Monday, August 19, 2013

Friendly Decor


Last night we went to the home of friends we don't see very often - busy lives get in the way.

They have been in their current home just a little over a year.

I wrote about Carol's amazing 4th of July decorations here and last night I fell in love with her "everyday" decor.


Greeting us as we drove up to the house was this sweet little girl on her bench resting after a tea party.


Sweet creatures and flowers fill the front garden.


The grandchildren love playing on the swing Bob built from an old tractor seat.


I want, no I NEED some beautiful heart pavers like those that weave through Carol's garden.


On either side of the front door seating is provided to enjoy summer days.


The interior is as lovely as the front garden.


Carol found all these chairs at bargain prices in vintage shops.


She recently created these beautiful succulent gardens gathering sun from the plentiful windows in the dining and living rooms.


Dinner was family style in the nook right off the kitchen instead of the more formal dining room.


Beautiful floral dishes with white handled flatware and pastel glasses make a beautiful table setting.

Had I known the color scheme, I would have selected a green or pink can for the Trader Joe's roses I gave Carol instead of the yellow.


 Two of the chairs are yellowed wood with floral seat cushions while the other two are pale shades of green and blue.


Every corner is filled with eye candy including a little high chair in my favorite color palette and a floral painted stool.


I love the vintage window embellished with broken tile and the little wooden lamb on rollers below another weathered window.


Fun items in green decorate tops of cabinets and ledges.


A cherry colander and a beautiful sieve hang alongside bright aprons.


 While dinner cooked on the grill we had time to enjoy the back garden.


Bob built the amazing kaleidescope planter on the patio.


Just as in the house, little touches greet one from every view in the garden.


A rusty tricycle looks right at home in the garden as does the fat cat piece they just purchased in Avila Beach over the weekend.


Birdhouses and teacups are scattered throughout the flower beds.


Yummy food . . .  good friends . . .  a beautiful setting  - all made for a wonderful evening.

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I am sharing at

The Dedicated House - Make It Pretty Monday

Cedar Hill Ranch - The Scoop

A Stroll Through Life - Inspire Me Tuesday

Alderberry Hill - Make the Scene Monday

Boogieboard Cottage - Masterpiece Monday

Kathe With An E - You're Gonna Love It

Dwellings - Amaze Me Monday

45 comments:

  1. I am trying succulents...we'll see how they do!

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  2. What a beautiful place your friend has. I love the swing and her whole outdoor space. It is family friendly and gorgeous- xo Diana

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  3. What a beautful garden, so many wonderful and clever ideas I see.

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  4. WOW ! Your friend loves color,so many pretty things to see. She surely has a green thumb, her flowers are wonderful. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  5. I love all of the pots of flowers and plants. It really makes her house special!

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  6. This is so fabulous. I love her touches....gotta go back and see the 4th of July now!

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  7. What an outstanding home and garden!!! Her space is full of whimsy and color!!! I could just get lost in that garden! And how BRILLIANT is that swing!!! I am sorry but he should sell those!!! I want one!!!! Glad you were in the company of good friends..nothing better!!!

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  8. Wow, she has some nice chairs and lovely decor. I really enjoyed seeing her garden too.

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  9. Oh what a delightsome place! I think the yellow can you used added just the right pop of color! I am in love with what she's done with that old window, I am still trying to come up with something to do with mine. Thanks for taking us along on your visit, love her charming cottage - and love yours too!
    Mary

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  10. What a delightful home and so many things to look at and enjoy! Love the tractor seat swing....so cute!

    Blessings, Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

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  11. Love your friend's house decor and yard...lots of color and whimsy. Very cheerful!

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  12. Your friends home and gardens are wonderful. She really has a green thumb and her husband is very handy. Thanks for sharing.
    Mary

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  13. What a delightful home and charming garden!!!
    Mary Alice

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  14. what a cute house.. i love the teacups in the garden!
    x

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  15. Hi Carol,
    Your friends house and garden are adorable. I see where the two of you would get along. She is very colorful and whimsy with her decor like you. Everything in her garden is so creative and sweet.
    Kris

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  16. Such a beautiful home and garden. Avila Beach is our old stomping grounds. Dave worked at the nuclear power plant there for 25 years! Little Lulu is adorable. The first 6 months are the hardest. We just went through the puppy year with Max. (He'll be 2 in November) Mimi

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  17. So cute and sweet! You two have a lot in common.

