My Snowy Valentine

I dashed out early Wednesday morning ahead of the snowstorm and crowds, to get ready for cupid's holiday. It felt like a sweet little victory to get everything checked off my list and spend the afternoon cooking and listening to French music.

A romantic card on a pretty cotton tablecloth.



Yesterday morning I came downstairs opened the front door and this was the scene.  Over 12" and still snowing. Those little mounds just beyond the Korean Lilac are boxwoods. By the time round two rolled through, there wasn't a bit of green to be seen. Yesterday afternoon was spent shoveling-round three comes tonight or tomorrow!



I couldn't decide on one color, so I chose three! Who says you need roses to set a romantic tone?



A little something for the foyer table too.

Who doesn't LOVE an embroidered linen hand towel? 

Wondering how long the shoveling was going to take yesterday...



so we could play!

Wooden letters and glass hearts to send hugs & kisses and wish you a


 Happy Valentines Day!

All photos courtesy of A&A

Happy Memorial Day!

It's been more like autumn these past few days in Virginia, this morning was chilly and foggy. But when the sun broke, I grabbed my clippers...

White peonies, one of the very best things about the month of May!

Couldn't think of a better way to enjoy my coffee. Seems so peaceful right?

Ah, what you don't see- significant pouting and completely unimpressed with my morning haul.

At least these will be here after I attend to others!

Enjoy Your holiday!

Please Say Hello To My New Design Assistant, D.D.

Hi everyone, this is my new design assistant D.D. First name Dammit, last name Doll. She was introduced to me yesterday by a client. My most challenging client- ever. We just wrapped a 14 month project last week.

This is D.D. and according to her resume,
she is willing to take anything me or my clients can dish out!

There were head banging days. There were days when I wanted to pull my hair out- and the client's too! I have never worked harder and longer on any project. But, I'm happy to say all has ended well and the results are really beautiful, the clients are thrilled and I am so proud of the work.


Flowers for the photo shoot.

 I'm still exhaused from the 3 day installation and photo shoot, but look forward to sharing some photos with you all soon and to getting back in the saddle with blogging.

So much photography equipment! Sorry for the blurry picture, it's from my i-phone.
 This is the back of one of the sofas with it's beautiful velvet band and nailhead detail.


On a side note, I wanted to pass along a huge thank you to everyone who commented on the Blogger SPAM issues from the previous post- I think everyone's candidness was so beneficial to all, especially me!

The View From Here

I do not consider myself a gardener, I only buy and plant what I am confident I cannot kill. Other than the boxwoods that line the bluestone walkway and the topiaries that flank the steps, the A&A landscape is totally maintenance free. But that doesn't mean I don't spend more than I should on annuals every year and go outside to cut the perennials every chance I get. It keeps me sane. The last 3 weeks my pruning sheers have been getting a serious work-out.  Sanity can never be overrated. Neither can flowers.

Purple Hydrangea in a pewter champagne bucket on top of a secretary in the living room.

I realized after I downloaded the photos that the blooms echo the intricate details of this church ceiling!

Clipped from here. My only bush of this type. These blooms grow on existing wood and the leaves and stems are very stiff as opposed to some varieties that grow on new wood.



French Hydrangea. This says summer to me.
 These bushes also yield the most blooms, so be warned, I  go a little nuts with my cutting and arranging!

French hydrangea, in an antique French flower basket on an antique French chest.
 Who cares if the scale is off with flowers this pretty-right!?

One of my favorite containers from a trip to Charleston, SC. several years ago.
The basket above is also from there and was purchased from an antiques shop called Alexandra AD for all you francophiles who want to see (or buy) some absolutely beautiful pieces.

Can you have too many hydrangea in one room?

Probably, but they sure do make the blue ceiling stand out! The blue tapers were a gift from a friend.

And...blue is so calming.

We live on the deck in the summer. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's nothing special and could certainly use a major overhaul (tear down), but it's comfortable and a great spot to relax. All the trees keep the temperature about 10 degrees cooler than the front of the house and because it's 8 feet off the ground, there is usually a breeze. This year I purchased 2 new rugs. The last time I showed you the dining side was here. The French doors swing out right off the kitchen for plenty of al fresco dining. I love how the rugs really give the feeling of a room. Not to mention, they are soft underfoot when you have an old deck!  The little herb pots next to the hydrangea bouquet are from my kitchen window-getting a little fresh air.

