Modern Cottage

I'm loving this modern take on a country cottage...

Photograph: Stuart McIntyre
Words/styling: Katrine Martensen-Larsen

Via KML Design

What a surprising and lovely contrast this country home creates with its traditional exterior and modern interior. My favorites? The white wood floors, the oversized map, the soothing neutrals in the master bedroom, the charming children's bedroom, the reading nook with a loft above(!) and, of course, the Hobbit-like playhouse. Loveliness everywhere!

Thanks to My Scandinavian Retreat for the introduction to KML Design.

Salt: (Beautifully) Contained at Last

You may remember when I posted about not having a salt cellar for my Celtic sea salt  here.  Well, thanks to my sweet husband, I now have this pretty dish and spoon for my salt. I'm so impressed that he remembered. Yay! for thoughtful husbands. Yay! for pretty dishes. Yay! for no more salty fingers.

Swinging From the Rafters

Via Pinterest

Yesterday was Thanksgiving day here in the States; a day set aside to give thanks to God for all that we have been given. I give thanks for the many blessings in my life...my sweet husband, my fun and loving children, my extended family and friends, our church family, our home and health, and I give thanks for all of you for encouraging and supporting me in my creative efforts at The Striped Straw. Thank you so very much!
I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday and are enjoying a little extra time with loved ones. We had a very full and very fun day beginning with Thanksgiving breakfast, followed by more cooking, followed by football, followed by more eating and followed by a big birthday bash for five out of the six grandkids who live in town. And now, today, I find myself up way too early after a late night and my littlest C waking me up every couple of hours (sore legs, too cold, too excited, etc.) After the abundance of presents, which I can't begrudge them as it was the adults who decided we'd do birthdays at Thanksgiving after making them wait a month after their birthdays, all 3Cs are up and at 'em with their new toys. Maybe they won't notice if Mom camps out on the couch and snatches a few more z's. (And wouldn't that hammock be an ideal place for a nap? No doubt it would become a launching swing for superheroes, ninjas and spies in my house, but it's nice to entertain the dream of lounging in a lovely place.)
Happy lounging to you! If you happen to be engaging in holiday shopping today, please do consider stopping by my little Shop to pick up some lovely gifts.

Spacing Out

Some spaces I wouldn't mind spending some time in...

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Desire to Inspire via ffffound

Desire to Inspire.net Via ffffound

Pia Jane Bijkerk via ffffound

You'll notice an emphasis on open shelving...still on the hunt.

A Kids' Thanksgiving

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is almost here? I'm so excited for this week and for the family that is coming into town and the celebrating we'll be doing. It's so good for us to truly slow down, reflect on the many blessings in our lives and give thanks to God. My hope is to help my 3Cs cultivate grateful hearts. They were able to help my husband and me serve at a Thanksgiving dinner last night at church. It was so sweet to see them carrying around trays of pie and clearing dirty plates for people. So this morning, I have Thanksgiving and kiddos on my mind. Here are some fun Thanksgiving ideas for your little ones...

One Charming Party via Pinterest

Free download today only at Oohmoon. 

Faux Pumpkin Pie from One Charming Party

A Trio of Towels

Lovebirds Tea Towel

Persons kryddskåp Kitchen Towel

Copenhagen Kitchen Towel

This morning, I'm loving these kitchen and tea towels from Scandinavian Design Center. I think they would make a lovely little addition to a gift basket with a selection of teas and coffees and baked goodies. A beautiful way to bring some art into the kitchen.

Cutting a Path Through Beautiful Terrain

Some lovely items from Terrain that caught my eye...

Glass Jug Pendant

Ceramic Salt Pig

Bubble Place Card Holder

Petite Velvet Pumpkin

Mason Jar Candle Holder

Charcoal Stripe Tablecloth

I love each and every one of these items and so much more at Terrain. Wouldn't it be so much fun to fill those Bubble place card holders with fresh flowers and glass pebbles or something else colorful like sea glass or candy that coordinated with your table colors? Ahh...I've enjoyed this little jaunt through gorgeous Terrain and hope that you will too. Happy Wednesday!

