pink perfection!

On March 7, 2022March 2, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

The azaleas in Charleston, SC are blooming like crazy right now. They truly are a wonderful mix of pink perfection (various shades of pinks, as well as white). We live in an older neighborhood and most yards have azaleas, they don’t always bloom at the same time, but when they do – Lookout! It’s stunning!

Azaleas, most of the year are a ubiquitous shrub with green leaves. New growth is usually a brighter green. We get buds and then blooms, then wilted blooms. This is the point to cut back your azalea if you wish to. If you wait until too late you risk not having blooms the following year (#beentheredonethat) – so the rule of thumb is to trim after blooming.

Another rule of thumb is that it’s ok to cut back 1/3 of the shrub without harm to the plant. We’ve gone even farther and they were fine. Azaleas can get leggy and thin. They aren’t as pretty when this happens. If you do something shocking, like cut them back, they come back stronger and thicker. It may look drastic when you do it, but they grow quickly and are back to normal in no time. I think this spring we will be cutting back a majority of ours.

When I look back over my posts on Instagram or Facebook I can see that I post a LOT of flowers. I love them. Inside, outside, I really don’t care where they are, I absolutely love flowers. You can never have too many, am I right?

Happy Monday, y’all!

✍️ Until next time…

📸 Image: Barbara Stroud (me!)

Same View, Different Day!

On March 5, 2022March 1, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

I posted a similar photo last week, before I moved furniture back to its rightful place, at least for the time being. What strikes me are the lines, the white/black starkness, but also the softness of the green reflections, and the beauty that the orange tulips bring and the beautiful light from a very old lamp.

Continue reading →

10 Charleston Ave House Plan by Our Town Plans

On March 4, 2022March 1, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans2 Comments

This house is so Charleston, SC. Not that it’s limited to this area, it’s not. It’s a magnificent home regardless of its location. With both upper and lower piazza’s (porches) – your outside living space is huge. Can you imagine? Whether you’re sitting on the piazza off of the master suite with a book and a cup of coffee or if you’re on the lower piazza gathering with friends and family. This is a gorgeous plan (updated for today’s living) with plenty of outdoor space!

Continue reading →

Quick Pineapple Upside Down Cake

On March 2, 2022February 27, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe1 Comment

Can you BELIEVE that it’s already the beginning of MARCH? Where does time go? While it is still technically winter, this is a quick (and tasty) treat, perfect for when you need a little somethin-somethin!

Pineapple upside down cake can be such a fabulous treat. It doesn’t need to be a large, or time-intensive cake. This recipe has a shortcut that saves time and ingredients. Note… don’t skimp on the butter or it will not come out of the pan (as shown above). There isn’t a lot of butter to begin with, but, it seems I’m always trying to find ways to cut it back. This isn’t one of those recipes to cut an essential ingredient. #learnfrommymistake This couldn’t be easier!

My mom and dad used to make this cake when we were kids. Most of us have these ingredients in the pantry, so it’s a nice, quick cake – one layer – so not a cake that will be around for a week. It makes the house smell so good! Click HERE to print the recipe below. Remember, when placing the pineapple, the bottom becomes the top, because after baking you invert it (flip it over) while it’s still hot, that way it comes out of the cake pan easily. As I mentioned above, don’t try to save fat/calories by skimping on the measly 4 tablespoons of butter, the cake needs it for the brown sugar to stick. You’ll see areas of my cake that remained in the pan, hmmm. #dontdowhatidid

I used Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Pancake & Baking Mix (the type for pancakes, biscuits, etc.) – it doesn’t contain some of the ingredients that other brands do (unless their ingredients have changed). You can also place maraschino cherries, which makes it really pretty – also chopped nuts (pecans, I would guess). Change it up however you like.

✍️ Until next time… Happy March!

Featured Artist: Josh Moulton!

On February 28, 2022February 25, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

*Fullerton Avenue Spring* by Josh Moulton 30×40″ Acrylic

I love when I come across an artist that isn’t only good at what he does and is successful, but also gives back to his community. I can’t tell you how refreshing that is. As you can see by his painting, Josh lives (and owns his own gallery) in Chicago, IL. Not an easy feat, especially during COVID as you’ll read. But he made it through and he made it by helping others. #iwishyousomuchsuccess

Continue reading →

Tulip Tree is Blooming – Spring is Near!

