For the Love of Turqouise or is it Aqua?

Whatever you want to call it, it has become my new favorite color and I'm drawn to it everywhere!  So much so, that during one of my movie marathons, I noticed the film Leave Her To Heaven, shot in Technicolor, has a heavy dose of Turquoise and Red throughout.  Take a gander.....

Well, you get the idea.  If you're snowed in this weekend, check this one out for the cinematography and Gene Tierney's amazing clothes!  Also, if you need some more turquoise, check out the blog, House of Turquoise.

I am so chinoiserie chic!

I am always captivated by the blog, Chinoiserie Chic.  It is absolute eye candy.  Well, as I have been doing some sewing lately, I pulled out my several bins of fabric that have, as you all know by now, survived many a move.  This is almost on "miracle" scale as I am pretty harsh when it comes to editing out the household junk.  I like to travel light.  Thank God I held onto this bit of the load because I think I can now dress the Ranch without having to whip out the debit card............very much.  Above, you see fabric I ordered online from a shop in France!  What?!  This was way back in the year 2 (2002) and I was free to spend and do silly things like that.  Fortunately, I never did anything with it because now I have the perfect place for it!  Pillows for the Bistro chairs of course!  I know, you would think I wouldn't need any extra padding, but after a few hours of cruising blogs, those chairs get pretty hard.

I don't know if you can tell, but the backing fabric is a lovely aqua that used to be a pillow in J.D.'s nursery.  It pulls out that bit o' aqua in the drapes and rug.

Check out this trim!  This is left over from a powder room where I upholstered the walls.  It had the most curious effect of a "sound proof room" which I think is a very good feature for a powder room to have.  Doesn't that trim remind you of the Frances Elkins Loop Chair?  Again, check in with Chinoiserie Chic if you would like to know more.........

I can't wait to get them finished...........so chic!  Maybe I should steam those drapes again........

Love Affair with a Ginger Jar

Hey, if I can get more than one blog out of this "impulse" purchase, I will feel so much better about my transgression.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever!

Is it just me or does this look like a shining endorsement from the Heavens?  Okay, I'm way too into Blue and White and apparently guilt (love you Mom), but in the words of John Prine, "I ain't hurtin' nobody, I ain't hurtin' no one."  Pure poetry.   Happy Blue Monday!  Visit our friend Smiling Sally for more blue delights on this Blue Monday.

Daffodil the Muse

"A cheerful life is what the Muses love, a soaring spirit is their prime delight." ----William Wordsworth

         

W

Wi the Dark Chamber

Tiffany Tablescape

No tablescape excitement this week at the Ranch so I thought I would revisit one of my favorite parties.  If I had known then about Tablescape Thursdays, I would have taken much better photos.  Welcome to the Breakfast at Tiffany's Brunch.....

The gift bags on the buffet mimicked Holly's croissant bag in the opening scene. I believe I've mentioned my habit of taking a theme and driving it into the ground.  Inside, a styrophone coffe cup filled with coffee beans and a copy of Among the Porcupines by Carol Matthau.  She was Capote's inspiration for Holly Golightly.  It's a great read!

That's Holly looking through the window at us having Brunch at Tiffany's.  I mainly did this as a means to disguise the construction going on across the street and it turned out pretty cool.  Those are rhinestone necklaces around the napkins - really cheap! The invites arrived in a faux Tiffany gift box.  I rolled up a slip of paper with all the particulars inside a rhinestone ring.  This was so much fun - and to my "usual suspects," thanks for the memories!

Thanks Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting Tablescape Thursday.

Cheers!

ReEnter the Ranch!

Yesterday I featured my "completed" Entryway.  Today's Chinoiserie Chic Blog was all about over sized ginger jars.  I have a true addiction to "blue and white" and used to dream about the large ginger jars on the dining room table that she spoke of.  Well, today, as I was innocently getting out and about to avoid cabin fever and doing a harm to someone, I ran into these jars at Homegoods.

They were so crazy inexpensive, I couldn't "step away from the blue and white."  Actually, I did walk away -twice.  I even left the store, all the while making deals with myself/rationalizing and then returned two hours later.  Since they were still there, I took it as a sign that they were meant for me.  Do you think I lack self-control?   Whatever.  Don't they look amazing against the Etruscan Red walls?!  I hope to capture them in the sunlight someday when it reappears and after I touch up the base board paint!

Blue on Red Monday

I love this little church in my hometown of Brentwood.  It is Owen Chapel Church of Christ and will be 150 years old this year!  It still functions as a church and is a favorite locale for weddings.   This amazingly blue faucet is at the side of the church.

Happy President's Blue Monday!    

             

Thank you Sally for hosting!  Please visit her at Smiling Sally  for more Monday Blues.

