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Great Ideas for Setting a Summer Table

6/19/2020

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PictureRoxie inside The Southern Mercantile
It isn't any secret that I LOVE to set a pretty table.  I love table linens, dishes, glasses, silverware... if it involves entertaining, I am in.  I thought it would be fun to give you guys some examples of ways you can set a beautiful summer table.  These tips will come in handy whether you are having a couple of friends over for dinner or hosting a large party or shower.  I had a great time using some things from my own collection as well as things we offer in the store.  

My first tip for achieving an interesting and beautiful table is to mix old and new.  I love mixing my vintage finds in with new decor items.  For this table I used a beautiful vintage table cloth, vintage brass candlesticks and my vintage silverplate.  
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The white and green color pallet is so warm and inviting and was perfect for showing off gardenias and Queen Anne's lace from the garden.  
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My next tip is to not be afraid to mix different shades of white and off white.  For this table I mixed old and new plates.  The off white vintage floral plates sit atop the large white chargers and each place setting got a fresh gardenia to make things extra special.  
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Mom and I have had a great time collecting mix and match vintage brass candlesticks. We enjoyed them on the Christmas mantel last year and many of you gave them good homes during the holiday season!  If you are trying to think of other ways to use these beauties, I think it is a cute idea to re purpose these candlesticks as flower vases.  All candlesticks won't work for this but some have hollow centers that allow the flower stems to slide down.  While there is no way to keep the flowers in water, they will stay pretty for a few hours, long enough for you and your guests to enjoy during dinner.  

The next table is much lighter and casual.  I still used my vintage silverplate  for fun but mixed with more casual everyday dishes.  The zinnias and pittosporum were cut from my dad's yard and look so good in these textured white vases.  
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When your table is as pretty as this one, sometimes it is nice to use a runner rather than a full tablecloth.  This grey woven runner was just the right amount of texture and color to add a little life to this table.  
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If you are decorating your table for fun or for a special occasion, think of fun details you can add like these sweet little birds nests.  A little surprise on every plate!
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The next table has a much more modern feel.  The simple white dishes, succulents and black and white linens are begging for a fabulous lunch in the garden or supper served fresh off of the grill.  If you want to mix things up with your linens, try using double runners across the table rather than one runner down the middle. If you have a very long dining table, you might need 3 to achieve this look.  Mixing in the wood, terracotta and blown glass makes it feel very fresh with a nod to the west.  I imagine myself sitting on a fabulous patio in Arizona, surrounded by cactus and a gorgeous orange sun set.  Ok, I am getting carried away.  Can you tell I am really in love with this table?  
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I cut some of my biggest succulents for this table.  They happened to be blooming which was perfect to add a little length and drama to my arrangement.  Don't worry, they weren't wasted!  They were given to a friend to be potted where I am sure they will be very happy and make lots of succulent babies.  
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Just one more shot of this because I think it is perfection!
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The last table is a little more refined and traditional, set with woven place-mats, simple white dishes and plain stainless silverware.  A ginger jar shaped vase full of hydrangeas and gardenias adds a classic, southern feel. 
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A place-mat is a great option when you are setting places at your counter or if you have a beautiful table you want to show off.
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I hope you will have a little fun this summer dressing up your table, even if it is only for your family!  As always, we love to see how you are decorating at home,  so tag us on Facebook or Instagram!
To shop these beautiful tablescapes, visit our store HERE.
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White Textured Vases
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Marble and Wood Salad Servers
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Gold Stripe Vase
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Ideas for Decorating your Lanterns, Bell Jars and Dough Bowls

5/8/2020

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PictureRoxie
 I have done a lot of traveling over the last few years and at all of my shows the number one question I get is "what can I put in this dough bowl I just bought?"  The second most asked question is "what do people put under these bell jars?"  I thought I would take a minute today to show you a few of my favorite ideas for accessorizing your favorite home decor items.  Lanterns, bell jars, and dough bowls are easy to jaz up and even change out with the seasons.  This is a great way to breathe some new life into your home without having to make big changes and spend a lot of money.  Toss a new pillow on the couch and you will feel like you have a new room!  

