Decorating with Architectural Salvage

When I see a chippy old window in an alley or a battered door in a construction dumpster, 

I just can't let it end up in a landfill when it would look stunning in my house. 

I may not know how I will use it or where it might fit, but it's going home with me. 

You never know when a treasure might literally fall into your lap. 

This beautiful leaded glass window was gifted to me on a morning walk

in a hundred-year-old neighborhood.

If you missed my "Window Shopping" post, you can read that story HERE.

Incorporating salvaged architectural pieces into your decor creates a warm vintage look, 

especially in a new house. I love rescuing these bits and bobs from the landfill and 

giving them a new purpose as artwork, furniture or a focal point in a room. 

Old windows can be used in so many ways like framing a vignette. 

And they're easy to switch out with the seasons.

I started thinking about architectural salvage recently when we saw a beautiful old wooden panel tossed aside in a construction site. Seeing it in the dumpster that evening, we rushed to rescue it. 

It came from an old house in our historic neighborhood and appeared to be part of a bay window. Amazingly, the large glass window was intact in the seven foot panel.

I had no idea where we would use it but it was just too beautiful to imagine it in a dump. 

After cleaning it up and trying it in several spots, I finally settled on a corner in my sunroom. 

It added a historic feeling and warmth to this newer room. 

That lovely panel came from the same construction site where we found this amazing porch post.

If you missed that "Post on a Post", you can find it HERE.

 Antique mantels are one of the most desirable architectural pieces. 

They can be used as a headboard or as a faux fireplace like this one from an Ohio farm. 

Note the salvaged tin ceiling tile that makes a perfect firebox screen.

Old doors make interesting tables, headboards or focal points. 

This alley find draws attention to an empty corner and 

provides a distressed surface for displaying artwork. 

An old hand-carved peg board is a useful storage piece

while the small window anchors this vignette.

You could also cut a mirror to fit behind the window for a different look.

Finials, corbels or crystal doorknobs add interest on a shelf while old lighting 

always catches my eye like with these gorgeous salvaged sconces.

I also use a lot of salvaged materials in the garden and on the patio

and will share those with you in an upcoming post. 

Happy Salvaging!!

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21 Rosemary Lane, Petite Haus, French Country Cottage

~~ French Country Home Tour ~~

Welcome to my home.

I saw an ad today in the neighborhood newspaper advertising an upcoming Home Tour
so I thought I'd do a private home tour just for you.

Come on in and make yourself comfortable.
I can't wait to show you around.

I fell in love with this house at first sight because it reminded me of a quaint stone cottage.

Built in 1907, my Victorian Cottage is located near a big park in an old part of Denver, Colorado.
As a history buff, I love living in an old house that's been home to so many fascinating people
including a turn-of-the century mailman who kept his horse in our back yard!

Our cozy house is small and decorated with a neutral color palette
of creams and whites in a comfortable French Country style.

We have only the very latest home security system.
Don't let Roxy fool you. At the first squeak of the front gate, she'd be tearing the place apart!

The living and dining rooms flow together in a long, narrow space -
1900's version of open concept.

The far wall is covered with old mirrors, adding visual interest and reflected light into the room.
They also draw attention to the high ceilings and away from the dog toys on the floor.

The mantel is not original to the house although most visitors think it is.
 It was actually salvaged from an old Ohio farmhouse and painted white.
I think it warms up the space and provides a pretty focal point. 

The compact galley kitchen is a blank canvas where I can add fun French Country touches. 

A white farmhouse sink is on my wish list!

A tiny bedroom on the main floor serves as a guest room or a cozy spot for an afternoon nap.

The sunroom, with a farmhouse flair, is one of my favorite rooms

to have coffee in the mornings, read in the afternoons,
and catch up over a glass of wine in the evenings.

Roxy has claimed the comfy chair. 

Upstairs is the bedroom, bathroom and my office.
I like to imagine I'm in a tiny attic looking out over the rooftops of Paris.

Once the weather warms up, we're outside on the patio or in the garden all the time.

When I bought this house thirty years ago, the back yard was all grass. 

Over the years, I've added the flagstone patio, a potting shed, winding paths, rock walls 

and the flower gardens that surround a tall crab apple tree. 

Sometimes, I wish we had a bigger house to make room for all the treasures we like to collect

but, honestly, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. 

I do hope you enjoyed your visit. 

Please come again soon.

