Have a Lovely Weekend!

Morning y'all! Um, how fab is that house?? It was blowing up my pinterest, I couldn't NOT share it with y'all because I thought about it for like 10 hours after I pinned it.  It's from a blog called Classy Girls Wear Pearls, which is more of a fascinating preppy fashion blog than a decor blog.  I love preppy fashion so I will be be visiting periodically to see what the young kids are wearing these days.  You can rent this gorgeous Jamestown, RI home here.  It is now on my list of places to go.  Sooner rather than later.  Anyway, I hope y'all have a lovely weekend! 

Enjoy these super rando links: 

Happy Birthday to my beautiful little sister, Elizabeth! 

Elizabeth, since you skipped town before it arrived, this is what I got you for your birthday

People, there's a back story to this, in short, these were all over the house we used to stay in when we went to Sea Island.

I'm having a hard time choosing amongst these lovely finials - it's the little things. 

This blue and white dress should probably be mine 

I like this quote

A look at the gorgeous set of Bel Ami

Plus, lots of Robert Pattinson! Bonus! 

If you are wondering what I smell like: China Rain* from here + Tide Laundry Detergent + Downy Dryer Sheets + (when I'm feeling fancy) Burberry Brit  

*It shall be noted, that I "borrowed" this scent from my college roommate and now wear it daily partly because I miss her and partly because everyone complements me on it, which she understands because complements are fun. 

A great post from one of my favorite bloggers, but the video at the end is what made me happiest.

A great memo to PR people

I cannot wait for The Mindy Project - we are best friends in my head

The Suze bought this book House Beautiful Kitchens after declaring she was over buying books

But it was just too good

Forshadowing

Houses I Like ...

When I see a pretty white house, I get the same sort of endorphin high that I get when I lay my eyes on this picture: 

Just sheer, utter joy and happiness combined with a tiny hint of raging jealousy that it's not mine.

Today, I'm mourning the "contract pending" status on a house I've been eyeballing for months.  It certainly wasn't mine to lose, but I felt a sort of ownership over it as I was the one who visited it daily on various real estate websites and gazed at it lovingly, imagining all of the painting and wallpapering I would do to make it pretty again.  But alas, it wasn't meant to be.  So I'm going to take the high road and show you houses that are better than that house because I never wanted him anyway.

I know this is lazy of me, but all of these houses can be found here, on my Pinterest board appropriately titled Houses.  I clearly have a thing for white houses.  Do you have a certain style of house you find yourself admiring over and over? I'd love to hear about it! 

Lulu's Listing: A Girl Can Dream ...

Morning y'all! My sissy sent me this new listing with the subject "A Girl Can Dream ..." and oh my gosh was she right.  This is the closest thing to my dream home yet.  In fact, this was the house my childhood friend grew up in, although it looked very different (but still gorgeous).  I loved this house even then and I often think if I ever build my own house it would be inspired by this home.  It was originally designed by the famous Dallas architect Hal Thompson and has since been restored by Wilson Fuqua and Cathy Kincaid.  When I see those names attached to a Dallas home, I know it's going to be good.  And, y'all, it's gooooood.  Oh Lawd, is it good!

Did y'all recognize some of the rooms?  You can view the listing HERE.

P.S. I found a color for Edward's bathroom and it's coming together very nicely.  I can't wait to show you the finished product!

Moodboard Monday: Coffee Bar Vignette

Dream Coffee Bar Vignette 

{New Ravenna Mosaics; Luxury Monograms Monogrammed Navy Linen Napkin; Etsy Mini Art Canvas; Williams-Sonoma Cane Rattan Tray; Blue Canton Coffee Pot, Sugar Bowl and Cream Pitcher; Tobacco Leaf Coffee Mug}

Ok this is slightly embarrassing, but while I was cleaning out my closet I found not one, not two, but THREE Crate and Barrel gift cards in a bag with a bunch of wedding stuff.  I mean helloo?? What is wrong with me! So in celebration of my newfound fortune I decided to go out and buy myself a new coffee maker.  I've been using a Braun Tassimo Hot Beverage System, which I really like for the variety of beverages I can make.  However, I can only get the T-discs at Target and I can't get out of Target without spending $600. Sooo if I can get coffee elsewhere I will likely spend less, and thus the new coffee maker is actually a prudent purchase (this kind of reasoning is why I went to law school people).  Plus I get to drink the delicious coffee I brought back from Costa Rica!

Here's a little dream coffee bar vignette in honor of the new coffee maker that's supposed to arrive today.  I love my coffee and I believe my coffee and the accompanying accoutrements deserve a pretty little place to call home.  This coffee bar will live in my dream house for now.  It also gives you a glimpse at the kitchen I am designing in my head.    I'm in love with that marble backsplash from New Ravenna and I'm sort of into gray cabinets. (BTW is it grey or gray? Is gray the Whiskey Tango way of spelling the posher grey? Which will make me look fancier and more sophisticated?)

In other news, I can now cross two projects off of The Big Clean list! I still have so much more to go, but it's better than nothing.  I'm going to try to tackle something small today.  Hopefully, by Friday I'll have a couple more projects crossed off.

