PARTY GIRL

Remember her?  Well, now she looks like a party girl.  There were so many ways I could have gone with this piece but I decided to be a free spirit and just go with it. I am not sure you would actually call it reupholstery  so I am just going to call it 'Maison Couture' so as not to insult the professionals:)

I used new fabric and antique and vintage lace. I layered it until I got the look I was looking for.

This is the side.  I used almost 20 yards of tulle gathered to make it look like a party skirt and then added vintage lace on top. The tulle is gathered throughout the back of the settee. Chocolate brown burlap covers the entire outside of the piece along with layers of lace and hand made roses.

Layers of lace from antique curtains and handmade roses with pearls and ribbon.

I pleated the arms instead of tufting them because the original buttons just fell apart, but I like the way they came out.

This would have looked so pretty in white but with grandchildren and it not being slipcovered I decided on the darker.  And it works perfectly with my white slipcovered sofa and other things.

One project down, 387 more to go..............

'Till next time...
~Debra

WHITE WEDNESDAY 2010

Happy 2010     WhiteWednesday.

This is my very fragile hoosier. I would love to move it but if I do, it will be the last time. So I will have to enjoy it in this spot until I can't take it any more:)

My son and his girlfriend Marci gave me two gorgeous pieces of pottery for Christmas.  This is one of them.  It looks so pretty with white flowers in it.

I have a collection of alarm clocks.  First I collected all white but then I found  some that were were very ornate and so pretty so I added them to the collection.

Some vintage dresses in my granddaughter's guest bedroom. Their room is decorated with vintage toys and furniture.

This old hutch top just spoke to me at Brimfield Flea Market.  The paper on the windows is original and so worn but I love the look so it will stay.  I don't think it would have the charm it does with out it.

I also have a collection of strainers - all sizes.  Do you ever wonder why we collect the things we collect?

This isn't white but it is another collection of mine, wire potato mashers. I love the different styles.  They are in an old tool box that I painted.  That is an old stained glass window behind it in the window.  I have about 10 more in my windows.  I love how the sun brings the colors into the house.

Thank you to Kathleen for White Wednesday.  Check out her blog 'Faded Charm' for more white fun!!!

'Till next time.....
~Debra

P.S.
Check back tomorrow for "Maison Couture"!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!

It is 2010!  Can you believe it? There is something so refreshing about a new year.  A new fresh start, a new beginning filled with dreams of doing things differently, maybe doing them a little better. I like to look at each day like that, not just a 'new year'.  Every day I wake up is a new beginning of new adventures just waiting for me to jump in and try. We really don't need a new date to start over, do we? Each day we wake up and live it to the absolute fullest is what it is all about. Start that new excercise program today or how about that project that you were waiting to do 'someday'. I say jump right in and at least start it. I'll bet that you get lost in it and get more done that you thought you would. It doesn't have to be monumental to anyone but you. For me it could be cleaning off my office desk - completely. Or taking that walk to visit the grandchildren and breathing in the fresh air while getting some well needed excercise. Visiting an old friend or making a call to a friend who moved away to catch up on what has been going on in their lives. Or starting to redo my settee (which I did start:) that has been on my list of things to do.  It felt so good to finally just do it. I already have a list of things that I am going to do this year.  For me if that means that I get up an hour earlier to do them, then so be it.  I like to rise early in the a.m. in Spring to photograph the sun coming up.  It is always so beautiful.  And walking through the garden with my morning tea starts my day like nothing else can.  The wet dew, the birds chirping and exploring what plants are coming up is heavenly.

What will you do this year that you have been putting off?  Something you really really want to do, something creative maybe, fun, healthy?  What ever it is I wish you nothing but tons of happiness and the best of health in 2010 and hope that everyday is the treasure is was meant to be.

'Till next time....
~Debra

                            " The actress"

THE SWEETEST CHRISTMAS EVER

We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  Spending time with loved ones always makes me happy. There was yummy food, a fire in the fireplace,  silly games, kids running around, lots of pictures taken and the most fabulous Christmas gifts given.

This one made me cry.

A calendar of Basset Hounds from Don.  As some of you may know, our 'Barklee' past away this past June.  It is amazing to me how an animal can touch ones heart and become part of the family. His sense of humor always kept me laughing and his barking drove me crazy, but I loved him. He was my 'B'.