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  18. Your friends have a beautiful house and garden. So many beautiful things to see inside and out ♡☆♡

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  19. I always enjoy visiting homes that are fun and collected like hers. I can see why you enjoyed your time there. People who decorate like that have to be fun to be with. :)

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  20. Not only beautiful but sparkling as well - even the pots and pans shine!

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  21. Carol, I think you found a "sister-in-spirit"! Such an adorable house and garden. I simply adore that cute teapot and cup in the garden - what a clever idea! That painted high chair is so sweet and the chairs that your friend has collected are wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

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  22. Oh I'm so late; I had an all-day technology training day yesterday!

    Carol, that swing with the tractor seat...how genius is that! And as I look at this enchanting garden, I see some California elements...the cement wall in the background with of course the beautiful sky that I can spot miles away..that overcast look that only comes off the shores of California.

    What lovely projects are you and Miss Lulu up to today? Anita

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  23. You must be soul-mates Carol - so many things here that I had to scroll up to make sure I was still reading the right post - she has so much of your style scattered throughout!
    Just gorgeous - all of it !!!
    XOXO

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  24. Fabulous garden and wonderful inspiration. Thanks so much for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  25. What a lovely garden and so much fun and inspiration! I am glad Diane led me here...Christine

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  26. Your friend place is beautiful and so sweet! I especially love the teapot and the cups, they are so fun and pretty!

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  27. such a fun outdoors! the tractor swing is my favorite!

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  28. How beautiful! I love, love, LOVE that Talavera dish planter!

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  29. Clearly, you have the coolest friends! A beautiful home.

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  30. As well as several other of the commenters above, I was struck by the thought that you must be related, share the same DNA! Kindred spirits, at least. That amazing kaleidoscope planter! And the cup of tea being poured in the garden. Well, everywhere I looked was something interesting and charming.

    What a fun visit!

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  31. I really enjoyed seeing everything. The interior is charming and I could make a long list of favorites like the colored chairs, cherry colander; oh the list goes on. Then the gardens and creations by your friends. Thanks for the show.

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  32. I love her house and especially all the different chairs.

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  33. Beautiful garden your friend has and how wonderful you got to visit with her and had tea at the kitchen nook, I often love tea in my kitchen nook with my friend Steph from NJ. The vintage chairs are gorgeous!
    Thank you for your sweet and kind visit.
    Big hugs,
    FABBY

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  34. Hi Carol, I am overwhelmed by the creativity of this couple. My favorites are the tea pot and cup in the front yard and the kaleidoscope planter in the backyard. That planter is genius!
    Thank your friend for me . . . I am delighted that she let you share her home with us :)
    Have a sweet week, your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  35. Your friend has an incredible garden and home! I'm so glad she allowed you share it with us.

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  36. Oh my goodness! What a fabulous, colorful and amazing home!
    I so so enjoyed the tour!
    She has incredible skills at decorating.
    Cindy

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  37. I adore Carol's style! Her garden is such a treat with all her charming plants and accessories. Love those mismatched chairs and the tractor seat swing is just the cutest! Thanks for sharing.

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  38. Lots of eye candy there. How clever to have the teapot and tea cup and saucer sitting out like that. I love to visit other's home and see all the cool stuff they have. Thanks for showing us her treasures.

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  39. Love the unabashed use of color and all the mix and match furniture. It's all so dang fun.

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  40. Wow, love all the cute and inventive stuff, especially in the garden. The teapot looking like it's pouring into a teacup is just brilliant !

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  41. Wow how cool. When you said the fat cat I looked at the Black cat thinking no he doesn't look fat then I realized you were talking about the yard decor cat. Oops. She has a flair for putting things together like you.

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