fantastic formal dining

I have never had a proper, formal dining room. At my mom's house it was just a section of the living room, outside the doorway to the kitchen. It was nothing spectacular, but it got the job done. At the first house my husband and I lived in it had a dining room, but we needed somewhere for his ever growing collection of books and our computer, so we used it as an office/library. We stuck the dining table in the kitchen and used it as extra counter space. I've always wanted one though...formal, but comfortable. I don't want to use it just for special occasions or holidays, but as a gathering place for every meal. What's the point in having a room that you only use sporadically?



I have a lovely Louis XVI Extending Dining Table and Helena Rubenstein lucite chairs picked out for my future dining room. I love the mix of old and modern, and think these pieces would look fabulous with a pale aqua wall colour and silver accents.













photos from xJavierx

outside spaces

Growing up I lived directly behind my grandparents house. I spent most of my summers playing hide and seek in my Papaw's garden with my sister and cousin, dashing in and out of rows of corn. Other times I was inside with my Mamaw watching her cook lunch, and taking in every thing she did. During the middle of the day, when it was too hot to play, we would sit out on the front porch swing and watch cars pass by. Back then my Papaw knew everyone that drove by. We would shell peas, tie sock ends together for the tomato plants, or eat slices of warm watermelon straight from the garden. I probably spent 90% of my summers on that porch, and it is hands down one of my favourite memories of my childhood. As I grew older I always dreamed of a large house with a wrap around porch, and could spend hours upon hours imagining how I would position the furniture. I never got my dream porch, but I'm still holding out hope for one. For now I'm collecting pictures of my favourite porches, and when the time is right I will have a porch that will be the center of entertaining...after the kitchen of course.











photos from shabby chic blog, decor8, la vita moderna, blissme!, strawberryprincess1

two for tea

Coming from a small town in Alabama I've never experienced tea time. If one wanted to sit around over drinks and treats it was usually coffee and pecan pie in winter, or some other sweet you had on hand. Or sweet tea in summer. It wasn't until I married an English Kiwi that I was introduced to hot tea. Although I am not a fan of hot tea, iced sweet tea is a birth right in the South, I am fascinated by all things tea time. From the colourful and sometimes over-the-top tea sets.


To the plates of scones, tea cakes, and finger sandwiches.

It is one thing I would like to introduce into my life, as a lovely way to bring together friends and family. Something intimate, but not too stuffy. It would have to be Southern-ized, using iced tea instead of hot tea, or perhaps sun tea. And possibly some Southern sweets as well, bite-sized pecan pie and, more than likely, pimento cheese in some of the finger sandwiches.

photos from: tatielle, couragemylove, and only a paper moon

Hello

I am Ashley, a transplanted Alabamian living in Christchurch, New Zealand with my English Kiwi husband. This site is intended to be a showcase of everything I find beautiful or inspiring, whether that be a simple place setting for dinner or scans from various magazines. I hope you enjoy it.