Sometimes I look around the house and feel that things are looking stale.
I had some free time this morning because Lulu was at Day Care - to prepare her for the traumatic event of being left at the trainer's house for 5 days while we go on vacation.
I began with the front porch.
In the fall I painted little flags for a nautical banner, but they were too small so I painted new flags just a little bit larger.
Flowers from the garden were switched from a wooden tool caddy to a polka dot vase
and the table was set for a quick dinner because it is date night and we are going to the movies.
A basket full of odd bits of metal . . . unframed family photos . . . a simple heart shaped rock found on the beach . . .
provide a fresh look in the living room.
The best change in the living room is this sweet oil painting of Lulu done by artist Bruce Bingham as a special gift to Steve.
My clock collection ended up in the hallway with one of my favorite paintings - an old door we spotted on Bleecker Street on our last visit to New York City.
Swapping out wilted flowers with a bit of greenery from the garden freshened up the bedroom.
I found this tumbleweed on the beach yesterday and Steve thought I was nuts to bring it home.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" - I like the look of the tumbleweed in bucket on the patio work table.
Now that the house is looking fresh, I need to freshen up the garden and these flowers should do the trick.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Join me at
Cozy Little House - Tweak It Tuesday
The Dedicated House - Make It Pretty Monday
Our Home Away From Home - Tuesdays At Our Home
OMG, I'd give my eye teeth to be able to put out flowers right now!
ReplyDeleteIt all looks so fresh Carol. I think rearranging is a great pick me up.
Carol,
ReplyDeleteIt all looks so fresh and pretty. I just stared at the last picture I want to see flowers like that hopefully again soon. I think with our weather it will be a little while so I will just stare at yours through the computer. Love the painting of LuLu how sweet.
Kris
i loving your clock collection. if you have shown that before - i have not really admired it that much before (could i have really missed it??) ... now i am drooling for sure. so neat!! love the polka dot milk jug vase. so cute & make me smile. that is why i love your decor so. fun! ( :
ReplyDeleteCarol, it all looks cheerful. I love your tumble weed. ;-)
ReplyDeletePretty table for two, too……….
I love the banners that you painted!
ReplyDeleteSunshine & flowers...you give me hope that Spring will actually come to NY! lol
ReplyDeleteAll of your changes do look so fresh! I love that basket of clock faces and that painting of Lulu is amazing! What a thoughtful gift :)
ReplyDeleteSusan
It's nice to have a little time to look around and see what little changes can be made. I like your tumbleweed and the pretty flowers! Enjoy your evening my friend!
ReplyDeleteI noticed the tumbleweed right away...I love it. Your home is so colorful, it looks fresh all the time. I really love the banner and your dishes and flowers. I feel envious! I need some warm air!
ReplyDeleteHave a great date night!
XO,
Jane
P.S. Love the painting of Lulu!
It must be so much fun to live with you. Things are ever changing and just when you think it can't get any prettier...it does! There are so many things I see that it would never occur to me to put together. How cute to find a heart shaped rock on the beach.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your date night!
All the little changes look wonderful but my favorite is that precious painting of Lulu! I also love the basket of clocks. You have some of the best stuff! Oh...I think the tumbleweed looks great in the bucket too. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Vicky
Everything looks so alive and fresh. All we have is snow here. Nothing green or alive looking.
ReplyDeleteLiking your flowers for the garden friend! Boy does that make me antsy for spring! And that painting of the door with your clock collection is stunning! They really compliment one another! And the tumbleweed is super cool! Raw and rustic with that pail! Good choice! I hope that LuLu does ok being away from you guys and that painting of her is so very sweet! Happy date night friend! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so fresh and pretty!!
ReplyDeleteWhat I see of your house always looks fresh t me, but I understand the need to tweak and freshen regularly. The photo of the window on your bedroom especially pleases my eye.
ReplyDeleteIt's always a good feeling to shake things up a bit to get a fresh look. Your flowers are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Your house always looks fresh to me. So jealous that you can go out and buy flowers right now. :)
ReplyDeleteThat painting of Lulu is too cute.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are beautiful. Right now I'm in a Winter Wonderland meaning I "wonder" when winter will be over! The closest I got to spring planting today was ordering some seeds on line. it's 4 degrees here in Chicago. Thank you for sharing some sunshine and colorful flowers. A pleasant reminder that spring is not too far away!
