Patina, Porcelain, and Petals

Hello everyone,

Today, for the first time, I bring you blooms,
 some fresh, others  painted, printed, potted or sewn,
 featuring my main floor bathroom.

The bathroom is tiled floor to ceiling, in porcelain, with the colours and textures resembling the rustic patinas prominent  in Greek, Italian and French design. Depending on the light, the hues change colour throughout the day, and are brightest in the late afternoon.

The fixtures are brushed nickel and have an old world charm appeal. Doesn't the shower handle remind you of those now, antique, black rotary style telephones?

The towels are hung to dry on heated panels, which is quite convenient and cozy in the winter. The brassy mirror was a lucky find and along with the daintily stitched doily,  adds delicate drama to an otherwise, choppy, geometrical grid.

Our hospitable hosts, from above, left: fresh, painted,
 and sewn, and printed and potted, below. 

Slippers sit on a white bistro chair, ready for use

 when tiles are too cool for the toes!

Well, that's my bathroom in bloom!

Hope you enjoyed the tour of 'les fleurs'!

Thanks for visiting!

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DEBUTS AND DEJA VUS

Hello everyone,

Today, I'm contributing over at Brenda's. 
Hope you'll drop by and visit! 

The following was first published as the first contributing post I wrote for  Cozy Little House, in May of this year, to celebrate Poppy View's one year anniversary.  Have a look!

One cold winter afternoon, while wandering around the thickly populated blogosphere, I suddenly stopped in my tracks, as I found myself standing in front of the the cutest, most colourful house I had ever seen in the land!

cozylittehouse.com

I immediately felt at home, identifying with its cottage-y, farmhouse feel, where cows and chickens lived harmoniously among primary pigments printed on crockery, quilts, artwork, and fabrics. Polka dots, checks, stripes and floral patterns featuring red, my favourite colour, had me doing double takes; this could easily be my house, I gasped!

My red rooms

I needed to find out who was behind all this serious fun and flair! First, I went into marathon mode and read her beautiful blog from first post to last! Then, I visited every day and felt like I was getting to know this very honest and humble lady.

source

From helpful tips on bettering one's blog, to eloquent excerpts on personal experiences, I was so intrigued that I wanted to tell her how her simple and whimsical style had made me smile, (after collecting my jaw from the floor, that is!).

So, I wrote Miss Brenda a long letter, telling her just that: how much I had admired her cozy little house, and if she had the time, I would love for her to visit mine - a new blog, barely a week old! 

Welcome!

Of course, being the sweet soul that she is, Brenda wrote back right away, boosting my confidence, cheering me on and giving me valuable advice. She extended her hospitality by introducing Poppy View to her many devoted readers, on her very unique Welcome Wagon Fridays, a kind and generous invitation.

Poppy View debuted on my daughter's birthday, May 18th, 2012. A few days ago, Brenda asked me if I would consider becoming a regular contributor here, at this warm and wonderful space. Needless to say, I was ecstatic! And so, today, I thought it most fitting to celebrate Poppy View's one year anniversary, here at Brenda's cozy little house, which for me, has been more of a home, as its gracious hostess always takes care of her guests, in the most attentive and delightful ways. 

In addition, I'd like to thank everyone who visits Poppy View. Reading, commenting and simply saying, 'hello', are treasured gifts and your presence inspires me to joyfully communicate to you, colourful creations, in pictures and words, from my own little house, in the hilly fields, of the pretty, Cretan countryside. 

source

Until next time,

Poppy

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What's Red and White and Made of Garlic?

Give up?...

My new nook!

Behind a red and white gingham shade,



hangs a flaky and dry garlic braid,

where there once
 was a teapot and thyme,

and fruit bursting
with the colour of wine!

Lately, a landscaped cookie jar of a home,

(proving even too small for a gnome),

could be found in this space,

until...

 

herb bouquets

and papery braids

arrived,

along with yellow corn,

and checks that adorn

nearby windows -

gateways to a season

in bloom,

seen from the nook

of  my pale, yellow room.

Thanks for visiting!

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CAMERA CHRONICLES

For those who have been following

my camera chronicles...

Our very dainty and delicate honeysuckle

'ReEnergized' the batteries

Gardenias, wedding white puffs of softness

and cautiously crept toward the garden

Cute as a button, multi-coloured lantana

in the hope of capturing 

Petite and pretty jasmine

a few still images

Charmingly simple Chinese carnations

of some blooming beauties

 Precious tiny petals of the Virgin Mary's Teardrop, (Greek name)

in case my camera, once again, went kaput

which, of course, it did.

Thus compelling me to get creative

Playing around with 'Poster Effect' in iPiccy

in iPiccy,

 and in the process...

refreshingly recharged, batteries of my own!

Thanks for visiting,

Poppy

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FROM PATIO TO PORCH

My previous cake: double layered and documented!

Yesterday, after decorating my triple layered, strawberry gateau and styling it on a pretty, lace engraved cake stand, I carefully carried it out to the patio, excited to take a few photos to share with you.  Just as the late, afternoon sun softly lit the scene, my Sony Cyber Shot 3.2 Mega Pixel DSC-P72 digital camera suddenly conked out on me! 

Our patio, a few days ago

Actually, it hadn't  been cooperating in the last few weeks, but I was in denial. I tried to revive it by inserting new alkaline batteries, but nothing. Funnily, it turns on, but a few seconds later, shuts down. So, until I make the trek into town for two new rechargeables, (hoping they will resuscitate it), I won't be featuring images from my home, but from cyberspace, where there are millions, and many of them, magnificent!

This mostly red, white and green porch is so darn cute, isn't it? The combination of a cedar shingled and brick exterior, potted red geraniums bordering the stairs and tiny, but quaint, seating area, all speak of simpler times. Surrounded by a lush, low levelled garden, this porch is fresh and fun, bursting with old-fashioned charm. 

Equally sweet, this simply styled, cottage-y porch also in red, white and green, evokes pure relaxation as it seems to be a quiet place, where one can playfully swing into a siesta slumber, and awaken to a cup of coffee and sugary treats. Again, is the presence of cheery geraniums coincidental or do these undemanding flowers create a calm and soothing space for deep sleep? 

Softly merging blue into the colour scheme adds an airiness, a whisper of seaside serenity. The mosaic of roughly cut stone brings to mind piles of pebbles on the shore, and how they feel under bare feet: a massage of mini mountains, slightly painful, before the spa splash into the sea!

In the late afternoon, a bike ride with friends and a visit to the ice cream parlour awaits! What could be more indulgent? When I first came across this cedar shingled porch with the periwinkle blue door and flower box, overflowing with a bundle of blooms, I felt a rush of happiness. Romantic, rustic, red and refreshing, this porch, for me, is truly enchanting! I wish I could just walk straight into my computer screen and into this storybook splendour!

But, alas, here on the island, a great many porches are perched high above the Sea of Crete, where boldly coloured beauties brighten the sky and sea, like beads of passion waking a waveless, swell of blue. Their heavy terracotta pots grounding them, they stand straight and strong, resilient against any whipping winds that may threaten their collective stature.

Hope you enjoyed this little peek 

at some of my favourite porches.

Thanks so much for coming along!

Poppy

All images except first two: Google

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A TRIPLET TREAT

Last week, when I went into town,

 Bought a bowl of cherries,

To pardon my frown.

Two mini red blooms

As big as my fists,

And

 A bunch of berries and cream

Too sweet to resist!

Because three bundles of red,

Whether to smell or to eat

Are nothing more 

Than a heavenly treat!

 

Thanks for visiting,

  

Poppy

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