The Ranch: Dining Nook to Hearth Room

<br />Have you ever heard the term Hearth Room? Back in the day, this was the space where the family gathered, the true heart of the home, all centred around the fireplace. Now we generally have the family room, which is larger, located well off the kitchen, and tends to centre around the television. Those small intimate rooms had such a welcoming, come-home feel, and sometimes we lose that in todays larger spaces.<br /><br />I recently had a client contact me with an interesting space. She had an open kitchen, with a space located off the cooking area that was surely meant as a dining area by the original builder. In this home, however, a mature couple with grown children and grandchildren, they dined in the dining room, and used the space as a hearth room.  It contains a wood stove which is lit daily, is fairly narrow in proportion, and the design must include a large cabinet that was a family heirloom.  The current furniture layout did not provide a conversational area. The home is situated on a working ranch, and gets lots of use by the residents, visiting family and friends, and their furry friends! This where they most often entertain guests and relax at the end of a long day of hard work.  J suggested most often the space would be used by two or four adults, and little ones that visited. The current furniture had seen better days, and the lady of the house was ready for a change! I came to see very quickly that J embodies the term gracious, and I wanted to give her and her husband a space where they could truly recharge, and that worked well for conversation with guests.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJtEUFHzA4H1QcWYob-OW3e4uUsbYs5D4urXHoM2nt4dTK198lVU8y_kp6hio312qOJ5Yl1T_kCBOlUOSKcQPW4zt-2XnJWFJsXnH8zab1XWmoQulCenSVEKSiQiFmrfh4bU9BQyERGU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.56.59+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJtEUFHzA4H1QcWYob-OW3e4uUsbYs5D4urXHoM2nt4dTK198lVU8y_kp6hio312qOJ5Yl1T_kCBOlUOSKcQPW4zt-2XnJWFJsXnH8zab1XWmoQulCenSVEKSiQiFmrfh4bU9BQyERGU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.56.59+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEEBP-7ZJdLpOrvEZJ4BsgoVuI87L8bDEguj1HvMQgS2wjmp07ofSjaKjdxZwlsm4581ezEkBaG2OAaLDfKd5-BMOzg6c1S-idHtmdIkLVTCnbHmBGqLemN49N1XISlrEkwMeI2A07Xk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.58.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEEBP-7ZJdLpOrvEZJ4BsgoVuI87L8bDEguj1HvMQgS2wjmp07ofSjaKjdxZwlsm4581ezEkBaG2OAaLDfKd5-BMOzg6c1S-idHtmdIkLVTCnbHmBGqLemN49N1XISlrEkwMeI2A07Xk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.58.32+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />The first layout I suggested involved moving the large cabinet to another wall of the space, creating a different proportion in the room, that allowed for a sofa and two chairs to be paired facing each other.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnYTpluu7Mdnz3chDlwfzlZCF9tdKK0sAckDAyGp1gwnbNNuRSLEh37PFIPUnq6rev7p0Y8keP_-idTZGBNOoroJksJnKA7Mi3z3bAmUPKrAo9FdqS-2f7o7vfikg4bI8W82_KOK7-Pw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-08+at+10.00.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnYTpluu7Mdnz3chDlwfzlZCF9tdKK0sAckDAyGp1gwnbNNuRSLEh37PFIPUnq6rev7p0Y8keP_-idTZGBNOoroJksJnKA7Mi3z3bAmUPKrAo9FdqS-2f7o7vfikg4bI8W82_KOK7-Pw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-08+at+10.00.25+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>J had struggled with the colour of the wood stove for many years. A true fan of warm earth tones, the navy stove was not working with the other colors in the space. J has gorgeous pine plank floors, wood kitchen cabinetry, and black stone counters with a warm neutral tile backsplash. We are working with yellow/orange tones in the woods, and slightly cooler neutrals on the tile. J had suggested she was open to bringing in greys here, however the rest of her home is warm and earthy. The large cabinet is a true antique barn red, which must be incorporated here, with the blue. Grey wasn't ring to work, but the walls could go a cooler beige, heading into the greige category, which would provide a soft backdrop. As the walls are similar in tone to the kitchen cabinetry, they don't divide the space visually, creating a more cohesive, larger feel.<br /><br />Leather is perfect for the sofa, in a warm rich caramel, which is durable and will only look better with age and use.  Two wicker chairs add some texture and a little interest. An small black bench J already had would work as a coffee table, and we would bring in some pattern in textiles to work in the blue and red.<br /><br />A large photo positioned over the sofa would ensure this was the focal wall, and we could now add two wall mounted sconces, in a flat black iron finish, to address the need for softer evening lighting. A ranch needs horses, right? I had a particular piece in mind from a very recent art consult, which I will share shortly.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPbJU4X1vmTHvXL7ydet3fSY8bUm3dgMajsJ9cL6X6VHays1UpQsDkkGhZj26iNLhLMcLTgo37VvgT4SEo_vi5Qspa-llZ3_IqWBkP17TMbavkN1VJZYpA8_73BDhkcGLWpl8hfIOcLE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-09+at+2.01.