Today’s Tasteful Take on a Historic House

Tags

Barry Dixon, Baton Rouge, courtyard, designer, DIY outdoor drapes, drop cloth, Elway Hall, floor plan, French, historic house, historical renovation, House tour, interior design, interior designer, Italian chandelier, Ivy, library, neoclassical, painters drop clothes, Parsons desk, Target, Thomas O'Brien, toile, traditional, Travertine, Ty Larkins, West Elm

Historical renovation is something I am passionate about because of my love for the architectural features. In my “About Me” section. I referenced almost buying a beautiful, historic house named Elway Hall, but it was just too far away from my office and I would have spent a minimum of 3 hours in the car a day. Two interior designers ended up buying the house that I had to begrudgingly pass on; it seems that interior designers frequently take the challenge of older homes head on without thinking twice.

House Beautiful profiled one such designer…

Courtney Cox’s Modern Malibu Manse

Tags

étagère, Bourgeois Bohème, Celebrity home, Celebrity homes, Charles Pollock, Christain Liaigre, Courtney Cox, Elle Decor, Haenisch, Hans Wegner, Harland Miller, Hermès, Intérieurs, Kent Williams, Malibu, Massimo, Matt Palmer, Matthew Heller, Michael Kovac, Minotti, Paul McCobb, Rug Company, Trip Haenisch, Vitali

Courtney Cox recently moved from a house that she adored because it was level with a public beach and she couldn’t even go for a walk without pictures being taken. The home, designed by famed architect John Lautner, was “futuristic”, “modern” and, according to Cox, “the most amazing place I’ve ever lived in.” (See bottom for details on the house.) But, the silver-lining in all this is that she got to buy and renovate a new home!

According to Elle Decor, before becoming an actress, Courtney Cox wanted to become an architect. Hmm…that sounds familiar (Brad Pitt). Difference being, she actually took college courses in the architecture before pursuing acting. She has been very involved in every home and this project was no different. She held weekly, 3 hour meetings with the architect, Michael Kovac, who was referred by Laura Dern, and her designer (and friend), Trip Haenisch.

The team took this house, which they were not allowed to demolish:

It’s Tulip Planting Time!

Tags

beds, double bloom, exotic, Fall bulbs, flowers, Landscape design, landscaping, lavender, mulch, peonies, perennial, pink, purple, tulip, tulips, unusual tulips, varieties, white, yellow

The last time our mower came out, my husband inquired how much it would cost to mulch around our house. His quote? $3,800. My husband hates yard work and rarely, if ever, wants to venture out there. Last year I mulched everything, but I guess this was my husband’s subtle way of saying it needs to be done again! Of course I am not going to pay that much money, so I said I would do it again. His response? “Have fun”! That was his not-so-subtle way of telling me I was on my own…again!

I figured since I’m out there, I might as well do some fall bulb planting as well…but it’s so hard to get motivated sometimes!! After looking through a few of my favorite gardening catalogs, I really would like to plant some tulip bulbs.

These pictures are just insanely gorgeous!

With a Heavy Heart…

Tags

animals, bleeding heart, cancer, cemetary, death, dog, Garden, grieving, how to bury a pet, Jack Russell, loss, nature, pet, rainbow bridge, statuary, statues

It has taken me so long to even touch on this subject – and even so, I have to gloss over it as it just breaks my heart. My sweet little Jack Russell, Lucy, died a few months ago and I still am in such a state of anguish and grief.

She was diagnosed 2 years ago with cancer and given just a few months to live. I told the vet I was desperate for any treatment, so he said we could operate to remove the baseball-sized tumor and extend her life by a month or two.

My Silos

Tags

A Detailed House, Dovecote, Pigeonnier, Renovate silo, Ruins, Silo

As a follow up to my post yesterday called Keep Silos, Dovecotes and Pigeonniers and Think About the Possibilities, here are a few pictures of our silos that I opted to keep:

Lawn Furniture

Tags

A Detailed House, Chair made of grass, Creative outdoor seating, Furniture, Landscape design, Lawn, Lawn furniture, Sofa made of grass, Table made of grass, Terra Armchair

With so much land (and two very energetic children), we make the most of our acreage. Sometimes though, we make it so far away from the house that a place for me to sit is most welcome. It still allows me to supervise the children and gives them (and our puppies) more time to play, explore and enjoy nature.

That’s why when I came across this little gem, I perked up:

(via readymade.com)

It was love at first sight!! I read the directions here, and pondered, “Do I have the energy for this?” I certainly have the desire! It’s going on my every growing “To Do” List, but after reading the comments and directions several times, I figured out a few shortcuts.

Traditional English Garden Design

Tags

A Detailed House, Charles Lewis Bowman, England, English garden, Formal gardens, Garden, Garden maze, Greenwich, Hedge maze, Limestone, London, maze, Mel Gibson, Mel Gibson's house, Old Mill Farm, Staddle stones, Stone cottage, Stone wall, Tudor architecture

In Greenwich, Connecticut, there is a private Tudor estate, Old Mill Farm, designed by architect Charles Lewis Bowman in 1926, that has timeless landscaping complete with secret gardens, a hedge maze, old stone walls and iron gates.