Decorating – Page 44

Here Comes The Sun(flowers)!

July 9, 2015~ Decorating, Outdoors

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end”
Ecclesiastes 3:11

There is something about sunflowers that just make me smile! Maybe it’s the way their brightness represents the sun. Or it could be that when I look at one, it’s as if I see it smiling back at me! Or maybe it’s the way the vibrant yellow contrasts with the beautiful blue skies. Or maybe a combination of all three! Whatever it is, sunflowers bring a little joy and “happy” to my day!

As a young bride, I will never forget seeing a bedroom in a friend’s home that was decorated in a sunflower theme. The comforter, window treatments, artwork were all dressed in sunflowers. The room just oozed happy!! And now, as years have gone by, sunflowers are still my flower of choice from the grocery store to make a happy bouquet for the kitchen or dining room table.

Butch and I have talked many times about planting sunflowers…after all, we have almost 15 acres of land! Last July, while visiting the Texas Hill Country, we stopped at a remarkable wild seed farm outside of Fredericksburg (www.wildseedfarms.com). We could have spent the entire day at this real working wildflower farm and its lovely shops! Fields of wild flowers were ablaze with color…and of course, our eyes were caught by a sea of the most gorgeous sunflowers! That’s when we knew that these beauties had to be planted here at our home in Northeast Alabama! So, with expert help from their staff, we selected one pound of Grey Stripe Sunflower seed! Now, we tend to buy things and put them away, never able to find them again. But I made sure that didn’t happen to our seeds…I placed the seeds in plain view as I open my pantry door to serve as a reminder! So when the warmer weather rolled in, Butch prepared a little plot to plant the seeds! And now we have our very own sunflower patch to enjoy and to share with you, our readers! Maybe it will add a little “happy” to your day as it does mine, each time I look out my kitchen window!

Sunflowers attract good bugs! The big round landing pad packed with pollen is yelling, “Eat here”! Our first sign of a bloom! Allison, our daughter-in-love, chose sunflowers as her primary flower for their wedding! You can see more here: The Wedding Edition. Katy, our chosen daughter, cut sunflowers from our patch to add more color to the porch of her new house! The red door and bistro set are just too fun! Stay tuned as we decorate her home!
Birthing of a bloom!! A bucket full of beauty!! Our Grey Stripe sunflowers are considered a giant among sunflowers! They can reach 12 feet in height and produce 10″ – 12″ flowers! Allie’s bridal bouquet! Sunflowers, of course, thrive in full sun. The Grey Stripe variety is drought tolerant and makes plump tasty seeds!A recent Tablescape Tuesday with happy sunflowers as the centerpiece! You can see it here: Sunflowers & Summer.
Sweet sunflower arrangement awaiting Allison and her bridesmaids in the carriage house! Our Grey Stripes are easy to grow and are not fussy about soil! Their seeds invite birds. The eating area in our garden provides us with a bird’s eye view! Pasture view of our happy patch! Allie’s bridesmaids’ bouquets! The sunflower is an important source of food. Sunflower oil is a valued and healthy oil and sunflower seeds are a nutritious and tasty snack! Sunflower varieties! Sunflowers belong to the genus Helianthus, which contains over 80 different species! Ah…red barn and sunflowers! A field near San Gimignano in Tuscany Sunflower loveliness in vintage tea canisters!A field of sunflowers…bliss! A basketful of sunshine! A creative display! Harvesting and drying sunflower seeds! Sunflowers mix so well with other flowers
Some of these images have been pulled from my Pinterest boards, Country Living and Baubles and Bouquets and are linked back to the original source. Thank you for taking a stroll through our sunflower patch with us today! We love sharing our everyday living with you!

Linking with Pieced Pastimes , Silver Pennies , Life on Lakeshore Drive , Thoughts From Alice , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia , The Dedicated House , Dwellings-Heart of Your Home , Savvy Southern Style , Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage , From My Front Porch To Yours , Stone Gable , Confessions of a Plate Addict , Worthing Court , Between Naps on the Porch , Cedar Hill Farmhouse , A Stroll Thru Life , The Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup, TheEnchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Oh My Heartsie Girl, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Hom e, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined

Land That I Love!

June 25, 2015~ Decorating, Food & Entertaining, Outdoors, Recipes

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life”
Romans 6:22

Barbecues…fireworks…parades…hot dogs…picnics…lemonade…concerts…home-made ice cream…grilled burgers…swimming…baseball games…family reunions…boating! This is how we will celebrate America’s Independence Day (often referred to as the 4th of July) in little towns and big cities across our beautiful land! Red, white, & blue will be the colors of the day, and being with the ones we love will be the highlight of our long weekend. While it is a fitting time to celebrate the independence of our great nation, let’s be reminded of the ultimate freedom we have–in Christ!

I hope that you all enjoy the July 4th inspiration from my Pinterest board, Summer Dreaming. Each picture is linked to the original source!

