Wednesday, May 22, 2013

A Trio Of Shabby Chic Tables....



Shabby Chic Canyon Coffee Table CLICK HERE
 
The shabby chic style table with the lamp and favourite photo frames looks good in the corner and is practical next to the sofa but I've got my eye on the coffee table - lots of space underneath to hide away the books etc. when the tea and cakes are brought out!


 

Shabby Chic Willow Lamp Table CLICK HERE

Just because it's called a lamp table doesn't mean that you have to put a lamp on it. A few well chosen pieces to compliment your home's personality can look lovely. Perhaps something like the photo above - a decorative birdcage, a book and a rose in a pot. Just scatter a few papers on the floor for added effect!




Shabby Chic Willow Extending Table CLICK HERE

Here we have a solid wood dining table for two, four, six or eight people. Extend the table whenever you want to. Just decide how many people are coming for dinner or tea and there you have it. Tea and cake anyone?

All of these tables are part of the Shabby Chic range at House of Fraser

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Montgolfier French Style Table Lamp - Stunning Shape

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I was very lucky some years ago to have the chance of a flight in a hot air balloon. Everything happened so quickly and I didn't have a chance to be nervous. Such a brilliant experience. I hadn't realised however that if it hadn't been for Joseph Montgolfier back in 1782, my very uplifting trip might not have been possible. The story goes that he was watching some laundry drying over a fire and noticed how the warm air started to lift up the fabrics. He thought that this was a special gas and so began his experiments which eventually led to the balloon flights that we know today. Up up and away.......


Montgolfier Table Lamp CLICK HERE icon

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Large French Style Mirrors - Leaning Against The Wall

 
 Laura Ashley - Beth Tall White Mirror





 Laura Ashley - Patricia Mirror

I'm a great fan of these very large French style mirrors that just 'lean' against the wall and don't have to try very hard to get themselves noticed. Especially those like the two photographed above from LAURA ASHLEY that are beautifully ornate. Try positioning one carefully to reflect a special piece of furniture, perhaps a chaise longue or to bounce the light from a window back into the room. A great statement piece and talking point. Of course they are still very useful if you simply want to look in the mirror!


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Madame De Pompadour......



Jeanne Antoinette Poisson was born in Paris on 29th December 1721. Having been educated at the Ursuline convent in Poissy when very young, and then at home with private tutors, she went on to become an actress and singer. She had already learned how to play the clavichord, to dance, sing, paint and engrave. She was considered to be very beautiful and was given the nickname Reinette or 'little queen'. At the age of nineteen she married Charles-Guillaume Le Normant D'Etiolles and had two children with him, including  a little boy who died when he was only one year old. In 1745 she was invited to a ball at the Palace of Versailles and soon afterwards became the Marquise De Pompadour, the mistress of the king, Louis XV -   Madame De Pompadour

This beautiful little bust (shown above) of Madam Pompadour is part of the Authentic Models icon collection from Occa-Home.

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Friday, April 26, 2013

The Parisian and the Antoinette - Two Totally Gorgeous French Style Beds

The Antoinette Bed

I've been looking at French style bedrooms and bedroom furniture recently and just look what I have found now! This gorgeous Antoinette Bed (above) from Graham and Green. 

Parisian Carved Bed

And this fabulous Parisian Carved Bed with ornate carvings, also from Graham and Green. 

Beautifully shaped beds, dressed with pale pink pillow cases and rosy floral bedspread.  Yes please!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

French Style Bedroom - Clean And Fresh



A lovely French style bedroom from John Lewis. I love the simplicity of this room setting. So lovely, clean and fresh. It just shows that white doesn't have to be boring. Just a hint of colour can transform it into something very stylish. The hand painted bed and bedside table are all part of the Aurelia bedroom collection, which includes a dressing table, three different types of  chest of drawers, mirrors and a wardrobe. 


Aurelia Bedroom Furniture