Nauti, Nauti....

In a recent post, I shared the flag that I found this week at the Disney cast member outlet store.
I found something else there that day:
Nautical signal flags, all in red, white, and blue!

Measuring @ 12 by 16 inches and made of nylon,
these babies are nearly brand new (I have no idea where they were used at the resort)

and they only set me back a dollar each!

They present creative opportunities for summertime decorating.
My first idea was to turn them into a decorative banner for the backyard:

I simply threaded the grommets on each flag onto a length of seam binding ribbon,

tied & swagged it from the strands of patio lights already installed overhead,

then used miniature white clothespins to keep the flags from sliding on the line.
[ note that the flag fabric is no where near the light bulbs. ]
Fluttering in the breeze, they bring bright patriotic color to the space.

So then I thought... what ELSE can I do with these out here?
What about a tablescape?

These flags lend themselves perfectly for use as placemats (easily washable nylon)

and they also bring color to the centerpiece-

simply a blue metal water cup filled with red geraniums from the yard.

They create a Nautical theme without too much fuss, 

and make simple details shine:

Easy little touches like folding a napkin into a sailboat shape make all the difference -

and yet take just seconds.
The white plastic food basket is available at Dollar Tree stores!

Picnic or poolside place setting tip:
Place plastic / paper cup over a (full) soda can or bottle to keep the cup from blowing away.

I know most DIY / Decor Bloggers will shudder that I actually put this super-simple table in a post,
but Red Solo Cups have their place (and it's not always at a kegger). 
Sometimes you just want easy. 

Forget the foofing and fussing and planning, and just sit back and enjoy - 

then dump the disposable plastic dishes in the trash.
I'm not advocating doing this ALL the time, mind you, 

but some days just call for EASY.
It's SUMMER, for goodness sakes!
[ More on THAT subject in Monday's post......]
.

... and you know what the perfect front door 'welcome' would be for this look, right?

uh huh.
seen sixty gazillion times on Pinterest, this utterly brilliant design and photo is by
Tell It to Your Neighbor

(so, see, you don't have to throw out the cups after all. CRAFT with 'em!).

shared online:

Practically Functional | Creativity Unleashed


Cupcakes & Crinoline | Project Inspire{d}

Creative Country Mom | Home Sweet Garden Party
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Flyin' My Flag

 Yesterday I made a stop at the Disney Cast Member outlet store.
Yes, that really does exist  ;)

End-of-line, out-of-season, slightly damaged and discontinued items are sent there
from retail shops on the resort property, along with old office supplies, and
decorative items no longer being used by the resort property enhancement department.

That includes used holiday decor.
smile.

So when I walked around a corner there and saw a bucket of American flags,
I eagerly grabbed one. One.
I was wondering where it had been used when another Cast Member grabbed a dozen of them,
and said she had heard that they were from the Main Street USA lamp post embellishments.
They would have looked like this when displayed there:

I still only took one.
Because that's one thing I've been learning lately...
SIMPLIFY.

I now have this beautiful, slightly worn flag
that came from a place I dearly love and have so many memories of
and it will become a part of my summer decor, every year.
The knowledge of the history of my little flag enhances its meaning for me. 
THAT is what is important to me now... not quantity.

Besides, there are thousands of other Cast Members who shop there
and they deserve to get one, too.

 I love flags!

I was a 'flag carrier' with the marching band in high school,
and have a great appreciation for the beauty of our National symbol.
My once huge collection of vintage US flags has been reduced to
 my favorite large one (from a boat) and this one.
Two flags, two histories - and many more memories to make...

I am perfectly happy with just a little bit of summer 
and a WHOLE lot of history and pride
in my HOMEWARDfoundDecor office.
Simple really IS better.

@ Liberty: Summer Ashore Decor!

Imagine, if you will, Lady Liberty... 
stepping down from her pedestal on Ellis Island to enjoy a summer yachting excursion.

That, in a nutshell, is the premise behind the summer theme
in my friend Liz's booth in an antique mall in San Diego!

Liz hired me to assist her in gaining some serious WOW factor in her booth,
which is in the WINDOW of the gorgeous shop.
She brought the goods, and I helped her with a design plan and styling services.

... and I think I can safely say that her booth is definitely a WOW!

These are simple yet stunning ideas
for combining Nautical, French, and Patriotic decor...

a vintage mannequin is dressed in a white petticoat and draped with a vintage flag.
Liz created her Lady Liberty crown out of tin!

a beautiful alabaster statue tips her crown to the colors

in a purely last-minute serendipitous combination,
a statuary head nestles in a silver yachting trophy, topped by a jaunty French beret 

Old Glory adds color to the sparkle of mirror and crystal in the corner

 a vintage French bed was rebuilt as a bench, then filled with nautical pillows and Old Glory
a life preserver forms a perfect halo above the mannequin
and a sailing ship is ready for the water

miniature Lady Liberties join in the fun!

