Vintage Linens Chair-Back Slips

About six weeks ago, I decided it was time to "lighten up".

So I've had one project after another

to try to lighten and brighten my interior spaces.

A few weeks ago I did chair slip covers

 for my bergere chairs in the Living Room.

I surprised myself at getting them accomplished,

because...

I really don't like to sew.

Sorry to say, I'm sort of a klutz when it comes to sewing.

But since I redid my Dining Room,

my heavy wood dining chairs seemed to be

 bigger and darker and heavier than ever.

(Oh My!)

They taunted me to start another "project".

It's taken some thought,

because I wanted to recover the seat cushions.

(a relative easy job)

So I didn't want to do a seat slip,

even though it would have been

flirty with ruffles.

Two kitties with gray fur,

who love to lounge, talked me out of that idea.

I need to find some heavier flax or linen upholstery fabric

for the seats themselves.

What I have here is too lightweight,

but the right color and texture.

I had three "must haves" in choosing the material for these chair slips.

1. needs to be lightweight and somewhat transparent.

2. needs to be easy to work with.

3. Has to be inexpensive,

 because I have ten chairs to eventually slip.

So... I just chose a plain white cotton.

Then to dress them up,

I added pieces of vintage dresser scarves with crocheted lace,

that I found recently at a barn sale.

(see my header photo)

Depending on the time of day and the light,

you can see the silhouette of my chair backs.

I made a template pattern by tracing the backs onto poster board.

Then to add a little fun,

 I used a vintage button in back to tighten up the fit.

I have another project I'm working on,

so I'll show you soon.

This involves paint again,

just not on the walls.

(thank goodness!)

I'm linking to

the DIY Showoff

Between Naps on the Porch

Linda at Coastal Charm

Happy One Year White Wednesday!

with Kathleen at Faded Charm

Show and Tell at My Romantic Home

And if you haven't entered my

1 year Blog Anniversary Give Away

then click here!

to have a chance to win this wonderful

soon to be released book

by Carolyn Westbrook!

Thank you everyone for the great response,

remember, there will be two winners!

love,

Debra

Meet "My Double"

Let my introduce you to

"My Double"

Yes, she's quite the petite little thing.

Found her a few weeks ago at an antique mall.

I just wish she was "my double"!

I don't think I'll see this waist size anytime soon.

But I'm showing her off for 

Silver Sunday.

Look hard,

there's some "silver" in there.

Her hardware is "silvery"

so I hope that qualifies.

And here's a few of my key necklaces

 that I've been making for the shop in Ozark.

Old keys with just a little "bling".

My one year Blog Anniversary is this week

And if you haven't entered yet...

Click here to enter my

French Inspired Anniversary Give Away

Two lucky people will be chosen to receive

Carolyn Westbrook's

 new book.

Head on over to Beth's at Gypsy Fish Journal

to see all the silver fun!

Hope your weekend is a great one.

love,

Debra

A French Inspired Give Away

Hi Everyone! Next week is my One Year Blog Birthday and I wanted to do something really fun and different to celebrate. My third post last June was about a person and book who I truly identify with. When I found her, every photo resonated with "me" and my style.

Carolyn Westbrook  is a talent that many of you know personally. She has space at Warrenton for the Texas Shows and is now branching out into her own lines of bedding, linens, and lighting. Her book, Carolyn Westbrook Home, has been sort of a decorating bible for me. I keep it nearby and have studied each page and photo.

                                    

Carolyn's wonderful Texas home, The Oaks

So now for my one year anniversary

 I want to share the excitement of

Carolyn's new book:

The French Inspired Home

with an interview with Carolyn.

She was gracious enough to take time to answer some questions

about her new book which will be released in September.

What was your motivation for doing this new book?