I like to decorate in layers.  Whether it is a lantern, a bookcase, or a Christmas tree, layers help you to create a full design that is so much more pleasing to the eye.  You can see in the pictures below that I started with the plain lantern, then added my bells.  I had to knot the twine on one of the bells to make it shorter so that I would have different lengths.  

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After the bells I tied a piece of cute ribbon on the top, and then attached some fresh eucalyptus with that ribbon.  
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It just took a few easy steps to really spice this lantern up.  
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If you choose to use something fresh like eucalyptus, just let it dry naturally and continue to enjoy it.  It will change colors but will still be beautiful!
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I love decorating the inside of a bell jar!  Historically, bell jars or cloches were used to cover plants to create a greenhouse effect.  While I think this is beautiful, you have to be careful to air the plants out or they will get moldy. Bell jars come in all sizes and are such a beautiful way to showcase your favorite treasures.  As a rule of thumb, you will need as least 3 things, and I like to incorporate some kind of greenery or "fresh" looking element.  Don't be afraid to use old family pictures, or vintage cards at Valentine's Day.  Ornaments and bottle brush trees are great at Christmas, but for Spring, you just can't beat a good bird's nest!  If you have a little collection of real nests, that's even better.   
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Think of your jar as a little memory capsule and have fun changing out the pictures and family heirlooms.  
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Now on to the dough bowls!  Whether yours is big or small, have fun changing out what you put in it and don't feel like you have to stick with one "perfect" thing.  Before taking these pictures, Tara and I went around the shop and gathered up a few of our favorite things.  Tara supplied the fresh and dried eucalyptus from her tree and I have a never ending supply of dried hydrangeas!
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This is a collection of two white vases that can remain empty or be a catch all for what's blooming in your garden.  I included one of our favorite Park Hill candles that is surrounded by a faux eucalyptus wreath.  
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One simple change up and you have a completely different look.  I traded out the wreath for a collection of faux succulents.   
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The next idea is a grouping of mossy orbs, classic pillar candles and a bird's nest.  I used the flame less candles that are made of real wax so that they look real but won't drip on the bowl.
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If you lean towards a more simple style, you could use just the mossy orbs by themselves or with the simple pillar candles.  
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At home, I love to use my vintage pottery collection around the house.  Here I mixed a couple of vintage pottery pieces with dried hydrangeas.  
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The dried hydrangeas with the bird's next seemed to be the favorite of the day so I will leave you with that.  A classic southern take on decorating a dough bowl.
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A little dried eucalyptus added a nice touch of a different color and a new shape.
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Like I said before, don't be afraid to change it up!  Move your favorite things around from room to room and enjoy them.  If you liked what you saw in the pictures, a few of the items above are available in our online store.  We would love to send a little something your way!  Happy decorating!
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Beech Street Bungalow:  The Master Bedroom

7/19/2019

1 Comment

 
PictureTara
The last room to reveal in our home renovation just so happens to be my favorite--the master bedroom!  Though I truly love every single room, I think I love this one most because it has become my little nest!  It is where I read, where I rest, and where I feel most comfortable.  I am excited to share its transformation with you, and hope that you love it too!  Here is a reminder of what this room looked like when we purchased the home.  

