Dining Room Dreams

Thought I'd share a few dining room photos. Several blog friends seem to be currently working on, or planning out, their cottage dining room makeovers. Like many of us, they're staring at the walls and thinking "what color shall I paint?" The only thing harder than picking wallpaper has to be picking paint - far too many colors - and if you still can't find the right one they can always mix it for you! The thing is though, paint is cheap (unless you just have to order Farrow & Ball from England!) and you can always paint over it if not happy - wallpaper's a bit more difficult.

My paint colors here are Linen White above the chair rail and White Coffee below (both Benjamin Moore). I hung a very subtle border below the crown just to anchor the walls which seemed to fly away left plain.

My dining room has been deep red, then ballroom gold, but a few years ago I returned to these light neutrals which I love. All the woodwork in my house is stained and dh refuses to let me paint it - have to let him have a little say now and then I suppose. I now enjoy it because it enhances the cottage look, especially all the six paneled doors. At one time I wanted to paint the dining room table and chairs - purchased 30 years ago - but am glad I kept this beautiful dark wood as it blends nicely with the crown and chair rail mouldings and is a contrast with the light walls and carpet. Of course I've recovered the chair seats more times than I care to remember.

The Welsh Dresser I purchased unfinished years ago - first I pickled it (if you're around my age you'll remember when that was popular!) so it had that bland look with the knots showing through. When I did this last makeover I decided to paint it. I used Behr's Sneakers flat latex, waxed with Briwax, polished, sanded the edges, waxed again and polished until smooth. A lot of work but it has held up brilliantly and doesn't mark or chip.
I do love painted pieces and found this cabinet a couple of years ago at Greenfront Interiors (Virginia and N. Carolina readers will know this company - great furniture). I love the shade of green and the delicate handpainted flowers.
More green whimsy - this piece of dyed and frayed burlap embellished with torn lace and ribbon - and that amazing Victorian lady named Miss Rosie Boote stitched in silver thread - this was a great find in a local designer's boutique which was closing and selling all the shop fixtures and decorations.
And finally...............for the special person who left an anonymous comment wondering what on earth to do "below the chair rail", here's the answer! Hang embossed wallpaper which goes on easily on a short wall, and paint it. Roll paint on with a lightly textured type roller - very simple and fast. This looks quite white but is actually the White Coffee color, several shades darker than the wall above.
Good luck dining room decorators - whatever you decide to do I'm sure you will love your finished space.

Loving tulips more each day!

I don't have many faux floral displays around the house. Remember how awful they used to to be? Really FAKE looking then but have improved by leaps and bounds. Couple of years ago when wandering around the local Pottery Barn store, I found these tulips.................... and luckily they were on sale! So beautiful, they look like the real Pink Impression tulips I grow each Spring in the garden. What's amazing is that the stems and leaves are so realistic as well as the actual flowers. Had to have these to fill in until the real ones bloom...................and when I look out my kitchen window this morning I see them starting to open their lovely rich, rosy pink cups with black star centers and yellow stamens. The stems grow taller and taller each day - a beautiful flower - thank goodness for gorgeous Dutch bulbs, just wish I was in Holland right now!

Click on photos for close up views.

My other faux display is outside my front door on the porch and this one changes with the seasons. Love this hanging iron basket from Michael's with lightweight resin basin to hold flowers. Have just removed the Winter leaves and added the daisies...............and who doesn't LOVE daisies, fresh and happy looking, and again not so faux looking now. The cabbages are beginning to look a bit aged, probably because birds enjoy sitting on them - need to give 'em a good hose down - cabbages that is!

Must share this fabulous switchplate cover with you. Was shopping out of town in one of those posh, overpriced, little gift boutiques with a dear friend. She knows I love tulips and she found this for me - of course had to have it and it's in my dining room. Also has a few of my beloved "written words" at the bottom - just perfect.

Wishing you all a great weekend.

