Patio Happenings!

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I did something around the Chalet! I purchased a patio set. I decided this summer I wanted to be able to enjoy this large space. In years past we’ve had a swing set here and I moved a very large hockey net to the other side of the patio to free up this area to create a seating group.

I reviewed a bunch of styles being mindful of the budget. I looked at seat height, width and seat back height and I concluded the Costway 4pcs Patio Rattan Furniture Set would fit the bill. In my former life in Product Development and Design I helped design and source sets like these for clients. So I knew what size would lend itself to comfort.

Our son was a massive help!

I popped over to my local At Home Store and picked out an outdoor rug and small metal table.

I purchased a 6ft by 9ft. to ground the set. If this was an indoor space I would have gone with a least an 8ft x 10ft. But, honestly friends I spent $60.00 on this rug and I have no idea how it will hold up. So I’m erring on the side of caution.

The rockers are at least 15 years old samples from my product development days of yore! And this little black bistro set is close to 20 years old.

You can just see the edge of our son’s hockey net on the far right. I’m happy to report this old torn grill cover has been replaced. I decided against using the tempered glass on the table - just a large tray which I already owned and a spot to put your feet up. I cut off the rubber suction cups from each corner of the table.

I purchased these extra outdoor bolster pillows to bridge the color stories between the seat cushions and our old umbrellas. This is where I landed the day I set the patio up. It looked great!

The original set up was short lived.

I really need to sit in the shade and my spot is the loveseat under the umbrellas. If we move one - depending on time of day - we can increase the shade over the entire seating area.

I really love how it looks and flows - it’s been great for us and friends.

I think it’s important to enjoy all the same things you do inside your home on your patio.

Plants, flowers, candles and music. The little speaker the boys gifted me at Christmas is so great - I grab it anytime I’m heading outside.

Til next time friends… this is where I’ll be! See you over on the Gram!

Big Green Barn Visit

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This week I’m sharing a field trip. Last month I visited Susan Brierly Bush at her Big Green Barn located in Morris County, NJ. She holds a few Barn Sales a Year.

There were so many treasures friends!

These bowls with the yellow flower are vintage Blue Ridge. Aren’t they sweet? I have a few pieces of the Cherry design that belonged to my mother Rita.

So many amazing lamps.

Art, Decorative pieces, Furniture, Lamps, Pillows - all wonderfully curated!

Susan, Me and my dear friend Kristin.

After finding a few treasures Kristin and I popped over to The Black Horse Pub.

  • Kristin found incredible pillows and art. The crewel embroidery is brilliant!

  • I adore my little white and blue man and this Williamsburg art is so cool.

Susan recently opened a shop Big Green Barn - Harding (already nicknamed by shoppers - Little Green Barn) along the charming Country Mile in Harding, NJ at 912 Mt. Kemble Ave. (same as Route 202 between Morristown and Bernardsville.) Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10-4pm. Now we don’t have to wait for a few sales a year we can shop anytime! Yippy!

The best days are spent with friends - if a little shopping and prosecco is included all the better!

Til next time friends I encourage you to visit Susan with a friend!

Images: Susan Brierly Bush, Kristin Kuiken & Me.

A Bit of Scallop

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Recently while organizing my collection of shelter magazines I found an image in the April 2013 House Beautiful that stopped me in my tracks. A boys bedroom and what caught my eye were the lamps more specifically the lampshades.

This room is designed by Connie Newberry and the scalloped shades add a bit of whimsy.

This was 10years ago friends before scalloped shades were popular.

Today I’m sharing examples of these lampshades. They bring a wonderful design element to any space.

Such a beautiful lamp and shade from Matilda Goad

Both the Matilda Goad and Serena & Lily shades combine scallop and raffia.

Serena & Lily Larkspur Petite Table Lamp

Carbon Velvet

Two brilliant examples of wonderful patterned shades from Carbon Velvet.

Carbon Velvet

Ballard Designs Linen Scallop is the perfect topper for this pretty lamp

My friend Elese purchased her shade through a designer in Melbourne, AU.

Elese

I just discovered Magnolia Interiors Store located in Australia. Their tagline on Instagram is: Internationally curated antiques, homewares & interior design. Friends look at these stunning shades. Some of these images go back a few years but, the cabbage roses, the pinstripe… I’m not seeing these in the current marketplace and I think we should! They are fabulous!

“Scalloped: a decorative edge made of repeated semicircles”

I also think the idea of a painted scallop is lovely!

My friend Nicole jazzed up what would have been a plain shade with a pretty blue paint.

This Toucan design from Sarah Blomfield is very specific for a client.

Sarah Blomfield Studio

MAGGIE & LEWIS

The shades in Maggie and Annalise’s spaces show that scallop works brilliantly in any design.

Annalise May

Do you have any scalloped shades in your home? I think a bit of scallop is a pretty detail. I’m still deciding on which lamp and style to add to the Chalet.

Til next time be well and make sure to check out the featured accounts!

Don’t forget to check out the list of Podcasts We Love in the sidebar! I’ve been listening to Podcasts more than books lately and I’ve found three new one that are a ton of fun!

9021OMG, ReWives and Table for Two. Enjoy!

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