first flower feature: hellebores

I am introducing a new series today - flower feature. I have been doing a lot of informal research on flowers that might work in our garden so it seems only natural to share it here. As I have mentioned, there is so much to learn with gardening - varieties, growing conditions, soil composition, diseases, pruning practices etc. In my very early gardening career, I have relied heavily on the advice given at my local nursery and - Google. This first flower feature is a plant that was given on recommendation - hellebores.

I planted a type called 'ice follies' in a partial to primarily shade bed that also has lily of the valley and some hostas. Hellebores are perennial evergreen plants that are rather frost resistant, long blooming - typically early spring, and low maintenance. They can be grown in hardiness zones 6 to 9 and can tolerate full sun to full shade although they prefer partial shade. Sometime referred to as lenten roses, these flowers belong to the same family as the popular ranunculous. I selected this plant because of my shade conditions, wanting to add some color to this particular bed and the fact that it is an evergreen. One of the other really nice things about this plant is that it makes for a beautiful cut arrangement. Floret, a favorite gardening blog of mine, did a nice write up on best practices for cutting hellebore arrangements that you can read here. There are so many stunning varieties ,including lots of hybrids, that I definitely plan on adding more to our garden. Just look how pretty they are!

from top left: hellebores display via Floret - ivory prince variety via Plant Delight - ice follies variety via Conrad Art Glass & Garden - blue lady variety via VonBloem Gardens - source unknown - ivory prince bouquet via Once Wed - peppermint ice via Canadian Gardening -  picotee lady variety via Skagit Gardens

our mud room take 2 + slate tile floor

Remember - how back in October I wrote this post about how we were just about ready to start our mud room renovation? Well, I definitely spoke/blogged too soon because it has yet to happen. In hindsight, the delay was a good thing as after almost a year of living in the space we have a better idea of what the big picture for the house will hopefully be. So lesson learned and with round 2 of renovation planning, I am going to be more cautious about saying when this construction project is actually going to happen. However, we did have our first (round 2) contractor this past Friday and I am pretty excited about the potential of the project :).

Our desires for the room are pretty much the same as what they were back in the fall with the big exception of adding in a half bath. Key room features include:

- bringing the washer and dryer up from the basement
- new floor and ceiling - bye bye carpet and popcorn treatment
- adding storage - coats, shoes, dog stuff etc.
- drop all space - keys, mail, cell phones etc.
- utility sink 
- dog area

By adding in a half bath, we will cut down substantially on storage space but with an idea of opening up the kitchen and doing away with our current first floor bath, its a must for the project. 

So far I have just been working on getting the layout right and haven't focused on the finishes. I have, however, given some thought to the floor. I know we want to do some sort of tile and I am thinking slate or maybe a penny tile. Being that it is a mud room, it will probably come down cost and what we think will function the best - more research needed. 

Below are some slate floor inspiration images that I have been checking out.

from top left - slate mosaic via Home Depot - herringbone pattern via STUDIO MCGEE -  striped pattern via This Old House - bathroom via Design Dot - laundry room source unknown - small brick pattern via Chic Design Investments -  bathroom via Centsational Girl

sourcing a dining room table + chairs

My friend Jenn asked me for some help in picking out new dining room chairs and table. She doesn't really know what she wants so I casted a wide net and sent her some options that are relatively economical, easy to obtain (Jenn is an instant gratification sort of shopper) and would fit into the current style of her home - which is a combination of preppy and Bohemian with just a little glam. I plan on seeing what she/her husband gravitates towards and refining from there. 

Happy Monday!

1. West Elm Parsons Dining Table  2. Target Safavieh Kennedy Side Chairs  3. Target Threshold Windsor Chair  4. Target Zuo Fillmore Dining Table  5. IKEA Morbylanga Table  6. Target Safavieh Soho Chair  7. Blu Dot Hot Mesh Chair  8. IKEA Stockholm Table