Showing posts with label linens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label linens. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Mid week musings..........


Hi there, how are you? Hope you are having a great week...any exciting Labor day plans coming up? We are supposed to be heading to my sisters beach house, and I cannot wait. I am looking forward to a few days of total relaxation and some summer fun. No time like the last weekend of summer to start enjoying it:)  Today is as always a random post about a few different things, so lets get started!!
OK I am seriously in love, in love I tell you with my new window seat! Makes me do  my happy dance every time I walk by it......I had done the cushion but just got some of my pillows made, I had them cut out scenes from the Brunschig and Fils window seat fabric and added trim to the velvet and had bolster made and am waiting on the other blue and white vase pillow. Now that these are in place, I can figure out what I am doing for the window...I am inclined to go simple as to not take away from the beauty of the window seat and pillows....so here it is! (still experimenting with different sized pictures....hence the different sizes here) Most seem to like the enlarged pictures.

I think the pillows and what I did with them have a very "Charles Faudree" vibe going on!


Got the pretty faucet installed on my vanity in the powder room....slowly one thing at at time, its coming together. Waiting on the Chinoiserie mirror we ordered and chandelier, then we are done!

Dough bowls......got in my first order, seriously gorgeous. Worth naming each and every one and calling them my own, and don't you know I wanted to keep them ALL! I did keep one for myself and there are so many wonderful ways to use them, I put some flowers in and it looked so pretty. For those of who waiting for me to get more,  I promise working on and hope to have more fingers crossed, next week!






Finally finished my little DIY project, with my mirror rosettes. OK, OK I know this is not a huge DIY like some who tackle entire pieces of furniture or other big projects..but this was a victory for me because I had such a hard time finding this darn rosette and lo and behold found it in such an unsuspecting place. Armed with a glue gun, I got to work and love the result! Decided on the originals, after trying several different ones. Funny how we often go back to the first, isn't it? So here it is all done.....only waiting on my sconces and chandelier and its a wrap! 





A  few taken later that afternoon...love the late day light.


Barstools.....finally decided on this one from Vanguard. I am wavering between a few fabrics, I know I want something simple Becca's remember the blue and white Brunschwig fabric going up on my kitchen window has a lot of pattern. I see something simple and fell in love with this grain sack French fabric from Kravet. I don't at all want it to feel gimmicky but at the same time KNOW it will look fabulous, it will understated and beautiful on this chair....and i love the way the natural color goes with my floors and the mix of cools and warms. Here it is and the chair...




Draped it over the current chair so you could get an idea, its absolutely understated but think it works...thoughts?




Remember how I was thinking of switching the hardware on my island? Well I think I made up on my mind. Here's one of the cup bins in the ant. brass to give you an idea. It definitely pops against the black whereas the oil rubbed bronze gets lost. The big handle is on top of the countertop that I would use for towels to be hung off the island...thoughts?



Taken with the iPhone, so the quality is so so.



Store biz......the kitchen/bar towels have arrived! Many of you inquired about them...they will be up for sale next week. Here's a sampling......




When we were in the city over the weekend, we were near our old stomping grounds and I was shocked to see the most beautiful Food Emporium (my old regular supermarket when I lived in NY) transformed under the 59th st bridge. I mean seriously it would make supermarket shopping a royal treat, the architecture alone is worth the trip. Took these two pics with my iPhone.


Also visiting a friend yesterday, look at her view from her living room patio. How gorgeous is it! I told her I feel like I am in Lake Como every time I visit her...only thing missing is George Clooney:)


Tonight I am trying this recipe (from Bon Appeit), sounded too good to not make. Heard the lemon gives it that refreshing zing to make this a winner. I used to have the recipe for something very similar that was out of this world...so here it is just in case you want to try it too!

Fettucine with peas, asparagus and pancetta

yield: Makes 4 servings
active time: 40 minutes
total time: 40 minutes
Pancetta (Italian bacon) is available in the deli section of many markets.
  • 12 ounces fettuccine or penne
  • 3 ounces pancetta or bacon, chopped
  • 1 1/4 pounds asparagus, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cups shelled fresh green peas, blanched 1 minute in boiling water, drained, or frozen peas (do not thaw)
  • 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced, white and pale green parts separated from dark green parts
  • 2 garlic cloves, pressed
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for serving
  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley, divided
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil, divided
print a shopping list for this recipeview wine pairings

preparation

Cook pasta in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot.
Meanwhile, cook pancetta in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon drippings from skillet. Add asparagus to drippings in skillet; sauté 3 minutes. Add peas, white and pale green parts of green onions, and garlic; sauté until vegetables are just tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Add vegetable mixture, 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid, dark green parts of green onions, 1/2 cup Parmesan, cream, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon peel, half of parsley, and half of basil to pasta. Toss, adding more cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls if needed. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle pancetta, remaining parsley, and basil over. Serve, passing additional Parmesan cheese


So...that's what new here, whats on your agenda for Labor day weekend? Is it going to be a chill weekend at home, are you entertaining or are you being wined and dined? I think we are headed to my sisters beach house and I am looking forward.  I am also hoping to head  off to Brimfield Antiques fair for a few days next week....cannot wait! Wishing you a fabulous day.........

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Beautiful textiles for the home - Maresca Textiles

One of the easiest ways to give your home a freshening up for spring and summer is by changing out soft goods - pillows, throws, linens, etc...  I recently started this in my home, and was lucky to be introduced to Maresca Textiles,  a line by fellow RISD grad Kathryn Maresca.  Based in Savannah, GA, Maresca Textiles are always hand printed or embroidered in the USA, and inspired by the Southern low country.

