Sit Back And Relax...

My number one goal in life is to sit back and relax! 
NOT!
 I sure wish it was!

But when I first saw this issue of House Beautiful that's what I felt when I turned to this fabulous article on the home that William Christie bought in France and decided to "breathe new life into it!"
Oh, how I used to love doing just that! In fact, a wonderful designer/friend stopped by the shop today and we were discussing the problems with "downsizing!" 
She said, " I bet you are just like me and you have to put your soul into it!" 
She hit the nail on the head! 
And this is exactly what Mr. Christie has done with this most wonderful estate that was at one time "dilapidated"!

Of course I've never worked on a 16th Century estate in France…but I sure would like to!

And the older I get…the more I realize that not only is the house itself so very important…but the grounds are just as important! They need to be exquisite and they need to be a  place to sit and  quiet your soul! 
I love the sound of the fountains in our pool…they are not grand by any means but they are relaxing! 
They make me feel at home!

And though I am certain that I am way behind on posting this lovely and very well restored estate...

I must admit my take on it was to simply sit and enjoy it's beauty!
 I chose the pictures that I love the most..the ones that make me feel "quiet".

This man is a genius in many ways and House Beautiful did a remarkable job at giving credit where credit is due…to his painstaking efforts at restoring a home and making it a place where he can simply be...

The house as I said is remarkable….

Who wouldn't love this library?

Who couldn't envision themselves sitting alone, quietly on these steps just listening...

Who couldn't envision themselves relaxing and reading in this fabulous slip covered chair?

Or day dreaming in this lovely nook?

Or spending hours out by this pond?

Or simply, feeding the swans by the reflecting pool! 
Really? I can imagine it! Can you?

There is something to be said about the art of being quiet and happy in one's own skin…in one's own home and in one's own surroundings…it may take a bit of getting used to but when it happens…I am sure that it is glorious! ;)
Happy Wednesday! 
Wish you could all stop by our Trunk Show tomorrow! Maybe we should have a "virtual" show one day!
We shall see!
Love to you all!

Wednesday's What If Post…"What If I Told You I Want To Downsize?"

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this in the past but often times I really do think about the possibility of us "downsizing". If I was to truly take this on….the first house that comes to mind is a gorgeous home just around the corner from my shop. It belongs to a wonderful couple, Bob and Alice Schleusner that I've had the pleasure of knowing for many years. You see, I not only envy her beautiful home but I've often thought of her as an icon when it comes to running a successful shop in the heart of Mountain Brook Village. (which is where my shop is located!) 

Her rug shop, King's House Orientals was THE place to buy rugs when I was growing up and then married, etc….I will never forget when she decided to pass the hat on to someone else. In fact, if you want to see the new owner and the new website you can see it HERE! Christin has done a fabulous job!

 I was sad to see Alice get out of the business but now we also have a fabulous rug shop just around the corner from us! You can see that rug shop HERE!

But back to real reason for this Wednesday What If Post! What If I could downsize? Really, Carolyn? This is what you consider to be downsizing? I only refer to this as Bob and Alice were thinking and planning to downsize when this lovely vacation home they had visualized became a reality in the making…except that it became their "main" home! It is truly glorious!

And here is Alice's beautiful home as featured in a past issue of Birmingham Home and Garden Magazine.

I remember distinctly going on a home tour event here in Birmingham when her home was on it and falling head over heels in love with everything about it!

Little did I know that I would one day be wanting to copy this design to fit our needs as empty nester's as well!

Their kitchen and their family room or "den" caught my eye immediately!

And this beautiful guest room over the carriage house…wow!! I have no other words for it! Except maybe, spectacular!

I mean, seriously…can you blame me?

And then there is that entrance that you think is going to be taking you to the back of the house when you first turn in the driveway..and yet you are dramatically taken aback to realize the driveway is just a meager tool to get you to the gorgeous front entrance! So subtle and yet so not! I truly loved it!

Pure gorgeousness no matter which way you look at it! And I love that Marjorie Johnston was also behind this wonderful creation! Between Alice and Marjorie and both of their fabulous tastes…how can one go wrong? And now, Marjorie has a wonderful shop around the OTHER corner from me!
You can see Marjorie's website HERE! I am definitely surrounded by a lot of incredibly talented women…trust me! Mountain Brook Village might as well be known as the Mecca For Modern Designing Women! ( I think I just thought of the title of my next "What If Wednesday's Posts!") 

The entire home tour was a treat…but the icing on the cake was to see Alice's collection of breathtaking rugs…they were truly works of art just as the article states! She has taught me well and the rugs I've collected from her as well as from Christin and Paige will never let me down! I treasure them as I treasure these women and the legacies they have left us to learn from and try to live up to!

Please take some time to check out the beautiful home owned by the Schleusner's as well as both of these amazing rug shops! Also, if you are looking for a designer with wonderful taste then Marjorie is the one for you!

Take care, and hopefully you are enjoying a wonderful week this mid to end January!

Lots of love,