How to Blend His and Her Styles

Aren't we ladies lucky when our mates embrace our decorating styles?

Well, maybe embrace is too strong a word.

But it is a blessing when he says, "Do whatever you want sweetheart" without rolling his eyes.

My ironstone, his dominoes.

Actually, I think most men could probably care less what color throw pillows we choose. 

If it were up to Ron, he would banish all throw pillows from our home. 

Still, I bounce ideas off of him before deciding on big purchases. 

I think he trusts my style although he usually points out we don't have room for the item. 

So how can we incorporate some items into our style that makes him happy too?

Let's take a look at how some of his favorite collectibles

could be blended with mine throughout the house. 

Here his little silver dog, Mack, (a hood ornament from a Mack Truck)

 looks sculptural next to my pretty old hardback book. 

Fortunately, Ron and I have similar interests and enjoy antiquing and thrifting together. 

So he is on board when it comes to vintage decor. 

A room looks more interesting and thoughtful if all the furniture 

didn't come from the same store on the same day in the same fabric.

Vintage wooden furniture makes a room feel warm and cozy

whether it's a masculine or feminine room. 

Most men like a clean, uncluttered look with just a few well-chosen accessories. 

Everything in this photo is mine although it could easily be his. 

Something from his occupation can add interest to a room and make it more personal. 

Before retiring, Ron was a photojournalist. 

He has a nice collection of old cameras that add interest to a vignette.

His hobby can also provide unique ideas on decorating a room. 

He's an afficianado of model trains and creator of historically accurate layouts. 

This layout even includes an antique store! 

(and yes, it's in the basement!). 

His collection of old railroad lanterns fits right into our farmhouse-style sunroom.

These brightly-colored metal tool boxes look industrial yet farmhouse.

I want one!

And family heirlooms like this syrup pitcher filled with marbles 

makes a simple masculine statement.

Antler sheds always look cool in any style room. 

Probably the most important item for a man is a big comfy chair. 

This chair and ottoman I found at an estate sale is comfortable and masculine and I like it too.

Men tend to prefer big heavy furniture so a mix of light and airy 

with more masculine furniture creates a good balance. 

If Ron had his way, he'd probably choose an oversized chair in camo from Cabelas!

Hold the throw pillow. 

Another decor item of his that blends nicely with my French Country feel is this
old newspaper announcing American aviator Charles Lindbergh's landing in Paris. 

It adds an authentic touch of history to our guest room.

One thing that he would probably want that I can't budge on, let alone have space for, 

is one of those gigantic manly TVs.

I'm thankful that those enormous 1970s stereo speakers have been downsized 

and flatscreens can be hung on a wall. 

Still, I'm looking forward to the day when we can watch TV
by pressing a button to project a holographic image on the wall.
I think he'd like that too.

***

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Look What I Won !!!

Hi Friends, I can't wait to tell you what I won!

Something that sure brought back a lot of memories. 

Remember when we typed on manual typewriters, forcefully striking the keys, untangling them 

when two keys got stuck together, returning the carriage when the little bell dinged, 

and starting over when we made a mistake?

Computers have certainly made typing a lot easier but you just can't beat 

the old vintage typewriters for charm.

Yep, I ended up with a real beauty and here's the whole story of how I won it.

At a recent vintage market in Colorado Springs, 

I entered my name in a give-away and pretty much forgot about it. 

Then, one day a week or so later, I received a phone call saying I'd won a gift certificate 

at my favorite antique mall in the Springs. Yay!

Colorado Springs is only about an hour from Denver so Ron and I
hit the road in search of bargains. 

After a couple of days of snow, we had a perfect Rocky Mountain day 

with sunshine, blue skies and 55 degree weather.

Something at this mall had caught my eye the last time I was there -- a vintage typewriter.  

I wasn't sure where it would fit and it was a little more than I wanted to pay but, with my gift card burning a whole in my wallet, I decided to go back to the mall and see if they still had it.

The Sweet William Antique Mall lies on the edge of a historic district
called Old Colorado City on Route 24. I love this mall.
The salesperson really gets into the spirit of days gone by with an amazing period outfit
and a wavy bob. Isn't she adorable?

Plus all of the booths are fantastic with a varied selection.

I was looking for an old typewriter for my office. 

I'd seen a couple previously but, sadly, they were both gone this time around. 

So we kept looking.

Guess it was meant to be.

I found a 1920s Underwood typewriter that was perfect. Not too big, case included and those wonderful shiny keys trimmed in silver metal. The carriage bell even dinged!

I happened to meet the owner of that booth and asked her if it was her best price. 

It had already been marked down $10 and I didn't expect a discount. Still, never hurts to ask. 

She was such a sweetheart and reduced the price another $15.

That and my gift card and I said, "I'll take it!"

Before we began our return trip to Denver, we drove a few blocks to Old Colorado City
and walked around the 1800s streets, oohing and ahhing at the gorgeous architecture.

