Showing posts with label french country. Show all posts
Showing posts with label french country. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

AMERICANA IN PARIS...AND GIVEAWAY!!!!


"Americana in Paris"...
Get it?
Like "An American in Paris" with Gene Kelly.
Pretty cute..and clever...if I do say so myself.
(Hey, I rarely think of cute and clever blog titles...
so yes, I am excited!:)

Okay...remember Americana?
That style of decorating that portray the best of the old American Spirit?


Using muted shades of classic colors,
such as slate blue, muted greens, faded reds...
including Americana folk art...


Some called it country...
(I think I did when my Mom decorated the guest room with it...
Sorry Mom. I didn't know a THING back then!)

While these are not pictures of my Mom's guest room,
you get the idea. I remember thinking it was like sleeping in
the "Betsy Ross" flag room.
Well, not me, thank you very much!

UNTIL...
I discovered Chani from
Blanc et Caramel


French for "White & Caramel"...
her colors du jour:)
She loves white, shabby and coffee stained items...
and shares them with the world via her etsy shop
and her main shop.



Here is what she says about her beautiful shop... "We are located in Paris and have vintage inspired products, but we also make sure they are French. Gorgeous finds from Parisian flea markets and romantic places in the southern French countryside, notably the Provence, were used for crafting our products. We love both the vintage and old-fashioned Paris style and the countryside shabby chic."

Now, Chani is a beautiful young lady,
born in Switzerland and now married with a family and living in
Paris, France.
I'm telling you, I have met the most wonderful ladies via my blog...
lovely people who are always there to lend an ear
and give you a virtual hug when you need it most...
(and I have needed it most lately.)
And I have met so many generous, kind and creative people...
just like Chani!

Guess what Chani loves?
In her own words...
"Isn't it funny how you always want what you don't have:
I want American stuff and Americans want French stuff!"

Yep, that's me she's talking about!
I love anything French...
If it has French words, designs (Eiffel Tower, Fleur De Lis...)...
I LOVE IT!!!
I'm going to Paris this Fall and ALL I want to do is visit the Paris Flea Markets:)

Anyway, Chani even has a name for it...
Shabby Americana.
How cute is that????
She decorates with it from time to time and creates with it.
Just look at a pillow she has in her home...



And some of the "Shabby American" items in her shop...



In her designs, she tends to make them in muted colors a la the shabby look and part of her color palette...



I think I might have a new love for Americana.
How funny it started with a sweet lady from Paris France:)

Chani also has a number of beautiful items in her shops...
such as these banners,

"For your perfect summer seaside decor: A seashell, a starfish with buttons and a conch made of white fabric and linen and some decorative stitching, attached on thick natural twine with bast. Some coffee-stained flags with compasses and “Coquillages à la plage” (French for “seashells on the beach”) stamped on them."

Lovely jewelry with pieces found at the Paris Flea Markets...


Pretty note cards...


Even some cinnamon sugar...


Sweet!

Oh right...did I say GIVEAWAY?
You bet I did!!!
And it is coming to you straight from Paris, France.
Well, actually I ordered it this morning and it is coming to you from
France via a stop in Florida to drop of my OWN goodies:)

So for all you creative types,
THIS IS IT...
"The Glittered Jar..."

Here is how Chani describes this item in her shop...

This sweet little jar is filled with treasures for your vintage crafting:

1) White ribbon, hand-stamped in sepia with “Paris” and crowns. It measures 100 x 3 cm and comes with a little clock tag.
2) Three kinds of old lace, found on a Parisian flea market. They are between 60 and 100 cm long.
3) Natural twine (100 cm)
4) Four mini tags with twine, stamped with “Paris”, fleur de lis and a crown.
5) A metal heart (maybe silver?) found on a Parisian flea market. It measures 3,5 x 3 cm.
6) Ten old buttons, most of them mother-of pearl.
7) A glitter star (3,5 x 3 cm).
Everything come is a jar (height: 7 cm) with a silver glittered sparkling cover and a coffee-stained Paris address tag attached to it.
Are you inspired?

Here's how to WIN!!!!!
Now, this is not about me...
this is about Chani...
and Blanc et Caramel...
So, please enter by visiting her shop...
and leaving me a comment telling me what you love most in her shop.

You also get an entry for visiting Chani's blog and leaving her a comment to
encourage her to keep creating beautiful things:-) Make sure you let me know in a comment
if you visit Chani!

One more way...blog about this giveaway and let us know that you did!

Drawing for The Glittered Jar will be on...
when else?
The 4th of July!!!!!!!
So hurry, hurry:-)

Au revoir!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Comfy & Cozy...

I did not want to get out of bed today.
Not because of the weather...
it's actually a beautiful, sunny morning.
Just because I was so comfy and cozy.
So I started looking for some pretty, shabby beds...
and this is what I found.
Have a comfy and cozy weekend...
and pop in tomorrow for pink saturday.
XOXO
(click on a pic to get a close-up)

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

It's time for another White Wednesday...

...this is quickly becoming one of my favorite days. Have you ever noticed how many shades of white and off white there are? It's mind-boggling...and when used in decorating this look can be many things...shabby, vintage, elegant, calming, casual, beachy, cottage, country...and I love it all!



photo: Country Living



I've finally convinced my husband to let me paint a faded caramel color on the wall...if he only knew the look I was going for:-)

photo: Country Living


Another white dining room I would love...

photo: Country Living

I can't help but think about Christmas when I see this... Only 99 days, 9 hours and 3 min until Christmas day as I write this. hahaha

photo: Country Living


Pottery Barn does know how to do white ornaments, don't they?




And finally, a book I am looking forward to reading...




Please visit Faded Charm for many more
White Wednesday posts!







Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Parlez-vous Francais?

Me neither...but I'm learning! Good thing, too, since I just found out my style is "French Eclectic". Whew...and I just thought it was chaotic! hahaha

Yes, we're talking about decorating here folks! I just took a quiz at this website , which I first discovered at Shabby Nest, to find out my decorating style. You have to check it out but follow the instructions re: how to really look at the photos for the best read of your style. Anyway...drumroll please...

I am 50% French Eclectic

and 50% Nantucket Style

I LOVE IT!!!!!

What does it all mean???

French Eclectic


Parlez-vous français? Even if the answer is no, you can confidently say your home does! French Country, like its name, somehow manages to both be formal and casual, classy and unassuming at the same time. You like your spaces to feel inviting from the moment you (or your guest) opens the front door and this feeling should continue even after you've entered your most formal room. Even though there are French antiques here and gold details there, the rustic elements provide a balance and warmth that seems to say, "come in, relax and stay a while." Your love of antiques leads you to flea markets, garage sales and hours of eBay hunting.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nantucket Style

Oh how you love the beach! Who doesn't, right? And so your dream home is either perched in your favorite beach town, or you've brought that favorite beach town into your house.


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