Well my computer needs a new motherboard (forget it – it’s $300 for a new one) but they were able to encase my harddrive so I can use it as an external harddrive (this is new to me?). So the good news is that my pictures are saved and more importantly my Quicken is saved! I dreaded having to start fresh with that because I have years of data (history of spending in different categories etc) that I use all the time. I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet. I’ll use my daughter’s desktop while she’s in school and see how that works out for the time being.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.
This post is an edited repeat.
When you walk through my home you’re sure to see a few recurring themes or motifs! Not so many that you can actually say something like “Wow, she really, really, really likes harlequins!” type of thing, but enough so that there’s a unifying feeling that flows from room to room.
Today I’ll just show the check & harlequin patterns. The first thing you see is that red harlequin door mat outside on my front porch (top photo). Then when you enter you see this black check doormat. The risers say “There’s No Place Like Home“, for those of you who haven’t seen the steps before.
Up the steps and the first thing you see is the black and white checkerboard floor of my kitchen. I really love it. We did black and white marble tiles (peel and stick) instead of the solid white and black you usually sees. It’s much better at hiding dirt!
My cute harlequin and rooster kitchen rug from Wal-Mart.
I love those candles! We light them every morning while we have our coffee (since it’s pitch black outside when we get up). It makes for such a nice calm way to start the day.
The kitchen isn’t really this fluorescent green! It’s a kiwi or pear green.
I’m sure most of you can guess at some other recurring themes I have ~ smile.
Those are real leaves on top of some scrapbook paper in a thrifted frame.
Small checks….
Or BIG checks!
I’m always looking for things that have a harlequin or check pattern and surprisingly they’re really not that easy to find.
Harlequin bathmat
As you can tell I like black! I pretty much stick to black, white, and red with some apple green as an accent and I think of my yellow walls as a neutral. I find that makes shopping for things so much easier plus I love those colors and have never gotten tired of them.
I try not to go overboard with any of the themes or motifs I have, but that’s just me and what I like. I know a lot of people are into roosters, or sea shells, nests, or flowers. What themes do you having running through your house and do you find that people buy you things with those themes? Do you like that? I personally don’t like it when people buy me things for the house unless they know me really really well. Just because I like & collect dog paintings doesn’t mean I’m going to like that one with all the dogs in clothes sitting around a poker table! Know what I mean!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
So very pretty! I hadn't thought of using a motif throughout the house! What a fabulous idea!
I love black TOO! i ADORE gingham, and CHECK! you make me want to RE- CHECK (no- pun) my decor touches and maybe add some check. I love your bright bursts of color you use too. WAY TO go, Love what you have done.
How painful that your computer died! Glad you didn't lose everything though.
Glad everything was saved from your computer! I LOVE your harlequin and checks. It is beautiful all throughout your home.
Manuela ~ you are truly a woman after my own heart! Thanks for sharing your harlequin and check prints. I love your kitchen floor and I'd love to do something similar someday. I'm astounded at all the harlequin stuff you did find, because I almost never see it ~ it's always a surprise find when I do.
I collect bunnies, but like you, I don't like when people buy them for me as a gift because I like a certain "look" to my bunnies. I have had to pack most of them up since we put our house on the market, but I still have a few that I enjoy out.
Call it whatcha like hehe I call it beautiful. I probably wouldn't grab that if I were shopping,but I love it and that is why I like other in put they bring something new.
I'm so glad that you're not losing all your quicken records and your photos. I'm glad you're doing the reposts too, because I get to see some things I've probably missed. I love the idea of marbled tiles. Anything that doesn't show dirt as much is great as far as I'm concerned because six kids make for lots of dirt 🙂
Blessings,
Marcia
Love all the checks!! I almost bought that rug from Wal-mart. Now that I see how great it looks at your place I think I might pick one up tomorrow!!
It's all so lovely Manuela. I loved the rug as well.
And I'm sorry to hear about your computer. I've had that happen to me twice! Such a bummer.
