Lately I've been having a bit of a love affair with French décor. It all started with the French script bottle I created and blogged about.
No, wait. I have to go back farther to my post on bedrooms featuring toile.
Horchow: Sherry Kline Home Collection "French Country" Bed Linens and Houndstooth Quilt Sets |
And, come to think of it, maybe it's actually not all that recent -- my love affair, I mean -- as I did blog about French cottages over a year ago.
"Postcards from Brittany 20 - Thatched cottage, La Briere, France" photo by Michael Foley Photography: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelfoleyphotography/2887992487/in/photostream/ Some Rights Reserved. |
Today I added to my French stash with a rooster my artist husband painted for me. Isn't he gorgeous? (Yes, my hubby is gorgeous, however I'm referring to the painted rooster.)
The subject came from a photo by Jamie in Toulouse, France. . .
Untitled by Jamiecat on Flickr. Used in compliance with Attribution License |
Jamie captured the rooster perfectly, and we want to honor him and his work. Thus, the inscription on the painting.
Thank you, Jamie.
Now here's a question for you, dear friends. What sort of décor are you attracted to these days?
I'm sharing at these lovely parties:
Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern StyleHome and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life
The Scoop at Stone Gable
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Be Inspired at Common Ground
How funny you should ask this question, Nancy. I've been thinking about this lately. I have always decorated in a shabby chic style, adding more ruffles, and roses for a more romantic look the past couple of years....but since summer, I've been adding more and more French pieces.
ReplyDeleteMy late husband's mother is from France, so I've always had a few items in the house(silverware, dishes, religious items) from trips to Paris, Deauville, and Vaurielle. I now have added French style furniture, chandeliers, mirrors, clocks, etc. I'm not sure why I'm leaning toward a shabby French look....maybe it's because I'm ADD, and it's just another chapter in my book, "Debbie's Ever Evolving Decor"???....hmmmmm.
xo
Your home is beautiful, Debbie. I admire your sense of style. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend. :)
DeleteOoh, I am jealous! Custom artwork on demand? You are a lucky, lucky lady! I love roosters, have a bunch of them in my kitchen, although none quite as lovely as yours! The colors are stunning. Lately, I find myself drawn to light colors and a bit more feminine décor. Maybe it's spring...maybe not, either way, it's a hard pull to ignore! Ps- thanks for your nice comment on Parade. That was sweet of you to take the time to comment!
ReplyDeleteI am a blessed woman, Kim. It's true. I always say that until I married Dennis four years ago I never had original art in my home. (Children's art on the refrigerator doesn't count.) :)
DeleteP.S. Regarding the Parade comment, you're welcome. It's a great article. You do good work. Hugs.
DeleteFantastic painting. We'll have to see what my style is once I get moved in. I'm not sure what I will end up with. I love your blog. It's very inspiring. Hugs! Pat :)
ReplyDeletePat, that's one of the nicest things you could have said. It's always my hope that my blog will be a place of inspiration. XX ~ Nancy
DeleteGreat painting! I'm into birds and cows. Odd mixture, I know, but right now it's my mood! lol
ReplyDeleteNot odd at all, Lisa. In fact, there's no right or wrong in the decorating world, as far as I'm concerned. Our homes should reflect our personality and interests. Thanks for stopping by. ~ Nancy
DeleteI am extremely attracted to your rooster painting!! Your husband is so talented. Is he selling on line? My style is becoming more modern and less traditional, and I like it :)
ReplyDeleteHi Diana. Dennis shows in galleries, and he also has an online web site: http://www.dennisreinke.com.
DeleteThere you'll find the extent of his work, including paintings for sale. He also does commission work. We appreciate your interest. Thanks so much. :)
Oh my, I am in LOVE with the red toile bed! Gorgeous! The painting is wonderful. Your husband is very talented! As for my decorating style? Well....... as I get older I am getting more traditional and minimal at the same time. I am really starting to get tired of constantly having to dust my stuff. Of course, there are pieces that I will never part with, but as hubby and I are going to be selling our home soon (we are listing in a couple of weeks) and building on our future homestead (finally) we want to pare down all of our "stuff" and only keep what we really love.
ReplyDeleteSounds like we're in similar situations, Vickie. We sold our Colorado home last July and moved to Oregon. We've spent almost a year looking for property. Finally settled on a lot and closed on April 1. Now we're designing our cottage. I've been steadily downsizing for the last seven years. Our lifestyle has been simplified considerably. Thanks for the very nice comments regarding my husband's artwork. Blessings ~ Nancy
DeleteWhat a fabulous painting - Nancy your husband is so talented! I'm off to see what else he's sharing on his website.
