Honeymoon Cottage by Mitch Ginn & Assoc.!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment
Honeymoon Cottage by Mitch Ginn

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. ❤️

Honeymoon Cottage by Mitch Ginn

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!

Honeymoon Cottage by Mitch Ginn

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 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, paint colorsLeave a comment
Indirect light…
Bright indirect light…
Sun and shade…

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 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Camellias

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 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment
House Plan 19280 by Design Studio Plans

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

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Afternoon walk…

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Oh, the sights we see when out walking! Of course, if I forget my phone there will be a phenomenal sunrise/sunset or a setting so perfect for a great photo and BAM… phone is at home. I rarely forget it, so I’m always armed to take a good shot – like above, this bird was posing… strutting… I stayed on the road, and left him (or her?) his own territory.

The marsh rises and falls with the tide. The grasses change with the seasons and the weather. Many trees dramatically hang over the water, like something you would see from days gone by. Charleston, SC is a city rich in history and plenty of beautiful water views. The city has changed a lot – many new large apartment buildings everywhere – it’s concerning for the wildlife when beautiful areas are bulldozed and built upon. I’m just curious how anyone is going to get anywhere soon? Traffic is a challenge now, but add a lot more people and? There must be a plan – I hope. Evacuating for a hurricane has never been a party. Our last evacuation was Hurricane Floyd – went to Charlotte, NC – took over ten hours for a three hour trip and we were very fortunate. We had a map, a paper map in the glovebox… #gofigure I have nightmares about that trip, and have heard of so many horror stories of people stuck on the interstate with no gas, etc. It was taking people over 2 hours to get to the interstate a few miles away. So I cannot imagine what it will be like with many, many more people?

I’m not sure how this turned into a hurricane post? Haha… Scroll back up, look at the photo, breathe in, breathe out… that’s better ;)

✍️ You made it to the weekend, which is fabulous if you don’t have to work (or if you love your job!) Enjoy your weekend (or your days off)- Until next time…

📸 Image: Barbara Stroud (me!)

Awendaw Creek Home Plan by Flatfish Island Designs!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment
Awendaw Creek Home Plan by Flatfish Island Designs

A beautiful elevated house plan with a very spacious plan. Perfect for anyone near the water. A nice front porch and a fabulous screened porch on the back that wraps around a bit of the house offering a nice private space off of the master bedroom. There are so many exquisite features, read on to see them all and check out the links to see images!

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My Favorite Shrimp Recipes!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe3 Comments
Med Pasta with Shrimp

We live in Charleston, SC where we’re very fortunate that we can buy good seafood. Freshest… always! I usually buy a pound or two and freeze in 1/2 pound portions (just pop in freezer bags) – perfect for two people. The recipe above is SO GOOD. The spinach pasta is essential – I tried it with regular pasta and it just wasn’t the same. Artichokes are full of fiber and add so much flavor, so I used an entire jar (small jar). I think the red pepper (and I’m not a pepper fan) is also pretty necessary. It adds such wonderful flavor, and red peppers are much sweeter than green peppers which are picked before they’re ripe (if left to ripen they would be red peppers as well). Feta… absolutely necessary – it adds the kick, and because it’s fairly up there sodium-wise I don’t add salt, only pepper. Read on for the our top five shrimp recipes… haven’t had some of them in a while, which is what spurred this post. If I can’t think of a recipe, I use the SEARCH feature on my website and enter an ingredient that I’ve got and see what comes up. It’s funny how you can forget about recipes after a while!

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Featured Artist: Lesley Powell!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Illumination by Lesley Powell 16×12″ Oil

Lesley Powell – Illumination is a wonderful “wow” painting, isn’t it? The pop of light on the hydrangea bloom against the dark background is stunning, and always captures my attention. Often times I notice I’ve select a painting to feature that has a dark background, which makes the light pop (as they say).

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The Cottage House Original House Plan by Prim Haus!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans2 Comments
Cottage House Original | House Plan by Prim Haus

What a striking house plan! I love the simple, clean lines of this cottage plan. This is a sprawling plan with cathedral ceilings and well place skylights – Let the sun shine in! I’m happy to introduce Prim Haus Designers with their premium, modern home plans to the mix! Their plans are stunning!

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Avocado Toast – So Good!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, RecipeLeave a comment
Quick and Easy…

Avocado Toast. Is it not like a slice of heaven? The creamy avocado, the drizzle of olive oil and whatever else you may add. It’s so delicious on a slice of toast – keeps you full for a while and is just delicious. You don’t need to pay $8 and up for something so quick and easy. This is a version similar to one I had in a restaurant.

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Featured Artist: Shelley Newman!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Where the River Bends by Shelley Newman 36 x 48 Oil/Canvas | **S O L D**

SHELLEY NEWMAN, a fabulous artist from Canada with a distinctively different style and color palette. I love her colorful landscapes made up of wonderful shapes, thick paint and gorgeous color. From the magnificent trees (love!) to the rivers – every one is fabulous, which is why they sell so quickly.

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Reminder: It’s orange season!

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
It’s Orange Season! (Photo taken at Whole Foods) – Cara Cara Oranges

Who can’t resist the ubiquitous orange? Sure, they may be available everywhere all year long, but you know it’s true season is NOW! They are 100% tastier than they are other times of the year (although they’re still good then they are no comparison). And who can’t use a Vitamin C boost right now, right?

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39 Dover Trail House Plan by Our Town Plans!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans2 Comments
39 Dover Trail House Plan by Our Town Plans

Charm, right? The first thing I thought of when I saw the scallop shingles in the gable area of this home. It reminds me of my parents Victorian home with the gingerbread trim. It’s an oldie, with oodles of charm. This is the best of both worlds. New construction and old world charm!

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