GARDEN STOOLS EVERYWHERE WE LOOK

As you know, I love beautiful, functional things. How about adding versatile to the list? Garden stools are just that! They make lovely plant stands, foot stools, tables and extra-seating. The interior design world has defintely taken notice of these guys and have incorporated them into their spaces.

Are these a trend?

What I love is that although you have been seeing them everywhere, and some may call them a trend, they are definitely considered timeless pieces! Garden stools were used in Chinese gardens during the 17th century and later in Victorian conservatories. From the 1870s until 1900, factories in England, like Wedgewood and Minton, produced garden stools in earthenware. Did you know that the they were used as cigarette tables in the 1950s--hence some people referring to garden stools as cigarettes tables? How funny!

If you haven't decided if you want to commit to a garden stool, you can buy a fair priced one since they are everywhere! While I don't consider them a true trend, my advice is to always buy trends that you can easily switch out. I have seen garden stools at TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning, Marshalls, Ross, Pier One, World Market and Target (which has a suprisingly huge selection online). Of course, sometimes the more you spend the better the quality. You can expect to spend more at places like Cottage and Vine, Horchow, Wisteria and Williams-Sonoma Home. The most expensive I found were at 1st Dibs, which have the real things--antique garden stools. They are defintely fun to look at!

Here are some lovely and fun garden stools I found online: 1st Dibs, 1400.

Pier One, 99.95.

1st Dibs, 2400.

Target, 209.99.

Wisteria, 199.

Williams-Sonoma Home, 250.

1st Dibs, 1100.

Wisteria, 129.

Target, 189.99.

*Image 1: 1st Dibs, 2800.

LIBERTY OF LONDON FOR TARGET

Liberty of London has found a new home at Target. This British brand delivers bold, fresh color and style to home assessories, fashion, lawn & garden and even bicycles! The company has been a huge part of British life--being around since 1875. We now have an affordable way to incorporate these fun small prints into our lives!

Here are some of my favs in home accessories, gardening supplies and furnishings:

All pics from Target.com

CAPTIVATED BY CONTAINERS

I love beautiful, unique pieces that are functional. My parents will tell you that this love of mine began at an early age. As far back as I can remember, I have always been drawn to containers...mostly because they held what I deemed as treasures.

In light of spring around the corner, I found this wonderful beehive garden hose holder from Wisteria. It offers a whimsical alternative to your typical holder. It provides a function and adds an interesting, unexpected element to your yard. How fun!

Enjoy the weekend!

Image 1: 1st Dibs, Image 2 & 3: Wisteria

WELCOME IN STYLE

One of my favorite things is potted plants. They are chic and never go out of style!

They are especially beautiful when they flank front doors.
Front door plants are a wonderful way to make an attractive welcoming statement and express your style. It’s amazing how quickly symmetry can create balance
to an unruly and uninviting area.

Much of the look you pull off is in the pot and color you choose.

To save money I chose a pair of unfinished pots at a local nursery. After cleaning, bleaching and painting, they were ready. Using plants in contrasting colors and graduating sizes and heights can be stunning! I tend to counterbalance tall plants by integrating trailing plants around the edges of the pot.
Of course, the key is keeping your plants alive!
After a heart to heart with a salesperson at Lowes, I learned that people (as in I) tend to kill their plants by not watering enough or overwatering. He suggested purchasing

moisture control soil.

Here are some fabulous potted plants:

Veranda

Traditional Home

Southern Accents

Southern Accents

Veranda

Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Let your front door make a great first impression for you!