When I think of the “Holidays”

With so many different religions, nationalities, and traditions, the “Holidays” mean something different to everyone. When you bid them adieu during this time of year, you don’t tell then to enjoy what you celebrate in winter, you tell them “Happy Holidays!” as not to offend anyone and to genuinely tell them you want them to enjoy what they celebrate.

I think “Holidays” unanimously means to celebrate your religion and traditions with family and be grateful for what you do have, and show others how much they mean to you by giving them a token of your appreciation for having them in your life. Growing up in a distant family and in a broken home, there were Christmas’ where I was the only one to show up with gifts, and most of the time other family members didn’t even show. Once my family was so unprepared for it being a holiday that we had to go to the gas station and buy pizzas for dinner. Another time we celebrated by going to a local Chinese food restaurant, since they were the only place open on Christmas. As much as I appreciated just being together, I always longed for more.

My mind always wanders to someplace picturesque for the Holidays, something I always wished I had, and something I will make sure my children have so they never feel like they missed out on a family that had traditions, and appreciation.

When I think of the Holidays, I think of a car full of presents, driving in the snow to make it to see the family for Christmas. Image Credit

When I think of the Holidays, I think of bright colored Christmas lights, the only time of year I get to see them shine at home and throughout the neighborhood. I love to drive home slowly, taking different routes to see what the neighbors have done with decorations.

When I think of the Holidays I think of coming downstairs in the morning to sounds of family laughing in the kitchen, and the smell of coffee and bacon. Image Credit.

When I think of the Holidays, I think of Hot Chocolate, Eggnog, and Tom and Jerry’s in a festive Christmas mug. Image Credit.

When I think of the Holidays, I think of cookies and creamy cheesy potatoes and casseroles and all around comfort food high in calories and low in consideration of those calories.

When I think of the Holidays, I think of snuggling up to watch a festive movie with some fresh popped popcorn, such as Elf, The Muppet Christmas Carol, or The Holiday. Image Credit.

Most of all when I think of the “Holidays”, I think of spending it with the people you love and care about, the people that you cherish and appreciate. I think of making gifts for the people in my life, because I love to hand craft items for the people I care about. I want to show the I care for them by making them something special that fits their specific needs. Image Credit.

So cozy up with your loved ones, make some hot cocoa, and tell someone you love them.

Happy Holidays!

The Hearth: Heart of the Home

Today in Architectural History we were discussing Frank Lloyd Wright, and his open house design plans. He loved to be able to see from one room to another. The professor explained that he didn’t want any rooms to feel like boxes, and how he loved large hearth’s and to gather the family around them. Then, something clicked in my mind. I’ve known that I’ve wanted to (maybe) start a family (someday) and knew that now wasn’t the time. I think babies are adorable but my mind never goes “I want one!” But when she said the “hearth was for gathering your family around” I suddenly got excited about owning a home and having families around the fireplace for Christmas, stories, movie nights, and just warming up in the Wisconsin winters. I finally have the right guy, so why not get excited?

Here are some pretty EPIC fireplaces and hearths to get excited about being a family around.

This fireplace from a House of Turquoise post still captures my love of Interior Design. Not only is this my favorite color, but the warm accessories make this one of my favorite rooms to drool over.

This living room shot from “The Holiday” still makes me want to buy a little cottage in the middle of nowhere. Plus all the cozy over stuffed furniture makes this a great looking place to get comfortable with some chai.

The high ceilings, bench seats, and rustic log storage are just a few of the things I love about this fireplace.

Ok, I know this is a wood burning stove, but I’ve visited many people’s houses with one of these in their family rooms and these babies can produce some HEAT! Perfect for living in the frozen tundra.

The idea of having a fireplace in the kitchen has always been so appealing to me. Something about sitting around a fire and chatting up your company while cooking a good meal sounds like heaven.

In the summer I was in Interior Design school, I lived on my friend’s back porch. Well, I lived in the attic, but I spent all my time on the back porch. If there was a fireplace though, I would have lived out there.

What are your favorite family hangout spots? Happy kindling!

‘On The Set’ Design: “The Holiday”

So as I was thinking of the movie The Holiday again, I thought about why it’s one of my favorite movies. I mean, it’s a chick flick, and as much as I love a good “boy meets girl, awkwardness ensues, boy and girl live happily ever after” movie, I usually go for the mystery thrillers, and action movies. So why did I love The Holiday so much? Well, not because of Jude Law, the “I wish that was me” plot or the charming little english children. It’s the amazing set designs and scenery. I’ll share with you why I love this movie more every time I see it.

