Warm Winter Scenes from the Garden Room

I'm working this week on a few Valentine's Day vignettes and the Holiday Cupboard, and at the same time I'm still enjoying my basic "winter" décor. Valentine's Day brings back the reds, along with pink and creams, so I'm trying to balance things out without going completely overboard by "redecorating" the whole house. Wasn't I just putting away the Christmas tubs a week ago? 

Autumn Greetings from the Front Porch

Decorating the front porch for Fall has been a work in progress this last month since we were gone for a week. It started in early September with a change up for the pillows on the metal depot bench. By the end of summer the porch and flowers start looking a bit tired and in need of a pick-me-up. I like keeping a lighter look in September because the temps are still really warm, but I'll add a few darker colors as it gets further into October.

Boho Quilted Throw in the Garden Room

Maybe you've noticed, I have a "thing" for quilts. Big, small, throws, runners... all sizes, colors, designs and ages. I've been blessed with a mother-in-law who quilted and gifted us with many, and I've been fortunate to find a few vintage ones in my antiquing days that didn't break the bank. I love the different prints and patterns, and even if they're frayed and a bit tattered, they still speak to me.

Patriotic Front Porch in the RWB

I started thinking about decorating the front porch for the July 4th holiday back in late May when I joined in on a roundup for patriotic ideas and inspiration. This house has a nice sized front porch where I have an old train depot bench so there's plenty of room for some fun seasonal and holiday decor. I really prefer using a basket on the door for faux florals with coordinating color and decorative ribbon, but since I have a problem with birds making nests in the basket from late March to June I usually just do a wreath in early spring to summer. I took a chance that by late June the birdie problem would be over. I think I'm safe...

Coffee Table Garden Room Vignette

Hello Friends, Happy St. Patty's Day! Are you wearing green today and preparing your slow cooker dinner of corned beef and cabbage? I am wearing green, and I do love corned beef, but I can't get there with the cooked cabbage... Anyway, I'm celebrating today that I'm a teensy bit Irish. I thought I'd share a little bit of St. Patrick's Day out here in the Garden Room with a new Shamrock plant and an old pink/green quilt on the wicker settee.

Christmas Mix on the Front Porch

Happy December, Everyone!

Hi Friends, are you having fun transforming your home to Christmas?

We had a couple of nice days over last weekend, so I wanted to get the outside decorating done while we wouldn't be freezing. Missouri weather is notoriously crazy at best, but after Thanksgiving it's just as easy to be a snowy wintry mix as anything above 50. So Thanksgiving weekend is when we all shoot for porch and outside decorating. 

Porch Decor while in Transition

Hi Friends and welcome to the Spring Into Summer Porch and Outdoor Spaces Hop 

hosted by my talented, good friend Amber of  Follow the Yellow Brick Home. 

Are you needing some ideas to help spiff up your outdoor spaces? Put together something different? I know I am! We are in the middle of a facelift for our front porch and landscaping and sometimes it seems easier to just opt out of decorating an incomplete project. But I'm here to give it a try so I don't feel like it's a lost cause living with an outdated front porch.

If you're coming from Marty's at A Stroll Thru Life, I'm so glad you're here! I know the title to this post might seem a little strange, but it's an honest look at sharing the ups and downs during house renovations. 

An Easter Mantel in the Hearth Room

I haven't gone all out for Spring and Easter decor this year because I really don't have a lot of my dishes and seasonal pottery unpacked. Back in August when I started packing up all the seasonal dishes and decor I had no concept that we wouldn't be fully moved in until Spring. It's probably a good thing that I was ignorant, otherwise I've had been even more stressed out about the whole process. 

Finally... the Fall Front Porch

I was beginning to wonder if I was EVER going to get things together enough out here on the front porch to actually get a few pics taken, and call it a "post". I had my mums out and planted by the first week of September, found some fun pumpkins at the farmer's market down the road, and even had my door basket decked out for Fall with some new brown plaid ribbon. And then the unthinkable happened...

(It's a Chilly) Christmas on the Front Porch

Welcome to our Home for Christmas!

I think we're all having below normal temps this last week.

Actually, it's been pretty chilly around here for the last several weeks;

chilly enough to keep me from wanting to spend time outside

 fiddling with Christmas decorations and my camera.

Vintage Metal Bench on the Fall Porch

I finally have some pics of the front porch and the "new/old" bench dressed for Fall.

It's taken me long enough, if I'd waited much longer we could go straight to Christmas!

Flora and Fern and a "Married Metals" Bench

I mentioned awhile back that Springfield has had several fun new shopping venues open up, and the latest one I want to share with you is Flora and Fern, which is right next door to the new Harrison House Market. It's full of wonderful vintage displays, topiaries, orchids, large and small potted plants and trees, and unique accessories including jewelry.

(enlarge to read the Swedish definition on the chalkboard)

Late Summer Kitchen Sitting Area

I've piddled around with this kitchen sitting area post so long,

 that if I don't show you all soon, 

I'm going to be ready to change it up to be the 

"Early Fall Kitchen Sitting Area".

