Rainy Day- A "Shady" Affair

We've had some rainy days on and off which has kept me inside.  I needed to catch up on cleaning and putting things away so it's a good thing.  I finally put together an arrangement that I've had on the burner for several months.

Nothing super exciting but you know how it is when you get a vision in your mind you want to complete it.

 I saw these big creamy white magnolias at Pier 1 a while back and grabbed them thinking I'd make up something for the mantel.  A few weeks later I found the creamy white hydrangeas at Hobby Lobby and bought them to go with the magnolias.  Everything sat in my office/storage/work space for a good while.

The container I used for them is an old one from Ethan Allen that I had removed all the florals from.  It was filled with styrofoam that was real hard to poke into (I think it's that kind they pour in and it forms to the interior) so I cut and hacked away at it to remove it.  Messy!

 I always liked it because of the aged finish they gave it so I wouldn't let it go and now I'm grateful I didn't!

I can live with this a good while!

 When I removed the round table by the entry door I found a spot for it in the living room and gave it to Dan for his guy stuff and he's real happy with that.

I only had to move the recliner a little bit so it could open and all is well!

I saw this wonderful faux fern at a store on one of my ventures and picked it up with no idea of what I was going to do with it.  It landed in the big brown demi john style bottle that used to be out by the round table.

 For my birthday my blog designer Linda sent me this centerpiece arrangement.  At first I intended for it to go on the dining room table but one day I decided to pop it up here and found it to be a perfect size and height for this spot so here it will stay for the summer!

Thank you again Linda- I love t!

 I like to sit here and read my magazines and have my coffee or ice tea.  

This antique gold scrolling design candle holder came from Pier 1 too and I just love it's shape.  I love things with flowing movement like this.

Everything is still where I left it a while back.  I've been the most satisfied with this arrangement yet and if you know me you know I've scooted my furniture around a zillion times so this is an accomplishment for me!  A few months ago we bought matching shades for all the lamps in this room.  There are three different lamps but by unifying the shades it made it all  flow nicely.

About that Shady Affair

The shade on the lamp on this wood top had to be changed because….

My darling, adorable, lovable, can do no wrong Teddy (aka the terrorist Cat) knocked over the lamp and the lining of the shade came apart at the seems- literally.  I thought I could stitch it back together..ha ha… I think the lining was acetate and it shredded when I put needle and thread to it.  I ended up cutting away the lining and continued using it for a while until the other lamps shades were changed.  Anyway I adopted the shade that's on it now from one of the living room lamps and it worked out quite well.

So that's my Shady Affair…. sorry nothing very exciting!

I'll part with this- showing the candles lit on the new chest of drawers near the entry door.  It's kind of like having a lamp.  I love these ones from Pier 1 because with the remote you can dim them down so they're not super bright and it saves on the battery a bit too!

I'll be joining:

Dishing It & Digging It
Metamorphosis Monday 
Thoughts Of Home On Thursday 

A Little Easter Decorating

I've been doing a little bit of Easter decorating

 Last year my sister made an egg for each of me and my sisters.  I believe she used a decorative tissue paper sheet on mine- and mod podge.  I was looking at it and figured it would look good out on the mantel and then I decided to bring my lamb figurines from the china cabinet out too.

I think they have sweet faces.

I staged it on a little faux nest but needed help keeping it upright so I used some excelsior to help it.  

This extra large paper egg is just like the one I've had since I was a child.  They are made in Germany.  (Notice the photo bomber- my cat Riley)

They come apart in two pieces so you can fill them with some goodies like candy and or a stuffed bunny etc.  It would take the place of an Easter basket.  I used the metal bowl that sits on the coffee table all the time, filled it with the Easter grass, tossed a few eggs around-  simple but enough!

This little paper egg is the one from my childhood.  It was filled with jelly beans and I still remember being so excited about it! 

