Showing posts with label screened porch decor. Show all posts

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Spring Decorations

Well, it’s still March, and here in central Ohio the sun in shining brighter and is teasing us into thinking that it’s spring, but walk outside and you’ll be quickly reminded that, nope, not yet. This morning it was 29° when I got up! That’s below

f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g!! BRRRRRR

But Easter will be here in two weeks, so it’s time to put our Easter bonnets on and at least decorate as though it’s spring!

First, I’ll share what I’ve done inside, then we’ll move to the outside.

Recently it occurred to me that my MIL’s writing desk was too hidden where we had it, and so with a little help from Mr. CHN we switched it with the buffet, and I like it! We’ve never had the writing desk in this spot, and it seems to open up the room so much! Perfect for spring!

So here’s the spring vignette for the writing desk~

This sweet teacup, with violets and yellow “violets” said spring to me as I searched through my collection, so she was chose to join the spring vignette.

Spring Decor, Chickadee Home Nest The right side of the writing desk holds a vintage crystal bowl filled with marble eggs, and can you see the teeny, tiny lights on the twigs to the right? Here they are, lit!

I just love these little lights in the evening! We bought them years ago in a boutique, and I’ll tell you, I’ve gotten our money’s worth out of them! I added more twigs to make them more natural, and we keep them in the blue-and-white umbrella stand year-round. They’re great for seasonal decorating. I’ve decorated them with felt hearts for Valentine’s Day and several other holidays.

And as you walk in, this is what you would see ~

(Here’s a silly little secret: Unless we’re having extreme heat or cold, we keep our front door open, since we have the storm door. Which means everyone and anyone who walks by can peek in as they walk by, and our neighborhood is a walking neighborhood—lots of folks are out all the time. So after I’ve done something that would be visible from outside, I take my own stroll out there (sometimes I drag Mr. CHN with me), and I peek in (yes, into our own home!), because you know…you have to see what your neighbors are seeing as they walk by!) LOL Now I’m SURE no blogger EVER looks in houses as they walk or drive by, right?

Another touch of spring and Easter is my Southern Living Ballard Designs tiered basket. Boy does this basket get a workout! It’s so versatile, and we have the perfect spot for it on our tall counter/bar, which is what I need there—something tall that makes a statement! This basket is one big,tall basket! I love the handle on it—like a shovel handle!

The feather wreath (top shelf of basket) and the glass eggs on the bottom shelf were great garage sale finds a couple of years ago, and the papier-mâché eggs are from Tuesday Morning a few years ago. They’re made in Germany, and the designs are just precious.Now that we’re expecting another chickadee, I hope I can find one more! <3

While in the mood, I also did a little something on the dining room table and the screened porch :)

These are candles that I actually have on eBay to sell, but as I took pictures of them on our table I decided they added a nice touch of spring color to the table, so I’ll enjoy them until they go to another happy home!

Because we have such a direct view of our screened porch and beyond, it’s important that we have nice seasonal touches out there. Forsythia and GIANT eggs (another garage sale find), as well as a few more marble ones were a quick addition that says “SPRING.” (I’m always in search of my first glimpse of {real} forsythia. It’s a sure sign that spring is coming!)

Spring Decor, Chickadee Home Nest

And finally, the front door and porch ~

Welcome! A simple forsythia bouquet, tied with glittery green and white tulle, provides a simple-yet-colorful touch. Since we have a storm door, the arrangements on the door must be “crushable,” and this one is!

And, when you come over for a visit, this is what you’ll see on the front porch! (It’ll be lovely out here when it’s warmer, so maybe you should wait a month or so, but please do stop by!)

Spring Decor, Chickadee Home Nest

I’ll leave you with shadow play, which as you know, I love.

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Thanks so much for stopping by. Tell me, what have you done in terms of spring decor? Are you in the mood yet? What early spring flower tells you it’s spring? (BTW, I also watch for crocuses. They’re so brave to sometimes bloom right through the snow!)

