On of my favorite things to do in the summer is sit with a pile of my favorite magazines and a glass of iced tea. But if you ask my husband he would tell you I never sit for very long, I see a flower that needs to dead headed or a weed that needs to be pulled. I recently painted the bench, it was a rusty iron which I liked but I like now that it is white accented with pink, I like it even better.
The seat of the bench is curved which would require a custom cushion. I didn't want to spend the money on that so I created my own. I remembered seeing this cushion idea in a magazine last summer. You take two rag rugs, I got mine from Ikea, stitch up the side and use a king size pillow as the insert. I hand stitched the sides with cotton string, then added additional fringes on the ends to closed it up. If you were going to use this as an accent pillow you would not need to close both ends but since we would be sitting on it I needed to.
The fringe I added blends in nicely. Cottage Guy was nice enough to help me shift through huge piles of these rugs to find the pink ones. If I need to wash the pillow, I will just snip one side of the fringe off then re-add it.
All the hydrangeas make a beautiful back drop.
Another one of the items I like to collect is this style of vintage aluminum ware. I believe it was popular in the 50's and 60's. I have many fabulous trays and bowls, you don't see the pitchers too often.
Some of my favorite magazines to read are, Romantic Homes, Country Living and Cottage & Bungalow. The pink basket was an old bike basket that got too rickey to use, I wired over the top for support and added a coat of pink paint.
This fun rabbit is dashing through the hydrangeas.
Wouldn't you like to come and sit with me?
A special thanks to Liz at The Brambleberry Cottage for featuring our Fairy House post last week on her Time Travel Thursday party.
A special thanks to Liz at The Brambleberry Cottage for featuring our Fairy House post last week on her Time Travel Thursday party.
You've created a very peaceful and beautiful place to read and dream. However, like you, I'm likely to sit there for just a few moments before seeing something that needs attention in the garden! I love the pillow from the rugs. What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post. I feel I would just love to come and sit and have some of your ice tea. The hydrangeas are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYael from Home Garden Diggers
I would love to come and sit with you. Enjoy your wonderful company while sipping ice tea. You have created a little spot that is so endearing. Simple beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog and for the sweet comment you left about my hat-stands.
Have a relaxing day, Connie :)
I couldn't sit there for long either, because I'd be in front of your beautiful setting admiring it instead! Everything is just lovely. Even your hydrangeas are cooperating!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely bench!!! I wish we had benches like this in Holland. It would look great in my garden :-). The whole seating area looks lovely with all the pinks and the beautiful hydrangeas!
Enjoy your day,
Madelief x
I never sit for long either...I'm up and down! But you sure have a gorgeous place to enjoy! And Hydrangeas are my favorite flowers!
ReplyDeleteLaura, you have created a magical spot. The pinks are wonderful paired with the hydrangeas. xoxo,olive
ReplyDeleteLooks like a tiny corner of Eden to me. What a great little getaway spot!
ReplyDeleteOh so pretttttyyyyyy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous space just for you!
I could so sit there...with an iced tea...great company, and fun magazines....my kind of life!!
ReplyDeleteTwo favorites of you "garden show" are of course the soft pink rose--love that you left some texture from the rust on the bench. And then equally well, like the macro of that lovely glass pitcher and iced tea glass. Also appreciated that you gave us the "long view" of your macros as well.
ReplyDeleteThe bench looks darling, Laura. And, I can't believe how vibrant your hydrangeas are. Mine are crispy like potato chips.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to come and sit with you. What a beautiful scene you have created and photographed there!!! Just gorgeous- I am just like you- I sit for a few minutes and notice 3 weeds that need pulling and I am off and on the move! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI would love to come and sit with you! I love your setting and ice tea and magazines are my favorite! Like you--I would be constantly getting up to pull the weed or whatever :)
ReplyDeleteOh what an absolutely gorgeous place to sit!! You did such an excellent job on the painting and I love the colors!
ReplyDeleteomgosh--i can't tell you how much i loved this post---so pretty--and i adore that pitcher---just lovely, all of it :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Pink Saturday, Laura. It all looks so pretty and inviting. And, I am officially in love with that gorgeous pitcher.♥
ReplyDeleteHappy Pinks and Happy Tea Day, Laura! Such a pretty setting for iced tea in front of those gorgeous hydrangeas. The colours are simply scrumptious! Please be sure to link your post up with my tea party. My ladies will love this! Thank you for joining me and have a beautiful week.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
This is just lovely! I want to hop into the picture and sit a while! Come link up to Centerpiece Wed on my blog and share this post and enter my giveaway.
ReplyDeleteKarin
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely setting! Love the garden bench and your hydrangeas. Thank you for your visit and kind comment.
XO
~Wendy
I rarely sit on my garden benches but do like this one of yours with the gorgeous hydrangeas behind it.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely.....
ReplyDeleteSweet garden and bench. The seat cushion is adorable!
ReplyDeleteLiz
I would be out there too amongst those lovely hydrangeas!
ReplyDeletePopped in from TTT
thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
Goodness. If I had those lovely hydrangea's I'd never come inside!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing on the All Star Block Party!
Laura, thanks for coming by! I do believe you would paint the bubble gum machine pink. Fitting!
ReplyDeleteLiz
The pillow and bench came out great! I like the pitcher too!! Looks like a great spot even if it is for a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful combination of colors! Christa
ReplyDeleteCalling by from Share your Cup, what a delightful series of photos.
ReplyDeletewow, how I wish I could sit down there and relax for a while, it looks amazing!!
ReplyDeleteso warm and pretty and inviting...
ReplyDeleteHave a great week-end filled with joy and peace...
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you....
Oh.. and dont forget to check out the Blue Moon
A blue moon is full moon that occurs as the second full moon in a given month. Blue moons are not typically blue in color — that happens only, well, once in a blue moon, but there is the possibility for a hint of blue in any full moon
Kandy
Gorgeous captures! Visiting from Pink Saturday.
ReplyDeleteMy PINK
Have a great weekend.
woow......that is a lovley post..just a cozy place you have,,,,,,,
ReplyDeleteand do not miss.....
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WELCOME
Håkan ( The Roseman)
So pretty! Visiting from Pink Saturday.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you can also visit my PINK. You may also link up to my Color Connection if you'd like. Thanks!
I am now following your blog.
What an absolutely sweet spot - love it!!!!
ReplyDeletegena
I love the bench. You created a beautiful vignette. Thank you for sharing your lovely post at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop linky party xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blog you have! Love all the pretty pinks! Those hydrangeas are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the idea for making the cushion from the rugs!
Katherine
It's party time over at Debt Free Mommy Blog and you're invited! Please drop on by and link up with Making Space Mondays. Oh, and we've got some really exciting news about our new house this week! Hope to see you there! -Tabitha
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this inviting garden spot on Simple & Sweet Fridays. Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteJody
Such a wonderful and cozy place, love all those pinks. You´ve done an excellent work capturing it
ReplyDeleteHi Laura,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know that I will be featuring this post at Share your Cup later today.
Hugs,
Jann
Oh, that area in your yard is stunning! Gorgeous colors and flowers!
ReplyDeleteSusan
So beautiful!Great to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays.
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper