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










Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Eat In Kitchens

















Images 1, 6 & 7 House Beautiful
Image 2 Pinterest, Images 3 & 8 Southern Accents
Image 4 BHG, Image 5 Alkemie


Monday, October 03, 2011

Colorful Tuscan Villa

We've all heard of Pratesi linens.....right? 

Beautiful.....sumptuous....dreamy.....

Well, this is the 17th century Tuscan villa of the family matriarch, Dede Pratesi.  As you will see, it is furnished very eclectically with furniture from different centuries, as well as different countries.  And it is all tied together with her bold paint colors and beautiful fabrics!  And don't forget to notice the Pratesi linens in the bedrooms and bath.

Enjoy!




















All images via Architectural Digest



Friday, September 30, 2011

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Opulent Italian Style

I am running a bit short of time today, so I will do a very short post.

I happened upon this website over the weekend, and it was so unique to me, I had to share it.

These very opulent rooms and designs are made by AltaModa-Italia.  Not a typical North American look for sure, but very European...........

The art deco living room is very sumptuous and the kids rooms have a very unique appeal.

Enjoy!

Remember to click on pics for clearer view!



Friday, September 23, 2011

Blue and White Outdoors Room



After four days of blue and white interiors, I am ending this week with an exterior room - the ultimate in backyard living!

If any of you watched Million Dollar Decorators on HGTV this winter, you will remember the California decorator, Mary McDonald.  This is her own private back yard and dining pavilion with her collection of blue and white ceramics.

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend.
















All images via Veranda


Thursday, September 22, 2011

Rose Cottage

Going from one end of the spectrum to the other, we are today looking at a 1912, 800 sq. ft. gabled cottage surrounded by a vine covered white picket fence.  (Wish I had an exterior shot!) 

A couple of the previous cottages this week were newly built for growing families and clearly had some professional design help.  All lovely!

But, today's cottage, as mentioned, is much smaller and the interior was put together solely by the single homeowner, who had previously lived in much newer and much larger homes (12,000 sq. ft.!) until moving into this home about 15 years ago.

When purchased, this house was dark and drab with low ceilings.  The homeowner immediately removed the ceilings and opened up the rafters, removed the old shag carpet and started painting everything in the house, inlcuding her dark furniture.  Through trial and error, she has found her own comfort, style and peace as she continues to shop estate and garage sales.  And what she doesn't love and keep for herself, she freshens up and sells at her own garage sales!  And she wouldn't have it any other way!

Cheers to her hard work, ingenuity and tenacity!  This is a real charmer and in keeping with this week's post, is all in blue and white!

Enjoy!



















All images via Cottage Style