Touches of Fall for my Porch

I know it is not officially the start of fall, but as I wrote in my previous post, I am feeling it in the air.

This past weekend Hubby and I took a little day trip to Half Moon Bay in California. It is cooler there by the ocean and you can smell the Monterey pines and the ocean air all at one time.

They have an incredible nursery that displays seasonal color on long tables. They put all of one flowering plant on each table for an amazing array of color. The senses are delighted by the fragrance, sight and even sound, they always have wonderful classical music playing in the back ground.

Here are just a few of the wonderful plants and flowers we saw that day……

Look at the great planter this display of plants is in. It appears to be a mixture of cement that has rough elements added to it in order to make this natural looking planter, I loved this look.

A wonderful mixture of colorful coleus and lobelia.

Now for a look at my cart!!

Inside my trunk all ready for the ride home.

The start of fall comes with the coleus. I also am adding a fun lemon cypress tree to the mix. This is a wonderful plant that actually smells like lemon when you touch it. It is going to make my porch smell so good. I loved the very dark almost black coleus with the border of lime. I think it will look really good in my black pots on the porch.

Remember when I did my porch make-over on this post ? I had it all done except for the cushions for the chairs. I got the cushions and they are wonderful. Black with white piping and I think they add just the right touch with the black and white striped curtain. I will have a picture of the porch with the new cushions on Monday's post.

Be sure to come back so you can see the pots on my porch all planted and ready for fall, well almost. I will be adding mums as the weather gets a little cooler and closer to Septemeber.

"Enjoy the Process" Of:

Going to the nursery and enjoying the sites,smells and the sounds and bringing home some of the beauty found there.

Kathysue

Is Fall In The Air For YOU?

When do you know that it is, “Fall in the Air”? I know that sounds like a silly question, but being in California our seasons are not quite as distinct as they are on the East coast.

Throughout blog land I have been noticing more posts on the fall even though people are still experiencing sweltering temperatures. So it made me realize that maybe the feeling of, “Fall in the Air,” is actually more of an internal feeling or calling.

I started thinking what happens in my own life that starts calling me to bringing fall into my home. It actually starts with my senses.

1. First, I start craving more homey type meals. You know like stews, chili, shepherd pie,roasted veggies.(I just did this the other night)
2. Next I will usually start looking at my front porch in a different way. I will purchase some fall plants like coleus to add to my Spring/Summer impatiens.(The pots are already planted. I did this on the weekend).
3. It seems as if all of the sudden I pull out more votive candles and find myself lighting them in the evenings on my long mantle. (I have realized this correlates with pre-season football games.)
4. As the impatiens wither, I will replace them with cyclamen in white and purples with the addition of white and purple kale. Purple and white mums are added to the mix on my porch in the pots.
5. I start bringing out more of my black accessories. It does not make  a dark look, but a more cozier look.
6. More fires in the fireplace in the evening along with the candles.
7. The scents in my home change from fresh to spicy. Now is when I bring out my crock pot and always have some cider for myself or a guest that will drop in for a visit.
8. Last but not least are the pumpkins in white and green.

Roasted Veggies

Colorful Coleus

Adding touches of black to my mantle.

Fire in the fireplace and candles on the mantle.

 

 

Purple and white mums with ornamental kale.

Hot cider from the crock pot.

Green and White pumpkins courtesy of Martha Stewart

So what do you all do when you feel, “Fall In The Air”? I hope you leave a comment so we can all be inspired!!

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Feeling “Fall in the Air” and bringing touches of fall into your home.

Kathysue

My Little Sweetie Sent Me Some Pictures!!!

A while ago I helped a friend that I called “My Little Sweetie” make some decorating plans for her and hubby’s first house.
Recently she sent me some pictures of their progress so I thought I would show you some of the things they have done.
Remember she is my young, fresh and colorful Little Sweetie that used this room as her inspiration

This room was designed by Judith Balis of Nest Interiors. This room has been all over blog land and enjoyed by many readers.

Here are the post that I did on “My Little Sweeties” Project.

A Fresh. Young, Colorful Project

Fun Project Making Progress

Progress Report: Moving Right Along

Painting has been done

I just got an email from My Little Sweetie and she sent me a few more pictures of their progress. It has been so fun for me to be a part of this project with her and her hubby.  The project  has been done via phone calls and emails so with each new picture it is a surprise for me also.

Let’s start in the dining room! It all started out looking like this…………….

All white with some great light from three windows. We knew we could get away with a darker color in here so they chose……….

Dining Room Painted but Before Decorating

Chairs painted black and recovered in a stripe. Fun draperies to echo more black and white. Pop of color in the yellow vases to introduce the color of the kitchen.

A fun art piece as you enter the brightly colored yellow kitchen.

A bright orange  letter above the kitchen window

A touch of black and white echoing the colors in the dining room with an addition of some bright orange accessories.

A vintage orange bowl and some fun plates are the stars here.

Next On to the Living Room:

All white No Color and My Little Sweetie loves color!!

Great color,but no decor yet………..

Start with a white Ikea sofa and some touches of black and white pillows.

Add a small marble top table with black legs and some beautiful fresh white roses. Then for a pop of bright color add two……………

Bright Pink re-upholstered chairs with shiny black legs. To top it all off……

How about a bargain priced mirror from the Rose Bowl Flea Market. I love the round shape with the little reflective circles on the black background.

For just a touch of sparkly whimsy why don’t we add a cute little……..

……….Owl from Tarjay!!

To echo the black and white striped chairs in the dining room a footstool that use to look like this………

Looks like this!!

Before we leave the living room I must show you this picture that was a gift from My Sweetie Pies big sister that she now proudly hangs in their living room…………

It is a picture of an old Hollywood starlet with the Liberty Bell behind her.

This is more than perfect for her home because she is from Philadelphia, home of the Liberty Bell and she is a working actor.

This has been such a fun project to be included in!! I hope you have enjoyed my journey into , “Little Sweetie’s” Home.

"Enjoy the Process" Of:

Helping someone plan a design for their first home.

Kathysue