Thoughts of Blue

As we say goodbye to January and welcome February, the days are feeling a bit longer and the sky a bit brighter. At least six more weeks of wintry weather are still ahead of us, so thoughts of blue are on my mind today. While many people favor more saturated hues of crisp blue with white, I prefer softer shades mixed with neutrals that remind me of sand and sky.

Cooler shades with pale grey show the Scandinavian influence. The yellow really makes it sing.

Sky blue works in just about any room and any locale. It is truly universal and adaptable.

Even a hint of blue, as in the inside of a cabinet, elevates a neutral palette. Notice the bright yellow bird cage in the corner. Just as in the image of the hallway above, it adds a further bit of sunshine to blue and neutral.

My Favorite Room, Part 2: More Bookshelves

Apparently, many of you are just as obsessed with bookshelves, particularly in a proper library, as I am. As a New Year's gift, here are some more of my favorites. I hope they prove to be as inspiring to you as they have been to me. Enjoy!

An early favorite from Domino. I love the sage green mohair armchair, Saarinen coffee table and funky brown/white rug. And those shelves just soar!

From Kate and Andy Spade's apartment. The contrast between the luscious red and the peacock blue leather chair makes my mouth water.

 An Ashley Whittaker media room in saturated in blue.

Who didn't drool over this Nate Berkus/Anne Coyle library in Elle Decor? No shelves in this image, but I had to include it anyway. It's a great reminder that art is integral to the success of a library, and this collection looks so relaxed and comfortable with the furnishings.

A masterpiece by Phillip Gorrivan from Elle Decor. This one in whites and neutrals, but just as effective as the more colorful examples, above. The coral lamp bases anchor the whole scene.

Who doesn't love a window seat integrated into a bookcase wall? I'm particularly fond of this image, as it shows our Milo leather armchair!

I don't have a source for this image, but it's a great reminder that artwork can look terrific mounted right on the shelves. I really like the way the rustic frame contrasts with the contemporary leather office chair and desk.

A Clean Start

As I mentioned in my previous post, it's nice to have a good clear out following the December holiday season. Mrs. Ribby certainly favors a clean house. 

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Ribby put on some coal and swept up the hearth. Then she went out with a can to the well, for water to fill up the kettle.

Then she began to set the room in order, for it was the sitting-room as well as the kitchen. She shook the mats out at the front-door and put them straight; the hearthrug was a rabbit-skin. She dusted the clock and the ornaments on the mantelpiece, and she polished and rubbed the tables and chairs.

Then she spread a very clean white table-cloth, and set out her best china tea-set, which she took out of a wall-cupboard near the fireplace. The tea-cups were white with a pattern of pink roses; and the dinner-plates were white and blue.

Time to Refresh Your Spirit

This adorable Kashmir Paisley Pillow from Peter Dunham has me seeing green in a whole new way this week. I love the traditional holiday red and green, but each year I reach a point where I can't wait to stash all the ornaments away and give the house a good cleaning. Then I'll bring home a flowering pot of spring bulbs (preferably scented) from the grocery store. The new year has then officially started for me.

I suggest that after you, too, pack away the last of the tinsel and ribbons, consider a freshening up with a bit of spring for your home. Paperwhites, such as these from White Flower Farm, are a great way to start. There are still plenty of these kits available in my local grocery and hardware stores. A few more ideas in green and white are offered below to get you started.

Zesty Arugula, Fennel and Orange salad recipe from Williams Sonoma

Wee Key Lime Tartlets recipe from Smitten Kitchen

Trivsam bowl from Ikea

Iris dish towel, also from Ikea

Fern wall decorations by Two's Company from Country Living

My guilty pleasure

Choose the White and green bamboo bowls and white salad servers from West Elm

For a more ambitious effort, try a fresh green pair of curtains and 

a crisp new white slipcover, like this example from Country Living

Start a terrarium to sooth your winter weary soul. I love this sweet
IndieBliss Hippo Terrarium from The Fern and Mossery.

Still love this image from our visit to Dumbarton Oaks in late
September. I'm trying to remember how ridiculously hot it was that day!

My New Year's Resolution

I've just discovered that Penguin Classics has a downloadable backlist catalog on their website. It is now sitting on my desktop, waiting to be enjoyed. No excuses! My 2011 reading list has just been jump-started. 

Scenes from Christmas 2010

 

Thank you, Santa!