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March 15, 2015 By Shirley

How to Bring the Outdoors In

Our home is very open to views to the outdoors.

There are french doors in almost every room of the house with views to the back yard . . .

and the golf course beyond.

So the outdoors is a integral part of our home and I love bringing the outdoors in.

Whether it be with many plants or garden elements.

Great Room Spring Decor-Housepitality Designs

Today, I decided to bring my 5 tiered vintage plant stand that was out on the upper back porch,

feeling a bit lonely without a flower or plant to adorn it.

Ironstone Pitchers-Housepitalty Designs

Gathering some of my ironstone pitchers and creamers I placed them on the stand and added

some yellow alstroemerias of cheery yellow tones.

I gained inspiration to do this from a friend and fellow blogger in which you will see at the

end of this post.

Great Room Spring Decor-Housepitality Designs

As you can see, I love garden elements in my home, as seen in this concrete garden finial.

Great Room Spring Decor-Housepitality Designs

I have been having fun collecting these vintage ironstone pitchers on my travels with

Mary Alice.

Great Room Spring Decor-Housepitalty Designs

It is always fun placing the unexpected on the fireplace hearth.

Great Room Spring Decor-Housepitality Designs

When I brought this piece in from the porch and placed it on the hearth, my hubby looked at me

as if I had two heads . . . a look that I often get.

But when I was done, he gave it the thumbs up!

Great Room Spring Decor-Housepitality Designs

It was a little bit of a gloomy day when I took these pictures, lots of shadows and the garden

finials are truly the same color.

So what do you think? Do you give this bit of how I brought the outdoors in a thumbs up?

Great Room Spring Decor-Housepitality Designs

The real test is my granddaughter . . . she notices and approves everything!

Want to know where I got this inspiration?

From Mary Alice of Chateau Chic!

Here is her vintage plant stand with vintage ironstone pitchers.

Chateau Chic Vintage Plant Stand

Love that her gorgeous stand has 10 tiers.

I will be on the hunt for some more vintage garden elements

that I plan to incorporate into my home.

Do you love to bring the outdoors in, especially that Spring is approaching?

Have a wonderful day, hopefully enjoying the outdoors!

I am joining:

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: garden finials, mantel, Spring Decor, Spring Mantel, Vintage Plant Stand 34 Comments

Previous Post: « How To Dress Up A Slipcover
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim says

    March 15, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    That is so pretty with all your ironstone pitchers filled with flowers. I love Mary Alice’s, too.

    Reply
  2. Cecilia says

    March 15, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    Oh yes! A definite thumbs up! Love the bright and cheerful pop of yellow. It’s a great use for your ironstone too. I love the use of outdoor elements inside – it always feels so welcoming.

    Reply
  3. Karena says

    March 15, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    Beautifully done Shirley, a lovely way to display your collection!
    I do love bringing some of my smaller stone pieces (ie pineapples, urns etc.)inside!
    Finally was able to get pansies yesterday, the are really bright in the tall irons pedestals. Isn’t it fun to have a friend to go on the hunt with!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    Reply
  4. Dawn says

    March 15, 2015 at 12:38 pm

    I love how you decorate the plant stand, brilliant idea and the pop of yellow is perfect. It’s going to be 55 here today but drop back into the 30’s for next week so I hope to get some things done outside today.

    Reply
  5. Carolyn says

    March 15, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    Two thumbs up! What a unique stand. Have never seen these before. You’ve styled it so beautifully. It could really be the showcase for any seasonal decorating such as easter or christmas or different “collections” What a fun and versatile piece!

    Reply
  6. Linda miller says

    March 15, 2015 at 1:04 pm

    Cute idea and a good way to bring a little early touch of spring indoors. I can usually sneak a new piece past the hubs, but when our grandson arrives he spots whatever is new or different right away. Then, I am found guilty of shopping and have to fess up to it.

    Reply
  7. Joann says

    March 15, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    So beautiful, Shirley! The yellow flowers on the vintage plant stand look great on your hearth and compliment the teal wood and iron above your mantel, which has always been a favorite of mine!

    Reply
  8. martina says

    March 15, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    Shirley I LOVE both of yours!! I found one antiquing before the holidays and left it… now after seeing this I’m so sorry I did!! Love the whole look of your fireplace and I love the photo showing the baskets on the ledge over your door…what a great shot!

    Reply
  9. lauren@Simplylkj says

    March 15, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    Definitely a thumbs up. What a fabulous way to incorporate a beautiful outdoor piece with antiques. And, you can’t help but be cheerful surrounded by those yellow flowers.

    Reply
  10. Nancy says

    March 15, 2015 at 1:59 pm

    Many thumbs up! Absolutely gorgeous! I love the pitchers and the plant stand. What a special treat to look at the mantle and all of it this morning. You would never know you took those pictures on a gloomy day. It all looks so bright and cheerful.

    Reply
  11. Betsy@coastal-colors says

    March 15, 2015 at 2:07 pm

    So pretty, Shirley! I love the pops of color from the flowers! I love Mary Alice’s idea of adding pitchers to the plant stand. Your home is lovely!

