Summer's End

This past week the children around here returned to school........a sure sign that Summer is on the wane.

Soon we'll be stowing away the garden furniture................

......Winter proofing the birdhouses and signs with a spray of wood sealant.....

...............pushing our swimsuits to the back of the dresser drawer..............

..............and thoughts of hot, lazy days at the beach will be saved for next year.

Sometimes we do get down to the North Carolina coast in Autumn or Winter.......maybe not paddling and swimming in the chilly Atlantic, but beach combing and shell searching in the still warm sun, casting long shadows on the damp sand, and enjoying the cooler season without the noise and crowds.

Which season do you prefer at the beach?

All images taken at SuzAnna's Antiques ~ 2009

Visiting SuzAnna's

September is almost here, the beginnings of Autumn are in the air. Cooler mornings as the children wait for the school bus. A few leaves are already turning gold, drifting gently downward on the breeze. The birds are so much quieter now, the babies already as big as their parents, finding breakfast for themselves, no calling for their parents as in Spring and early Summer. Energy is renewed with thoughts of cool days, time to treasure hunt in comfort.

Last weekend I was able to run by SuzAnna's Antiques, catch up with my dear friends and check out new merchandise that arrived at the shop while I was traveling.

I thought this antique dresser with the oval mirror very pretty.

The fireplace mantel would also make a wonderful headboard for a bed. These two pieces together in a guest room would be welcoming and so much fun.

Lots of interesting silver flatware ~ I like stuffing it in old glass vases or silver bowls ~ and of course prefer it tarnished so no polishing required!

More silver...................no more polishing if you enjoy it like this......and that sure is a pretty table.

Vintage T.E. Green English mixing bowls ~ love these and use mine almost daily.

As you can see, SuzAnna's continues to draw us back, week after week, month after month..............always fun things to see, to buy for our homes, or to give as gifts...................and always the warmest welcome from the best of friends.

Pink Saturday

This old painted pink door is great for hanging bird houses.

A visit to SuzAnna's Antiques last Saturday give me an opportunity to hunt down pink pretties to share with you.

Looks like an authentic Dutch clog....wonder where its clogging partner could be!

I think pink and yellow are a great combination, especially when they are warm tints of the two shades.

Hope everyone enjoys Pink Saturday, whether casually clogging or dancing the night away in your strappy high heels!! Me, I'll be sitting somewhere comfy, resting my feet....but sipping a glass of pink rose wine!

Now waltz or jitterbug over to see Beverly's list of Pink participants at How Sweet The Sound.

Late Summer Flowers

I bought these brilliantly colored flowers today at Trader Joe's.

Fresh picked....in California....fast forwarded to North Carolina and still "fresh as a daisy".

With Autumn waiting in the wings and before being surrounded by pumpkins and gourds, a beautiful bouquet of late Summer flowers in a simple jug bring pleasure........even to me, a lover of neutrals and French gray.

They remind me of Provence, what more can I say.

Past Perfect

Meeting up again with Brenda & Debbie of The Shabby Rose at their new space at Affordable Chic, was so much fun. These friendly gals certainly know how to display their beautiful finds......and they take time to chat and share decorating tips.

Below is the 'piece de resistance' of their collection at the moment. A stunning, painted mahogany fireplace surround with attached mirrored over-mantel. This piece is huge, expensive, and absolutely gorgeous. As mentioned before, I would need to win the North Carolina Lottery to be able to afford this and transport it home. Plus, a bigger home would also be necessary!

That lovely painting of the children moved with this piece, and the mercury glass adds shine and elegance.

If this mantel looks familiar to you I'm not surprised. If you have the 2008 copy of Cottage Style (a Meredith Special decorating publication), you will have seen this actual piece in a beach house at Emerald Isle, North Carolina. There, decorated with shells, it was used as a headboard in a guest bedroom. Quite spectacular and I wonder why the piece was sold on.

Beach House image from Cottage Style.

Guess I'll buy a lottery ticket this weekend........will let you know if I'm a winner, then go rent the truck, LOL!

Silver Service

Sometimes life's little thrills are presented to one on a silver platter. Remember my recent purchase of this French Bistro sign for the kitchen, which by the way, I love and am glad was still there when I returned after a couple of months of debating, should I, shouldn't I? That booth, named The Shabby Rose, belongs to two lovely, fun dealers, Brenda & Debbie.

These gals know what to hunt for! They stock their space with unusual things, the kind I love, and many are French inspired.

Lots of chippy paint in fabulous colors...............

..........interesting chandeliers and light fixtures..........

......................this wonderful bull's eye mirror (now waiting to be hung in my home) inspired by the old zinc windows on Paris buildings.............and precious art such as this gorgeous oil painting of children.

Iron topiary and basket - German shutters

When I bumped into the gals restocking and rearranging their space last weekend, they told me of their second location at a recently opened shop not far from my house. This shop, Affordable Chic, has not only antiques, vintage and new decorative treasures, also a tiny tearoom, and sells fresh flowers and seasonable vegetables - what more could one wish for.

Next time I'll show you more of The Shabby Rose's beautiful offerings at their new location...............including a surprise piece I'd love to own, but I'll need to win the Lottery first!!

Take a seat at La Madone

La Madone, Apt, Provence

When blog friend Corey of Tongue in Cheek recommended her friends Nathalie and Jean-Bernard's La Madone as "the most beautiful place to stay in Provence", how could I resist making reservations last October! Knowing the town of Apt was on the circuitous route we planned to take enabling us to visit as many markets as possible, the gorgeous apartments at this beautiful old house beckoned. Leaving Corey in Aix-en-Provence after our marvelous day of treasure hunting, we next met lovely blog friend Linda of Frenchless in France in the pretty village of Lourmarin on market day, and then headed on through scenic hilly country, dotted with picturesque hill towns, to Apt.

I've already shared many pics of the stunning interiors here and here at La Madone....I even came home and worked on my own decor, trying to bring some of those colors and feelings of old Provence into my dining room......and have been pleased with the results which came with paint and accessories.

Trying to replicate La Madone's stunning outdoor areas would be impossible! Nathalie and Jean-Bernard have brought beauty to their conservatory, terrace and pool areas that would never work here....even if I could afford it!!

The garden has many restful areas to sit, some under fig trees which were still producing fruit in October. Furnished with old chairs, mixed not matched, and so charming, one immediately felt relaxed and welcome.

Wicker, iron, wood.......naturals always work together.

View toward the town from the window of our apartment.

The pool was inviting although we didn't take a dip. Sitting beside it, high above the old town, watching the market vendors arrive to set up for the early morning was relaxing. There were tiny streets to explore, shop windows to browse, and some excellent restaurants to try. Apt is small.....the weekly market is the most important day when it truly comes alive. It's a good spot to visit the surrounding countryside and many lovely small towns and villages in the Luberon mountains.

La Madone's friendly cat enjoyed trying out several of the available chairs.........and she decided perhaps next to DH was the best place!

Passing through the conservatory, fan palms..........

................cherubs, draped fabric, soft cushioned benches wrapped with Nathalie's signature hemp linens...........a collection of antique bird cages against a painted wall..............

.....drifts of trailing plants, some flowering, others shades of green so pretty no other color was required.

Some of these images I've shown in earlier posts, however, La Madone is so beautiful, I wanted to show you again! This is certainly a very special place in Provence ~ I'm sure anyone visiting will enjoy their time here. I know Marilyn at Delights of the Heart will be there soon ~ have a wonderful time at La Madone.