Spring On The Beauty

Spring on the beauty time is here, and my heart is full of expectation for the best of the season to show up and beautifully show out.

It’s time for spring.

Southern Living Magazine – Photography by Hector Manuel Sanchez

Officially.

Grapevine Interiors

Yellow may be color blocking the best of spring at the moment, but without a little pollen the vibrant and pastel colors accenting spring’s palette wouldn’t be.

And without bees…

Treillage Serene Sky Fabric

New spring blooms provide a pretty in pink landscape throughout the neighborhood.

Fresh flowers, delightful fragrances, visually stunning table settings, and the scent and sight of spring’s calling card in the late afternoon or evening gorgeously set the scene, mood, and table for spring entertaining.

Country Living Magazine

Recently I rewatched the episode of “Sex and the City” I Love a Charade – my idea of a spring on the beauty garden party and the essentials for success.

Butterfly on Lilac

Good friends.

Seasonal dishes.

Smooth tunes.

Beautifully accessorized tables.

Lilacs.

Butterflies.

Comer Wheelbarrow Salad Bowl

Spring influences salads, sides, and sweets.

Colorful Vegetables

What’s in a garden salad?

Benjamin Moore Tomato Red
Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise
Behr Asparagus
Benjamin Moore Cucumber

Spring Crudités Board with White Bean-and-Pea Dip Recipe

Tory Burch Home

Many evenings we’ll dine al fresco on the patio or front porch for the spring of it all.

Cabbage Oval Platter

This is the sweet spot time before mosquitoes and humidity become unwelcome guests at the dinner table.

English Pea Salad Recipe

We design and decorate spaces and places in the home for the season with great anticipation.

Why not carry the theme through to spring cuisine?

Frosted Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe from Butternut Bakery

Color, texture, pattern, and taste repeats throughout chosen spring favorites.

Butterfly Meadow Gazebo Cookie Jar

Wares and decorative pieces inspired by spring set the loveliest of tables and trays.

Eden Pitcher

Our senses alert us to spring’s arrival, and color-rich gardens treat the eye and heart to the beauty of spring.

How I love a season that shows out!

Enjoy!

October Observations

October observations run the gamut from events to design to decor and just about everything else fallapalooza in-between.

Halloween is definitely October happening numero uno.  Man, has this
31st of October event become a celebration powerhouse.

Anticipated Halloween spending according to the National Retail Federation is estimated to reach $10.6 billion in 2022, breaking last year’s record of $10.1 billion. Approximately 68% of consumers plan to participate in some sort of Halloween celebration, up from 65% last year, 58% in 2020 and 69% in 2019.

That’s a lot of spirited spending, folks.

Candy corn.

Like?

Hate?

What say you?

Psst! I like the stuff.

Domino

Artist Carlos Amorales exhibition at Salone del Mobile Milano,“The Accursed Hour,” is as striking as it is haunting. Copy the look by covering walls and ceilings with swarms of paper butterflies stickers found on Amazon or Etsy.

There is Halloween decorating, and then there is Halloween decorating.

Fall fixer up time sees new wood molding atop the antique corbels on the front of the house, and a while we’re at it let’s touch up the colors paint session.

Neighbors are precious friends-friends who come to call with skill saw, molding, primer and woodworking talent to save the day.

Recipes accenting the flavors associated with homey and hearty hit the spot on chilly fall night or game day afternoon.

Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe from Country Living

Bee & Willow™ Harvest Motif Dinner Plate

Savings is a prime number.

Sales on seasonal wares and accents have a way of inspiring cart fulfillment.

Ceramic Pumpkin Serving Bowl

 Country Living

Vacation escapes and fall into holiday tablescapes pique my October observations interest.

Natural elements set a stunning table and the tone for a lovely drive.

Visit Gatlinburg

Peak color season getaways feed the heart and soul while gifting the eye a colorama as only nature can do.

It won’t be long before the honking sounds and sights of Canada geese heading south for the winter will be in our area.

Last year for about 8 nights in a row around 7:15 p.m. cst the show began much to my delight.

They fly so low you can really get a good visual, and of course, you hear them before you see them.

In honor of this October tradition, I’m purchasing a set of these Spode Snow Geese dinner plates.

Spode Snow Goose Dinner Plate

October in our little town is parish fair time, and that means my craving for a caramel apple is soon to be satisfied.

The Might Thomas Carnivals

Crisp days are coming into view, and with that brings the retail offerings, nature’s color parade, thrills, chills, tastes and trends that round out my October observations.

Watermelon Home Decor

Today’s watermelon home decor post is fresh with color, texture, and sweet summer themed inspiration.

