almost summer





Nothing says summer better than yellow flowers.  One of my favorite clients brought me these freesia the other day.




I'm still not hating (world record?) the old iron sconces next to the mirror and that toile lumbar pillow Marianne made me.




Who knew junk could look summery.




This photo feels like a right proper gentleman may live here.  He doesn't, but can I mix you drink before a game of tennis?  Maybe it should be the other way around.  Whatever, it's almost summer and everyone knows there are no rules during summer. At least that's what my kids used to say...



83 comments

  1. Hello Janet,

    Summer, Spring, Autumn or Winter we do believe that your house looks wonderful. An enticing mix of the classic and the modern, attractive things to catch the eye and add interest and everything looking wonderfully comfortable and welcoming. What could be nicer in any season?

    When or if you ever do tire of the wall sconces, we should love to give them a home! And, we do not play tennis but love the idea of a drink being mixed as soon as one comes through the door. Cheers!

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    1. thank you jane and lance. nothing would make me happier than to mix you a drink upon arrival!

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  2. I never tire of seeing photos of your lovely home. I swear it calms me and slows my heartbeat. Oh, and I definitely like the sconces more than I did the plates that were there previously. Very pretty.

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    1. thanks melodee. i think so too. visually it is less clutter to me.

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  3. LOVE IT!! As usual it always so pretty:)

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  4. Keeping a right proper gentleman's stuff is a lot less headaches than keeping a right proper gentleman himself!

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    1. Yes! isn't that the truth. lol
      when you gonna put a post up dude?

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    2. Haha I don't know. Maybe in a year or so. I've realized I don't like impersonal blogs, yet I'm not really willing to put anything that personal on mine. Not the first hypocritical moment in my life :) plus I'm dieting toward trophy wife weight (wedding day, not 15 years later with Vicodin hidden in Advil bottles), so I'm not really cooking anything that exciting anyway.

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  5. love this! Always lots of inspiration Janet! No yellow flowers here yet - only white - but the snowball bush is blooming!!!

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    1. thank you wendy. i almost said something about that. i always buy white flowers but getting these as a gift really is changing my mind.

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  6. that room always looks so fresh and crisp. Freezing here! Love the sconces x

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    1. one day (on our california tour) you will sit in it and be warm. x

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  7. I know just what you mean...no one should live with something that is visually annoying.

    Unless of course you have cats and they have ripped your furniture all to shreds. then you just learn to let your gaze move away.

    Love the sconces.

    Thanks for having us. I'll have a lemonade?

    xo J

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    1. your cats are absolute darlings! what are you talking about?!!

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  8. Hi, I found your blog somehow and think your cottage is just adorable! Love your simple fresh decor style. I have been to Redlands just once but thought is was a very cute town; I live in San Diego. Happy Summer!

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    1. oh lucky you san diego. glad you liked our little town.!

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  9. Its like Gatsby himself lives there! love the elegant gentleman's accessories and your decor!
    Ooooh, Jack White's playing Glastonbury next week, this time I promise not to get too drunk and fall asleep during his set! x

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    1. Vix - oh now you are just poking Janet with a stick!

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    2. Did you catch him on late nite, Fallon? It was riveting. He was promoting his new vinyl, which has all kinds of really interesting tweaks to it.

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    3. i'm pretty jealous vix. please try and not pass out this time...!!!!

      what do you think of his new lp? i'm not that in love with it at the moment.

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    4. yes vicki, of course! i know what jw is doing before he does. lol. just kidding. what do you think of that lp? crazy right? i'm not a collector so those things don't appeal to me but i know people who are flipping out over it.

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    5. tabitha i hear kid tore up the cosmopolitan in vegas! i thought of you when i read that. :)

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    6. Janet: LP crazy? JW crazy? Crazy-crazy, crazy-wonderful? Who knows? Sometimes it's all over the map with me and him. I don't think he can be figured out, which is of course a huge part of the fascination. I guess. And I imagine he's just fine with that.

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    7. Thought this was pretty good...
      http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jun/02/jack-white-posts-apology-black-keys-meg-white-stripes

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    8. Apologies, wrong link:
      http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jun/01/jack-white-interview-larry-david-alan-partridge-chris-rock-lazaretto

      Jack White: 'I'm like Larry David, Alan Partridge and Chris Rock in one person'

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  10. Such a beautiful home Janet, come cast your eye over mine sometime.

