Sunday, August 4, 2013

Summer Dreams

I was fortunate to win a wonderful Give Away recently from my sweet friend Julie from Idyllhours. I had been eyeing this book, each time I went to Barnes and Noble and had leafed through it several times...just never purchased it. What a perfect surprise when she told me her hubby had picked my name to receive it.


Kathryn Ireland is one of my favorite designers because she has such a relaxed and layered comfortable style. A little English Country, a little bohemian, a little European...but all so very "personal".




Part decorating book, part travel guide, part cook book, part journal..Kathryn takes you through "Summer" at her lovely rural retreat in Southwest France.




with horses, children, shopping the markets,
 lazy afternoons, and candlelit evenings...





relaxing spaces for family and friends,



Her fabric designs and fresh style are found in every aspect of her home.


an al fresco dining room filled with casual elegance








I'm thoroughly enjoying reading this book.
 It's not just a decorating "Look book", but a glimpse into her world.

I guess we all have dreams of how we'd love to spend our "Summer".




No, it's not the French Countryside, but I'm happy to be where I am.
Just enjoying a few of Summer's lovely reminders.





Thank you Julie.

joining in on these great parties:

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

And speaking of Give Aways,
 I have one coming up mid month to celebrate 4 years of knowing all of you.
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.



25 comments:

  1. I have the book and love to look at it and dream of spending a summer in France. My husband would paint, I would make books and garden. Maybe someday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations on winning that pretty book, Debra! Your hydrangeas are beautiful. I love the sweet touches of pink.
    Have a happy summer Sunday!
    Hugs,
    Julia

    ReplyDelete
  3. I LOVE Kathryn Ireland - and didn't know about this book - what a magnificent home she has in France - that fireplace in the living room is spectactular and that Al Fresco space? Well that's what dreams are made of :)
    What a fantastic giveaway to win - I'll be on the lookout for it next time I'm book shopping
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well done on your win, have now added this book to my ever increasing wish list on Amazon, roll on Christmas. Thank you for posting about such a wonderful book

    ReplyDelete
  5. So happy you are enjoying your book Debra... and I love seeing Summer in your own home too... always so beautiful!... wow... it has really been four years since we met on our blogs... I think we were one of each others very first followers... Happy blog anniversary to you!... xoxo Julie Marie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh my goodness, could you imagine living there! Those rooms, that garden! A dream. What a beautiful book!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I could spend all day in that sunflower field! And of course, someone would hvae to cut an armload for me to take home, too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a beautiful book, Debra! I am reading Peter Mayle's books. He really gives a wonderful idea of living in Province.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations....it looks like a definite read.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh I have this book too and it is just wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  11. That does look like a nice book! I love the cover too. Congrats on winning it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. That's a lovely book Debra! I also LOVE your beautiful hydrangeas. Summer gives us so much beauty :)
    hugs from here...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh my goodness! I had seen some of these fabulous photos, but had no idea of the source. So glad you shared! Congrats on your win! xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Debra,
    Congratulations, dear friend!!!
    I enjoyed flipping through the pages of your new book!
    The photo of the horse and rider in the Sunflower field was breathtaking!!!
    Your sun porch appears to be a "perfect" Summer (all~season) get~away!!!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  15. WOW, congrats- what an awesome book.

    I love France - what a wonderful treasure that book is to have received, yay.

    Your end of season hydrangeas are gorgeous, Debra!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Debra, this book looks dreamy! Another one I'll have to add to my collection :)
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a great gift to win! You'll be enjoying it for a long time.
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  18. This looks like a book I would love. Thanks for visiting my blog and letting me link to your party.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yes, Kathryn Ireland has amazing talents...I have followed her design work in the past and I love how she is now on a TV series...it just made my day...and the book must be so wonderful!!...thanks for sharing it!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love her style too and the pics are all so beautiful. Your flowers are amazing and look so lovely in the white pitcher. Thanks for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a pretty book! I love the al fresco dining photo.

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a lovely place to visit during summer for a vacation. Beautiful book.
    Thank you for sharing.

    Ellya

    ReplyDelete
  23. lovely book, a dreamy life for sure!
    Jenna

    ReplyDelete
  24. Debra,
    Summers in France! No better daydream than that, but your lovely home is worth dreaming about, also. Your speckled hydrangeas are beautiful.

    The French living room is giving me inspiration to put a white slipcover on my sofa. Thank you for sharing these photos. Now, I will be looking for that book at Barnes & Noble so I can get lost in another daydream about a summer in France.

    Judith

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love watching her on Million Dollar Decorators. The shot of her in all those sunflowers is beautiful!
    Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday!
    Blessings,
    Cindy's

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from you. Feel free to comment, big or small. Be sure and leave your name and blog if commenting under anonymous. Thanks friends