mood indigo

It’s Friday! A reason in itself to celebrate! So today I’m sharing with all of you a few little snapshots of pretty blue interiors that I’ve spotted in several different magazines lately.

The common thread that runs through all the décor in my home is a touch of deep indigo blue. Just a touch… that’s all you need to offset the softer tones of blue that we’ve all grown to love. 

And although these aren't photos of my home, they'll hopefully provide us with a bit of inspiration for the weeks ahead!

ciao! fabiana

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photo credit: House Beautiful, House & Home, 

Verandah House and Southern Living 

shiplap happens

For the last two weeks I’ve been on a bit of a break from my photography and styling projects and have just been enjoying the last bit of holiday fun. All our Christmas stuff has finally been put away, so that blank canvas in my home has finally got me motivated!

We’ve got a couple of projects in the works at the moment. One is a rebuild of our pool house into a work-out space for my husband, which has been going on for about two years, and is just about finished.

The second project is the refurbishing of our living room, which means reconfiguring a few things and hopefully adding French doors that open up to the sunny back garden.

So with all that going on, I’ve been stalking pinterest for some inspiring ideas, so today from the world of Joanna Gaines, I’m sharing some of my favorite rooms from Fixer Upper that feature that ever-so-popular material – shiplap!

 

Is it technically shoplap if it’s installed vertically? I’m not sure, but I love it anyways!

ciao! fabiana

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photo credit: pinterest, HGTV and Joanna Gaines

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country kitchens: details to love

Rooms that have layer upon layer of lovely details are the most interesting to me. Kitchens can be one of the best places to mix in fabulous vintage finds to add that perfect lived-in cozy look to a home.

Here are some of the pretty elements that I love from this first kitchen…

interesting lighting,

a pop of color on the door,

informal seating,

a fabulous mirror,

pretty French doors and windows,

an antique hutch with glass doors for displaying tableware,

bright white shiplap and tile on the walls,

warm wood tones to contrast all the white,

a primitive painting on canvas to add color,

a nice big island to gather around, 

and a fabulous pantry with custom doors!

This second kitchen also has that homey and cozy vibe to it, with a more formal look that I absolutely love! This one’s totally my style with just the right amount of contrasting black accents on all the trim.

And that seating area on the right looks so inviting!  

And finally, another type of country kitchen, and this one gives off a more primitive vibe, but the juxtaposition of that gorgeous range balances everything just perfectly in terms of design style.  

If you had to pick one of these kitchens for your home, which one would it be?

ciao! fabiana

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photo credit: Country Living

weekend happenings

For me, this first weekend of the year is all about relaxing as much as possible, so I’m taking a cue from these two adorable Labradors!

With the holidays behind us, I’ve been focusing on a few ways to relax, and one way is to unwind in the evening and catch up on “The Crown”. 

In fact I started just before Christmas on the very first episode, and I’m totally hooked! It's similar to Downton Abbey with the amazing sets and costumes, and the story is captivating!

Do you watch it?

I want to prepare myself for season three which debuts very soon, with a whole new cast, as the Queen Elizabeth’s timeline jumps ahead a few years.

I’m looking forward to more thrifting adventures in the new year. Just before the holidays, I found these two pretty little European paintings. 

The top one is my favorite and is so darling, It has just the right colors for my kitchen. I'm still trying to figure out just the right spot for it. I should probably display them together, what do you think?.

Anyhow, the top one is about 8 x 10 in size, and was only $8, while the other one was $10. You should have seen me at the thrift store when I spotted these... 

I hope no one was in my way, because I literally rushed over and quickly grabbed them and put them in my cart for safe keeping, haha.

Here's what I found at Roger’s Gardens this week

Over the last couple of months, with the cooler weather setting in, I’ve been spending more time in the garden freshening things up and planting a whole new section in the back where a fence was replace and plants were taken out.

So, my go to for inspiration is always Roger’s Gardens, although I do like Armstrong’s as well. I’ve planted quite a few little drifts of ornamental cabbage and kale recently. They come in the most divine greens and purples.

They're so perfect with all the herbs and succulents that we already have in the garden. 

The focal point of the new little garden area is a lemon tree, and the surrounding that I've planted several English style climbing roses,  and about eight pretty old-fashioned rose shrubs that will have beautiful romantic-style blooms and hopefully lots of heavenly fragrance too! 

They're all edged with some of my favorite herbs like rosemary, thyme, chives and sage.

Among the old-fashioned roses I planted like a Gertrude Jeckyll and several David Austin roses are two new Downton Abbey roses! This one's called Violet's Pride, named after Maggie Smith's hilarious character and...  

this one’s called Edith’s Darling, you can see the beautiful shape of these flowers here. I can’t wait ‘til I’m able to cut a fresh bouquet of them and bring them into the house!

We’re expecting some rain later today which all the plants will love, but for me that means it’s time to hunker down and get some stuff done at home.

I have all my Christmas décor on the dining room table right now ready to be boxed up, so putting it all away is next on my list!

Happy weekend!

ciao! fabiana

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photo of dogs from Country Living

beautiful storage ideas

As the new year kicks into high gear, organization is always something I strive for. After all the holiday decorations are put away, I crave a new blank palette in my home, and part of that includes putting stuff away and being more organized.  

Something as simple as a stylish rack on the wall is the perfect place to keep your handbag and outerwear handy and neat.

Books can be organized by color on the bookcase for a really cohesive look that creates a beautiful backdrop.

Just a few chic accessories dress up the open-shelving in this bedroom.

A variety of neutral objects with interesting textures unite in this dining nook for an artistic display. Notice how certain elements, like the candlesticks, are repeated on each shelf.

In this mudroom, everyday objects are kept close at hand and provide just the right accent for the shelves.

We’re seeing more and more open shelving in kitchens, and for good reason! It’s so pretty when displayed with just the right goodies.

A collection of vintage silver livens up this kitchen and keeps things handy when unexpected guests arrive.

You know those pretty plates and antiques dishes you keep picking up at thrift stores and estates sales?  And, yes, I’m talking about myself, lol!

Displaying them on the wall is a great idea!

This narrow butler's pantry serves as a second kitchen and does so beautifully with a full wall of unexpected storage on the right.

A charming pantry is just as beautiful inside as it is outside.

Keep displays organized and tidy, like this simple collection of ironstone in the dining room.

Even LP’s and turntables can be kept organized when you plan for something that looks like this with plenty of modern and mid-century style.

ciao! fabiana

photo credit:  Australian Home Beautiful, California Homes Magazine,

Cottage Country, Country Living, BHG, Domino and House Beautiful magazines