Nature Inspired Christmas Trees

 

After many years of all glitzy Christmas decorations, I think I’m going with a more natural, vintage theme in the sunroom.

 

Pinterest

 

I remember seeing some owl decorations last year at Pottery Barn and just fell in love with them.

 

Pinterest

 

It’s really neat to use an old container as the tree base such as this wash tub.

 

Shanty 2 Chic

 

Or maybe a small tree in an old enamel bowl.

 

All Things Home

 

You can’t get much more in touch with nature than using a farm theme!

 

Southern Living via My Home Ideas

 

When you throw in some vintage pieces, you just can’t go wrong!

 

DIY Show Off

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Fall Decorations

 

Immediately after the Halloween party, which you can see here, Savvy picked up all the decorations and packed them up!  Since then, I have been slowly putting a few things out.  The new sunroom probably got the most.

 

 

This year the owls landed on the mantel!  The picture is from Goodwill and the cute little stuffed owl is from the Christmas collection at Hobby Lobby this year.

 

 

I was seriously planning on putting this china hutch in the antique booth because I didn’t care for the trim on it but after painting it, It’s staying!  It went from a bright yellow to a gray and, boy, did it make a difference!

 

 

It’s the same color that I used in the kitchen except this is the sample which is flat, not satin.  To see the kitchen, click here.

 

 

I displayed the Fall dishes including this set of little glasses (maybe for brandy?).  There is a set of 4 and each have a different bird on them.

 

 

The small Audubon turkey print was another find at Goodwill.  The brass tiered tray is the perfect touch for this time of the year.

 

 

The olive basket is a favorite piece that I recently got from the antique store.  I’ve had my eye on it for a few months now and just decided to go for it and I’m so glad I did!

 

 

The living room got a few touches as well, along with the mantel.

 

 

The sideboard in the dining room….

 

 

received a little touch of Fall. The lemons in the drink dispenser were replaced with pumpkins.

 

 

The final room for Fall is the kitchen.

 

 

Just a small vignette on top of the refrigerator!

 

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

The Scoop Link Party @ Confessions of a Plate Addict 

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed

 

The Landing on Harbour Island, Bahamas

 

 

  Recently, I was goggling India Hicks to see some of her designs I discovered The Landing.  According to the site, the Landing is a gracious, historic property dating back to 1800. This boutique hotel overlooks the harbour in the heart of Dunmore Town, an easy five minute stroll to the powder fine, pink sand beach where they have their own beach chairs and umbrellas for the guests to enjoy.

The twelve guest rooms are designed and inspired by India Hicks in a classic plantation style with colonial inspired Caribbean influences. Visit "Toby's Cellar" to make a purchase from his Wine Spectator award winning list or discover his collection of Cuban and other Caribbean rums, and fine spirits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think I’ll have to put this fabulous place on my bucket list!

All pictures are from The Landing’s web site.  To see more information and photos, click here.

Framing a Map

 

 

A favorite past time of mine is researching genealogy.  My husband’s ancestors were some of the first settlers to the New Orleans area.  When I first saw this map years ago, I was so excited to be able to place some of the plantations owned by his ancestors.  This past March, while attending the Audubon Pilgrimage, I found a copy  at the Historical Society in West Feliciana Parish.  Since that time, it has been patiently waiting for me to frame it.

 

 

I started by trying to age it but that didn’t really work out due to some type of coating on the paper.  After using tea and coffee, the only thing that did work was rubbing it with a little stain.  This helped to tone down the brightness a little. 

Using a piece of 1/4 plywood, Hunter cut it to fit leaving a 2 inch space on the outer edges for the frame.

 

 

I used a yardstick to draw straight lines to make sure I had it center and used spray adhesive to secure it to the board.

 

 

Instead of choosing a fancy piece for molding for the frame, I went with a plain 1X2 pine.  I was just going to square it off since I didn’t trust myself to cut the angles right but my husband come walking though and told me, “You can’t do that!"  So he took it and cut it for me!  I have to admit sometimes I act a little lost on purpose because I know he’ll grab it up and do it for me!

 

 

I stained it and was going to liquid nail it into place but once again my husband came though the kitchen and got the brad nailer and fixed it for me!

 

 

Here it is in the sunroom which is almost finished!  The map is quite large and takes up the small wall.

 

 

I just love it!  In case anyone wants one, I have seen them online at Zazzle.  Have a blessed week!

 

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch
Project Inspired @ Artsy Chicks Rule

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

The Little Couple’s Coastal Home

While visiting my mother a couple of weeks ago, we caught a marathon of the Little Couple.  They seem to be such nice people and their son is adorable.

 

 

Their home is absolutely fabulous!  There was a scene in the kitchen where the light reflected off the tile backsplash that caught my eye.  If I were to redo mine, this is what I would do!  It’s so beautiful!

 

 

 

This is a perfect little area to sit and read a book or magazine!

 

On scene, you don’t realize that the living ceiling soars.  All I can say is “Wow!”

 

 

To see more, visit TLC – Little Couple by clicking here.

Halloween Party 2013

 

 

This past weekend we held a Halloween party at our home and I wanted to share some of the pictures with you.  To me, the best decoration that made the most impact, was the window silhouettes.  Using white chalk, my sister drew them on black poster board.  After cutting them out, they were taped to the windows.  On Pinterest, there are links to different sites that did this same thing.  One said to put yellow tissue behind the cut-outs.  Since I couldn’t find enough yellow or even orange tissue paper at the local stores, I purchased one plastic tablecloth.  I thought I would try it out before I purchased enough for all the windows.  Come to find out, you don’t really need anything backing them if your curtains are light enough and white tablecloths works just as well as yellow.  The only rooms in our house with yellow tablecloths in the upper left room.  The curtains in this room are dark brown and didn’t allow enough light to go thought.  The bottom right room is white tablecloths and the remaining windows have nothing behind them except the closed curtains.  The curtains in these rooms are lined but they are light colored and allowed enough light to shine though.  I think they look fantastic and it costs less than $10!

 

 

I purchased complete costumes at Dirt Cheap for $5 and my husband built stands using 1X2’s and chicken wire.

 

 

 

This was another great idea!  It looked like the witchs’ hats were floating in the air!  They were hung from the ceiling using tacks and clear fishing line.

 

 

Glittery orange jack o lanterns were placed on top of the kitchen cabinets

 

 

 

With the exception of just a few people, everyone dressed in costume.  From Duck Dynasty to

 

 

some groovy characters!

 

 

Even my father in law got in on the fun in his Darth Vadar costume!

 

 

And the night wouldn’t be complete without at least one scary zombie!

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch
Project Inspired @ Artsy Chicks Rule

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo