Fresh White Hall Tree...

The last few weeks

of wet weather,

has given me a chance to

do some painting...

when you have lemons

you gotta make lemonade...

When I first bought my house,

my formal Victorian foyer

begged for a hall tree...

I couldn't find one

that I liked

 and could afford...

so I bought a reproduction

and was always disappointed...

here is my before...

very dark,

very glossy,

all the details lost in shadows...

now,

bright white and cheery...

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

and went for heavily shabby...

and chippy...

giving the piece

the history it lacked..

the "carved"  details

pop now...

it feels summer fresh...

so I packed my straw basket

summer ready...

I am still on the fence

about the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint,

but am happy with my hall tree...

Today I am joining..

Metamorphosis Monday

Masterpiece Monday

White Wednesday

Wow us Wednesday

Feathered Nest Friday

Vintage Inspiration Friday

and

Chalk Paint Link Party

at

Shades of Amber

Thanks for stopping by...

Raindrops Keep Falling...

This morning I saw in the news

they are calling this month...

The Junuary of our discontent...

The garden is thrilled

with all the rain,

I could use a little break...

I still got out for some light weeding

and deadheading today...

dodging the downpours...

they are painfully pretty,

I think...

she seems content,

though,

  she always does....

the Columbines

have climbed to heights

like I have never seen before...

her full skirts flared...

twirling...

dancing...

 happily...

 in the rain...

for now,

the Queen of Sweden Rose

owns my heart...

I literally gasp

each morning when I visit her...

Gertrude Jekyll

in full showy bloom...

go on,

give her a sniff...

she smells sooo good!

Today I am joining...

Pink Saturday

Happy Weekend To You :-)

Breakfast with Peonies...

I am admittedly

not a morning person...

(my Mr. will agree with this wholeheartedly)

my only morning regret...

the dining room is only bathed in sunlight

first thing in the morning...

well,  my Mr.  has been on a different work schedule

this week..

we are keeping strange (for us) hours...

I knew it was my chance

 to buld a tablescape

bathed in the wonderus morning light...

for me it all starts with the flowers...

when it's Peony season,

a whole bucket full

just feels right!

both the plate and charger

are of newer make...

the plates are by Martha Stewart,

the chargers are from Marshall's...

I thought they added the chic

to my farmy enamelware bucket..

for a little farm chic...

the teawares are vintage...

the cups and creamer

are a mix of Royal Albert patterns...

the silver is also a mix...

a little glass bird

keeps watch...

My Peonies are joined by...

sprigs of Lady's Mantle

and

Pink-A-Boo flowers...

I brought out my ruffled tablecloth...

O.K.  who am I kidding?

I LOVE this thing and can't put it away!

because there are never enough ruffles..

I added a battenburg lace topper

for extra detail...

and now

 a secret to share...

I just learned this little trick...

by placing a vase of water inside

your bigger vase (or bucket :-) )

your create a make-shift frog,

which makes

for easier arranging...

Today I am joining...

Tablescape Thursday

Open House Party Thursday

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

and

Show and Tell Friday

Thanks for joining me for breakfast...

and not laughing

 at my morning hair!