grey: a cool neutral

The previous post featured my grey dining room.

I took so many pictures, I thought I would share a few close-up images of the details. You will see that my collections of vintage things are pretty eclectic. Yet everything does speak to my soul and bring me joy...

I think at first glance you will notice that the variety of things I collect seem to have no rhyme nor reason.... 

...as in the frog sprinkler, antique stoneware and sea shells in the first picture to the flower frog, transferware and delicate feather in the above image.

I find beauty in everyday items like watch parts, old hymnals and antique dishware...

...and keys and aged pewter.

Antique English transferware was made in a variety of patterns, colors and types of dishware.

Even the table runner echos the colors of the walls in the room.

It may seem odd to display the small butter pats upside down, but I simply love the back-stamps of the English Ironstone manufacturer.

I mix in a variety of metals from galvanized metal to silver to pewter.

This simple vignette is comprised of an antique plaster wall sconce, a McCoy vase, sea fan and a vintage hand shovel relief. 

  And I have to include fresh greenery and plants. This gorgeous tropical leaf is in a macrame vase hanger made by my talented mom.

Although the collections do not have a single constant theme, they are all things that speak to my soul: antique transferware and ironstone, vintage gardening collectibles and nautical treasures.

But how does it all work together?

Color.

If you maintain a color palette, mixing and matching collectibles create a cohesive stylized design.

So display the things that speak to your soul. Surround yourself with the things that bring you joy!

gorgeous grey

 Have you noticed the skyrocketing appeal of the color grey in interior design over the past couple of years?

I've been obsessed with shades of grey forever. Since my world is a wash of neutral tones, grey is a lovely companion "color".

A perfect example is my dining room.

I love the mix of natural wood, painted furniture, creamy neutrals and shades of grey.

I also mix together all of the things that speak to my heart like my love of beachy nautical treasures...

and a nod to my love for all things gardening.

A neutral grey palette looks wonderful with metallic silver like this collection of vintage watering cans.

I refinished this cabinet by painting the base in a soft off white distressed finish, I used an old world grey stain on the top and the hardware has an aged nickle patina.

The walls are two shades of grey separated by a white chair rail.

Old pewter, Ironstone and transferware are beautiful together.

Although this is a "formal" dining room, I do love to add timeworn pieces like this old cupboard and chicken coop that give the room a classic farmhouse feel.

Hiding inside this piece is a collection of stoneware, crystal and pewter.

I think the juxtaposition of formal with informal furnishings and accessories creates a lovely stylistic balance.

I hope that if you can take anything away from my design posts is that there really are no rules when it comes to designing your home. Take chances with mixing styles and pieces that speak to you. Take risks with paint. You can very easily repaint a room for a impactful and inexpensive change. Creating a room by starting with a neutral base, allows for the ability to make decorative changes with wonderful and interesting accessories.

Happy decorating!

see how they grow...

 I'm happy to share that the kokedamas are as happy as can be! If you are not caught up, the previous post is a tutorial on how to create an orchid kokedama. Kokedama is the Japanese word which means moss ball gardening. If you would like to see how to make one, simply scroll to the end of this post and click on the "previous" button

or click

HERE...

This is how they looked just a few months later.

I hung them under the grape arbor so they would be protected from summer storms and high winds. They thrive in humid environments and they prefer dappled light. I "water" mine by misting them with my garden hose.

It did not take long before my sweet little orchid balls were as happy as can be. They will shoot roots out of the moss which is a good sign that they are growing.

Remember that orchids are epiphytes, which are plants that grow on other plants but they are not parasitic. These air plants consist of orchids, bromeliads and various ferns.

When they are ready to begin the blooming process, you will notice a small sprout called a flower spike. It will usually appear at or near the center of the leaves. See the tiny spike in the above picture.

It's very exciting to see that first spike!

Especially if you're like me and you purchase an orchid on sale after it has past the blooming stage. Sometimes I don't even know the variety or color of the orchid I purchased. Flower clearance racks are wonderful! You can rescue a distressed plant that will otherwise wind up in the trash. Plus blooming orchids are between $20-$50. Yet they can be really inexpensive on a distressed plant sale.

My best bargain orchid was $3.00!

Be patient when waiting to see the first bloom.

From the initial spike's appearance until full bloom can take up to a few months.

