Sweet Escape: Blog Talk Radio & Beach Style July 18, 2008

What a week! I had lots going on this week, so I am glad it is finally Friday!

I know I promised you all a link to my Blog Talk Radio appearance on The “O” Myth, so here it is. It was so fun chatting (live!) with the delightful hosts of that program, Brandie, The Home Office Organizer, and Krista of Organize In Style. So as a little diversion from the usual blog reading, feel free to pour yourself a cup of coffee and listen in our our conversation about decorating and the William Morris quote: “Have nothing in your house which you do not find to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

Paula from Neutral Dwelling is hosting a Photo Story Friday today where she is asking people to post photos of anything regarding design or our homes. Feel free to join in! In my post today, I am sharing a couple of images from one of my favorite shops in Cannon Beach, Sesame and Lillies. I have a growing fondness for “classy beach and relaxed summer decor” and this store really captures that for me! I It is a beautiful place to spend lots of time browsing and absorbing ideas. I love it!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

photos by: Melissa Michaels (taken at Cannon Beach Shop, Sesame & Lillies)

Blog Talk Radio: The “O” Myth, click here to listen in!

Updated Older Houses: The Best of all Worlds? July 17, 2008

Architect Sandy Vitzthum New Old House Magazine

The hazard of my work in design and blogging is that I am exposed to so many lovely design options! I love so many styles, colors and looks! I have no trouble helping clients’ discover their style, in fact just last night I was at a client’s house bringing in some of her accessories and she said “I don’t know how you do it, but this room is really ME!” I am always relieved to hear that! But when it comes to MY STYLE, eek, I have trouble settling on just one! I guess that is why I am obsessed with what I call “authentic style” because I can make up my own look that combines the best of all I love. A combination of new and old in a house is really right up my alley.

Vermont custom builder Doug Gest New Old House Magazine

I know I’ve spent this whole week debating the old house — new house dilemma, but I will stop obsessing about it after this post. I’ll try anyways. Thanks for indulging me!

So I was considering the flip side of what we talked about in the last post, instead of a new house designed to look old (which I think is an excellent option if it presented itself), I think in my heart of hearts I am most drawn to an old house that has been updated. Updated, but still retains much of its original charm and personality. It may not be the most practical option for me, but it is still the most romantic.

Vermont custom builder Doug Gest New Old House Magazine

I think I could be happy in a variety of settings, and even just simply grateful to have ANY roof over my head. But I am so drawn to charming details, cozy feelings and old house romance that I think I am best suited to older houses, assuming I can update them to my liking, in my ideal world. Dreaming here, remember.

Speaking of older charming houses, I really enjoyed one of the houses in the movie The Holiday. This charming English cottage was oozing with personality and English style! The perfect house for spending a wintry holiday. I drooled over all these pictures on my blogging buddy Joni’s blog so I am sharing a few for you here so you can drool too. You can click over to her blog to see her expert commentary and the rest of the photos! She has lots of photos of this house, the Something’s Gotta Give House (one of my very favorites ever) and all sorts of charming rooms in her last few posts (her whole blog, actually).

Thanks to each of you who shared their two bits this week and weighed in on the options. You were all really helpful, I loved hearing your contributions!

Sigh. I think whoever wrote in my comments “When you find the right house, old or new, you will know” was absolutely right. If the right opportunity, money, schools and neighborhoods all align themselves with the right house, old or new, I will know.

Here are some resources for finding new old house products: click here and here.
The Holiday movie house photos via Cote de Texas.

Old Looking New Houses: The Charm of Yesteryear July 15, 2008

So, how about an old looking new house? I know, I am still carrying on about this dilemma from yesterday. I wasn’t going to post today, really I wasn’t going to bug you all again (I try to spare you all my thoughts unless I really feel inspired by something). But, I got all excited when I saw these photos. Excitement leads to posting. And I know you all love a great Drive By.

So, yesterday, a few of you suggested the idea of new houses that look old — trying to get the best of both worlds. Then one of my blogging friends shared some great photos she had on her blog and I couldn’t keep them to myself. We (me and Leah of More Ways to Waste Time) had one of those weird, random parallel universe dual mind posts yesterday. Do you ever have one of those? This was a strange one.

I was blabbing away about my old house new house dilemma and she was posting an interesting piece about a little neighborhood that looks very old but is new! So, we are joining forces on this topic and I am sharing a few of her photos so you all can enjoy them too (with her permission). You can read about this neighborhood and see more photos here on her blog. Tell us what you think!

There are some quality homes in neighborhoods with that “old look” in our area, all at around a million dollars each, but I can’t say that they look as good as these. I love the variety of architectural styles. Somehow these seem to do a better job at capturing that new old look than most. Strange to see such lovely homes looking old but in pristinely new condition!

I know the sad thing for me about this solution is that homes of this quality tend to be very expensive. Ok, ridiculously expensive. But don’t burst my bubble. I’m dreaming of a tree lined family neighborhood street and a new charming home with leaded glass doors that can open without scraping the floor, wide baseboard moldings, gables and front porches, reasonably sized rooms with sweeping views of open space, pocket doors, restored vintage hardware, solid walls, wood and stone floors, large kitchen with vintage details and modern conveniences, working bathrooms with old fashioned charm, real wood window trim, iron gates, solid staircases and railings, beautiful windows that open and close without a hammer or screwdriver… old house details and exceptional quality, new house energy efficiency and condition.

Oh, but I would have to make up a faux romantic history to go along with the house. New houses are missing the allure of a long history, but I guess I could get over that.

Do I ask too much?