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPbJU4X1vmTHvXL7ydet3fSY8bUm3dgMajsJ9cL6X6VHays1UpQsDkkGhZj26iNLhLMcLTgo37VvgT4SEo_vi5Qspa-llZ3_IqWBkP17TMbavkN1VJZYpA8_73BDhkcGLWpl8hfIOcLE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-09+at+2.01.20+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />J responded that she loved the palette and finishes, but that she had tried to place that cabinet on the side wall previously, and it did not work. She was completely right, it was far to large for that wall. This is where the back and forth comes in, something I love about the online process, we can work to find the best solution, instead of you just receiving a single design. J said that it could be moved to another space if need be, but I knew that in her heart she wanted it there, as it reminded her of her Grandfather, clearly a man she had loved dearly.  I needed to find a better layout that would allow the cabinet to remain in place.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSFc9NPefQgRWM416BgMPhwMDNXvglm687jyrBe3mJ-vNTMvStihOWz5u5GTnuN6wOkd2sSISuJ6s6MBykou4-B0eM8WcBmR9ch2ctNlXcZb4tzcbkUbq2p1Qh-LYWZMzh_YvW-4H5HI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.59.56+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSFc9NPefQgRWM416BgMPhwMDNXvglm687jyrBe3mJ-vNTMvStihOWz5u5GTnuN6wOkd2sSISuJ6s6MBykou4-B0eM8WcBmR9ch2ctNlXcZb4tzcbkUbq2p1Qh-LYWZMzh_YvW-4H5HI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.59.56+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />I suggested something a little less conventional, placing four chairs in a grouping in the centre of the space, circling and round coffee table. By using this type of floor plan, we could provide seating for four very comfortably, and would include some ottomans tucked into the coffee table for footstools and as occasional seating for little ones. We would add a low bookcase on the side wall, and place lighting and the artwork there. J could display some of her favourite quilts on the shelves, as well as the games and books that would be used in the space. This is a great solution because the room remains open and inviting, but allows for intimate conversation.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lz92uf6qPStSFe68Iax3XzGpIX6nI5ERcU7FSmlpbDynreJknZagdKoI78MYu1dQl8cvy4ndRk5WEfgod5HXX55BXjLA6d8XbG-BBJJ-C5UWPDn1jfI00HivWQ4CiaZcxIzFxYWdJxI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-14+at+9.00.50+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lz92uf6qPStSFe68Iax3XzGpIX6nI5ERcU7FSmlpbDynreJknZagdKoI78MYu1dQl8cvy4ndRk5WEfgod5HXX55BXjLA6d8XbG-BBJJ-C5UWPDn1jfI00HivWQ4CiaZcxIzFxYWdJxI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-14+at+9.00.50+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Four matching leather chairs, in the warm caramel tone, form the base grouping. The key to this working, proportionally, is choosing chairs with wide seats, for comfort, and narrow arms, to keep their footprint fairly narrow.  The round table works for ease of movement, and a piece with reclaimed wood top and metal base keeps it light visually, and would tie in the countertops and lighting as well as the more rustic pieces in J's home.  J was very happy with everything, and went to to get a paint sample. Although she did not love the color on the paint chip, once she got it on the walls she loved it :) J painted her walls right away, and began to look locally for the leather chairs.  Once she those she will move onto ordering the other pieces.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz4yPNl81rZ39nJ9bLn1q0LKWjm3j1pjijvA1XsWrk_qSsdUH4_nFl5kyCFFF_uv793OAJjAHGu6a4rHKtbp4YrT46E2sXwdq24fJLBtryB0_1By0lIqJK6f6riLzVh1CbAkGd_jynZs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-14+at+9.55.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz4yPNl81rZ39nJ9bLn1q0LKWjm3j1pjijvA1XsWrk_qSsdUH4_nFl5kyCFFF_uv793OAJjAHGu6a4rHKtbp4YrT46E2sXwdq24fJLBtryB0_1By0lIqJK6f6riLzVh1CbAkGd_jynZs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-14+at+9.55.08+AM.png" width="522" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;">The paint colour used here is Benjamin Moore <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/cc-90" target="_blank">Natural Linen</a> 966.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;">The beautiful photograph is from <a href="http://shop.kararosenlund.com/product/wild-horses-photographic-print" target="_blank">Kara Rosenlund</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;">The <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/round+wood+hairpin+coffee+table.do?&from=fn" target="_blank">table</a> and <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/antique-black-verona-two-shelf-bookshelf.do?&from=fn" target="_blank">bookcase</a> are from World Market.</span></div><br /><br />Nothing beats the moment when a client goes from "what do I do with this space?" to "I can't wait to get started on this space!".  It happens during every consult, and to hear the excitement and happiness that my clients are feeling is the reason I love my job! Our homes should make us happy, right? That's my goal, making sure they do...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Have great day! Will try to post about a few other consults shortly :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Am always getting requests for examples of the online process…  x am</div><br />

