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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Rooms To Go...

~ My little study secretary~
Yes, I KNOW I have been a bad blogger and not visited everyone as I love to and should. Just been one of those weeks...so, first, let me apologize and ask for your forgiveness. And second, as a way of retribution, here are some photos of my house. So many of you asked, I promised, here they are. When I say *retribution*, well, I had yet to clean so you will soon see that I was quite coy in taking these images. Uh huh. You will not see the unmade bed or the laundry waiting to be put away. You will not see some areas that are in need of a good brush up or the cat/dog toys that seem to reproduce while we humans are asleep. These are un-staged and raw..well, so to speak! I will take some better shots eventually but, by way of an apology, here they are...now. Be nice...no throwing tomatoes ala RMS on HGTV.com. I quickly soured on that save for the fact that so many of the dearest souls there are now bloggers! Whoo hoo! But helpful criticism I can take...do tell me what you think I could do to make any spot better. Well, except for one thing. My stuff stays. I love stuff. I crave stuff. believe it or not, I do edit. Really! But my stuff soothes my soul and makes me smile so parting with it ain't gonna happen. No way, no how. Each picture can be enlarged by clicking on it. Soo....*gulp*...here goes...
This was Dan's room but when he prepared to move into an apartment, he boxed up his treasures and books and pictures and Mom turned his space into a guest room. After the roommate was transferred and Dan's move faded away, he moved into the basement. But, eventually he moved back upstairs. Still, I kept it mostly as a guest room. He uses the desk for his computers and the chest for clothes but I can turn this baby back into a guest room at a moment's (or 4) notice!
Those are baskets from Savannah, Georgia and that wooden carving on the book shelf came home from China in my lap.
Shells are from all over the world...our trips and Bill's Navy voyages. The desk...
Moving into Grace's room...my little photographer's assistant, Henry, followed me everywhere!
The new, sophisticated Grace hide away. It is still a work in progress so I *artfully* photographed it! You can see the new color, the new curtains (which match the bedding) and the new chandy. She LOVES it so much...
The dress she got for Christmas on what was my dress form. Grace added the pearls and her new handbag. A little note about the bag...it was a huge surprise from Santa. It was screen used by Brenda Song, the actress who plays London Tipton on The Disney Channel's Suite Life of Zak and Cody. Grace loves the show AND London/Brenda. From what I hear, Santa bid for it on Ebay during a charity auction and ended up as the only bidder for it. It arrived with pictures of Brenda/London using it in the episodes. Can you guess how excited one Miss Grace truly was to see it?
The bath used by our kids. It used to exactly match what was our guest room and then Grace's room. (That was before Grace became sophisticated!) I have been told that i should re-do it to co-ordinate with her room or Dan's/the guest room but I LIKE my green bath. A friend sponged it and I added the roses and I think it is very Monet's Garden-y and it makes me smile. I may change it someday...we will see...
The master bath counter's stuff
The master bath mirror, the top of an antique dresser.
Above our bed...a reminder to *dream* and more stuff.
Uh huh. We do have a blue bed and I love it. I was told that I would hate it in 5 years...it has now been 10 and I still like it. Hmpf. Treasures from friends ands family kept in an old box. I saw this look in the film Hannah and Her Sisters and tried to duplicate it.
My blue cabinet and the ubiquitous stuff that is found all over our home...a poem Danny wrote to me for Mom's Day 1999, pictures of my little sweeties (Son, daughter and nephew), a painting my folks gave me in 1979, treasures from friends and family, silhouettes of the kids...Dan's was done in Disney World when he was 10. Grace's was done in Disney World when she was 8. Same lady did both!
Books and Eiffel Towers...I have way too many of both and would not part with even one!
Why yes, that IS a ceiling fan you see off to the left. One of those things that design shows tend to rip out of ceilings straight away. Nope. I am not gonna lose mine thank you very much. So I added a chandy across the room over the little sofa. Gotta have my fan...I am menopausal ya know. *sheesh*
Yes I am a big kid and I love a sense of whimsy. You won't see this look on HGTV but I love it and it makes me smile! Our living room fireplace...uh huh.Books, stuff and more books and stuff. Just to the right of the fireplace, next to the corner cabinet housing the royal memorabilia... yeah, yeah. Books and stuff. Told ya. The front entry. Yup. That would be books and stuff. That is the door to the study on the left... The small secretary in our study...stuff, stuff and books. My Grandfather's papers and pocket watch, Bill's Grandfather's spectacles, Grace's shoes from China, old Victoria magazines in a wooden Chinese basket... Um, that would be MORE books...oh and the chest I rescued from a neighbor's garage just before it was burned. I LOVE it! The study window with Henry looking out at the snow and more, you guessed it, stuff. An antique child's chair and some forlorn teddies...yes they DO classify as stuff.
Our dining room...that is Danny's HS Senior picture, books and, yes, stuff. Have you detected a theme here? *grin*
Dining room hutch...
This is our newest resident at Rabbit Run Cottage. His name is Harvey Norbert Burns.
That is his little cousin Stanley on his shoulder. Norbie was a gift from my husband and son and I think he is marvelous. He is a reminder of a perfect day with two of my dearest friends in the world. We discovered him on a girl's afternoon out and my guys went back later to get him.
I adore him and think he is just too special...
Our kitchen...Kipper's treat jar and the treat jar for Lucy and Henry.
This is the counter I only use when we have guests so it also houses things we use a lot for cooking...oh, and some treats for the humans in the family!
By the back door...
More stuff on counters...
Grace created these frames for pictures of the family. She put them on our doors so, just in case we forget, we can find our rooms. I think they are wonderful...
So, that is it for now. I promise to post more soon but I think your poor eyes can only take in so much stuff at once. Yes, my stuff is any decorator's worst nightmare. But to me it is pure fun and joy. I hope I haven't scared you all away....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I wish you a sweet weekend, a
safe and warm weekend...
Love and hugs
to you all,
Susie Q

