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Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Cottage Nursery Tales




I've shown you glimpses of the nursery before. I think the last time I did I said that this room was slated for change. And that's still true. But years pass like weeks used to these days, and we are so busy occupying all the space that there is little time for making changes.




This "spare" room is not a spare at all. I use it almost every day for shop business
 or even just to fold the laundry. And we are lucky enough to have a steady stream of visitors as well.




It's a homely space where almost everything comes from thrift stores, The bedding, for instance, with its Popsicle colored hues.




The handmade afghan, which was brand new when I found it, and the quilt beneath.




The bed lamp.





A few keepsakes hang on the walls, like this needlepoint floral. They all have become imprinted on my granddaughters minds by now through a kind of domestic propaganda. "I wonder whatever happened to that?," they will someday say.





This is one of the few spots in the house that has a little color. Prairie Style pastels versus that of a pale and classic Shabby Chic. Not chic anything, actually.




The most humble treasures reside here. But I will probably want this little framed collage hanging over my bed when I draw my last breath. 




It's a found object of ephemera assembled in an old frame behind glass. An old lace handkerchief for a backdrop. A darling girl looks out at center position, as though to the future, with faded photographs at her corners, and bits of victorian scrap for charm. It is a magical thing that has cast its spell within these walls for more than a decade.




The nails from previous arrangements often dictate the placement of things. The clock face went up when I was clearing the room for guests last week. Fresh laundry and a recent bedspread find occupy the chair. The old wood shutters were intended for the shop, but I can't quite part with them yet (if ever). They have stood here for most of a year.




A cheery apron waits for a few pocket stitches.




This framed print was once a page from a Brambly Hedge calendar. It is the actual style that I aim for. A homey hodge podge of collections that fall together as in a story book.




Minus the dustballs and cobwebs of real life, I think I inhabit these vaulted rooms in my dreams.




Someday my girls may have some other bits of wardrobe hanging from the door hooks.




They already make good use of the dressing screen when they visit, even though the dresses hanging there are many stages of childhood too small.




Although more lady-like garments are beginning to take up space too.





All but one of the fluffy nursery pals have been tucked away.




The toy houses with the suitcase of furnishings are now rarely dragged out from underneath the beds. (The former first order of business for youngsters arriving.)




Oh, the usual linen work goes on within these walls, as it likely always will. But there is an aura of suspense now inbued among the folds, and a sense of moments, weeks, and years unfolding in a blinding blink of time. And just a hint in the air of the need to ready ourselves for all the untold tales yet to come. 




So we're down to the last week of February already! The willows are leafing, and the fruit blossoms have started to pop. 

Hope it's been a great start of the week for you!

Jacqueline










24 comments:

  1. This is all so pretty! I especially love those pillow covers and the framed calendar pages. They're adorable!

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  2. I can see why you would spend a lit of time in this room. It is a pretty place filled with so much happiness. I have piles of Rachel Ashwell collected to fill a guest room/nusery when we have one. Our youngest son still lives here and uses tow rooms. One as a besdroom and the other as a studio. I am in no hurry for him to leave. This empty nest thing pulls at my heartstrings. But when I do have a room to fill with my almost vintage RA collection it will be a place of bookshelves filled with my childrens childhood books and stuffed animals- Pooh bear and Beatrix Potter items. I hope it will have the same feeling that your nursery does. Loveiliness.

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  3. This room is incredibly charming, Jacqueline...and full of special personality, too.
    Just lovely!

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  4. It's so so lovely Jacqueline~ Just the break I needed today : )
    I wouldn't want to change a thing. It is soft, tranquil and pretty. And still so functional too! Your treasures here & there are so sweet; full of memories for all your family. Thanks for sharing today! ~Karen O

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  5. Forget prairie style or shabby chic... I'm definitely going with Brambly Hedge!
    I have the four little books (sadly in storage just now I think) and the other day I found a Brambly Hedge soap box in my mother's collection. I have been posting a lot of pretty packaging on my secondary blog (you can find a link on my regular page).
    So pretty. I love all those patchwork quilts and pretty curtains. In my house we have patchwork curtains and loads of tapestry cushions. And lots of plates on the kitchen wall. Probably a little too much colour for you!

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  6. What a sweet and pretty room :-)

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  7. Jacqueline, I absolutely ADORE this post. Your thoughts are just so perfect to call up a simple time of life (that of being young). How lucky your girls are to have this beautiful place to visit and stay. The image from the Brambly Hedge calendar reminds me so much of my Mother and her "style", for it was very relaxed, old-fashioned and comfy. I find myself gravitating to this look as I get older and the grandchildren are now coming along.

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  8. What a wonderful room, filled with such lovely light! My guest room often gets the same role as yours -- laundry sorting! And what a divine place to sort! I love everything in this space (especially that wonderful fan quilt pillow) but like you, that ephemera collage is the real treasure I would never be able to part with! What a divine haven you have here. It may be the nursery but it's not babyish, it's adorable and so very restful and lovely!

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  9. What a dreamy space. I love the coziness and soft colors!

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  10. Such a sweet space. I know your little grand girls feel special in this room. Love that sweet teddy!

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  11. Everything looks so lovely and I like the touches of pink.

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  12. You definitely have captured the essence of the Brambly Hedge calendar print! This room embodies sweetness and softness. Your granddaughters are lucky little ladies!

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  13. Hi J,
    This is so completely charming! all the cozy details... the collage is divine! Pure whimsical charm, the girls are so lucky to have such a wonderful retreat!!
    Happy Day to You...
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  14. How dreamy and you have a Brambly Hedge print! How sweet! The china just comes alive when you photograph it, like transferware does. I don't even think I do it justice. I want to take more pictures of it just to get a better angle or something. Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!

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  15. Your bedroom is so beautiful and full of lovely vintage pieces. Love it! Jo

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  16. I absolutely love your Prairie style bedroom, love the colors and sweetness of it. The afghan is so pretty and the angel wings are such a cute angelic touch. The collage is so charming and well actually I like everything! :)
    Gina

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  17. Sweet, sweet room, Jacqueline! I imagine hanging out, reading stories and tucking in the littles, so comfy and loved! Blessings, Cindy xo

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  18. So very cozy and full of that cottage charm that I love! Those sweet rose-sprigged curtains, the faded quilts and white lace linens, beautiful screens and shutters and the little chair all add up to wonderful childhood memories for your lucky little grands. Such a happy, peaceful room! Wishing you a lovely and relaxing weekend. Hugs xo Karen

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  19. Such a sweet room. And yes, years pass like weeks here as well. :)
    Sending hugs,
    Lin

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  20. Such a sweet, comforting room. I love the unusual patterned pink and white quilt. Lovely!

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  21. Jacqueline,
    Your Cottage Nursery Tales is a magical place, indeed!
    I could just sit and bask it its quaintness for hours!
    fondly,
    Pat

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