Photos: copyright More Ways To Waste Time, used by permission

Old Houses versus New Houses July 14, 2008

Greetings! You know I love to do drive bys of gorgeous old homes and lush neighborhoods. There is just something about those charming homes of yesteryear that just pull me right in! As we’ve been talking about the possibility in our family of moving to another area for my husband’s work, we’ve talked quite a bit about what kind of house we would choose next time. Since I am tired of moving, I would want to make sure I chose well so I could be settled somewhere for a long time to come.

I’m really considering the kind of life I would like to live for the next decade. Not just from the romantic side of me that loves beautiful things, but the practical side of me that wants to think and plan out what I am doing! I want to create margins of time and money in order life a balanced life. What kind of house we choose can affect so much of how we live our life.

I’ve always been smitten by the older houses, but am usually somewhat envious of people who buy quality new homes and don’t have to deal with all the fixing up and maintenance that we had do in our home. They can move in and start decorating instead of ripping down wallpaper and old plumbing pipes.

Even though I love the idea of restoring a home, it is expensive and time consuming. I wonder if an old house is the best use of our resources. But then, I’ve been reminded that newer homes are not maintenance free and the quality of many of the newer ones can necessitate more upkeep.

Ideally, I’d love to buy an older home and either be able to fix it up immediately upon purchase (inside and out) or buy one that has already been refurbished.

So, let’s discuss. I’d love your thoughts! Old house? New House? Refurbished old house? New house made to look old? Or how about a condo instead? Just wondering what you all like and what your experiences are. I haven’t lived in a new home since I was 7 years old so I’d love to know your experiences with new homes and for those of you old house lovers, I’d like to know why you choose them!

Some related links:

If you want to see some fun photo galleries of some of the best places to buy older homes, visit This Old House.

See my article on Curb Appeal mid-morning over at Blissfully Domestic today! Say hello while you are there!

If you do a Drive By or Walk by in any sort of lovely neighborhood, be sure and let me know or link here on your blog! I’ll add you to my next Drive By Around The World Post! It would be great to do one in the next month or two if you all are ready to share your neighborhoods. It is always fun to see where and what we all see in our corners of the world!

Thanks to everyone who has asked about my daughter’s bridal shower, it went very well (all things considered!). If you want to keep up with my oh-so random little thoughts on life, be sure to check out what I am up to on Twitter, I’m a newbie there. If you want to read about my experience in packing up my daughter’s things for her life as a married woman, visit CWO this month!

Photos: Melissa Michaels

Sweet Escape: No Agenda July 12, 2008

Hello my little lovelies! Thank you so much for all your kind wishes and happy thoughts on my first blogging birthday! I’m totally chuffed.

Did you know that chuffed means “pleased or puffed with fat”? Blogging friend KJ from Eye-dyllic gave me the definition and I couldn’t help but smile. I think both definitions actually work well for me so I am just going to be chuffed all the time now.You’ll know that when you come by my blog and I say “I’m chuffed” I mean I am pleased you came to visit, but if I just finished my pumpkin scone and latte and say “I’m chuffed” you’ll look over at me and say, “Well, yes you are…”

OK. Enough silliness.

Look at this lovely birthday gift I got from a sweet blogging friend…

Mr. Winston looks so handsome sitting there on my chair. I love it, thank you! It is a perfectly whimsical rendition of my favorite spot and my favorite pup! This gift was from FiFi Flowers Design Decor…visit her here!

I hope that YOU ALL have NO AGENDA except fun & sun this weekend!! My husband and I saw this boat (above) while we were on a little business trip this week and I immediately thought of sharing it with you all for my sweet escape this week! Wouldn’t that be something? Having no agenda but to be boating?!!! I could get used to that.

Chuffed: They Say It’s My Blog Birthday July 10, 2008

One year ago today I began my blogging journey. I started it on a whim. I was pathetic and inexperienced and had NO readers, but over time I began to make friends. Much to my surprise, I found MY PEOPLE!!!

Last night I was moved to tears when I returned home from a trip to find bloggers wishing me a happy blog birthday. How did they know? Because a dear blogging friend, Felicity, surprised me with a birthday post. Right there on her lovely blog, a blog birthday post for me. How am I so lucky? Could she be any sweeter to have made note of this milestone? I had never heard the world “chuffed” before making friends from Australia. But now, it is the perfect word to say how I feel. I’m chuffed. Chuffed, touched and humbled.

Blog friends are the nicest friends around. YOU are all the nicest friends around. I feel blessed beyond measure to see your friendly messages pop up in my comments. Do you realize how just a simple kindness like a comment or a visit can transform my day or the day of everyone you visit? You are all thought of as precious friends who take time out of your life to say hello, ask how I am doing, invite me to tea or inspire me with your ideas. Your kindness does not go unnoticed.

Thank you for being a part of my life and making this year the most exciting adventure! I wish I could name each and every one of you by name and give you all a big hug. YOU have made this year fantastic for me. I cannot thank you enough.

I want to host a big party to celebrate, but between a bridal shower this weekend, the wedding in a little over a month (eek) and the possibility of selling our house and perhaps even moving out of state, my life is over the brim full. What I would like to do is to postpone the festivities until I can focus on a big shebang…prizes and all.

Thank you for your patience, your support, your prayers, your encouragement and your friendship. I enjoy sharing ideas here, but most of all, I enjoy being friends with all of you.

Love to you all and BIG HUGS TO FELICITY!!! I nominate her QUEEN FOR THE DAY IN BLOGLAND!

Melissa

PS. Big surprise for next week…I am going to be on BLOG RADIO. Holy cow, that should be scary for all of us. More details to come.

photo: House to Home, Ideal Home July 2008