Creative ideas for firewood storage that keep logs handy inside. Winter is on its way, which means cozy fireside evenings are ahead. Nothing beats a real fire, but many install natural gas logs to avoid unsightly firewood storage. These examples take firewood storage to unusual levels and look far better than a plain basket or small stack on the floor. What's more, each … [Read more...]
Tuscan Dream Villa II
My dream of renting a house for in Italy came true with this Tuscan villa We arrived at the villa, just outside the tiny town of San Casciano dei Bagni, in Tuscany, on an idyllic October evening. The following thirty days were filled with adventures in a different culture, dear friends we made for life, and outings to other picturesque towns in the region. Before we left, we … [Read more...]
Tuscan Dream Villa
Tour our home away from home, an 18th c Tuscan villa with a cooking fireplace. One of the most magical months of my life was spent in a villa we rented in a tiny town in Tuscany in 1991, More than any other house, this one influenced my idea of comfort and nurtured my love of simple furniture and old things. At the time, the house had been rebuilt and furnished by an Italian … [Read more...]
Natural Moroccan Rugs
Natural Berber Moroccan rugs are stylish organic alternatives to retro shag carpets. Moroccan rugs are varied and while that country may be known for its vividly colored, flat-weave rugs, another style is so completely different you may not guess it too, hails from Morocco. Vintage Beni Ouarain (the name of the tribe) rugs are pale and shaggy with geometric designs. They … [Read more...]
Virginia Farmhouse Modern
Tour the first floor of our friend Marsha's farmhouse modern home filled with art and antiques. Marsha and I met almost five years ago when she and her husband Yank were starting construction of their forever farmhouse in Virginia. At the time, my husband Syd and I were starting construction of our forever cottage. We both had chosen plots of land in the woods with water out … [Read more...]