Prius Problems
Now Toyota Prius owners are reporting cases of gas pedal problems. But it's hard to tell if this is a mechanical defect or just driving mistakes made by people dumb enough to spend $40,000 on a compact car.



Vaccine Scare Disproven
A 1998 report that linked the measels vaccine to autism has now been totally discredited and retracted by a leading medical journal. Autism scaremonger Jenny McCarthy will now just have to go back to taking off her clothes.




9/11 Trial Problems
The White House still can't find a U.S. city to hold the 9/11 terror trials. Detroit was a leading candidate to host trials, but most of the ruthless killers say they're actually too scared to go there.



Ted's Bison
The Montana state government is giving Ted Turner 88 bison from Yellowstone National Park. Montana made the decision when it learned the bison were the only living beings in the entire state that watch CNN.



Green Spending Cuts
Almost every state in the U.S. is cutting back on environmental programs because they're too expensive. That means fewer tax breaks for solar panels in Florida, fewer recycling pick ups in Texas, and California is forcing Ed Begley Jr. to put himself into a compost heap.





February 3rd


1377: More than 2,000 people of the Italian city of Cesena are slaughtered by Papal Troops. Nobody complains about the Communion wine ever again.


1809: The Illinois Territory is created. Most of the founders are still voting in Illinois elections.


1916: Parliament buildings in Ottawa, Canada burn down. Canadian troops follow proper national protocols and only save the beer.

Powder rooms

Powder rooms are the jewel boxes of bathrooms – small and beautiful . They are usually not that big, and so you can be more daring than you might be in a larger room. I love wallpaper in powder rooms. And I say go for it – use a bold pattern that makes a statement. If you do use a bold pattern, keep the fixtures simple so there's not too much going on.

Photo above courtesy of Elle Decor, Monique Lhuillier . Photo below Courtesy of Elle Decor, Tom Scheerer




Powder room above by Meg Braff




Wouldn't this Osborne and Little wallpaper above be amazing in a powder room?


From Elle Decor, a Miles Redd powder room

Finally, my own powder room, in Osborne and Little wallpaper:


Image courtesy of Whitehaven

Things I love...

The wonderful thing about going on house tours or perusing our favorite shelter magazines (either in print on online) is that we begin to find our own style by seeing how other folks put rooms together. Have you ever had the feeling, either when in a house or when looking at a photo of a house, of “that is so beautiful, wonderful, gorgeous” (insert whatever adjective suits you) that it takes your breath away?
Well, those are times to remember because you have just had a connection with something in or about the room – either the way it was arranged, or the color, or some object in the room. We can then take those memories and use them to inspire us in our own homes.

Many of the things that inspire me have been with me for as long as I can remember – like my love of white clapboard houses (because I grew up in one), English and early American antiques (passed on to me by my mother and grandmother), large formal dining rooms (where families can gather) and my love of pillows (my grandmother always has so many pillows on her sofa). But just as many of the things that inspire me I have found on my own over time– like my love of black and white marble floors, French antiques (we were lucky to have inherited a few from my mother in law), painted Italian tables, chairs, mirrors and curio, and fresh flower arranging.

I think a house with heart reflects the interests and loves of the owner – the owner has a connection with the contents. They have been acquired over time – whether it's from family, or through travel, or through many diligent shopping trips to favorite stores . The house and its contents tells the story of our lives.

Here are some photos of the things that I love:
Florentine table:


Fresh flowers (arranged by me):



Marble floors!



image courtesy of parisceramicsusa.com

Some of the antiques we have found over the years:




Except where specified otherwise, images from Whitehaven