Blog Description

A French-Inspired Garden and Home by Judith Stringham

French Lavender in a French Market Basket

Tuesday, April 30, 2019


Artificial French lavender (lavande) in a reproduction French market basket evokes scenes from an earlier era in France and provides authentic vintage French style for a French-inspired garden and home in Texas. 


You see French market baskets on wheels all over France as shoppers actually do use them to cart home their daily grocery purchases. You may even see a bouquet of flowers sitting on top, perhaps a large spray of lavender stems. 


Faux lavender that looks real in a reproduction French market basket provides vintage French style for a French-inspired home
However, most modern-day French market baskets are just that, modern. Light weight, sleek open metal design, rectangularly shaped, state-of-the-art wheels built for traveling on sidewalks, up-and-down stairs, carted onto the metro, and folded up for storing once the contents are emptied. 

To find a reproduction French market rattan basket with wheels fires my romantic fantasies of how France was in another era. 

Spring Tour | Gardener's Potting Bench

Thursday, April 25, 2019


Are you ready for Spring gardening? If you are still gathering plants, seeds, tools, containers, accessories, etc... take a tour of what's on my gardener's potting bench this Spring to give you some ideas about what you may want to add to your list of gardening needs and wishes.  


spring tour of gardener's potting bench
New bedding plants are always high on my gardening list, and blue lobelias are at the tip-top of the plant list every year. But that is only the beginning of my gardening list and of what is on my potting bench this Spring. 

Spring Celebrations Centerpiece

Monday, April 22, 2019


Spring brings many celebrations ... Mother's Day, graduations, bridal showers, birthdays ... as well as Easter. Are you looking for a beautiful centerpiece for your special Spring celebration(s)? One that is unusual and eye-catching for the dining table, buffet, or gift table with a delightful rustic appeal? 


Spring celebration grapevine bird nest centerpiece with fresh flowers
One that is stunning, yet budget friendly? 

Easter Candy Treats | Dessert Table Setting

Friday, April 19, 2019


Easter candy treats are beautiful for a special dessert table setting using pastel candies, the cutest bunny dish, and handmade pottery. 


Easter candy treats as dessert table centerpiece
Looking for a last-minute table centerpiece for Easter that can double as dessert? Here's how to create a colorful, easy, and fun Easter table centerpiece using beautiful Easter candies normally destined for Easter baskets. 

French Country Easter Plate Stand

Tuesday, April 16, 2019


The French Country plate stand in the kitchen sunspace has a little brown toile bunny for Easter decor this Spring. 


French country Easter plate stand with a brown toile bunny
The plate stand was a plant stand, but now houses my set of white dishes and usually has a few accents to celebrate the current season of the year. 

French Lavender | Real or Faux

Sunday, April 14, 2019


French lavender fields were on my travel wish list for years, and now are on my list of places to revisit. Seeing real lavender growing in France was an extraordinary girl's trip with my sister and good friend from work. Somehow our husbands were not as interested in spending days in French lavender fields as we were. 

Back home in Texas I try every year to grow French lavender, but only have marginal success. The plants grow and bloom in late March to May, then fade away in the Texas summer heat, and die over the winter. Except this one lavender plant last winter. Read about French Lavender in Winter



Faux French lavender in a French style ceramic pot looks realistic
When I found a realistic spray of faux lavender this spring, I bought several stems to fill one of my favorite French style ceramic containers. 

Easter Tablesetting | Pink and White

Monday, April 8, 2019


With Easter two weeks away now is a good time to begin planning your Easter decorations for family gatherings. 

Amber of Follow the Yellow Brick Home is hosting over 30 bloggers with Easter ideas in a Hop Into Easter Blog Hop. Be sure to visit all the links at the end of the post for Easter ideas to use in your own home. 

If you are following the links in order, then you came from My Thrift Store Addiction and her whimsical Easter decor. Thank you for stopping by and welcome to my Easter table setting. 

For Easter this year my table setting is in traditional Spring pastel colors, and two things determined the pink and white color combination. One a flower, and the other, a birthday present. 


Easter tablesetting pink ranunculus centerpiece

Spring Baskets Ceiling Display

Tuesday, April 2, 2019


{Disclosure: If you purchase items from Botanic Bleu Square Market, I receive compensation for your purchase. See my Disclosure and Privacy Policy for more information.} 


The backyard garden shed is filled with Spring inspiration, and the ceiling has a display of Spring baskets hanging from ribbons. 



Spring baskets ceiling display in the garden shed
What was my inspiration to hang baskets from the ceiling? When I was thinking about what represents this season of the year, my mind began to think of Easter which led to Easter baskets.