Pikes Peak, a massive 14er, dominates the sky and seems to rear up right from the sidewalk.

We found an amazing restaurant called Paravicini's Italian Bistro and enjoyed our lunch

in an old renovated building. If you go, I recommend the eggplant rollatini. Yum! 

We're already planning a return trip this summer
when we can sit on their patio and admire Pikes Peak.

We learned that Old Colorado City was founded in 1859 as a supply hub for the new gold mines.

The town boomed in 1891 when two more gold strikes in Cripple Creek and Victor
created additional demand for supplies.

Back home, I knew my vintage typewriter would fit on a shelf in my office 

but I thought it would be more visible on a retro metal stand I had.

I decided to style the stand with a few office accessories.

I love the feel of this early typewriter and the images it evokes.
I wonder about the women who used it almost one hundred years ago.

And today, it still works.
As the words on the top of the typewriter say, it's a real Champion.

So, a beautiful Colorado day, a fantastic lunch with my sweetie, antiquing and a gift certificate.
My kind of perfect day!

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Let There Be White!

After the exuberant stimulation of festive holiday decor,

I'm craving something calming and simple like white.

White is so easy to live with. It calms a chaotic room and soothes our busy minds.

This simple bookshelf turned china cabinet holds some of my white ironstone
and is a restful focal point in the dining room.

I moved the old clock that had been on the top shelf to the living room mantel, 

making room for a large ironstone pitcher.
Because the pitcher had a tiny crack in the handle, I got it for just $25!

White goes with any style from Farmhouse . . .

. . . to Frou Frou.

It adds a touch of elegance to a simple vignette

and is the perfect foil for highlighting a few special pieces.

I love how white contrasts with dark wood.

A unique piece like this garden statue really stands out among white objects and old mirrors.

This statue was a wonderful surprise Christmas gift from Ron. 

I'd raved about it when we saw it in an antique store 

and he sneaked back to buy it for me. I just love it.

My china cabinet seemed to be overflowing with white ironstone

so I thinned it out a bit, letting each piece shine on its own.

I love how it looks through the leaded glass doors.

Here's where that vintage clock ended up.

The dark wood of the clock looks rich against the white mantel.

I also like the empty space at each end of the mantel, 

allowing some breathing room for the wall sconces. 

White decor makes me dream of a snow-frosted meadow in the Rocky Mountains --
a calming place where I can catch my breath and feel at peace.

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A Day of Holiday Shopping

Sometimes holiday inspiration can be no further away than your local antique store or market. 

Shop owners are masters of staging and we can always pick up a few creative ideas from them. 

Even if you don't buy anything, the colorful displays are sure to inspire some clever ideas

and get you in the holiday mood. 

We just visited the Old House Vintage Market in Loveland, Colorado 

and saw lots of wonderful holiday goodies.

I may have to include some of these pretties in my letter to Santa.

After a nice lunch, we drove across town to peek in a couple of our favorite antique stores

where we ooh'ed and ahh'ed at their holiday displays. 

With Christmas just around the corner, this fun day was just the ticket 

to get the creative holiday juices flowing. 

It's not too early to start thinking about holiday gifts and decor. 

Have you been naughty or nice this year?

Oh, and Santa dear, I really loved those rooster pillows!

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French Country Cottage

French Country: A Touch of Bleu in the Foyer

I still love my neutral palette of creams and whites, but when I discovered 

a chippy blue window frame in the alley, I decided to incorporate it into my foyer design.

Here's a "before" picture without the touch of blue.

What a difference that little bit of blue makes!

The window frame leaning against the wall 

makes a pretty backdrop for my straw-covered bottles.

And the bleu really pops!

In a sea of neutrals, blue draws the eye and amps up a space.

 This color makes me think of a beautiful blue sky or a soothing indigo ocean.

I scrounged around until I found the perfect old blue book -- 

"David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens to add to the grouping.

I think the rusty orange berries and the spicy orange candle are a nice contrast to the blue
(and they're Denver Bronco colors!).

Blue and orange are opposite each other on the color wheel,
making them striking complementary colors.

What does the color blue mean to you?
For me, blue inspires calmness and a sense of serenity.

It symbolizes freedom. optimism and new beginnings -- a perfect color
to incorporate into my foyer as we look forward to a new year of possibilities.

This blue-framed house blessing is a special greeting in the foyer.
I just love it.

In case you can't read it, it says:

Peace abide beneath thy rooftree
Cheer along its rafters ring,
Joy and mirth and laughter gather
Neath thy firelights flickering.
Hope illumine all the shadows
with a radiance divine,
And the arms of love forever
Shelter thee and thine.

I hear designers are proclaiming blue is having a moment now.
I guess that means the style gurus think it's the current must-have color.

I know it's always been one of my favorite colors even though I don't have a lot of it in my home.
But I do think a touch of bleu is just right.

Happy November everyone and let's remember
to honor our veterans on Veterans' Day, November 11th. ! 

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French Country Cottage