Summer Simple Suggestions In Chic Summer Style

Summer simple suggestions in chic summer style for bedecking interior and exterior settings, entertaining, dishing up summer fare, and outdoor living it up easy peasy is greatly appreciated.

summer simple suggestions

Southern, Northern, Eastern or Western Living- regardless of geographical location, summer living and loving decoristas have got the memo, and it’s all about keeping it summer simple and summer simple suggestions.

best-of-summer-Southern-Living

It’s kinda sorta tough to kick back, relax and savor the season when you notice heavy equipment sitting on the sidewalk in front of your house and you, the homeowner, have no earthly idea what it is doing there.

heavy-equipment

Seems our city water department has a little curb appeal water line improvement of their own in mind.

This does not make my summer simple suggestions list.

dug-up-sidewalk

Progress isn’t always a pretty process, and the installation of a new water lines makes it difficult to achieve summer curb appeal style, but we forge on.

sago-palm

We trimmed the unattractive dead sago palm fronds and within a week new green growth emerged.

Here’s a trick in my simple summer suggestions repertoire for getting your Sago palm(s) summer curb appeal ready.

Sago Palm Care

Outdoor planted Sago palm care involves watering the plant regularly until it takes root.

I like the look and the drought tolerant aspect of the mature Sago palm.

Fertilize at least once a month beginning in spring to aid in active growth.

Covering the base of the plant with mulch will help to protect the roots from cold snaps.

In inclement winter weather or fall freeze, we cover the exposed Sago palm with a heavy duty extra large black trash bag to protect it.

shattered

If it’s not one thing, it’s this.

Cue The Rolling Stones, cause it’s shattered.

The lawn and garden guy’s super duper heavy duty weed eater took aim at a loose piece of exposed aggregate, obliterating the exterior glass panel of the patio French garden door.

One simply can’t patio pretty with ugly on parade.

Thank goodness for the friend who frequents our summer patio soirees that just so happens to own a local glass company.

Better Homes & Gardens 10-Count Warm White LED Ribbed Outdoor String Lights

Better Homes & Gardens 10-Count LED Ribbed Outdoor String Lights

Did someone mention summer soiree?

Why, yes.

It’s time once again to get your summer soiree on, and the ideas for fun in the sun or evening tiki torch, lantern or string light are flowing.

We’re working with what we’ve got in the front of the house, and if you are like us, you’re getting your porch, patio and deck hangin’ game plan down pat.

Comfortable, fun, relaxing, refreshing, simple, tasty and stylish as chic- this is my number one summer simple suggestions formula for a festive summer gathering.

If Ina Uses It

I read with interest an article listing the pros and cons of a charcoal grill.

The pros outnumber the cons, and personal preference trumps all however, the one pro of the charcoal grill worth mentioning is worth mentioning.  Grilling on a charcoal grill ups the flavor quotient and gives great grilled flavor.

grill

Better Homes & Gardens

Brushing the grate with oil helps to prevent food from sticking.

Take three or four paper towels and wad them up in a bunch.

Pick up the paper towels with tongs and dip into a bowl of peanut, Canola or vegetable oil.

Lightly coat the grate and proceed to grill.

charcoal-chimney-starter

Country Living

Ina is a huge fan of the charcoal chimney starter.

Using a charcoal chimney starter is both easy and a safe way to get things cooking.

I hate the taste of lighter fluid, and am leery of it as well.  When you use a charcoal chimney starter there is no need for lighter fluid.

Simply fill the chimney starter about ¾  full with charcoal and light it over several sheets of scrunched up newspaper over the bottom grill grate.

chimney-starter

Weber® Rapidfire® Chimney Starter

Allow the fire to catch and then burn for about 10-20 minutes or until the fire comes out of the top and the coals are glowing orange.

Carefully spread out the charcoal in a single layer across the bottom cooking grate, place the oiled grate on top, and you’re ready to grill.

As Ina Garten would say, how fabulous is that?

