Saturday, February 18, 2012

Bits and pieces I am loving......chapter 1

Good Saturday morning. As we continue to settle in, I am slowly thinking about furnishing this place! Right now I am concentrating on getting the kitchen, family room and breakfast room done. I have ordered bedding for my bedroom as well as my sons and will start working on window treatments. I am excited about the dining and living room and unlike my last house, where I took my time so much so that by the time we sold it after seven years after building it, I had just finished the dining room. I am determined this time to be much more expeditious in getting this house done! So in my travels, just some odds and ends that I am enjoying and liking very much. Thought I would share.....this will be a likely occurrence as I continue to scour the market for furnishings, fabrics and such hence the "chapter 1". 

Also I was so happy to discover a simple button on my camera had not been set (auto light) and voila when I pressed it, I finally got the natural light in the pictures I had been wanting! Phew....I was starting to get annoyed as that meant I was going to have to read the manual and anyone who knows me knows how I hate reading manuals more than anything next to assembling something:) So here's a picture of my kitchen with the new setting....much better!!


SO much better, right?


Now onto bits and pieces I am loving........

Safavieh Home. Love their new Dutch Collection. I absolutely love every single piece in this entire collection! What beauty, all made of reclaimed wood and then painted and antiqued, whats not to love. Talk about statement pieces!!! Click here to visit.











Williams Sonoma...I don't think they have ever looked better. Love all their monogrammed goodies as much for myself as for gift giving. And they have some fabulous lighting as well as beautiful high thread count bedding, monogrammed of course! Click here to visit them.







Decorative Crafts Lighting.I have spoken often about how much I like Decorative Crafts lighting. Their things are very well made, most made in Italy and are simply stunning. We used many of their things in our old home and are using sconces and lanterns from them in our new home. Click here to visit them.









PINK PAGODA I showed a few from Thursdays post...but they are so darn cute!! I love the statement this chic little case makes! Click here to visit!





So thats my bits and pieces for today. Anything exciting over on your end? Hope everyone has a great weekend, we have dinner plans, son left for a ski trip to Utah early this morning and hopefully tomorrow is going to be that long awaited lazy Sunday I have been longing for!!

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62 comments:

  1. GOOD MORNING TINA! I am here first, I cannot believe it!

    Dearest, your kitchen is DIVINE. AND I know how you feel about wanting to capture the natural light; my sweet home is GORGEOUS but I cannot get the right lighting to show that FEELING....we are getting our beams finally, this summer, in our new family room!!! So I see your beams and just imagine how wonderful it is to see them and to give you that old world feel.

    Well dear one, you have done a monumental job of WAITING for your dream home. Love it, love one another in it and make memories. LOVE! Anita

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  2. Fun stuff you got here! I totally can feel your pain with the manuals! I dislike readign them too! I just shut down when someones tells me to read a manual! Glad by just a press of a button you got it! Have a great Saturday! I'm off to a double header baseball game! But first I'm heading to Starbucks to pick up a latte! My lovely student gave me a giftcard for Valentine's Day! Hooray! XOXO

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  3. Oh wow, so glad you found the magic button on the camera! Those pics look like they are out of a magazine Tina! What a difference!! Love how it looks in there, you must be wanting to have the house all to yourself tomorrow, and I can totally understand why. Its magical!

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  4. Tina the picture of your kitchen is perfection as it captures the natural light, and it doesn't look like you even have any lights on. Love how that beautiful space is flooded with natural light, just stunning.
    Love all the things you are loving, am a longtime WS home shopper but really like the Safavih pieces, that hutch and desk and last bookcase are devine!
    Thank you for all these wonderful sources, always fun to visit you. Have a great Saturday and do hope you get that relaxing day of rest you need!

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  5. Reading your gorgeous blog all the way from Spain; I get transported to another world :-)
    What can I say? Your kitchen/house is something dreams are made of. I can't wait to accompany you on this incredible design journey of yours :-)

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  6. Tina, I am so glad you figured out how to use your camera.The pictures are so much better...Everything is looking gorgeous. William Sonoma has some great things. Also, check out Curry and Co for lighting. There lighting is fabulous.

