Creative...Soft....Pretty....

Ahhhhhh, Finally Friday.... This week was a busy week, running here and there, I am ready to take a break this weekend. So I will be back on Monday! First before I take off, I wanted to share with everyone this beautiful Orchid arrangement that Cobblestone Gardens in Brea, made for me. It came out just perfect, I absolutely love it. The orchids look so real, a few people have commented on how to keep it alive. Thanks MaryEllen for the fabulous orchid arrangement.

While I am on the subject of creations...

I wanted to share with you one of my latest creations...

I found this fabulous gold antique frame. I had some glass put into it, I found a roll of vintage embossed white wallpaper, and placed two 19c book prints of seashells inside. I love the look. I have it in my bedroom, over a gorgeous caned french vanity bench.

It looks so elegant, and blends nicely into the room.

Last but not the least... I added this simple pleated box skirt to all my dining chairs. It adds an element of sophistication, I used velcro instead of ties around the arms, and back, to make the slip cover more tailored, and sleak.  And of course arm covers, easily can be thrown in the wash machine.

Remember to check our website for some fabulous finds this Monday...

Have a wonderful weekend.

xoxo

Welcome to my White Wednesday....

I just have to share with you, one of my projects I am finishing up. This is my friends room, that I have been decorating, we are finally putting the finishing touches on this room. ie. bedding, and accessories.
This gorgeous French Bed, came from an estate in France, I painted it with a soft creamy tone, and put an antique finish on it. It was a European Full Size bed, and we converted it to a queen bed US. I had a welder make some rails to fit the bed. It is solid and sturdy, and any full size bed can be converted into a queen.
So if you ever find a bed, that is a full size bed, remember it can be made into a queen by adding some converter rails.

these fabulous linen grainsack pillows are the perfect oatmeal white with blue stripes.

I had custom down inserts made for them as they are a funny size

16x33

This is the newest photo of my space at country roads, make sure you come down to visit us soon!

Sorry this fabulous server, and bombe chest sold as soon as I listed it on the website.

The top of one of my favorite tremeau mirrors. A friend bought this mirror from me for her daughters room, I can't wait to see it when its in her room all decorated.... Hurry up Tammy.

The other side of my space, at country roads, its looking a little empty, but don't worry, next week I am going to fill it back up!

I did bring in this fabulous armoire, it is Provance, and it does have 2 mirror doors, I left them off for my pillow display, it has the most wonderful roses carved detail at the top. And it is painted my signature oyster gray finish. A great price $995.00

If you would like to see it in person, its at Country Roads Antiques, Orange.

This Just in..... I only have a minute...

Today was a long and busy day, I did bring in new items to Country Roads, and will post many pictures soon to the website.

I just had to share with you this beautiful Bombe chest, I did have a piece of white carrera cut  for the top, because the original marble was missing.

This would be great in an entry way or next to a bed, as a nightstand.

I LOVE IT!

This just in, I have this beautiful Roses Carved Server, incredible rose details. We painted this in our signature distressed french gray, with antique finish.

Quite Amazing....

We also brought in an incredible roses carved double door armiore, and will be bringing in more goodies next week.

Don't worry you will see all of these posted for sale on our website, available for immediate delivery.

Some of My Favorite Whites, for this White Wednesday....

There have been many things, that I wish I never let go... So for this white Wednesday I want to share with you some of my favorites. 

This is a fabulous armoire, that I found from a private sale, the owner had purchased this in France, and shipped it to the states many many years ago, to use at her bed and breakfast she was opening. The first time I saw this piece, it was only the 2 side panels, with the basket of roses. I said "I want those, whatever it is I WANT IT"

She had told me that it was part of an armoire, I couldnt believe it, I most definately had to have it.

I said, " Where are the other pieces?"

She took me to the storage, showed me the the rest of the pieces, and the the rest was history.

I kept it for a while, in the dark wood, and decided to paint it white. What a difference!

I loved it.

How could I have let this one go? Well what it is done, is done....

Here it is

Look at the details

My heart skips a beat everytime I see the carved details....

I also had the pleasure of redoing this fabulous French Daybed. This came from the Paris Harfluer Flea Market. The beautiful French Lady I bought this from, was very attached to it. She had moved here from France many years ago, and brought over a container full of French Finds.

This used to be in red satin damask, I redid it in a Belgian Oyster white linen, and added fluffy down cushion.  The paint finish is original, this sofa dates back to the early 1800s, and has the Louis Markings on the bottom

One of my most favorite rooms I put together was actually at the store. The store had some of the most beautiful reclaimed wood floors, and coats and coats of white paint...