Speaking of Simple Summer Suggestions, Ina Garten, Summer Fare and Grilling

ina-garten-sliders

Sliders

Ingredients

2 pounds premium ground beef (80 percent lean and 20 percent fat)

1 tablespoon good Dijon mustard

3 tablespoons good olive oil, plus extra for brushing the grill

1 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves

3 teaspoons chopped garlic

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

6 ounces grated Gruyere

12 small Brioche buns

4 ounces baby arugula

3 medium tomatoes, sliced in 1/8-inch-thick rounds

2 small red onions, sliced in 1/8-inch-thick rounds

Ketchup, for serving

Directions

Build a charcoal fire or heat a gas grill.

Place the ground beef in a large bowl and add the mustard, olive oil, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper.  Mix gently with a fork to combine, taking care not to compress the ingredients.  Shape the meat into 12 (2-inch) patties of equal size and thickness.

When the grill is medium-hot, brush the grill grate with oil to keep the sliders from sticking.  Place the sliders on the grill and cook for 4 minutes. Turn the sliders over with a spatula and cook for another 4 to 6 minutes, until medium-rare, or cook longer if you prefer the sliders more well done.

For the last 2 minutes of cooking time, place ½-ounce Gruyere on the top of each burger and close the grill lid.  Remove the sliders to a platter and cover with foil.

Slice the buns in half crosswise and toast the halves cut side down on the grill.

Divide the baby arugula among the 12 bottom buns, top each with a slider, and finish with a slice of tomato and red onion.  Cover with the top of the bun and serve hot with ketchup.

– from Food Network

hot-dog-1

Culinary experiments put the taste and c’est si bon in the summer entertaining mix.

Summer menus require summer classics, new discoveries and improved additions.

fried-chicken

Fried chicken is practically required eating in the South and a mainstay of the summer dining and picnic table.

Once the Places In The Home gang discovered how good the fried chicken is from the deli at our local Kroger, frying chicken at home has become a thing of the past.

smores-fixins

Here’s my tip for simply summer impressive- it’s all in the presentation.

I go heavy on the presentation and simple with the preparation.

A pack of mini terra-cotta clay pots from the dollar store become individual s’mores supply pots.

Vintage Hershey's Milk Chocolate Metal Tray

Vintage Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Metal Tray

Chippy, rusty, and charming- this vintage Hershey’s Milk Chocolate metal tray would make a great serving tray or decorative accent for the s’mores table.

plum smoothie pop

Country Living Magazine

Vintage ironstone and in the style of vintage table linens set a summer chic table.

A quick trip to an antique shop, garage sale or Goodwill store usually results in an ironstone serving piece find or two.

Vintage picnic wares and baskets bring memories to the table, and can be used for the actual purpose of food and beverage and/or as decorative accents.

basket-hydrangea

Dave the Builder and I bought a vintage picnic table from a fellow antiques dealer with the express purpose of featuring it in a summer display at Hopefully Classic.

I used a vintage picnic basket filled with hydrangeas for  a super easy, super cute centerpiece.

You can make quite the keep it summer simple statement with a collection of glass jars or melamine vegetable bowl and whatever flowers, greenery or veggies are growing fresh in your yard or garden.

No garden or flowers on the homestead?

summer-sorbet-watermelon-Blaine-Moats

Check out the floral department and produce section of your favorite grocery store or farmers market.

Fresh watermelon at a market

Mini watermelons on a natural table runner of Pittosporum paired with Lemon Lime Nandina is summer simple and summer chic.

corn-centerpiece

corn-cobs-red-ribbons

Ears of fresh corn with the husks slightly peeled back in order to expose the corn kernels grouped in threes and tied with woven ribbon of your color, pattern and texture choice or metallic twisted rope is another fresh centerpiece idea.

ironstone-tureen

H&Co France Lidded Casserole- White Ironstone lidded dish

H&Co France Lidded Casserole- White Ironstone Lidded Dish

Vintage Homer Laughlin Blue and White Platter Oval Plate Dish Restaurant Ware

Vintage Homer Laughlin Blue and White Platter Oval Dish

summer-serving-pieces

4pc Indoor Outdoor Gingham Napkins
Cotton Striped Table Runner Blue – Threshold™
Design Imports 18″ Square Farm Fresh Stripe Napkin (Set of 4)
Farmhouse Living Homestead Stripe Red/White Napkins (4-Pack)
Buffalo Check Navy 100% Cotton Napkin (Set of 4)

12-Piece Damier White and Black Porcelain Dinnerware Set (Service for 4)

12-Piece Damier White and Black Porcelain Dinnerware Set (Service for 4)

Buffalo Plaid Woven Cotton Napkin, 4 Piece, Black and White

Buffalo Plaid Woven Cotton Napkin, 4 Piece, Black and White

Summer Simple Suggestions for Refreshing Treats 

Summer is fun, but summer is hot.

