Two of the women who volunteered their homes for this private house tour were empty nesters.

Along with really beautiful antiques, their houses were so clean. And quiet. And clean. I mean, my house is clean, but not like this. For example, I did not notice anywhere that a small hand had scratched a smiley face into a leather chair. That may be a Blandings’ original.

I loved the serenity of this house; even that cool, blue room, top, remains calm clad as it is in bittersweet.

The home owner showed us the care she had taken with the lighting of the art; that glowing gal in the living room goes straight into mourning with the flip of a switch.

Part of the point of tour director, Suzanne Cooper’s, tour was that empty nests need not be staid and boring. Part of the appeal of the smaller space is being able to pare down to the pieces that are the very best.

And jazz things right up with fresh fabrics.

After the house tour (these are ins of yesterday’s out) I mentioned to Mr. Blandings that it does make a difference to have fine things.

I do love a mix of high and low, but mostly what I have is a mix of repro and low. The houses I toured had really, truly, lovely furniture.

This library/porch was particularly charming.

With that perfect touch of needlepoint and that delicious tile floor.

Last night we were with friends who are debating replacing a deck or adding a screened-in porch. Mr. Blandings thinks one of the few drawbacks of the Dream House is its lack of screened-in porch. A few weeks ago local antiques dealer, Suzanne Cooper, arranged a house tour, an adventure, and the appeal of this porch keeps bubbling to the surface of my consciousness. Shady and cool, the allure of the black wicker is undeniable.

I can just envision myself feet-up, enjoying the one space where a ceiling fan seems appropriate, vodka drink in hand. (I’m off wine, mostly, because I fear it makes me whiny. Mr. B noted last week that Wine Spectator called vodka a colorless, odorless, tasteless intoxicant. I’m not sure what his point was. And I think they could be biased.) With her lovely furniture the homeowner has created a spot where you can enjoy outside inside. Heaven.