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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Getting Cozy With French Finesse


It's a rare rainy day here. We've had a lot this year, but we always get a few in late September, almost on cue. The temperatures drop, my thoughts turn to green chili stew or baked goodies, and it feels a bit like nature's two minute warning to haul out the quilts and sweaters. It's just a rehearsal for the final act, of course. The heat will return again before summer is officially over, and even into fall.




So I scramble to light a few candles for a Nordic mood for as long as it lasts. It makes for great theater because we are almost as far from that climate as is possible!




But the scenes are fresh in my mind. I just got my copy of French Finesse by Jeanne d' Arc Living, and there's no stopping me now. . . .









Time to get lost in a few fanciful pages.




Besides the candles, I actually have brought out a few yarns and wools of a cooler season to take off the chill.



A cable knit pillow cover keeps things cozy.




But I also wanted to show you this luscious oatmeal-colored throw that I hauled home from the thrift store over the summer. It's the sort of thing that you might have tossed out yourself! Haha! Made of pure wool, it has been shrunk in the wash, probably by accident. But the result is that it has been "felted." A technique that is done overtly with old wool knits these days for precisely that effect in order to use in craft projects. It makes for the snuggest weave possible. Just ask my cat! 




A beautiful deep brown trim finishes it off.




I adore these beautiful moody soft days of autumn. . . .




























Did somebody mention baked goods? Is that why Danish pastry is called Danish? It must be because of how they have truly mastered the wonderful taste and the gorgeous technique of layered textures. . . . Yummmm!

Are you getting cozy too?
I hope you have a fun fall weekend ahead!

Jacqueline





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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Trying Out My Vintage Chalkboard



I finally got around to messing with my new chalkboard. We put it together last spring and used it for a family wedding, and then again for a garden party at Granny camp. But I really want to put it to use in my dining room or kitchen.




I'm inspired to do something more with it now that it reminds me of school days. I spent some time trying my hand at a nice seasonal quote. It took me some time to get my technique down. Thankfully, it's pretty easy to wash clean and start over! 



I probably won't be spending as much time on it in the future. But it was a good dry run!








I have a neat old chalk crate that I came across some time ago to hold my chalk and eraser nearby, and to lend more of a suggestion of a classroom. At some point this little box was turned into a small drawer for bits of hardware. This is the back view.





When I say we "put together" the chalkboard, I mean that I chose a vintage frame that I liked, Mr. Cottage painted it for me, and my son later cut the board and painted on the black paint. So only the frame is vintage. There are a lot of tutorials of the process online.




I'm really liking the contrast of dark wood with lots of white this season. And I'd also love some ruffled seat covers. But for now I have wrapped a round sheer vintage table topper over the cushion.








A dried rose topiary from a couple of years ago stands in for fresh ones. The roses are getting darker over time. (And dustier! haha!) I usually leave them to dry in their vase of water as is. I got a few questions about drying lemons (from a previous post) in a wetter climate than ours. A warm oven or food dehydrator might work, but I have never tried doing whole lemons that way. Good luck!




Well class is over for today!
I hope you'll be enjoying the year's last loveliest smile for awhile!

Jacqueline




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Sunday, September 15, 2013

Tapestry Weather




I guess you could say that I'm a closet tapestry lover. I have quite a few that I don't use in my decor because they seem dark and heavy, and don't necessarily blend well with the things I have chosen to live with every day. But if you came for a visit, the secret would be out.




It's a good day for pillow talk as I'm pretty settled in with a few while I peruse some new magazines. 





There seems to be the right season and the right blend for the tapestry look because it's imitated everywhere. Tapestry pillows especially. One or two in my lighter rooms seems about perfect for me. A traditional setting could handle a lot more.




This new issue of Holiday Cottage magazine made me think of these samples I had tucked away for this time of year. It's way too early for me to get into Christmas decorating, but not too early to be gathering ideas. I'm not alone in making a scramble for the first holiday issues hitting the newsstands this month! 




Hunt scenes are perfect for fall, but they are a little harder to turn up in vintage shops. And I adore the aged look of an original French or Belgian tapestry versus a reproduction.




There are tons of beautiful tips and photos in this issue that really got me excited, but I'm mostly showing examples of fall decorating, I don't want to jump the gun. But if you love nature themes, you will love this issue! Here are a few peeks:


From Holiday Cottage Magazine


From Holiday Cottage Magazine

From Holiday Cottage Magazine
These views are from an article on caneware pottery, which I have not been familiar with up to now. This one reminds me of a hand knit sweater for some reason, but they are all gorgeous!


From Holiday Cottage Magazine
 This room makes me want to use brown and white checks somewhere! So cozy. . . .




I hope you're getting a little down time (as in down feather pillows) today too!
'Til next time. . .

So nice that you came by!

Jacqueline

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Thursday, September 12, 2013

Fall Vignettes




Howdy cottage friends! Thanks so much for the wonderful feedback on the changes in my room! One of the things I rediscovered when I cleared out the white cupboard for the switch was this antique glass compote of  dried lemons that I had stored away. Old decorative glass is one of my fascinations. It's perfect for composing an interesting centerpiece, and a sunny window shows it off best.




In a season which features pumpkins from labor day on through even the Christmas season (in the case of gorgeous little white ones) I'm always looking for something a little different for fall. I dried these lemons myself a couple of years ago by simply leaving them be. You can do that successfully here in the desert. I love the ambience of natural elements any time of year.




I've been experimenting with additions to the sitting room and brought in a little farm table that I have had for a long time. It takes up hardly any more floor space than my big magazine/afghan basket. (I'm thinkin' suppers by the fire. . . ) And it supports a new fall vignette.




One of my favorite small wicker occasional tables is tucked in too.




I also have an irrational attachment to this little round vintage metalware keepsake box with a bakelite knob that comes out this time of year.




It's nice to have a pretty spot for a few treasures amid the odd and end pens, remotes, and reading glasses.




One such delight is this whimsical flea market storybook plate from France. . . .









I wish I knew the tale, but it's enough to capture the imagination on an autumn afternoon while it catches a few crumbs or errant drops of tea at the same time. . . .




A bit of lace, a woven tray, and a McCoy cachepot of weeds rounds things out.




I think of so many other Septembers on quiet afternoons. . . .




How about you?





Have you enjoyed any nostalgic fall vignettes so far?
 There's still plenty of time!
 Anyway, I hope you are enjoying some of the changes of the season. . . .


*On a side note, Marty of A Stroll Through Life has given me the great compliment of featuring me today over on her blog for her Show Off & Inspire series. Thank you so much, Marty! If you are interested, that link may be found HERE.

Happy weekend!

Jacqueline


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