Welcoming fall into your home

To say we are spoiled in the northwest is an understatement. Our Indian Summers, with clear skies, crisp air, and orange and yellow blaze create the backdrop to the most gorgeous days!

Crisp fall days in the Apple State!

Yesterday was one such day, and I couldn't help but spend the day unpacking our plaid throws, blankets and autumnal items from storage. 

Just like your wardrobe, interiors can change to reflect the season. If you're thinking of bringing fall indoors, consider adding any (or all) of these tried and true autumnal elements!

no. 1     PLAID

no. 2     THROWS AND BLANKETS

no. 3     GOURDS, PINECONES, BRANCHES, WOOD

no. 4     RATTAN AND WICKER

no. 5     FOWL AND ANTLERS

no. 6     CANDLELIGHT

no. 7     BAKE

no. 1 PLAID - I grew up in a suburb of Portland, Oregon and Pendelton Woolen Mills (just across the Columbia River from us) was everywhere in our home - from coat to throw, pillow to blanket, we were covered. I have inherited some from my mom, found more at vintage stores, and even purchased some new. 

When I traveled to Scotland a number of years ago, I fell in love with the lambswool and cashmere plaids I found in Elgin. To say I am slightly addicted to plaid is an understatement. 

Johnstons of Elgin - Reversible Tweed Lambswool Throw

There are lots of ways to use plaid in your home -

Stacked like art

as upholstery fabric

as a tablecloth

in the kitchen - plaid dish towels from The Weed Patch Country Store

tossed about

fabric for throw pillows

and bedding

no. 2 THROWS AND BLANKETS - I love the idea of 'killing two birds with one stone' by utilizing plaid with throws and blankets, but sometimes you want cozy without the impact of a plaid. 

Chunky Cotton -

Chunky Throws and Blankets scream COZY!

Chunky cotton used for bedding

Oh my! I would sleep all day!

Reversible cable knit and fleece make ideal throws in our TV room.

Adding a vibrant orange throw (with a pillow that nods to the girls' Canadian background)
offers so much punch, that there's little need for anything else!

and of course - soft, creamy neutrals can often make a
bigger statement then its brighter hued brothers!

Quilts - I'm not sure there is anything that says 'American Harvest' like a vintage quilt. My sister-in-law, Sharon quilts, as did my Grandma Fanny - I treasure their works!

Gorgeous American and European Quilts

Squash Blossom Pattern - such beautiful colors to build around!

Quilts used as bedding add warmth and charm!

Fur - A fur throw adds instant warmth to any interior decor - it is one item that can read rustic AND glamorous, making it an ideal element for any interior. 

Found just about everywhere, fur throws and blankets add cozy glamour!

no. 3 GOURDS, PINECONES, BRANCHES, WOOD

Gourds - they are so 'fall obvious' that I tend to overlook them most year. I don't love bright orange so I use the muted, more neutral colored gourds and ghost pumpkins - they work better in my decor. There is no question, however, that a vibrant orange pumpkin screams Fall! So, I use orange sugar pumpkins on my porch the week leading up to Halloween - making sure to chuck them at midnight. 

I prefer to decorate with the more muted gourds.

You cannot deny the impact of the traditional bright orange pumpkin,
especially when mixed, as in nature with the more muted one!

Pinecones - last weekend, my daughter and I drove over to the Roslyn Cemetery. If you haven't explored that cemetery, I highly recommend a trip over (it is on the list of National Historic Cemeteries). I digress, we went over because that's where you can find the most gorgeous sugar cones two layers thick. We were a bit early this year, but we did come home with two baskets full, including a few critters still hiding in my car - eew!

a fun DIY craft project - fall inspired ribbon (plaid of course),
sugar cones, berries and leaves - tada! A happy greeting

Tossed in a wooden bowl with a candle - so simple!
(use faux candles or place in a glass/ceramic container and never unattended)

Three pinecones and a few fallen leaves dresses up this vintage milk pitcher -
usually used for spring blossoms!

Branches - such a versatile element - branches add height, fill in corners and bring rustic nature to a room. 

Bring fall color in with snips from your garden

Add a subtle fall feeling with branches 

Branches add the perfect touch in a guest bedroom -
fills in the corner and adds impact to a minimalist room. 

