~Sharing some warmth on this cold day~

This foyer is gorgeous! I love the architectural section of this 19th-century Gothic wall panel. It adds such a decorative element to this entry. You can be so creative with salvaged relics from the past and incorporate them in to your home beautifully…

(left) Pretty upholstered furniture, a gilded French mirror, antique chest and floor to ceiling drapery add the perfect blend of warm, rich elements to this living room. (right) The showstopper in this room is the 14-foot-high arched window and door. It is definitely the main focal point of the room.

This Italian, carved marble mantelpiece adds such elegance, yet the neutral color tone still makes this room feel inviting and cozy. The artwork and decorative accessories are just stunning.

(left) I love the silver-leaf Napoleon III mirror that hangs over the stove and the bronze chandelier. The kitchen is where we spend the majority of our time, so it too should feel elegant and romantic. (right) I have always loved the vintage look of farmhouse sinks. They are so pretty!

This gorgeous antique oak cabinet was originally made for a French store, but is the perfect piece to display beautiful collectables in.

(left) The colors in this bathroom are so warm and I love the arched window and shutter. To me there is something so charming about shutters. (right) I have a thing for vintage mirrors. I love to collect them, especially the ones that have the lovely etchings on them, as this one does. The way this homeowner hung it above the pedestal sink is so pretty!

This dining room has such a vintage feel. The built-in wall cabinet is amazing! The warm color it has been painted, a long with the distressed look it has been given and the chicken wire on the doors is absolutely gorgeous…

(left) This pool and pergola look like they are right out of a French Chateau. The deep blue water and the crisp greenery, make this a place you could enjoy all day… (right) The look of this outdoor space is so inviting and looks like the side of an old villa in France. The stone terrace, upholstered furniture, wall sconce, hint of brick and the greenery add to the charm of this beautiful space.

~New Pieces that I have been working on~

I have received many requests for my designs to be turned in to wall art. All of the products in my Collection are silk screened, so I wasn’t sure how that would work, but I decided to give it a try…

I started out be cutting a 13” x 15” piece of wood and than added many layers of paint in neutral color tones. When the paint was dry, I took the piece over to my silk screen machine.

Once the ink was dry, I lightly sanded the entire piece, giving it an aged and weathered look. You can either hang these as wall art or display them on an easel or shelf.

I have only pictured two of my designs in this post, but they will be available in many many more of my designs.

They will be available to purchase in my Etsy shop as soon as I finish some more pieces next week.

http://www.gardenadornments.etsy.com/

~A Feature from The Love List~

 

French Style at Home from Aimee Boschet

While searching for market totes, I stumbled upon Aimee Boschet's Garden Adornments. The totes were exactly what I was looking for, but the more I looked around on the site, the more I liked her other designs too...

Vintage inspired “Savon Extra Fin large shopping tote” retails for $30.00

Aimee told The Love List that she has “always loved French style. There is something so elegant about the craftsmanship in French furnishings." She also shared with us how affordable it can be to incorporate French style in your home. "Great style does not have to be expensive. Some of my favorite finds have been purchased at thrift shops and auctions."

Her collection of home accessories is très magnifque! The bold black printing against the soft, pale colors of the pillows is simple but chic. Aimee opened her online Home & Garden Boutique 3 years ago, and last May had the idea for her French Collection. "It started with one pillow ," she said, "and has now turned in to an entire home accessory Collection, which I sell retail as well as wholesale nationwide. It is very important to me that each of my pieces are handmade, well designed and affordable."

These Paris Inspired Apothecary Jars caught my eye. What better way is there to keep your favorite colorful candy in the kitchen?

It's shown here carrying flowers, but this durable canvas bucket tote can double as magazine storage.

When asked what her favorite items were, she confessed,"I really have three favorites. My La Maison de Luxe pillow, which I have on my settee in my Living Room, my Bucket Totes, which I keep everything from my Daughter's hair bands and toys in, to my magazines and studio supplies. I also use them for gift bags and fill them with presents for friends and family. Finally, my Paris Flea Market Shopping Tote which I take everywhere with me."-

Thank you Lauren for doing this great article on Garden Adornments!

