Linda {Calling it Home} 1/6/14 Linda {Calling it Home} 1/6/14

Naples & Palm Beach

Well Hello! Happy 2014 to all of you.

This is my first post of the new year. We were traveling between Naples and Palm Beach over the Holidays and it was so hard to leave the 80 degree weather returning to the bitter cold and snow. I am also in the beginning withdrawal stages of a Candy Crush addiction. I thought it would be fun to play the game my kids were playing. WELL, let's just say that I know how to get free lives and where to find gaming tips. I am quitting cold turkey... until our next trip.

I feel like I have so many things I want to tell you, but I don't want to drop it all on you in one post. I am going to try and keep lists of my blog posts to help keep me organized... that's the extent of my 'goal setting' for the new year. I'm actually seeking balance in my life for 2014. Does anyone know where I can buy some ;)

After two more days of driving around Naples and looking at Communities, Lifestyles, and homes....I am thrilled to report that we are all in agreement on the section of Naples we would like to live in. I am sure you will understand when I tell you that I will be keeping that private. Now we sit and wait for the right home to come on the market.

I also found some time to visit a few stores that I love. They did not disappoint with lovely inspiration in abundance.

The Ralph Lauren Store in Naples

I want to live in Mecox Gardens in Palm Beach.

Wayland Gregory Ceramics

I think I'll share more pictures with you in my next post.
Did you see anything that appeals to you? I want all of it. Now!
I can't wait to go visit all of your blogs and see what you have been posting about.

Linda {Calling it Home} 12/4/13 Linda {Calling it Home} 12/4/13

Coastal Tropical

Is anyone else ready for the new year? I love change and the start of a fresh new year is a blank slate. I'll be starting the new year with some changes to my blog. Actually, the tweaking will begin next week, and go on for as long as it takes.

One of the things that I have been dying to change is my blog header. As you all know..... endlessly...by the end of Summer 2014, this will no longer be my home. Since I don't know what my next home will look like, I have decided to create (of course I mean to have other, far more talented, people create) my fantasy home. It's in the works now, and when it is done I will tell you all about it.

My fantasy home style is Coastal Tropical. I thought I was making up a name until I Googled it and found hundreds of images with that name. These are some of my favorites.

kouboo

Marcelo Brito & Pedro Potaris

Toby Leary Fine Woodworking

John McDonald

Wettlig Architects

Are you Coastal Tropical? What do you call your style?

Please excuse all the wonky (technical term) work that will be taking place on my blog over the next few weeks.

Linda {Calling it Home} 11/6/13 Linda {Calling it Home} 11/6/13

One Room Challenge - My Family Room

Thank you so much for coming here today. This is the final post for the One Room Challenge where I gave my family room a much needed makeover. If you are new to my blog, or want to start at the beginning, you can start here.

I know today is all about the pictures, but before I get to them I just want to thank you for coming by each and every week. Your visits and comments motivated me to finish my room.

I also want to thank these amazing bloggers for pushing themselves and raising the bar.

I have learned so much from their weekly posts and will definitely be borrowing a lot of their design ideas, too.

Tomorrow is the final link up day for even more design inspiration. I have visited every person linking up and continue to be amazed by all the talented bloggers joining in. Believe me, it is worth your time visiting them.

Welcome to my Nantucket/Florida family room located in New Jersey.

The chandelier from my stairwell.

This Beaker Vase is the perfect addition to my mantle. The stand came late last week.

Pillows by Leslie

I am more than a little obsessed with the Rejuvenation Brass Magnifying Glass. It has a hand wrapped leather handle. I think I am going to order a few more for Holiday gifts.

I purchased this sweet mini brass tray from My Darling House.

New hardware that you can read about here.

Custom prints form The Pink Pagoda

I owe you a tutorial on the drapes. Look for one next week.

Sources:

Cabinet Hardware by Rejuvenation - here and here.

Blue and white porcelain via The Pink Pagoda

Pillows by Leslie at Pillow Love

Prints by The Pink Pagoda

Dash & Albert rug via Maddie G. Designs

Thibaut fabric via Sherry Hart

Graphic fabric by Andrea at Domesticate

And now the moment that I have been waiting for, let's go see all the other rooms.

The Green Room Interiors

Linda {Calling it Home} 6/3/13 Linda {Calling it Home} 6/3/13

Coastal Decor...yeah or nay?

This weekend was unbearably hot in New Jersey. Our spring was four days long, and now we are into the hot summer weather. I actually checked, and we were having the same weather as Florida. I wonder if they will ever have winter's like us?
All this heat makes me think of the beach. Actually, I dream about the beach fairly often. I love homes that feel eternally summer. I guess I'm not the only one... have you noticed how retailer's are mass producing "beach decor". Have they gone to far? Yeah or Nay?

