Wednesday, June 15, 2011

A Special Guest Post, Annette Tatum and an Annette Tatum Euro Sham Giveaway

Hello!
I am honored to have Annette Tatum as a special guest blogger today.
Annette Tatum founded the Annette Tatum Collection in 1994, and is also the author of the inspring book, The Well Dressed Home.

Annette is also giving away a Euro Sham to one lucky reader, be sure and read the giveaway information at the bottom of the post.
Thank You Annette Tatum!
Relaxing Outdoor Environments for Summer
          Guest Post by Annette Tatum

As summer approaches the warm air, fresh scents, and sunlit colors draw us out of our homes, and we dream of creating more ways to spend our time outside.  This blog is dedicated to exploring ways to create relaxing outdoor environments, giving each of us more reasons to enjoy the luxury of the outdoors this summer.


In Your Own Backyard

Create a place to rest in your own backyard.  Bring a daybed outside adorned with light bedding and floral pillows, as you find yourself relaxing with a book, enjoying a nap, or an afternoon snack.



An Outdoor Workspace

What a wonderful place to open your mind and stimulate your creativity?  Bring some paintings outdoors and set up a table for you to work, think, or entertain...a great place to invoke interesting conversations! 


Escape to a Yurt!

A yurt is provides an exotic way to enjoy the outdoors, while keeping cool in the shade creating the perfect place to unwind, meditate, stretch, think...or simply flip through a few pages of a magazine while you forget about "real life" for awhile...


Resort-Style

There's no need to plan a summer vacation if your own home feels like a resort.  Take inspirations from your favorite luxury hotels and travel destinations, and then create your own place of escape.  Dress up your patio furniture with vibrant, comfortable cushions, and extend living spaces to open to a patio or pool setting.  A lovely place for happy hour! 



For more inspirational ideas of how to express yourself through your home decor, please visit Annette’s blog, and be sure to pick up a copy of her book, “The Well-Dressed Home“.

Giveaway Information.....

To help you relax this summer, Annette is giving away: A Pirouette Whisper Euro Sham!  Value $64.00:
1. To enter the giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment on this post, and if you would like tell us how you like to create a relaxing outdoor environment during the summer months.

2. If you would like a chance for an extra entry you can post the giveaway to any of your social networking sites.  You must leave a separate comment for each entry.


The winner will be chosen by random number.
The giveaway will end Sunday, June 19th at midnight.



I hope you get a chance to visit Annette's blog and website,
Thank you Annette Tatum!
I have Annette's book, The Well Dressed Home, it truly is one of my favorite decorating books.
I will be back in a couple of days with the winner of my giveaway.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway!
Take Care,
Maria

108 comments:

  1. Wow, am I the first? I hope that means I'm lucky...
    The perfect summer environment:friends,family fabulous fresh food and of course perfect weather with a gorgeous french outdoor setting...Oh la la...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love my front porch and every summer I fix it up so its better than my living room, and cooler. Plus we see the neighbors and they stop in and have a chat. Very relaxing.
    And thank you for this fantastic giveaway. 8>)

    ReplyDelete
  3. sheepyhollowJune 15, 2011

    We often eat dinner 'poolside' in the garden. Candlelight is a must...for the bugs too! Simple country fare, usually something fresh from the garden - a basil pesto I think!

    Jenny (grdepa@yahoo.com)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, another fabulous give-away! Thank you for hosting this, Maria! That euro sham is just so pretty.

    The question you asked is such a timely one -- I just purchased a darling outdoor bistro set for my balcony in turquoise -- my favorite color! The balcony is on the second level and under trees, so it is like being in a tree house, very sweet. With some fresh fruits and veggies from the organic farm I recently subscribed to, and a nice glass of wine, it will be the perfect place to unwind after a day at the office.

    Good luck everyone!

    Best,

    Kimberly

    ReplyDelete
  5. Just tweeted the give-away! Here's the link: http://twitter.com/#!/SterlingCherub/status/80938162716815361

    Best,

    Kimberly

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the twinkling of clear Christmas lights on my back deck...It makes it sooo cozy! Thanks for the chance for the giveaway!
    Juanita

    ReplyDelete
  7. I put out the pillows, candles and other little extras on the lawn furniture and add lots of flowers.
    Fresh paint on the house made a wonderful difference this year.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have Annettes book and I think she has wonderful style and advice!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like to create a relaxing outdoor environment during the summer months by setting up my deck with comfortable chairs, beautiful plants and a container pond with flowing water.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I posted the giveaway to twitter.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I posted the giveaway to FB!