Laundry Room Cabinets 

Utensil Drawer 

Junk Drawers 

Pantry 

TV Shelves 

Under the Sink 

Spice Cupboard 

Refrigerator 

China Closet 

Guest Bedroom Closet 

Playroom Closet 

Coat Closet 

Linen Closet 

My Closet 

Edward's Closet 

My Nightstand 

My General Side of the Bed Area 

Make-Up Bag 

Master Bath Drawers 

My Dresser Drawers 

Den Bookshelves 

Edward's Cabinet in the Kitchen 

Edward's Dresser 

Edward's Changing Table 

Bed in Edward's Room 

Happy (Belated) Birthday Belclaire House!

One of my New Year's resolutions was to get it together.  "It" being all-encompassing.  Everything.  Haaa! And then I go and miss my own baby bloggy's 1st birthday! In all fairness to me, I was out of the country with no internet access on January 6th, but I could have probably pre-planned a post for that special day.  Oh well, c'est la vie!  So to make it up to Belclaire House and my readers I thought I'd do another Dream House tour.  I think y'all will like this one.

Exterior

I still dream of a white house with black shutters ...

but I would love to build a house inspired by the work of famed Atlanta architect Philip Shutze, for whom my loyal readers know I have a special affinity.

Philip Shutze House 

Entry 

Beautiful blue and white and a wrought iron staircase to greet my guests. (Those look like my wedding flowers!) 

Joseph Minton

Joseph Minton

Dining Room

I love this light-filled dining room designed by one of my favorite designers Cathy Kincaid.

Cathy Kincaid

Living Room 

I'm so inspired by the details in this elegant living room from Southern Accents.  The screen, the jaguar print chair, the pleated lampshade and antique lamp.

Amelia Handegan 

more jaguar ("raahhhh," says Edward as he looks at this picture)

I want to actually use my living room and I'm pretty sure if I had a coffee table like this one in Aerin Lauder's country home, I would insist on showing it off.  

Vogue

Kitchen 

I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and I don't like to be alone.  I'd love to have an open, elegant eat-in kitchen for small get-togethers.
 

via Cote De Texas

I'm also having a grey cabinet moment.  I love the idea of pale gray cabinets, brass hardware and marble countertops.

via Remodelista

via Decor de Provence

BUT, but but, then I remember Mark D. Sikes' kitchen in House Beautiful and I'm literally like "psyche! just kidding! gimme that purdy white kitchen." 

Mark D. Sikes

Mark D. Sikes

Powder Room 

Speaking of Mr. Sikes, I will also take his blue and white powder room too thank you.

Mark D. Sikes

A Place to Blog 

Just a spot.  This would be lovely.

Michael Smith via Mark D. Sikes 

Laundry Room 

Prettiness to trick myself into liking the chore.

Sunroom 

Inspired once again by Aerin Lauder's country house. She's a member of the blue and white brigade and therefore a friend in my head. 

Vogue

Guest Bedroom 


Twin beds and books and a soft serene palette for my friends and family to relax.

Carol Curtis and Sarah Norwood

Edward's Room

Still dream of a Robertson Tartan inspired bedroom for little Edward.  I  love the dark walls and daybed in this picture.  Also, Edward will require his golden best friend on the bed (he currently refers to them as "deegs" - he is also sitting on her head as I type this)

Master Bedroom 


Another fabulous bedroom by Cathy Kincaid. The embroidered Chelsea Editions fabric on the canopy and window treatments is amazing and I love the white hand painted chinoiserie on the walls.  I would never wake up on the wrong side of the bed in this room!

Master Bathroom 

I saw this master bathroom on The Enchanted Home the other day a fell in love.  It would certainly be my sanctuary after a long day of pressing the cookie monster "me want cookie. nom nom nom nom nom" button 657 times in a row. (I will need a little TV in there to watch The Bachelor)

Pool Party 


And finally, since I live in a Slim Aarons world in my head, should my dream home actually come to fruition, you are all invited to a pool party in my backyard.  But really you are.  I mean, I'll have security for any crazies, but I can't imagine anybody that I'd rather invite to my housewarming celebration than y'all (except maybe Justin Bieber and Jessica Simpson).

I hope you enjoyed my Dream Home tour! I could have looked back at all my favorite posts, but honestly, I rarely post something I don't absolutely love.  If I'm feeling uninspired, I take the day off rather than give you something that leaves me feeling just ok.  I started this blog as way to archive things I love and share them with my mom, The Suze, and anyone else who might join us along the way.  In the last year, I've been humbled by the people who read Belclaire House.  My friends who take the time to comment give me bursts of happiness throughout the day, and I hope you know how grateful I am for you!  My hope for this year is that I continue to be inspired and expand myself creatively. It's harder to write this blog than it was a year ago (the munchkin man sleeps a lot a lot less than he did when he was 3 months old), but I'm determined to make it work.  I'm still not sure where Belclaire House will ultimately lead me, but I like where I'm going and I'm happy to patiently enjoy the ride. Thanks for a great year y'all!

{See my very first post here}