Hello there, I'm
where we do
Texas living with a French Accent.
I'm so happy to be visiting Pam over here at her gorgeous blog, and am so honored she wants to hear about my style. But before we start, have a seat, and I'll get us a cup of tea.
She gave me several questions and here they are.
1- What is your decorating style?
My decorating style is... FARMHOUSE FRENCH. I've described it as
It's a relaxed, comfy style with a touch of Marie Antoinette, before... well.. you know. My style incorporates antique French furniture, with vintage silver, beautiful linens, creamy linen slipcovers and tapestry fabric, with a little toile thrown in.
A big part of this style is to use things with a past, like old seltzer bottles, grain sacks, wood boxes and wicker baskets, and crystal.
Yes we're talkin' Lisa Douglas from Green Acres. That's me, only without the accent. (You might be too young to know who I am talking about.)
I inherited a big mink coat, and I can't wait to get a picture of myself wearing the mink AND my cowboy boots while I'm digging a hole with a shovel at the ranch. That's just what Lisa would have done, only she would have been wearing her high heels with pink feathers. I wrote a post recently on my style and you can find it here.
2- How did you "find" your decorating style?
Good question. As with most bloggers/designers, it has evolved over time. It shifts a bit this way and that, but it's always been traditional, and about 15 years ago, I made a shift from an English look to a French look.
Because of the expense, the changeover has been gradual. When I began blogging, I made the change from lots of color to a neutral, soothing palette with more and more vintage touches. I never, ever thought I would decorate with white because I love color so much.
But now that I've moved to the light side, I can't get over how much better my home looks. (It photographs better also.) Blogging has helped me greatly to find my style and to figure out what exactly it is. When you are taking photos of your house every day, then editing the photos and writing about them, it becomes clearer and clearer what your style is.
If you are having a difficult time determining your style, start looking at your Pinterest boards. There is probably a common theme, and then it's just a matter of putting it into words, and then finding those things for your home that fit your style.
I looked at what I have shared on Facebook, and was surprised at just how much of a Francophile I've become.
See what I mean?
My decorating heros are Rachel Ashwell, and Charles Faudree, in case you are wondering.
3- What has been your most treasured find for your home?
This was a hard one for me to answer.
Of course lots of pieces have sentimental value since we inherited so many things. If I could choose a category, it would be dishes, since I love all of them, inherited and bought.
But if I had to chose one thing that I like the most in my home, (see now I just thought of all the portraits I took of my daughters... hmm...) I am going to say my antique French clock because it is so beautiful,
and I like to imagine a woman over 100 years ago, winding this clock and treasuring it every day.
4- What tips do you have for creating a beautiful home?
Pam, you really have good questions. I think the biggest tip here is to fill your home with things you love, and you will find it beautiful. I used to buy things for a room because they were the right color. WRONG. When I changed color schemes, I no longer cared for those items. But sometimes I would buy something just because I loved it; those things I still have, no matter what color they are.
I also used to buy things because they fit a theme, like "roosters" or "toile". I don't do that any more either.
For my style, I look for warm, loved, vintage and antique touches that look very personal. I look for dishes, silver, linens, and anything with chippy paint, curvy lines, and French style. I prefer old furniture to new.
Thanks for inviting me Pam. I hope you can come join me on my back porch in person soon. I'll have my "people" call your people...
just as soon as I teach her how to use the phone.
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| Thank you so very much for sharing your beautiful home and fabulous style with us Anita! |
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