Herb Garden Inspirations

I've been contemplating planting an herb garden for the past few years but haven't done it yet.  Each time  we cook something delicious we often wish we had fresh herbs at our fingertips.
Photo from Park Hill Collections - Wooden herb plant stakes (love them)
 Instead of a large herb garden, I've finally decided to plant some herbs in pots right outside my back door.  This will get me a good start!    After some research, I've found that they suggest five herbs for a beginner’s garden; chives, parsley, rosemary, thyme and basil.   I'll wait until Spring to get started.  I've also learned that purchasing the plants from your nursery already grown is the best way to begin instead of starting with seeds.  Any comments from you gardeners out there?
I'm very inspired by this photo and would love to have a wooden table instead of the wicker above.  Layering pots and finding ones with different textures is what I would like to create.
Photo from Park Hill Collections
Isn't this antiqued herb chest of drawers wonderful with the herb labels?  What about the picket fence mirror?  Both make me crazy!
I found this picture of an old damaged basket that they created into a pretty planter at the edge of the garden. They used it to fill the basket with soil and then nursed tender herb seedlings until they were large enough (at least 6 inches tall) to transplant into the garden or a larger container. GREAT IDEA!
I'm afraid at my house our squirrels would find this too much of a temptation. It might inspire someone else out there though!
Photo from Velvet and Linen
Brooke Giannetti from Velvet and Linen has inspired me so much.  This bakers rack could be filled with herbs?   She is an incredible designer and loves making outdoor spaces look beautiful.   Visit her amazing blog and see some of the outdoor projects she has created for her homes. Go here to be consumed with her work and create a new addiction (along with me) to her blog and website.

Photo courtesy of Velvet and Linen
Photo courtesy of Velvet and Linen
Join me in preparing for our Spring herb potted garden!  Let me know in tips you have learned and I can't wait to see what transpires.  I've heard that once you have fresh herbs there is no turning back.

Ruthie

Valentines Day Dessert and Coffee

Picture from Familyfun.com
I'm contemplating what I"m going to do for my family for Valentines Day which is on a Sunday this year. 
Can't believe it's around the corner.
I could make my family a wonderful dessert instead of a big meal.  They LOVE chocolate chip cookies and Blue Bell vanilla ice cream.  You can buy the chocolate chip cookie dough that comes in a roll and flatten it in a cookie sheet (you will need 2 rolls).  I've got my mom's chocolate chip recipe that I could make too and it is the BEST!!
Cutting them into heart shapes is a good idea. 
 Or maybe I should do brownies?
I could get the "You are special today" plate out.  Tradition in our family to bring this out for each birthday!
 I'll have to dig this one out of my kitchen cabinet.  But then who is going to get it? hmmmm??
Maybe a candle could go on the plate instead - for ALL to enjoy.

Wouldn't any kid love this napkin at breakfast?  Can be done with a paper napkin too!  Could go in their lunchbox?
Go to ehow.com to follow the directions on how to fold.

Anthropologie.com
I could buy the above mugs from Anthropologie for coffee or hot chocolate after dessert.  They could be used for breakfast too.

Hanging out at home with the family is a great gift, especially if dessert is involved.

OR
We could ALL go to Lesara Cupcake Bar here in Colleyville, TX. 
There are many of these Cupcake bars all over the U.S.

Ours is located in the Town Center in Colleyville at the intersection of Hall-Johnson and Colleyville Blvd.
Everyone can pick the flavor cupcake they want, ice it with their favorite icing and then pick from many, many toppings.  GREAT IDEA!!!
There is a time for setting the table and having a beautiful meal but this year we are going to do one of the above.  SIMPLIFYING and enjoying at the same time.
Which one would you do?
Today I'm participating in Tablescape Thursdays at Between Naps on the Porch
Take a look at other tablescapes, you'll love it.
Ruthie

Bookshelf before and after "using what you have"

BEFORE

The client I worked with today just wanted me to help her with her bookshelves.  I shopped around her house looking for treasures and incorporated some of her beautiful "Oriental" pieces that she has collected over the years.  Our goal was to "use what she had" without buying anything new for this room. 
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
AFTER
It always makes a nice statement to incorporate artwork into your bookshelves.  Most shelves are adjustable and this enables you to adjust them to the size you want them to be.
I wonder what the storks are saying to each other now?
Mixing different textures like silver, pottery, greenery, books, clay objects creates an interesting collection.
Tip of the day:  Try taking the book covers off your books.  Sometimes they are too loud for the space.  Taking them off usually makes the bookshelves look less cluttered and much more sophisticated.
Love these little books!  Isn't the color ravishing?
This bookshelf is NEXT on my list....but I'm purchasing some things to go on these shelves.
I'll post a picture when I'm done.
The below are some accessories that she has already that I'm going to use along with the new things I purchase.  I'll just add to this collection with some "new" treasures to make the items work together. 
Should be fun!
These books have been in their family for years, can't you tell?   They even had slivers of hair from babies first haircuts....way cool.
Like this guy!  He looks tough.
What do your bookshelves look like?  Do they need a makeover?
Ruthie

"All mixed up" - My favorite decorating style

House Beautiful Magazine, April 2004 (Center fold)
Kelly Harmon - Designer
You have heard me say that my favorite rooms are ones that have mixed styles.
  The above cottage is a classic example of how you can mix textures, styles and items that have been collected, refurbished, recycled and replenished into a stunning room that has character and a feeling of items "collected over time."
The room above includes Mexican shutters and doors, American homespun and French linens, Japanese hardwood dishes, an Amish armoire (love it), a Swedish table and chairs, and an American Gothic church window from Texas.  The chandelier over the dining table is made of deer antlers and lit with beeswax candles.  Could you mix it up anymore?  Doesn't it have a very inviting, casual feel?
The cottage's oak floors were stripped, hand rubbed with paint, and polished with a white wax. 
Notice how there are no draperies or rugs.  Simple and nothing to interrupt your eye from the beauty of the floors.  The wire basket is a great accessory and adds so much personality.  I would love a window like this that has roses peering in as if they were in the house - perfect!
This kitchen is perfect for a cottage.  Notice how the island is the focal point because it is different from the rest of the kitchen cabinets.  The rustic stool and "driftwood" sign are perfect additions to this light and airy kitchen.  The height of the wire fruit stand creates interest and a slight pop of soothing color.  The chicken wire on the cabinet doors allow for the homeowner to display her favorite dishes and glassware.
Perfect little hooks for her coat or miscellaneous items she needs quick access to.
What works beautifully in this room is the way your eye sees the rustic wood sign above the cabinet and your eye then moves down to the shutters on each side of the window and they then land on the island making it a very balanced kitchen.
These are all things that designers know to do to make it feel perfectly fabulous!
One of the reasons why these rooms work so well in this cottage is that they share a noticeable lack of bright color.  Instead their hues are unified and share varying shades ranging from the lightest of beige to faded robin's egg blue. 
I'd love to own this cottage by the sea!
Ruthie

Cote de Texas Giveaway

I'm so excited, Joni Webb with Cote de Texas emailed me yesterday to tell me that I won a beautiful basket on her blog giveaway.  Go to Joni's blog here to read about these amazing baskets that she posted about.
I won second place in the drawing and got to choose between all the above baskets...choices, choices, choices!!!
Cote de Texas is one of my favorite blogs and I'm not just saying that because I won.  Joni always has such informative information and beautiful pictures! 
I chose the Large Marseille basket.
Thank you so much Joni and French Basketeer  for this wonderful gift!  I can't wait to receive it!  I'll put it to great use.
Ruthie