Summer Inspirations

The room in That Old House that most inspires me -- my favorite room -- is our parlor.

It is simple, symmetrical and pure -- just exactly what classic American design should be. I am continually inspired, and humbled, by having a near-perfect example of an early Greek Revival room in my own home. For me, an old-house junkie from childhood, it is pure joy.

Completely naked, this room is beautiful.
(And how many of us can say that?)

See?

The parlor is lightened up for summer.
Softer colors, less stuff.

Out went the wine red window swags, in came a sea grass rug
Out went the needlepoint and silk pillows, in came a sweet little embroidered chair from the yellow guest room.

On the mantel, what else? Flowers from the borders.
Today: hydrangeas in blue and cerise, and a few sprigs of myrtle.

Also on the mantel, crystal candlesticks from Big Lots, 19th century books, and the head of a bust of Shakespeare
that broke off in a flood at our last house. Summer is a time to read,
so the Bard seemed an appropriate companion in the parlor, my favorite place for solitary reading.

What is your inspiration in your home? You can share it at The Inspired Room blog, in a linky party.
Why not check out what inspires others? Links to this and other linky parties at the end of the post.

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Now. . . food! Summertime lunches are more structured than my winter ritual,
which is grabbing something and eating it standing up. Usually near the sink. So I don't drip.

But in summer, lunchtime food actually makes it all the way on to a plate,
because usually there are 3 for lunch, and it gets too crowded for us all to lean over the kitchen sink.

Today, it was tuna salad on crusty olive oil & rosemary bread.
Howard had cherries with his.
I had green olives stuffed with aged provolone; I really have to stay out of the Italian deli.

Yes, those olives are amazing. I added capers and herbs and a bit of vinegar to the tuna salad to raise it above the school-lunch-box level. I would have topped it with tomatoes, but the chipmunks got there first!

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And still speaking of summer inspirations . . . it's the beginning of the Fourth of July weekend.
Independence Day! By Sunday night, I will have cried several times
at patriotic songs, fireworks displays, displays of the flag, and maybe a parade.

On Thursday I did a tablescape in our sunroom, using red, white and blue,
and last night lit the candles and grabbed my camera.

Ok, slightly spooky looking, but I'm new to this shot in the dark stuff.
I am lucky the camera strap isn't visible in each shot.
I do like how the candles are reflected over and over in all the sunroom glass.

Have a marvelous weekend, and if you are celebrating your country's independence (and you know who you are!) then I wish you a joyous and blessed Fourth of July. -- Cass

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Now ... you can visit The Inspired Room for more, well, inspirations! Or join in the fun yourself.

It's Show and Tell Friday at Cindy's beautiful
My Romantic Home blog.
A visit is highly recommended!














If you're hungry, or need inspiration
for your next meal, check out
Foodie Friday at Designs By Gollum.
Seriously, do so!










And if you can find beauty in what
is around you, then join Claudia at
Dipity Road for Finding Beauty Friday.
You'll be glad you did.