~ 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

~ Fresh and Pretty ~

I could get lost in this image and be happy.  So pretty!

This photo was taken by Karyn Millet, photographer of Annette Tatum's book The Well Dressed Home.  I loved it so much I bought an extra copy for the shop.  I want a fairy tale home like this!

Photo by Karyn R. Millet

A beautiful chandelier, altar candle stick and aqua bottles.

Enough said.

Photo from Maisons Cote Sud via Linen and Lavendar

Two of my new favorites ~ shabby book pages and religious prints. 

Inspiration for my C. T. Slack seaman's trunk project. 

For more beautiful pictures and ideas, please visit the wonderful Fifi, and take a look at the amazingly pretty items in Fifi's giveaway that I am going to win!

Have a pretty weekend.

Lulu

~ Seriously, Just for Fun: Retail Therapy ~

When I found this fabulously French, slightly over the top chair, I couldn't resist getting it for the shop. 

The best thing about it ~ I found it's mate in a Buckhead antique store for twice the price.

Bonne nuit.

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

~ A Room That Smiles ~

Happy weekend.

Lulu

~ Antique Painted Chairs: Inspiration + Retail Therapy ~

Antique painted furniture speaks to me.  There is beauty and wisdom in the aged patina.  It's feminine presence, paired with rustic and glamorous elements creates a look that I love!

Call me crazy, but to me, antique painted chairs are like

works of art. 

I want to know ~ where have you been, what have you seen,

how did you get here?

So whimsical and elegant.

So, when I recently found this beautiful antique chair at an estate sale, I had to buy it for the shoppe.  The dealer said it is a 19th century Italian piece.  My research suggests it could be as old as the 1700's.

I love the way the paint is worn.

And all the unique details.

So, beautiful chair, where have you been?  What have you seen in the past couple hundred years?  Where are you going? 

I see you in an ultra feminine bedroom.

If you are out and about in Marietta, please stop by the shoppe at One of a Kind for a visit.

Happy weekend!

Lulu