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With 6 large windows and an exterior door, we wondered what this room was used for.  A friend of ours who researches old homes called this room a solarium (sun room), which was often used for gatherings and quite possibly a bedroom.  After talking with the granddaughter of the original owners of the home, she informed us that this was, in fact, her grandparents' bedroom!  She said that it also doubled as a sitting room, and guests would gather around the fireplace to chat after dinner.
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In order to make this room our master bedroom, we knew we wanted to add a master bath and move a few doorways around.  Before we could get started, we had the daunting task of removing all of the bead board from the walls, once again!
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We decided to close up the middle window to give us a place for our bed, as well as tear out and cover up the fireplace.  This fireplace was no longer in working order and had sustained some damage to the brick over time, so we decided that a solid wall might be of more use.  We had it insulated and sheet-rocked, and we were ready to roll!  The original floors turned out beautifully once refinished.
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One night, two sweet friends came over to help me paint the walls so we could be one step closer to moving in!  You might recognize the blonde on the right, that's Katelyn! :)  When deciding on a paint color, I knew I wanted something cozy.  With so many windows and white trim, I knew a dark color would be the way to go.  I saw this bedroom (middle picture) on Pinterest and fell in love with the brown walls!  I ended up going with Less Brown SW6040 by Sherwin Williams , and I love how it turned out!
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Now, for the finished room!  You enter our bedroom from the end of the hallway, right next to the guest bathroom.
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Phillip built our bed, which turned out perfect for the space!  I was so glad that we decided to get rid of the middle window.  It is so fun to dream something up, and watch it come to life.  It wasn't so simple when I went on the search for our other bedroom furniture.  I just couldn't find anything I liked in the surrounding furniture stores--it all seemed so bulky and traditional.  I wanted a softer look, that would coordinate but not "match" the bed.  I finally decided to take a chance and order something online!  I was nervous, but I am so happy with my choice!  The night stands, dresser and chest of drawers came from Pier 1. 
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I have also had the hardest time finding curtains that I liked, and could actually afford!  I had no idea that Ikea had a select few curtains available in 118".  They turned out to be beautiful--and I love how the white just brightens up the space!
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One of my favorite things in our bedroom are my monogrammed pillow cases!  Our sweet Ms. Carolyn embroidered them by hand.  What a treasure!  It makes me happy every time I crawl into bed, and every time I make it up.  I just love the personal touch it adds to the room!
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This view shows you how we moved the doorways around to make the master bath add-on make sense.
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It worked out great that we ended up sheet-rocking over the fireplace.  Now we have a solid wall that provides enough space for our dresser.
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Our most recent addition to the bedroom has been a sweet little crib for Lila!  Throughout our journey in foster care, one thing that we have realized is how uncertain things can be.  We decided to just plan on Lila being in our room for a little while, while we get used to this baby thing!  We had plenty of room to put the crib over by the windows.
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It has been a sweet thing to look over and be reminded that she will be here so soon.  
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As we anxiously await her arrival, we have prepared as much as possible!  I can't wait to see her sweet face, and bring her to this house we've made a home.  I hope she grows to love it as much as we do.
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 I hope you have enjoyed the last Beech Street Bungalow Room Reveal!  Don't worry, there are still more projects to be finished and decorating to do--so this definitely won't be the last Beech Street blog.  I have a long list of things that I still want to share with you!  In the mean time, feel free to go back and relive our progress!

​Beech Street Bungalow: Before
Beech Street Bungalow: The Fireplace
Beech Street Bungalow: The Walls
Beech Street Bungalow: The Floors
Beech Street Bungalow: The Kitchen
Beech Street Bungalow: The Master Bath
Beech Street Bungalow: The Living and Dining Room
Beech Street Bungalow: Guest Bath
Beech Street Bungalow: The Laundry Room
Beech Street Bungalow: The Exterior
Beech Street Bungalow: Porch Planters
​Beech Street Bungalow: The Kid's Rooms
Need a little something new to freshen up your space? Shop our favorite selections HERE!
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The Southern Mercantile Curated Collection

10/3/2018

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We’re excited to announce something new: The Southern Mercantile “Curated Collection”! Each month, we’ll choose some of our favorite products, add in some exclusive items that may not normally be available online, and bundle it all together at a discounted price. We love a deal around here, and this is a big one!
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As the weather cools off for fall, we begin to bring the outdoors in, so our first Curated Collection starts with our pretty and informative Little Book of House Plants. It features a beautiful picture of a different house plant on every page, as well as how to take care of it, which is super helpful for those with less than green thumbs! ​​
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We also include a set of our lovely pocket notebooks from Rifle Paper Co. to use as an indoor field journal to keep track of watering and fertilizing your house plants.

