Is this your lucky day?

It was truly wonderful to have so many of you enter your name in my First Anniversary Giveaway. This has been an amazing year. I have enjoyed meeting you all, receiving your generous comments, reading your interesting blogs, and just getting to know you. Wish everyone could be the prize winner, but this time around it goes to..........................
Computer problems earlier today had me worried...........would I actually be able to post the winner's name. While cutting and folding the slips of paper with your many names, I moaned and groaned to dh about the Internet, the desktop, my laptop, the new 4 in 1 printer which is driving us nuts, technology in general................how chilly it is today, how I wanted him to go to the store because I want to make black beans and rice, how I fancied whole wheat pita with freshly made hummus, and a juicy spinach pie from a our local Lebanese bakery/restaurant etc. etc.

But before he left, I made sure he picked a winner. He mixed the names about in my hat for what seemed like an eternity, then dug down to the bottom and pulled out Manuela's slip!

Well everything is working again and I'm able to post the news..............congratulations Manuela. If you haven't visited Manuela at The Feathered Nest you are missing out on knowing this decorating diva and busy fun blogger, so stop by soon.

Manuela, I'll be in touch by e-mail to get your mailing address then your box of goodies will soon be on the way to Georgia.

Thanks again everyone, enjoy your week........and please keep in touch.

Front Porch Moments in the Rain

~~~~~~

Thunder in the distance mid-morning. Rain came down soaking the parched red clay earth, filling the fountain and birdbaths. Small rivulets ran down the driveway, the songbirds went into hiding in the shrubbery. Grabbed a jacket and my camera, filled my coffee mug. Sat on the front porch watching the rain fall and taking a few pictures.

Porch crystal candolier outlined against the neighbor's brick chimney and the still bare trees.

Shhhh! A good day for porch napping as the soft rain fell.

Rain, rain don't go away, stay with us another day.

We are in a severe drought and need every drop we can get!

~~~~~

Almost There

Still pulling the guest room together ~ hope to have pictures for you later this week.

The shutters are up! Today I'll crank up the sewing machine and tackle the sheer panel for the window.

This is the look I'm going for, just a simple flat panel which can be folded back to let light in.

I will attach it to the window casing with the decorative tacks, no rod. I have blinds also on this window which can be used at night for privacy and room darkening.

Then on to mirrors, art, lighting. Still looking for a small chandelier!

Have ordered 'wall words' ~ will show you when they are flowing across this little French inspired room.

Call for Entries

Don't forget, if you haven't entered the drawing for my one year blog anniversary giveaway, please leave your name on my February 10 post. I will be picking the name of the winner the evening of February 27. ~ I could be writing your name here ~

~ so please enter ~

Edited - 2/26/08

As my post for the giveaway tomorrow has dropped off, you can leave a comment here and I will still add your name. Drawing for the winner will be tomorrow, Wednesday.

A Rooster Tale

chicken in every pot....

I don't eat poultry..............and I certainly don't enjoy being awakened early in the morning by roosters crowing as I was during my village stay in France. However I've always enjoyed those ornamental roosters strutting their stuff in lovely country style kitchens. Standing on counters and islands, proudly eyeing cooks as they go about their daily stovetop stirring, but always very colorful as rooster feathers are.

My kitchen is decorated in neutral tones and I love white and cream china, so imagine my surprise at finding this handsome boy at Homegoods recently. How could I resist him at a real bargain price. Tall, the china slightly crazed and one tiny tail feather chip, which of course makes him immediately vintage looking..................and all that wonderful fruit at his feet including my favorite pears!

Introducing my new kitchen helper.

Pull up a chair

Sometimes beauty comes by the yard. While at the fabric shop, deciding on something for the window in the guest room, I couldn't resist looking through numerous groaning shelves of trims. They were wonderful, every color, pattern, configuration imaginable - and very expensive when they're as elegant as these below ($35 per yard). What amazing machinery weaves trim like this. When I had a custom lampshade business in the early '90's, really beautiful trims, braids, fringes, tassels etc. were so hard to find locally I had to stock up during trips home to England. I was quite surprised when the sales clerk agreed to cut me samples of these costly trims. I will not be buying by the yard, but I do have a few bobbles and beads for an altered art project later!

But I digress...........I really wanted to tell you of my fun weekly visit to SuzAnna's Antiques yesterday. Spring decided to hibernate a bit longer, it was cold and dreary, not many people were shopping, so Susie, Anna, Linda and I played. When I showed them my fabrics for the guest room, they all scattered through their shop, hunting, finding, grabbing and bringing forth a myriad of items, knick knacks, bric-a-brac and the most unusual French inspired objets d'art that might work in the room.

