A Baby Shower Styled By Harvest...

I just had the pleasure of hosting a baby shower for my dear friend, Becky. This past Sunday, a fun group of ladies joined me at my home to celebrate Becky's new little one on the way! Each guest was asked to bring their favorite children's book with a special note written inside for the new baby and mom-to-be. Thus the "theme" (I like to use that word loosely) was set!

 

 

The timing of the shower worked out quite nicely, as the house was already looking festive for Christmas! So, I sort of piggy-backed on the decor that was already out and added additional items to suit the shower theme.

I used old books and time-worn book pages throughout the house to emphasize the idea, and gathered several items from our Harvest shops to create the look.

 

 

 

To dress the tree (pictured above), I used our Harvest winter white berries, ball ornaments covered in parchment and script, and a burlap sack treeskirt. The rolled, cone-shaped book pages add unique color and fullness to the tree, and further the reading theme. (Plus, it was such an inexpensive DIY way to get the look I was going for!)

 

 

 

 

These paper cones would look great in any tree, book themed or otherwise!

 

For lunch, I served a Mediterranean pasta, a variety of rolled Aram sandwiches, spinach salad with pomegranate dressing, and a rich roasted cauliflower soup, drizzled with olive oil, and topped with a star-shaped crouton!

 

 

 The table centerpiece was created with many great Harvest holiday pieces. I loved using our faux (but very natural looking) green garland to anchor this cluster of delicate glass votives, vintage sleigh bells, shiny ornaments and mini Christmas tree cloche. (btw, all are available and on sale at Harvest right now!) The antler sheds are my own, and have been a fun accent to use throughout the year. -(Never thought I'd be into taxidermy, but it's kind of growing on me.)

 



 

 

For dessert, I arranged a buffet table filled with hot beverages and delightful goodies for guests to enjoy and take home!

 

 

 I have repurposed this Harvest bottle rack as a handy mug display, and it works really well for setting up a coffee station at parties. To warm my guests and set the wintry mood, I offered a hot cocoa and coffee bar, complete with toppings galore!

 

I stacked cupcakes and meringues into footed dishes to give the dessert display some varied height and interest. I used more old books to help create the different levels and the mood.

 

Considering that my expectant friend is only 3 weeks from her due date, I thought these "Ready to Pop!" favors would be appropriate! I stacked them high in one of my favorite Harvest 3-tiered displays.

 

 

Throughout the house, I used some of our great Harvest chalkboards to feature quotes about reading and parenthood.

 

 

(The smaller chalkboard, pictured here, worked perfectly to disguise my TV during the party!)

 

I used this little guy to mark a spot where guests could place their gifts

 

The rest of the house was looking cozy and Christmassy with a crackling fire and white twinkling lights...

 

 

 

 

 

Congrats to Becky and thanks for letting me share!

So many of the furnishings and accents that fill my home come right from the store and our vendors' catalogs. It's exciting to show you all how it looks! I hope you'll e-mail me any images and ideas of how you've enjoyed Harvest goods in your own homes!



My new settee...

I am slowly, but surely getting the new house put together. I recently received my new settee from Harvest, and I'm thrilled with how it works the living room. Not only does it aesthetically enhance the half wall that overlooks our entry, but it also provides much needed additional seating when we are entertaining guests. It's not quite as large as a bed, but it does make a cozy little napping spot.

The details are fabulous!

My Antique Trunk

So here's that adorable trunk I was talking about in the previous post.

I placed it in the corner of our living room for now, but I imagine it might become an end table on one side of the sofa in the future.

It has a pressed tin exterior, leather handles on the side, and a nice time-worn patina.

The larger trunk behind it was a Harvest purchase from years ago. I still adore this one-of-a-kind piece. The wire ferris wheel was a wedding gift from my great boss, and the old noodle shop stool is a Harvest staple I can't live without.

You see, I'm not kidding when I say my house is filled with Harvest!

I'll show you my new settee in the next post.

Antiquing...My recent trips to Petaluma and Soquel

 Lately, I've been on the hunt to find one-of-a-kind items that will add history and character to our new home. On my days off, I've been wandering through antique shops in hopes of finding those very pieces. Some of my favorite spots are in Petaluma (Sonoma wine country), and Soquel (between Santa Cruz and Aptos). Here are some pics from my recent scouting trips...

loved this woven basket, it seems I can never have enough baskets

This cabinet was pulled from an old barn (if you sniffed the inside, you'd believe it too). It has been re-painted in a soft gray/green. Great color! If I had a larger entry, I'd put a mirror in the top portion of the open space and adjust the shelves below to accommodate large storage baskets. I'd install a few hooks on the inside of the cabinet to hold coats. This piece would also work great in a large utility room to house brooms, brushes, and cleaning supplies.

These OLD sea-worn steel posts were incredible. You can't fake patina like that!

These would make such interesting planters.

I liked this old, beveled edge mirror and framed botanicals.

great little farm table for a small kitchen or entry

I was hoping this basket would fit between the legs to achieve a layered look, but, as you can see, not so.

This intricately woven blue and white coverlet was a stunner!

Wish a had a larger bedding budget, because I want to change my bedding about once a month!

What a find! This pair of heavy iron garden gate parts was so cool. These could become such an incredible headboard. Or, you could re-purpose them in your own garden.

Great pair of old window frames. Would be adorable with mirrors inside, like we have at Harvest.

 

Great gray chest

like the two-tone mix with natural stained top

I adored these little accent tables. There was a pair. Wished I had a spot.

Had to have it! I bought this huge "Cocktails" sign, and can't wait to feature it above the bar at our next summer party.

Another amazing work table that would make an incredible bar.

Bought this one too!

I loved this quaint little stool with glass ball feet and re-upholstered linen top. My husband perches on it every day to put on his shoes. It's perfect!

Horrible pic of this great, old trunk (bottom). I ended up getting this one too.

It looks great in my living room. I'll post a pic of the install soon.

I appreciated the collection of old spools and twine in these giant glass jars. What a great merchandising idea!

Bad pic. Cool shabby chic dresser.

Picked up these little pom-pom pillows to add texture to the guest room bedding.

I love cool, old boxes like this.

a pretty, little, hand painted landscape

Another great cabinet. Could be the perfect piece to hide the techy TV.

Well, the search goes on...

What are your favorite places to find antique treasures???

Feel free to contact me if I can provide any more information to you about the items pictured.