I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Monday Show and Share at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

ModMix Monday at http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/

Amaze Me Monday at http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/

Making Monday at http://gracelangdon.blogspot.com/

Inspire Me Monday at http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Karen’s Something to Talk About at http://www.karensuponthehill.com/

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Tuesdays at http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at DIY Design at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com\

Centerpiece Wednesday at http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Thursdays Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Thursday Your Turn to Shine at http://blesserhouse.blogspot.com/

Share Your Style Thursday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Fridays Creative Collection at http://thecardswedrew.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com

Fridays at The Thrifty Groove at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Friday Tatertots and Jello at http://tatertotsandjello.com

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Friday at The Girl Creative at http://www.thegirlcreative.com/

Pink Saturdays at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Saturday at http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Monday, June 23, 2014

Fourth of July Table

Are you ready for the Fourth? Doesn’t it seem like we’re still in early June? It does to me! And yet, the Fourth is only a little over a week away! I just hope we’re not careening into the holidays! (LOL).

Last week I shared my outside patriotic decorations with you (here). I hope my Fourth of July table will get your creativity flowing, so you can start planning for your own celebration.

Our screened porch is a favorite spot during the summer months, so of course it’s fun to change the decor often.

Let’s take a closer look:

I bought this geranium at a fund raiser the local firefighters hold every Mother’s Day. It is a perfect complement to a Fourth of July table. Although the plant had no marker, I named it “Brushstrokes” because of the gorgeous coloring.

The Mexican blue-rimmed glasses are from Pottery Barn (several years ago), and the blue goblets were an awesome auction find!

The twig chargers are from Grandin Road a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, I apparently got the last four, because they were unable to fill my order for eight. I keep checking back to see if they have them in stock again, but no luck so far. Attention, Grandin Road: You could sell a boatload of these chargers if you’d carry them again!

The wrought iron shelving is also decked out in red, white, and blue.

Another area of the screened porch has a collection of wood red, white, and blue lighthouses and other items,

and a touch of whimsy with a patriotic banner on a twig wreath.

This geranium is “Calliope”—it’s a gorgeous, velvety, deep red, also perfect for Fourth of July decorating.

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There you have it! I hope you have a chance to set a lovely, fun, red, white, and blue table for you and yours. Do you find that as you look through blogs you not only get ideas, but are reminded of things you have and could use for a tablescape or a vignette? That sure happens to me!

Happy Fourth of July to All!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Fabulously Creative Fridays at http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/

Design it Friday at http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

Friday Party Junk at http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home Fridays at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Thrifty Things Friday at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Simply Sweet Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Imparting Grace at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Monday, September 2, 2013

Extending Summer—Propagating Summer Plants

Goodbye, August…you were lovely this year, and I really, really didn’t want you to go. But September came rolling by with no regard for my wishes, knowing that I’ll eventually fall in love with her too. It will take a while; I hope she’s patient with me.

We have an old, chippy green shutter in our screened porch that’s been a perfect corner backdrop for potted plants. I have no memory of having bought it; it’s as though it’s been with us forever, and I’ve always loved it and have been glad we brought it home whenever it was that we did. It has served us well~~

~~but for several years now I’ve wanted to add some plants to the upper part of the shutter itself…thinking…thinking…thinking… Small pots? Probably too heavy (and leaky). Those metal pots with the hook built into them? Maybe…but not quite clicking with me…thinking…thinking…Pinterest-ing…thinking, while at the same time bemoaning the waning days of summer. Eureka! A picture on Pinterest of a Ball jar used by a teacher to store chalk! (http://thecreatedhome.blogspot.com/2011/08/homeschool-classroom-makeover.html)

Picture a big, bright light bulb right over my head—BIG AND BRIGHT. I have been positively enthralled with our geraniums this year (you can see close-ups of them HERE), and our coleuses have gone wild. Strong, and tall, and healthy. (I love coleuses because my grandmother loved them—they always remind me of her.) I had started to root some of the coleus, just because, and my thinking paid off! Hang Ball mason jars from the shutter and root them there! Voila—a way to root them AND add color and texture and interest to the upper part of the shutter!

