So, Friday was my birthday and my oldest friend (meaning longest term, NOT OLDest, lol) took me to the Downton Abbey Costumes Exhibition currently showing in Boston and then out to a lovely lunch. I was really looking forward to the exhibit as I loved the series and had blogged about it when it was … Read more
So, here we are just about to view the final episode (here in the States) of Downton Abbey. I wanted to share some of my favorites character images that also feature some of the most spectacular sets and furnishings we’ve seen in the show. I’ve tried to order the photos by character, chronologically, just so we … Read more
So, the final episode of Downton Abbey airs (in the States) this weekend and those of us who have been fans since the beginning are certainly very said. It’s not to say that the series has been perfect and hasn’t maybe run on a season too long. But still, it’s almost gone and how I will … Read more
And just like that, it’s the weekend! In this week’s edition of The Saturday List, we go big and travel out to visit the Pasadena Showcase House, we go tiny and visit with some doll houses and travel to the Continent with the release of the new Downton Abbey: A New Era. Enjoy! The famed … Read more
Upholstered headboards and beds have been popular design elements in bedrooms for well over a century. They are both cozy and glamorous and certainly know how to make a statement! When I was designing my own Nook Cottage bedroom (above) I fell in love with Aerin Lauder for Lee Jofa Watersedge cut velvet fabric. In. … Read more
So, how are you doing? I imagine, like me, you’re pretty stressed about this whole situation we find ourselves in. I am working on a series of blog posts offering suggestions and resources for entertainment, education and maybe even tuning out the world with some pretty. First up: Staycation Movies and Television shows for the … Read more
Hello! I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. I’m sorry my posts have been so sporadic recently, sometimes it’s just hard getting it together enough to post something. Anyway, on Saturday I had my nieces Libby and Katie over for a formal(ish) ladies high tea and I wanted to share the menu and some … Read more
I watched the new BBC production of Agatha Christie’s Ordeal by Innocence last week, which is available on Amazon Prime Video. Set in the 1950’s, the story centers around a wealthy family, the Argyll’s. Matriarch Rachel Argyll is some kind of philanthropist who can’t have children, so adopts five children, plus one super hard-working housekeeper … Read more
I for one am thrilled to see May come our way. Today, I’m still wearing my winter coat to walk the dog. But the weather reports temps in the 80’s are days away. Woohoo! Okay, in truth I’ll immediately go into “it’s a little bit hot” mode. New Englanders – we’re always complaining about the … Read more
So, last week I was lamenting the dearth of color in the interiors landscape. As I keep saying, I love a good gray room – but seriously, there are so many other colors out there! This week we got the dueling announcements from Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore and their Colors of the Year and color … Read more
The official title of the 2nd episode of Outlander Versailles and Paris is “Not in Scotland Anymore”, but to take the reference a little further the “Swans and Crocs and Versailles, Oh My!” episode is a feast for the senses and emotions. It’s a kaleidoscope of colors and textures, moving parts and sheer artistry the … Read more
For the most part, Outlander is very much an “outside” story. There’s lots of sleeping rough on the road, horse riding through the Highlands, campfires and buggy roadside inns. In other words, unlike Downton Abbey, there’s not much in the way of fine interiors and “Get that look” opportunities. So, while I adore the story … Read more
The premier episode of Outlander on Starz has finally aired and it was really, really good and very true to the book. By the end of the first episode, the protagonist Claire Beauchamp Randall has “fallen through time” leaving behind her 20th century husband to wonder what happened to her and falling into the … Read more
The new film Atonement which comes out this week and stars Keira Knightley and James McAvoy is partially set in British countryside of 1935. The New York Times had an interesting article this week about the Shropshire Mansion “Stokesay” that was used as the setting for part of the movie. This late 1800’s foreboding Victorian … Read more