The Ranch: Dining Nook to Hearth Room

Have you ever heard the term Hearth Room? Back in the day, this was the space where the family gathered, the true heart of the home, all centred around the fireplace. Now we generally have the family room, which is larger, located well off the kitchen, and tends to centre around the television. Thos…

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A New Layer: Desks

<br />So we've seen layered rugs, and <a href="http://10rooms.blogspot.ca/2011/11/have-at-it-ottoman-vs-coffee-table.html" target="_blank">footstools layered under coffee tables</a>, but what about layered desks?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/15-beautiful-and-inspiring-workspaces-212841?crlt.pid=camp.Ax7yLycF4JgL" target="_blank">This</a> is a really interesting idea.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You get the best of both worlds - </div><div style="text-align: center;">glam legs and a large glass work surface on the outside,</div><div style="text-align: center;">combined with storage and some soul tucked in underneath.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbmtQ_bi0Agg1SBkrJbAEYz-_h0iZLEKlt68-nOLzG4nCh7j0lVhuyGd5OzmmU9FxYbdKW91xobSXwfKYIK6ND3jG3rbhRHdqqxNkCR5IgW94zYnWoaf0Usc6ibvIr7siMVf5j8Shego/s1600/215cf2c93e2a40a5560cb44d2e683958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbmtQ_bi0Agg1SBkrJbAEYz-_h0iZLEKlt68-nOLzG4nCh7j0lVhuyGd5OzmmU9FxYbdKW91xobSXwfKYIK6ND3jG3rbhRHdqqxNkCR5IgW94zYnWoaf0Usc6ibvIr7siMVf5j8Shego/s1600/215cf2c93e2a40a5560cb44d2e683958.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Something you would try? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">am x</div>

