A Log Cabin in Alabama

Sorry, no original content but I had to mention this not-what-you-expect log cabin in Alabama built by the owner, artist Butch Anthony. The place is incredible and he's still working on it. In fact, this is his second log house; the first, a one-room cabin was built when he was only 14 years old!

Mr. Anthony, who is in a relationship with sustainable clothing designer Natalie Chanin, has decorated the home on his 80-acre compound with unusual objects. The wire contraption in the picture above is actually an old wire bed spring, the seats of the two flanking chairs are woven with old neck ties, and the base of the platform bed is lined with recycled car license plates. Not typical log cabin furniture at all.

Yes, another quirky bathroom!

The rest of the house is furnished a bit more traditionally though there probably is always a little twist somewhere in the decor. He is an artist, after all.

Check out the New York Times slideshow here.

Images: Robert Rausch for The New York Times

Affordable cottage in the NYT

700 square feet and bought for $95,000!!

I have to give it to The New York Times. When they catch my interest, they usually get it big time. You may have seen this first set of pictures on other blogs already because this place in the Catskills is beautiful. But what what struck me is how it truly was something I would be interested in. That price is incredible, it's almost impossible to find a house that cheap here in Richmond, though of course most people I know can't afford a weekend house, let alone a place two hours away from where they live and work during the week. However, I loved how they furnished the place with hand-me-downs, and purchases from Craigslist and to top it off also used it as the venue for their outdoor wedding! That's the way to get the most for your money!

I love the use of the green, which seems to change color subtly throughout the house. It's definitely cute and country but not too so. Check out that incredible stove, unfortunately it doesn't work though.


(Click to enlarge)

That gallery wall- designed hallway blows me away and reminds me of another that I featured on this blog before. The newspaper was supplied with a rundown of their decorating costs. Decorated for only $2,352! Other homeowners featured in the newspaper's regular features can't seem to even get a closet organized for that little amount of money.

This cottage reminded me a bit of this cottage I found in an old issue of Cottage Living, from the 80s, that I bought when I was in Fredericksburg. I love the cottage aesthetic, the airy feel, and the simplicity. The use of the darker green for the window blinds is perfect, it adds a dash of color that works as decoration 24/7 when the shades are up, whereas white curtains (the obvious choice) would add nothing to the room.

In this bedroom shot (one of my favorites!) the different shades of green with the rich yellows, the red side table, and the orange tones of the spool-turned bed really speak to me; a mix of harvest tones mixed with white gives the room a warm and cozy feel.

So, two clowns meet in Afghanistan ...

Every once in a while I check out the New York Times Real Estate section.

No, not to look at the expensive loft high rises that the city is famous for, but instead because I like to check out their Habitats columns. These stories usually focus on the middle class of New York; the artists, musicians, and store owners and the unique homes that they create for themselves.

Image: Ruby Washington/The New York Times

This past one I read though had a bonus; it was not only a story of a graphic and space-conscious apartment but also a love story. Please check out the lovely story of clowns Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone here.

*Definitely don't miss the video interview (half-way down the screen page); that's what made my heart melt. What a story, what a job/mission, what a great couple. I wish them the best!

Also if someone has more detailed pictures of Christina's wedding dress created out of miniature white balloons I would love to see them! Now that's creative!

UPDATE: Christina, herself sent me this lovely wedding portrait. Too cool, right?

NYT Home & Garden Section to the Rescue?

Surprising, huh?

Last week, the New York Times decided to task five NY interior designers/decorators with sprucing up the homes of five New Yorkers who had just lost their jobs. They were tasked with using a budget of only $300. Sounds good right? The article says that many got miffed about using that tiny an amount of money and only one was able to come in under budget. Bravo for Christopher Coleman, who was the winner in my book with a final balance of $296! While it was not my style, I have a feeling it fit well for his single-bachelor-tech-geek-client.

Styled by Christopher Coleman

You would think the others would realize that future clients; people who will be looking at their work in this assignment, might find it a plus that a designer CAN actually come in on or under budget.

Rearranged by Hilary Unger of Perianth

Well, at least for me that would be considered an important quality to have in a designer. Not that they did that bad, they still all came in under $500 and the results were all lovely. I just felt bad for the designers that could have easily come in at or under budget if they had just invoked some DIY and repainted furniture or items that the client already owned. Of if they had installed hardware and stitched the simple cushions and pillows themselves instead of hiring outside workers. What a great message that would have sent too.

Rearranged by Bradley Thiergartner

Links to the makeovers:

One-bedroom - $296 by Christopher Coleman

One-bedroom - $304 by Bradley Thiergartner

Studio - $326 by Hilary Unger

2-story house - $452 by Fawn Galli

Shared apartment - $490 by Elaine Griffin


This story was published in the NYT on March 12, 2009.