Tuesday, April 13, 2010

White Wednesday: Sunroom Whites

I remember about 10 weeks into White Wednesday someone made the comment that they were running out of white things to post about. And my comment to them, in joking was, "oh, just move them around to different places and no one will ever know the difference." I guess I'm following my own advice. I've realized that maybe we might have a tendency to repeat some of our "whites", but it's about how we use them, the season, and the elements in a vignette.



I love white china and ironstone, and of course my sunroom has been the subject of countless posts. But, trying to keep things fresh, I've learned just to "change things up". That's one of the reasons I love to decorate with the seasons.


During the winter this little sugar bowl and creamer held paperwhites, while now they are filled with wild violets that I dug up from my backyard. Amazing how a weed can drive me crazy for 11 months of the year, then for 1 month I'm really lovin' them.


Old and chippy picket fence gate


Several of you asked about my little "garden box" or conservatory that was in the background of my Silver Sunday post. I found it about six years ago at a local antique mall. I know that several people in the area were making them about that time. There are some pretty elaborate and BIG ones around here. I believe Brian and Meloney from the Seed Box made a few that were very large and really amazing!


The fleur de lys are hinges and the top opens at the front.






And here are more photos of some
 of my collection of white pottery.
Hull, McCoy, USA, Haeger, and some unmarked ones.
I just love them with or without plants.


And with or without cats EATing the plants...


Some of you have heard my harrowing story
 about my wicker furniture.
I seem to have a little problem with collecting it.
But what I love about the white is that it becomes a backdrop
for whatever season and color scheme I choose.

(love those yo-yos)


Right now I'm enjoying all the colors of Spring
with vintage floral quilts.


My old white door and mirror
anchor my seasonal wreaths.


Love that morning sun.


Thanks for suffering browsing through another sunroom post.
You know it won't be the last!


Only two more days to enter the GiveAway




Still lovin' White Wednesday,
drop by and say Hi to Kathleen at Faded Charm

love,
Debra

Monday, April 12, 2010

What's Pink and Green and Smells Fabulous All Over?

Well, I'm so glad you asked!
 That would be the wonderful Give Away surprises
I've received recently from some really great and creative gals!


First the "pink"... from Brayton Homestead Interiors.

Karen was one of my first blogging friends. I fell in love with her New England home and her great talent as an interior designer. She had a pink giveaway a few weeks before Easter and look what she sent Miss Lucky Me. I laughed out loud at this adorable vintage bunny candle. What a cutie pie! She has opened an etsy shop so run by and see all the fun things she has.


And Oh My Goodness,
get a look at the teeny pink slippers!
 just precious!




The vintage yellow bunny (squeezable)
 and carnival glass bird dish are just amazing!




And "Green"...

hosted this wonderful St. Patrick's Day Decor Party!

You know me, I can't pass on a Holiday Party.
What a surprise when a Give Away
 came along with the rest of the fun!

A china shamrock, birdie necklace, perfect little pin,
an embroidered table runner, and a great tote bag!




Thank you Jaime!
Oh and there was candy in there,
but it's long since gone...yummy!





And this girl, let me tell you!
 She threw in these fabulous rusty iron letters of my initials!
I was dumbfounded and knocked out.
They're incredible!!


And "smells fabulous all over"...


Rebecca from A Gathering of Thoughts is one of the most talented and wonderful gals I've ever met. Her blog and website are full of inspiration and warmth. She recently had a Give Away for this lovely sachet pillow and notecards. I could smell the heavenly fragrance before I even unwrapped it. Just beautiful. Her roses and angels are just a little of her wonderful talent. Thank you, Rebecca!





I received two other sweet gifts recently,
one from Rosemary of Ozma of Odds,
who sent me these precious tags as part
of her recent giveaway,
thank you Rosemary!


And someone so sweet to send a little gift,
just because you left a comment
about an amazing post on sea pottery.
Ever hear of it?
Go see Petite Michele Louise and find out.


A gift from the sea!
just amazing!!


Whoever thought up the "Give Away"
has a big thanks from me!
What a wonderful way to make new friends
and celebrate the talent of others!


And speaking of Give Aways,
there's still time to enter mine,
click here.



love,
Debra

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Silver Sunday, Tea Pot for Spring


On a gorgeous Spring Day like Today
I decided to have my tea in the Sunroom.



I've been playing with flowers today
and a little silver teapot decided to
 hang around.



Creeping Phlox is one of my favorite early Spring flowers.
Pink, purple, lavender, pale blue and white...
like tiny snowflakes amidst a fluff of green,
they dot the landscape, and have a sweet aroma.





An old cemetery metal flower basket won their favor.




Hope you have a beautiful Silver Sunday.
Say Hello to all the other participants,
then go enjoy your day!



Be sure that you have entered the
Royal Treatment Giveaway.

Click Here

love,
Debra

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Show and Tell Friday: Enchanted Gardens



Over the Christmas holidays I was introduced
to the miniature world of Enchanted Gardens.
 I was reminded of being newly married and
being mesmerized with constructing terrariums.

At that time a large antique glass bottle
 was my playground filled with small plants,
 rocks, and nature's tiny objects.

 My older daughter who has always
 loved miniatures of any kind; dollhouses, toys,
 ephemera, etc. found these at one of our favorite shops
 and proceeded to build herself
 a tiny paradise in a clay pot.


Me too, me too, I thought,
 I'd have some fun in those cold and dreary days of winter.



Angel vine is my plant of choice of late,
so angel vine it was.
A wire bench, clay pots, tiny watering can,
 birdhouse, and an urn.
They all came home with me.




Let us not forget the trellis which
completes itself with a fairy size chandelier.




Within days I had seen an article
in one of my favorite magazines,
"Midwest Living", that added to my inspiration.
So my clay pot found a home
 in one of my metal lunchboxes;
this one in a hexagonal design.



It's found a home in my kitchen,
out of the way of the gray fur babies reach.






My friend Debra Moore,
who owns Inspirational Home, here in Springfield,
 carries an extensive line of Fairy Garden elements.




Shhhhhh......it even includes the fairies.




I'm linking up with Inspirational Home's Shop Blog
so that you can see all the fun over there!



And if you haven't entered my
 Royal Treatment GiveAway,
there's still time!
to join in the fun.




Today, I'm participating with Cindy from
 My Romantic Home
for




And I'm also linking with Laurie for her
 
 



Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Yard work and some flowers are on my agenda!

love,
Debra

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

White Wednesday, Mantel for Spring

I don't usually show our lower level family area very often.
It sort of lends itself to a more rustic feel.
A lot of dark wood and colors,
but still with a vintage feel.




The huge rustic mantel was needing to be lightened up for Spring.
So I decided I'd go with a simple theme;
white ironstone tureens and pitchers.





I change out my prints seasonally,
and this is one of my favorites.
I love the muted tones of the vintage landscape.



Books, baskets, birdhouse, and burlap wrapped topiaries
help break up the ironstone.






(I have a little addiction to white ironstone pitchers)
could you tell?






Bird's eye view from the stairway


It's a comfortable place for the family
 movie watching, games, pets, and conversation.



If you haven't entered
The Royal Treatment GiveAway
it's easy, just
to join in.




Be sure to see all the other
White Wednesday participants over at

Thank you, Kathleen!

Hope you're having a Wonderful Week!

love,
Debra