Inspired: Design

Bohemian Meets French Country

My design tastes are quite varied and eclectic.  Just about any of my tastes are, be it music, books, movies, and even people for that matter.

I tend to have a love for anything bohemian, but as noted before, also love french country. What's a girl to do?

Combine the two of course.

Here's some things I found that I really love for various reasons. First, from the web.

1. via lou,boosandshoes.  Love: the combination of old (table and pictures) and new (chairs), arrangement and choice of pictures, the unexpected and on-matching color of the chairs.

2. I could not source this photo (this drives me crazy!!!).  Love: the color!!!, the tile, the tub and the light from the window.

3. via minasdecorandfashion. Love: the cozy feel, the pillows, the worn chairs, the urn.

4. via housebeautiful.  Love: the coffee table, the seating arrangement, the different fabrics, the modern-ish paintings with old world furniture styling.

5. via elledecor. Love: the dark wood walls, the paintings covering the walls, that round flokati chair, the hanging spheres.

From etsy.

This pillow.............

via joliemarche

..........I have a thing for birds.

These chairs from my friend Susie's shop.................

via harrismarkshome

.........the textured linen, the rattan seat backs, the unexpected gingham, the chalk paint.

This tin with more birds...............

via canalsidestudio

..........wonderful chinoiserie style.

The first thing I ever remember really 'buying' myself, that was an investment at the time, was a wonderful lamp I still have and love to this day. I think I was probably in about 7th grade and used my baby sitting money to buy it. I remember it cost $20 at Zayers.  Beautiful green and blue peacock design. Guess that Bohemian, french thing started way back when.

What about you? What way is your design style leaning? Do you still have a piece you bought years ago that continues to reflect your style.

I better snap a picture of that lamp in good light for all of you.

If you haven't entered our current giveaway, get on it!

Have a great Thursday. Just think- tomorrow is Friday, but first, seize the day.

You Win Some, You Lose Some

The Winner/s of Hello Notecard Sets

Being the kind of gal I am, and being that there were only two entrants to our giveaway, I'm going to send both Kristen (from By The Book Paper) and Kimberly (a giveaway lovin' momma) 2 sets of our Hello Chevron Note cards.

Congratulations ladies, and thanks for playing. Next time I'll do my best to make entering a little bit easier (thanks to Magda for info on rafflecopter).

So, I will be emailing both of you K & K, to get your mailing addresses.

Again, thanks for being here and for participating in the giveaway.

Keep your eyes open gang, there's more to come!

The Losers

That would be me yesterday, with a capital L. Just one of those days.  First off, on my way to Target to get dog food, I think I hit a chipmunk. Yes, I am one of those people who swerve for even the littlest animals. Couldn't bear to look back, but I don't think he made it. Secondly, I lost a $20 bill at Target.

But here's the good part. I confirmed I lost the $20 bill when I pulled into the sweetest little vintage store French Door Antiques. I know that doesn't sound good, but the loveliest lady, Katherine Pelletier, was working in the store and I mentioned I'd just lost a $20. She got on her cell phone and called Target. Now, they had not seen hide nor hair of it (hopefully someone who really needed it found it), but the point is that meeting nice people is more important than money.Then I realized I actually had met Katherine years before when I worked at the Chamber of Commerce and that we had a mutual friend. Beyond that, French Door Antiques where she was working was really wonderful. More bad news though, I brought my camera with me like I always do in case there is something I want to capture (did I say the store was lovely?), but I had forgot to take the memory card out of the card reader and put it back into camera. AND, though I thought I was recording to clipboard, and I see the pictures on the camera, it will not let me copy them to the card so I can't retrieve them today. Oh boy. The fun continues.

So, dear ladies of French Door Antiques, I do apologize and I will be back in soon to get pictures of your wonderful store that I can actually post. This place really gave me my French Country fix I've been needing this week.

In the meantime, I couldn't leave without these things.

A sweet little rusted wafer tin that still had some of its paper wrapper all around, with a different picture on each side. 

For now, it's going to hold somethings in my pantry.



A pretty little silk and lace hankie holder.

AND, a little victorian die cut image of a ship. Ever so cute.

The best though, the most interesting piece, is something I bought for Gar. I couldn't leave without it. It was labeled periscope. 

After a little research, the best we can tell is that it is the prism end of a tank periscope from WWII.  We both love it. It's now sitting on the mantle. I placed a coin and a feather underneath..........see how they're reflected in the prism? Just too cool.

There was a ton of great stuff at French Door Antiques.........glass, ironstone, lingerie, tea cups, garden accessories, furniture, pottery, dresser sets, pictures, the most awesome perpetual calendar and more.  Honestly, they've been open for a year and I'm not sure why on earth I hadn't stopped in yet. So glad I did.  I will most definitely be back soon and as I said, I'll be better prepared with the memory card actually in the camera.

Sunset Meadows

Yesterday wasn't all bad. When I got home we were greeted on Skype by my godson.....it was his first birthday on friday and he was having a party. Another Dublin family party via skype. Call me Martha, but it's a good thing.

And then, this.............. 

Well, I'm off to clean the basement. I'm actually looking forward to getting things cleaned and organized down there.

Have a great Sunday in your part of the world.  Thanks for listening to my 'silly Saturday' rant and thanks for being here.



bon samedi/happy saturday

Bonjour mon ami

Ugly day here. Again. So, I'll do some more dreaming of French Country style. Enjoy.

Gorgeous burlap tablecloth made by Courtney at my French Country Cottage.  When I get a new sewing maching, I am making this.

via FrenchCountryCottage

Love the combination of indoor and outdoor things. Great styling.

via ateliercampagne

Lovely chair makeover.

via DreamyWhites

Small, sweet touch.

via Bates Mercantile Co.

OK, the little dish is really english, but vintage ironstone goes with just about any country decor.

Did you see our latest printable, in the spirit of French Country dreaming?

Check it out here.

So many images to get lost in on the internet.  Funny thing is, my number one dream is to go back to Rome and see much more of Italy. Now, if we could find a little place there, and deck it out in French Country style, that would be dreamy. What are you day dreaming about this Saturday?

Stay tuned tomorrow, as I'll announce the winner of our giveaway.

I'm off to Target for dog food. Wish me luck in not getting lost or the basement will never get cleaned.

Have a great day wherever you are.