l o v e l y t h i n g s



1.17.2012

black, white & a giveaway

 Over the holidays I saw this photo and much like Amy...I can't stop thinking about it.  If you haven't spent a lot of time in Connecticut...trust me when I tell you this IS Connecticut.  The architecture, the stone wall, the driveway lined with Belgian block...there's no mistaken that this photo was taken somewhere in CT.  So last summer we bought another little house in an adorable little town with a village and a train station that delivers you to Grand Central in an hour.  It's perfect...or so my imagination tells me.  Here's the thing...my daughter and I went to look for a house as soon as school was out for the summer, could not find one we liked that met our requirements.  And the requirements were not that stringent.  First,  The house needed at least three bedrooms, located in the village, walkable to the train, at least 2 full bathrooms,  and a garage (or variance to be able to build a one).  A few weeks later my husband and son were in NY on the way to Cooperstown and our realtor called to say that the perfect house came on the market and that we could see it that afternoon.  Of course I called my husband and said you have to change your plans and go look at a house.  Many photos were emailed, lots of phone calls and then that was it.  We bought a house and my daughter and I have yet to see it.  As a family we do not normally divide travel time, but there comes a point with kids at different ages, that sometimes you have to.  So now I can't stop thinking about this house.  I'm making lots of plans...with the help of Pinterest.
 
The first thing I want to do is paint it all white and maybe some rooms black.  On my Pinterest I have a board titled "B  L A C K  R O O M S."  Once I dedicated an entire board to black or dark rooms I was amazed at how many I came across.  I fell in Love with photos of Jenna Lyons' Brooklyn townhouse that I saw here and here, so I have been pretty much dreaming in black and white ever since.   This leads me to the GIVE AWAY part.  I'm doing a give away of a few of my favorite things that are ...yes...black and white.
For a chance to win my little "Black & White Give Away" all you have to do is be a follower of Lovely Things,  leave a comment and check back to see if you've won.  I will choose a winner on Monday!
My favorite things include two strands of beads (if you choose to wear them, they will need to be re-strung.  I leave mine and drape them over the corner of mirrors or around a lamp base).  A box of Dixon Ticonderoga black #2 pencils,  a package of black and white stripy straws from Sweet Lulu and my favorite, a black and white plaid scarf made by W byWorth.  It's 100% wool and gorgeous...I wear mine all the time.  Good luck and remember to check back next week!


43 comments:

  1. I adore your blog & your taste! I am a black, white & gray person too! Pick me! :)

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  2. I came across your blog recently and love every amazing detail you've done in your home! I recently visited RJ imports for the first time with my sister and we both lost sleep over all the jaw dropping pieces, thank you for the tip, can't believe I had never been, we live locally! Thanks again, your blog is just lovely. heidi

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  3. No way...this is amazing...pure joy...please add my name. We have a sweet little cupcake shop that is all black and white...so adorable. My last kitchen had white and black checker board floor and was all white and black...I miss it! xoxoxoxo

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  4. OH! Lovely things, INDEED! I love black and white and have a black and white checkered floor in my kitchen and dining room, giving the house a castle feel! THANK YOU FOR COMING TO VISIT ME!!! Anita

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  5. Those black pencils made me drool by some reason! :-)

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  6. I love your blog...I get really sad when I check in and don't see a new post. :-) Your house is lovely...and I can't wait to see your new Connecticut digs!

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  7. Your new Connecticut home is so charming, and when you're done painting it Black & White, and adding your wonderful style, it will be WOW!

    Black and White always looks so clean, fresh, orderly and in control. My favorite antique table in our living room is filled with Black & White family photos! And, a few years ago we attended a Black & White Ball in Chicago... breathtaking! I love to wear Black & White in the summer... cool and smart. Could I borrow your lovely W scarf?

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  8. Annie, I love your black and white post. Have fun with Lynn!

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  9. Oh it's so pretty! I can't believe you still haven't seen it!! Good luck!

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  10. I can't wait to see what you do to your Connecticut house! It will be so much fun to watch the progress on your blog!

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  11. I love black and white together! My kids complain because I only wear black tops but since I have silver hair, it's the only color that really looks good with my hair. I would love to win your picks!

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  12. Hey Annie!
    I was in the area last wee, drove down your street and found your house!
    Can't wait till you're here...Eileen

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  13. i follow your blog...and i love black and white...a little black in every room.

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  14. Love the scarf, but being a teacher, I can never pass up on a newly sharpened Ticonderoga! (My friend and I always get each other pencils from places we visit!)

