vignette design

All Spruced Up!

2013-05-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

The Ritz-Carlton isn't the only reason to go "over the hill" to Half Moon Bay.

Two or three times a year I pay a visit to Schickenberg Nursery who specializes in ivy topiaries and the Nurseryman's Exchange next door, a wholesale nursery.

I was long overdue for some living plants in the house when I drove to the coast with the Suburban last week, ready to fill it up.

The Nurseryman's Exchange caters to florists and designers, so one is always guaranteed to find lovely arrangements like this orchid potted in a lovely brown basket weave pot.

Schickenberg Nursery specializes in ivy topiaries like ivy birdcages, candleabras, baskets and animals.

Although lately they're limited to balls and circles as you can see here.

The circles last longer and are less expensive, so I ended up with quite a few!

One for the family room console.

One on the kitchen table...

...along with two little olive trees.

Two on the kitchen windowsill...

...along with a potted sunflower to go with the rose filled demijohn on the kitchen island.

Two on the living room mantel, right...

...left!

The red metal urns are a latest find on One King's Lane.

In fact, they're available again, here.

Yet another ivy circle for the coffee table!

The antique urn from my mother-in-law gets three mini orchid plants while Oscar supervises.

And last, but not least, the dining room gets a pretty salmon colored hydrangea.

The house is all spruced up for a few months.

Now if I can just keep them alive!

Putting On The Ritz

2013-05-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

Just over the hill, only twenty miles away, sits the most amazing resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.

Perched atop a cliff, overlooking the ocean, it is a little slice of heaven!

Mr. A and I decided to finally see what everyone's been talking about.

If you love the ocean, then this is definitely worth a stay.

Or you could just enjoy the fire pit at the end of the day, while watching the sunset over the Pacific.

Just as the sun sets, a bagpiper plays Amazing Grace.

And yes, he's dressed in a kilt!

We had to pinch ourselves as we listened to the sweet sounds of the bagpipes and watch the sun hit the water.

Mr. A enjoying the view...

A happy, albeit cold camper!

Even though the hotel gives out blankets and there is a roaring fire, it can be cold and windy.

The hotel even has S'mores kits for roasting marshmallows.

We had a martini instead!

I love how the rooms were decorated, especially the bathroom.

French doors open to lovely Carrara marble floors.

One whole wall in the room is all beautiful built-ins.

Of course, the bed is luxurious with down duvet and soft as silk sheets.

I noticed all the details....

...like the dog bed, scarf and bowl provided for Oscar.

How cool that the The Ritz-Carlton is pet friendly!

The hotel was built in 2000 and renovated in 2010.

It's hard to believe that this is the first time we've ever seen it.

I think we might make this a yearly occasion!

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

1 Miramontes Point Road

Half Moon Bay, California

Mother's Day Evening

2013-05-12T21:59:00.003-07:00

As Mother's Day comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on a day well spent.

Four generations--from 3 years old to 90 years old, I'm so happy to share this day with my family.

Sending best wishes for a day well spent with your family as well.

Everything's Coming Up Roses

2013-05-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

The Iceberg roses are in full bloom, and are they ever glorious this year.

In fact, I don't ever remember so many blooms!

Iceberg is my go-to rose because it is such a performer, is disease resistant and comes in every form, from climbing, bush and topiary or standard.

And the bonus is that they're white, which goes with everything else in the garden.

See what I'm saying?

A perfect rose.

In the back yard, climbing New Dawn is just beginning to bloom.

New Dawn is another favorite, prolific bloomer.

Somehow this red rose snuck in to my garden!

The rose on the left is French Lace.
It has a wonderful scent!

The Cecile Brunner roses don't bloom much on the "tunnel of love."
Too much shade...

But they go crazy climbing the fence.
If only they bloomed all summer...

The first of many bouquets!

Picks For Your Pampered Pooch

2013-05-08T18:30:00.000-07:00

Etsy

I've pulled together some of my favorite picks for your pampered pooch, like this leather studded dog collar, from Etsy, retailing for $45.

Posh Puppy Boutique

The so very Chanel collar called appropriately, "Coco Collar" for $55

In The Company of Dogs

I love this leather whipstitched collar for a large dog with its beads and stone adornment, for $59.95

In The Company of Dogs

These one of a kind leather beaded collars are handmade in Kenya by Maasai artisans and sell for $59.95.

