0 Decorating with Red, White and Blue

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With the 4th of July coming up, I thought it would be fun to feature some patriotic inspiration like this cute cottage with the American Flag flying proudly. Red geraniums and a vintage enamel cooler on the porch make it even more festive.

This is our home, also with the flag flying proudly. We actually fly it every day!

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The flag is the inspiration here for this classic red Adirondack chair with star studded pillow and blue ticking stripe cushion.

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This porch is all decked out in red, white and blue.

How perfect is this for July 4th?

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I like this idea of putting flags in potted plants to create a patriotic room.

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A cottage living room with red gingham and blue ticking. The red lamp base adds a punch of red.

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An all American kitchen. I love the plaid skirt and bistro dishes with blue trim.

The yellow ware bowls on the ledge are pure Americana.

House Beautiful

One of my favorite designers, Gary McBournie designed this kitchen. The floor is painted "Deep Ocean" by Benjamin Moore, then splattered with red and white paint. I love the rustic beamed ceiling. Very cool cabinets with their cut out doors. Notice the flag tucked into the corner.....

House Beautiful

You can't miss this flag! This boy's room was designed by Suzanne Kasler. I love the red leather club chair and denim bedding. The blue ceiling brings it all together.

House Beautiful

Another flag used as art in this boy's room, designed by Emily Henry. The wall color is Dunn-Edward's "Enchanting Sky."

Which brings us to this boy's room, designed by moi! My son, Alex's room has always been painted this shade of denim blue. When he moved out to go to college, I bought him a queen bed and got rid of his twin beds. The shams and Indian blanket are Ralph Lauren. Wall color is "Philipsburg Blue" by Benjamin Moore.

I hope all these photos gets you in the mood for the 4th!

We are so excited to be with all our kids and grandkids this weekend! What are your plans?

Barbecue? Camping? Fireworks?

Whatever you end up doing, have a fun and safe 4th of July!

I'm linking up to Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.

On Saturday, I'll join Laurie at Bargain Hunting With Laurie for Favorite Things Saturday.

Thank Ladies for hosting.

0 A Room of One's Own

I'll admit it: I'm fascinated by Sandy Foster and her lifestyle. She lives with her husband, but has her own tiny little victorian personal retreat just up the path from the home they share.

Before: this was an abandoned old hunting shack.

After: she rehabbed it all by herself with a lot of determination and just $3000!

Now, it's her magical all white, ruffles and all, room of her own. It is so feminine and shabby chic, I'm sure her husband doesn't feel comfortable at all here.

And that's the point!

Her bedroom loft, accessible by ladder with yards and yards of lace. Wouldn't it be nice to have a little escape like this!

Sandy's front porch. Love her pink wellies!

This is the inside of the 1970's mobile home that Sandy shares with her husband and their four dogs.

You can see why they call they're home the "Groove Tube!"

Mr. Foster has his own personal "man cave" on the property too. It is a large tarp covered shed complete with a big screen tv!

The happily married couple. How cute are they!

I know much has been written about Sandy, so I'll just leave it at that. A happily married couple, each with their own retreats. Hmmmmm. What a concept!

Read about Sandy in the recent New York Times article here.

Sandra has a gorgeous blog called My Shabby Streamside Studio.

Mr. Foster also has a blog, Actual Man Cave. Check out his post about their lovely renaissance wedding.

Photos by Trevor Tondro for The New York Times