Things I am loving Thursdays and house updates!!

Good morning, I can't believe its already Thursday. Don't know about you but here in the northeast we are bracing for a serious dose of heat. They are expecting heat indexes to hit 105 or more, which I know is what some parts of the country have been experiencing for weeks! It is unbelievable and so oppressive. Makes you want to stay inside and not budge but fat chance of that happening! Stay cool if you are in the heatwaves path and make sure you stay hydrated. This week has been a busy one with lots going on over at the house, its officially crunch time but the exciting thing is every little thing happening now is pure eye candy, the icing on the cake, the long awaited aesthetics and lets be honest this is when the fun really begins ( a lot of work too but you won't hear any complaints from me). I have my days where it feels like the looooong home stretch will never end, but admittedly lately when I visit I can finally see myself living there, not just visiting! I think largely because the kitchen is going in and the vanities are due to be delivered to most of the bathrooms this week as well. The end is near......I have waited over three years to say that! So here is what I am loving this week.........
  FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS FROM MY VERY OWN YARD. This time of year, all kinds of things are blooming. I can always rely on my trusty old friend, the ever so hardy and consistent hydrangea to provide me with countless small arrangements to place throughout the house. One day after a bouquet of flowers I had received had "expired' I put the lily plant outside, not thinking twice.....well suddenly that "dead plant" from a year ago surprises me one morning with a huge stalk just chock full of gorgeous lilies!! What a nice surprise! So I took some of those lilies and made up a few small arrangements with the hydrangeas and put them in my little trusty blue and whites (best $20 I ever spent) and I am quite happy with the result. Professional flower arranger I am not, but enthusiastic, willing learner and experimenter I am!

The "surprise" peeking out from behind the hostas!

The hydrangeas begging to be brought inside to escape from the heat!

Love the colors!

HOUSE UPDATES. The buzz word this week is KITCHEN! So exciting to see it going up, and I am loving every tiny inch of this baby! It is so far exactly as I had envisioned and I couldn't be happier with it. I am also so happy I insisted that we change from the coffered ceiling to the beams, to me they will 'make" the kitchen, well that and the floors. And the European range. Oh and the limestone hood! But then the cabinets are pretty amazing too....oh well its a collaborative effort!! Much is going on this week. Other big news is that I finally chose the marble slabs, it was a big production to choose 8 slabs. The slabs are quite gorgeous, and the next time you see them you will see them on the countertops installed and ready for some use!Then the woodworking continues as does the limestone for covered porch, so have a look.....

Just starting to add the little scrolls on either side of the dormer (see far left dormer right scroll)

The stone for countertops

These 2 pieces are for the center island

They will be bookmatched

This is part of what will be the refrigerator unit hutch

The sink wall

Beams in family room

I like the beadboard detailing....

Back stair hall.....railing and posts are getting put in.

I love the beefiness of the bottom post, our woodworker rocks!

The limestone porch nearly done...

From the inside, the balustrades got installed....

AN AMAZING FARM TO TABLE RESTAURANT. Ever been to Blue Hills at Stone Barns? Its such a treat for every sense, it is totally gorgeous, is on a working farm, and the food is out of this world. The dining room is along the lines of  Hudson Valley meets Napa Valley, super elegant and low key but not trying too hard. I love that Napa vibe and they nail it here! They offer one of two tasting menus which I believe was a nine course dinner, I got to try all kinds of things I have never tried or didn't have to guts to try and loved literally every morsel that went into my mouth! Dessert was the crowning touch to a decadent and beautiful meal. Lucky me, we are going in Sept. for a friends birthday...cannot wait! Here are some highlights, best to arrive early so you can take a tour of the farm. Click here to find out more!

A GREAT ENTERTAINING BOOK. Hard to top the southerner's reputation for being a wicked party planner and thrower. This book surely supports that reputation beautifully. Just got it from Amazon and drooled over every page...a must read for anyone who enjoys setting a pretty table or thinking up excuses to throw a party!  Click here to order Gracious Tables.

ARTE ITALICA. Love this line and practically faint over it every time I see it. Their line is extensive and features everything from pewter pieces, to gorgeous fine china, elegant lead crystal and flatware. Plus they have added many more accessories and serving pieces to their line recently. Gorgeous is a serious understatement. What do you think? Click here to indulge your curiosity.