I really hope you might be inspired to make an orchid or bromeliad kokedama. It is really easy and it's an unusual addition to any garden or home. Don't worry if you don't live in South Florida! There are ways to winter them over indoors and place them in your trees in the summer. Or if you live in an apartment or condo, grow them indoor all year. I would suggest looking to the internet for growing suggestions based on where you live.

If you should pass a sad looking orchid on clearance because it has finished blooming, why not take a chance. I'm clearly not an expert. If you are a master gardener with additional tips, please feel free to leave them in the comments or message me.

If you have blooming kokedamas, please share your photos!

Sharing is caring...

kokedama

 As it is no surprise, I adore all things gardening. And living in Florida, I have learned so much about southern gardening. I have also learned to love orchids!

Part of this love affair has included my introduction to kokedama. Which is a Japanese style of gardening. It means "moss ball gardening".

I would like to share with you how I make my kokedamas...

What you will need...

orchid

sheet moss

orchid potting mix

fishing line

scissors

My tip is to purchase orchids that have already bloomed and been placed on clearance. I buy mine at Lowes, Home Depot and Walmart. They are a fraction of the cost!

Gently remove the orchid from the container making sure not to damage the delicate roots.

Lay a sheet of moss with the moss side down. Then place a thin layer of orchid mix in the center of the sheet.

Now place the root ball of the orchid on the soil. Position it like the above photo.

I carefully wrap the moss around the root ball, adding soil mix as I go. Once the ball is completely covered with soil and moss, I use the fishing line to secure the moss.

The last step is to leave enough excess fishing line to create a hanger with a loop at the end.

It is a fairly simple way to display and grow orchids. I will hang them under the grape arbor so they are protected from winds and summer storms and they only get dappled sunlight which makes them really thrive.

Stay tuned and I will share these little beauties blooming in my garden.

fine art...?

 What do you picture when you hear...

a collection?

Is it fine works of art, a line of clothing or perhaps a library of rare books or old records.

Well, after spending so much time in my garden, it seems that one of my favorite collections is a random scatting of old garden items sprinkled around my home, porch and throughout the garden.

These old treasures speak to me and I love finding well worn garden tools at thrift shops and flea markets.

Some of my favorite things to find are...

weathered sundials and spritzers

broken rusty rakes

galvanized watering cans

terracotta pots in every shape and size

hose nozzles and sprinklers

metal wash stands

and precious garden statues

There are so many things that bring a smile to my face and many of those things have to do with gardening. I will decorate indoor as well as outdoor spaces with vintage garden collectibles.

Is it fine art...?

No not exactly. But, to me, old worn garden implements are every bit as lovely as a Monet.

Do you scour flea markets for a cherished treasure to add to your collection? I'm curious...

searching...

 Start every day with a grateful heart.

It's wonderful advice to begin each day with a grateful heart. I try to start each day by speaking with God. It's never a well thought out prayer, it is more like an honest conversation. If I begin by thanking our heavenly Father for the blessings in my heart, it does lift my spirits.

However, not long after my morning prayers I still find myself in search of inspiration. I'm not depressed but I don't feel as inspired as I have at other points in my life.

One source of inspiration comes from old books and magazines...

...but the pages don't seem to hold the key right now.

So more often than not, I put on some grubby clothes and my apron and head out to the garden. There are no lack of projects that I can get into on this property. Lately I've been cleaning the grape arbor area at the end of the flower gardens. The home was built about 100 years ago and by the look of the "trunk" of the old grapevine, I would bet this is a part of the original grounds. 

With rake and trowel in hand I'm ready to dig in.

As I lose track of time in the garden, I find my mind drifts away from of the problems of the world.

Before I know it I'm dreaming of fairies...

...and settling for butterflies.

As the sun begins to set, my spirits are soaring and I feel the kind of ache that comes with a day's hard work.

The world can be an ugly place right now when we focus on the negativity around us. Blocking out the news and focusing on the blessings around me brings peace to my worried mind.

My garden heals my mind and time with the Lord heals my heart and soul. Do you have something in your day-to-day life that lifts your spirits? Is it reading, crafting, baking, friends?

Although we are all different, one thing that hopefully ties us together is our need for a peaceful mind.

Here's to finding inner peace...

and in my case,

a little dirt under my nails.