Easter Week at Places In The Home

Spring blooms, seasonal snaps, and a heavy dose of Easter tradition ushers in Easter week at Places In The Home.

What’s hoppin’ around your house this Easter week?

BHG-hello-spring

Red and pink beauties are beginning to bloom offsetting the brown and greenish gray color holdovers from winter’s grip.

Easter week

From the I ♥ garden roses collection.

blooming-red-roses

I’ll enjoy the arrangements for another day or two, and then use the petals for rose petal ice cubes.

garden-roses

My brother dropped by yesterday bearing gifts of gardenias.

The spring beautification process is a slowly but surely operation, but we’re getting there.

gardenia

Dave the Builder’s latest pet project, the taming of the squirrel, is proving successful.

squirrel

Maybe too successful.

crepe-window

This crazy thing perches itself on the main branch of the crepe myrtle tree right outside the kitchen window and peers through the window.

Evidently watching me washing dishes is wildly entertaining.

We are one wild and crazy crew, animals included.

I dug this photo of Dave, the Canadian snowbird and Cottontail the rabbit out of the Places In The Home archives.  If you think the photo quality is horrible in black and white, you should see the color version.

Mama Places In The Home snapped this circa 2005 pic with a throwaway camera.

Annie Leibovitz she is not.

Here’s the Reader’s Digest version of the bunny backstory:

Dave and I were checking out the newly planted flower beds late one spring afternoon.  I was in the color in bloom zone, laser focused on the budding design features detailing my mad lawn and garden skills.

Dave on the other hand was channeling his inner Dr. Doolittle with the just discovered addition to our flower garden menagerie.

Cottontail the baby rabbit hopped right up to Dave in are you my father fashion.  We brought him inside that evening and set him up in a toilet paper box direct from the discard bin at the local Kroger.

We lined the box with newspaper and grass clippings hoping to emulate a natural surrounding, and placed a water bowl and rabbit food over to one corner.

Cottontail was in high cotton for the evening.

The next morning it was back to the outdoors where he thrived and frolicked, nested in our yard and flower garden, adapted to the daily comings and goings of our schedules, and waited in the driveway each afternoon to greet Dave.

As mysteriously as he appeared he disappeared, leaving a hole in our hearts.

We got so attached to that silly rabbit, so much so that I cried for three days when he went away.

Dave stills tears up when he talks about that silly rabbit.

Easter-basket

My Easter Eggstravaganza centerpiece is a build upon canvas.

Deconstructing the Mardi Gras King Cake centerpiece, it dawned on me that by adding to instead of taking away from the existing tulle a shimmering color rich nest effect would be created.

Easter-eggs-vase

What nature does not provide, the Walmart-Michaels-Hobby Lobby floral department will.

Faux flowers serve the purpose in certain decorating for the holiday situations, and when quality stems are selected the finished result can be faux fabulous.

eggs

The incredible, dyeable, edible egg.

dyed-Easter-eggs

pineapple-pie-meringue

Fresh mint.

Fresh lemon.

Fresh orange.

lemon-orange-fresh-mint

Fresh parsley.

Fresh carrots.

Easter!

carrots-with-fresh-lemon-orange-mint

Easter week sets spring into motion.

Another season, another wonderful reason for decorating, planting, entertaining, and gathering round dining and picnic tables of stylish tablescapes and delicious dishes with dear loved ones and great friends.

Dave and I hope your Easter week, weekend and Sunday is one of blessings, love, laughter, and making wonderful traditions and memories time spent with family and friends who are like family.

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A Show and Tell On This Beautiful Good Friday

Holidays are a time for celebrating, rejoicing, feasting and sharing.  We will practice and partake in all, beginning with a hippity, hoppity Easter’s on its way show and tell on this beautiful Good Friday.

gold-rabbit

Plastic Easter eggs and a gold bunny from Dollar Tree make eggcellent decoration anchors for the holiday dessert display.

beautiful Good Friday

Live lilies as well as porcelain and china flowers take centerpiece stage on the Easter table.

blue-iris

antique-plate-1It’s the year of the wedding(s) in the Places In The Home family.

There’s talk of silver, china, monograms, cakes and flowers at holiday gatherings with assurances from one very proud mom and aunt that the topic of conversation is one of supreme interest.

coconut-cake-cut

Dorothy’s Homemade Coconut Cake Recipe from Alex Hitz is the perfect choice of Easter, bridal shower or bridesmaid luncheon dessert.

Poncahtoula strawberries

sugar-spoon-table

May I suggest a dessert pairing featuring fresh Louisiana strawberries topped with a heavy handed spoonful of granulated pure cane sugar served in watermelon glass pattern sherbets in spring and summer shades of pink and green.

glass-sherbets Presentation wow factor now being served.

freezing-rose-petals-in-water

The bloom is off the rose thanks to recent tornado times however, a lawn and garden gift of good nature produced fresh blooms from knock out roses row.

