~ Channeling Matisse ~

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!  I've been busy getting ready for Spring at the store.  (I know, we just had the first day of Winter!)  When I found a great display piece at an auction last month, I had to have it.  Brooke Giannetti's office was my inspiration for a transformation.

via Patina Style (my new favorite book)

So, here's what I've been up to lately:

  

My sample boards

(bottom half)

(top half)

  

I can't wait to get this piece moved to the store and assembled. 

And, since it's so hard to find pretty painted French pieces, I've been painting them, too. 

  

  

This china cabinet is Paris Grey and white, and the buffet is Duck Egg and Old White.

  

Coco likes it.

Okay, I wasn't really channeling Matisse ~ I was channeling my friend Linda Luce, the goddess of painted furniture.  Linda sells at the Nashville Flea Market and just started a new blog ~ Simply Painted.  Linda ~ How did I do?

  I'm heading out to a country auction soon where I'm sure lots of treasures await.

  

Have a wonderful day!

  

Lulu

~ One Thing Leads to Another ~

When I saw this photo in the March ~ April Victoria Magazine, first I gasped.  This is my favorite collection of antique botanicals that I have seen.  I love, love, love them in the gilt frames over the French settee.

Thank goodness I saw this photo, because it motivated me to go to my source and get a new collection of antique herbarium.  I was told that import restrictions will make it harder to get shipments from Europe in the future so I got 21 this time.  They are in my little space on the art side of DuPre's. 

My transition to DuPre's was completed Memorial Day weekend.  The move took place in stages over the course of two months.  And, I'm getting back to normal after my foot surgery.  I was so surprised by how difficult it was to get motivated again after being forced to slow down for a while.  Those are just two of the reasons I have been a little MIA lately.  The other two reasons are:  (1)  Words With Friends (lame, I know), and (2)  my cat Boo.  Boo was a wild feral kitty who adopted my house after I trapped, neutered and released him a couple years ago.  After an injury that required a visit to the vet and a drain in his face, my garage/studio was converted to Boo's studio apartment with heating and air conditioning, cat trees in the windows, and lots of toys; and he now lives inside full time.  Because he has feline leukemia, he can't come inside with the other kitties.  So, little Boo requires lots of visits and company and really doesn't like it when I am typing instead of paying attention to him.  He is the third feral cat that I have tamed and is such a sweetheart.

Things are getting back to normal and I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone!

Happy Sunday.

Lulu

~ The Chicken or the Egg? ~

I was catching up on my blog reading and saw this gorgeous picture on Greige.

There wasn't a source on Greige, but it has to be from J.P. Weaver.  How can I be so sure?  Several years ago, I sent J.P. Weaver this inspiration picture and asked them to design a headboard for me.

My inspiration picture

They sent me a gorgeous plan (it's a pdf so I can't attach it) that I tweaked just a little.  I wanted it to be a little less ornate than their first rendering.  Here's a close-up of the final results after it was made in Atlanta by a local artist. 

Close-up of my headboard

I have to think that my humble design plan inspired J.P. Weaver to create this beautiful wall.  What do you think?

J.P. Weaver design?

My bedroom

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery and this one has come full circle (I think, or am I crazy?).

Have a great day.

Lulu

P.S.  I loved working with J.P. Weaver.

~ Meeting Tara Shaw ~

Tara Shaw is one of those people who needs no introduction, at least to those of us who love her images in Veranda Magazine, and throughout blogland.  Who could forget Joni's hysterical account of hyperventilating as she raced through the streets of Houston to secure a pair of Tara's antique chairs?

Tara's dining room featured in Veranda Magazine in 2000

via Cote de Texas

Aqua blue French panels from Tara Shaw Maison in a kitchen

featured in Great American Kitchens

More of Tara's designs from Veranda 2005 via Cote de Texas

The former New Orleans showroom of Tara Shaw via Cote de Texas

So imagine my thrill when one of the first showrooms I encountered at the Winter show at the Atlanta Mart was Tara Shaw Maison.  Tara's reproductions are so exquisitely done that I was convinced they were antiques.  Her's was without a doubt my favorite showroom.  I would love to have one of everything!

Antique Italian painted chairs from Tara Shaw Antiques

And, just as you would expect, Tara is gracious and charming.  Yes, I need to hop in the car and take a quick trip to New Orleans to visit Tara Shaw Maison!  On second thought, make that a small U-Haul.

Tara Shaw and my friend Cindy Maniscalso, the talented designer and owner of Renaissance Interiors

Have a wonderful week.

Lulu

~ French Country: Retail Therapy ~

It must be Fall, because I'm entering my brown phase of French country.  Here are a few finds from the past month.

Antique Dutch plates and a vintage cream monogrammed leather suitcase from an estate sale.

An old tapestry and velvet chair that I won at an auction.  I love that it's a little tattered.  There is the cutest old tag on the underside.

Pretty antique Spode fleur de lis plates from an estate sale.

A cute little vintage table from a thrift store.  

And lots of silverware from here and there.

I also love the darker neutral colors my friend Linda is using in her shop at One of a Kind this Fall.  Take a look [here].

I'll be back Saturday to announce the winner of my giveaway.  Entries close at midnight Friday.  Good luck, everyone.

I'm off to an auction tomorrow.  Can't wait. 

See you Saturday.

Lulu

~ Uncluttered ~

I've been attracted to very simple, uncluttered spaces lately.

I wonder what that means?

Please be sure to check out my giveaway below.  It will close a week from today.

Have a simply wonderful weekend.

Lulu

~ Essential Elements ~

Ever since I took Vicky's (Room Service ~ Decorating 101) challenge to define my personal style, I've been thinking about the essential elements that make up my personal style.

via Pom Pom Interiors

via Eloquence

These gorgeous photos all have some of the essential elements of my personal style.  Do you see the common thread?  How would you define it?

Have a beautiful weekend.

Lulu