48 comments:

Pamela said...

when I see all your "stuff" the first thing I think is about what you would do with a grand space.
The second thing I think is, Buggers, that is a lot to dust!

Anonymous said...

I saw the name of your blog on a list and just couldn't resist coming for a peek.Thank you for the photo tour. I think my eyes would be swivelling everywhere if I came to your house. I just love those little mice crowding around the door. Too sweet!

^..^Corgidogmama said...

I'm so glad that I stumbled upon your blog. Love the pics of your home tour. It looks like a lot of love lives there, and books too!
What could be better.

Lisa Pogue said...

Wonderful stuff. I have to know where on earth did you get that mouse door? I LOVE it!!!!!

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I just LOVE seeing your house. I, too, enjoyed the mouse door very much.

My son gave me the gnome for Christmas that I've wanted for so long (the "boy gnome" at the bookstore with the University emblem).

I will eventually put him on my front porch when Spring (finally) arrives but for now, he is hiding in a secret place in the formal dining area. I smile whenever I see him. Whimsy is important. :)

SmilingSally said...

I see many things I like. I see books and more books. I see blue and white things. I love blue and white things. And I like the touch of whimsy with the mice.

Kathleen Grace said...

I love your "stuff"! Your home is warm and inviting and says volumes about you. You don't need a decorator, your whimsey and fun come through in your home. I love the little mouse door. Love it to pieces! I think a home full of whimsey and personality beats a sterile designer home any time. Thanks for the glimpses:>)

Connie said...

You are soooooo brave to post what is on your bath counter, sweet chickadee!! I'd not want anyone running from the room (computer screen) screaming if I showed you mine! Love the "sophisticated" color in Ms Grace's room though!

Come visit and enter my 500th post giveaway. I doubt you'll be disappointed, lovely cherub.....

Smooches,
Connie

Connie said...

OOoooh, and I want more from Kipper, honey. Otherwise I may lurk and kidnap......uhhhhhh dognap........
Smooches again,
Connie

Cheryl Wray said...

Your house is SO beautiful!!! Sure, you have a lot of stuff...but it's such beautiful stuff and organized so perfectly (not cluttered, at all!). I'm in awe of your decorating. Can I hire you? LOL

A few notes...
LOVE the "London/Brenda" bag. As a mother of daughters, I can certainly visualize how much Grace loved it!!! Cool!

LOVE all the books.I have so many stacks of books in my home thatI feel like I need to get rid of some of them...but I just can't!

And I LOVE your treasures from your travels!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Melanie said...