    ReplyDelete
  12. With me , there is a tiny garden , but it is right next the music room , it allow us to listen to what you like , elongated in a lounge chair. On the other hand , I will add in my garden , a small iron bed of 19 th century which was transformed in a bench by my father 30 years ago, I add lots of shabby chic pillows. This will be adorable .

    Pascale

    ReplyDelete
  13. We have a beautiful screened porch that I love to clean up every spring. We love to eat out there in the summer!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love to create relaxing places on my porch and the sham would look really great here. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  15. During the summer, I love creating relaxing outdoor spaces for me my family and friends that come to spend time with us!!!! I always keep Beautiful plants around, and big soft pillows on our outdoor furniture is A MUST!!!! Nothing to me is any better than a evening dinner with cafe lights stremaed from tree to tree, with candles and beautiful flowers running down the center of the table while dinning outside, with the people you love most!

    Michelle Torres
    decorater4life@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great post Annette! I love to see a splash of colour in the world! So invigorating and not as clinical or cold :-)
    Dianne
    XOXO
    YONKS

    ReplyDelete
  17. This summer I will enjoy my backyard now that it is finished! Although I live in Arizona, in the summer(July thru September)it gets very hot, I will still it enjoy it 9 months out of the year!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you for this opportunity.

    We love creating a beautiful
    relaxing atmosphere outside so that we can enjoy the company of
    family and friends.

    Have a great day.

    Best,

    Coastal Blue Ocean

    ReplyDelete
  19. Keeping my patio full of potted flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yay! I will love to win...I believe in creating memories...so making sure to do the same things each year, creates a tradition and something to look forward to...We cook out the same thing each sunday (while the same main course and add in surprises)...we use the day to swim, laugh and relax on our patio...Simple...

    ReplyDelete
  21. What pretty pictures. Great ideas for summer!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love a chance to win, please do enter me for a chance :) ~ I love decorating our front covered porch with cozy cottage pillows; we have a wooden glider on it, and I usually throw a vintage pink chenille blanket over it, and toss on the pillows, makes it nice and cozy to sit upon ~ we also have a side deck, where I have my Perennial garden around it, and this time of year is so nice to sit at the table and look upon all the beautiful flowers :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great interview Maria!
    I like to add a lot of beautiful flowers outside to create a relaxing environment along with candles in the evenings :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh my goodness, the colors in the sham are exactly what I am redoing my bedroom in! Can I say, what a fabulous giveaway and oh how lucky I could be...? If I were to win, then I wouldn't have to sew... and that's a good thing.
    xoxoxo Patty

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love creating an outdoor living space. There's a round table for dinners under a tree, 2 Adirondack chairs for reading in, and a small seating area up on the deck for more sun. I like having lots of pots on the deck - strawberries, herbs, flowers. Pillows in the chairs make it comfortable and cozy. A basket of light shawls or blankets is good for cool evenings - which is our weather now.

    Being outside is wonderful! What a great giveaway. I'm off to explore Annette's blog.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Not only was the guest post & pictures a wonderful read, but the answers from others about how the enjoy the summer was really fun, too!
    That last picture of course is the best, you can't beat mother nature. But water in the backyard is a close second.
    It's a lovely GiveAway. Thank you to you & Annette.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love taking a cup of tea out to my garden early in the morning before the kids are awake. I curl up on my outdoor furniture that sits in a cozy little space under my deck and along side the garden. Peaceful, comfortable, pretty that makes my favorite outdoor space.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wonderful giveaway!! Would love to win~ Rachel :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love the perfect blend of rustic and refined... a distressed table with fine fabrics. Such lovely photos that beckon us outdoors. In the Pacific Northwest we have cool summers and ocean breezes but the season is fleeting; all the more reason to spend it al fresco!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm facebooking about it too! xoxo
    I'll email you pictures tonight! :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love the giveaway. A backyard with tons of greenery and flowers is what I love to see...and a view of the water helps too!

    ReplyDelete
  32. What gorgeous photos and settings! I love the outdoor gallery - how beautiful to see those painting in the natural light.

