Greenhouse

As I shared on my Instagram we 'did a thing' over the weekend. While I dream of charming English greenhouses and Victorian conservatories, I am also very excited to have this utilitarian greenhouse to have fun with. We had reached the point where either the ferns could live in our house this winter or people could. They have gotten huge over the years and I have to vacuum up a lot of little leaves when they "winter" inside.

 I ordered it from Amazon, it was inexpensive and arrived in about 3 days. This is the exact one/size I bought (the price fluctuated over the two week period that I considered which one to purchase. Amazon prices are like the stock market ;) so keep an eye out for price changes.)

There aren't any pictures yet with beautiful plants and gardening accessories in it because it is still a construction zone. I had a stack of salvaged bricks so I am currently, slowly, bricking the floor. The first frost deadline is looming so I'm trying to get it done asap! Stay tuned!

Bottle Tree

I have posted quite a few images recently on Instagram of our porch and backyard and our bottle tree has been spotted in the backyard. It recently got a bit of a refresh and I think that's why it has been noticed. 

Do you see it back there? It is beside our little garden pond. It has been in that spot for at least 20 years. 

Are you familiar with bottle trees? They have a long history and were believed to ward off bad spirits and any evil that might involve the people living nearby. Today they are considered to be garden art by many and southern homes have versions of the traditional bottle trees in their gardens. Originally bottles were hung in live trees or put on tree branch stakes driven into the ground. 

For a while I had to use a mix of bottle colors because the cobalt blue ones can be hard to find. You can see in the image below that I had two shades of blue on it when this picture was taken. But my goal was always to have lots of cobalt blue bottles on my bottle tree. 

Strolling through Publix a couple of weeks ago some cobalt blue bottles caught my eye on the water aisle. I stopped. Are they glass? Yes! I grabbed a four pack and took them home. The brand is Saratoga Sparkling Water and it is so good which is a bonus because I wanted to get quite a few more cobalt blue bottles for my bottle tree. Another bonus is that the glass bottles come in two sizes and the labels peel right off. I've linked them in Amazon in case you can't find them at your local grocery store. I mixed the two sizes on my bottle tree because the other bottles were a variety of sizes already. 

My bottle tree has been in that spot by our little garden pond for over 20 years and I've had only 1 bottle break in all those years. I love how it looks with the light shining through the cobalt glass. 

My "tree" is very basic. I used a 4x4 post that had been painted white and was already a little chippy. It has continued to weather over the years and I like that look. We used pieces of rebar as the "branches"  to hold the bottles. We just drilled a snug hole at an angle and used a rubber mallet to drive the rebar in so it is secure. Then you simply slide your bottles on. That's it!

Here Comes FALL!

Fall truly begins at the end of this week and we have had a tease of less humid days here in the South. I love Summer so I let go of that season slowly. I have never decorated for fall before October 1 because Mollie's birthday is September 29th and I always wanted our decor to be all about her birthday party theme and not fall. She is now an adult and has informed me that I'm sticking to an "out dated" rule! So I might start pulling a few touches out next week. What about you? Do you wait for October or go by the equinox at the end of September? Or maybe you started being "fallish" weeks ago? 

Here are a few of my favorite early fall touches (pictures from last year.)

I always ask for a big mum for my late September birthday and the first thing I buy myself is always the little white pumpkins. I can't stop myself. They are my favorite decoration. I prefer my mums in purplish tones, coral, peach or white. What about you? 

Some years my greeter guy gets orange jack-be-littles if the white ones are hard to find. Putting the little pumpkins in my greeter guy by the front door is a favorite touch. Sometimes I call it my squirrel feeder because they run off with the little pumpkins. 

Last fall I couldn't stop marbleizing my faux pumpkins! It was a fun addition to our fall look and I think they'll be back this fall. What's your favorite fall decor item? 

I'll be sharing this years fall decorating on my Instagram account. 

Happy Fall!

Decorating Trends for Spring 2023

I am not a trend follower, per se, BUT when a prediction falls in line with my aesthetic I like to embrace it. I've shared my thoughts on the whole what's in and what's out thought process before (if you like it in your home and it works for you then trendy or not - you do you!!)

I piled one of my huge blue and white fishbowl planters with shells and coral last summer and I enjoyed walking past it in my entry way many times a day. A nod to the sea doesn't have to be a whole themed look. It can be a few shells (or a bowl full!)

BUT the reason I'm excited about this Spring trend forecast is that Veranda mag has predicted "Under the Sea" as a major design player moving in to Spring 2023. I am here for it. Already. And it isn't seasonal for me. I've shared my nod to coastal and shell decor many times before here and here. We can count on Veranda to share some beautiful, elevated coastal looks to inspire us. 