On the  paper that the calendar was wrapped in was a little note telling me to go out and find another Basset Hound to touch my heart once again.  While I know another one will not take his place it will be fun to have those long floppy ears and huge feet scampering throughout the house with Fergee. And one can never have too much fur in their home can one?   And have I said that I have the sweetest husband ever:)

I hope your Christmas was fabulous too. Did you get any surprises?

'Till next time....

~Debra

MY WISH TO ALL OF YOU

I wanted to take this time on Christmas Eve to wish everyone of you and your family and loved ones a BLESSED AND VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. 

You have no idea how much I have enjoyed meeting you all and  exchanging  thoughts and ideas with you. . It has meant sooo much to me! You are my very special Christmas present:)

~Debra XXX

A PROJECT FOR THE NEW YEAR - YES ALREADY

Call me crazy, but when I saw this Victorian settee, I fell in love!  While some of you may see a hunk of junk I simply see beauty. Does anyone else see beauty or is it just me. It's ok if its just me, just wait until I am done with it. I have been collecting just the right fabrics, laces and trims to redo it in. (Some of the runners up in recovering it are on the floor beside it on the floor)

.
Believe it or not, I was going to start it tonight. But I thought how silly to stress myself out over the holidays. I mean Christmas is in 3 more days and I have a ton of things to do yet. OK...maybe it was  my husband who said "Are you crazy?" I thought for a moment and said " maybe I am" (insert big crazy laugh here!!!) and remembered that I am the impulsive one in the family and  sometimes he keeps me grounded......this time;)

As I was saying, it needs only cosmetic work. The bones of it are great. I am going to redo it in dark chocolate and cream colors because I think it will look pretty juxtaposing the white slipcovered sofa. Then I will add some pretty white pillows to bring it all together.

    It is very old, filled with excelsior and is very prickly.  

I am going to trim it in antique lace.  I can't wait to start it! I started to rip the top fabric off of it which is very uncomfortable and hard and found a blue floral print underneath.
(Wish me luck, I might sneak in at least ripping the fabric off tomorrow. He'll never know;)
Do you have any projects planned for 2010 yet?  Or am I just jumping the gun here:) I'd love to hear.

'Till next time......
~Debra

WHITE WEDNESDAY IN THE LIBRARY AND COLLECTING VINTAGE PHOTOS

Hello!!! Hope you are all doing fine. Just 9 more days left until Christmas. It  seems like we just put the tree up.

This is our library. I have tons of books.  They are stacks everywhere but mostly here. We were given an old door and I asked Don to make me a library table.  I painted it a patina green, placed some vintage photos on top and then added  glass. It is long like the library tables I remember in grammer  school. I found 8 different chairs and painted them all the same color white and didn't pay more than $5.00 for any of them. I love this table. It turned out to be exactly what I envisioned. Because, Don is just that good:)

This is our loveseat in the library that faces the fireplace. So if we are not doing something at the table we can curl up and read a book on here. Fergee thought it was hers.  One day I came down stairs and the feather/down pillows were all over the room and she was laying on the loveseat. I swear she was smiling. I was so happy that she didn't rip open the pillows (can you imagine the mess) that I didn't even yell.  But I did have a little discussion with her and now we are on the same page.

I have always enjoyed collecting vintage photos. There is just something about having a photo of a gorgeous child, a happy couple wondering what story it may hold. I love to pick out certain expressions, clothing, backgrounds. And then find the perfect frame or other use for it. These are on the walls of our 1st floor foyer.

This WONDERFUL woman is my grandmother on her wedding day. I cherish this picture and am so happy that she gave it to me.  She was a mother to me when I was a child.  She taught me how to sew, cook, crochet. You name it she could do it.  She even said to me one day "Honey, it is time to stand up straight and suck in your tummy" lol. She was the kindest woman I have ever known.  I know she is an angel right now - no doubt in my mind. I LOVE memories don't you? Do you ever wonder how lucky you are to have or have had certain people in your life?

This pretty lady in being held by a florists frog.  Do you collect vintage photos? How do you display them? I would love to hear.

Don't forget to visit Kathleen at Faded Charm, Hi Kathleen, for more White Wednesday.

'Till next time......
~Debra

DON'T LET THESE TWO FOOL YOU

                         They are partners in trouble.

"Hey Fergee, I have a great idea!"

"Let me whisper it in your ear so that no one can hear us"

"Oh this is going to be so much fun."

"UH Oh Hi Grammie.... er Bob (yes my granddaughter calls me Bob) we were just sitting here being good".

