French Country: A Touch of Fall

I'm not one to rush into autumn decorating
when I'm still enjoying my summer home and garden.

However, it seems as the weather gets a little cooler and a lot rainier 

(they call it monsoon season here), I can feel fall tapping me on the shoulder.

With splashes of late-blooming flowers making an appearance in the garden, 

I was tempted to bring some seasonal blooms into the house.

This metal tote, with the original blue paint, exudes a farmhouse mood with
clear glass mason jars and a sprig of fresh carrot top straight from the garden.
I'd been using this tote under the kitchen sink to hold cleaning products 

until I saw the same tote (without the blue paint!) for $54 in an antique mall!
Now, it takes center stage on the dog food bin. 

Ah, sunflowers.
I discovered these two amazing sunflower pillows at a yard sale last weekend for $3.50 each. 

The owner said she'd paid about $40 each at Pier One. 

Ron always tells me we have enough pillows but even he said we should snag these! 

In the guest room, I gave this little hamper a punch of autumn color  

with an orange throw and some colorful poppies.

My proud little rooster has made his way to the sunroom to join the hens and show off a bit.

The old farm auction sign came from Ron's family's farm. Such a special piece of personal history.

Outdoors, things are changing with the seasons too.
When Ron went camping in southern Colorado, he was greeted by this little flock of wild turkeys.
I recently read that a group of domesticated turkeys is called a gang.
Wonder what their gang name is! The Turks perhaps?

On a recent bike ride in Waterton Canyon, south of Denver, 

we encountered another kind of wild animal
(no, not me!)

I think these big horn sheep may have come down into the canyon 

as the temps cooled off at higher elevations.

We saw one big ram in the herd of mostly ewes and lambs. 

Not wanting to upset him and his dangerous curved horns, 

we decided not to ask him to pose for a picture! Here's his little family.

Back home, a big bunch of bittersweet in a basket greets us in the foyer.

 Looking more like fall every day.

***

P.S. Like everyone else in the United States, we watched the recent eclipse.
The darkening sky was eerie and so were these crescent shapes on our sidewalk.
Just had to share these pixs.

Aren't they amazing? Like a sidewalk of clouds.

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Romantic French Farmhouse

I usually think of farmhouse decor as simple, natural, warm and cozy. 

Nothing too fussy or too precious.
On the other hand, Romantic French style speaks a different language
of sparkling chandeliers, old silver teapots and fresh flowers.

So, is it possible to blend rustic farmhouse decor with romantic style
in your French Country home?
Kind of like Joanna Gaines meets Charles Faudree?

Why yes, indeedy!! It's definitely possible.
Just follow your heart. 

Actually, the two aren't all that different.
Romantic style captures that farmhouse spirit, then adds softness and a sense of the past.

Both use a light-colored palette for a fresh, soothing feeling.

Both incorporate natural elements such as garden hats, urns or birds' nests.

And both create a romantic mood with candles, mirrors and soft lighting. 

Architectural pieces such as carved corbels, fancy ironwork or crystal doorknobs
bring the romance of the past alive.






Comfortable upholstered furniture, whether new or gently worn, is a staple 

in both French Country and Romantic Farmhouse styles.
Little white dog is optional but adds a touch of sweetness!

And chippy painted wood furniture is at home with either style.
Add a Hollywood Regency candelabra to set a romantic mood. 

Simplicity in window treatments softens windows, adds warmth, and frames a pretty view. 

Treasured accessories, whether old books, well-loved ironstone or faded paintings, 

work in a simple farmhouse as well as in a newer home in the city.

Fresh flowers are always the language of romance.

Silver adds some romantic glam to a farmhouse look.

Vintage photographs tell a romantic story and add soul to a room.
I found this old class photo at an estate sale;
 it touched my heart when I saw someone had written the names of each child on the back.
Had to save it even though I didn't know anyone.

Outdoors, this simple fence and bench says Farmhouse but . . .

add a chippy watering can and some floppy flowers and our thoughts drift to romance.

I think what it comes down to is this . . . 

farmhouse and romantic styles are more of a feeling than a specific look.

And if you feel it, follow your heart. 

Your home will wrap you in its arms and love you back.

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A Real Beaut

Looking for a getaway for a couple of days? 

Yearning for fresh mountain air, spectacular views and a touch of the Old West 

in an adorable small mountain town? 

Well, look no more. Come along with me to Crested Butte, Colorado.

I'd never been to this little jewel of a town before so we were lucky 

that our wonderful neighbor, Tonda, was happy to pet sit our dog, Roxy.

