To say that I adore Sting would be an understatement. I first laid eyes on him in 1982 when the Police played a club in Atlanta know as 688. The club got its name from its street number, which was 688 Spring Street. A true hole in the wall, it was the quintessential punk rock club in the '80s. I was fortunate to see some amazing musicians there, including Billy Idol, Joan Jett, The Heathen Girls, The Swinging Richards, Love Tractor, Siouxie and the Banshees, among others. But the height of my 688 experience was seeing the Police, and I have loved Sting ever since. Not only does he create amazing music, he is certainly easy on the eyes. So, while I do enjoy his music, I am equally enamored by seven private residences he owns throughout the world, among them a historic mansion in England known as Lake House. Lake House, which is located in near the idyllic district of Wiltshire, sits on 60 beautiful acres and dates back four centuries. A large Elizabethan mansion, Sting and wife Trudie Styler have spared no expense in restoring this beautiful home. Sting and Styler now raise their own food, including livestock, on the farm and have made it a self-sustaining, organic abode, and have also published a cookbook known as "Lake House." If you know me, you know that I am not a cook so the fact that I purchased this cookbook must lead you to believe that I bought it for the photographs, which I cannot deny. Below are some shots of this amazing property. You will see why Styler, upon seeing the home on a cold, cloudy fall day, was able to convince Sting, via telephone, that the house had to be theirs. Sting agreed and today, it remains their principal residence. Now, if only I could convince him to cook up a little something for me.
Thursday 31 March 2011
He's the Bee's Knees - Sting and Lake House
Posted on 18:21 by tripal h
To say that I adore Sting would be an understatement. I first laid eyes on him in 1982 when the Police played a club in Atlanta know as 688. The club got its name from its street number, which was 688 Spring Street. A true hole in the wall, it was the quintessential punk rock club in the '80s. I was fortunate to see some amazing musicians there, including Billy Idol, Joan Jett, The Heathen Girls, The Swinging Richards, Love Tractor, Siouxie and the Banshees, among others. But the height of my 688 experience was seeing the Police, and I have loved Sting ever since. Not only does he create amazing music, he is certainly easy on the eyes. So, while I do enjoy his music, I am equally enamored by seven private residences he owns throughout the world, among them a historic mansion in England known as Lake House. Lake House, which is located in near the idyllic district of Wiltshire, sits on 60 beautiful acres and dates back four centuries. A large Elizabethan mansion, Sting and wife Trudie Styler have spared no expense in restoring this beautiful home. Sting and Styler now raise their own food, including livestock, on the farm and have made it a self-sustaining, organic abode, and have also published a cookbook known as "Lake House." If you know me, you know that I am not a cook so the fact that I purchased this cookbook must lead you to believe that I bought it for the photographs, which I cannot deny. Below are some shots of this amazing property. You will see why Styler, upon seeing the home on a cold, cloudy fall day, was able to convince Sting, via telephone, that the house had to be theirs. Sting agreed and today, it remains their principal residence. Now, if only I could convince him to cook up a little something for me.
Monday 21 March 2011
Prince William and Kate - I Can Hardly Wait
Posted on 18:13 by tripal h
I realize that there is more to life, and certainly more important things in life, than the wedding of a handsome prince to a gorgeous commoner, but to moi, who is devoted to all things British and all things Royal, there really isn't much better than a full day of pomp and circumstance, courtesy of Wils and Kate. I must admit that I have been stalking them on their wedding web page, and buying every tawdry tabloid that I can get my hands on. I plan to sit in my living room, with my telephone turned off, my dogs at my side (they are, after all, Yorkshire Terriers, so they will also be glued to the telly), and hopefully wearing a really frumpy, purple oversize hat, drinking tea from a china cup and saucer (probably something equally frumpy) while I think about how much it would have cost me to fly over and push and shove my way to the front of the crowd to get a glimpse of the future king and queen of England. But the piece de resistance would be a glimpse of the Queen herself, d/b/a Queen Elizabeth II. I know what you are thinking...she was born into the most privileged of families. Yes, she's often appears to be a little uptight and she always has that same handbag on her arm. But when it comes right down to facts, she is a public servant in every sense of the word. She became Queen when she was just a girl and has never wavered from her loyalty to her country. You are correct in that she has never had to worry about a paycheck, whether the electricity might be cut off at Windsor Castle due to failure to pay the bill, or whether Balmoral may need a new roof. I still admire her immensely, not just for her sense of duty, but for her supposedly wicked sense of humor. The one thing I do find worrisome is her treatment of her children when they were young...we have all heard the stories about the children being raised by governesses and butlers. Maybe that is all she has ever known. Her treatment of Diana was equally cold, but I can imagine that Diana could be intimidating even to the Queen of England. Goodness knows The Duke of Edinburgh (that would be the Queen's hubby to you people who could care less) had his fill of Diana (I find her captivating).
