Sunday, February 10, 2013

How I Found My Style Sundays- Confessions of a Plate Addict


 Hi! I am Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict and I am so excited and honored to have been invited by Pamela to be a part of her How I Found My Style Sundays! Thanks so much, Pamela! I love her style as I am sure you do, too! Today I am going to share how I found my style and a few tips for creating your own style that have worked for me over the years.
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For me, finding my style was easy…just a natural progression of my life as a French teacher. I have had the wonderful opportunity to live and travel in France over the years and to visit and be a guest in beautiful homes in Provence…like this one where I spent some time a few years ago. How could I help but fall in love with Country French style!

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But eventually the birth of my first grandchild drew me back home to Georgia. And I knew what I wanted to do…create a little bit of France in my own home! So I began to look for pieces that reflected what I had seen in France. My hutch was the very first one that I found…and is still one of my favorites! It had the Country French look that I love and was a blank canvas for me to display another love of mine…my plates! I like to find a big piece that reflects my style and use it as an anchor in my room.

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Next, I added color to my home…an easy choice for me! I love the sunny blues and yellows of Provence! I could not live without those colors! I have found that if I use colors that I love I never grow tired of them. My little breakfast room is one of my favorites in my house…full of lots of light. And I have to point out another one of my loves (hard to pick a favorite)…my wrought iron rooster chandelier! 

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The blue and yellow continue into my living room where I have mixed patterns and fabrics in Country French style. I love the warmth and coziness of this room!

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You cannot have Country French without toile, in my opinion…so I have filled my guest room with it…plus more layers of fabrics in stripes, checks and florals! I find that layering coordinating fabrics and patterns helps to create a cozy feel.

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Here’s a peek into my my guest bath where the Country French look continues. I love the dark fixtures and have added more Provençal colors…antique red with yellow this time. I couldn’t find a shower curtain that I loved, so I have used drapery panels instead!

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I also used my favorite Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castles sugar and creamer to hold little French soaps. I love using unexpected accessories to add some interest to my rooms.

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And here’s my master bedroom…this time with a more feminine pink and green toile. And you may have noticed that…as in every other room I have shown you…there are plates on the wall! I love to use groups of plates to add a little architectural interest to otherwise boring walls.

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And I am sure you are beginning to see that my plates feature prominently in my home! I have to share my favorites with you…my vintage Quimper plates…some of which came from the antique market in l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France. I think that collections reflect who you are and what you love and should be displayed so that you can enjoy them every day.

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Of course, not all of my accessories have come from the markets in France…in fact, not many of them! But I have found a way to create a French feel by making my own “vintage” French linens…

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…and willow baskets…with tags labeled in French, of course…

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…and frenchy accessories by upcycling flea market and thrift store finds and giving them a vintage French look and feel. Thrift stores are a great source for bargains that you can use to create accessories that match your style.

And I’ll leave you with this final tip…Find a style that is your own and go with it. Do not be worried about what is in fashion because that will come and go. But if you surround yourself with things that you love and use colors and fabrics that speak to you, you cannot help but be happy in your home!
Thanks again so much, Pamela, for inviting me! And I also thank you, her readers, for being so welcoming! I hope will visit me at my blog Confessions of a Plate Addict where you are always welcome!

Thank you so much Debbie for sharing your beautiful home with us!

31 comments:

  1. Beautiful home, so warm and inviting. Love your dishes in the bath with the soaps, such a nice touch. Great advice too!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  2. Oh Debbie, you know I love your style and your beautiful home. Great post. Hugs, Marty

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  3. Fabulous home ! Thanks for the house tour !

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  4. A beautiful home with so much eye candy in every room.

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  5. Pamela,
    Thank you for inviting Debbie to be your featured guest!!! I adore all of her "easy to reproduce" projects and how she turns thrifty finds into beautiful home decor! Such an encouragement and inspiration to all of us!
    Fondly,
    Pat
    P.S. Debbie...I need to see more of your living room decor!!! Marvelous!!!

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  6. I am in love with everything....xoxo Thank you Pamela and thank you so much Debbie.... you just made my day with your loveliness! Pamie G.

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  7. Debbie,

    Your last bit of advice was so true and very helpful. And you have definitely found your true style! I don't think I have ever seen your guest bathroom so this was a treat. Great post, thanks so much!

    XO,
    Jane

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  8. I just adore Debbie's home! She knows her style and isn't swayed by looks that come and go. Love her colors and all the goodies she makes/thrifts. :)

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  9. Love your style, it's a touch of my style too.I'm just a bit more eclectic.I so enjoyed perusing your beautiful home.Come join me for a cup of tea and we'll chat the day away :)

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  10. Gorgeous home, I love all the colors.

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  11. Such a beautiful home. I love all her french country touches in her rooms. Really pretty. Very inviting and comfy style. Love it.
    Kris

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  12. Love your French style. Thank you for the tour of your beautiful home!
    Heather from Friendship, Life and Style

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  13. I'm a huge fan Deb and love your style. I am still 'searching' for mine it seems but the French pillows and look are calling my name! Hugs, Linda

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  14. Pamela,
    Debbie's home is beautiful and she is such a creative lady. I always enjoy visiting her blog to see what she has been up to.
    Hugs, Sherry

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  15. I love the colors, style and warmth of your home Debbie...I could live there too!

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  16. Hi Debbie,

    Congratulations on being featured on Pamela's blog! I love your pretty home and these are great decorating tips. I lean toward English country, but I like to mix in some French country, as well. Our new kitchen is blue, yellow and white, and our baker's rack is a French country style. I LOVE your toiles, your pretty plates on the walls, and your Pink Castle creamer and sugar in the bathroom. I would be afraid to put mine there for fear of it getting broken. :) Yours look just charming in your French country guest bath.

    Thanks for sharing and have a great day!

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  17. Beautiful home!I loved taking a tour of your lovely home!Lovely curb appeal too!
    xx
    Anne

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  18. One of my favorite blogs and bloggers. I love her style, her crafts and her plates too!

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  19. Love all the French country and the master is my fave.

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  20. I love your style. I love your home. I love your creativity!
    Brenda

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  21. You have a beautiful home, Debbie! I love how you have the blue and yellow flow through your "public" rooms. Your guest room is lovely! Love the toile! Your bedroom looks very calm and serene with the green and pink color scheme. Love the toile in there as well. Thanks for sharing Debbie's style with us, Pamela!

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  22. Oh, la la, Debbie, you have mastered the look with ease. All the sunny blue and yellow make your home feel sunny and welcoming. I love all the wonderful blue and white pieces you've collected through the years. I think it mixes well with Quimper. '-)
    Thanks for the peek into you beautiful home and sharing your story.

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  23. What a wonderful feature of Debbie's home! She has such great style and so much talent!
    Vanessa

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  24. Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful, Debbie! Always love a peek into your home!

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  25. I love that green bedroom with the ironstone plates~so pretty

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  26. Oh Debbie, you know I adore your style. I want to come hang out and look at everything! When we move back to the States later this year and I have a house of my own (YAY!), I'm going to finally display some of my gorgeous plates. YOU have inspired me!

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  27. Beautiful..
    I love all of the plates..
    Have a great day..

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  28. Just beautiful! I love everything...down to the transferware in the guest bathroom! I am swooning! Sweetest thing ever!
    Karen

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  29. What a beautiful home and great tips for decorating and finding our own styles. Thanks!

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  30. One of my very favorite blogs. I love her style.

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