TEA TERRITORY

I love teapots. Have a thing for teacups, too. Tea, not so much. Don't get me wrong, I like the stuff, just don't love it. To tell you the truth, I find it a tad bland. And so, in order to brave a brew, I add a touch of milk to tolerate its ilk. Sans sugar. Strange, I know.

I guess what I crave most about teatime is all the crockery that comes with the territory! Who can resist the infinite number of patterns, some playful, others posh. Selecting a particular style is another fashionable feat in itself. Would you give trendy a try, or remain a true traditional?

My favourite teapot, a gift from my sister

Personally, I tend to favour a country/cottage blend, steeping with heritage hues and sweet scenes of  the simple life. A spoonful of whimsy and a pretty woolen cozy and tea is served. Steaming hot, with a splash of lemon or a spot of milk, slightly sour or somewhat sweet, teatime with all its little trinkets is a treasure in itself.

Thanks for visiting!

Poppy

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My Sunbathed Bathroom

Welcome to my washroom. Or rather, bathroom.

 Excuse me - restroom. Or is it water closet? 

Supposedly, a washroom or restroom is found in public places,

 while a bathroom refers to the residential kind...Generally speaking.

Then again, it all depends on where you grew up, 

until you relocate to another country, and that's 

when things can get a little confusing. Or very amusing. Or not.

When we were designing our home, 

bathrooms were gaining ground,

 slowly stealing the spotlight from another starlet

 of watery scenes - the kitchen! 

It seemed that people wanted a more specialized room, where they could escape from the hustle and bustle of their day to relax and unwind in a space that provided a little luxury,

some peace and quiet and a whole lot of atmosphere.  For some, this translates into 'spa', while for others it simply means 'spartan'. 

It's a very personal feeling and attitude.

Actually, I'm somewhere in the middle. 

I wanted a space that was calming, 

thus, the earthy tones in tiles 

and granite and soft white furnishings.

But I also wanted to feel revitalized and that's where

 the pastels and bright wildflowers come in, 

playfully accessorizing the neutral foundation. 

Two different philosophies, one understanding.

Click on image to enlarge

My washroom is separated into two rooms: 

the 'powder room', which contains a double vanity,

 display cabinet, and washing machine, and the

 'bathroom', where the bathtub and toilet can be found. 

Each space has its own window and this allows sunlight to pour in practically all day, creating a soothing little sanctuary

 for the stressed and the weary, a place where rest 

has the power to rejuvenate and refresh! 

In the end, isn't that what this room is all about? 

And so, perhaps it is most fitting to say that a washroom

 boasts a bathroom, in which there is room to rest.

 There! No more wishy-washy wording and everybody wins!

Thanks for visiting!

xo
Poppy

My Autumn Room

This is my autumn room. Some people have sun rooms. I have an autumn room. The funny thing is, although this room features typical fall colours, like orange and mustard and rust, the patterns on the sofa and accent  cushions speak of spring. Tulips, for goodness sake! What else screams spring more than tulips?!

And as if that weren't enough to cause serious climatic confusion, beautiful flowers are in bloom, everywhere - on plates, in prints, and in sewing projects. The walls are dressed in the season's signature look: floral, floral and more floral!

And yet, the mood is fall. Perhaps it's the dark walnut furniture, the shade of green on the wall, the French doors (the only ones in the house) that, when closed, create a quiet haven, a cozy cabin-like refuge from the large, open plan living areas. My autumn room is where we retreat when the rest of the house is cold.  Like today, the first real warning that winter was on its way.  Snuggled in our woolly blankets and clutching our cups of tea, the fiery red elements from a little space heater lit up the room in a burst of amber. And there, in the golden radiance of that glowing light, we were surrounded by autumn.

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and have a lovely weekend!

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Pomegranate Ponderings

Sitting in the living room yesterday morning, taking a cozy coffee break from some unplanned and pressing chores, I noticed how pretty the pomegranates from our garden looked, hanging from my little iron rooster hooks, among the potpourri of oregano, sage and garlic. 