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousJune 15, 2011

    I love the water and I love candles burning outside with some outdoor lights very faint.

    Michelle Wright~~e-mail address:
    dn91191@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thank you for sharing a fabulous giveaway.

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  35. I live in the south so pretty much any outdoor summer space is going to need air conditioning. :) As long as I have a good book and a cold beverage, I'm happy. Thanks! Christy

    ReplyDelete
  36. It's so hot here in Texas but I love to sit on my front patio in the morning and enjoy a big cup of coffee...the perfect start to my day. Thanks for offering this giveaway :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. I live in Iowa so there's nothing nicer than after a day at the pool then sitting outside beneath the trees with a glass of wine. Love the pillows! Hope I'm lucky! Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love Annette Tatum's book. It has been a great inspiration to me. I was fortunate enough to help with a book signing that we had here in Colorado. It was such a fabulous night with Annette, friends and her fabulous book.

    Outdoor living is an everyday occurrence here in Colorado-- the weather is just too good. Summer parties on the lawn with friends is a common scene at our house.

    Thanks so much for doing the giveaway. It is fun to reflect on the joys of outdoor living.

    ReplyDelete
  39. AnonymousJune 15, 2011

    Love all these giveaways....have yet to win one but I'm hopeful. Thanks for sharing.
    Linda
    lindarubin@centurytel.net

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love the Well Dressed Home and have gotten a lot of inspiration from it. I love to sit outside in the shade with a cup of coffee and good book.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wow, what a lovely giveaway! I'm gonna have to check out the book, thank you for the chance to win!
    XXX Ido

    ReplyDelete
  42. I posted the giveaway button on my sidebar! Wish me luck!
    XXX Ido

    ReplyDelete
  43. I put lots of potted flowers and ferns on my back porch. Love to sit out there with a glass of tea. Please enter me in this great giveaway. Deb chedeb5353@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. hoping to decorate a lovely porch swing on my new front porch!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Love sipping a little chardonnay on my refurbished deck! And would love to win this sham!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Oh, her fabrics are gorgeous! Hope I win the sham! I love summer evenings in the vegetable garden. There's something about watching your garden go from tiny plants to vegetables ripe for the picking!
    emilia(dot)kelly(at)gmail

    ReplyDelete
  47. When Ireland had the weather for it, I simply love to go to the beach (which is fifteen minutes away from my home) and let nature create the atmosphere for me!

    ReplyDelete
  48. i fill my daybed with comfy cushions (and this sham would fit in perfectly!!) and always have a bright floral tablecloth on my outdoor table. i love my having a couple of candle chandeliers out there too :)
    Kate x

    ReplyDelete
  49. AnonymousJune 15, 2011

    Love, love, love the pool house! I could relax there no problem!! I'm working on an outside space at our beach cottage; the palm tree, flowers, sod and shrubs are in. Now all I need is a low deck with the pergola over it and maybe one or two more palm trees.......don't let my hubby see this but we need more shade here on the gulf, it's already really hot here. The pillow sham would work really well on the chaise under the pergola but I'd have to have at least one more....thanks for the lovely post and the super giveaway! Take care, VBg

    ReplyDelete
  50. This is a great post...I learned a lot. Annette has some great tips and I love her style!

    We live on a lake in Michigan and in the summer we bring out our palm trees. They shade the patio and create a tropical atmosphere even though we are far from it. I love looking out at the lake with the palms gently waving in the breeze!

    XO,
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  51. what a great photos,i loke the first one!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Alicia NicholsJune 15, 2011

    What a beautiful spot! I would love to curl up with my Nook and read on that little daybed. : )

    ReplyDelete
  53. AnonymousJune 15, 2011

    My little patio right off of my livingroom, has white fences around it. We have a huge whiskey barrel that my kids put pretty colored handprints on. We planted lavender and other pretty flowers in it. In other pots we have other plants including strawberries. Outside is always relaxing here.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Wow! Thanks for the great giveaway! My favorite way to relax on a warm summer day is in my hammock with a great book!

    aeh0001 at auburn dot edu

    ReplyDelete
  55. My favorite way to relax and cool off in the hot summer months in Florida is to make some iced Peach tea with mint leaves and sit , just sit on my front porch and watch my neighbors walk by. Becky@everythingpretty.net

    ReplyDelete
  56. I love making seperate rooms in my outdoor space. A bistro table under my arbor-adirondack chairs around a firepit.

