On the Inside

When I lived in California, I'd wander around San Francisco dreaming about what it would be like to live in one of the city's Victorians. They looked so amazing on the outside that I wondered how great they'd be inside. If I'd somehow made my way into this Victorian featured in House Beautiful, I don't think I'd ever leave! I love the black and white with hits of color and a sense of playfulness. Here, have a peek:

Photos from here.  

Perfectly Timed

As much as I want to deny it, summer is winding down. Maybe that's why this lovely Southampton home, featured on House Beautiful, struck a chord with me. Wouldn't this be a relaxing place to soak up the final days of summer?

Photos from here.

Perfection

I am in love with this kitchen. While I'm a sucker for pretty much any makeover or before-and-after photo series, this kitchen remodel on House Beautiful is incredible. The materials, the lines, the colors -- everything is so bright and clean and, well, just perfect.

Here, have a look. And don't miss the "before" photos on the online slideshow.

This kitchen may be just the inspiration I need to get a jump on some of our own home-improvement projects over the weekend!

Photos from here.

So Lovely

I am absolutely smitten with this Los Angeles home, featured in House Beautiful. Its combination of casual and sophisticated, ease and sparkly is perfection to me. I'd like to move in straightaway!

Photos from here.

Carefree

There was a beautiful freshness in the air today that made me rush home from work. I got to enjoy it on a late-afternoon walk with my husband and dog. It even prompted me to crank open the windows and let this gorgeous air in. The house was freezing within ten minutes but I can still smell a hint of the outdoors inside, which makes it all worth it.

I think this amazing beach house from House Beautiful shares some of that sentiment. The wood, the muted colors, the relaxed furniture, even the fact that everything isn't perfectly tidy -- it's wonderful!

Take a look at a few of the rooms and prepare to be inspired to let go, just a little bit.

Photos from here.

Know Thyself

This weekend has been filled with lots of the things I love: going out for sushi with my husband, getting lost in a book, going for a long run, cuddling with the pup and devouring a big stack of magazines checked out from the library.

While there's hardly a magazine I won't read -- or enjoy, most likely -- I was blown away by the September 2009 issue of House Beautiful. I know, it's a little old but this, the Fall Color Issue, is packed with info that's anything but dated. There are house tours to pore over, a feature on the color amethyst and lots more.

But what I especially love is the back page, which lists twenty questions that help determine one's "color personality." I love this type of thing, just for the chance that it will help me understand myself better. And indeed, this quiz was quite illuminating. Here are HB's questions and my answers:

1. What's the first color you see in the morning? Either the pale turquoise of our bedspread or the soft white afghan knitted by my grandma that I pull on top at night or the light gray walls of our bedroom.

2. What color are your eyes? Blue -- like denim, really.

3. What color do you wear the most? I definitely have a thing for dark pink.

4. What color do you never wear? Coral.

5. What color do you wear when you want to feel sexy? Black most of the time, but white in summer or on vacation.

6. What color gets you the most compliments? Usually blue, sometimes yellow.

7. What color is your lipstick? I'm more of a gloss girl, but I have a deep pink lipstick I like.

8. What color was your living room when you were growing up? White.

9. What color was your bedroom growing up? Lavender. I really, really wanted this color although I don't remember why.

10. What color are your sheets? White -- definitely my preference for sheets.

11. What color was your favorite crayon as a child? Green, my favorite color for awhile as a kid.

12. What color is your car? White.

13. What color was your prom dress? Light turquoise, actually the same hue as my bedspread. Weird.

14. What's your favorite gemstone? Diamonds or sapphires.

15. What is your favorite flower? Pink peonies and white tulips and roses.

16. What color makes you happiest? A cheery yellow.

17. What color depresses you? That really awful mint green.

18. What color calms you? Deep blue.

19. What color makes you grind your teeth? Warm beige.

20. What color would you like to try, but are scared to? I'm kind of intrigued by champagne, either in a formal dress or some sort of home accessory.

Here's what I've learned: Apparently I really like white, blue, deep pink and pale turqouise, with a little gray, yellow and green thrown in. Cooler shades all around. In our house, these are the prominent colors. Wow, right on!

Easy Living

I was poking aroung the House Beautiful website when I saw a link to an outdoor living room slideshow. Uh, yes please!

HB calls these outdoor spaces the "New American Living Room" and I couldn't agree more.

It's summer. Let's unplug, step away from the electronics and do some good old fashioned hanging out. And let's do it outside!





Photos from here.