Good morning friends, how are you?
Today I am joining Kim and Juliet for weekend meanderings, our weekly series of things that caught our eye and piqued our interest.
It is 23 this morning, sadly no snow to go with the cold though. Certainly no where near as cold as my friends in NH, I believe with the windchill it is -40. Stay inside, stay warm and bundle up!
I spent the day in the kitchen yesterday making chocolate mouse, truffles, Inas’ chocolate loaf cake and beef enchiladas. On my Friday post I shared this recipe for enchiladas, we made them yesterday along with the traditional enchiladas sauce and the Mexican rice. They were delicious and easy to make so be sure to check out Isabel Eats!
Ok, grab your hot tea, coffee or chocolate and settle in for a “weird and wonderful” house and more on weekend meanderings.
Weekend Meanderings
Lilly Allen and David Harbour’s “Weird and Wonderful” Billy Cotton Designed House
Have you seen the Brooklyn townhouse of Lily Allen and David Harbour in AD? It’s been all over the internet this week and stopped me in mid-scroll.

Photos via AD Photography by Simon Watson
Designed AD100 designer Billy Cotton and architect Ben Bischoff of MADE it is quirky, traditional, layered, interesting, moody and fun. To quote AD, it is “weird and wonderful.”
My favorite room in the house is the kitchen. A traditional bespoke kitchen by with modern touches like a coffee bar and a stunning chandelier.

Photos via AD Photography by Simon Watson
Designed with the Godfather movies in mind, it features original moldings on the ceiling, a chandelier, and a large table for roast dinner and a place to gather and do homework.

Photos via AD Photography by Simon Watson
According to Lily the kitchen, and this table were very important to her, she felt it was something missing from her own childhood. But also a place that she could cook for her family(she has 2 young daughters), make memories and know that they would always come home for Sunday dinner at 3:00.

Photos via AD Photography by Simon Watson
The house also has a garden room, a bathroom with a gold swan tap inspired by Versailles and animal print movie room that you can see in the magazine or on AD.
Shop the Kitchen
Plain English
Last year we remodeled our kitchen and laundry with the goal of creating a functional, stylish English cottage kitchen. I poured over British shelter magazines and images on Pinterest that I had saved for years. Plain English design was one that I found myself drawn to again and again.

Image from Plain English
They were also on the wish list of Lily Allen when she created her stunning home featured above. A bespoke cabinet company that creates traditional cupboards that might have been found in Georgian, Regency and Victorian country houses.
When founder Katie Fontana was remodeling her own house over 30 years ago she was unable to find the kind of cabinets she was looking for. She designed them and had them custom made. When her home was featured in a magazine the cabinets were quite a hit and the company was born.

Image Plain English
For years Plain English was only available in the UK but now you can find their beautiful cabinets for kitchens, sculleries, butlers pantries, and laundries in the US as well.
If you want to learn more about the company, it’s philosophy and about the founder read 10 Ways to Achieve the Plain English Look.
Sharon Santoni My French Country Home And Reinvention
“Today is my 64th birthday. Why am I telling you this? Because I am often asked how old I was when I started my blog(51), when I published my first book(56), when I started my business(58) and my magazine(60). I’m here to say that there is no good or bad age to reinvent yourself, to chase your dream or explore an idea. Dare to push your boundaries, to take risks, to make mistakes. You won’t(and I haven’t) only make good decisions, but you’ll learn and grow and have a lot of fun aline the way.”
I have been following Sharons’ blog since 2010, way back then Sharon wrote about her beautiful country house in France and her life with family, dogs and horses. She shared recipes, her garden, flower arrangements and her adventures to brocantes and Paris. Occasionally, she shared her stylish friends or chapters of fictional characters she knew.
Her beautiful blog grew into more than she ever imagined and this week she shared her reinvention from a wife, mother and blogger to the amazing woman she has become at 64!
You can read more of this inspirational post here. Make sure to bookmark it and print it for the days when you don’t know what you want to be when you “grow up,” Because with Sharon as your guide you can be anything you want with hard work and dedication.
Happy Birthday Sharon, looking forward to seeing what is next for you!
In Other News
Love this French Winter Salad.
7 Places Around the World to Make a Wish
8 Ways to Read More Books and Why You Should
These Crochet Toast are so cool
I love everything in the Jerrelle Guy for Anthropologie.
Fleur de sel truffles, perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and if you are looking for ideas for tablescapes, cookies, gifts and more you can find them on:
Northern California Style(easy Valentine/Galentine dinner party)
Cindy Hattersley(create a collected tablescape),
Classic Casual Home(Inexpensive Valentine’s Gifts)
Sheri Sliver( Valentine cookie Bark)
Most Lovely Things(upcycled tin cans)
In Case You Missed It
Monday I shared colorful spring outfits, Valentine’s Day gifts, a must see video and a great book!
My candy cone Valentine’s favor, an easy diy for kids and adults. The sweet treats could be used as place cards as well at your Valentine or Galentine dinner.
And last but not least on Friday Favorites I shared this outfit, game day and comfort food recipes you are going to want to make on repeat, a few Valentine’s Day gift ideas and of course books and lot of links you might enjoy.
Valentine’s Day Finds
Anthropologie
Candles
Treats
Mugs
Jewelry
THAT’S IT
I hope that you enjoyed David Harbour and Lily Allen’s Billy Cotton designed Brooklyn Townhouse, Plain English, Sharon Santoni and all the rest.
If you missed any of the previous Weekend Meandering posts you can find them all here.
When you leave here don’t forget to pop over to see all of the things that Kim and Juliet have discovered this week.
Subscribe to the blog and you will get the latest recipes and post to your inbox! You can also keep up with me on Pinterest,Instagram, and Facebook. And if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE
Have a wonderful and safe weekend!
This post contains affiliate links.