Bridal shower inspiration bloomed, and rose petal ice cubes became the entertaining diy project of the day.

rose-petals-frozen

It’s all in the details.

rose-petals-ice-cubes

Remembering, reflecting, celebrating, decorating and wishing you a blessed and beautiful Good Friday.

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Garden Home Decor Colors

Every now and then it is necessary to perform housekeeping and updating to clear the cobwebs away from older posts, revivify information and renew resources.

Garden home decor colors is one of those times and one of those posts.

Giuseppe_Arcimboldo_-_The_Vegetable_Gardener_-_WGA00842The Vegetable Gardener ~ Giuseppe Arcimboldo {{PD-US}}

We gather inspiration from the color palette of nature and company.

Funny how the colors of what grows in the garden inspires from the garden home decor colors.

June_3_Farmers_Market,_Harrisonburg,_Va.,_2010_(4953469065) (1)

Farmers Market, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Eggplant #614051

hm_f303023e0def08e0_spcms

Southern Living

Eggplant or aubergine takes its place on the color wheel in visually impressive fashion.

Aubergines_Three_Types1 Aubergine

Aubergine commands full focal point attention.

This particular shade of purple is no shrinking violet.

one_kings_lane_plum_rusticwoodfloors

Photo by Emily Gilbert Photography; interior by The Brooklyn Home Company.  As Featured by One Kings Lane

Robust.

Confident.

Vibrant.

Palette Potent.

Eggplant or aubergine brings the hue you calling gorgeous drama to a space.

Valpone_08-531x800

Rachel Volpone 

Buttery French Yellow #e6b70f

656px-Corn_on_the_cob

Pattern

Pattern makes a compelling argument for the beauty that lies within in the it’s all in the details details.

yellow-curtain-panelKelley Interior Design  via Pinterest

I do believe a color combination post featuring the swoon worthy color combination of buttery French yellow and luxurious creamy dreamy not quite white is in the immediate future of Places In The Home.

Simply gorgeous!

from the garden home decor colors

Texture

Better Homes and Gardens

 Color

yellow-desk-ghost-chair

Domino

tomato-colors-paint-samples

Better Homes & Gardens

Tomato Red

Tomato Yellow

Tomato Green

tomatoes

There is something so summer about the variety of colors associated with fresh from the garden tomatoes.

Gretchen-BondGretchen Bond

From the garden to the table to the perfect color choice of a decorative home accessory, garden home decor colors inspire.

red-washstand-with-alabaster-sconces

 Mandarina Studio 

Love the pop of garden bold colors paired with a Places In The Home house favorite- the ever so chic choice of leopard print accents.

gold-matte-velvet-drapes

Anthropologie Matte Velvet Curtain

cucumbers-at-market

384ea816d0600b9363ab43204097cba9

Striking color combinations in fresh from the garden home decor colors make an anything but garden variety statement.

dwmmaloos-portfolio-interiors-art-deco-contemporary-eclectic-modern-dining-room

DWM | MALOOS

Kitchen_Green_Cabinets_DE10 House & Home

Summer home decor updates in from the garden home decor colors are naturally influenced by the seasonal palette influenced by the deep, rich, bright and vibrant shades represented at the farmers market.

It’s a growing trend!

Darleen-signature-love

 

 

 

 

 

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

A Most Fetching Friday

fetch·ing

/ˈfeCHiNG/

adjective

adjective: fetching

attractive.

synonyms: attractive, appealing, sweet, pretty, good-looking, lovely, delightful, charming, prepossessing, captivating, enchanting, irresistible

I thought I would bring back my A Most Fetching Friday series for the spring and summer season.  Today’s spring and summer fetching Friday kicks off the series with a collection of images drenched in color and seasonal decorating inspiration.

she-shed-garden-decoratingCountry Living

iced-teaSouthern Living

54c1c92c4f6f3_-_ed-peterson-4-xln-xlnELLE DECOR

Friday-will-be-fabulousRedbook

Lucille-BallHarper’s BAZAAR

MoroccoDomaine

Banana_Leaf_Wallpaper_in_Green_and_Pink_design_by_York_Wallcoverings_aa448458-675c-428d-ad2a-0baa567e685a_2048x2048Burke Decor

Venetian-Painted-Armoire1stdibs

Have a wonderful weekend!

enjoy-hydrangea

Lilly In April For May

Everything is right on Target for graduation and Mother’s Day gifts fresh in Lilly Pulitzer colors bright and pattern right.  The limited edition Lilly Pulitzer collection for Target will be available April 19th.  Can you tell I’m excited about this collection?   I read this fabulous remark the other day and found it to hit the bullseye.  The cure for spring fever is spring shopping.

personal-monogram

I have several selections from the Lilly look book in mind for our son’s girlfriend who is graduating from university next month and a special Mother’s Day gift recipient on my the gift is in the giving list.  Allow me to share with you my favorites from the collection.

