A Chaise Longue For The Garden....

It's no secrect that I am a great fan of the chaise longue. A perfect chance to literally put your feet up. As mentioned in previous posts, I could find one for just about every room in the house. Now here's a gorgeous one from OKA Direct for either inside or outside living areas.(Quickly puts on wishlist!) Do you have a chaise longue and if so in which room is it?

Polino Garden Rattan Chaise Longue

A Thing Of Beauty Is ....

Or....

 
Or...

 

They say a thing of beauty is a joy forever. Can you guess what these beautiful designs might be? The first is a Champs-Elysees bowl, the second is a Masque de Femme mirror tray and the third is a clear Venezia bowl. All created by artisans for one of my favourites - Lalique. Beautifully made and a joy to own!

www.amara.com
 

A Touch Of Art Deco- But What is Art Deco?

The great Exposition des Arts Modernes Decoratifs et Industrials was held in Paris in 1925 and it is said that from here the phrase Art Deco originated although the style had been around for a lot longer. The architect Le Corbusier used the term in his journal L’Esprit Nouveau when writing about the exposition but it wasn't until the 1960's that the words Art Deco were more widely used.

Geometric or skyscraper, sunbursts and fountains are all part of the Art Deco design. These beautiful shapes can be found on everything from iconic buildings like the Chrysler Building in New York City to jewellery, stamps, posters and of course decorative accessories. All so very popular in the late twenties and thirties in many different countries around the world.

Art Deco is still very sought after today especially following the release of the film The Great Gatsby. The scatter cushions and limited edition print in the above photos are from a collection of Art Deco inspiration from Made.com. Well worth a look especially at the Jazz Club chairs!

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

Montgolfier French Style Table Lamp - Stunning Shape

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

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!