butter for the soul

Well butter my biscuit.

Butter it good,

Stradella House.

Care to enjoy a few images from bella Stradella?

K. But first.

The truth.

It's not biscuits we're buttering today.

It's sour cream coffee cake made from scratch.

Smell it?

And not actually buttering it...dude,

not that there's anything wrong with that

(my Swedish GRAM did it all the time).  

Ina's recipe is similar

I'll share the recipe soon.

all images -First Option

On planet Michele we are always in the mood

for butter, coffee cake, love...

and a cozy white room.

Care to join me near the hearth for a chat?

Cool. BYOButter.

gorgeously english

WHAT A SHOCKER!

An English country house,

featured on

THIS blog!

(has anyone come up with a

sarcasm inflection yet?

 need. please share.)

By now, you know

my appetite is insatiable

for pretty pictures

of properties like

Bazeley House

offered by First Option.

The undecorated 'undone' look is so pleasing to my eye.

Perhaps today I'll take a wee risk as I lead a tour of this home,

daydream of the English countryside, and type

stream of consciousness style (as is my nature).

Perhaps I will not mention

Rob Pattinson anywhere in this post...

oops.

the most amusing part about this youtube? some of the comments posted

i.e. "did he smell nice?"

um...someone's been living under a rock for 3 years

 (omg i need that sarcasm inflection again!).

Oh heavens the pristine floors...

just kill me in the face.

Enchanting, yes?

Love how the windows go to the floor.

If this were my kitchen,

I'll tell you what I'd do

besides thank the Lord I

have two refrigerators

and a kickass house.

Invite each and every one

of you to join me

for a champagne and Swedish pancake brunch

(and what the heck? my special cinnamon bread too!).

first option

Say it with me.

Insatiable. 

hugs.

battle of the brits: FOSTER vs. HAWKE'S

lookie lookie what Atlanta Bartlett did with foster house!

*insert English accent here*

I fear a bloodbath is imminent

so I'll ask all of you to please please

put down the sword...

Don't do it for me...

a lowly hormonally imbalanced blogster.

Do it for the sake of

impractical white floors and cushions!

Welcome to today's

BATTLE OF THE BRITS:

************

f o s t e r house vs. h a w k e ' s house

Let's be civil in battle this time 'round.

need i remind you of the violent grotesque melee 

which erupted when last i pitted sweet southern

cali cottage against swede southern cali cottage?

****Both are stunning properties.****

Both are available for photo shoots via First Option.

****Both are deliciously neutral.****

And YET only ONE may WIN.

could you dream sweet dreams at foster house?

IT'S UP TO YOU.

Focus now.

wouldn't it be cool if you leased this First Option property called foster house for vacation

but there was a mixup as Robert Pattinson and Hugh Laurie also booked

it that week and so naturally you all made do and became best friends,

mainly told vampire jokes, ate white stilton, and sang karaoke that week? 

Try not to be distracted by my twisted imagination

and Jedi mind tricks.

Let the force guide you as you choose.

ahhhhh. notice the simplicity and symmetry at hawke's.

Charmed by Hawke's

exquisite kitchen???

Truly it's my idea of

FAB-TASTIC CALM.

uh-oh. floor crush at hawke's.

Let's not become overly emotional.

Simply re-focus and continue this contest with grace.

With maturity.

i refuse to say i'm cuckoo for hawke's entry. refuse.

i'm cuckoo! cuckoo! cuckoo!

Maturity is overrated.

Maybe next time.

*insert southern drawl*
hot damn, hawke's.

Which Brit wins it for you?

p.s.

like you, i have zero clue as to how

Star Wars references relate to 

gorgeous Brit interiors.
p.p.s.
linking up today with a beach cottage
for the Good Life Wednesdays party.

p.p.p.s.

just a reminder to follow

this blog responsibly...

with deep tenderness,

a modicum of caution,

and a voluminous glass of red.

katarina malmstrom brown: photography

Did this photo just give me permission to stencil DON'T on my Louis chair? YEP.

Swedish born photographer

K a t a r i n a   M a l m s t r o m   B r o w n

*************

is based in London

and snaps luscious interiors

such as these.

Of course I'm into this modern painting--so renegade.

Toying with the idea of charcoal grey or

black and white striped walls somewhere

in the gnarly basement suite.

Sarah Richardson's

herringbone (SR73) is a chic possibility.

all images Katarina Malmstrom Brown

HA! Would you dare?

This would actually make sense

in our basement since the bath

will have no natural light!

What is UP with the donut rug? I am not moved.

p.s.
wanted to alert you to this great giveaway
at a lovely new blog, Lilies and Dandelions.