Etsy

Hand stamped copper tag, $11

How cute is this!

In The Company of Dogs

Custom Leather Collar, $69.95

Posh Puppy Boutique

French Bistro Bowls

Oooo, la, la!

$35

West Elm

The Thirsty dog bowl.

$23 for the small size.

BaxterBoo

Go Giants!

Don't worry, every baseball and football team is also available for your pooch at BaxterBoo!

$22

Posh Puppy Boutique

Love this plaid Puppia harness with the medallion. Selling for $35.

When I brought Oscar home from the pound, he wore a little blue plaid harness similar to this one.

BaxterBoo

This is such a cute, stylish coat from BaxterBoo. It's called The Sherlock Plaid Dog Coat, and sells for $40 for the small size.

Baxterboo

Alberta Quilted Dog Parka, $33.97 for medium.

Another darling coat from Baxterboo. Of course I'm loving the plaid!

Target

Does your dog have anxiety?

The Navy Rugby Thundershirt can help with that.

$44.99

Meijer

I've been on the hunt for a wicker dog bed.

This one just might be it!

Wicker Pet Bed, $19.99

Charlie Chau

However, this one is amazing.

So is the price!

190 British Pounds.

Etsy

Made from reclaimed wood, this rustic bed is custom made to your specifications.

Just add your own soft dog bed inside.

$85

Joss & Main

The Outback Country Dog House on Joss & Main today.

$100.95

Joss & Main

And last, but not least, The Country Club Dog house on the Joss & Main site, retailing for $202.95.

These are just a few picks that I'm loving right now for our pampered pets.

You can click on the links below each item to purchase directly.

Let's not forget also the many pet accessories that TJ Maxx and Marshalls are carrying right now.

If I had to choose a favorite, I would choose the French Bistro Bowls.

I've never seen anything like them.

For The Love Of Dogs

2013-05-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

Do you think dogs are capable of love?
I do!

I don't doubt for one minute that dogs love their humans.
Whether or not dogs have emotions is debatable amongst psychologists and animal behaviorists.
Some refer to a dog's love for their master as an attachment, not love.
Well, that's debatable!

Emotionally speaking, I believe dogs feel joy.

The joy of going for a ride in the car.

The joy of playing catch or going for a walk.

Tell your dog he has to stay and just see how sad he becomes!

I know because I have been leaving my little Oscar home alone lately and it breaks my heart to see his ears and tail go down.

He waits patiently for my return because he has to.

It is what dogs do.

Their qualities of loyalty, patience, devotion and dedication are qualities that we humans should strive for.

All I know is that dogs make our lives richer.

I read once that they are guardian angels of the human spirit.

For dog lovers like me, dogs become family members, living with us, sharing our homes, sitting on the sofa...

...sleeping in our beds, guarding our human spirit...

...and teaching us by example to love each other.

A dog's love is pure.

It's patient and kind.

A dog's love isn't jealous, proud or boastful;

it is not arrogant or rude.

A dog's love doesn't keep a record of wrongs.

Sound familiar?

It is 1 Corinthians 13.4

Yes, we have a lot to learn from our dogs.

Some believe that God made a dog for all the reasons above.

Do you love a dog?

Do you have a dog that loves you?

If you do, you are one lucky person.

I know I am!

Be sure to check out my Pinterest boards, Dog Love and Living With Dogs.

Design Obsession: Black Windows

2013-05-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

I'm totally obsessed with black windows these days!

I love how they frame the view and add contrast and interest.

The architecture of this window stands out painted black.

Yes, it's a beautiful window/door, but it wouldn't be so dramatic if it were painted white.

It's like the windows are wearing eyeliner!

This room with the black windows and moulding absolutely takes my breath away!

Now, I'm being dramatic....

But that is the word that comes to mind here.

Dramatic.

I like how edgy this entry is with the black windows and black door.

I'm so close to painting my entry door and side windows black!
Inside!

It would look like this.

But I'm also obsessed with exterior black windows like this one.
I find myself driving around the neighborhood looking for houses with black windows.
There are very few.

Our house needs to be painted this year and I'm considering this color combination:

Dark taupe/gray for the stucco, creamy white for the window trim, eaves, columns and corbels.
And black just inside the windows, on the mullions--like eyeliner!

Yes, I know the color will fade and not hold up as well to the elements as white will, but what can I say:

I'm obsessed!