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If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you'll follow me by email.
Just subscribe (it's FREE) in the upper right column of this page.
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Thank you!!

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Linking with:
Shabby Art Boutique, Little Farmstead, Dwellings, Our Southern Home, The Dedicated House,
Between Naps on the Porch, Stone Gable, A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style,
Designthusiasm, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, 21 Rosemary Lane,
Petite Haus, French Country Cottage

French Country Cabin???

Hi Friends! If you've been following my blog for the last couple of years, 

you know I've been dreaming of a mountain cabin forever. 

Someplace where I can get away from the city's noise and crowds and traffic and noise, 

well, you get the picture. 

What is my cabin inspiration? 

My house's little sunroom that feels like a cozy cabin, with its gas stove and wood walls.
Most of the photos in this post are from that room.
In fact, this room might be empty after I furnish the cabin!

I always feel relaxed and grounded when I go to the mountains. 

Like it's someplace I'm supposed to be. 

I actually lived in the mountains for seven years when I first moved to Colorado but 

when a divorce and winter driving wore me down, I moved into town. 

Wish I had kept that little house; it would have been a perfect getaway now.

So, here I am some thirty years later, yearning for a little cabin secluded in the mountains. 

And, BIG NEWS, I finally contacted a realtor and started the search in earnest! 

The first thing I did was make a list (yes, I'm one of those people who loves lists) of what I wanted. 

Here's my Wish List:

1) A rustic cabin, (NOT a "cottage" with three bedrooms and two bathrooms!) under 500 square feet. One big room would be fine. Water and electricity nice but not a necessity. 

2) At least one acre, preferably more. No, definitely more. 

3) Under an hour and a half  from my house in Denver. (OK, maybe I'd go another half hour if it was perfect).

4) Lots of pine trees and a mountain view.

5) Within my budget. (That will be tough as the Denver area is booming and prices have soared).

Guess I sound like those couples on HGTV's House Hunters International 

who want everything they had back in the states. 

I know I'll have to be flexible on some things on my list but at least I won't be 

that woman who keeps whining, "But it's so small." 

I want small. 

So, we sit down with a realtor whose enthusiasm is contagious. 

After hearing my list, he tells me he'll set up an alert on the MLS, Multiple Listing Service, 

for properties I might like to see. 

After the first day, I feel completely overwhelmed. 

My head is spinning. I can't think of anything else. 

I try to focus on those listings that speak to me.

A couple of days later, Realtor Phil, Ron and I hit the road to view three properties. 

Even if they aren't exactly what I want, this is a good exercise. 

It gives me the opportunity to see just how big 500 square feet is and what I can get for the money. One we see is too close to the main road, another is too close to the neighbors, 

and the third is a tiny home (less than 200 square feet) on seven just-right acres.

Of course, I fall in love with the tiny house property -- the trees, massive rock outcroppings, mountain views. BUT, the tiny house is really really tiny (whine!). 

I think they were counting the deck and storage unit in that 200 square feet.

But, I think it's a possibility if I have a contractor build an extra room onto the current house.  

Oh dear, now I'm going over my budget.

So, I wake up dreaming of how I'd decorate this tiny home 

when Realtor Phil emails me some disturbing info he's discovered. 

These are things you should definitely check into when house hunting. 

Problems with zoning, road maintenance, and, since it's new, 

little possibility for negotiating the price. 

So, sadly, it gets crossed off. Imagine a black slash through this photo. 

Still, I believe my dream cabin is out there. 

I hope you'll join me on this journey and wish me luck. 

And yes, my mountain cabin will have a touch of French Country. 

Maybe a small white hutch on one wall, a butcher block countertop,

 a couple of big comfy chairs and  . . . stay tuned.

***

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Just subscribe (it's FREE) in the upper right column of this page.

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Thank you!!!

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Linking with:
Shabby Art Boutique, Little Farmstead, Dwellings, The Dedicated House,
Our Southern Home, Between Naps on the Porch, Stone Gable, A Stroll Thru Life,
Savvy Southern Style, Designthusiasm, A Delightsome Life, 21 Rosemary Lane,
Petite Haus, French Country Cottage

Bring Spring Indoors

Are you ready for Spring? I sure am. 

This week we had some amazing 70 degree weather and 

I just had to go outside and start cleaning up the winter garden. 

I know we could, and probably will, get a heavy wet Spring snowstorm but I just couldn't wait. 