Of course as you bring plants into your home, you’ll want to integrate them into your decor, not just plop them down wherever there’s room. That’s why we’re including our wire photo/card holder. Use it to display a photograph (or a card to remind you to water your plants!).
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​You’ll also find a cute ceramic pot with the best little surprise inside - one of our adorable live succulents! To learn how to plant your succulent properly, see our handy tutorial, Potting and Rooting Succulents with Mr. Crain. (No two of our sweet little succulents look just alike, so the one you receive may not look exactly like the one pictured.)
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We hope you’re as excited as we are about this new way for us to share our favorites with you! Our Curated Collection will change every month, so don’t wait to purchase yours. Some of the products may not even be around that long!
Shop the Collection!
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House Paint Colors

9/14/2018

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PictureRoxie
Lately, it seems, I can't stop thinking about house paint colors!  I don't know if it is because I have been spending too much time on Pinterest or if I have been inspired by Tara's freshly painted house but I have been dreaming of a new color scheme for my little home.  

I just painted my house about three years ago so I don't think I will be changing it right now, but a girl can dream! You might remember the color scheme for my little house from my Alder St. Renovation blogs.  I do still love these colors but I will be honest, if I could afford it (or had the energy to do it myself) I would probably change my inside and outside colors more often.  I just love fresh paint!

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For those of you feeling a more neutral color pallet, here are my ideas for house, trim and doors.  I loved the grey/green feel of "Gina's Eyes" by Valspar.  I don't know who Gina is, but I can see why her eyes inspired this beautiful color! I found it very soothing and a color that one could love for a long time.  I chose "Extra White" for the trim and "White Pistachio" for the doors.  You could even do a flip flop if you were looking for a lighter house color and use the "White Pistachio" for the body of the house and use "Gina's Eyes" for the doors.  Or choose a bolder door color to have a nice pop!
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I have seen a few dark green homes go by on Pinterest and I think they look so quaint!  I also love to mix different greens together so I chose "Hunt Club" for the body of the home and a light green, "Slow Green", for the doors.  My go to off white colors for interior or exterior are "Greek Villa" and "Alabaster", both by Sherwin Williams.  These two colors are almost exactly the same and I use them both a lot.  I rarely want a bright white, I like a toned down, off white color. 
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Now for my bolder choice, "Peppercorn"!  I love, love, love a dark grey house.  I have even seen a few black houses, and yes, I am the crazy person that likes them!  If done tastefully, a dark grey or black color can be very elegant and not spooky. I went back and forth between "Peppercon" and "Urbane Bronze" by Sherwin Williams.  I almost painted my house "Urbane Bronze" and then I chickened out.  If you are feeling bold, I say go for it!  I chose to keep the trim and doors very simple.  I love the idea of stained doors and/or stained shutters with this dark grey.  
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Here is one of the homes that I found to be inspiring on Pinterest.  I love this bold, yet quaint, home and it is just the look I'm going for.
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As you scroll down you can see that all of my choices are really in the same color families.  I guess I am stuck on a grey and green kick!  If you are thinking of trying any of these colors, here are a few important tips I have for you: 
-Always remember that colors look very different in real life than they do on your computer screen. 
-Get a sample to paint on the exterior of your home and live with it a little while.  -See what the color looks like at different times of day and in different lights.  
-When picking a stain color, remember that stain colors will change based on the kind of wood you are staining.  You will want to try the color you pick in a small spot to make sure it will dry the color that you want.  

