Monday Mish Mash

Happy Monday!  Hope you all had a great week and weekend. Today’s post is a bit different than normal – lots of odds and ends (hence the title) – instead of just one topic. Things have been quite busy around here and I wanted to share a few of the smaller projects which have been happening at Red Door Home.

We took advantage of the perfect temperatures to replace the hydrangea bushes which were planted on either side of the boxwoods in the front of the house.  The super hot weather this summer did not sit well with them and they had become quite sickly looking. 

I don’t think they ever really liked this location as I can’t remember them blooming since the first summer they were planted.

So we dug up the old ones and relocated them to a more shady location and planted oak leaf hydrangeas in their place.  I love the oversized white blooms which are in keeping with the other hydrangeas we have planted along the back of the house.  

I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will like their new home.

Another outdoor project was the installation of a new mailbox.  Not too exciting but something which had to be done.  A few weeks ago we received a note saying our current mailbox (which has been in place for over 10 years) was now no longer tall enough. The postal carrier has switched to a truck instead of a car to deliver the mail so our old mailbox had to go.

The mailbox is from Walpole Woodworkers and is a nice improvement from the old cedar post one we used to have.  I ordered it online and because I had it delivered to a local distributor I did not have to pay shipping.  It came in two boxes and was easy to put together.

In other “plant” news, I finally found topiaries!  I have wanted to try my hand with these for so long and was thrilled to find two at a local nursery.  They are a bit small but hopefully by following Loi’s great tips they will grow to look like his beautiful topiaries.

via Tone on Tone

Finally, I began a refinishing project which I have had it the works for quite some time.  The coffee table in the office needed a new look – much too shiny and orange looking.  I had plans for my normal stripping, sanding and then finishing but had a change of plans when I spoke with the sales associate at Lowes.  He shared a new to me way of refinishing wood pieces so I decided to give it a try.  I will share the details and let you know how it all turned out once the table is done.

That is all for now.  I hope to be back later this week with a finished coffee table and more updates on the bedroom sneak peek I shared earlier.

Project Sneak Peek and Giveaway Winners!

                           

Happy Sunday!  I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Above is a sneak peek of a project I am currently working on.  I will have more later once everything is finished.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter the Goose Creek Candle Company giveaway.  I like to host a few giveaways during the year as a way to thank everyone who takes the time to follow Red Door Home.  The two winners are:

Kathy from Creative Home Expressions and Jeannine from Daze of Grace

Congratulations ladies! Look for an email soon letting you know what you need to do to claim your candle.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Goose Creek Candle Giveaway Reminder

Today is the last day to enter the Goose Creek Candle Company giveaway.

Be sure to register HERE for your chance to win. 

Goose Creek Candle Company Giveaway!

When Goose Creek Candle Company contacted me about sponsoring a giveaway on Red Door Home I immediately said yes.  Normally I take some time to make my decision - I am quite selective when it comes to giveaways (only products I would use in my own home) - but in this instance I was already familiar with this fabulous company.   You see not too long ago, Marianne of Miss Mustard Seed hosted a Goose Creek Candle giveaway and I had read about these wonderful candles and company on her blog.  Needless to say I was thrilled!

Goose Creek sent along two candles for me to try – dark vanilla bean and blueberry passion – both from their American Heirloom Collection. They arrived carefully packaged and in perfect shape.

I immediately opened the candles to give them the “smell test” as I am not one who likes really strong scents.  I have to say they passed with flying colors – great scent but not overpowering.  In fact, my kids just loved the blueberry candle and said it smelled like blueberry muffins. Yum!

I put the vanilla candle on my bedroom dresser with the top off and have been enjoying the smell of the candle even when it is not lit.

One of my favorite features of the candles – besides the scent - is the design of the jar and the absence of a big label.  They have a pretty brushed nickel top and the jar itself is simple and elegant.  A great fit for any décor.   In fact, Goose Creek also sells the jars without the candles.

Besides the products shown above, Goose Creek also offers a wide variety of pillar candles, jar candles, warmers, and room sprays in many different scents.  Something for everyone!

The good news is the nice people at Goose Creek have generously offered not one but two candles as giveaways! 

If you would like to win a candle of your own here is what you will need to do to enter:

Be or become a RDH follower and then simply visit Goose CreekCandle Company’s website and leave a comment below telling me which candle you want to win. Easy!

As an added bonus, Red Door Home readers will receive 25% off their order by entering the code 080412.  The code will be valid until the end of the month.

Enjoy your weekend and good luck!

Entries must be received by midnight EST on Friday, August 10, 2012. Two winners will be selected at random and will be announced on Sunday, August 12, 2012.  To enter you must be at least 18 years of age and a US resident.  Although I was compensated for this giveaway, all the opinions given here are my own.

August RDH Blog of the Month – Henhurst Interiors

Today I am pleased to introduce you to the RDH August blog of the month – Henhurst Interiors.

I discovered Henhurst Interiors not too long ago while reading Tone on Tone – another RDH blog of the month – and instantly felt a connection to the warm, comfortable and inviting decorating style Phyllis infuses into the spaces she designs.

Phyllis has an interior design business – also called Henhurst Interiors - located in Vermont.  She is a busy mom, wife and owner of two dogs and believes that beautiful interiors can be compatible with an active lifestyle. (I love this philosophy!)

Last month, Phyllis took a road trip south and stopped at several shops on my bucket list of “must visit” places.   Her tour included Trouvaille (Bonny Neiman’s store in Summit, NJ), the Ekster Antiquesbarn sale in Hamilton, Virginia and Loi Thai’s shop Tone on Tone as well as his beautiful home. 

Trouvaille

Ekster Barn Sale

Tone on Tone

After seeing the photos of her tour I now have an even greater desire to undertake a road trip of my own!

One of my favorite regular features on Henhurst Interiors is Phyllis’ “Words to Decorate By” series.  Phyllis chooses a quote by a well-known designer and includes a picture from their portfolio.  Here is one of my favorites by Charlotte Moss - “Decorating is like music. Harmony is what we constantly strive for.”

Charlotte Moss

Besides travelling in the United States, Phyllis also recently spent time in England where she visited with her cousin and family.

It was such a treat to follow along her journey and see all the wonderful photos of the places she visited – my favorite being Sissinghurst.

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There is so much more to see at Henhurst Interiors so be sure to stop by for a visit.  Thanks once again to another fabulous blogger for allowing me to feature your blog!