This sweet little fleur-de-lys hook was a gift from Susie - it even has a touch of my French blue-green paint.

Now this was different - Linda appeared from a corner with an old painted metal light fixture which must have hung from the ceiling or wall. Turned upside down it makes a great candolier - there is a holder on each end. The old wooden fruit and berry swag has a French looking bow and touches of French red and blue-green paint.


This pair of beautiful old bookends, perfect color, lovely flowers painted on each one (I love Morning Glories!) are now sitting on a shelf in the secretary ~ thank you so much Susie & Anna!

The fabrics I finally chose for the chair and window surprised me - I wasn't looking for anything like this - they just came out and grabbed me - perhaps because they do have that certain French look about them. The chair seat will be dark chocolate velvet with the warm khaki color diamond and fringed rosette pattern. Picking up on the pattern I found the pale gold sheer with the deeper gold chenille stripe which is actually a big check pattern. These are colors from the toile on the secretary doors and the pale khaki paint we used on the bed and the closet doors - so it all blends together and there is a lot of texture going.............and I love texture!




The window treatment will be very simple because the shutters will be on either side. A straight sill length panel which can be hooked back with the length of vintage dyed velvet ribbon........and look at these amazing large painted metal filigree tacks.................they were holding a curtain displayed on the wall at SuzAnna's. We decided they were the perfect way to hang my panel at the window - I didn't want rods. I love how the center circle replicates the fringe circle on the chair fabric.

..................and while on the subject of chairs, take a look at this one! One of a pair, it started off somewhat somber and Gothic looking until along came Susie, spray paint queen, with a new color that is definitely French Grey. No I did not buy this one - no room for another chair!

Susie, unlike me, never ends up covered in paint when spraying. Within a couple of minutes the chair was painted shabby chic, she whipped out the perfect piece of old cotton lace for the back.........then we placed a stack of old books and a pretty beaded necklace and voila, a chair that will not be hanging around the shop long!

I hope you will have fun if you are out and about thrifting this weekend. Do support your local independent antiques, vintage and thrift shops. Not only will you find hidden, possibly one of a kind, treasures for your home and garden at bargain prices, you may also make wonderful friends as I have.

Presenting - My Secretary

I've discovered that my newly acquired secretary traveled all the way to North Carolina from Staten Island, New York. After buying her and showing her off on my blog, the gals at SuzAnna's Antiques heard from a gentleman who informed them that the secretary had belonged to his wife's Uncle Neil, and that she will be pleased it found a good home down South - how sweet is that?

So far I've done nothing to change her painted finish. English brother in Southwest France, who has a new second career painting furniture in his village, thinks perhaps I need to "shabby 'er up a bit more Sis". While I ponder reaching for a sanding block, and wait for dh to heal his very painful back strain from lugging her up the stairs, she remains elegantly in place in all her loveliness.

I'm really pleased with the way the padded pin boards for the doors came out. It was an easy no sew project. I cut foamcore board to fit and covered with quilt batting using a heavy duty stapler. Then did the same with the toile fabric, using a different scene for each door to make it more interesting. Crisscrossed the grosgrain ribbon, stapling in back and used bronze upholstery tacks on the front. Attached finished panels to the doors with Velcro tape, dh's great idea as we didn't want to pound nails! I lined the three lower drawers with pretty scented paper.

This is one of my painted and decoupaged boxes utilized as a bookend. I made several on returning from Tuscany. I had lots of wonderful souvenir paper ephemera I wanted to display to remind me of my ten most fabulous days ever!

Florentine portfolio ~ French jars from Michael's, I added dried lavender ~ magnifying glass with silver handle.

The drop down desk is so sturdy - arms automatically come out to support the writing table and it is perfectly level. The little cubbies are home to my many writing papers, envelopes and blank journals, purchased usually when traveling ~ beautiful ones from Florence, Paris and England. I have always enjoyed writing and receiving handwritten letters and notes. The first 30-something years I lived in the USA I wrote home to my Mother in England at least once a week. She in turn wrote to me and I still have many of her letters packed away in a pretty box. In the '60's and '70's a 3 minute phone call across the pond cost $25! We didn't call much until the later years when international long distance became much cheaper.

This sweet piece of handpainted Japanese china with a bluebird was my maternal Grandmother's hatpin container. I have such vivid childhood memories of it standing on her dressing table. It makes a perfect pen holder.