ReplyDeleteLove the painting of Lulu! Oh...I can't wait to see flowers outside. I'm so over winter and can't wait for Spring to get here. We have more snow coming over night and then more again on the weekend. This has been the snowiest winter in 20 years. I will just come over here and visit your blog...and dream of warm weather.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Cindy
We all need a little freshening up now and then! LOVE your bright and cheery colors......and that clock face collection is AWESOME!! Have a beautiful and blessed week~~~Roxie
ReplyDeleteYour house aways looks so pretty to me, lovely painting.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean. Since I took down all my Christmas - the house looks dull. I like everything you did to freshen up your lovely home. I love the door picture in the bedroom and especially the one of Lulu.
ReplyDeleteHave a great date night.
Mary
Always love your bright and cheerful colors in your home!
ReplyDeleteJudy
Look at you go! Sheesh, I manage to switch up one thing and I think I have re-decorated!
ReplyDeleteI love all the little changes.
ReplyDeleteI like to freshen things up when they look stale too!
I don't know that I do such a thorough job...but it's fun.
Pat
So pretty and fresh! As always, your use of colour makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteDid you enjoy Wolf Hall? I see it in your book stack - I've just finished it.
So bright, cheerful and cozy all at the same time! Classy and beautiful Carol! xoxo Jen
ReplyDeleteIt is all so bright and cheerful! The painting of Lulu is divine...
ReplyDeleteHave a great week,
Bella
wow Carol, that painting is sooooooo stunning! I looove it! and I adore your beautiful colored nest!
ReplyDeleteBig hug, ciao
Lisa
Oh, your home looks so fresh and cheery! The painting of Lulu is wonderful ... you must be so pleased with it. M x
ReplyDeleteI always want to change things right after Christmas. A new year with new beginnings. I will be alittle late this year though. I really like the large table you have against the wall in your livingroom. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteMy blog roll is simply not functioning.....I kept my eye on my roll yesterday and it didn't budge and here I see you posted along with other friends, and I missed an entire day!
ReplyDeleteLooking good as always dearest Carol; you have not only the EYE, but the determination and strength to move and arrange and transform! Heavenly.....
How cute is that Lulu painting! :)
ReplyDeleteI always love peeking at your colorful décor...everything outside my window is white today! I like white, but I do miss all that glorious, cheerful, garden color! :) Love the red pitcher!
ReplyDeleteAhhh...refreshed! Thanks for sharing. Your handiwork brought smiles..Susan
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteYour house always looks cheerful. Carol the oil painting of Lulu is absolutely adorable and allows her personalty to shine through.I love the painted blue door and tell Steve the tumbleweed adds texture and interest of your surroundings.
XO,
Vera
Love all the pops of color ~ especially the flowers in the tool caddy!
ReplyDeleteBig Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Lovely job, I really like the nautical look fantastic and red spotted vase :)
ReplyDeleteLove the portrait of Lulu; the artist has really captured her character, don't you think? All your fresh touches are very pretty and the flowers in the tool caddy, along with the polka dotted vase are TOO sweet!
ReplyDeleteI was able to sit out in the sun today, just chatting away, lounging on the grass, talking to my friend in England, and enjoying our coffees together. It was 74°F and gorgeous!
Poppy
I love the flowers everywhere and that dotted red pitcher.
ReplyDeleteI like the tumbleweed! Lulu's painting is wonderful. I bet you guys are going to miss her when you're on vacation!
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing all your beautiful treasures. I know Bleecker Street very well. My uncle owned a store there for years. If you’re heading back to NYC be ready for the cold. It's freezing here!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing what we can do when the "kids" are away! lol. Everything looks great!
ReplyDeleteI like all the things you changed up. I often do that too. I actually like the tumbleweed! I'd love to have one actually. I don't see them around here though. I know my husband would think I'm nuts too. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI am crushing on your red polka-dot pitcher and the painting of Lulu. You and Steve has such nice friends. I think I might like the date night dishes most of all; until I see your next set of course. I am now refreshed and thank you for the tour.