I can't stop looking at this amazing room from the May/June issue of Veranda. It has so many amazing details and confirms my thought that you don't have to live at the beach to embrace your love of the ocean. This home is in the French countryside and belongs to designer Thomas Boog and his wife. 

via Veranda

So many great design ideas to use in your own space. Another great source of inspiration for me is Amanda Lindroth. I just finished her Create Academy course and I can't wait to go through it again. She has just decorated a show house room that has everyone oohing and aahing. I wish I had seen it in person. 

via Veranda

This pile of shells was on a concrete boat dock in the Bahamas about 10 years ago. I couldn't stop looking at the colors, textures and the sheer beauty of these rather large conchs. The meat had been harvested by divers (this was their livelihood) for the restaurant industry and the shells were a by-product they were hoping to sell for extra income. Yep, I helped them out. It cost me some overweight luggage fees but I have enjoyed those shells every day for over a decade. Pretty good investment if you ask me. I knew "under the sea" wasn't a trend for me so the investment was worth it. 

I have moved them around through the years. They are currently lined up on top of some bamboo cabinets in my family room. The cabinets are filled with blue and white, coral that I've thrifted and some lighthouse replicas including Morris Island Light in Charleston.

Vintage shell boxes are a favorite of mine. I rarely see them when thrifting but I snatch them up if I do. The marbled clay pot is holding some pieces of a large vintage coral piece that I accidentally dropped and shattered. It was so fragile. I rescued the bits and I'll enjoy them this way now. 

I'm slowly reclaiming the porch from the pollen and that is where I love to use seashell decor year round most of all. I've sorted a lot of my shells in to this old and worn three tiered silver serving piece. I had this one and it had a few worn places in it so I didn't mind putting it on the porch. I see pieces like this at thrift stores all the time. I love the juxtaposition of the silver and the textured shells. 

Shells and palm tree and sandcastles. All thrifted. 

As always I am a big fan of using items that are personal and memorable and not just purchased. Most of my shells have come from trips we've made. I have shells that I collected as a child mixed in with all the others. I've been a beachcomber since day 1!

What about you? Are you a shell collector?

Easter!

 Happy Easter!

I'm sharing a few favorite Easter images from my Instagram below and linking a few Easter-y blog posts below that. I hope your day is blessed with sweet memories and time with people you want to celebrate a glorious Sunday with. Happy Easter!

Chinoiserie Easter Tree

Favorite Easter Images through the Years

A Perfect Punch for Easter

Gather Up All the Pink and Red!!

Valentine's Day is about telling people you love them. I think it should be sweet and filled with kindness not stress about spending money on over the top gifts or flowers. I also decided a long time ago that I did not want to wait in lines or eat in overly crowded restaurants that night either. Valentine's celebrations, for us, have always been family events and simple but fun.

When Mollie was young she decorated with hearts she made and taped everywhere. We made hearts from wax paper and crayon shavings like my mom did with me and we often ate heart shaped pizzas we made at home. I would buy cannolis or a special dessert at the bakery because that is not my strong suit!

This year I pulled out everything pink or red and put it all together! On Valentine's Day it just works. I did create DIY red and pink marbleized chargers from some thrift store finds. Everything else (except the candy) I had on hand and most of it has been thrifted over time. 

I didn't buy any fresh flowers but I did pull out a family heirloom glass compote that I fill with roses that I let dry when I do buy them. I love fresh flowers and I do believe you should treat yourself when you are able. 

Tie a gingham bow on your every day items and suddenly they are fun!

I hope that you get to spend time with those you love but should you find yourself alone then treat yourself because you are worth it!

What Should We Call These Planters Anyway?

I love them but we all seem unsure about what to call this style of planter! 

Bust planters, statue planters, planter heads - I've seen all of the names. Whatever name we decide upon one of the most asked questions that I get on my Instagram is where do I find them? 

There isn't a short answer except to say "Everywhere."

I'll explain... I have purchased mine all over the place, including Amazon,  and in all kinds of shops. I look at thrift stores and antique malls. Garden shops are a good source. I've found a couple there. I have also found them at backroad concrete statuary places. In the middle of nowhere. You just never know. I'm going to link some from Amazon below. If you have free shipping it's a great place to start your collection. These can be heavy! Be sure to read the dimensions and also to check if they are made for outdoor use. I have mine inside and outside but some are strictly for indoor use. 

The finish on this one is slowly chipping away but I don't mind it.

Choosing what "hair" to plant is always fun. Creeping Jenny is one of my favorites.

 

They are fun in every season. I've planted them with spring bulbs and pansies. The first bright spot in the garden.

They love a good holiday look!

 

I tuck them in everywhere. 

So now that you see how much fun they are to have in the garden, on your porch or even inside here are a few that are easily sourced:

I have this guy! 

I also have this pretty lady. 

This bust planter of a young child is so sweet. 

This one is a wall planter - so unique!

I have this one too. I didn't purchase her from Amazon but this is a good price. And these can be pretty heavy so if you have free shipping it helps!

I hope you find a planter that you like. Whatever we call them, they make great companions inside and out!