This summer we are not venturing far from home.
This is my little place to escape. Sunlight flickers through the trees, the romantic songs of birds sarenading, soothing sound of leaves rustling in the breeze, the fragrance of the forest fills my senses overflowing! It feels like we have a little cottage in the woods, my summer place.
In German, we call it Gartenzimmer (garden room). It’s also called a Florida room, screens all around to keep out the mosquitos and little creatures from wandering in. A roof so it’s shady and we can enjoy being in here even when it rains. I love a rainy night!
It’s our summer place for living and entertaining. We also call it our treehouse since our house is on a hill, it’s like being three stories high: overlooking our garden below, a great view of the forest and the woodland creatures.
The white wicker furniture is second-hand, as is most everything in this space. I often admire some of the modern garden furniture I see in stores, but I love the old-fashioned charm of this timeless style.
We start the day off with having breakfast at our bistro table (second-hand bought on Kijiji). The Paris scene on the chairs is perfect for our Paris theme. Most of the decor is from garage sales, thrift shops and flea markets. I change things around from time to time.
I have two different sets of wild rose dishes: one set made in California from the ’50s (purchased at an antique store) and the other set made in Germany by Villeroy and Boch (which my cousin Marion gave me my first few pieces and since then I have collected them on eBay).
A relaxing place to read and enjoy meals. I decorate with flowers, candles and mini lights. The evenings here are magical and romantic. A wonderful space to chill and we don’t even need to drive anywhere!
I grew up with this song echoing through the house. My mom’s record collection of love songs filled the air every day of my childhood! A song brings back a myriad of memories and music evokes emotions that makes my heart dance with joy!
Is it any wonder that I am an old-fashioned romantic? I would dance around the house and imagine life with a prince!
Here is the version my mom played so often …
Sometimes you don’t need to go anywhere. Just be thankful you have a home. Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home!
❤ carmen
Hand-made pillow, made by my daughter-in-law
fashion with compassion 
Wow! I fell in love with your garden room, Carmen. When you have a place like that you don’t need to go anywhere!
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I’m glad you like it Lydia! So true, we can stay home and enjoy it. 🙂
❤️carmen
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This is such a lovely set up.
Great photo selection.
https://theonethattravels.wordpress.com/
xx
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Thanks so much Zorica! I hear the chirps of crickets, while I write comments and prepare my new post this evening. 🙂
❤️carmen
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Aww, if I am in the Toronto area in the future Carmen I will let you know!! Great quote by Sissi of Austria. Take care, hugs, Terri xo.
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🙂
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I love your gartenzimmer Carmen! Such a beautiful room to sit in and listen to nature , all the birds singing and other wild animals . Also a rainy night is wonderful! Both of your dinnerware sets are so pretty!! Thank you for the tour, big hugs, Terri xo.
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Awww yes! Nature is God’s handiwork and always gives me joy as Sissi (Empress Elisabeth of Austria) said …
“If you’re ever worried or upset, go through the woods with open eyes. And in every tree, in every shrub, in every creature and every flower, the Almighty God will reveal Himself to you and give you solace and strength.”
Thanks so much for your virtual visit to my Gartenzimmer. If you lived nearby, you’d most certainly be invited for afternoon tea. 🙂
❤️carmen
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What a beautiful delicacy in this look! Soft colors, romantic design, wonderful capris … This shirt is cute and looks great on you, you are so pretty with this look! And what a wonder to see again corners of your house, so beautiful, cozy and elegant. What a beautiful girl in the last photo! All the strength of your precious gray eyes and your special smile!
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Your comments make me smile! I’m so glad you like it! The look has a nostalgic flavour and I’m always happy to find second-hand things. The coffee table had been discarded by a neighbour and now has a new home. 🙂
You know well my love for capris, and these ones have little zippers on the sides. I’ve worn this tank top several times on my blog, it is perfect for hot summer days.
First time on my blog 7 years ago …
Six years ago …
Recently for VegFest …
Having had our summer holidays in NYC for the last several years (and Germany) I’ll miss New York!