So, do you get where I am coming from? Please refrain from dissing on the Queen in my presence, please cut me some slack when talking behind my back about my obsession and please, for goodness sake, do not call me on April 29th. Thanks!
Tuesday 15 March 2011
A Short Little Break
Posted on 21:59 by tripal h
I will be in Savannah for 5 days starting tomorrow. My daughter and I are going to Savannah to spend St. Patrick's Day with great friends, and more importantly, to scatter my husband's ashes in the river behind our friends' house, Ike and Beth New. I will be posting pictures from our trip and will share our experience with everyone here when I return. In the meantime, Happy St. Patrick's Day and take care.
View to the left at Ike and Beth's House - Moon River |
Thursday 10 March 2011
Gorgeous Kitchens -- They Aren't Just for Cooking Anymore
Posted on 17:37 by tripal h
Photo Courtesy of Brabourne Farm |
The blue on the left is my own kitchen color "Jamaican Aqua" from Benjamin Moore |
This is my new kitchen chandelier I recently purchased from Ballard Designs |
Small, yet so elegant (Photo from Brabourne Farm) |
I am in love with this island (photo from Brabourne Farm) |
Don't you just love the mirror over the stove in this kitchen? and the arched alcove? and of course the chandelier? Wish we could see more of it (photo credit unknown) |
I know I keep saying this but yet, another favorite. I am crazy for the window so close to the sink, the assorted utensils and pots and pans hanging randomly along the wall (photo courtesy of Seattle Times) |
And I am even more in love with this island and the oversized candesticks also (Photo Courtesy of Veranda) |
What a wonderful glass ceiling...and a fireplace in the corner (Photo courtesy of Brabourne Farm) |
This must go down in history as one of my all time favorite kitchens. The old wall details, trophy cups above the cabinets, the chandelier, beautiful natural light...I love it all (Photo courtesy of Brabourne Farm) |
This kitchen from Garrison Hullinger is another personal favorite - the French stove, robin's egg blue cabinets, the farmhouse sink, the windows and of course the chandelier, make this a standout. Also fond of the paneled pantry door |
More from Garrison Hullinger |
And More... |
Photo Courtesy of French Essence |
French kitchen perfection (photo credit unknown) |
More French kitchen fabulous - what a stove and hood! (photo credit unknown) |
Another French kitchen - but of course - lovely cabinetry and shelving above the sink (photo credit unknown) |
Aren't these colors so wonderful against the white? Beautifully done retro style (photo credit unknown) |
Although this kitchen comes from a movie set, the entire English country house from "The Holiday" remains one of my all time favorite homes - so magical |
Just goes to show that a kitchen doesn't have to be large or full of fancy to be beautiful - the red and white paired with the robin's egg blue makes me say "ahhh" (photo credit unknown) |
I'm sure you are feeling my love of aqua based on my photo selection (smile) (photo credit unknown) |
My favorite feature in this kitchen is the antique photograph placed over the stove - something you don't see often (photo courtesy of The Decorista) |
I really like the paneled ceilings and the chairs - such beautiful contrasting materials (photo credit unknown) |
Another favorite - I'm a sucker for a room with beams and I love the two islands featuring different shapes (photo credit unknown) |
This may actually be a butler's pantry or a cutting room, but either way, it's great - love the light fixture and muted tones (Photo courtesy of Elle Decor) |
Lovely black and white floor and black cabinets - beautiful natural light coming through the windows (photo credit unknown) |
What an elegant kitchen!Love the industrial feel, the flower head vase! Love the gold paired with the black and lavender (Photo courtesy of The Decorista) |
Tuesday 1 March 2011
Mid-1800's Sideboard for Sale
Posted on 09:48 by tripal h
For Sale: Mid-1800's Sideboard. Love piece. Very big...took two strong men to move it for me and will take two strong men to move it out. Features claw feet, all wood with some veneers. Gorgeous grain and dovetail drawers. Cupboards open with skeleton keys. Faux drawer in middle front. Lion's head hardware and original hardware. There is a crack across the top but it doesn't effect the function of the piece, nor does it take away from it. Just adds character. At some point in time, a mouse was evidently trapped inside as there is mouse bite marks on one of the shelves - I just love that sort of thing...sweetly shows the use of the piece over time. Measures approx 5"L x 5 1/2' H x 20"D. Would be a show stopper in the right room. I imagine it with lots of white so that the piece could stand front and center as the focal point in a room or hall. Asking $695 or best offer. Can be seen at Rockin' B Antiques in Newnan, Georgia. Email me or comment for additional information. Thanks!
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