Sunday, May 7, 2017

French Wagon Vignette

Earlier in the Spring you might remember that I decided to paint my little black Frenchy wagon a light gray. Since then it's become my favorite tabletop decor piece for the Dining Room. I had put off painting it for years, even though I knew I would like it much better. Now it sort of "disappears" on the tabletop, which helps it blend in with all the other elements I love to use.






After Easter, I changed out the mega PB white lantern that was here, and put the Scrolly Metal Iron Basket full of Hydrangeas back, but the table needed another element. You know... vignettes work better with odd numbers.




(little wagon last Fall)



So I looked for an urn that I could use with the grouping.




I tried several that I had, but the antique one I use on the Sideboard with my little French Girl Bust was the one that looked the best. (Last Christmas). Have I said "French" too many times? eeeck. Don't you think they laugh at all of us goofy Americans throwing phrases around like "French Farmhouse"? I love the look just hate sounding cliche and "affected". Has anyone else thought about this?




I don't like taking her out of the urn, because she is so very fragile, but I stored her in a basket with some packing paper around her, so I think she'll be fine. Meanwhile the urn fits this spot perfectly.




Faux Paperwhites and a little nest with moss.







I left the moss as a liner on the bottom of the wagon, then brought out my Lamb Tureen (which travels all around the house) and a few vintage clay flowerpots.







None of the elements really "stand out",
which is exactly what I wanted.
I like keeping the table in whites and neutrals.






You know how much I love to change up fabric on the Dining Room Table, and I always buy at least 3 yards to use as a tablerunner, or later for pillows. I found this wonderful damask look taupe and grayish-white in a medium weight fabric. ("Downton" by Covington Fabric 2013) I usually use a piece of heavier grain sack fabric under my top layer to give a little more weight and width.









I fell in love with this fabric. It would be so pretty used in bedding; maybe Euro Shams to mix with other taupe fabrics like a Buffalo Check or teensy pinstripe. I seem to be amassing a collection of fabric but no umph to get much started in the sewing department. We have a great fabric store that sells designer fabrics that are "last year" at deep discounts. I also found the Bosphorus Toile fabric that I have large pillows in. I'd like to make two more so I could use them on the Living Room sofas.


(last Christmas)


(I go through lint rollers for cat hair removal like toilet paper)











We just finished binge watching "Shetland" on Netflix, a mystery series I highly recommend, based on the books by Ann Cleeves. British Crime and Police Procedurals are my favorite genre. (we've been talking with a Scottish accent for several weeks.) The acting is top notch and you'd want to see it just for the amazing scenery and camera shots of Scotland's beautiful islands. It's a little reminiscent of the British version of "Wallander" which is one of my all time fave series. 




After last weekend being cold and rainy, this weekend is beautiful. Upper 70's without a cloud in the sky. We made a day trip to Bennett Springs, on the Niangua River so Hubbs could check out the fishing scene. It had flooded last week so the water was deep, dirty and way too fast, but they were still catching fish. It does him good to get away from "work" and let his mind wander off with thoughts of trout and woodsmoke, and I could stand a few good doses of Vitamin D. I'm hoping to get the potting bench area up and running this weekend, we'll see if I make any progress...

xoxo,
joining in here:

Monday Inspiration at Refresh Restyle
Sundays at Home at Love of Home
The Scoop at Stone Gable
Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farm
Share Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's
The Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush


18 comments:

  1. Your comment on the French cracked me up. Yea, they probably get a chuckle out of us. Love that centerpiece AND fabric! I really need to raise my chandy (too low) to be able to pull off a nice, large centerpiece. I just replaced my 45 yr old sewing machine, so I have lofty goals right now. We've got the cold & rainy this weekend, so no guilt for being do-less. Hope you're having a good one. Your getaway sounds restful - at least for you, anyway. :)

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  2. Painting the black wagon a lighter color really made a difference. Reading your posts are like taking a decorating course because of the way you explain your reasoning behind the change. Just wanted you to know your posts are so appreciated by those of us trying to learn.

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  3. Love all your posts, and ideas. It helps to have a stash of pretties from which to pull together this collected look. One of the aspects of your vignettes I like is that you use large pieces to make a statement.
    Thanks for the tip on "Shetland". I've got it all set up to do a little binging myself! For a humorous twist on the British crime scene, try Agatha Raisin (PBS) and Father Brown (Netflix) both have beautiful scenes of village life in England. I've watched Midsomer Murders series twice, and you might enjoy Inspector Linley Mysteries on PBS as well, set in Oxford.

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  4. I very much like the color of the wagon - looks great! Your vignette on the table is perfect.

    I am like you - always buy at least 3 yards of 60 inc wide fabric. never know what your going to do with it.

    I love mysteries and I feel I lost my calling - should have been a detective LOL But I don;t have netflix . Kitty looks so comfortable sitting on the settee .

    Have a great week.

    Mary

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  5. What a gorgeous vignette you have created. I love everything about it. You have such an eye for decorating. Beautiful tablescape.

    Judy

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  6. Love that little wagon painted gray...and always look forward to you styling it for each season and occasion filling it with many beautiful treasures!

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  7. Love this so much Debra. The centerpiece is beautifully done and love the runner too.
    Have a great week and wonderful Mother's Day Weekend.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  8. Debra, finally completed my copycat mantel based on yours. Thanks for the inspiration. This is the post if you're interested. I linked it to Amaze Me Monday's blog party too.
    http://theothermeissane.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-mantel-copykat-style.html

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  9. I just love your wagon. It looks fabulous painted and I love how you styled it too. The fabric on the table is beautiful! I have NO sewing skills.

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  10. The wagon is the cutest and I do like the new color you chose for it. The vignette you set up is wonderful. Love the fabric you chose for the runner. I always have trouble finding runners the right size- I hadn't considered sewing my own!

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  11. Great table vignette. I agree that the wagon works better painted gray and I am extremely covetous of your lamb tureen.

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  12. Oh gosh what a great vignette...I love it. Love the fabric too and use it for table runners often...Have a great weekend and a Happy Mother's Day!

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  13. I love your creative centerpiece! That wagon is such a neat piece to incorporate into your decor. I also like the runner you made. Hope you have a great Mother's Day weekend!

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  14. Absolutely love your table centerpiece! The table runner is gorgeous also...love reading your post! Hugs..

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  15. Debra, I love your wagon and that sheep tureen has me drooling! You really have wonderful style! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  16. Thank you for all the wonderful ideas. I don't always know how to put things together so I'm grateful for all the pictures. Your amazing!

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  17. Nice post is this and I like it very much.
    My First Saving

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