Thursday, May 17, 2012

Why Kentucky? Why a blog?

"Soon after, I returned home to my family, with a determination to bring them as soon as possible to live in Kentucky, which I esteemed a second paradise, at the risk of my life and fortune." Daniel Boone


For ten years I lived away from Kentucky, and I understand Mr. Boone's sentiment. Seven generations of my family have called Kentucky home. Most of my growing up years were spent in a wonderful community in Edmond, Oklahoma. My family moved my senior of high school, and I ended my high school career graduating from Milford High School in Massachusetts.

We had lots of fun living in different areas of the country, but Kentucky was always "home".  My grandparents and many cousins lived/live here. I knew that I wanted to come back home to Kentucky for college and to hopefully raise my family. That was twenty years, a happy marriage, and three crazy kids ago. I am very blessed to be living my Kentucky dream with my family in our own Kentucky home.


So... What's here for you?
  • You'll learn about some fun activities here in Madison County, the Bluegrass Region, and in Kentucky.
  • You'll learn about some of the things we do here in our home: 
    • home decorating
    • gardening
    • cooking
    • canning
    • entertaining kids and grown ups

To borrow a saying from one of my friends, who's a pastor at a local church, I hope you have a blessed day.

Thanks for reading.


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Decorator's Showcase, Home Tour

There are only a few times when it is acceptable to walk through a stranger's home and unconscientiously admire the rooms. The 23rd Decorators' Showcase in Lexington is one of those great opportunities. Mom and I planned an afternoon there for some Mother's Day fun.

The showcase is being held at the 157 year old Highland Hall on Old Richmond Road. It was built by Isaac Shelby, the grandson and namesake of Kentucky's first and fifth governor.

Participating Lexington area decorators and home stores designed and furnished the rooms of the  Greek Revival style home. Mom and I braved a steady downpour and were rewarded with a very enjoyable afternoon spent admiring the gorgeous home and the decorators' work.


Mom and I are standing at the Receiving Foyer. 
The home is divided into 18 room areas with 2 additional areas outside. They were classically styled, updating the home while maintaining the character, ambiance, and charm.

John Christian Enochs designed the Drawing Room. It was a feast for the eyes with all of the impressive artwork.

The Drawing Room


Decorated and furnished by Greentree Antiques, the Dining Room was furnished with a smaller scale table and chairs. The furnishing were from the period of the home or earlier. It was lovely and inviting.


The Dining Room


The Dining Room

















The Dining Room at Highland Hall
  The "Common Gallery" (or side porch) was designed and furnished by For Friends. I could have sat out there for hours watching the rain.
Mom standing in the Common Gallery at Highland Hall

the Common Gallery at Highland Hall

The "Owner's Post," which is the first room you enter after climbing the curved staircase, is designed and furnished by Scout Antiques. It is a second story living room. I loved the burgundy leather Chesterfield sofas and the turquoise blue chairs around the table. Mom loved the black wing-back chair.
The Owner's Post at Highland Hall

The Owner's Post at Highland Hall

"Lake View Sleeping Room" is the most feminine room in the home. Designed by Ivy Downs Interiors it is a warm yellow with bright and comfortable furnishings.
Lake View Sleeping Room

  The Veranda was designed by Gratz Park Inn. I grabbed several ideas and pictures for future projects from this space. It is very Kentucky-style, classy and comfortable.
The Veranda at Highland Hall
The most impressive part about the Gathering Room, designed and furnished by Norwalk Furniture, is the beautiful wood fireplace wall.  A comfortable masculine room, it is adorned with deep green walls and cozy gold colored touches so women would feel right at home, too.
Gathering Room at Highland Hall

Gathering Room at Highland Hall
Highland Hall's Kitchen was the most popular room in the home. The owner, William C. Hurt, II, made the walnut island himself. Creative Kitchen and Bath accessorized the room.

The oven wall was the former fireplace, and it also contains the washer and dryer.

Kitchen at Highland Hall
Kitchen at Highland Hall




Kitchen at Highland Hall
Kitchen at Highland Hall

 I love the seeded glass paneled cabinets, granite counter, and the onyx subway style backsplash tile.

Kitchen at Highland Hall


 Above the Kitchen is the "Traveler's Suite." Designed by house. This bedroom is well appointed for an honored guest.
Traveler's Suite at Highland Hall

Traveler's Suite at Highland Hall
I hope you've enjoyed the brief tour. Check it out in person if you're in the Lexington area. There are some beautiful rooms I did not post here so some surprises still await. (Make sure to ask about the gun closet, too).

Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. William C. Hurt, II, for sharing your beautiful home.

The Decorator's Showcase is at Highland Hall, 6208 Old Richmond Road, Lexington, KY. http://decshowcase.com/. This event is an ongoing fundraiser for the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass. Tour hours: Wed- Sat 10-4, Sunday 12-4. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Sunday, May 27. Tickets are $15 and available at the door.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Berea Arts Council Garden Tour

I'm a garden gawker so I eagerly awaited the 2012 Berea Arts Council Garden Tour. I planned this as a special time with my mom and my three daughters for the Mother's Day weekend. The weather was perfect and the six gardens were gorgeous. Water features, secret hideaways, paths of any type were irresistible to me and my kiddos.  I was in awe of each of them and left the tour with a great deal of garden envy.

 My 3 year old provided her own sort of garden noise for part of the tour. She was not happy about the whole leaving-one-cool-place-to-go-to-another aspect of the tour.

Perennial border showcasing gorgeous foxgloves

Their veges planted next to their pool.

My weeping 3 year old under a weeping Red Bud tree.





The large tree was actually a grocery store bought Christmas tree from 1991 that the owner planted.








My favorite spot on the whole tour. Definitely want to add a beautiful fireplace like this one to my yard.
Charming garden shed.

Elevated tree house/deck


whimsical garden door

We had a great time and are looking forward taking the tour again next year. 
In the meantime we'll be checking out some gorgeous gardens during Richmond's Art is the Garden tour on June 9th. http://www.artsinrichmond.org/node/491

Welcome to the beginning


Happy Mother's Day! Today is the one of the few times when I have a bit of a break from my normal household responsibilities. I thought I'd kick up my feet and share some of my family's fun times here in Kentucky, our gardening efforts, our home improvement fun, our craft/art projects, and whatever else we may be doing. Hope you enjoy hanging out with me at my Kentucky home. Welcome.