ReplyDeleteEverything does look fresh and wonderful-from the tumbleweed to the sweet banner. You have a good eye and it looks lovely. Hope you have fun on date night. We need to do that more often. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteIt all looks so bright and warm! I'm in a bit of doldrums now and look around at grey, grey, grey skies. Time to get some tulips or something at the store. Beautiful inspirations in your photos.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so jealous of all that sunshine and warmth I see in the pictures. It is so cold here and we had snow flurries earlier.
ReplyDeleteLove the colors and the flowers. The tumble weed looks nice there. Love the shadow on the table.
I don't think things could ever look stale in your house! Not with all the color you use and the way you switch things around. Where will you be going on vacation? If you want a total change of pace, you could come to Chicago and experience snow and bitter cold. I'll show you around. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's all so pretty and cheerful, Carol! I think we all feel like freshening up our homes at this time of the year. You did a great job! (I like the tumbleweed too!)
ReplyDeleteNothing in your cottage ever looks stale to me. I love the old door painting and now I need to start a clock collection for myself. Love the way you're displaying them in the basket.
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful as always and so sunny (what is sun?). Love the painting of Lulu!
ReplyDeleteWe had tumble weeds in SD and I miss them! Have you ever seen the western movie Conager?
ReplyDeleteIf not, a lonely prairie woman rips pieces from her petticoat and writes bits of poetry on them and ties them to tumble weeds- throwing them to the wind. All the cowboys were finding them and getting love sick! Hee-hee!
Hope you doggy does okay. Mine won't even eat if I'm gone for the day!
♥
All your vignettes are great, I love the tumbleweed in the bucket and the clock faces in the basket under that wonderful painting of Steve's I've admired before.
ReplyDeleteAnd how lovely to have the gift of a painting of Lulu from another artist.
Everything looks lovely, before and after. I love your polka-dot vase. You have such a way with decorating; very cheerful. Kathi
ReplyDeleteOh, wish I could freshen up outdoors with flowers. Not for a couple months I'm afraid. I love the changes! Your clock parts in the basket are wonderful and the tumbleweed is a great conversation piece!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
What a lovely colorful happy blog! I love it! Glad you stopped by mine so i could find you!
ReplyDeletePamela
Oh Carol - first of all what a beautiful front porch - love love love that color blue - looks like Greece by the sea!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd second of all - you should be photographing professionally - your photos are outstanding!
Gorgeous!
XOX
My visitng around is way off and I'm a bit out of touch, but I've been meaning to get back to you since you told me you went kicking around Carpinteria! You mentioned you came across linens. Homestead is my favorite shop there, and there are always linens, though not necessarily at the best price. I love Whimsey too. I see you have been up to your usual too! I wouldn't mind having summer weather about now. So beautiful for you!
ReplyDeleteYour lovely house has a spring touch I find it so delightful and happy! I love every single detail you are showing us . So inspiring for me ... Warm greetings from me!
ReplyDeleteOlympia
Love the oil,painting of your dog . . . I hope you are having a fun vacation!
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteI love the red polka dot pitcher. I have been going through things myself, and giving away items that I don't use or care for any more. There are a few treasures that I can't ever part with. It's nice to clear things out once and awhile, isn't it? The heart rock is sweet and so perfect for Valentine's Day. Your home is always so cheerful.
I hope the new year is being kind to you.
Love,
~Sheri
Everything looks so "happy". How wonderful that you are able to decorate on the porch in January. Your bright, sunshine colors just make me feel warm, and I love all of your wonderful treasures and the way you've displayed them. That painting of the door is fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing the news about the V'tine party on your sidebar. laurie
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHad to delete! Had my hands on some wrong keys!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this is the happiest and most cheeful January decor I've seen, I love it! Eveerything you've done is just so awesome! Great job!
Nancy
Love your changes! That wire basket with the clocks and clock faces is great. It's nice to see some outdoor pictures with no snow in them! I am getting tired of that view out my own windows.
ReplyDeleteYour bench on the front porch is too cute! Love the color and the flags! And Lulu's painting is adorable.
ReplyDeleteYour house is never Stale but I love your changes.
ReplyDeleteBright warm and cozy
I love a little tumbleweed! Your decidedly red and white themed pictures make me smile. Especially the polka dot pitcher. Love the painting of LuLu! I hope she is perfectly trained when you get home from your vacation!
ReplyDelete