Wood - my oldest brother was a sawyer (yes, he wore plaid) and is an avid hunter (he lives in Northern Idaho and before you say anything, his hunting is like us going to the grocery store). I spend a weekend in October hunting with David and the best group of guys you can imagine. I admit, I hike - they hunt. While hiking the backwoods of Northern Idaho, I come across birch bark and old wood that makes fall decorating a piece of cake. 

Wood cut into chargers is perfect for a fall table. 

Floral arrangements I created for an annual dinner for the homeless
using birch bark my brother sent.

Any one of these wooden items, or all, make a great addition to fall decorating!

no. 4 RATTAN AND WICKER

Whether used outside or in, nothing says rustic charm quite like rattan and wicker. It is my 'go-to' item because it adds texture and interest.

Use outside, instead of a pot.

Charming with brunches and berries tucked inside.

Where else are you going to stack those throws?

Not everyone loves this look (I certainly do!), but it definitely adds rustic warmth
and can easily shift to summers at the beach!

My theory - 'you can never have too many baskets' - they work hard in my home -
in fact, my trash can happens to be a wicker basket!

No. 5 FOWL AND ANTLERS

If you want to add some authenticity to your decor, try using hunting elements. Some people are turned off by the subject, I love it. Here are some ideas -

BIRDS AND FOWL -
Prints

Audubon Turkey

Vignettes using china, ceramics and other details like feathers 

A pretty china pattern.

Love the ceramic birds mixed with the green Majolica plates.

Love this simple arrangement using feathers, bird seed and nuts - cleaver!

ANTLERS -

Not everyone is into the recent antler movement, and honestly, I'm not sure how I feel, but I did pick up some beautiful antlers while shopping in Port Townsend a few weeks ago. I am excited to use them in my Thanksgiving dinner centerpiece!

Whatever side of the fence you are on (remember, antlers are shed by the male and regrow the following year), these ideas convey the outdoorsy side of fall.  

Used with pumpkins, nuts and pinecones!

A proper fall welcome.

Spray painted and tucked on a shelf!

Love the muted color palette.

Love this simple vignette!

Neat idea to use tree branches as antlers.

and of course, using china with a hunting theme!'

I love this Woodland pattern - every animal is bordered in an acorn design. 

no. 6 CANDLELIGHT
Whether using pillars or tapers, real or faux, candlelight is like the icing of any cake - it creates a warm, cozy atmosphere like nothing else can.

Adding nuts (acorns are my favorite) to a glass container
makes decorating with candles a breeze. 

Fun to use cake stands and tiered serving pieces in the kitchen. 

Use apples, mini pumpkins, and gourds to create a glowing centerpiece!

Soft white tapers makes this vignette glow!

Wrapping burlap and plaid around a mason jar
creates the perfect outdoorsy candleholder!

no. 7 BAKE

Noting can be more welcoming than filling your home with the smells and flavors of fall. This recipe for Pumpkin Bread is truly the best. It fills the house, and its inhabitants, with love!

I hope this post has provided some inspiration - here's to welcoming friends and family into your home over a cozy and delicious meal!

Until next time,

la chasse au bonheur

Don't fence me in

Living in the city and on a fairly busy road I found myself searching for privacy a years back. In my earlier career, I spent a great deal of time traveling through Europe and I always marveled at the magnificent hedgerows and great stone walls that sheltered the charming homes, small cottages, and austere mansions.

Straight out of the 'Secret Garden', these delightful boundary markers define the property and at the same time, instill warmth and grace. Timeless, they stand proud and stir the curiosity of what treasures can be found just beyond.

My home is a simple brick Tudor, so when I started my research on how to create a privacy screen for myself I reflected back to the European style and planted a wax privet hedgerow. This has certainly tested my patience - a hedgerow is not an instant thing. The first row planted twenty years ago is finally doing well. But the remaining rows planted about ten years ago are of varying heights and health. I have had to replace one or two due to over watering or under watering (not sure which and that drives me crazy) leaving large holes in my rows....not quite the look I was going for, but I have confidence, and now, the patience.

Seattle is a funny city....for every few streets is a busy arterial; and with the success of our city comes increased traffic and activity, so I am seeing more and more fences going up. I understand the desire to put up a six foot fence, I do - it's instant and accomplishes the goal. But I wonder if they realize what they're saying to the outside world? I liken it to a hand going up in my face - saying, 'don't come near'.