Enter the Ranch

"Come in this house!" This phrase, along with "Bless her heart....." are among my favorite Southern expressions.  The Entry at the Ranch is the only space I consider (unless I've been staring at it awhile) as complete.  Many of my favorite things are here, the longed for trumeau mirror, urn, chinoiserie buffet, and buffet lamps I've managed to hang on to over the years.  A few of my favorite things all in one place.

The tile is an eyesore but given the build date of 1969, it could be much worse.   Let's focus on more pleasant things....

I can't wait to replace the "evergreens" with a spring bouquet!

I love this trumeau......I plan on taking it with me to "Assisted Living."

And today's floral offering.........

This seemed appropriate for the black and  white landscape of February.

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday Lana Turner!  How do I get through the months of January and February?  Usually by throwing a party.  Previous parties have been Geisha Tea Party, Breakfast at Tiffany's Brunch and even a "Snapped" party.   That was back in the Halcyon Days.  The new place demands a more intimate type of gathering so I decided on a birthday party for Lana.  Her big day was February 8th and yes, I know she's dead.......rest in peace beautiful Lana.

Just a few friends, who are always good sports about my neurotic whims, will come by for cake and champagne.  Check out the reflection of the "Dining Room" light fixture in the mirror.  How sad is that? It's on the project list!

The glasses were a wedding present for my Mom and Dad from his mother (December 15, 1945).  I've seen them referred to as sherbet glasses but I have observed them in old movies, such as Lana's, being used as champagne glasses. So elegant!  

Love my Lenox "Autumn"  china!!!!

Happy Birthday Lana AND to my February birthday girls, Diana, Anne, SueRu, and Gina!

By the way, if you ever want to have a good cry watching a movie, please check out Lana in Madame X!  You may need to partake of some Absinthe to get through the cheesy script and less than phenomenal acting but I guarantee, as hokey as it is, you will cry your eyes out at the end.  I ALWAYS do!  It's worth it alone to see her dresses and jewels.  And that master bedroom........sheeesh!  Well, I must get that champagne on ice!  Check out some great table scapes with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.  Thanks Susan!

          

The Den

This is why I only painted one wall in the Den.  As a "dress rehersal," if you will.

I'm not looking forward to tackling this wall at all!  Especially with the new color I've chosen, Dark Night by Sherwin Williams which is basically a navy blue.  I'm going for it.  This is the room where we watch movies in front of the fire so dark walls will be very dramatic and appropriate.  There's a lot of Chinoiserie going on in here so Dark Night will compliment that nicely.  Right?  Right?

Have a nice day!

Am I Blue? YES!

This was my Den "before".  A little bland I thought.  That gold couch has been amongst Moss Green walls in previous abodes so of course I was not content with the vanilla of the Ranch.   However, it has been a dilemma to find a color that wouldn't clash with the "lovely" brick on the wall.  Also, I have a thing for Blue and White pots and dishes, as you may have noticed, and this color really does not show them off well at all.

So I thought I had this great idea..........blue!  Or shall we say Knoxville Gray (officially)?

I'm less than pleased with the result.  Maybe a black glaze should be added?  And yes, I meant to make the closet door go away.  And yes, I wish I had plumped up those down cushions before taking this pic.  Perhaps after I get some stuff up on the wall it will be more palatable.  What are your thoughts?

Today's featured flower (cause I know you expect it of me now) is ...................

And here's Jack after I told him I thought he was the best artist in the world.........

In Search of Ruth

I wanted to introduce you to yet another character at the Ranch that has survived seven moves so far!  Her name is Ruth and she has held many places of honor.  Usually, she resides in the entryway on a large round table to greet guests.  At one residence, she braved the elements in the great outdoors and I believe was subject to the whims of dogs.

Here she is, holding court at the Geisha Tea Party.

You'll have to look hard for her here.  She is way in the back, sunning in the much beloved and missed bay window.  Watching the snow fall through that window was quite a treat!  Perhaps you will notice Jean Claude by the fireplace.  I thought they were in a relationship, but according to her facebook status, "it's complicated."  I think that goes without saying.

And where oh where have you gone now Ruth?

No, that's not her........

Wait!  I think I see her feet...........

Yes!  Behind the golf shoes and shovel!

Poor thing was trapped under a down comforter/moving blanket!  This weekend's project will be to find Ruth a proper place at the Ranch.  A place of honor befitting her loyalty and willingness to follow me whither I goest.

Lacy Daze.............

The addition of this lace panel in the Bistro has given me the ability to transport myself to other places.  So far I have been to Vienna, New Orleans, Prague and even Barton Cottage.

It is a delightful new escape hatch.

Just as flowers always will be for me......

Thanks for stopping by.......ya'll come back now!