A few years ago we added a pergola to one of our decked areas. The idea was to visually anchor the deck as previously I had always felt like I was sitting on a stage due to the expanse of lawn. At the same time we added gardens to the left and right of the stairs and planted matching flowering Cherry trees in both to help provide some shade in the summer without losing light in the winter. The pergola is
Garden
Fossick
FOSSICK verb rummage; search. I often forget about things I have bought or collected and put away. My attic is a treasure trove of hidden bits and bobs. And so when I get the urge to create something all I have to do is have a little fossick. This ‘back to nature’ themed vignette calls on a load of textural elements, simple succulents in various pots; twisty antlers and driftwood; a wee wooden bowl of shells and a little
Sunday Style
Never underestimate the power of a bit of bling! Not too much but a wee bit of brass or copper can add just the right amount of glam to a vignette. These gorgeous wee votives can easily be adapted to hold a miniature posy, or just a bit of greenery – I managed to conjure up these end-of-season roses and sprigs of green from my garden to pretty up the dining and coffee tables. Available in Brass or Copper
Friday Flowers
Forgot to pick up those flowers for the weekend? Keep calm and Snip. Yup, a cutting will do the trick. Simply visit the garden cut a few sprigs and voila. You can cluster some bottles or jars or simply fill a vase. and they last a whole lot longer than the flowers would have! These gorgeous images are via Pinterest and My Little House
Feelin’ hot hot hot
FEELIN’ HOT HOT HOT We are having an unbelievable summer here in NZ; temperatures are souring and while loving the continuous clear days I am beginning to wish it would cool down a little – NO! I hear you say? Well I suppose you are right we need to take it while we can; our weather is so unpredictable we could be wishing our way to an early winter! So how to cool down? Keep hydrated, drink WATER, H20, AQUA! Whatever you call Summer Lovin’
We all have a favourite thing that happens seasonally in our gardens and the best thing about Summer at My Little House is the plum tree! Seriously the best plums EVER! Trouble is there is way too many all at once, so what to do… SO, I’ve made Plum Cake, Stewed Plums, Preserved Plums, Plum Jam, (do you know how much sugar goes into jam?!), and of course delivered a few bags around the neighbourhood! Still, nothing beats that
Window Seat Love
Perhaps its the sunshine we have been having of late, or maybe its my perpetual need to change things in my little house, whatever the reason, right now I am loving window seats! A place to sit awhile and read or just think could be just the ticket. Truth is I am trying to relax a little more; something we all need to do… even just a few minutes a day in a comfy spot with some deep breathing is
Welcome Home
Ive been reminded of a promise I made a while back to write a blog on entrances… so here you are! To create that Welcome Home feeling you need to remember your entrance isn’t just about the front door, its about the view to your front door. As much as we may wish we don’t all have story book houses with little gates and garden paths leading to a covered porch and quaint front door but we can
The next big thing…
Someone recently asked me what the next big thing in interiors is and I have to say I believe the house-plant is making an extraordinary comeback. Thinking back to my childhood I can remember my mother’s vast array of indoor plants, dotted throughout the house in baskets, on planter stands, and especially hanging in our home-made macramé! The ooohhs and aaahhhs of delight from the visitors exclaiming on my mother’s green fingers, her maiden hair fern brought about
Take it outside
TAKE IT OUTSIDE Summer is here! This is what I keep reminding myself when the sun shines its rays of wonderful through the clouds. The gardens are starting to smile with their colours breaking through the green of the last few months. The truth is we don’t need to spend thousands on our outdoor spaces. The positioning of some objects will change the look outside just as it does in. Think of it as a whole new room you