Since my post last week I’ve been concentrating on three things…changing up some summer decor, working on a rock garden, and trying to pick the correct ‘white’ for our kitchen wall.
I am not a huge seasonal decorator. I just don’t have the storage space, or truth be told, the desire, to change up a lot of my decor with the seasons. I’m more of an ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ kinda gal.
I typically just add some throws (as much for practicality as anything), change my dining table tabletop, change up my living room drapes from sheers to linen, and some warmer toned flowers replace the brightly colored ones that are scattered throughout the house.
This year I find myself craving neutrals and borrowing from nature even more than usual.
After making my turnovers, I had lots of apples left over. Since I’m a pretty big canner, I have no shortage of mason jars either, so I just picked some Queen Anne’s Lace that is so abundant right now, and I had myself a sweet transitional centerpiece for the porch bistro table.
I picked up some antique jars a couple of years ago at a barn sale (my favorite kind!) and placed them on the porch railing.
Now I want to show you the white color I’m leaning toward for the kitchen wall, but first here’s a shot of a shelf that is tucked away in our master bath above the toilet. I have always felt the brackets should be white, but it was never a priority.
I went to an ASCP stockist nearby and found what I believe to be the perfect color, or actually colors. Their ‘pure white” and ‘old ochre’, when combined, become the perfect creamy white I’m looking for, devoid of any grey or yellow.
I decided to kill two birds with one stone and paint some jars and the brackets so I could get a good idea of the color, and me likey :).
The end result, if everything goes according to plan, will be distressed with some of the wood tones showing. It’s going to be a big project, and one that once started will need to be finished as quickly as possible, so I’ll probably wait until the weather isn’t as nice as it has been. Right now, doing some work outside is more important because soon enough it will be too cold.
Speaking of outside, these plants were all from seeds that were sowed at the beginning of the summer. They took a while, but they seem to be thriving. The overall effect is a little too random for my taste, but I am happy that some of them did well nonetheless.
And here’s the limited progress we’ve made so far with the rock wall. Some of the rocks were left over from the stone step installation, but most of them were dug up by us. My arms are bad ass, I just wish they looked that way :/.
In other news…
The days are quickly getting shorter and cooler, with most nights in the 50’s and days in the 70’s. I love this weather, I just don’t like what follows. We are in Vermont and will be heading to Bar Harbor soon, and I’m looking forward to sharing what I hope will be pretty photos of Acadia with you.
My veggie garden is thriving, and luckily friends are tending to them while we’re away, but our window boxes on the deck are starting to look leggy, and the cucumbers are done, as are the tomatoes. Overall, it was a good growing season!
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kim says
I didn’t realise that you were on the road again!
I love your simple and natural flower display with the Mason jars, Doreen. I share your same philosophy about seasonal décor. Every year boxes of décor get hauled to the thrift stores and I gain a little more space!
Karen@ Beatrice Euphemie says
Hi Doreen, I love your charming flower displays on your railing and your shelves. So perfectly sweet. I had to laugh at your ‘bad ass’ arms! Comes with the territory when you are a do-it-yourself kind of gal! The rock wall will be beautiful. Seems that is my biggest harvest around here…..rocks, and I’ve built my share of walls, too! I have similar walls in my house and would love to paint them but am afraid of taking the plunge. I can’t wait to see the results. The color is lovely. Enjoy your trip! Hugs xo Karen
Emily says
Doreen, Love your mason jar arrangements on the railing and the pretty arrangement on the table, perfect for the season. I don’t do much in the way of fall decorating, just flowers inside and out on the veranda and usually a vignette for the kitchen. I usually use fall colors when setting the table and that’s it. Your weather sounds delightful, we still are in mid nighties and hope for a slight cooler change. I think your garden looks really pretty, everything here is leggy. Enjoy your travels………..