I wrapped twine around the ridges of the jars, starting with a loop from which to hang them, added water, added cuttings, and I was pleased.

If you look real hard you can see the loop on each jar, hung with a S hook to the wire that just so happened to be in the perfect place (I wonder why it’s there?! It’s rusted and beautiful, so it’s been there a long, long time).

And now, be forewarned…the light and shadow play and reflections were just perfect on the days that I photographed them, so LOTS AND LOTS of pictures, to share how much I enjoyed taking these pictures.

And this is Miss Calliope Dark Red…I hope to winterize the plant too, but rooting cuttings are a bit of a back-up plan. I’ve heard of just taking the plants to the basement and not watering them much, but haven’t researched it much, so any tips would be very, very welcome!

This one has no tag, so I named it `Brushstrokes,’ because if you looked at it in my Porch in the Rain post linked above, you’ll know why. Each petal looks like it has a brushstroke of white on it. B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.

Can you tell how happy I am with my “rooting jars”?

TWO perfect solutions in one!

So are you ready for fall, or are you extending summer as much as you can? And have you been successful in overwintering plants in cold climates (Ohio, in my case). Call to all gardeners out there: Your advice is needed!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I read every single one of them! And if you like what you see a lot, maybe you’d like to Google+ this post or pin it on Pinterest too! Thank you!

I invite you to follow me. If you’ll let me know that you’re following, I’ll be sure to follow you back.

Fall Around the House at http://theinspiredroom.net

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesdays at Ivy and Elephants: http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

What's It Wednesday at http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Open House Party Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home Fridays at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Inspiration Friday at http://www.atthepicketfence.com

Thrifty Things Friday at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Fridays Unfolded at http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Dining with the Birds

Do you remember when I invited you to my screened porch here ? We’d “gone to the birds” with our wrought iron shelf decor.

Well, the weather here in central Ohio has been absolutely glorious—clear, bright blue skies, a nice breeze, and in the high 70s—perfect for outdoor dining~ BREAKFAST, LUNCH, or DINNER ~in our screened porch, of course!

And it was the perfect opportunity to once again use my PB bird plates (thanks to Yvonne at Stone Gable, who used them on a lovely table of hers). I had to have them, and off my husband and I went to the PB outlet about an hour from home.

You can see the bird touches on the shelves in the background.

The water bottle was a fun purchase last summer at White Magnolia, the loveliest of shops, in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. And the little birdie is a pitcher—I guess like a creamer or a vase?? I’ve only used it as a vase.

My Nicodemus robin that I’ve had for years, and has made appearances on many of my tables, because I love this chubby little guy!

Good morning, Sunshine!

Twig place card holders, from Pottery Barn, I think, seemed just right for the occasion, along with the PB goblets from PB’s early years—a gift from my MIL that I’ve enjoyed over and over and over. I guess they’re “vintage Pottery Barn” now!

edie rose home Bloom collection S&P, by Fitz & Floyd, a gift from our son and DIL. :)

The Blue Hour is upon us…lovely time for dinner.

When I saw the twinkles in the goblets I couldn’t resist adding this picture…I hope you like it as much as I do.

How’s this for perfect for our Dining with the Birds centerpiece? A robin’s egg I found in our landscaping this spring. Never fear…I researched what to do with it and learned that by the time I found it it had probably gotten too cold, and besides, there was no nest nearby, so it had been stolen by some mean critter, so I gave it a home for a little while before disposing of it.

Do you like to have every.single.meal outside during warm weather? I find that I’m as bad as the little ones—I don’t want the lovely warm days to end, and I don’t want to go inside!

The table is set…please come join us!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I read every single one of them! And if you like what you see a lot, maybe you’d like to +1 this post or pin it on Pinterest too! Thank you!

I invite you to follow me. If you’ll let me know that you’re following, I’ll be sure to follow you back.