September Styling in the Sitting Area

Did someone say that September is almost over? What? Where did September go? It seems like it was just yesterday that I was celebrating the fact that August was in the rear view mirror. 

Vintage Architectual Element on the Fall Mantel

Now that September has arrived and the official start to Fall is just a week away, it was time to bring out small touches of Autumn on the mantel. I've mentioned before that mantels are always a challenge for me. I strive for that "Goldilocks" look.

5 Quick and Easy Ideas to Get in the Mood for Fall... even if you're not quite ready.

I know so many of us want to ease into the Fall season, but it's too hot in August and early September to get much in the mood. As much as I love fall, digging into tubs and boxes in hot storage areas, dragging out a bunch of faux pumpkins, and slathering on the fake leaf garlands just isn't appealing when you're breaking out in a sweat. I'd much rather take an approach that's gradual and less stressful. 

Harvest Color and Sunflowers in the Hearth Room

Hey friends, last week I shared my late summer mantel with an oil painting that needed a little DIY and TLC. It was time for a change up after the patriotic theme of July. Late July into early fall brings a sunflower explosion around the house. 

Cottage ReView: The Late-Summer Baker's Rack

Hello friends! Today I'm sharing a mash-up of some of my previous posts from the late summer Baker's Rack. August is the time of year I bring out all the pieces that evoke the wind-down of summer with a harvest feel. You'll see some of the same pieces styled in a bit different way, but they all have a vintage garden theme with lots of late season color with golds, greens, oranges deep reds and a bit of brown.

Cottage Review: A Vintage Garden Book and the Wicker Settee

Hey Friends! Last week I shared a post from my first blogging house with a precious floral teapot and a small bouquet of hot pink (Barbie would love them) knockout roses. I mentioned then that growing roses wasn't something that I excelled at, but knockout roses were a good substitute and made me feel better about my not-so-green thumb. So when I ran across this section on roses in my vintage Better Homes and Gardens Garden Book I wanted to share it with you.

Green and Pink and Cottage All Over

Hey Everyone, Green is my favorite color this time of year. Not only outside, but inside. We're having a small "green-up" around here with grass and a few blooming trees, but my tulip tree's blooms were frozen this last few days which is really disheartening. It's still too early for much other green outdoors, but inside I can gather some of my green items and make myself feel like Spring is just around the corner... with no overnight freezes.

Boho Quilted Throw in the Garden Room

Maybe you've noticed, I have a "thing" for quilts. Big, small, throws, runners... all sizes, colors, designs and ages. I've been blessed with a mother-in-law who quilted and gifted us with many, and I've been fortunate to find a few vintage ones in my antiquing days that didn't break the bank. I love the different prints and patterns, and even if they're frayed and a bit tattered, they still speak to me.

Summery Looks in the Garden Room

The end of July has me thinking about mid-Summer but with a decided shift toward winding down and bringing out a bit darker, deeper, harvest colors. Golds and darker greens and a few browns start showing up with some sunflower vibes. Out in the Garden Room I've changed up the wicker seating area to include some golds, black and white Buffalo Check, and of course my always current ticking stripes.

Coffee Table Garden Room Vignette

Hello Friends, Happy St. Patty's Day! Are you wearing green today and preparing your slow cooker dinner of corned beef and cabbage? I am wearing green, and I do love corned beef, but I can't get there with the cooked cabbage... Anyway, I'm celebrating today that I'm a teensy bit Irish. I thought I'd share a little bit of St. Patrick's Day out here in the Garden Room with a new Shamrock plant and an old pink/green quilt on the wicker settee.

Valentine Vignettes in the Garden Room

Hi Friends, are you all digging out of the latest snow and ice storm like we are?

We had a big blast of ol' man winter come through last Wednesday and Thursday with a layer of ice and then about 8-9 inches of snow on top. We stayed in and I had to postpone a doctor's appointment, but other than that we managed to keep our power and no ice damage (that we know of). Valentine's Day is definitely "winter" around here so in my Valentine decor I still have out some evergreen and bottle brush trees mixed in.

Keeping it Cozy in My Winter Hearth Room

This is the perfect time of year to look for the "Cozy" elements for our homes and personal life. Whether we're crazy about winter or not, we all want to make our homes warm and comfortable for our family. It's been cold and windy here this month so I'm sharing a few ways I keep it a place where we can snuggle up and enjoy our surroundings. 

Quilts and Pillows for Late Summer Color

Hi Friends, Hope you're having a great week, this last week of July. Wow, it's been a long summer for me and even though I enjoy these long days of warm weather, it's not like it was when the kids were young and at home. We went to the pool most days, they had friends over, we grilled dinner outside, and thoroughly rang out every drop of fun we could. Even a few years ago my hubby and I were camping in the RV and planning fun with family...

Buffalo Check Pillows in the Garden Room

Hi Friends, Hope you're having a good week!

I love to change up the wicker settee here in the Garden Room because seasonal color with vintage quilts and pillows can instantly change the feel of any space. After Christmas I put out a new quilt I bought last year on sale from Pottery Barn because I was looking for a lighter, brighter vibe. I didn't realize back in January when I put this out that this quilt would carry me thru winter and spring.

Sitting Area in the Winter Garden Room

Hello everyone, today I wanted to share the rest of my Garden Room sitting area. With windows on three sides, the sunroom always has good light, and with a separate heating and air system to itself, it stays warm and cozy in winter and cool in summer. This is such a wonderful home-y spot with my white wicker pieces, the Holiday Cupboard and Baker's Rack. 

Easy July 4th Decorating

January Musings

Years ago I found the wonderful book of illustrations from Edith Holden entitled The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. And just last year our friend Jacqueline from Cabin and Cottage introduced me to the lesser known book, The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady which is a similar collection of watercolors and notes of the months and seasons. Both are captivating and insightful, and full of nature's beauty.

Summertime Garden Room

It's been 6 years since I've been able to decorate a sunporch for July 4th festivities. So this year, having a sunroom again, it has been especially fun pulling out the patriotic and red/white/blue decor.

Hop Into Easter

Hello Everyone! I have to tell you that this is a special day for me being able to join in on this fun Spring Blog Hop. This last year has been a difficult time due to health issues and a major move. So being able to participate makes me feel like life may be getting back to normal. I'm so glad you're here to help me celebrate! Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home is our talented hostess for this Easter Hop. Thankyou Amber for inviting me along.

Autumn Transitions Home Tour

Hello Everyone, and welcome to our

 Autumn Transition Home Tour 

I'm so excited to be joining this wonderful group of creative and talented gals who love Fall and enjoy decorating for the Seasons. We're going to be sharing our ideas and inspiration on welcoming the beauty of Autumn into our homes and decor. If you're coming from Our Southern Home, then welcome and I hope you'll stay with the Tour by visiting Decor to Adore a bit later. You'll find the complete list at the end of the post. A big thankyou to Amber of Follow the Yellow Brick Home for putting this fun tour together.

This time of year blogland is filled with posts about transitioning our decor from Late Summer into Early Fall. Our individual methods may be similar, but each person has their own unique style and ideas to make this a fun and easy change-over. The fact that bringing out the Autumn decor is one of my favorite things to look forward to, makes this a special time to savor and enjoy for me. Since I'm in the beginning stages of packing for our move this Fall, I'm sharing several photos that show how I have taken Summer to Fall in easy steps.