Effortless Floral Bouquet....

It's the start of April and Spring is on the verge of being in full bloom across the South.  One of the things I look most forward to this time of year is when the bushes and trees begin to blossom and I am able to create fresh floral arrangements from my very own yard.

I have included a few images of what's in bloom in my yard, and if you live in Alabama or one of the surrounding states, you are probably seeing the very same blossoms.

Camellia Bush

Loropetalum Chinense Shrub

Encore Azalea 

Dogwood

Other shrubs and trees you may see in bloom is Forsythia full of yellow blooms, Tulip Magnolias, Star Magnolias, and of course the Redbud.

Once you have the blooms you want to use to brighten your home, you must have a vessel for which to display them.....this is an item I left off of my bridal registry that I certainly regret.

Since I don't have a wide variety of vases I have had to become quite creative in how to display fresh cut flowers.

Variety of Floral Vessels

For my current arrangements, I have chosen to use my great-grandmothers hand painted, emerald green tea pot and a recently acquired candy dish.....one item that is a necessity to create an effortless floral arrangement is a frog {shown at the bottom}.

For my effortless floral bouquets I used a variety of blooms cut at different lengths to create a layered effect for my arrangement.

Effortless Floral Bouquets

Teapot Arrangement

Effortless Arrangement with Frog

Easter Table

Enjoy your the rest of your Sunday, and create an effortless arrangement to brighten your home this week!

Taking the High Road to High Point :: Part II

If you're just dropping in on Day 2 of our travel guide to High Point, no problem we are just starting our trip and you can still look back on Day 1 of our trip to catch right up!

Day 2 :: Old Salem  

On my first trip to High Point, I was traveling with my mother and she kept talking of this little historic town she wanted to take me where she still remembered eating warm sugar cookies from the bakery as a little girl.  

Just to go ahead and answer what you all are thinking, no, Old Salem does not have a history of witches and witch trials....that is Salem, Massachusetts.   But, Old Salem remains to be a town of rich history founded in 1766 by the Moravians. 

Home Moravian Church | 509 Church Street South

The Home Moravian Church was constructed in 1800 and is open to the public.  The copper topped belfry against the earthy red brick is a stunning feature of this historic place of worship.

Home Moravian Church

A. Butner

 Seeing all of the shop signs reminds me of being in Colonial Williamsburg - one of my favorite places I remember visiting as a little girl.

Miksch Garden & House | 532 South Main Street

 This house, constructed in 1771 and originally built of logs, was the first house in Salem to be occupied by a single family.

Salem Tavern Museum | 812 South Main Street

The Tavern was constructed in 1784 and served as the location for town meetings as well as an inn which housed visitors such as President George Washington.

The Tavern | 736 South Main Street

Hands down, the Tavern has the most phenomenal food in the area.  The Tavern was built in 1816 as an annex to the 1784 Tavern and is a family operated restaurant featuring dishes inspired by Moravian families living in Salem in the 19th century.

The Tavern Dining Area

During the day, guests dine by natural light pouring in through the windows and by candlelight at night.  The waitstaff are dressed in traditional Moravian attire as the icing on the cake for dining Moravian style.

The Tavern Fireplace in Dining Area

I love the simplicity of the interiors of the dining area and restaurant.

The Tavern Reuben + Sweet Potato Fries

While anything you select from The Tavern's menu is sure to please your tastebuds, my all time favorite which is also the dish they are known for is the Moravian Chicken Pie.  This is not your typical "pot pie" as it consists of a melt-in-your-mouth buttery, flaky crust topped with shredded chicken and smothered in Chicken Gravy.  A side of red skinned mashed potatoes with fresh green beans will have you cleaning your plate - literally.

View Full Menu Here

The Tavern for Dinner

The Tavern is open for lunch and dinner and offers a wide selection of wine, craft beer + mixed drinks to compliment your meal.

Home Moravian Church

 If you are seated on the second floor of the Tavern, this would be your view - what a gorgeous Spring day!

Architectural Detail

One of my favorite architectural details of historic homes is leaded glass.  I really must keep this architectural detail of a decoratively painted transom in mind - possibly for a garden house or guest house?

Old Salem

Private Residence | Old Salem

The private residences are just as lovely as the historic buildings themselves.  Each garden was lush yet carefully maintained and the homes themselves exude colonial times.

Old Salem

African Moravian Log Church | 913 South Church Street

The African Moravian Log Church was constructed in 1823 and served as an important part of the African American community.

Old Salem 

Well | Old Salem

 My travel partner & mother pumping some fresh water from the communal well located in the center of Old Salem.

Streets of Old Salem

Shops in Old Salem

Winkler Bakery | 521 South Main Street

Winkler Bakery was one of our final stops in Old Salem & the purpose for our visit....remember those warm sugar cookies my mother remembered eating as a child while visiting Old Salem?  Well, here we are, and yes they still bake the heavenly sweet breads and cookies right here.

The bakery was constructed in 1800 and the dome shaped oven is still heated with wood as it was 200 years ago.

