Details ~

For me to be comfortable in my home I need (what I believe to be beautiful) things around me.
I can't do minimalism, I need details.
If a room needs decorating and that applies to most rooms in my home then little details catch the eye and lessen the impact of the imperfect walls and the worn carpet until the time is right to change them.
I cleaned our living room big time at the weekend and put lots of bric-a-brac into storage, looked at the cleared surfaces and immediately started adding new details.
The fireplace which can be opened up to use as a real fire is original to the house and is less than lovely with an unused gas fire in the grate but at the moment we have to live with it so I've added one or two pretty touches.
I have a dresser in one alcove which used to be orange pine, I painted it a couple of years ago and added lots of vintage china and I love it now.
I gave the mirror a lick of paint too, same colour as the dresser.
The lamp reflected in the mirror also had the same treatment and a 'new' charity shop lampshade. I added some details to that to make it more 'me'.
This is a detail of the top of an occasional table which a few days ago was plain brown.
It cost the grand sum of 50 pence at an auction. I painted, gilded and shabbied it and the decorations on the top are antique hand painted place mats. They are protected from damage underneath the glass top and look really effective.
Most of my china is vintage and bought from either charity shops, auctions or antique centres.
The green tray is wooden and has been beautifully hand painted with birds and blossoms.
A couple of old lids are displayed in some foil cake cases which I decorated with crepe paper and lace - I can't bear to throw anything away:)
Stacks of tea plates and cups of all shapes and patterns, mostly featuring flowers though!
Calorie free hand knitted fairy cakes add a nice touch......
Crochet, patchwork and a vintage sari tablecloth..........
My corner of the living room.......
....and a detail of the lampshade. The fringe had been removed and left a very untidy edge so I plaited lots of fine tulle and glued it all round and added some vintage leaves, a flower and pinned on the bug brooch. Around the other side is a pretty rose so I can just turn it for a different look.
I don't believe that you need lots of money to make a home look beautiful.
Until next time - I have more painting to do and I'm attempting to make a pair of curtains out of some old white sheets.
Bye for now,
Sandi x

Fairy Cake Towers

The Nostalgia Fairy Cottage has become Fairy Cake Towers ~ or at least for now anyway.
The weather here today is gloomy to say the least, the rain is pouring down and doesn't look likely to stop anytime soon, but it's the price we English pay for living here:)

So the only thing to do when it's raining, wet and miserable without is to make a little coziness within.

Fairy Cake Towers or rather a shelf in our bedroom with powder puffs, fairy lights and fairy cakes hand knit by yours truly.

Ahhhh I think it looks quite pretty.

Until next time,

Bye for now,

Sandi x

Bohemia meets Marie Antoinette

As I was decorating these fairy cakes for tea the pink frilly buttercream reminded me of ball gowns........ but the setting in The Enchanted Garden is distinctly bohemian.So Marie Antoinette style fairy cakes meet Bohemia.....

These cakes are delicious. The buttercream icing is delicately scented with rose water.

Mmmmm......would you like one - please help yourself.

Don't mind Mr Dante - wherever I go you will find him somewhere around.

Slightly larger than a pug dog but such a gentle boy.

It's a peaceful place to be. The birds are singing and the bees just adore the flowers, dipping in and out enjoying themselves hugely.

The tiny alpine strawberries taste divine...have you ever tried them?
We have them everywhere in the enchanted garden.

Of course fairy cakes need to be served on the prettiest vintage china.

The candelabra has been fashioned from a branch of vintage blackberries and the tiny candles are from a birthday cake.

Lashings of glitter adds magical sparkle.

Now please just enjoy yourself. We all deserve a little treat now and then and if you sit very still who knows ~ you may even spot a fairy.

They love the strawberries so I make sure to leave plenty for them to pick.

Oh and the table cloth is a vintage sari - isn't it lovely!

I love long, lazy summer evenings.

I really must go now and pop the kettle on for a refreshing cup of tea .... Assam of course.

Until next time,

Sandi x

The Enchanted Garden

This post is laden with photo's of my garden - all taken recently.

Today is a perfect Summers day with not a cloud in the sky.

I have been up and about since 5.15 am this morning - not something I do every day I might add! I've done loads of chores already and intend to enjoy the rest of the day just being......

Without further interruption from me please enjoy a stroll through my English country garden.

Brightest Blessings,

Until next time,

Sandi x