It’s a fabulous color choice, it’s a fabulous cause to support, and won’t it be fabulous when the cure is found!
For my mother, dear friends and old and new, the woman in the waiting room, the names and faces of cancer I will never know, the growing numbers of survivors and thrivers, and the walkers and runners uniting together in pink solidarity- this one’s for you.
One of my favorite historical landmark hotels, Hotel Bentley, is a hometown legend.
The Hotel Bentley is a stunning testament to opulent grand foyers, crystal chandeliers and marble staircases.
Notable guests in its 104 year old history include Major General George Patton, Lieutenant Colonel Omar Bradley, Colonel Dwight David Eisenhower, and Henry Kissinger.
Be still my heart!
When the last owner decided to close the Hotel Bentley, I was able to acquire a few of the items to add to my collection of hotel silver and china.
Making welcomed additions to my collection is an etched seltzer bottle, a lithograph from the hotel art collection, and a charger from the dining room china pattern.
Even with non-smoking laws and policies in place, matchbooks remain a highly collectible item.
Las Vegas hotels never die, they just implode.
Fortunately, the classics remain alive and well via a well guarded matchbook collection.
Power outages, fire pits, birthday candles or barbecue grills need not apply- these vintage matchbooks are for admiring purposes only.
I view antique plates and bone dishes as small pieces of art full of history, provenance and color.
Coming in as the number one thing I like to collect is frogs.
The association with frogs goes all the way back to the mid 70’s.
Ions ago, don’t ‘cha know.
When the majority of mothers around the neighborhood discovered a great summer babysitter activity for the neighborhood kids, the word spread like softened butter.
Our local community theater was sponsoring a summer workshop culminating in a off, off, off Broadway production at workshops end.
The play was Fairy Frog Superstar, and yours truly won the part of the Fairy Frog.
A future theater star was not born, but my love of all things frog was.
It only takes one look at a frog for my thoughts to go back to the summer of frog.
Thoughts of fall have naturally brought about seasonal home decorating ideas, reminding me it is time to begin putting together ideas for a fall tablescape.
Noting a stunning pair of barley twist bar stools seen on Pinterest turned my thoughts to the pair of vintage barley twist candlesticks I know I have somewhere.
Found the little darlings.
Isn’t it funny how an image or an item in that image can initiate the decorative snowball effect?
One Kings Lane
Textures, finishes, and color palettes evoke thoughts of warmth, coziness, and hominess- qualities so closely associated with cold weather days and nights.
Decorative throws and pillows infuse a space with the look and feel of warmth.
Candles in scents of the season treat the senses.
Seasonal home decorating ideas often are inspired by the senses.
Forget the pie, this is my idea of a slice of pumpkin love!
Pumpkin, ginger, and cinnamon- from kitchen to table to home decor accessories to color palettes.
Dering Hall
Traditional Home
In a few months from now I’ll be writing about how I can’t wait for spring flowers to bloom, summer colors, and there’s nothing better than the taste of barbecue.
For now, I’m looking forward to the first really cool night and the feel of a down comforter.
Also on the fall treats list is the delicious scent of cloves and oranges throughout the kitchen and dining room, and the highly anticipated first taste of a pumpkin spice latte.
Okay, now it’s your turn.
What is it that you hear, see, feel, smell or taste that reminds you of fall?
Planning a fall tablescape is both a labor of love and one of the best parts of the fall home decorating season.
Blending the best of the season can carry the theme through to a harvest and a Thanksgiving tablescape.
Natural elements provide a canvas easy to work with, color that only nature can produce, and the opportunity to treasure hunt close to home outdoors as well as indoors.
That which nature doesn’t provide, Hobby Lobby, Tractor Supply, eBay, and my brother the avid goose hunter does!
A savvy tablescaper keeps an eye out for future holiday table setting ideas and clearance sales from holidays past.
Patience and an additional 40% off clearance sale at Dillard’s secured the six new dinner plates, dinner napkins, and hammered copper napkin rings for my fall tablescape.
Burlap sandbags from Tractor Supply make casually chic, virtually indestructible and very affordable placemats.
