I dont think there is anything more beautiful than white dishes. There's just something about white dishes; doesnt matter what shade of white, new or old, or if imperfections exist. I love them all and the imperfections make them even more precious. White dishes have been known to bring a tear to my eye.

Stack them, hang them, eat on them whatever your pleasure, but collect some white. You will love it that you did!  I must warn you, however, it may become an addiction! Enjoy!

One of my favorite things! And as you can expect, we have many in the store because I cant keep them all! Happy Shopping!

Frasier Fir is hands down, the BEST, most luxurious and soothing of all Holiday candles. Some of my clients burn Fraiser Fir year round, that's how wonderful it is! Today I am giving away the three wick candle! Leave a comment to be entered in to the drawing. Happy Friday!

White is classic, calming, timeless, elegant and honestly, gives most of us hives at the thought of using it in our homes, especially on furniture! Who hasn't said "White is beautiful but I could never get away with it in my house, not with my family!" I know I have and can be honest and say that even now with two kids off to college I still find myself making excuses not to use it until my two high school kids are out of the house. Teenagers are never home, so what am I so worried about?

We worry about white because it shows dirt, and red wine and popsicles, and etc. etc. We worry because spending money on a nice piece of furniture makes sense only if it lasts forever, right? (Or at least until we tire of it, LOL). White just doesnt seem to have the longevity that other colors have.

I wanted to ask you to step outside the box, to step outside the latest trend if you will on using white furniture in interiors. I want you to use white but in a different way. It's not necessary to use in on your sofa or occasional chairs to get that gorgeous magazine look. Take a look. 

In this entry by Suzanne Kasler, the overall color is white. Suzanne fools our eye into thinking the room is white. We feel the calm, cool, classic pull of white without a white chair in site! Cool blues are added with the lamps and decorative bottles that adorn the table. Love the blue trim added to the black chairs, the perfect touch and perfect way to bridge the color from table to chair.

This is another great example of using white. Create an envelope with walls and floor and add other colors to the basic furniture pieces. The room still feels white but is much more practical. The key here is in the neutral, subdued palette. The soft hues compliment each other. 

This bedroom also created by Kasler, has a cool palette of soft blues, warmed up a bit by natural textures and wood tones. Notice the fabric on the occasional chair and ottoman, a light blue floral. Again, a room is created with the cool, clean crispness of white and not a white chair in site. Adding white lamp shades, white bed linens and using white on the trim pull it all together.

Living with white is not only possible but can be very practical. Go ahead, indulge yourself in a little white! You dont have to wait until the kids are gone!

Next time you are considering a new lamp, think about it as a piece of jewelry for your space. Allow your lamp to make a fashion statement by adding sparkle, texture or maybe a dressmaker detail such as smocking. Take a peek at these lamps from Arteriors, now available through Kim Hoegger HOME.

Lots of styles, colors and textures available for that special room in your home. Have a great Thursday!

Great things are happening at KHH! New linens and pillows and ready to install drapery panels in soothing linens and organic flax. For your convenience, everything is available on the website too! www.kimhoeggerhome.com 

Happy Wednesday Friends,

Hope this post finds you getting organized for the upcoming holidays or at least working in that direction. I find that if I start early I enjoy the festivities so much more.

This year I asked my hubby to bring in the trees before Halloween. I know, sounds early but it takes me awhile to wrap my thoughts around the whole decorating thing and I don't like to be rushed. I love to take my time with decorating so that it can be relaxing and somewhat therapeutic.

So, there they were, two bare trees in the midst of Halloween. Over a two week period I tweaked the branches as I passed by. Added an ornament here and there to see how it made me feel. I love my ornament collections for each tree and use the same every year but in a different way. Some years I place every ornament, every garland and every adornment and the following year maybe just the ornaments. I go with how much time I have and what events are going on that year. This year we will be vacationing in Hawaii over the Holidays so I opted to forego the Gingerbread tree on the kitchen island. It will stay in the closet this year. Thus allowing me to spend more time on the other trees and tabletop.