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  11. I LOVE your house. When are you gonna invite me over?

    S
    xo

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  12. I've looked at the rooms of your house many times now over a couple/few years and always feel quiet and calm inside at that very instant. You probably didn't realize when arranging and decorating your rooms, that it could have that kind of profound effect on someone else besides yourself and Larry. By now, because I love the restful feeling I get when you share these photos, I know it's what I need for my own spaces...so, yeah, I mean I've known it, but I love the reminders; thanks, and I'm plugging away at it til I get it right; we're making slow but sure strides which feel so good (those positives of achievement and accomplishment; the double As!). I appreciate the inspiration and I really don't think you can show it enough times; your home is light, airy; lovely, comfy (and, at the moment, lemony...like a favorite yellow summer dress!). .

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    1. I feel the same way, Vicki. When I see pictures of Janet's cottage, it inspires me to simplify even more. I never get tired of seeing her home and love the little changes she makes. I am finding that less really is more, and to only own things that I love and use, I am so much happier that way. And yes, it takes time, a little at the time to get it just right. So glad to see your comments :) Deni

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    2. I so agree with Vicki and Deni. Every time I see your some I get a sense of peacefulness, calmness, and serenity.

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    3. thank you vicki, deni and jeanne. you are all very sweet. x

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  13. The blue and white accents give a light and summery feel to your cottage. Are the black toile curtains in your bedroom?

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    1. Yes! The blue accents give your house a real freshness.

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    2. priscilla, i sold the black toile drapes a few years back. thank you for your kind words.

      you too jeanne.:)

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  14. Add me to the long list of folks who can feel the calm seeping into my bones whenever I see photos of your home! Just adore your style .... BTW .... if you're asking about summer libations .... I'll take a very chilled Pimms Cup please! Now .... when does the croquet match start? :) Just teasing! :)

    Cheers! Jan at Rosemary Cottage

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    1. hi jan, thank you and i'd love to play some croquet and drink a pimms with you.

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  15. I just recently went through your entire blog - because I couldn't get enough of your little cottage. I stumbled upon it while I was researching minimal wardrobes as I have started trying to whittle down mine and your blog has inspired me to start paring down our home as well. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. oh sami, the whole thing? wow, you are brave. i owe you! xo

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  16. "junk" - Janet, you are too funny. feel free to box it all up and send it my way, if you tire of it, of course. :)

    I'm up for no rules...that's how my life is rolling now anyways! You know how much I love your home, I want to copy it all in my new home. well the kitchen floor for sure. happy summer days, my friend. xo

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    1. thanks sarah. i can't wait to see what you do with your new/old place. x

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  17. Janet,
    You have such great style. I love your house and the way you decorate.
    Happy almost summer.
    Karen

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  18. The yellow freesia is just the perfect accent...such serenity! Lovely junk, indeed! Smiles...Susan

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    1. thank you susan. it's all junk but i'm happy with it. x

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  19. Janet, your home is so refreshing. May I please inquire as to the living room wall paint color and brand? I find whites to be so tricky, they are either blue, or gray. You have such a good eye and talent for photography, that your walls appear to be white, like paper white, on my computer screen anyway. I thank you in advance. Enjoy what remains of spring!

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    1. thank you mona. the walls and trim are all painted in BM simply white aura.

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  20. Your home is very pretty, Its very peaceful and uncluttered. It takes work to get there. We r trying to pair down our things even with an 11 yr old , but so hard. Thanks for sharing your home with us, as it is inspiring, you are too. :-)

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    1. thank you cherre. i know what you mean as a mom of 3 boys.

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  21. Refreshing, peaceful & welcoming - it feels like summer. Love yellow flowers - always so happy when here in Holland the Daffodils start coming out already very early in the year

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    1. thank you mireille. yellow and summer just go together right?

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  22. It seems to be you are a calm serene person and your exterior (both home and appearance) reflects that. Or is it the other way around? Are you very calm and serene?
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful home, it really is a treat to behold. :)

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    1. thank you gk. hmmm, not sure which came first...but i'm always trying to move towards serene!

