elegant country style

mini-tutorial: autumn bedside bouquets

Published on October 22, 2021November 4, 2022 by elegant country style2 Comments

Two things: Flowers bring life to a room, and big projects involve many little projects.

I’ve been away from this space (for too long) while working on a large project. This mini-tutorial is an off-shoot of that project. For the Inn at Mary’s Land Farm, which we have been decorating, we created some bedside bouquets. Because I really enjoyed the process and was delighted by how much these little arrangements brightened the rooms, I thought I’d share them with you.

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mid-week musing 10.14.20

Published on October 14, 2020November 2, 2022 by elegant country style1 Comment

I find myself drawn to this room for several reasons, but first and foremost it is the painted floors (because we have been discussing them around here and how they might be a solution to very old and worn out hardwoods that probably can’t take another sanding). And there is always the appeal of all-white kitchens. Even though some say it is a tired-out trend, I think it actually always works. A window over the kitchen sink is a must for me (when possible), and here I love the windowpanes painted a soft blue-gray. The room is nicely styled and pulled together with pops of blue. The yellow tea kettle and black and white photograph (slightly off-center) over the range add the unexpected elements that give a room character and charm. I love the wild tangle of bittersweet on the island in a simple pitcher. Some food for thought…

Happy Wednesday!

Holly

mid-week inspiration: late summer mood

Published on August 25, 2020November 4, 2022 by elegant country style2 Comments

It’s late summer here and it’s been an odd one, so perhaps that’s why half of me wants to let it linger and the other half really wants to move on. As school starts (whatever that looks like), schedules change, summer flowers begin to fade, and the views from our windows begin to alter, our homes are already shifting their mood. Can you feel it? (Do you remember when rugs were taken up and heavy curtains were replaced with light panels and houses really had a different air about them in summer? And all that work!) Anyway, there’s still time for summer things like dining al fresco, taking a dip, lounging lazily on the lawn, going for ice cream, or doing whatever keeps you in the summer mood.

Here are some of my favorite spaces with a nice summer vibe.

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how to arrange sunflowers (because they can be divas)

Published on August 22, 2020November 4, 2022 by elegant country styleLeave a comment

We are in full sunflower season here. And while sunflowers are certainly show-stoppers and crowd-pleasers (think sunflower festivals), sometimes it’s hard to handle them. The sunflower is easy to grow from seed and glorious in a field or tucked in the back of a garden. But, as a cut flower she can look stunning one minute and then quite dismal the next, her large head bent over like she has overstayed her time at the party. Depending on the variety (and there are many), stems can be thick and curved in odd ways, and heads can be heavy and large and, well, awkward. As my sister says of the sunflower: She wants to do what she wants to do.

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mid-week flowers

Published on August 19, 2020November 4, 2022 by elegant country style2 Comments

Late summer climbing roses and sweet autumn clematis (that wandered over from my neighbor’s yard) in a small blue and white bowl. Afternoon therapy. I used chicken wire scrunched in a ball and some floral tape to hold it in place. But you can use anything you have around the house. Give it a try with whatever you can find! And it’s okay if the flowers are fading (aren’t we all) and if it only lasts a short while. It’s more about the making I think.

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