Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Easter Brunch Tablescape


HAPPY EASTER!
Before I left for Texas, I set the table for Easter Sunday Brunch.

I used my vintage Johnson Brothers "Chintz" plates set on my tried and true cabbage leaf chargers.

The salad plates are vintage German majolica.

The "piece de resistance" is these little egg cups. I've been collecting them for years, and they are made in Portugal by Bordallo Pinheiro.
They look great with egg candles from Pottery Barn.


I found these chicken wire "placemats" that fit right in to the chicken theme.

Monogrammed napkins from Homegoods in pale yellow was a great find!
Mis-matched hotel silver completes the look.

The center of the table is set with three pairs of vintage chickens and lilacs from my garden.

In the middle is this painted wooden cakestand set with candles.

I also scattered some found bird's nests here and there.

Looking down the table at the place settings, set with purple goblets found at Salvation Army.


No bunnies at this table! Just these old vintage chickens.
I always wondered why the Easter Bunny brought eggs when I was a kid! I always thought there should be an Easter Chicken!

Oh my, these lilacs smell heavenly!

The "Chintz" platter is on display in the hutch for Spring.

Now when I'm back from my trip to Texas late Saturday, the table will be waiting for our family brunch the next morning.

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.
Thanks Susan for hosting!

I'm also joining the Vignette Party over at Stories from A to Z.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Texas, Here We Come!


The girls and I are off on our adventure today.
Texas, here we come!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Appreciating the Beauty Around Us

photo by Marc Rogoff

"What worth has beauty if it is not seen?"
-
Italian Proverb

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy."
- Anne Frank

"There is nothing that makes its way more directly into the soul than beauty."
- Joseph Addison

I'm trying something new today and linking up to Notes from A Cottage Industry for Weekly Words to Live By.
Be sure to visit for more inspirational quotes.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Faux Bamboo Furniture


This faux bamboo cabinet is currently my favorite piece of furniture.
It lives in the master bathroom, doing duty as a storage piece for our towels and just looking beautiful.

This is such a versatile piece. It would be wonderful filled with cookbooks in a country kitchen, or filled with linens in a hallway.

I love the feel that faux bamboo brings to a room, lending a traditional look and a touch of whimsy.

Of course, I have a "collection" of faux bamboo!
This is the first piece I bought many years ago. Currently it is under appreciated as a bookshelf in a guest room, but has been the star in a bathroom filled with towels too.

This little table is the star in the guest bathroom.
Another versatile piece, it can go anywhere.


Another faux bamboo table in the living room sits between these two chairs.
That's it for my collection.
Let's look at some more examples of faux bamboo:

This entry designed by Barclay Butera features this precious little faux bamboo cabinet.
I love everything about this room, from the grasscloth wallcovering to the shell mirror.

I wish I could remember where I found this picture.
This armoire takes my breath away! I love how it is filled with quilts and blankets.

The mirror in this bathroom is magnificent!

I love this headboard....

....and this bed, designed by Michael S. Smith.

Many faux bamboo dressers are topped with marble like this one....

....and this one.

This gorgeous dresser is from the Hampstead Collection for Williams Sonoma Home.

The collection features a bed, nightstand and two sizes of dressers.
It also comes in a white finish.

Adding a piece of faux bamboo to a room is a great way to give it texture and style. Being lightweight, it can be moved as needed and put to use in many situations.
I think it is timeless. Originally from the Victorian era, faux bamboo still has a place in our present day decor.

It's Show and Tell Friday and I'm linking up to Cindy at My Romantic Home.
Please visit her and see what the other participants are sharing.
I'm also linking up with my friend Laurie at Bargain Hunting with Laurie for My Favorite Things.

I'm linking up to Miss Mustard Seed's for Furniture Feature Friday.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Springtime in Asti


It's Springtime in Asti.
The birds and the bees are very busy!
The flora and fauna are beginning to emerge.

The workers in the vineyard are busy.....

.....and we got busy too, planting herbs, tomatoes, geraniums and succulents in the garden.

I'm just discovering succulents and am hoping this is a good choice for these urns that don't get water on a regular basis.

I think they look nice all grouped together.


Red geraniums and Bacopa went in the two urns by the pool.

They are on a drip system, so hopefully they will grow....

The Mulberry tree is beginning to bud.

It will provide much appreciated shade for al fresco dining when temperatures can reach 100 degrees in the summer.

Walking around, I noticed the first white roses blooming on the "Iceburg" rose bushes.

The volunteer Nasturtiums are spreading out.

The Rosemary bushes are covered with little purple blossoms.

And again, the bees are very, very busy.
What a glorious First Day of Spring!

It's Outdoor Wednesday over at A Southern Daydreamer. Susan hosts this party every week, so be sure to visit and see other outdoor photos.
I'm also joining Heidi at Heart and Home for Wednesday Gratitude. Be sure to visit her too for much appreciation and inspiration.
I'm joining Gina for Transformation Thursday at the Shabby Chic Cottage also. Check it out!

Monday, March 22, 2010

The Mud Room


The Mud Room. This is technically the "entry" to our house in Asti.
This photo was taken when we first moved in.

Another photo of the mud room last year.
We were fortunate to inherit this lovely antique "settle" from the previous owners, as well as the decorative wooden farm implements.

I found these grape botanicals at the flea market and framed them myself for over the bench. I also made some feed sack pillows to personalize the space, but those wooden farm implements were starting to bug me. They were always in the way and getting knocked off the wall.

The mud room last weekend.
Notice the difference?

I found this burlap sack at the flea market for $20 and framed it.
I don't know what this says in French, I'm just glad it replaced the wooden farm implements!

Since the walls are Venetian Plaster, there was no way to patch the large holes from the brackets that held the tools. The new addition hides the holes nicely!

Looking through the door from the side porch, I am loving the new rustic framed burlap sack.
For sale: one wooden rake and two wooden pitchforks!
Never been "used!"

I'm joining Kimm at Reinvented for the first time for "Trash to Treasure Tuesday!"
Please visit her website to see what others are reinventing.

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