9/27/2009

An Autumn Dining Room at Happy To Design!

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It's Metamorphosis Monday!
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Hello my friends...I hope that you're having a marvelous Monday!
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It's time for Metamorphosis Monday hosted by our very own Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch! Thank you, Susan for hosting this fun filled Monday event!!! Please go pay Susan a visit today and see what she has for us and while you're there you can visit all of the other Met Monday participants!
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I am also joining in with Mosaic Monday today...I have a couple of photo mosaics that I would love to share with you! Mosaic Monday is hosted by Mary over at Little Red House! Thank you, Mary for hosting this marvelous Monday mosaic party!!! (Whew...say that fast 3 times! Hehe!)
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Autumn is Officially Here!*
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Last week for Metamorphosis Monday I posted my living room's new autumn decor. If you would like to see that just click HERE. This week I would like to share with you a few of the seasonal changes that I've made in my dining room!
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I love my dining room!!! It's a bit eclectic but follows the lines of French Country design. We have a very "open" floor plan in the living area of our home...the living room, dining room, and kitchen are basically all open to one another. I have decorated these rooms in shades of olive green, deep red, and gold...very deep, rich colors...which are very conducive to warming up my home for the autumn season! I love autumn and I love my home in all of its autumn finery!!!
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So without further ado...here is my French Country dining room!
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Happy To Design
Autumn 2009
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Autumn mosaic of my french country dining room...Autumn 2009
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I created this photo mosaic using the photo of my dining room (pictured below). First of all, I took the photo and used Photobucket's photo effect called "Sketch"...this made the photo look like a pencil sketch. Then I took the sketched photo and added the photo effect "Tint" to get the different autumn colored tints...then I used Picasa to make the mosaic. I have been playing with photo graphics alot lately and having so much fun! Hehe!
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An Autumn Dining Room
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My husband built this home in 1998 B.C. (B.C. standing for "before Chari"...hehe!) The original part of this house was built in 1927...honey added on to the front, the back and also added on a second story. It's a beautiful home...my honey is quite talented!!!
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The dining room is in the original part of the house and still has the old original wood flooring. I painted them a charcoal gray color...over time they have taken on an old distressed looking patina! Or in other words...they could use a fresh coat of paint! Hehe!
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Two of the walls in this room are olive green...two are a deep red color! I really do love these deep, rich colors...it's just me! I decided to use white furniture in this room since the wall color was already dark. I really do like the contrast of the white furniture against the red and olive green! The dining room table was a treasure find at an antique market...it also has a distressed finish! I love the old column looking legs on the table!!! The buffet was an old brown colored dresser that I refinished. I love the "frenchy" style of this piece!!!
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Autumn and the Dining Room Buffet
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Ooops...I'm just now thinking that I should have added a photo of this buffet "before" the autumn decor!
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An Autumn Vignette
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The runner on the buffet is perfect for autumn decor! It's the most beautiful shade of olive green and is emboridered with a floral pattern in dark reds and gold. Can you see the long fringe on the ends of the runner? Soooo pretty!!!
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The two buffet lamps come from Vanna over at Delusions of Grandeur. I just adore these lamps with their pretty crystal prisms!!! I think the lamps are a beautiful addition to the buffet!
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New Floral Arrangement
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I created a new autumn floral arrangement for the buffet...adding long stems of autumn leaves, wispy brown grass, and a few dark red flowers and cattails to a large gold colored pitcher that sits on a matching plate!
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Autumn and Antoinette...
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Hehe...okay, so I named my french girl bust "Antoinette"! Antoinette is sitting atop a couple of old books...an autumn garland of berries graces the bust...and a couple of little brown embossed birds and pumpkins make for an autumny vignette! I just love these little brown birds...they have little acorns embossed on the sides...found them on sale at Michaels for just $1.99!
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A couple of fun photo effects! I used Photobuckets "Color Sketch" on the photo above.
 On the photo below I used an effect called "fresco"! Pretty...don't you think?
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You can see the pretty buffet runner a little better in this photo.
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"Artsy" photo of the florals!
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This is the left side of the buffet. Using three silver candleholders with off white tapers...my silver teapot with patina, and a couple more pumpkins! Hehe...don't you just love the word patina? It covers a multitude of sins or...uh, I mean tarnish!!!
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Autumn Table Centerpiece
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Just keeping my table centerpiece simple since there is so much going on at the buffet! This is an old distressed looking french table tray...filled with autumn pears! To each side of the tray are my newest treasure finds...Roseville candleholders! My honey found these in a box of old things over at his Dad's house...they were so dirty you couldn't even make out the color of them! I didn't even know they were Roseville pottery till after I got them washed up! He found two candleholders and a small jardinare.
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This is Roseville's "Clematis" pattern in autumn brown...ca 1944. I am thrilled to have these pretty pieces and they are so perfect for autumn!!!
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My Window Bench
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This is a bench that my honey made in wood shop when he was in high school. I found it outside behind his shop when I first came here...of course, I saved it and brought it in the house! I painted it the same color of olive green that is in the insets of the buffet and then added a black glaze over the top. Oh yes, and I added a little french scroll piece to the front of the bench...just a little added interest!
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Pillows...Pillows...Lots of Pillows!
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Ohhh my goodness...this is probably "overkill" but I just love pillows and lots of them! The gold ambussen pillow was made in Germany...a souvineer from our honeymoon trip to Europe. I made the two red floral pillows to each side of the gold pillow. I found the pretty bolster pillows awhile back...fell in love with the color, fabric, and pattern!!! Honestly, I just threw the bolster pillows on the bench when I was doing my autumn decor in the living room...and here they still sit! I kind of like them here...no one really wanted to sit down here anyway! wink!
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Autumn Ambiance
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Here in Colorado...along with Autumn comes the cool, crisp weather! It won't be long and we'll have to build a fire in the old wood stove! In fact, our heat has already been running this week! Right now the wood bin is empty but it won't be for long. There's nothing like a warm fire on a cool autumn day or night...autumn ambiance! Hehe!
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Just a couple of "artsy" photos!
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I took this photo looking into the buffet mirror...this is the reflection you see in the mirror of my autumn dining room!
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*Autumn 2009 at Happy To Design
Photobucket
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This is a photo mosaic that I created using a few of the photos that you seen above...using Photobucket's "color sketch" effect! It really does show all the beautiful, deep rich, autumn colors of my little french country dining room!
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Well my friends...I hope that you enjoyed the tour around my dining room today! I'm so happy that you came by...please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I would love to visit with you!!!
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The DIY Show Off
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*I'm hooking up again this week with the DIY Show Off: Fall Festival! This is a fabulous Fall party with so many great ideas! Just click on the button above...it's magic...it'll take you right on over to the DIY Show Off!
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Rednesday is hosted by Sue over at It's a Very Cherry World...won't you go and visit with her...there is all kinds of fabulous RED to see! Thanks Sue for hosting this fun filled "RED" party...ahhh, RED...my favorite color!!!
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Happy Autumn!!!
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Love ya'll,
Chari
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65 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Chari, your home is just gorgeous and I always love seeing all the wonderful vignettes you do. Everything just looks wonderful and so beautiful. Hugs, Marty