Delicious and easy frozen treats of the leaded and unleaded type make a big splash with guests.

plums

Plums

Plum Smoothie Pops

Ingredients

¼ cup sugar

1 Tablespoon corn syrup

1 lb. assorted plums

8 tsp. fresh lime juice

6 oz. plain yogurt

Directions

Bring the sugar, corn syrup, and ¼ cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and cool.

Puree the plums, cooled syrup, and lime juice in two batches, using a blender, until smooth.  Stir the plum puree and yogurt together in a large mixing bowl.

Pour the mixture into popsicle molds, leaving about ½ inch at the top, as the mixture will expand when it freezes.  Follow popsicle mold manufacturer’s instructions and freeze until solid, about 4 hours.

-Country Living

popsicle-outdoor-throw-pillow

Pair your favorite frozen treat with a glass of sparkling wine for a little zing.

Dipping a frozen treat into a chilled glass of sparkling wine pops the flavor notes and takes summer treat to a whole new tasting dimension.

Prosecco grapes is another winner.

These frozen treats are super easy to make and quite refreshing.

prosecco-grapes

Prosecco Grapes

Ingredients

2 lb. green grapes

1 bottle prosecco

4 oz. vodka

½  cup granulated sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, pour prosecco and vodka over grapes.  Let them soak in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Drain in a colander and pat dry.  On a shallow plate, roll the grapes in sugar until fully coated, then serve.

-Delish

original-bomb-pop-frozen-treat

Inspiration is everywhere!

Huber+Popsicle+Throw+Pillow

I saw this VW Bus throw pillow and immediately my thoughts went to summers spent camping with my childhood friend and her family in their VW Bus.

VW-bus-summer-throw-pillow

Louisiana is a long way from the California coast, but the Gulf Coast is a fun place to sand, swim, sun and sing we’ve been having fun all summer long, Louisiana style.

The Beach Boys definitely make up the soundtrack of summer.

he-beach-boys-greatest-hits

My final summer simple suggestions tip is as follows:

Don’t sweat the details.

The simplicity of summer is an easy theme to work with and makes a great backdrop for mixing and mingling with friends and family in the good old summertime.

Darleen-signature-love

 

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A Most Fetching Friday: In Glorious Bring The Holidays Home Fashion

Today’s A Most Fetching Friday greets the first day of December in glorious bring the holidays home fashion.

fetching-definiton

bring the holidays homeShare a Coke

tree-farm-Canada

garland-wreath-front-doorNine & Sixteen Home

Christmashousetour2014livingroomflockedtreecraftberrybushChristmas Home Tour by Craftberry Bush

Christmas-amaryllis-vase

Christmas-foyer

House & Garden

Shiny Brite Christmas Ornaments

holiday decorated sideboardTG Interiors

pine-cones-garland-ribbon-greeneryVeranda

small-Christmas-treeLancaster Home & Holiday

Holiday wishing you all a most fetching Friday and a lovely first day of December.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as we trim the trees and deck the halls in glorious bring the holidays home fashion.

love your style

 

Do You Know What Your Thanksgiving Tabletop and Decorating Plan Is?  

It’s the 1st of November.  Do you know what your Thanksgiving tabletop and decorating plan is?

Inspiration is everywhere, and we thrive on it here at Places In The Home.