With a little extra time on my hands, I made my way to my favorite place for Christmas decor, Dillards. I found a gorgeous tree skirt and many elegant ornaments. I LOVE Dillards. Through the years they have remained one of my favorite places to shop. They don't submit to the hipe of the discount programs of other department stores, no "in your face" advertising and hurry "one day sales". Just classic, elegant and timeless selections in all departments. Great discounts abound but they just don't feel the need to shout about it! I purchased beautiful ornaments at 33% off which made me very happy :) and a gorgeous tree skirt for the same.

Now that the trees are up and the tables are set with my holiday tableware and greenery, I have time to enjoy the holidays and do my shopping with no pressure. I even baked my cranberry pumpkin bread this year for the girls at the shop! That would not have happened had the trees not been ready and waiting at Halloween!

So, if you haven't already, drag out the boxes of holiday spender and leave a few in the closet this year if it pleases you. I know it made my holiday sweeter. Enjoy the time you spend decorating your home for the holidays and don't hesitate to call us at the store if it's all too overwhelming for you. We are happy to help make your holiday a little sweeter too!

Warmly,
Kim

I think my love of wallpaper started years ago when I was old enough to notice that it surrounded me at my Grandmother's house. It was magical, and it made me feel like a princess in a castle. 

I am as smitten with wallpaper today as I was at 8 years old. Take a peek at some new inspirations from Designers Guild. Magical.

 
 

Took some photos of the wallpaper in my house for you guys to see. I LOVE wallpaper and know for sure that this LOVE has come straight from my Grandmother's heart to mine. To me, there is no other wallpaper more beautiful than her living room paper. I can see the color and pattern so  
vividly when I close my eyes. Beautiful pink and white flowers on a dark green background. It was the most beautiful room I had ever seen! (Note to family members who may remember that paper differently, please keep those thoughts to yourself as I felt like a princess in that room! Lol, for all I know it could have been hideous or obnoxious, but to me, it was magical and I would like to remember it that way.)

 My Bedroom wallpaper, love it so very much even after ten years!
 
 

 
Guestroom wallpaper. Does this look familiar to some of you?

My Maternal Grandmother was a Nurserywoman. She loved flowers of all kinds but especially red geraniums. I remember summer vacations spent at her side walking greenhouse to greenhouse checking on each beautiful flower. And if I was really lucky(and she was really busy and needed to keep me occupied for a little while)she would set me up in the at the potting table in the greenhouse on a very high stool and I would pot plants for what seemed like hours and I was in heaven. I can still smell the potting soil when I think of those summer days.

I also remember growing bored of the potting task and crawling underneath the potting tables with my sister, brother and cousins for a little game of hide and seek. We would sneak from greenhouse to greenhouse via our under table tunnels and scare customers to death. We would giggle and giggle like no one knew we were there. Needless to say, Grandmother was not fond of this game and neither was Helen, my Grandmother's go-to girl at the Nursery. I think Helen grew tired of us after a few days, well, a few hours most likely. We loved scaring her from under those tables! I remember her mumbling beneath her breath when she couldn't find us but knew we were there! Poor Helen, she was so sweet too and loved us all so much in spite of our mischief.

 
Guestroom bathroom wallpaper, love it! So charming.

Grandmother is gone today, but Helen is still around town and we love to visit with her when we see her. She hugs us real tight and her eyes fill with tears when we talk of my Grandmother and those summer days. Whenever I see a red geranium or smell potting soil or Merle Norman face powder, I think of my Grandmother and all those wonderful memories. I owe my love of flowers to her and especially my love for floral wallpaper.

Hope to hear from you about your wonderful wallpapers! I will have to find a picture for you of my Grandmother's living room wallpaper. I know there is a picture out there of the whole family sitting on the sofa in front of that paper, I have seen it somewhere! I will do some research and post it soon. Family members, please send along a copy of that pic if you have it, I would love to have a copy!
 
Love to all, and miss you Grandmother so very much, but you are with me always.