Lyn says
That shade of white is very nice and I LOVE the painted Mason jars! The simple arrangements are so sweet and perfect for pre-fall.
tammy j says
decorating peas in a pod!
although I also use mason jars for drinking from. well. from which to drink!
my coffee is in one even now… right here beside me as I type.
mine are the color of the ones on your porch holding the flowers.
mine are not antique. but they are that beautiful shining aqua blue. they delight me every time I use them.
and
LOVE the white. and the idea of it in the kitchen like a wash. it will look aged but clean and it will be lovely.
it will make it all come alive.
be safe out there roaming around in BAM. enjoy the views for me too!
can’t wait for pictures.
and YES. I really DO have a life. but I sure like yours! LOLOL! xo♥
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
Love what you did with the white shelf and the jars! And your simpler lean toward decor. I am starting to lean more and more in that direction. Of course for me that won’t mean “sterile” or anything! More is not always better.
Brenda
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Oh to be in Vermont! I hope you are starting to glimpse some of that Fall color. And then on to the shore? All while baking turnovers and canning? You rock, Doreen and I could stare at those porch bouquet jars all day.
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
Hi Doreen,
I love mason jars too. Your pictures are stunning. Have a safe and fun trip.
Kris
Mary-the boondocks blog says
Doreen can I come with you? To be in New England now and in October. oh glorious October, is the best time of the year for me. I was lucky enough to come up to visit my boys two years ago and I had the best time. I think the brackets look so much better now they really pop against the wood. Have a great time in Bar Harbor.
Red Rose Alley says
The mason jars look gorgeous, Doreen. I am a lover of the mason jar too, and just bought a pink one that says smile. 🙂 The creamy white color is just right and they look so charming sitting next to each other. Doreen, lucky you in Vermont. I’ve always wanted to visit there. I heard it is beautiful. Have a great time!
~Sheri
Marsha says
I love the decorated mason jars. The pretty blue ones on the porch railing with flowers looks so perfect out in the woods. We didn’t get much zucchini out of the garden this year, but I had plenty of tomatoes. I am glad your garden harvest was plentiful. I hope you continue to enjoy great weather and your projects outdoors.
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Hey “Bad Ass Mama” (hee hee)! Keep up that hard labor & your arms will be like Michelle Obama’s in no time. 😉
Me likey that color too! I love your ideas for the wall and think that will look great. Can’t wait to see once you tackle it.
And those mason jars on the railing (& your centerpiece) are perfection. LOVE it! The stone wall is rocking along awesome too (do ya like my pun?) :p
Busy Gal off on the run again, huh. I’m loving our similar weather to yours too. Just the best!! I’m trying not to think about what comes later. Safe journeys & blessings Babes. Xoxo
Amy says
I’ve got mason jar envy, Doreen! I may have to try and paint a couple of mine, just for fun. Love that white, and I think it will look amazing on your kitchen wall. The rock garden is looking good so far! Hope you are having a great time in Vermont!
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
Off again on your travels! Wow…. enjoy the Fall colors hopefully! I love those creamy white mason jars and the creamy shelf brackets… they look so good in the bathroom and I can picture your kitchen wall the same. I don’t do much with mason jars but I do love them and would love to have some outdoor lights using some. I don’t do much Fall decorating either.. maybe a fall tablecloth, a throw on the couch and a different quilt on the bed… I used to pick colored leaves when I lived on acreage that had lots of vine maple and maple trees.. but don’t have those much where I live now.. so I may have one fall bouquet from the store. You gave me some good ideas for mason jars!
Cindi says
I love the white!
You were so right, it looks LOVELY!
Enjoy Vermont.
And have fun and stay safe in your travels.
It’s good to rest up those bad-ass arms!
LOL!
xoxoxo
Julie says
Hi Doreen, I love the way your painted your brackets white and the pretty mason jars too. The mason jars with flowers are just beautiful. I hope you are having fun away!!
The weather has been cooler here but we are back to summer weather this week. Fall just does not want to come here.
Take care and have a wonderful week.
Hugs, Julie xo
Linda says
Doreen,
I love your mason jars! I just painted some the same color! I have over 200 of them so I guess I have a lot of painting to do!!! LOL!
Lucky you traveling around! We were in MA yesterday visiting a state park. We had hoped to get to MT Greylock this summer as well but time has gotten away from us. The last time we were there we stayed overnight in the rustic lodge there and it was such a fun time.