To visit The Love List Blog, click on the link below:
http://thelovelist.net/2010/02/french-style-at-home-from-aimee-boschet.html

~Architectural Elegance~ My Etsy pics of the week…

 

(click on the pictures above to be directed to these Etsy shops)

I love the scrolled elegance of the fleur-de-lis. Fleur-de-lis means "lily flower”.

It’s rich history is just as beautiful as the design itself. It is specifically associated with the French and has been used not only as a decorative element, but also in royalty, political, dynastic, artistic, ornament, emblematic and symbolic, especially in heraldry. It is said that decorative ornaments that resemble the fleur-de-lis have appeared in artwork from the earliest human civilizations.

The gorgeous details are so pretty and feminine in some pieces, yet very strong and stately in others.

As you can see from the items that I have chosen this week, the fleur-de-lis is seen in architectural elements, jewelry and home accessories. It’s curved lines and simple shape is something that is easily incorporated in to so many beautiful items…

www.Etsy.com

~Creating your Perfect Bella Cottage~

(click on each picture to be directed to the items shown) 

I love this gorgeous antique Louis XV Bergere.
The hand carved frame has been painted a beautiful cream color and it’s fluffy, upholstered cushion makes you just want to curl up on it with a good book.

(left) This vintage scrolled corbel is the perfect display piece to add to your shelf or mantel. (right) I love the rich color and square shape of this gorgeous hand carved, antique reproduction Settee.

How gorgeous are these??? Beautiful antique French glass doors painted in a soft grey with white accents. You can really get incredibly creative with ways to use them. My mind is already coming up with so many ideas for them…

(left) This pretty table features a cute cabinet top with doors that slide open sideways. Very unique and charming! (right) From the Garden Adornments collection, this Burlap pillow is C'est magnifique! It is French inspired and is one of my favorite pieces from my collection. It is the perfect finishing touch to add to your bed, settee or chair.

This is a truly unique Louis XV Vitrine Display in oyster case with an upholstered back. It comes complete with glass shelves and features gold and brass decorations. It is the perfect piece to display
all of your treasures in…

 

(left) From the Bella Cottage Romantique collection, these pretty, decorative accent pieces are the perfect touch to add in any room. (right) This antique hand forged iron arch makes this architectural salvage find, the perfect piece of wall art!

 

This is such a gorgeous oversized Trumeau Mirror. It has been beautifully hand carved and painted a soft white. The applique details add to the elegance and really make this piece a focal point!

(left) This pretty wall sconce features crystal drops and is the perfect touch to add to any room. (right) I love this pair of vintage end tables. The rich color brings out all of the caved details.
  

The feminine details throughout these pretty nightstands make them the perfect pieces to add to your bedroom. They are painted a rich toffee cream color and even include their original hardware.

(left) This pretty frame will make any photo look even more lovely. (right) This large antique coffee table has pretty carvings and serpentine stretcher. A beautiful piece to add to your living room.

These are a great architectural find! Vintage, villa doors that are distressed to reveal a pale blue/peach finish. They would look pretty displayed just as they are in this picture or you could hang them as wall art. You could even use them as pantry doors or as a headboard, if turned sideways.

 

(left) This pair of square back Louis XVI chairs are really unique in shape. I love that they have been painted and upholstered in neutral tones, making them fit easily in to any room. (right) This elegant rug features a stunning design reminiscent of old ceiling tins. I love the warmth that the pale blue and gold tones add. This would look lovely placed in a living room, bedroom or dining room!

                  This is simply gorgeous!!! This antique armoire features amazing details and designs throughout the entire piece. The middle features two sets of double doors and each end has a mirrored cabinet. It is just stunning…

 

(left) I love the soft, muted color tones of these beautiful floral printed pillow shams. The ruffle adds to the vintage feel of these pretty pieces. (right) This antique sideboard cupboard from Germany is in it’s original off-white painted finish and still has it’s original key. A charming find!

 

I love this petite cane back settee. The colors are so pretty. If you look closely, you can see all of the beautiful carved details throughout! No French style home is complete without one of these…

Is this gorgeous or what??? This bed frame features stunning French style detailing and cane throughout! The headboard and footboard both feature rose swag details and the footboard has lovely curved ends. 

  
(Me and Michelle)

To visit Michelle’s website and shop for hundreds of gorgeous items, click on the link below.

www.TheBellaCottage.com