Kim   

Hello Saturday,

Busy day today at the store...Founders Day on the Square with a late afternoon Sip and Stroll. Lots of people in for wine tasting. Nice day.

Bub's party was a huge success in spite of the continuing rain. Fourteen year olds dont mind the rain at all. Everyone had a great time.

Wrapping up at the store, headed home for the evening. More later.

Warmly,
Kim

Feeling rushed today, so much to accomplished and so little time. Have to go to Sam's for the party tonight and it stresses me out just thinking about the crowds and how long the whole process takes. It I weren't tied to time constraints I might actually enjoy my trip to Sam's as there are really lots of interesting things to peruse. Anyway, need to make a list and get it on with the trip.Rain, rain please go away. I do not have the slightest idea what to do with forty kids here for a pool party if it should rain as forecasted. The cookout and the football games wouldn't be possible either so please, please rain go away. Family members you are welcome to come for dinner and help chaperone hint, hint. Party starts @ 7 and prep way before that!Saving grace is that the guests are 14 and will not notice that I haven't attended to things like the remaining laundry or made my bed, just closing the doors. They are also very easy to please, thank goodness, and will enjoy whatever food we provide as long as ther is cake. Speaking of cake...need to touch base with the baker and schedule time to pick up. Maybe she will deliver ;)Being that this is a swim party and of mixed company, I am praying that ther will be no issues of scantly clad girls. Surely their parents will monitor their attire, right? Anyway, looking forward to the party because I really enjoy his friends and he is so excited. Prayers for no rain and appropriate dress. Oh and a few prayers for a safe and unadventurous trip to Sam's would be much appreciated as well.Happy Friday,Kim

I love to plan and execute parties. Probably love the planning more than the party actually. Lol. However, it is enormously gratifying to see those you love enjoying the party you have pulled together. Makes me smile.When I am planning a party, I like to think about the guest of honor for a few days, really think hard about them and who they are, what they love, what would surprize them and make them the most happy. Things like their favorite color, their hobbies, favorite sport, their preference of cake flavors and whether or not they are a cake person or a cupcake lover. All really important when planning a party for someone special.I read the book, The Five Love Languages a few years back and I have since planned my families parties thinking about how each family member receives love. It really does make a difference in how their perceive what is being done for them. For instance, my oldest daughter takes alot of time in selecting gifts for us every Christmas. Her gifts to us are exactly right for us. She is very perceptive and can remember things that we have said throughout the year that we would really like to have. She gifts with alot of heart and it shows in her gift-giving. So when planning a party for her, I do the same. I attend to details like she does for me and make special surprises for her because she does so for me. People tend to give things and in ways that are important to them. I give back to her in her way of giving and she feels loved and very special.Now, with my youngest son, who I am planning a party for now, I am making it really special but in a different way because he is not about the gifting per say but more about making the party reflect WHO he is. Partially because he is 14 and at this stageit is important to him that he appear strong and athletic to his peers. So, he will feel most loved if I capture his spirit and strength in his party. I am pulling together a football themed party in strong color of brown, black and dark green. Adding football themed bowls and platters and put together a photo collage of him for the invitation. He and I spent a sunday afternoon together at a neighbor's pond taking photos of him doing his favorite things like casting a rod, throwing the football etc. Photos turned out great and he was so pleased with the invitation. So proud, smiling ear to ear. Worth every cent and time spent. He feels loved and important. Will post photos of the party at a later date. Praying that the rain holds off until after the party. Yikes, what to do with 40 adolescents who cannot swim at a swim party. Must have a Plan B.So, anyway, just a few thoughts on party planning as I am enjoying my party planning adventures today. Next time you plan a party, spend some extra time thinking about the guest. And if you are up for a good read pick up a copy of The Five Love Languages, it's a very enlightening book.Off to finish my shopping. Oh and speaking of shopping, parties need not be extravagant to make someone feel special. It's not about how much you spend but on what. Make it special, keep it simple.Talk to you soon,Kim

Just a note about the Crunchy Slaw that I mentioned this morning; not so good on day three and most likely day two either. I didn't try it yesterday but from my experience today I would say this is a a salad that must be served immediately due to the ramen noodles. Both the noodles and the cabbage were a little soggy today. Fabulous salad day one! Oh and something else to note regarding the recipe, I cut the recipe in half for my family of six and still had leftovers. So, it appears that this recipe is for a large family gathering like maybe a reunion or something, makes a very large quanity. Enjoy!