Pinterest

Watermelon is the fruit of green, red, pink, white, orange, yellow colors, distinctive pattern lines, and delicious possibilities.

Funny how the unofficial official fruit of summer inspires the theme of watermelon home decor accessories, stylish accents of the season, delectable recipes and color palette choices.

 Eric Condron Interiors

Summer months welcome watermelon home decor in all varieties.

Country Living – Photography by Brian Woodcock

Watermelon Doormat

Watermelon Doormat

Hello Summer Fruits Doormat by Ashland®

Hello summer indeed, watermelon seed.

Aqua Embossed Tin Post Box with Distressed Finish

Tin Post Box – 3R Studios

Coventry Collection 2-Light Copper Patina Outdoor Wall Lantern Sconce

Jameson 4-Light Aged Copper Outdoor Wall Lantern Sconce

Hoffman 1 Light Outdoor Lantern – Red

Heart to Heart Radiance (Caladium) Live Plant in Pink and Green Foliage

Home Depot

Wicker Box Planters in Pink

Terracotta Square Woven Planter

Take decorating liberty with the core colors and improvise with what’s available to produce the desired result.

Gardener’s Select Madison Planter, Green Drip, 15″

Indoor Green Ombre Footed Small Ceramic Pot

Kate Spade Surprise Ginny Sandal

Packed Party Women’s “One in a Melon” Earrings

Fruit Straw Shoulder Bag

 Sam Allen Interiors

Inspiration is everywhere, and from first glance this image brought to mind  the colors of a ripe, delicious watermelon, and this is how blog post content ideas are born.

Although not in watermelon pattern, these perfectly paired accent chair cushions immediately draw the eye in with the fresh, crisp and bright apple-green material and white rope trim.

Credit the accent pillow in Romo’s “Tulipa Coral”  fabric for taking this tiptoeing through the tulips palette to color perfection heights.

DIY Watermelon Umbrella

As it goes in the home décor and retail world we decorate and accessorize in, there’s times when the decorista must engage in decorative interpretation and in the style of implementation.

Abstract Rectangular Beveled Wall Mirror

Texture and color on point trends watermelon home decor.

Ceramic Table Lamp With Shade

Beaded Front Watermelon Pillow

Decorative  Watermelons Outdoor Pillow Cover

Let’s be honest, watermelon home décor can be a tad too, let me see how to put this, tacky.

Well, it can.

Darla Polka Dots Loomed Accent Rug – Safavieh
Ocean’s Edge Braided Indoor/ Outdoor Area Rug
Plush Shag Rug – Room Essentials™
nuLOOM Kara Solid Shag Area Rug

Half Watermelon Modern Printed Red Lime 3 ft. 3 in. x 5 ft. Area Rug

Chic in the style of watermelon home décor pieces in color rich combinations of green, red, pink, white, yellow, and orange accent and accessorize please the eye and emulate the primary characteristics of the unofficial official fruit of summer.

Watermelon-Lime Sorbet

Photo by Julia Ivanina on Unsplash

Doesn’t this spring into summer scene look refreshing?

Watermelon Popsicles – Cooking Classy

Ninety plus degrees signs of summertime has hit the Deep South.

Photo by Marie Dehayes on Unsplash

BigMouth Inc. Watermelon Round Pool Float

Fill up a watermelon inflatable pool with ice for a summery chic and fun beverage cooler.

BigMouth Inc. Watermelon Inflatable Pool

Inflatable Sunning Pool in  Watermelon Pattern

Summer treats in watermelon flavor shine in the summer food and drink spotlight as a crowd pleasing source of refreshment.

Watermelon Catalina Picnic Basket

Watermelon Placemat by Celebrate It™

Feta, Watermelon & Prosciutto Salad with Honey Vinaigrette

 

William Roberts Ceramic Watermelon Bowls Set of 4

Love this watermelon themed decked out in vibrant watermelon colors serving bowl.

Watermelon Serving Bowl

Watermelon Plastic Highball Glass

James Farmer – Photography by Emily Followill

Summer Fruit Ceramic Serving Pitcher

Bordallo Pinheiro Watermelon Pitcher

Bordallo Pinheiro Watermelon Dinner Plate

The Sugartown watermelon  purchased this past weekend “produced” a sweet summer treat and a taste for sweet summer themed décor inspiration.

BHG – Photography Blaine Moats

Watermelon Sorbet

Ingredients

1 lime

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 cup frozen raspberries

12 ounces chopped watermelon (2 cups)

Directions

Finely shred 2 teaspoons peel from lime. Juice lime (2 tablespoons); set aside.

In a medium saucepan stir the sugar and water over medium heat until just simmering, stirring to dissolve sugar.  Remove from heat. Add raspberries and lime juice.

