0 The Sunroom Reveal and the New Grain Sack Chairs

Remember these chairs in the window of this store in Santa Fe?

Well, Mr. A bought them for me!

They were finally delivered last week. I had no idea where they would go, but Mr. A insisted that I would find a place. That's his philosophy: if you love something, you will find a place for it. Hmmmm, let's just see....

He really liked the vintage fabric upholstery and original embroidery on these chairs. So did I, but I knew that something would have to go if we bought them. I had a feeling it would be my favorite chair.

So, after the chairs spent a week in the garage while I contemplated their fate, I finally decided to try them in the sunroom.

It meant moving things around and retiring my favorite chair. This corner is where the red gingham checked chair lived. Since it had a matching ottoman, I'm trying to make it work with the new chairs.

I moved the gingham chair to the corner where my oldest and favorite chair lived. It's a tight squeeze, but as you can see, there is no room for that matching ottoman.

The new seagrass rug replaces the black floral one. Eventually, I would like to get wall to wall seagrass in this room, but water comes in under the old French doors...

From the sunroom, looking in to the dining room.

The console table sits between the chairs. Although it doesn't relate to the chairs, it is what it is, because there is no where else for this table!

This is the vintage tole chandelier that hangs in the room.

I found it at an estate sale years ago and still love it!

So now this is where my "blogspot" is! My old chair has been moved upstairs and retired to a bedroom.

Goodbye my old friend that has followed me from house to house since 1976!

I remember when I bought you in Eugene, Oregon at a thrift store for $50. I remember every fabric I upholstered you in and slipcovered you in!

R.I.P.

The sunroom may be a little crowded, however, it is my favorite room in the house.

I'm really liking the changes!

I'm joining Kim at Savvy Southern Style for "Wow Us Wednesday."

I'm also joining Sherry at No Minimalist Here for her Open House party.

On Friday, I'm linking up to Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday.

0 Plants That Thrive in a Mediterranean Climate

The garden and landscape in Asti is a little trickier than most to keep looking good, mostly because we aren't there all the time, but also because of the Mediterranean climate.

The front lawn is a perfect example. It was once an area that I couldn't get much to grow. Even my attempt at a lavender field failed.

Now with the lush lawn and fire pit, we love to sit here in the evening and watch the sun set.

With temperatures soaring in the 100's in the summer, the green grass is a nice respite.

There is also a grass area across the driveway with olive trees.

They thrive in this hot, dry climate.

When I planted the front lawn, I also planted more olive trees. Olive trees, white roses and rosemary. The tried and true plants that love the sun and also our well water.

When we bought the house, we were told that our well had significant amounts of boron, a natural occurring element that is toxic to most plants.

No problem, we'll just plant the few plants that don't care about boron!

Boron is supposed to be toxic to grapes, but our Concord table grapes are thriving!

The kitchen garden is a little trickier! Tomatoes grow, but zucchini, not so much.

Herbs also are growing. The boron doesn't seem to be toxic to them.

So far, by process of elimination, I have narrowed down a handful of plants that will grow in Asti's Mediterranean climate:

Olives, figs, Italian cypress, rosemary, lavender, roses, and a few veggies.

Tomorrow, I'll feature our garden at home, so stay tuned!

I'm joining Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.

I'm also joining Kim for her WUW party at Savvy Southern Style.

On Friday, I'm joining Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday.

Be sure to visit these blogs for lots of indoor and outdoor inspiration!

0 A Tablescape For Father's Day

This tablescape is in honor of Father's Day!

And specially dedicated to Mr. A., the best father my children could ever ask for!

Hence, the fishing theme on the plates--Mr. A's favorite thing to do!

The chargers are faux bois, perfect for highlighting the plates. Both are enamelware, and were another great find on OKL.

The tablecloth, a tartan wool throw is Ralph Lauren.

The centerpiece is a bouquet of sunflowers and olive branches from our trees in a cork vase.

Found antlers keep it masculine.

The water glass is Ralph Lauren. The wine glass may say "Provence,"

but the setting is California Wine Country!

It's magic hour, when the sun sets the hills aglow.

As the light fades...

...the new pendant casts its own glow.

It's Mr. A's favorite time in the evening because he gets to turn on all the lights!

Happy Father's Day Mr. A!

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, as well as Kim's WOW party at Savvy Southern Style.

0 A Succulent Tablescape

Last week, Tourshi Catering had another gig at the Bluxome Street Winery and I was asked, once again, to come up with an interesting tablescape.

This is a working winery, so all the tables, chairs and tablecloths were rented. The rest, I brought in, including charger plates, candles, linens and centerpiece.

I have to admit, I'm running out of ideas! How do you entertain 15 gentlemen, creating a tablescape that is attractive and masculine?

I spied my succulent planter outside and decided that would be the centerpiece. Remembering that I found the faux rock planter at Joann's Fabrics, I went there hoping to find more. Sure enough, there were plenty in all sizes at 60% off. Score!

The rental company didn't deliver enough tables or the right sized tablecloths, so I improvised with this black and white stripe yardage that was on hand. It covers all the seams and brings the three tables together.

I arranged the larger plants in the middle and smaller ones on each side. Distressed candlesticks and votives complete the table centerpiece. Masculine? I think so...

Check back tomorrow for "le menu!"

I'm joining Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday.

I'm also joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday!