I try to sheild my Hatch readers from my obsessions of reality television and pop culture, but in case a few of you are in the closet about your Real Housewives viewing habits like my brother Clark is, I did a few posts about the recent renovations some of the cast members completed this year.

For Jill Zarin’s Foo Dog Explosion Renovation, click here.

For Alex and Simon’s Gothic Bordello Renovation, click here.

I know I’ve mentioned/swiped from one of my favorite blogs, VisuaLingual before, but I wanted to show a few favorite flickr shots I have swiped from there for my own inspiration.

Brilliant and balanced Art Arrangement:

A collection of found objects, in this case bottles, they have found around their neighborhood, Over the Rhine in Cincy:

More great art arrangement, a bold color choice, and you all know I’m always a sucker for globes and maps:

And finally, the to die for studio space:

Check out VisuaLingual on flickr here, the blog here, the site here, and the etsy shop here!

all photos from VisuaLingual, via flickr

My friend Chad is a horticultural expert and landscape architect (and former Monticello guide, and swimmer, and acapella group member, and professor…the man never sleeps!), and he could go on about a blossom for days. So it’s only fitting that he used a Magnolia tree (Saucer Magnolia? My horticultural knowledge does not hold a candle to Chad’s) as the inspiration for paint color. He just moved into his new place and knew the second he looked out the window that the guest room would become The Magnolia Room!

I should add that the room is not done yet. Chad, what in the world is the story with the pink flamingo?

I also love this doorknocker Chad picked out; Chad, if you’re reading, comment and tell us where you found it! Winterthur? Monticello? Smith and Hawkin?

What do you use for color inspiration? Have you ever used a tree or a blossom?

I’m not awake yet. So I stole this photo from my friend Kelli Wise’s facebook page to share with you because I like it:

I don’t even know what city it’s in, but I’m pretty sure it’s in Texas. Seriously, I’ve got nothin’. I’ll holler at you later!

-becky

I am a little pressed for time today, but I’ll send you off for your weekend with a link to a house that shows how beautiful the simple life in a small space can be. Granted, it’s on a pond in Martha’s Vineyard with ocean views, so I’m sure the pricetag would be anything but simple, but the little camp house that belongs to singer-songwriter-Berklee School of Music professor Livingston Taylor looks like cozy heaven:

You can see why he’s so inspired to write here. Be sure to check out the full slideshow here. The kitchen is my favorite part. 

photo by Jodi Hilton for The New York Times