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!

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21 Rosemary Lane, Petite Haus, French Country Cottage

What Goes Around Comes Around

Back in the days before Pinterest and Instagram, I used to tear pages from my favorite 

decorating magazines and file them away in notebooks, organizing them by room. 

Sometimes I'd save a magazine but often it was just a photo here and there that I wanted to keep.

It's amazing now when I look at pictures of things that caught my eye in the 1970s 

how much I still like them and have actually incorporated many of these looks into my home today.
My style hasn't changed that much.
Then there are other pictures that make me shake my head and say, "What was I thinking?" 

But who knew I liked French Country in 1982 when I saved this spread 

about author Peter Mayle's home in Provence? 

Funny how what goes around comes around. 

Guess I am an old French soul.

Take this 1984 cover of Country Living.
(note the price was only $1.95!)
See the shelf on the left side of the photo with the cups hanging under it?
I remember tearing this cover off and mailing it to my father with a sweet request: 

"I'd love to have a shelf like this, Dad. Do you think you could make one for me? Pretty please."

Well, not only did my Dad-who-could-make-anything create a perfect replica of this shelf 

but he made it so it could be disassembled easily (no nails, only hand-carved wedges) 

for shipping it off to me in a flat box.

I had used it in a previous home but when I moved to this little house
with so many doors and windows, I just didn't have room for it. 

So it was stored it in my attic for the last twenty years,
while all the time I was wishing I could find a space for it.

Then recently when Ron decided to sell his yard-sale desk in the guest room/office, 

I suddenly had a space for Dad's shelves.Yippee!

Like assembling a jigsaw puzzle when all the parts are the same color,
it took some time and concentration to put all the pieces and wedges back together.
We laid all the parts out on the floor, 

turning them this way and that until they all fit together beautifully. 

And, because the shelves were only seven inches deep, 

the shelving unit didn't take up much floor space in the guest room. Perfect!

I couldn't wait to style it with my vintage treasures and books.

So, thanks Dad! 

This beautiful piece of furniture means so much more to me
because you made it especially for me. 

I'm happy that it can finally take its place again in my home.

By the way, I still tear out pages in magazines of rooms I like and clip them into my old notebooks. And, yes, I do save pictures on Pinterest too. 

But there's just something about holding a picture in my hands and studying every detail. 

Old fashioned? Yes, I suppose so.
But I guess I'm just an old-fashioned girl.

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No Matchy-Matchy -- Live With What You Love

When I was a young woman just starting out,
I dreamed of buying a matching living room suit, 

matching bedroom furniture and matching dishes and flatware. 

I think the curtains, pillows, and rugs were probably matching sets too!

How things have changed, huh?

Today, we don't want that "matchy-matchy" look.
Instead we live with what we love.

It doesn't have to match as long as it "goes."

I'm using two mismatched chairs at my farm table.
Their wood tones and farm style go together nicely.

My couch and chair don't match but their textures and colors complement each other. 

Accessories are one-of-a-kind finds and my coffee table is an old farm table 

with the legs trimmed down to the right height.

I think mixing things up is more interesting than if everything matches
and it feels more like it's been collected over time.
French Country and Farmhouse styles lend themselves easily to this look
as things are often passed down in the family.

Be brave! Mix it up!
You can put together a blended look by repeating design elements such as
color, finishes, themes, shapes or architectural details.
Keep your room from becoming too busy by painting the walls a neutral color.

In my kitchen, I have several different patterns of dishes (all from Goodwill).

My faves are the big red rooster plates, the simple white scalloped plates 

and the buffalo china bowls. 

I like to mix and match them for a casual feel. 

The unifying element of my dishware is white with a touch of red.

My cups are a mix of white Pottery Barn and Chris Madden mugs that look pretty together.

And my flatware is vintage Grosvenor Community design . . .

with a mix of other styles thrown in as needed
(bakelite forks, battered old ladles, family hand-me-down spoons.)

Do they match? Nope. Do they go together? Yep.
Do they make me happy? Definitely.

In the dining room, my ironstone collection and my mother's "good" china
blend nicely and make me smile.

The mirrors are all different and add charm and impact to the space

and the white accents pull it all together.
The natural wood furniture helps to ground the lighter colors in the room.

My point is: if it makes you smile when you come into the room, if it holds a special memory, 

or if it causes you to dream about the future, it's the right choice for you.

It may not match but it goes.
So, live with what you love!

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Little Farmstead, Dwellings, Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Cedar Hill Farmhouse,
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21 Rosemary Lane, Adirondack Girl at Heart, French Country Cottage

Perfect Timing

Do you believe in perfect timing?

When you're at just the right place at just the right time?

When everything falls into place and something wonderful happens?

Well, I do.

It happened to me at an estate sale, where else?

We had checked out a recent sale, taking in the few offerings quickly, 

and were about ready to move on when an old mantel clock caught my eye.

"It's pretty banged up," the elderly man pushing a walker said.

"It's going to need a lot of work," his wife echoed.

"It's only $5," I whispered to Ron,"and I just love it." 

It looked as if it had been dropped. 

The wood trim across the top of the clock was missing and the sides were loose.

But the thing that caught my eye was the pretty hand-painted Victorian floral design 

on the front lower glass. The design is actually painted on the reverse side of the glass. 

The original top metal dial also had painted floral designs in the corners.

And, in the middle of the clock face was a peep hole into the brass gears.
I felt like I was peering into the past. 

I didn't care if it worked. I had to have it.

On the way home in the car, I cradled it on my lap,
listening to it twang every time we hit a bump in the road.

It was as if it was thanking me for taking it home.

As we drove I thought about my vintage alarm clock collection.

Something about old clocks has always spoken to me; 

maybe they're a metaphor for the passing of time and the history they've seen,
something I appreciate. 

Once home, we took a closer look at the mantel clock and were pleasantly surprised
to find all the missing parts inside the clock case, including the broken wood trim. 

I loved the brass pendulum and the two fancy keys inside.

Then we started researching the history of this clock.

And it got even more interesting.

Because the old paper labels were faded but intact inside the clock, we had a good starting point.

We saw it was a Waterbury clock and it was about 19 inches high by four inches deep. 

The case, we learned online, was rosewood with two key winds. 

By examining the details on the label, we were able to place it around 1870 -- Civil War era! 

Can you imagine what this little clock may have witnessed?

Ron was able to repair the case issues with a little glue . . .

. . . and a picture frame clamp.

I gave it a revitalizing rub with Howard Feed and Wax wood conditioner
which brought out the natural beauty of the wood, making it even more beautiful.

We are deciding whether to take it to a clock repair shop. 

I don't really care if it works (at least it's the correct time twice a day!) 

I just want all its parts and pieces put back together again.
What do you think? Fix it or leave it alone?

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Thanks so much!

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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.

1. Changes in the French Country Kitchen

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. 

2. Old Books Tell More than a Story

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

3. Love at First Sight

This chippy old farm table stole my heart.

4. What Makes a Garden French Country?

A mix of cottage style plus formal design and voila!

5. French Country: Little Black Bathroom

Everyone needs an LBB, right?

6. French Country: Cozy Corner for Fall

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

7. How to Blend French Country and Farmhouse Styles

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

8. French Country Patio Reveal

I can't wait til spring. 

9. Estate Sales and Dreamy Mansions

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

10. Spring Changes in the French Country Dining Room

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

Thank you for visiting with me this past year.

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Adirondack Girl at Heart, Shabby Art Boutique, French Country Cottage