Cross country covers . . . . . . .

I'm wondering if I've made the right decision!

Last week I took a 'leap of faith' and I'm hoping it will work out fine.

Before committing to a new sofa purchase, I found a company which 

does professional textile dyeing. . . . . . . including slip covers!

After checking them out by phone and reading positive reviews of others who

 have had covers dyed, I whipped these white ones off the sofa and big armchair 

on the right (didn't send the natural French linen slip cover on the small chair by the

 fireplace as I just might dye it later - indigo blue, aubergine, or some brilliant hue),

 and headed to UPS. There they packed my covers in a big box and soon they

 were on their way across the USA.

 Yesterday they arrived in Oregon where, hopefully, within a few weeks, they will

 be turned into a perfect medium dark grey and then travel those

 2,860 miles back east.

When I mentioned another option about the slip covers versus a new sofa,
this was it. It seems perhaps a good way to know if I really want a grey sofa.

Of course I know it still means we will be going through those

 'slip cover battles' for a while longer BUT nowhere near as often as with
 white covers. I'm prepared to try the dye job, hopefully will love
them and be showing them to you later.

Meanwhile this what we're living with for now - a bit of a green mishmash!
I laundered the antique French linen cloth from the dining room table and draped
 it to hide part of the old damask upholstery on the sofa. Although I'm not into
 green decor right now, apparently it's a trendy color this year (Pantone's Color
 of the Year 2017 is Greenery) so I will love it for a few weeks until the grey covers return.

Yes, it's that time of year again. The cottage needs sprucing up and 
I need to get busy.
Sunny Saturday morning here though somewhat cooler - hope your weekend
is full of bright moments.

Creating serenity . . . . . . . .

I haven't done anything creative around the cottage all Summer,

so yesterday I just had to change a few things around or go crazy 

staring at the same old same old for one more hot and muggy day!

I picked the dining room which is to the left as soon as you enter the 

front door so I try to keep it tidy. I no longer use the table as my 'office'.  

When Bob retired we were able to make his upstairs office (formerly a bedroom)

 into an office for the two of us. . . . . yes, the stairs provide exercise!

I decided to cover the farm table in my heavy vintage French linen tablecloth - a great 
find in a quaint little antiques shop in Carcassonne, France - and layered a French 
linen bolster cover across the center under the dough bowl, also French.

I moved the large grey metal baskets, great find at SuzAnna's Antiques, from the top 
of the dresser to the table and tweaked a few items on the dresser shelves.

In the corner you can see my 'cabinet of curiosities', moved from the living room.
 Inside, who knows what you may discover . . . . right now a birds' nest, butterflies, 
this and that from the natural world. On top I placed a bowl made from resin starfish, 
holding my collection of white china vegetables!
No drastic changes but I'm pleased with how cool and serene the room looks 
on these very hot August days.

Do you find yourself just enjoying your rooms as they are for Summer, but when 
you feel Autumn in the air your creative energy returns and you want to 
make changes?