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  15. I love black and white and find it to be very evocative in photos. The house is lovely and you will make it a home in no time at all. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  16. Hi Annie,
    I just bought a wonderful warm cozy black and white watch plaid cape and I LOVE it…
    GOod luck with the new home!
    Amy

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  17. Great giveaway and your house is completely charming!

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  18. I"m following your blog--its such a great read and happy to enter. Also adding you to my blogroll! all the best, Barbara

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  19. i just love your black and white style....SO CLASSIC. The east coast's gain is sadly our loss. Great things to come though, Annie.

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  20. Annie - welcome back East! Looking forward to see what you do with the new house although I'm still coveting your West Coast home. Loved the black pencils (I'm a big fan of a collection of identical pencils) and the Worth scarf, of course!

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  21. HI Annie--I hope you are coming here to our little town in Connecticut! I did the same thing with the first home we purchased in CT. Bought it sight unseen. Actually, Scot did all the seeing and I saw it by fax. Your "new house" photo does look familiar to me....xoxo

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  22. Annie- so excited to see what you do with your new home. It looks beautiful. Congratulations!

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  23. I take my eye off you for a moment, and you buy a house!!!

    I adore your black and white favourite things, hope a UK reader can be entered in the giveaway :D

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  24. Hello! I just found your blog and have subscribed...love your house. Thanks for letting me enter...the scarf would be great with my salt-and-pepper hair. :-)

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  25. Nothing beats black & white in my opinion. Clean, classic, & timeless. How sweet of you to offer a giveaway.

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  26. Your new house looks beautiful. I'm really looking forward to see how you decorate it. I'm throwing my name in the hat for your giveaway!
    all the best,
    Louise

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  27. I am now a follower and adore your black and white giveaway....so cute!

    Your home is adorable...I am moving in about three weeks and can't wait either....Have all kinds of decorating ideas.....

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  28. What a lovely giveaway! I absolutely adore black and white, so this is right up my alley! You must be getting so excited to move back to CT and how nice of you to link back to my post on Jenna Lyons. Can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve for the new home! You know I'm a faithful follower. xo

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  29. HI, Just recently found your blog, am now a follower. I love your style! Thanks for the chance to win such pretty things.

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  31. Hi Annie. It's strange but this post of yours never came across my feed so I didn't see it till I just linked over from your latest post. Anyway, I have been a follower of yours for some time as you know, so I can't redo that part :)

    I can't wait to see how your transform this house as I love what you have done with your current house and I just adore your style!!! This house is so East Coast and I am so envious of the big porch. I miss having a front porch! We had one growing up and I would always sit out there on a warm summer evening and read and chat it up with passing neighbors. Whenever I visit my mom the first thing I do is run to her porch to relax. She pours me a glass of wine and we just sit there and chat and it's just perfect.

    I am going to check you out on pinterest as I just joined a few weeks back and I am addicted!

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  32. Um as a follower I'd like to know how I missed this post.....oh who cares I'm here now and I'm in! Right?

    I love your new house and of course I love Connecticut.

    But you're going to miss that California weather I'm betting.

    xo jane

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  33. I love your favorites. The pencils are my favorites, too. The scarf is beautiful. I would love to win! It will be such fun to follow along as you make your new home, your own.

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  34. Annie,
    Please toss my name in the hat. Your give a way is so chic and fun!
    ~Lynne
    [w/L]

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  35. well how on earth did i miss this post? you know i love black and white. so enter me annie! my husbands office is painted black and it's my favorite room in the house. i love sitting in there. i for one cannot wait until you get your hands on this new/old house and see the magic you create there. xo janet

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  36. I love your style and have saved some of your current home pictures for our next dream home - and black and white, so classic, my very fav! I just read your post about Postinos and La Grande in Phoenix, they are the best and Arcadia is where we are looking to relocate to!

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  37. I adore black and white and you have inspired me to do a black and white giveaway.
    If you do buy that lovely home, I would love to illustrate it for you!
    pve

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  38. Oh how I love your blog! Thank you for sharing it with us! Pick me! Pick me!

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  39. I am a follewer . Love your blog. B&W is a classic , chic combo:)

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  40. What an exciting time for you and your family! Looking forward to seeing what you do with the new house. Am I too late for a chance at your wonderful giveaway?

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  41. Too late? Hope your day is as slow to start as mine!
    Love black and white - collections of art glass and ceramic - pillows. Hoping to have a b/w dog one day...
    Cheers!

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  42. Your new home is adorable! I can't wait to see what you do with it! You did a beautiful job in your current home. Congratulations - sounds exciting!

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