Can you see it?

For more black window inspiration, check out my Pinterest board here.

Nurseries and Children's Rooms: Reminiscings, Ruminations and Redesigning

2013-05-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

When it comes to designing and decorating a nursery or children's room, I've always struggled with the juvenile themes and garish colors that often are used.

Last week, my friend Teresa and I stumbled into Restoration Hardware's baby and child store.

We were both amazed at the very original, quite unpractical, yet totally gorgeous nurseries and rooms displayed.

Ethereal canopies and crystal chandeliers everywhere!

It was a feast for the eyes!

This store could make you want to have a baby!

Apart from the cribs, much of the merchandise could be used in any room in the house, like these crystal sconces and patinated mirror. Even the fashion drawings would look great anywhere else in the house.

We were especially taken with the little girl's room with matching twin canopy beds hung with chandeliers.

Then, we noticed the framed dress on the wall.

A closer look revealed that it was made from a map of Paris!

Ok, now that's just amazing!

Expensive, but it would be a forever treasure.

We both found ourselves reminiscing about the nurseries and rooms we designed for our own kids back in the day.

My first nursery, in 1976 was painted bright yellow with a white crib. Eight years later, a boy's nursery with a dark wood crib and red, white and blue bedding. By the time the third child was born, she slept in a port-a-crib in the hallway!

It wasn't until the fourth child that I got to really decorate a nursery. When we moved in to that house, the room was already decorated in aqua and yellow polka dot wallpaper. I embraced it!

However, it was just too cutsey for me.

Like I said, I struggle with themed kid's rooms...

...and garish colors.

I actually have a Pinterest board titled, "Sleep Tight Little Ones."

There aren't a lot of pins on this board because I'm always looking for tastefully decorated rooms that can take a child from toddler to teenager.

Here are a few of my favorite pins as an example.

This boy's room from Pottery Barn Kids is a little juvenile, but I'm guessing it would be perfect for a 6 year old. Take away the mural when he is 16 and it transitions easily.

The neutral wallpaper and rug will take this little boy well into his high school years!

Another RH room.

What can I say?

It's fun, without being cutsey.

The colors are neutral and classic.

One of my favorites.

A boy's room designed by Kristen Buckingham, as seen in Elle Decor.

Change out the duvet covers and you have a nice guest room when he goes away to college!

But I digress...

Leave it to Restoration Hardware to design a girl's room with an upholstered velvet daybed! In gray!

I love the corona, the sconces and the canopy!

This would be a beautiful room for a teenage girl, transitioning to guest room when she goes away to college.

Just change the bedding.

We were amazed by the upholstered bunk beds!

I thought they would be fantastic in a bunk room.

I could imagine two sets of them--you know, when you have lots of grandkids spend the night!

Which brings me to my latest project.

Redesigning the bedrooms upstairs that belonged to "the kids."

That means boxing up baseball cards, fossils, souvenirs, Beany Babies, posters and books.

One of the rooms will have twin beds for when the granddaughters spend the night.

I'm trying to make it age and gender neutral, yet give them a room they can call their own at grandma's house.

I'll keep you posted...

Meanwhile, if you ever find yourself in Corte Madera, check out RH baby & child for inspiration.

RH has wonderfully innovative furniture and designs for kids.

You can check it out on their website here.

For more children's rooms, visit my Pinterest board, "Sleep Tight Little Ones" here.

Threshold At Target

2013-04-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

Curiosity got the better of me after seeing so many ads about Threshold at Target.

So, with great expectations, I decided to check out their new line of merchandise.

The name "Threshold" alone conjures up images of home to me, particularly a home with a rustic and natural vibe.

Although there wasn't a lot of Threshold merchandise at my local Target, what was there is indeed rustic.

Natural beeswax candles...

Faux lavender in burlap wrapped pots....

Natural wood candlesticks...

Natural wooden clock...

And a galvanized metal clock!

Target has always had their share of fabulous lampshades.

There is a small collection of furniture too for the Threshold line.

Frankly, I thought there would be more products, and that they would all be concentrated together.

I came home and explored the Target website to see what was missing at my local store.

Turns out, there is a whole bunch more online.

I just explored the "kitchen and dining" category and was pleasantly surprised.

Here are my picks, starting with a white porcelain covered brie dish.