Impatiens, vinca vine and now I can't remember the name of the plants with the purple leaves? I love these wooden planter boxes. They're 18 years old and have seen countless varieties of annuals over the years.

I bought yellow Hibiscus to flank the front steps. A first ever for me. I usually choose pink!

Lemon yellow, so fresh!

 But I still love pink flowers.

Double impatiens. They look like miniature roses without all the work!

 So how's the view from your house? What did you plant, what are you cutting this year?

All photos courtesy of A&A

Irish Spring!

Fresh flowers in the foyer to welcome the holiday and Spring!



Hydrangeas, mums and a few specimens that I don't know their names!

I usually buy one type of flower in one color, by the bunch, but sometimes a little splurge by the stem is so much fun!
The florist told me these soft green mounded stems are in the mum family and they'll last 2 weeks!
 And, they remind me of a grassy knoll, so I could I resist?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Tuesday Tip

Chase away the winter blues, with a blue orchid!

Yes, blue. I assure you, it's real. I bought it yesterday...at The Home Depot. 

There were several, along with the usual white and purple orchids. Wonder how they make them blue? They are called Blue Mystique. Makes perfect sense.

It came in that little pot too. Under $30. Rather chic don't you think? Treat yourself to one!

Bring On The Blues!

It's only early June and it's already feeling like late July. We just had two 100 degree days! Whenever it gets really hot, there are certain colors I always crave and blue is one of them.

Two of the the best things about spring and summer is switching fragrances and cutting flowers for inside.

What scent are you wearing this summer ladies and gents? Please do tell!


The right scent is paramount, but I must admit I am very swayed by a pretty bottle! I wore Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue last year and it was very nice, but the bottle is quite plain, so I went back to Ralph Lauren's Blue this year. This tiny sample bottle just came in the mail yesterday. I ordered it online from Amazon and now I have a collection of each size for my vanity.


These mop heads will get so much bigger, but I couldn't wait!

 Early this morning, I headed to the side of the house to clip some hydrangea blooms before it got too hot.


I've had this vase forever, but haven't used it in years.



Flowers and fragrance....hard to imagine life without them!


 
Have a great weekend!

Tuesday Tip

Unfortunately, I don't have any Crocus popping up from the ground. However, I do enjoy seeing my neighbor's from my laundry room window. And even though my laundry room is attractive, I don't care to spend extra time in it regardless of the view! So this past Sunday when I was at TJ's, I went a little nuts. Each pot of purple Crocus was only $2.49!!!  If you don't have a Trader Joe's near you, check your local grocer or nursery.

Some for the kitchen counter....

And some for the table! To make a super easy Spring/Easter centerpiece remove the Crocus from their plastic pots and place them in a basket with a liner, then just add:

Your favorite filler...

And a few friends....

Don't forget to water!

Enjoy!

Fabulous Ferns

After an unwelcome dusting of snow and this equally unwelcome and lingering cough and cold, my thoughts turn to anticipation of warmer weather and bright greens.

This would go in my fantasy conservatory or sun room.

I can't think of an easier and better way to add green than with ferns. They are great indoors, especially when rooms need a little lift or a dull corner could use some life! I honestly can't remember a summer without Boston Ferns hanging from the porch or deck. Ferns love humid climates and plenty of shade which makes them perfect for southern gardens.



Antique print



A combination of art and plants.



Perfect paperweight.

If you want something smaller, Maidenhair Ferns are so charming and perfect for any table surface. I also love them in a bathroom for a more casual alternative to an orchid.

Maidenhair fern.

A super simple and fresh centerpiece.

Need something really low maintenance, how about a fern fabric? It will breath life into the dullest piece or give a favorite piece a fresh crisp look!



A very clever execution of twin headboards! Design by Tom Scheerer. 



Images courtesy of Country Living, House Beautiful, Google,Schumacher, John Derian