Let me share with you a few of the Thanksgiving tabletop and decorating suggestions and finds in seasonal color, texture and pattern to set the holiday tone and the Thanksgiving table with the look of the season.

quail-feather-figurine

Birds of gorgeous feather colors flock together among 6′ baby tear and frosted eucalyptus garlands from Hobby Lobby.  Duck hunting in the Sportsman’s Paradise goes with the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and this new to me find sets the scene- one very well known to the men of the Places In The Home family.

ducks-painting

Fall clearance sales are underway much to the delight of the tablescape maven.

May I also suggest checking out dollar, craft, hobby, and fabric  stores for candles, candle holders, decor, chargers, etc…  Dollar stores are inexpensive to begin with, so there’s that.

The upside to Christmas and holiday items being stocked and displayed on a store shelf near you earlier and earlier each year is the deep discounts on fall and harvest themed items shoppers see sooner and sooner in the season.

The cream craft pumpkin from Lowe’s is 50% off, and the Ashland Finial Vase from Michael’s is on clearance.  Both are calling my name.

thanksgiving tabletop

Frosted Eucalyptus Garland  ||  Cracked-Look Candle Holders  ||  Cream Craft Pumpkin  ||  Grace Dinner Plate  ||  Antique Crown-Embossed Compote  ||  Autumn by Lenox  ||  Vintage Soup Tureen  ||  Ironstone Pitcher  ||  Transferware Vegetable Dish  ||  Copper Bowl  ||  Ashland Finials  ||  Quail Figurine

Thanksgiving Tabletop and Decorating

After creating the gallery I remembered Dollar Tree stocks a white stoneware dinner plate with gold rim.  You can’t go wrong with a set of  white dinner plates with gold or platinum rims.  A simple yet elegant white dinner plate makes a strong argument for the perfect foundation plate, and complements almost every china pattern known to man.

thanksgiving-table-place-setting-dinner

My style preference leans traditional.  Classic tableware and vintage linens set most of my holiday tablescapes and Thanksgiving tabletop, but I do like to gift the eye a decorative surprise.

Marry a traditional china pattern to a modern and/or contemporary pattern.

Intermingle pops of bold color with the customary fall palette.

Mix seasonal buds and branches with roses and taxidermy.

I am always impressed and amazed when decor accents and accessories that normally would not be paired together come together in perfected contrast to create remarkable beauty.

dinner-napkins-drink-glasses

PomPom Design Dinner Napkins – set of 4  ||  White Burnout Snowflake Dinner Napkins-set of 4  ||  Godinger Dublin Goblets  || Cromwell Highball Glasses  ||  Antique Crown-Embossed Compote

Halette+Pedestal+Cups+Cake+StandDessert compotes remind me of my grandmother- a woman who mastered the art of the holiday table with signature style and grace.

vintage-soup-tureen-and-ladleVintage Soup Tureen

One of the best pieces of Thanksgiving tabletop and decorating advice I can offer is this:  I embrace the words do small things with great love.

Incorporate pieces, finds and treasures you love into your Thanksgiving tabletop and decorating.

Personal mementos and collections tell a compelling all things house that make a home story.

love your style

 

Thanksgiving Home for the Holidays Mode

Places In The Home is in full-on Thanksgiving Home for the Holidays mode.

Pre-planning broadens the window of time between Halloween and turkey day, and although I’ve pre-planned the stuffing out of my Thanksgiving decorating, time is tight.

Here is the extent of my Halloween decorating.

halloween-pumpkin-gifKitchen Ghosts on Tumblr

All things in full-on Thanksgiving Home for the Holidays mode slides right into the home for the holidays motif.

A play on words World Series style.

home for the holidays mode

I love planning the Thanksgiving tablescape, sideboard decor, scrumptious sides and delicious holiday desserts.

Searching for lovely tabletop finds that capture the essence of the holiday rivals that of decor and menu planning, designing and developing.

Southern-Living-Thanksgiving-Issue

I’m seriously considering setting a place at our Thanksgiving table for the guys and gals of USPS, UPS and FedEx that serve our neighborhood route.

We see them more than some of the family members who will be breaking holiday bread with us, and they come bearing parcels and packages.

The Places In The Home Thanksgiving table is being set with a trio of china patterns.

Starring as the simple yet elegant dinner plate set is a simple white stoneware dinner plate with a gold rim from Dollar Tree.