❤️carmen
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What a beautiful spot. I love the white wicker furniture.
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We’ve had this wicker furniture for 14 years and it has been in three of our houses: first, on our front porch, then we moved and it was on our balcony and now here in the treehouse. Another move is possible in the future, we can’t take the forest with us, but we’ll take our wicker furniture. 🙂
If you look at the photos, you can see two different coffee tables. The wicker one belongs to the original set (I moved it to our lower deck) the other one is rattan which we found on the curb and would have gone into a landfill. We rescued it and painted it white.
❤️carmen
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“Florida room” in Canada, that’s so funny!! 😉 Our screened porch is nice too, but not such a great view as your tree house!! Your DIL made a gorgeous pillow!
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Haha! Yes, I have a Florida room in Canada, funny, eh? 😀 and you get the real deal, living in Florida! My daughter-in-law is very talented and creative, she has made several lovely pillows and she used to sell on Etsy. She had a vey good business for a while. All up-cycled from old fabric.
Love the lace patches with a ruffle at one side …
Cute little green cat …
Bunny …
❤️carmen
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Oh Carmen, you make me want to come over right now. I would so love to sit with you in this Garten zimmer and listen to this music. the same sound was in my house when I grew up. My parents loved this music and danced themselves. Us children loved it too and I love it still now. It is beautiful and relaxing. You are a wonderful romantic and I so love this room, the furniture, the little bits on the shelves, I see German stuff and your wonderful teddy. I can imagine having tea with the rose service with you at the bistro table watching out into the forest. ( I see a proper ‘Kuchengabel’ too 🙂 )The perfect place to be. You have made your home so beautiful, you don’t need to go anywhere. Enjoy the Summer!
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You are welcome for afternoon tea time but I doubt you’ll get here in time! 😦 Seriously, be my guest! You are so observant Ute! I have many things made in Germany, including German pottery that you noticed. The Kuchengabel und Kaffeelöffel are from Germany too, as well as the Wildrose dishes in some photos.
I hope you’re not allergic to bears because I have a lot of them. They are very friendly and do not bite! 🙂
❤️carmen
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Loooove bears! ♥ My partner remembers Niagara on the Lake as a lovely town with a cable car over as well. We just looked it up on the map and on you tube. So lovely!
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Soooo ein feines Gartenzimmer hätte ich auch sehr gerne, liebe Carmen, just marvellous!!
Liebe Morgengrüße vom Lu
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Vielen dank lieber Lu! Living in a northern climate makes me want to spend as much time as possible in the outdoors when it’s warm, and this room is like being outside, fresh forest air and natural sunlight.
Liebe Abendgrüße!
❤️carmen
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Oh yes, der perfekte Wintergarten, wie wir hier sagen …
Have a pleasant day!
Alles Liebe, Lu
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A beautiful blog of your lovely Gartenzimmer , glad to see you get to grow more fond of your house and not thinking about the river view house you once miss so much ! You have a lovely home fill with lots of treasures .
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Thank you so much Maggie! We’ve found many treasures in thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets. It’s so fun collecting! You’re a good treasure hunter and we share a love for thrifting! 🙂
Enjoy your cruise!! I look forward to pictures! 🙂
❤️carmen
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We always love our place…even when we travel, it’s the best place to come home to! I love that you call this a treehouse!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
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We’re still doing day trips with so many lovely places to go in southern Ontario, but there’s something nice about sleeping in my own bed at night. Saving up our money to visit Jean in Seattle for Christmas. 🙂
❤️carmen
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Carmen, it looks like a gorgeous serene place to enjoy a coffee or a tea. I can see myself sitting there for hours writing.
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Oh yes Andrew, you’d love writing here! In fact, I wrote this post (and many others) in this space. I’m still sitting right here responding to your comment! Thanks for stopping by!
❤️carmen
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My pleasure. Lucky you. It looks like a great spot. Enjoy it.
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🙂
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