Dining room ~ 2008
After spending last October in Southwest France and Provence, I returned knowing exactly how I wanted my home to look. I revamped the dining room earlier this year and many of you followed my progress. I'm still tweaking this room, adding a few things as I find them.
No hurry, a beautiful room evolves with time.
Dining room ~ Spring 2009
The room is my vision of 'French Country', as found in the villages and small market towns of Provence. Casual but elegant. The colors are muted creams and blue grays, white china, tarnished silver, painted wood, pine farm table, natural linen. It's not easy to find authentic European items in this area.......when you're on a budget! But hunt I do, and gather when I can. I like to browse through antiques malls, vintage, consignment and charity shops.....and just plain old junk shops! I have a wish list....doesn't everyone! I've painted all my old furniture, the only new piece being the table.
Dining Room....today.
Did you notice what's new? Have been looking high, literally, and low for a vintage European chandelier with crystals. One that would blend with that beautiful wall sconce I found at SuzAnna's Antiques last year. It had to be many things: not too large, have six to eight lights, have the right metal finish - old gold or bronze, no shiny brass, LOTS of real faceted glass crystals, old looking candle covers, hopefully not require rewiring, and have a dear little tag hanging from it with a nice price, one I could afford!
I think this was a steal!!! Right size, 8 lights, loads of real crystals (only two missing and I've been able to replace them), did buy new candle covers as they were bright white, wiring was new and safe according to my electrician...........and most amazing of all, it matches the wall sconce perfectly!
I had a health scare a few weeks ago but, following tests and biopsies, received good news last Friday. After great sighs of relief, giving thanks, and having lunch with DH, I decided to enjoy the afternoon looking around an antiques mall in town. It was there I saw it above my head. I became giddy looking up, checking everything, measuring with a borrowed yard stick. The perfect chandelier with the gentle price tag ~ and my name was on it. Well not really, but I loved it. I crossed another treasure off my wish list, happily wrote a check, and carried it home feeling doubly blessed that day.
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Mary,
ReplyDeleteIf you hadn't been writing in your customary "upward and onward" sort of upbeat way, I may have had to have a cry. But I am glad your health scare was just that: a scare. So....Yikkes!!! I LOVE the new chandelier!! It's perfect and it does match the wall sconce! (Now I know that was a must for you, but is that a must in decorating "musts"?). You were certainly doubly blessed that day! :-)
I am also on a lucky binge and again, we have something we can share. I have wanted a new light fixture above our table, never liked the one we have and didn't know hubby bought it when he bought the house before we were married. I firmly placed my foot in my mouth once when I remarked on the poor taste of the previous owners!!! Anyway, my SIL and hubby just bought a house that came with the fixtures including a beautiful gold chandelier with glass crystals and I beleive 8 lights. She offered it to me and doesn't want a penny! It's not "her", I know, but I think she is too young and naive to know it may be worth something. The previous owner had lived there 35 years with her mother and they were both quite old when the sale came about, so I don't know what I have yet. Only got to look at it briefly. I will tell you more about it soon!!
Hooray on your latest find and one more cross off on the list!!
xoxo
Jane
Love the chandalier Mary - it fits in perfectly. What an amazing interior designer you are.
ReplyDeleteJJ
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Absolutely beautiful dining room! Glad you are ok.
ReplyDeleteCarol
Oh, I just know the feeling when you find something beautiful and perfect for your home. It has nothing to do with covetousness or consumerism. It is more to do with the respect for beauty and its effect on one's soul. I love all your French antiques and ideas. I was just saying to my friend at Country Charm (worth a visit if you don't know her already) how a glimpse into someone else's lovely home stimulates one's own creativity. Sometimes one gets jaded and you need a lift to send you scurrying around rearranging your own treasures.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased all is well after the tests. Now turn on the lights and enjoy your chandlier!
Beautiful! Time to move on to another room. The dining room is finished!
ReplyDeleteAnna
Your chandelier is lovely and PERFECT for your dining room!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that your tests came back well...
Hugs,
Penny
Hi Mary:
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you got good news from your test.
The new light fixture is really nice in your french room. You are a finder for sure.
Nancy
Thank goodness you are OK. That must be a huge relief and what better way to celebrate than a new light fixture, and a perfect one at that. We are on our way to Burlington in the AM for the holiday weekend. It should be a gloriously beautiful weekend with a true touch of autumn in the air.
ReplyDeleteHope you and Bob ( and Jasmin?) enjoy Labor Day weekend.
I am so happy to hear the good news! What a relief for you.
ReplyDeleteYour dining room is beautiful and the chandelier a perfect fit. Love it!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hello Mary! Doubly blessed...indeed you were! Two special gifts on the same day. I'm so happy that all is well health wise. That chandelier is beautiful and, as you so beautifully told is in this post, exactly right!
ReplyDeleteHello Mary, your chandelier looks gorgeous in your dining room. It DOES match your sconce so perfectly. I know you are thrilled with this purchase and I would be too. You have done a wonderful job of decorating in French Country. I see you finished your chairs. I know that was a hard job. A job well done and now the final touch...your beautiful chandy. I am so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteYes, a sister is a wonderful thing. I am so blessed and I know how much a gift that is.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend back at you.
Love...Jeanne
Lovely, lovely, lovely...
ReplyDeleteso glad it was only a scare!
PERFECT!!! It is beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteMary that room is beautiful. I picked up on some tests you had. Don't remember hearing you had troubles, but am thankful in prayer they were okay for you. I so enjoy hearing from you on your post.
ReplyDeleteQMM
Oh, be still my little heart. Came over for Pink Saturday today and scrolled down to this earlier post and my heart went pitter patter. I recently cleared everything out of the dining room as I want to paint out most of the furniture to achieve a very similar look to what you've featured. I'm off to link to your other posts on this dining room make-over. What great, magnificent, timely inspiration. This is why I love discovering new blogs!
ReplyDeletexo
Sue
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteWhy is that us "Brits" love France so much do you think?
Could be the style & elegance peut-être?
Your home is stunning & always enjoy my visits, thanks for welcoming me in today.
Maggie @ Normandy Life
Sorry to hear you had a health scare but I'm thrilled that it turned out all right!
ReplyDeleteThe chandy is gorgeous and just shows that it pays to wait for just the right thing!
Manuela
I am sorry to hear that you had a health scare but thrilled as I'm sure you are, that it was only a scare! What perfect cing onthe cake to find the chandelier. Your dining room is so beautiful. You have really captured the French look. I love it!
ReplyDeleteMary, I read this quite a while ago but I would be remiss if I did not come back here and write a comment. You know I have told you before what excellent taste you have. My dear, you should write a book. You are an excellent photographer, you have that excellent taste I talked about, and you have the ability to make glorious vignettes. I'm serious, lady - I'd buy your book in a heartbeat! (And it could include tales of your travels to France and England too.)
ReplyDelete