29 April 2012

The Art of Painted Furniture


A fabulous statement piece! 
Yes, I do so love painted furniture pieces and this lovely little table is so perfect.  A hand-painted piece so often means your getting a one of a kind treasure and that is what makes keepsakes my Dears.

 This little jewel looks to be decoupaged but could be hand-painted by someone talented.
{and a little note ...always be sure to check that the drawers are dove-tailed and the construction is solid}
 I'm adoring everything chevron and this dresser is ohh lala!
  Whoa! amped up ...this is perfect for a 'rock n roll' office/studio or even a bedroom,
 simplicity but supercharged with color.... love the pulls as well.

Be brave with that statement piece ....its like adorning yourself with your favorite jewels.

Happy Sunday Evening...welcome to a new week of spring!

24 April 2012

Upcycling.....Make something with those bits and pieces

I love collecting ephemera...little bits and pieces from travels, great shopping trips,  and memorabilia from family events.  The little treasures combine with scraps of favorite fabrics to make treasures.
These are all fabulous projects found on Pinterest...my latest craze...for some great inspiration to get us moving on some of these upcycling projects... pull out that shoebox full of your collections and create some one of a kind treasures and keepsakes. 


I love decorating with old books...they bring so much character to a bookshelf and room but isnt this a fabulous idea for those books whose spines and covers have not withstood the test of time....they can still be put to good use...pull those pages and stack them...cut into sweet shapes and build bases for some wonderful ephemera pieces.


We were recently blessed with some exquisite vintage frames from my Aunt Diane and wow isnt this a great idea to showcase some collage boards.  Use foam board as the base for your collage...cover with fabric or just a thin coat of acrylic color....there's so many options but I love this gray base used here...then some stencilled lettering on the board and pile on your treasures.


Make use of every scrap of gorgeous lace and trims left over from sewing projects by making a journal.  Include some pieces cut from favorite vintage clothing... tshirts and silk flowers.  Pile on some shiny bits...brooches and stamped linen.  Imagine page after page of wonderful kept treasures.


Fabulous idea to use up those index cards stacked in my office drawers.  And that old rolodex makes a great holder for a desk top journal.  Use the index card as a base ...apply watercolor washes, pieces of scrapbook paper, fabrics decoupaged on....laces...newspaper pieces...the sky is the limit here.  Leave room to write on these pages too.  Make notes for projects you want to start... appointments...party planning, etc.   Its a fun project that you can continue building throughout the year.  Change the alphabet tabs for dates and use it as a desk top journal calendar as well.


I love this color combination and the use of clothespins to hold some of the pages and ephemera in. 



And this moodboard is just......well its just fabulous and I want it sooo much!  Surrounded by such a lovely frame and covered with so many vintage and new treasures...its just dreamy! 

Hoping you all have a wonderful creative day!

10 April 2012

Tea Parties and Receptions

If any of you have hosted a tea party you know it can be alot of work....but what better way to spend your time than putting on a gorgeous event for your family and friends to enjoy.  I've hosted several parties myself...and I learned alot of cool techniques from my Grandmother Pelham. 

She hosted bridal parties and receptions in our community and my cousin and I always enjoyed helping her make all the lovely treats.
From exquisite cucumber sandwiches to my fav... tiny pineapple creamcheese sandwiches we took great care to freeze the fresh white bread, cut the crusts off, and cut the little sandwiches into whimsical shapes with cookie cutters.....then fill with a luscious combo of cream cheese and crushed pineapple.  YUM!

I've hosted Christmas tea parties where we decorated everything with silver and white fairy lights...tulle laden tables and all sterling platters, china teacups and silver spoons with damask linen napkins. 

 We went all out decorating yummy Christmas butter cookies with silver gray, white icings and sugar crystals.  We worked for days before hand planning and preparing everything homemade. Quiches, Scones and Fresh Fruit trays served with delicate creamcheese mellow dip are also scrumptious treats. We served several kinds of hot tea and ciders as well.  There's so many beautiful ways to host a tea party I hope you'll try it yourselves soon and have a wonderful time.








Happy Spring Lovelies!

06 April 2012

Designer Love..... Daun Curry

Designer Daun Currys projects convey lux living and artful expression!

 wallpaper!...... and those lights!...totally loving the wall art through the doorway as well......
 LOVING this mosaic...isnt it amazing
 and this bar space...wow!  The wine bottle storage....
 get to the gray........

 In love with this wall......






Hoping everyone has a wonderful weekend!