Bucket of Cheer

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. Well, at least a little. ;)

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I'd be thrilled if you would join me for Mosaic Monday this week! Mr. Linky will be up by 8:30pm Sunday. I look forward to seeing all your beautiful creations. :)

How Do I Decorate, Let Me Count the Ways

Berries,

Beads,

Bonbons

and baubles.

How do you decorate for the holidays?

I've been shopping online and in stores, slowly putting up the Christmas decorations, and hobbling around because I sprained my ankle last week. But I think I'm getting the Christmas spirit, and I'm planning to make some homemade breads for my in-laws. They are always difficult to buy for, so I thought maybe I'd make up a big gift basket with breads and jams and tea.

The weatherman has promised us some really nasty, rainy weather today, so I think this will be an indoor decorating day. I'll try to get some presents wrapped, too.

The fun just never ends around here, doesn't it?

Robin's Bar

Hi there, I'm back! Did you miss me?

Just kidding. I spent a lot of time practicing my portrait photography, and very little time on all the projects that need doing around the house. But c'est la vie.

I thought I would show you some photos I took of my dear friend Robin's house yesterday. I went there to take some photos of her and her Jack Russell, Rosie. But I also took the opportunity to snap a few photos of her beautiful home.

These images were all taken in her bar, which is a gorgeous paneled room. I had my 60mm lens on the camera, so I couldn't get any wide shots, but I thought you might like to see some close-ups of her furniture and accessories. I'll go back soon and get shots that show the whole room. :)

A few of of you may remember the red decanter with the hunt scene (above). I bought it at my favorite thrift store for Robin, who collects things with a fox hunting theme.

Robin's husband, Ken, is an electrician, and they have the most beautiful lighting fixtures. Another common theme in this room is stags, and hunting in general. Isn't this a gorgeous sconce? It is one of a pair that flank the center wall behind the bar.

Robin also collects antique tins, like this wonderful example that sits on a wooden tray on the ottoman in front of her sofa.

A collection of beer steins hints at Robin's Austrian heritage. The room is also filled with family photos, some taken in Austria near where her mother grew up. It is a warm and inviting room, perfect for entertaining.

And yes, I promise to bring you some shots of the whole room soon. :)

My Top Ten Design Elements

The wonderful designer Joni Webb, of Cote de Texas fame, has just begun a series of posts outlining her Top Ten Design Elements.

What a terrific idea!

I'm certainly no designer but, as they say, I know what I like. And Joni encouraged her readers to make their own lists, so without further ado, here is mine:

1. Pattern -- I have seen beautiful rooms that are calm and serene and mostly white, but I don't think I could ever live in one. New Jersey has so many snowy or gray days that we need some warmth and pattern to wrap round ourselves in the winter. Besides, I grew up with pattern -- in wonderful wallpapers and beautiful tea-stained fabrics, and they are still among my favorite building blocks for a comfortable room. I love the wallpapered ceiling in our library (above), and the big floral patterned curtains.

2. Antiques -- Even one beautiful old piece will give instant presence to any room. And family heirlooms are even better. The black Seth Thomas mantel clock in the photo below belonged to my maternal grandfather. It is one of my most cherished pieces. The Bristolware vase, (above) was a thrift store find, but antique and quite lovely.

3. Books -- Any kind will do, but I always love to include some antique books; their colors and the often gilded typography on their spines make a beautiful addition to bookshelves or tables.

4. Needlepoint -- I go weak at the knees for needlepoint pillows. I know that a lot of people think they are impossibly "granny," but I just love the texture and the handmade feeling that they bring to a room. And double points if they portray a floral subject.

5. Dishes -- Transferware or anything with flowers on it. They make any room feel a little lighter, perhaps a little feminine. Love that!

6. Curvy Furniture -- Oh how I love a Chippendale sofa, or a wing chair with it's sinuous curves. Again, it's that feminine touch. I also love French fauteilles, with their delicate legs. So beautiful!

7. Ottomans -- I just can't get into coffee tables. This is a totally subjective opinion. Instead, I love to have a beautifully upholstered ottoman on which to place a tea tray or a few books. And of course, they help make a room comfortable and approachable. You can't feel stiff in a room where you can put your feet up.

8. Throws -- I love the feel of a beautiful wool or cotton throw. Again, they make a room more comfortable. I have throws in almost every room, and I use them every day. They can also lend a softening effect to a more formal upholstered piece.

9. Flowers -- Real flowers shine in any room, but can be expensive. So yes, I do use some dried or silk flowers (horror of horrors!). I also almost always have flowers present in either fabrics or china or vintage botanical prints. Lately I've been collecting pressed flowers in small frames. They make a pretty grouping on a wall.

10. Light -- Especially from true divided light windows. Yes, they are hell to wash, and not really all that weatherproof, but they have such charm. And I'm all about the charm. :)

Well, that's my list. Be sure to visit Joni and read her wonderful post. And let me know what your favorites are.

A Sneak Peek

Just a sneak peek at the master bedroom. We had it painted earlier this spring, but haven't gotten around to hanging art or buying lamps or rugs or a headboard... I chose a pretty toile fabric to make a duvet and other soft furnishings, but have not gotten around to that either... And I also want to paint that hideous dresser on the right ...

So, more to come here in dribs and drabs throughout the summer... :)

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In the meantime, please consider joining the fun at Mosaic Monday. Mr. Linky will be up by 8:30PM Sunday. Enjoy your weekend, dear bloggers!

Rainy Day, Gone Shopping

Wendy Whiner Alert: this post may contain complaints about the weather.

It's been raining so much this month that we've begun to feel as though we are caged inside the house. It's June, for God's sake. Is it too much to ask that we are able to take a walk once in awhile, or work in the garden?

OK, I've got the complaints out of the way right up front. ;)

So what do you do when you feel as though you are a bird in a cage?

You fly away for a little retail therapy, of course.

We had to do a Best Buy run to pick up my daughter's new camera, so we popped into TJMaxx for a little browse.

A little birdie suggested that this sweet chippy wire bird cage and metal lantern might want to come home with us.

I think they look kind of nice in my kitchen, but I'm sure I'll have plenty of fun playing with them on the deck as well.

OK, this picture is in here just because... well, I don't really know. Actually, this is illustrative of what happens when I'm stuck in the house. I paint the pantry doors. ;)

So I'm going to have some fun playing with these babies. A centerpiece of lanterns? A small potted plant inside the birdcage?

Yep, going out shopping is way better than staying in the kitchen eating the rainy day away. Although I did some of that, too... ;)

What do you do on rainy days?

Writer's Block Wednesday

I'm suffering from severe writer's block today.

Just can't think of a single thing to say.

Maybe I've hit the wall at 500 posts.

Or maybe it's just all this rain. ;)

Happy Writer's Block Wednesday!