Charleston Photo – Textures!

On March 28, 2016March 17, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, PhotographLeave a comment

Since many of you are away visiting friends or family, I will be posting photos this week – enjoy!

Just look at all the wonderful textures. That’s the thing about Charleston. There are the pristine homes, where every details is the ultimate in perfection. There are homes that are historic and some of the details show time, wear and tear. Those home interest me. They are not falling down by any means. These are large, beautiful homes and those imperfections just make it that much more wonderful!

The fern poking through the brick screams THE IMPOSSIBLE… IS POSSIBLE, you just have to believe in it!

Have a great week – Catch you back here tomorrow!

Easter Sunday!

On March 27, 2016March 17, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Wishing you a beautiful Easter Day!

Charleston Photo! Man and Beast.

On March 26, 2016March 17, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Photograph4 Comments

There is nothing like walking around downtown Charleston, SC. Beautiful streets, alleyways that look like they’re back in time (well, they are!). I love this cool, old brick. You can walk for a long time and not even realize it. If you’ve never been, you may want to add Charleston to your bucket list!
Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: TNH SC 41A by Moser Design Group!

On March 24, 2016March 24, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans2 Comments

This is the TNH SC 41A house plan by Moser Design Group. This is a cool, smaller plan that has a very different layout. This is a one story home with 1,592 square feet, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The ceilings are 10′ which is quite impressive. The porch. Ahhh, the porch. The epitome of low country living. The smaller window on the right is the kitchen window. If there was a way, I would make the windows the length of the counter and have a pantry somewhere/anywhere. That’s just a personal preference.

A huge plus with this plan are the porches. They add so much! The porch across the front, the screened porch on the right side and a sun room on the left side. I believe they’ve covered it all!

Wonderful plan. KITCHEN ON THE FRONT. I love the idea of the kitchen window looking out where things are happening! I swear you could almost 86 the dishwasher, since it could be so entertaining to look out while washing dishes!

The only changes that we would probably make is to not have a bathtub in the Master Bath. Maybe if the Master Bath could be reconfigured to hold a washing machine/dryer so that I could make the Utility room a pantry. Bottom line is that this is a wonderful plan with no changes being made. It’s a great livable space both on the inside and outside!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Windows…

On March 19, 2016March 19, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, PhotographLeave a comment

This is more than just a photo of a cool, old house with fascinating windows… Just look at all the textures, the different materials, the reflections in the windows – beautiful and unexpected!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

No feet touch the ground…

On March 18, 2016March 11, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Photograph1 Comment

A day at the beach… what fun!

Look at Charlie, ha ha. I don’t think any feet are touching the ground. Ears flying high, someone is having a big time! What a treat!

Taking a few days off, so I am posting photos this week – back to normal posting next week.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Fresh flowers… a necessity!

On March 16, 2016March 11, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, Photograph5 Comments

I love these lilies… they smell so wonderful. I can grab a bundle when I’m at the grocery store, they last a full week or longer and are problem free.

I remember a gallery in town used to always have big bunches of these, and when you walked into the gallery, WOW! The scent was amazing!

Taking a few days off, posting a week of photos – back to normal posting next week!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Violets Secrets…

On March 14, 2016March 11, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Look at this violet! It’s going wild! Tons of beautiful flowers, there is also a smaller (baby) violet to the left… I’ve had good luck with them, this is what I do…

I set the three violets that I have in a butchers tray (any tray will do) and add 1/4″ + of room temperature water (they really don’t like cold water). Let them sit until the pot feels heavy, then I transfer them back to the plate, etc. that I have them sitting on. My baby violet is in a self-watering pot, which does not self water. I never understood that… but it’s pretty, so I keep it.

I have them in a sunny room. Right now they don’t get direct light, but the room is very light. Those are my secrets ;) Go get one, they’re wonderful plants!

Taking a few days off, posting some photos this week, back to normal posting next week!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Daylight Savings Time Begins – Time to Spring Forward!

On March 12, 2016March 12, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Lifestyle, THOUGHTS2 Comments

A good trick I use to remind myself to set the clocks back before we go to bed… Set the clock on the stove forward an hour this morning… then you will notice the time is wrong when you see it later in the day, and that prompts you to change the rest of the clocks. I know the entire country doesn’t participate in Daylight Savings Time, but for those of you who do… you know what to do (Ex: If it’s 8AM, set your clock to 9AM, ahead one hour)!

Daylight Savings Time begins at 2AM (Sunday), but not many of us wait up for it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: White Plains by Our Town Plans!

On March 10, 2016March 10, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans1 Comment

This is the White Plains plan from Our Town Plans, and is it ever a beauty. This plan is 2,942 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. Check out the real images on OurTownPlans.com website! I love the lines of this house!

What do you notice right away? There are two master bedrooms, both located on the first floor. Genius! There are many circumstances where this plan would come in so handy!

I love how you see the staircase from the entry, and how the dining/living area shares a space. Perfect! An unscreened porch on the front and a screened porch on the back, you will be set no matter what the conditions!

The upstairs has two bedrooms, both with bathrooms and closets, an office nook, and an Owner’s Closet. Nice to have storage!

All images via OurTownPlans.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Sometimes shadows are the star of show!

