Design Styles for Everyone...

I once entered a contest to decorate the Country Living House of the Year. I was honored to be asked to enter, and even though I didn't win, it was a really fun experience.  So every year now I like to take a look and see what the designers do, what is their inspiration?  This year it seems to be very traditional. Where as prior it was a little more romantic, but with all things, style will evolve, and design styles and trends will repeat themselves in due time.

I find myself being more attracted to primitive furniture these days, I think it is the time worn patina, that weathered plank top on a farm table, or the scratches and scars on a cabinet that has been used and loved for many generations.  Like this fabulous settee that was original fabric, and original paint finish. One of my all time favorite pieces, I didn't dare change one thing about this one.

Yes I do love to give new life to furniture with a coat paint, or new upholstery, but sometimes things are better left alone. I often find myself being inspired by many other talented designers, and how they mix new with old, heavily carved with barn primitive, dark colors with white. Anything goes!!

Have you seen the Heiress collection by Ralph Lauren? A true inspiration of fabulous antique style, with luxurious and sumptuous fabrics, and classic style.  I have always taken inspiration from Ralph Lauren, his design styles are classic and timeless.

Fin! 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Roses for you...and you...and you!

Lately I have been a little scattered!

I don't know if I am just playing catch-up with work, 

because I was sick for two weeks? 

Needless to say I am back on track, but just having a lazy Sunday. 

Which is allowed every now and then, Right??

I went into my rose garden today,

it was very bare, just a few here and there,

lots of buds though, 

I haven't been out there for weeks. 

I was able to pluck a few good ones, 

here and there. 

I would like to share them all with you...

 Its been so long I forget the variety these are, but they are so pretty the petals look like delicate paper with perfect shades of pinks and creams....

 These darker hot pink ones are an antique rose variety....

Dedicated to my dear friend Darcy 

who is going to through some difficult times,

when things are down, 

the only way to go is UP! 

White Wednesday

 Some of you or many of you know, I have been very very sick for the past 2 weeks, I'm feeling better today, but probably should not over do it. I feel like I need to get things done, but last week I thought I was better and went to the shop to fix up the space, came home, and just about passed out. Ever since then I've been in my PJs.  I guess it's a way of my body telling me, that I need rest. But over the last month or so, I have been designing and trying to sew samples of our new products.  All linens...

These are the vintage ruffle shower curtains, or also we can make these as curtain panels.

There are so many other colors available, but I decided to keep my inventory very clean and neutral. So in order is the slate, flax,light natural, and white.

Vintage Ruffle Shower Curtain / Curtain Panels

 Double Ruffle linen voile shower curtain or also curtain panels...

New Burlap French Stamped Pillow

 Here is the beautiful new antique settee, just came back from my upholsterer. I did it in a heavy 9 oz Belgian linen. Filled with a fluffy overstuffed down cushion.. oh lala!~

look at these gorgeous large cabbage hand carved roses. 

simply amazing.

 Here is the beautiful French chandelier so many of you have been emailing me about. 

yes it is available, 

please visit our store

 Who could resist these pretty oyster white cane back chairs with white linen ruffle slip covers?

You know, I think I may want to keep this gorgeous settee for myself.  

Hmmmmm.......

perfect for the end of the bed.

until next time.

Show & Tell Friday with Romantic Home

Show & Tell Friday with Romantic Homes
There is nothing I love more than a well dressed bed...

I can't tell you the importance of linens to me. I have always been obsessed with putting more and more on the bed, heck I have had bedding ensembles for each season.

I always revert back to white linens...

Now that I make my own custom linens the possibilities are endless, however my linen closet is full!

Here is a bedroom in my home, I decorated this to be my dream room if I had a little girl. 

A place where a princess sleeps, lots of layers, lots of ruffles.

 

 Below is a bed at my shop inside Country Roads, I am always trying to create something new. Here I have made these beautiful silk velvet ruffle euro shams, with the throw at the end of the bed. Dressed with my mini ruffle white shams, and my vintage ruffle pillow in the front, love the ruffles at the end of the bed.

 Below is a close up of my pillows on my bed (when it looked like this). I have since changed, but here is one of the looks I had once upon a time...

 The very first time I started to decorate my room, I started with this, and it is one of my most favorite beds ever. I do regret selling it, but there is always something else out there. Since this room, I have never been able to get everything quite right. Hopefully soon I do...

 This was the second room, I did love it, but still not quite right.  I'm telling you, it is a constant struggle, but I have so much fun redecorating!

Last but not least, a peek into the lovely mess, of what it almost was....

Still not there yet.....

Maybe soon.

Until next time..

Metamorphosis Monday

Thanks for visiting us on our 1st Met Monday hosted by 

Betweennapsontheporch

 

 So this I would call my Mom Cave...

It is hardly a cave, but with a house full of boys, there is no room for such a feminine space. I am the mother of 3 lovely boys. A 13 year old, 11 year old and a 7 year old. So with my husband the ratio is 4:1.

The only really true feminine space in my home is the dining room, and it has been through some major transformations, it took a long time to find all of the right pieces and just get it right. But when I did, I knew it, it just felt right.

Here it is before this lovely shade of aqua, it was a $5 can of oops paint from the home depot. Along with my gray hutch and natural cane back chairs.

 Then I wanted to try to add a pier mirror, with a different set of slip covered parsons chairs. Still not quite right...

 Oops forgot to mention, that this was the chandelier before I changed it to the last one...

 

Viola..... I added a large ribbon carved pier mirror, some newly slip covered french cane back chairs, a concrete cherub from the garden, and my sanctuary was complete...

 

 

Now I do consider this to be my cave, this is where I sit down and create, on my sewing machine. Most days the table is filled with scraps of linens.

So is the floor, you usually can never see it.... 

 

This is also the place where we blow out the candles, 

and where many of my culinary creations happen...

 

Last but not least, my latest addition to the dining room, this centerpiece I made with my own hydrengeas that I dried from my English garden....
 

Thanks for visiting us on my Met Monday...

Happy Halloween.....

Halloween
- by Mary Jane Carr

Witches flying past on broomsticks,
Black cats leaping here and there,
White-robed spooks on every corner,
Mournful moaning in the air,

Goblins peering out of windows,
Spirit-things that rap and run-
But don't be scared-it's just October,
Having one last hour of fun!

 All photos taken by Full Bloom, 

courtesy of Rogers Gardens Halloween Town Gift Shops

Happy Halloween from Me and my boys,

we are off to trick or treat......