Archive for 2016
Hardworking Hub
My kitchen is our hub. We’re either knee deep in it, or passing through. It needs to work hard and look good. What are the parts that make it so?…
Keep ReadingA Country House Life
Our latest issue, Seasons at Connecticut Country House, has arrived! We’ve created 200+ pages (274 to be exact!) filled with our original, beautiful photography and smart, new decorating, gardening, and…
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Jamie’s Hunter’s Chicken Stew
We are big Jamie Oliver fans. Catching him on PBS years ago, we found his cooking style and demeanor both inviting and irresistible. Any dish he concocts seems so easy…
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Plotting a Plan
January is a great month for kicking back by the fire and pouring over seed catalogs. By February, their pages are soft and dog-eared. I’m full of inspiration and chomping…
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Pin Up Girl
Before the days of virtual pinning on Pinterest, I learned the technique of actual pinning during my days at Ralph Lauren. Twice a week, my team met with Ralph to…
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Cabinet of Curiosities
When you walk into the foyer of Connecticut Country House, one of the first things you’ll notice is my beloved eighteenth-century corner cabinet. Within it (and now also around it)…
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Myrtle Topiary Love
About four years ago, dear friends of mine gave me this wonderful pair of myrtle topiaries. Now double their original size, they’re thriving nicely. I’ll let you in on a few…
Keep ReadingA Love Note
It’s Valentine’s Day and I’m reminded that what really makes Connecticut Country House a wonderful place to be, isn’t what’s on the walls, placed underfoot or collected from an antiques…
Keep ReadingI ♥ Linzer Cookies
My cousin Judy is famous for her baking skills. A while back, she taught me how to make her rendition of classic Linzer cookies. A favorite at Connecticut Country House,…
Keep ReadingWhite Forms & Function
Using white plates is standard fare at Connecticut Country House. White forms, in all various shapes and sizes, adds a fresh and modern POV to any table setting. Whether used…
Keep ReadingSweet and Petite
Conveniently located at the end of the gallery of Connecticut Country House is a small bathroom. Despite its petite proportions, it’s a full bath that has everything you need. The…
Keep ReadingLast Call
Today’s the final day to cast your vote for Connecticut Country House for BEST OVERALL DESIGN BLOG Hall of Fame Award for this year’s Design Bloggers Conference! If you’ve been…
Keep ReadingYour 24/7 Country House Style Library
When the snow is covering the ground, and the plows haven’t been through, sometimes it’s the best time to get cozy, kick back and catch up on a little light…
Keep ReadingRule of Thumb. . . and Forefinger
People often ask me what my special secret is for keeping plants happy and healthy indoors during the cold winter months. My approach to their care is quite simple: Provide…
Keep ReadingA Sneak Peek
Winter always makes me look forward to the upcoming year. The sheer anticipation of what lies ahead makes me happy. Think: kid + birthday = joy, kind of happy. While…
Keep ReadingFlowers For You
Interior design sounds…imposing to a lot of people. If you think design is beyond you, I have one question: Do you like fresh flowers? Of course you do! Cheerful or…
Keep ReadingGearing Up For Game Day
My husband Rick, a.k.a. Murph, is a great cook. I truly believe that he initially won my heart through my stomach. While the man conjures up a lot of amazing…
Keep ReadingEvery Single Vote Counts
When I first got word that Connecticut Country House was nominated for the 2016 Design Blogger’s Conference Hall of Fame Awards for Best Overall Blog, I just about fell out…
Keep ReadingA New Winter Blanket
“In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus Despite the cold temperature today, I was inspired to grab my…
Keep ReadingPetite Apple Tart For Deux
This apple tart recipe is one of my very favorite go-to desserts. Perfectly proportioned for when the two of us are craving a little something sweet, this light and tasty…
Keep ReadingBlack Is Beautiful
To add a modern twist to a Country House interior, think black. Pepper touches of ebony hued accents and painted furniture throughout. In large doses, like my piano and bed,…
Keep ReadingSea Fan Topiaries
Say what? Yes, I’ve never heard of Sea Fan topiaries either, and yes, I understand that the term topiary refers to sculpting shrubs and trees into ornamental shapes, but what…
Keep ReadingWhip It. Whip It Good.
While I always see clear tubs of them in stores, I’ve never attempted to whip up a batch of Meringue Cookies. Recently I decided to give making them a whirl.…
Keep ReadingFor The Birds
Freezing cold temps and a new coat of snow remind me to feed my chilled neighbors – the sweet birds that winter in the trees and brush surrounding Connecticut Country…
Keep ReadingOh My Darling Clementines
In season now, clementines are both healthy for snacking and absolutely wonderful for decorating. Simply arrange the contents of one or two boxes of clementines into a large tray, bowl,…
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