I take it you like books! LOL I too am a book lover and your photos have given me some creative ideas! Thanks so much for sharing your home with us. I love being able to see all my treasure around me too! And the little mouse scene. Are they sitting on the floor? How cute!

Debra from Bungalow said...

I love all your stuff! Ah, the comforts of home! You have a great collection of blue & white!!!!
Take care, DebraK

Salmagundi said...

The long awaited pictures!! I was not disappointed - a lovely home for a loving family! There is not too much stuff - everything has meaning - that is what is important. Love all of the plates & china, of course. Have a great weekend. Sally

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Loved seeing your home...so man "treasures"... looks warm and inviting!

Anonymous said...

Cozy, Warm, Beautiful!! Lots of Whimsy and best of all, filled with Love!

Have a wonderful weekend...we are seeing snow, here at the lake.

bj said...

I love all your stuff, Susie Q...
I love stuff, too, mostly dishes and the like. I have to go thru my stuff often cause I tend to over-do, even with my controlled clutter stuff...
Oh, and your man is on my blog today...and he is mentioning your name!!
hugs, bj

Bonnie said...

I just love, love, love your house. What a fantastic job of decorating. I love my ceiling fans too. Oh and your little door with the mice is awesome. Thanks for the tour, I enjoyed it very much.

Andi said...

This was just the most delightful tour Ms Susie Q! I love everything about your home and it made me happy and made me smile. Oh I saw wonderful things along the way...Longaberger Baskets and fun things. I told Bully not to look when the frame appeared showing a "treat jar" for Kip. Now of course he thinks he should have one as well. Poor little deprived pup.

Love the purse that Santa snagged for Grace. I have a gala to attend next month and could use a new bag! So pretty!

Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs, Andi

{oc cottage} said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh wow!
The cat! The mice and the little door! That green room!!! GREAT TOUR!!!!

M ^..^

Eloise said...

You have a such a way with colors! Your home is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful pictures.

And that mouse door? So precious!

Cecile said...

Your home is beautiful,warm and cozy and just screams LOVE...Thanks for the tour you have inspired me to decorate more I really love how you put all of the whimsy together but when I do that it never looks like yours:)
Take care!

nikkicrumpet said...

I think your home is charming and lovely. And I'm laughing because I just did a post on having too many books....ummmm...I'm pretty sure we were seperated at birth!

Carole Burant said...

I LOVE all your "stuff"!!! You're my kinda gal, I, too, love stuff all over my house! lol Sue, honestly, you have a beautiful home and I would just love to be able to visit you...it all looks so very warm and welcoming. Believe me, I've been to rich and fancy places and I didn't even know what to do with my hands, let alone know where to sit comfortably!!! Your house is PERFECT, it's YOU!!! xoxox

Anonymous said...

I've always loved seeing glimpses of your home! Everybody feels differently about "stuff". Too much stuff and I start feeling claustrophobic but that's the great thing about our homes. They're meant to express ourselves and our families not someone else!

I LOVE that you have books every where and the mouse door is so cute (I love whimsy in a home), love the blue chest and yes, I have the dreaded ceiling fans in almost all my rooms too (I live in the south we need fans!).

Your home is warm and friendly - just like you!

Manuela

Terri Steffes said...

ok, sorry I am getting in touch with you this way... can't find your email...

it looks like we MIGHT be going to the Erie Islands this summer for vacation!! And, it looks like we go right through Dayton to get there... so might it be possible to do lunch or something???

Also, any good suggestions on where to stay? Confusing is the nicest term I can come up with for trying to figure that out!

Anonymous said...

Love the pics of your home! It looks so cozy and inviting, so warm and personal, so interesting with so many stories to tell! I love it all! Thanks for sharing!

Laurie S.
Laurie4567@aol.com

Janet said...

Well said and I agree 101%. Must be the age ( 58)!!

Janet

Magnolia Bakery??

Justabeachkat said...

Oh SusieQ...what a lovely lovely home you have!! So many treasures. Thanks for letting us take a peek.

Hugs!
Kat

Valerie said...

i love your house! especially Grace's room, daaaaang, what a lucky chica she is!

Sheila said...