Ooh La La

Photo via Pinterest

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go on an amazing home tour. It was the Ooh La La  Christmas Home Tour, which is a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project. It's a fantastic cause (so grateful for our soldiers who sacrifice so much to keep us safe!) and the home tour was just unbelievable. There were eight homes on the tour, all custom but of varying styles and sizes, and each one was decorated for Christmas. It was so much fun to see different decorating ideas as well as step into gorgeous homes.
One of the decorating ideas that I hope to incorporate in my home is hanging a large branch from the ceiling with ornaments hung from it (similar to the photo above.) We saw that in a home that has an Asian theme and it was really simple but striking. Another unique idea in that same home was several groupings of red and white and flowered paper lanterns hung from the ceiling by wires. It was festive and fit the overall look of the home.
I also took away an appreciation for how the decorators used the existing color scheme in each house as a base for their seasonal decorating. One home had orange and gold running through it, which was reflected in the Christmas decorating with a sprig of greenery, an orange glass ornament and a gold butterfly grouped together and hung throughout the home. Who would have thought of using orange and gold for Christmas? And yet, it was very elegant and suited the home perfectly.
So while Christmas isn't next week, I'm inspired to begin thinking about how to add some holiday charm to our home. What's inspiring you for holiday decorating?

I Could Use Some Help from House Doctor

Admittedly, I have not made much progress in our kitchen since the walls were painted. I still haven't found the "right" shelves, cabinets need painting, etc. We have a lot of work to do in there. In the meantime, it's fun to look and imagine putting together a space that is both functional and beautiful. I'm liking this Nordic vibe from House Doctor. Charcoal and white, wood and glass...lovely, don't you think?

Dreaming of Spain

Ahhh...Spain. Have I mentioned that I love Spain? Half of my family tree finds its roots in Spain. And it was also my home for a year. And it's where I got engaged. And it's where our oldest son learned to roll over as a baby when we were staying there one summer. Good memories.
As I was looking at these lovely pictures from Spain-based photographer Isabel Lopez Quesada, it got me thinking about the flat in Sevilla that I called home. It had new, almost squeaky new, furniture that was quite uncomfortable. But my flatmates and I had the requisite round table dressed in a heavy tablecloth. During the winter, a little floor heater was placed underneath the table and everyone would sit around the table with their legs under the tablecloth so you could soak up the warmth. It created a cozy little space for having long conversations. The only down-side was that it was hard to get yourself up and moving again. But on to this gorgeous home in Asturias...

I love the colors, materials and textures of this home. In other rooms, you'll see pops of more vibrant colors but these soothing neutrals are striking me right today. And aren't those metal animal sculptures in the kitchen a nice whimsical touch? (And you know I like whimsy.) Life is full of work, busyness, stress and trials. Visiting these lovely rooms, even for a moment, is a welcome reprieve. Have a restful weekend!

Thank you,  Desire to Inspire, for introducing me to Isabel Lopez Quesada.

Come On In Fall

  

Today was a family field trip to the Pumpkin Patch. It was a perfect day to go, sunny and warm. My three C's ran around the corn maze, tossed bean bags, tried their hand at roping and, of course, picked out little pumpkins to bring home. And now Fall is finding its way into our home and making itself quite comfortable. And I'm welcoming it with arms wide open.

Salty Fingers

After dipping my fingers into my Celtic Sea Salt bag for the hundredth time this weekend and getting my entire hand salty, I began to think it wouldn't be such a bad idea to look for a salt cellar. I love little bowls and dishes and while I've given salt cellars as gifts, one has yet to grace my kitchen counters. This glass salt cellar from Crate and Barrel is a cute and affordable way to go. But there's also something appealing about keeping my counters clear (ha!) with this hang-on-your-wall-out-of-the-way salt cellar from Pottery Barn. Or maybe this little chunk of maple or this milk blue rose cellar. A little antique baby spoon would be too cute with that milk blue cellar. Spoons! That's a whole other story....and maybe that's what I should be looking for to keep my fingers from getting salty. How do you dish up your salt?

Lovely Place to Lay Your Head

I've been working here and there on our bedroom this year. I like where it's come and yet, it still attracts stuffed animals, papers and craft supplies like a magnet. One day, I hope it will become the sanctuary that I'm envisioning. In the meantime, imagining myself in one of these rooms will do just nicely.

Each one is filled with natural light with beautiful pops of blue color (that coverlet is gorgeous and that wall behind the second bed is just right.) Throw in some delightful furniture, a spot to jot down thoughts here and a spot to sit and read there and I think you have a lovely combination.
via Graphic-Exchange

Rain...so lovely

Photo by Silent Shot on Flickr

We're enjoying a rare and wonderful rain. Makes for a cozy afternoon at home.