Personally, I wouldn't have thought of placing them in the middle of these aromatic bouquets, but my husband, who is more of a practical person, just did it, like it was the most natural thing! I tend to be influenced more by aesthetics, and sometimes, I overthink things too much. For example, I envisioned them in a simple, but earthy, white bowl, with some miniature Seckel pears, nestled in between to fill in the gaps, and then onto the kitchen table, to complement the olive green Welsh dresser, directly behind it, in the breakfast nook.

www.examiner.com

 Colour, texture, layering, contrast; all these factors come into play. And then, I realized that that's exactly what I was observing! And he did it automatically! No adding, removing, fussing, adding again, turning, angling, studying...tossing! He simply went out into the garden, cut them off their tree, tied them together with some red plastic string, and hung them directly onto what was closest to him. That's it! A work of art, don't you think?

What about you? 

Do you over-analyse your decorating?

 Are you guilty of too much weighing and not enough whimsy?

 Think about it...but don't overdo it!

Thanks for visiting.

xo

Poppy

All images: Poppy View, 
except 3rd from top

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TELLING STORIES

Crete Family Villas

I was told a little story the other day about my friend, Jocelyne. It’s a story that is indicative of her generous nature, of how her teacher traits played a revealing role, a story which, she herself, has never told. 

Crete Family Villas

In an effort to motivate the children to take responsibility and keep their village clean, Jocelyne offered each of them an ice cream, if they assisted her in picking up all the litter that they could find.  

In the village, drying grapes to make raisins

Before another remnant of rubbish could be thrown, and within no time at all, a huddle of house- proud youngsters could be seen, happily walking the winding, waste-free roads of the village, indulging in their icy treats. Just like that: stimulus – response!

Crete Family Villas

My second story is about the villas, and how they came to be.  Jocelyne gives us some fun facts about the vacation property, as well as a peek into her own personal preferences.

Crete Family Villas

 I wish I could tell you that this interview took place in the gorgeous room above, but that would be a ‘tall’ tale, of sorts. What I can tell you is that we had the pleasure of having a wonderful coffee morning here, in one of the villa’s most stunning spaces, with breathtaking views of the sea in the near distance, and the pools and gardens at your feet, truly making it a luxury to be enjoyed, all year round.

Crete Family Villas

Crete Family Villas: An Interview

Jocelyne, you were born in Turkey, which is very similar to Greece in many ways. What inspired you to build on Crete, and especially, in our village?

We lived on the island in the 80's and loved it so much, and after many visits, we decided to build in this perfect village.

The villas are simply gorgeous! How would you describe them?

The villas are built in the traditional way using local materials. They are spacious with views over the vineyards, mountains and the sea.

Each villa has an interesting name.  Could you please explain to our readers what they mean?

Eleftheria means freedom, independence

Kalithea/ good view

Irini/ peace

All three are stunning.  Which one is your favourite and why?

Villa Irini is my favourite, as it has a better sea view from the second floor rooms.

How did you choose your colours, both for the interior and exterior?

We wanted to blend the villas with the village and the surrounding nature so they look more as one with it.

Did you have any assistance with the design and landscaping?

We used several of my brother’s ideas, having been in the travel industry for 30 years and travelled the world.

Crete Family Villas

The property is so beautifully landscaped. I love all the hot reds and soft whites in the flowers and the many fruit trees.  Could you tell us a little bit about the gardens and why you chose certain plants, trees and flowers?

The landscape is still in progress. We mainly picked trees and plants which already exist in the area, as we wanted to blend all the villas and garden with the rest of the village.

Building a house of one’s own is a huge undertaking. You had to deal with three! What was your most difficult challenge with the villas?

Overseeing construction.

What do you miss when you are away from Crete?

I miss the weather, the views, the food, the peacefulness. But most of all, I miss the friendliness of our village, Pendamodi.

 And when you are away from the States?

Well, I wished that all my family was able to share this beautiful place for the long period that I spend there, but unfortunately long vacations are not possible..for them.

Crete Family Villas 

Choose one of the following:

City mouse or country mouse?

More of a country mouse but like to be near a city..

Colour or neutral palette?

I am more of a neutral person but like colour to accent.

Wood or painted finish?