World Market

One Kings Lane

Wisteria

What do you think?

Linda {Calling it Home} 12/20/12 Linda {Calling it Home} 12/20/12

Easiest Plant....Ever

Hi friends, welcome back to my Lowe's Sponsored Challenge. If you recall from yesterday's tray makeover post, I am working on a Migrating Garden.
I mentioned that indoor plants don't like me. Here are my thoughts on that;
Plants are just like men....we want to live with the ones that want to live with us! Allow me to introduce you to the only plant species I have never killed...
Succulents!

For those of you who are already in love with succulents, just enjoy the pictures. For those of you who have always wanted to plant one in your home.....as the guy on that tv show says,

"Let's Do It, People".

First, let me tell you a few reasons why I love succulents.

They have an architectural quality about them

They have a free flowing form

They have a wonderful variation in color (coral edged)

They look like my hair when it's humid

They come in lovely shades of blue-gray

AND....some of them bloom

Without going into the great debate on weather or not this is a cactus....I will tell you that they love dry soil.
If you are anything like me, can you fit a plant watering schedule into your life? I can't.....so when you look at your succulent and think..."when was the last time I watered that thing"....you know it's time. Container round-up time!
Here is the fun part....go around your home and pick things that you would like to put a plant in. I decided to have two groupings.
The white container group

The blue & white group

One last thing on the supply list...this soil mix

Now go round up your supplies and tomorrow while the cookies are ~~burning~~ baking we will plant them up together. They make great teacher's gifts.
If you are feeling really ambitious, you can go over to the Lowe's Creative Ideas page and learn how to make this container.

DIY Cement Container Tutorial

I also have a Pinterest board for Container Gardening.
See you tomorrow!
Update - Here is the planting tutorial

Linda {Calling it Home} 10/14/12 Linda {Calling it Home} 10/14/12

Nantucket Christmas

Balsam Hill artificial tree company recently contacted me about showing you some of their popular products for Christmas. I thought it would be more fun to have them cover one of my Nantucket Style posts with a Christmas theme.

Christmas, Nantucket Style

Cape Cod and Nantucket Island in New England are favorite destinations, and for good reason. The people are nice, the weather is just fine, and the arts and crafts scene can get really busy. Here are some tips if you'd like your home to feel like Nantucket for the holidays.

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Lots of light

Nantucket is known for its beaches and summer sunshine, and the houses in the island have a clean yet rustic feel. Popular shades include white and lemon yellow. At the same time, your house could use a few accent pieces in cool colors like sky blue and teal.
When spray-painting Christmas decor, look for paints with names that contain words like "spray" and "mist." These colors balance out the warmth of sun and make the weather easier to endure for the residents of the island.

Look under the sea

Many items found on the sand can be used as Christmas decorations. For example, instead of pine cones, string sea shells together to make a wreath.

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Small shells glued together make interesting patterns that can be painted and used as Christmas tree ornaments just drill small holes in them and hang them on the tree.

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Starfish, on the other hand, make excellent Christmas tree toppers and make traditional wreaths more interesting.

Etsy Seller

Just make sure that the starfish are already beached to keep holiday celebrations as eco-friendly as possible.

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Transform small glass balls into a winter wonderland by filling them up with sand and putting in ornaments like miniature sun beds, starfish, and shells.

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Pine away

Pine cones are a traditional winter symbol, and they can be found in patches across Nantucket Island. The most widespread tree in Nantucket is the pitch pine, which carries beautiful cones and needles. Dried pine needles can be used as accent pieces on wreaths or trees, while dried cones can be pierced through and formed into tree ornaments, wreaths, and even miniature trees. Again, since dried-out plant parts catch fire easily, treat them with fire retardant, and use safe light sources.

Coastal Living

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Rustic rules

Another common theme in design schemes inspired by Nantucket is the use of earth tones. Small, narrow wicker baskets can be used in place of traditional holiday stockings, and can be decorated with brightly colored ribbons for a more festive effect.

BHG

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You don't need a house in Nantucket to enjoy a New England-style Christmas. Just use things that you find around the house, employ a bit of imagination and creativity, and your home will be cheerful and jolly as the holiday season approaches. After all, half of the fun of decorating lies in making the decorations yourself!

Key designer Jessica Phan works for www.balsamhill.com. The site is one of the top sellers of artificial Christmas Trees. Jessica has a wide range of interests, especially Fashion, Photography and Design.

I'm feeling the holiday spirit....how about you?