What's Your Chippy Factor?

Those of us who are vintage furniture lovers,

and that still swoon over a flea space filled with white chippy pieces,

have all asked ourselves some variation of this question...

How much "Chippy" is too chippy?

Carrier filled for Spring

I mentioned last week, that each time I'm at the other house packing the endless number of "things", that a few of them inevitably end up in my tote bag to come over here and join the other decor tidbits. I'm careful not to be too blatant, otherwise hubbs will look at me like, "we're supposed to be packing this stuff, not playing with it." sorry, I have to play...

The pink vintage bunny planter, majolica rabbit plate, and Fitz and Floyd Berry Platter were my spoils from last weekend.

This platter has some cracks and chips,

 but I fell in love with the raised basket weave design.

so Springy.

This little guy has no markings, but I did a Google search and it appears that he's Shawnee Pottery from the 50's...old bunny, real old bunny. He's all cotton candyish sweet pink with lots of little crazing.

Last year none of my daffodils bloomed. I don't know why, but there weren't even any bloom pods, just greens... what a disappointment. And this year only a few, so I wanted to enjoy them while I could. Last year I planted a few hyacinth bulbs in the same area, that did come up. When I went to cut them, some bees were eagerly working on them, so I left a few behind for them. They make a petite bouquet in one of my small Staffordshire white Ironstone pitchers.

I've always loved the unique shape of this hexagonal soup tureen. I can't decide if it's ironstone or ceramic, but it's different. And it's small enough to decorate with. I've changed out this carrier several times since I've been at this house. I only  have a few places to "decorate", so this is doing double duty to help with my decorating addiction.

And if course, I've never met a white carrier that I didn't love.

This is a strawberry carrier, with slats in the bottom,

sitting on the small bench in front of the wicker settee. 

I didn't have enough room for my coffee table here,

 but this old tool caddy bench fit perfectly.

The weather is confused here; it thinks we're still in March. It's been so windy today and chilly. Hopefully it will be in the 70's again by the weekend; the Iris are starting to come up. Hope you're having a wonderful week!

joining in on these parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
It's a Party at DIY by Design
Blissful Whites at Timewashed

Treasure Hunt at From My Front Porch to Yours
Creative Friday at Jen Rizzo
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique
Simple and Sweet Friday at Rooted in Thyme

xoxo,

Today's Sponsor

French Bleu Vintage

Be sure and check out the 50% off sale going on now!

Kitchen Sitting Room

I was ready to show you a new tabletop vignette I had put together when I realized that I hadn't shown the rest of the Kitchen Sitting Room pics. This space is such a departure from what I had at the other house, but still "my style". I had been concentrating on just whites in the small kitchen eating area, so it was fun to bring in some "woods" over here. I like a mix of the woody tones and whites and neutrals, and having this unexpected space off the kitchen, I have been able to use some pieces I never thought I'd be able to.

This big armoire was in the basement holding quilts and pillows, but since I needed extra storage for pantry items in here, I brought this with us. I had originally hoped to put the tv in here but it took up valuable shelf space, so it's on a separate wicker table.

Yes, it's black on the sides. The girls that had this piece in their shop were spray paint "happy" back before chalk paint came along. They just painted the two sides, (glad they didn't mess with the front of it) but when we get settled, it probably will get a paint makeover...not sure what color.

The two large breadboards are from Antique Farmhouse,

 and the laundry basket is filled with extra linens.

I found the French Cheese sign at Robin's Vintage Suitcase.

This little shepherdess is one of my all-time favorite prints,

it was in the powder room right off the kitchen in the old house.

I love this dark comb painted frame.

I told you about this antique table and chairs here.

It still has initials carved in the top from one of the kiddo's guy friend's.

When I found out, I thought of man-handling him...

good thing he could run really fast.

sorry, sort of blurry

The kitty girls had to find new napping spots here, 

so this is now a fave.

Bonus is that the grain sack replica is burlap,

 so when she's not napping she can chew on it.

(Madonna Pillow from Elliot-Heath Designs)

One of my milkmaid prints is hanging here, 

 the other one had such a heavy frame 

I didn't want to put in the wall anchor for it.

I'm so glad I was able to use this wicker settee that had been on the sunporch.

 It's my new coffee drinking spot first thing in the morning.

An old bench is doubling for a small coffee table.

Just big enough for one of my black tole trays.

Toffee Check Chair Pads from Ballard Designs.

I don't think I've ever shared this old ironstone hexagon shaped tureen bottom;

another basement decor piece.

(I had all kinds of things hidden down there!)

Cute little English Cottage Salt and Pepper.
(you all know I have a little English Cottage thang going on)

Don't forget to enter the Give Away with 
French Bleu Vintage HERE

Joining these Party Places:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Inspiration Exchange at City Farmhouse
From My Front Porch to Yours
French Country Cottage
Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed
Jennifer Rizzo
Sundays at Home with Alice
Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life
Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
The Scoop at White Lace Cottage
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Hope you're having a great week, 

March cannot get here fast enough!