Stacey said...

You know I just love your dining room. It's gorgeous! I bet your hubby is so glad that it's not BC anymore. The way you transformed that bench is amazing too. Lovely!

Mary said...

Happy autumn to you too, Chari! Your home is beautiful -- thanks for sharing it with us at Mosaic MOnday. :)

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

How beautiful!!! I love all of your fall vignettes...gorgeous!!!

I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday evening!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Carol said...

Your dining room absolutely stunning! and the mosaics are absolutely the coolest! Love the effects! Beautiful!

Unknown said...

Chari,
Your dining room is just beautiful, the Fall decorations are pure eye candy. Now lets not forget your choice of paint colors,love, love, love the RED.
Sandy

Joyce said...

Great photos of your DR. I love the bench that you made in HS with all the colorful pillows. It looks so inviting. Your love for your home and decorating really shines. I enjoy all your posts.
Joyce

Sonia said...

Hi Chari,

Your dining room is truly a warm and inviting space...I love the autumn accents you have added for the season..you are so talented at arranging your accessories...wish I could borrow you for a few hours! I know you and your family will have many wonderful warm nights next to your woodburning stove and in such a cozy inviting space...have a great week...Miss Bloomers/Sonia

Tootsie said...

okay...I have already put my "tag" on all of Gloria's household items....and now I fear tht I will need to have a larger house....so that after I stop my U-Haul at your house I have a spot to put it all! TAG your rooms to go to Tootsies house!
I love it all...you are gifted and so talented....and such a sweet wonderful person! Maybe you should box yourself up too...I'd love to have you!

pam said...