I seriously need about a dozen of these refrigerator jars for leftovers.

At $7.99, they are a bargain.

Yum is the word for this set of 4 dessert plates.

This plaid ice bucket is a no brainer for me!

Why do I just love stuff like this?

And this?
Seriously, what is it about white porcelain with words.
Gets me every time!

I love this colorful set of melamine dishes.

They're perfect for summer meals.

You can never have too many trays!

Right?

Bringing it all together...

"Natural wood, galvanized steel and a touch of watercolor"...yes this space does say urban farm!

Check out your local Target for Threshold products or just go online here.

SHED, A Modern Grange

2013-04-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

If you are old enough to remember the value of a local grange, where people in the community could meet, gather and share ideas, then you will understand the concept behind the newest business in town called SHED.

SHED is a market, cafe and gathering place.

A modern grange, if you will.

SHED opened their doors last weekend in Healdsburg, and we were there to check it out.

Even if you don't plan on visiting Healdsburg any time soon, it is still a very inspirational concept of celebrating local farmers, local food, sustainability, and the agrarian lifestyle that I feel can work anywhere.

The local newspaper, The Press Decomcrat said this about SHED:
"To get an idea of its scope, imagine retail icon Williams-Sonoma rubbing shoulders with the Chez Panisse Cafe, while Smith & Hawken digs into the compost pile with Dean & DeLuca."

As soon as we walked in, we just stood there taking it all in.

You have your produce area which is all local and organic, lovingly displayed in wicker baskets.

Rice, grains and beans in bulk...

...as well as other products, locally produced and on display.

I fell in love with this marble topped table. Not sure what it was there for or even if it is for sale, but it rocked my world!

Lovely, local flowers for sale...

There is even a whole section dedicated to bees, honey and beekeeping.

There is another area dedicated to the art of food preparation, offering wonderful culinary items for sale.

I love these Mason Cash bowls.

The art of fermentation is indeed a lost art, that is essential to food preservation.

In fact, SHED has a fermentation bar, offering wines, beers, hard ciders, kombuchas and natural sodas on tap.

The cafe looks amazing too!

Its open kitchen and wood burning oven offers food prepared from local farmers with the menu changing daily.

In the back of SHED is a whole area dedicated to gardening and farming.

Seeds are available for planting your garden, and these aren't just ordinary seeds, they're non-GMO and

heirloom seeds.

The passion here is contagious.

Their goal is to "inspire, educate, engage and delight."

SHED is a community resource for learning, offering talks and seminars by authors and artists on the craft of gardening, farming and sustainable living.

This is something that interests me immensely.

The idea of growing and preserving your own food.

Eating what is in season and organically.

And "eating your view!"

Which means, eat local.

(SHED photo)

It's so nice to have a modern grange in our community that supports these concepts.

I hope that SHED is successful and it inspires other businesses like this too.

Maybe in your area!

For more information about SHED, visit their beautiful website here.

The Red Geranium Project

2013-04-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

I think of my garden as just another way to express my creativity, and I tend to choose plants and colors for "rooms" in my garden the same way I choose fabrics and colors for rooms in my home.

I'll never forget my first time in Europe, specifically Paris. Red geraniums were everywhere, in every window box, full and lush.

I was so influenced by the sheer simplicity and beauty of these geraniums, that I came home, had window boxes installed and planted them with red geraniums and white Bacopa.

However, I found that keeping them lush and full was a bit of a challenge. They do need to be deadheaded, as well as fertilized frequently.

Also, they tend to become ratty looking after a while, especially in the heat of summer.

I recently discovered a hybrid red geranium that stands up to heat, is full and lush, and absolutely gorgeous with velvet green leaves and deep blood-red flowers.

It's called "Big Red" geraniums by VIVA, and is sold by Home Depot!

Red geraniums are my choice for the pots and window boxes in Asti.

So when Home Depot got a shipment of VIVA "Big Red" Geraniums on Saturday, we bought as many as we could fit in the car and spent 6 hours planting out the pots scattered around.

This is what the old ones looked like from last year! Ratty!

Much better, don't you think?

I'm hoping these geraniums carry us to Labor Day and beyond.

Each pot received Miracle Grow soil and is watered by a drip system, keeping them alive in our absence.

I think red is a great color choice for the country.

It goes great with the white roses and purple lavender, which is about all that we can grow here, due to boron in the well water.

