Country Cottage Garden Display

I've said many times how much I love a good tabletop or flat surface to be able to dress up with a little vintage vignette. I've had this smallish white antique desk for years, and it's the perfect size to tuck in an odd space or use as an end table. For the last several years (and houses) it's been in my office holding a lamp. At this house it's sort of moved around without purpose, but has ended up in the Garden Room doing miscellaneous plant duty. But lately it's been bare, and that's hard for me to see a bare tabletop. 

Patriotic Sitting Room

One of my favorite times to really go over the top in my sitting area decor is for the 4th of July. Patriotic decor is a natural when you have white or neutrals as a backdrop. I love layering on the old quilts and pillows in some red/white/blue. I've been trying to give this kitchen room sitting space the feel of my old sunporch, since I don't have one at this house.

Vintage Inspiration Friday #26 Thinking of Spring

This time of year I start thinking about Spring.

Not just "Spring", but more specifically,

thinking about plants and flowers for my deck and porch;

bringing some color back into my life and surroundings.

I bought the book, Carolyn Westbrook Home,

several years ago and have found endless inspiration.

One of my favorite segments is at the end of the book;

The Potting Shed

Everything about this setting speaks to my vintage heart;

old metal chairs, shutters, chippy white table, old iron gate, garden statuary.

The old metal basket, and even a beautiful way to display broken concrete urns.

I adore this rusty iron and chippy paint gate.

And even the canning jars with a seed packet;

a simple display, but lots of impact.

Oh, to have a place for bags of soil, garden utensils, pots and ideas!

If you haven't seen this wonderful book,

you'll really enjoy it.

It's one of my all time favorites!

Thanks Carolyn

And now;

Take a look at some great inspiration from last week!

Magpies and Magnolias

Snow Business

All Things Home

Grandmother's Handwritten Recipes

Angela Lace

Brides Maids

Sweet Nothings

English Love

Hope you can join in for the party!

Anything vintage or vintage inspired

please link up within your post,

and visit a few others.

and if you've been featured,

be sure and grab the button!

Hope you're starting to see some signs of Spring!

love to you all,

Debra

Christmas Cheer with Father Christmas and Friends

Hello Everyone, can you even believe we're heading into December and the official start to the Christmas Season? I've been busy for a couple of weeks making the changeover from Thanksgiving to Christmas and I'm so excited to be a part of a fun holiday gathering today,

Backyard Progress

Nothing that hasn't been seen before, but at least I'm making some progress in the backyard. I painted my old metal fence gate white so it would show up better against the wooden privacy fence, and I potted a red geranium and white verbena to go into the seat. This little area is next to the gate on the side of the house adjacent to the pool area. This little grouping adds a little something to a boring ho-hum area where a gorgeous maple was removed a few years ago. We need to do a lot of landscape "re-doing" cause it's pretty tired, but right now I don't see that happening...so I'm making the best of it and just slapping some vintage goodies out here to help camouflage the wornout spaces. (hmmm...come to think of it, that's sort of been my attitude toward make-up recently...you hoo, LifeStyle Lift...)

 A $5 chair I bought last year 

and put a coat of outdoor paint on to help preserve it.

I winter all my geraniums in our John Deere room, but this year many of them decided to poop out, so I had to replace most of them. It seems all I've done lately is run to the nursery and hand over my wallet. I do love my flowers though, so I can't complain too much. It just wouldn't be summer without my geranium fix.

I'm hoping the rabbits will leave my petunias alone; last year I had them in low pots and they were considered a salad bar for all the locals.

I found this sweet little metal shelf in the shape of a birdcage

this last week at Inspirational Home's Spring Open House.

Here are some photos from last Thursday of the lawn at IH.

Lot's of fun vintage things to bring some vintage outdoors.

I had to slap myself so I wouldn't be tempted to haul home those great big off white shutters.

 I love the garden area in the front room of the store.

I drool over this chippy cupboard each time I'm here!

 IH carries everything you need for fairy gardens too.

Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday,

I'll be partying at these places this week:

Southern Hospitality

Between Naps on the Porch

Coastal Charm

A Stroll Thru Life

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Knick of Time

Cowgirl Up at Cedar Hill Ranch

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Hope you'll also join in for

where you can link up your Etsy and Online Boutique Items.

Then shop you're little heart out!

xoxo,

Potting Bench Progress

Hi Everyone, hope you all had a great weekend...

I've spent most of my time outside this last week. First, working on getting the container planters filled with flowers for the deck, patio and front yard, then coming up with more things for the potting bench area. 

What's Your Chippy Factor?

Those of us who are vintage furniture lovers,

and that still swoon over a flea space filled with white chippy pieces,

have all asked ourselves some variation of this question...

How much "Chippy" is too chippy?

Easter to Spring Hearth Room Mantel

Last Christmas I found a wonderful framed grainsack with a French sheep motif, and I fell in love. I knew it would be a piece I could use throughout the year, especially Christmas and Easter. As it goes, I've left it up on the mantel throughout the winter and just transitioned my mantel with changeups using topiaries, lanterns and evergreen branches.

Vintage Inspiration # 106 Cedar Hill Ranch

Hi Everyone, time for some Vintage Inspiration

Do you remember this wonderful Ironing Board Buffet that was all over blogland this Spring? It was one of the photos from Anita's fab-u-lous, "Wildflower Party at the Ranch". 

And speaking of "ranches" here it is, Anita's wonderful Ranch Home, "deep in the heart of Texas". Surrounded by acres of pasture, and glorious bluebonnets and Spring wildflowers, this girl knows how to bring some French flair to the Prairie. Anita calls it "Texas living with a French Accent".

A lot of their family time and entertaining are out here on her amazing and spacious country front porch.

Anita has quite the ability to create wonderful spaces that make you want to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views. Sewing and styling this heavenly daybed, you'd have a hard time making me leave, Anita!

Who wouldn't want to just live out here?

More linens, that she has created herself,

 this time in the Master Bedroom.

And here is her latest sewing project; Anita slipcovered all her living room furniture, in this wonderful yummy French linen. Then used antique grain sacks as complimentary cushions...perfect!

You'll want to see the "befores" here.

and just take a peek at this flirty ottoman,

 don't you love the ruffle?

Now, if I only looked this good from behind!

If you don't know Anita, she's a sweetheart
 and one of the 4 Talented Texas Gals
behind the link party "Cowgirl Up".
Run by and say Hi, then put your feet up on that great porch!

Here's more great inspiration from last week!

Rhonda created a wonderful vignette atop her open bookcase
with this Cotton Pickin' Basket for Fall 

from My Blue Creek Home

Mary Alice from Chateau-Chic,
 scored a wonderful French Washstand from the flea.
I love how she has it "dressed up".

Sherry shared her potato casserole from
Depression Era Cooking at the Charm of Home

Melissa has her Foyer decked out for Fall
 from Daisy Mae Belle
(LOVE this old metal gate!!)

Mary from Where the Boat Is,

 has decorated her Potting Shed for Fall 

with a wonderful nesting theme.

And you'll love seeing all the adorably fashionable
"Hercrows" from
Dru at Country Farmhouse

Hope you'll join in today for the party. 

"Anything vintage or vintage inspired"

And remember, all this Fall you're welcome to link up some of your past Fall posts, anything to do with decor, recipes, DIY. Whatever blasts from the past that are Fall related. (up to 3 links per week) Please have a link back within your post to be featured. Be sure and grab a "Featured On" button if you've ever been featured over here!

and hope you'll check out these other fun Friday Parties

 I also want to remind you all that I have a great party going each Monday, that is for linking up your Etsy Shop and Online Boutique items. Hope that if you are a seller that you'll come by to this link up that's open all week, then come browse the wonderful items that are listed. So it's not just for sellers, but for all of you out there that love to shop...and who doesn't love to shop?

Thanks for joining in,

OK, time to party!