Just Three Things

Eons ago, a good friend, whose fashion sense I admired, said "YOU MUST, always remember "Three things". She went on to name those items listed in Personal below; coat, shoes and bag.

"Throw on old jeans, or even sweatpants, as long as the 3 are covered, 2 in summer, you are styling!" And she is right, a mantra I live by some 30 years on.

Then I got to thinking, "Can't the same apply to our homes?"
 I put together a list. 

Three things to me that are the components for good design

Personal

   1. Good bag

   2. Killer Shoes

   3. Smashing coat

    

 

Interiors

  1.  Quality Upholstery in classic designs. My first sofa was a big financial jump for me, $$$$. Always feeling that classic lines will never fail and quality guts will always last. This is a similar style to mine, except I have back cushions,  English rolled arms, and clean lines. It has been re-upholstered once and is as comfortable and timeless at 32 years old, from the day I purchased it. 
Note......Because Marcel's puppy stage included eating furniture, it is in my barn currently awaiting a 2nd re-upholstery

Caught in the act!!!!
Anyone notice that my dog is color coordinated?????
Details, Details.......

  2. Fab lighting. I am really taken with lighting these days, the wealth of styles is off the charts

  3. Antiques, please say yes to antiques! With the sameness in design, these days, from the quick, cheap & easy box stores, vintage will set your home apart while imparting patina, & stories to tell. and as the photo below conveys, even in modern interiors

Gardens

   1. Good "bones"......... a sense of structure, elements of sameness to not confuse the eye as to where to look next

My house.......pssst, if you are local I am hosting a garden walk & English tea, with demo's & European sweets. Stay tuned.......
July 20th

   2. Winter Interest

Here is my garden in winter, there is much to still see. For those of you that have winter landscapes, plan on having an interesting garden 12 months of the year

   3. Foliage contrasts; shapes and colors

 

Different colors, different shapes. 

Much more interesting, yes?

Exterior

1.  Oversized lighting. 
Cannot emphasize this enough. Small & underscaled lighting is amateurish. Look around while driving, this could make you crazy too!
This house is perfect, every detail

Friend Suzy Stout's former home.......it's brand new!
My post on this home & garden has been a perennial fav

   2.  Great paint combo, possibly with shutters

Now that is daring!

   3.  Appropriate style containers
 Less planters, but substantial. Save yourself time watering too with large containers. Much more interesting. And of course, reflects your architecture

The above boxes are by friends Beau and Nancy Kimball,  in Woodstock ll. Kimball & Bean makes and ships these planters around the world, in any size or color

Ok, so they are fountains, BUT, as planters, would be smashing! You get the idea.....

Onto a totally different topic...........

Need an AGA anyone? for a great price? Barely used!

This is NOT the one for sale, it's mine and I have a love affair with this stove

I love mine so much, I can never imagine life without one. Yes, I am very odd! 

 My client heard me raving and asked to come and see mine, while having a demo of course. After all, let's share the love!

A surround and original painting on melamine, and viola, installed. Same local artist as mine, Stephanie Fania

 Having since moved, the new owners, well........no love affair there. I believe the primary reason is the heat, as theirs is fronted by a sink, mine has nothing in front of it so the heat is not contained. 

 Practically new. Interested? Questions? Drop me a line, my email is below, 

Cheers,
Debra
contact me at.  debra@scentimentalgardens.com