What a wonderful post...I SO WANT A RED ROOM or at least a red wall. I've had so many friends try it and they are never satisfied with the shade of red. Not sure what my red would be...hopefully some day.

abnsigoslady said...

Everything is just fabulous. So pretty. Every inch is detailed. Love it. Off the wall question...How is your floor done? Painted? Just curious. Laura@the mansion

Sandra said...

Hi Chari. I love your home! You decor is beautiful. I love the way you arranged your plates on the wall. Love the different effects you can do on photos.
Your wall color looks similar to my fireplace color. :)
Blessings,
Sandra

Anonymous said...

Hi Chari! Oh, first of all your mosaics are the most unique I've ever seen. I love them. Your home is so beautiful and love all of your special touches all around.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Millie said...

What fun your mosaics are today! Love your decor..

Justine said...

:::::::bouncing up and down in my chair::::::: Ooh ooh ooh, I loves this room! It just screams COZY to me and makes me want to sit there with a hot cup of coffee, fire roaring and just soak up my surroundings. The first thing I noticed was the buffet. gorgeous! I wish I had 1/100th of the talent you have for decorating. Waaaaaaaaa! I'm totally hopeless!

Btw... the plate arrangement on the wall is stunning against the wall color!

Justine :o )

Ebie said...

Chari, you have a beautiful home, and the decorations are so lovely! I cannot get over the arrangement, just lovely!

Ebie's Mosaics.

Mimi@Life At Mimi's House said...

You have a lovely dining room. Thanks for the info on Photobucket. I didn't know you could do that! Think I'll go see what I can transform.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Oh Chari,
I am always amazed at your decorating skills and how absolutely lovely you have made this room! I just love your dining room all dressed up for Autumn. That table centerpiece, the side table with the beautiful lamps and lovely viginettes! Honestly girl, it's breathtaking! Your pics are always gorgeous and your mosaics are awesome! What a treat, I feel like I just took the best home tour! I am so glad you stopped by, I think your weather has moved our way. Yesterday was nice and sunny, today is dreary and about 20 degrees cooler. Oh October is almost here. Hugs to you, Cindy

Wildflowerhouse said...

Oh I love your photo's, your colors, your decorating and your pillows. Oh did I miss anything. Just fantastic. Sharon

Sunny said...

What a lovely welcoming dining room. I really like the white furniture against the wall color. Stunning!
Sunny :)

susan said...

What a beautiful post of a beautiful room!! I can't imagine this house BC!!! :) and yes, I thought you might have added the scroll to the bench :)

Cheryl B. said...

I stopped by your blog to verify that you were still hosting your Sunday "theme day".

In case you aren't sure why I would do that, please first go here: http://thehousethatlovebuilt.xanga.com/712911712/today--/

and then read this one:
http://thehousethatlovebuilt.xanga.com/712911311/sept-theme-days/

I can see that you do, so I shall leave it on the lists :-D

THANKS!!!
Cheryl B.

Kathy said...

Your dining room is just beautiful. I love your "artsy" mosaics!
Kathy

Karen said...

CHARI! You need to join our "Doors of Welcome"!!!! Oh my gosh, I know your doors would be fabulous! Come on over and view my Aug 31st post to see the details. I would love for you to join in on the fun!
What fun pictures! My son is taking a photography class in college this semester and this REALLY makes me wish I had taken it too! (not exactly with him . . . you know how that goes when you're 20 years old)
Great shots! Hope to hear from you!
Karen - Some Days Are Diamonds

Sharing with Sherri said...

Oh Chari your talents just keep growing by leaps and bounds!!
Omgosh where to begin!! Your dining room is so striking! Your wit is so quick!... BC before Chari oh you are too funny girl!

I really love your all photo effects too! WOW! That first one of your Antoinette bust (I love that you named it!) in the color sketch, looks pretty enough to frame!!
...and your collection of pillows took my breath away.. GORGEOUS!!

You are just too talented for words... and thats all I've got to say about that!! (well for now anyway) tee hee!!

Hugs,
Sherri:D

~JarieLyn~ said...

Chari, my eyes are glazed over with excitement. I love, love, love what you did with your mosaic. I especailly like the last one. Your home is beautiful and you are very creative and talented. I am very pleased to see your post.