This is how I decorated this "room" in Asti.

Varied pots, some small, some large, planted with a combination of red patio roses, red geraniums with a few olive trees. Italian Cypress line the edges.

Yes, gardening is much like decorating.

It's a wonderful opportunity to express creativity through living things by painting a landscape with color and texture.

I find it most satisfying.

For more information about VIVA Big Red geraniums, click here.

Big Red is currently available at Home Depot, but hurry--they're going fast!

Happy Earth Day!

2013-04-22T15:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day!

And what better way to celebrate Earth Day than digging in the dirt!

Although we didn't get around to planting the vegetable garden, we did get the herb garden planted.

Sweet basil, Italian parsley, oregano...

...and Sage.

The sage is left over from last year and is in full bloom!

And so are the volunteer sweet peas.

I don't have the heart to pull them out just yet and plant the tomatoes.

No, not with their heavenly scent filling the air.

I brought them home by the armful!

Thank you Mother Earth for the gift of sweet peas!

We celebrated Earth Day today by planting an herb garden.

Over one billion people and 193 countries participated in Earth Day today.

To read about some of the activities all around the globe, click here.

What did you do for Earth Day?

Garden Notes

2013-04-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

The wonderful thing about traveling is that you bring home all sorts of ideas and inspiration.

Visiting Charleston really inspired me to get outside and dig in the dirt.

We've had so much wind lately that it's virtually impossible to be outside without risking your life!

Finally, the wind calmed down long enough for Oscar and I to access the garden and plan what needs to be done this spring.

I'm so glad that earlier last month, we pressure washed the brick and washed the teak, which was a huge improvement.

I cleaned up this obelisk while soaking up the sun, winding both ivy and morning glory around it.

The Cecile Brunner roses are just starting to bloom on the fence.

The Santa Barbara daisies are blooming too.

When I designed the garden over 10 years ago, I deliberately planted for low maintenance.

Azaleas, roses, daisies, lavender and hydrangeas continue to deliver year after year!

The problem is that it gives me a false sense that the garden is just fine.

Oscar and I made notes of what to plant, filling in gaps and adding color where needed.

As we sat on the outdoor sofa, we made a note to replace the throw pillows...

I think I can get one more year out of the stripe cushions.

Note to self: Never, ever choose polyester outdoor fabric. It doesn't last.

Always choose acrylic. That's what Sunbrella is made of.

Oscar is exhausted from all the note taking!

And we're only talking about the back yard!

What are your plans for the garden this spring?

Little Brown Jugs

2013-04-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

Since lilac season lasts about a hot minute, I am taking advantage of this time to thoroughly enjoy their beauty and scent.

So with my collection of little brown jugs in mind, I clipped enough lilacs to enjoy them inside.

At first, I put the little brown jugs on the kitchen window sill....

Until I moved them to the dining room table....

Where they look wonderful, but I want to see and smell them all the time.
So, I moved them again.

To the family room mantel....

Eventually they ended up on the kitchen table....

Where they accompany my newest treasure.

I found this wooden pedestal in Charleston and hand carried it home.

It takes center stage, highlighting one of my found bird's nests.

I'm loving how the little brown jugs of lilacs play a supporting role.

And we get to enjoy the tablescape and their heady scent for just a couple more hot minutes!

Literally, 24 hours later, they wilted, even with plenty of water.
Does anyone have a secret to preserving cut lilacs longer that a day or two inside?

I'm joining Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays.

Got Lilacs?

2013-04-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Lilacs are considered the harbingers of spring, so with my one and only lilac bush in full bloom, I guess it's safe to say "spring has sprung!

Lilacs, according to Greek mythology began with the beautiful nymph Syrniga. Pan, the god of forests became captivated with her beauty and chased the frighted Syringa through the forest. She turned herself into a lilac bush to escape him! That's why Syringa is the botanical name for lilac.

According to the "Language of Flowers," purple lilacs symbolize the beginning of love.

White lilacs symbolize the innocence of youth.

All I know, is that I love lilacs!

I love to cut them and make arrangements for the dining room table.

I like to fill all my little jugs with lilacs and place them in every room, filling the house with their heavenly scent.

And they are my go-to flower for Easter and spring tablescapes.

