Friday, January 20, 2017

Light and Texture in the French Attic

Welcome to my "French Attic" 
-- my private little upstairs space where I write my blog and read and daydream.
Please, come on up. 


The sun is slipping away so early these days, but I'm just not ready for these dark days.
So I'm making some changes in my office to make the most of the daylight hours. 

Here is a "before" picture.
Notice how the outdoors changes with the seasons. 


And here's the "after."

 I swept the sheer curtains to the side of the tall windows instead of tying them in the middle 
to let in more light. I even washed the windows (inside and out!). What a difference! 
Who knew they were so dirty?


Another change in this space was moving my big red leather chair and ottoman 
to face the windows instead of into the room. 
I wasn't sure how it would look until I lugged it around and tried it. Yes! It works!
It's a perfect spot for reading or just watching the noisy Canada geese fly by on their way south. 


Light and texture are two important design elements that bring a French feel to any space.
As the light outside changes throughout the day, this room is bathed in dramatic shadows.


I removed the shabby chic floral slipcover, revealing the rich red leather
that seems to feel more like Fall/Winter than the summery print did.
It's a simple change that gives the space an atmosphere of sensual warmth.


Draping a chunky white throw and an airy piano shawl over the back of the chair
also lends some interesting texture to the smooth leather 


A sheepskin and a textured blanket on the leather ottoman cozies up the space and says 
"put your feet up!"
(Loved this book; you might enjoy it too.)


Roxy thinks this window seat is a good place to watch for squirrels . . .


or maybe take a little afternoon nap.
She blends in so well, sometimes I can't find her nestled in the blankets.


The top of a red mid-century modern stand in the corner adds a nice shiny accent 
and holds some of my favorite finds including 
a vase of white silk flowers and a vintage beaded compact.


On the opposite wall, an old wicker planter corrals favorite magazines 
and displays my collection of monogrammed linens. 




And a stack of vintage suitcases, a poster of Venice and an old hall tree in the corner 
makes me dream of traveling somewhere exotic in the winter months to come. 


My "French Attic" faces east and the morning light pours into this room, 
the windows unfettered by curtains and the glass sparkling in the sunlight.
I can watch the silent snow dressing my street in white in the morning
and the full moon floating up over the rooftops like a giant silver balloon in the evening.


As I watch the day drift by my French Attic windows,
I find a peaceful solitude in this room of my own.

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***

Linking with:
DwellingsBetween Naps on the PorchCoastal CharmMy Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,
Botanic BleuCedar Hill FarmhouseA Stroll Thru LifeSavvy Southern StyleA Delightsome Life,
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson21 Rosemary LanePeonies and Orange Blossoms,
Adirondack Girl at HeartCharm of HomeFrench Country Cottage

43 comments:

  1. Oh, how I would love a little getaway room like this - looks like a cozy space to be alone with all of your special treasures!

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    1. Thanks so much Patti! I do love this little space. The funny thing is we never used it for much but storage before I started my blog. Now it's one of my favorite hangouts. It's fun to repurpose rooms isn't it? Hope you're having a great weekend. Pat

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  2. The best thing about slipcovers is that they allow for multiple personalities. Yours can switch between summery and wintery. Perfect.
    I wasn't familiar with piano shawls, so I looked it up and have learned something. Thank you!
    I have a planter just like that! It was my grandma's. Not easy to get it to France. She had African violets in it; I have orchids. Lazy.
    When I talk to my French friends, I am horrified to hear their cleaning schedules. They do their windows (les carrés) every other week! Who has time for that??? I hope they don't look too closely at mine. Plus we have a zillion windows. I have to do the windows at our rental and I am trembling--they are 13 feet tall. ((Big sigh of desperation))
    Your attic getaway is a cozy paradise. Enjoy.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and leaving such a great comment. I remember my grandmother had african violets too. I wonder if people still grow them. Cleaning windows ever other week...I don't think so. I'm lucky if I do mine twice a year. But they sure do look pretty when they're clean. Hope you're enjoying your weekend. BTW, what part of France do you live in? Hugs, Pat

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  3. WOW, what a lovely, light and airy space. Just wonderful!

    FlowerLady

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    1. Thank you Lorraine! So glad you like my space. It's even more light and airy now that I've cleaned the windows. LOL. Enjoy your weekend. Pat

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  4. Love your "new" space.
    Turning your chair to look out the window is a great move.
    If you can't find ME, look in your chair! That's where I'd be!

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    1. Thanks so much Christine! You'll have to kick me out of the chair first! Hugs, Pat

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  5. I love your French Attic and the changes you made. Please share it over at the Snickerdoodle party tomorrow here http://www.bluewillowhouse.com/2017/01/21/snickerdoodle-createbakemake-link-party-165/.

