Sunday, August 29, 2010

Drive By Sighting Of A Special House Owned By An Amazing {Celebrity} Family...


Does this make me a stalker?  Do you recognize this yellow shuttered house?  (See pictures below for a hint).  Well, I did.  I was driving to go camping in Upstate New York and almost screeched to a halt.  I was with my daughter and I screamed and whipped a u-turn!  She thought I saw a bear or something!  We kept driving by and finally my daughter was able to get a photo for me (she was finally getting into the hunt).  There was someone leaving so we had to be quick.  So embarrassing!  I should have stopped by and introduced myself to Bob and Cortney Novogratz from Bravo's 9 by Design reality show.  Where is my nerve?  According to my family though, I have "nerve" just trying to take this picture!  Their country house in the Berkshires, MA is lovely and unique with its signature painted yellow shutters (you know the house...if you have been watching their show).  I think the whimsical addition of the international flags is just the right touch.  This house really reflects their sense of style and flare for being different.  This just adds to my desire to have a summer home to "play" with and enjoy...   
Just a note....I will not be revealing the location of their home...I am not that bad!!!!  Next time though, I will stop by with flowers or something and say hello!!!! {I wish I had passed by when they were having that terrific garage sale of all their cool antique and vintage finds}.
I think I want to grow up to be just like them...ingenious risk takers with a real great sense of style!  Oh, and they have 7 kids to boot!  Moved a million times and flip houses that they...with no design training... design and build themselves with their own design company called Sixx Design (check out their website).  They take all of this in stride, day by day with a kid on each arm (and hanging on their legs too) and everyday chores on top of it all.  They look great, are cool and are living life to its fullest!  Wow, impressive!  There is no obstacle to great for them...  

 I would never have thought of hanging curtains outside the front of a traditional Massachusetts colonial.  Also painting the shutters a color other than the typical green or black which is a signature color of a colonial here in Massachusetts...like my house....I need to be more daring with my decorating..... (my house still looks pretty though).
{My house, photo via me}
Good for them for thinking outside of the box.  Love their creativity and daring!  We can all learn something from this amazing couple!

Here are the photo's taken by John Gruen for New England Home, May 2008 (below).  After driving by and only getting to see the outside of their home, I am happy that I have found pictures of the inside.




This is definitely not your typical colonial.  I love how they mix things up and yet it is very comfortable and soothing.  Doesn't hurt your eyes to look at it.


I think I have a bit of "vintage nouveauxx" in me too.  I just have to learn to be comfortable with what I like and not be afraid to bring it home.  As you can see, they liked that pink deer head on their kitchen wall..may not be my taste or yours but they loved it and are enjoying it everyday!


This outdoor sunroom is my favorite.  I love the rustic textures and it looks so inviting.





Love this photo wall.  No worries about it being perfect, it is just there to enjoy.


{photo via purestylehome blog}


I haven't had a chance to explore this book, Downtown Chic by Robert and Cortney Novogratz, but have been meaning too.   Another sneak peek into their decorating style.


Well, summers almost over and school is starting up again next week.  Can't believe it.  I enjoyed my summer and we had fun renting a home up in Maine, visiting family and friends in NYC, camping in Upstate New York, and antiquing in Hudson, NY and the Berkshires, MA.  My one consolation about summer ending is that I love the fall and Halloween.  Change of seasons means change of wardrobe!  Love to wear my fashionable boots and cozy sweaters!

Enjoy!
xojamilyn


{Photo of Novogratz house via my daughter, New England Home pictures via stacy's style blog}

13 wonderful comments:

Sue Murphy@ life as a house said...

Just stumbled on to your site. I will be back often!!! very nice

pve design said...

Wow - bingo!
pve

debra @ 5th and state said...

you had no choice but to take that photo..........you have a blog audience to tend to. how disappointed we would have been to hear about it. it is our duty, as bloggers, to share. well done!
debra

paula said...

haha, love this. your home is rather gorgeous too.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! I would have screeched to a halt too! So fun! Love to see that the way it was photographed in the magazine is how it really looks in person! Same curtains on the front porch, same planters...
Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Amy Meier

1 Funky Woman said...

Well you and your daughter certainly scored one for the team! Next time ring the bell they seem pretty cool that I'm sure they would offer you something to drink, right? Ok one can dream! Fab photos, I just love them. I wonder if they would adopt me?

Sorry I haven't been stopping by, it's just been a crazy summer.

I'm having a great giveaway so come visit!

Gwen Driscoll said...

So proud of you for stopping & taking that pic! Hope you've had a great summer. Look forward to being back in the world of blog.

Anonymous said...

Great article Jamie! You have wonderful style of writing! Very exciting! Thank you!
Melanie
NYC

My Dream Canvas said...

Great post. Your summer sounds divine:-)I am hosting a 50 dollar CSN giveaway. Do drop by and I would really appreciate if you could spread the word roubd. Thanks...Anu

FrenchGardenHouse said...

What a fun, fun post! Jamilyn, I had such a good time reading this, so glad you braved the photo {and without getting into an accident}

What a great home, so filled with surprises and personality. Good for you, all of us bloggers thank you. xo Lidy

mermaid gallery said...

I will look for their reality show...absolutely love their style. Hard to go wrong with lots of white but they really ace it's use. I would have gone for the photo op too!......

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

Such a fun post! Love the fun whimsical house. I need to see the show!
Londen
xo

LindsB said...

I totally would have done the same thing! I love their show and their designs, I might have gone right up to the front door too :)

Ok, not that far but I totally would have snapped a pic like you did.