If you can forgive me for not knowing what I am doing….
I would LOVE it if you joined me on Twitter!!
http://twitter.com/#!/fieldstonehill
{seriously. how does this crazy Twitter thing work? I feel like I am speaking another language!}

And I am excited to share with you that I am in full blown mode of working on my blog redesign. Things may look a little different around here, and just like in my home, I am hoping to get further organized… so that you can find things easier and have plenty of decorating fun at ‘this here blog.’

On that note, I have a question for you, my incredibly stylish readers:

for my profile pic , which one would you suggest I go with {one or two}?

Both of these fantastic pics were taken by my sponsor, Amy of Allenaim Photography. She sure knows how to make a girl look “perty”!

Sooo, what say you, one or two??

Thanks for your two cents, sweet peeps!
– {darlene}

Happy Monday!

After featuring my dream kitchen last Friday, I couldn’t resist sharing another fabulous kitchen that is also filled with clean, peaceful lines. There is much to ditto from this beautiful space:

{martha stewart}

ditto :: {what I would steal from this space}:

1. many shades of white let the texture shine through. This kitchen features so much white, but there is nothing plain about that! Many elements in this space boast a different texture that takes center stage, all dressed in white. The sleek, molded chairs; The shiny, polished plank floors; The rustic vertical board and batten on the walls; The chunky layers of subway tiles; The clean lines of white cabinetry: each of these elements dance with texture!
2. open shelving. Oh, how I love thee.  Too much upper cabinetry can quickly weigh down a kitchen. Why not take all of your matching glasses {they don’t need to be fancy. Just “en masse.”}, and put them on display? You can enjoy looking at the useful and beautiful things that you love, even when you are not using them.
3. a chef’s range. This is a range to take seriously. The gorgeous lines and gleaming stainless steel of this cooking machine do not overshadow the sturdy function, and the promise of great meals to come.
4. shiny, mahogany countertops. Ship shape! These gorgeous, high-gloss counter tops are so pristine. And you know how I adore the contrast of high-gloss glamour and farmhouse simplicity! This kitchen has it!
5. lighting with character and high-impact repetition. Just one of these pretty little beauties would not have nearly the impact that they have “en masse.” How beautiful they are, all four of them, working together. Functional, yet so stunning. Grouping light fixtures in repetition is a fantastic design trick.
6. stainless steel table on casters. Now, how simple is that? So classic. So classy. So functional. So clean. And, don’t forget, sensible. Nothing wrong with sensible design.
7. herbs that double as art. How pretty! And symmetrical too! I love the fresh greenery, sitting pretty and all in a row on this kitchen table. Is that rosemary? yum.
8. high quality kitchen goods. A gorgeous, chrome teapot; a high-end toaster; a fine-design faucet: all of these “little” touches {each cost a good bit more!} are definitely worth their weight. Never underestimate how your tiny kitchen appliances can impact your kitchen design! If you have an ugly toaster…. hide it 🙂

So… I don’t have any pictures of my current kitchen on this blog.
I refuse to complain about a functional and working, fine kitchen. But, I will just say that I did not design a single thing about it… and the walls are currently comprised of peeled wallpaper remnants and plaster.

but that doesn’t stop a girl from dreaming. And I know exactly what my dream kitchen looks like.

first, let me wax poetic:
I have come to the conclusion that my decoration style functions within the context of a juxtaposition. I am a country girl, no doubt, … yet I sing opera, like things “fancy” and “fussy,” and I know my way around the Big Apple. I love horse-country fireplaces and fieldstone… but I am a sucker for glossy lacquer and anything that sparkles.
I even say about myself: “…torn between farmhouse simplicity and high-gloss glamour.” Hence, juxtaposition.

I am not so torn, however, when it comes to my kitchen.
In the kitchen, farmhouse simplicity wins hands down.

This pretty picture has been in my files since 2006 {country home}. Just one year after we moved into Fieldstone Hill. This farmhouse begs for this kitchen, indeed:

I love so much about it:

1. The perfectly soothing colors
2. The open shelving with minimalist, “en masse,” collections.
3. Those marble countertops with squared off edges: One should roll their homemade pie-crusts on counters like those.
4. Windows free of adornment, preferably gazing out to the garden.
5. An old stool, brought back to life with soft leather.
6. Glass cloches, on hand – of course.
7. The perfect green-greige on the cabinets.
8. Mixing bowls on hand.

I have been in love with this room since I saw it in 2006… and I love it no less today. Now that is staying-power in design.
Not to mention: true love.


tell me, for your kitchen, what wins: farmhouse simplicity or high-gloss glamour?
– {darlene}


To see my Design Boards, click here. To read more about my Design Services, click here. And for more From my Files, click here.
And thank you to everyone who is cheering me on in my dream of Fieldstone Hill Design. Love Fieldstone Hill? thanks. you rock. Would you consider sharing the love by Following {this makes me giddy. click Follow in the right sidebar}, Liking on Facebook, Following on Twitter, Following on Pinterest, or linking here from your blog. I just knew you were awesome!

Instead of my usual Room I Love Wednesday, I was anxious to share my latest Design Board with you:

My client wanted to shift her space away from her former reds and greens and wanted her room to be full of soft browns and tans.

I used these inspiration pics, and others, that she gave to me as jumping points for the design. Aren’t they soothing?

 {house beautiful}

 {house beautiful}

{layla grace}

{btw, My client and I used Pinterest as a way to share inspiration pictures.}

My favorite things about the Design are the soft colors {rich browns, tans, burlap, spa blue, gold}, and those fantastic peacock pillows!

I would love to know your thoughts on this design!!
– {darlene}

For more Design Boards, click here. To read more about my Design Services, click here.
And thank you to everyone who is cheering me on in my dream of Fieldstone Hill Design. Love Fieldstone Hill? thanks. you rock. Would you consider sharing the love by Following {this makes me giddy. click Follow in the right sidebar}, Liking on Facebook, Following on Twitter, Following on Pinterest, or linking here from your blog. I just knew you were awesome!