Check out the aqua beauty I snagged for my sofa this spring.  My walls are a light aqua, and my couch an olive green.  I have always loved olive green and aqua together, and the color is perfect.   I also love the hand drawn, organic pattern - so cool!





Here are a few other favorites of mine that you can get at the Maresca Textiles Shop -




This pillow would also look fab on my couch...

Which is your fav?


Aqua bolster via Maresca Textiles, Vintage Hmong Textile Pillow via The Loaded Trunk, Quilt by Karma Living (frequently on flash sales at HauteLook sign up.)

Friday, February 24, 2012

If the Enchanted Home were a store...and a great giveaway!


Good morning, have been contemplating this post for awhile but as there's no time like the present, so here it goes......just don't read it standing up, there's A LOT of pictures!! Before I begin, I want to announce the winner of the signed Segreto book of Secrets! Drumroll please........

Congratulations to .....Elizabeth Eiffel
   

Prize IDWinner IDPublic InfoPrivate InfoRandom Sorting IDWeight
1: signed book1227775elizabeth eiffel018000E2-C754-4B45-9554-76DD7CE12FA41

(Please contact me to provide your shipping details and how you want the book signed)

OK this is hypothetical at this moment .....as I have eluded to in the past, I am hoping to set up shop and start a small business selling things that are very much "my style", think old world meets European meets French rustic elegance......best way to describe a look that doesn't necessarily fit in a perfect neat box all the time but loosely that's the look I am after. I am doing my "research" right now and having quite a lot of fun. I like to know what excites people in the marketplace. Below are a host of things I have my eye on to "carry" and I would LOVE your feedback.  Just let me know what you think about the feeling of the overall vibe of the accessories here, is there an item or item(s) that you think the marketplace needs more of/is saturated with? 

 Some of these things I found through my own needs and frustration in not being able to find them ......figuring if I was having a hard time finding something like this, then there must be many others having that same frustration. Would love to know what you like, what you don't like, what excites you here. Thank you so very much, your feedback is appreciated more than you can possibly imagine. To thank you for your time and contemplation, I am doing a giveaway! All details on bottom of the post. To be eligible for the  giveaway just comment on this post and I will select a winner and post the winner on Saturday afternoon.  If you want an additional chance to win, like me or leave a comment on my Facebook page. (can't believe I am saying that, feel so "hip") Click here to visit The Enchanted Home on Facebook.  Thank you and happy make believe shopping!


This would be a labor of love and a great way for me to restart my design career slowly as I finish my own house (well we all know its never really finished but you know what I mean)! I look forward to hearing your feedback, here we go......


Love this line of very elegant old world silver pieces, trays, cache posts, planters, serving pieces...really exquisite! Well priced too:) Imagine a pretty orchid potted in these or rolled hand towels for an elegant powder room, beautiful perfume bottles displayed on the gorgeous scalloped trays......














And for a European touch in the kitchen...some fun reproductions of old European faves, bread bowls, wood trivets and cutting boards, dough bowl, grain feeders, olive trays. These pieces are just gorgeous and are vintage reproductions finished with natural beeswax, vintage hardware and weathered detailing adds to the beauty of these pieces!








And you know I love my decorative porcelains......







How great are these pieces for the ultimate blue and white statement in a bathroom?








Can we seriously ever have enough pillows!! One of my favorite looks, needlepoint and aubusson pillows....a total classic! A little something for everyone from very traditional to more fun and transitional.
































And you know how I feel bell jar lanterns, so pretty and works in virtually any space. These are offered in a host of patterns and 4 sizes, S, M,L and Jumbo.








More beautiful porcelains.....can never have enough blue and white jars!!




How about these pretty chandelier lamp shades? Again had a hard time finding some I liked so was happy to discover these!!





Love white staffordshire dogs!! Will have them in several colors, they are great decorative objects!


Painted pieces......








More cute dogs.....

 And for all you blue and white lovers.....










And for all you lovers of old world feeling linens with monograms.....(best part is this are REALLY reasonable and oh so pretty)!








This is a beautiful line of canvas art, very old world, antiqued feeling and nothing over 150 dollars!!! There will also be an option to have these framed, and on average they are about 26x19 to give you an idea of sizing..they are really beautiful in person!


















Heres a picture of one in my house so you can see what it looks like a bit better..



And last but not least I will also carry a line of custom topiaries.....like the ones I designed in my own kitchen that many asked about. They will be offered in a variety of sizes and containers....
 The lemon leaf topiaries are such a classic...they work in almost any room, any interior





Phew!! This was a lot to take in. But you know I highly value your opinions so now its time for me to hear from you! What excites you here? Anything? All of it? What does the marketplace need more of/less of? Cannot wait to hear. Above all else I want to stay true to what I love, my style and stay with what I know and love. That is my mission and realize you cannot be all things to all people. Can't wait to hear from you!

Now to be eligible for the wonderful giveaway (below) it is simple....just leave me a comment below telling me what you love here and if you want a second chance, you can either like me on Facebook or leave a comment on The Enchanted Home's Facebook by clicking here. Wow, I have come a long way just saying that about Facebook!

Here's the goodies!
One winner will receive a dozen monogrammed linen cocktail napkins!

And.....

One winner will receive 3 linen monogrammed guest towels in your choice of white/white or ecru/white. 


Good luck everyone and thank you again for your support always...I cannot think of a "panel of great minds" whose opinions could possibly count as much as yours!




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