Garden Romance

I've been spending a lot of time in my garden. I am at the very beginning of creating my garden. None of my fruit trees have been in the ground long enough to bear fruit. My newly planted wisteria is just starting to climb the newly built arbor. And even though I'm just watering one raised bed, harvesting a few home grown vegetables and sweeping a cement pad, it feels like more. It feels older. The garden feels bigger. I feel more full. Someone - I can't remember who - said that gardening is an irrational act of hope. And it's true. After a week in the garden, I feel irrationally hopeful.

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Textiles for a Cozy Outdoor Retreat

Now that spring is arriving in the southern states, it's time to get outside and enjoy a little fresh air. Sweep off your patios, bring out the lawn chairs and grab something soft to sit on. The best way to make a cozy outdoor retreat is with textiles. Your throw pillows, tapestries and area rugs will fare just fine outside for a day. Don't worry, the little dusty pebbles and dead leaves won't harm your Suzani. Enjoy the sunshine while lounging on your favorite blanket!

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Black Cottage, White Trim

They do it all the time in Scandinavia and Vermont!  I love the look of a chalky black house trimmed in white.  And the best part? It matches any color door you fancy. If I had a cottage with this color scheme, I'd go with a mustard yellow door.

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And don't forget about our 75 dollar giveaway from Novica!

It ends Tuesday night. Click HERE to enter. 

Cutest porch EVER...

Hello dear readers!  While I was away in Oregon, I had the opportunity to write up four house tours for Houzz.com.  This sweet little hundred year old cottage is my first installment.  It's owned by Mimi and Eric Kauffman of Halfway, Oregon. And I think they've created my favorite front porch EVER! To read the article and see all the photos, click HERE. But if you're in a hurry, here's a little peek at the exterior of their home.

My Houzz: And Oregon Cottage

Upcycle: fence made of salvaged doors

While out on a house tour in Eastern Oregon last week I came upon this sweet back yard garden. The home owner had backed her property with a fence made of salvaged doors.  It was such a charming space and I love the look of all the different doors line up side by side.

Old Door in the Garden

I love the look of a salvaged door in the garden.  I've seen them used beautifully as garden gates or as trellises for vines.  Either way, I think they're completely charming and perfect for a shabby chic or English country garden.

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Photo by Monica Roberts