So many folks enjoy the water on the 4th! A cute picnic on the pier is ideal! A timeworn potting bench is a great idea for a food station!Drink stand with patriotic details!
Hot dog buffet!
Striped cloth, star plates, and flag fans make a charming tablescape!The stack of plates and napkin lend a festive flair!
Daisies and carnations with flags…sweet and easy centerpiece!
Hydrangeas, stripes, and a bright red napkin say it is party time!Repurposing a shutter – clever idea!
What’s not to love about the flag displayed on a porch?
A cheerful and inviting porch!
I would so enjoy dining on this rustic porch!
This porch offers a big patriotic welcome!
Red, white, and blue trifle…sweet ending to your celebration!
This dessert kabob with strawberries, blueberries, and brownie bites is simple and delicious! Love a sugar cookie pizza with fresh fruit! This would be a crowd pleaser – red and white velvet mini cakes with buttercream frosting! My guys would request cream cheese icing! Here is a great tip: freeze berries in ice cube trays!Red, white, and blue is always appropriate…even in a bedroom!
A vintage flag with 48 stars hangs in an entrance hall! What a conversation piece!

An eye-catching display of quilts!
Old barn and American flag…country living!!!This cutie is dressed for Independence Day!
“Sweet Land of Liberty”! Patriotic Beach Baby!

“Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing; Long may our land be bright
With freedom’s holy light; Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King”

Samuel F. Smith

Linking with Pieced Pastimes , Silver Pennies , Life on Lakeshore Drive , Thoughts From Alice , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia , The Dedicated House , Dwellings-Heart of Your Home , Savvy Southern Style , Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage , From My Front Porch To Yours , Stone Gable , Confessions of a Plate Addict , Worthing Court , Between Naps on the Porch , Cedar Hill Farmhouse , A Stroll Thru Life , The Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Oh My Heartsie Girl, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Hom e, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined

Designer Spotlight: Charles Faudree • It’s All In The Mix!

June 1, 2015~ Decorating, Designer Spotlight

“And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever”
Isaiah‬ ‭32‬:‭17‬

If you know French Country design, the name Charles Faudree probably rings a bell. I remember being captivated by Faudree’s unmatched talent the first time I saw his work in an edition of Traditional Home in the late 80’s! Since then, I have followed all of the national publications of his work and have all six of his books in my collection! As an interior decorator, I pored over every picture and paid attention to the tiniest details of every room that he designed, in hopes to learn from the master of Country French design! It was only a few months after his first design book, “Charles Faudree’s French Country Signature”, was released that he was invited to my city to speak to a group at the country club. He was so gracious to answer questions and autograph his book! He could not have been kinder as he took time to chat with me. In his own words he said, “I would like to think I have elevated French Country to a fine art,” …and that he did! Faudree passed away last November and many fellow bloggers have featured his work since. I have been so inspired by his distinctive ability to mix: past and present, old and new, rustic and refined…all of which create his coveted style of casual, understated elegance! Today, I want to share some of his amazing talent with you, my readers! When asked to define his style, he responded, “Oh, it’s all in the mix, not the match!” I seemed to have adopted that design philosophy!

The following photos were taken from my Pinterest board, Charles Faudree. Each photo is linked to the original source.

Many things catch my eye…bookcases, tole chandelier, the antique gate leg table with stacks of books!
“Part of the charm of a living room is a skillful blend of rustic and refined antiques and furnishings, with fabrics, colors, collections, and accessories that create a beautiful, cohesive room.”
C. Faudree A house in the Caribbean with its living room beautifully dressed in classic blue and white with a mix of fabrics!A pair of Louis XIV-style gilt wood tables in a traditional styled room with a splendid chandelier and luxurious fabrics!
A lighter touch in this room!
“Furnishings used in pairs add elegance to a room.”
C. Faudree
Faudree was a master of layering his rooms! They unfold before your eyes!
“Comfortable seating should never be a victim of great style.”
C. Faudree
A beautifully appointed rustic room with stone fireplace, antler chandelier, and warm wood walls and ceiling! French chairs, florals, plaids,needlepoint pillows, and books make an inviting sitting area in a bay window!
“Personal items add flavor to decorating.”
C. Faudree
A perfect example of the mix and not the match – French antiques with a lucite table! A lovely light-filled breakfast room with the piece de resistance-a Swedish secretary!
A French daybed in front of the fireplace with bergeres on either side with a collection of exquisite tortoise shell boxes atop the tea table! Faudree often used Country French commodes and trumeau mirrors! I would love dining in this room with the whimsical book shelves and the coral accents! “Details are like frosting on the cake, and who doesn’t like frosting best?”
C. Faudree
Coral inspired bedroom! Cozy and country with warm furnishing!“Too much is never enough”
C. Faudree
Bold buffalo checks, ticking stripes, florals, and toile fabrics mix together for a lovely guest room! Lush window treatments and bedding with soft colors in a spacious master bedroom! Faudree often used red toile…the perfect small bedroom
“Accessories are as important as the furniture itself.”
C. Faudree
Once again…it is about the mix! A powder room with a Provençal chest used as a vanity and French toile wallpaper An inviting living room in the French Country style of which Charles Faudree was the master!