Goodbye Winter - Hello Spring

The chill of Winter has just about abandoned the Southern states now. In my garden the cool shades of stone, concrete, painted wood, faded leaves and bare grapevines, will soon be jostled by little green shoots poking through the faded crispy oak leaves. Ivy will creep back again with tiny fresh leaves, and yellow flowered Carolina Jasmine, and pale pink New Dawn climbing roses will dress the back fence. As the month of March advances a tide of green sweeps gently over the garden.


The gate with wreath leads through the arbor into my back garden. This arbor is covered by an orange flowered trumpet vine which stays green all Winter. I hang tiny white lights on it and keep them twinkling year round - it's a welcoming sight when driving home at night.

The stone Mourning Doves are aging but are obviously still lovey dovey! My precious angel stands quietly day after day offering sustenance to all feathered and furry visitors who venture into our friendly garden.

And.............this lazy kitty doesn't bother any of the garden birds, unlike the visiting black cat who appears almost daily and hangs around the feeders looking for lunch I fear!


Thought you might enjoy a few of my garden treasures in their somewhat stark reality. I guarantee you'll be seeing plenty of the garden as it bursts forth with color over the coming months.

Loving lustrous linen

Growing up in England with a dressmaker Mother meant living among beautiful fabrics. Heavy silk embossed bridal fabrics, sheer chiffons, crisp cottons, soft brushed wools, and my favorite, Irish linens. Linen is as ancient as the Egyptians, so sturdy it has survived intact in their tombs. Linen breathes and cools the body in hot weather. As it ages it softens, becoming lustrous and even more wonderful to handle. Its strength allows daily use in the home as tablecloths, placemats and napkins, curtains, and those beautiful antique French bed linens.

Neutral colors of linen are all you need - natural fabric made from the flax plant doesn't require colorful dyes.

Ooh! Linen shirts and tunics - how cool and refreshing - just need the swimming pool, or even better a long stretch of sandy beach to stroll along at sunset.

Love this linen window blind and the adorable French iron birds.

Plan to get my linen clothes out of Winter storage soon. Do you iron your linens? Or, like me, just let them look a bit rumpled - that's part of the comfy cottage look anyway.

Run Rabbit, Run

Well, seems like we are all enticing those cute little bunnies back to our homes................Easter must be around the corner and Spring is officially here at long last. I love these china rabbits which I started collecting a couple of years ago. They are quite large so when the kids see them they want to hold them and pretend they're real. This year I haven't had time to look for new additions to my rabbit hutch - must get out there and start hunting.

I love the Mommy with the pretty porcelain flowers around her neck.

I'm sure this pair, after seeing the daffodils in bloom, know it's that time of year to crank up the bunny factory!

Soon I'll see the nibbled plants in my garden - they love those tender new shoots all juicy and fresh - and you'll find me chasing them off. But.................they are SO cute.

Heading out right now on a rabbit hunt!

"Spring Fling Tea"

The big day - the Spring Fling (virtual) Tea Party at ArtsyMama's "house". I have my tea tray ready - more cups available if hoards of you come by around 4 p.m. I have tea to suit everyone - Earl Grey, Harrods No. 16, P.G. Tips, English Breakfast, Assam, Constant Comment, Lemon Verbena, Peppermint etc.

There will be tiny cup cakes for tiny appetites, however my special Gateau de Mamy au Poire will be going into the oven around noon, ready to slice for you at tea time - served with real whipped creme and sliced almonds.
I love to serve tea in my Victorian gazebo. Looking forward to meeting you, serving you, and sharing special tea tales on the first day of Spring 2007.
For those of you wondering what this is all about - visit ArtsyMama at http://artsymama.blogspot.com/ and enjoy the party!!

A new day - a new friend

Awoke this morning to a gorgeous sunrise and snapped this picture from my front porch looking down the street - click to enlarge.

Then, when I went online I found a new friend, SOUTHERN HEART, who would enjoy hearing from you soon. She, like all of us when first time bloggers, wonders how people will find her and share her interests and news. Do visit her at http://truesouthernheart.blogspot.com/ Give Southern Heart a real Southern welcome.....................and for those of you up North, we down here really love to hear from you too as you well know.
What you give you get ten times over...........