CHRISTMAS 2017

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthernWaterlillies

SEAS AND GREETINGS

 SEAS AND GREETINGS
Celebrating the holidays at the beach?

Southern Waterlillies has vintage, coastal gifts and decor that are ideal for the occasion!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthernWaterlillies

ART IN THE KITCHEN

The kitchen is a great place to display a collection of vintage, framed art.

A wall isn't the only place in the kitchen where art can be galleried. Floating shelves, vent hoods, and kitchen islands are all great places to display paintings.

Original art should be hung in places where it has minimal exposure to smoke, grease and direct sunlight.

Florals and still life's of fruit and other food related themes make ideal kitchen art, although landscapes and portraits could be incorporated as well. Choose art with colors that mimic colors that already exist in the room, and have fun! There are no hard and fast rules. You, do you!

Southern Waterlillies on Etsy

Southern Waterlillies Shop on Etsy, offers a wonderful selection of  vintage Chinoiserie,

and many other beautiful home décor pieces!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthernWaterlillies

A lovely mint green and peach, decorative plate.

This stunning floor vase, would be a great accent piece for foyer or fireplace 

A beautiful pair of vintage, white elephant plant stands and a  lovely green Foo Dog.

My Autumn Porch

My Autumn porch. I really want to get rid of the storm door, so that my apple green,  mid-century front door, can be better seen.

Pumpkins, Mums, and Lanterns

My vintage, Boston Terrier, doorstop, keeps a look out for ghosts and goblins!

Autumn Decorating 2017

Before: My living room Armoire, before Fall décor.

After: Armoire decorated for Fall. Colorful leaves on the center shelf and a sign  of  "Favorite Autumn Things"

hung from the doors.

Before: The chest in my foyer, before Fall décor.

After: My foyer chest, decorated for Fall. Felt pumpkins, Autumn leaves and a DIY, burlap wreath, layered over the boxwood wreath.

CHINOISERIE CHIC

CHINOISERIE
The term chinoiserie, which comes from the French word chinois, or “Chinese,” denotes that chinoiserie did not, in fact, come directly from Asia but is instead a European interpretation of Asian culture and decorative arts. The style originated in the 17th century, in tandem with Europe’s flourishing trade with China and other countries of East Asia.
Europeans had long been intrigued by what they viewed as “exotic” Asian cultures; as few Europeans had traveled to ...
Asia, they knew little about the region. While this led to more than a few misinterpretations and misunderstandings, Europeans nevertheless held Asian art and culture in high regard. Wanting to imitate these far-flung styles, Europeans began producing their own takes on East Asian artifacts, which paired well with the lavishly embellished rococo designs in vogue at the time. Monarchs and the aristocracy were especially fond of chinoiserie, and it made appearances in the palaces of Louis XV of France and King George IV of England.
Tea was another of the era’s Asian imports. As traders began importing teas to Europe, the beverage grew in popularity. The culture and tradition  of drinking tea, which encouraged an appropriately elaborate mise-en-scène complete with tea sets, tea tables, tea chests, and the like, only helped bolster the demand for all things Chinoiserie  of drinking tea, which encouraged an appropriately elaborate mise-en-scène complete with tea sets, tea tables, tea chests, and the like, only helped bolster the demand for all things Chinoiserie.

CONTEST WINNER!

CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of the vintage brass candleholders,
Susan W., of  Atlanta, GA!
Thank you to everyone who entered. Stay tuned, there will be another contest later this Fall.

SEPTEMBER

WICKER AND RATTAN SALE!

                                                       https://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthernWaterlillies

CAROLINA SUNDAY MORNING

I just wanted to share a photo of my Sunday morning coffee table, complete with orange day lilies, and a cup of coffee ( cream and sugar, please).  As you can see, my design style is,  more is more! ; )
Have a wonderful, peaceful day!

CONTEST!

ENTER TO WIN
Okay, better late than never! Here is the prize giveaway I've been promising. A beautiful pair of vintage, brass, taper candle holders!! (candles are not included.)
For those who don't know, brass home décor is back with a vengeance. These candle holders are ideal for display on a coffee table, mantel, dining table or bookshelf. As the holidays approach, I'll share posts that show how I have incorporated my own brass candleholders into my holiday décor.
To be eligible to win, just subscribe to this blog, by entering your email address at the top of the page. Sorry, but only U.S. residents are eligible to win.
The winner will be announced on September 3, 2017. Good Luck!

MY SHED

As promised, here are photos of my own She Shed. The shed interior, at least temporarily, will be used for storage, so for now I can only have fun making the outside beautiful. As I said in my last post, my shed is a work in progress. I will post updates as I continue working.

 This is a photo of the shed while under construction. It only took this husband and wife a matter of hours to construct the shed from the ground up!

 My completed shed! My neighbor said it looks like a place she'd like to relax and have a cup of coffee.

The exterior has been caulked for protection against moisture, and I've started painting. It might take me a while to finish. The weather this Summer has been either brutally hot, or rainy. Stay tuned for updates!

SHE SHEDS

"She sheds" have become the feminine answer to the mancave. These wonderful little havens are cropping up all over, in all shapes and sizes.

These spaces often perform the dual purpose of personal retreat and art or craft studio. She Sheds provide a sanctuary for women who just want a little time to themselves. A place to relax and renew.




"She Sheds" are the ideal places for letting your inner interior designer do her thing!
Go glam, cottage chic, cabin chic or coastal. Your shed design is limited only by your imagination!

My own shed, (a work in progress ; ) , will be featured in my next blog post. Stay tuned for that, and information about an exciting giveaway!!

WELCOME!

Hello, my name is Ava Lilly. Welcome to my blog and my inaugural blog post!

This blog is dedicated to all who love God, beautiful interiors, good food, family and fun.
 I am a native of the South. I 've lived in North Carolina all of my life, and my blog will reflect, among many other things, furnishings and foods that are typically southern.

I have a Etsy shop also named Southern Waterlillies;
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthernWaterlillies
I sell vintage home décor and serving pieces. I will frequently blog about pieces in the shop that I find particularly interesting. I welcome post suggestions, positive feedback and constructive criticism.

  I enjoy spending time with my family ( I have twin daughters, who are in college), cooking, eating, traveling and interior decorating!

You will frequently be offered a glimpse into my home via photos of my ever changing home  décor, and the ordinary and not so ordinary exploits of my everyday life. I hope you enjoy all!

These are photos that I took for an upcoming advertisement for my Etsy shop. I'm a big fan of brass and Chinoiserie.