MonikaRose said...

Wow, Chari your home is just so beautiful, full of color and I imagine very comfortable and happy days too. Love all the colors very well color matching. Great photos and mosaic, love what you did with them the effects. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous home. Enjoy your week :)

Kammy said...

Hi Chari !
Ooooo girl, I am loving that pitcher with those fall leaves - so elegant ! That buffet and mirror - one word - Ooo Laa Laa !
I love your designing and decorating !
I am just in awe at your photo shop items again - I am loving the sketch and the others - some look like art !
You hubby is so talented - wow - you scored ! I think it is sweet how you "rescued" his high school bench - I bet he got a kick out of that -so neat !
lovely lovely lovely - as always !
Hugs ~
Kammy

Tammy@InStitches said...

oooooh, It's so pretty. I can't stop looking at that fringe, so unique !

Sherri said...

All of it is beautiful but I LOVE the birdies!!! Delicate little lacy looking wings.

"Blossom" said...

Everything is beautiful and your dinning room is fab. Such beautiful colors you have put together with your fall theme.
blossom

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

A beautiful room deserving of your beautiful photos and mosaic....

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

GM< sis...girl you out did yourself once again...I just love seeing your beautiful home with all its richs colors you have going on...Now that side board looks wonderful with the bust and your Vanna lamps....oh girl its beautiful what you have done..Thanks so much for coming by...I'm find girl just old ha ha!! can't wait until we can take our trip and meet...how cool is that going to be...glad to hear Lisa is going to be ok...I know your disapointed my friend...Maybe after your grandson get out of high school they'll come...that a tough age to up root them...All my best to you my friend...May you have a great day...Love ya girl...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Fifi Flowers said...

GREAT room! LOVE the mosaics!

Roeshel said...

Chari - your home is lovely! And your fall decor is gorgeous. I love your mosaics and sketches! Inspires me to mess around with my photoshop a little more! :)

Thanks for linking to the DIY Fall Festival and sharing your beautiful home!

Roeshel

Michelle said...

Love your tranformation! Stop by for a visit sometime!
Michelle

Dawn said...

Hey Chari!!! I sooo apologize for not getting your giveaway prize to you yet! Things have been crazy here!

Email me your address at eventuallycottage@yahoo.com

Thanks,
Dawn

Melissa Miller said...

~WOW!!! Chari your Autumn decor' dining room is sooo gorgeous!
LOVE the way you did your mosaic pictures too. How awesome! Your pillows are stunning with all the warmth and different fabric choices and textures. You know my favorite is your pretty fringed runner. Sigh. Absolutely beyond marvelous! ~Wonderful job!

I'm doing so much better my friend! I'm glad you came by.
It's amazing what super healthy eating does for our bodies inside and out. I always knew to eat this way I just forgot. HeHe! Besides isn't it way more fun to eat a big ole' piece of chocolate cake any way? LOL! I will eat it again just not right now.

Blessings to you all today,
~Love ya, ~Melissa :)

Brenda Pruitt said...

Now what husband would have achieved this inviting gorgeous look? He must be patting himself on the back for finding you!
Brenda

Annette said...

Hi Chari,

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for all of your very sweet comments. I adore all of the vignettes that you have created. That is my decorating weakness! I can do the big stuff, but when it comes to putting together smaller pieces to accessorize the big items, I fall short. But your lovely pictures have given me inspiration. I love your use of cloches and apothecary jars! Thanks!

Nancy said...

Oh, the red dining room I visit often! I'm sitting in my similarly red office and loving it! Very nice autumn post.

Kelly @ Much To Do With Nothing said...

Hi Chari,
What a find! Those candle holders are gorgeous. I love them! Perfect for your fall dining room and table. It all looks beautiful.
Kelly

Kathleen said...

Chari, you have a beautiful home. Decorated so tastefully, just lovely!
Thank you for sharing all your Fall touches...so pretty!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Hey Chari! Girl, you need to come decorate my home for fall...you do such a beautiful job! I love all your lovely fall areas...my fav is the vignette with Antoinette. She is just beautiful, especially surrounded by all the fall colors. You are so clever with Photobucket and Picasa! Enjoyed the mosiacs! Susan

Julie said...

Hi Chari,I just love your dining room all your fall is so pretty...
Love the red on the wall...
xoxo
Julie

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Chari, Your fall decor is beautiful! And I love the different pictures and effects you tried! They are frame worthy! Very pretty! ~hugs, Rhonda :)

bj said...

