SEA & SWEATER

    This project has been such a joy, especially sharing it with the twins. We’ve taken to calling the seedlings our “babies,” and checking on them has quickly become part of our daily rhythm.

    If you’re thinking of starting your own edible flower garden, here’s what I’ve been using to get everything off the ground:

~A simple white planter box this one is well-priced and just the right size for a small but abundant garden.

~A seed kit from Etsy, which has made growing from seed feel approachable and fun (and perfect for little helpers).

~A beautiful reference book filled with recipes, growing tips, and guidance on which flowers to choose. It’s surprisingly easy to get started, especially since many edible flowers are readily available at your local nursery.

~A classic watering can which is both practical and, in my opinion, part of the charm.

~A pair of easy gardening shoes that are comfortable, durable, and simple to hose off after a morning outside.

~Seed starter trays. This set comes with grow lights, though if you have a bright east-facing window, you likely won’t need them. I also purchased white 4" pots to transfer the seedlings once they are too big for the tray but not quite ready for the great outdoors. How do know they are ready? It turns out, it’s less about timing and more about what the plant is telling you.

• Start with 1–2 hours outside in a sheltered spot
• Increase time each day over about a week
• Avoid strong wind and direct midday sun at first

This step makes a huge difference—it helps prevent shock and keeps your plants from wilting or stalling.

• Nights are consistently warm enough for your plant variety
• The plant looks sturdy (not leggy or floppy)
• Roots have filled out the 4” pot but aren’t overly crowded

…they’re ready to go into the garden. Hope this helps! 

If you are planning a edible garden and share please tag me! I would love to see  your garden and we can learn together and share tips! 

I went back and forth on what to hang on the large back wall of our dining room. Should it be a statement mirror, one oversized piece of art, or a curated gallery wall? I ultimately chose a gallery wall, pulling together a series of heron prints.

I’ve always loved the look of matching artwork in a uniform size. There’s something so calming and organized about it. Monet famously used a similar concept in his dining room with Japanese block prints, and I’ve long admired the idea of bringing that level of intention and repetition into my own space. While I do enjoy a more eclectic gallery wall of mismatched pieces, I think that style works best in a certain type of home—and it just doesn’t feel right for ours.

I found these heron prints on Etsy—there are so many beautiful options to choose from. Truth be told, I actually bought them about six years ago and originally hung them above our bar cabinet. They looked nice enough there, but the dining room wall is where they truly belong. Waterbird art adds a distinctly coastal feel without being too literal or themed. It’s subtle, and I love that about it.

The original size of the prints was much too small for the wall, so I bought larger mats[from here] to give them more presence and scale. I went with a warmer white mat to tie in with the tones of our dining table and the chandelier shades, and to help the artwork stand out against the bright white walls.

To finish them off, I chose black wood frames with delicate detailing. We have black accents in the kitchen and trim in the family room, and using black frames here adds a nice sense of continuity throughout the downstairs.

I’m still toying with the idea of adding decorative plates to the walls flanking the entrance to the dining room—but that decision can wait.

Sweetest Regards,

Nickie