Hi Manuela,
I love all your checks and harlequin styles. I'm like you, I prefer to buy my own. But when people know you like something they start buying it when they see it.
Sorry to hear about your computer 🙁 At least you have beautiful surroundings – I love that you light candles to enjoy your morning coffee. I might have to start doing that! My mama (bless her heart, lol) will buy me things I 'collect', but we have very similar taste so usually buys me something I like.
Everything looks great – thanks for sharing with us. Sorry your computer died! I have one setting in my house right now that I need to make a decision about. I lost a lot of things, but nothing of real importance.
Have a good evening.
I am so sorry you are having computer issues Manuela. I hope it all gets sorted out soon!
I love your house and style. Everything is so beautiful and cheerful!
XOXO
Jen
I want more checks and harlequins. 🙂 Yours are all adorable. Have to tell you that I always just swoon over your toile curtains. Love them!
I love harlequins and checks, as well. I called my best friend who lives in Evans, GA and she just screamed when she saw your harlequin candle bases on the coffee table. SHE LOVES THEM! So do I! She and I both love toile, gingham, and harlequin. We also love your blog and your taste in decorating!
Kindest regards,
Miss Janice
i so love your style!!
So sorry about your computer!
You know I LOVE all your checks and harlequins! I have the same doormat except in black. It's Ballards (I assume yours is too) and I was so thrilled to find it at a yard sale last year. I think it is very smart to stick to a few colors. Makes it easier to shop. I try to do that too, most of the time. My problem is I like so many different things and looks!
beautiful!
we just had the same PC prob…
…R6000.oo later!…. and it had to go back in for repairs less than a week after
(six thousand rand)
It's a great idea to hae a recurring theme throughout your home…it ties it all together. I don't think it's too much and find it appealing. My home is very cottage-y…since you asked 😉 it would be something you might see in a village in England. Lots of florals and such. I'm with you on the gifts…I like things my Aunt buys me though…we are definitely "kindred spirits". 🙂
Blessings,
Camille
Glad some of your important piX and files could be rescued. Hope the rest resolves soon. In the meantime, thanX for the fun reruns. My youngest piXie wants to be a harlequin for the Harvest Party, so this is timely inspiration. I'll be putting my novice sewing skills to the test this weekend. Yikes!
I don't really have a theme per say, but I do like to have some red in every room! 🙂 We have moved a lot, including overseas moves so I don't have many collections, but I can always get white plates wherever I go so I work that up until I have enough serving platters, etc. for a large gathering.
Glad the hard drive was salvagable! What a blessing!!!!
Have a great weekend, Manuela!
Shilo
Oh I hate computer problems, but you will love having an external hard drive and not worry about loosing pictures and stuff xoxox Clarice
It's a very pretty theme and it works well in your home! So sorry about your computer problems…technology can certainly be a blessing and a curse 🙁
Computer's never last as long as they should, my computer nerd brother tells me this.
I ended up buying one a few years ago for little over $300.00 at Best Buy.
Good luck I hate to not have a computer.
Ally
I hope you'll solve that pc problem soon.
About your home, I guess I've already told you how much I like it, I think you have so much good taste and very good ideas for decorating it!
Your house is so pretty. And I always come away from your blog with a some good ideas. Thanks for creating it!
Jane
It is all so pretty and put together so well. I like having a theme and carrying it throughout the house. Good luck with the computer.
Ooh, that is bad news about your computer. I wish I understood what it meant to encase a hard drive – I have a desktop that I would like to get rid of except I need the stuff on the hard drive.
Good luck with your computer replacement search.
Hi Manuela
I love all your checks and harlequins. They are so clean and crisp looking and create lots of drama. So glad to hear that you didn't lose everything on your computer.
Have a great weekend
Hugs, Rhondi
Lucky you that they could save your old hard drive! When you do get a new computer, you can transfer your data to the new one, but use the old one much as a portable hard drive to back up your files–that way if you have a crash, you have a backup of the data. It's like using a USB stick to transfer a document or pictures from one place to another. Good luck to you!
