Showing posts with label toiles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toiles. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Shabby Chic Cottage

Hi there!

We are completely stormed in here on the island today - the bridge is closed (that connects us to the mainland), schools and businesses are closed, as well - a typical March day on the east coast, but a bit of a shock after our summer like weather of last week.

So, I still have summer living on my mind - my mental escape from what is really happening here.  And this cottage has such a cool, soothing, serene interior I just had to share it with you!

Enjoy!
























All images via BHG








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


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

French Country Cottage Charm in California

I've loved this 1930s, 1600 sq. ft. Montecito cottage ever since I first laid eyes on it.

Homeowner, Lee Kirch, a Colorado resident, uses this cottage as her second home.

Lee has been an avid antique collector and French country enthusiast for many years.  It's clear she has given a lot of thought to her interior designs and picks up most of her antiques locally at Rue de Lillie in Summerland, which is owned by her good friend, Ruth Ann Risvold.  (Tomorrow, I will show you Ruth Ann's cottage).

This cottage may be small by some standards, but it packs a real whollop in the style department.

For instance, in the living room the walls, sofa and artwork are quite neutral, but Lee has personalized and added warmth with her mix of fabrics.....mostly reds....with a dash of yellow in one of the living room windows.  As Lee says, "Every room needs a touch of yellow" and I agree.  The chairs with the turquoise legs were found at Indigo Seas, Lynn von Kersting's shop.

The dining room has an eclectic choice of fabrics as well......with mix and match fabrics at the windows and on each of the chairs.....another way to keep the eye moving around the room and add interest.

And how can one go wrong with the toiles and quilts in the bedroom and seashells in the bath?  You can't!

Hope you enjoy this home as much as I do!
























All images via Country Living


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