White Stoneware Plates with Gold Rims, 8 in.

White Stoneware Dinner Plates with Gold Rims

Autumn by Lenox makes a first time appearance to the Places In the Home Thanksgiving table compliments of my brother.

autumn-lenox-plate

The ex-wife left, the Lenox china did not.

Holiday desserts will be served on vintage ironstone dessert plates of unknown pattern.

Today’s Home for the Holidays inspiration gallery features Thanksgiving dishes of traditional and new-traditional pattern and color combinations for your holiday tablescape consideration.

Thanksgiving-holiday-dinner-plates-serveware

Plymouth Gate ||  Ardencroft || Friendly Village
Harvest Acorn  ||  Alfred Meakin  ||  Friendly Village Pitcher
Painted Paisley || Plymouth Woodland  ||  Pumpkin Dish

As far as I’m concerned, the holidays have arrived.

Places In The Home is in full-on holiday mode, and with that the holiday show and tell begins.

love your style

 

Southern Hospitality: Please Join Us For A Bridal Shower

Happy midweek all!  Today, because I am a proud mama and weddings are all around, I thought I would bring you into The Places In The Home fold by sharing with you this photo gallery from the please join us for a bridal shower we hosted for our son and his lovely fiancée when they were home for our nephew’s wedding in May.  Seeing that the happy couple live in Canada, it is difficult to be live and in person for the showers and luncheons celebrating the couple.  Skype and FaceTime amaze me, but pales in comparison to actually being in attendance in the moment.  It didn’t take long for me to come up with the idea of throwing the couple a surprise bridal shower.

bridal shower

The future Mrs. is not only taken with our son, but with Fixer Upper, Waco, Chip and Joanna Gaines and Magnolia Market.  What better way to surprise a Southern farmhouse chic girl at heart than with an afternoon Southern farmhouse chic-Southern charm-Southern hospitality eat, drink and we’re getting married bridal shower.

Magnolia Market

Clear glass jars brimming with fragrant magnolias captured the farmhouse feel and lent a simple yet elegant touch.  When entertaining, I find it helpful to know your audience and to play to their taste.  The thought is in the decorating and entertaining details, and it’s that attention to detail that brings about a rave review.

southern magnolia flower

Faux flowers have their place, and in the bridal/wedding weekend celebration that place was inside an antique porcelain pitcher placed in the center of the dining room table.   I’ve been known to pre plan the s*%! out of a soiree or celebration.  Pre planning affords me the opportunity to find theme appropriate decor pieces and impressive dinner and drinkware at a price point that makes me very happy.

I always like that theme!

It also gives me time to shop sales and order items with plenty of shipping time to spare.  A case in point is the tulip bundles found on eBay.  You must allow at least three weeks for arrival when ordering from China, but the price savings makes it an appealing option.  The quality is apple to apple when comparing the faux tulip bunches to the ones I see in my retail rounds.

pink tulips

The bride-to-be admired the tulips several times over the course of their visit which pleased me to no end.  It was obvious the tulip bundles captured the essence of her preferred decorating style, and that signaled decorating success.

antique porcelain pitcher

Crochet doilies and lace napkins dressed the table in vintage style.

vintage crochet

Tulle is my gift wrap ribbon and bow material of choice.

blue tulle

Tying the knot in white wedding and something blue tones is simple in theory, beautiful in delivery.

bridal shower gift

wedding gifts

Gifts for a newlywed kitchen filled with love.

vintage ladies handkerchiefBride

Vintage handkerchiefs make lovely wedding and bridal gifts, and my almost daily Etsy search for just the right one for each recipient became second nature.  I purchased vintage monogrammed handkerchiefs for the bride and groom-to-be, her mother, and each member of the bridal party- a to/from gift from me and Dave the Builder.  I also purchased vintage monogrammed handkerchiefs for my nephew, his bride, his brother who was his best man, and for my brother- the father of the groom.  Did I forget anyone?

