common ground : Country French

Showing posts with label Country French. Show all posts

Friday, January 27, 2012

Vintage Inspiration Friday # 74 Sunburst Mirrors

So...what comes to mind when you see these next few images

of Sunburst, or Starburst Mirrors?

Source: 1stdibs.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Debra on Pinterest

do you think fabulous and hip,

or do you think retro and ho hum...?

Source: the-afternoon.amazonwebstore.com via Debra on Pinterest

I grew up in the 60's, and when I first started seeing these

reappearing on the home decor scene

I shuddered and grimaced.

But take a look at this article from the

Winter 2011 Edition of Romantic Country Magazine
(yes, put your cute little readers on!)

according to RC I needed to take a second look

and then learn a little "history".

This article says that during the French Revolution

antique dealers re-purposed church possessions for their own use.

(I think this translates as pillage and confiscate...)

but I DO have to admit that some of the new styles

ARE reminiscent of old French antiquities.

Are you interested?

this subject to be continued ...

but for now, let's see what was happening last week:

Kristin from Sophia's shared her daughter's adorable new room

with an amazing bed, settee, and dresser; just beautiful!

This is a wonderful blog, you need to run by and see for yourself,

Kristin is soooo talented!

Linda from Nina's Nest shared her d-i-l's great take

on Subway Signs. just love this!

Denise from Pink Postcard shared her very first upholstered chair,

and she did a great job!

I collect vintage candy boxes, so Robin's (from Highpoint Circle ) wonderful

Godiva Valentine Heart boxes have me on the hunt for more!

There are times when my blog visits take me back in time

and bring sweet memories to transport me to my childhood.

Such was the visit to Laurie's farmhouse for a "wintry gift".

(I grew up in an 1840's farmhouse with an old barn,

so these photos of Laurie's place just took my breath away!)

What a perfect photo!

OK now, what's been inspiring YOU this week?

"anything vintage or vintage inspired"

Please make sure you have a visible link to Common Ground

to be able to link to the party

And remember February 9-12

for the Vintage Valentine Party!

linking up to these gal's great parties:

Stuff and Nonsense

2805

French Country Cottage

The Charm of Home

At the Picket Fence

xoxo,

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Romancing the Mantel

The weather here in southern Missouri is pretty changeable. Cold, mild, cold again. But we have had enough warmer days that some of our shrubs and bushes became a little confused and thought Spring was on it's way.

So that gave me the itch to change up my mantel. I still had my faux Amaryllis in my Wolff Pottery from Christmas, so it was time for them to go and bring in some budding branches. (faux budding branches, that it)

And while I was at it, I thought my little Country French Couple

might feel at home there too.

I love their sweet rosebud confection, pastel attire.

If you look closely you can see they are missing a few fingers between them,

but I love them anyway.

They are a large pair, over a foot tall, and that's good size for these.

So between a few budding branches and my little French couple

my mantle is taking on hints of early Spring and just a little romance.

It's only January, so I'm sure we have some nasty weather ahead,

but what's the harm of dreaming of an early Spring...?

Joining in for

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday at Primp

Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Share the Love Wednesday at Very Merry Vintage Style

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Good Life Wednesdays at A Beach Cottage

Knick of Time Tuesdays at Knick of Time Interiors

House Party at No Minimalist Here

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnnas

xoxo,

Monday, November 14, 2011

Autumnal tones in the Dining Room

I always look forward to each new season;

Fall is winding down and winter is almost here.

Having a neutral backdrop has made my seasonal decorating

so much more enjoyable.

Subtleties of color and texture can be felt more easily.

and one small change can make such a difference.

These brown transfer plates hanging below the sconces

have been up since I repainted the dining room last year.

I've kept things mostly earthy tones, using "nature" as my teacher.

I remember when I was newly married, a magazine article

which featured the elements of Country French style.

Funny, I don't know where that article is now,

but I remember the jest of it.

It was how Country French married the rustic

and utilitarian of the countryside with the elegance of the Court.

I've always loved "elegant" tempered with "farmhouse".

I like Old World baskets tucked underneath and on top,

holding essentials like linens and pottery;

The feel of antiquity being at home with the practical.

I wanted a new tablerunner,

or something to change out my late Fall table.

I had it in my mind, trying a dozen different things in here.

Then I dug through my material bin

and found this elegant piece of muted floral silk.

I didn't have enough, so my elegant silk

paired up with a utilitarian drop cloth for the ruffle.

And a chenille tapestry pillow tops an old crazy quilt

with a velvet border on my old church pew.

I painted this church pew white last Spring;

Before, it had been black.

...love the white.

As you can see a small tree is up waiting for it's decorating.

(right after Thanksgiving)

I love layering vintage mirrors; multifaceted reflections.

My sheep and lambs are always here on the buffet

in their special place.

Tomorrow I'm showing "the details" of this room.

Hope you'll come back.

And if you haven't joined in for the

All Things French Give Away

then click here to enter!

I'm joining in with the parties this week,

Between Naps on the Porch

Cottage and Vine

The Tablescaper

Tomorrow, It's in the Details...

xoxo,

Sunday, August 21, 2011

French Lessons

A few years ago at a swap meet here in town one of the dealers

was selling some old books for just a few dollars a piece.

There were a handful that I was interested in

but they were in terrible condition.

It was getting late and he didn't want to haul them home,

so he suggested I pick out several for a dollar.

One was a French Lesson Book in English from the 1850's

and another was this book published in 1905.

The Lesson book's cover and binding were falling apart

but I loved the yellowing pages and some penciled notes

from a student many years ago.

And if you've visited many flea markets or antique malls

I'm sure you've run into at least one of these glass top trays,

probably from the 30's or 40's.

So some Modge Podge and book pages,

with a little white paint,

transformed the ho hum

into a sweet little tray to brighten the ottoman in my studio.

The vintage bird graphics aren't glued down,

they're just under the glass

so it can be changed out for the seasons.

I'd been wanting to do this for awhile and finally got it done

during one of my "paint" sessions.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Vintage Inspiration Friday #50 Vintage French Ticking

I've said several times that I'm not a seamstress, or even particularly adept at sewing, but necessity and obsession play a roll in my attempts at projects. So my latest obsession...no comments here...has been with making table runners for my Dining Room. Yes, you know, "the Dining Room That Has Furniture That I'd Love to Paint, but Just Can't Quite Get There" uh huh, THAT Dining Room.

First I used some fabric left over from my chair seat recovering from last year, natural Osnaberg, and a little nubby muslin for a ruffle. Then, once I did that I realized I really wanted a little somethin' in the way of color and pattern. So when I found this roll of French Inspired Ticking at JoAnne's Fabric that was on clearance, I grabbed it quick. Hopefully, it will be my next project, and two pillows to match for my extra Dining side chairs.

Here's one of the said Dining Room Chairs painted white, I know this set would be fabulous painted. OK, enough of that. Someone slap me please... maybe a winter project...or not.