This was the bed that matched the armoire above.

A quick glimpse, at one of my past headboards, a fabulous find, I wish I never let go of.....

The chandelier that hangs over the bed, beautiful, don't you think??

The beautiful White Audrey tablecloth that is besides the bed....

 I really loved this french folding screen, the ribbons and roses were just amazing, I wish I had room in my home to keep it. I  literally sold it as soon as I got it in my hot little hands...

Last of all are seashells, my urn filled with coral and shells... Every home should have some sort of sea life, I love white coral, its beautiful, the shape, the colors, no one piece is ever the same.

Have a beautiful WHITE WEDNESDAY!

New Finds....New Creations....New Favorites...and a Happy Birthday!

BUSY BUSY BUSY WEEKEND!!!
Well, the weekend is over, and here we go, another week ahead. I went into Country Roads today to fix up my rooms, and fluff all the bedding, and fold all the linens that were pulled out, and piled high.  The weekend must have been pretty good, as my shelves looked less full. I brought in my newest creation, which is a revamp on the old "Seaside" pillow. I had just enough to make 2 beautiful pillows out of this nubby, linen. The linen is a natural finish, with white linen as the starfish. The writing is hand stenciled on with a dark gray paint. Perfectly faded
NEW CREATION:

These are favorites for the summer. They wash up easily in the washer and dryer, and have a zipper for removing the down inserts.

Can be purchased at Country Roads $79 with down inserts

Size: 22 x 22

(only these 2 in the 11oz linen)

NEW FIND,

I found this beautiful antique server, below....

I am going to cut the top off, fit it with calcutta marble, and drop a sink into it. This is for the master bathroom. I couldn't resist the beautiful monogramming. There is such great storage, inside. I love the use of space, I will have with all the drawers. I also like the fact that the piece stands up on tall legs. It will be easy to clean underneath.

 I will be perfectly orgazined!  As soon as its finished I will post pictures!

NEW FAVORITES

So.....this past weekend, we decided to make our own pizza. Have you seen that pizza commercial (i think its for mastercard) of the guy that spinning the pizza dough? the "hey mambo" song that gets stuck in your head... I wanted to try to spin my own pizza dough, as did my children, and let me tell you, it was the funniest thing! Do not try this at home! I didnt want a store bought dough,  so I went down to our local pizzeria, and bought just the dough, it was only $2.50. And they have the BEST pizza dough ever!

Brought it home, spun it around a few times, threw it on a baking sheet... sprinkled the sheet with corn meal first (so it would be crusty, and crisp) I cant stand soggy pizza.

Layered it with fresh roma tomatoes, fresh mozzerella, basil, and roasted garlic, and goat cheese.

HOLY SMOKES... it was delicious!

AND FINALLY A HAPPY BIRTHDAY....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON!

MAKE A WISH

Blow out the candles....yeah!!!

I can't believe it's another year gone by......

oh by the way if you ever want to make this cake, it is the BEST chocolate cake ever. Its Barefoot Contessa "beattys chocolate cake"

YUMMY

Welcome to my Friday Flea Market...

If you have ever been to a flea market, you know what it is like... I decided to try it once, and let me tell you, I will never do it again. We had to wake up at 2:00AM, drive down there, to wait in line for 3 hours, to get into our spot, and it took 2 hours to unload, and set up.
Here are photos of our space

We took our large furniture truck loaded with all of this beautiful inventory

(99% of this is sold already, in case any one asks)

I have to say it was quite the experience. Our helper we hired did not show up, so I had to help unload all of this, and it was tiring. I never worked so hard in my life. I give alot of credit to the people who can do this every weekend. I met alot of wonderful new clients, and people from out of town, but if your local, you know where to find all of my fabulous finds.

Country Roads Antique

Old Town Orange, CA

or online

http://www.fullbloomcottage.com/

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND

Dreaming About the Garden...

Its time. The time of year when I get that bug, to go down to the local nursery, and buy,buy,buy... I love roses, and I have a place here that sells the David Austin roses. Since I can never remember to buy online. They only ship to California in Jan, and Feb.  So thank goodness for Lakewood Nurseries!  I just bough 6 different varieties of English Roses for the garden, and they are bareroot. Hopefully I will get some blooms by late summer.  I do have some mature roses, Eden, Cecil Brunner, and Pillows Flight roses, and I love to cut them and bring them in every year!