GLORIOUS HAMPTONS The Hamptons truly has something for everyone...here is a little flavor of what its all about........and yes it REALLY is this gorgeous! The Hamptons has EVERYTHING, from stunning world class beaches, charming out of a postcard picture perfect towns, incredible restaurants, hundred year old farms still family owned selling their fresh produce, pristine golf courses, beautiful people, outrageous beach "cottages", a world class horse show, art museums, The Hampton Classic, and they even boast their own film festival!! So there is truly something for everyone in this fabulous playground......these pictures depict what it really looks like, yes it really is that beautiful!

Love this place!

Yep even has their own film festival!

If you love looking at houses....get ready for the likes of which you have never seen!

Nothing says Hamptons more than privet hedges

A favorite Hamptons indulgence....the yummy lobster roll!

Well what do you think? Anything particularly appeal to you? Anything you are loving this week that you want to share? Please tell us! Wishing you a terrific Thursday!

Living rooms to lust after!

A happy Wednesday to you!.. In continuing my posts on rooms that I am loving, today its all about that highly mysterious, rarely used but oh so deserving room, the elusive living room! Yes that one room that we typically spend most of our budget, all of our brainpower and talents and at least as much energy and time on decorating only to use once or twice a year! I am no exception, believe me,  but hopefully this time around will make a point to use it a bit more than I did in my old house. Admittedly, it was a room I pretty much never went into except to sit down and marvel at how beautiful things looked, and wonder why we never used it! In any case, whether its enjoyed to its fullest or not, the living room is nonetheless a beautiful room and one that generally showcases our personal design and taste. There is no one winning combination, and I have a true appreciation for living rooms of many styles, colors and feels. So today is all about some seriously beautiful living rooms...any secrets to creating a gorgeous living room that you want to share? Do tell!  For fun I "named" each of these rooms...so "who" is your favorite?

Sophia.....Classic and timeless, the neutrality works beautifully here, Sandra Nunnerly

Meredith...Soft tones accented with a gorgeous blue is quite stunning, Palms Design Group

Carrie..Love the tufted sofa and the calm quiet elegance that abounds, Massusco, Warner Miller

Pamela....McAlpine, Booth and Ferrier

Claire....Nothing about this fabulous room I don't love! Arch Digest

Andrea.....This is an architecturally amazing room, Slovack Bass

Beth.....Love this quietly elegant, subdued but stunning living room, photo by Andreas Trauttmansdorf

Chloe....Beautiful transitional space by Jan Showers

Carmella....Yes its very formal, but it still manages to feel inviting and cozy, Michael Siller

Elizabeth...Bear Hill created this wonderfully serene and beautiful living room

Charlotte....Stunning rich textiles add elegance and grandeur to this fabulous living room, accessories are kept to a minimum, House Beautiful

Carolyn....Adore this fabulous monochromatic uber elegant living room, Traditional Home

Ava.....A beautiful cheery yellow chinoiserie gives this living room a lively lift! Janet Simon

Jennifer.....Understated white simplistic beauty, Belclaire House blog

Christina....A classically beautiful living room high in the sky in NY

Monique...This is a great space with the iron windows and soaring glass, all white....it works! Summerour

Margot....Splendor in green, Barry Dixon

Abigail...Love the colors in this living room, and love that secretary on the far wall, BHG

Grace....Luxuriousness and opulence become one, McAlpine, Booth and Ferrier

Phoebe...This is an eclectic mix of colors but it works, Melanie Elston

Olivia....Love the scale of this stunner of a living room by Bunny Williams

Isabella....Love this timeless room by Joseph Minton

Isabelle....Something about those pale taupe walls and taupe upholstery that is just gorgeous! Arch Digest

Ava.....One of my favorite shades of green, Michael Siller

Amelia.....This is one gorgeous living room, Elin Martin

Brooke.....Beautiful soft beiges and blonde woods are stunning, Palm Designs

Emily....Yes, its chock full of "stuff" but its lots of beautiful stuff!! Mario Buatta

Kate....Jan Showers designed this fabulously elegant and tonal living room, love the antiqued mirror

Alexandra.....Then you have the over the top green chinoiserie-d walls of Winfield! Breathtaking....

And a little recap.......

So what do you think? "Who"speaks most to you? Do you have a favorite style living room? Any secrets that you want to share are welcome here!! So hope you enjoy a wonderful day!