If you are not feeling brave enough to change up the look of the whole house, just paint your doors.  Painting your doors can make a huge difference in the look of your home.  If you need a little door color inspiration, I've got a blog or that too!  Just click here.

If you do take on a painting project, we would love to see your progress!  You can always send us an email at southernmercantile@fourthandcherry.com.

Happy painting!
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Perry's Nursery

6/15/2018

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PictureJorjanne
When we learned that I would be having another boy, so many people were disappointed that we wouldn’t have a little girl. I, for one, was not. Don’t get me wrong! I absolutely adore all of my nieces, and the idea of having a child who might actually enjoy shopping or someone to get pedicures with would certainly be fun - and expensive! And, I know for a fact that Chris would never be able to tell her no!

After having two boys already, I feel like I know what I’m doing, even if so many things have changed since they were born. Between balls, Legos, superheroes, and anything with wheels, I think I’ve gotten the hang of this #boymom thing! (Please note, I am also fairly certain this child will be totally different than my first two, and I will have to eat my words!)
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When it came time to choose how to decorate the nursery for our little boy, I decided that since we were starting over on a new adventure to incorporate that into the theme and use maps. First things first, I started my Pinterest board of Nursery Ideas. I couldn’t find any bedding I really liked, so I searched Etsy and discovered this beautiful handmade bedding set from Hagar in Israel. After talking to my sister, Leigh, about how much I loved the fabric and wished I could find curtain panels to match, she coordinated with my other sisters and my Mama to order the bedding, and Hagar even made the curtain panels too! 
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We planned a date for all of them (plus my dear Aunt Wanda) to come over and paint the walls. Originally, this room was Caleb’s nursery with bright green walls to go with the green gingham and frog bedding we used for him and Seth. Over the years, it’s been a play room, a guest room, my father’s room when he’s had to stay with us after surgeries, and most recently, a bedroom for my sister, Latacha, and niece, Kasey. Once they found a place of their own, my boys and I set to work priming the walls to cover the bright green so we’d be ready when everyone came over to do the real painting.
Since it has been so long since my other boys were born (14 and 11 years!), I had given away all our baby gear, including furniture. I found out that my cousins were selling their nursery furniture, which was beautiful and an incredible deal! 
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Slowly, but surely, we’ve added to the room to make it functional and fun. The futon will give my Mama a place to take a nap when she's babysitting or if she wants to stay overnight sometime. The glider-rocker was my Mother’s Day present from Chris and the boys, so now we have a place to rock baby Perry to sleep. The little rocking chair was mine when I was a little girl, and the wooden toy chest was Chris’s, for a touch of sentimentality. 
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Tara covered Perry’s initials with maps as part of the decorations for my shower, and they’re perfect for personalizing this room into his space. Wire baskets underneath the changing table hold burp cloths and blankets, like the one Roxie quilted for Perry. I even found baskets with map fabric to hold all the baby essentials, and a matching photo album that will get filled with photos of all our adventures together!
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Pick out something special for your own little or for a friend from our online store! Maileg Bunnies are some of our favorites additions to any nursery are treasured for many childhood years to come.
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The Southern Merc Guide to Grocery Store Flowers

5/25/2018

4 Comments

 
PictureRoxie
Most everyone enjoys the beauty of having fresh flowers in the home, but few of us actually keep them around on a regular basis.  While picking up a beautifully crafted flower arrangement from your local florist on a weekly basis would support a local small business and be easiest, it might not fit into your weekly budget or your busy schedule!  All of us buy groceries and most grocery stores sell fresh flowers.  If you find yourself drooling over the flowers in the grocery store as you push your cart to the produce section, then this blog is for you!  Pick out your favorite mix and put them in your cart because you can turn those awkward grocery store bundles into a beautiful bouquet like this in just a few quick steps! 