  Here are my Eden climbers making their way up my arbor around my fountain.

I love to cut them and bring them in, they make such a dramatic statement in this silver teapot.

This photo is one of my favorite taken from a home in Veranda. I love the formal French Gardens, mixed with the English style.

Just beautiful, they almost look like Cecil Climbers, so beautiful.

I love the simplicity of this, if I were to put a pool in our yard, this is how I would like it to look.
Photo courtesy Veranda

White Wednesday

White Wednesday is new for me, I have joined Sue at Country Roads, in White Wednesday Blogging. http://www.countryroadsantiques.blogspot.com/ Thank you Sue!
White.... there is something to be said about an all white pallet. There are so many different shades of white, so how do you pick one? Well, the best white paint color is Dunn Edwards -Whisper-. This is a soft white, very warm, with a cream undertone. The best white for linen is oyster white, its soft, and creamy, but still looks white, without having a gleaming bright look. This is what we used on the wing chair slip covers for my client

Another oyster white linen slip cover with pleated ruffle ottoman. Yes, you can order this chair and ottoman from us, we custom make these, just let us know what size, and we'll do the rest.

This is called a gathered ruffle skirt, a little bit more cottage, and less refined, it doesnt matter if its rumpled, its a relaxed look.

This headboard is white velvet, and can be done in any size. Twin-Full-Queen-Ca King-and E King

Can be purchased inside of Country Roads. Or if you are not local, you can purchase this on my website.

All of the linens are in white, and Flax Natural. The softest linen bedding ever! The best thing is the more you wash it, the softer it gets. This also can be ordered through Country Roads, or on my website.

The Bedskirt is called Audrey, and it has a triple ruffle, in the softest poplin. Twin-Queen-King-EKing

An Antique chair that was done in a white, and flax color damask. I decided to make this one a little more up to date. Its a feminine chair,with a beautiful antique damask pattern. I think it gives the chair a little more refinement.

Last but not least... This is an oyster linen daybed that I painted and upholstered with a beautiful flange ruffle corner... The pillows are our staple nubby linen in pure white with a ruffle.

The daybed can be purchased on 1st dibs. at

http://www.disegnokarinagentinetta.1stdibs.com/

Belgain Linen Ruffle Pillows.....

Organic Belgain Linen ruffle pillows with down inserts... Simply Beautiful...So Soft....A perfect accent to your sofa or your boudior.

Any Size... Any Color1/2"Ruffle Trim, with Zipper ClosureBody Pillow with 1/2" Mini Ruffle
Zipper Closure

For sizes, and linen colors, please visit our website, listed under the pillows catagory. 2 Week order time, if you any questions you can call us directly. Fabric shown is Organic Natural Linen #19

Table Top & Dinner Plans

  I have been spring cleaning, and clearancing out a whole bunch of stuff. (not on the website) Inside of Country Roads. Go see what deals you can find.  Its been so long since we have invited friends over for dinner. It might be because of all of the recent furniture changes, construction, and dust in the air. Finally the dust is starting to settle. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. So I hosted a small get together and wanted to share some of my pictures of the table top with you.
First on the menu, was a romantic style dining room. This is my almost finished dining room...

Second on the menu was a glass of wine, strawberries and a great salad!

I made the Barefoot Contessa Lemon Cake, which is to die for! It came out so perfectly moist, and just enough lemon for my mouth to pucker, and still be sweet.

My first blooms from my rose garden are coming in, so I was able to cut some Eden roses, and Old English Roses, to bring to the table.  Antique Silver Flatware, and stacks of ironstone salad bowls make a perfect table setting.  Oh, and a glass of Kendall Chardonnay.

I forgot to mention my beautiful Linen Ruffle Napkins (charlie) available on our website in sets of 4s

Now the dinner salad that will be on my menu forever, just because it came out so delicious. I will give you the recipe for.

1 1/2 C Arugula & Baby Spinach
3 Strawberries Sliced
2 Tbs Fresh Crumbled Goat Cheese (silver is the brand i used)
1 small hand full of candied walnuts (already candied in the package)
3 Tbs Balsamic Vinagrette Dressing (any brand) I used Trader Joes brand
1 Tbs Chopped Leeks
3 Avacado Slices
1 Chicken breast (optional)

A fresh sourdough baguette sliced
We did not have chicken on our salad because Lasagna was the main course, and oops, we ate it up before I could take pictures. It came out delicious, maybe next time I will take pics!
Bon Appetit.