On March 6, 2016February 29, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, PhotographLeave a comment

One day Fred and I were walking home from Half Moon Outfitters, we were walking behind the shopping center near our house, and I saw this spectacular “shadow show”, as I like to refer to it.

How cool is that?? Never overlook the little things, sometimes they turn out to be the biggest!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: TNH SC 31A by Moser Design Group!

On March 3, 2016February 29, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

This a small cottage plan, TNH SC 31A by Moser Design Group. Thoughtful design means that you can pack greater livability into a smaller footprint. This works well for a small family, or a couple downsizing. This plan has a wonderful front porch, which I absolutely love!

Click to access sc31a1.pdf

This layout would work well for us… Living, Kitchen – nice and open. Bedroom #1 I would use as a Guest Room, Bedroom #2 I would make into a Study and also use for storage. The Master in the back is fabulous with the Utility room close by. Perfect! All of Moser Design Group’s plans are fabulous – check them out!

All images via MoserDesignGroup.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: 248 Abbeville by Our Town Plans

On February 25, 2016February 24, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

This is the 248 Abbeville Rd plan from Our Town Plans – it’s gorgeous isn’t it? This plan is 3,538 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. This plan is as wonderful on the inside as it is on the outside! I could see myself spending a lot of time on this porch!

This plan is so fabulous, wonderful if you entertain, or if you have a large family. Off the Kitchen you may notice a Keeping Room – which is like the gathering place near the Kitchen, which is where everyone always ends up. So smart that some plans now include space for extra people to gather and hang out! While the Kitchen and Keeping Room right off the Living/Dining area. You can be in any area and communicate and feel like part of the action. The Kitchen also has a PANTRY! Which I absolutely love! The Laundry Room is near the side porch, next to a Mud Room. WONDERFUL! On the other side of the house is the downstairs Master Bedroom and Bath.

And the porches… ahhhh! Lovely!

More Bedrooms and Bathrooms upstairs. Like I said, wonderful for a large family or for guests! I like that there is also a sitting room upstairs!

All images via OurTownPlans.com, used with permission…

IMAGES ARE NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPRODUCTION, THEY ARE PROPERTY OF THE ARCHITECTURAL FIRM.

House Plan: The Vannoy by Allison Ramsey Architects!

On February 18, 2016February 12, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

The Vannoy Plan (NC0032) by Allison Ramsey Architects

This is the Vannoy plan (NC0032) by Allison Ramsey Architects – this plan is 3,539 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. If you have a big family and need a house with room, this is a great plan! The Vannoy plan is a beauty with ample porches, spacious rooms, a center hallway, wonderful closets, and a master bedroom downstairs. The exterior of this home is so sharp!

The Vannoy Plan (NC0032) by Allison Ramsey Architects

I like the large kitchen area with a wonderful island. It’s amazing how whenever you have people over, everyone ends up in the kitchen, no matter how small it is. Kitchens are wonderful, and worth making just right! With a powder room located off the foyer of the long hallway that leads to the great room, this plan has a great layout…

The Vannoy Plan (NC0032) by Allison Ramsey Architects

A large upstairs with four bedrooms, a sitting area and a bathroom, that was smartly designed so if someone just needs to brush their teeth, they can do so and not disturb the person in the bathroom. Those spaces are separate. LOVE the sitting area! It becomes another area for TV, office, exercise, etc.

All images via AllisonRamseyArchitect.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Moving paintings around – like a room makeover!

On February 16, 2016February 16, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn ART, HOME, THOUGHTS2 Comments

It’s easy to keep everything where it’s at. You know, furniture, lamps, paintings – I simply cannot do that. Since I was a kid, I would work hard at changing my room around. Often. I loved moving furniture and creating a completely different looking space. It’s so rewarding. I know we aren’t all wired that way.

Too much moving can be a bad thing I suppose. Like the time my sister and I thought we could bring the love seat from the living room (like it wouldn’t be missed), up the stairs (very old house) to my room. It got stuck in the staircase. I don’t think my dad was too happy about that. (Thanks Dad :) ) but aside from your furniture getting stuck somewhere I can’t see a downfall. We have been known to change entire rooms. Living room one day… Dining room the next.

I have even changed a few kitchen cabinets around. Hmmm, I don’t totally recommend that. For years you will go to the wrong cabinet out of habit, ha ha… I say it’s good for the old brain, ha!

This is our gallery wall (click that link to see previous post regarding). This is a big wall that is difficult to make right with just a few paintings. It needs a statement. So a gallery wall solved that. Then all that gold started to get to us. So we made some changes. Exchanged some for floater frames, and took some out of the frames. They look fabulous! Now our gallery wall is in a different room.

This painting is by Carol Bass. She’s a great person as well as a stunning abstract artist. We feel very fortunate to have one of her paintings. The frame on this painting is even beautiful with pegs (not nails)! Hand made by her husband (also a super nice guy).

The chair on the right had a striped slipcover, that didn’t work with this painting, so we had a white duck cloth slipcover made for it. Love it! Need a white/off white pillow to tie in the other chair that is the ultimate in comfort! A modern chair near a cool abstract painting… love it! Do you move furniture around, or are you one that believes it should stay put?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Paintings on gallery wall (top photo):