How to Change Your Look with White

February is our coldest month here in Denver, 

a time when we shelter in place and snuggle close to a roaring fire.

It's also the ideal time to change the look of your rooms.

It's actually easy and very inexpensive.

Just move things around, mix and match what you already have, and bring on the white stuff. 

No, not the snow! 

Your white ironstone, white furniture, and white accessories. 

Add a few interesting pieces that warm up the white such as linen, baskets, old books or silver. 

I decided to make over my dining room. 

Here's the "Before" picture. 

See if you can spot the "After" changes in the next photo.

This photo shows the "After" dining room with a few changes.

I created a new look without buying anything new. In fact, everything is old. 

Some changes are subtle like the long white tablecloth;

others are more obvious such as the styled bookcase. 

I love the look of old books so I gathered most of mine into a bookcase

 that had previously looked like this. Before ...

And here's the "After" picture.

I think the old books add warmth and texture to a room that might look cold on its own

plus they're a striking contrast to the white ironstone. 

Here's a "Before" shot of my little French side table 

with an ironstone pot filled with pine cones. 

And here's the same table loaded with decor books, a cement urn and a candle. 

Another "Before" picture of my vintage medicine cabinet.

Medicine cabinet 2.0.

 The rich woods in the table and cabinet and a little bling

bring sparkle and warmth to a dark corner. 

So, how many changes did you find in this little makeover?

I hope you have fun adding white to your decor for a brand new look.

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A Valentine's Garden

I woke up this morning to about eight to ten inches of fresh snow in my yard. 

It was breathtaking but I'm not really a cold-weather person. 

As I looked out the window at the winter garden, my thoughts drifted to Valentine's Day

and how nice it would be if this romantic day fell in the summer instead of winter.

Well, since I can't make that happen, 

I decided to bring back my summer garden for you to enjoy. 

Yes, this is the same arch in my summer garden.

Doesn't all that green make you take a deep breath and relax?

I don't know about you but I'd rather have white flowers in my garden than white snow any day.

I suppose whoever is in charge of picking holidays, 

had to scatter them around so we could celebrate something every month. 

Card companies love that. 

Still, maybe we could switch Valentine's Day, February 14 and Flag Day, June 14. 

This private spot in my garden is perfect for a secluded summer glass of wine.
How romantic!

In the summer, the garden sings with romantic shapes and colors.

Even the leaves are heart shaped.

I'm dreaming of the day when we can have a romantic evening on the patio.

But until then, 

we'll toast to warmer days and romantic nights.

What about you? Would you prefer Valentine's Day in February or June? 

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Hunting and Gathering: Find of the Month

Hi Friends! Today, I'm starting a new feature called 

HUNTING AND GATHERING: Find of the Month 

where I'll share a specific treasure recently found.

I'm sharing something today that I've been hunting for some time -- 

a large old hand-crafted wooden bowl. 

Found at an antique mall for $17!

Age unknown, possibly fifty years old or even older.

I love the warmth of old wood and in the case of this bowl, 

I especially treasure the marks left by much-loved use. 

From the Internet I've learned that these big bowls
were used for mixing dough for bread and biscuits.

Over time, however, people stopped using them for cooking

because the wood held bacteria and was difficult to clean. 

Today, we can't sterilize them in the dishwasher so we use them for decor.

These beautiful bowls work equally well in a modern room as a chic sculpture

or in a farmhouse-styled room as a primitive touch.

Not being an expert on these things, I believe this bowl, which is quite heavy, was turned on a lathe as opposed to hand carving. Looking closely, you can see the ridges from the turning tools. 

The warmth of the wood looks so beautiful with pine cones, nuts, apples, 

or even Native American beadwork.

I can picture it filled with antlers on the coffee table in front of a roaring fire. 

I'll have to retrieve our antlers from the cabin when it's not snowed in.
That might not be until May! Ha!

Roxy doesn't seem to have any interest in old bowls

unless there's food in them!

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying trying the bowl in different places 

and am so glad I found this treasure.

Happy Hunting Everyone!

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Romantic Winter Dream

When I think of a romantic winter dream, my thoughts always drift to the film, Doctor Zhivago,
when Julie Cristie (Lara) and Omar Sheriff (Yuri) are riding in a horse-drawn sleigh
across the frozen ground of Russia, wearing bushy fur hats and bundled up in heavy blankets.

Well, we can't quite relive that experience
but we can capture that romantic feeling in our winter homes.

A book of poetry, my favorite winter painting by Camille Pissarro, and a dried rose
transport me to that romantic drama and a simple farmhouse hidden away from the world. 

Won't you come inside for a cup of hot tea by the fire?

Throughout the movie, we hear the haunting strains of "Lara's Theme."

A soft palette, layering, and various textures create a cozy feeling in our little cottage.

Looking at icy crystals clinging to long branches intertwined with red berries 

seems as if we're looking out the window of the cottage at a barren snow-swept field. 

We'll lean some paintings of flowers
on the mantel making us yearn for spring.