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Many people make the mistake of bringing flowers home, removing the plastic, and dropping them straight in a vase (that may or may not be the right size) without any trimming or arranging.  While the actual blooms are very pretty, the arrangement will look very awkward and well, like you bought them at the grocery store.  ​
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One of the problems with store bought bouquets is that they usually don't include much greenery. To me, greenery is the most import key to creating a lush and beautiful arrangement.  To get started you will need: a bundle of store bought flowers, your favorite vase, clippers (or your kitchen shears if you don't have yard clippers), and greenery cut from your yard.  
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For this tutorial, I intentionally chose some random greenery from my yard.  Don't stress over what you are cutting.  If you think it looks pretty and has a nice shape, then use it!  I am using stems of camellia, azalea, and an unidentified branch from a tree, just because I liked it!

*Note, if you live in an apartment with no access to fresh greens, there is still hope for you to liven up your arrangement!  Look at the grocery, to see if they have any bundles that have greenery, of if they have greenery you can buy to add to your preferred bundle.  If that is not an option, then choose a vase with a smaller neck, so that your flowers will not be too loose when arranging them. 
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Start your arrangement by adding your greenery to your vase.  Before I start to put my stems in my vase, I trim the leaves off of the bottoms of the stems, so that no leaves will be plunged into the water.  Clean stems help to keep your arrangement from getting murky water. I started with the azalea first and then added in the camellia.  You will need to trim the stems so that the leaves start at the top of the vase.  I use the side of the table or counter that I am working on, to help me decide how much to trim off of the stem.
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​Spin your vase as you fill in so that you can green the arrangement evenly on all sides.  I saved my shorter, unidentified pieces of greenery to fill any holes at the end.  
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Next, separate all of the main flowers from the mix, leaving the filler flowers aside. This bundle had lilies, mini hydrangeas and roses.
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As with the greenery, you will need to remove the leaves from the bottoms of the stems, so that there are no leaves in your water. 
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I like to start with my boldest flowers first and then add in smaller ones.  The lilies aren't open yet but when they do open, they will be big and bright.  I started with a taller stem in the middle, and then added one a little shorter on each side.  Again, using the side of the table to help me decide how much to cut off of my stem. 
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Next I will add the mini hydrangeas.  I don't want any of these to be quite as tall as my tallest lily.  I add one to the center of the arrangement and then the other three, spread evenly around the sides.  
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Next, the roses.  I have a nice little spot in the middle so I add one in right beside the tallest lily.  Then add in the others, evenly around the sides.  
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You can start to see a pattern here.  Build each layer, starting with the center, working out around the sides of the arrangement. 
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Next I will add the "filler" flowers.  These little daisies will be just what this arrangement needs to brighten it and add interest.  Daisies often have flowers that grow too low down the stem, so don't feel bad when you have to remove a few of their dainty blooms.  I added my first stem to the center and then worked around the sides.  
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I wanted to show a picture of my "trash" pile so you would know that I did have to remove quite a bit of foliage and low growing blooms from the stems.  I don't want you to be afraid that you are trimming too much!
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Lastly, I used the unidentified greenery to fill in little holes around the bottom of the arrangement, to make it look nice and full.  
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And ta-da! Just like that you have turned your awkward grocery store flowers into a colorful masterpiece!  
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If you decide to try your hand at this at home, we'd love to see your finished product!  Tag us on Facebook or Instagram so we can see your handy work. I hope you've found this helpful, and that you feel empowered to go forth and arrange flowers without fear or hesitation! 
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A Picture's Worth

5/11/2018

4 Comments

 
PictureTara
​They say a picture's worth a thousand words, but I think it's worth a million if you know the story behind it.

