Birds Of A Feather!

Since the beginning of the week, I’ve been talking about bringing the great outdoors inside one’s home—botanical wallpaper, trellis, etc. And the one thing that I cannot forget are our little feathered friends. Just this morning Ellie, our chow mix canine, and I were out for our daily jog (we leave Rolle, the basset hound, at home to snooze) and Ellie spotted a robin hovering around some blooming lilacs—which I’ll talk about later! Old bird prints were always something that I would buy when I was shopping for inventory. One thing that I did discover while selling antiques was that there are a lot of avid bird collectors out there, and my mother-in-law is one of them! I knew this way before my antiquing days, but it was nice because I was always well-stocked when hubby needed a quick Mother’s day gift.

There was one Wren water color that actually it belonged to my friend Brandon. She found in it the U.K. on an antiques buying trip with me. Unfortunately, it was sold before I could get to it, but I still remember it! I still have some bird prints that, one day, I will get framed! And, as far as my mother-in-law goes, I get to enjoy the bird prints that the hubby and I have given to her over the years every time we visit his old bedroom. More on The Great Outdoors tomorrow!

All Pictures above from Birds Shown To The Children by M.K.C. Scott

Still waiting for their proper framing-by me!

And here's a perfect example--I've always loved this dining room home of Suzanne Rheinstein. I just wonder how long it took her to get all her birds collected and framed? Picture Courtesy of Domino

More On Bringing The Outdoors In!

I've always loved the thought of implementing latticeworks inside one's home. I especially like it for a garden, laundry and of course a breakfast room! The room above is a Palm Beach breakfast room designed by Carolyn Malone of Atlanta. I love everything about this light and airy room, and I believe that not only is latticework a great way to add architectural detail, but it's also a great way to add the soothing comfort of the great outdoors--truly a great way to start your day! Thank You Elsie de Wolfe House in Good Taste . Picture Courtesy of Southern Accents - May-June 2006 Issue.

Bringing The Outdoors In!

One of my favorite Farrow & Ball -Ringwold

It’s cold, rainy, and miserable here in Nashville! Since I been talking about gardening throughout all last week and with the weather being quite dreadful outside I thought I would share a few of my personal favorite pictures of bringing the outdoors into your home. One my favorite color combinations is green and white.

In our first house, the dining room had a green and white color combination. Believe it or not, it was all Laura Ashley—wallpaper, window treatment, and fabric. I have always liked a hint of the English Country side, although on a side note—I would absolutely in a million years never be caught wearing it! The wallpaper was green and white striped (always fan of stripes); my father-in-law was kind enough to help us hang it. To help out, the hubby was his assistant (the paster). Unfortunately hanging wallpaper is one talent hubby has never acquired (me neither)! The dining room chairs that my in-laws kindly gave us were redone in green and white check. And the window treatment no doubt was a floral which I still have somewhere in storage.

For some reason, my Earl Gray tea always seemed to taste better in there!

I've always loved this room!

Picture Courtesy Of Elle Decor -Design by Ann Coyle

Photo by Francois Dischinger

As you can see I've had this for sometime! I had visions of the wallpaper in our Charleston house! Cole & Son's Paradise Tree

Currently, From Yours Truly- I love it especially on days like today!

More on Bringing The Outdoors In- Tomorrow.

Adding A Little Glamour To Your Gardening!

I love this old Vintage picture!

I keep it posted on my inspiration board all year around.

Image from Victoria -May 2003 issue- Lynn Fontanne photo by Warren O'Brien

One always needs a hat - I have this one from J.Crew!

How about some gloves! I noticed these gloves from Smith & Hawken have gone on sale - I had mentioned them during X-Mas "Gifts For The Avid Gardener" . Now on sale and just in time for Mother's Day!

I also like these gloves from Katie Brown!

Now those look glamorous!

Southern Porches

Picture Courtesy of Cottage Living

Just the other night, my neighbor Sandy popped over with her little three-year-old girl, Lily. And as are most three-year-olds, Lily is full of energy! The sun had set for the evening and the spring temperature was mildly warm. Since Lily wanted to run around to burn off some energy, the three of us ended up sitting on our porch, an area of the house that I have yet to really decorate. We do have a swing, which we repainted last year, and I did manage to add a few throw pillows. Now I’m in desperate need to have proper seating for at least four-- so hubby doesn’t have to stand. Seating for five or six would be wonderful, but our porch is not that big. Also, a table would be nice so we can set our morning coffee or our evening wine down outside.

Having a porch is something that I’ve always wanted. Our first house (hubby’s & mine) was a brick traditional in the suburbs of Atlanta; hence, no porch! Upon moving to Charleston hubby and I finally had the porch that I had longed for while living in Atlanta. Our porch in Charleston was screened—which was great because it kept the palmetto bugs out!

Now here in Nashville, each evening as we (husband & two K-9s) head out for our evening stroll—I noticed each of our neighbor’s porches. There could be one or two anomalies, but, for the most part, everyone indeed has a porch. Some of the porches are decorated with old white wicker furniture and hanging Boston ferns, a few are decorated with old worn rustic metal chairs, and then there are some with just a swing and some pillows (like mine!). Regardless of how it is decorated, a porch is an extensions of one’s homes. Since Spring is here, and the chills of winter hopefully now behind us, you can bet Frank & Eula will be sitting on their porch waving and inviting me ,the hubby, Rolle and Ellie to come to sit and chat for awhile after we return from our evening stroll. They have plenty of chairs!

I like this book and would love to have that porch--someday!

the southern cottage

Gardening - Gone But Never Forgotten!

Garden antiques –I thought since I did make a modest living selling garden antiques—I would talk a little about them today. Garden décor was part of my stock when I was an antiques dealer.

Picture Courtesy Of Veranda

Just the other day, I was thinking of a few of my favorite things that I had found while stomping through the fields of the U.K. that I still, to this day, regret selling. First up: my old cement lambs, (which you never, ever, see around). Next, my French bust: I bought her from my source, Jenny, in the U.K. I showed her here in the South at a show and a French man almost bought her. He told me he was going to ship her back to France! Indeed, she almost did a full circle – funny how that happens in the antiquing world. But, when he came back for her, she had already been sold, and was on her way to China to be reproduced. Next up: my gargoyle heads, which came off an old building in the U.K. I bought them for my garden show in Savannah. Finally, some old urns with the perfect patina and—patina is everything in the antiques business. Pity, Pity, Pity-all gone!

My French Bust--Sold!

Although I’m no longer selling antiques, I’m still, however, always on the lookout for stuff! Today, for instance I’m off to fetch some old wicker for my porch. You may think, if she sold garden antiques, why doesn’t she have any old wicker sitting around? Sold that too! And the list is much too long for me to cry over here. Hubby is still pouting over the bistro table I sold last year. I’ll talk more about porches and old wicker tomorrow.

Following are a few of my personal favorite garden shops if you’re looking for garden antiques!

MARSH – One of my personal favorites, both in New Orleans where it’s located, and also in the South! Excellent selection for antiques for your garden. When it first opened by buddy Brandon who was living in New Orleans at the time called me very excited to tell me that I would love this shop-- she was indeed correct!

On the Veranda – I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the two owners Sharon and Diane. After receiving one of their cute business cards, I had to check out their website, since I could not very well jump into my CRV and head to Phoenix to check out their store.