House Plan: Distant Island House by Allison Ramsey Architects!

On April 7, 2016March 23, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House Plans3 Comments

This is the Distant Island House Plan by Allison Ramsey Architects. Wow! This design is unique and would fit in so many settings just beautifully!

There are four porches on this plan. Two unscreened porches (one in the front, inset between the two “wings”, what I call it, and one off the Laundry Room with easy access to Bedroom 3. Two more screened porches, one off the Master Bedroom and another off of the Living room. Nice!!

NOTE: AllisonRamseyArchitect.com has updated their website, it is WONDERFUL! Very user friendly – check it out! You will dream for days!

Do you see what I see? A GALLERY! Can you imagine? What a fabulous house plan. This plan has an outdoor terrace separating the two “wings” of the home. I think this is fabulous. When I look at house plans I think about the way that we would use the house. For just Fred and I, we would probably use Bedroom 2 as a Study or Reading Room. We would use Bedroom 3 for guests (I think)… It’s got nice privacy and access to the porch.

I think it’s creative how the rooms are built around an outdoor terrace, offering beautiful views from every room, all in a private setting.

All images via AllisonRamseyArchitect.com, used with permission…

As with all house plans on this website, these images are not for construction or reproduction, they are property of the architectural firm.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo – wish it had sound!

On April 3, 2016March 23, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Photograph2 Comments

I was taking Charlie for a walk around the block the other day and we heard a lot of wild noise. I looked up to the sky to see these birds. I wish this photo had sound because I thought there were many more of them, ha… very vocal.

The blue sky, with the bright green from the budding trees…Wow! What a beautiful Spring we have here in Charleston. It does start a little early, but hey, it’s beautiful, get out and take advantage of it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Swirling clouds and Beach – Charleston Photo!

On April 2, 2016April 1, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, SCLeave a comment

Just look at how dramatic the clouds are in this photo. Is there anything better than a day full of big, wonderful clouds AND the sun peeking through? This was an ideal spot to be, with the sound of the water lapping the shore. It tends to make your shoulders drop away from your ears!

Peaceful! Happy Saturday!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo – Spring is here!

On April 1, 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!

A stroll downtown resulted in a few photos (ha), a beautiful day, just look at the color of the sky, intense and blue. Spring is here!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo – One of My Favorite Entrances!

On March 31, 2016March 17, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Photograph2 Comments

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

Just look at these details. The ornate gate, the beautiful marble tiles, the intricate door, the wonderful textures of the house – that fantastic light fixture and the softness of the greenery.

Absolute perfection! Look above the door. Pretty cool, huh?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Spring has sprung!

On March 30, 2016March 17, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Photograph1 Comment

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

While walking downtown last week I snapped a close up photo of a window box. Just beautiful and it screamed SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!

Beautiful! Enjoy your week and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Have you tried these? Wonderful!!

On March 29, 2016March 29, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS2 Comments

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

You know how sometimes you just crave a wonderful cinnamon roll? Just once in a while, like Christmas or Easter or a day off? I found a brand without many of those ingredients that we try to avoid. Of course this is an indulgence nonetheless and not considered health food in any way, but I probably didn’t have to tell you that, did I?

Another use… If you have your house on the market, and someone is coming to see it. Bake some cinnamon rolls! Seriously! SOLD!

Read about these wonderful cinnamon rolls:

Catch you back here tomorrow!

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!