Today’s blog is dedicated to garden designer, Gertrude Jekyll, on the anniversary of her 1843 birthday.  Gertrude Jekyll designed over 400 gardens in England and the United States and helped create the look of what we know as  the traditional English country garden.  She was a plantswoman and a colorist who introduced a painterly approach Read More...

Deer hunting season started today, so for deer in Ohio it could be Black Monday. The start of this week puts antlers are on my mind.  It is a rural tradition in many parts of the country, and here in Ohio, the Monday after Thanksgiving is more anticipated than the holiday itself. In honor of Read More...

Great finds today from the antique flea market….great addition to any holiday bar.

Since my veterinarian husband was on call for the county for Thanksgiving, we had to stay at the farm for dinner.  So we invited some friends from Columbus to come up for a non-traditional dinner of wood fired pizzas.  We built the oven ourselves and have enjoyed making pizzas from scratch and firing the oven Read More...

Thanksgiving table inspirations…..no matter what you are having for dinner. The Today Show filmed a Thanksgiving meal at Martha Stewart’s Bedford, New York estate.  She used small pots of orchids mixed with various pumpkins and squash on top of a great woven table runner.  A cotton rug runner would work great.  When you live on Read More...

What separates a collector from a hoarder?  A proper cabinet to display their collection of course!  It is a fine line between collecting and chaos, but while the odd object on its own could be considered weird…together with others in a well appointed cabinet makes it a proper collection. The following are a few shots Read More...

Anyone who knows me, understands my obsession with all that is anything English country house….and after seeing some of the photos from the weekend house of British fashion designer, Jasper Conran, maybe you will understand.  Conran’s country estate, Ven House, in Somerset was recently featured in the November issue of my favorite “decorating porn” magazine, Read More...

    My good friend and Rural Society Sale anchor vendor, Lisa, owner of Urban Farmhouse, recently hosted a holiday open house at her shop in Thornville, Ohio.  This year I think everyone is looking for a little seasonal inspiration….and a place to shop locally for unique gifts.