My Garden Retreat

My Garden Retreat
photo Gridley Graves for Country Living

Col. Mustard in the Library with the Candlestick

I sit here on the floor of our soon to be Library ~still trying to solve the great mystery of my home design dilemma.
All that comes to mind at this point is my favorite board game growing up!
Clue!



The difference is I am clueless!
I have my notes and my clippings...years worth...but still can't solve the great mystery.
So, I decided to treat myself as a client.
One of the first things I did was hit the closet!
Yep!
I went and looked at my clothes...not just what is hanging on the rods or folded on shelves or in drawers...
But at what I really wear.
Then, I did my research on me.
Favorite music...
Food...
Hobbies...
And then the really big clue....(for me at least)
What movies or books do I love...literally devour!
The ones that I read or watch over and over....why? Is it the story...or the interiors?
Because of  my career and passion for home design...it's both but a lot hinges on the house sets

As far as movies...there are 3 that I watch monthly while I sew or work in the studio! (No kidding!)




It's Complicated movie poster


There are more...but these 3 really speak to me!
The sets in these movies are my WOW!
I love each of the homes and for so many reasons!
How can I choose just one?

So, I have decided to take all of my favorite elements from the 3 and combine them to suit our home!
And just as if I were a client...I will return on Thursday with my design boards.
Because I would love for you to help me make some final decisions!

I have even decided to have a virtual sleepover!
I will tell you about the snack foods I will bring to the party...what kind of music...the wine...and of course, We will watch my 3 favorite movies and compare house notes!
What is it about these sets that speak to us?
I will even tell you about my new pajamas that I plan on wearing! So cute!
So...put on your thinking caps and plan on being here for the sleepover!

It's going to be a blast!

17 comments

  1. Would you BELIEVE I have never seen ANY of those movies? Seriously!! WHAT have I been missing? Now I will be forced to watch them to see if I love them as much as you do! One of my go-to movies is The Great Gatsby..love the housing there...and Out of Africa- love the "feeling" there. Wait-I think I am onto something. It might be that I just like looking at Robert Redford-!;>) It will be fun to see what you come up with- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, I love watching those three movies over and over too. And yes, I think they are a good starting point to designing your own home. I'd have a hard time picking which house I liked the most...the cottage or the beach house or the rambler in California. They were all dreamy. I'm so anxious for what her next movie will be. I have not seen anything listed on IMDB.com yet.

    I think a virtual sleepover is a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Donna!
    Mr T and I watched "It's Complicated" on Saturday night after our DIY flooring marathon. I actually emailed you about the French Fig candle while we were dining and viewing. We also LOVE The Holiday (we watch it year 'round) and our newest little romantic comedy crush is "Letters to Juliette!" We are in LOVE with Verona. It's a dream to go for Valentine's Day!

    The best treat is to watch our fave movies with buttered artichokes, "French Bread" and a Cabernet.

    I'm at work right now. It's lunchtime!
    I think a virtual sleep over is BRILLIANT!
    Your post just made my day!
    ~Lynne
    [w/L]

    ReplyDelete
  5. SO much fun Donna!
    All three of those sets were gaga gorgeous.

    I think Somethings Gotta Give and Its Complicated had the same set designer??

    Anyways, I would like to RSVP...I will be there in my cozy slippers and my hair in braids :) Put me down for bringing something chocolate!
    Only wish we could have a real sleepover....what a blast that would be!

    XOX

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love all three of those movies too!! Great picks!!
    I am in a funk...don't want to Pinterest, blog, facebook...nada nothing. I need something to pick me up and fast. LOL
    I have never made a design board in my life. Maybe that is why my house looks like hodge podge. hee hee
    Hugs~

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am coming too Donna! I LOVE the house in Somethings Gotta Give. I admitted to Nita I had yet to see ITs complicated and she yelled at me to get it right away and watch it with Dave!! She said it was so me, and I would love it...so now I will watch with you~what night is our sleepover? Did I miss that part? I am serious.
    PS Designing for oneself is the hardest. everyone says that. and it is true!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This sounds like so much fun! Can't wait to see it all. I remember when my friend saw "Something's Gotta Give". All she could talk about was the house decor in that movie.

    ReplyDelete
  9. 3 such great movies! can't wait to see what you come up with, and I plan on coming!! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great idea! I can't wait... t.xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ok I'll come back......can we have popcorn??

    x

    ReplyDelete
  12. I will have mismatched pj's and I want to be in the garden of It's Complicated....

    and I'll probable bring a few of my favorites to make everyone watch also. lol
    no popcorn for me..need chocolate and wine. : -0
    xx
    z

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great movie choices! And the sleepover sounds like so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love The Holiday...Jude Law is my boyfriend ya know! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey!
    Sorry I missed this post... it didn't show up on my sidebar.
    Ok... I will have my well worn Abercrombie jammies with t shirt and a bottle of champagne - better yet 2 bottles, dark chocolate covered almonds and my favorite kitchen design movie.
    This should be a blast!
    Love ya
    R

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, it sounds like fun! What a cool idea. I'm getting new pjs, too. Maybe we can even do each others hair?
    I love that house in It"s Complicated" as well. See you all on Thursday!
    Hugs,
    Patti

    ReplyDelete
  17. The Holiday is one of my all-time favorite movies....and don't even get me started on the cottage...sigh!!

    I might need to go shopping for some new pj's, but will definelty be prepared with the chocolate and the wine:-)

    xoxo
    Kathleen

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave me a comment!
I love reading them~they truly make my day!
~Donna Reyné