What Paint and (a lot) of Elbow Grease Will Do
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What Paint and (a lot) of Elbow Grease Will Do

I know you love Before and After pictures. This blog post is about a neglected foyer that transforms to a gorgeous stately entry, using paint and a lot of elbow grease. Let’s look at the grand exterior of this 1920s historical house I restored/remodeled. This beautiful home is now owned by a wonderful young family….

The Restoration Chronicles~~Chapter 2
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The Restoration Chronicles~~Chapter 2

Welcome to Chapter 2 of the restoration journey of our 110 year old historic home. A few weeks ago, I shared Chapter 1 of The Restoration Chronicles which focuses on the front of the main house. Well, let me take you around to the back of the house, because the renovation/restoration work here is so…

A Royal Novel Surprise
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A Royal Novel Surprise

My very first blog post in September 2016 was about a charitable English tea we had here at Bella Terra with New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author, Rhys Bowen. Not only was the event a wonderful fundraiser for Family to Family, (they provides scholarships to students in rural El Salvador)…

Valentine’s Day Table Inspiration
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Valentine’s Day Table Inspiration

For many years, we would host our annual Valentine formal dinner party for 12 people. So why not this year? It took me all of January to recover from the holidays! And before I knew it, it’s February. Lack of good planning on my part. Instead, this Valentine’s Day table inspiration is a romantic setting…

A Few of my Favorite Things
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A Few of my Favorite Things

Do you have a favorite item or part of your home that brings a smile to your face or a boost to your spirit? These are the things that if you had to move, you would definitely take them with you. I suppose organizing guru, Marie Kondo would say these items “spark joy”. In the…