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  7. Tina... OMG.
    I honestly don't know where to start so 'at the beginning' sounds logical, right? That kitchen (with the correct lighting) - Girl, you got it ALL going on now! Can I come over and play in there a while? AWESOME.
    I read your post Thursday and I must admit that I am softening to the painted distressed furniture concept for my own home - thanks in part to Safavieh Home. I know I am late on the band wagon... so, when you purchase your desk, will you ask if they have a group rate?
    W.S. Home has always been my stand-by for the perfect 'gift' ...to friends and ... to ME! And their line this season is beautiful.
    OK, Decorative Crafts Lighting is the BOMB, simply gorgeous. I always tell my clients that no matter what you put in a room, excellent, quality lighting will raise the room up at least one notch!
    And last but not least... those adorable phone covers... do they come in Android size?
    Thanks so much for sharing...Fantastic post. It is good to see you back at the computer again, taking a break from reality!
    Hope you have a smashing Saturday and a lovely weekend.

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  8. Tina, Your kitchen is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen!! Love the new Safavieh line. I have a dining table from them that is my favorite piece in our home. Enjoy your weekend.
    Hugs, Sherry

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  9. Hi recently found your blog as i saw your kitchen on pinterest and I second what the previous commenter said really is the most beautiful kitchen. My dream kitchen (but mine will be on a smaller scale)

    We are buliding a house now outside of Boston and your home is giving me so much amazing inspiration, again on a smaller scale but your eye and taste are opening up a whole new world to me! Thank you- love the painted pieces above and those phone cases are really pretty.
    Have a lovely weekend.

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  10. Happy Saturday, Tina!
    I can't imagine how much
    fun it must be to decorate
    a house from the ground
    up, all at once. We have
    been in our place for 11 years
    and it is still evolving. And
    the funny thing is, once my
    kids have flown the nest,
    we are going for a smaller
    home with less land {if the
    housing market cooperates}!
    Which will mean purging some
    of the very things I am still
    collecting! That's life, I guess.
    Enjoy your relaxing Sunday,
    tomorrow!

    xx Suzanne

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  11. Hi Tina,
    Those iPhone covers are so fun. I will be adding that to my birthday list! The brass light from William Sonoma is wonderful.
    I giggle every time I see more pics of your kitchen. It just makes me happy.
    -Lisa

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  12. Oh Tina dearest, you are so kind, and I receive your encouragement with great regard. My dream is to write. With my busy school schedule however, blogging is the only writing I am doing these days. BUT I count it ALL as a WARMUP for more. Thank you; I value your opinion and words very highly. Now go and get "MAD" and BE you..you are BEAUTIFUL! Slide down those corridors on your socks, for me, will ya? teeheee

    Anita

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  13. Love all of your bits and pieces. It sounds as if you are well on your way!! I wish I had all my bedding figured out for our master. I got the Horchow shams and as beautiful as they are they are going back, just not me. I guess I am a plain and simple gal when it comes to bedding. I have one William Sonoma diamond Matelasse coverlet on its way, but other than that, nothing else! Wish me luck!! Love your new phone cover, blue and white lives on!! Happy Saturday,
    kathysue

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  14. Love everything you have here. You have impeccable taste, my dear! And yes that pic of your kitchen is definitely magazine worthy now! Going to visit Decorative Crafts Lighting now!

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  15. Tina, I had to laugh when you said you finally found the magic button - I'm with you sista! I can't keep up with all these computers and cameras! Wow, the kitchen is truly stunning. I love the topiaries and the blue and whites. Looking forward to see how you begin to cover all those windows! Enjoy your weekend ~ leslie

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  16. I am SO glad you found that button in your camera!!! Those photos of your kitchen are beautiful. Love them. I also LOVE that brass pendant. Is that from Williams Sonoma too? I need to go see. Have a great weekend.

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  17. P.S. Just one more tip about photos (not that I am an expert at all but I have taken several classes and am an avid hobbyist). Photos will always come out better if you take them when there lots natural light. I want to take some photos right now but it is dark and rainy, so I am waiting. The light floods into your kitchen just beautifully!!!

