A Little Blog Lovin’

 

Trish’s backyard – showing her lavender garden.  Isn’t this the most beautiful photograph?

 

I’ve mentioned before that one of my favorite blogs is Trouvais.   The first time I stumbled upon it – I stayed there for an entire night just salivating over all of Trish’s photographs.   This photo, above,  of her lavender garden just killed me!   OMG!!!  So unbelievable that someone lives with a backyard like this.   I immediately emailed Trish, asking her how to grow lavender.    Trish is a die hard romantic and her blog reflects this.   It is not only pure eye candy, but, also educational.   She is interested in the most beautiful and intriguing things, like old uniforms, clothing and shoes from the 18th century, manuscripts written in French, grisaille – anything!    Story after story on Trouvais is a visual treat.

So,  you can imagine,  how humbled and honored I was when Trish wrote a story about Cote de Texas.   What’s so funny about this, is the first time I was on Trouvais, I almost gave up writing Cote de Texas altogether.   Trouvais is the blog I wished I wrote.  It has a consistent aesthetic quality to it that I greatly admire and aspire to.   Please visit Trouvais HERE to read her story about Cote de Texas.   It was interesting reading the article myself – I didn’t remember writing half the stories she chose to highlight!

Below are a few of my favorite images that Trish has posted on Trouvais – these were all taken by her, at her home.  Notice that she is great photostylist. 

 

 

This photograph shows a dinner table Trish set up in her back yard.

 

 

Besides lavender, Trish grows gorgeous peonies and roses.

 

 

The old debate between books you read and books you buy to display!

 

 

 

Trish’s entry hall.  This looks like a photograph from Cote de Sud magazine.

 

 

  When I first saw this photograph, I was so jealous of Trish’s fireplace!

 

 

 I love this image of Trish’s collection of zinc finials

 

 

A vignette from Trish’s kitchen.

 

 

   A view to the outside at Trish’s house.    So beautiful. 

 

 

Another photograph of Trish’s lavender garden. No, this is not in Provence!

 

Thank you again, Trish, so much!  You are so sweet!   To read the article about Cote de Texas on Trouvais, go HERE.

Reader’s Remodeled Kitchen

 

BEFORE:   Reader’s kitchen before her remodeling.  Actually, this kitchen is truly charming as is.  That stove!!!!  It is the owner’s grandmother’s original Chambers!

 

Emails, I get emails!!   I recently got this email from a reader in Ft. Worth, Texas.  Here’s what she had to say:

 

I love your website and pored over Kitchen Design elements for months. I wrote you once about using white marble. I wanted it but was worried about caring for it. You were so nice and wrote me back and told me to go for it - get what I love - life is short. So I did!  I put honed Absolute Black on the one side and honed Carrara on the other. Our kitchen is still small -we could not get more out of the space, but we gutted it, made the door to the dining room larger, new electrical, new Pella windows, doors, hardwood floor to match the rest of our house. Out with my grandmothers Chambers stove and a new "baby" Viking to fit my small space and other new stainless appliances, THE gorgeous Shaw sink, polished nickel Perrin and Rowe bridge faucet, new cabinets, hardware and light farmhouse lights. I took all my furniture out of my dining room that I hated and we added another window. I hung some little sconces from Wisteria- best I can do till I get more money.  I guess in 10 years they will say - remember all those white marble kitchens? I think I will never get tired of it.

AFTER:  Here is the same view – hard to believe it is the same space!!!  Notice the owner used black granite and white marble together!!

 

Looking the other way – at the sink area.  The space is very small, but it is very functional.  I prefer small kitchens myself.   By using a combination range instead of a cooktop and wall ovens – the homeowner saved space. 

 

I love the cabinetry and the hardware.  Of course, the Shaw’s sink and the Perrin and Rowe bridge faucet are my favorites.  I used those two elements in my own kitchen.  I think they are so gorgeous.

 

The dining room opens off the kitchen. 

 

 The dining room used to be red, but the owner painted it a light yellow.  The chairs are from her grandmother and there are two different styles – repainted white, they blend together.   The prints had not been hung when she sent me these pictures.

 

I love the white marble and I love the stainless appliances.   I said that I chose my appliances for their pretty handles and it looks like the homeowner did the same thing – I love the handles on her refrigerator and the dishwasher. 

Thank you so much to the homeowner for sending in these pictures!  You did a great job!!!!