A charming upstate farm retreat

It's a dream of all (admit it, all) NYC dwellers to have a country retreat. Kathryn Windley was no exception to the rule. She was tired of her grueling hours as an art director for a Manhattan ad agencies, and was recently divorced. She added a new twist to the New Yorker turned farmer by actually marrying the realtor who found her the property a few years later on the 20-acre grounds!

This living room is kept bright and cheery by the white upholstery and brightly striped rug.

In NYC, unless you pay for a separate studio, on never has space in their apartment for a studio.
One day I hope to have the space to paint and draw again.

The barn is actually a garage they designed to look like a barn.

I adore this kitchen, and Kathryn claims the farmhouse sink is what sold her on the property.  The runner was a once a damaged full-sized carpet she had cut and bound to fit the kitchen.

What do you think?

Read the full story and see more at Country Living

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A peak inside the home of Shabby Chic's Rachel Ashwell

In the Aug/Sep 2010 issue of Lonny Mag they gave us a sneak peak of Ashwell's London flat. The flat came furnished and she kept all the furniture, just converting it to her needs as opposed to buying new furniture.




I think that coffee table is an old door!


I want that rug...


Rachel's decorating rules. (click on the image for a bigger view)

From her new store in London

So...I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I did not know until I read the article that Shabby Chic filed for bankruptcy in 2009. Since then, Rachel has come back with products that address the new style of cleaner lines and less "fluff," as opposed to the chintz and flowy slipcovers she's famous for. What do you think? Do you think Rachel can adapt to the changing times with her new line? Were you sad to see Shabby Chic go or were you over it??

via Lonny Mag

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