Lacy White

Today's table is all about keeping cool.

Here in Houston, the temps have been in the low 100's with the heat index in the 112 range.

It sounds bad, but you kinda get used to it,
kinda.

Or you learn how to deal with it.

One way, is to stay indoors during the heat of the day and make a tablescape.

That's always loads of fun!

Thank goodness these two ladies graciously have a weekly party where we can all keep cool,
relax, and enjoy each other's creative work:

Kathleen over at Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish 

and 

Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

Drop by for loads of inspiration, won't you?

Before we begin, I just wanted to let you know that I'm working with my son's camera 

and doing a bit of experimenting. 

(That's why there are a lot of pics in this post.)

So in trying to stay cool, 

I decided to use these "new" white dishes I picked up 

from one of my favorite shops.

There were a lot of them, most in very good shape.

It's too hot to use a fussy tablecloth, so a vintage lace piece was used.

I liked seeing the table through the cloth...seemed a bit "cooler."

These edges of the plates looked so friendly, I think this set could be used formally or causally.

Next time, I'm thinking daises...

or for a change, adding the color RED!

But for now,

I'm staying with cool, neutrals.

Using linen napkins and a sprig from our yard,

 the fussiness of all the "bling" was hopefully scaled down a bit.

The jute rings were for the two end settings,

the crystal rings were for the inside four settings.

It's okay to mix and match right? It makes things a bit more interesting...

well, that's my excuse for only having 4 crystal rings.

Then there is the mixed flatware. 

This also helps to add "casualness" to the table, right?

Since there were more pieces to this set than what is at each place setting, 

the extra bowls were placed on a tiered plate rack to be used for dessert.

(homemade ice cream)

The wicker really set the tone for the table.

Now for candles...

hm...

I had these decanters just sitting around and wondered if they would work.

With a little wrapping of foil and wax paper around the base of the candles, they fit perfectly.

The bobeches were just added for a little sparkle in the summer sun.

The stemware pieces came in a set of six, perfect for this table and had a beautiful etched design.

They look like Imperial Candlewick or Anchor Hocking.

Do you see the small candle holders that have the same design?

Here's a shot of the entire table...

and again of the place setting.

I thought this was a neat shot.

See the top of the tiered plate stand?
The tops of the decanters are in there with a lace doily.

The cups and saucers were also included...

very dainty.

I hope you enjoyed my table and that you've gotten cool!

I'm leaving with one parting shot,

enjoy!

Thanks for visiting!

In case you are interested:

Dishes: J&G Meakin England - Classic White - thrifted

Flatware: antique shoppe

Napkins: Save On Crafts - online

Crystal Napkin Rings: Tuesday Morning

Jute Napkin Rings: homemade

Lace Tablecloth: vintage family heirloom

Decanters: wedding gifts, thrifted

Bobeches: home decor shoppe

Tiered Place Rack: thrifted

Stemware: thrifted

Small Candleholders: thrifted

I'm thinking about a new purchase...

Don't you just love a great photograph?

I mean, just look at this one!

http://www.alexandrebuisse.org/resources/photo-class/02-What-is-a-camera

I love everything about it!

The subjects, the bright colors, the water, the rocks...

wow.

I have a point and shoot camera because I just wanted to...well, point and shoot.

The "fancy" cameras just looked too intimidating.

However, I'm ready to take the next step with my photos and I think that means a new camera.

 I've been studying our sons' photographs (they both have DSLR cameras) and photos of all the wonderful ones online and I'm overdue for a few photography lessons. (ok, I need a lot of lessons.)

So my youngest son showed me this site.

The above picture is from the site.

 There are loads of amazing pictures he's taken.

Each one is crystal clear...I'm just in awe.

Well, today was the day I decided to do something about "my" photos.

I'm taking his (free) online class, with my son's Cannon.

 I have to admit it's fun and a bit frustrating. 

I don't really know all the correct terminology/functions for all the buttons and switches 

but I'm learning.

Here are a few shots I've taken today...

These pictures are a starting point. 

There is apparently a lot for me to learn!

Do you have any suggestions as to your favorite camera and lens? 

I have just a few weeks before my son (and his camera) head back to school!

Paper Flowers

I've got a little transformation for you today.

It's quick, easy, and fun.

All you need are:

coffee filters

(I used white and brown)

lace

(about 1 yard long, 6" wide)

florist tape

twigs

glue

scissors

Here are the basics:

I found the inspiration from Pinterest...you can see Michella Marie's tutorial here.

