3/26/2012

"Hop...Hop...Hoppy Spring"...A Spring Buffet

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Hello my friends...I hope that you're having a fabulous day!
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"Hop...Hop...Hoppy Spring"
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I can hardly believe that the spring season is here...and Easter is just
 around the corner as well!
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I have been busy doing a little "spring fluffing" at my place.  I created
 a Spring/Easter vignette for my dining room buffet and thought I would share
 that with you today.  I hope that you enjoy!
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Here we are...in my french country dining room.
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It's time to "lighten" and "brighten" things up a bit with a white
 and "spring green" colorscape.
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I really do love the red walls in my dining room, but when it comes to
 "lightening and brightening" things up for the spring/summer season...it can
 be challenging.
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~White and Spring Green Colorscape~
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For the past couple of years, I have been using a "white and spring green"
 colorscape for my dining room's spring and summer decor.  This pretty yellowy-
green color and white...just "sing of spring" to me and I love, love, LOVE this
 color combination with the red wall color!
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I decided to bring in a bit of silver...to pair with the white and
 "spring green". I love using white and silver together...they just take...
beautiful...up a notch in my book!
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A Springtime Vignette for the Buffet
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Front and Center...
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A silver champagne bucket filled with tall "billowy" spring
 blossoms rests upon a round silver tray.  Joining this springtime mix is
 a white bunny sitting atop a stack of Beatrix Potter books.  Another sweet
 little bunny is resting on the silver tray beside the books.
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Bunnies...Bunnies...and MORE BUNNIES!
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What says springtime more than bunnies?  Several little white bunnies
 have made their way into this springtime Easter vignette.  I collect white
 ceramic bunnies...and they seem to be multiplying!  Hehe!
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On the left-hand side of the buffet vignette...
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A trio of silver candlesticks with white tapers, a tall bunny, and
 a little flower bucket filled with posies accompany this springtime pageant.
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I have had these little aluminum flower buckets forever.  They
 seemed perfect for this springtime vignette!  This flower bucket is
 filled with "spring green" colored posies.
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In the upper left corner of this photo...you can see the dangling crystals
 from the buffet lamps.  I love how they catch the sunlight!
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Ahhh...springtime!!!
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On the right-hand side of the vignette...
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A little bunny is frolicking on a bed of "spring green" colored
 moss...atop the second little aluminum flower bucket.  A cloche sporting
 "spring green" ceramic eggs...displayed upon a silver pedestal dish...joins in with
 the mix.  Oh yes...and another trio of silver candlesticks with white tapers!
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My favorite photo!
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I love the Beatrix Potter books!  They are filled with beautiful
 illustrations.  I bought this little set of books to read to my grandchildren!
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A view of the dining room table.
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A simple springtime vignette...
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I love, love, LOVE white ironstone and purpose to collect it! 
 I found the long white platter at TJ Maxx during Christmas...love it!  This set
 of white dishes is a recent purchase from JC Penneys.  It has the most beautiful
 embossing on the rims...little flowers with meandering ribbon and bows. The little
 aluminum flower pot holds teaspoons, a recent purchased from Horchows.
  Love, love, LOVE the white handles with the ornate silver!
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Voila...there you have it...
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A "Hop...Hop...Hoppy Spring" vignette!
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I am joining these fabulous parties...
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Thank you, ladies...for hosting these fabulous parties for us!
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Well my friends...I'm so happy that you stopped by today!  Please leave
 me a note and let me know that you were here.  Slowly but surely I am getting
 back into the swing of things and I will be by soon to visit with you!
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Hop...Hop...Hoppy Spring!
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Lovingly created by Chari at Happy To Design at 1:22 PM 96 comments
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3/08/2012

