Labels

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Winter into Spring Decor

by Heather

At this time of the year I find it a little difficult to decorate seasonally here in the Valley of the Sun because even though the calendar says "winter" the temps might suggest "spring." My so-called "winter decor" always seems to be somewhere between the two seasons. I still have the woolie throws and furry pillows out, but verdant accents of apples, pears, and flowers have crept in.

Some of these pictures were taken right after Valentine's Day when I still had multiple vases of roses and tulips in bloom (see Valentine Table for Two post on 1/31/13).  I shared the living room pictures of "Winter Decor" back on January 24th, so let's start in the front dining room.
The little dropleaf table in the front dining room (someday this will be the baby grand piano room) gets loaded with books, mercury glass vases entwined with wire, and a large Pottery Barn jug filled with faux blossoms. 
The silver candelabra sitting on the small zebra print footstool was a gift from a colleague (thank you, Michelle). She found it for $10 at the local Goodwill store and knew that I would love it. I do! It's even been camping (or should I say "glamping") with me.

The roses lasted such a long time after Valentine's Day. Here are some against the lighted black cabinets from Ethan Allen. The three-bottle-holder was a find from Michael's.
BEFORE
The picture above was taken immediately after Valentine's Day; below is what it looks like today. 
AFTER
The apples and tulips may be faux but the lemons and grapefruits are 100% real from the trees of one of my colleagues. Thanks, Joyce!

The rosemary topiaries below were moved in from outside after Christmas. The weather has been freezing overnight and I wanted them to live as long as possible.
BEFORE
I wanted to add a little more Spring to this tabletop vignette so I moved the topiaries out (okay, the truth is that I killed them). Anyway,  I thought since I love orange so much in fashion, I should add some into the home decor. The sweet orange flowering plants are from Fry's Grocery Store.
AFTER

 The orange tray and candle are from Z Gallerie. I'm not sure yet about this -- it's so much color for a house awash in neutrals. We'll see how long this lasts...


I change the vignette atop the entertainment center seasonally although the three hurricanes seem to have found a permanent home there. Right now they're joined by a small collection of birds, some of which are contained under wire cloches.
 

The mantel for the family room fireplace is on the to-do list for hubby. It's too narrow to allow for vignettes with any depth so I'd like him to construct a wooden mantel. Maybe I can learn how to do this myself?? Hanging hurricanes on either side are changed out with Spring candles and faux green apples.

The next time it's my turn to do a post about furnishings will be several weeks before Easter -- plenty of time between now and then to get out the bunnies and other Easter paraphernalia, right? And for the weather to get back to normal here. This past weekend, the temps were in the high 70s and low 80s. Today, I drove home from work in near whiteout conditions. Yes, here in Scottsdale, Arizona, it was snowing/sleeting/hailing (graupel) with thunder, lightning, and fog! I haven't driven in weather like that since I lived in Minnesota.  Crazy times!!

Love,
Heather

30 comments:

  1. Beautiful decorating! every vignette is just gorgeous and gives me inspiration for my own designs. You have fabulous taste.

    ReplyDelete
  2. These pics are amazing..

    Now following..

    http://simplysassysstyle.blogspot.com/

    Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  3. So much though went into this all, and it was worth every second. Everything looks lovely!

    I'm visiting today from Thursday's Favorite Things.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Just checked out your blog and I will link up with you as soon as I get off this iPad and back on the laptop. What's the difference between a blog hop and a linky party?
      Heather

      Delete
  4. Absolutely beautiful vignettes!!!
    Love the roses against the black hutch
    Your newest follower - would love a follow back when you have the time!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Suzan. Tried to connect with you via your name, but it didn't lead to a blog. Do you have one? Would love to visit it! Meantime, thanks for becoming our newest follower!
      Heather

      Delete
  5. Hi, Heather! I think this if my first time visiting your blog via Cuisine Kathleen. What a fun and colorful background!!! I LOVE the decor in your home! You really have a way with working up pretty vignettes! That Ethan Allen bank of cabinets is just to die for 50 times over!!! I would LOVE to have that in my dining room! I love the red roses against the stark black. Very pretty! Your collection of mercury glass is gorgeous, too. It's funny that you admitted to killing your topiaries. I have done the same on so many occasions that I have taken to using just the faux ones now. My killing spree is over! :-) Like you, I have a pretty narrow fireplace mantel. I think it only measures 6" deep. That really limits what can be up there, and that's very disconcerting!!! I hope you're able to get a deeper one soon. I know I am stuck with mine for at least awhile. I have a very steadfast husband who actually believes that foolishness about "if it ain't broke..."!!! :-) I vote that you keep the orange stuff from Z Gallerie. That is my all-time favorite shopping haunt AND orange is the predominant color in our dining room (for now). It's such an energetic color!!! Look what it does for the background of your blog! It just draws the eye in!!! Nice to "meet" you! Have a good weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alycia,
      Thanks for leaving me such nice comments! I love your blog and especially what you did as a centerpiece on your table in this week's post. I like using manzanita branches but hadn't thought about using them on the table. I'll be right over to your blog to leave a comment!
      Heather

      Delete
  6. The roses are lovely, but I am voting for the bowl of lemons.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gee, I wonder why, Ms Lemon? I'm with you -- I think I'd rather have a bowl of fresh lemons than roses, too. Just got another bag full of lemons and grapefruits from my friend, complete with the lemon leaves that I love so much.
      Thanks for visiting.
      Heather

      Delete
  7. Beautiful vignettes, every one. Fresh flowers, bowls of lemons, candlelight..........all lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is my first time visiting your blog. I thought I'd seen them all. What have I been missing! You should be voted "queen of vignettes" because they are all beautiful. I especially like the orange with neutrals. It brings so much energy to the mix.
    I'll be back again. For now, I've got to go back and take another look.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Connie! Your comments make me happy :) Glad you're visiting us today, and do please come back.
      Heather

      Delete
  9. There is a lot to swoon over in your post!! The fresh flowers, beautiful vignettes and pretty furniture! I think my favorite is the red roses and white tulips with the urn and cherub. I like the row of tiny jars with the mix of greenery and red roses. All very pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you, Ann. Your comments are much appreciated!
    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  11. How PRETTY! I love the shutters on your windows...how gorgeous! Your home is so beautiful...the lighting is awesome!
    I added a simple wooden mantle to a very awkward space in a previous home by just attaching L brackets to either side of the existing (almost NON existant) mantle, and then laid a piece of wood on them attaching the L bracket to the wood with screws. It was simple and I did it myself. Brackets don't have to be metal or L but they could be pretty wooden ones or decorative metal...just a thought.
    Hope you have a lovely weekend!
    Blessings,
    Doni

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doni, thank you for the suggestion. I'm not very handy but this may be something I could handle. Hope your weekend is wonderful!
      Heather

      Delete
  12. Ive highlighted this post on my blog today for centerpiece wednesday wrap up! Www.thestylesisters.blogspot.com thank you for linking up. Karin

    ReplyDelete
  13. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage?
    My blog site is in the very same niche as yours and my users would certainly benefit from a lot of the information
    you provide here. Please let me know if this okay with you.
    Thanks a lot!

    Also visit my page :: diets that work

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't mind at all if you cite the source. We will have to visit your site!
      Heather

      Delete
  14. Beautiful! I love it all. I just did a post showing those same white faux Spring blossoms. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jann. Pottery Barn does have some amazing faux flowers, don't they? I'll swing by and check yours out!
      Heather

      Delete
  15. Very pretty! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow, everything look so beautiful! Sorry I am so late in visiting from last week's party. It has been a hectic week. thank you for joining the party!

    ReplyDelete