Both! But I like wood better.

Stone or stucco?

Definitely stone.

Bungalow or two storey?

A two storey gives a better view.

Sea or mountain?

A bit of both to complement the picture.

Thank you Jocelyne.

Thank you.

Jocelyne

Hope you enjoyed this introduction to Crete Family Villas. For more information, check out their website at: cretefamilyvillas.co.uk

Thanks for visiting.

Poppy

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A NEW FRIEND AND NEIGHBOUR

Crete Family Villas

This summer I had the pleasure of meeting Jocelyne Sireilles Kerrigan. Jocelyne lives in Washington, D.C. She is the proud co-owner/operator of Crete Family Villas, three beautiful luxury villas located in our picturesque little village. 

On a breezy summer’s eve, our neighbour, a stately judge, was having coffee with my husband and myself on our patio, when, in between small sips, he suggested that I meet the American woman who owned the Crete Family Villas in the village. He felt that, besides the North American connection, we had a lot in common. For instance, he noticed that she was very friendly and energetic, adding that she had taken a special interest in organizing cultural events for the village folk. Wow! That’s exactly what our little hamlet needed. Yes, we live in a most charming of authentic Cretan villages, but we lack creative and cultural outlets. Needless to say, I was intrigued.

"What does she look like?" I inquired, wondering if I had seen her around the village.

"Well, she’s a petite woman with dark hair," the judge answered.

 Half the women in Greece fit this description! In any event, a few days later, my husband and I were taking a drive to the grocery store. We had just turned the corner, when I spotted a slim figure in the distance. For some reason, I was certain it was Jocelyne! Perhaps it was her confident walk and bluntly cut black hair. Her skin was bronzed from days spent gardening and swimming, and simply being out and about. I called out to her as if we were long lost friends. Slightly startled, she slowly approached the car, while we slowed down. As I proceeded to explain who I was, the confused look on her gentle face began to fade into an enthusiastic warmth and acceptance.  We agreed that a visit was needed to exchange stories, but no definite date was set.

Jocelyne

About a month or so later, my mom and sister were visiting from Toronto. We were inside the house, unpacking from an excursion, when I heard a woman’s voice greeting us good evening at the front gate.  Immediately, I recognized it as Jocelyne’s – friendly and American, with a touch of French flair. While my husband began showing her around the property, the women in the clan scrambled to make the house look presentable, in case Jocelyne wanted a tour! Finally, we all took our seats under a starlit sky, where we chatted and chuckled for hours, and became fast friends.

Crete Family Villas

Stay tuned for Part 2: 

Crete Family Villas and an Interview with Jocelyne!

Thanks for visiting.

Poppy

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The Nature of Instinct

Sometimes I can’t believe that I actually live in a
 little Mediterranean village in the countryside.

Our neighbours to the East

  I was born in a big North American city, grew up there,
 and that’s what I knew, and loved! But, I always had a 
strong feeling that I’d live in a house in the country one day.

Not simply buy a house, but build one! Quite ambitious of me, 

since I was about eight years old at the time, don’t you think?

The first time I was aware of this notion was back in second grade.  

It was library time and we had about fifteen minutes to

choose a book or two for the week.

While most of the other girls huddled around the Nancy Drew series, 
I gravitated towards the bigger, heavier books and anything that
featured a house on its cover, very similar to your typical
coffee table book of today, wouldn't you say?

Even then, I was drawn to all things ‘home’, whether that meant 

baking mini, single layer cakes in my Easy Bake Oven, 

or rearranging my bedroom according to the season. 

For me, it was all about being cozy, nestling in little nooks

 with my girlfriends, braiding macramé bracelets 

and indulging in homemade delights.

                               

So, forty years later, here I am, in a house we built in the Cretan countryside, among vineyards and orange groves, surrounded by mountains, and overlooking valleys, where the view from my bedroom balcony takes my breath away, moves me to stillness, each and every day, in its seasonal attire, regardless of my mood, and inconsiderate of my time. It is always there, a quiet, constant presence, like the instinct that never left, in all its natural wonder.

Thanks for visiting
and have a lovely week!

xo

Poppy

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