Dreamy Whites: Open At Last

Photo: Maria Carr

Photo: Maria Carr

Maria's house is filled with the secure beauty that comes from a real, lived-in home.  Filled like the tangy scent of lavender that wafted from the box before I even opened it, with the little lilac-tinted bottle I ordered from her new online store for $24.  Isn’t it bliss receiving packages from independent boutiques like Dreamy Whites?  If only I’d thought to take pictures of every one I’ve received.  Just marvel at her sympathetic use of color.  I’ll proudly use the velvet bow in my pooch Zuzu’s hair.

Graphic: Tattered Vintage

The first time I came across Maria Carr’s heavenly blog Dreamy Whites I marveled at her use of textured walls, wondered where she got her chandeliers (the Alameda Flea Market), and assumed her home was in Scandinavia.   I went through every page of her romantic blog and saved many of her pictures in my inspiration folder.

Imagine my surprise when I read she lived on a horse farm in California with five kids.

Another surprise came on a recent snow day where I got to watch The Nate Berkus Show, and there she was!   I’d noticed she went to Manhattan in my Blogger Dashboard, but it was during the holidays and I was way behind reading my favorite blogs (still am).   Maria demonstrated how to get stains out on a ‘How to do White Right’ segment.   They showed the picture of her bedroom with salvaged doors for a headboard, and Nate gushed over her ingenuity.

I’m so proud of Maria, for she’s a humble, gentle artist with a fear of public speaking yet she came off relaxed and confident on national television.   She attributes that to the support of her sister and daughters watching the taping in their green room at CBS.   I clearly remember the kind of nervousness one experiences before stepping onstage for The Nate Show--I tried to bring my dog Zuzu to help me get through!

So, what are you bloggers and future store owners out there waiting for?   Send your best pictures out to shows and print media.   I want to be pleasantly surprised again.

Hurry over to Maria’s shop.   French décor galore: lots of pitchers, grain sacks, lavender products, and spiritual transport to Provence.   C’est ravissant.

Until next time, stay shabby!

I’m sharing with White Wednesday at Faded Charm  – c’mon over for the pale party!

My Antique Chandelier

 

I love all three of my ‘chandys’, but this petite one is my favorite

because it’s actually old and the original brass connecting wire is tarnished black.

I paid over $300 for it at an antique store in New Paltz, NY about five years ago

when I had a lot more disposable income than I do now.

The owners said they bought it in South America,

and were disappointed when I said I was going to paint it white

because "the Shabby Chic craze is over, isn't it?".

Never for me!

Until next time, stay shabby!

I'm posting with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Favorite Things Friday at A Few of My Favorite Things

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Come share the fun!

Getting A Handle On Things and Going For Baroque

A New Year and the general suggestion in our culture of making a resolution for it got me thinking of opportunity, opening doors, and the commonplace act of opening a door.

I casually hooked a rosary on the baroque reproduction dresser pull I installed on my china cabinet for safekeeping while arranging stuff during a blog shoot, and mused at the humble utility of a handle.   I use these and Victorian glass knobs in my studio because it’s a delightful moment when you encounter the pretty when all that’s needed is the practical for quotidian tasks.

In contrast, my plain 19th century hook-and-eye hardware for securing my screen door shut in mountainside winds is honest utility and simplicity and I won't change it for something fancy.

I’m ‘getting a handle on things’ in my career, going for ‘baroque’, as I like to say for good luck, because I’m too close to actual ‘broke’ and definitely don’t care to go there. 

My resolution?   To work hard on my craft and start knocking on doors.

Graphic: That's So Shabby

My King and I and our puppies wish you a Happy New Year!

Many engagements are made over the holidays.    If you are newly engaged, I extend my heartfelt congratulations, for I’ve always liked the saying ‘a bad day after you’re married to your soulmate is better than a good day when you’re single’.

Special thanks to Fri over at Wedding Nouveau  for making and sharing such an inspired mosaic featuring two of Trevor’s photos of my studio I love so!

