Perfect Blend of Rustic Roses, Crusty Paint, & Linen Slip Covers

Finally a breathe of fresh air.

I received these beautiful cane chairs, in their natural rustic condition, cane in tact on the back and sides, but completely missing from the seats. The first thought was if I was going to paint them.

As much as I love painted furniture, something about these chairs were so naturally charming.

I sent them out to have these cushions with slip covers made. The detailed ruffled edges, and flange give it a toned down romantic feel.

The removeable seat covers are great just in case of a spill, it makes it worry free.

 Another favorite piece of mine, is this perfectly aged table.

The patina of the original paint, and gold gilding, add a perfect balance

between the rustic and romantic.

The carvings on the legs are so pretty!

 This is real crackle paint, love the aged patina.

 Another perfect blend of romantic and rustic is this

antique aubusson needlepoint bench. The dark gray aubusson is unusual to find,

and with the roses, its a bit of romance, but not to feminine.

New Inventory available at 

Full Bloom Cottage

New Year.... New Style.....

Happy New Year!

I know I have been M.I.A. for  a while, and I have missed quite a few regular Sunday and Wednesday postings, and I can't help to think if some of the reason is I have been in transition with my home. I have been redoing, and redoing, and redoing. 

As I find myself looking at my changes, I am shying away from all the the fancy, the fru-fru, and "cottage" style.  And as many of my clients, friends, and relatives have been asking "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?"

Well with a house of all boys-and a man, I find that our home is taking on a very monochromatic color scheme,

with dark greys, black, naturals, and pops of white 

(such as the linens), 

and the very large sectional.

Don't get me wrong I still love antique, and vintage finds, but I am attracted to the "Less is More" philosophy.   

And I still love a gorgeous primitive piece, here and there. 

My inspirational magazines these days are 

Veranda, Elle Decor, & Architectural Digest.

One designer I have admired for a very long time, is Mary McDonald.  She has a beautiful book 

"Allure of Style", 

that you could just sit and read for many hours at a time. 

So I just wanted to share some of my favorite

photos of Mary McDonald's designs. 

Please enjoy I will be back soon!

all photos courtesy Mary McDonald.

White Vanity for your White Wednesday....

With all this cold and rain it's a wonder that I can get anything done.

This past week, I was able to get 

this antique vanity painted.

Layers and layers of paint,

rubbed through, oyster, white, cream, and with an antique finish.

Its truly amazing what a coat of white paint

(numerous whites)

can do for a piece of furniture.

I know many people cringe at painting antiques,

but to me its a breath of fresh air.

White makes any room feel soothing, clean, fresh

and very calming.

Thanks for visiting me today, I am off to 

visit my best friends new grandson...

Such a sweet little pea in a pod...

A Very Merry Mantle....

Well I actually accomplished something today... 

My goal was to find the rest of decorations in the attic

but, that didn't happen...

So I thew on some fresh garland...

Hung the stockings...

Found some really cool vintage snowflake garland at 

Country Roads today...

And Tah Dah...

 Since some of my Xmas decor is MIA,

I bought these white doves,

and my son made some snowflakes we framed.

 I have to say these have been my favorite thing

I made my boys grainsack stockings about 4 years ago

and embroidered their names on them.

I lined them with blue ticking,

and some have jute trim, while this one has vintage crochet..

Have a very Merry Holiday...

We are 22 days away and counting..
Check out some more Holiday Decor ideas
at Romantic Home Show & Tell

Not Ready for X-Mas.....

I'm not ready yet... I just pulled the totes of ornaments down 

this past weekend, and I can't find everything! 

Seems like it's coming so fast,

but I was so excited to see all the pretty white and blue

ornaments, so I can't wait to get the 

tree this week.

Unpacking each ornament, and untangling the lights

are not my favorite part, but all worth it when the work is done.

Hopefully next week you will be back to join us to see how it all turned out.

In the meantime, I need to get some Christmas shopping done!

I went out this past week for a little while,

but I have to say

Country Roads is not only my store I sell at,

but it is one of my favorite places to shop 

for antiques.

You never know what goodies, you will find around each corner!

 Like this fabulous Grainsack sofa with original stencils.

This is a new dealer, her name is Sue, and i love her space.

Its so vintage and industrial..

 This was a chaise I fell in love with, Tim & Lisa always have the most

wonderful unique items.

 When I saw these architectural fragment pieces, I thought

of where I could put them. 

They are so cool, aren't they?

 In the midst of everything, I managed to get a few more

pillows done.

I love this monogram bolster pillow

they look great on the bed, or sofa!

 This one came out cute, I made it with the tie to show in 

the center. The tie is original to the grainsack.

I might keep this one....

Have a wonderful WHITE WEDNESDAY, be sure and

check out Faded Charms other Whites......