Click to read the refreshed post Designer Rooms With the Wow and the Woof Factor for National Dog Day
Three for All: Planning A Fall, Harvest and Thanksgiving Tablescape
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.
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.
A November to treasure.”
-La Prevenchere
My thoughts exactly!
Deliciously Easy Cheesy Corn Cornbread
Cheesy corn cornbread perfectly tops off a hot bowl of homemade soup, chili or gumbo.
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.
Cheesy Corn Cornbread
Ingredients
2 packs corn muffin mix
2 eggs
¼ cup milk
1 can cream style corn
2 cups shredded cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly grease baking pan.
Stir muffin mix and eggs together in medium bowl to blend. Add milk and stir to combine.
Fold in cream style corn. Add shredded cheese and stir until blended. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Historic Homes And The Beauty Of Their Architectural Elements
Architectural integrity through architectural elements is the indelible mark of historic homes and landmarks.
It is usually the only tangible proof of bygone golden eras ruled by classic styles.
Cornstalk Fence Hotel – Flickr
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.
Craftsmanship, detail to details, and artisan skills used to envision, shape, form, and build these homes fascinates me.
Over the years we have had the opportunity to tour, consult on, and donate antique pieces to several state and privately owned historic homes.
As much as I love antiques, I will walk right by a period piece without so much as a glance to get to the heart of the historic matter.
Architectural elements grab and hold my attention.
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
Updates and Seasonal Edits: Fall Home Decor Ideas
Change comes with fall home decor ideas.
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.
A dough bowl never meets a crop of faux pumpkins it doesn’t beautifully complement.
The “nature” of design~ Designer Barry Dixon gained inspiration for his fabric “Oakbark” from rubbings taken from the bark of old trees.
Now that’s inspiring!
Traditional Home – Better Homes & Gardens
Rich browns, yellows, oranges, dark greens, deep crimsons, cozy shades of beige, and metallic jewel tones emphasize the palette of the season.
Blankets, throws, and seasonal linens will warm the toes and provide seasonal eye candy for the home decor-fall inspired decorista in all of us.
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.
Color Me Inspired: Choosing Paint Colors
Choosing paint colors can be a daunting process, but it doesn’t have to be.
Exterior or interior painting is by far one of the most inexpensive, impressive, and immediate options for changing and refreshing home décor.
Think of color as personality plus in a gallon, quart, or sample size container. It holds the power to calm, excite, bore and entice- a fascinating concept that reflects our personality and taste.
Color has the ability to infuse a space with decorative drama, calming appeal, or high octane energy.
Several years back before one of our trips out to America’s playground I watched what proved to be a color your world show during Vegas Week on the Travel Channel focused on how environment and interior design affects gamblers.
Color plays a significant role in casino and gaming floor interior design, especially pertaining to the mood and behaviors of gambling guests.
Inspiration is everywhere, and color choices can come from a favorite article of clothing, piece of jewelry, home décor accessory or fabric, or a treasured collectible.
When deciding what color to paint a space, these are a few of the factors I take into consideration:
What is the overall feeling this space needs to convey?
Formal or casual?
Relaxing bedroom or high energy kitchen?
Visual flow and compatibility with the overall color palette.
Texture and sheen, or lack thereof.
Flat matte or soft sheen satin eggshell?
Glosses shine in the vein of durability- the choice range being the easy to clean sheen semi-gloss to the woodwork, furniture, and high sheen-high traffic friendly high gloss.
Sure, there is both implied and true rules for color selection in interior design and decorating. Smaller spaces appear larger when a lighter color is used.
Lighting
A space blessed with plenty of natural light can support darker color choices.
House & Garden – Photography by Owen Gale
Natural light will accent the prominent tone of the color.
Remember this; the color of the paint you see in the store will not be the color of the paint you see on the walls in your home.
Paint colors will cast different colors at different times of the day based on natural and artificial lighting (basically the same principal as photographing with natural light vs. night shots).
Small space + light colors = open up and say size
Small space + the b&b principal (balanced & bold) = hello, gorgeous!
House Beautiful – Photography by Laure Joilet
Color is not just for walls.
Painting a ceiling with a contrasting color or sheen creates a dramatic focal point that will spread the color love by guiding the eye to the wall color.
White, beige, black, and brown no longer qualify as the only kids on the neutral block.
Photo by Sandie Clarke on Unsplash
Flawless gray areas have now moved into the classic neutral category.
