My Garden Retreat

My Garden Retreat
photo Gridley Graves for Country Living

Autumn's arrival

I know, I know,
I have been away for far too long and you were getting worried...Right?
Well, all is well here in my little world and since I haven't had a chance to get out and visit...I am hoping everything is good with ya'll too!





I have been working at the store....getting Autumn merchandise out...resetting the vignettes...front window.(yes, I entered Elizabeth's contest)
I did the front window of the boutique in a "take a load off" theme
I even built a hammock from chicken wire for the occasion!





I had to laugh the other day when the owner of the shop next door made the comment
"It was nice of us to allow Tim's products to be showcased"
Yeah, Okay...so maybe I don't often do our window displays with paint, hardware, or custom shutters and shades...
And I  have never done one with the Homemade Fudge
But, there is always something Hardware like in the displays!


I gathered up all my painting supplies, bits of old lace... antique ladders and of course a chandy!
(One must always have Chandeliers!)
And created a restful little window.
I am working on the paint drop cloth draperies to go across the rest of the store front...
And the scalloped valances...we used a 5 gallon paint bucket as our template!

We will have the entire store front completed by Christmas!
But for now...it's just this one vignette
Does it make you feel like taking a break?
That is it's intention!
Now that that everything is complete at the store...
I am onto other projects.
Like working on Summer House...(we are almost done with the construction phase!!!)



and even decorating the cottage for the season!
It cooled down for a few days this past weekend and I just couldn't wait any longer!


Autumn is my favorite time of the year...and I can't even tell you why!
I just do and look forward to it's arrival each year.

This year, I decided to go back to using color...Salmon...faded reds and Chocolate.

For the last few years I stuck to mostly a white on white theme. this year however...I went diggin'in my goodie bins and even made myself (gasp!) a few new pillow covers!

I know...will wonders never cease!

In my old bins I found things I used when my kids were young...And now that they have grown...I put them out to remember all the fun we had...

I am seeing things alot clearer than this picture turned out (sorry!)
Autumn is a time of great blessings for our family.

And looking at all the old decorations...reminds me of these special memories...




...each now cherished!


Some of my goodies I haven't used in several years...so it was alot of fun pulling them out again.

I hope you enjoyed my little cottage tour.
I loved having you!
As always...Have a Wonderful Week!

16 comments

  1. Beautiful!!!
    PS As always.:)

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  2. Love the window display... I used to do this for a living so I can appreciate the amount of work that went into it!! I love Autumn too and my family gave me the eye roll when I said, "I wonder if it's too early to start putting out my fall decor." Now I will tell them, "Hey, Donna, has hers out too!"

    p.s. I'm having a J. Crew giveaway if it's of interest to you. xo

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  3. Beyond gorgeous !
    What a feast for the eyes and soul ~

    xoxo
    Lori

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  4. Your window display is a sheer stroke of genius!
    So lovely, and it does make me want to relax in that gorgeous white linen.

    Love all your cherished fall decorations too.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  5. Oh Donna! Lovely store window! How creative that hammock is of yours!! I love the fall as well. There's just something about it you can't put into words...you just feel it and know it! I sure hope we get some fall weather soon! Lovely, cozy cottage! You have some neat halloween decorations!
    Lisa

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  6. Hi Donna,
    As always everything looks great and the chicken wire hammock...so creative.

    Smiles and Blessings,
    Sheila

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  7. Fabulous!!!!! Of course I've learned in reading your posts that you are incapable of doing anything other than Fabulous!!! I'm glad to hear that you entered Elizabeth's contest - it would have been a crime if you hadn't!

    I must tell you though that I am swooning over the garden house....OH MY! That would be so grand INSIDE a sunroom with high ceilings....or a big conservatory room....ah, one can dream, right?!? So beautiful!

    And I love your color choice for Autumn - rich and classic!

    "Her" and Romeo

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  8. Ok you've got me motivated to get this place into shape. Of course I've been saying that for days now.
    I think it must be the heat that's come back that's got me in a funk.
    Your displays in your home and at work are so creative. I need to get my thinking cap on and come up with something wild!
    ....but now I need to get home and get some sleep!
    xx
    Carole

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  9. First of all Donna, that store window display is just amazing and I love how you paid homage to the real hardware store! great touch! And the summer house, oh my it's wonderful! The family decor that you brought in is just like we all have because of our kids, so great that you are using it again!
    hugs and love,
    Debra

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  10. another brilliant idea from you! chicken wire hammock? how fabulous! the window looks yummy, the cottage is beyond words and your home looks cozy and inviting. i love autumn too, my fav season even though we don't have one here... glad you are back but you are so busy, how can we fault you for a small absence. hope texas is in your future...

    hugs,
    shelley

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  11. Hi Donna,
    I love your little cottage tour. Yes, I do feel like taking a little rest after looking at the pretty hammock. Your little Summer House is looking so good, if I was closer I would help you work on it... I mean it, a little hard work is so satisfying, well I know you know. I'm in love with that little house, think it wants to be best friends with my little shack. Fall is my favorite too, but I say that as each season comes, it's all exciting in the changing seasons. Good luck w/the contest, I know whatever you're doing, it is beyond beautiful. Happy week!
    xo~Tracie

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  12. Good morning Donna ~ waiting for my daughter to call to pick her up from practice...been feeling a bit uninspired lately but you have made my heart skip a beat...Been watching the leaves start to turn here and the way everything looks so lovely at the store and at your home I am now feeling the urge to start digging into my supplies...Wishing you the best of days! :-)
    Hugs ~ Rebecca

    ♥♥♥ Oh and I LOVE your summer house!!!! ♥♥♥

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  13. Oh Donna everything is just so beautiful!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your summer house! Your hammock is so cute too!! Love it all!!!!
    Hugs~

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  14. The window is amazing and the summer house takes my breath away!

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  15. Oh, Fall is my favorite season too :) How cute is your summer house?! How neat that you have a lil get-away to go to after slaving away at work!
    And the chick-wire hammock - so cool! :D
    Have a lovely day!!

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  16. Donna the window is amazing!!!!!!! You are such an artist in every sense of the word. A hard working artist at that. I ADORE the drop cloth curtains with the scalloped valance. GENIUS!
    The summer house is beautiful and OMG the cottage is just beautiful. You are killin' me here! I can't believe how hard you work and all that you accomplish. You are my hero you know!!!
    hugs

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~Donna Reyné