Random Thursday musings........and a Mothers day giveaway!

Posted by Mr Wong at 4:08 AM 0

Good morning! Hope alls well, its been a busy week for me but manageable. Does anyone wake up feeling like you need more than 24 hours to a day? I swear most days lately I feel this way.....I have had those kinds of days where it seems every minute of every hour is virtually accounted for and I am craving desperately a few days to do absolutely nothing! So I actually am listening to my own body and mind and am going to be away for a few days, taking a little break and getting away for some much needed R and R...so this post will have to suffice until Monday. I will wish you all now the happiest Mothers day possible....may it be one filled with much love, happiness, peace and above all relaxation! Would love to know what everyones up to for your special day!

Not a great deal going on in the house but I was really excited to get in some pieces from my statuary/planter line. Can I just tell you how gorgeous these pieces are!!  Anyone who has ordered these has been so delighted with their purchase, saying how they are even prettier in person and that is so true! I love the look of old stone planters and statuary but the beauty of these is that they are a fiberglass/resin composite so you can lift them with one hand! There are some cheap imitations which are pretty bad but the quality of this line is bar none.

Then they add the "aged moss" finish and voila..you have an absolutely gorgeous accent for the home or garden. Though the pieces I feature on my online store are the smaller accent pieces, they have a very extensive line and I am able to get much much bigger planters, ornaments of all kinds, statues,etc....so just inquire if you are interested. Anyway here's a look at the line........and a pretty giveaway (details at bottom of post)

I know I know...I get carried away with the pictures, can't help myself but when there is something beautiful to get excited about....it makes me very happy!

Also meet my newest buddy, Mabel the cow and her sidekick, the bucket. Is this the cutest creamer and sugar bucket you have ever seen? Got a few in for orders, absolutely ordering one for myself, wish I could keep these!!

Last the dough bowls I carry are real antique dough bowls, not replicas. Therefore no two are alike. They are such gorgeous special pieces. I have had many requests for small round ones. Well just got in 3 small round ones, 12"-13"..so its the only 3 I have, if you purchase online, just indicate you want one of the smaller ones. Here they are.....

On the homefront, a few things about to happen, next week window treatments going into my bathroom, and window seat getting put in......mirror is getting put in on my island. Small things, but still fun and must say I decided recently I need to "step it up" and get this house going. Things are moving forward but some of it is behind the scenes and yet there are other things I need to make a priority, like ordering living room furniture! I am also really anxious to order furniture for the outside loggia/covered porch. I know its a room we will enjoy at least 8-9 months of the year so would love to get that done soon. Wallpaper is soon to arrive for my powder room, which I cannot wait for! I will be sure to share it all as it happens.......

Aren't these plaques I just got in pretty? Love their old world appeal....thinking of putting up in my mud room/back stair hall area even though I order them for my sons room! May need another pair...they are going to be added to online store in the next few days, best part is they are super reasonable!

This little planter looks good everywhere!

A few new vases, added to my French chests in the living room. I like to "play" and since there is absolutely nothing in the room except the rug and my two chests, it can use all the help it can get!

                                                            And chest #2................

                                                                Close up......

                                                       Back to chest #1..................

Proof of my "you can never have too much blue and white" mantra!

And finally a giveaway to celebrate how much I am loving my statuary/planter line and Mothers day. There are two giveaways today..... I am giving away one of these darling mini urns/ bowls, it could be used for a plant,flower or fruit as I have shown. Then I am also giving away one of my beautiful frames that I just got in a few days ago....such a gorgeous collection of small jewel like frames! SO two lucky winners will be selected, one gets the small planter and another gets the frame.  

To enter..... Just visit my shop by clicking here, come back tell me your favorite item and you will automatically be in the running! If you want a second chance, visit The Enchanted Homes' Facebook page by clicking here and leave a comment there too. I will announce a winner on Monday evening. If you are anonymous you must leave a name or email. If you go by your first name, you must include a last name initial to be eligible! Last if you enter, please check back on Monday night to see if you won.......and heres the loot.

This pretty little piece....

Perfect with fruit....

Alone 

Or brimming with flowers.....

And this beautfiul old world beautiful frame.....

Wishing you a fabulous day and to all the mothers out there, who do the hardest job in the world day in and day out.....wishing you one heck of a happy, fun filled and hopefully pampering weekend ahead as we all celebrate Mothers Day....enjoy!

 And to my incredibly special Mom......I love you sooo much, it seems we often say the least to those we love the most, but I do hope you know just how much I love, cherish and adore you, and that I hit the family jackpot to have you and dad as my parents!  You are truly one in a million:) Thank you thank you thank you for being you. See everyone on Monday!