Bold colors can be the Switzerland of the space, as long as warm and cool shades exist in colorful harmony while balancing the hue.
All things do come together in a space to influence the whole of the look, and when the correct balance is achieved, look out!
Small spaces tend to appear larger if lighter colors are used, but large patterns or bold colors balanced with the proper lighting can make a dramatic statement.
Painting is a great way to test the waters and step out of the decorative comfort zone.
Most paint brands have paint samples for purchase.
Behr Etched Glass One-Coat Satin Enamel Paint & Primer Sample
Take the time to purchase paint samples of the color or colors you have narrowed your choice down to.
Apply a couple of coats of the paint to an area on the wall you will be painting, allowing to completely dry.
Turn on the lights, pull back the curtains or open the blinds, shutters etc… and let the light in.
Hold that thought until later in the day when the light will be different.
Now, hold that thought until evening when the light has once again changed.
Tones will come to call at different times of day.
Color shows you how beautiful and right it is for you to live with at any time.
When The Pear Begins To Rot: A Kitchen Repaint Project
Our kitchen repaint is nearing the final stages however, my accessorizing vision is not quite at 20/20.
When we started the initial remodel of our house, the color choices I selected really made an impression on me.
My tastes change, lighting becomes unflattering, and I begin to question my past decor choices.
Do you do that?
I have the luxury of not being on a time clock when selecting the color, design, and decor of my own home.
The process is slow, thorough, and one I try to make right the first go round.
Do I get it right the first time every time?
Of course not.
“Re” is a big part of my design and decor vocabulary.
The color selecting process has purposely been at a snail’s pace.
I wanted a rich color to complement the countertops and backsplash.
The space is blessed with natural light, white cabinets and molding, and tile flooring that is a decorative chameleon.
With all that going for the space one big issue went against it.
The previous kitchen paint color, Anjou Pear by Sherwin-Williams, was beginning to rot.
Anjou Pear is a beautiful color, but it was time for a change.
Dave the Builder was surprised to find out the kitchen was the redo target.
This all came about with me thinking I wanted to change the color of the dining room.
The more I studied the space, sketched out the ideas, and walked by the dining room 900 times a day, the more I realized I did not want to change the color.
The second I came to the realization it was in fact the kitchen in need of a change, the master plan decoratively began to come together.
Hello, Curio Gray by Sherwin-Williams.
Ours was not an instant attraction, but my how you have grown on me.
I fought the good fight against a television in the kitchen, but as you can see I lost.
The electrical and cable outlets are leftovers from my parent’s kitchen-office combo design.
Dave did not move them when he remodeled the kitchen because he wasn’t sure what we would do with the space.
Instead of moving the outlets he has suggested we simply buy a bigger television.
A master problem solver, that Dave the Builder.
The eyesores outlets will be relocated sooner than later.
The point of the image is to show the new home of the architectural pediment and the new lamp.
I have an antique iron fence piece in mind to complete the look.
An Italian iron lantern in storage is the light fixture I’m leaning toward to replace the current alabaster chandelier in the breakfast area.
Paint colors choices for the perfect lantern patina are narrowed to three~
Decorative decisions, decorative decisions.
Stay tuned.
Smoky-Sweet BBQ Pot Roast
A few weeks ago I posted the recipe for Southern Living Smoky-Sweet BBQ Rub.
Dave the Builder bought an English cut roast at the market and suggested we season the roast with the smoky-sweet BBQ rub.
We put the seasoned rub to the Places In The Home taste test, and it scored 5 forks out of 5 forks.
Here’s our grading scale:
Scale of 1-5 Forks
1 fork: Never Again
2 forks: Where are the Antacids?
3 forks: TLC (Tastes Like Chicken?)
4 forks: Will be Cooking This Dish Again!
5 forks: Share Worthy Recipe!!
Working on home decor projects makes it necessary for the dinner menu to be lovin’ from the oven friendly.
Season the chicken, pork, or beef, pop it in the oven, and fuggetaboutit.
This week’s recipe deliciously met those requirements.
Smoky-Sweet BBQ Pot Roast
Ingredients
1 3-5 lb. English roast
¼ cup smoky-sweet bbq rub
8 ounces regular cola
4 ounces water
For Smoky-Sweet BBQ Rub:
¼ cup kosher salt
¼ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons plus 2 tsp. smoked paprika
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Rub roast with smoky-sweet bbq rub. Place in 4 qt. oven proof pot or roasting pan. Combine cola and water together and pour over roast. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 3 hours or until tender.