{CREDITS: Bedroom interior via NY Times (photo by Trevor Tondro); Bride photo by Andrey Bykhov (Styling  by Dmitry Kuteyko); Hanging dress & macarons photo by Frank Amodo via Pacific Weddings; Book & Mirror via NY Times (photo by Trevor Tondro); Table Seating Sign photo by Aaron Shintaku and Amy Hinden; Rose and gray cones by Michelle Rago; Lace Pillows photo by Monica Roberts; Paris Illustration via Saveur du Jour; Lace shoes via Retro Vintage Shoes; Cake by The Caketress}

Until next time, stay shabby!

I’ll be sharing this with Kathleen’s White Wednesday over at Faded Charm – come join her blog party! 

Joyeux Noel!

Graphic: Tattered Vintage 

What would a festive occasion be without printing out something from Beth at Tattered Vintage? 

I just love the power of easy, affordable beauty.

Card printed with 'Pas de Quatre' lithograph: Bella Sera Designs

Vintage tree topper: Efinegifts

Graphic: Tattered Vintage

My studio lit for the holidays under the full moon of the winter solstice.

All of you gift me, with your beautiful words and your beautiful blogs, thank you so much!  

I thought I’d sprinkle a little aqua/blue/green in my white holiday décor this year. 

Used so often in summer, one forgets how charmingly wintry these hues can be. 

 Photo: Victoria November/December 2008

This spread from Victoria has haunted me ever since I first saw it. 

It’s the sort of ‘impossible’ detail only money or time begets. 

I don’t have either and I don’t care, but it’s so rewarding just staring at it, n’est-ce pas?

Here are some images I found from kind Lisa over at Urban Farmhouse

and sweet Mandy at the ultra elegant A la Parisienne.   Some of these are offered for sale.

Urban Farmhouse

 A la Parisienne

My unfinished 'Second' Shabby Streamside Studio for my (hopeful) book.

Two big, fat dreams of mine are to write two books, one based on the holidays

and one on building a small home.   My agent hasn’t been able to secure a

deal for me at one of the huge publishing houses yet.   In fact, he hasn’t returned phone

calls or emails.   I can gracefully take a hint.   I remain undaunted.  

My search for a publisher continues, so everyone keep using those tripods

and shooting in the highest resolution on your cameras.

We’re making a book!

May all your dreams come true this holiday season and in the new year.

Until next year, stay shabby!



I’ll be sharing this with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Vintage Friday at Common Ground

All Things Merry & Brite Wednesdays

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Silent Night

St. Patrick’s photo: Jeff Hutton

St. Patrick’s photo: Corinne Cavallo

Photo: Paul Kolnik for the New York City Ballet

Sunday I was so tired in the afternoon I thought I’d lie down.   Nearly three hours later, I woke up to my studio at night.   I thought of all my favorite things on holiday evenings: walking in Manhattan with the smoky scent of burnt-roasted chestnuts, watching The Nutcracker, wrapping presents, Zuzu snuggled by the woodstove, my tree and its vintage ornaments, and the aroma of baking from my husband’s kitchen.

What do you love about evenings during the holidays?

Until next time, stay shabby!

I’ll be sharing this with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

All Things Merry & Brite Wednesdays

Vintage Friday at Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Get in the holiday spirit with all the talented participants!

The Jeanne d'Arc Living Xmas Book Winner is: Pam from Indiana!

Thanks for all of your entries, blog buttons, and ultra sweet comments.   I really hope you keep coming back, and that I don't disappoint you!   The best thing about this giveaway is it's exposed me to blogs I've yet to discover, and I look forward to visiting over the holiday.

The ramdom number picker selected Pam from Indiana!

Pam, since it appears you don't have a Google account, would you kindly email me at zuzudotfosteratgmaildotcom so I can ship your book and gifts out to you?   I hope this makes you feel better since you mentioned you were down with the flu.   And you thought you wouldn't win! 

Your luck can change for the better.

Everyone remember that.

Until next time, stay shabby!