She Wore Green Velvet

 There is something about green velvet that just makes me happy!

 And green velvet sofas especially make me happy!

 I can't figure out why.  Maybe it reminds me of a green meadow.

Or a freshly mowed lawn.

Whether it's celery green velvet...

Or kelly green velvet...

I am forever drawn to velvet sofas.

For years, this was my green velvet sofa in the living room, complete with bullion fringe.

Many of you have expressed your love for it, and it has been great.

But over time, I wanted an updated look.  Less grandma and more fresh and current.

Specifically, I was thinking of apple green velvet.

Today the upholsterers delivered my sofa, and she wears apple green velvet!

Yes, the fringe is gone.  Also gone is piping on the cushions and pillows, making for a cleaner, updated look.  

Instead of the three formed box cushions on the back, I opted for five down cushions.

 

Did I mention how comfortable it is?  The three bottom cushions were replaced with just two and I upgraded the cushions for more comfort.

I have to say, this green velvet sofa makes me happy!

Just like my original green velvet sofa did over 30 years ago!

I had completely forgotten about it until now.

I bought it at a garage sale in 1979 and had it reupholstered in this olive green cut velvet fabric.

That's our oldest daughter Melissa, circa 1983,  

I wonder what happened to that green velvet sofa....!

Rough Linen

 Fellow blogger and entrepreneur Tricia Rose has created the most wonderful line of linens for the home, inspired by vintage French linen and by a pillow slip from her grandmother's home in Scotland.

It took years to discover the perfect linen used for her bedding that her company, Rough Linen produces.  In my mind, it's the perfect linen.  

I'm especially in love with her tablecloths and napkins for their rustic feel.

I like how they're layered here with the White Smooth Linen underneath and the Orkney textured tablecloth over.  

A few years ago, Tricia and I created this tablescape using her linens.

It was part of a photoshoot I did with Terri Long from LaDolfina. 

I even feature it in my header! 

 I love the juxtaposition of rustic and elegant.

Rough and smooth.

 This is the tablescape that Terri and my friend Lisa created using treasures from Terri's home.

How gorgeous is this!?

You can read about the photoshoot here, "When Bloggers Create."

 I'm very excited that Tricia has been named one of 100 finalists in Martha Stewart's Made in America contest! 

Martha is searching for the rising stars in a new generation of small business owners who followed their passions, inspire others and pursue what they love.

Well, that's Tricia Rose!

 

She needs our votes!

From now, until September 24th you can cast your vote here.

In fact, you can vote every day until then.

Tricia Rose's website is Rough Linen.

Be sure to check out all her wonderful, natural products.

She also has a blog, Cabin On The Water.

Tell her I sent you with a comment, and don't forget to vote!

Shaken Not Stirred

via Pinterest

There is something glamorous and sophisticated about a little cocktail bar. 

I've been collecting a few inspiration photos from Pinterest since I've been thinking of setting one up for a while now.

via Pinterest

Whether you imbibe or not, just seeing all the crystal, silver and condiments gathered together is eye pleasing.

via Pinterest

This impromptu bar looks like it was set up for a party that will serve margaritas!

via Pinterest

The logical place to set up a bar is in the dining room.

It's nice as a host to be able to offer your guests a drink before dinner.

via Pinterest

A portable cart makes the ideal bar. 

 It can be rolled from room to room, or even outside for an alfresco summer party.

Rue magazine

You can only imagine that this is my favorite bar!
The tartan screen, the martini shakers, the bottles of scotch!
So masculine.
It is in Scot Meacham Wood's dining room and I love it!

via Pinterest

We've never had a bar before, mainly because we prefer wine, not spirits, and because with four kids, it wouldn't be wise to have all that alcohol sitting around.  We have always locked up or hid the booze that we would serve to guests.

This armoire solves that problem.  It houses quite a collection of spirits, mixers and glassware.

Just open it up for a party and otherwise lock it up and hide the key!

Speaking of collections, I started collecting vintage barware years ago, focusing on martini shakers from the 60's.

They also have been locked up forever.

I just didn't have a place to display them.

Until now.

With the kids all grown and gone, I thought it would be fun to have a bar, so I set one up in the peculiar little piece of furniture we inherited from my mother-in-law that lives under the stairway.

I've never known what to do with this piece, but now it has a purpose!

Now I can display my collection of vintage silver champagne buckets, crystal decanters, and martini shakers all in one place.

A pewter tray corrals it all.

I'm quite pleased with the look!

 I feel like I'm in an episode of Mad Men!

The next time we have a dinner party, I will be happy to ask the question:

 "Would you like a cocktail?"

Yes, please.

"Shaken, not stirred...."

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

 Wednesday evening, the San Francisco Bay Area was graced with a double rainbow.

I grabbed my camera and tried to capture the moment.

 The entire sky was all aglow with a beautiful pink cast.

At first I didn't notice that there were two rainbows.  Unfortunately my camera didn't capture them though.

 But there were plenty of both amateur and professional photographers who did!

How cool is the Golden Gate Bridge with a double rainbow!

 The fans at the ballpark got to see the whole thing!

 Here is how it looked outside the stadium. 

Amazing!

Does this mean there are four pots of gold?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, oh and Go Giants!

Photos 4, 5, 6 and 7 courtesy of SF Gate.com

Antiquing in Geyserville

Geyserville is a sleepy little town just down the road from our Asti home.

Not much has changed here in years.

There's the old hardware store with everything from western clothing to ammo, complete with old wooden floors.

We like to come here for lunch at Diavolo, a great restaurant with the best pizzas in the world.

There are also a couple of antique collectives that I've been lucky to find a few treasures in.

Like this majolica plate!

Can you believe it was only $20?

I'm not sure where it will live yet.
Perhaps on the family room mantel.


I also found this majolica vase hidden from view.
I don't think the dealer knew it was special.  It's quite large and will make a nice centerpiece filled with hydrangeas or roses.


This is the kind of "antiquing" I like to do.
I call it bottom feeding!
You just never know what treasure you might unearth amidst all the junk!

Under The Arbor And Dreaming

The arbor is at its best during the month of September, and this year is no exception with clusters of grapes just begging to be picked.

There are so many this year that I will be making grape jelly for days!

Some are still ripening...

...another week and they'll be ready.

They are probably the sweetest grapes we've ever tasted.

The family of quail can attest to that.

They're taking shelter from the heat and eating the fallen grapes too.

Under the arbor and dreaming of a glorious September and abundant grape harvest.