Our Country's Colors....

Red, white and blue is not only patriotic, but a classic color scheme as well.  Whether for a lake house or the most formal of living rooms, our country's colors can add punch and warmth to a background of neutrals, or become the stars themselves.  Just look at the variety in the rooms below to see how these colors can be combined to create many different effects. 

 

Happy Fourth of July to everyone.  Have a wonderful holiday and be safe!  Hope to see you soon.

Fourth of July Fun!

 

The Fourth of July is all about casual outdoor fun.  What could be more casual than the classic bandana?  Use red, white and blue bandanas cut into pennants to string across your patio, or to line canning jars as each guest's napkin, and then fill with their silverware.  What fun for a picnic, barbecue or outdoor buffet!

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Make a trifle that is not only beautifully patriotic, but most likely delicious as well!

What a gorgeous table setting for the Fourth of July or any other day......

 

Dip your strawberries in white chocolate, then blue "sprinkles" for a patriotic holiday treat.

 

Stick some small flags in your outdoor arrangements or the wreath on your door for a quick and easy Fourth of July transformation.

 

A glass canning jar once again becomes the star at this table setting holding a wispy arrangement, and accented with an easy-to-make paper pinwheel.

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK:  All paper plates and napkins will be 25% off now through June 20, including some cute red, white and blue ones for your holiday entertaining.  Hope to see you soon!
(We will be closed Wednesday, the Fourth of July).

French by Faudree

One of my favorite designers has long been Tulsa, Oklahoma's Charles Faudree.  A master at combining toiles, checks, and wonderful antique accessories to create the ultimate Country French look,  his rooms are always warm and inviting.  Multi-talented, he is the designer of a great collection of fabrics by Fabricut/Vervain which we carry, and the author of several design books, which we also carry.  He has a brand new book coming out sometime next month---Charles Faudree Home, which I am so excited to see!  We have several copies on order for the store, and I will let you know when they arrive.  Below are pictures of some of my favorite rooms which he has designed.  Enjoy!

 

THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL:  All Stonewall Kitchen products will be 25% off June 18 through June 23.  Come stock up for all of your summertime recipes.  We also have complimentary recipe cards available for several of the products.  Hope to see you soon!

Not Your Grandmother's Headboard!

 The headboard on your bed doesn't necessarily have to be a "typical" headboard from a "typical" furniture company.......you can create a headboard out of almost anything that makes the bed the center of attention in your room.  Here are some creative ideas using vintage architectural pieces to highlight the bed in your master bedroom or guest room.

A row of oars would make a fun headboard in your cabin or cottage bedroom.

A fireplace mantel creates a nice ledge for some accessories, as well as framing the bed to make it a focal point.

Here the inside of the mantel is padded and upholstered to make a softer lounging spot for reading in bed.

A large tri-fold mirror creates a fantastic headboard, as well as making the room appear larger and lighter.

 Double shutters make great headboards for twin beds, adding height and a background for the added architectural mirrors.

Once again a large arched mirror creates a glamorous headboard in this bedroom.

A pair of old doors become the headboard for this bed at a lake cottage.

Think outside the box, and create a headboard from something unexpected......and give your bedroom a "one-of-a-kind" personality!  You are limited only by your imagination.

SUMMER VACATION SALE:   This coming Friday and Saturday (June 15th and 16th) is our Summer Vacation Sale.  EVERYTHING, including already marked down Sale items, will be 20% off.  (Antiques and special orders not included).  Stop in for a glass of lemonade with us, and find a special treasure at the Sale prices.  See you then!

And the Trophy Goes To.......

One of my newest collections (of which I have many!) is of vintage trophies.  Not only do they tell the story of a victorious day in the life of someone long ago,  they can also serve many uses in their present life while adding a vintage touch to our decor.  Some of my favorite uses for these graceful-shaped, silver-plated loving cups are.........

                                                  .......as wine or beverage coolers.

                                       .....to hold your napkins and flatware on a buffet table.

                                       .....to hold brushes, mirrors and combs on a vanity.

 

......as vases for your favorite bouquets.

                                        .....as containers to hold succulents or other plants.

                                      .....to hold kitchen utensils on your kitchen counter.

 

.......to hold tiny brush trees at Christmas.

 

....... just in a grouping on a silver tray to show off their different shapes and sizes.

 

.......My own collection of vintage trophies in a cupboard in my living room.

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK:  All potpourri products by Claire Burke and Aromatique - 25% off now through June 9.  Stock up now on all your potpourri needs! 

And new in the store this week:

       Just three of a great selection of lovely new lamps from a company we found in High Point.

                                               Lots of stunning new mercury glass pieces!

A new line of charming paper napkins and plates for all of your summer entertaining.

Hope to see you soon!

Decorating with Burlap

Burlap has certainly been the most popular fabric for the past two or three years at all of the Furniture and Gift Shows.  And although most of our clients aren't using it on major pieces of furniture, the pictures below show that even an accent of it can add texture and interest to almost any room.  Although it is perceived as a very casual fabric, the juxtaposition of using it in a more formal setting elevates these rooms to a new level......adding the "shabby" to the French furniture's "chic." 

As a tablecloth, the edges don't even need to be hemmed!  One of our favorite sources for large inexpensive pieces of burlap is any landscaping center --- the burlap they use to wrap the root balls of trees.  A little more loosely woven, these big pieces are a bargain, and need no seaming.

Burlap is great for outdoor entertaining, being natural enough to fit in with all of the flora and fauna.

Strips cut as ties dress "down" these chairs, and add the natural color to an otherwise all-white color scheme.



The placemats above and the valances below are burlap bags, complete with their original printing.  We have lots of assorted authentic burlap coffee bags at the shop for only $5.00 each (any remnants of coffee beans --- FREE!)......great for your smaller projects.

My first experience with burlap was in college, when my roommate and I replaced our standard dormitory room's curtains with burlap ones.  It was reasonable enough for us to be able to afford, and we didn't have to hem them!  (We subsequently got in trouble with the dean of women......Most kids in school got in trouble for drinking or staying out late ---- but we got in trouble for replacing our curtains!!!  Signs of  interior designers in the making?!?)  I still love the look of the burlap draperies above!

Cute little burlap pockets to hold the silverware would be a fast and easy project to dress up your next  luncheon table. Try adding a little burlap to your spring decorating this week!

BELOW:  New in the store this week --- a pretty furniture grouping in the ever-popular colors of sea blue, off white and taupe.  

 

Special of the week:  All jewelry, watches and scarves ---- 30% off May 29 through June 2.  We will be closed on Memorial Day, May 28.  HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL!