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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***

Linking with:
Shabby Art Boutique, Blue Willow House, 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

Favorite French Country Posts for 2017

Slipping into a new year, I thought it would be fun to look back at 2017 

at some of my favorite French Country posts.
So, please join me as we view my Top 10 picks from the year of 2017.

To read more about each post, just click on the link.

1.  French Country: Romancing the Home

A romantic home has a feeling of being transported to another era.

2.  French Country's Friend: Ironstone

Ironstone is the perfect accessory for a French Country look --

that timeworn feeling of simple comfortable elegance.

3.  French Wine Crate Find

Who knew this French wine went for up to $3,500 a bottle!

Definitely one of my favorite finds!

4.  French Country Farmhouse

This white rooster . . . love at first sight.

5.  Cafe Bleu Reveal

Before & After -- a private French Country retreat.

6.  French Country Garden: Pretty in Pink

My June garden is so pretty, it's blushing! I'm yearning for Spring.

7.  Romantic French Farmhouse

Here are some simple tips to set a romantic mood.

8.  French Country: A Quiet Transition into Fall

Inspiring Fall touches to quietly complement the season.

9.  French Country: Get Galvanized for Fall

That rusty patina captured my heart!

10.  A French Country Christmas Dining Room

A simple French Country look for Christmas without a tree!

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 appreciate you taking the time to read my blog this past year
and hope you stay tuned for a fun year in 2018.

***

If you enjoyed this look back, I hope you'll follow me in 2018.

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 for a wonderful year and I wish you a happy and peaceful New Year.

***

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

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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Just subscribe (it's FREE) in the top right column of this page.
You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see my favorite photos.
Thank you!!

***

Linking with: 

Little Farmstead, Dwellings, Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Cedar Hill Farmhouse,
A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style,A Delightsome Life, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,
21 Rosemary Lane, Adirondack Girl at Heart, French Country Cottage

French Country's Friend : Ironstone

Hi Everyone! Before I get to this week's post, I have a little announcement.

I have finally figured out how to post a link to Pinterest on my blog so you can see all of my favorite photos on my Pinterest boards.  I hope you'll follow me to check out all of my French Country Decorating and Garden pixs. Just click on "Follow on Pinterest" in the right column.

Thanks so much for reading my blog. I really appreciate your loyalty and friendship and I love hearing from all of you. Blogging has given me an unexpected creative outlet that has truly enriched my life. So, let's connect! And, please do let me know if the Pinterest button doesn't work for you. Thanks so much. Now, on to this week's post . . .

***

When I first started collecting ironstone, I couldn't help myself. 

I couldn't resist the creamy white dishware and bought every piece I saw that I could afford.
I started out with tiny milk creamers.

And added more substantial pieces as I found them at estate sales and thrift stores.
When you hold a piece of ironstone, you know you're holding something with history.

Pitchers were always my favorites but platters and bowls and tureens called to me too.

Ironstone always looks so fresh and appealing.
It's the perfect accessory for a French Country look --
that timeworn feeling of simple comfortable elegance.

Like white fabrics, ironstone captures many different tones of white

from almost-pure white to mellowed ivory with tints of brown. 

Now that I'm beginning to have a decent little collection,
you'd think I'd be able to resist but I still can't seem to help myself.

Anything with a crest on the bottom finds its way home with me. 

I can always make room for a little milk creamer or a petite egg cup.

The Charm of Imperfection
Even things that aren't in perfect condition are irresistible.

In fact, I'm finding I'm most drawn to things that show signs of wear.

Those pieces with a crazed surface
(those little lines that we all develop over the years) call to me.

And a gravy boat that is missing the tip of its spout
holds untold stories of family holiday dinners long gone by. 

My favorite piece to date, is this little pitcher.

I found it at my local Goodwill and almost didn't bring it home because
it had obviously been dropped and had shattered into several pieces.

But it had been lovingly repaired. 

Someone had painstakingly glued all the broken bits back together and
it made me think of it having had open-heart surgery. And surviving! 

