache salad

 Notice a few repeat items.  Yep... left overs.  Grilled salmon salad.  Left overs might as well look good. 

 Jack Daniels and diet coke for dinner... I never claimed to be perfect.  Someone call the wagon... lol

Chicken and black bean veggie salad with lime/BBQ vinagrette and roasted butternut squash

Since starting this insanity last Friday, I've lost 5 lbs and don't feel deprived.  Will keep you informed of the progress. 

Time for a snack!