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.

PALE & INTERESTING...for your library

Pale & Interesting by Atlanta Bartlett & Dave Coote

I live in the midwest.

Hence, I understand it sometimes snows in April.

Snow in April frequently

makes it hard to get out of bed.

So when gloomy skies

and winds were howling

the other day,

I simply didn't

(get out of bed OR howl).

All snug and comfy in a fluffy 

down duvet with a favorite

new decor book, I hunkered down in

a nest of goodness.

P a l e  &  I n t e r e s t i n g

(Ryland Peters & Small)

all photography by POLLY WREFORD

Yum.

The title hints at a glimmer of what's inside.

Atlanta Bartlett

and Dave Coote

have a passion for design with

muted subtle shades I adore, and this book

illuminates how the couple create stylish

relaxed family homes.

Atlanta Bartlett's creed:

"Keep it simple,

keep it relaxed,

and keep it real."

The photography alone

(Polly Wreford)

takes one's breath away but what

makes the book such a treasure to own

is the inspiration, suggestions, and cleverness

weaved through the text.

omg i love this styling

These designers have a quirky, easy, effortlessly elegant

style...and the book makes that style more accessible.

Pale & Interesting is also a delightful online shop.

Pretty certain you will appreciate MIXING IT UP

which is a lesson in the bold art of contrast.

Fall in love with...

pale and airy,

decor that won't break the bank,

and tranquil color schemes.

Fall in love with

Pale & Interesting

(Ryland Peters & Small).

Oh and and talk to me...do you find pale

decor interesting and lovely????

Apple's dreamybeautiful pad in THE BIG APPLE

Insanely dreamy

NY apartment

of Apple, Gwyneth Paltrow, and crew by

Roman and Williams.

Mad love for those interior

transom windows!!!

Have a DIY tutorial

for transforming a door to a swing?

Send it over, please!

Let's obsess about admire the

marble-licious loveliness

of my favorite room in the apt...

 Someone is not overly concerned

about a few marinara

or red wine stains...

can you imagine waking

up to this divinity?

total goosebumps.

So feminine and luxe

but I wanna peek behind those doors!

all images Roman and Williams

Gwyneth was funny describing

Apple's selective "accent" at home.

Feeling dejavu?

Busted.

I'm a renegade blogger

and recycled these images

I posted some time ago.

I beg you not to report the incident

to the blog police!!

An inspiring detail or

ten here you'd like to steal?

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.

swedish va va voom

A jewel called

l a v e n d a r  g r o v e

has the most charming Swedelicious vibe.

Swede baby Je...

oh no she di'n't.

I do love that Swedish swagger. 

all images, first option

The wall color resembles

the main color I chose for our place--

Benjamin Moore's white sand.

How amazing would some black and white

art be in here?????

YUM!

hello lovely BASEMENT MAKEOVER (2): white painted paneling

Exciting news!!

We are 90% sure we're going with

white painted horizontal 8" tongue and groove

pine panels for our basement makeover.

Not only will this save my husband

a TON of mudding and taping, it will cost

only $600 extra (for the 800 square feet).

We think this will give the space

more architectural interest and charm
as well as make it more teenager friendly.

Enjoy these images of London's Anabel House which

never fail to get my heart racing...

all images - First Option

Hope you'll follow our makeover--makes it

that much more rewarding and fun for us!

I'll be taking photos at the work day's end today (still the framing stage), so stay tuned.