Sorry about your cp problems. I had that happen 1 year ago,but they couldn't save anything from the hard drive. I glad they could save yours.I love your house and always do a great job decorating. I agree with you about people buying things you like to collect, it seems they never manage to get it just right.
Barb
Why do we love checks and harlequins?! I don't know but i know I do..just something so interesting about it all! Very pretty..Come say hi 😀
My favorite thing is the checked DR chair….I love it….did yu make those slipcovers…Have a great weekend…i hope the rain stops…
I have such a weakness for anything check. Love it all in just about any color. Mimi
So beautiful! Will you come help me duplicate this at my house? Please? Just gorgeous! Thanks for the inspriation!
Wow i have some of your stuff too. maybe that is why i like your house so much! lol. mishelle
I just adore everything about your place! Because it is the same things I love. My colors are like yours, except I have blue where you have black. But yours just seems to look nicer somehow! You have such a sense of style and sensibility and a cozy home. And I'm thinking a life well-lived. I absolutely treasure your blog!
Brenda
I just love how your home flows…so many lovely things to see. What an eye for putting coordinating patterns and color together you have. Always love stopping over. :o)
peace.
Hi Manuela,
I do adore all of your Harlequin and you are right it's hard to find. i'm keeping my eye out for it i was so inspired by your candle tray.
I'm not sure what happened? I definitly e-mailed you last week and wondered why you didn't answer me back. Computer glitches happen everyday I'm sure.
Many blessings my friend, ~Melissa 🙂
I love your style…thanks…Pat H
I'm new to your blog, and I love it! Love the black harlequins! I have always been a lover of black, especially as accents. You do a beautiful job with it in your home.
Jody
I love all of your checks and harlequins….you knew that 🙂
Your kitchen floor is exactly what I am looking for in my studio, since I decided not to paint it. Did you get them at lowes?
xo
Penny
Ugh. Computer problems are the worst. I hope there is a relatively painless outcome to all that!
I like the photos that you shared in this post. The words on the risers of your steps are fantastic! I think it is hard to pull off lots of black and white because it can look very severe. However, you are a pro. Everything in your home looks warm and inviting and cozy.
I love your morning coffee spot.
Thanks for visiting my blog and for the sweet comment that you left. Have a wonderful weekend!
Love it all. Really some terrific ideas to think about as I continue down the road of remodeling my home.
Love how the harlequin pattern flow thruout your home.
what a fun post – I love the harlequin pattern – I once made someone a headboard in Iron that that had the harlequin pattern – it was fabulous!
I know I already commented on this post but I wanted to say thank you so much for visiting my new blog and for your sweet comments. I love visiting yours.
Blessings,
Marcia
I love everything you have! Thank you also for telling us where you get your stuff from! Thank you for sharing and inspiring us.
Luv your rooster kitchen rug! But you probably already know that, huh? (tee-hee)
Love, love love those checks & harlequins:>)
I love harlequin! You have a great collection of it!
Norma Lee
I also LoOOOvE checks and Harlequins. I plan on doing something similar to my floor. Actually, the same peel and stick tiles you have. I can't ever decide between the black and white check and the red and white check. I like them so much I think I will collect them both and just move the accessories around. I collect roosters. So much so that I need a curio just for them. I at one time thought I would stop and start another collection, but my kids love buying them for me and cried when I mentioned I was thinking about getting rid of them. My husband remembers his childhood with his mother full of geese. Mine will remember theirs with a mom and gobs of roosters. I don't think I could ever get rid of them now…!! ;0) Your house is beautiful and I love your candles! It would make getting up early just a little nicer…
Oh gosh..Manuela you made me think. I think a reoccuring them would be stipes (ticking), beading, scallops, ruffles and the color white with red and blue thrown in. Now…I found the cutest print for your house…
hahaha..