For The Flowers

I'm hanging onto summer by my fingernails and still clipping the roses to bring inside, even the tiny little dried up buds that never quite enjoyed their full blooming glory. What to do with the endless summer bouquet? Why, put it in a handmade vase, of course!

This a Large Upcycled Glass Vase from Twofold Designs is handmade from recycled magazine pages and features a water resistant gloss finish and glass interior....bring in the sunflowers!



This Multicolor Raku Cylinder Vase from Madstone Raku might compete with your flowers for attention, but its sleek design makes it a lovely piece long after the flowers are gone.



The Mountain Mist Sculptural Vase from Rising Sky Pottery is a truly artful design for a smallish wildflower display. Includes one mysterious portal underneath.


Some poppies for your poppies. The Sunshine Poppy Garden vase from Love Art Works has a contemporary hand painted design that's positively playful. And, I'll let you in on a little secret...it's yellow inside!


One or two flowers would look just right projecting from the small opening in this organic, nature-inspired ceramic vase from Claytastic

Ah, Summer....parting is such sweet sorrow!

Village in Late Summer by Carl Sandburg

Lips half-willing in a doorway.

Wallflower by ArtSnark.

Lips half-singing at a window.

Cat in a Window by Gary Heller Photography.

Eyes half-dreaming in the walls.

Linger by Robin Maria Pedrero.

Feet half-dancing in the kitchen.

Red by Zombie Penguen.

Even the clocks half-yawn the hours

Framed Photograph on Canvas by The Painted Lily.

And the farmers make half-answers.

Cultivating the Peas by Walt Curlee.

Good Day Sunshine

I woke this morning with the song "Good Day Sunshine" in my head and decided to see what sunny yellow items I could feature for my post today.

I love these sherbert lemon flowers from ffflowers. They are so bright and sunny. And the best part about these flowers is that they never need watering and they never wilt.

This Spring Sunshine giclee print from Karen Faulkner is so sunny. It would definitely brighten up your room! Karen Faulkner is also featured in the first Design Style Guide giveaway, which ends June 3, so hurry for a chance to win!

This Silver Copper Sunrise sun catcher from Nature's Studio would bring the warmth of the sun right into your room.

Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers. I love how this Sunshine watercolor by Sagewest captures their weight and sunny disposition.

Be sure to visit Design Style Guide

or search designstyleguide on etsy

for more beautiful, handmade, sunny home decor items.

The UnExpected - Deck

It's hot. At least in the northern hemisphere. And at my apartment, absolutely every moment possible is spent outside on our little deck. Beautiful with the sounds of birds and a huge maple that brushes down onto one corner and plenty of plants in beautiful glazed pots. But why do we so often leave the decorating to those pots. Here are some unexpected choices for making the outside, another room of your home.

whirligig pillow set
from enhabiten

Wonderful crisp clean colors and each pillow is filled with buckwheat hulls and lavender which can only add more soft sounds and scents to our outdoor space (ideal if plants are not possible). Plus each pillow (and you get two) is 9" x 14.5" - a perfect size to toss into your 'deck bag' and bring inside.

It's only natural - large tree tote
from cipolla

Deck bag? Grab a great bag like this linen and cotton tote to bring your outdoor decor easily in and out in inclement weather and you'll never be more than 30 seconds away from bliss.


pale palmera leaf metal artwork
from CopperLeafStudios

Perfect to set the mood of a relaxing space, a pairing of these amazing zinc images would make any space. Nestle them close to the house, under an overhang for protection (avoid rain and bring indoors in the winter), and they will evoke the sounds of a pond anywhere they hang.


small oval dish
from DishfulsofDoodles

An abstract celebration of natural forms makes this dish ideal for the center of the table. With my pockets always full of pebbles and shells I've collected from the shore, this platter provides a stylish way to display such found natural treasures.

These ideas can so easily transform your deck into a haven for every spare moment. Your space is really yours now, with all your great design sense added and quite frankly, I'm not sure you'll be able to get your friends to go home. But hey, that's the price to pay for great design. Might as well bring them some lemonade.

Celadon Green Tumbler Serving Set
from juditavill

Enjoy.

P.S. Show us what you can do with your outdoor space - post a link to your photo in a comment!