NESTING INSTINCTS

At times, my work may keep me from "playing" but it also gives me the chance to find all kind of homes. Whatever their style--- gently sophisticated, quietly glamorous, elegantly weathered, over-the-top opulence, cozily rustic, unabashedly romantic and more---they all have one thing in common:they are the reflection of their owners' creativity and nesting instinct.

A few days ago, I posted photos of the dream cottage Susie and Mark Holt's are offering for rent in Venice, Florida. I thought you might enjoy seeing what their own home looks like. The moment you walk in the words that come to mind are: pristine and exquisite. A symphony in white.

From the living room ......

     

...to the dining room........

 

............................................and family room...........................

     

.......................to the pack porch........................................

   

............and the master bedroom, white is the serene color

 

.....that beautifully unites the past to the present.

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If you love white but are afraid to end up with a cold and sterile home, these books will help you create warm and inviting spaces like those in Susie and Mark's cottage.

 

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In her Miami home, Janet (http://www.shabbyfufu.com) indulges her romantic side with luxurious white and blushing pinks.

          

           

                               

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Jennifer (Texas) manages to create a romantic mood by mixing vintage with sleek elements.

   

   

    

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For Jill, who also lives in Texas, it's all about recreating the charms of days gone by........

       

   

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Some go for all out luxury.........

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Textile designer Robin Brown's home is the mirror image of her creative endeavors.

 

Her unique sense of style is evident inside as well as outside her home....

      

.....even the chickens and the turkeys get to dine by candlelight.....

         

                   

                         

There are so many more styles to explore! I go on all night but it's time to get back to work so it will have to wait until next time. SWEET DREAMS! xo

 

Comments

[Pam Aries]

woo Hoo! Once again.. I am on the internet and indulging! IN vin as well as in the sumptousness of these wonderful sites that you have shown us all! I fall in love over and over again with these incredible venues! Merci Mz. Fifi!

[DENISE]

What yummy pictures! I have gone through them twice to see everything! The bed with the chocolate coverlet and all of the pillows reminded me of a (short) story. I was giving a seminar several years ago and we were talking about "dressing" the bed. A woman announced that she loved pillows, she claimed that she had over 130 in her home. Her husband however hated removing so many pillows from the bed every night, so she had come up with the idea to VELCRO all of the bed pillows together so they could be removed as one from the bed! Everyone died laughing. I've never forgotten that story! Now that's some serious nesting!

[Junk 2 Jewels]

Im in LOVE with that white chippy chair. Its just perfect. Tracy

[Robyn]

Tres Chic! Love it Dear Fifi!

[Rosie]

I love the Robin Brown shots. I am a fabric-aholic and love all the layers, textures, and prints......especially in her bedroom and the porch with the metal glider......sumptuous!

[Monique]

My favorite homes are those straight out of the ordinary.I see so many..that are one and the same.. These are each reflective as you say of the owners unique style..Fun fun to see..Thank you.

[KLKinFLA]

Great post! I've long been a fan of the Holts and Magnolia Pearl. I have the same bed as Jill from Texas...probably purchased at the same place, though I had to have it shipped all the way to Florida. It's fun to see it dressed completely differently...mine is done in dark purple.

Enjoying your blog!
Karen

[Joy]

Oh, I am so inspired by these pics! Going back to click for all the wonderful details.
It must take you forever to upload all of these photos but it is sooooo appreciated!

Happy Sunday to you as well.... :)

[Cottage]

Late Saturday night all was quiet, it had been a lovely day and I wasn't ready to give it up for bed just yet. So, I slipped by your blog and it was like a 'nite-nite' story for adults. The first photo put a soothing smile on my face and I was lost in the lovely photos! Thank you for my wonderful 'nite-nite' story.

[Alexandra]

Thank you for sharing these incredibly beautiful and inspiring images. They are amazing.
Alexandra

[Jan]

Hi Fifi, You did it again. You took my mind into a lovely world. I think one has to think differant and then you decorate differant. One has to venture out of the norm and not be afraid to experiment.
Thank you again for sharing. Loved it all.

Hugs,
jan

[Mélanie]

I love all of them . There are just different but all wonderful

[Joy]

Thank you soo much for the beautiful things you share with us! It is always so inspiring! Have a wonderful week!

[rochambeau]

You present the best Fifi! How do you do it? Are you magic?

[Kari]

Hi Fifi,
I have been a fan of yours since seeing your darling home featured in Romantic Country... I was just tickled to find you had a blog. I have been silently following along for a couple of weeks now, unable to find time to post with 2 small children, my younger daughter only 3 months, but I have come out of hiding tonight!

Thank you so much for your inspirational postings. It's obvious the thought, time, and research you put into each post.

I have been completely smitten with Robin Brown and Jill Elliott since seeing them in magazines and on Country Style (I guess the now defunct HGTV show??) respectively and have only DREAMED of seeing additonal photos of their homes. Jennifer Eggleston too! Where did you come across these photos and is there any way to see more? I have my Home Companion mag w/ Magnolia Pearl featured in my "favorites" category in my ever growning magazine collection and would LOVE to see more of her home, and Jill's as well. I love their blend of rustic, victorian, romantic and farm elements. It is such an amazing look. I also love Carol Hicks Bolton, and I'm sure you are familiar with her as well. I wish there were more pics of her home as well. Those girls in Texas, I tell ya!

Well, keep up the good work and take good care.

Kari in CA

[Ginger]

All I can say is EXQUSITE!

[Becky]

All of their homes are gorgeous! FiFi, thank you for sharing and being such an inspiration! The bag that your sister made for you is the best. Gorgeous! What a sweet sister you have!!

Blessings,

Becky

[britt-sparkled vintage charm]

wow!! amazing fifi!!! :-)such pretty homes!!!

[teresa (maggiegracecreates)]

I love robin brown so much. I have been a fan for so long. I could move into her place with no changes at all.

have a wonderful day.

[Vicki Palmer]

Fabulous Fifi,
I love seeing all of the different homes & especially the homes with all of the white. Your articles are the best & informative. A day without Fifi is like a day without the sunshine! Thanks so much for sharing so much!
Vicki (Pink Pearl Girl)

[oldflowers4me]

hello dear 1- wow and wow - i love the photos of robin browns house- would this be from her new book- or where have they come from- i need more- your world is divine. love jo anderson ...p.s dont forget to put your lip stick on...

[Theresa]

I love white and have two of the three books you mentioned. I'll have to find the third one. Thanks for the great post and inspiring pics.