ReplyDeleteI have several French furniture pieces - antique and repro - all are painted by me or friends! On trips to the 'beautiful country' - my brother and family live there - I have bought lots of French accessories, old books and vintage linens. I mix these with English china and pieces belonging to my mother and grandmother which were passed down to me. Have Italian chandeliers from antiques shops, and I love American farmhouse - especially white ironstone tureens, items bought mainly in Asheville, NC (great shopping for antiques and collectibles) and here in Raleigh at SuzAnna's Antiques. Throw in some modern items from Pottery Barn/Crate & Barrel - BUT everything now has to be large, bold, a statement - no more tiny knick knacks which require delicate dusting!!! Funnily my latest interests come from 'down under' - the books of Australian stylist/decorator/author Sibella Court and Australian designer/decorator Debra Cronin. I love the 'collector/naturalist' items they gather together - this is why glass domes have become the thrust of my treasure hunting forays lately.
My art consists of a mix - small unframed antique oils on canvas (love to see the raw edges!), framed antique pieces of Aubusson embroidered fabrics from France, sepia-toned family photos of my lovely mother and her siblings in the 1930-40's. I stuck beautiful b/w antique French book illustrations in the panes of an old window and hung it in the dining room. In the 'office' I hung a huge world map now stuck with pins marking all the places we've visited across the globe, and framed photographs of animals I took in Africa. Mirrors, which I consider 'art' too……..lots and lots of them, some antique with foxed glass, others newer but always with quirky frames………all to make this little cottage brighter. I've now run out of walls sadly!
So dear, there's MY answer to your fun question - I guess my style is definitely eclectic! This is what I enjoy, I'm not stuck in one time period or place, just a mix of things I find beautiful, fall in love with, and love to keep looking at!!
Happy week -
Mary
Mary, thank you so much for sharing your "eclectic" decorating style. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading this, and how much I wish I could come and see your home. It sounds like a cottage in which I could live happily ever after. ~ Nancy
DeleteP.S. OMG Nancy - Dennis is a wonderful painter - I had no idea! Love his work so much - your walls must be beautiful with such a selection of delightful paintings to hang - do you change them around?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your talented dear man with us.
Hugs - Mary
Mary, you are so sweet. Thanks for coming back and leaving this very kind comment. Dennis is quite a prolific painter, so I can easily change out paintings on a whim. Of course, if someone is interested in purchasing a painting from our private collection he always asks me if I'm willing to let it go. Usually I am, but there are a few I won't part with.
DeleteGreat painting of the rooster. I enjoy all art and find something beautiful in every piece. It may be the color or the subject matter, it all meets my eye.
ReplyDeleteI too love French decor. I have one room that is what I call the French room. Done in lots of black and cream with a touch of red. Your French bedroom is so inviting and charming.
"Black and cream with a touch of red" sounds delightful. I'm glad you liked the rooster. It was a fun subject for Dennis to paint.
DeleteHi Nancy,
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you got my email so I thought I would leave you a comment and see if this gets to you. You were one of the giveaway winners on my blog so I would need you to send me your address so I can get your gift out to you. Please just email me with your address. Thanks and congrats.
Kris
Hi Kris. I just saw your comment on my FB page, and I saw your email, too. Thanks so much for all your effort to reach me. :) And for hosting the giveaway. I'm excited to be one of the winners. Blessings, Nancy
DeleteI love your rooster. My daughter collects roosters and painted a rooster once.
ReplyDeleteI like Swedish and French Country.
I'd love to see your daughter's rooster. From the little bit I've read about her on your blog she sounds very talented. Swedish and French Country is a great look.
DeleteI am your other Nancy, so of course I love my roosters! Everyone knows I do, so whenever they find an extra one laying around it seems to find its way over to my home! I have painted ones, ceramic ones, even straw ones....cookie jars....miniature ones.....big ones.....and now my husband wants me to try to paint one or two on our kitchen cabinets which we are doing French Country, of course!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your beautiful and inspirational blog! And peaceful blessings to all of you!
Thank you so much for this very nice comment. I think you should definitely paint roosters on your kitchen cabinets. :)
DeleteAbsolutely fantastic - a beautiful painting! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
ReplyDeleteKathy
Thank you, Kathy. I appreciate you taking the time to visit and leave an encouraging comment. I love Home and Garden Thursday. :) ~ Nancy
DeleteFabulous painting by your hubby Nancy! I love toile, but lately I am drawn to farmhouse style. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Thanks, Jann. I think Dennis is pretty talented. Farmhouse style is fun, and you do it well. xx ~ Nancy
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