Hello Thursday. Great night out with the hubby and good friends. Late night dinner @ Sullivans, yum. Really late like 10:50 to be exact, lol. Hubby insisted we have a good dinner and charms the chef into preparing one more dinner for the night. A much preferred choice over What-a-burger. Had the Meatloaf and mashed potatoes with a wedge of iceberg lettuce and house made blue cheese dressing. It was divine! hubby had the porterhouse steak with chipolte glaze and lobster bisque soup. He also enjoyed an iceberg wedge and blue cheese. needless to say, we took home leftovers because our eyes were much bigger than our stomachs at that hour. Good lunch today!In Trisha's cookbook there is a recipe for the wedge and a homemade blue cheese dressing. That's next on my list as everyone in this family loves blue cheese! Can't wait to try it.Made the Crunchy slaw recipe on page 116 Tuesday night for dinner. Paired it with leftover roast beef and it was amazing! Fabulous recipe, just the right combination of sweet and salty and a little added crunch from the ramen noodles, toasted sesame seeds and almonds. Highly recommend. Mmmmm...might have the leftovers for breakfast this morning with my boiled eggs. So good.Lots of errands today. Pulling together Bub's party for Friday night. Almost forgot to order the cake. Just sent Annie a text with the order. Hope it doesn't rain Friday, praying for sunshine would settle for cloudy. :)Happy Thursday :) More later on wallpaper as I am seeing it in all the magazines and feel the need to explore as I have always loved wallpaper. Til later.Warmly,Kim

Hello Wednesday. Whew, day got away from me. It's already after 5:00. Busy but fun day, worked in the store all day, thinking about where to head next, what to move where and what new product to bring in and how to pay for all the dreams I have for the store. Lol One day at a time as they say.Just finished picking up my Bear and headed home to finish dinner for the kids before heading off to a Grand Opening party for a project my hubby just completed. Bear is driving and I am typing, perks of having a teenage driver. Looking forward to a grown-up evening and night out with my favorite person. :)Summer is fast approaching and I am feeling the warmth of the sun as I dream about coming days. Lake house is calling my name...waves crashing against the rocks, warm breezes blowing across the porch, sangria and shrimp on the grill. Calgon take me awayHome now and need to head inside and finish dinner and get to the shower. Fun night ahead. More tomorrow.Warmly,Kim

Hello Tuesday...Going for the herbal tea this morning. GET LOST tea by Republic of Tea to be exact. Really does help with suppressing my appetite. Kids off to school, housekeeper lined out. Dinner, something easy for crockpot again as Bear has a solo in the Spring Show tonight. So proud of her. Prayers for her today as she is very nervous about her stage performance.

Dinner...oh yes, dinner. What is in the freezer? Then off to Lowes to look at outdoor lounge chairs for the lake house. Then to work at the store for a few hours.

I Have to share this recipe with you before I leave today! Over the weekend I purchased Trisha Yearwood's second cookbook, "Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood" and it's is a beautiful book. I could hardly wait to try something from it.

 

I decided to make the Crockpot Mac & Cheese only I used her suggestion for the oven because my crockpot was being used for my pot roast. I will have to share my pot roast recipe with you sometime too. Anyway, here you go...

Trisha Yearwood's Crockpot Mac & Cheese!

8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked (gluten-free or whole wheat if you choose)

One 12 ounce can evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups whole milk (I used 2%)

2 large eggs, beaten

1/4 cup (1/2 stick)butter, melted

1 teaspoon salt

Dash of pepper

Two 10 ounce blocks of sharp cheddar cheese, grated(about 5 cups)

Dash of Paprika

Crockpot Method:

In a large 4-quart crockpot sprayed with cooking spray, mix the macaroni, milks, eggs, butter, salt pepper, and all but 1/2 cup grated cheese. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top of the mixture and then sprinkle with paprika. Cook on low heat for three hours and 15 minutes. Turn off the crockpot, stir the mixture, and serve hot.