So how do you create privacy; division of public sidewalk and private property, and still send a warm welcoming message? Check out some of these options!

Hedges

used with other natural materials

Arborvitae with hostas and a tall wooden gate

Wax Privet with a bright white gate

4' wall of Holly

Boxwood with a short brick wall

Laurel

If time, and patience, doesn't allow for growing a hedge, then how about using stone or iron? These materials blend beautifully with nature and have some personality to boot!

Iron with climbing rose

Stone covered in moss

If a wooden fence is really what you want, and I openly admit, wood blends nicely with a lot of the styles here in Seattle, then here are some options to think about.

Vertical slating creates light flow while the grasses soften the look and the planted boxwood adds a touch of formality - a nice play on texture.

Classic diamond pattern painted the same gorgeous trim color as the house unifies this home and adds to the style and feeling of this classic bungalow.

Beautifully designed fencing is softened with evergreens. This horizontal
slated design provides the perfect screening for a cozy terrace and still
allows the stunning background to eek through. 

Not needing a security fence, this simple bamboo fencing defines this property - much like the role an explanation mark plays in a sentence. 

So, if you are thinking about planting a hedgerow, here are some thoughts. Look for the best hedge that will reach the desired size as soon as possible. Two things that you should keep in mind - the hedges should grow to at least 4 feet (a minimum of 6 feet is ideal in my book) and must have dense and intense foliage pattern. Also, make certain to match the plant with your landscape design and your soil, weather and water conditions. Here are some to choose from.

Arborvitae

Beech (fagus)

Boxwood (buxus)

Canadian Hemlock

Holly (ilex)

Rugosa Rose (rosa rugosa rubra)

Silky Dogwood

Wax Privet

If you don't have a good gardener, you will need to learn how to trim or prune your new hedge. There are lots of how to's on the Internet. Here are two excellent sites:

http://www.gardening-howto.com/pruning-plants/pruning-hedges.htm
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/dg0628.html

There may be a few regulations you need to consider before installing a privacy fence or hedge. You will need to check:

Zoning laws (City or County offices) - height restrictions, materials restrictions, etc.
Building Codes (City or County offices) - planning, permit and design requirements.
CC&R's (Home Owners Association) - limitations, aesthetic requirements
Digging Hotline (811) - underground electrical, gas, sewer, cable, etc.

In all my posting, my goal is to provide inspiration and insight into home ownership, real estate, and to provide valuable resources.

Gardeners:
Scott Mantz Associates
206-547-3747
www.scottmantzgardens.com


Penguin Gardens (day-to-day maintenance)
Rene Ramey
206-542-6010


Millennium Landscape Construction
Brandon Vannoy
425-508-0272
www.millenniumlandscapeconstruction.com

Ornamental Iron Fencing
Ballard Ornamental Ironworks
206-782-3342, douglas@ballardiron.com
www.ballardiron.com


I don't know of a good artisan fence designer/builder-someone who will do something different than the 6' cedar fencing we commonly see. If you know of one you would like share, please post in the comment area below. 


Whatever you decide to do, enjoy the process and remember to add your personality. Here's to

la chasse au bonheur!

shopping local

On any given Sunday you will find our family shopping local artisans fare at Seattle's historic Pike Place Market. It is our go-to place for fresh seafood, produce, artisan cheese and overflowing bouquets. Along the way we stop at our favorite vendors for mini donuts, spiced tea and hot pepper jelly.

However, shopping the market gets a little tricky during the warmer months - thats when Seattle and Pike Place Market is overwhelmed with visitors. Lucky for us Seattleites, that's when the local farmers and artists gather for weekly neighborhood markets. From mid-May through mid-October (some are year-round) you will find everything you need for a farm to table, and then some, dinner in just about every Seattle neighborhood. I've put together a list of 2020 markets by neighborhood, including days, times and general addresses. Enjoy!

Here's to a flavorful summer!

la chasse au bonheur

designing a potager

A potager is a French term for an ornamental vegetable or kitchen garden. The historical design precedent is from the Gardens of the French Renaissance and Baroque Garden à la française eras.

