Trading Watermelons for Pumpkins

Fall is practically over!

In blogger land I am so painfully behind everyone else in decorating and sharing that I feel like I should skip straight ahead to decorating for spring.

Summer went so fast and I've just been putting off giving up watermelons for pumpkins.

But, here we are, smack in the middle of October so why don't you come on in for a cup of coffee.

Or some vodka, 
you pick...

The big decision I made this fall was to give away my faux fall decor to my daughter. She is starting her own household with her  very handsome Air Force pilot fiancé  and I thought it would be a good move for both of us.

 I've decided to decorate simply and naturally from now on.  

(Or until I see some adorable fall decor I can't resist.)

Here are some photos of our fall decor at Q1 this season...

We spend most of our time on the front porch, it is, without a doubt, the best room in the house.

I love to drink coffee on the porch every morning and watch the caissons roll by.  It is the one thing I will miss when we move.

Which, eventually, we will.

 Every evening at 5 these market lights come on for Happy Hour!
(This table is an inexpensive plastic fold up from Target, it's perfect for the spot without a big investment.)

The kitchen gets a little something...

 I'm wondering if my friend, Melissa, will notice I opened my Christmas gift early this year?? Nuts, anyone?

My newest kitchen decor...Cleo. I love her! 

Have I mentioned I'm a vegetarian? That makes Cleo super happy!

Next to porches, fireplace mantles are my favorite places to decorate.

I did keep these wooden crows, their names are Jon Snow, Arya, and Sansa...I just couldn't part with them!

    

Company for dinner tonight! Vegetable pot pie and salad is on the menu, buffet style.

Have I mentioned my obsession with glass bottles?

The back steps are getting a little fall love too this year...

and luckily my orange colors on the patio are taking me right into the season...thank goodness since I'm showing up late to this party.

If you're new to Quarters One you can check out last year's fall porch here.

You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/quartersone

We're on Instagram, too...sometimes...when I remember we have an account!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

With Gratitude, Shand

Dreaming of a Sunroom

Our sun room at Lost Cay Cottage.

A sunroom in a house is the like icing on a cake...
with sprinkles.  

 A space full of light that allows you to enjoy the outside, literally twenty-four-seven, unencumbered by the elements.  We have a sunroom at Lost Cay Cottage. It's where we curl up on the sofa, have coffee in the morning, read a book in the afternoon, and have a glass of prosecco and chat in the evening.  All year long. It is, by far, my favorite room in either house!

We don't have the luxury of a sunroom here at Quarters One and that's ok,  I'm still working on the one we do have.

I'll share my coastal inspired mood board with you...

A little about the elements I'm dreaming of.
First things first, wall color! It always amazes me what a difference it can make. Although I have Revere Pewter (Ben Moore) on my board, our room is Jubilee (Sherwin Williams) both have the soothing effect I crave!

Lighting...I love this chandelier from Arhaus. It will hang in our sunroom...one day!

Chatelet Chandelier from Arhaus

 While chandeliers rule, lamps are just as important.  They can make or break the mood, even if the mood is just to read a good book in the waning light. 

Fielding Floor Lamp

A white comfy slipcovered sofa...and yes you can...are generally easy to clean and so easy to mix and match.  We have 4 of them and I wouldn't trade a one!

 Baldwin Slipcovered Sofa from Arhaus

 Upholstered chairs...one or two for the company who will want to join you! I love slipcovered swivel chairs so these are on.my.list!

 Keely Slipcovered swivel chairs from Crate and Barrel.  

Versatile coffee table...a pair of these rattan ottoman coffee tables are perfect to lay your coffee, your book, or your feet! 

Ottoman from Cymax.com

The distressed side table is a great extra space and can easily be moved where needed. You can find something similar just about anywhere.

A mirror...reflects light and always opens up a room.  Find a similar style from the inspiration board here. Our mirror, made of chipped corbels, also has a definite beach cottage vibe.

 A pop of color is always fun.  Art work and pillows are a great way to incorporate color in an neutral room. I love a hint of whimsy!

The pillow on my board is from Arhaus and the artwork is "Shake No. 3" from art.com.

 And neither last nor least..a comfy rug...a sunroom should say take your shoes off and enjoy..wiggle your toes and shake off your troubles...

I'll keep you updated on our sunroom progress...thank you for reading! 

With Gratitude,

Shand 

Visit Arhaus for more wonderful ideas on decorating any room in your house!
 Don't forget to visit at

www.facebook.com/quartersone

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Where Are You Springtime?

Brr! 

If winter would loosen it's cold, rainy grip on spring I would love to get my outside living space together.

I'm excited because this season I've been inspired by the color 

ORANGE!

 I am digging the orange and navy combo, in particular, and it seems to be trending everywhere.

Here are some pictures from Pinterest that have inspired me...

Even Pottery Barn is in on the orange action...

Here's a glimpse of some of the pieces I'm putting together at Quarters One...

Lost Cay Cottage, Quarters One's alter ego, is also getting a touch of this happy color.

I hope to be living on the porch this time next week and as soon as I get out there I will share it all with you!
(Here are links to past porch blogs 2015 and 2014.)

Look for us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/quartersone

With Gratitude,
Shand 

Sweet and Salty Christmas Crunch

It's not Christmas at Quarters One until the Christmas Crunch is made and consumed!

Here are the ingredients we use...although they can vary from recipe to recipe.

Just in case you're not sure that's pretzels, M&Ms, peanuts, and crushed soft peppermints.  

I roughly use about a cup of each ingredient, maybe 2 cups of pretzels, toss in a large bowl.

Melt 1 bag of this...

I use one of my few pieces of Polish Pottery to melt the chocolate for 1 min and 10 seconds in the microwave.  Even though it won't appear melted, it should be, and the bowl will be sufficiently warm to continue the melting as you stir it. 

(If you have to keep heating do so in increments of 5 seconds if you over microwave you'll have a hard mess.)

Pour the melted chocolate over all ingredients working quickly as the chocolate will harden pretty fast.

Spread it all out on a piece of wax paper on a flat surface.  After about 5 or 10 minutes you can break it up and put it into a container.

I have no idea how long this will last because it never makes it more than a day in our house! But, I would imagine it would last a few days in an air tight container before the pretzels become a little stale.

I hope you're having a wonderful Christmas week!

'Til next time....