Decorate With Pieces You Enjoy Looking At

When decorating, be sure to use pieces you love and enjoy looking at. 

Sometimes we (as in me) get carried away with TOO many pieces.  What I try to do, is put away pieces in my special go-to-place, and then get them out when I need a new look or change.  If you enjoy decorating as much as I do, then you probably already do this.  It's so much fun to change a look of a room when the season's change.

The pictured cute little Staffordshire Dogs never go into the go-to-place.  Since I enjoy them so much, I move them around from room to room, depending on what I am doing for the "season change" decorating.  Right now they are in my kitchen/keeping room.  Where will they end up next?  I realize these dogs are not young and hip, but are referred to as "old lady" by some.  But let's face it - I'm not young and hip (nor an old lady to some maybe).  Life is short, so let's all plan to do what we love to do next year!  Bucket List?

Plate Rack Makes a Statement

There is something about a Plate Rack that adds a "Bit of Cottage" look to a kitchen. It is one of those Simple but Funtional items in a kitchen that makes such a statement. It can be a stand alone cabinet or as pictured with other cabinets. The one shown has a nice upper "mesh see through" cabinets. Love it!


This is a pretty example of a plate rack with the glass pane cabinets. If you are building a new home or would just love to recreate your kitchen, think about where this could go in your kitchen. For everyday use, it is very functional. It also adds personality to your kitchen and a designer touch. Wish I could show the one I have, but you will just have to wait till I get that new kitchen. I will defintely add a Plate Rack and will also be able to show off my pretty new plates too!

Garden Spot to Enjoy

Underneath the Crepe Myrtle I have planted hosta and placed a container with Impatients and Ivy. This is a sunny spot in the afternoon, so the tree provides the shade needed for the container & hosta. I love Crepe Myrtle's and wish I had more. It is always exciting to see it start blooming. Can hardly wait!

I just placed the cat there and I really like her there. As you can see the birds have messed on her, but that sort of gives her character. My cat JoJo loves this area and is always on the lookout for anything that moves "quickly".
This is JoJo...

Impatients ~~ in the Morning

Impatients are probably my favorite annual. Every color can make a great statement in your garden and goes nicely with other perennials and especially with ivy. The one in my front garden area is a multi-color I have sitting in a iron chair (that was once a bar stool) next to a pot of variegated ivy. Although they require shade, they don't mind a "little" sun too. Every year in one area, I have white impatients come back in different spots. I usually dig them up and place in a container -- and they do great!

This is my "Bit of Cottage" look.

Cute Dining Chairs

These are the sweetest dining room chairs that could go in a Dining Room or Breakfast Room. I was probably drawn to these because of the green fabric, since I have always loved green. Right now, I just love the combination of blue and green. The design of the covers on these chairs, with the ruffles are so pretty and are definitely my style.

It is a piece of cottage look that would work well in a cottage home decor and with a round table as shown. In fact, I would love to have this table. Everything about this room is so relaxing, with the all green look. The beautiful corner hutch with the mix of pink and green plates is so great and enhances the cottage feel to this room.

I wonder how hard it would be to make these covers? Probably too hard for me...so I better settle for something a little bit easier!

Inspired by Vintage

Anything VINTAGE inspires me to decorate. (TRUTH: Everything inspires me to decorate). The mix of fabrics and textures creates such a cozy feel. For example, a guest bedroom seems to always beg for the COTTAGE-VINTAGE look. It is that one room where we can use our imagination and experiment. It can easily be changed by adding new pillows and accessories. I'm all for finding new pieces when shopping at thrift stores, auctions and estate sells.