My Romance with France and most things French. My romance with France began long before I ever set foot in Paris. I have always loved the intricate detailing that is evident from French furniture, to the way the French decorate their homes with elaborate moldings, aged objects and pieces that have become antique as they were passed down the line, from one generation to the next. They still take the time to consider the details, whether in their architecture, buildings, statues or just in a to-go bakery box that is adorned beautifully. Not only that, but they realize the importance of their history and beauty, and they protect it. They do not push down historic buildings to pop up a super mall and life is not about disposable surroundings. I do love and respect that philosophy. I do hope that the new book will motivate others to surround themselves with aged and antique pieces that have been carefully sought out and gathered. This is the "good stuff" and it cannot be found at the local mega mart. These pieces were built at a time when people took pride in their work, and will not have to be replaced in six months. Just as our countries landscape has become much of the same, no matter what city that you are in, so are people's houses. A handful of big retailers are all selling similar products, so that people that decorate their homes in this manner, end up with essentially cookie cutter interiors. It is my job to let everyone know that not only can you find it often times cheaper at a tag sale or flea market, it is better quality and you are helping keep our world green, by recycling. This is truly the "good stuff" so go out there and get it.

Is this an "evolution" of your own personal style?

No. I have a love for all styles, as is evident in my own home. Growing up, as my Mother was a decorator, I was always inspired as our interior changed often from Asian, to contemporary to French Country, it was always evolving and I try to do just that. It is important to keep things fresh.

Will the backdrop for this new book be your personal residence or will you be showing other people's spaces?

It is partially my own home, but much of that has not changed from the first book, Carolyn Westbrook Home. I do add and subtract elements and change things around, but if you have a classic interior, then it is always good. I use much color throughout the house and I love prints. I am happy to see that prints and wallpaper are making a comeback. We did shoot some other houses for the book, that were either friends, colleagues or clients of mine.

 Did you "redecorate" your entire home?

No. I have spent my whole life collecting, what is precious to me, and I would never consider scrapping that to go with the newest trend. I do think it is important to freshen up your room and assess what needs to be moved around or in some cases moved out to another room, but for the most part, I am happy with my home. We have redone a few rooms, like the girls room, as it was all floral in the first book and they were just not having it, now that they are teenagers, but alas, their room is not in the new book. One of our downstairs rooms, is now the "Library." It was not photographed for the first book. It has always been a beautiful room with a fantastic mantle, but I have always wanted a library. We brought in enormous shelves and filled them with our collection of books, some of which had been packed away, so it was great to see them displayed, while other books, I bought at antique malls and flea markets. I was thrilled with the result. Now, it is one of my favorite rooms in the house.

How did you incorporate the French Inspired Home into your existing style and decor for your personal Home?

We have always had French Inspired style in our home, as both my Mom and I are big fans of the French furniture and accessories. If you look at my first book, you will see the main hall is filled with antique French chairs and paintings that we have brought back from France. I have always had a love for the French linen monogrammed sheets, and look for them wherever I go. My love for the French style is not something that simply was thought of for the book, but has been an inspiration, since I was young.

I love the "format" of your book "Carolyn Westbrook Home" and enjoyed how you took us room by room and area by area, even your outdoor spaces, to show us your decor and design sense. How will this new book be similar or different from this room by room format?

It is formatted a bit differently, as it is broken down in different chapters, the first being "A Romance with French" to another that is "French Bleu." I hope that the readers will love this format, as much as I do. I was very fortunate to work with a fabulous team and they were very trusting of the way that I wished to see the book layed out.

Thank You, Carolyn!

I love sharing a good thing,

so there will be two names chosen to receive this new book.

One will be from all the entries,

and a second will be chosen from those who

post about /link up with me with the sidebar button.

Here are the ways to have multiple entries:

1. Become a follower of my blog and leave a comment, then let me know you are a follower.
2. Post about this give away
3. Link up with the give away with my Give Away Button
4. And for those of you that have me on your blog roll, thank you dear friends, just let me know!

5. and then, if you'd like to go visit Carolyn's blog and follow her, leave another comment.

Five entries possible!!

Remember to leave a separate "comment" for each entry!

I'll be choosing the winners!

 Yea, there will be two of you!

on June 30th.