The encre (ink), pen, sealing wax and fleur-de-lys seal came as a set in a J. Herbin box from France. This company has been producing inks and wax since 1670!

I'm sure you can tell I'm pleased with my secretary. I think she really adds a bit of pizazz to this room. The makeover is still in progress ~ more to come later.

Van Gogh Colors

No, I haven't returned to the South of France. But today I was surrounded by saturated color......and shutters!!

Arles, Provence - June 2006

Below is the shutter color/effect in the picture of the inspiration room for my guest room makeover. Although I like the neutrals it really needs a punch of color to warm it up a little. Today, despite strong gusts of wind, it was quite warm and sunny so I ventured into the side garden, my best painting spot. This time I was armed with my three cans of paint and all the other paraphenalia one needs for a project. These wooden shutters are from SuzAnna's Antiques in Raleigh - a matching pair to the ones in my master bedroom - those I left blue-grey and are perfect in that room.

Below, shutter metamorphosis, from blue-grey.......
.............to Belle Grove Brass...........
.............to La Fonda Teal.............
..................to Pine Forest dry brushed on leaving the other two colors showing through in spots.

Yes, I know what you're saying, the color doesn't look the same! Actually they are quite close when the painted shutters are moved into the shade, however I think I'll take the last color back and ask them to darken it just a bit and give one more dry brush coat in areas where the shutter would be worn. I really like working with these Valspar paints from Lowe's. A final sanding of the edges and raised areas to expose a little more gold and they should be ready to hang. The iron shutter dogs are showing their age but I like that and don't plan to change them. I painted some picture frames while outside - they'll have their debut later. I've also completed the secretary makeover - I think it looks great and will share in the next post.

Before leaving I'm sharing more daffodils from the garden as many of you are still snowed in and I think you'll enjoy these colorful blooms.

Ice Follies
King Alfred

Spring Blooms & Gifts

Today was full of pretty surprises. Walking into the back garden I was able to pick daffodils to bring into the house. They were hiding around bends and in corners by the fence, bright yellow King Alfred and creamy Ice Follies. I planted more daffodils than tulips in late Autumn. Usually I do the reverse, planting up huge pots of tulips, my favorite flower. Knowing that we would be on strict water restrictions all Winter, there was concern that, without rain, we wouldn't be able to water quick drying pots. So I planted daffodils in the ground wherever I could find soft earth..................and here they are, brightening up this wind chilled February day. We are now under a complete outdoor watering ban. This means garden centers and landscape companies are letting employees go, some will have to close down their businesses, Spring planting will be negligible in our area. Nature is beautiful but cruel at times.

No, not late with my Valentine post. In fact, lucky me is celebrating another day of love and kindness! Several weeks ago I was so fortunate to win a wonderful Valentine giveaway from Lynda at Hedgerow Hollow. Do visit Lynda at her lovely blog. The deep snows of Ontario, Canada prevented Lynda from blazing a trail to her post office early on, and then the mail delivery was very slow. No matter, the anticipation was part of the fun and here today, waiting in the mailbox, were these lovely gifts. A delightful book, VICTORIAN SWEETS introduced as follows ~

The last dish of a good dinner should be light and elegant, and convey the greatest amount of pleasure to the taste, with the least possible nourishment.

The illustrations are adorable and the delicious recipes include such offerings as ~ Citron Heart Cakes ~ Deliciose (Victorian Brownies) ~ Transparent Pie (Lemony Custard) ~ and many of my personal favorites which include ginger, such as ~Soft Ginger Cake ~ Fairy Gingerbread ~ Hard Gingerbread.

Lynda - I'll be busy in the kitchen trying out these!

Lynda made me a sweet floral heart trimmed with lace and ribbon ~ this will make a great pincushion. I can see she's 'tag gal' just like me ~ hers are gorgeous! The heart and cameo buttons are lovely, I know I'll use them in an art project, along with the pretty Susan Branch 'love' stickers. All these gifts were accompanied by Lynda's handmade card. Thank you so much for these generous presents ~ I'm thrilled with everything.

Anniversary Giveaway!

Today, while stopping to look for Spring..................it's out there, hiding under dry oak leaves, small bulbs pushing slowly and gently, readying themselves to shoot through the earth............I suddenly remembered that February 27 is not far off!

Where has the time gone? Almost an entire year has passed by while I've been busy blogging! I've made so many new and wonderful friends around the world. I'm grateful for all the comments left, personal stories shared, decorating and art tutorials generously given...........and the pleasure of just getting to know you, wherever you may live.