There's something about old pictures that does something good for my soul.  One of my favorite things to do is flip through my Nana's old photo albums and listen to her reminisce.  ​

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It is so funny how I can recognize a face in a faded black and white photo--but that just isn't enough for me.  I need to know where they were and what they were doing so that I can put the story together in my mind.  To some, a picture might not mean too much, but to me, they mean the world. 
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​I'm sure you've recognized from previous blog posts that Roxie likes to decorate with old family photos in her home. (She even uses copies of them throughout the shop!)  I thought it was such an interesting and obvious idea--why hadn't I thought of that before?  
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​Old family pictures are great reminders of what really matters in life.  They are interesting to look at and are always a great conversation starter.  They add an element of depth to your decor, while keeping things simple. 
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I just love learning about our family through photos.  Sifting through stacks of pictures resulted in countless conversations.  It is because of this that I know exactly where my bossiness, wrinkles and love of cooking come from.   My favorite photos are those from my Nana's childhood.  Not only was she beautiful, but so full of life!  She went from silly to serious, from tom boy to beauty queen so seamlessly.  Her personality just jumps right off of the page.  The pictures of her from years ago are almost whimsical--maybe that's why I love them so much.  ​
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​With Mother's Day quickly approaching, I thought it would be fun to encourage you to sift through your own family photos this weekend.  Start conversations, listen to stories, and embrace where you came from.  Choose a few of your favorites to feature in your own home. This is one of the ways I have chosen to honor my family. (Especially my mothers!)
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If you were inspired by this post and are looking for unique ways to display your old photos, consider these brass and glass frames!  They come in three different sizes and are just perfect for showing off your favorite photos.  What I love most about his particular frame is how you can see the edges of those old and tattered snapshots. 
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Shop Now!
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What's in a Door Color?

10/28/2016

0 Comments

 
PictureRoxie
The entrance to your home is very important. Whether you are welcoming guests through your front door, or you think back door guests are best, the entrance will form your guest’s first impression when they walk up to your home.  I think choosing the right exterior door color is the first step in making sure that the entrance to your home conveys your family’s personality before anyone ever steps foot inside.  

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When choosing a color for your exterior doors, don’t overthink it!  Doors are small and easy to paint.  You can change your door color once a year if you want to.  Painting a door is an inexpensive project that will give your nest a whole new look!  I have a friend in town that changes her door color all the time.  In fact, I should have interviewed her before writing this to ask just how many colors it has been since she moved in.  (Yes, Candace, I am talking about you!) It is so fun to drive by her house and see a beautiful new color waving at you from the front porch!
​You may want to try something bold, if so, here are my favorite picks right now for a bold front door:
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​If you aren’t feeling so brave, here are a two hues that will give you a softer color pop:
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​ I am a believer that your doors should all be the same color.  You may have different style doors in different areas of the house, solid doors, French doors, etc. Painting them the same color will give the outside of your home some unity and consistency.  I do have one exception to this rule.  If you think you want to try a wild and crazy color on the front door to make a real statement, but you are not sure you can commit to this color on every door, then keep the other doors very simple.  Black doors are great on most houses as a neutral and you can always paint doors your trim color, a white or off white. I hope this has inspired you freshen up the outside of your home and try a new look!  Remember, it's just paint.  You can change it if you don't like it!  Happy painting y'all! 
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How to Make a Fall Wreath