Now it has pride of place in my kitchen.
I love the sweet little lattice design around the bottom.

What is it about ironstone that calls to so many people?

Is it because it complements any style from Farmhouse to French Country?
Or is it its humble design?

Is it its pure white tone that goes with any color scheme?
White is so easy to live with. It calms a chaotic room and soothes our busy minds.

For me, its always about the history of a piece. 

I love fancy antiques but my heart is always touched
by the simple things that people used every day.

Those well-loved pieces never go out of style. 

And will always find a home with me.

***

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

***

Linking with:
Rustic & Refined, Dwellings, Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Cedar Hill Farmhouse,
A Stroll thru Life, Botanic Bleu, Savvy Southern Style, A Delightsome Life,
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, 21 Rosemary Lane, Peonies and Orange Blossoms,
Adirondack Girl at Heart, Charm of Home, French Country Cottage

The Thrill of the Hunt

If you're like me, and you probably are, you enjoy the thrill of the hunt 

as much or more as actually buying the thing. 

I can't wait for the weekend when estate and garage sales announce the hunt is on! 

Release the hounds!

Time to hunt!!!

Everything in this photo was purchased at an estate or yard sale for under $5.
The candleholder is actually a traveler's ashtray with a hinged lid!

I'm not a hunter and would definitely be rooting for the fox 

but I do understand the thrill of the chase. 

The best part would undoubtedly be riding a magnificent horse in my stunning hunting outfit! 

Love those tall riding boots and stylish velvet helmets.

But, I digress. Back to the hunt!

Scattered throughout an estate sale,
I might discover little treasures such as this charming silver trophy. 

I love the inscription:  "The Young Farmer's Club, Best Sheep in Show, 1942."

Soon I catch the scent of my quarry.  When I spot that special item I've been looking for, 

my heart skips a beat and I zero in on it. Hopefully, other hunters stay out of  my way. 

Did I bring my riding crop?

I've been hunting for a pretty urn
and thought my old doorknobs here resembled eggs tucked into a nest.

Once you start collecting a certain thing, say, ironstone, you're always on the hunt for more. 

When I go to a sale, I usually go to the kitchen first to see if they have anything on my wish list:  ironstone, old silver, or unusual glassware.  

I didn't know what this little piece was until I researched it and discovered it was an egg cup. 

I recently spotted this wonderful marmalade jar. Uh oh, I feel another collection coming on.

I'm always adding to my collections but try to restrain myself to just what I truly love.

For instance, I recently swooned at a display of ironstone creamers and wanted to buy the whole bunch. But, I only purchased two pieces that I didn't already have to add to my little collection. 

One is by Coors, the other is Buffalo china.
They're sitting atop an oak medicine cabinet found at an estate sale for $5!!!

Then it's on to the living room searching for mirrors, artwork, baskets, or decorative items 

like these French leather opera glasses. 

I love the words "Beauchamp" and "Paris" imprinted on these old glasses.

A bedroom might offer up a vintage pom-pom chenille bedspread or some delicate linens. 

I'm always hunting for grain sacks but they're so elusive. 

However, I did recently find this vintage Jade-ite lamp for $5 in an alley sale 

that was perfect for my guest room.

And now the prize of the hunt:  vintage books.
I love their scent--old paper, worn leather, secrets like these cutout paper dolls tucked inside.
Finding such a treasure makes me want to shout with joy.

No wonder hunting dogs cry with excitement!

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Just subscribe (it's free) in the top right column of this page.


Sharing with:
Shabby Fu Fu, Thoughts from Alice, Our Southern Home, Rustic & Refined, Dwellings - the heart of your home, Between Naps on the Porch, Cozy Little House, Coastal Charm, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, Bella Rosa Antiques, Elizabeth and Co., Savvy Southern Style, Knick of Time, Maison de Pax, A Delightsome Life, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, The Vintage Nest, Peonies and Orange Blossoms, Poofing the Pillows, Adirondack Girl at Heart, Rooted in Thyme, Charm of Home, Shabby Art Boutique, French Country Cottage, The Cottage Market, No Place Like Home