"Go down to Kew in lilac-time, in lilac-time, in lilac-time;
  Go down to Kew in lilac-time (it isn't far from London).
    And you shall wander hand in hand with love in summer's wonderland;
      Go down to Kew in lilac-time (it isn't far from London)." ~Alfred Noyes

Got Lilacs?

Make It Right

2013-04-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

While vacationing in New Orleans, Mr. A and I took a city tour which included the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina.

Seeing for myself the devastation was very sobering indeed.

We were very surprised the amount of homes that have yet to be repaired or rebuilt.

It appears that there is so much work to do still.

Here, people are working on their home, but it looks so overwhelming.

It's hard to believe the water rose to 13 feet in this neighborhood, flooding the attics.

Notice the hole cut in the roof....

So many residents opted to leave New Orleans instead of rebuilding, leaving behind deserted homes.

Wikipedia

Many vowed to someday return...

So I was happy to learn that in the Lower 9th Ward, rebuilding has begun in a very positive way.

In 2007, Brad Pitt visited New Orleans and was just as surprised to see little rebuilding, so he took action and formed the Make It Right foundation, which builds green homes for people in need.

He committed to build 150 homes in the Ninth Ward.

These aren't like the homes that were here before at all. Instead, they are LEED Platinum Certified using Cradle to Cradle technology.

This is an example of a Make It Right home with its solar panels and the only home I was able to personally photograph.

Make It Right

The website though has many photos, depicting the varying and unique architecture of Make It Right Homes, designed by architects that have donated their services.

These homes are available to the residents of the 9th Ward before Katrina, as well as teachers and first responders.

Make It Right

This home has a living roof planted with sedums which will help keep the interior cool.

All of the homes are at least five feet off the ground and come with escape hatches should another hurricane hit.

Make It Right

Some, even more which provides parking underneath, as well as safety from floods.

Pervious concrete is used allowing for storm water to infiltrate.

Make It Right

I think this home is attractive. It was built offsite as three modular units and assembled onsite.

Make It Right

The interiors look to be very attractive.

The paint used is by Benjamin Moore and has no VOC's.

Make It Right

All appliances are ENERGY STAR.

The cabinets are from Legacy Cabinets and contain no formaldehyde.

Make It Right

The countertops are by Eco by Cosentino and are made with 76% recycled content.

Make It Right

The floor coverings used are from Shaw using recycled and post-consumer materials, utilizing the Cradle to Cradle philosophy.

It's nice to know that the average price of a home is $150,000 making them very affordable.

Make It Right

The Lower 9th Ward at sunset.

Kudos to Brad Pitt and the Make It Right foundation for making it right again.

Make It Right's mission is to build healthy, affordable homes for communities in need, not just in New Orleans but also in Kansas City and Newark.

They rely on donations from people, corporations and foundations to get the job done.

For more information and how to contribute, visit their website here.

Have A Seat

2013-04-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

Last week while in Charleston, we discovered a fabulous home furnishings store called Acquisitions.

It is chalk full of beautifully upholstered chairs in colorful, pretty fabrics.
Of course, there are sofas and case goods too at Acquisitions, but I happen to have a chair fetish, hence the focus on chairs.

So pull up a chair and enjoy the tour...

Each one caught my eye in different ways.

This little gem is adorable with the buttoned up back and pretty green cut velvet fabric.

I mean, how great is this chair?

We're not talking neutral here.

No, there isn't a whole lot of safe cream linen upholstery.

Although this chair is upholstered in linen, it has a lovely blue print.

Perfect to tuck in a bedroom.

I fell in love with this leather chair for my family room.

They do ship anywhere and everywhere....

I really enjoyed seeing the attention to detail on these chairs.

Notice the contrast piping and button detail....

Notice the quilting on the cushion box front....

This chair caught my eye too with tried and true ticking.

This particular fabric has been around forever and wears like iron.

A fun little chair for my daughter's living room.

Why don't we have furniture stores like this where I live?

Acquisitions is located in Charleston, Charlotte and Atlanta. For more information, visit the their website here.

Now, if only they would open a store on the west coast! hint, hint!

Which one is your favorite?

I'll take that leather one, please!

For more chair inspiration, visit my Pinterest board, "Have A Seat."

The 66th Festival Of Houses And Gardens In Charleston

2013-04-05T16:31:00.001-07:00

For 66 years, the Charleston Historical Society has hosted the Festival of Houses and Gardens.