Old mirrors catch the firelight from glowing candles in the room 

and a vintage French wine crate makes an inviting warm centerpiece. 

A basket of white birch branches keeps the fireplace roaring 

while a glass of wine warms our body and soul.

(I recently found a set of these unusual green stemmed glasses at an estate sale
in the original package that stated "Made in France.").

Can you hear the jingling of the sleigh bells outside in the cold

as the giant Belgian horses snort puffs of warm air and stomp the freezing ground?

Come closer to the fire. 

Oh, isn't it romantic?

Interesting Facts
Did you know that because the book was banned in the Soviet Union,
Doctor Zhivago was shot mostly in Spain?

Although critics originally thought the film was too long,
it went on to win five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor.

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Western Parade Struts through Downtown Denver

Cowboy hats, pointy-toe boots and leather chaps . . . oh, my.

The National Western Stock Show and parade are in town.

It's quite a sight to see a herd of long-horned cattle 

moving down a busy main street in downtown Denver.

The parade, a kick-off event to open the annual stock show, has been taking place since the 1960s while the stock show itself started in 1906 when Denver was a real cow town.

In the shadow of high-rise buildings, 

a real western cattle drive is underway to the squeals of preschoolers . . . 

and the clip clop of magnificent horses. 

I've wanted to see this parade for years and was determined to watch it this year. 

The longhorns started the parade 

followed by a high school marching band that brought nostalgic tears to my eyes. 

Floats, stage coaches, and horses of all sizes followed.

I am always drawn to the huge draft horses

and the cowboy gear, some of it softly worn leather

while other fancy accessories glint in the sun. 

As the parade winds down and the clean-up crew whisks away any trace of the parade,

the winter sun feels warm on my face.

Weren't we lucky to have a beautiful day as up to five inches of snow are predicted for tomorrow. 

Can I get a yee-haw???

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Transition your Decor from Christmas to Winter

I can't wait to decorate for Christmas.
And then when New Year's rolls around, I can't wait to put everything away
and start with a clean slate.
If that sounds like you too, here are some simple tips to help you
transition your decor from Christmas to Winter. 

Winter decor is all about natural materials such as antlers, 

pine cones, weathered woods, warm throws, berries and lots of white.

You don't need to start from scratch to give your home that cozy winter look.

All you need do is pack up the red bows, 

take down the holiday lights, and add a few wintry items.

Bottle brush trees and pine cones shift easily from Christmas to Winter. 

Let's start outside.

On your front door, you could take down the green and red Christmas wreath 

and substitute an all-white wreath like this one made of twigs.

Switch out the colorful ornaments and red ribbons in your front porch lanterns  

and insert plain white candles.

(Tip: Use battery-powered candles with a timer 

so you don't have to venture outside on cold nights).

Arrange some of your leftover tree branches in your garden urns 

and accessorize with a candle or a metal garden obelisk.

Moving inside.

The most notable Christmas decoration for most people is the Christmas tree.

Simply remove the lights and baubles and let the natural beauty of the tree

shine through. This works especially well if you have a tiny tree like we had.

I left the white bird and crystals on and moved the simple tree to my office.

Outdoor winter activities continue for months so why not use the sled, snowshoes, 

and ice skates that were featured for Christmas into the cold months ahead? 

Keep the look simple by removing any red bows or ribbons.

In the living room.

In my home, there's no better winter activity than curling up with a good book. 

Old books have wonderful covers and bindings that look welcoming all by themselves.

I had displayed all ironstone on this shelf but decided to gather
all of my old books together for impact and ambiance.
I admit I haven't read them but I'm drawn to their beautiful covers!

Weathered woods with an aged patina add warmth and texture to the living room.

 If you don't have a wooden coffee table, add a bowl of pine cones or antlers on your table.

Next to the fireplace, fill a large wooden crate or basket with firewood or aspen or birch logs.

Fluff up the chunky white or cream-colored throws on your sofa 

and change out the holiday throw pillows for plain linen ones.

In the dining room. 

On the dining table, substitute your colorful holiday centerpiece
with a plain long white tablecloth and a simple candle.

Raid your lovely white ironstone collection and create an unusual planter.
You might use a chamber pot holding a pretty plant or some wintry pine cones.

Try a wooden box or tray on your table filled with sparkling silver tea things.

Use a mirrored tray on your dining table and top it with a candelabra 

or a simple grouping of flickering white candles.

Of course, if you have anything dressed in chippy white paint, 

I'm betting you could find someplace to use it for a wintry farmhouse look.

I like this old window frame in my foyer and am leaving the foyer Christmas
decorations untouched as I love the French Country feel it exudes.

Last but not Least.

When transitioning Christmas to Winter, I removed toys, teddy bears and Christmas cards 

BUT

I just had to leave this little squirrel on display for winter.

I fell in love with his adorable sweet face, snazzy clothes and bushy tail.

I named him Willie. Can you guess what thrift store I found him in? 

Have fun transitioning from Christmas to Winter wherever you are!

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Follow the Yellow Brick Home, French Country Cottage