Passion for Patterns...English Country Style

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!
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Wow...I can hardly believe that we are already into the month of March.
  It won't be long till spring comes dancing her way into our lives.  Ohhh...how
 I love springtime!
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...but...
back to reality
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It is still very much winter here in colorful Colorado...and will be for a
couple more months.  My home is still dressed in it's "winter frocks" providing
 warmth and comfort against the cold winter temps. 
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After Valentine's day, I changed out the decor in our dining room...so I
 thought I would share that with you today.  I hope that you enjoy!
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Here we are...in my dining room...winter 2012.
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~English Country Style~
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I have to tell you...
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I have departed...at least temporarily...from the French Country decor style
 that you usually see in my dining room...to more of an "English Country" look and
 feel.  Ohhh...I really do love both design styles and I seem to waver back and
 forth between the two.
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"Passion for Patterns"
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The decor in my dining room began with an English Country design aesthetic...
with deep, rich color, layers of fabric that host a mixture of pretty patterns.  I really
 do have a "passion for patterns"...very indicitive of English Country design.  I found an
 excerpt from Home Style Online Magazine that offers a wonderful description of
 what English Country design is.
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As you can see...my dining room shares several of the design
 elements found in  English Country decor.
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The Dining Room Buffet...
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Dressed in the warm, rich colors of tradional English Country...with florals
 and fruit reflecting the ambiance of the English countryside.
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A Warm Winter's Vignette...English Country Style
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Layering, Lighting and Linens...
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Two lamps flank either end of the buffet.  Lighting...a "must have"...element
 in keeping with the English County decor style.  The lamps with their pretty, dangling
 crystals are "grounded" by an embroidered table runner done in an olive, dark red,
 and gold color palette.  I love the long fringe on the runner and how it drapes
 over the edges of the buffet!
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Now that the basics have been provided for...the "layering" begins. 
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Creating an interesting vignette is much like telling a story or painting a
 beautiful picture.  The picture that I hoped to paint for my winter buffet vignette
 is one of warmth, using rich colors and textures...and bringing in elements
 from the English countryside.
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Florals and Fruit...
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A tall urn filled with artichoke looking blooms and vining ivy sits
 front and center in this buffet vignette.
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The cluster of grapes trailing down the side of the urn brings a bit
 of the English countryside into the vignette.
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More fruit...a single pear under glass!
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Masonry...Bringing More of the Countryside In
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A single masonry candleholder paired with a pretty masonry bowl
 brings more of the countryside "in".
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I found this beautiful masonry bowl at one of my favorite antique shops.  Love, love,
 LOVE the band of roses that seem to be dancing around the edge!
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Another little corner of my dining room.
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Our wood burning stove is a "God-send" during the long, cold winters here in
 Colorado.  As you can see...the wood bin is full and ready for a fire!
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Plate Wall...
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I love red transferware and white ironstone and have a few pieces displayed
 on the wall behind the wood stove. I think the plate wall brings a nice "point of
 interest" into the dining room. Decorating with beautiful plates is always a great
 option...whether it be English Country or French Country design.
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Layered Patterns...
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Just thought I would show you a close-up of the table coverings.  I layered
 a gold (English Country) floral patterned tablecloth over a solid gold tablecloth...lots
 of layers!  The corners of the white table are peeking through.  I really like
 this look!
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I love how the floral pattern of the tablecloth looks with the pattern of the
 well-worn rug!  This may seem "busy" to some, however layering different patterns
 with one another is indicitive of English Country design.
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The opposite wall...across from the buffet.
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I added a few floral patterned pillows to the bench!  The secret to
 combining different patterns...is staying within the same "colorway".  All
 of the different patterns in this room are in keeping with the same
 olive, red, and gold color palette.
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I used this same rule in mixing different patterns in my Tea Rose bedroom.
  If you would like to see that...just click HERE.
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And...there you have it!
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A warm winter's vignette...
English Country style!
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I hope that you enjoyed!  It won't be long and I will changing
 my dining room's decor for something "lighter"...ready to welcome the
 spring season in!
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I am joining these fabulous parties...
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Thank you, ladies...for hosting these lovely parties for us!
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Well my friends...I'm so happy that you stopped by for a visit today!
  Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here.  I would
 love to visit with you!
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Warmest Wishes!
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Lovingly created by Chari at Happy To Design at 11:09 AM 40 comments
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3/02/2012