A New Layer: Desks

So we've seen layered rugs, and footstools layered under coffee tables, but what about layered desks?This is a really interesting idea.You get the best of both worlds - glam legs and a large glass work surface on the outside,combined with storage and some soul tucked in underneath. Something you wou…

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Traditional Style Open Living

Usually open living means a space that is industrial, modern or minimalist. How often do we see a true multipurpose living space which includes more traditional styling and multiple layers?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.domainehome.com/feminine-living-room-photos/slide7" target="_blank">This</a> spectacular room sees living, dining and office perfectly incorporated into one, large space. It really makes you rethink the need for all those walls, doesn't it?<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNURP0NAyVH_l5nZDBOV2GP3AKDwChKygx0K_eIqfwuS1mQ62atssB50pEAu2KO49YyRCuyBHLCID1v_qPawRM3lbSRUCc1jlFDX_EKn_9T5qkOXIxjQZFG3OC8YGrH3iOUqSxUq7NxsY/s1600/main.original.980x550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNURP0NAyVH_l5nZDBOV2GP3AKDwChKygx0K_eIqfwuS1mQ62atssB50pEAu2KO49YyRCuyBHLCID1v_qPawRM3lbSRUCc1jlFDX_EKn_9T5qkOXIxjQZFG3OC8YGrH3iOUqSxUq7NxsY/s1600/main.original.980x550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />So many noteworthy ideas here...<br /><br />Warm tonal hues create a soft welcoming envelope for living.<br /><br />Note the way the sofa is presented - a large banquette that starches the length of the wall, it can accommodate several people at once and yet takes up minimal area.<br /><br />A large sculptural table takes centre stage, and as the darkest piece in the room it is grounded although floating atop several large cowhides.<br /><br />The office area along the right side of the space includes two generous workspaces, and cleverly uses additional dining chairs, which link the areas and allows them to be pulled to the table for larger groups.<br /><br />A wall of storage above the workspaces is busy, but balanced by the wall of mirror on the left, which fills in the large area above the banquette without further visually cluttering the room.<br /><br /><br />What do you think? Would this work for how you live?<br /><br />x am<br /><br /><br />

Traditional Style Open Living

Usually open living means a space that is industrial, modern or minimalist. How often do we see a true multipurpose living space which includes more traditional styling and multiple layers?This spectacular room sees living, dining and office perfectly incorporated into one, large space. It really ma…

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January Blues: Navy

<br />It's January, and with January always comes the return of blue. Why is this? Perhaps in response to the glut of red we've just surrounded ourselves with for the holidays, perhaps because of the yearning for the warmer days and the sea… I'm not sure, but whatever the reason, blue is the colour of January.<br /><br />Feeling inspired, thought I may put together a few design boards based on nautical blues, island blues, you get the drift (pardon the pun, couldn't help myself!)…<br /><br />The painting by Jennifer Latimer got the board started. Such gorgeous texture! Generally, unless you have a space drenched in warm light, navy and pure white are too harsh a combination. Navy works beautifully with soft whites, warm woods and grieges, and that's where I took this space.<br /><br />The humble rattan chairs are so sculptural that they can hold their own against a Milo Baughman sofa and brutalist sconces. That carpet provides a much needed textural element against all those sleek surfaces. Imagine a wall of glass behind that sofa, graced by flowing linen panels...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJey2p0tOR_P1Dcfmt3wA0DIWK4I6Uawyi8XkCrIbUgTAKYZlwuiBi0TSE35yvRHEjb_WVctuVHXOOc7N1URv-8xW6QqgeEI8bpw0Owt3je4jWnp36m56VZ3MhXEa020OC9GerwsD9YM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-05+at+7.05.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJey2p0tOR_P1Dcfmt3wA0DIWK4I6Uawyi8XkCrIbUgTAKYZlwuiBi0TSE35yvRHEjb_WVctuVHXOOc7N1URv-8xW6QqgeEI8bpw0Owt3je4jWnp36m56VZ3MhXEa020OC9GerwsD9YM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-05+at+7.05.32+AM.png" width="544" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/product/48264/2585123?cat=72" target="_blank">1</a> <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-furniture/32100224.jsp#/" target="_blank">2</a><a href="https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/sofas/blue-leather-milo-baughman-cantilevered-chrome-bar-sofa-circa-1970s/id-f_1355328/" target="_blank"> 3</a> <a href="https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/storage-case-pieces/sideboards/1970s-belgium-sideboard/id-f_1558123/" target="_blank">4</a> <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-rugs/32317539.jsp#/" target="_blank">5</a> <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/home/Jonathan-Adler-Lucite-Table-14538117" target="_blank">6 </a><a href="https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/lighting/sconces-wall-lights/pair-of-brutalist-hammered-brass-wall-sconce-tom-greene-feldman/id-f_783661/" target="_blank">7</a> <a href="http://www.nest.co.uk/product/diesel-with-foscarini-pipe-floor-lamp-white" target="_blank">8</a><a href="http://sanderellascrochet.com/alpaca-pillow/" target="_blank"> 9 </a></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">What do you think? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Does this combination of navy paired with soft, warm, neutral layers appeal to you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">x am</div><br /><br />

