Monday, March 29, 2010

Fleur D’Oranger

 

Neroli_0

 

The orange blossoms are blooming on my orange trees right now and the scent is overwhelmingly amazing! I feel as though I can’t take deep enough breaths to capture it!  My neighbors might think I’m hyperventilating every time I walk outside, but it’s completely purposeful!

The blossoms are very short lived, so I’ll supplement with some home products to crutch me along until the next blooming season.  None of these match the delicacy of the real thing of course, but they certainly are enjoyable.   

A few that I’ve tried in the past (and not all at once!!!)…

 antica farmastica orange blossom

Antica Farmastica’s oil diffuser is deliciously scented! It’s mixed with a few other fragrances like lilac, jasmine, mandarin and lemon to keep it from being too sweet or citrusy.  I love that this diffuser can perfume the air so well in my entire house and never get too overwhelming.

 

 l'occitane fleur d'oranged candlel'occitane fleur d'oranger home perfume l'occitane pump

L’Occitane makes many Fleur D’Oranger products-  I especially like  their tinned candle and home fragrance sprays.  The spray is great for a bathroom room freshener and comes in a pretty bottle with an ultra-chic pump… how fun!

 

 savon de marseille soap

Wearing Orange Blossom as a body fragrance is just a bit too much for me personally, though I love it as hand soap.  Savon de Marseille makes a great one, and it comes in this cool iconic bottle… I love it for the bottle almost as much as the soap! 

Trader Joes also carries a delightfully scented and even more delightfully priced hand soap that’s named for the Francophile, “Trader Jacques French Liquid Orange Blossom Honey Hand and Body Soap.”  For a few dollars it’s a great product to purchase to test out the scent.

For those who do love Fleur D’Oranger as a body fragrance there are many brands and price points available, and plenty of online reviews and rankings… one I’m definitely going to check out when I’m in New Orleans this summer is Bourbon French's Orange Blossom

Any recommendations??? Please share!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Weekend Getaway: Palladian Villa in Geyserville

When you can’t really take a vacation, the next best thing is a virtual vacation.  Especially since budget, timing, and every other mundane detail of real life can be tossed aside!

Today, we’re visiting a Palladian Villa in the wine country of Geyserville, California.  If you were really there, you might not even make it to the wineries because the house is so spectacular.

 Heraldsburg Palladian villa exterior front

A clean and tailored entryway gives an idea of what's to come on the inside.  The symmetrically placed lanterns and potted topiaries are beautiful and  so Palladio inspired.

 

  Heraldsburg Palladian villa exterior front 2

The facade of the home and the landscaping are so refreshingly understated… it seems there’s no need to be ostentatious when you’re in the wine country.

 

 Heraldsburg Palladian villa exterior pool

I know where I’d be spending my time at the villa!  The balanced placement of the French doors along the home, the long and tranquil pool… truly stylish.

 

Heraldsburg Palladian villa living room

There’s nothing over the top about this Living Room, in fact some may even call is sparse.  It makes me wonder if perhaps Axel Vervoordt or another great Belgian designer has stopped by!

I love that the dark concrete floors bring an industrial chic-ness to an otherwise formal space.  The more traditional antiques are kept from getting fussy with the oversized lamps, casually scattered baskets and wood fragments, and the graphic zebra rug.  I might add a gauzy linen roman window treatment to frame the windows and soften the space just a tad bit, but nothing I wouldn’t take a weekend at this home over!

 

  Heraldsburg Palladian villa kitchen  

Mmm… fresh watermelon and clean Carrera countertops!?!  I’m in heaven.  They don’t show much of the Kitchen but there’s really no need in my opinion.  The grayish taupe cabinets, reclaimed beam, and patina’d lantern tell me enough!

 

Heraldsburg Palladian villa great room 

On the other side of the Kitchen is the Dining Room and Family Room.  I can’t get over the beauty of these doors and windows.  Another fireplace makes the dining room extra cozy… the long table is the perfect accessory to a gourmet and fine wine filled dinner! It reminds me of the great table in the movie house of the year, It’s Complicated.

it's complicated- kitchen 2

 

Heraldsburg Palladian villa powder room

Back to the Palladian Villa, there’s no disappointment with the Powder Bath.  Nothing says classic architecture like a massive piece of carved stone, does it!   The lion’s head faucet definitely adds some personality.  The rooms in this house have all been very monochrome, but the soft lighting has really added  warmth in each space, even here.  To keep things from getting to hard lined and cold in here, I’m picturing the other walls to have either a more ornate mirror or a fabulous oil painting.  And some lush plants in baskets would be great too!

 

Heraldsburg Palladian villa rotunda

No Palladian Villa is complete without a Rotunda and round skylight.  The architecture of the home is certainly put on display.

