A Softer Palette

With some of the best summer days still to come, I"m not ready for fall decor,

 but I am ready for a change

 and the guest room was my first target.

While thinking about what I wanted to do in the guest room, I came across this photo on Instagram and I remembered the old window I had in the shed.

That same evening I found this chunky wood garland in one of my favorite local shops.

My goal was a look that will take me through November when I can decorate for Christmas.

I shopped the house for neutral objects -

for now there are bottles in the birdcage, but I'll soon be adding little white pumpkins.

Next up was updating this chippy old door.

My daughter and grandson were visiting a few weeks ago and she commented that a bench in the guest room would be nice.

I am absolutely certain she did not mean a bench filled with tchotchkes.

The big basket will be perfect to gather everything up to clear the bench when KC and Andy come for a visit later this month.

All summer long, the room was decorated in primary colors, but now it's back to a softer palette.

The garland of shells strung across the headboard that drove guests nuts when they bumped the headboard has been replaced with greenery to break up the wall of white.

This room had changes over the summer when Steve sold 2 of the paintings that hung in the guest room.

 

I need to slap some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in pure white on the dresser but I started changing things in the living room and this happened!

I don't know why I do these things to myself, 

but I know that I need to get my body in action and finish the living room if I want dinner tonight.

Blowing Away the Cobwebs

 The other night Steve pointed out to me how long it's been since I have written a blog post.

I welcomed the motivation and decided to "blow away the cobwebs" and get myself into a blogging groove.

I spent much of my summer in the garden.

This is the first summer in years that I've been able to water my garden and watch it bloom.

Canna lilies popped up all over the garden 

and are still blooming.

One small cosmos plant went crazy 

and has taken over the yard.

I too went crazy planting seeds, buying nearly every plant at the nursery

and tucking them all over the yard.

Actually, they start out on the front yard bench for a week or two and then they get planted.

The flowers beneath the living room window grew so tall that I had to move the old red chair so it could be seen.

Steve likes riding his cruiser to check the surf so I put the flowers in a basket that he can quickly remove before he takes off.

I have taken time to stop and smell the flowers

and stretch out on a chaise reading.

I blame this little guy for my lack of blogging or creating - he and his mama were with us for nearly a week.

But, I did make new chaise covers in white.

I had the big red pillows, but I made the little pillows from fun tea towels.

I chose the white background so I can change up the pillows through the seasons - Halloween pillows will be next.

And now, that I am refreshed

you'll be seeing my comments as I get back to reading blogs and the plan is to post weekly.

That might be difficult because September was ushered in today with a perfect weather and there will be more to come, but I'm up to the challenge!

Sharing with:

Feathered Nest Friday

Home Sweet Home

Creative Circle

Faking It

In my 5 years of blogging, I have been asked to write a sponsored post a few times, but never for something that I felt was authentic for me or my style.

When I was contacted by a representative of  PermaLeaf®, I was definitely interested in reviewing their products.

I never thought I would be interested in faux products because I have a garden full of flowers and greenery to use year round.

But, through blogging, I have learned to appreciate the ease of using florals and greenery with no upkeep.

Faux flowers hanging on the front door don't need to be watered

and faux flowers on my old door mean I don't have to sweep up falling leaves and buds daily.

The timing was perfect because I had been thinking about buying a topiary and I found a double topiary.

The leaves fooled Steve into thinking they were real.

I chose topiaries that came in a set of two.

I like the red clay posts they came in, but I can never leave well enough alone.

I slapped on some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Lulu is wondering why I felt the need to add words.

And I have to say, "just for fun!"

The best thing about these topiaries is that I don't have to worry about them dying while we are away

and we are traveling a lot to visit Andrew, the new love of our life.

So, if you need to "fake it" like me, I suggest looking into PermaLeaf® for the wide variety of faux greenery and silk product.

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I received the topiaries in exchange for my honest review of the products.

If you are interested in reviewing a PermaLeaf® product, please comment and I will direct you to the representative.