January Blues: Navy

It's January, and with January always comes the return of blue. Why is this? Perhaps in response to the glut of red we've just surrounded ourselves with for the holidays, perhaps because of the yearning for the warmer days and the sea… I'm not sure, but whatever the reason, blue is the colour of Jan…

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Happy New Year

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy New Year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFNohDopevt5Ggpsmjw06VKpmeXmIxweRGxPJ-zT-RB-rpmaMhWTLvP80ikZUUI0_AjKslNhcefJmwPirVUEuOVQgLKHd4xpkr6V6OzUNXCIaKFEEFgFVhWnj27uJumBTdXD4YUgP9Lk/s1600/the-world-is-your-oyster-illustrated-art-print-16r-01_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFNohDopevt5Ggpsmjw06VKpmeXmIxweRGxPJ-zT-RB-rpmaMhWTLvP80ikZUUI0_AjKslNhcefJmwPirVUEuOVQgLKHd4xpkr6V6OzUNXCIaKFEEFgFVhWnj27uJumBTdXD4YUgP9Lk/s1600/the-world-is-your-oyster-illustrated-art-print-16r-01_2.png" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://riflepaperco.com/the-world-is-your-oyster-illustrated-art-print/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">link</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What are you all planning for 2015? Any exciting changes? Perhaps less change?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are still pursuing simplification around here, trying to find more balance.</div><div style="text-align: center;">As the kids get older, we realize how precious our time with them is, and how fleeting.</div><br /><br />If you been reading the blog, you may know we downsized last year. We had bought and sold for many years, each time buying a larger home. We finally ended up in our "dream" home, a huge house on a huge property, only to find we were overwhelmed by it. Not only is the upkeep enormous, but we lived separately, all off in different corners of the house. Our sense of family got lost in all the square footage. People could not believe we were selling to downsize. Everyone asked why we would leave such a beautiful house. The problem with that house was that it never became a home, it remained larger than life the four years we lived there. Going from over 4000 square feet to 2800 square feet meant losing a few perks, like an amazing kitchen, but we realize how lucky we are to still have such a gracious home. I love that we are all shoulder-to-shoulder here, snuggling on the sofa at night, one kid working on a laptop, a card game going on, the tv in the background. It's in that chaotic togetherness that a family thrives.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPyXqNw7hpsVOuSBq9HUKscGanhARnsvdDaFtr7kser60lKy4v7P-ZbSVoRpSEJM2HiELmoa8etRaPRKp0fGXhOpsmkVQTxvNyM1t6vqqj-HLceImB1ox3ngSOL4cY77OqOskVBjrsME/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+9.58.36+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPyXqNw7hpsVOuSBq9HUKscGanhARnsvdDaFtr7kser60lKy4v7P-ZbSVoRpSEJM2HiELmoa8etRaPRKp0fGXhOpsmkVQTxvNyM1t6vqqj-HLceImB1ox3ngSOL4cY77OqOskVBjrsME/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+9.58.36+AM.png" width="468" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://onmyowntwohands.tumblr.com/page/4" target="_blank">1</a><a href="http://goodmemory.tumblr.com/post/34750181916" target="_blank"> 2</a> <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1808285841"></span>3<span id="goog_1808285842"></span></a> </div><br />A year later, I look around this home and realize that there are far too many "things".  