{the promise of things to come}

. . . in all the busy-ness of the past few weeks and ever-enchanting pre-holiday excitement, had barely realized a new month had quietly arrived and if truth be told, must confess am often the tiniest bit more fond of september and october and all the blustery autumn promises they bring -- the golden morning light and magic of turning leaves, days in light trenches and evenings that still linger -- november, however, is often imagined with thoughts of overcast skies and chilly rains, and once the last of the leaves has fallen, cloudy days that end too soon . . . and yet, november has its own promises: nights wrapped in mohair and wool tartan blankets, pretty cashmere gloves with delicate crystal buttons, warm, crackling fires and the intoxicating romance of candlelight on evenings in, and most of all, the beautiful anticipation of the coming holiday season . . .

{p.s.} also new today: red wine & ripe cranberry

{images: 1 - mostly likely atlanta bartlett via tumblr; 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 - photography by david prince via aubrey road; flickr via julia}

{photographer: max-kim bee}

. . . so many lovely things to tell you today, but as they say, the best laid plans . . . home again after being away for the past few days and couldn't possibly describe the feeling of first stepping into the familiar entryway more beautifully than these nostalgia-laden photographs by max-kim bee -- a feeling of being perfectly enveloped in a softly ethereal and moody light filled with daydreams and the fluttering leaves of possibilities . . .

{p.s.} have fallen impossibly behind on e-mails & comments once again -- apologies & hopefully within the next few days xo

{images: photography by max-kim bee via desire to inspire}

{hello + a few things}

. . . french doors and a velvet tufted settee, wood floors and another stunning chandelier -- there is something about each of these things that adds such glamour and elegance to a room -- and all intermingled in one place, sheer perfection . . .

{p.s.} hello! things around here are rather sporadic on the best of days, but this week, more so than usual, so if you've just arrived, a list of the new & lovely things this week so far:

* hazy summer days: play of light & shadow
* lace bangle set give-away: and the winner is . . .
* blog inspiration: linen & lavender
* a new week: happy monday!
* first day of summer: italian silk & manicured gardens

{image: design is mine; more chandeliers here}

{home inspiration: old world glamour}

. . . quite possibly the most romantic ever, have completely fallen for this master bath designed to evoke the luxury and glamour of a powder room in a 1920s grand hotel, with perfectly elegant details such as mirrored bureaus and calcutta marble, an antique gilt mirror and mosaic tiles, vintage gilt & crystal sconces and a 1930s french tufted settee, floods of light and a mirrored tray always filled with perfume and roses . . .

{images: scans, photography by john granen for house beautiful june 2010, interview by lisa cregan, bathroom design by carrie hayden}

{two lovely things: entryways}

{two lovely things}: whether elegant yet striking with a 1960′s abstract expressionist painting by al held hung above a louis xiv gilded settee luxuriously upholstered in belgian linen, or beautifully ornate with a stunning 2oth century gilded console perfectly paired with a bronze and crystal chandelier and orchids, there is nothing quite like crisp white with a touch of black, intermingled with the warmth of wood, and, most certainly, a touch of gold . . .

{p.s.} more two lovely things

{images: top - photography by roger davies for western interiors april ’09, design by c. renea abbott of shabby slips houston; both via trouvais, also seen in a previous post}