Can we talk about Restoration Hardware for a minute? They really have their game on lately in my humble opinion! I'm not talking about those hideous lamps they're really pushing lately which shall remain nameless here (which i like in concept but they just really got the scale totally wrong. Just wrong like whacked out hard-core beefy lamps and not the delicate beautiful lamps that they really WANT to be....but I digress) but some other items. 
I'm loving this statement piece they call the entablature mirror (which is what it is really, no weird name here). It's huge; great for taking up a whole wall in a room as shown or in a foyer. Imagine it in a bathroom or dressing room! Now we're talking.... that would be so wonderful.
Now, I worry about the quality of this piece just a bit. If you look in the upper corners at the medalian'ish urns - those worry me a bit. They look very pasted on like an afterthought. I'm not losing sleep over it though, I love these mirrors. I wish the mirror itself was done in an antique finish though as they're obviously meant to look weathered and old. That is an easy fix if you're already shelling out the 3.2k for the piece - mirror is cheap. And really...I guess a lot of people who buy new things want them to look new (which is sad in my opinion, or at least not how I see the world).
Now, my #1 hobby, other than writing this blog, is the perpetual search for a better daybed than the crap one I have from west elm (sorry west elm, I still think you're a great place for fun inexpensive home fresheners!). Do you know how hard it is to find a non-feminine and non-ugly daybed? Impossible! I'm really loving this antique empirish daybed that RH offers though called the Marston. They've had it awhile but I'm only recently appreciating it.
I logged into their website to see details on it from the catalog but I came across this piece of perfection.
This is my dream daybed - the 'Atwood'. When I say I want a real piece of furniture daybed, that isn't girly, old fashioned or bedroomy -this is what I want. This is beautiful and if it was in my currently slim budget I would buy it NOW, EXCEPT...(yes there is an except) for the UGLY visible hinges that are hard to see in this image but are OH so there - right under the mattress and above the runner board. Would it really be so hard to do an invisible hinge, RH? Really? This design choice makes me lose sleep. But no, if I had the money I would go out and buy this tomorrow -no really! I just hope those hinges wouldn't scratch me when I get up in the middle of the night.
I really love this 'larkspur' daybed too -even though it verges on being a little 'arts and crafts' which isn't normally my thing for my own house. It's not girly, it's not neccesarily bedroomy and it's simple. It's well designed. Is that so hard to ask for in a daybed? Apparently it is everywhere except at RH. Seriously - go look! I dare you!
I've always loved their Delaney collection of upholstery. It's just basic, classic and comfy. LOVE the symmetry of the reading lamps flanking the sofas in this photo. It bothers me there are no magazines on the coffee table though....I mean -REALLY bothers me. 
The last picture is just for laughs a bit. They have these really great bullseye mirrors that they call their 'portal' mirror -which above is seen in a bedroom. HOWEVER-potential staging problem. Reflected in the mirror is what appears to be a grand piano....in a bedroom......as well as a rather un-staged and uninviting room. OOPS! Be careful what you photograph in mirrors people - remember they reflect the room! This can't have been on purpose? Or maybe they just didn't think anyone would notice? Did I let the cat out of the bag?
I'm loving this statement piece they call the entablature mirror (which is what it is really, no weird name here). It's huge; great for taking up a whole wall in a room as shown or in a foyer. Imagine it in a bathroom or dressing room! Now we're talking.... that would be so wonderful.Now, I worry about the quality of this piece just a bit. If you look in the upper corners at the medalian'ish urns - those worry me a bit. They look very pasted on like an afterthought. I'm not losing sleep over it though, I love these mirrors. I wish the mirror itself was done in an antique finish though as they're obviously meant to look weathered and old. That is an easy fix if you're already shelling out the 3.2k for the piece - mirror is cheap. And really...I guess a lot of people who buy new things want them to look new (which is sad in my opinion, or at least not how I see the world).Now, my #1 hobby, other than writing this blog, is the perpetual search for a better daybed than the crap one I have from west elm (sorry west elm, I still think you're a great place for fun inexpensive home fresheners!). Do you know how hard it is to find a non-feminine and non-ugly daybed? Impossible! I'm really loving this antique empirish daybed that RH offers though called the Marston. They've had it awhile but I'm only recently appreciating it.I logged into their website to see details on it from the catalog but I came across this piece of perfection.This is my dream daybed - the 'Atwood'. When I say I want a real piece of furniture daybed, that isn't girly, old fashioned or bedroomy -this is what I want. This is beautiful and if it was in my currently slim budget I would buy it NOW, EXCEPT...(yes there is an except) for the UGLY visible hinges that are hard to see in this image but are OH so there - right under the mattress and above the runner board. Would it really be so hard to do an invisible hinge, RH? Really? This design choice makes me lose sleep. But no, if I had the money I would go out and buy this tomorrow -no really! I just hope those hinges wouldn't scratch me when I get up in the middle of the night.I really love this 'larkspur' daybed too -even though it verges on being a little 'arts and crafts' which isn't normally my thing for my own house. It's not girly, it's not neccesarily bedroomy and it's simple. It's well designed. Is that so hard to ask for in a daybed? Apparently it is everywhere except at RH. Seriously - go look! I dare you!I've always loved their Delaney collection of upholstery. It's just basic, classic and comfy. LOVE the symmetry of the reading lamps flanking the sofas in this photo. It bothers me there are no magazines on the coffee table though....I mean -REALLY bothers me. The last picture is just for laughs a bit. They have these really great bullseye mirrors that they call their 'portal' mirror -which above is seen in a bedroom. HOWEVER-potential staging problem. Reflected in the mirror is what appears to be a grand piano....in a bedroom......as well as a rather un-staged and uninviting room. OOPS! Be careful what you photograph in mirrors people - remember they reflect the room! This can't have been on purpose? Or maybe they just didn't think anyone would notice? Did I let the cat out of the bag?This has been an unpaid announcement brought to you from me. If you care to purchase any of the said fabulous items, from Restoration Hardware -tell them I sent you. Maybe they'll send me a gift basket.....OR THE ATWOOD DAYBED *hint hint*. In my dreams........ Happy decorating!
I love a simple white subway tile in an all white kitchen, but something more interesting with a bit of pattern would really be eye-catching, don't you think? Not everyone can live with all of that heavenly white. I love this full wall treatment of star and cross tiles from the Lascaux Tile Co. (featured in House Beautiful, Feb.09). It really is attractive against the painted woodwork and stone countertops. What type of backsplash is your favorite? Tile or stone? 3" or whole wall treatment?
Drew Barrymore, who plays Little Edie, has been out and about promoting the film, doesn't she look great in this vintage dress and hairstyle? 
And if you haven't already, please check out Visual Vamp's blog 
The first is a more finished stone -limestone maybe? Very sophisticated.
A small English country manor house plunked down in the city of Pittsburgh? I love that it seems to be all original: tile roof, beautiful stone facade, leaded glass windows; the whole package.
This was always my favorite house to walk by; so charming and eccentric. The crooked gate post just adds to the overall affect I think!