"And don't think for one minute that we were going to eat cat food......again."

"I mean, do we look hungry?"

"Seriously, Bob, I don't even like cat food."

       "Wow, that was close. I hope Bob bought it. Any way, I only ate the red ones."

CHRISTMAS IN THE KITCHEN

Hello Everyone!

Gee was it cold today. 25 degrees and the wind chill was even lower!!! I love the snow but not the cold if that makes any sence.  

We have about a dozen (or more) Christmas trees. Different sizes, colors, some full, some thin, some tall, some short. I do not put all of them up every year.  Sometimes 6 or 7 sometimes just 3 and they are always decorated differently. I like to have different themes. Last year I did vintage photos on one and snowmen on another and a silver tree with turquoise decorations on another....  Our main tree however, is always a real one and always decorated with glass ornaments many of which are vintage.  This year I decided to decorate the kitchen with one of my favorite trees. A 5 ft vintage like fir with colors of copper and gold. Bulbs, bows, birds, snowflakes and pinecone garland make this spot of the kitchen sparkle. I also added little white lights to brighten the area at night.

Three Vintage inspired trees.  When I see the real deal I buy them but these, even though new, were just too pretty to pass up.  And they match the color theme in the kitchen.

Oooooo  Ahhhhhh

This beautiful angel was not made for the top of a tree so I cut out the bottom and I like the way it turned out. It is so sparkly and wonderful.

These two lovely ornaments came from Walmart:)

                                              Old and new - the perfect match. Can you tell which are new?

This is not my kitchen.  I don't know how this photo got on the post.

 How many trees do you put up?  Is there anyone crazy like me who own as many?

'Till  next time....
~Debra

WINTER WONDERLAND

LOOK at what we woke up to this morning.  About 6 inches of the soft, white, fluffy stuff! It is sooo pretty.

                                       This is our Barn.
It was built in the 1700s and has seen a lot of snow. Instead of housing farm animals, it now houses Don, me and our menagerie. It is a fun place to live.

I topped off all of the bird feeders last night so our feathered friends could have breakfast in the morning. They were very happy when I looked out to check on them this a.m.

This is going down our looong driveway from the Barn.  Not good for my little car in the snow.

This little stream  trickles down from the woods. The more it snows or rains the wider and prettier it gets.

A lovely grand tree.

This is one of my favorite Christmas trees.  It looks so vintage but is not.  And it doesn't need to be decorated to be beautiful although it does have brown bells attached.

I put some greens in my white pitchers on the bakers cabinet.

         My mantel in the library decorated for the season.

Hope you enjoyed my White Wednesday.  I will be by to see all of yours.  Thank you Kathleen at Faded Charm for creating White Wednesday.

'Till next time.....
~Debra

BURLAP PILLOWS ARE ON SALE AT MAISONSTGERMAIN.COM

Hello Everyone!!

Hope you are having a great weekend.  We saw a little snow yesterday.  It was so pretty.  This is just a quick post to let you know that these burlap pillows will be on our site tomorrow.  They are 16", burlap and pollyfilled and sooooo pretty!!! The roses have pearls in the centers. They will be on sale for $28.00.  Thank you for looking!

#MP009 Dark Chocolate with 9 gorgeous roses!!! 
SALE $28.00

MP006 Vanilla burlap with 3 large roses. SALE $28.00.

MP005  Dark Chocolate burlap with 3 large roses. 
 SALE $28.00


Thank you for looking:)

'Till next time.............
............~Debra

Happy White Wednesday

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I love it when family gets together don't you? I am glad we don't wait until a holiday to do it. But holidays always make it that much more special.

I found this little park bench on Sunday. It is so sweet that someone loved it enough to replace the second runner with a wavy one. It has just the right amount of chippiness and rust and its size is just perfect.

This is the type of pillows we should have in by the weekend.  They will be in this color coffee, drk chocolate and vanilla.  They will all be a little bit different and will be on sale for $28.00.  If you are interested, just drop me a note so I will have enough for everyone. And just  reminder that everything is on sale at Maisonstgermain.com.

These are three of my favorite suitcases. Just the perfect spot for a little white tree decorated in gold. I have been Christmas decorating and will be posting more pictures soon.  Nicole's tree is absolutely gorgeous this year. I will post that for sure.

Hope you enjoyed my White Wednesday and don't forget to check out Kathleen at Faded Charm for more white loveliness.

Till next time....
....~Debra