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  23. wow! What a beautiful and calm space. Love the fresias, they are my favourite flowers :)

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  24. That bit of yellow does make the room pop and your home looks beautiful. Especially in the summer. I have one question though. Didn't you used to have Pottery Barn curtains with a brown print hanging in the living room? Just curious. Either way, the room is beautiful.

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    1. thank you michelle. i still have the brown toile drapes. can't seem to part with them just yet. x

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    2. That is funny, because I was thinking of purchasing those very same drapes at the same time you posted them here on your blog. And now you are back to the solid white. I am the same way, always changing things up a bit. But sometimes it is difficult to get rid of old favorites. If you ever decide to put them on ebay, I want to be the first to know! :)

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    3. michelle if you are serious about wanting them, you should send me your info b/c if i don't hang them this fall/winter i will probably sell them. janetkorff@gmail.com

      x

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  25. Janet,

    I never tire of looking at your cottage...ditto what everyone else said. Beautiful, calm, serene...

    I thought of you the other day watching "This Old House" on PBS, they just did a major remodel on a home in the Boston area. Picked red for the exterior color. :)

    Linda
    xo

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  26. Your home is just so lovely! Love the pretty pop of color from the freesias ~ so pretty!

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  27. Hi Janet - I'm sure you've sourced this before but can't find where you did. Where did you get your rug? What kind is it? Is it soft under feet?

    Thanks!!! Jennifer

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    1. hi jennifer. i got it on amazon.com and it is not soft to walk on. it's seagrass which is sort of tough on the feet.

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    2. Thank you Janet! I did just see that you have your search button so I searched for rug and saw your post on this. New question. You said that you'd rather have NO rug but only have one because of coffee table scratching floor. Do you still feel that way? Or do you think it helps finish the place? I just recently took away my oriental dark busy rug from my living room to lighten it up and now I have my hardwood exposed. Feels so much better but now confused on if I need lighter rug? Just love your style so I thought I'd ask... Thanks!!! Jen

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    3. i honestly prefer the no rug look. i don't hate the seagrass rug tho b/c it does have a very natural/textural look that isn't busy. i thought i'd like to layer a small persian rug over it and alex came across one that i loved so we tried it but it was just too busy for me. have i just confused you further? lol i don't mean to. :) so if the ottoman didn't scratch the floor i would not have a rug! x

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    4. Aloha Janet! - I know your packing.. ha ha but wanted to say.. have you ever tried the no scratch things you put on your legs of your furniture that you get at Home Depot or Lowes or Fred Meyer? I'm sure you have but thought I'd tell you about them in case you didn't know about them. So you could try on the legs of your ottoman so it wouldn't scratch your floor. They come in all sizes and shapes. They are also non-descript so you can't see them. That way you could have your no rug look, like me. :)

      Ahuiho! Jennifer

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    5. believe me jennifer i've tried everything! the thing is the ottoman is on casters which i love. i've tried putting felted tape around the wheels, i even made little felted feet cups from beer tops to cradle the feet but nope, nothing works. it's gotta be a rug. lol

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  29. Your home is lovely, as always. New lamps?
    Betty

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    1. not exactly. i've had the one near the window for about 25 yrs and got the other one at the goodwill. they don't match but are similar in style. the lamp i had there before was just too small to provide correct reading light. so alex is babysitting that right now. :)

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    2. They look beautiful. I was thinking there was a brass one by the window? I love the ginger jars too.
      Every time you post pictures of your house I go on a decluttering rampage!
      Betty

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  30. Janet,
    I keep forgetting to tell you how much I love the wicker table in your dining room. Where did you ever find it?
    Mary

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    1. hi mary. i love that thing too. i got it at a beautiful antique store that was going out of business. i miss her and her store so much, she was a sweetheart. the day i got it was one of the best shopping days ever! her stuff was amazing.

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  31. Love the toile! Looks so fresh for summer. Your home will always be a favorite of mine...

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  32. Yes to yellow freesia and no rules!

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  33. Such a pretty nod to summer! Love the arrangement of decanters and the umbrella stand, very proper!
    E+J

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kindness is never out of style.

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