Hi Everyone! I am Penny and I blog from The Comforts of Home.
I am honored that Pamela asked me to be a part of her series, "How I Found My Style". I have enjoyed her series since the beginning. It is fun to see so many design styles and hear how they came about. Throughout this post, I will sprinkle some pictures of my home, so you can see my style.
I have flirted with several different decorating styles over the years. I tried Shabby Chic, Farmhouse, Country, Coastal...you name it. But none of them felt like me. Then several years ago I picked up a couple of yearly magazines. One was Country French and the other was Tuscan Style. They come out once a year. There was something about those two styles that just pulled me in.
Over the last 6-7 years, if you go back through my blog, you will see how my style evolved. Since starting blogging, I have moved into 3 different homes. Each time I moved, I tweaked my style a little more. I like to call my style Old World Meets American Traditional. A little Tuscan, a little Country French and a little American traditional all rolled into one.
Mixing old pieces with new. Mixing fabric patterns. No instant rooms....never buying complete rooms of furniture, but building layer upon layer of warmth as time goes by. That is my style.
It is not just a decorating style either, but a total lifestyle. I was fortunate to be able to visit both Italy and France over the last few years. I love the way Europeans live. They shop for their food at local markets, cooking in season. The enjoy living outside, as well as inside. That is how we live too. At my last home we created a wonderful outdoor living space in our back yard, that reminded us of Italy and France. This is what it looked like.
We are in the process of creating similar outside area, on a much smaller scale at our current home. Here is the progress so far.
I know, it doesn't look like much yet, but if you follow my blog through Bloglovin, you will be able to watch the whole thing come together over the next few months.
One of my most treasured finds is an old mustard color, French confit pot. I found it last year, at an antique mall in Blowing Rock, NC, while visiting there on my anniversary. I had wanted one of these for a long time. I already had the other two pots. The taller one is an olive jar and the smaller green one is a confit pot too.
Another couple other treasured finds are this oil painting and the bust in the picture below. We bought these while in France a few years ago.
And I have to also add the water color below. We bought it in Tuscany. Every time I look at these wonderful treasures, it brings me back to Tuscany and Provence.
Pamela asked me to pass along any tips I have for creating a beautiful home. Here is my tip.
Buy what you love. Even if it is not in "style". Who gets to say what style is in and what it out, anyway? Trends come and go, and I don't know anyone who can afford to change their entire house full of furniture and decorations every year or so. If you love it, it will work in your home.
My favorite decorating quote is by William Morris...
"If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Thank you again Pamela for inviting me to be part of this wonderful series. And thank all of Pamela's viewers for letting me come into their homes. I would love it if you would stop by and said Hi!
I have loved watching Penny decorate her homes. And I do love her sense of style!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
What a warm and inviting home yu have Penny. Thanks to you and Pamela for making it possible for me to come in and take a wee peek. Hopping over to your blog to see more.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday ladies.
Hugs, Gee
Thank you Pamela for inviting me to be part of this fun series! I am honored.
ReplyDeletePenny
Thanks, Pamela, for having Penny over to your blog. I have spent some time with her in person and saw one of her previous homes...it was stunning.
ReplyDeletePenny, You described your style perfectly and I just love how your new home looks. The pictures sum up your style and creativity very well. Your tip is very true and something we should all keep in mind.
XO,
Jane
Penny's home is so lovely. Her amazing draperies and calm cool bedroom are a couple of my faves!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great feature. Penny's homes have been my favorites for years now.
ReplyDeleteLove,Love,Love Penny's style - she is so talented. Her homes are gorgeous, but never feel pretentious or fussy. The pictures always want me to climb on and sit a spell!
ReplyDeletePenny is an inspiration. Not only is her home beautiful but much (most?) of the work is done by Penny and her husband. I think that is part of what makes her decorating work somehow.
ReplyDeleteDarla
You picked a winner in every way when you chose to showcase my good friend Penny. She and her talented hubby do tons of the building and decorating projects themselves when they take on the restoration of a formerly sad and sometimes abused home................and they make them elegant and welcoming. I know, I've seen them!
ReplyDeletePenny is such an accomplished lady in all she sets her hand to. Creativity and excellence in the gorgeous mosaic work she does, cooks like a trained chef and is the most gracious hostess, sews beautiful home decor items such as draperies, and knows the best places in the NC mountains to go treasure hunting!
Penny we love you - hope to see you again soon.
Hugs - Mary
I have loved Penny's style from the first time I saw it, quite a few years ago! Her style has changes over the years but her taste is always exquisite and her use of color and pattern are flawless. I always find inspiration in her beautiful posts!
ReplyDeleteHi Pamela,
ReplyDeletePenny's home is so beautiful and cozy. I love her sense of style and her colors. So bright and cheerful.
Kris
Oh I love Penny's home and her style, so beautiful. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy Penny's style and think that she has a beautiful home. Actually, I've watched her create several homes and have always been impressed with her sense of HOME because that's what style means to me...the ability to create home.
ReplyDeleteI love Penny's style and it is so much fun learning how her style has developed over the years.
ReplyDeleteLove your style!
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
You have a beautiful home and I love your style. I especially love your bedroom...so serene. Nice post, thanks for sharing your photos and ideas.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful home!! It is so warm and inviting.
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous Penny!!...You had me at the front porch!!!...Thanks for presenting this oh so beautiful home today Pamela!!...Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love this series, the homes are truly beautiful and it's obvious the women who have created them are talented and put a lot of love into their surroundings. But doesn't anyone just own a little tiny 1960's, 1970's ranch with small rooms for those of us without tons of money to spend on a huge home?
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed this post. Penny's blog is one of my very favorites, and her home is lovely!
ReplyDeleteGreat feature of a great blogger we all love and admire.
ReplyDeletePenny's blog and style are very attractive to me. It's great that you featured her.
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