On February 26, 2022February 21, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

I think Tulip Trees are so interesting! They seem pretty incognito most of the year. They’re there but they don’t really stand out. Until it’s almost spring and THEN they come alive and are the star of the show. Sometimes their blooms get burnt by an end of season frost, but this tree in the area is blooming beautifully! Some of the Spanish Moss from the Live Oak tree has found it’s way to the limbs – beautiful!

Continue reading →

18409L2 Guest Suite by Allison Ramsey Architects!

On February 25, 2022February 24, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn Guest Suite, HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

Isn’t this the sweetest guest suite? It would also make the perfect WFH office area, studio, etc. The options are endless. It’s a small but convenient space that would be a dream in your backyard. Of course, it’s perfect if you have guests, so they have their own space. But what if you don’t have many guests? STILL a great option!

Continue reading →

Lines and Color…

On February 23, 2022February 21, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, paint colors, Photograph, THOUGHTS4 Comments

I love the simplicity of this photo. The straight lines intrigue me. I was sitting in the sunroom when I took this photo looking through the house. The lines of the nearby window, the French doors and the beautiful window in the distance are so interesting. Couple that with the arch and the reflection of green in an otherwise black and white image is striking.

Continue reading →

Spring is springing up in Charleston!

On February 21, 2022February 16, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn Design Inspiration, Favorite Things, HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Well, it seems as if spring is about to spring in Charleston, SC! One of our azaleas is blooming, camellias are always in bloom this time of year, and the garden stores are full of stunning and colorful plants. I know our garden centers get CrAzY around here, like we all need to get some pretty things planted after our long, hard winter (hehe). It IS always exciting to do just that! The anticipation of what you’ll find and how it will transform a space is always so much fun!

Continue reading →

Good memories… Monhegan Butterfly

On February 19, 2022February 10, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Today is a beautiful, sunny, warm day (for winter) – almost 70 degrees. I stepped outside to take our dog around the block and couldn’t believe how nice it was. So I thought I would post something cheery and spring-like today. This image was taken years ago on Monhegan. Beautiful flowers, happy butterflies and bees galore! #happyplanet

I’m not sure what these flowers are called, but they’re so cool. I love the dark leaves and the pops of red and pink from the flowers. Gorgeous.

Maine is a place we love to visit, we haven’t been there in several years, but have been thinking about it. Monhegan is a magical island about ten miles off the coast. The ability to slow down, be in fresh air, and just be is worth so much. Especially after several years of COVID. I would like to be off my devices more than I’m on them. They’ve been a lifesaver these past several years, helping to keep us in touch when we have to be far away.

Hoping for another visit to the island soon. For now I will look back at my photos through the years!

✍️ Until next time…

📸 Image: Barbara Stroud (me!)

Honeymoon Cottage by Mitch Ginn & Assoc.!

On February 18, 2022January 23, 2025 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

Tudor style homes. Classy and elegant, I love the high pitches, the stone around the door and the porte cochere. Having a place to pull up to unload groceries in the rain is a big plus (and it’s nice to be out of the elements like tree sap, pollen, weather). I think you will be surprised by this plan. A very traditional exterior with an open interior! There is a large vaulted porch (with a fireplace) on the back porch. ❤️

This is the Honeymoon Cottage by Mitch Ginn & Assoc. – this plan is 2,504 square feet with 3-5 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. I love the deep inset door (ahhh! the door!) and the fact that you have a porch in case it’s raining. It also helps to protect the door. You enter into the living area, on the left is an area where you can access a closet and a powder room, out of sight, which is classy and keeps the look clean.

The living area is open to the kitchen and eating room, which is nice and casual and would be exactly what we would use. The kitchen is so nice, plenty of space, an island and a pantry. I already mentioned the access from the porte cochere, which is really nice!

The master bedroom, bathroom and closet is accessed (out of sight) off the eating room. Both the master bedroom and the eating room have access to the porch – can you imagine chilly evenings (or mornings!) sitting on the back porch with the fireplace keeping you toasty? How wonderful!