9/15/2016

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It's still warm outside here in the South, but there is a change in the air and we know that fall is on its way!  Time to spruce up those front doors and welcome in this pleasant time of the year. I thought it would be fun to help you make a beautiful fall wreath for your home.  If you are feeling crafty, then grab your hot glue gun and let's get started!
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Here's what you'll need to get started:
-hot glue gun
-scissors
-wire snips
-floral wire
-floral tape
-grapevine wreath
-fall floral picks
-ribbon
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All of these supplies will be available at your local craft store. For this wreath, I used two colors of wool grass (two stems of each color), two picks with fall foliage, one pumpkin pick and one gourd pick. You are free to choose whatever fall stems that speak to you! The design concept will be the same, even if you choose something different than what I have used today. 
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First, you need to wrap your wire with floral tape.  This will make your wire much easier to work with. Learning to wrap your wires with floral tape is life-changing, and you will never want to work with naked wire again! Start by wrapping the tape around the top of your wire and then pull the tape as you twist it down the wire.  
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The tape is stretchy and will stick better if you pull/stretch it as you wrap the wire.  Cut your taped wire into two pieces, one to use for your hanger and one to use for your bow.
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To make a hanger for the back of your wreath, lay the wire over two fingers, pull down, and twist, creating a loop at the top.
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Wrap the straight end of your hanger around a chunk of the grapevine on the back of the wreath, pulling the straight end up, and wrapping it around itself. Make the hanger extra secure with a little dab of hot glue.  
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Next, you will need to break down your floral picks. By breaking down your picks and stems, and cutting them into smaller pieces, you will make what you have go a lot further. In the end, this will make your project less expensive to make.  
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I am starting with the long wild grass that was part of my wool grass stems.  Start by gluing a piece of the grass down and work your way around the wreath, continuing to glue the sections of grass. *Helpful Hint: Put glue on the end of your stem and then shove it down into the wreath, rather than just gluing to the top.  This will make your stems more secure and help hide your glue!
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Next, add the wooly tops. Divide your wooly pieces in half, using half for the first layer and half for the second. Glue the wool grass to the top surface of the wreath, alternating colors as you work around it.  The first layer will all be glued right along the top. 
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As you start the second layer of wool grass, start to fill in on the outside and the inside of the wreath base.  This will help build out the shape of your wreath and make it look more full.
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Now that all the wooly pieces are attached, go back and fill in with the extra foliage that you separated out when you took the stems apart.  
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You can see how the wreath is really starting to take shape and fill out.  The trick to this type of wreath is to build it up, layer by layer.  We've laid the foundation, now let's add the fun parts!
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Next, add the bow.  You will need about 2 1/2 yards of ribbon to make a simple bow like this.  Start by leaving a tail.  At the top of the tail, make a small loop that will be the center of your bow.
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Pinch and twist the remaining ribbon before making your next loop, which will be a little bigger.
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Continue making loops, making sure that you twist the ribbon between each loop.  You should end up with five loops total, one small one for the center and four larger loops.  Find the center of your bow, where it all started.  You will have three loops on one side and two on the other. Lay the taped wire across the center of the bow. Tightly pull the wire to the bottom of the bow and twist it on itself.  
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After securing your bow with the wire, you can fluff up your loops.
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Some folks would add the bow at the end, but I like to go ahead and attach it now, so that I can work around it as I fill in with the rest of my fall foliage.  I decided to place my bow off center, which meant I needed to move one of the wool grass tops.  This is no problem!  If you decide you don't like where you've put something, just clip it out, move it, and re-glue it.  
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To attach the bow, wrap the wire around a chunk of the grapevine and twist it on itself until the bow feels secure.  
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Fluff your loops up and place your tails where you want them to hang so that you will know where to start placing your next layer.
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Next, add the different elements of the deconstructed fall picks.  First, I filled in the bare spots around my bow with the leafy greenery.
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Next, decide where to place the pumpkin and gourd. I placed one on the top of the bow at the center and one on the bottom.
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Fill in with some extra grass.  Something like this will be available to you at your local craft store.  This grass just helps to make the wreath look a little fuller, while also adding to the wispy-ness.
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Now, start to build out the base of the wreath, out from each side of the bow.  I added fall leaves to each side. 
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Next, add in some fall colored paper grass and berry pods, again building out on each side of the bow.
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Fluff up your bow one last time and voila!  You have a beautiful fall wreath for your door!  You can see in this picture how I used all the extra pieces to build out the bottom of the wreath around the bow.  The top of the wreath is just the base of wool grass that we started with.
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If you are running a little short on time, or if your creative juices are just not flowing, you can buy one of these beautiful wreaths that I've already put together for you!
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Shop Now
If you're feeling crafty and would like to take on this project, we have made the elements we've used available to you!
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Shop Now!
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