Summer Favorites: Ticking Stripes and Sunflowers

I found the most wonderful antique ticking stripe settee last week while browsing the web, but I was using my IPad and it was in the wee hours of the morning. I was having trouble when I tried to PIN things, so I couldn't find the image until just now. But all the hunting I did for it got my inspiration going once more for one of my favorite seasonal combos...all things Ticking Stripe and Florals... Mainly bouquets and arrangements with Sunflowers. So I thought I'd share with you some photos that just say "Summer" to me...

This is a photo from Worthy Goods Blog from 2014.

Crazy how seeing something can make such a big impression.

This had me on the hunt for some Ticking Fabric.

If you get a minute drop by for more inspiring show photos.

Painting a French Metal Basket with Chalk Paint

Today, I wanted to share a little project of mine "in process";

transitioning from Summer into Fall.

And since this is a French-y iron basket I will say, "En cours".

See, you get your French "phrase" for the day, 

and a little view of what I'm up to.

Late Summer Look-back

I've been hunting for some inspiration for this transition time into Fall.

 The fading flowers are showing the wear and tear of the sun,

 the temps are still hot, the yards have started turning brown around the edges, 

and this time of year, I often find myself in a little decorating funk. 

Just a little seasonal tweaking

Summer Mantel with Sunflowers

This time of year I'm captivated by Sunflowers.

They are the symbol for late Summer, relaxation, casual dinners al Fresco, 

and all things French Country...

and I love to have them taking the stage on the mantel.

Late Summer Reflections

I usually do a lot of complaining this time of year...I'm tired of the heat...I'm ready for Fall...my flowers are all dried up...I can go on and on. But this year I'm really missing the gradual change of season in my decorating, and I'm needing a little late Summer/early Fall inspiration. It's been a little hard for me to look back at all the photos from last year. It's not so much that I miss the house itself, but that I just miss being able to putter and play and decorate. As a friend said to me today, "It's hard being in a temporary nest". You can click on the individual photos for the "biggy" size.

Here are some highlights from Augusts past...

Yes, that's a pumpkin you see, don't tell anyone...

OK, I feel better...

just itching to get all my Fall Decor out.

gee, hope I can find it...

We just have two more weeks until we close on the house,

and I have some fun and exciting things to share once we do.

Joining in at 

Sundays at Home with Thoughts from Alice

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Junkin' Joe at The Cottage Market

The Scoop at Stone Gable

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Show and Share at Coastal Charm

Hope you have a great weekend.

xoxo,

Decorating with Fall Naturals

I think we're seeing a trend in decor more and more each season, and that's decorating with nature's elements. I've found "mixing" faux and naturals goes a long way in making my home more inviting and giving it a more uncomplicated and spontaneous feel. There are so many beautiful, well made silks and faux elements that I'll never give them up, but finding that balance of combining the two has become a place where I'm enjoying the creative challenge.

If you read my post earlier in the week, you know that we've been literally neck deep in having a new roof put on our home. This was a more involved fix than just a composition roof, as after a really bad hail storm in June, we've decided to follow what everyone else in our 25-30 year old neighborhood has been doing, and that's replacing wood shake shingles with new super nice top of the line composition shingles. So, I've been under "house arrest" this week, as I didn't want my car out on the street for over a week. I opted to just stay home and not risk a flat tire or worse yet, vandalism.

So, I've had to play in the house this week, when all I want to do is get outside and do some puttering with plants and pumpkins. "Hedge Apples" are pretty common around this area; also called "Osage Oranges", I've been looking at them through different "decorating eyes" these last few years. What used to be a nuisance in the middle of the road, and half eaten messes, now I'm finding their wonderful color and texture to be something worth celebrating.

I bought two of these wonderful antique pottery flowerpots a few years ago,

after seeing them at Meloney and Brian's Seed Box Open House.

Anyone know the name for this type of flowerpot?

Somehow I got it in my head they were called "Vanilla" something or other?

You can see just part of Mel's great collection.

Sorry the photo is all blurry; that was 3 years and 3 cameras ago.

back to hedge apples...

I added some other natural elements on the coffeetable on the sunporch, so I at least could make a little vignette. Oh, and I added in a sunflower head that Julie sent me. love it!

Preserved leaves, hydrangeas, and bittersweet all join in.

And of course, anyplace you have sunflowers

 you will automatically have some birdies.

just a little nibble

Here's a really ugly photo of what I've been looking at all week.

30 years of tree debris, dirt, rotten shingles,

and torn off guttering looking out from the Living Room.

See the plywood against the house?

yep, that covered all the windows so it was like a cave downstairs.

I couldn't go down there it was so depressing.

what you can't tell is that this pile is at least 3 feet deep.

uh huh...

And this is what most of my prints and wall decor look like

after 5 days of pounding on the roof.

sort of like how my head feels...

But the good news is that most of the new roof is on and they're working today on the details, so the end is in sight. now for clean up... And making my hubby take me out for dinner!

Hope you're having a great weekend...

we're expecting rain, but I think we're covered.

joining in on these parties:

Blissful Whites at Timewashed
Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Knick of Time Tuesday
The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch
Savvy Southern Style
TTT at StoneGable

xoxo,

Sunflowers on the Sunporch

I'm counting down the days to September...

And I'm transitioning my decor to those early Fall textures and tones. Of course Sunflowers are my flower "du jour" for late August, as they have those wonderful muted colors of golds, greens, and browns that I love so much. My Summer flowers are starting to go, so before long, mums will be showing up on the deck and front porch.

I love having a seasonal wreath on the mirror which hangs on the old chippy door. It always sets the seasonal mood out here on the porch. This is one I've had for a couple of years, but I still love the colors and the "dried" sunflowers look so real.

It's been a slow week around here, since I've been restricted on driving until later this week.  But last week I had taken pics of the settee's new quilt "outfit" for Early Fall. (last week it was "Late Summer", this week it's "Early Fall") So I'm just now getting to show them too you.

Please ignore my messy drawers peeping through.

My ticking pillows are pretty much a staple out here no matter what the season. Their black stripe is so easy to mix with florals and plaids.

Faux Sunflowers in an old painted white wooden ice cream bucket.

My washed gray basket from last week.

A little Sunflower bouquet in a white ironstone pitcher.

My Hull apple things are still out, but come next week,

the pumpkins will arrive... yay.

Always love the colorful illustrations in this little flower guide from 1945.

and now a question...

do you remember this amazing Sunflower Head from two years ago?

I've been trying to find another large one like this for ages. This one still had too much moisture in it and it molded inside the cloche. It made me so upset that I hadn't realized it was happening, and now I cannot locate a source for another one. Does anyone out there grow these that I might purchase one from you? It doesn't have to be this big, but I would love to have another one, and cannot find one anywhere. Let me know if you do or know someplace I could find one. I loved this look!

OK...you guys are in for some fun this Thursday!! Since I was MIA last week, I'm dedicating Be Inspired to my 4 Year Anniversary Give Away. You have to wait, but be here with bells on, Thursday, because I have a Give Away for 2 lucky followers out here. I can guarantee you'll LOVE it!

joining in on these great weekly parties:

Inspiration Gallery
Jennifer Rizzo
The Charm of Home
French Country Cottage
Shabby Art Boutique
A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Treasure Hunt at From My Front Porch to Yours

House Party at No Minimalist Here

WOW us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farm

Inspiration Gallery at Ella Claire
DIY by Design

love you bunches,