Collections, shelves and pumpkins!

 

I think I'm a pushover when it comes to open shelves. 

I have a lot of them and I really love them!

My biggest problem is that all are loaded with collections, and those items 

require constant TLC. Yes, vignettes and stacks are dust collectors, they do 

require dusting and frequent washing, but also bring happy moments and

memories.  

These are the shelves in the dining room on a Welsh dresser purchased

 30 years ago as bare wood. I've painted it in different finishes at least three times. 

This current antiqued/distressed blue-grey was done many years

 ago and will remain - no way can I paint anything of this size these days!

My collections of antique and vintage English and French china fit well here. 

I move items around some days, take a few away then add something new

 for the current season.

Small decor changes are now my norm. Over the top decorating is no longer

 an option as I try to downsize. 

I am finding I really like just a touch of something different for a few weeks. 

Currently it's just one natural papier-maché pumpkin - I have two more which

 will be placed elsewhere. I also added the fabulous pumpkin painting I found

 last year at SuzAnna's Antiques.

Speaking of pumpkins, we hope to make our annual visit to our favorite

 pumpkin farm soon - I still would like some real pumpkins for the front porch.

Days are a little cooler, I feel a chill in the air at night, so pumpkins will enjoy

 being outside now.

Are you decorating for this new season?

Do you buy real pumpkins?

Will you decorate for Halloween?

Night-scented stock . . . . . . .

Can you smell the fragrance?  

The night-scented stock Matthiola longipetala  has such a memorable perfume.

I haven't grown them for many years but when I find them at the store - these are from

 Trader Joe's - I grab a couple of bunches to bring home. That lovely fragrance

 immediately reminds me of my mother's garden long ago in England, a place

 I reveled in during childhood.

The dining room table is looking quite 'green' with the remaining stems of the

 amaryllis still growing. . . . . later they will be cut back and the bulbs dried for a replant,

and hopefully a rebloom come winter. 

Then there's the pot of fresh basil picked up at Lidl last week - I've been snipping

 leaves to add to recipes. . . . . . . a taste of Summer already! 

The lovely purple stocks, greenery added from the garden.

Ahead are several days of major Spring Cleaning - once the pollen is done.

This year brought an exceptionally heavy pollen season - especially oak.

Washing all the china takes time - some days I think about disposing of 

many of the dishes but haven't quite reached that point and so they remain!

Actually I enjoy spending a couple of hours washing and drying them, by hand

 of course as many are antique and fragile, and replacing them all clean and

gleaming. Many of you also collect dishware, antique, vintage, even new - I've

 seen your stunning tablescapes and china cabinets.