I put together this little vignette on the corner table by the door.  I set the garden cart on two of those faux grass mats- actually this one is boxwood. Notice the silly chick with rabbit ears (Pier 1) I do go for the traditional Easter colors- I love it especially at this time of year.  After a long winter I'm ready for happy colors!

 I added some mini daffodils to it so it would look like a field with flowers popping out.  The garden cart was from Cracker Barrel last year. I added some shredded green paper along the edges of the mat so it would conceal the framework of the mats.

 The bunnies were from last year (T.J. Maxx).  I stuffed some little violas in the basket that already had some carrots.

In the corner by the kitchen table I stuffed a bunch of  flowers in this metal container and I set a basket of eggs in the salt glazed bowl down below. I didn't make much effort on the bottom.

This chubby bunny sits on top of the flowers with her own stock of carrots to keep her happy.  She's really been enjoying herself!  

Hoppy Easter Greetings!

I'm joining
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday 

A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday


The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday

Traditional all the way!

In keeping with my traditional roots I've set the kitchen table 

with a classic red plaid tablecloth. 

I used a mini Poinsettia with some ornaments tossed around in my green metal lantern. 

The little white Santa boots, spiral red glasses and striped dishes were from Pier 1 last year. 

The red 'Tis the Season plates were from T.J. Maxx- also from last year. 

The lantern removes easily for dining. 

A mini boxwood candle wreath was set below the lantern for added fullness.

I found the poinsettia at the grocery store. It came with this ornament shaped base. 

It has sparkly spray on it but it doesn't show up in the pictures.

Winter has arrived

I hope to do this for Christmas morning but
there will be 5 so we'll squeeze a little closer!  

I'll be joining Between Naps on the Porch for
Tablescape Thursday

I'm thrilled to no end that both my kids and my dear daughter in-law 

will be home for Christmas this year!

I'm taking the rest of the season off and won't be posting again until after the New Year.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas 

full of peace, joy and love!
and
Best Wishes for a
Very Happy New Year!  

Newly Inspired Mantel Decorating!

I haven't changed anything about my mantel since January when I was inspired by 

another blogger's mantel.

While browsing through my new Architectural Digest and Southern Living magazines I saw a couple of mantels that inspired me to try a couple of new things.

~Note you can always click any picture to see it enlarged

First I was inspired to try the layering pictures...I've seen it done a lot, but never envisioned it for me...but something finally sparked....

The above is from Southern Living magazine 

 This is from Architectural Digest









I saw the candelabras on the mantel and I looked over at my two candelabras on the dining table and thought...hmmm.....why not? 
(Note more layering too)

Here's my newly decorated mantel!

 I was going to show you the 8 different ways I tried but decided you didn't need that much information!

 I even moved my big bowl that I posted about last January to the mantel.  I like how the light catches the design and adds texture.

I had mixed feelings about liking it after I purchased it, (I got it on Ebay and hated to pay to return it) but now I'm finally feeling good about it! 

 I wanted some kind of animal feature and decided to give my little dog statues 
(Nell Hill's) a try.  There is a pair of these but only one works in this setting. These are cute little affordable versions resembling the well known Staffordshire dogs.

 The only thing new is the square picture  

(Hobby Lobby) and a printed picture of a door handle that I slipped into the frame I got from Pier 1 

a while back.

Note: I used clear rubber like stick on pieces to keep the pictures from sliding.

  My Tuscan vases that were on the mantel are on the floor and my favorite candle holder is on the hearth now. 

I'm not sure if they are staying there.  I have a couple of metal stands I may try,  but for now that's how it looks!

It's a very dull gray day because we're getting rain.  Not much brightness to help take pictures so things are a bit dark.  
I hate to use the flash, because it ruins the affects.

With the Tuscan coloring I have in my room it's easy to bring in the feeling of fall.  I haven't begun to think about fall decorating, but it won't be too long for that!

 So what do you think?  

I hope you liked it!

Liz 

I'm joining Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life
for
Tabletop Tuesday