Tudor in the Afternoon

 view from the back garden

Yesterday I got to attend a lecture on classical design and moldings at the Virginia Center for Architecture here in Richmond.  The lecture was interesting but even more exciting I got to set foot into one of my favorite houses on Monument Avenue. 

The Tudor Revival house was originally designed and built by the architect John Russell Pope in 1919 for the Branch family.  It's design was inspired by Compton Wynyates, a 15th/16th century English manor.  It is now maintained by the Virginia Center for Architecture as a museum and their corporate space.

  the front door

The very first time I came to Richmond on vacation with my parents many years ago my friend Nick picked me up from the hotel late that night and drove me  around town showing me the highlights.  Of all the gorgeous homes on historic Monument Avenue this is the one that I remember from that night.  It was so much fun to finally take a peak inside.  Sadly, I didn't take any pics inside while we were on the tour but I hope to get back there soon so you can take a peak too.  

   entrance detail

another view of the rear

a view of the front

In general I've always loved Tudor architecture.  Richmond actually has a couple of really great examples; one being an actual 15th century Tudor home that was dismantled, shipped to the US and reassembled here in town in the early 1900s (Agecroft Hall - another one of my favorite houses)  I need to be a better tourist in my own town.  Maybe we can go to Agecroft another day (also seeing Shakespeare in the courtyard of a house built during Shakespeare's lifetime is AMAZING)

Happy Friday!

Bad Dog!!

Our sweet puppy (well she's actually a year and a half now) loves to sleep in.  She likes to sleep in even more than me!  She usually stays in bed while we go about doing morning things such as taking showers and catching up on email.  Lately though she's decided that snuggling under the covers isn't enough for her anymore.  We discovered this over the last few days.

Then this

Ugghhh!

She's never been a chewer/destroyer of things that weren't her's to chew.  There has been the rare but random article of clothing.  That happens.  But my bed is so sad now!  Not the way I wanted to start my day. 

Procrastination Prevention: The Kitchen Gallery Wall

I am the Queen of the almost-finished project.  You know the kind.  The ones where you are about 80% complete but something happens (you run out of time, supplies, inspiration, etc).  Then one thing leads to another and weeks, months (who am I kidding) YEARS sometimes pass before you get around to finishing it.  In an effort to shame myself in to actually finishing something I thought I'd lay it bear for all the world to read about.  Make fun of me as you see fit.

First up is the kitchen gallery wall. 

 
I love a gallery wall and I worked hard to get this one looking just right.  I searched high and low for the right mix of frames and mats.  I made templates for all the frames and taped them to the wall until I got the exact look I wanted.  I even made little gesture drawings to note what was in each photo.   I got ALMOST everything framed and hung.

(notice the two remaining placeholders?) 

It's been over a year now and I still haven't had mats cut to fit these two pics.  One is not a standard size picture and one is not a standard size frame or picture.  Now it is time to finish this project!!  I'll keep you posted on my progress.  If it works I have plenty of other things to add to the list.

Don't even get me started about the space below the chair rail!

Is It Too Early for Pumpkins?

Saw this last night in the latest issue of Country Living Magazine and wanted to run out and buy pumpkins.  I know it's a bit too early for pumpkins but this makes me want to do a bit of planning....What are you doing to get ready for fall?  Happy Friday!

Creatures from the Deep

Lord Bodner's Octopus Triptych via Urban Nest

I just saw this octopus from Natural Curiosities over at Urban Nest and am completely in love.  I wasn't familiar with Natural Curiosities and can't wait to really check them out.  The piece is based on the original copperplate engraving by Lord Bodner published in 1826.  Love it!  

I've gone a bit overboard with the overscale and odd pieces lately.  I don't know that Lord Bodner's octopus will be coming home with me but it really is lovely...and odd in such a wonderful way.

LoveMyHome Event

If you are in the Richmond, Virginia area I wanted to let you know of a great event coming up hosted by my friends at HomeMasons.   HomeMasons, Inc. is a design/build firm that does truly beautiful work as well as occasionally hosting really great events.  This is the first in their “LoveMyHome” series.  It’s Free (although attendance is limited to the first 50 RSVPs) the evening of September 28^th at the wonderful Charles Luck Stone Center Studio (seriously, I want to move into their beautiful design studio).  The topic:  Fabulous Garden Design ideas, presented by David Gerstenmaier of Higgins and Gerstenmaier.  If should be a great event and I hope you can check it out.

 Happy Friday!

Which Way Will Earl's Winds Blow?

via weather.com

I spent most of childhood vacations on the Outer Banks.  It was a beautiful, uncrowded slip of sand that I still love today.  I also have friends/family that are vacationing on the North Carolina coast this week and choosing to stay and ride out the storm.  I hope they are all safe (my friends and the beaches that I love).  We're not supposed to see a drop of rain from the hurricane here in the Richmond area.  Truthfully I wouldn't mind a few sprinkles.  It's been a dry summer.  I hope Earl can behave himself!