Set 1: Amanda’s Los Angeles House

I love this set for the reason that this amazing and clean contemporary style of design, usually isn’t what I go for. I’m one that goes for more natural colors, with bright accents, a fresh country look with a modern touch. But the stainless steel and grays of the kitchen, whites of the livingroom and clean lines all over add an organized and fresh look that I can’t get enough of.

The exterior. It has a gorgeous Spanish Villa feel to it with the clay roof, and the central water fountain. Image Credit

The foyer is crisp and fresh, with clean lines and all white walls.

As she walks up the grand staircase you can see the chandelier, and her collections of books she doesn’t read.

The Kitchen in “Amanda”, Cameron Diaz’s Los Angeles home. It’s bigger than most houses. The cold steel and black cabinets, and stone floors seem industrial, while the cream colors of the chairs, the buttery walls, and red apples warm the place up and add a homey feel.

The fantastic living room was to the left when you walk in the front door. With the off white wing back chairs and matching couch, dark woods with clean contemporary lines, and numerous amounts of lamps, it’s straight out of a magazine.

Amanda’s Bedroom. Remember the blackout blinds that were remote controlled? King size fluffy bed? I do.

Another view of the living room, looking into the front hallway. Check out this blog for many more photos of Amanda’s great house!

And who can forget, the pool. 

Set 2: Iris’s Rosehill Cottage

This set is definitely my favorite in this movie. The charm, the flea market vibe, and the cottage shabby chic of it all is just so very cozy. I love the dual fireplaces, the stone walls, and the wood floors, and most of all, the plush fabrics. A place I could very well see myself settling into.

The outside of the “Rose Hill” cottage. English countryside, stone fence, rolling pastures. What else could you hope for?

Another shot of the outside of the house. Clearly the shell doesn’t match the movie set and the floor plan I created for the house doesn’t match the shell either. There are doors in inside shots where there are windows in outside shots. But hey, it’s Hollywood, the set doesn’t have to be perfect, only the celebrities do.

The entry way of the little cottage. It’s kitschy, full of mismatched collected items, and the walls are full of assorted framed photos and prints, yet it all flows together wonderfully.

This room is kind of overflowing with furnishings, accessories, pillows and books, which may make the room seem crowded, but i’d still love to just curl up on the ottoman with a book in front of the fireplace any day. This set kind of reminds me of the set of the Gilmore Girls. I’ll save that for another day…

Here’s another view of the living room.

And a shot behind the chairs. Image Credit. 

The beautiful and tiny charming bathroom in the cottage. With the painted floors, stone walls, and furniture style wash area, this room just screams charm.

The tiny kitchen is just adorable with it’s painted cabinets, stone fireplace, and multiple accessories. This flea market-meets-shabby chic look is easily achieved and at a low cost. It does take time, and dedicated collecting though.

Here’s a warm picture of the kitchen from the movie.

The bedroom in this delightful cottage is bright, and airy. The white ceilings open up the room, and match perfectly with the white trims and metal bed frame, while the natural wood beams keep room in tact with the rest of the cottage’s natural elements.

You can see here that the stairs go right up into the bedroom.

Another shot of the bedroom.

Here’s a peek into the library.

The little back porch/ book room has just as much charm as the rest of the house. Not a detail was spared with the floor to ceiling books, antique rug and cozy throw blanket.

If I had to GUESS what Iris’s cottage would be like in a floor plan, here is my idea:

First Floor:

Second Floor: (which is the movie version and doesn’t actually fit into the floor plan of what the 2nd floor would look like.)

And the plan that would actually fit the house:

Set 3: Graham’s Mill House

Jude Law’s character “Graham” has a decent size mill house that’s equal to the stylings of Iris’s cottage. It’s got a beautiful driveway in the front, all stone. He claims to have a cow in the backyard making me think that there’s a barn or a pasture in the back of the home.

The front of the amazing English Mill House.

Here’s a shot of the foyer.

The front entry of Graham’s house. There are even brick stairs to add to the old english style of the home.

A view down the front hall into the sitting room.

A view down the other hall into the kitchen. Original stone floors, french doors, and wood furniture style kitchen cabinets make this set feel like it’s been around since the turn of the century.

A view into the kitchen of this awesome English house. I love the stone cooking area.

The office/ reading room in Graham’s house. The choice of decor is very cool for a single dad.

Here’s a shot from the closing scene where everyone is dancing around Graham’s living room.

This is my favorite room in the house, Sophie and Olivia’s play room. I mean, this tent is so awesome I want to make one of these for myself and I’m a grown woman.

I think that the designer of the set did an amazing job with every last detail of the room, and I can only hope to aspire myself to be such a versatile designer. I hope you enjoy my little set tour, and there will be more to come! Any suggestions of your favorite movies are welcome, and I will happily “tour” that set as well! Happy viewing!