Hello Lovely

When things quiet down around these parts,
I so want to take a ceramics class to create
some simple pieces for our new home.

Check out this beautiful work by
Justine Lacoste.



Epure is Justine's studio, and its name evokes simplicity, authenticity, and the essential qualities of the objects themselves.



Purely self-taught, Justine developed her skills by working with established ceramicists, potters and mould-makers.










AHHHHHHHHH.
Doesn't this spur you to get your hands on clay!?!

Peace to you right where you are.

Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller
are Carrier and Company,
a dynamic design duo
who take a creatively spirited positive approach
to bring forth strikingly chic interiors.





Their new book,
Carrier and Company
(Vendome Press, 2015)
treats us to hundreds of  warm and joyous
interior moments featuring luxurious minimalism
and glamorous bohemia.

Infusing rooms with subtle patterns, neutral palettes,
bursts of exuberance, and unexpected mixes (high, low,
old, and new), the resulting magic to this blogger is
sophistication with a surprise.



Mmmm. Heavenly sunshine.



Prepare for a paragon of poetic inspiration
should you treat yourself to these pretty pages.


Peace to you right where you are.

This month, Melissa Michaels' new book The Inspired Room: Simple Ideas to Love the Home You Have
launched, and since I'm a a great admirer of Melissa's blog
and sensibilities, I can't wait to get a copy.


The Inspired Room: Simple Ideas to Love the Home You Have


Within it are ideas to create a home with your
own personal style, and we are invited to
discover the impact of simple changes & first impressions
(like the amazing wide stripes in Melissa's entry below!).



I love how Melissa created a place to gather
in her efficient kitchen below with the
addition of inviting, comfy chairs.



Her new book encourages us to take a closer look at texture,
and you'll notice in her dining room below, she mixed
finishes beautifully and (seemingly) effortlessly.



As for my own personal inspired rooms?

Taking my cue from Melissa, who says we don't need hefty budgets
or peerless DIY skills, here are two of my favorite spaces I
tackled in our last place...a breakfast area and guest room:





Peace to you right where you are.

So clearly, I write this post while still grieving.
Bella's passing is but one blow to our family's
heart, as we have experienced a chapter of
deep humbling and brokenness which has
challenged us in unspeakable ways.

While I may have hoped this house would not be
bathed in tears, this is not to be, and so I choose
to not drown in them, but be cleansed and
even baptized in their holiness.

So you see, it is well with my soul as we continue
to nurture this little house as it becomes a home.


We moved our belongings over about a week
before we began living here.


Things didn't stay looking this tidy or orderly
once we moved in! 


So we have one working bathroom which is great
except for a hard water problem, and no big surprise
we will have to sink more cash into that.
I will be so grateful to have softer water at some point!


This will be our sons' guest room, and I painted the walls
Benjamin Moore's Ashley Gray.


We set our long reclaimed elm Dutch table in the hall,
but it doesn't work here so it will go elsewhere.

On the right is the little laundry room.



The future library/dining room.


Remember what the master bath resembled?
Here is my luxurious spa bathroom now:


Indeed.
This is where I brush my teeth
and gaze into the mirror in the morning
clapping my hands together exclaiming: 
THIS is gonna be a great day!
fine.i don't clap. but i smile and laugh and don't feel less than royalty.

More images of the work zone which
will become a relaxing bathroom:





We had to call in an exterminator as the attic
was home to mice...so while we have yet
to enjoy this master bath, the carpenter ants
and rodents have highly approved of the
accommodations.


A part of the backyard helps you appreciate
my favorite part about the cottage: the setting.

Lots of progress has been made in the kitchen!

quartz:  LG Viaterra Minuet

I chose a quartz which mimics polished Venatino marble
as we decided to use marble on the sink wall.


Appliances are installed!
The crown moldings and trim pieces are not yet done.
But you can see how the wall
of marble is transforming the space:


My husband has been working so hard on every facet
of the renovation that I cannot begin to list everything
he has accomplished!




The clutter of life.




 This is our friend's backyard which serves as an inspiring
vision of simplistic, pared down beauty which beckons
peaceful encounters with nature and loved ones.


Two days before Bella left us, she and I were exploring
the backyard and found this restful angel which had
been completely covered in overgrown vines and weeds.

Can you imagine my delight in coming upon it
for the first time, in light of the heavy burden
of suffering happening in our hearts and home?

I remain in awe at how God revealed himself to me
at the perfect time in the most gentle, merciful way,
allowing me to let go of that which I am led to let go.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10


The night before our beautiful moon went to her resting place,
she was in much pain, yet insisted on pitter-pattering over
each and every marble mosaic for the kitchen wall
before I sealed them.

What a blessing that our sweet girl's paw prints--
as well as her life and her love--
are sealed into every inch of that mosaic wall.



My heart is full and peaceful.
The work continues.
I am grateful for your prayers and support.

* * *
Please come join me
in this DIY adventure by
clicking here for all my fixer upper update posts!
(And thanks for subscribing here so you don't miss an episode.)

Peace to you right where you are.