Sunshine on a Tea Rose...The Tea Rose Bedroom

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Hello my friends...I hope that you're having a fabulous day!
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Ohhh my...it seems that my posts have been few and far between lately...and I
 do apologize.  I really have been having a difficult time getting things going after my
 Dad passed away last month.  Since that time, I have been battling a bad case of bronchitis
 on top of it.  I am feeling better now...praise God!  There is so much that I need to do...and want
 to do.  There are so many little projects around the house that is calling for my attention...
especially with spring just around the corner.  Hopefully I can get back into the swing
 of things. I really have missed my blogging and all of you!  I sooo appreciate
 your patience!
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Well...one of the things that I wanted to post about...and never had the chance
 to do...is some of the Christmas decor that I did in my Tea Rose bedroom.  Yes...you
 heard that right...CHRISTMAS...and it's already March.  I will explain though...
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~Pretty-n-Pink Bottle Brush Trees~
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I found the prettiest little pink bottle brush trees at Christmas time and thought
 they would be perfect for the Tea Rose bedroom.  They are sooo pretty and I love
 them sooo much that I have decided to keep them in the room for the time being.
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~Sunshine on a Tea Rose~
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Here we are...in the Tea Rose bedroom.
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A few days ago...in the wee hours of the morning...the sun was shining ever
 so sweetly into the Tea Rose bedroom.  I grabbed my camera and shot a few photos...
to catch the moment!  Don't let it be said that I "never" take the time to stop
 and smell the roses....hehe!
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~Sunshine on a Tea Rose~
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Most of you are familiar with the Tea Rose bedroom...
so I won't bore you with too many details.
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This bedroom belongs to my step-daughter Danielle when she
 is home...and it also serves as our guest room. 
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~Tea Rose Bed Linens~
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I found the beautiful bed linens at JC Penneys several years ago. I just adore
 roses and as soon as I seen this set...I knew it would be perfect for this bedroom.
  The linens...my inspiration...and thus the name for the Tea Rose bedroom.
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Oooh...see how the sun was shining soooo beautifully the morning of the photos?
I love how the Tea Rose bedroom looks all dressed up in sunshine!
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Lot's of prettty pillows that I have collected over the years!
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This is a small room...it is simple but hopefully our guests are comfortable here.
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Besides the bed, this room hosts a small writing desk, a rocking chair and ottoman,
 and on the other side of the room...an armoire.
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Pretty-n-Pink Bottle Brush Trees...
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I found these pretty pink trees at Hobby Lobby during Christmas.  I
 decorated the trio of trees with a garland of sequins and jewels...sooo pretty!
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A few of my white bunnies (one of my many collections), vintage pink
 mercury glass ornaments, and a tea rose teacup and saucer have joined in with
 this Tea Rose vignette.
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It's so funny...I just realized as I was looking at this photo...that all of the
 bunnies are facing the sunlight.  I guess they are "basking"!  Hehe!
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On the right hand side of the desk...my beloved tea rose lamp...
made by my dear friend Gloria from Happy To Be blog.
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and...more bunnies!
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Two pretty-n-pink rose buds...drying...from a floral bouquet given
 to me by my very sweet and romantic husband on Valentine's day.
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An "artsy" photo of the candle-chandelier that hangs above the desk.
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Another Tea Rose vignette...atop the armoire.
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I love, love, LOVE this little vintage pitcher with the pretty-n-pink
 flowers and blue ribbon!
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Lots of pink!
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A close-up photo of the sequin and jeweled garlands for the bottle brush trees.
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Ahhhh...
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...sunshine on a Tea Rose!
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I hope that it warmed you!
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I am joining these fabulous parties...
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Thank you dear ladies...for hosting these lovely parties for us!
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Well dear friends...I am so happy that you stopped in for a visit today! 
Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here. I would
 love to visit with you!
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Warmest Wishes!
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Lovingly created by Chari at Happy To Design at 1:53 PM 30 comments
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