mens handkerchiefGroom

We began the bridal shower nibble and nosh with a cheese board featuring several cheeses, fresh Louisiana strawberries, blueberries, fruit dip, mixed nuts, dried cranberries, dates and figs.  The future groom loves my chicken salad so chicken salad it is.  I served the chicken salad with a tropical fruit salad garnished with avocado slices, Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey.  We also dined on a true Southern favorite, buttermilk biscuits and honey ham sandwiches.  I made a mayonnaise and Dijon mustard dressing to go with the sandwiches.  The beverage station featured water with lemon slices, raspberry tea, almond peach tea, Riesling and Merlot wine.

white wedding cake

For dessert, we decided to surprise the couple with a cake in true bridal shower fashion.  The cake decorator and I got together and came up with an abbreviated version of the above wedding cake.  The icing color was a soft shade of ivory and the cake decorator suggested a “bouquet” of roses to top it off.  Dave the Builder thought the silver wedding bands added a nice touch, and the monogrammed cake topper was an on trend accent.

cutting cake

It’s become somewhat of a tradition to give each bride and groom in the Places In The Home family a heirloom silver sugar spoon as a wedding gift.  To this we added a silver-plated wedding cake server set and the monogram wedding cake topper to complete the gift package.

wedding cake server set

The bridal shower was a big surprise and a big hit.  Our son finally figured out why I kept insisting he bring an extra suitcase with him. The extra baggage fee charge is a bargain compared to what it cost to ship items from the US to Canada.  I was informed the Kate Spade cutting boards were used the night they arrived back to Canada.

That’s all the thank you needed.

love your style

A Dream Home, Weddings and a New Baby Boy: Love is Blue

Love is Blue wedding week officially kicked off yesterday when the bride and groom to be dropped by to put a bow on last minute it’s all in the details wedding planning.

They love the wedding week themed accents and decorations on the dining room table and sideboard- save the date cards for both weddings (local and Canada), photos from family weddings past, and custom wrapped wedding gifts.

custom gift wrap

Vintage ivory and wedding white lead the color palette, and a subtle hint of light blue celebrates the baby boy coming into our oldest nephew’s family this August.

learn laugh love happiness

Light blue ruled the color scheme of the 1960s and 1970s wedding.

As I primped and prettied the wedding themed vignettes, the phrase love is blue popped into my head.

Boy, does that bring back a fabulous memory!

Mr. and Mrs. Ron Howard ~ June, 1975
These Happy Wedding Days are Yours and Mine

What a difference four decades make!

navy blue tuxedo

Elle Decor ~ Chaz Cruz Photographers

I have always loved the song “Love is Blue” by Paul Mauriat.

The beautiful instrumental was a favorite song of a childhood friend.

Each time I heard the song over the years my thoughts immediately went back to times spent at her house- one of my favorites in our neighborhood and one I spent countless hours in when growing up.

I had no idea a come full circle moment was in my future.

love is blue

Who knows why I was coming over to my parents house on this particular late Tuesday afternoon in the summer of 1986, but it turned out to be a fabulous decision to do so.

As I was getting close to my parent’s house (now our home) I noticed a U-Haul truck backed up to the garage of the house referenced above.

Flippers can spot a potential flip property a mile away.

This time I spotted a property a block away that maybe, just maybe we could buy, remodel, and call home.

I hit the back door heading straight to the kitchen Trimline telephone (no cell phones at the time) to place a call to Dave the Builder.

The Trimline telephone was about to put a new home in our remodeling hands.

trimline telephone

That phone call was a life changer for us, and the call to action fished out the information I was hoping to hear.

The owner (the father of my childhood friend) retained ownership of the house when the parents divorced.

He lived in the house a few years, eventually turning the house into rental property.

ranch house

Financial issues caused the one and only family to rent the property to vacate without notice (the owner learned of their departure when Dave called to inquire about the property).

Being in the right place at the right time opened the door for us to put in an offer to purchase the property.

house becomes a homeStyle at Home

Be careful what you ask for, because you might just get it.

Don’t get me wrong, we were thrilled with the house however, disrepair is the best way to describe the interior of the house when we purchased it.

A state of disrepair proves a powerful bargaining chip in real estate negotiations, and being seasoned flippers we were unfazed.