**** Time for a Giveaway ****

To celebrate this past year and the start of another, I am sharing some gifts with you.

A copy of Rachel Ashwell's beautiful book Shabby Chic. Full of wonderful photos of her home in California, flea market hunting, her decorating projects, and the story of how she built her successful business, anyone who loves to decorate their home using flea market finds and turning them into elegant painted treasures will love this book.

The cover of a lovely journal will inspire you to dream of Tuscany and perhaps plan a trip to Italy ~ you will love it there. Along with these books will be a folder crammed with Italian writing papers, scrapbooking odds and ends, elegant cards of John William Waterhouse romantic paintings.......and perhaps some extra surprises if I can squeeze them into the mailing box!

To enter the drawing for the gift package please leave a comment on this post only. I will draw the winner the evening of February 27, my anniversary date.

Again, thank you for stopping by ~ it really is such a pleasure knowing you, and Good Luck, anyone can be the winner here!

Dreaming around the Color Wheel

Remember my great love for old shutters since visiting my family's fabulous home in the South of France? This love, which really started when in Tuscany several years before, filled my dreams and caused me to hang shutters in my master bedroom when redecorating a year or so ago. When I wake in the morning and see those shutters through my sleepy, squinty eyes, the day takes on a new meaning as I first have memories of village life, roosters crowing; vignerons starting up their noisy tractors as they head to their vineyards; my family far away bustling around the house, their footsteps echoing on the tiled floors; mouthwatering cappucino and croissant smells wafting up the stairs. Yesterday, after cleaning off the pair of shutters hanging out patiently all Winter in my potting shed, I called French (well of course he's really English) brother to wish him a happy Valentine's Day. Talk about serendipity - HE was actually in the middle of painting his well over 100 year old exterior shutters also! So, my next painting project will begin any day now - I'm ready, willing and armed!

My brother's ancient shutters in France.

I love this room, sophisticated European with rustic touches ~ it has become the inspiration for my current decorating project as many of you know. In the first picture I showed you a few weeks back, I didn't let you get a peek at the shutter! This is how I plan to paint a pair of old exterior slatted wood shutters ~ rescued from SuzAnna's Antiques of course ~ to hang inside at the one window in the room!

This guest room makeover is coming along slowly. I'm not rushing because I'm having so much fun digging and delving for treasure to complete the look and feel I want. The background is bright and clean with new ceiling and walls, and less stained woodwork, but a little cold looking, so I'm now bringing in some colors to make it cozy and comfortable.

Below is the color palette I'm working with. The three chips bottom right are the paint colors I've bought to use on the shutters - Belle Grove Brass for the base, La Fonda Teal and Pine Forest (med. and dark shades next to each other on the chip card on the left) all Valspar. Is this brave or what? I'm hoping it will work - using these colors in a rustic way and sanding down to expose the brass shade in places to give an aged feeling. As no direct sunlight will shine on the shutters I'm thinking this bold color will not be too overpowering. If it's not the way to go I'll be back at Lowe's choosing again - that's the glory of paint, you can always paint over!

My secretary is still on vacation! I'm just gathering bits and bobs to leave on her desk and shelves until the right look comes together, then I'll put her to work. The gold/cream toile fabric is going to line the inside of the doors ~ I plan to make padded inserts, perhaps crisscrossed with grosgrain ribbon and vintage nailheads to display special photos, postcards, notes, inspiration pictures etc.

This is the little chair I bought last year at Karen's gorgeous shop FETCH in Hillsborough, NC shown at the bottom of my sidebar. This will be perfect to use at the desk when writing my memoirs, ha! ha! The floral painting on the back has just a touch of the blue-green shutter color. The complementary color is 'geranium red' (looks darker on this color card) which is that old red of French tickings and kitchens linens. This is a piece of red/cream ticking I found to make a seat pad. Just a touch of this color will bring in more warmth. This linen pillowcase was packaging for a European sham from Anthropologie ~ sewn on embroidered labels, and the pearl buttons, made it too precious to discard and with a pillow insert added it's now recycled ~ way to go!

........and lastly, pretty storage boxes found at Homegoods ~ for the top of the armoire ~ the right old red color.
Wishing you a fabulous weekend. For those of you able to fling open your shutters and windows to let the almost Spring breezes in while painting, enjoy! The rest of you who will snuggle up while snowflakes still fall, your time will come!