I too am enjoying the cooler temps here in NH, mornings are a bit too chilly even. I hope this beautiful weather continues for several more weeks….i’d say months but that may be pushing it! Enjoy your travels,
Linda
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
Love the idea of using Mason jars as vases and love the white you created for your kitchen.
Debbie from MountainMama says
I love where you’re going with the rock garden – wow, I know what it’s like working with and digging up these huge rocks, whew, I don’t envy you!! Have a great trip, my friend – Acadia is on my bucket list, but for now I shall live vicariously through you! xo
Cecilia says
Love your white color! The shelf brackets look great painted and your jar arrangements are just so pretty. Hey, if you keep moving rocks, your arms will soon look bad ass. Haha.im so jealous of your weather..wish I could send you are heat and vice versa. Oh well. We’ll get it eventually. Someday I hope to make it to Acadia!
Vicky Hunt says
I’m a mason jar lover too! I absolutely adore the photo of the jars on your porch railing….gorgeous! Love, love, love the white brackets and jars and I can’t wait to see the kitchen wall when you tackle that project. It is going to look amazing! Enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts. I am ready for some cooler temps here…soon! Have a blessed week.
Hugs, Vicky
Summer says
Good to hear your veggie garden is thriving☺ Love your jars- they are cute ♥
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
kelly says
I love how you painted those Ball jars in white! I think you will be happy using that color on your walls too. I love queen anne’s lace. I once bought a huge bouquet from a store that sold a lot of fresh produce and later learned that it’s basically a weed! ha! I now notice it in many places. I won’t pay for it again. I do love it though. Our garden has slowed down too. We’re still getting some okra but that’s about it.
Cindy says
Hi Doreen, been busy with projects so catching up again. Love your collection of mason jars. I only have the ball jars I get from Michael’s. Having old ones must be cool.
Love the color you are thinking of and distressing with the wood showing will be very pretty. Haven’t tried the turnovers yet but they are on the list.
Cindy
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Mason jars are the perfect vases, aren’t they..I like what you did with that shelf. Progress on the rock garden area is looking good!
AnnMarie says
I love the aqua mason jars but I love them painted too! I did that to a milk bottle and then sat there scraping the paint off of the raised lettering with my nail! It was tedious but looks great! They are such a down home, cozy décor item.
Jemma says
I love these mason jars and your shelf brackets.
You know me and white and neutrals they are just so easy to decorate with and it is so much easier to change out pillows than wall color!
Your Fall sounds heavenly-we are in phase 2 of Summer, here in Texas…
xo
Jemma
Melanie says
Hi Doreen, it’s so nice to meet you! Thank you for finding my blog and leaving a comment. Your mason jars look so pretty with the flowers in them. And the creamy white color you finally found is just perfect. Our kitchen needs repainting too, and I think I want a creamy white also. I see you chose chalk paint though…do you have wooden walls in your kitchen, too (sorry, not familiar with your house!) or can you use chalk paint on “regular” kitchen walls? Have a great weekend!
Judy says
Doreen, I’ve seen painted mason jars on Pinterest (where else???) but haven’t done any yet. Seeing yours I think I will sooner than later. The white is so pretty and soft. I have used AS Old Ochre, but not mixing the two. Very pretty and would make for a dream kitchen I think. Enjoy your time on the road and I have way too many boxes of holiday stuff and find that I’m liking not putting as much out, but I have to hang on to things for awhile as I do have a habit of changing my mind!!..Have a great weekend..Judy
Dewena says
My very favorite autumn decor comes from outside the door and I love yours, Doreen.
Remember, I’m counting on you to post pictures of a New England Autumn for me!
Design Chic says
Love seeing all of your mason jars with the beautiful flowers – perfect touch for fall. Enjoy your time on the road!
Karen says
The creamy white on the jars and shelf brackets really stand out against the wood. It’s perfect! Can’t wait to see it distressed. I am considering doing that to my kitchen cabinets, they are so old I don’t think anything could possibly make them look worse 🙂
Valerie says
I just love that mason jars have become so mainstream. Years ago we used them only for canning and now everyone loves them.
handmade by amalia says
The mason jar vignettes are lovely. We have only got a hint of autumn so far, it is still quite hot and no rain in sight.
Amalia
xo