May 3, 2008

Common Cents Creates Comfort

"...but the concept of the new Cape Cod and Nantucket II is to show how people can live comfortably in the $600,00s."

This is a direct quote from the April 27th issue of the St. Louis Post Dispatch Sunday newspaper in the new home section. This comment came from a local developer. Is it me or do any of you also find yourself re-reading the quote two, maybe three times to make sure you read it correctly and then roll your eyes and are screaming in your head "you have got to be kidding!!"

I can't believe that we Americans "need to be shown" that we somehow can manage, without too much discomfort, find a way to find to live in a $600,000 home comfortably. I know that the majority of us lack the imagination and know-how in finding some impossible way, to make our inhabitable shack of a $600,000 home livable...but thank goodness for the beloved HGTV shows to set us all straight and to inspire us to get off our lazy butts and do something to get our half a million or so home livable and presentable for company....


Okay, I will stop with the sarcasm...I just couldn't believe that someone feels the need to show us how to live comfortably in a half a million-plus home. I only hope it was a misquote. Anywho, while there are many people who can well-afford such a home and in certain parts of our wonderful country, $600,000 really is the average price for an average home. I have lovely clients that live in homes three times that cost and the owners all feel very fortunate and blessed and have made them very comfortable and they didn't need me to show them how. They just needed some custom drapes or bedding. But for the rest of us, a $600,000 home would be very comfortable and we would most likely not need some developer to show us how to live in it.


I would like to prove my point with a little eye candy from a feature I designed and photographed for Romantic Homes June issue (now on stands). While this home is not $600K, nor the size of a McMansion, it has all the comfort, warmth, and love that any mansion would envy. The owner, Debbie McReynolds, and her daughter, Caitlain, have turned their tiny home into a haven. I will give you a sneak preview of photos that were not used in the magazine. To see the entire 10-page feature, you must buy the issue, or better yet, subscribe to Romantic Homes magazine!

(Nothing wrong with a little PR :-)

Enjoy the photos - the concept is simply that even the smallest home can pack in the personality. I also took a formal dining room, and with a few simple changes, I made a rustic, whimsical "Young at Heart" party to kick off the summer. A corn drying wrack over a glittery mirrored buffet, and antique hose nozzels on vintage china. And Little Debi snacks for dessert - summer is finally here!


If you would like to see many more photos, please pick up the June issue of Romantic Homes Magazine.



Texture, texture, texture! Linen table cloth, French collars, wooden floors, mirrored furniture, Oriental rug, vintage china and upholstered chairs all make this tiny room a room to remember!



















What's up with all the friggin antique hose nozzels? You can read all about it in the June issue of Romantic Homes magazine....sorry - I can't tell you everything, now can I? :-)





Yes, I designed this bedding for Debbie. She gave me the most endearing compliment. She told me that when she goes to bed at night, and covers herself, she feels like "Elizabeth is giving me a hug goodnight." I teared up when she told me that because I had no idea that the bedding meant so much to her. How fortunate I am to have such lovely people in my life?

Thank you for allowing me to share with you.


I hope you enjoyed the photos of Debbie's home. I had so much fun with the photo shoot and dressing up her table. I especially got a kick out of my friend, and Debbie's neighbor, Renee. Renee came over during the photo shoot and couldn't believe all that went into a shoot and how long it took (three days). When the magazine feature came out, Renee was the first to call me and tell me about it and she couldn't believe that while the photos in the magazine were beautiful (thank you Renee), but how they also didn't even begin to show how much work went into capturing it all. That is the magic of a photo shoot...it all looks so effortless which makes us (yes, even me) look at the rooms in magazines and think, I want to live there! But in reality, I think most of us just love the thought simply living in just a clean and orderly home...never mind the style....I just want someone to clean my home for me....that is my goal anyway.




A clean...orderly...comfortable home are things we all strive for. But until I am "shown how I can live comfortably in a $600, 000," I will have to make do with my common cents in creating comfort in my little abode.





From my abode to your abode,


Elizabeth :-)



Note: For those o
f you who are waiting for my notes from the Country Living Magazine seminar, please go to my other blog, Shop Talk for the notes. Thank you!






22 comments:

Elizabeth said...

All the white on white is a refreshing treat for the eyes.
I live in Marrakech where everything is in vivid color - one needs relief sometimes!
Such a pretty blog.

jpdmom said...

Great photos - such alovely home you did. As for the $600,000.00 home - we live in Northern California - and there is no such thing! The sales pitch was not good - I agree.

Jamie R Lentzner
www.jpd.typepad.com

Kelley - a very JunqueyGal! said...