To know me is to know I love the opportunity to show and display items from my antique plate and creamer collection.
The Prussia Royal Rudolstadt bread and butter plate is a find from our last antiques inventory shopping trip.
It’s odd how decorative accessories that normally would not be paired together do, in fact, create the perfect look.
When Dave the Builder brought the Wedgwood candlesticks home from the antique shop I was not feeling it.
But wait.
After careful reconsideration it dawned on me that the steel gray goose feathers in the centerpiece cast an elegant shade of Wedgwood blue all their own.
“A September to remember. An October full of splendor.
I have friends and family who refuse to eat gumbo unless there’s been a frost on the ground, won’t go near chili unless it is well, chilly, and insist soup served with a couple of pieces of cheesy corn cornbread is a must have accompaniment to the fall into winter soup season.
Cooking up a big pot of soup, chili or gumbo sounds like a tasty activity to undertake on this late summer into fall afternoon.
And while I’m at it I believe I’ll whip up this super easy, satisfying and delicious recipe for cheesy corn cornbread as a culinary complement.
Restoration efforts and day to day upkeep of historic homes can be financially mind boggling.
Another consideration is the sheer expense of replicating these styles in today’s market which can create financial hurdles too difficult to clear.
Aging and changing neighborhoods coupled with a natural progression away from this style of living places most of these homes in the private sector on an endangered species list.
Locally we have a block of homes known as Mansion Row.
Anchoring the far left corner of the block stands the Thompson-Hargis Mansion.
Built in 1907, this Greek Revival home with characteristic Ionic columns,porte-cochère, triangle pediment, and transom entry was once a jewel in the crown of our city history.
Exterior and grounds showed the weathered look of sun and time- nothing paint and repair could not fix as the property was structurally sound and the architectural integrity intact.
Removal of the furnishings was conducted years ago, windows and doors boarded, and the grand dame beautifully sat idling until this past Sunday evening when she fell victim to a senseless demise.
Neighbors who recall the elegance of what was and admirers of what could have been mourn the total loss of of property, history, and hope.
It’s a sad turn of events and an even sadder realization that original, historic, and one of a kind architectural elements were destroyed.
Dollars do not factor into the equation, there is no replacement value for the architectural integrity of this 105 year old home.
RIP Thompson-Hargis Mansion.
images: Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, We Saw That
Leaves will change colors, the hands on the clock will change, and for many their home decor accessories and accents will change.
The highly anticipated arrival of fall evokes many thoughts associated with this time of year and influences fall home decor ideas.
Crisp clear evening air that somehow wonderfully floats the music of the local high school bands directly to your front porch, the snap, crackle and pop of a roaring fire in the fireplace, soups, stews, and gumbos cooking on the stove for an entire day, and the turning of leaves that naturally put the colors of fall on parade.
It’s beginning to look and feel a lot like fall!
Color and texture updates and selective edits through home decor brings the beauty, warmth, and feel of fall indoors.
Inspirational and affordable (two terms no one should ever shy away from) ideas are as close as a walk around the neighborhood.
I remarked in a post last year that nature is the ultimate arts and crafts store.
Foliage, acorns, magnolia leaves, branches, pine cones and the local farmers market provide natural elements to create the quintessential fall centerpiece, wreath, front door or mantel display.
Seasonal fruits, nuts, pumpkins, gourds, ornamental corn and gourds are a trip to the grocery produce department and a pop of fall color away from a natural beauty.
The fall color palette is easy to work with, and can easily create a striking contrast when paired with the right spring or summer color.
Neutrals know no season, turquoise is a year round accent color, and dark, royal or navy blue is classically versatile.
Warmth is the thought of the fall day and evening, too. Heavier weight fabrics and textures such as tweed, houndstooth, wool, chenille, and knit take home decor center stage this time of year.
“Throw” caution to the fall wind- throw pillows and throws in seasonal colors and fabrics instantly and affordably update home decor to reflect the look of the applicable season.
I would love to read about what exterior and interior fall home decor ideas and seasonal updates you have in mind for your home.