The end of winter is in sight.
I'm definitely dreaming of Spring and so is Roxy.  

The first day of Spring is only two weeks away!

I love bringing touches of Spring indoors in anticipation of the awakening of Spring outside. 

This lilac bush on my street is sprouting bright green buds . . . 

and tulips are pushing their way up out of the ground to bask in the sun. 

The backyard birds are beginning their courtship dances and building their nests. 

It's the best time for birdwatching. 

Here's a beautiful nest from last season with some faux eggs. 

The funniest cartoon I ever saw was two birds in a nest, the male returning with a twig in its beak. She says, "You're NOT going to put that there, are you?" 

Mine kind of gal!

So, are you ready? Let's bring some of that rejuvenating Spring energy into our homes. 

A green plant evokes nature and warm days to come. 

I overwintered this little fern inside and amazingly did not kill it. 

More greenery with galvanized garden items. I'm so ready to play in the dirt.

Can you believe I found this beautiful Spring pillow in my alley, neatly wrapped in plastic.

I love how it brightens up a room with my little garden frog.

This old sheet music is for a tune called "Chickadee." 

I almost feel like the watering can is trumpeting the song. 

It won't be long before the daffodils are blooming. 

Meanwhile, we can bring Spring indoors with a light fresh touch
of buds and branches. 

Is it Spring yet where you live?

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21 Rosemary Lane, Petite Haus, French Country Cottage

Add Northern European Charm with Antiques

Although this is a French Country decor blog,
I do appreciate styles from other countries such as Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
Many of these pieces mix well with French Country like the fabulous Mora clocks,
natural wooden tables and white-painted cupboards.



So, if you're ready to go north, wrap up in a warm throw, grab a cup of hot chocolate
and join me as we visit Northern Europe.

Northern European decor is actually a mix of several styles but they all have a few things in 

common -- an appreciation of natural wood and nature, pure simplicity of form and function, 

and a welcoming ambiance that evokes a sense of antiquity.
These attributes all help create a charming home with European grace. 

I recently visited a beautiful store called Scandinavian Antiques in Denver. 

Henrik and Mary, the owners, graciously allowed me to photograph the antiques in their store. 

Here's a link to their fabulous store:  Scandinavian Antiques  Enjoy!

Although this post is more about Northern European style, the southern countries of Italy, 

Spain and the south of France certainly have their own special style that I also adore. 

French style, in particular, has greatly influenced many other countries' decor,

making these antiques easily adaptable to various looks from fancy to rustic. 

One of my favorite pieces of furniture to come out of the Nordic countries, 

specifically Sweden, is the Mora clock. 

The name was derived from the town of Mora, Sweden 

where the clock was built in the late 18th and 19th centuries. 

Its timeless appeal makes it a dramatic focal point in any setting. 

I love its elegantly feminine shape.

European countries are much older than the U.S., so their antiques proudly show their age 

with a bit of soft wear and tear. While German pieces are often intricately painted,

Scandinavian antiques are often either bare wood or painted in neutral colors 

of pale blue, cool gray, white or cream.

This style projects a unique combination of gracious warmth and formality that makes 

you feel like you're a guest in a grand old European estate. 

With a roaring fire in a massive fireplace or a smaller stuccoed one built into a corner,
the feeling is warm and cozy. 

Because northern Europe's skies offer little sunlight during a long winter, people try to capture 

as much light as possible in their homes with white walls and lots of bare windows. 

Painting floors white also makes rooms feel open, light and airy. 

White linen curtains allow light to pass through.

Textured walls and fabrics complement the natural feeling while  

pillows, rugs and paintings provide bright accents that keep the mood fresh and lively. 

This large reproduction clock has that European flavor,

providing a good example of how antiques and reproductions, new and old, mix well. 

This French Country corner cabinet, my favorite piece, would look great

in any home (especially mine!)

It's easy to enjoy the warmth and charm of Northern European antiques in your home.
So think about how you might incorporate a few Nordic pieces into your decor.
Skal!

***

If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you'll follow me by email.
Just subscribe (it's FREE) in the upper right column of this page.
You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see all my favorite photos.
Thank you!!!

***

Linking with:
Shabby Art Boutique, Blue Willow  Little Farmstead, Dwellings, The Dedicated House,
Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Stone Gable, A Stroll Thru Life,
Savvy Southern Style, Designthusiasm, A Delightsome Life, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,
21 Rosemary Lane, Petite Haus, French Country Cottage