Thank You, each and every one of you

for making this last year

one of my very best!

love,

Debra

Garage Shopping

No, I didn't mean garage sale shopping...I mean shopping my own garage! Pictures cannot lie, it's a fact I have a garage full of "stuff" as I affectionately (or not) call it. Last week I was wounded in the pursuit of good "stuff", but it didn't slow me down too much!
Sunday night and Monday most of the day my "BLOGGER" wasn't "blogging" so I couldn't "blog". Anyone else out there suffer that same frustration? Eeeeck! Forced withdrawal is a bummer. But hey, I made the most of it and got a few little things accomplished around here.

I've seen this idea around lately...taking old windows and using them as a frame. (Hey, even retail stores are jumping on to this) I found several of these one paned windows at a barn sale recently and then added a large bird print I found last week.

I'm really lovin' the look of it. LOVE birdie prints of all kinds. Currently this is in my office/studio so I can enjoy it.

Now, don't ask me why, but this little corner etergere all white and chippy and rusty has been in my garage for the last year. Let's see, when I rescued it yesterday it was holding a cat pooper scooper, sandpaper, some paint brushes and misc. hardware and an old broken tray. Good Grief, Charley Brown, what was I thinking? Well, in defense of my "duh" attitude, I had wanted to use it, but once the dining room was painted it seemed to fit right in!

It may not look like it, but it DID get a good cleaning.

Poor Charlotte, she seems to have found herself

jailed in my wire cloche.

At least she has some "iffy" reading material.

And I finally got around to finding some brown transferware

dinner plates to replace the green that had been in here before.

These are part of my favorite set of vintage Johnson Bros.

Old Britain Castles

Sorry I'm so smitten with my new Dining Room,

I'm sure you all are over it by now,

but I'm thinking that I'll try to do chair slips
on the backs of my dining chairs,

and reupholster the seats in linen.

Not sure yet...hmmm, I'm formulating the plan.

Today I'm linking up with some fun parties:

Coastal Charm

All Thingz Related

New Nostalgia

 White Wednesday

at Faded Charm

My Romanitic Home

and

Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

love,

Debra

Rachel Ashwell: the journey continues.

Rachel Ashwell has become an icon for our time.

Her name is a "household" one.

Her face and design, her books and stores,

and yes, even her journey,

 are all things we each are familiar with.

Rachel is embarking on a new chapter in her life and business

and has asked our sweet friend in the blogging world

Lu from Dustylu Interiors,

to handle the photography and styling of this new venture.

Lu has an amazing blog where her photography captures not only

our hearts, but our senses.

Lu has asked a few of us to help her get the word out

for Rachel's new line by posting a wonderful Give Away

and sharing how Rachel Ashwell and her Shabby Chic

design have influenced us over the years.

Below are photos Lulu has taken to announce the

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture line

 of furniture and accessories.

You can see in these photos that Lu has captured the trademark

pastels, elegance, and understated glamour

that is Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic Couture.

Please go and visit

Rachel's Blog

for her personal look at life and style.

Rachel Ashwell has affected each of us

who are followers of interior decor and design.

I have always admired her effortless grace and beauty;

The simplicity and elegance of her homes and life.

I have long been captivated by her style,

 but only within the last few years

since I myself have been a part of the vintage and antique design resurgence,

have I taken the plunge to incorporate her "look" into my home and life.

Choosing a more neutral color scheme,

if not all white, but shades and hues of it,

mixing pastels and chipped white vintage pieces,

and looking for ways to "declutter"

to see the natural elegance of her serene style.

I'm inviting you to visit Lulu at Dusty Lu

to see for yourself what she is doing with Rachel Ashwell.

Lulu is having a wonderful Give Away to announce the new line,

Shabby Chic Couture

So be sure and visit Dustylu

and enter the Give Away!

Two of Rachel's wonderful books to choose from:

or

Here are the guidelines for entering:

1. Visit Lu and become a follower of her blog.

2.Visit Rachel's new blog and follow.

3.Visit Rachel Ashwell's new website, Shabby Chic Couture.

4. Post about the Give Away or add it on your sidebar.

Let's all welcome this new line for Rachel.

Be sure and head over to Dustylu to enter, now!

love,

Debra

(all images courtesy of Shabby Chic)