The traditional kitchen garden, also known as a potager is a space separate from the rest of the residential garden and typically located just outside the kitchen door. They are a source of herbs, vegetables and fruits, but are often also a structured garden space with a design based on repetitive geometric patterns.

Plants are chosen as much for their functionality as for their color and form. Often flowers (edible and non-edible) and herbs are planted with the vegetables to enhance the garden's beauty. Many are trained to grow upward. The goal is to make the function of providing food aesthetically joyful!

Potagers can disguise their function of providing for a home in a wide array of forms—from the carefree style of the cottage garden to the formality of a knot garden.

the carefree style of the cottage garden

the formal knot jardin potager

If you're ready to start designing, keep these ideas in mind -

Choose a plot close to the kitchen, taking into consideration the sun and direction. Most herbs, veggies, and fruits require six to eight hours of sun a day.

Consider the overall design. Any pattern is possible—spiral, checkerboard, wagon wheel, you get the idea.

Arrange beds around a central focal point; I love the idea of a fountain in the center, but a large urn, planted container or bench would be lovely.

As the season progresses and plants grow, the outlines of your beds will evolve.

Plant species you use in your cooking, but be sure to mix in some new choices.

Potagers are essentially tapestries of colors, shapes and texture. The interspersing of herbs, flowers, and fruits with vegetables requires careful placement of perennials so that they do not interfere with the growth of seasonal crops.

Plant small fruit trees at the edge of the potager, along paths and walls, with strawberries, annual herbs, or flowers planted at their feet.

Underplant with chamomiles, thymes, sweet woodruff, and ground creepers to discourage weeds from growing and, well, yum!

Border beds with chives, alpine strawberries, nasturtiums, sweet woodruff, or mini basils, making certain to contain aggressive herbs like mint or tansy.

A good design includes vertical accents. These can be temporary (a stand of corn, tomato towers, bean tepees), or permanent (berry bushes or a small apple tree).

Add pots of edible flowers -- viola, borage, calendula, and Johnny-jump-ups.

Until next time,

la chasse au bonheur 

potager garden

Potager is a French term for a type of kitchen garden where vegetables, herbs and flowers are grown together in traditional rows or blocks.  The goal is to make the function of growing food aesthetically pleasing (oh how I love the French). Plants are chosen as much for their functionality as for their color and form.  A well-designed potager can provide food, as well as cut flowers and herbs for the home with very little maintenance.

With increased interest in organic and sustainable living, many people are turning to vegetable gardening as a supplemental to their family's food source. Food grown in the back yard consumes little, if any fuel and the grower can be sure of what exactly was used to grow it.

How the plan comes together

Location -  You will want to choose a flat, sunny spot. If you intend to grow vegetables, you'll need six to eight hours of direct sun a day. Shade problems? See if you can do a bit of tree pruning to allow more light to reach the beds.

A typical potager can be found at the rear of the house close to the back door. However, sun might dictate a different spot for your garden.  Check the side and front yards for continuous sun.

Design - Potagers can disguise their function of providing for a home in a wide array of forms - from the carefree style of a cottage garden to the formality of a knot garden.

The key to creating a true French feeling for your garden is to use formal lines and clearly delineated beds which will give the plants space and dignity.

Raised Beds - The raised beds are the work horse of this type of garden. Raised beds are essentially boxes without bottoms filled with topsoil and compost. The beds can be made from cedar or non pressure-treated fir planks (12' fir boards $15/each at homedepot.com) attached at the four corners.  For efficient drainage, the beds should be at least 8 inches deep.

Dimensions - The number of beds and their length are up to you but the longer the beds, the bigger the garden. The width of each bed however, shouldn't exceed four feet-you want to be able to reach in from either side without stepping into them. Leave paths at least two feet wide between beds for wheelbarrow access.

Line the paths with pea gravel ($5 for 50 lbs at lowes.com), brick, walking stones, grass or wood-chips. 

Perhaps what is best about a potager is that it needs minimal maintenance. And because the beds offer superb conditions, you can let your imagination run wild when it comes to choosing what to grow. Simply know your sun and shade conditions, and then plant what you love.

I ran across this lovely cookbook - Potager, Fresh Garden Cooking in the French Style. Currently available through Amazon, this is a wonderful cookbook for any gardener/cook seeking to create the freshest meals!

Until next time,

la chasse au bonheur