Oven Method:

Grease a 9x13x2 inch pan with butter and add the mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Please note that the recipe says to precook the macaroni. I have to be honest and say that I did not see that until afterwards as I was preoccupied with a friend's new baby while preparing this dish. Soooooooo, I followed the above directions literally. So, when it said to "mix the macaroni, milk, eggs, etc." I mixed it altogether, uncooked Mac and all and it turned out great!  My only complaint from family was that it was a little dry. Obviously due to the fact that the uncooked noodles soaked up all the liquid. An easy problem to correct I think, just add a little more liquid. Probably regular milk so that you dont have to open another can of evaporated milk. I will try that next time I am craving Mac & Cheese. I have a feeling I will be making it alot over the summer as my oldest daughter is home from college and that is a favorite of hers. Enjoy!

Hello Monday :) Yawn...off to the kitchen to make a pot of my new organic herbal coffee that I picked up yesterday at Whole Foods in Austin, Tx. A wonderful chicory carob blend with a hint of hazelnut. Cant wait yum.

Where to start...wake up the baby(who is now 14 and no longer a baby but always my baby). Got to get him to school on time for a change, we have both been slacking alittle and staying up too late with projects and a little bit of summer fever if I am totally honest. Anyway, up the stairs to get him going.

Coffee smells amazing....yum! Off to school.

Next, make sure my youngest is up and make her a few boiled eggs with fresh blueberries on the side. Her favorite breakfast. Off to school again.

Home sweet Home...but what a mess. Where to start. Every table is covered with junk. The sink is full of dishes. Laundry room full of dirty clothes from my two college kiddos, so glad to have them home for the summer.

Spent the weekend packing up and tearing down the dorm room. What a task! Mom, Bean and I worked ourselves to the bone and thank goodness for my oldest son and friends came to our rescue and moved the big stuff, couldn't have made it without them.

So all are home safely and I am looking around my house and do not know where to begin. Summer brings everyone home but so comes the extra laundry and tens times the meals! And the summer schedules...geez! I get overwhelmed just thinking about them!

But...new coffee in hand, roast in the crockpot; I am good for now. I peeked in the laundry room...maybe one more cup of coffee before I go in.

And the dishes...ok, diving in...I always feel better when the sink is empty. Then to make a grocery list, pick up the dog from the kennel, and prepare a summer list of chores for everyone. Summertime here we come!

Long and exhausting but wonderful and fun weekend with my Mom and my oldest daughter.

I dont know about you, but, I dream of living in the South of France. Small country chateau full of farmhouse essentials like a farmhouse table lovingly worn and tattered. There would have to be a farmhouse sink, an original porcelean, of course, and tons of ironstone bowls, plates, etc. upon the shelves. Fresh flowers from the breathtaking garden, manned of course, by the quirky gardener in an old straw hat. Feather beds and down comforters made of vintage fabric, most likely toile. Ahhh, French farmhouse style...is there anything more inviting? Any style more charming? I think not.

 

 

 
  

I took these photos during my recent trip to France. I walked the grounds of this magnificent Chateau. Ahhh, the splendor. I was in Heaven! Truly, I must have been. Picture perfect, just like I have seen in photos and books all of my life. Gardens manicured to perfection, yet, like everything else in France, there is a certain unpretentiousness about them. A seemingly "Imperfect Perfection".

So is true of the interiors of French Farmhouses and Chateaus. Chipped paint, tattererd upholstery, broken shutters; they draw us in; forever charmed by their nonchalance. We are taken back by the tolerance and reverence for the pieces that show their age.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 And yes, that's Moi in the mirror :)

 
 In closing tonight, because it is actually morning now and time to get some sleep, I leave you with this challenge...

