Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Quiet Time - Feb. 2017

Sending you a few quiet moments.

Giant cottonwoods line an old irrigation ditch, frozen over and covered with snow, 
on the northeastern plains of Colorado. 





"Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience."  -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have a beautiful day,
Pat 



Friday, January 27, 2017

French Country: Romancing the Home

What does a romantic room look like? Feel like?


Romantic doesn't always mean roses and candles, although those things are nice too.


To me, a romantic home is one that makes my heart thump a little faster.
But softly.


For me, a romantic home has a sense of history or a feeling of being transported to another era.


Family heirlooms like leather-bound books, old photographs, a black velvet riding helmet, 
or a pair of fancy white gloves can lead your mind into a romantic fantasy that you can bring to life.


Ron and I met in an antique store 
and have always enjoyed going to estate sales and thrift stores together.  
When we find that special piece and know just where it's going to live in our home, 
there's a sweet moment between us. That's romantic!


Setting the mood in your home amps up the romantic quotient. 
Romance your senses with these tips.

Turn off the phone. Play some soft music.
We love Chet Baker's husky voice and seductive trumpet. 
Give your gauzy drapes a spray of linen or lavender water
and open the window so the scent wafts into the room.


Stash your clutter in a basket, switch on your table lamps and douse the overheads.


Make a home-cooked meal and serve it on your favorite dishes. 
It doesn't have to be fancy, just from the heart. 
I make a mean pesto pasta that pairs well with wine and anything chocolate.
Make movie night special.


Hold hands while you stroll around your garden,
noticing unexpected beauty.


And if none of these things work for you, 
a simple bouquet and a few candles always say romance.
💘
Happy Valentine's Day!

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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







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

Friday, January 13, 2017

Transitioning from Christmas to Winter Decor

As we put away our holiday decorations for another year, it's easy to transition from Christmas 
to winter decor.  We store our Christmas trees, mangers, Santa hats, and stockings 
but are there some decorations we can leave out and enjoy for a few more months?
Yes, please. 

Outdoors, after the Christmas lights come down, try using some of your garden accessories 
with some left-over greenery in your front porch urns for a fresh wintry look. 


Snowshoes and ice skates slide easily from the holidays into a wintry foyer. 


Table centerpieces are easy to transition. 
Just remove your vintage holiday collectibles and add some pine cones or greenery. 
Antler sheds connect us to the outdoors 
and make us feel like we're in a snowed-in mountain lodge.


I loved adding red satin bows to Ron's silver bells for Christmas this year. 
So much so that I just couldn't pack them away. 
Instead, I took a few out of the windows and mixed them in with my kitchen ironstone.


A grouping of white candles in silver candlesticks
reflects a warm wintry feel in an old dining room mirror. 


The display on the console table didn't change at all after Christmas.
I think the white palette still works well with my ironstone and other white accessories
and I think it looks more wintry than Christmassy.
Besides, it was so pretty, I just couldn't dismantle it.


So, if you love your holiday decor like I do, take a second look around 
and see how you can mix it up to enjoy in the winter months ahead.

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Friday, January 6, 2017

Favorite French Country Posts for 2016

As we slip into a new year, I thought it would be fun to look back at 2016
 at some of my favorite French Country posts that you may have missed.
Some are in the top-viewed ranks; others are simply my personal favorites. 
To read more about each post, just click on the link.

This is my all-time number one most-viewed post . . . and also one of my all-time favorites. 
Tiny but with a lot of French soul. 



Old books add charm and warmth to a room, no matter what style it is. 



This chippy old farm table stole my heart.



A mix of cottage style plus formal design and voila!



Everyone needs an LBB, right?



Miss Roxy had to be in one of my 2016 faves. 



Can't go wrong with ironstone -- a classic.



I can't wait til spring. 



Even if you don't buy anything, it's fun to check out the insides of old houses.



Bringing the outdoors in -- how refreshing!


Looking back recaptures fond memories and teaches us a few lessons along the way
while looking forward brings exciting new challenges and fresh ideas.
I hope you'll stay tuned for a fun year in 2017.
Peace, joy and love to each of you! 

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