Oh how yummy! The backs of those dining chairs make me swoon - they look like ball gowns! And so many tiny details. I'm off to buy my own copy - you have me drooling...

:D

Anonymous said...

Hey yaya!
Just a quick note to say "hey" and as usual...beautiful pics and GREAT advice. I'll talk to you again soon. Big hugs....deb

susanna said...

Yep, now there's a quote. I wonder where on earth the developer lives...The Upper East Side of New York? ...to feel the need to reassure his or her clients that they CAN live comfortably in a $600,000 home. Maybe that's the going price for a tiny cottage near a beach in Conneticut...?

Well, your photographs are beautiful! You really do have an eye and your own personal style when it comes to interior decorating. I'm looking forward to seeing the June issue of the magazine.

*The Beautiful Life* said...

Oh Please Stop, Elizabeth!! Well, actually no, don't... but truly it is almost too much to take in -- these huge doses of beauty! I just can't wrap my head around how many ways the mind can come up with incredible ideas for the simplest of things... Case in point: the use of those starched white collars. Oh my word! What job. What life. Here's hoping you're drinking in every heady, beautiful moment! :)
--Ruth

Unknown said...

What gorgeous photos! Well worth all the hard work!! Thank you for sharing. I ran out to get my copy today so I could enjoy it during my lunch break!!
XOXO
Jillian

Ulla said...

Just so you know, If I had a $600,000 home, you'd be the first person I called! I just love seeing your ingenuity! And thank goodness it didn't take $600,000 to show us! I adore the fire hoses, and can barely wait to read your spread! The flowers hanging from the chandelier are wonderful, as is the birds nest over the door! And those amazing collars again ~ I love them used with 'Dick and Jane' sentiments! Truly you are my style mentor! I want to be Elizabeth when I grow up!!!

good goods & co said...

Elizabeth- I live in Boise, Idaho and if you are ever in the area (or within 500 miles!) this is a standing invite to stop by for coffee. Should the urge come over you to tweak a few things around my house...please, feel free!!!

Gorgeous, gorgeous as is everything I've seen you do.

Best, Cheri

Maryam in Marrakesh said...

Talk about a self-serving developer. Ridiculous!

Your French collars are so very lovely and fun! I want my own!

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

What a lovely home you've shown us! I just finished reading Victoria At Home with White, so this was quite a treat to find your blog today!

Gosh, & these are the pics that DIDN'T make the magazine?!

I'm running right out to buy RH right now!

Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Dale Anne Potter said...

I LOVE the white on white!
I especially like the idea of that wire thing behind the collars.......is that a gate or fence? I LOVE that idea for a design board!

High Desert Diva said...

Debbie's home is lovely as is that wonderful bedding you made for her. Thanks for the peek.

And I'm in total agreement with you about that newspaper quote...oy!

blessings said...

I'm savoring your article on your "little Debbie" now =) It's stunning! And I'm ever so grateful that we're in the midwest where even $100,000 can buy a big ol' historic house. It wouldn't buy much gas these days, but you can still get a decent house here. Hope you are well and living joyfully! Blessings.. Polly

Lisa Kaus said...

gorgeous eye-candy-thanks for the inspiration!
Lisa Kaus

blackbird said...

You and the homeowner have done a beautiful job.
It looks like a million bucks!

The Paris Apartment said...

You did a wonderful job! Did you do the photography too? How DO you DO it ALL!?

Antique Therapy said...

Hi Elizabeth,
We havent heard from you in a while. I think that we are all curious to see what you are up to.
I was also wondering if you would participate in a little game that I am having over at my blog. It is about what is your favorite antique and why? I know you are so busy, but I would love it if you could join in and give us all some new inspiration. Check out my site for the details. Thanks, Keri

Anonymous said...

I love all the details but especially the coffee table. Please tell me you have access to another such as this. I have a gorgeous one now but it has killer beveled glass on it 1" thick and I have permanent scars from running into it at night. I just have to get something else. I think I'm going to find someone to make me a pair of colums to put that glass on. It's gorgeous. Anyway I need that coffee table.. help!!!!
Now I wish I'd found you when my DD lived in ST.Louis.
hilary hg49@txwi.net

savvycityfarmer said...

Hello there dear friend....I've missed our chats...

What I'm about to share over at my post, I've waited two years to experience...Nic's wedding....

Here's a blanket invitation to share in our joy....

let's chat

you've got my email

Kasey said...

Wow, what a beautiful house.
k-

Anonymous said...

Exquisite good taste, very much proving that less can be more in terms of colour usage. That coffee/cream theme will never date.
Thank you for such imaginative ideas - I won't forget seeing a gentleman's stiff collar used as a tie-back - brilliant!

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