 

Heraldsburg Palladian villa master bedroom

The Master Bedroom.  Nothing over the top, but fresh white linens on a campaign bed (even the bed is architectural!) and a sunny view are just enough.  I like the casual way that the paintings have been propped on the side tables.   Scattered area rugs have been a consistent decoration throughout the home.

 

 Heraldsburg Palladian villa masater bathroom

The Master Bathroom… no fuss and all view!  Can you imagine the ambiance at night with that pretty sconce lit and a bubbly bath?  Hmm… this is bringing to mind the bathroom scene in It’s Complicated!  One detail I would certainly add is a window treatment- not even for the privacy but just to soften the space.  I’m picturing a white linen roman shade just brushing past the top of the French doors.   I’ll have to remember to pack that in my carry on if I ever really make it to this house!  Love the oversized basket for towels…

 

Heraldsburg Palladian villa bedroom

One of the five other guest bedrooms.  Fluffy white linens are truly a foolproof way to make a luxurious room!  The combination of lighting makes it very soothing.  I love the seagrass rug and the pattern on the lampshade…. just a little texture and pattern is all it takes.  Have you noticed that the simplified backdrops and finishes really make the wood furnishings stand apart?  For as clean and sharp as the architectural lines are, the wood furniture is anything but… adds a lot of wine country charm!

 

Heraldsburg Palladian villa pool

One last look at the pool and the spectacular view… are we in Italy or California?!? 

To visit this house for real, visit this site.  Enjoy your weekend!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Friday Flowers 3.26.10

   books and roses on chair via charm hill interiors blog via linen & velvet

Linen, books and roses… my ideal way to start the weekend!

Enjoy!

{Image via Charm Hill via Linen & Velvet}

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Soothing Nurseries

I’m still slowly working away on my own baby’s nursery and have found a few more lovely rooms and ideas.  It’s hard to come across baby rooms that appeal to someone who shies from bright colors and loud ideas, so you can only imagine how excited I was by each and every one of these!

amy d morris white nursery with framed alphabets I can’t get enough of alphabets in nurseries and  I love the framing of these vintage looking prints.  The unusual four poster crib and periwinkle blue wicker rocker add such delightful interest to this pretty room!

 

amy d morris pale blue gray nursery Isn’t this nursery so calming and sweet?

 

windsor_smith

Ooh la la.. another great alphabet!  I love the light blue crib color and the antique pediment on the wall…  beautiful for the babies room now and beautiful for anywhere else in the house later!

 

 design dazzle blog nursery from ohdeeoh

This nursery is so completely perfect for a little southern belle!  Besides the charming color combination and pretty fabrics I love the details of the mint julep cup & fresh flowers on the side table, the antique portraits on the wall in their yellowed frames, and of course the crystal chandelier. 

What little baby couldn’t fall asleep in any of these nurseries?  Can you experienced parents sense my rookie mothering logic that a pretty nursery=sleeping baby :)  Well, even if the babies that sleep in these rooms do have sleepless nights I’m sure it has nothing to do with the interior design!

Bon Nuit!

{Images via Amy D. Morris, Windsor Smith, and Odeedoh}

Friday, March 19, 2010

Friday Faux Flowers

One of the loveliest luxuries is having fresh flowers and plants around the house.  Despite the few moments of care they require, there are times when life just gets to busy to give them the attention they deserve (unbelievable, but true!).  Fortunately there are some gorgeous faux plants that could trick even the most critical eye. 

From the beautiful Indulge Decor in Houston, which I can’t wait to visit in person one day:

Indulge Decor- phaleneopsis orchid

Imagine how cheerful it would be to wake up and see this pretty pink Phalaenopsis orchid next to your bed every morning.  Or perhaps one of their Mini-Vanda orchids….

Indulge Decor- mini vanda orchid

If you are still teeter-tottering on the edge of taking the faux leap, check out this post from Indulge.  If the linen maven of Houston can do it, it must be acceptable!

Another source, perhaps more local to some of us is Restoration Hardware

 Restoration Hardware- faux phaleonopsis orchids  

Aren’t these orchids classy in the modern dark pots?

 

Restoration Hardware- faux lavender

I love the charming English Lavender in wood boxes from them too.

*Pottery Barn has some loose faux stems that I saw in their store yesterday, though I can’t find a link to them online. 

Happy (low maintenance) weekend!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Friday Flowers 3.12.10

  i suwannee vintage tub with flowers

Happy Weekend!

{Photo via I Suwannee}

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Drop dead gorgeous marble…

 

WHEN YOU’VE GOT IT, FLAUNT IT!

  erin martin white kitchen with marble hood

{Photo via Erin Martin}

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