Brabourne Farm - the Red Door Home February Blog of the Month

Today I am happy to introduce you to Brabourne Farm – the RDH February blog of the month.

Brabourne Farm is a beautiful Australian blog which features daily collections of interesting and inspiring design, antiques, flowers, photography, gardens and much more. The list is truly endless!

By Gina Sigala - Picture via Brabourne Farm

Each day Leigh publishes carefully selected photographs on a single topic.  Subjects vary greatly and range from colors to chairs to kitchens to chandeliers and everything in between.

  By Andrew McCaul - Picture via Brabourne Farm

It honestly is my daily dose of pretty!

By Beth Webb - Picture via Brabourne Farm

  Source Unknown - Picture via Brabourne Farm

Brabourne Farm is also a home and the blog chronicles the house and garden as it changes from season to season.

via Brabourne Farm

  via Brabourne Farm

via Brabourne Farm

The gardens are stunning and a great break from the white snow many of us are currently seeing outside of our windows.

  via Brabourne Farm

  via Brabourne Farm

To see more of Leigh’s daily collection of pretties be sure to stop by Brabourne Farm.  I know you will be glad you did!

Project Snapshots

Like many of you, the beginning of a new year has me re-energized.  I have been busy organizing, cleaning, purging, rearranging, and checking lots of those little pesky things off my “to do” list which have been there way too long.  (i.e. - the clock above my mantel which has been leaning against the wall for almost two years has finally been hung!)

Along with all of the above, I have also been working on lots of house projects.  So today I thought I would share a sneak peak of what I have been up to and give you an idea of what is ahead.  I will be sure to share all the details as each project is completed.

The biggest changes will be taking place in the master bedroom.  The pictures below are a few hints of the progress which has been made so far.

I have also been completing projects in the basement . . .

. . . adding some new artwork to the mudroom . . .

. . . and updating a few things in the kitchen. 

Changes are also in store for the dining room.

Finally, I wanted to thank everyone who entered the Something About Silver giveaway.  I try to host a couple of giveaways throughout the year as a way to thank you for choosing to take time out of your busy schedules and spend it with Red Door Home.

Hooked on Houses - the January Red Door Home Blog of the Month

Happy New Year!  I am excited to be starting 2012 with a Red Door Home Blog of the Month feature.

January’s highlighted site – Hooked on Houses – will be an instant favorite for anyone who enjoys houses.

Julia - author of Hooked on Houses

Movie buffs will love Julia’s famous tv and movie house features.  Here she shares a behind the scenes look at beloved movie sets and the designers who made these homes come to life.

From Somethings Gotta Give

My favorite and one of the most popular movie houses ever, being the Somethings Gotta Give house.

Somethings Gotta Give Dining Room

This kitchen with its white cabinets, honed granite countertops, dark stained floors and white subway tiled backsplash was an instant hit and remains an inspiration for many kitchens built today.

Somethings Gotta Give kitchen

Another regular series on Hooked on Houses is celebrity home features highlighting the living spaces – both inside and out – of the rich and famous. From real estate listings to magazine stories, Julia shares all the details which make these properties so intriguing.

Jennifer Lopez's house

Sandra Bullock's gothic victorian home

On the funnier side is the bad MLS listing photos.  Readers submit pictures from real estate listings which can only be filed under the “what were they thinking category.”  Take for example this agent who decided to show the same two vases of flowers in every single picture – budget staging at its best!

Finally, a house blog would not be complete without a before and after section and Hooked on Houses has one of the best.  Makeover stories range from single room transformations to entire house remodels.

I especially love the kitchen makeover shown below.

Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen and Bath Makeovers = Photographer:  Bryan McCay

Designer and Producer:  Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

There is a lot more to see at Hooked on Houses so I hope you will take moment to visit Julia.  Her blog is truly one of the best!

October RDH Blog of the Month – Belgian Pearls

One of my favorite aspects of blogging is the ability to connect with people from all around the world.  I love being able to experience different cultures and decorating styles right from my computer screen.  Belgian Pearls - the October RDH blog of the month - is a perfect example of the wonderful global bridge the internet provides.

Greet’s site was one of the first blogs I discovered when I began Red Door Home and it has remained a favorite ever since.  As you might have guessed from the title, Belgian Pearls encompasses all things Belgian.

Greet Lefevre is a talented interior decorator from Belgium. She and her husband run the Lefevre family cabinetmaking business. It is a fourth generation company and their work is truly an example of what beautiful craftsmanship and attention to detail is all about.  Take a look at the pictures below.  All of these photos showcase Lefevre Interiors projects.  Simply stunning!

As you might expect, Greet’s home is also gorgeous.

She and her husband recently finished an update of a room called the orangery.  I love the simple beauty of this space.

Not too long ago, Greet wrote about some special visitors she and her family recently entertained.

Many of you probably recognize Brooke Giannetti from the blog Velvet and Linen - The August RDH blog of the month.  Brooke and her family vacationed in Belgium and during their stay made time to visit Greet and her family at their beautiful home.  I loved hearing about their day together – all coming about through blogging.

Thank you Greet for allowing me to feature Belgian Pearls.  You have been a design inspiration for me and many others from all across the world.

September Blog of the Month – Dear Lillie

Today I am thrilled to be featuring Dear Lillie as the Red Door Home September Blog of the Month.

I discovered Jennifer’s blog last spring when we both participated in the 2011 Poppies at Play Parade of Homes.

Jennifer’s End of Summer Mantel

From my very first visit I was captivated by Jennifer’s beautiful and welcoming style as well as her gorgeous photographs.

Jennifer’s inviting home is filled with many of her own unique decorating designs (many of which she has tutorials for) including the pretty ruffled lamp shade and slipcovered ottoman shown below and the moss covered letter shown above.

In addition to home decorating, Dear Lillie also features some of Jennifer’s original and creative party ideas – my favorite of which is the Jane Austin themed party shown below.

Jennifer is also mom to two beautiful little girls who often model items found in Dear Lillie’s online store.

Lillie wearing a Briar Hat

As luck would have it, Dear Lillie just reopened their online shop today!  I am totally in love with two newly added items - the Organic Annistyn Scarf in Winter White and the silhouette shopping bag shown below.

I hope you will visit Dear Lillie and leave a comment to let Jennifer know you stopped by. I know you will be glad you did!