 

lilly-palm-tree

 

 

For chic summer evenings ~

 

Lilly-Pulitzer-target-women_embroidered-clutch---goldEmbroidered Clutch ~ Gold

 

lilly-palm-tree

 

For a touch of Pulitzer Pattern on the Patio ~

Lilly-Pulitzer-target-home_drinking-glasses---set-of-4Drinking Glasses ~ set of 4

Lilly-Pulitzer-target-glass-hurricane-candle-holder---nosie-posey-10Nosie Posey Glass Hurricane Candle Holder  

 

lilly-palm-tree

 

For the after graduation getaway or summer beach vacation~

Lilly-Pulitzer-target-women-sandals

Lilly-Pulitzer-target-home_beach-towel---giraffing-me-crazyGiraffing Me Crazy Beach Towel

 

lilly-palm-tree

 

For the home~

Lilly-Pulitzer-target-home_napkins-with-pom-pom-trim---set-of-4Set of 4 Napkins with Pom Pom Trim

Lilly-Pulitzer-target-ceramic-mugs-with-gold-caddy---set-of-4

Ceramic Mugs with Gold Caddy

Lilly-Pulitzer-target-home_floor-cushion---nosie-posey

Nosie Posey Floor Cushion

 

lilly-palm-tree

 

Mark you calendars for the arrival of the Lilly Pulitzer Collection for Target gift ideas.

Love your style!

Spring Into Spiff Up, Organize and Declutter Action Suggestions

Happy first day of spring.  That looks so lovely on the page I believe it worthy of retyping.  Happy first day of spring!

Traditionally, spring is the season of making things fresh and new, house to home speaking.  Today I am sharing with you spring into spiff up, organize and declutter action suggestions for spring cleaning-open the windows and doors-age of Aquarius-let the sunshine in results.

open-windowsCountry Living Magazine

While nature is doing its natural thing getting the outdoors gussied up for the color parade is the perfect time to spiff up, organize and declutter the spaces and places inside your home.

All things house that make a nice, neat, organized and tidy home starts spring off on the right note.

Here are a few spring into spiff up, organize and declutter action suggestions.

Holden-Arboretum-Midwest-Living  The Holden Arboretum ~ Midwest Living

An accent table is a stylish option for extra storage in a bathroom or powder room.  There is a vast selection of small accent tables available in the home decor marketplace to fit all space needs and price points.

A well placed accent table serves a twofold purpose: (1) a storage companion to the vanity countertop and linen closet, and (2) an unexpected feature of furniture placement brilliance.

Unique furniture placement is often the sole design element responsible for creating the focal point of the space.

bathroom-tableHouse Beautiful ~ Photography: Simon Watson

That’s a crock, pitcher, coffee tin, soda crate- you get the idea.

My kitchen utensil storage selections do not runneth over, but they do stand pretty, poised and ready for KP duty.

kitchen-utensils-storage-options

Kitchen utensils and cooking wares displayed in brand spanking new containers or repurposed vintage treasures from yesteryear place practicality within the cook’s reach while adding personality to a kitchen countertop.

storage-islandHouse to Home

Vanity closets and dressing areas are in vogue at the design and decorating moment.

You don’t have to be keeping up with the Joneses, a cast member of the Real Housewives of wherever, a Hollywood leading actor/actress or music mogul power couple to get fashionably organized.

Select an area, pop a couple of rods up, maybe add a chic rug or chandelier and let the in vogueing begin.

Yet another space primed and ready for the addition of an accent table.

calories-Jonathan-Adler

Jonathan Adler Vice Calories Canister

New and vintage decorative planters, dresser trays, decorative objects, canisters, saucers and bowls make excellent jewelry holders.

storage-closet-BHGBetter Homes and Gardens

Get creative with the look and the purpose.

jewelry-display-ideasPOPSUGAR Home  ||   Good Housekeeping  ||   Martha Stewart

When style pairs with function the result can be a chic and organized thing.

laundry-room-storage-ideas

If you’ve been using the excuse that decorative storage solutions are too expensive the jig is up. Inexpensive storage and organizing solutions do exist.

It doesn’t get any less expensive than lidded jars and curbside boutique finds.

mason jar storageBetter Homes and Gardens

I’ve noticed several home decor sales events in my online sourcing rounds this past week.  Sale is the four letter word of the season, but clearance makes my money saving heart race with consumer delight.

basket-hook-storage-solutions

I’ve moved away from the constant state of showroom perfection to the life is messy, pick it up-clean it up phase of housekeeping.

