It was swoon at first sight when I saw this image on the cover of Country Home, June 2008. I had purchased the magazine for a short flight and am pretty sure I stared at this picture from Providence to Philly.
My small Cape doesn't have an enclosed or even covered outdoor living space and I'm not quite ready to take-on sewing chair covers but that doesn't mean that I wasn't inspired to pretty-up my own backyard, especially as I recently prepared for guests.
Inside out
The fabric on the pillow was once a favorite skirt turned inside-out to appear faded
Garden variety
The tall vase is actually a repurposed jelly jar light fixture cover and one of my favorite vessels for displaying cut flowers; the smaller one held a tea light candle at my wedding reception.
Hanging out
A single panel is clipped to the lattice of the literally Shabby Shed -- with clothespins and then tied-back with twine.
Digging to China
I am trying little red flowers in my plate garden this year
Chips, anyone?
When you have boys, I find it best to accept chips, dents, and scratches. Let's just say, kids help the shabbification process along.
Pack and play
Love this dreamy chair from Cabbages & Roses. I can imagine the seat getting piled up with dirt or being used for a fort. Seems make-able though, doesn't it?
xo
elyse
52 comments:
Delightfully shabby and sweet, Elyse. I love your shabby shed - our is red and is looking shabbier by the minute because it needs paint. But I think I'll let it shabbify a bit longer.
I see glasses of lemonade, a book or two and then, in the evening, fireflies!
xo
Claudia
I agree, shabby chic is a great style to have with kids in the house. ♥
such lovely photos - especially that first one! and the vintage jar with the flowers are so adorable!!
Love your shabby shed-- I'd love to have one! My neighbor has one that I am so envious of. It looks like a playhouse-- so cute!
Hugs,
Jill
Yes kids do help us along with aging our furniture.
Love the ideas.
Very shabbily cute!
Melinda
Ooooohmy, sugar, that is absolutely so sweet! I love the lattice with the curtain. I may try that because I have 2 pieces of lattice work I've stuck behind 2 doors in this house because I can't find something to do with it and nowhere IN the house to put it. Wonderful ideas, chick!
xoxo,
Connie
Delightful! I'm so glad to see you post, Elyse! ♥
Love the chipped plate border. Like you, I had a lot of chipped plates with my guys and their friends.
My husband and I are working on the border in the back yard...upended wine bottles. It looks even better than I had hoped...and will tie the bottle tree in...when it finally gets put in. (Took a LONG time to talk my sweet husband into this...at least he gets to enjoy wine along the way...)
Have a wonderful weekend...
Jane (Artfully Graced)
It looks wonderful - all of it! And I just adore your chipped plate border - what a great idea.
What a flowerful post !! hahahah!! i really like this ............so nice ans colurful.............hugs from Ria........
i don't have an outdoor living space either Eylse...we closed in our screened porch with windows...i do prefer that...but i wish sometimes i still had a porch...your little cottage touches in the yard are adorable!!! i really like the "curtain" on the lattice...very cute!!!
Elyse, your backyard looks heavenly. What a beautiful place to hang out!
xo
jeanne
Creative and welcoming! I love it all but my favorite it the lattice curtain with the clothespins:) I could kick back and relax in your backyard! Have a blessed day dear Elyse! HUGS!
I had thrown away two beautiful platters that arrived from e-bay busted up. I had super-glued them together, but they looked too bad to hang on the wall, so I threw them away. I just pulled them out of the bottom of my trash can. I am so glad trash day is tomorrow. They would have been gone forever, but now they can have a home in my yard. Thanks for the inspiration! Karmen
Your backyard is so pretty - bet your guests didn't feel like leaving!
I felt like I had died and gone to heaven when I saw that porch in the magazine, too! I miss that mag quite a bit. You've translated the ideas in really sweet ways.
Love, Katy
what a gorgeous picture!!!
your yard is looking beautiful...and I know what you mean about boys!!! you can't even get mad its just part of the shabby-ing process...lol
Your yard looks so pretty Elyse! And I do love that chair too!! Love how you hung the cutain panel and the plates are too cute!!
Blessings~
oh what a sweet and pretty post...you make me want to go and sit outside right this minute with an iced tea and a magazine of my own to look at!
gorgeous!
ciao bella
creative carmelina
Oh, I love your garden, especially the way your create a border with your china plates. I agree ... it's good to accept the chips in life. Shabby Chic is so pretty and practical.
