No jacket required

Heatwave.

Today is in the upwards of 70* in the Midwest!

Unbelievable that only a week ago we have over 18 inches or more on the ground.

Here are a few pics to warm you up if you are cold and gray.
This one is a little sunshine from the Pacific and reigns from Malibu California.The home is fondly referred to as Butterfly Knoll Farm and is inhabited by Kelly Harmon.

Of course don't get too used to it as it will change shortly.

The interior of her reclaimed barn that was transformed into a light and airy retreat.
The steed is one of 10 horses Harmon owns as well as paints in her studio / stable.

The fabulous entrance to the min cottage is flanked with an orange tree and followed up to the door with rough cut stone pavers. Love the look of the antique Mexican door that guests enter upon arriving at the cottage.

The light filled family room at Butterfly Knoll Farm. Old blue on a chippy children's stool and a faded blue and tea stained batik fabrics on the carved bench.

I love the slip covered chairs that were family recycled pieces. The pillows were equally interesting and casually placed on the otherwise neutral chairs. Slipcovers are such a great way to recycle and give an old piece a newer and fresher lease on life. I like the feel of the stripped,hand infused paint and polished finish of the floors.

The textures of this older armoire and the rough metal of the basket really adds to the rich and texture of the cream walls and neutral colored floors. Love this feel and the old integrated with the clean is stunning.

The greenhouse is a collaboration of stacked stone foundation, old worn concrete flooring and a frame that seems to blend into the ocean that is beyond the walls.Mixtures of old and new planters adds to the comfortable feel of the space and makes you want to linger a while.




The other side of the family room expands into a dining and lounging area. The color scheme is really plucked out of nature with soft blues, sands,whites and faint celedon.
The castaways are cherished things in Harmon's home. Another lover of the discarded and items which are waiting to be discovered and toted home.

The doors and cabinet are some of the many things Harmon has hauled home from Mexico.
Trash to treasure is the name of the game for Harmon. The set of 40 year old doors were reclaimed and re purposed in her ever evolving home.

The kitchen blueprint is so interesting when filled with the unexpected and old and timeworn.
There seems to be an increasing trend for homeowners to step out of the box and take a chance.
I like the airy and clean look when paired with a few reclaimed and re purposed pieces.

The chicken wired cabinets are great, open but still an added texture and feel of relaxation.
Counter tops are light and airy as well as clean without being cold.

The master bedroom once garage has been completely outfitted in flea market finds. Some collected for over 30 years.The gorgeous Gothic windows were salvaged from an old church in Texas.
The entire aesthetics were based on stables that Harmon was around as a child in Ireland. Clean, light - filled and extremely immaculate. I love her philosophy of living with nature and integrating the outdoors indoors.
I am thinking her professional connection with Ralph Lauren must be the connection I feel for this cottage. A bit of magic which translates into reality.

Even in the bedroom the canopy was created from a single piece of carved wood. Integrated into a functional crown piece for the canopy, the room boasts creativity and simplicity.
I love her addition to the story, " thinking one should be able to see her horses while doing the dishes".........
Well, I cannot argue with that philosophy!


HB 2004