bikes on the beach

It's such a cold, gray day here that I was dreaming about being back in Cape Charles, Virginia, as we were last summer on vacation. I love old bikes, especially when they are all lined up at an old hardware store next to the beach, just waiting to be rented and ridden on the beach. These were so friendly, how could anyone resist taking these for a ride?

This little bike has a Hawaii license plate on it, although it was thousands of miles away from Hawaii. So cute!

The sunny sidewalk in front of the hardware store where the bikes were parked. They carried everything a person could possibly want to enjoy a day at the beach. And if you keep walking, eventually the street will end and the beach will begin!

rooms in white

Here are some wonderful images from the book The Relaxed Home by Atlanta Bartlett. I just love the look of these rooms.

Although my home doesn't reflect this right now, I love white. I first fell in love with it during a Christmas Tour of Homes. We walked into a typical 1980's suburban tract home and it was like stepping through a portal into the past. The owner had removed all the kitchen cabinets and appliances and replaced them with vintage models. The carpet had been replaced with hardwood. And the master bedroom was amazing. The owner had put a creaky screen door on the the master bathroom door. It sounded just like the screen door in the Waltons. Everything was white and very old. It was the most calm and peaceful house.

Even better are the little splashes of color against the white backdrop. Just a little touch is enough.

After seeing this photo I made a similar grouping of antique suitcases in my living room. I topped them with old books and used vintage irons as bookends.

This white floor is amazing!