The festival is held during spring's peak blooming season, so you can only imagine how gorgeous the gardens are.

There are 7 to 10 houses each day to tour, offering a rare opportunity to see the inside of homes dating back to the 18th century.

Let's take a tour of Charleston shall we?

This is your typical Charleston house, called a single house.

Notice the front door. It opens to an open piazza (a Charleston term for a double porch) and garden.

Once inside, the front door is typically in the middle. Inside the foyer, the living room faces the street and the dining room toward the back. Stairway straight ahead.

The kitchen was usually in a separate building behind the main house. Kitchen fires were quite common back in the day.

Now, the main house is connected with the kitchen, called a "hyphen."

Not all houses are single houses.

I think this home is just lovely with the brick and boxwood garden.

In South Carolina, you are allowed to take photos from the street only. It is against the law to photograph on the property without the owner's permission.

Unfortunately, that means I didn't get any photos of the lovely gardens or inside the homes on the tours.

So with camera in hand, I took a million photos of the exteriors!

I wasn't the only one taking pictures!

There is just so much beauty here!

Shady paths and courtyards everywhere...

I can see why Charleston is known as the "city set in a garden."

Antique homes everywhere!

Unfortunately, we were able to take only one house tour due to the timing of our stay over Easter weekend.

So you can only imagine my delight and surprise when we were invited for cocktails at the lovely home of a mutual friend whose garden was on the tour!

Here I am posing with by BFF Maureen, our hostess Monica and her daughter Katie, thinking I've died and gone to heaven!
Thank you Monica for opening your home to us and for your hospitality.

It was the highlight of our trip, and quite frankly, the best home we saw!

For more information on Charleston's Festival of Houses and Gardens, visit their website here.

The festival ends April 20th, so there is still time to visit this historic city and tour some of its glorious antebellum, victorian and colonial homes.

I promise, you won't be disappointed!

Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!

And The Winner Is....

2013-04-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

1
No, you didn't miss a giveaway!

While walking through the streets of Charleston, I can't believe how beautiful the window boxes are.
One more beautiful than the next.

3
I made a comment that they must be having a window box competition.
Come to find out, they are!

If you were one of the judges of the Charleston Horticultural Society Window Box competition, which one would you pick as the winner?

Me? I pick the first one.

The window boxes at our hotel, The Vendue Inn are just amazing with not only flowers, but Swiss Chard too.

I'm going home with so much inspiration, and the first thing to do is replant my window boxes!

I'm linking up to Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday!

Magnolia Plantation And Gardens

2013-04-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Magnolia Plantation in Charleston is a stark contrast to Oak Alley Plantation in New Orleans.

While Oak Alley is all about the home, Magnolia is all about the gardens!

But more importantly, Magnolia is rich in history.

There is so much to see here. Of course the house and garden, but also a swamp, a zoo and original slave cabins.

The original, much grander house burned down, and a modest hunting cabin was later built.

Eventually, that house was added on to, and this is the original back stair entry to the home.

The 16 foot wide veranda is the best part of the house, in my opinion.

Inside, the floors are leaning here and there.

The furnishings are simple.

In the master bedroom, the quilt is all hand made by one person over the course of 20 years, with 12 stitches per inch.

A true masterpiece.

The bedroom downstairs has beautiful matching furniture which is black with hand painting.

Just gorgeous.

Outside, the gardens are breathtaking.

All the azaleas are blooming and spring is just beginning to unfold here.

This is the oldest garden in America, with some sections being 325 years old!

It is one of the last large scale Romantic Gardens left in this country.

I almost felt like I was in Monet's garden!

Mr. A and I pose for a photo under a magnificent Live Oak, dripping with Spanish Moss.

After the garden tour, we checked out the zoo.

This guy does not look impressed with his visitors.

The deer were so affectionate, as long as we had food!

I spied a red fox in the barrel, napping.

How cute is he?

The pig?

Not so cute!

I found myself humming "Old MacDonald!"

EIEIO....

We even took a swamp tour and saw turtles, egrets and enormous bumble bees, but not alligators.

What I find amazing is that Magnolia has been owned by the same family for over 300 years, over 12 generations. Orson Wells and Eleanor Roosevelt were entertained here!

It is rich in history. The British invaded here during the Revolutionary War, and of course the Civil War also left its mark.

There are five slave cabins still standing, dating back to 1850 that have been occupied until the late 1990's.

