The Garden Room Sitting Area and the Christmas Cupboard

This may sound a bit odd, but after years of bringing out vintage seasonal and holiday decorations, there are pieces that feel like old friends. My Tartan tins and vintage wool throws, nativity sheep and enamelware kettles, red transferware and ironstone; these are all things that I've grown to love and are basics for my "celebrating" the joy of Christmas.

Time for Fall in the Holiday Cupboard

We've had a few cooler days and nights and it's really got me going for fall. I know it will warm up again and maybe have a few 80's until the end of October, but it's so wonderful to know that fall is truly on it's way.

Mid-Summer Roost in the Cupboard

The end of July signals a change in the atmosphere for me. I'm one of those people that while I enjoy summer, I don't enjoy the heat and I have always looked forward to the slow slide to early fall. Don't get me wrong, summer has beautiful memories and moments, but the promise of more moderate temps of autumn pull me along. 

Antique Sideboard with Blue Transferware and Ironstone

I've been trying to take my own advice by taking decorating at a slower pace. I'm changing things up with the seasons, but also trying to not let it overwhelm me. During early summer I love using patriotic elements and color for décor, but adding flags to a basic summertime "look" goes a long way for me. 

Giving Thanks in the Holiday Cupboard

Probably most of you are thinking like me; "Where has this year gone?" I don't know why this surprises me because my lifestyle isn't particularly hectic or do I have a crazy schedule. But the weeks go by and I'm  amazed when Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around and come knocking on my door. I'm always thrilled to see them, but never really fully prepared.

Sweet September in the Cupboard

When the calendar page turns to September something happens in my head and heart. I love Fall and seeing September roll around lets me know that the colorful foliage, cooler days, and cozy nights will soon be here.

Vintage Painting and Sunflowers on the Mid-Summer Mantel

When August rolls around I feel a slight hint that fall is on the way. I'm not wishing summer away, but I know many of us are done with the heat and humidity. August means sunflowers and dried hydrangeas with darker colors of the harvest. There's a small shift toward my favorite time of the year. 

Birds in the Late Spring Holiday Cupboard

May has always been Bird Month for me. Around here we have nest building, new babies, and new faces at the feeders. I've collected a bit of bird themed vintage items during my time as a vintage market dealer, picking up figurines, tins, illustrations and ephemera during the years. It's a perfect themed match for my other favorite vintage theme which is old garden goods.

Vintage Cottage Weekend and the January Cupboard

Hello friends and Happy Weekend! For a few weeks in January we have a small bit of time that's totally dedicated to warm, cozy, and comfy. After Christmas and before Valentines Day; it's a time to relax in front ot the fire, read a good book, watch a movie, and curl up in a soft warm blanket... without a ton of shopping, big meals to cook or a deadline looming on the calender.

Winter Whites Tabletop Vignette

I don't share this little table often because it tends to be a catch all for whatever I'm putting together in the Garden Room. But it has a sweet little shelf where most of my ironstone pitchers live year round and my vintage silver tray and a mix and match coffee service. It turned out that it was a perfect spot with just the right amount of space to pull together a "winter white" look for these early days of January.

Decking the Halls with My Christmas Collections

French Cottage Kitchen Niche for Fall

I have this little cabinet niche here in the kitchen that I think was originally created for a TV/sound system by the former owners of our house. But I prefer a smaller TV on the counter, so we were left with either using it as display shelving or try to match existing cabinetry. I could use it as open shelving by adding another set of shelves, but I chose to leave it as "was" and just make a spot for seasonal kitchen display.

Cozy Up to Fall in the Hearth Room

Welcome to my mish mash of early fall pics here in the Hearth Room. I shared my Mantel with Transferware and Ironstone earlier this week, so today I'm sharing the rest of the room. Things change pretty quick in September so I need to stay current week by week!

September Mantel with Ironstone and Transferware

Does decorating for Fall sound better once it becomes September? I think there is a subtle shift in my brain's ability to bring out some pumpkins and leaves once we're officially past Labor Day. I've had my Fall tubs out for several weeks, but I just couldn't get excited until this last week. Plus the weather has cooled down a bit and the light seems to be making those longer shadows that don't happen till Autumn is on our doorstep.

Summer to Fall Garden Florals in Vintage Containers

Today I thought I'd share a few pics and posts with my garden grown Hydrangeas from this house. I've really enjoyed the large lush bush out front and start snipping those blooms in late June for display and drying. After a few weeks of enjoying the fresh cuttings, they can be dried into lovely delicate dried specimens that range from delicate pinks and greens to darker mauves and purples in the Fall.

A Winter's Walk in the Holiday Cupboard

Hello friends, since Valentine's Day will be here in a few weeks, I knew I needed to share my January edition of the Holiday Cupboard. January has been cold and often dreary here, but I'm trying to be present and look for the good to enjoy each season... including winter. One of the fun ways I celebrate each month and season is to refresh my old pie safe, aka "The Holiday Cupboard". 

Foraging for Fall on the Potting Bench

Hello friends, hope you're having a lovely Fall weekend! Earlier in the week I shared my meager Fall Cottage Front Porch with a few fall accents, mums and pumpkins. So today I want to show how I foraged around my yard to put together a couple of floral arrangements gleaned from bushes and the last of the summer flower containers. I'm out on the covered patio out back with the Potting Bench.

The Holiday Cupboard is for the Birds

Hello there, Friends! I hope you're having a wonderful week and that you're enjoying warm pleasant late spring weather. We all seem to have some outdoor projects we're trying to get to, but golly, it's been chilly and rainy around here... again. I'm not sure why this surprises me because it's often cool and rainy in early to mid May, but I'm sorta over it.  You can remind me of this when I'm complaining in September that it's too hot and dry. I've been wanting to get my outside containers put together and it's been too cool to get out and do much. I did finally get to the nursery over Mother's Day weekend to pick out some flowers so maybe I can get those finished up by this weekend.

Using Vintage Dishes in Seasonal Decorating Hop

Hello friends, I'm so happy you've come by today and I hope you'll be checking out the fun that we're having at this bi-monthly Hop, Lifestyle of Love. Cindy from County Road 407 is our hostess with these wonderful vintage themed Hops. If you hopped over from Amber's blog, Follow the Yellow Brick Home, I know you loved her wonderful collection of vintage ironstone, pottery and dishes.

This month our Hop theme is "dishes" if you haven't guessed already, and I can guarantee that you'll find tons of inspiration on using dishes in seasonal decor. Whether you're a die-hard tablescaper and dish collector, or someone like me who just loves using them in vignettes and vintage decor, I know you'll love all the ideas from our group. 

Backyard Naturals Bouquet

One of the reasons I love Fall so very much is the change in the coloring of leaves, flowers, and shrubbery. Where Spring is full of greens and lovely pastel shades of flowers and buds, Fall can be just as amazing visually with all the glorious brilliant color.