Wednesday, June 6, 2012

I'm Smitten!

Last night was one of those insomnia nights when the only thing to do is just get up and read.
So, I devoured the latest House Beautiful magazine, loving every article.
But, when I turned to this page, my heart skipped a beat!
I am smitten with this house and Podge Bune, the designer.
There is so much inspiration here, I don't know where to begin.

To begin, she "shops her house."  That blue velvet fabric on her living room sofa was recycled from a client's curtains, and the club chair fabric is from her old dining room curtains.  She has certainly given me the courage to do the same thing in my house.  I cannot wait to recycle my curtains now!


She isn't afraid of DIY projects either.  She painted the dining room chairs in a decorative finish class and added the stones to the living room fireplace, right over the brick.
Oh, and she obviously loves books, evidenced by how she made room for them by raising the ceiling to accommodate her collection.
Raised in England, she doesn't know any other way to decorate.  This house is an accumulation of things collected over a lifetime.  It is charming, cluttered, eclectic and romantic, and I love it!

I love how she took a 1970's ranch home and gave it charm by paneling the walls and ceilings with tongue and groove paneling and painting it all white. 
Then, she painted the outside pink, and trimmed it in green!  Why not?
It's something I would like to do someday.  Create a charming cottage from a generic box.  In fact, it's my Design Bucket List #2, here, when I wrote about "Romancing the Rancher."


"Well, let's just have a riot" is what she said about her rose garden of many colors, but I think that quote may also apply to her home in the Hamptons.  "I take my cue from the garden, where you can have lots of colors and nothing really matches."
It's English Country Style in a fresh, new way.

I'm smitten!

(Photos 1 and 5, House Beautiful, photos 3 and 4, my scans via House Beautiful, photo 2 via Pinterest)




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18 comments:

carolyn bradford said...

I hate sleepless nights but there's nothing better than devouring a new House Beautiful! Loved this post! Hope your'e having a wonderful wednesday!
Carolyn

Kathysue said...

Isn't it fun to sit down and read a magazine like we use too? I did the same thing the other day with the same magazine, this months issue is wonderful. I love how you are drawn into rooms with a story and pick out all the lovely little nuances in each and every corner. This is why your home is so inviting and warm, just like YOU! Love you bunches, xo Kathysue
PS I did a post today on blue and white in the garden, not a riot of color but still pretty to look at, xo

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

There definitely is a ton of eye candy in this house. How fun it is, and I love her eclectic mix. Hugs, Marty

Victoria said...

This home is very warm and personal. The cottage effect she has achieved is charming.
Best...Victoria

Fabulously French said...

It is charming, love her style.

Leeann x

La Dolfina said...

Gosh Dolores, I totally agree with you, this house is wonderful and her style is amazing. I will be buying this issue today. My poor husband better look out as the walls of his bead board man cave just might have art work covering the walls when he comes home tonight!!!
I am totally smitten as well!!!
And just when I was embracing minimalism :)
xo

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Wow! Lots to look at here and very interesting too. It's so much fun to find something that really inspires you.

Unknown said...

I love love love that fireplace and hearing that she put it over brick almost gets me brave enough to try something with mine. They put the mantel in our house so high that you have to be the jolly green giant to see anything on it. But used faux slate on the whole bottom and top so you can't just move the mantel. If I can figure out how to get the faux slate off of it without wrecking the wall, I KNOW I could do the stone finish...lovely!

Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns said...

This house is great, it looks like something that has been collected over time and not just thrown together to get a finished look. So much to see! Thank you for sharing.

Elizabeth

Bloemerig Bloemen Blog / Marieke Nolsen said...

Wat een prachtige foto's , erg druk, maar heeeel mooi.

Groet,

Marieke.

The French Tangerine said...

Just gorgeous - every single image! I'm rushing out to get my own copy.. thanks for sharing the beauty!
XO
Jan

De Ruijsbroekjes said...

I am smitten too, soo lovely and homey!

pam {simple details} said...

I have my copy but haven't even had a chance to open it yet...you have me hoping for a night of insomnia! :)

Our French Inspired Home said...

So much character in her designs. Love how all the space is utilized for books and storage, but still appears appealing. That fire place is so unique. Thanks for sharing.

Sheila said...

Just when they tell you to put away all of your "smalls" and then you finally get around to doing it, something like this appears. Love the total effect, although the fabrics are a little too crazy together for me.

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

I love it too Dolores, and can't you just tell that it's put together by a Brit?!

Leslie Harris said...

There's just something about that English look...I'm so drawn to the coziness of it all.
Leslie (aka Gwen Moss blog)

Pura Vida said...

A good way to spend a sleepless night

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