The Magnolia Cabin Project seeks to inform with respect the African-American slave experience and their vital role in shaping the South and American history in a 45 minute presentation called From Slavery to Freedom.

For more history and information about this historical gem called Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, watch this video.

Happy Easter From Charleston

2013-03-31T05:40:00.000-07:00

'Twas Easter-Sunday. The full-blossomed trees
Filled all the air with fragrance and with joy.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Spanish Student

Happy Easter from Charleston, Y'all!

Oak Alley Plantation

2013-03-30T06:33:00.002-07:00

What a treat to visit Oak Alley Plantation!

Situated on the Mississippi River, it is one of the few preserved plantations open to the public near New Orleans.

Oak Alley

This Greek Revival home was built in 1837 and was situated to take advantage of an alley of oak trees that were planted by early settlers in the 1700's.

These trees are 300 years old and are expected to live another 300 years!

Let's take a tour!

Starting with the grand entry.

A large veranda, as seen from the living room, surrounds the entire home, both top and bottom, providing shade during the hot summer.

The parlor.

The parlor table is set with rum for the men, and a jar of fruit soaked in rum for the women.

Since it was unseemly for women to drink liquor, they got around it by eating the rum soaked fruit!

The dining room can seat 16 people.

The large object hanging from the ceiling is actually a fan, not a chandelier.

A rope is attached to it, and during dinners, a slave would stand in the corner and pull it so the guests were fanned. There was an art to this: too much and the candles blew out!

A typical Creole tablescape!

At the top of the stairs is the mourning room.
When someone died, the body was laid out for viewing here.
The room was also used as an isolation room when someone was ill.
Yellow Fever was common and two of the original owner's children died from it.

The Master bedroom...

...with a gorgeous hand carved bed.

The upstairs hallway.

Notice the stairs going up another floor.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to explore up there.

The last owner, Mrs. Josephine Stewart lived to be in her 90's and died in 1972.

This was her room.

Our tour guide in costume.

This is the money shot!

A breathtaking view from the veranda, looking down oak alley towards the Mississippi River.

The upstairs veranda.

Outside, there are beautiful boxwood gardens planted by the last owner, Mrs. Stewart.

At one time there were roses too.

The building in the distance is a garage with two antique cars.

There is a Civil War replica tent set up on the grounds.

Mr. A found the history fascinating.

I found the tent with all the furnishings fascinating!

The Civil War historian.

Recently, Oak Alley Foundation reconstructed a slave quarters exhibit.

This is a typical fireplace in one cabin.

A mortise and tenon rope bed.

Seeing Oak Alley Plantation was worth the two hour bus ride from New Orleans.

It felt like we were back in time during the Antebellum South days.

For more information, watch this short video, or visit their website here.

How Much Is That Pot In The Window?

2013-03-28T06:11:00.001-07:00

"The one with the beautiful patina?" Asks Mr. A, as we stroll down Royal Street in the French Quarter.

I took him to New Orleans and he is loving the antique stores here!

He spotted these two gorgeous Anduze pots in the window of Antiques de Provence.

I remember seeing them back in January on my girl's trip.

There are more Anduze pots in their courtyard, signed by the artists and very expensive.

They are just gorgeous!

I love their courtyard with all the French pottery...

...and stone fountains.

There are cupboards full of confit pots and dough bowls.

I'm a little excited with their selection, especially the green confits.

They are so rare.

The shop girl set them aside for us.

I love the green confit pots and Mr. A is all about the dough bowl.

Still haven't "pulled the trigger" though.

Perhaps today we will go back and buy one of them.

Which one would you choose?

The dough bowl, the large dark green confit, or the small confit?

On The Road Again

2013-03-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

Five one way flights, a nine hour drive and four cities.
We are off on an adventure!
First, we went here for the weekend...

Today, we fly here for a few days...

Before we fly here...

and here for a few more days!
Where in the world is vignette design?
Stay tuned. I'm packing my camera!

Spring Flowers

2013-03-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

Just a few spring flowers in the neighborhood to share...

My neighbor's primroses.

Does anyone know what this is?

A daffodil with a bite out of it!

Flowering plum trees.

I love Johnny Jump Ups!

My white azaleas are popping out along side the driveway.

Last, but not least, a lone Calla Lily.

Hope you are enjoying these first days of spring!