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  18. Your kitchen looks stunning, Tina. I love it! Have an excellent weekend. xo

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  19. That picture of your kitchen could so easily be on the cover of Arch Digest or Veranda or any magazine, wow what a difference a button makes-haha. Helps if you have a magnificent kitchen:-)
    Love the beautiful Dutch collection, those weathered pieces are great accents, love the lighting and of course WS is a regular in this household.
    Those phone cases are amazing, have to get one for my sister in pink, great gifts!
    Happy Saturday Tina hope you get some down time this weekend.

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  20. The phone covers are gorgeous! I just wish companies would make them for other phones too!

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  21. Your kitchen looks great! I love the brass pendant!!

    www.donnaviningblog.com

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  22. Hi Tina. That button did amazing things... your kitchen looks even more splendid! Gumpppp ... I want to write a complaint to get my camera's instruction manual printed in a little book that I can put in my pocket and take with, like the good ol days! The furniture line is fab and as I clicked on the site I got an idea for a post, so thanks for that! Love the lightfittings as well.

    I am looking forward to your decorating with huge excitement. I am sure we are going to be treated to a visual feast.

    Have a fab weekend

    Veronica

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  23. Wow! The new setting makes a major difference. What kind of camera are you using? I really like the chests here, especially the stripped look oak one. I am in love with these sconces and I am heading over now! Cute phone covers.
    Have a happy weekend, Tina.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  24. We share an aversion to those pesky product manuals! (Really, why bother reading simple steps to accomplish something when you can do trial and error, more trial and error, and....still more trial and error...heh-heh-heh!) The Dutch collection certainly has some appeal, and you know we all love a visit to WS! The kitchen is just looking so wonderful Tina, congratulations on creating such a special space. :)
    tp

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  25. Wow, I am BEHIND!!! Your kitchen is just STUNNING!! Words can't completely express how beautiful! So excited that you moved in!!

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  26. i don't think you could have enough of those white wood planters.
    i would grab as many as i could.

    xx

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  27. Wow, that image of your kitchen is quite different! I'm like you, I HATE to read manuals. What is your camera? Did I miss that post? That first image is like a professional shot. Beautiful.

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  28. SPECTACULAR KITCHEN. SERIOUSLY MOST BEAUTIFUL! I love all you showed here, especially the furniture pieces and darling cell phone covers.

    Laughed about your aversion to reading manuals, I am exactly the same. Never read them, its the stubborn streak me. Enjoy your weekend.

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  29. your kitchen is looking soooo great! I hope you have a few minutes to enjoy it! Let me know when your in to look for window treatments and we'll have lunch :)

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  30. La cocina es una verdadera maravilla y las lámparas y apliques son preciosos. Me encanta el blog. Feliz fin de semana

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  31. Loving your bits and pieces Tina... great choices... Happy weekend, xv.

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  32. Tina, we have been away so I am just catching up. The kitchen is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ONGoodness, I am so happy for you to be in and starting to decorate. What FUN!!! I love the iphone covers, I adore anything Asain. The sconces are beautiful. Have a blast with this house. You have waited so long and so patiently. XO, Pinky PS, I am hoping I can find that "magic button" on MY camera. I need to take BETTER pics!!!!

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  33. Hi Tina- such a great post. I love that first chest. I am going to have to show it to my sister who is furnishing a beach house they just recently bought. I could see that there! And love the sconces too, have to visit that source.
    Your kitchen- is to die for! OMG I would love to cook in that kitchen, you must pinch yourself every time you walk into one of your beautiful rooms!
    I love that you discovered the key to getting such a beautiful quality picture, it really looks like a magazine shot. What kind of camera do you use? I am in the market for a new one, thanks!

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  34. Your kitchen is just stunning...love seeing the way your home is coming together :o) Have a great lazy Sunday!!
    ~Des

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  35. Oh my... Your kitchen should be published!! It is gorgeous!! The lighting looks perfect and th beams add such a warmth to the space. Just beautiful! I hope you are having a great weekend!

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  36. I didn't notice the beams in the ceiling before. they're beautiful! your kitchen is really grand and the pieces you featured would be right at home with your aesthetic. beautiful! xx

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  37. The kitchen looks great and I love those cell phone cases!! Enjoy your lazy Sunday!
    xo
    Sharon

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  38. Tina,

    Are you happy with the performance of your beautiful stove? How did you decide upon Ilve? Trying to pick one out myself and would appreciate your views.

