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Monday, September 8, 2008

Enchanted Window Tour

Cielo of A House in The Roses invited me to participate in her Enchanted Window Party today since my blog header is of my livingroom window! I love waking up each morning to this view! Bj of Sweet Nothings asked me to give her a tour...mind if I ask you to tag along?

Here's a closeup of my ficus that you see above...it's tempermental! If I move it slightly right or left, it loses leaves!




My lamp that I bought at a tag sale in Connecticut. The lamp was made in France and I just loved the colors! The wrought iron glass table is a Marshall's find. The book below it is my uncle's Bible (he was a priest) that was used for mass.





Sitting on my couch, here's a view of our kitchen and the den beyond. My brother, an artist, convinced me to buy this chair (part of a pair in here) at a clearance sale. I was cursing myself all the way home that I listened to him. Then I got them home and said, "Oh, you were right, they DO go!". I always seem to need help in the creative eye department!



The other chair is next to the window you see in the banner...this summer I set up a library for myself using an antique marble demilune my parents had. I found my old English major college anthologies in the basement, brushed them off, and decided I'd try to read good literature, a little each day...I read one Emily Dickinson poem all summer in this chair. Exactly one. I need to get rid of my kids, it's that simple--before I forget who Emily Dickinson is!



Tattered from college days!!



On the coffee table is a memory box I made for my eldest daughter. When she was little we went into Manhattan to see the play Cats every year for her birthday. One year, a Cat ("Jenny Annie Dots") gave her a tour behind stage because it was her birthday,too! She had every Cat in the show sign the playbill as well..such a nice memory!



Here's a view of the wall from the banner you can't see--although you see the profile of the bust of Charles S. Parnell, the Irish National leader who lead Ireland to home rule. I wrote a post about Charles here.


To the left you can see a wire message board I bought at Pier 1 Imports. It holds a card from Oliver Rain, M. Kate and Mary! My rug, also from my parents (they were getting rid of it, so of course, I take all discards!!)
Another view from my couch. My youngest daughter plays the piano!
Our ever changing collection of photos, music, momentos...the clock was given to us by friends who live in Ireland. It doesn't work because the batteries were also from Ireland and they do not make the size needed here in the U.S....but I suppose I could find them online now that I think about it!
Lastly the computer cabinet...whcih is just off to the right of the banner picture. WHen it's closed all is neat and clean... Here's where I blog! I like that I can close it up and the place looks clean again!


Hope you enjoyed this tour! Have fun visiting Cielo's other windows!


26 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Tara
This is the best post ever. I LOVE your house, cant say which is fav part, they all look so cosy and wonderful..I'd love to pop over and have tea one day haha :D Love how the sun shine into many places in your house. We have a corner terrace (most people live in terrace houses here..)with some land and though half the house have sunlight, we had to tint the windows and close them, the sun's piercing sharp here :D Have a great week Tara, much love and hugs!!!

Lamp Tramp said...

So lovely to see your home! Every picture is so delightful! I hope I can join this tour, maybe tomorrow!

Adrienne said...

Hi Tara -
Your home is so inviting and comfortable. I love the things you shared with us. Do we get to see more? Your piano and the bench have legs almost identical to mine. I recognized the Schaum Piano book on the rack. I'm a former piano teacher! I love your college anthologies by your chair and the thought of reading them again. Thank you for inviting us along with you and BJ.
~Adrienne~

Janet said...

Love your home Tara and I am glad you made it thru the storm. We had the worst humidity ever and then tons of rain. I was stuck on the highway with flashers-the 4 way kind, lol, going 20 mph for about 5 miles. Very scary. It rained hard all night, very little wind and then today was gorgeous. Thanks so much for the award; glad you enjoy my bits of this and that. I will post the award proudly!

Janet

Mama said...

Tara, I have always loved your header, especially because it reminds me of my former house. One day Electric Man walked by as I was looking at your header, and he thought I had taken a picture of the room in our house with the new owners' furniture in it!

