Post & Gray Asheville

Post & Gray is opening its 2nd location in Biltmore Village, steps from The Grand Bohemian and a few blocks past the Biltmore gates. Here's a peek at the new space...

Sandcastles

It's another clear, cold, blue-sky day in the Carolinas and I'm on my way to the mountains in search of good stuff for estate. Always fun, of course, but weather.com is predicting flurries. It's been frosty here for ages and I'm in need of some salty ocean waves, surf & sand.  Lots of sand. Anyone else? 

If you could go anywhere right now, where would it be?

New Nantucket

Love the classic exterior and clean, crisp interiors of this Nantucket retreat. The lack of clutter provides a calm environment for this family to return to summer after summer.

Love the turquoise back-painted glass cabinet doors in the kitchen,

and countertops in the bath.

Love the green palm fabric {Sea Cloth's Sea Vine} in this room with its shots of blue,

and the 'modern beach' combination of pink & orange in this bedroom.

But I think I love the calm serenity of the master most.

{photos courtesy of Connecticut Cottages & Gardens}

Redford, c. 1969

Just finished watching The Criterion Collection's DVD release of Downhill Racer. 

Play again, please.

The Brat Pack

According to The Hollywood Gossip, "Bravo has confirmed the addition of two more rich, obnoxious, talentless women on The Real Housewives of New York City." 

Sonja Morgan (presumably some relation to J.P.) & Jennifer Gilbert (entirely unknown), recently identified as the two newest NY housewives, will undoubtedly prove equal to the task.

Here Comes the Sun

There's an avid treasure seeker (& finder) in Northern California whose fun, creative & beautiful blog sheds a bit of sunshine in every post.  

And now she's sent a few of those wonderful rays my way...

I'm so happy to have found La Dolfina, and immensely proud to have my blog friend Therese present me with the Sunshine Award. If you haven't yet had the pleasure of viewing her fabulous treasures or seeing the Alameda Pointe flea market through her eyes, you must pop over immediately. Her exuberance for vintage is infectious and her taste is exquisite!

And now the hard part -- selecting just 12 blogs to receive the award from the hundreds that provide daily delights. Here they are (in no particular order)...

Hello Gorgeous

Fancy and Folly

A Country Farmhouse

pve

Oliveaux

Red Ticking

The Modern Traditionalist

Shelter

Laura Casey Interiors

Katy Elliott

Collage of Life

My Favorite and My Best

If your head is in the clouds and you find yourself in need of some sun, my advice is to steep some tea, give yourself a few hours, and visit each of these wonderful blogs.

Bailey

Many of you have sent e-mails asking how my sweet girl is doing. I wanted to thank each of you for your interest & concern (it meant so much to me!) and let you know that Bailey is recovering quite nicely. She spends her days on the enclosed porch basking in the warm Carolina sun, her appetite has returned, and she is very thankful for the excellent care she received while at Carolina Veterinary Specialists!

Post & Gray Home

I've been truly fortunate since opening at Sleepy Poet. A loyal customer base made my first few months better than I could have imagined, so I've opened a second space for estate in Charlotte at Post & Gray.

P&G is located in a chartreuse & gray painted brick warehouse in the recently gentrified South End, just around the corner from Design Center of the Carolinas. With a fabulous staff and intimate feel, P&G clearly caters to the design industry, and its dealers offer a remarkable selection of items in a wide variety of styles.  If you live in or near Charlotte, I highly recommend a visit! (Check the web site for location & hours.)

Palm Springs: Ace Hotel

Love vintage?  You'll love The Ace Hotel.  Elle Decor Italia featured the Palm Springs location last August.  Created from the remains of a mid-century Holiday Inn & connecting Denny's, the P.S. Ace is within walking distance of downtown and offers visitors to one of my favorite warm + sunny small towns a very unique hotel experience.

Grand Dane

Oh, to live in a city where the cycle conquers the auto and, let's not kid ourselves here, to look this good on a bike.

{photo courtesy of Copenhagen Cycle Chic}

AD

Underwhelmed with the interior design of Jennifer Aniston's new Beverly Hills home, except for the outdoor living space (and incredible view of L.A.)  Anyone else?

Ginger Brogues

Despite all efforts to the contrary, i think I'll be purchasing these for Spring. Can hardly imagine something better with white t-shirts & levi's.

And not because they're one of Jenna's Picks,

And not because I love her style,

But just because I think they're fabulous.

John B. Martin

{le bistrot du paradou}

{a tidal pool near Glencoe}

{honfleur 2}

{luxembourg gardens}

I fell in love with every watercolor I viewed from this Illinois artist

Sweet Girl

My sweet dog Bailey went on a bit of a walkabout last night and was hit by a car.  The driver didn't stop, but Bailey is a stubborn thing and made her way home despite some very serious injuries. This morning she's in the extremely capable hands of Carolina Veterinary Specialists and I'm praying she gets better. If you get a moment today, think a happy thought for my girl.



UPDATE:  After 3 days in the ICU, Bailey's internal injuries seem to be healing very well.  Although she's not up to kibble just yet, she's resting comfortably and should be home in a few days. Thanks so much to all of you who sent e-mails or left comments!

Old School Caribbean

The traditions of the rambling, serene Caribbean resort are so much more appealing to me than the hard shiny edges of its boutique hotel sibling. I'd choose Caneel Bay or Sandy Lane over some young, UK-based upstart any day of the week.

Wouldn't you agree?

Is Imitation the Sincerest Form of Flattery?

There are some amazing similarities between the often blogged about bar in Thom Filicia's lake house,

and the new Markham Bar from Pottery Barn. {Seems their version of his mercury glass lamp got hung up somewhere in China...}

Thoughts?

Perfect Hamptons

This tiny cottage was featured in House Beautiful last year.  I loved reading about it because I felt such kinship with its owner, who decorated it piecemeal, with a few good things from her parents and the rest coming from trips to Brimfield, London, Paris, the Dixie Highway, Sag Harbor, Bridgehampton, and a hundred little towns in between. Like me, the owner said she hadn't taken a vacation where she hadn't 'lugged some cumbersome painting or tchotchke home on the plane'. Her very clever eye shows in every inch of this crazy, wonderful 'beach shack'.