    ReplyDelete
  57. AnonymousJune 15, 2011

    with lots of flowers, a clean patio and friends for a quick bbq

    ReplyDelete
  58. Thank you so much for the giveaway! Our family likes to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and admire God's beautiful creation! Of course, a wonderful bistro table covered in french grain sacks, fresh hydrangeas and mis-matched chairs sure makes it wonderful, too!

    ReplyDelete
  59. I am also posting this on facebook. Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Wow, a white color is looking so beautiful in bed room. I like your out door so beautiful. Really this is very nice post.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Beautiful the first space in this post. It´s very similar to the one I created this summer (no bed though) , just a small corner that makes me daydream...

    ReplyDelete
  62. I love these "dreamy blue" pillows! Comfy and cute pillows along with candlelit lanterns, calming colors and bugspray are what I'll have on my relaxing porch!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Beautiful! The best way to relax outdoors is to just go outdoors!!! Don't bring anything but a drink!!! Sit and let your self wonder in thought.

    ReplyDelete
  64. The pillows are beautiful - love reading the blog!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I would love a pillow. As for my "yard", I share it with my neighbor but it would be nice to have a small gazebo and some chairs to lounge around. I imagine every relaxing and mingling with the smells of some good food on the grill.

    ReplyDelete
  66. AnonymousJune 16, 2011

    Blankets for sitting on the grass, cushions for comfort and tea lights make a relaxing dinner picnic!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    melissa
    tweetsformoms at mail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. AnonymousJune 16, 2011

    I tweeted about the giveaway here:
    http://twitter.com/#!/tweetsformoms/status/81381919555719168

    melissa
    tweetsformoms at mail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. AnonymousJune 16, 2011

    using old architectural elements [windows,shutters,an old screen door] set up an outside room .... mine has an old rusty iron candle chandelier for lovely evening illumination
    a chilly-cold beer always helps!

    all best, from Judy in Ft Worth
    joodieg@charter.net

    ReplyDelete
  69. What beautiful photos! I camp all summer long and our campground offers Yurts to rent...they are amazing! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed!

    ReplyDelete
  70. thanks for the opportunity to win and for turn me onto another great blog to add to my bookmarks!!!!

    summer is H-O-T here, so I try to keep things cool and crisp with lots of white (flowering plants, wicker, covers, umbrellas) on our patio.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Another wonderful giveaway with a just-right euro sham! Our outdoor space has wicker furniture with comfy cushions and a favorite hammock to dream in under a large shade tree.

    ReplyDelete
  72. What a lovely giveaway and thank you for the chance to win a beautiful sham!!

    I love to decorate my porches and sit out there when time allows and just *be*.
    Blessings~

    ReplyDelete
  73. A wonderful give-away and although I have never won a give away, I keep thinking I might!!! I like to fill the deck with flowers and enjoy time there and I have hung a vintage chandelier from a tree over a little iron table and chairs and recently enjoyed brunch there with my visiting sister! Have to get out early as we are having 105 degree days here!

    ReplyDelete
  74. We have a large, covered front porch, with a pond and waterfall beside it...lovely! Thank you for the beautiful giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Thank you for the opportunity. I have a blog post about my tiny backyard going now....I just enjoy making a comfortable and pretty space with what I have. :D

    ReplyDelete
  76. nan@youcouldmakethat.blogspot.comJune 16, 2011

    On what can be some pretty crisp Wisconsin summer nights, I love to light the patio torches, put a few logs on the outdoor fireplace, and gather around the fire with family and friends and a glass of wine!

    ReplyDelete
  77. Just ran across this fun give-away. I love retreating to the outdoors for a relaxing moment. Just putting my feet up under our pergola and taking in the breath taking view of the mountains is all I need to rejuvenate me.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Well it would be so much nicer if it just rained a lil less here in Oregon to make our outdoor spaces a lil more comfortable.I do have a covered deck and it looks out to a river bed my husband created for me to listen to and watch.~Cheers Kim

    ReplyDelete
  79. Setting up a cozy chair with a blanket in a shady place.

    ReplyDelete
  80. What a lovely post! I'd like to enter your giveaway, please. :)

    ReplyDelete
  81. I have to have blooming flowers and of course someplace soft to sit and admire them.