.
Liz's business is 'My Little French Venue'
The store is Vignettes, in Ocean Beach, San Diego, California

shared online:
 
Practically Functional | Creativity Unleashed

Perfect Pastels

Spring. Summer. Ice cream.
They kinda' go together, don't they?!

When I was styling Rita Reade's Mammabellarte booth

for the Vintage Marketplace show this past weekend,

the pale pink, white, and aqua color scheme

reminded me of strawberry and vanilla and mint chip ice cream...

it felt a bit like I was inside an ice cream parlor!

Let these pretty hues inspire YOUR summer decor

for a Home SWEET Home...

This was the main visual draw in the booth - the back wall.
Furnishings create a setting, then details bring it to life....

A darling dining table, painted with perfect pink stripes, conjures up a sweet shop,

a theme reinforced by ironstone creamers, wire urns, and vintage teacups

to create a party setting.

the white milk-glass chandelier sparkles in the midst of soft pastels.
Rita's own photos (STUNNING!) are turned into her line of greeting cards
with pure vintage style.

[ psssst..... have you ever tried PAINTING a CHANDELIER???!
yup. it can be done!

I shared a few of my painted chandy projects in a past post...

click to check it out here! ]

 It only takes a touch of color to create a theme....

bows, ribbons, patina on old pieces of furniture, even paper lanterns

easily add personality and style.

At every show, Rita dolls up her two mannequins.

They always have petticoats on, and special corsets or aprons to coordinate with her theme.
THIS time around, the girls wore sassy, sexy pink and Rita's original mesh crowns...
[ you've probably seen her famous crowns in many magazines! ]  

... even the back of the mannequin is stunningly detailed.

One final detail that just made me SMILE:

 Miss Rita created this darling 'Baby Bunting'
by clipping baby clothes and shoes to a simple length of twine.

We hung it across the back of the booth and it just charmed the heck out of everyone.
It's a simple idea that can be easily changed,

and it works perfectly for party decor AND nursery decor.
When I was painting murals in a little girl's nursery many years ago, 

the client (who became a dear friend) did this and used hers as a window valance!

See more photos of Rita's booth on her Mammabellarte blog

#MAYkeovers Round-Up

As of May, 2014, there's this #MAYkeovers hashtag 'thing' going on all over social media, 

and I thought I'd just jump into the pool with everyone else! I hope you enjoy these...

Here are the links to ALL of my  
Low/No-Cost Makeover / #MAYkeover Projects:

FREE Weekend Makeover 

part 1 . part 2 . part 3 . part 4

Thrifty Weekend Makeover

part 1 . part 2 . part 3 . part 4

Weekend Garden House Makeover

 here

shared online:


Practically Functional | Creativity Unleashed

Backyard Bistro

While it's easy to haul out the plastic lawn chairs and folding tables for summer gatherings,

it's not much harder to pull together a stylish outdoor setting

that you can enjoy every day...

 just think 'Bistro' style, and your back deck or patio

could feel just like your favorite neighborhood cafe'!

By using simple furnishings and accessories that you may already have, 

you can create a welcoming and comfortable dining nook outdoors.

It doesn't take a lot of space, either!
A vintage wood table and two metal chairs snug up to the deck railing here,

just as they would at a trendy bistro!

Dressing the table with a white tablecloth, 

and hanging another as a temporary curtain to block the sun, 

elevates the setting to more than 'picnic' style.

( BTW, the vintage stove in the background has been retrofitted as a bbq,

and the vintage fridge is now a smoker. )

A bouquet of flowers and herbs from the garden finish off this relaxing setting,

perfect for enjoying a late afternoon glass of wine alone or a morning cup of tea.

 Gathering up a few pieces from other areas can easily create 

seating & eating areas on small decks or patios:

On the left, casual beach style is achieved with whitewashed furnishings, crisp striped linens and rug, 

and galvanized metal accents.

On the right, a pretty garden setting is created with white metal lawn chairs and a park bench,

 tucked up to a more modern metal & glass round table.
Accessorize with potted plants and whimsical wire accents,

like a gargantuan birdcage holding a potted miniature rose.

More for relaxing than eating, this area came together in minutes -

 and plastic chairs never looked so classic!

Check out the FREE makeover I did on my brother's front deck here

I snapped this photo at one of my fave cottages at the beach....

which is just out of frame on the left side of the photo.

While the architecture - decking, sunroom window wall, and huge climbing vine-

definitely contribute to the charm here,

it's made up of mostly simple vintage furnishings for easy care:
an old wooden picnic table, some wicker chairs, and a wood table are whitewashed for easy upkeep.
Add a jute rug and a striped umbrella, and the setting is ready to go when you are!

( I often look at this gorgeous area as I walk by, and wonder 

'how many times do people crash their parties?'

because as you can see, it's RIGHT on the public walkway at the beach!
But I'd live there in a HEARTBEAT!)

shared online:

Creative Country Mom | Home Sweet Garden Party

Thank you, Brooke, for featuring my post this week on your blog!