This plan gives you the freedom to add bedrooms as you need them. There can be 3-4 bedrooms upstairs (or as pictured, which would be great! Maybe you just need one bedroom, a storage room and a studio area – You. Have. Options.

Note: This plan is also available via Southern Living House Plans, click HERE…

L. Mitchell Ginn & Assoc.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Plan

👩‍💻 I work with architects/designers from all over, so if you’re interested in one of their plans, please let them know that you saw their house plan here on artfoodhome.com – I appreciate it!

All images via mitchginn.com, used with permission…

Images are not for construction or reproduction, they are property of the design firm.

Selecting a paint color…

On February 16, 2022February 9, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, paint colorsLeave a comment

Selecting a paint color for a specific room takes some work. These are the same paint samples, in three different rooms, about 1 minute apart. The sun and shade image shows the brightest you will likely see the color. I have to say, when I held it up on the wall it was much darker. So on the floor (images above) vs. on the wall adds another change. Look how much they change. How can you figure out what it will look like in YOUR room? There is an easy way…

You’ve probably heard of Samplize.com – a brilliant idea. Actual paint on samples, where the backing can be removed and adhered to the wall. So you see the same texture, etc. They’re generous size samples. They carry samples for Farrow & Ball, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and PPG. You select the paint colors, and they’re (usually) delivered the next day! We haven’t figured which walls to use these samples on yet, so I’m using blue painters tape that doesn’t have too much adhesive. Then once I find the walls I want to try certain colors on, we’ll do just that. Read the FAQ from Samplize to get the details.

ALL colors above look much darker on the wall, as in M U C H ! Which I LOVE!

One is a keeper, the dark (Hague – F&B) blue (that almost looks black when there is no direct light). I LOVE how much it changes! It’s such a classy color. I think we’ve ruled out one of the greens, it was one we threw in at the last minute.

For those who want to keep their paint colors top secret… If I loved a color I saw, say on Instagram, and I ran out and purchased it and painted my room – it will most likely look completely different based on the light (which way is the light coming from? how much light the room gets, etc.) which is why painting samples can be a lifesaver – I never have problems sharing our paint colors. I’ll let you know what we end up with!

✍️ Until next time…

Camellias in Charleston, SC

On February 12, 2022February 12, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Camellias are blooming in Charleston, SC right now and they’re gorgeous. Many people cut the blooms and float them in a shallow bowl of water – very pretty. I love the shiny leaves, the tight compact buds and the exploding blooms that are so beautiful.

Winter in Charleston – to me, this is my favorite time of the year hands down. Then fall (because winter is on the way) and spring (although it does heat up quickly and our pollen starts early – have already seen it on the car a few times in JANUARY!) We’ve had a freezing winter (per my husband, ha ha) – some chilly days but the air is crisp and usually not humid, which is a nice break!

I know some of the snow laden states get weary of the snow, slush, lack of sun. I happen to like a grey day, slush, not so much, ha ha… Everywhere you live has it’s ups and downs, its pros and cons. There really is no perfect place, so don’t drive yourself crazy looking for everything to be perfect.

Enjoy whatever weather you’ve got going on this February! It’ll be warm before you know it, hang in there!

✍️ Until next time…

House Plan 19280 by Design Studio Plans!

On February 11, 2022February 4, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

Charm! Doesn’t this house plan have a TON of charm? I love the roof lines. There is a nice front porch with wonderful windows to bring the light in. The garage is tucked in back of the house, so you can enter/exit from the garage. There is also a side porch which is quite unique (you can see the steps in the image above) – this side porch opens into the dining/living space on one side and the master bedroom on the other side. #unique

Continue reading →

Featured Artist: Amy Brnger!

On February 7, 2022April 28, 2022 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist4 Comments

**Summer Interior by Amy Brnger (SOLD) 24×36 Oil/Panel**

Amy Brnger! Wow paintings… one stunning painting after another. Amy has a wonderful website, full of information. I’ve included links to everything, be sure to check out the workshops! I think you will absolutely LOVE her paintings, I know I do!

Continue reading →