    Patricia

    ReplyDelete
  82. All of the pictures are so pretty but I especially like the first one!

    ReplyDelete
  83. I have no Idea what a euro shamis but I really love that little cusshion in the last pictures .. so if it has anything to do with that Then count me in pretty please ;)
    from AMsterdam with love... Desiree

    ReplyDelete
  84. I'm in the midst of creating a little oasis underneath my grape-covered pergola.

    I have the furniture and the accessories ready to go. Just need to finish things up this weekend and make time for a very relaxing read.

    ReplyDelete
  85. Thanks for the chance to win one of those beautiful shams! We have an almost-screened porch that we love for relaxing ( when it's cool which it hasn't been for a while-103 today). Wish ww could have some of that Oregon rain :-) !

    ReplyDelete
  86. AnonymousJune 17, 2011

    I feel most at home outdoors when I have twinkling white lights in the trees at nighttime. It doesn't take a lot, just enough to make it cozy. :)
    Syndee

    ReplyDelete
  87. A blanket and lots of lanterns and friends to enjoy the outdoors with.

    ReplyDelete
  88. My new obsession is battery operated candles. I use them outdoors and since their on a timer I never have to remember to turn on/off and they don't blow out in the wind! Of course there are always pillows and throws for comfort. Thanks for sharing such a generous giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  89. Such a lovely giveway! We just have a small patio but I just posted on trying to make the most of it with color and comfort. Off to check her blog. I love her paintings outside.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Fun and laughter with my children are the greatest ingredients to add to my pretty deck in the garden...Beauty and laughter.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Last year we built a firepit in our backyard. It is surrounded by comfortable adirondack chairs with ottomans. We find ourselves relaxing there, even without a fire :o) I would love to take one of these lovely pillows out with me....I would never leave it outside overnight though, lol

    ReplyDelete
  92. Very inspiring !
    You are all welcome to check out my new blog:
    http://shabbyhearts.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  93. AnonymousJune 19, 2011

    Fantastica!!!!starebbe proprio bene nel mio giardino!!!!molto bella!grazie speriamo bene!!ciao

    ReplyDelete
  94. AnonymousJune 19, 2011

    bellissima!starebbe proprio bene nel mio giardino!!!!grazie e spero di aver fortuna!giorgia.nescatelli@hotmail.it

    ReplyDelete
  95. the sham is gorgeous, Annette. and i am hoping it shall be MINE. i love to relax with a book, a drink, and chocolate on a chaise on my screen porch.

    ReplyDelete
  96. just tweeted about the lovely giveaway at hellolovelyinc.

    ReplyDelete
  97. just posted a link on my blog www.hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com for the lovely giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Oh, those pillows are just delicious looking!!! The soft pastels are sweet and summery! :) Thanks for another great giveaway, Maria! I love to create a relaxing atmosphere by adding lots of cushions and pillows and being surrounded by big pots of fragrant flowers on my porch. (sigh!!!) :)

    xoxo laurie

    ReplyDelete
  99. Bunch of outdoor and comfy pillows strewn on a large blanket surrounded by some candles or tiki torches. :)

    vzjessie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  100. i've shared it on facebook to all my friends

    ReplyDelete
  101. i would just love to have a blanket out on the grass with many pillows to lay on to read my fav book

    ReplyDelete
  102. That looks great! I really like the colors he used. This post was very well written, and it also contains a lot of useful facts.

    ReplyDelete
  103. I love the bed on the deck and the little dressed up table beside it!!

    I recently bought a wrought iron bed from the early 1900's and am thinking that it would look so beautiful all set up and dressed up on my deck!!

    Thanks for the great idea!

    Have a great day

    Mel

    ReplyDelete
  104. hi dear ... long time no chat!
    busy busy with the wedding and all ... it's history now.
    ... starting to post wedding pictures!

    you might enjoy, stay tuned

    ReplyDelete
  105. gorgeous spaces. I love these pillows- just my colors! I love porch swings, twiggy chairs, squishy pillows and lots of plants. Still working on my outdoor spaces!

    ReplyDelete
  106. oh so lovely! i would use this right where i am the most on my couch!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  107. Hi Maria,
    Haven't talked to you in awhile so thought I would just say hi on your gorgeous blog. Hope to see you this summer?????

    Love, Aunt Mickey

    ReplyDelete