Enchanting Windows Party by Cielo



It's Monday, time for Cielo's Party. Her blog is The House in The Roses and she is hosting An Enchanted Window party. Her windows are absolutely enchanting and gorgeous. Please stop by her place and swoon over her photographs, and many other blogs that are posting their windows.





Spring in my dining roomMy swoonable windows...hmm we live in a colonial in New England. I have lots of valances, swags and a few curtains, but my wonderful drapes from Once Upon a Time are in the attic. The hardest part about moving, is that very rarely can you actually use drapes from other homes. Ahhhhhhh, but I can take you to Once Upon a time.

The year before we moved from Hong Kong, we lived in the cutest little townhouse. It was called Burnside Estates and it was just a block from the China Sea. Repulse Bay was the name of where we lived, and I had dreamy windows with lovely views.

Home Journal Magazine featured our home in their magazine just before we left. It was a dream come true. So, since I still have the cherished magazine, I can show you my enchanting windows.



This was our living room, it was so cozy and the drapes were made of a lovely rose colored soft material, the valance matched our couch and love seat. What I loved about this window was the view of the mountains and at night the hills would twinkle with all of the homes lit up. Here is a closeup of the fabric.



We lived in two different homes while we were there, the drapes were dreamy, but they couldn't compare with the view outside the windows.

Overlooking the China Sea

My dining room was on the first level, and the balcony overlooked the common area, and pool. This was my favorite room.



Here is a corner, where I wrote journals, painted and memorized all the special days. The balcony had a royal blue awning and the trees just beyond the window made it appear even more cozy.







Do you know Tara from Days Missed on a Hammock? She is pure magic and she is forever leading me to wonderful things. One day I popped over there to see what she was up to, and she had won some awards and was passing them on to her favorites. One of the links was to a new blog called All Things Bright and Beautiful. When I opened up the blog I couldn't believe it, because in 1997 just before our family left Hong Kong our home was featured in a magazine called Home Journal Magazine. There on All Things Bright and Beautiful was an interview with Blanche Gallardo, founding editor of Home Journal and Albert Lo, Managing Editor.

Oh, what a treat. I have searched so many times to see if I could find the magazine and never seemed to be able to find it. I just had to share the links and magazine with you. Now, thanks to Miss Tara, I have the link to Home Journal Magazine too.



This is the cover of the magazine that we were in, we have had the opportunity to live in many lovely homes, but when Cielo said the word enchanting, that can only mean one place...Hong Kong.









Now if you travel HERE you will be led to beautiful THE HOUSE IN THE ROSES and the Enchanting Window Party.








A gift from my dear friend Elizabeth Wu, her painting of an enchanting window. The song for this post is Sentimental.

Elizabeth-Wu's-Window, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.



P.S. I was just visiting all of the gorgeous enchanting windows in Cielo's incredible party. Each one is wonderful, and please make sure that you stop by The Enchanted Cottage, and bring a box of kleenex. Have a good time.
Mimi Sue said...

What beautiful windows in your Hong Kong townhouse. It must be wonderful living in exciting places around the world. It looks like you can make a cozy home wherever you live. Just lovely. Mimi

Unknown said...

Those are/were some fabulous windows. How exciting to live in far-away places and have your home featured in magazines!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful .... just beautiful Karen. You are such a beautiful person I knew your home/homes would be too. ~ Lynn

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Wow ! what a view ! Beautiful rooms too.Thanks for visiting!

Connie said...

I can see why you loved it so much there, my sweet chick; it is just lovely and yes, those drapes - the pink ones and the rose flowered ones - are beautiful. What an exciting time it must have been in your life! Lovely memories,
Smoochies,
Connie

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

Karen...I'm SO glad I stopped by! Your home is warm, romantic, and yes...quite enchanting!! I'll be back often!!

Blessings for a beautiful day!

Carol

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Karen, What gorgeous windows. Your window in Hong Kong is truly lovely and I can see why you love it so. Your decor is always an inspiration. What an honor to be in the magazine. Just beautiful!!
I have my window post started too and I am anxious to visit all the participants. Have a lovely day.
Hugs, Celestina
la rea rose

Anonymous said...

Karen, your windows and home in Hong Kong are just beautiful. And, that view is priceless. I'm so glad you shared it with us.

I am a reader of Felicity's blog, too. She always shares the most interesting and beautiful people and decorating.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, what a stunning spread of your home. Was it hard to leave? And the view you had, incredible. Just dreamy. I am glad you have the magaizne to share with us. Your decor is wonderful!

Although, you current home seems just as lovely. I think it is what you bring to it, and your deocor style that shines through. xo, V

Anonymous said...