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    1. Thank you Sharon! So glad to hear you like it. Enjoy your weekend. Hugs, Pat

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  6. That looks like a wonderful spot to me! The red chair facing the clean and shiny window is the perfect place to let the sun shine on you while napping. :)

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    1. Thank you Stacey! I bought this chair at an estate sale several years ago. The first day, I loved it but it was too expensive. I went back the second day and it was 50% off. SOLD! Thank you for noticing my clean windows. Hugs, Pat

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  7. I love this space of yours. When I saw it before, I was envious and now I'm even more so.

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    1. Thanks so much Grammy! Loved your comment. Some day I have to figure out how to put my desk facing the windows without blocking the closet door. Hugs, Pat

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  8. Love your cozy space, Pat, especially with the turnabout of furniture placement (I like the rug too). Having a place to call your own is a wonderful thing. My sunroom is that place for me. Like you, I really enjoy paying attention to the seasonal light and shadow play.

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    1. Thanks so much Rita! You never know if moving a big piece of furniture is going to work til you try it. I've seen your sunroom and it would be my favorite room too. Hope you have a good week. Hugs, Pat

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  9. What a charming and beautiful space. No wonder it fuels your creative process!

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  10. All I can say Sis is beautiful. I love the whole look especially the planter with your collections and the shawl draped over the red chair. I still think that this is my favorite room in your house.

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    1. Thanks Jan! So glad you like the new look. That chair is waiting for you anytime. Hugs, Pat

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  11. I love this cozy room, I could spend hours there each day, reading and glancing out the window at the beautiful word. So very nice.
    Mary

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    1. Thank you Mary! I do, in fact, spend hours here every day although it gets a little chilly when the temp dips below zero. Makes it feel more like a French attic! XO, Pat

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  12. What a wonderful getaway spot for you!! And so clever to turn your chair to the window.

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    1. Thanks Suzy! I suppose we all have a little getaway spot. In the summer, I'm always outside so I take my computer to the shade patio to write. It doesn't matter where we create as long as we do. Hugs, Pat

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  13. Love the chair facing outside. I do something similar. Light and texture are two biggies in making a space comfy.

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    1. Thank you Carol! It was a risky move but I like it too. It's like a fireplace...do you put the chairs facing the fire or into the room? It's comfy either way. Pat

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  14. Pat, your little get away space looks like a comfy retreat. It's nice to have a space all your own. Enjoy your winter days creating.

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting my "attic" Sarah. Hope you have a beautiful day. Pat

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  15. Replies
    1. Thank you Catherine! Yes, and I can't wait to open the windows and let in some warm spring air. Pat

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  16. Pat, I love your French attic room. The cozy red chair is so inviting to sit and enjoy the view while reading. I also love your collection of all your treasures. It's a wonderful place to getaway! I wanted to thank you so much for stopping by with your kind comment on my blog. Can't wait to see all your inspiring ideas in 2017 on your blog! Have a wonderful week! ♥Hugs, Jody

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    1. Thanks so much Jody! The cozy red chair was a score at an estate sale (50% off the second day!). I'll look forward to visiting with you in 2017. Warm hugs, Pat

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  17. I love your little attic! What a perfect little getaway spot!

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  18. Thank you very much Janelle! Everyone needs a little getaway spot, don't they? Have you noticed how cats and dogs always seem to find the perfect little spot in the sun for a nap? Hugs, Pat

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  19. What a lovely space and I love your gorgeous red chair. Yes, big fan! Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party.

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  20. Your room is so charming and I love the chair facing the window so that you can enjoy the sunlight and the season. I would grab a book and after reading take a nap there. It's perfect!

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  21. What a cozy place to sip tea and read a book all day. I love the white planter re-purposed as a magazine rack. I may have to scrounge antique sales in the spring to try that. I use vintage wicker baskets now... but alas I have too many magazines and too few baskets

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  22. What a lovely space! I adore your tall windows. I looks like a cozy space for reading or just daydreaming!

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  23. What a brilliant idea. it looks like such a cozy retreat. Almost like a perfect little tree house. What a gorgeous winter view. Thanks for linking to Monday Social.

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  24. We all need a room of our own. A little reprieve from the business of the day! And enjoying the sunshine and outdoor views are two of my favorite things to do when I sit and put my feet up. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  25. Such a sweet getaway and the shadows are so calming...lovely!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  26. What a great sunny window this is. Your pooch is so sweet! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  27. Oh, what a wonderful space! I can see why Roxy is so enamored with it, I'd be, too! She's such a cutie pie, what a baby she is!

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