Elizabeth! I’m flattered to be part of such a great post! THAT TOWNHOUSE!!!! I was dying, so beautiful. Love your V-day paper cones; so pretty! Thank you so so much! xo
I loved your bark Sheri! I have made the Oreo bark in the past but you have “kicked it up a notch” with your homemade cookie bark. Definitely something to share. That house is amazing and is a testament to using and decorating with what you love! My cones and the easiest DIY I have ever made. Have a wonderful weekend!
That Lily Allen home is stunning. I am especially in love with the kitchen Can’t wait for my issue of AD! I love everything in that magazine. Plain English is so goos isn’t it? Before the pandemic we rented a place in London for a week and Plain English was on the street level below us. I spent a lot of time looking in before we remodeled. I love it all.
You Valentine idea was so cute. Wouldn’t it be darling on a table? I love how pretty they are! Thanks for sharing the table too. So many fun ideas from everyone. That yellow sweater is darling!
Well stay warm! We are having a rainy weekend again..I feel badly for the below 40 people! Yikes. This certainly has been a year of extremes hasn’t it? We had no power yesterday again for many hours. I don’t know what to expect anymore.
Happy Weekend Elizabeth! xo
Plain English is amazing. I love the esthetics of it and the history behind the designs. Kim, you need that yellow sweater and a few more of the beautiful pieces from Boden.
The weather is so strange, I hope the people with the extreme weather is staying inside and keeping as warm as possible in these conditions. What happened to your power? Rolling blackouts?
Have a wonderful week Kim and thank you for sharing all of your beautiful world.
The Lily Allen kitchen makes me a little bit nervous – I don’t like extensive flowing fabric in kitchens – I wonder how hard it is to keep it clean. If it were my kitchen it’d be covered in grease and cat hair in no time 🙁
Amy, I never thought of that. I also wonder if the other side of the island that you don’t see is open and has no fabric. That would make sense as it is the side by the range.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
The night before last saw temps around minus 40 Celsius.
WOW! That is cold! Stay warm and have a wonderful week William!
Your candy cones are cute, cute, CUTE…pinned it for next year. We will be gone for Valentine’s Day this year (Howard planned a quick trip to Paris for us 🙂 Which reminds me that your outfit of the week is perfect for Paris. Great inspiration.
Such a great well-written post as always…and thanks so much for including my inexpensive gifts.
Mary Ann,
Have a wonderful trip to Paris! I love a last minute surprise like that. Pin the cones to have to make with your granddaughter when she is older!
Have a wonderful week!
Fabulous post today, Elizabeth … as always! Love the weird and wonderful townhouse, especially the curved molding on the stairway. And the kitchen. Plain English … where have you been all my life? I suppose right in front of me but I had no idea. Following now. Sharon’s essay is spot on and, as you say, one to be referred to again and again. She’s so right in her advice to start before you’re ready. Hope you have a lovely weekend! xo
Juliet, thank you. I loved the curved molding too! So beautiful! The kitchen is simple and stunning and if you watch the video they each tell stories about the decorating process.
Sharon is amazing! Start before you are ready, I need that reminder.
xo have a wonderful week.
Elizabeth,
I love this post! I saw the townhouse on Instagram and loved it! The kitchen…to die for!
So inspiring to read about Sharon Santoni’s journey! “There’s no good or bad age to reinvent yourself”- I love that!
Thank you so much for mentioning my tin cans! So generous of you, Elizabeth!
xx
Annie
Oh the kitchen in AD with the gathered skirt and all that thoughtful charm – timeless and impeccable. I’m not as familiar with Plain English as I am deVOL. Someday I’ll have a kitchen with their taps and artisan pendant lights. 🙂 English country is my obsession du jour, and I’m dreaming of turning our lower level (basement) into a Cotswolds cottage. Hahaha. Happy Sunday, E.
Michele, I love deVol too! But Plain English is just as beautiful. English cottage is my favorite style, I am trying to create one here in NC.