The ink wasn’t dry on the closing papers when Dave and the crew got down and dirty with the demo.

Once the nasty carpet, outdated parquet floors, tacky paneling and biting fleas went bye bye, it was time to make things pretty again.

Working, measuring and consulting demands concentration, and I concentrate so much better when music is playing.

Standing deep in color fan deck thought, the sound of music pulled my attention toward the Nutone intercom upon the wall.

As if on cue from an afternoon in 1967, “Love is Blue” began to play on the radio.

Fate?

Happenstance?

navy blue wedding utensilsElle Decor ~ Amanda MacDonald Photography

Whatever it was, the impact of this love is blue very special moment stopped me in my tracks of joyous tears.

Special milestones such as realizing your dream of home ownership, celebrating the weddings of a son and a nephew, and the arrival of a new baby have a way of doing that.

love your style

From Home Decor Partner Project to Arrival to I Love It Ojai Mirror Reveal

As promised, here is the reveal and review sister post to You’ve Got Mail: Let’s Home Decor Partner Project Together.   I’ll take you through the purpose and process of the let’s home decor partner project to arrival to I love it Ojai mirror reveal.  Like a decorista at Christmas, I could not wait for Dave the Builder to come home so we could open the package delivered earlier in the day.

To: Places In The Home

From: Serena & Lily

Serena & Lily FedEx arrival

Great and stylish home decor things come in big brown FedEx packages!

Serena & Lily gets the life lived within a home comes alive through personal style and taste aspect of decorating.

Serena & Lily catalogue

When I work with a brand, it is of paramount importance that the reputation of the brand mirrors my appreciation for quality home decor accents and accessories as it reflects well on both of us.

Ojai mirror

The little voice inside my head has been telling me for quite some time now the hallway needed a decorating update.  Home decor accessories and artwork should promote scale, proportion, style and flow in a space, and the pieces formerly in place did not.  What would remain is the antique wall table in a French polished and updated state.  The table is in correct proportion to the size of the area, and stands the test of time and trend.

taste

For years this was the spot of last chance to check your look in the mirror and locate the general stuff one finds they need before leaving the house.

Earrings.

Lipstick.

Car keys.

Pocket change.

Usually when placement or function works, it works.  This foyer adjacent area is perfect for the reason stated above.  I prefer to do my last stop primping out of the view of others, and this foyer adjacent spot is perfect for doing so.  However, there is something missing in this decor scenario.

Ojai mirror reveal

The Ojai mirror from Serena & Lily filled in the missing piece of the redecorating transformation puzzle.  The placement of the mirror offers depth and natural flow of light as a carry through from the foyer. Utilitarian in purpose and stunning in presence, the Ojai mirror from Serena & Lily has the versatility to complement virtually any space, any decor, any design style.  A modern style, classic form and rich black finish reflect quality construction in elegant fashion.

a touch of black

Pairing antiques with modern styles and home decor accessories makes a dramatic statement.  Some may consider mixing non-traditional, modern, contemporary, coastal or bohemian (boho) style with antiques a designing misstep- a decorating faux pas.  Au contraire mon ami.  Granted, a few of these design styles exist on opposite ends of the style spectrum, but it’s exactly the opposites attract contrast that makes a striking statement.

flooring options

After stepping back and taking a decorating inventory, the consensus is carpet no longer cuts the flooring mustard in the hallway.  See how one project leads to another.  Dave measured the area, and at the time of this posting we are only 380 sq. ft. of hardwood flooring away from our next all things house that make a home project.

DSCN0823 (2)2Styling the tabletop is the cherry on the cake.  Apply an abbreviated version of the principle of coffee table styling and it’s off to the races.

Objects of personal significance that capture the soul of the life lived within your home.

Focus on focal point priority.  In the case of the Ojai mirror, it is the focal point. I like to designate and identify the focal point and style around it with home decor pieces, colors, patterns and texture that complement, not clash or compete with.

Choose the primary sight line.  X marks the center spot- the prime location for a medium or low height object placement.  The “outer” areas balance the method with graduated heights to continue the flow, theme and visual engagement.

