Showing posts with label florals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label florals. Show all posts

Monday, April 22, 2013

The Art of Georgia Fiennes

This young English lady's artwork is full of some of my favorite things - lots of color, florals, chandeliers, whimsy, charm, but most of all - animals!

The artist, Georgia, says she is also an animal lover and likes to depict them in unusual circumstances - as in teacups, chandeliers and even shoes.  The expressions on their faces only adds to the whimsy and can bring a smile to almost anyone.

Enjoy!


























www.veryfineanimals.com




Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Holiday Vignettes

A few holiday vignettes to ponder and enjoy!





















Images 1 - 5, 7 & 8 Traditional Home
Images 6 & 10 Country Living
Image 9 Southern Accents


Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

French Country Cottage in Reds and Yellows

As a followup to yesterday's post, I would like to share this charming cottage with you.  The homeowner is an antique shop owner who surrounds herself only with items she really loves and  has done it beautifully.












All images via Decorating


Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Home and Designs of Christina Strutt

I can't resist the story of a woman who starts a cottage industry from her home.....working alone at her kitchen table.  The likes of Laura Ashley, Cath Kidston, Jane Forman, Annie Selke, Lilly Pulitzer and many, many others come to mind.  But, today I would like to share the work of Christina Strutt, whose work I have been following for several years.

Today's post could have been titled 'The Books of Christina Strutt', 'The Textiles of Christina Strutt', 'The Vintage Chic of Christina Strutt', or an assortment of other titles, but I just happened to have a Country Home magazine that I was browsing through recently and came upon her home, so I will include her personal haven along with some of her creations.

As a stay at home mom with two young children, and a former Vogue stylist, living in a 600 year old, golden colored stone cottage outside of Bath, England, Christina avidly collected vintage fabrics and collectibles years ago.  What she couldn't find, she produced herself. 

However, she carried it further and began designing textiles at her kitchen table just over ten years ago.  Amazing what she has accomplished in that amount of time.  She is now the founder and owner of the British retailer, Cabbages and Roses,  has authored several books on vintage style, sewing and developing your own vintage, romantic look and continues to design.  Her products are sold within the Jigsaw stores in England and, of course, her books are sold everywhere.

Her combination of soft florals, checks, stripes and toiles is timeless and endlessly cosy and welcoming.  Her collection of reds only increases the warmth of the rooms.......in our long, cold east coast Canadian winters, springs and falls, I, too, have many shades of red in our rooms.....our climate demands it!

See her online shop at http://www.cabbagesandroses.com/

Enjoy!






Love this eat in kitchen!



Windowseat in upper left corner is in kitchen -
sage toile curtains





Christina at home







An image from one of her books

Images 1 - 6, Country Home
Image 7 Independent News, Image 8 The Foodie Bugle
Image 9 Shelterpop
Images 10 - 12, Amazon










Wednesday, July 13, 2011

English Cottage Style

Hi Everyone,

I found some more pictures of The Holiday cottage (one of my favorite movies) and a perfect example of English country cottage.  If you haven't seen this movie yet, it's a must to check out.

The original post was published last July, so I am re-publishing it today.

Enjoy!

Cottage style is all about comfort, so that's a priority when planning your decor.  Comfortable sofas and chairs, lots of pillows, lots of color, floral fabrics mixed with ginghams and stripes, books, soft lighting, art, tables by each chair and sofa, ottomans, area rugs and anything else you love.  You are there to relax in your cozy environment.

Carefree is another word to remember when thinking cottage style.....often the furniture is slipcovered for easy care, antiques mixed with new, and sometimes, painted furniture is common and offers a low maintenance lifestyle.

If using floral chintz on your draperies, then ensure your large upholstered pieces are a solid color or a co-ordinating small print.

Wall colors are usually soft and in natural shades such a whites, creams, greens, yellows and pinks in the traditional English cottages, but deeper colors are seen more often in the contemporary English home. 

And the finishing touch is fresh plants and flowers.



Cottage foyer - love the old wooden door!
Wood floor, antique bamboo coatstand, 
stuccoed walls and timbered ceiling





Low, timbered ceilings and stone wall in the living room
Paned windows, chintz curtains, soft lighting, flowers, books
Comfortable mix and match furniture
Tables by each chair and sofa

Open shelving, fireplace, eat in kitchen table
Blue and white transferware and gingham plates
Small, warm and cosy

Same elements as above photos
Charming cottage bedroom!
Timbered ceiling, fireplace
Big comfy bed and lots of lamp light!

And lastly, the tiny bathroom with 
a painted floor, antique dresser and 
zinc tub!




Above images from the movie, The Holiday and 
Hooked on Houses