Chari..I am so in love with your beautiful dining room. What a wonderful job you have done. It is so pretty.
I love your wood burner...I have one, too, that keeps a fire going from winters start to it's end. I love a good fire. Wintertime is my favorite time of year...
You have a beautiful home.
xo bj

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

What a beautiful dining room! Love all the autumn touches and your playful pictures! Great job!

nannykim said...

Very cheerful and homey---I love those pillows too!!! You mentioned the fire and the cooler temps!! It was 90 here today!! But it will only be in the 70's tomorrow--that is cooler ;-)

Jeanne said...

First let me say your room is beautiful. Love the colors! Those photo sketches are really something. Love that mosaic you made up of them all. Beautiful.

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

Miss Chari~ I have to tell you a funny story....I was chatting with my hubs and telling him about your home. As usual he was listening while watching our evening TV programing.
I wanted him to appreciate your gorgeous home and all your decor as I was. He was very politely nodding, but I felt not receiving the full impact of my discussion. So...I grabbed my laptop and started the "Chari home tour"....What was so cute he stopped watching TV and started pointing out the exact things I had just discussed with him. The bench with the gorgeous pillows for starters. I guess when it comes to getting the hubby's attention...it's gotta be presented on a screen just like TV.
We both admired the beauty you call home!

Sweet wishes,
Sara

Dawn said...

I've loved this room since way back when I first found it on RMS. My favorite parts are the window bench and the plate arrangement by the wood stove.
Hugs,
Dawn

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Love your dining room. And I really love your special effects photos. Especially the sketch ones. We still have the air conditioning going here. But it is suppose to cool off to the 80's for the next couple of days. I think that will be the closest to fall we will get here in California. Between you & your hubby, your house is beautiful, warm, charming & inviting. You should both be proud.
Kim

Designs on 47th Street said...

Chari! Hello! Thank you for stopping by my blog recently and leaving a note. I have been busy with my fall silk show and have had a hard time fitting blogging in! I loved coming here and seeing pictures of your beautiful home. I am oohhing and aahhing big time! Love this! You have made me realize just how much I want a buffet instead of my hutch! Everything looks just perfect. I really enjoyed seeing bits of your home and fabulous decorating skills! Donna

Phyllis @Around the House said...

WOW, I love the effects on your pictures, I agree with you they are interesting and so different, I enjoyed seeing all the pictures and different effects, I will just have to become a follower, thanks forl sharing...Come for a visit...

Salmagundi said...

Love all of the 'photo' effects. You should frame some of them. Your vignettes are top-notch. Everything goes together so well without being matchy-matchy! Great job, Mrs. Chari!! Sally

Melissa Miller said...

Hey Girl!
You are so kind with all of your super sweet comments! I just love when you come by. Thank you!

I found the initialed flags a few years ago at our local Pottery decor' store that recently closed. I'm so sad they left us due to the economy. It was a fabulous store!
I have seen flags at Kirklands as well with initials. Just not identical.

I hope you get some mums this weekend. They are just so warm and cheerful! :)

Barbara Jacksier said...

Amazing post. I loved your Autumn look.

OCDesigner ~Athella said...

looking good Chari Thanks for sharing
been missing ya. Athella

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful home, and it is all because of your great decorating skills.

Diann @ Th Thrift Groove said...

Chari,
Everthing looks lovely! And I like your fun photobucket photos. I so need to play around once in awhile with that feature!

Have a wonderful day!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Chari,
Well, you are to be commended for your splendid decorating! Your home is simply beautiful and wonderfully inviting too. Good job! Your coloured sketches are so fun! Thank you for sharing today and Happy REDnesday to you.

Blessings,
Sandi

★Carol★ said...

Oh my, a total feast for the red-lover's eyes! I've always wanted a red room! I especially love all of those pillows on your window bench. Looks like a great place to read a book!
Happy Rednesday!

SueLovesCherries said...

That is one gorgeous room! I love the hutch/sideboard - and you decorate so nicely! Love what you did with hubby's bench!

Bearly Sane said...

Well by the time I got here everyone has said just about everything for me. LOL!
Fabulous REDnesday post!!
Hugs,
Sandi
P.S. I have some wonderful red tea towels in my GIVEAWAY that would look great in your home!