Linda {Calling it Home} 8/6/14 Linda {Calling it Home} 8/6/14

I'm a Fan

I have a huge confession.....I may have said some unkind things about ceiling fans. I may have even gone so far as to think people were crazy to have them in their rooms. Yes, it is obvious that I have never lived with ceilings taller than eight feet......until now.

Our rental has ten and twelve foot ceilings throughout.

We even have a ceiling fan in our bedroom.

And I LOVE it!

Well, the one we have is not pretty, but I love the cool breeze it provides.

All Images Courtesy of Christopher Rose Architect

I would definitely put a fan in my next home. Do you have a fan? Are you a fan?

Linda {Calling it Home} 7/28/14 Linda {Calling it Home} 7/28/14

Exploring Sarasota

This is going to be a busy week. School starts in three short weeks, and there is a lot to do before day one. I'm going to spend most of today on the phone trying to get appointments and closing out New Jersey business. You would be happy to know that the cable company here is just as incompetent as the cable company back home.

Last Friday, my family surprised me with a trip to Sarasota. I was told to be ready by 8:30am ......somewhere around 9 am we left the house. Sarasota is just under a two hour drive from Naples. First stop...the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

The gardens have breathtaking views of the ocean throughout the seven acres of lush landscaping and rare plants.

These pink Caladium's look beautiful among the sea of ferns.

It was definitely time for lunch at the Koi pond.

From there, we had a lovely lunch and then onto the next event. A Segway tour of Sarasota. I am definitely buying one of these.....and I will NEVER show a picture of myself on one. It's like a moped, fun to ride, buy you would not want your friends to see you on one.

An hour of shopping at St. Armands Circle.

On our way to dinner we stopped at Siesta Key Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Country. According to Travelers Choice, it's the thrid best beach in the Country second only to Hawaii. The sand was soft powder white, and felt like baby powder.

We had dinner at the Carmel Cafe, just north of Sarasota. Each table is given iPads to peruse the menu and wine selection. You can order directly off the iPad or with the aide of the waitress. Each entre has two different wine pairings that are recommended to accompany it.

And if that wasn't enough for the day....we had dessert at Subzero, an ice cream store featured on Shark Tank. What makes this place so unique is that the ice cream is made to order from scratch using liquid Nitrogen to freeze it immediately.

It was a great day.

Linda {Calling it Home} 6/27/14 Linda {Calling it Home} 6/27/14

How Would You Fix This?

Ok, designers and home design enthusiasts.....here is a home that I actually toured. Let's face it, this room could be amazing. As we went through the home, I kept thinking about this kitchen that opens to a family/great room. A sledge hammer is definitely necessary....but what else? How would you design this space?

Since I won't be buying this home....money is no object. Go for it!

Linda {Calling it Home} 6/11/14 Linda {Calling it Home} 6/11/14

Modern Spanish/Mediterranean

As I continue to look for homes online in Florida, I am warming up to the fact that we might end up with a Mediterranean style home. It is a popular style down there and I am trying to stay open to all possibilities. I decided to search for interiors of this style home that appeal to me.

I could definitely live in these rooms. Some of my searches were under 'Spanish Style' and some were under 'Mediterranean Style'. Does anyone know what the difference is between Spanish and Mediterranean? I have probably been calling it the wrong name.

Linda {Calling it Home} 4/30/14 Linda {Calling it Home} 4/30/14

One Room Challenge, Week 5

Welcome back to week five of the One Room Challenge. I am transforming my mudroom into a functional and pretty space in six weeks. If you are new here, thanks for coming by. You can start at the beginning, here.

This was a crazy and wild week. My kids had Spring Break....yes, we are late. Spoiler alert, our school year ends the last week in June....late, again. Anyway, we took a trip down to Florida to do a little house hunting, school shopping, and R&R. I don't do R&R well will this much on my plate.

A quick glance at our trip

The Hyatt @ Bonita Springs has two Newfoundland dogs that visit with the guests.

Unfortunately, we did not find a house that we fell in love with. I did enjoy the warm weather.

Yesterday, it was 47 degrees in New Jersey. Seriously? Even the guy at Home Depot said, "enough already".

I came home to an email from Jennifer letting me know that her prints were in the mail! She sent this sneak peak.

It reminds me of the amazing fabric she designed for me. These prints are not for sale in her store. Hopefully, they will be....very soon.

Did I show you my bench? I found it in a flea market in London, fifteen years ago. Supposedly, it was a former Church bench...you know how people can exaggerate. I just like it.

Not much more to report this week, just waiting impatiently for my deliveries...and then the stress of photographing begins.

Let's go visit the others and see their rooms.

Thank you One Room Challenge Sponsors;

Chez V

Mimosa Lane

My Sweet Savannah

Verandah House

And I'll see you back here tomorrow for the Linking Event.

Linda {Calling it Home} 3/10/14 Linda {Calling it Home} 3/10/14

Win $500 to One Kings Lane

Happy Daylight Savings Time Monday! I don't know about you, but I am already feeling the positive effects of the longer days....I hope I don't jinx it, but it is going to be 60 here, tomorrow, and we won't talk about the possibilities of snow on Thursday (say what?).

Today, is the beginning of my Polyvore feature for Project Decorate. You may have already seen it around... Polyvore features a blogger in front of their 20 million subscribers and everyone has a chance to win a $500 gift card to One Kings Lane. There will be 2 lucky winners. This contest ends next Sunday.

$500

Here is my Tropical Coastal look. I have been telling you about this look for quite some time. Remember when Chinoiserie Chic wrote about it? I want it....everywhere!

Tropical Coastal Décor by callingithomeblog featuring navy accent pillows

Now go enter the contest... as many times as you want! To enter, follow these rules.
I started a group on Polyvore where you can add your sets for additional views. I hope you join.
Good luck, I can't wait to see what you do.
Oh, that's my new logo in the set. It is going to be added to my site this week.