I had purchased so many accessories in the last home, trying to warm it up with layers. Here there is no need for all of those layers, it's time to embrace a more simplified home. Are any of you feeling this? We all blog about more, more, more, but really it's about meeting our needs in beautiful way. Anyone else ready to get back there with me?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljgKRYbppwJ7UbilYR6xPwURrcTwhNIZ-pGDy8VblO8x-5WUWo1u87PATva4UhLupnxxzXE2Ivr1BiQCoH-9u4OzQ5FXOwhr0RbOG0SN5pMMyPSIBAH0SfqTm1s6Rj58TzMkwqA4Hps8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+10.47.35+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljgKRYbppwJ7UbilYR6xPwURrcTwhNIZ-pGDy8VblO8x-5WUWo1u87PATva4UhLupnxxzXE2Ivr1BiQCoH-9u4OzQ5FXOwhr0RbOG0SN5pMMyPSIBAH0SfqTm1s6Rj58TzMkwqA4Hps8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+10.47.35+AM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlZG-icyGPcFJaN-dxmduYQvgfBiiPhCQO0w_d-XrWZ5VneD8MKZf8bT1fzcRUU3_vgOlNJi-_GhHvzR2jusMNhdLiFXYQ0NpW2YrKi0d9EqoQcU7soq7eQ9qzEFa32QVJlxE1fLQ3zc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+10.43.31+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlZG-icyGPcFJaN-dxmduYQvgfBiiPhCQO0w_d-XrWZ5VneD8MKZf8bT1fzcRUU3_vgOlNJi-_GhHvzR2jusMNhdLiFXYQ0NpW2YrKi0d9EqoQcU7soq7eQ9qzEFa32QVJlxE1fLQ3zc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+10.43.31+AM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV3Mwmyjnri6laOxkvIJK7ORxGd5dIKH2B6FMmT-1GSybNDJrH1yOVRSePWrzZg5jjq-kHmpX_8Q9t9QAp_2Z7yIo-xL2PoIxBLz5CnSrWD5UI_OjDlQfGOsXDBavRqAO68gwo7vEd5c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+10.44.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV3Mwmyjnri6laOxkvIJK7ORxGd5dIKH2B6FMmT-1GSybNDJrH1yOVRSePWrzZg5jjq-kHmpX_8Q9t9QAp_2Z7yIo-xL2PoIxBLz5CnSrWD5UI_OjDlQfGOsXDBavRqAO68gwo7vEd5c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+10.44.46+AM.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.homeadore.com/2014/08/18/wine-country-retreat-andrew-mann-architecture/" target="_blank">1</a> <a href="http://houseandhome.com/design/photo-gallery-beautiful-homes-gorgeous-floors?page=14" target="_blank">2</a><a href="http://indulgy.com/post/sqd7K09q71/rooms" target="_blank"> 3</a> <a href="http://claudiaclobes.com/?s=fashion" target="_blank">4</a></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br />This year on the blog I will try to focus on quality over quantity, on enduring style rather than trends, and things that help us to live a balanced life. Happy New Year, everyone!<br /><br /><br /><br />

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!linkWhat are you all planning for 2015? Any exciting changes? Perhaps less change?We are still pursuing simplification around here, trying to find more balance.As the kids get older, we realize how precious our time with them is, and how fleeting.If you been reading the blog, you may …

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