I won't redo her's because it's super great and easy to follow.

I just made a few modifications:

  twigs from our yard

 brown florist tape

brown filters

lace.

Here's the way the tops are finished off with the florist tape:

These flowers add just a little something extra, I really like the texture of the natural twigs.

Below is a picture using the white flowers in a tablescape.

You can see the entire post here.

Thanks for dropping by today.

I'm joining Susan's Metamorphosis Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch.

Be sure to drop by for loads of inspiration!

Home Tour - Den

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to our home,

today we're visiting The Den.

If you've been following awhile, you know that the den started out looking like this:

and this:

The main purpose of even taking all these shots and posting about the house is for documentation. We wanted to "see" and review all the stages of the building process. Since it was our first project, we were learning along the way. And boy, learning we did. IF we were to ever do it again, we'd know a lot more.

Things would most likely be easier and we'd do some things a bit differently.

However, "...it is what it is..." and it's finished.

Well, the building is finished.

Decorating...nope.

But that's the fun part, right?

Okay, on with the tour,

and The Den.

 As you can see, there is a lot of natural light from both the front and back of the house.

Here the transom is doing it's job, allowing the light through from the front.

You can see the view into the foyer and dining room.

The brick corner niche is a spot for storage and another small seating area.

It's great seeing this perspective through a camera lens. I can definitely tell what areas need a little tweaking.

This shot shows the pocket doors in the closed position. It's great to be able to shut these at night so that we feel a little less exposed from the front of the home.

Plus, being closed, it adds a little coziness.

This is the view into the kitchen. 

The back yard is through the doors on the left. The foyer is to the right. 

I'm really glad we added the brick walls. Since we've "lived" here a while, they add warmth to the home. We always knew we wanted brick walls, but didn't know exactly the best spot. Thankfully, the architect placed them in perfect areas. I think it looks like the house was a really old house and rooms were added on to modernize it.

What do you think?

As darkness settles in, this is a partial view from the back of the house.

Can you see those two trees in the back? We tried our best to save them during construction. You see, they have grown together. The trunk on the left is no longer living, the trunk on the right is alive and well. Beside these trees is a little trail to the back of the property. You can see our grass is growing steadily, the beds have maintained themselves during this hot, hot summer.

The back wall of The Den is a bank of windows. I couldn't get a shot during the sunny day, but here you can see that behind these curtains are the windows. The double door leads to the back porch.

These curtains are the same I've used throughout the home, they are from IKEA.

They are simple, really add to the casual feeling of the home.

In this shot you can see the rest of that back wall and the closed cabinets which house the television. My husband didn't want the TV over the fireplace, so he designed the cabinets with shutter doors. 

It really is user friendly.

Since we both crave symmetry, the other side of the fireplace has the closed storage as well.

Of course they can be opened too...

Thanks again for visiting and following the progress of our home.

If you have any questions in the building process, just ask. 

Stay tuned, next part of the tour is The Kitchen.

Proud Peacock

My sister and daughter-in-law were visiting one afternoon,

 and together they arranged this table just for you!

It all started with "the" peacock.

I've had him for about 8 years and he's always around somewhere,

 sitting proudly, displaying his beautiful feathers.

He's made of metal with glitter sprinkled here and there.

I purchased him from a home decor store and he was actually part of a display.

I wish I had a picture...it was stunning.

The in-store-decorator was making a Christmas display with a mannequin.

The tree was actually the mannequin's "dress"...

it was gorgeous.

There were peacock feathers here, there, everywhere.

There were turquoise and gold ornaments...

and then there were metal peacocks tucked in the boughs of the tree.

I should have bought two instead of one.

I haven't seen them around since.

Ugh...the days before blogging.

I'm so much wiser now...haha.

Well, here he is...proudly welcoming you to the table.

Enjoy!

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday and Cuisine Kathleen for her Let's Dish.

Drop by for loads of inspiration, won't you?

In Case You're Interested:

Tablecloth - vintage

Peacock Placemates - Z Gallerie

Chargers - Hobby Lobby

Dishes - Lenox "Autumn"

Flatware - Ebay

Napkins - World Market

Napkin Rings - Marshalls

Peacock Shakers - consignment shoppe

Crystal Stemware - thrifted (can you even believe?)

Candle Holders - Gardenridge/ antiques

Peacock - home decor shop