Oh, Karen, what a beautiful home and magazine spread! To have a view of both mountains and ocean... my goodness! It sounds as though you have led the most interesting life!

I must say, you and I are both clearly driven (emotionally) by the written word and beautiful music, as I had tears in my eyes when I read your Pink Saturday post and listened to the Danny Elfman music :)

Have a wonderful day!

Donna

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

How lovely your sharing your windows from "Once Upon a Time". They are all beautiful. Must have been such an adventure living in Hong Kong, but I'm sure your colonial windows are magical as well!
Thank you for sharing, Karen.

Happy day!
~Tracie

Donna said...

Beautiful, Karen! Absolutely beautiful!

Hugs,
Donna

MARIA said...

Believe me Karen, it is not easy to left your place. Your post is gorgeous!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story. I'll be back to look and read again!

Mya said...

Positively beautiful and oh what a view. How exciting it must have been to be featured in a magazine. I love windows but you are right it is what lies beyond the window that is so enchanting.
-Mya

MARIA said...

Thanks for gorgeous music too. Love them.
And thanks for link to Tara.
I enjoed my time visited her amazing place!

My best wishes to you
and my best Thanks
for being my friend.

Maria

Mo..."Mo's Cottage" said...

Beautiful windows....I can see why they put your home in a magazine...just lovely...
Hugs,
Mo :-)

Tara said...

KAren

Wow, what a great view of your Hong Kong home...I am so glad I was able to hook you up with All Things Bright and Beautiful. Felicity is an Australian who finds herself living in HK with her hubby and young children.She highlights so many unusual things, I always learn something there! I am glad it brings back so many nice memories for you!

Thanks for the kind words, you are a sweetie!
:0)
Tara

Susannah said...

Wonderful...what a lovely home,
Susannah x

Betzie said...

How exciting to have lived in Hong Kong! You certainly made it your home. Just beautiful!

Betzie said...

How exciting to have lived in Hong Kong! You certainly made it your home. Just beautiful!

Unknown said...

Love the beautiful window and view.
So glad you joined in on the window party! It's been lots of fun!
Diane

CIELO said...

Oh my sweet friend... you've put a new song in my heart-these post, your windows, decoration, everything is so enchanting.... This is why I blog, the happiness I get your all of you is enough to fill up my cup with joy.... a sincere THANK YOU for posting and advertising this fun event.... I'm glad you had lots of visitors and I'm glad I can come here and feel so welcome..... what else can I say but thanks and thanks.... from the bottom of my heart

Hugs

cielo

Anonymous said...

What an honor to be featured in a decorating book. But I can see why. The photos of the living spaces are beautiful and the mountains, so wonderful. Thanks for viewing my window and visiting my blog.

Sandra Evertson said...

Beautiful post!
Sandra Evertson

Rosy Inspiration said...

Oh! Thanks for sharing, that was truly enchanting, lovely home you had in Hong Kong. Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog, I wouldn't have known your blog otherwise. I'm glad to have found you here.

Rhondi said...

Hi Karen
Your Hong Kong house looks beautiful and what an amazing view out your window. What a lovely surprise to reconnect with the magazine again!
Hugs, Rhondi

Life on the Edge said...

Wow, I especially love that first window and the curtains there. The view is absolutely stunning! How wonderful to have lived somewhere that you could look out on a mountain like that every day! Your home was beautiful and how very cool that you were in a magazine!

Kady

Gypsy Butterfly said...

Hello, I love all your beautiful windows. I also love the way you decorate, How fememine and chic!
Have a great day,
Lydia

One Shabby Old House said...

Hi Karen,
I echo the praise of all who have told you of how beautiful your window are.
What took you to Hong Kong? I am new to you blog but it will be a joy to discover Hong Kong through your eyes.
Looking forward to learning all about you
Becky

Jane O' said...

You windows are lovely and romantic. I loved all of your photos and enjoyed reading about Hong Kong.

CIELO said...

Good morning karen.... just came by to let you know that I finally had some time to post about the award you so kindly passed onto me.... I'm honored.... my sincere thanks.

Hugs

cielo

Barbara Jacksier said...

Oh what a house! Oh what a view! Your window post was fabulous

Ewa said...

House and view are wonderful - simply breathtaking. Thank you for sharing it.
Ewa

La Tea Dah said...

What a beautiful and inspirational home. It appears so inviting, welcoming, and gracious. I love how you combined classic Asian decor with romantic English style. Very, very nice!

Are you the Martha Stewart of Hong Kong (as referred to on the magazine cover)?

Thank you for giving us a peek into your lovely Hong Kong home from times past. . .

LaTeaDah (who shares your china pattern - love it!)

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