Stir to thaw.

Place raspberry mixture and watermelon in a food processor or blender. Cover and process or blend until smooth.  Press mixture through a fine-mesh sieve; discard seeds.  Stir in lime peel.

Transfer mixture to a 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Cover; freeze until firm (4 to 24 hours). Transfer to a chilled bowl, breaking up if necessary.

Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed until smooth and lightened in color. Return to dish.

Cover and freeze for 2 to 4 hours or until firm.

-Better Homes & Gardens

Galbraith & Paul

This watermelon printed midi skirt does not exactly qualify as home décor per se, however, it does make a summer chic style statement for spring into summer entertaining.

Watermelon Printed Midi Skirt

Summer fresh and pretty in pink!

Void of pattern, however, full of watermelon color.

Speaking of summer, the Sylvie Flamingo Watermelon Framed Canvas By Kendra Dandy Gold illustrates two iconic symbols of the season.

Sylvie Flamingo Watermelon Framed Canvas By Kendra Dandy Gold

 Melanie Morris Design

Barneby Gates Watermelon Wallpaper

 Terracotta Studio

Any way you slice it, watermelon home decor accessories, refreshing treats and summer entertaining wares make for a unique, fun and summer festive addition to the party.

Valentine’s Day Loveliness

Valentine’s Day loveliness treats heart, eye, and spirit to beauty on scroll.

“Love is the flower of life, and blossoms unexpectedly
and without law, and must be plucked where it is found,
and enjoyed for the brief hour of its duration.”

—D.H. Lawrence

Veranda

Valentine’s Day loveliness reaches far beyond one day of the year as demonstrated by the sublime antique gold gilt heart-shaped back dining chairs chosen as intended statement pieces in this timeless winter-white dining room designed by Alex Papachristidis.

Unique Homestays

Perfect pairings.

Woodward/Newman in The Long Hot Summer

“True love stories never have endings.”

— Richard Bach

Disney Enchanted

Love is in the air, and the word of the day affectionately defined by the look and the dance of enamored admiration.

Buttery Planet

House & Garden – Photography by Simon Upton

Valentine’s Day tradition dictates the implementation of a red and pink color palette into delectable sweets and décor treats.

“Whatever makes an impression on
the heart seems lovely in the eye.”

—Saadi

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul
and makes us reach
for more, that plants a
fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.”

— Nicholas Sparks

Valentine’s Day Garland

Darling, I Love You Hand Stamped Spoon

“Sometimes the smallest things
take up the most room in your heart.”

— Winnie the Pooh

Neutral Farmhouse Heart Rag Wreath

Country Living

“I want the moment to start
when I can fill your heart

With more love
and more joy
than age or time
could ever destroy.”

—William “Smokey” Robinson

More is my word of the year.

More not driven in the vein of greedy motivation, but in the earnest desire to fill daily life with more love, more joy, more beauty, more Valen-TIME.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

Fetching Friday: Boo-tiful Scenery

This week’s Fetching Friday features boo-tiful scenery festively depicting hauntingly beautiful images in the spirit of Halloween.

Boo-tiful scenery, gorgeous spaces, presentations, accents, displays, delights, and accessories do not rely on tricks to conjure up decorative and stylish treats for the eye.

Fairy House Pumpkin

Elle Decor

Martha Stewart – Photo by Ngoc Minh Ngo

Bayou Cocktail \ Bourbon Street⠀

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces bourbon⠀

1 ounce fresh lemon juice

¼ cup apple cider⠀

2 teaspoons real maple syrup⠀

1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger)⠀

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon⠀

5 ounces sparkling hard Honeycrisp apple cider⠀⠀

cinnamon sticks, rosemary and apple slices for garnish

cinnamon sugar for rim⠀

Directions⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Rim an Old Fashioned glass with cinnamon sugar and fill with ice.  In a shaker, combine bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger and cinnamon.  Shake to combine.

Strain into glass and top with hard Honeycrisp apple cider.  Garnish with cinnamon sticks, rosemary and apple slices.⠀

Bayou Life Magazine
Styling by @taylor.a.bennett
Photo by @kellymooreclark

Alexander McQueen

House of Hackney Troop Wallpaper

Flickr

Country Living – Photo by Matthew Benson

Elle Decor

I hope you have a spooktacular Friday, and enjoy boo-tiful scenery on this Halloween weekend.

Fetching Friday: Around the House

Today’s Fetching Friday invites you into my around the house world.

It’s amazing how fall shows out around the house.

On a late afternoon stroll with Ollie the Wonder Dog the colors in our yard and around the neighborhood caught my eye, so I grabbed the camera and snapped several pics to share with you all.

