Confessions of a bedroom slob

As I lay awake last night wondering what our next house might look like, my mind drifted toward thought of a master bedroom. I couldn't help but fear that it will be the same embarrassing mess. Because I sleep on the same side of the bed as our dog ( our dog is on the floor on an awful blanket that she loves) I could smell that the weather is warmer thus creating a smellier dog. Gross.

I have always been a bedroom slob. Baskets full of laundry in need of putting away, books and papers on my nightstand, and stuff I didn't feel like hanging up draped over a chair are standard.

I have now added a dog and husband to the mix.

My husband used to be neat a pin. Now his dresser top is cluttered with an array of belongings. I guess, like heat, a mess transfers to a lack of mess.

We also have only a tiny closet that my husband uses. I have what appears to be an enormous armoire but it doesn't hold all of my clothes so it can't be that big. I have the use of a lovely mahoghany highboy which would be great if I were 6'5", but I am 5'1" so I need to stand on a chair to see the top drawers and all of my jackets are on the chair, so you see my problem.

Nice closet but who has two dresses?

I see a basket under this bed. I wonder what they are hiding. Could it be the man of the house's files? That is what is under my bed.

If my dog would sleep on a normal dog bed that would be a start. Or maybe a heated dog house in the backyard...

A master suite with large closet would help. I could stash my laundry baskets in there.

It most likely won't be this perfect but I am going to try harder.

Seriuosly, does anyone wonder where these people hide their ugly alarm clocks?

New home inspiration

I am currently shopping around for a bigger house that our expanded family can call home. I can't stop thinking about how I will use the opportunity to decorate. Of particular concern are the family room and master bedroom.

Image from Cote deTexas

The family room is of particular interest to me because we don't exactly have a dedicated family room now. The big TV is in the basement (yuck) with old couches and mainly serves the 3 teenage boys. We also have a bedroom/playroom with a sofa and small TV that is close to my kitchen. I use that most.

The houses that I am looking at seem to all have a kitchen/breakfast area and family room connected. It will be used as an everyday area but I hope to have a finished basement to house the actual play area (read: mess).

I have decided that I want the decor to have the casual feel of jeans and a t-shirt with a Chanel jacket.

Not the sort of thing you would wash the car in, but not fussy and formal.

 

I like slipcovers. They are practical and I don't care if some don't like them.

They will be white or cream, linen or twill.

The windows are up for debate. Maybe linen in white or natural. Maybe an ivory silk. Perhaps a blue stripe ticking. Oh yeah, the wall will be the palest shade of blue or seafoam.

Silly I guess, especially since I haven't actually bought a house.

I just can't help fantasizing about all of the rooms I get to do over.

Emile Henry Giveaway!!

The fine folks at cookware.com are going to give a charming Emile Henry oil bottle to one of my readers in the US or Canada.
 Click on the keyword Speaker Stands and take a peek at some of their other products.

I think this Slate color is charming.

Leave me a comment telling me which color you would choose and I will pick the winner Wednesday, May 12 at noon EST.

I like the yellow and blue together... very French.

To get you in the mood I want to include my Meme's (French for Granny) salad dressing recipe.

It is perfect for those delicate Spring greens in farmer's markets and gardens everywhere.

1 medium clove garlic

1 teaspoon Sea salt or Kosher salt

1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 sprig fresh thyme

2 teaspoons dijon mustard

fresh ground black pepper to taste

2 Tablespoons  red wine vinegar

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons water

In a large salad serving bowl crush the garlic with the salt using the back of a spoon. Add thyme and dijon mustard making a rough paste with the garlic and salt. Add vinegar and water. Drizzle in olive oil while whisking.

Add baby greens and toss just before eating.

Good luck and happy eating!

Shutters?

Have you ever noticed the way that shutters add a cohesive and finished look to a house?

Today shutters are mere ornament but a funtioning shutter like the one above has the added benefit of protecting windows when closed.

These shutters, on a door in Virginia, are ingeniously designed with louvers angled in different directions to catch the breeze.

The back of this house seems to ache for a finishing touch. New construction generally skips the ornament on the sides and rear of the house. A few shutters at modest cost would add a refined and complete look to all sides of this house.