Sometimes you get lucky and things just come together. But first, the bad news. A Geneva, Illinois store icon recently closed its doors after 82 years of business. The Merra-Lee shops were a series of 7 women’s specialty clothing stores (all owned by the same family) that occupied a prime piece of real estate in town. Before closing, they…
About 15 years ago I bought a little black desk for $35. Since that time, it’s been painted a couple different colors … mainly because I was never satisfied with it. But now, I think that’s all changed. I think my little desk has finally discovered who it was meant to be. This is the after…
Do you have a flirtatious front door? Does it entice passers-by to “come hither” for a visit? Or, is it more like mine and gives a cold shoulder? This will be changing soon when we paint our home’s exterior this summer, but for now, have a look at some flirtatious front doors in the ‘hood. Love the…
A few months ago I made some dropcloth curtains for the family room. While I thought myself quite clever for using dropcloth for the panels and twine for the tabs … the truth of the matter is … I don’t like them. I kept looking at them and thinking something was missing. Then it hit…
Since my teens I’ve had a passionate love affair with old houses. Doesn’t matter if they’re large or small … I love ’em all. When I was first married my mom and I would go for walks in historic districts, looking at the homes and sharing ideas on how we’d transform them if we lived…
About a year ago I stepped into Amazing Grace, our local antiques store. The shop had been in business for a few years before I ever stepped across their threshold (don’t ask why it took so long … I don’t have an answer). Since that first visit, I’ve made several purchases … the prices are…
Don’t you just love all the spring decor blog posts? You can tell people are just itchin’ to get outside and dirty their fingernail in the rich, warm soil. I started blogging just before Christmas and I remember thinking, “When Christmas is over, what will everyone blog about?” Well, now I’m finding out. Lots of whites and pastels…
About a month ago, I was inspired by a stencil project that Heather at Love and Life at Leadora had created. She applied a beautiful stencil to the glass window in her front door. While thinking my china cabinet needed some lace in the glass doors, I remembered Heather’s project. This is Heather’s front door,…
Last weekend I took a little detour on the way home from seeing my daughter. Rather than turn right toward home, I turned left to venture down a dirt road that leads to Garfield Farm and Tavern. It had just snowed and I knew the historic farm on 281 acres would present me with some…
Lately I keep looking at decor photos in order to keep myself focused on the look I really want in my home. When I was first married, I loved the Asian look. Then my sis turned me on to American Country style (I know, quite a difference). This led to a more Modern Country style…
Beautiful flowers and quotes to enjoy as you anticipate spring’s arrival … “I hope to someday meet God because I want to thank Him for the flowers.” ~ Robert Brault “I’d rather have roses on my tables than diamonds on my neck.” ~ Emma Goldman “The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places…
Town and Country Living is a blog about living life where the western ‘burbs of Chicago give way to the farm fields of Illinois. I love both the city and the country and want to write about all of it … urban and rural scenery, decorating with special finds from nearby boutiques, cooking veggies grown in the garden, special…
Anxiously awaiting spring as a fresh blanket of snow is pulled up over the landscape. Fresh flowers tickle the fancy as spring hides for just a bit longer … More Flower Photos Here Linking To … Fresh Cut Friday at Rose VignetteCowgirl Up! Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound Show Off Saturday at…
One of my 2012 goals is to finish making over the dining room. It’s a small cozy room whose walls used to be sage, which I loved, but after ogling over many a Swedish dining room, I decided to lighten it up with a coat of Steamed White from Lowe’s. The Windsor chairs were re-painted…
I know what you’re thinking … gross, right? That’s what I thought when I saw a recipe for Lettuce Arugula Soup. Didn’t we learn as children that anything green tastes terrible? I thought this soup sounded so disgusting but yet, I was intrigued and had to try it. Fate laughed in my face as I fell in love with…
Just now the lilac is in bloom,All before my little room;And in my flower-beds, I think,Smile the carnation and the pink… ~ Rupert Brooke This post is dedicated to my sister-in-law Karen, who loves carnations. Follow Me to These Parties … Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound…
