I WON!!!

The lovely Emily Clark had a giveaway on her blog and I won!!!
What did you win? You ask!!!!

First I have to tell how wonderful this is for me……….. Several years ago I passed up some lovely fern prints at Homegoods. I wanted to use them in my family room for a summer look.
 I always think of cool and shady spots dripping with moisture when I think of ferns, so it is only natural to have them for a cooling effect for summer(or at least that is how my mind works.)

Emily’s Giveaway was from a lovely Etsy shop called, Saturated Color.
This Esty shop featured antique book plates!!! Are you starting to get the picture?

I won not one, not two, but three antique fern bookplates from this lovely shop. I can hardly wait to get them and frame them. I know exactly where I am going to put them!!!

Here is a small sampling of some of the loveliness you will find at:

Saturated Color……..

She has sooooo many more to choose from, so be sure and visit her shop

Saturated Color

Enjoy the Process: Of

Browsing through a lovely shop on Etsy

Kathysue

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SaturatedColor?ref=ss_profile

My Colorful Window box and Shutters

My window box is in my backyard. I only have one and I love it!!

The image below is a picture from last year’s window box.  Although the front of my home is  painted yellow the back is painted in a  cooler color scheme. We live in a hot area during the summer months and I wanted it to appear cooler so I chose a soft sage green with bright cobalt shutters! Are you surprised!!!

It is funny how most visitors don’t even notice the transition so I guess that means it works!!!

The cobalt has allowed me to display many fun color combinations. Below is a display of cool blues and greens. Another year I had all white hydrangeas. This year I am still working on the display. I will give you a hint, the base color is bright pink!!! With all the helpful hints that Debra Phillips gave in her post, "Container Design in Three Steps!" I think I will have a lovely display when all the plant material fills in.(Click HERE to read article)

 

The left of the window box.

 

The right of the window box.

The water feature right under the window box. You can’t tell in this image but in the center of the rocks is bubbling water that makes a wonderful sound.

 

So there you have it!!! My brightly painted shutters and window box.

I will have to admit I don’t think I would be brave enough to have used this color combination in the front of my home, but it sure is fun for the backyard!! Could you use a bright colored window box somewhere on your home?

Kathysue

Instant Charm!!

Don’t you wish you could make some changes to the outside of your house? You know the kind of change that does not cost an arm and a leg, but one that can add instant charm and  some fun color?

YOU CAN!!!!! How about a window box and/or shutters?  I was adding shutters to my home when everyone else seemed to be removing them from their homes. I think a home with shutters and a window box is so charming and looks so inviting.

Whether it is an English cottage…..
A Beach cottage…………
An Italian villa………….
A Cape Cod…………….
Or a California ranch……….

Shutters and window boxes can add instant character to almost any home.

You all know I am not an orange lover, but for those of you that truly love this color, why not add some orange shutters to your home for some instant charm. This window box is full,lush, and over flowing. I love the purple and lime green with the orange.

This window box is using a combination of greens and purples. Notice all the different shapes of leaves, and the different textures. That is what will make an interesting mix in a window box.

Think of your favorite color and add it too shutters! These shutters on the below window box against a neutral taupe paint home would look fresh and fun! Think of shutters and window boxes like you would accent pillows on a neutral sofa.

Raspberry shutters with lush raspberry and pink flowers!!! YES!!!

How about a neutral gray home with a softer gray trim and then add a pop of  a heathered raspberry?…..

 

The shutters on this beautiful brick home add just the right charm. I think glossy black shutters would also look wonderful with the green door and yellow of the entry.

Shutters are not used here, but they chose a bright yellow paint on the window frame to contrast with the shades of purple used in the window box. If you want a strong contrast go to a color wheel and look at what is opposite the color you want for your shutters to choose your flowers.

 

You can see how yellow and purple are right across from each other making for a stronger contrast.

This window box is a good example of varying the textures and leaf size to make an interesting mix.

What a beautiful mix for fall.

This window box has one of my favorite vines to use in a window box, the lime potato vine.

This is a great example of how to use  just one color in the window boxes. If they had enough room between the windows teal shutters would have looked amazing.

The best article that I have read in a long time on the subject of how to choose plants for your containers is written by the very talented Debra Phillips at 5th and State blog. Her post on container gardening in three easy steps is a sure-fire way of being successful in planting containers of all sizes and shapes!! She is also offering her garden design services on-line now. If you would like to see one of her consults you can see it on my friend Mona’s blog, Providence Ltd. Designs HERE. She is going to have a lovely garden once all the plantings are in by following the plan that Debra has given her.

If you decide you would like to add some instant charm to your home by adding shutters and/or window boxes:

• Think of  a fun   color that would make a good accent for your existing home color.
• Decide whether you want your flowers to have a high contrast look  or a quieter look.
• Choose plants according to color, texture, leaf size and shape.
• Make sure you have some trailing vines and flowers.
• Paint your window box the same as your shutters or something more neutral that goes with the base color of your home maybe in a shade darker.

Do you have shutters or window boxes on your home?  Could this be just the right solution to add a little charm and curb appeal to your home?

Just think this could all be done in a weekend!!! I love that kind of, “Instant Charm!”

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Adding charm to your home by adding your favorite color with shutters and/or window boxes!!

Kathysue

BTW: Come back and I will show you my window box, I think you might be surprised at what color I have it painted!!!