Our Martha's Vineyard "Home Away From Home"

 One of my life-long dreams has always been to visit Martha's Vineyard.  Everything I've ever read about it told me that I would be in love.
My dream finally came true!
We were fortunate to rent this adorable home on Martha's Vineyard for a week and not only did I fall in love, but I didn't want to leave!


It was recently featured in New England Home, so you can imagine how perfect the home is.
I love the decor, right down to the zebra stenciled hide in the living room.  It looks amazing with white slipcovered furniture and nautical details.


I spent a lot of time in this room, especially in the morning sipping my coffee and watching the sun rise over the harbor.


This vignette from New England Home shows the detail of the delft tiles around the fireplace and blue menswear plaid upholstery on the rattan chairs.  I love the blue hydrangea in this scene.
In fact, I purchased fresh flowers for the house while we stayed here to give the rooms some life.

There is a little breakfast nook between the living room and dining room.
Notice the architectural details.  There is very little drywall in this house--only white painted tongue and groove on the walls and beadboard on the ceilings.


The dining room is papered above the wainscotting in a beautiful blue and white print.
The dining chairs are lacquered navy blue and upholstered in a flax straw like fabric.

This photo from New England Home shows the wallpaper in more detail.
Through the door is the kitchen.


The walls in the kitchen are painted chocolate brown--an interesting choice to highlight the vaulted ceiling and white cabinetry.  Hmmmm, I wonder how navy blue would look instead...


The New England Home photo shows the detail of the backsplash behind the stove.


There are two bedrooms upstairs, including a huge master suite that overlooks the harbor.
Notice the painted ceiling above?

The master bath is beautifully appointed with marble floors and countertop.
I love the grasscloth on the walls.

There is also a bedroom downstairs, with one wall papered in a lavender stripe.
It has double doors that open the the courtyard...

...which also separates the main house from the guesthouse, and is the point of entry to the home.

 The guesthouse has a loft, featuring two twins and a separate bedroom and bath.

It even has its own little kitchen!

 Outside the living room is a wrap around porch that overlooks the harbor.
This home has it all and it was such a pleasure to stay here, pretending that we live here full time.


We pretended that this was our neighborhood...

...and pretended that this was our street as we walked to the main street where all the boutiques and restaurants are.  

We took lots of walks, exploring the island, pretending it was our home and wondering what would the winters be like here.   

We even took a drive to the other side so Mr. A could check out the fishing village. We made plans to come back next year so he could enter the fishing tournament that started just before we left.

But alas, we had to say goodbye.

Hopefully, we will be back and if we are lucky enough to stay in our home away from home on Martha's Vineyard again, I will be thrilled.

To read more about this lovely home, visit New England Home.

Window Shopping and Parisian Storefronts

Paris has the most beautiful store fronts, enticing one to step in and browse.

Whether they are painted faux bois or blue or black, they stand apart from the building they share.

We did our fair share of window shopping too!

I spied this fabulous tartan plaid oxford in a window...

...vintage Hermes in another window.

The owner of this shop was out for lunch...

...and we were desperate to find out the prices of the vintage Chanel in the window.

A beautiful window display in this home decor shop.

And another sweet display in this shop.

I knew better than to go inside!

Dangerous!

Such beautiful macarons displayed in Laudurée window.

And four gorgeous puddings for four tourists with a sweet tooth!

A healthier snack would be fruit, so beautifully displayed here.

Seeing the neighborhoods with their shops and boutiques inspired us.

We talked and brainstormed at length about a little boutique of our own!

Maybe someday....

Confessions of a Challenged Packer

 When it comes to packing, I am extremely challenged.

How many coats, how many shoes, how many black pants?

Wouldn't it be lovely to just ship a trunk with everything you need?

 I would seriously pay someone to mentor me while I pack.

But instead, I'm torturing my daughter with text messages asking how many coats, how many shoes and how many black pants!

Do I bring the brown boots?

Do a bring heels?

How about an LBD?

 I ended up packing only black clothing and threw in some leopard pieces to shake it up.

And a few tartan pieces, like a scarf and a plaid lined jacket.

The challenge is to be comfortable, yet chic and not look like a tourist.

I'm traveling with three "fashionistas" so I want to blend in!

After all, it's fashion week in Paris!

We're leaving today and I'm humming that song!

"Leaving on a jet plane...."

Paris Is Always A Good Idea

I love that quote from Audrey Hepburn because it is absolutely true!

Paris is always a good idea.

In a few days, I'll be wandering the cobblestone streets of Paris, enjoying the sights and pretending to be Parisian!  

I can hardly wait to sit at a cafe and sip a cafe au lait!

 Or dress up and explore, eat and shop!

I promise to post from Paris, but for now I need to pack my bags.

I can't wait for the French air to clean up my brain!

The Books At Boxwood House

"A room without books is like a body without a soul."  ~Cicero

I couldn't agree more.  One can design a room with fabulous wallcoverings, luxurious fabrics and elegant antiques, but if it doesn't contain books, then something is missing.

 When staying at The Boxwood House, I had time to notice all the details in the house.  There are many, but what really stood out were all the books in every room. 

Oh, and glasses!  Every nightstand and side table had a stack of books and a pair of reading glasses.

Many of the books in the dining room are about San Francisco or California and its history.

For those guests visiting from another state or country, this would be fascinating.

I find it fascinating and I live here!

There are books about the 1906 earthquake, books about the gold rush, books about the wine country...

...and books about Abraham Lincoln.

The owners of The Boxwood House are obviously interested in history, both local and American history and have been collecting books for years.

How wonderful to have a place to lovingly display them.

For a home that isn't lived in day to day and used as a vacation rental, the books have given it warmth and also a soul. 

 

As I wondered around during my stay, noticing all the details of this home, so beautifully decorated and curated, I imagined other guests staying here, enjoying the view, enjoying special events with friends and enjoying life. 

I thought, The Boxwood House truly represents all things home!

"Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience:  this is the ideal life."  ~Mark Twain