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  39. How can I find that 'auto light' button on my camera? You new photos are so stunning! They look like pro interior design photography! Great new Dutch line from S-

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  40. I love your lanterns so much...just beautiful, as is the whole kitchen...and house! It's so nice to see your personal touches starting to make themselves at home along with you!
    xo J~

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  41. Dear Tina, your kitchen is just stunning! I love those two flower trees! Glad you found that button on your camera :) Have the most wonderful Sunday!

    Kristin xx

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  42. Tina, your kitchen is totally stunning!
    x
    Melissah

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  43. Tina now that you've found your "button" on your camera your kitchen looks like something out of a magazine...STUNNING!

    Happy Weekend!
    XX
    Debra~

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  44. Wow! That auto light button makes all the difference in the world! I think you have shared before what kind of camera you have, but I don't remember. Would you share again the exact brand, model/style number, etc. camera that you use? Thanks! Also, I'm really wanting that first iphone case. (I immediately loved it from your Thursday post.) And, I don't even have an iphone.....yet (I'm thinking it may be too high-tech for me. I gotten where I don't like to read manuals, either.) But, I'd consider getting an iphone just to get that cool case (lol)!

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  45. Whoa! I didn't proofread well enough. I meant "I've gotten...", not "I gotten..."

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  46. The kitchen is incredible! ANd your magic button on the camera gives you wonderful results! Being in the antique business, I appreciate the look of an aged piece, but if you can have the real thing, why buy something new to look old, is my thought.

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  47. Tina, you kitchen is just a dream! How fabulous it would be to cook up a storm in such wonderful surroundings! x Sharon

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  48. Really loving this part of your building process. While building our own home or even watching "This Old House", the demo and rough carpentry and finished carpentry never intrigued me. It's where you are now that does it for me. Congratulations. I know it's been a long time till this point.

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  49. What a difference a button can make - 1,000 times better!!! Lovely light!

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  50. Hi Sweets! Your kitchen looks so great! I love the lighting over your island! And, you always find the neatest things. I have been wondering if the Dutch influence would make an appearance in trends. We've had French country, Paris apartment chic, Italian Tuscany style and the whole collection on Asian/African animals in trends. Ha! I love the Dutch look :)

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  51. loving the pics of the kitchen and all these fabulous sources. i need a new skin for my iphone and will check these out!

    michele

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  52. I CANNOT believe how great that photo looks! It looks like a professional photo! I'm going as we speak to see if I have such a button on my camera!!
    Stacy

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  53. Every time I see a picture of your kitchen....I die just a little :)
    And...love those phone cases! Now about that button on your camera.....must go take a look at mine.....

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  54. I'm still just drinking in the details of your fabulous kitchen. It's the star of the show. Hope you've had some rest this weekend. XO, Mona

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  55. Tina,
    I think and I'm sure everyone would agree that your kitchen would look good in any light! But I agree with you...the manual...not happening. I just looked at my camera and sadly I don not see the button to which you are referring. The photos do look spectacular. Still loving those iphone cases you showed us, and now to find out they come in orange and pink as well.
    xo
    annie

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  56. I have a phobia of directions. They just seem confusing and tedious. You've persuaded me though to get out my camera manual. Your kitchen is amazingly gorgeous!! Thank you so very much for sharing my cell phone covers! So lovely of you!

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  57. Your kitchen is the stuff dreams are made of. Seriously amazing and beautiful. Hope you like to cook! I love the furniture pieces especially that blue chest, the lighting is gorgeous but formal for my taste and home and W.Sonoma is always great, am a definite fan of their home line.
    Have a great day and thank you as always for sharing your wealth of knowledge and beautiful home.

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  58. Congratulations on your dream home! I'm in awe everytime I look at your furnishings/fixtures etc.
    Was your island one slab or did it have to be seamed? My new island will be 6X11 and no local company carries a slab large enough. I hate the idea of seams.
    I tried to email you privately, but for whatever reason I could not get the link to work. Have you ever done a post on just sinks?
    Here is a link to an amazing sink that has been on the market a little over a year. I am getting the 5'1/2 sink in my new home. I cannot wait to bathe future grandbabies in it! LOL http://www.thegalleysink.com/

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Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!