Author: emmaakoch

How about some eye candy?

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Houzz. I could browse for hours. And in fact, I did. 

Here are some of my recent favorite kitchen finds, if you’d like to take a look…

So peaceful, and bright. The rustic wood island adds the perfect touch of warmth.

Navy, brass, crisp black lines and classic white subway tile for the win.

The unpainted wood island is stunning with a more elegant marble top. Larger subway tiles are a fun modern twist. I wish the stools were different – perhaps a splash of color would have been nice? Burnt orange or lime green perhaps? I have my eye on these beauties:

Serene. Perfectly mixed metals. Those copper pendants!

Some color! Bright, fun, but still feels timeless.

I love the black window sashes, the farmhouse sink, the simple shaker cabinets. And the view.

A distressed oriental rug adds so much character to an otherwise neutral space.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite? I think I would go with #3 (but with the lime bar stools swapped in!).

Sticks and stones

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When I look at this picture my blood pressure drops significantly. It’s like a breath of fresh air.

From a distance they all blend, but up close they are so unique and full of color.

Look at this beauty.

We can spend hours on the beach sorting through stones, looking for heart rocks and seaglass. There is something so soothing about this. Like active meditation. 

Yes, sticks and stones can break your bones – but they are also incredibly therapeutic.

Here’s to a weekend full of fresh air, forest, and beach walks.

So Smooooky!

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I often hesitate to correct some of the mispronunciations that I hear from my 4yr old. They are just too good.

The latest one is “smooky”. As in, spooky. As in, “Mom that ghost is so smooky!”.

So in the words of Viv, we hope you have a happy (and smooky) halloween this year! 

Here are some shots from our weekend if you’d like to see…

Picking.

Prepping.

Pumpkins.

Smooky enough?

What’s on your plate?

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What can be better than a stroll in the woods, followed by a farmers market lunch.

Start with cherry tomatoes, likely the last of the season.

Add a loaf of rustic bread. Hummus and Kirby cucumbers.

Apples for desert. 

Those hands.

Dig in!

Be still my heart 

~ emmaakoch ~ 1 Comment

There is a smell that old houses have, some would call it musty. I might say the aroma of antiquity, perhaps. That sounds nicer.

The point is, I love old houses. I actually love this smell.  The picture above is from the formal foyer of our 1840s Greek Revival historic home.

One of my favorite Sunday afternoon activities is scouring estate sales, and finding open houses of antique homes for sale. 

We went to one last weekend – and oh my, the fixtures, the wallpaper, the woodwork, all stunning and untouched.

 I took a few pictures, and thought, wouldnt it be amazing to photograph and document these old homes, as well as the people who have lived in them for decades?

Here are a few pictures of the amazing details, if you’d like to see.


What is it about these old houses that gets me? 

There is an element of nostalgia, no doubt. Did you know that nostalgia is derived from a Greek compound of two words that mean “homecoming” and “ache”?

And that is exactly how I feel when I enter one…a feeling of being at home, perhaps a nod to my childhood growing up in an old Vermont farmhouse, combined with an undeniable ache.

And there is more to love. Old houses are a vestige of a time past. The epitomy of endurance. 

They offer a vintage perspective. And there is exhilarating possibility lurking behind all the chipped paint. 

And don’t forget the dose of inspiration. Each wallpaper was more beautiful than the next.

 

They must be 100 years old. Yet still so on point. 

What do you think? Do you also have the old house bug, or prefer modern or turn-key?