Unconventional art placement throws the eye a curve ball.  Stepping out of your decorating comfort zone and trying new looks is a way to dare your personal style.

daddy-baby-picture1

The bundled up baby boy in the picture is my dad.  The antique frame that holds his picture also benefited from an application of French polish.  I wasn’t too sure this look would work, but for me it’s a keeper.  A pair of Staffordshire dogs bought on vacation brings back excellent travel memories every time I look at them.  My love of vintage hotel and restaurant china is well represented, as is the sign of hospitality- the pineapple.

dime quarter

My key fob and favorite earrings have found a home sweet home, and the 1973 quarter and 1972 dime hold a special significance.  Throughout my preteen and teen years of the 1970s, the pay phone was the norm.  There was always a dime or a quarter left in a small dish on this table.  Until the day I got married, whenever I would be on my way out the door my dad would remind me about the dime or quarter.  He insisted I call him if a situation presented itself where my safety or comfort was in question, and he would immediately come and get me- no questions asked.  I’ve kept a dime and quarter dated from the 1970s in a small dish on a foyer table in every house Dave and I have ever lived in.

Memories, like the corners of mind.

Your home, the spaces within, and the home decor accessories that decorate it should always reflect your personal style.  The Ojai mirror from Serena & Lily frames a space in mine that does exactly that.

Love your style!

 

 

You’ve Got Mail: Let’s Home Decor Partner Project Together

During the holiday hustle and bustle I received a let’s home decor partner project together email from a surprise source.

You’ve got mail never read so good.

So good!

The exclamation point perfectly befits my strong feeling of great delight.

The content and purpose of the email serves as the source of inspiration for a house to home project.

Sourcing and reviewing products is part and parcel of the Places In The Home design and decorating show and tell.

I invite honest and frank feedback and review from clients, and remain true to my own when the roles are reversed.

Working with a brand that mirrors my appreciation for quality home decor accents and accessories reflects well on both of us.

home decor partner project

When the foyer wallpaper install was finally completed, I immediately realized the paint color on the walls of the foyer and hallway had reached its expiration date.

That’s usually the way this remodel-redo-refresh thing works.  One update leads to another, and that’s exactly the reason why “One Thing Leads to Another” by The Fixx leads off my tunes to project to playlist.

In this design and decorating show and tell world of mine, one project always leads to another, and I’m loving every minute of it.

“Lovin’ Every Minute of It” by Loverboy is another great song to project to.

I love how music and decorating splendidly complement each other.

bluetooth speaker

Night Blooming Jasmine from Behr is a neutral beauty that finishes rich. Eggshell enamel is one sheen up from matte, and the texture is washability matched to moderate traffic areas.

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Night Blooming Jasmine from Behr

The image below is a stunning example of how limiting the colors in the palette constitutes contrast.

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Mindful Makeover~ Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle January 2017

Texture variation, under color painting and quality of the original paint job all factor into how well the paint application at hand covers and finishes out.

Dave the Builder’s expert advice has been consulted, his premier painting skills engaged.

painting-project

Finish again enters the project process conversation.

This antique wall table has served various pieces of jewelry, readers, car key sets, one dime, one quarter (more on that later) and general stuff over the years.

I’ve grown accustomed to it being there, and there it will stay.

The table is in correct proportion to the size of the area.

dark-demi-lune-table

The old girl is in need of a refresh, but what direction to go in required some thought.

Refinish it?

Paint it?  Being the original finish loyalists we are, Dave shot me one of those “have you lost your flipping mind?” looks when I mentioned the paint it option.

Clear-coat it?

Lacquer it?

French-polish-finish-table

French polish it is.

foyer-inspiration1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

An afternoon spent perusing image galleries on DecorPad and Domino confirms the decision to go the French polish route is indeed the right one. Inspiration truly is everywhere.

Wow.  This post is long, but when the conversation revolves around the topics of decorating, updating, gorgeous decor and let’s home decor partner project together that can happen.

Part II of Let’s Home Decor Partner Project Together will unveil the big reveal and show and tell how the look comes together.

project-preview

For now, I leave you with a hint of what’s to come.

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