Decorative baskets and wall hooks lead the charge against clutter, and make decluttering your home an almost effortless endeavor.

black-console

Spring cleaning tips pair well with spring into spiff up, organize and declutter action suggestions.

All things house that make a home tidied up and in their rightful place goes with spring like design goes with decorating.  Julia Millay Walsh authors the wonderful article for Domaine, “How to Clean Practically Everything.”

From a lamp shade to glass shower doors to a mattress, this article provides useful tips on how to clean, well, practically everything.  Click on over to read her how to get the job done.

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A Growing Trend: Living Grass Easter Basket

Grass is a quite the topic of conversation lately.

Not that type of grass.

Easter grass.

Which do you prefer, plastic or living grass Easter basket?

Petrus

A long time spring and Easter tradition involves a run to our local feed and seed store.

We ooh and awe at the baby chicks, check out the spring bedding and vegetable garden plants, and scoop up a half-pound of wheat grass seeds.

The latter purchase results in a bumper crop of live Easter grass.

Egghibit A: my Easter 2013 live and in color living grass Easter basket.

living grass Easter basket

Okay, living grass Easter Temp-tations casserole dish basket, but you get the general idea.

 casseroleGrace Baker with Wire Rack

I lined the bottom of the container with black river rocks from Dollar Tree.

Next, I filled the casserole dish about ¾ full (about an inch below the edge of the dish) with a mixture of potting soil and good old dirt.

Dampen the soil, cover the top with seeds and within two days marvel at sight of growing grass.

landscapingOn another type of grass front yard front ~

Places In The Home is Easter Sunday central again this year.

Company’s coming, therefore, a DIY landscaping session made the all things house that make a home make ready list.

The combination of looking at ugly winter wrecked beds together with well-timed spring Black Friday sales presents the perfect incentive to get in gear with a front yard freshen up.

Ferns for the front porch, ground cover clipped and managed, and sixteen bags of black mulch later we’re making some progress.

The jury is still out on the status of the Sago palm.

I hope it makes a full recovery.

landscape

Exteriors lead to interiors, and next up in my Easter entertaining plans is the tablescape.

I’ll share my ideas and suggestions with you all midweek.

Enjoy your Monday.

Love your style!

Strawberry Orange Jam

A rediscovered pint of strawberries connected the culinary dots straight to let’s make something very berry recipe development.

An easy Strawberry Orange Jam recipe it is.

fresh-strawberries-farmers-market-pints

Strawberry Orange Jam

Ingredients

1 pound container fresh strawberries

1  small carton frozen strawberries

2 oranges

juice of one large Meyer lemon

2 cups water

1 Tablespoon orange zest

½ teaspoon allspice

3 Tablespoons orange juice

2 ½ cups sugar

2 Tablespoons honey

1  (3 oz.) box orange gelatin

Directions

First, zest both oranges and then cut into wedges.  Remove peel and white membrane from fruit and discard.

Place peeled oranges wedges and allspice in saucepan and cover with water.

Bring to a rapid boil. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook oranges for approximately 10-15 minutes or until softened.

Drain off water.

Meanwhile, slice fresh strawberries in quarters and place strawberries in food processor, pulsing until crushed.

Add crushed strawberries to the cooked oranges in saucepan.

strawberry-orange-jam

Add sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, honey, orange zest and frozen strawberries and mix well.

Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-high and stir in orange gelatin. Boil uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring often.

Remove pan from heat and allow mixture to cool to room temperature.

Skim off excess foam before carefully spooning mixture into jars.

Place lids on sealing tight for optimum storage freshness.

strawberry jam Jade

The mixture will continue to thicken once refrigerated.

Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Sweetly SummerBetter Homes and Gardens

Southern Living, the holy grail of southern recipes goodness, has done it again with a Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake that epitomizes spring, summer and strawberry goodness.

My maternal grandmother could rock a strawberry cake, and boy I would love to be able to turn back the hands of time and be standing next to her in her kitchen right now whipping up this cake.

strawberry-lemonade-layer-cake-lSouthern Living Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake Recipe

Creole Cream Cheese Crêpes with Strawberry Compote.

C’est si bon!

This recipe from Louisiana Cookin’ is on my recipe card radar.

StrawberryCrepesLouisiana Cookin’

It’s one of those lazy afternoons spring is so well known to host.

Deciding to go with it, I kicked off my shoes, turned up the music and proceeded to jam.

Sir Puss has the right idea, too.

kitty cat

That about sums up this spring afternoon.

Hope you enjoy yours!

Love your style!