Your home is exactly as I thought it would look...cosy, welcoming and lived in. Just how a home should be. You have some interesting stuff, and it would be fun to poke around and see what you have collected. I'm nosey, can you tell?
I'm very minimal these days, but I do like a look like this, just don't have the energy to keep up with it.
Love and hugs
Sheila
xox

Harbor Hon said...

I love your stuff! I don't think anyone can have too much. And so artfully placed! Love Grace's idea for the picture frames on the doors. She's very crafty too. I love that tiffany look lamp. Oh, sweet Bunny Lady, I want my apartment to look like your house. I am in total awe with each picture. Thanks for sharing with us. xxoo

RoeH said...

Well first of all, I'm in love with the cat. I can see in his eyes that he is allowing you to stay there and decorate his digs. And second...just love your wall colors and everything I see. I'd love to have a house I could decorate like that. Maybe in another lifetime. :)

Neabear said...

I so enjoyed looking at your "stuff". You have some great ideas for arranging your "stuff". Like the books. I do a little bit with books. I am realizing I could do more to include them as part of my decor. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the ideas!!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Sue!

Don't apologize -- life can get hectic and keep us away from our computers --I know that happens to me a lot!

I love books and *stuff* too so I love your house and felt right at home in it! I also LOVE my bedroom ceiling fan and would not part with it either! :-)

Have a happy day!

Hugs, Pat

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Lucky me! I'm so glad I happened upon your blog! I love your photos. You are generous to share! Thank you!

Jeanie said...

I miss it when I'm away and can't check blogs! Stuff soothes my soul, too. And I loved seeing all of yours. Just fun stuff! Paris stuff. Cool stuff. Stuff rocks!

Jill said...

Thanks for the tour of your home! I love Grace's room it is so elegant! Nice to see Henry adding some character to your pictures.

Sheila said...

Beautiful home, Sue! Thanks for the tour! I like the way Henry was a helper tour guide!

Gretchen said...

Thank you for the awesome house tour, Sue.

I really lurve your stuff. In your house it looks elegant and whimsical. I wish I had the knack for putting things together so they look like they belong. If I have a lot of stuff together, it looks like crap; in your house, it looks like a collection.

(((hugs))) gretchen

Gretchen said...

p.s. and BTW, Grace's Santa r.o.c.k.s! And Harvey? I'm in love.

jafabrit said...

Is someone stealing your entries? I found this:http://free-book-online.cn/index.php/article/free-book-report/2009-01-21/3827.html

I recognized who you were but there are no link backs, and they have quite a few of your blog entries?

imjacobsmom said...

Oh Good, another person who loves her stuff.....I need my stuff, too. You have a lot of cute ideas throughout your home. It looks warm and cozy and lived in. Thanks for sharing! ~ Robyn

Anonymous said...

Oh Sue I loved my visit in your home! You have some lovely stuff and your home looks so warm and inviting. xoxo

LivingTheLife said...

Well...I just LOVE all your stuff...so much of it makes me feel "at home"!

Who is the dapper young man in the photo on your desk?....very handsome...oh! and I love the pocket watch and glasses...all your blue and white "stuff" and your books and well...all your stuff!

How come I didn't see any dog or cat hairs on your stuff...geez...if you were to look at my stuff too closely I'm afraid you would most surely see at least a few stray dog hairs here and there...and that would be right after I finished dusting and vacuming!

Thanks for sharing...

Blessings...
Teresa

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

I LOVE all of your stuff!!! Wow! Your home is just full of beautiful touches and vignettes. Where to start? I love it ALL! I spy a darling dog lamp and that child's chair is too cute! I could just spend days looking at all of the pretty things.

The pictures of your children on the door are so sweet. I like that idea!

hugs,
Becky

Colleen said...

I don't remember how I found your blog today but I love it. Your home is just precious and so lived in and welcoming. I love the mice!

FHL said...

I enjoyed the tour and am enjoying catching up :o) Have I really been out of blog world for that long! I've missed so much!!!

Hugs,
M~ :o)

Rue said...

Sweet Susie Q... your home is like something out of an English movie that's based in a cottage. I love every inch of it! I would never change a thing, but you and I are like two peas in a pod in our taste I think.

I can't stand the look of a home without stuff. It makes me itch LOL People that don't have personal items and pictures of their family make me thing that they must not love them and THAT is a tragedy! You are a warm person and your home reflects that. Don't EVER change :)

(((love)))
rue