I had so much fun reading all the comments and emails after my last post. Thank you for sharing your decorating inspirations and stories - that was a treat. None of my local friends decorate in the same style as I do so it was a delight to read about what inspires others. I loved reading that I am not the only one with thick file folders full of pictures taken out of magazines and piles of books that we go back to often. It is so nice to connect with other gals who like the same type things and who are as obsessed as I am. My DH and kids might argue that NO ONE is as obsessed as me, but I suspect that is debatable in many households out there. I had a feeling that the pictures from the Time - Life books would be enjoyed because I know for me it would be like getting a free magazine or book, and I was right. FYI, someone told me they saw a used set of them being sold on EBay not long ago. And someone else said they did a search on Amazon and came up with some used ones as well. I hope they got snatched up. They are a tremendous resource.
Another great resource for me has been my collection of Early American Life magazines. I was a subscriber for many years – going way back to when the magazine was called Early American Homes. I just recently stopped subscribing – I have so many! They tend to show homes that are so out of reach for the average American or so old they are just museums. But I have learned so much from the articles so I will never part with those magazine. They help fill the big old wooden trencher under my coffee table in the living room.
(to see close ups on these photos, just click on one)
I also have a second set of books that I love to scan through. Country Home Magazine put these out in 1989 through the early 90’s. Each book is a compilation of some of the most popular homes that were featured in the magazine in those years. Back when Country Homes had COUNTRY homes in them. Here are some of my favorites from those books:
By the way, if the photo is dark, it was dark in the book too!
This one below belongs to Warren Kimbel
So now that I no longer subscribe to Country Living, Country Home and EAL what are my inspirations you ask ? Yes, I heard you!! (Unless I am hearing voices again – but that’s a whole other post.) The magazine that inspires me now of course is Country Sampler. I remember years ago when the only homes pictured where those staged to sell the items advertised. It always seemed odd to see luxury colonials with rustic primitive decorations. Luckily for us, they now feature real homes decorated by real folks and they always have at least one or two that I adore. Even if I don’t decorate the same as some of the homes, I enjoy them because they seem so approachable.
Prim lovers - you have reasons to be excited! I know of several homes that recently had photo shoots or will have photo shoots for Country Sampler's 2009 issues and they are all wonderfully prim! My friend Linda , over at Primp Your Pad, had a delightful experience just this past Monday and two of her friends where to have their shoots this week as well. You can read about it in her blog and while you are there, Linda has a link on her sidebar to an album of her home. It is wonderful!! She also has several albums of her house and some other wonderfully prim homes on Webshots under the name Craftealady. And I know of at least 3 other homes that are just awaiting their actual shoot dates - I can't wait to see the 2009 issues!!
I have many new inspirations that are all online. I love to see photos of other homes on Webshots and Picture Trail and other online storage sites. I have met the most wonderful ladies on Webshots and I love seeing the new pictures they post. You can get to them by going to my albums home page And of course some of my new blogging friends share pictures of their homes and I love to go to a blog and see something new. I know I speak for other house peepers when I say "show more house pics on your blogs!" LOL!
There are some great prim houses on HGTV’s Rate My Space website as well. I also belong to a Primitive and Rustic Decorating Forum on Delphi and there are some great home uploaded on Country Sampler’s forums as well. Between reading blogs and looking at homes online, there is plenty to keep me from ever getting anything done around here.
Thank you to my non blogging friend that asked me to write about my decorating inspirations in the first place. It was a great idea and I had so much fun looking through all my old books and magazine and old articles. It was the perfect way to spend a few rainy and humid summer days the past two weeks!
It's time for me to catch up on some blogs before DH's tummy says it's time to make dinner, so until next time – hugs, Linda
