Warding off the Autumnal Chill

As the days grow shorter & cooler my thoughts turn to keeping cozy. How about curling up in front of one of these fireplaces with someone you love & a cup of steaming tea or a big glass o' vino. That ought to keep you warm.

This one is perfectly shabby & I love the assortment of odds & sods on the mantel. I would imagine that leaving a pile of half-read newspapers on the floor by your chair wouldn't be taboo in this home.

{ Photo Credit: Simon Brown Photography; featured in Desire to Inspire blog }

Or how about this fireplace in what looks like a bedroom in some country estate or farmhouse. You might never get me out of here!!!

{ Photo: Country Living Magazine }

What about this fireplace? Super contemporary but still manages to feel warm with the rough exposed brick wall & hearty wood floors.

{ Fireplace from Australian company Eco Green Fire }

Then there's this simple wood-burner featured in now defunct Domino Magazine. I love the juxtaposition of clean white of the shelving, table & Bertoia chair with the worn concrete (or is it stone?) on the mantel & the dark, almost black, wood floors. I'd be happy to spend my days in here making food.

{ Photo Credit: Domino Magazine }

And last, but certainly not least, is a fireplace featured in an ad from Ralph Lauren. Lots of candles? Check. Warm patina on fireplace, walls & furniture? Double check. I have a soft spot for wool sisal carpets so there, again, check. Plus, you'd feel confident that it would take a long time to run out of wood with that stockpile: CHECK!

{ Photo Credit: Ralph Lauren }

Where would you choose to spend a cozy hour or two?

Summer Places

Family cabins & cottages where summer months are enjoyed are such a blessing. Our friends, Jake & Becky, have a wonderful place right on the water. They kindly invited us up a few weekends ago & we had such fun. Cliff jumping, searching for sea glass, lots of eating yummy food & drinking yummy wine (adults), movie under the stars (kids)... it was heaven. We had such a good time we stayed for an additional night - thanks J&B!

While I was there I shot a few photos of the little vignettes & signs that Becky has decorated the pace with. She has the knack for setting up a summer cabin just right:

{ lots of bottles of the good stuff have been enjoyed here }

{ watch out, Becky! you may have a few applicants!! }

{ is there a problem with nudies at Pasley, Becky?? }

{ lovely found objects }

{ a wall full of summer memories }

{ what a spot to land!! }

Now I'm inspired to tweak the decor of our summer place a bit next year.