 Oh and don't forget to stop over at Art by Karena, if you haven't already to check out my interview and be eligible for my crystal hurricane candle giveaway! Click here to visit.

Orchid love....let me count the ways!

Posted by Mr Wong at 3:49 AM 0

Good morning everyone!! Busy busy week this week.....ever feel like there are simply not enough hours in the day? That's how I am feeling this week! But things continue to get done. Still lots of odds and ends being tied up here but we are moving in the right direction. Will hopefully do a mini update post on the house in a few days, and of course very busy with the new online store. Have lots of orders to process and sort, there is a learning curve but I catch on quick:)

One of my absolute most favorite flowers is the beautiful orchid. So elegant and regal, it is one  of the few that as a lone flower, can stand up against the best of them. I have always loved orchids, and try to have one or two in my home at all times. They just make me feel happy and pampered, as most flowers do. I cannot think of a single flower or plant that can transform a coffee table, console, kitchen or any room for that matter like an orchid can.
It just adds instant elegance,refinement, sophistication and beauty and always works in giving that extra height to a vignette where differing heights of objects makes all the difference. So today is a tribute to the beautiful orchid plant, and clearly it works in virtually any room, any setting, any color any style! What do you think? Where and how do you like to use orchids?  Are you as crazy for orchids as I am? I most definitely have orchiditis..........

Love this gorgeous setting, perfection! Mark Sikes

Talk about luxe!! These yellow orchids steal the show, Anthony-Masterson

My old house, I always had an orchid planted in a pretty container on this console

Orchids always work on a vanity in a bathroom and in fact the humidity is good for them, Kevin Allen photography

Love the idea of a large orchid planted alongside hydrangeas in this fabulous centerpiece, Rinfret

Love the effect of having a single orchid plant in a formal powder room/guest bath, Kendall Wilkinson

In a pretty silver pot, the orchid here is an elegant way to give height to the other objects in this tonal setting, Courtney Hill Interiors

A large orchid plant and an object or two works beautifully here, Thomas Pheasant

A beautiful blue and white container holding a large orchid on a center table is a no brainer, Mary McDonald

Orchids in a kitchen or pantry? Absolutely yes! Atlanta Home mag

In pared down, calm spaces, an orchid is a wonderful touch, Jan Showers

My old house again, this was a center foyer table....this was a big orchid planted in a tall ormolu planter, it added height and beauty and gave a great sense of scale to the space

As pretty outdoors as they are in, Southern Living

Talk about making a statement when you walk in, placing an orchid in an urn on a center table is always a great idea!

The orchid here in this eclectic setting by Jenny Wolf is like the great neutralizer

When in doubt how to set up a coffee table, an orchid in a pretty container, and a stack of a few beautiful coffee table books ALWAYS works in ANY setting, I promise! Jan Showers

Love it on a small side table, it gives great drama Rinfret

Even on a small table...look at the impact the orchid gives, Jennifer Ferreira

Orchids are also wonderful on top of a mantle, LBG Interiors

Love seeing an orchid on a coffee table for some height and to make a setting interesting, Andreas Trauttmansdorff

They work in all types of rooms....how gorgeous they are in this more transitional room, Accent on Design

Catlin Wilson shows that they work in all kinds of settings, including more modern ones

Love how it looks on this pretty vanity, Graciela Rutkowski

Amazing how just a single potted orchid can add such elegance to a small setting

A big bowl of orchids and a few books are always a winning recipe for a coffee table, Robert A.M. Stern

Why not add one to an unexpected place like a closet! Taylor Hannah

Also like the idea of placing a large orchid on a sofa table/console behind a sofa, Veranda

Beautiful even on a small side table, so graceful. Plum Interiors

Proof that orchids work in any style home, even in an eclectic room like this, Knight moves

I think they always work on a console table flanked by other smaller objects, HB

They work beautifully as a stand alone tall object on a coffee table, Kips Bay showhouse

This "recipe" has worked for me time and time again. An urn or large container with a nice sized orchid flanked by two lamps on a console or side table. Instant success! Knight Carr

So what do you think? Do you have a case of orchiditis like me? Its an affliction I am afraid there is absolutely no cure for! Love them...and good news is that they have honestly become more affordable than ever. We have a few florists locally that carry really exquisite large ones that seem to outlast all the others but even Home Depot gets them for 19.99 and though they may not last as long, its a beautiful effect for a month or two....just get a little creative with your containers, and voila, you have yourself an instant pop of elegance to add to any room in your home! Wishing you a fabulous Friday.