Flirt with nonchalance, embrace age and savor the ability to accept imperfection. Discover the grace in French Farmhouse style, discover a different take on life.

Night all,

Kim 

Just a quick note to get you to check out a great new resource for bloggers as well as readers! The new site is called The Blog Guidebook and it's awesome.

Created by two friends who wanted to make finding great blogs easier for everyone, the website has over a hundred categories of blogs. Want to find a blog about Antiques? How about Crafting?

The Blog Guidebook is a great new resource! Check it out www.blogguidebook.com

Happy Reading!

 This is a recent photo of some of the new items in the store; New tufted headboards, gorgeous linens from French Laundry and great antique treasures!

 

Beautiful collection of Indigo and Orange...Capri Blue candles in Volcano, Havanna and Sweet Peony, cheese domes and cakestands in our Driftwood collection and fabulous hand and bath soaps from Claus.

New slipcovered furniture and upholstered ottomans, beautiful antique iron table base with custom made metal top, lots of wonderful vintage treasures and great gifts items too!

Garden accessories, wicker furniture and lots of wonderful ferns & flowers for that fresh spring look!

Lovely, stylish clothing by Christy Foster of Groovy's.

More wonderful Claus hand soap in Madrigal Water Lily...dreamy. 
 
Hope you enjoyed the visit into the store...come by and see us! 
 
 
 
 
 

I cannot believe that it has been so long since I have blogged, I am so sorry friends. I have truly neglected my blog and I am so sorry, really. I have missed it so much but my life has been so crazy since my last post that I just havent had a moment, or honestly, taken a moment to write anything. I kept telling myself that it wasn't important in the grand scheme of things and that it was just a hobby and with everything else going on, there just wasn't time for it....uugghh, I wish I wouldn't allow my "serious"self to convince my "creative" self that there isn't time for anything but serious stuff!I happen to LOVE blogging and the community of bloggers and have missed this world very much...take that "serious" self! Better make some time in our schedule for some blogging because I am ready to blog!I am typing on my new IPAD that my hubby gave me for Christmas. I love it but it hasn't takn me long to realize that I am going to need to get a real keyboard. Pickin around on these keys to write this blog is exhausting to say the least, but, I am determined to write tonight so I will keep pickin away.I picked up a copy of the "Lipstick Jungle" TV Series DVD Collection First Season the other day at Target while getting groceries. It looked interesting and it was something I had intended to watch but never gotten around to it...sort of like blogging. I love Brooke Shields so I was intrigued. Figured it would entertain me one evening while at home alone.I got home, unloaded and put away my groceries. Noticed thatbthe house was quiet and everyone was otherwise preoccupied. Perfect oppotunity for watching "Lipstick Jungle". I love it when everything falls into place...all that's missing is the popcorn and a box of Whoppers! THREE hours later...I am so hooked! I LOVE this series! I LOVE the characters and it's so clean! No smut, no trash, nothing that made me turn my head in disgust! My family came in and I just couldn't stop watching it, lol. They went to bed and there I sat completely entranced in it all. I put in Disc two and kept right on going...I couldn't wait to see what happened to them all. My husband came to check on me later and I agreed to stop watching and come to bed only to plant myself right back on the sofa after I got everyone off to school the next morning.A few hours later, I finished the series, the first season. I decided that I had to find it on TV and record it so I would never miss it again. Sadly, I discovered that not only had I missed Season One, I had missed the entire Series altogether! Apparently, the show was cancelled after only two seasons. I am soooooooo bummed! I am angry and frustrated too because it's really good! Now I must search everywhere for the Season Two DVD Collection to at least see what happened to my girls! I guess I will also join the "Lipstick Jungle" groupies that blog on NBC's website begging them to bring it back. Note to self: I need to gain more control of the remote at my house; there is entirely too much football, basketball and Law and Order being viewed and not enough time spent on truly good TV like "Lipstick Jungle".Anyway, time for bed. Feels good to blog. Feels good to speak to friends about the latest tv series and needing more control of the remote. More later...it's good to be back!