    Reply
  12. Teresa says

    March 15, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    Shirley,
    What a creative way to display your vintage Ironstone and your plant stand! It looks so Springy. Cant wait to get outside today and enjoy the warmer weather after a rainy Saturday.

    Reply
  13. Mary W. Ferguson says

    March 15, 2015 at 2:30 pm

    I also like garden elements in my home. I have a big 10″ slider in the living room and it looks out into my back yard, so I do bring in things from out there.
    The ironstone pitchers look so bright and cherrie. Your home always looks so beautiful – I don’t know how you keep it looking terrific all the time. Most of the time we have a lot sunlight.

    I stopped by your friends blog and she has a great blog also.
    Have a wonderful Sunday and week ahead.
    Mary

    Reply
  14. debbiedoos says

    March 15, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    How pretty Shirley! I love the flower pitchers..what a great idea! Happy Spring.

    Reply
  15. Kris says

    March 15, 2015 at 2:50 pm

    So creative and so Spring!!!! Loooove!
    Kris

    Reply
  16. Patty says

    March 15, 2015 at 2:55 pm

    Sooooo pretty and those pitchers just make me drool! What a fun collection to have and I love how you use it and play with it.

    Reply
  17. Penny @ the comforts of home says

    March 15, 2015 at 3:24 pm

    Thumbs up for sure! It looks so sweet.

    Reply
  18. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    March 15, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    How fun is this. Totally adds a big of sunshine.

    Reply
  19. Des says

    March 15, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    I LOVE IT!!!! It just brightens up the room and makes is so cheery and spring like…..such a clever idea!!!! I love using architectural and garden elements in my home too and am always on the look out for new pieces.
    Have a great week!!!
    ~Des

    Reply
  20. Pinky says

    March 15, 2015 at 3:59 pm

    TWO thumbs up!!! I love this and now want to head to the store for some flowers!! I wish I had a plant stand like that, and MA’s is very pretty too! Hope your weather is good. It is cloudy and VERY windy here. I was going to go out but might blow away:):)

    Reply
  21. rattlebridge farm says

    March 15, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    Beautiful, cheerful, and genius. I swoon each time that I see that gorgeous piece over your mantel!

    Reply
  22. Kathleen says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    It looks lovely! I have never seen a stand like that! Enough of the 4 ft of snow has melted so I can get to the forsythias to cut some to force. I will be out in the mud! 🙂
    Happy BDay to your gdau on St. Pat’s. I remember that’s why you celebrate , not because you are Irish, lol! God bless her! Sorry you couldn’t make the crawl!

    Reply
  23. Joanne Boulter says

    March 15, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    Shirley, I love the touch of yellow it says Spring. They look so beautiful in the ironstone pitchers and you gorgeous plant stand. Can’t believe it but my alstroemerias are still alive and beautiful they are a very inexpensive and last. Have a beautiful day. Jo

    Reply
  24. Jenna says

    March 15, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    What a pretty and unusual piece Shirley! I just love it in front of your fireplace full of bright bloom filled pitchers!

    Reply
  25. Mary Alice Patterson says

    March 15, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    Shirley, I love how you’ve filled your pitchers with such pretty spring flowers! Your plant stand is lovely, and I always love bringing outside accessories in.
    Looking forward to seeing you soon!!
    Mary Alice

    Reply
  26. Cindy says

    March 15, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    Two thumbs up…gorgeous!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  27. Kathy @ Creative home expressions says

    March 15, 2015 at 10:11 pm

    This has definitely been the week to bring the outdoors in, Shirley. I love your yellow flowers. Yellow always seems to bring some cheeriness into a room. I felt that when I brought in some yellow daffodils this past week. They are on their way out now, so I will have to get something to replace them.

    Reply
  28. Celestina Marie says

    March 15, 2015 at 10:32 pm

    Hi Shirley, I love your outdoors inside and the use of the plant stand to hold your pitcher collection is lovely. The yellow brings in a fresh clean springtime feel.
    Thanks for sharing all your wonderful inspiration.
    Have a nice evening.
    Hugs, CM

    Reply
  29. jeannette says

    March 15, 2015 at 10:58 pm

    I love that plant stand. It looks so very nice in front of the fireplace. I will have to go check out Marie Alice’s blog now.

    Reply
  30. Babs says

    March 15, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    What a wonderful way to display your ironstone pitchers. LOVE them with the Alstroemeria and just by themselves, too.

    Reply
  31. Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane says

    March 16, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    So pretty–and you can NEVER have too much ironstone or too many pitchers! Happy spring!

    Reply
  32. Pam says

    March 17, 2015 at 12:29 am

    Shirley, that is just stunning, and weren’t you so lucky that each ironstone pitcher fit into the little holders. Just genius. I love it.

    Reply
  33. Mary says

    March 17, 2015 at 10:15 am

    I always love bringing the outdoors in and love your stand indoors with the ironstone pitchers and flowers Shirley!

    Reply
  34. LorB says

    March 22, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    There’s nothing like fresh flowers to add a great touch…

    Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Shirley and I am here to share my love of classic interiors, french country style, my passion for flowers and making our home, The Hickory Cottage, a warm and hospitable home for family and friends.

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