Friday Faves-What is a Mud Room Anyway?

In the newer home plans of today the "mud room" is an essential part of the overall layout of the house.

Especially here in the New England states where the snow flies and the rain comes down in buckets at  a moments notice!  In home plans of years ago it was often times called the utility room or back hall, a place where the family could remove dirty shoes, hang coats and hats after coming in from chores.  It was simply a dumping ground for stuff you didn't want to track into the house and usually not seen by visitors to the house! Todays mud rooms however are designed to be a functional, well appointed and beautiful to be in.  

The rooms are often combined to incorporate the laundry and pet grooming stations as well as a powder room.  Some even include office and play areas. This a perfect space to try out some bold color schemes or fabric patterns that you would otherwise not use in the main parts of the home.

Some key elements to a well planned space are:

• Durable flooring materials
• Ample lighting
• functional storage
• windows
• comfortable seating
• proper electrical and plumbing fixtures, if needed

  So weather it's a back entry, front hall or entire room, devoted to handle it all, I believe that function can and must be stylish too, so a well planned space, including all the necessary elements of your lifestyle, is a must if planning one for your new or existing home.  

Here are a few of my favorite spaces that are functional and beautifully designed.

This area has a built-in window seat for extra storage and serves as a comfy place to sit!

I hope you've gotten some great inspiration for your next project here!  If you want to see more and sources for all photos check out my Pinterest board for information.

Until next time!

Tina

Friday Favorites-Summer Fun In The Sun

What sort of images do you conjure up in your mind when you think of summer?  For me it's the warm sunshine, flowers in the garden, cold drinks and cool summer fruit, soft breezes and of course…the beach!

Happy Fourth of July Weekend Everyone!

Until next time!

Tina

Favorite Finds In The Northwest Corner-Must Visit Antiques,Thrift And Collectable Shops

On the way home from a client meeting this fine Friday afternoon I decided to stop by a few places I've passed many times while driving up route 7 in the Northwestern part of Connecticut. As much as I like being out shopping with friends, there is nothing like  poking around by yourself with no place to be and no time restrictions!

Hepatica: A herbaceous perennial in the Buttercup family

This seams to be a fitting name for the quaint shop I've passed many times just north of New Milford in Gaylordsville.  The wicker furniture and pretty flower garden caught my eye as I drove by and I made a mental note to come back this way for a closer look.  With two rooms chock full of vintage fabulous, this small shop has something for every collector and budget!

The next stop is a salvaged barn that dates back to the 1800s and was moved to this location in the 70s.

The interior post a beam construction takes you back in time.  The place has been home to many establishments over the years including a restaurant.  The entrance planters and garden beckons you into the present two story shop that is full of new and vintage early American and folk art finds.  The space is open and airy so you can see everything with ease.  

My third stop, at Carters Trading post, is a multi vendor establishment that is a potpourri of antique and original art as well as wood carved sculptures.  If you so desire, you can take home Sasquatch or an Indian carving! And yes, take notice of where they placed the price tag!  There is something for everyone, from the bizzare to the refined collector.  Be sure to visit the back yard space… don't fret… buy from Brett…you won't regret!

Here's my take homes from the treasure hunt today. A few small, but simply perfect items to add to my collection!

Have you been to any of these places or have a favorite place you've found…?  Tell me about it. I'd love to hear.

Until next time!

Tina

Friday Faves-Mirror Mirror On The Wall…

Who's the fairest of them all…

I couldn't resist the photo of this cute kitten looking inquisitively at itself in the mirror!  Mirrors offer an interesting reflection of our surroundings.  Mirrors can be used as functional elements or can be used to create focal points and add a bit of glitz and glamour to a space.  The most functional use of mirrors is to reflect light within a room and they can also give the illusion of more space if properly placed. 

Here's some interesting and creative uses for mirrors…

Placed as a grouping or as a collection of vintage mirrors they add visual interest as well as reflecting light. 

        

Simple and inexpensive, full length closet mirrors hung horizontally make a great statement as does the grouping below.  No art needed!

The use of mirrored walls goes back a long way in interior design history and gives a formal and dramatic ambience to any space

This layered mirror design not only adds interest but also reflects the light even more from the sconces.

As the next few photos show, adding mirrored panels to doors is functional as well a beautiful.  This can easily be done to existing closet doors or any plain Jane door!

Oversized mirrors are my favorite, although they can be pricey I think they give a simple elegance to any space.  No fuss, no muss, no clutter!

This oversized mirror is used as a room divider, hung from the ceiling with the reflective side as the headboard, fabulous!

Even in the garden!

So, if you want to add some bling, reflect some light, make a space feel larger or you just want to look at how pretty you are…

More Friday Faves as well as photo sources can be seen on my Pinterest board here.

Until next time!

Tina