Flea Market Finds

About once every four or five months, I head off (bright and early) to our local antique flea market.  They are held the first Sunday of the month.  There’s quite a bit of junk, but there are also hidden treasures.

These days, I continue to look for old bottles topped with seashells (and old architectural renderings — for my stairway gallery project).  Since it’s summertime, I like to find “seashell” additions.

I especially love the old blue milky bottles …. with or without seashells.

I have them displayed in my hallway built-ins — along with dishes that I found at HomeGoods (blue ones 6 years ago; white ones this past week).  Going for the red-white-and-blue look for our party here on the 4th.

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Fourth of July Tabletops

Are you having a Fourth of July BBQ at your house?  That’s a tradition at our house … a BBQ and Pool Party on the 4th (or the day before).

It’s fun to decorate with red, white and blue.   Here are a few pictures of patriotic and summer tabletops for inspiration …

This picture above is from the Pottery Barn catalog.  Can you believe I found a very similar tin tiered tray at HomeGoods and I didn’t buy it?  I kept wondering where I would store it.  I should have bought it for $19 and used it this summer.  Then if I couldn’t find a home for it, I could have given it away or tossed it!

These summer tabletop pictures above are from Country Living Magazine.  Great ideas for inspiration … to use with what you have.  Flowers, tins, seashells and pretty linens can make up a beautiful tablescape.

Whatever you do on the fourth … be sure to add some red, white and blue.

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“Summerizing” your Home

Well, summer is officially here!  The kids are out of school, the summer solstice has just passed and we’re on our way …

As part of summer kicking off, it’s nice to lighten things up in your home.  Here are several things I do to “summerize” our home.

Summerize with Pillows

Pillows are an easy way to “lighten up” your home for summer.  I love accessorizing with pillows … sofas, beds, chairs, benches … all can all be updated with pillows.

For our living room, I had pillow covers made in four different fabrics.  For fall and winter, I use the heavier velvet stripe and the silk burgandy paisley.

In summer, I bring out the cotton stripe and floral pillow covers.

If you sew, you have all kinds of options.  For those of us that don’t sew, you can usually find a list of recommended seamstresses by asking at your local fabric stores.  I found a very talented seamstress and apholsterer at our local discount designer fabric store, We-R-Fabrics.

I had her make some pillows with different fabrics on each side of the pillow.  That way, if I get tired of a print, I can flip the pillow over and have a new look.

In our bedroom, I switch out some of our darker pillows for some lighter, linen pillows.

Summerize with Accessories

You can switch out accessories (especially the darker, heavier ones) on tables, bookshelves, coffee tables and mantels with summer-themed items.  Adding seashells, candles, sea glass, things from nature — can lighten up your home without costing much or taking much time.

I found these blue shell plates at TJMaxx several years ago.  I display them on black easels on my dining room buffet … along with crystal vases and bowls of seashells.

I use a lot of sea shells during the summer.  I fill apothecary jars, glass canisters and bowls.  I often add sea shells to our mantels or tuck seashells (with some white sand) at the bottom of lanterns or glass candle holders.  During the summer, you can find sea shells in most rooms of our house.

There are many other ways you can bring summer into your home.  Here are a few additional ideas:

• Use more white!  Switch out your darker colored candles for white candles.  Add white table runners.
• Add slipcovers to your sofas or dining room chairs.
• Lighten up your bedding, using light-weight comforter covers and pillows.
• Add lanterns with candles in your casual rooms.

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