This was the first time we'd left her for two days so we were nervous parents. Tonda texted us 

photos of her lounging and eating so we were able to relax. We can't thank her enough.

Crested Butte, elevation 8,885, is about four and a half hours' drive from our home in Denver
 and lies nestled in the southwestern part of the state.
It's famous for its music festival, bike races, skiing and wildflowers.
We just missed the peak of the wildflower season but it was still breathtaking.

The mountains surrounding the town are perfect pointed peaks, almost like a child's drawing. 

Against a brilliant blue sky with big puffy clouds, it was just magnificent. 

As we drove up into the mountains, we spotted this "Marmot Crossing" sign, 

just as a marmot scurried across the road exactly where he was supposed to cross! 

He was too fast for us to snap his picture. 

Numerous hiking trails for all levels crisscross the mountains including this one for the 

"Oh Be Joyful" trail. One simply cannot be joyful in all this beauty. 

The town itself features an authentic 1880's main street lined with old store fronts, restaurants and shops. Venture off the main street to see where the locals live. Charming little cottages look like they've been transported from the 19th century when this was a booming silver mining town. 

It's a bike-friendly town and the locals are very friendly and polite.

Flowers are everywhere in hanging baskets, planters and unique containers.

Whether you enjoy visiting old mining towns or exploring rugged terrain, you'll love Crested Butte.

It's a real beaut!

***

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French Country Cottage, Blue Willow House

French Country Tweaks-- One Thing Leads to Another

It all started with an elegant old coffee table that was a bit more French than Country.

(More on that in an upcoming post. Please stay tuned.)

But for now, let me tell you how one thing leads to another.

Doesn't it always?

You see, I had this wonderful chippy green cabinet in back of my couch 

but it didn't have that chic French flavor that I thought would complement the 

1940s leather-topped coffee table that I'd just scored at an estate sale. 

So I decided to try it in the sunroom where the mood was more 

French Country Farmhouse than Chic Paris Apartment. 

After moving it here to there and back again in the sunroom,

I found the perfect spot for it against the original outside wall of the house. 

The rough texture of this wall was the ideal backdrop for the chippy cabinet.
So far, so good.

Of course, that meant I had to move the crusty farm table from the rustic wall . . .

. . . to the window wall in the corner. 

It reminded me of a romantic banquette in a quaint mountain cafe
I'd visited once so I loved it there.

But it wouldn't fit there unless I also moved the wicker chair from that corner . . . 

. . . to a space next to the green cabinet on the rustic wall. Still with me?

I wondered if I should also remove the frenchy ottoman to make the room feel less crowded. 

But I do love to put my feet up so comfort won out over aesthetics on this one
as I believe it almost always should.

The chairs at the table wouldn't fit unless I scooted them completely under the table.
And, since we don't sit at this table all of the time, we decided we could live with that.

Besides, it's easy to slide the bin over a few inches when we want to sit at the table.

Accessories are usually easy to incorporate since they don't take up a lot of room.

My metal stool with the scuffed white paint looked like it absolutely belonged in this room 

so I was determined to find a spot for it.

I placed it in the corner by the cabinet and fiddled with this and that on top but it just didn't work.

Then, I remembered my three chicken bowls that I'd had to move  

when I put a crock on the kitchen counter to hold my utensils. 

The chicken bowls were temporarily roosting in the pantry waiting for a new home.

I stacked them on top of the stool and it looked cute. 

But then I had the idea of putting an ironstone plate on each rung of the stool 

and placing a chicken bowl on each one. 

Now it looks like some kind of custom-made stand to display dishes. Love!!!

Then I moved some lighted branches to the top of the green cabinet 

where they show up much better than they did on the floor where they'd previously lived.

And don't they look magical at night?

Finally, I added a bird's nest inside a cloche to this rustic vignette.

I read that it's good luck to have a bird's nest in your house. Hmm, couldn't hurt. 

This cabinet holds tons of stuff -- candles, vases, tea towels, place mats and vintage tablecloths --
and is a real workhorse. 

Long story short. 

The French Farmhouse cabinet has found a new home in the sunroom 

and the old/new coffee table looks tres chic in the living room. 

At least, for now.

***

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Linking with:
Little Farmstead, Rustic & Refined, Dwellings, Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm,
Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life,Savvy Southern Style, A Delightsome Life
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, 21 Rosemary Lane, Katherine's Corner,
My Thrift Store Addiction, Blue Willow House, French Country Cottage, Shabby Art Boutique