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0 Tuesday Inspiration: Porches and Sunrooms

Since spring weather is just around the corner, my Tuesday Inspiration is porches and sunrooms.

Imagine sitting out on the front porch on this fabulous stripe sofa. Upholstered in outdoor fabric, no doubt. This is a fresh take on the "all American front porch!"

Traditionally, wicker furniture is what you expect to see on the front porch, along with tall glasses of iced tea.

Or tall glasses of lemonade!

This back porch is screened in and the perfect place for a meal.

Pure Americana!

I love this screened in room. All of these images seem like they are in the South.

Especially, the screened in porches.

This porch has been enclosed and now should be called a sunroom.

Similar to mine, which was at one time an outside porch, but enclosed at some time in the 40's.

The beadboard ceiling gives it away!

I love this light filled sunroom, although it needs a few more touches.

These rooms tend to be long an narrow. Just line up the rockers and look outside!

Porch or balcony, I love it either way. Love the old wicker and wood--unexpected in a tropical setting like this. Can't you just feel the warm breeze?

I couldn't help think of Susan's famous porch from Between Naps on the Porch.

This room gets a lot of use, from naps to tablescapes!

Another famous porch is Joy's from Savvy City Farmer. Afterall, it was featured in Fifi O'Neill's "Romantic Prairie Style" that I just received in the mail yesterday!

I love the natural beadboard ceiling and curtains!

My upstairs balcony looks out to the front yard and feels very much like a porch.

It is need of some TLC right now with all the rain we've had.

My sunroom.

You can tell it was once a porch because of the beadboard ceiling and because it steps down from the rest of the house. I'm planning a few changes in here. Because it steps down, I'm installing wall to wall seagrass and getting rid of the rug. The family room sofa will move in here and possibly a vintage trunk.

I planned on sharing photos of some of my favorite porches in my community, but ran out of time. I'm on my way to New York tomorrow for our annual girlfriend trip. So when I return, I will share my favorite porches and shingle houses that inspire me from my neighborhood.

0 Design Bucket List #7 - Build a House From Scratch

Design Bucket List #7: Design, Build and Decorate a House From Scratch.

When I was a kid, I used to draw floor plans for fun. I could sit for hours poring over a book of floor plans that my grandparents had, then attempt to draw my own custom design. I was eight years old!

Not much has changed. I'm still fascinated with architecture and finding the perfect house that would meet our family's needs. I like the floor plan above because the master bedroom is on the first floor, which is perfect as we age and our knees won't let us climb the stairs anymore!

The second story with all the en suite bedrooms is ideal for a large family. The bonus room could be a gym. This house was perfect ten years ago, but now with grown kids coming and going, an aging mother-in-law and mother, I think the ideal house should have a cottage in the back.

A backyard cottage would be perfect should we have to take in Grandma! I really like the simple layout of this studio cottage.

Even though I like the floor plan to this house, perhaps a different façade?

Although it's fun to imagine the perfect layout, I think actually building a house would be very stressful. I'm not so sure I'm up to the challenge anymore. However, I do know what I want and how I would want the interior to look.

A welcoming entry.

A lovely living room with beamed ceilings and large fireplace.

A dining room that would double as a library.

The kitchen would be industrial with a glass doored refrigerator.

The potting shed/mud room would be just off the kitchen.

The basement would have the perfect wine cellar, complete with tasting table and of course, wine!

The bathrooms would be something like this!

There would lots of transitional space like a sunroom or an enclosed porch from which to enjoy the garden.

The garden. There I am, tending the veggies. Wait, where are the chickens?

Where is the little cottage for Grandma?

Perhaps, something quaint like this! Oh, there's no end to the ideas and inspiration.

Thanks for indulging me this Sunday morning with my "build my own house fantasy!"

To read about the original ten items on my "Design Bucket List," click here.

0 French Farmhouse Tea Towels

I received my French Farmhouse Tea Towels from Maria at The Growers Daughter a few days ago. She has an online Etsy boutique, and I just couldn't resist these great towels.

Three towels with three different sentiments, each with a red stripe.

Totally adorable!

I have such a weakness for kitchen towels! Talk about an inexpensive pick me up.

These three towels were only $15!

Here are three more towels, recently purchased at the de Young Museum gift store, of all places!

I washed this one. It actually made it better! What does Essuie de Vaisselle mean?

Well according to the Google translator, it means dish towel! Imagine that?

I'm joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.

On Saturday, I'm linking up to Laurie at Bargain Hunting with Laurie for Favorite Things Saturday.

0 Fabric Inspiration

I'm always looking for fabrics. I know that's ridiculous, but I once saw a sign on the door of a fabric warehouse that said "He who dies with the most fabric, wins!" Well, I'm working on it!

Calico Corner just introduced their newest fabrics, and for once I'm inspired! I especially like the fabrics above, part of their "Ethnic Inspiration" collection, because I'm crazy about paisleys!

Their newest linens from their "Timeless Linens" collection. Another weakness of mine!

And, their newest animal prints from their "Animal Instinct" collection.

I am loving all of these collections, but let's explore more....

The Raja Collection

Paisley, leopard and buffalo checks, what's not to love here!

The Raja Room.

The Allora Collection

I'm crazy about the red zebra fabric!

The Allora Room.

The Spice Island Collection.

Love that paisley!

The Spice Island Room.

The Trousseau Collection.

Very soft and serene.

The Trousseau Room.

The Orient Express Collection.

I love the mini-leopard fabric, if it is velvet....

The Orient Express Room.

The Think Pink Collection.

I guess it's true--pink is back, and in a big way!

I'll take that pretty paisley, please!

The Think Pink Room.

Not for me, but I think it would be a wonderful, sophisticated girl's room.

Of these fabrics, I've pulled a few of my favorites.

Like this pretty paisley, called "Sugar Baby."

Ralph Lauren has the best paisleys, like this one called "Hera."

A large paisley called "Tiburon."

"Chettenham Paisley" by Ralph Lauren

Same fabric, different colorway.

Appropriately named "Cashmere."

Like I said, I love paisley! This one is wonderful!

"Satvari"

There are some fabulous new linens too, like this one called "Emperor."

Oh, be still my heart! I love this 100% linen called "Windsor Floral."

Calico Corners even has a new line of outdoor fabrics.

I plan on slipcovering my tired outdoor cushions this spring, and this wonderful multi stripe just might be the one.

Thanks for going fabric shopping with me! Just so you know, all of these fabrics are now on sale for 20% off! But only until March 26th, so if you see something you like, don't wait!

You can visit their website here, where swatches are available.

So, which collection was your favorite? Can you guess which one was mine?

Hint: A large paisley sofa!