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}

Antiquing In Hudson, NY

This chair was a show stopper for me.  So happy to be in this special place called Hudson, N.Y.  There are over 65 antique shops on five historic blocks.  About 3 hours from Boston and only 2 hours from New York.  We were invited to attend a very special celebration in the Catskills and had a chance to take the day and go shopping.  The weather was perfect and the setting was lovely along the Hudson river.  In and out of shops we went all day....I could have taken home everything!

For map of antique dealers in Hudson click here.

I really am convinced, after seeing the many items offered at these shops, that you really don't need to buy "new" furniture when there is so many interesting pieces that you could use to make a home comfy and inviting.

There was such a variety every where you looked.  Are you into collecting colored glass?

One of my favorite stores along Warren Street was Hudson Home.

Hudson Home store front.

Hudson Home has a wonderful eclectic mix of furniture and decorative items.  See the wood stacked in the fireplace?  I really want to try that in my fireplace!

The culinary choices were abundant.  I highly recommend eating at Swoon.  We, however, could not dine indoors because we had our dog with us!  Next time....

This town really has an "artsy" vibe to it.

Paint a whole building orange?  Why not.  Reminds me of San Francisco!

Lovely shops set up in old building along Warren Street.

Here is a little sneak peak at the event we went to.  It was on an estate in the Catskill mountains.  It was lovely dining under the stars and listening to live music in the night.

It was cold though!  Can't complain with the hot summer that we have had!  If you haven't been to Hudson, I highly recommend a trip there.  You won't be disappointed!

Have fun!

xojamilyn

{Photo's taken via me}

Lucca Antiques

A very fine antique store with beautiful unique european treasures.  I am very attracted to the soothing palettes of their furniture selections.  They have a very "earthy" timeless appeal to them.   Raw elegance with rustic textures.  I love coming across beautiful stores and knowing they are out there makes me happy!

Check out their inventory at Lucca Antiques...it is vast and certainly beautiful!

Los Angeles Address:

Lucca Antiques

744 N. La Cienega Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90069

New York Address:

Lucca Antiques

182 Duane Street

New York, NY 10013

Have a wonderful weekend!

xojamilyn

{images from Lucca Antiques}

My French Reading Lamps Are Finally Here

Finally!  Waiting forever for these petite handmade French reading lamps from Galerie des Lampes.  They are here and I am really enjoying my new reading "nook" in my living room.  I think they are just the right size for this area and are beautifully handcrafted.  However, I need something really interesting on either side of the window to hang on the empty wall space.  Space needs more personality.  Seems very bare bones right now and a little too neutral.  My one wish would be to NOT have that wall radiator right under the window!  I really despise the thing.  Ruins the whole look for me!  Thinking of painting it the same as the wall color but then thought it would just be this "ugly" thing painted!

Grasshopper Lamp in antiqued bronze from Galerie des Lampes, France

Wall color:  Camouflage by Benjamin Moore

Trim:  White Dove by Benjamin Moore

Now back to my reading!

xojamilyn

{Images property of Living It At Home and taken via me}

Dizzy With Delight-A New Source

Did you ever get so giddy over a place?  Yes, I am using that silly word!  Dizzy...giddy...lighthearted...frivolous...they all apply to this place, Bob Withington Antiques on Route 1 in York, Maine.   I had the pleasure of visiting several antique stores along this scenic route in Maine and had a blissful experience!   I have posted the map of this area below (end of post) so you may see all the wonderful shops you can visit along this route.  There are at least twenty three stores to visit!  I went a little faint seeing all of these garden urns.  Love them!

Martha Stewart also loves this store too!  We have alot in common her and I....here she is with the owner.  Check out her post she did about her visit there on her blog, The Martha Blog.

This large store offers European and American furnishings, garden ornaments, and other fine vintage items. 

I love the feel of this antique store.  Everything goes together beautifully.

This statuary was already "sold".  Lucky for me...

I love the rustic elegance of these lamps.

Once again, I am a big fan of garden ornaments and urns.  This faux bois (french for false wood) planter is beautiful.

Here is the map of Route 1 in Maine.  You would start in York and work your way up!

Have a wonderful time if you go.  I know I will be back again soon, that is for sure.  Next time though, I am buying something from Withington Antiques.  I have my eyes on the garden urns!

Have fun!

xojamilyn

{Photo's via me, Martha Stewart Blog}

Create A Vignette From The Beach, The Dump and Salvation Army....

Sea Shells, discarded old {pretty cool} books, and a silver tray make a nice vignette for my foyer table.  I really get a kick out of doing things like this in my home.  Sometimes I find myself wandering around my house "fiddling".  I really should be doing the "important" boring mundane tasks but sometimes my creative brain just needs a release!  Not the most amazing creation but satisfying!  You never know what you can combine to create texture, color and interest to a "needy" spot.  And ya know...didn't cost much!  I think the silver tray was $1.99 at the local salvation army.  The seashells are from the Jersey shore and Maine.  There is a treasure trove of antique books at the dump...who knew? Easy!

Lamp is something we picked up at In Home Furniture when they were in business here and the print is from Ireland.

Not bad but looks better in person.  What can you create with items found and items treasured?  Give it a try...it satisfies your creative side!

Have fun!

xojamilyn

{Photo's via me}