wicker room

Mother Dear, this is a post for you with screen shots of my pinterest rummaging and some thoughts on your wicker sitting room.

 

 

 

 

So mama - I like this color of wicker a lot and the white cushions a lot...

 

 

 

This is your touch of blue with the colored wicker and white cushions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is an example of pattern on the fabric but I just prefer a solid color - the pillow here is solid - I think it'll be easier for you to change out printed pillows than having printed fabric on the chairs. Sorry about all the mess around the pictures. Hopefully you can read this okay. Below is a solid navy - which is nice - and maybe not as dirty as white gets? I don't know. Dark shows everything as much as light does.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is another simple toned chair. White on white makes it more of a shabby chic cottage look. The grayed and browned wicker looks more costal. I think it's okay to keep the work load light by leaving them white - or maybe a dry brush of gray and another of tan and just skim it a bit. Not sure if that works...

 

 

 

Above is my inspiration - do you see the touch of blue in the glass jars on the shelf? And the white with wicker. And the light gray-beige wall? Everything is very neutral and quiet - a touch of green. Not a lot of color but you could add a pop whenever the mood strikes - and it's sweet and simple in the meantime.

 

Below is yet another example of adding the navy blue in with white and wicker.

I think some navy blue and glass-blue would be a lovely accent blend for that room - especially if it was all white and we didn't bother painting the wicker.

 

 

 

Next we'll look at shelves.

 

 

 

 

 

This was my idea - blue background on all the shelves. You actually don't need to collect blue items - the blue IS the background so it's already there.

 

Maybe we could make a board with blue on it for over your kitchen window  - or just nothing - or just a small blue or navy blue curtain.

 

 

Above is a photo with mostly whites - some woods and some blues... neutrals with a little of the wood and blue added... this is I think our goal for that room. Neutrals mainly. Some soft accents of blue. Leaving the wood tones wherever they are.

We want to paint that round table blue - and maybe the dresser in the kitchen too - not too much but a little blue furniture is so lovely - like below.

 

As far as what to put on the shelves...

We'll put plants there if they can survive that area and don't have to have more sun. And we'll put things you need to keep. And we'll keep them lightly filled - not too much, not just adding more because there is more to add. The pictures below are nicely arranged with good scale and style - but they just have a lot of STUFF. We'll work at keeping things that inspire you and not just using up things that are laying around.

It should be fun - looking forward to seeing you soon.

 

Hot Air Balloons

 

 

Not the best picture but you get the idea.

Gold hot air balloons. Just because they're whimsical and fun.

 

When I got them off varagesale for $5 each, they were nicely painted metal hot air balloons but in colors I just wasn't connecting to.

 

 

I wanted to paint them all white but didn't have any white spray paint. I rummaged through my sparse collection and came up with gold, brown, or black as my options. So gold it was. I dropped a cloth over the area I didn't want changed and gave a quick spray and now they're on the wall quirky and shiny. The end.

 

Summer Living Room

I wanted a fresh summer look to our mantle

So while in the Netherlands I picked up some souvenirs that I could use. Like this blue glass jug for $4. The handpainted sailing ships are from a garagesale years back. The swimming print was a $2 clearance poster framed in an old florescent light fixture frame. The tennis player was a $4 clearance item (love the 90% off at Tuesday Morning!)

Our summer goals were playing tennis, swimming and sailing, so I thought daily inspiration would help us anticipate as well as savor these experiences.

This wooden tray was also a Holland clearance - $7 and managed to fit in the suitcase home.

 

And my last item from the trip was this candle holder tray which I have my glass bottles holding feathers.

 

Overall my livingroom has taken a more summer shape. Next step is to finally paint the coffee table.

Baby Birthday (hot air) Balloons

 
 

 

My baby was turning one

And I've had a little fettish with hot air balloons lately

partly because when I drive past Three Sister's Park and think of the hot air balloon festival I feel like there is something artsy and expressive about them - literally soaring.

 

I set up a spot in the livingroom for a contained Hot Air balloon theme.

This child has been in Five countries before age one. Traveling seemed like a good concept for him. He's a good little curious trip-taker.

 

Blue velvet cake, chocolate truffles, and crème brule for a dessert bar

 

I was too lazy to erase our summer schedule off the wall so just sort of layered on top of it and called it good. This was a simple but fun way to celebrate.

Netherland's Church House

 

Holland.

Actually Holland is only on regain of this country. The correct name is The Netherlands.

A country that holds more bicycles than it does people to ride them.

And is largely below sea level.

My experience there was very positive. Everything seemed clean and classy and calm.

Stylish. That is what my husband noticed. Everyone was tall and handsome with well selected clothes in this sort of comfortable fashion confidence.

 

 

 

It's hard to tell, but below is a painting of this charming old church building tucked in like an Island on a swan filled lake.

 

We stayed here. The front has been converted into a community center and the back part into a families home.

 

That is what it looked like while they renovated.

 

This is what it looks like now.

 

 

Fun features like a copper addition with a living green roof

 

 

And the style of the home is a mix of beautiful old furniture with modern lights and a lived-in-comfort that holds the love and family and connection far above anything else

 

 

It was a lovely visit