Purple in shades of deep and bright.

Autumn gold best describes this deep yellow with variegated tones of green beneath.

We just cut this front flower bed crop down for our annual end-of-summer lawn and garden purge, and as if on cold front cue it’s back in blooming wonder.

New to my ironstone-porcelain-so pretty collection of platters, plates, and pitchers is this October for November surprise.

Exciting times and anticipated cold fronts hit the Boot (Louisiana) late this evening and stays for a nice crisp weekend long visit.

A new Dutch oven is ready to sauté and simmer a pound of Cajun trinity for the first gumbo of the fall season and seasons.

Just now (7:24 p.m. cst) Dave the Builder rushed in the back door telling me, “come quick, the geese are flying over.”

My daddy firmly believed low flying geese meant cold weather was on the way, and he loved to hear them this time of year.

As I stood on the sidewalk this evening listening to their fall flyover, I winked up at Jack.

To commemorate fall, the cold front, and the annual parish fair being in town baked caramel apples will be the featured dessert this evening.

I so hope you have a most fetching Friday enjoying the beauty of the season.

A Most Fetching Friday: A Tranquil Bedroom

Today’s A Most Fetching Friday shines a nightlight on the importance of a tranquil bedroom where mind, body and eye benefit from quality downtime and restful style.  I’ve discovered the antidote to the energy draining, oppressive and tedious days of summer- retreating to a tranquil bedroom  where I check stress, devices, and the general noise of the day that grinds the gears at the door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

What design elements constitute a tranquil bedroom for one may not for another.

In design and in the pursuit of tranquility, personal preference makes the world go round.

Count me among those that unwind by watching television before bed.  Dave the Builder yammers wonders aloud how I can include watching television in my downtime is the right time viewing routine.

To quote a line from Sex and the City (a late night viewing favorite), “I love it, it’s my thing.  Let it go.”

When designing and decorating the master bedroom with tranquility in mind, a serene and calming color palette is conducive to a relaxing atmosphere.

Windham Cream  ||   Blue Bonnet  ||  Palladian Blue  ||   Healing Aloe

Gauthier~Stacy Inc.

Dave and I often play the what would you buy if you won the lottery game.

When I do win the lottery (the power of positive thinking) fresh flowers will grace the accent, dining, vanity, and bedside tabletops throughout Casa de Places In The Home.

In the meantime, the markdown sections of grocery store floral departments beautifully and affordably allow me to indulge my penchant for keeping an arrangement of fresh flowers on the bedside table.

Small touches such as fresh flowers instill a curated quality to your bedroom oasis and give a weary eye a colorful place to land.

Suzanne Rheinstein & Associates

Be still my Southern traditional heart!

Decorator Brannan Geary

The tranquil bedroom decorated by Brannan Geary is a Southern charmer.

The classic Colefax and Fowler fabric Bowood, stunning window treatments, and fresh flowers beautifully demonstrate how the use of classic patterns, soft color palettes, and antique furnishings frame a tranquil bedroom.

Gal Meets Glam

 Bowood by Colefax and Fowler

New Salem 3 Drawer Accent Chest

Porphyrion Console 2 Door Accent Cabinet

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

I do love a tranquil bedroom that is calm, cool and collected.

This lamp is one of a pair that belonged to my grandmother.

The pair of vintage porcelain lamps in the Brannan Geary decorated bedroom inspired me to head to the Hopefully Classic storage closet to retrieve these vintage porcelain lamps with the express purpose of reintroducing into a calm, cool, and collected bedroom.

Architectural Digest

Southern Living

Southern Living

I hope you have a most fetching Friday and a lovely weekend- one that  presents an opportunity at the end of the day for you to retreat to and rest and relax in a tranquil bedroom.

Valentine’s Day Color Spotlight: Seeing Red

In the best and most gorgeous of ways, many of us will be seeing red on Valentine’s Day.

Red is a commanding color; a color as alluring as it is dramatic.

Katie Scott Design

Up, Up and Away

Southern Living

Often regarded as the traditional color of Valentine’s Day, red plays color matchmaker to the visual aesthetic integral to interior design, interior decorating, home decor and home furnishings.

Veranda

Architectural DigestSaint James Paris 

Eiffel Tower Restaurant ~ House Beautiful

I ♥ this image of the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas. 

Seeing red is befitting this beautiful and romantic setting.   

Bal masqué by Charles Hermans ~{{PD-US}}

Pinterest

Pinterest 

Today’s Valentine’s Day color spotlight is brought to you by the color red.

Here’s to seeing red through the eyes of love and style.

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