October Garden Room and the Baker's Rack

We're at the final stretch of October, and I'm sharing my Garden Room wicker sitting area with fall seasonal color. This flying geese patterned vintage quilt is one of my favorites with golds and autumnal hued fabrics. It almost always ends up on the settee at some point in Fall.

Patriotic Mantel and the Summer Hearth Room

Welcome to Summer friends, I hope you are able to enjoy it and not have to stay indoors because of the intense heat. We were watching TV and endless commercials with people enjoying their "Summer" activities outdoors and I lamented to my husband that "I love summer except for the heat". I guess that's how it's always been. I've just been able to handle it until the last several years. 

September Styling in the Sitting Area

Did someone say that September is almost over? What? Where did September go? It seems like it was just yesterday that I was celebrating the fact that August was in the rear view mirror. 

Vintage Architectual Element on the Fall Mantel

Now that September has arrived and the official start to Fall is just a week away, it was time to bring out small touches of Autumn on the mantel. I've mentioned before that mantels are always a challenge for me. I strive for that "Goldilocks" look.

5 Quick and Easy Ideas to Get in the Mood for Fall... even if you're not quite ready.

I know so many of us want to ease into the Fall season, but it's too hot in August and early September to get much in the mood. As much as I love fall, digging into tubs and boxes in hot storage areas, dragging out a bunch of faux pumpkins, and slathering on the fake leaf garlands just isn't appealing when you're breaking out in a sweat. I'd much rather take an approach that's gradual and less stressful. 

Harvest Color and Sunflowers in the Hearth Room

Hey friends, last week I shared my late summer mantel with an oil painting that needed a little DIY and TLC. It was time for a change up after the patriotic theme of July. Late July into early fall brings a sunflower explosion around the house. 

Cottage Review: A Vintage Garden Book and the Wicker Settee

Hey Friends! Last week I shared a post from my first blogging house with a precious floral teapot and a small bouquet of hot pink (Barbie would love them) knockout roses. I mentioned then that growing roses wasn't something that I excelled at, but knockout roses were a good substitute and made me feel better about my not-so-green thumb. So when I ran across this section on roses in my vintage Better Homes and Gardens Garden Book I wanted to share it with you.

Stars and Stripes in the Garden Room

Hello from the Garden Room sitting area this hot summer weekend, as we welcome the month of July and a long July 4th weekend. This summer I gave myself some time to enjoy decorating for the 4th of July, gathering all my red, and blue items for display.

Fun Easter Graphics and Pillow in the Spring Hearth Room

I've loved this Big Bunny Face graphic since I'd seen it several years ago, so when I found it on a pillow cover from Amazon recently I had to have him to celebrate the season. He reminds me of the Peter Rabbit illustrations of Beatrix Potter so many years ago. Realistic, but a little whimsical, too.

Green and Pink and Cottage All Over

Hey Everyone, Green is my favorite color this time of year. Not only outside, but inside. We're having a small "green-up" around here with grass and a few blooming trees, but my tulip tree's blooms were frozen this last few days which is really disheartening. It's still too early for much other green outdoors, but inside I can gather some of my green items and make myself feel like Spring is just around the corner... with no overnight freezes.

Valentine Pocket Pillow

Hello Friends, today I wanted to share an adorable little pillow that I bought a while ago from a sweet blogging friend. I think it must have been about 10 years ago. Judy lived in Oklahoma and her blog was 20 North Ora. Many of you blogging at the time will remember Judy and her wonderful Etsy Shop where she created and sold lovely handmade linens with a vintage touch. I bought several pieces from her that I still use each year to decorate.

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.

Mid Summer Formal Living Room; Yes I Have One

Hi Friends, I've been wanting to share our formal living room for a bit, since it's been a while. I don't usually tend to do a lot of seasonal decorating in there. (Many of you may not know this room even exists) Things don't seem to change too much, probably because we use this room so much. The coffee table is right in my husband's sight line to the TV, so whatever I decorate with there has to be compact and not distracting. He tends to keep some of his "stuff" out on the end table along with the remotes so it's always a bit of a pain challenge to clear off his personal area in order to take current pics. Since it looks just like it did several years ago, I just thought I'd "re-share" those photos which were actually taken this time of the year. 

Late Fall Mantel with Woodland Friends

I did a little tweaking in the Hearth Room for late Fall by bringing out my two Fall Friends to hang out on the mantel. My chippy concrete owl and the old squirrel bank took their spot of honor. Our weather has finally changed to the cooler temps that should come with the last week of October, so some darker and heavier textiles will be feeling at home in here.

Orange Buffalo Check Pillows and a Ticking Quilt for Fall

Sometimes all it takes to start the transition to another season can be as quick and easy as changing up a few well placed pillows, and pillows are usually the first thing I change up for the season. Late last month I posted 10 Tips to Transition to Fall where I share how I have an easy plan to move into the upcoming season. I know I just shared the Hearth Room in August, but these new pillows and quilt brought a different look and feel to the space.

"Sunflowers" on the Church Pew

August has always been my "sunflower" month. You can't look at them and not smile back. I've used them all over the house this late part of summer in flower arrangements and prints. I mentioned earlier that I'd found some fun sunflower graphic pillow covers on Amazon for good prices. Originally I'd thought about using them on the front porch, but I decided to use them here in the Garden Room and the Hearth Room instead. I would have needed to Scotchguard them before taking them outside, so for now they're still here on the church pew in the garden room.

Sunflowers in the Late Summer Hearth Room

August is all about Sunflowers around here...

 Late Summer into Fall is their time to show their happy faces,

mingle with some hydrangeas, and wait for some fall leaves to show up.

Quilts and Pillows for Late Summer Color

Hi Friends, Hope you're having a great week, this last week of July. Wow, it's been a long summer for me and even though I enjoy these long days of warm weather, it's not like it was when the kids were young and at home. We went to the pool most days, they had friends over, we grilled dinner outside, and thoroughly rang out every drop of fun we could. Even a few years ago my hubby and I were camping in the RV and planning fun with family...

Buffalo Check Pillows in the Garden Room

Hi Friends, Hope you're having a good week!

I love to change up the wicker settee here in the Garden Room because seasonal color with vintage quilts and pillows can instantly change the feel of any space. After Christmas I put out a new quilt I bought last year on sale from Pottery Barn because I was looking for a lighter, brighter vibe. I didn't realize back in January when I put this out that this quilt would carry me thru winter and spring.

Sitting Area in the Winter Garden Room

Hello everyone, today I wanted to share the rest of my Garden Room sitting area. With windows on three sides, the sunroom always has good light, and with a separate heating and air system to itself, it stays warm and cozy in winter and cool in summer. This is such a wonderful home-y spot with my white wicker pieces, the Holiday Cupboard and Baker's Rack.