Shades of Spring

Sometimes we think of Spring in only colors of pastels, bright pinks and greens and maybe nautical flavors of navy, red and gold. For this display, I used a more mild side of spring with muted shades of ivory, browns and blues. Then I punched it up with a cute red & white accent.

I love these bird salt and pepper shakers.

This layer of cream and bamboo plate, with light blue salad plate and a bird nest for accent is accompanied by a Victorian Easter chocolate bar.

Here you see a long shot of the table. I added a red and white napkin under the blue plate to punch it up and then I added red and white ribbon onto the blue note cards. I really like the combination of the blue, brown and red and hope you'll think of mixing up your spring colors too!

Booth Updates

You may have noticed in my post on Monday that I changed around the china cabinet for Easter.

I love these bunny sucker covers - what a way to dress up your lollipop!

I really like the way it turned out with all the yellow, orange and pastel colors. Do you have your Easter decor out at home yet?

Spring May Make Here After All!

Friday after work I came home to sunny skies and a balmy 53 degrees. Squelching the urge to throw on shorts and a tee shirt, I did head outside in the yard with my camera and a few friends to see if these warm temps were reflected in any of my bulbs.

I had luck discovering the daffodils peeking out around the main stairs to our front door.

And next to my urns there were some signs of spring.

Under the coverage of a tulip poplar there were some big shoots of life emerging from the moss.

Finally around back under leaves some more daffodils were found.Here is a picture of my helper this Friday evening. She's gotten so big!
Her interest in nature subsided when the cat joined us on the photoshoot!

You can see from the bottom right of this photo, our old Lab Thunder mostly stays by my side these days.

He has no interest in the puppy or the cat.
A few more photos of Miss Madison discovering she cannot get down off the rock creek wall that lines our driveway.

Yes, I think we are all ready for spring.

Today I am joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch

for another Met Monday.

More Entry Ideas

Following Monday's post of my entry makeover, I thought you might enjoy some more photos of entry way ideas for your home. While some of these accessories may not be practical for the everyday home, I know my savvy blogger friends can adapt what you already have around your lovely abode to modify the idea. All photos were from TraditionalHome.com.

Spring Foyer

A return to blog land which has been long over due! I have been enjoying everyone else's blog posts these past weeks while making some changes to our home and adding new inventory for spring at the booth. I have a lot of new ideas, projects and pretties to share in the upcoming weeks. For now a few thoughts about the hallway, entryway or foyer.

Wikipedia defines an entryway as "a hall that is generally located at the front entrance of a house. An entryway often has a coat closet, and usually has linoleum or tile flooring rather than carpet, making it an easy-to-clean transition space between the outdoor and indoor areas."

And foyer as "foyer in a house is usually a small entry area or room by the front door. Other public rooms such as the living room, dining room, and family room typically attach to it, along with any main stairway. It was initially intended as an "airlock", separating the fireplace-heated rooms from the (colder, in winter) front entrance, where cold air infiltration made for cold drafts and low temperatures. It is commonly used for outer garment and umbrella storage for both residents and guests."

Seems like the same thing to me. Most of the time we call it our front hallway.

Whether you call it an entry way, foyer, or hall, mine had been one bare naked lady since the Christmas decor was packed away. Since we are all desperate for spring, I decided to pull out a few pieces to perk up this spot for the next few weeks till I can display the Easter items.

This white hobnail cake stand was given to me as a Christmas gift many years ago by my younger sister and is one of my favorite pieces.

A closer shot of the blue vases. I like the blue and white with the forsythia yellow against the yellow walls of the foyer.

I'm participating in Susan's Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.

Two for the Price of One Met Monday

Today I'm sharing two Metamorphosis with you. The first is the book case at my parents home. When they built this home about 15 years ago, they were savvy enough to build extra wide shelves on the first shelf of each section of each book case. There is a book case on either side of their fireplace. This has provided an excellent way to display vignettes. Here is their nativity scene, which was my paternal grandparents and then handed down to my father.

He thinks it is Hummel, although it is not marked.

On the other side of the fireplace the book case displays their village.

I should have asked Mom the brand of this village, but I'll bet some of you already know.

Both of my sisters have lived in and around Chicago at some point, hence the Wrigley Field piece.
For the second Met Monday, I am showing the transformation of my corner space at the booth.

On top of an antique wash stand I display purple and blue ornaments.

The sparkle and glitter ornaments are all the rage this year. I liked the non-traditional colors here.

Also shown is a black and blue toile cake plate and two mugs. I think this would make a great gift!

I hope you've enjoyed these displays today. Please join Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for more Met Monday and have a great week!

Tablescape Thursday

Last Saturday evening we went to my Mom and Dad's farm over in Shelby County for a birthday celebration dinner. My son, my dad, my sister and myself all celebrate birthdays from November 11th to December 16th so my parents hosted a joint celebration. Mom set a beautiful table with white damask tablecloths. You can see what a sunny day it was by the sunlight streaming through the windows.

Mom and Dad ordered the tableware from a long established business in Florence during a visit there several years ago. The manufacturer is Richard Ginori. The pattern is Elea.

Here is a bit of information about the manufactorer from the Richard Ginori website. "The "Factory of the white gold" Born in 1735 in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, near Florence, the great business minds of the Marquis Carlo Andrea Ginori. When the aristocratic Florentine villa poised to shower in the family estate, what then becomes one of the most famous manufacturers of porcelain art, the white gold rush, had just infected Europe. The development is difficult but then the manufacturing takes off.
If in 1747, the factory Shower 2 furnaces are in operation, one for the tile, the other for china in 1774 to about one hundred employees.
In 1838 the furnaces are 5, three for the tiles and the porcelain stoves and 2 and nearly 200 employees. In 1889 the furnaces have become 15 with about 1200 employees.
Enlightened guidance of the Ginori family continues until 1896 the year when the merger takes place with the ceramic industry in Milan Augustus Richard, who already owns several factories in the north.
Thus was born the Richard-Ginori.
Many mechanical innovations introduced in the time laboratories: while you realize the "classical" model of production docciana are born individuals who suffer from the new trends of Art Nouveau.
When the architect Gio Ponti became the artistic director, his renewal program leaves an indelible mark and significant. The expansion is intense and continuous so that in 1930 the built-up area reached 80,000 sqm, with 40 furnaces and 2,000 employees.
After the last world war it was decided to build a new factory more .. "next to the road" .. built with modern rational basis in Sesto Fiorentino, where in 1958 will be moved from the historic Shower establishment. A few years later the museum."

The crystal is Fostoria's Century pattern which was my paternal grandmother's.

Here's another view of the tablescape.

I love the clean lines of the white on white with the crystal and silver.

I took some shots of their Christmas tree while I was there. I love the gold and white theme tree.

The angel that adorns the top.

A long shot from their great room looking into the front entry way.

Mom who cooked a delicious meal and we had a wonderful evening.

Now please join Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for some more tablescapes.