Private Residence | Old Salem

 Another gorgeous architectural detail gracing the entrance to this historic home.

Private Residence | Old Salem

God's Acre Cemetery 

As we were leaving historic Old Salem, we came across this beautiful cemetery, God's Acre.  To read more on the history and significance of this cemetery go here.

If you don't have time to visit the Biltmore, the first stop recommended in our Travel Guide to High Point, you really should take the time to visit the quaint town of Old Salem - it only takes a few hours to get the full tour and who can turn down those decadent Moravian sugar cookies?!

Next on our guide - HIGH POINT!

Spring Came Early...

The Terrace Collection | Cotton + Quill

Before I show you more of the work in progress "Returning an American Bungalow to It's Southern Roots," I thought I would share what just hit the door from Cotton + Quill's newest textile collection, The Terrace Collection…..and I am so excited I can hardly stand it!!

With Spring JUST 1 DAY AWAY….what better way to celebrate than to change out those muted colors & heavy fabrics from those dreary and cold Winter days to bold and playful patterns saturated with color to welcome warm days ahead.

Quill Notes Tip :: Adding a few new pillows or re-covering the seat of worn chairs is an excellent way to freshen up your home without breaking the bank!  AND, it's not permanent - so if you're not willing to risk painting the walls in Radiant Orchid {Pantone's Color of the Year} but still want a pop of the hottest color of 2014, then just add a few pillows to your couch or upholster a chair seat and you've got yourself a new look without the risk!

 Don't miss out on this great offer from Cotton + Quill!  Preview the collection here.

Shu Te's Chintz in Mint | Linen-Cotton

 Shu Te's Chintz was created from a true Chinese painting I created while studying abroad in Taiwan.  I paired mint + a breezy blue to update the traditional Chintz - let's just say it's not your Grandmother's or your Great-Grandmother's Chintz!

This pattern would be absolutely STUNNING as drapery panels in a breakfast room or bedroom with a crisp white chenille covered bed.

From L to R :: Shishi in Midnight | Cuckoo in Orchid | Dynasty in Orchid | Shishi in Orchid

Yes, these are what you think they are - FOO DOGS & I am absolutely in love!  Here we have paired a modernized take on the traditional foo dogs with Cuckoo, our Chinoiserie inspired design, and Dynasty - a pattern re-introduced from the Formosa Collection in two new color ways.

Here's your chance to introduce that Radiant Orchid into your abode for Spring & Summer!  

From L to R :: Shishi in Breeze | Dynasty in Melon | Palmetto in Breeze | Shishi in Melon

If Radiant Orchid isn't up your alley, then maybe try incorporating some of these color ways in your home - Breeze + Melon.  How fun would Shishi in Breeze be in a little boys room?

Try mixing these together as bedding, drapes or just a pile of fun pillows!

Shu Te's Chintz in Mint | Melon Velvet Pillow

 Cotton + Quill's Shu Te's Chintz certainly lends on the traditional side, but using a luxurious velvet in a bold color like Melon turns this traditional pillow into a show stopper!  It will certainly be the topic of conversation at your next Bridge event - or summer soiree

Available to purchase here

Shishi in Melon | Melon Velvet | Turquoise Linen Welting Lumbar

 Still not sure if Shishi, or better known as the Foo Dogs, is for you?  How could you resist this lovely lumbar backed in that luxurious melon velvet with a hint of turquoise linen welting?  

Melon velvet too bold for you?  Cotton + Quill also offers a gorgeous turquoise velvet if you need a look a little more calming.

Available to purchase here

Cuckoo in Midnight | Orchid Velvet Pillow

 Orchid + Navy = Perfection!  Now, pair this with a couple of pillows in Dynasty in Orchid.  An even safer way to try out Radiant Orchid in your home!

Available to purchase here

The Workroom

So I saved the best for last….many of you don't know that Cotton + Quill's studio/workroom is right in the heart of an industrial warehouse in Fairfield, Alabama - yes, you heard me right an Industrial Warehouse which I have worked hard for and am grateful to have a space to express my creativity and grow Cotton + Quill.

Not the most glamorous of spaces, but I have certainly always liked the saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!"  

I am constantly working to add color and warmth to my workroom and create inspiration for not only myself but everyone who works and visits this space.  I recently added an indoor fern {we will see how long it lives} and papered the back of the worn out shelving unit in one of Cotton + Quill's couture papers, Coco in Emerald.  Still lots to do, but it's a start!

{L to R} Work Table with Cotton + Quill Cocktail Napkins + Sachet Sample turned Pin Cushion in Coco in La Salle | Bookcase with Papered Back in Cotton + Quill's Couture Paper Coco in Emerald

 A little detail of the dated shelving turned fabulous with just a little brightly patterned paper + chicken wire baskets. 

Get the Look:

Cotton + Quill Cocktail Napkins here

Cotton + Quill Couture Paper here

Chicken Wire Baskets here

Here's to SPRING!!!!