Entertaining
#AllSprucedUp Design Challenge
When my new Instagram friend Jessica, reached out to me to participate in this fun holiday design challenge on Instagram, I wasn’t sure what to expect. So when the theme…
Keep ReadingThe Relaxed Table
I love the relaxed attitude and generous size of these kitchen towels! I pulled together a collection of crisp, striped kitchen towels (from Homegoods) to substitute for the expected cloth napkin.…
Keep ReadingThrowback Halloween
One of my favorite Connecticut Country House photo shoots was a children’s Halloween party we hosted outside in front of the old house. Every moment of this shoot made me…
Keep ReadingThe Enchanted Table
Collin Robison and Trent DeBerry’s home is nothing short of a most gracious eighteenth century Connecticut country house. They share their story, as well as decorating tips, in the current…
Keep ReadingAutumn Joy
Yippee! The brand new, Autumn issue of Nora Murphy Country House Style is here! I’m so excited to share with you what you’ll find inside. To meet the wonderful people,…
Keep ReadingA Charming Mix
There’s something very charming about putting together a place setting using mismatched antique monogrammed silverware. I love mixing up different patterns with the odd pieces that I’ve collected over the…
Keep ReadingBe A Party Popper
I just love the classic style of these paper sacks that I found at our local dollar store. Replete with hot, salty, buttery popcorn, these retro striped bags deliver a…
Keep ReadingBeachy Keen
Mmmmm. . . . I can just smell the briny air when I set the table with my collection of seashells and coral. It’s like bringing a bit of summer…
Keep ReadingFoodie Friday: Very Berry Ice
Very Berry Ice is the perfect red, white and blue addition to your summertime bar. So easy, and so pretty. Fill ice trays with water. Add fresh blueberries and cut…
Keep ReadingA little red, white & blue
When you live and love a house that was built in 1767, it’s hard not to take advantage of any opportunity to deck it out in The Stars and Stripes.…
Keep Reading‘Tis the season
Flowers are bursting and blooming all around Connecticut Country House! So may as well go with the flow…Pompadore English Wedgewood anyone? Even when setting the table, let’s just let the…
Keep ReadingThink 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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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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Cozy up with your honey
For Valentine’s Day (or any time really), you just need a few ingredients (actually I came up with 10) to create a special little dinner for 2. Gather in a…
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Foodie Friday: Sweet Summer Sandwiches
This weekend unofficially kicks off summer, so let’s make an event of it and make some ice cream sandwiches! The idea of dedicating an afternoon to ice cream sandwich-making with…
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Foodie Friday: Pesto White Pizza
One of the options for pizza toppings that always gets rave reviews is pesto. Every summer and fall we harvest our basil from the kitchen garden and make batches of…
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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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Drawing straws
Cheese Straws that is. Over the holidays, I whipped up batches of these for nibbles until dinner was ready to be served…the perfect nosh for friends while they hung out…
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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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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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When sweet met sassy
Next time you’re walking by that flat of pansies – more specifically those cute little faced ‘Johnny Jump Ups’ – not so fast, they’re the key to your next dessert!…
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The thrill of the hunt
The countdown begins. Tomorrow we’re hosting a big family gathering here at Connecticut Country House, and we’ll kick off the Easter Sunday festivities with our annual Easter Egg Hunt. I…
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Prepping for Easter (and a photo shoot)
Here we are, a week from Easter weekend, and there’s a lot to plan and do in a very short time frame. Today I am prepping for a photo shoot…
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