The window, the walls, the wood floor -- it's just like my former living room.

I love it!

Cottage Contessa said...

Wow Tara, your home is just so beautiful sweetie! I love it! Thank you for the tour, I think that is my most favourite thing when a friend takes me on a tour of her home. Makes me feel like I'm not half a world away! Wishing you a wonderful week dear friend!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

Tina Leavy said...

love the windows..what a sunny room. very nice, and your computer hide away..very nice.like how you have decorated it..it looks nice and inviting.
thanks for the blogging award. I'm so glad you enjoy visiting with me.
hugs, Tina

bj said...

Oh, boy! I really enjoyed your delightful tour. I just KNEW your living room was going to be so warm and friendly and beautiful. Thanks so much for doing this for us.
Oh, and I LOVE that computer cabinet. That is just perfect.
love, bj

A Romantic Porch said...

Tara, That was so fun. How interesting. Thanks for taking us along! xorachel

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

Tara...I've loved your home from the first time I clicked on your blog and saw your header! It is warm and inviting, and (my favorite) very personal. I loved to read your descriptions of each room....each item. I know I'd be very at-home there!

Unknown said...

Tara, thank you for the tour of your home, and your view from your windows are beautiful. I mentioned you in my window post today. You are magical, Tara. Karen

pve design said...

Tara,
Exactly as I envisioned, takes a heap o liven to make a house a home. You have succeeded in making a wonderful home, full of love and stories to share.
Home Sweet Home.
Patricia

Rhondi said...

Hi Tara
Thanks for the great tour. I loved seeing photos of your beautiful home. I've always loved your banner too.
Thanks very much for the award. I really appreciate your kind words and your friendship.
Hugs, Rhondi

Anonymous said...

Very nice. Thanks for the tour.

amanda said...

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

We spent time in the hammock this weekend, and of course I thought of you!

Amanda:)

MARIA said...

Hi Tara, you are the best!!!
From first pic to last. Gorgeous!!!
Thanks for sharing!
And thanks for sharing where you work, it is a great idea!

Best wishes
from Poland - Maria

Ps.
Thanks Karen for showing your place.

Donna said...

You have a lovely home, Tara! All your rooms are great! I love all the light you have in your house, that's one thing I wish I had more of in our house.

Thanks for the wonderful tour!
Hugs,
Donna

Deb said...

Great tour Tara!
Thank you so much for passing on the blog award to me :-)

Anonymous said...

You have a lovely, inviting home. Thanks for the tour. And thanks too for the award!
Brenda

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I loved peaking into your living room! It looks so comfy cozy. Thanks for the tour!
Penny

CIELO said...

Oh Tara what a lovely lovely window and cozy home you have.... I'm so sorry I didn't get your pic on time... Some other lovely windows came after I already had posted about the party, and couldn't post them either... when I tried to add more pics everthing moved around, and I was already too tired to continue, I figure I gave enough time to everyone. But my sincere thanks for participating and for making my heart sing with joy just by looking at your lovely lovely windows....

May the sun shine upon you today.

Cielo

Gina said...

You have a warm and beautiful home Tara..it looks so inviting! :D Thanks for letting me share :D Gx

Gypsy Butterfly said...

Hello Tara,
You have a beautiful home! I love the way you have everything decorated. I also love your window!
Wishing you a very nice day,
Lydia

Unknown said...

Hi Tara,

Just beautiful!

Annie

Mary said...

Oh Tara, what a fun tour! I love it that you have your uncle's Bible, and your mother's rug, and your daughter's piano. It is a TRUE living room, not just for show. And I am so jealous of your computer armoire -- I wish I had someplace to tuck everything away...

Thank you so much for the award -- you are so sweet to think of me!
xoxo,
Mary

Susie Q said...

What fun Tara! And how wonderful that you have so many treasures to surround you.
I love your warm, oh so pretty home.

Love,
Sue