The Romantic Whites of Autumn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 One of my favorite things ever is old white embossed china. I look for it all the time. I usually find it only one piece at a time here and there in a forlorn pile somewhere. The older the better. I love it in all shades. I was lucky enough to find a few dinner plates in a nice shop recently. These are Rose Point by Pope Gosser. So soulful. I was happy to pay a real price for them since they hardly ever show up in good enough condition in sets. ($10.00 each.) As it is, these also have a few minor dings.

 

 

 

 

 

Even white comes in the hues of the season. Luscious ivory's and creams have a warmth that matches the moods of fall. 

 

 

 

 

I was also excited to find this gorgeous victorian lace top on my recent travels. It was the only thing that came home with me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 I would be content just to enjoy it on a hanger, but it will be a good fit for the little girls when they visit and play dress up. I love every sumptuous detail! It looks like Irish lace to me. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 One of the cozy nursery bears is modeling a darling pinafore I found in an out of the way thrift shop for four dollars. Vintage doll clothes in white are another item I always have my radar set for. There are closeup details of it further on in this post.

 

 

 

 

I have shown this vintage gown on the blog before. Don't you love pretty eyelet hems?

 

 

 

 

 

 The bears love dressing up too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Crepey dried white roses have such romance, and seem to sigh of a season now past. . .

 

 

 

 

 

. . . as autumn light plays with us at the windows. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Are you warming up to the romance of fall too?

We're off for a walk in the woods this afternoon!

I hope your day is lovely too. . .

 

 

Jacqueline 

 

 

 

 

 

Join me at

The Charm of Home~Home Sweet Home

2805~Potpourri

Common Ground~Vintage Inspiration

French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home~Show & Tell

 

Rachel's Shop~Part Two

 

Rachel Ashwell's Santa Monica shop is a soft world. If the first impression is of beauty, the last is of all the gorgeous cotton and linen fabrics in the place. The first post on my visit to her shop can be found here, where I gave you a glimpse of the first of her three luscious shop spaces. This middle room is the cash wrap area, and where many of the custom fabrics are offered.   

 

 

 

 

All the details of these simple rooms follow Rachel's design philosophy from head to toe.  They are spacious, with wonderful features like the lovely tin tile ceilings and chandeliers. Throw in a charming architectural element or two, furnish with cushy seating, and chippy tables and chests, and you are almost there. 

 

 

 

 

There is so much understated drama here. And a complete absence of the endless do-dads and mindless merchandise that can be so overwhelming. I felt utterly inspired to pare my decorating down to a few soothing and gorgeous essentials.

 

 

 

 

 

The fabric selection is out of this world!

 

 

 

 

No shortage of ruffles and pillows either. 

 

 

 

 

 

The check out counter and accessories of this middle space make it the working center of the shop. I was delighted with the mix of vintage collections mixed in with the new stuff. Seeing an item you have already scored from a flea market gives you a pleasing sense of validation and reminds you of how accessible this style really is.

 

 

 

 

 

 This is a vintage candelabra, for instance, and I have one with just two arms, minus the crystals, at home. Everything in this room is pure inspiration! And of course it's almost all available online too. . . .

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Two down, and one more to go! My final post on Rachel Ashwell's exciting shop space finishes up the tour with beds, and more linen. Coming right up! 

 

So glad you stopped by for a look!

 

Jacqueline

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Mosaic Garden

I thought you might enjoy seeing the mosaic garden that my mother-in-law and a few of her gardening friends commissioned at their Santa Barbara retirement community. The small garden is situated on the grounds just outside her home, and we pass by it each time we come and go throughout the day when we visit.

 I took a few quick shots just before we left at midday. But the morning and evening light shows the art to it's best advantage. The artist wanted to incorporate the same flowers that would be used in the garden, and it all appears to have sprung up together.

There are four small seats surrounding a center table. Four longer benches circle the outer perimeter, each unique. 

The donors names are inscribed, and Jane has dedicated her own bench to her friends. A lifelong gardener, and still an accomplished bridge player, her friends have always been at the center of her life. We have been pleased to meet so many of them over the years. In good health, and still living on her own at almost ninety-two, this charming little garden outside her door will bring us all so much pleasure in days to come.

The talented mosaic artist is Kim Emerson whose website is at this link. 

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed this little stroll through the mosaic garden!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Savvy Southern Style~WOW US Wednesday