Karen
This is gorgeous and I am SO inspired. I am really into working on my yard this year and was wondering how to pretty up my shed. THANK YOU!!
Your backyard is so pretty! I might even like being outside if I had a yard like yours:) Nice job! Twyla
I love your style and all these little roses!!
Claudine
i thought your take on the shabby
chic was just enchanting, as always!
one of my favorite blogs!
What a pretty yard you have, Elyse. It's so you. Except for the red flowers. I love seeing that little spark of red. Kind of me, I guess.
Brenda
Great outdoor stuff!! I love how light and airy it all is!! Have a great holiday weekend!!
Hugs, Lisa
Wonderful ideas for prettying up the yard, Elyse! Thank you for sharing your talent for design translation. And a special thank you for the fabric information...the first link didn't have the same fabric but after some searching I did find some elsewhere and now three yards are going to be on their way here soon. Hugs!!!!
i bought that issue too when i saw it!! still have it lol
so beautiful!
we will so awesome one day my dear lol!
XOxOXO
Keren
Sweet ideas...I love china in the garden...my girlfriend made me a sweet little teacup and saucer on a pole to stick in my garden..love love it. xoxox Happy weekend.
I love your yard and shed and plate garden. A covered porch is wonderful, but you have all that! Sweet!
Sherry
You look like you are all set for relaxing this long weekend! Enjoy.
Absolutely beautiful. Makes you want it to be a Saturday afternoon in the summer every day of the year!
xx
Elyse, I am so glad I get to see your backyard! How cute. Love the vases and the light cover is a great idea and we can find those for pennies! I find that when I have guests coming not only am I excited to see them and have fun with them but it also spurs me on to get things spruced up! A great feeling!
Kim
Hi Elyse,
What a beautiful blog you have. Thank you for the sweet comment on my blog. I appreciate it. The shed is lovely. Please stop by anytime. I will do the same. Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Janet
Janet's Creative Pillows
Prepping for Fifi? She'll love it all!
hi my dear!
your loveliness inspired me!
take a look..hope you like!
XOXO
keren
Hello, dear friend,
I am swooning right there with you over that picture from your magazine. It is truly a romantic outdoor vignette. I love what you have done to romanticize your garden space. Everything looks very warm and inviting. I, too, love to place plates in my garden areas, even cups and saucers are in the dirt here at Bunny Cottage. Enjoy your weekend, Elyse~ Vicki
Oooh.. very pretty - what a great idea! Now I want to put out a tablecloth in our backyard! :)
Elyse your outside area is just beautiful! Love all of your pretty details!
Cerri xoxo
I love your shed!
Your outdoor space is very pretty and sweet....
I have a pattern for those dollar store plastic chairs. I made the pattern up myself!
xoxo
Diane
Hi, I'm back from my extended blog break! The outdoor season has started though we had a lot of cold weather up here, we managed to barbeque last weekend, but I'm not sure whether we can do that this. I love to see your outdoor decoration, it makes it even more fun to be outside. Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
I see why you loved that magazine photo. So pretty. Your place looks just as pretty though! I have been fixing up my back porch too because we are having a bbq this weekend. I love shabby, but I went whimsical instead. Your plate garden is really cute. I may have to try that idea around our pool house.
Oh I love all your shabby chicness, especially your shabby shed! Just so pretty! Deb
Hi Elyse. I just found you blog and find it absolutely endearing. I look forward to coming back often and reading both you new and past post. I love you blog background. Everythings just precious.
Hugs...Tracy :)
Have a safe & fun Memorial Day weekend!
Gorgeous images!! I was drooling all over my computer keyboard!!
Elyse, I can see why you would swoon at that cover! I want that rug! I'm also swooning at your ouside as well!
Have a pretty night,
Kristin
Just sat down with my coffee and found your sweet blog this morning. I am having so much fun reading your posts and looking at your photo's. So very inspiring!
We don't have a porch either, but dream of having one! Thanks for sharing and the inspiration! Excited to follow along with you!
Smiles :)
Wendy
Your backyard is so sweet, I would love to sit out there with you : ) Wishing you a happy day.
Hugs,
Kathy
I love your outside decorating!!!!!
I see glasses of lemonade, a book or two and then, in the evening, fireflies!
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Interesting post. Thanks for the share.
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