Dear Friends,
I've finally watched the "Coco Before Chanel" movie which I loved of course. Two things have come of it directly. First, I've decided to give striped shirts another try and found one that doesn't make me look like a toddler. Second, I've gone out and purchased two succulents for the planters in my driveway because the ones potted at the estate of Etienne Balsan were so inspiring. Mine are aloe and will take a while to get as big as I'd like them to be right now but I can be patient. I think.
I love eating seasonally. Summer crops are my favorite and so it's hard to wait. Tomatoes are beginning to grow in our garden but it will be a while before they are ready to eat. In the meantime, it's fun to search out new recipes for all of our upcoming harvest. "Recipes from an Italian Summer" will be a good place to start.
I need to know more about these drapes! They are amazing...
I'd really like to add an adorable wrap skirt just like this one to my summer wardrobe so if you know were I might find a pattern, please tell.
Secondhand Rose is the place to go if ever you are looking for vintage wallpapers. This one seems to mimic the beauty of the old building we were just admiring with the same use of colors. It would be beautiful used in a sun porch.
I wonder how this building looked when it was fresh and new. It couldn't possibly be any more beautiful than it is now but it would be great to know so that a recipe of sorts could be determined for achieving this look (hundreds of years from now). There must be a way to speed up the process though, to make a new house look extremely old. Any ideas on how to do that?
I can just imagine the response I'd have if I were to walk into this room. First I'd be compelled to walk up and touch the mantle and then the bathtub and then I think I'd sneak my sandals off to make sure that the floor wasn't too rough underfoot. Once all of the textures had been assessed, I'd stare in amazement at the amount of light coming in from that extra large window and of course, look behind the curtain to see what the view was like.
Part of the charm of the "Garden Kitchen" are the pretty floral biscuit tins displayed on the shelves. There are many to be found if you would like to make one (or two) your own. I am thinking that I need one to corral all of the spare change I've been finding around the house.
There are aspects to this kitchen that would be very beneficial to a gardener. Please note the extra large sink and bins where things like onions and potatoes could be stored. Very handy, don't you think?
Maybe, like me, you are finding summer to be a time when you have a little more time for creating. If so, consider these hand printed fabrics from Jezzeprints.
What better place to house tools used for creating beautiful gardens than an equally as beautiful potting shed? It does seem though, that a nicer name would be necessary when referring to it than "shed".
Illustrated pages of old french dictionaries could make great affordable art pieces. Especially if they were to be enlarged and maybe colored strategically with watercolor pencils here and there.
Love these variations of purplish brown on the walls in the first picture and the chest of drawers in the second. I can see where these colors could be very soothing and restful in a bedroom.
Over the weekend, I was lucky enough to find a few perfect pieces. This is one of them. I've been looking for a tall dresser or armoire to replace my short one for ages . The wait has paid off. This one is almost 5ft tall and very wide, perfect for the space I have for it. It's old, well made and completely affordable at $75.
Just stumbled upon these army/navy issue pillowcases from Sadie Olive and I'm thinking that they have great possibilities! What might read "U.S." in a little boys or bachelor's room can just as easily read "us" in a master bedroom. Fun!
I like to think of myself here, in this room. When I do, it's in an apartment in Paris. Although, I don't know that it really matters where it might be. I'd be happy just staying put in it. It is just the right amount of "worn in" for me and the pinks are the most perfect shade.
Who says flowers should only be relegated to the beds surrounding manicured lawns? By adding a flower mixture so beautifully named, Fleur de Lawn, a lawn can quickly be transformed to a place of ease, a meadow of sorts where one might be tempted to put a blanket down and simply enjoy a bit of the day.
