Decorating
Think pink!
The rhodis (rhododendrons) at Connecticut Country House are on their final burst of the Spring 2015 season – and I think this year they’re definitely bigger and better than ever!…
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A summer stop
Whether you’re walking around inside or outside at Connecticut Country House, you’ll see one consistent thing – big old seashells parked by nearly every door. Practically they serve a much…
Keep ReadingSimple & Scented
A simple way to freshen any sightline is to fill an antique basket with potted annuals or perennials. Here in the parlor, I stuffed my old whitewashed basket with potted…
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Whitewash
For the past year now, I’ve been envisioning the interiors of my Connecticut Country House painted out white. Don’t get me wrong, I love my earthy paint palette that’s throughout…
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A basket of petunias
Marrying two simple things…is almost too simple! The perfect springtime marriage for my doors is made up of large wicker or rattan hanging baskets and hanging potted petunia plants from…
Keep ReadingGood Enough To Serve
Collecting woven serving trays is a great idea. Anything you serve on one instantly says naturally casual. Don’t be afraid to mix and match styles, colors, materials, and sizes. Nesting…
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For the love of gingham
One look in my clothes closet (and around Connecticut Country House) and you’ll see that I have a thing for gingham checks. So when Country Curtains (who are simply crazy for…
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The pretty powder room
This weekend, all our Easter festivities will be based in our hub, the kitchen, where we’ll be initially gathering, while enjoying nibbles and sips as we’re cooking. The keeping room…
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Top o’ the mornin’!
Setting a table for St. Patrick’s Day is the best way to kick off spring (or at least puts me in the right state of mind!). For the NoraMurphyCountryHouse.com spring…
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O Christmas tree!
Each of our three trees this Christmas has a distinct personality. From the biggest tree in the keeping room/dining room, filled with heirloom ornaments and special little mementos over the…
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Big fat wreaths
To kick-off December I’m starting with wreaths and keeping them green. Maybe I’ll dress them up as we get closer to Christmas, but for now I’m loving the entrances to…
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Ring around a napkin
Our Holiday 2014, A Country House Christmas in New Hampshire e-magazine is due out right after Thanksgiving(!!). But until then, I must scoop this holiday issue by sharing with you just…
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Simply sunflowers
I have to confess I can never resist a sunflower. Whether they’re from my garden or local market, just one look at them and they make me smile. I’ve found…
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A Late Summer Show
The entrance to the old house was lingering in an in-between state. All summer the rustic twig basket hanging by the door was the perfect scale and spot for a…
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Foodie Friday: Hard boiled beauties
You know Easter’s near, when you’re at the market and see the Paas point of sale display parked right beside the egg case. And every year, I can’t resist sticking…
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Yellow infusion
I love decorating the entrances of the old house with what’s flowering at the moment. And just in time for Easter, it just so happens that the humungous, wild bank…
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Throw in the towel
I believe the secret to styling magic is to always add an unexpected twist. For my Easter table, I wanted to create something very pretty, joyful, and almost playful using…
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The garden comes inside
Nora Murphy Country House -The Hunt Club at the Fairfield County Antiques and Design Center in Norwalk, Connecticut is now in full force and ready for spring. This season we are…
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Part of the charm
My humble collection of mis-matched vintage pitchers, cups, and sugar bowls are just the right mix for any seasonal flower displays. My love of the pretty little details is what…
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Joyful and playful
Each and every year, as soon as we haul down the boxes of tree trimmings from the attic, I feel like a little kid – I can’t wait to dig…
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A Country House Christmas back-story
The Holiday issue of our e-magazine is now on-line. It’s a beautiful issue filled with tons of imagery, stories, keeper recipes, and “Holly Jolly” decorating tips. The “Holly Jolly” part…
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The instant mood setter
Daylight savings time seems to be the catalyst for a whole new mindset when it comes to entertaining, and candlelight becomes my secret weapon to styling the house for any…
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Halloween: a behind the scenes
I love Halloween photo shoots, especially when it involves children. I started with the best children’s photographer I know, Duanne Simon. And to capture Duanne’s and the team’s efforts (the…
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My latest love affair
This weekend I declared the Peony to be my favorite flower. Now, this here declaration is a big deal because I have so many favorites (lilies, roses, orchids, sunflowers –…
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One take
Murph was really on his game this weekend – concocting probably the very best, most awesome batch of Corn and Crabmeat Chowder he has ever made – ever. One taste…
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