French Country - Petite Haus

Angelina November 27, 2016 Christmas

Romantic Cottage Christmas Tree

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This year I was inspired to create a new themed tree… the romantic cottage Christmas tree!!

I knew I was going to put this tree in my bedroom which is decorated in a French country style.

Where better to display this tree than in front of some purple toile curtains?

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For this tree, I was drawn to the softer pastel colors…

…as if the ornaments had sat in a box and faded.

Additionally, I didn’t want a “loud” tree in my bedroom. This one had to be soft!

I also added in some dried roses.

It was a little bit by accident. I had not intended too, but you see, they sat neglected in the vase forever and dried. (They were alive in this post – yeah like a month ago. SHH!)

I was walking by the dried flowers in the vase as I was putting ornaments on this tree.

And the vision struck!

So I tucked them into the tree.

And I liked how it looked. So I tucked more in.

It really goes with the romantic cottage look, don’t you think?

I liked their faded color. They matched the ornaments too.

It was coincidence that this romantic tree matched the drapes!

For this tree, I was drawn to a pastel color palette.

Also, there are a few mercury glass ornaments tucked in here and there.

The tree topper came from an Etsy shop. Isn’t it lovely? It is actually an ornament but I secured it to the top of the tree. It matches the tree perfectly, both in color and style!

I prefer viewing the tree at night time.

The soft glow of the tree provides some nice ambient light, doesn’t it?

I love laying in bed at night looking at the twinkling lights.

However, it looks nice in the daytime too.

You can create your own romantic cottage tree too – go for softer colors, metallics, and ornaments that look more handmade.

I also prefer the look of the flocked tree with these muted colors. The flocked tree also seems more romantic to me too!

I hope you all enjoyed my tree!

Joyeux Noël!

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Angelina November 8, 2016 French Country

Tour a Beautiful French Château!

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As I was doing some traveling for business this month, I finally had a chance to read this month’s Architectural Digest. I read this wonderful article about this beautiful French Château that Flore de Brantes (a decorative arts dealer) has remodeled. I just HAD to share the pictures with you all.

The chateau was built in 1770 and is on 1400 acres! Don’t you love the tapestries below?

I love the powder blue of this room. Not sure I am a fan of the gold trees, but the painting is marvelous!

I love the painted panels in the back… and don’t you like how the coffee table is actually an antique sundial?

Beautiful antique tapestries!

This fireplace mantel vignette is lovely.

A beautiful chinoiserie desk!

Isn’t this lit à la polonaise wonderful? I would love to have a little nook in the house for one of these!

Wouldn’t you love to have a cutting garden like this?

And here is a look down the driveway with the limestone pavilions lining the drive.

Read the full article here.

Images are from Architectural digest with photography by François Halard.

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Angelina November 6, 2016 Christmas

How to Create a French Country Vignette for the Holidays in 5 minutes!

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So today I thought I would share a few simple ways to create a French country vignette for the holidays… and it should only take you a few minutes!

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Start with a French Floral Centerpiece as a “base”

My focal point is this pretty bouquet of roses and seeded eucalyptus in a French pitcher. Flanked on the sides to balance the scene are some antique French candelabras. If you have a French teapot, vase, pitcher, etc just fill it with flowers and voila! Instant centerpiece!

French Country style frequently has flowers and floral motifs so a bouquet of fresh flowers is perfect! Mix old things and new things. The pitcher here is new while the candelabras and French buffet are antique.

Now that you have your “base centerpiece” as above, here is how you can change it for the holidays.

Fall

Add some white little pumpkins. That’s it! Done! Your Fall decor does not have to be over-the-top. Just a few pumpkins here and there is enough. These ones actually came from our garden. They are the only pumpkins that grew this year!

I told you it was easy and fast. It still looks French Country, doesn’t it? This works for Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving. You don’t have to choose pink flowers, I just happen to love pink.

Christmas

For Christmas, I simply went outside and cut a few small sprigs from our redwood trees. I then tucked in a few little ornaments into the sprigs to make it a little more elegant.

If you have any evergreens in your yard (or nearby), just clip a few little sprigs and you are pretty much done with this vignette! This took me approximately 5 minutes, walking to and from the tree included!
(And, ironically, these pink ornaments just happened to be at the very top of the very first ornament box I opened! ha, what luck! Because that could have turned into an hour adventure!)

Creating a French country vignette for the holidays is really quite easy. You can copy the look with a white pitcher and fufu candlesticks too! I think the key here to the French country holiday look is using natural elements.

Pretend you are walking out of your Maison de Maître into your garden to pick your flowers, pumpkins, and pine tree sprigs… you know, your French country style also needs to have the right attitude!

Valentine’s Day

You can carry this into Valentine’s Day too. I have these cute little French boxes that I set next to them… let’s pretend they are full of chocolates from my valentine! Also a little velvet bejeweled strawberry adds to the scene.

Overall, these different holiday vignettes were actually very cheap to create! Most of the items came from the garden, and I could have simply picked some roses from my garden too but my pink ones aren’t blooming right now. I owned all of the items already, so just go rummage through your closets (or “shop your house”) and create a little vignette!

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Angelina November 3, 2016 French Country

French Farmhouse Style – Thursday Favorite Things

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Happy November!! Is everyone still recovering from their stomachaches from candy??

Welcome back to this week’s Thursday Favorite Things. If you’re new to this party, welcome! This party is great for those bloggers looking to increase their audience… and also to find other bloggers that you love! Our party has a variety of different types of posts, so there is surely something you will find that you like! I always have fun hopping from one blog to the next!

This week I’m sharing some of my favorite posts from last week’s party in the French Farmhouse style!

How clever and cute is the Cinderella Pumpkin?? Decor to Adore shares a wonderful tutorial! This could work for themed parties, not just Halloween!

Fall Farmhouse Style in the Bedroom by Penny’s Vintage Home! How could I not include this picture, I totally thought there was a real lamb sitting at the edge of the bed!!

And two cute end table makeovers…

Timeless Creations shared this Mint End Table makeover. Isn’t it lovely?

Altered Artworks shared this vintage humidor makeover… love the Frenchy signage on top!

Congratulations if you were featured! I have pinned your posts to our Thursday Favorite Things Pinterest Board! Please grab a “featured” button to display on your blogs! I will also frequently share your posts on my Facebook page so be sure you follow along!

Katherine’s Corner

Peonies and Orange Blossoms

Reinvented Collection

Surrounding’s by Debi

Marilyn’s Treats

Vintage Mama’s Cottage

If the party does not load right away, just click on the link below entitled “An In Linkz Link Up” to add your posts to our party!

An InLinkz Link-up

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Angelina October 6, 2016 Fall

French Country Fall Ideas – Thursday Favorite Things

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Before our French country Fall tour begins, let’s sit back and enjoy some hot mulled apple cider. Kingsbury Brook Farm shared a delicious recipe for hot apple cider!

Then, let’s enjoy a Frenchy appetizer! Simplify Life with Mrs. R shared this recipe for this French Inspired Pear & Brie Pastry! YUM!

Okay, now onto the French country tour… Belle Blue Interiors shared her French country kitchen. I love how the orange of the pumpkins goes so well with her blue dishes!

Olivia from Reinvented Collection, one of our co-hostesses shared her painted cabinet makeover decorated in the French country style for Fall! Don’t you love it? Please also swing by her blog – she has her own features every week too!!

Bringing French Country Home shared her entry way styled in a natural French country way. Love the antlers in the French market bag!

Designthusiasm shared this beautiful French country table for Fall! I love the use of pink roses end eucalyptus Who says Fall has to be all orange?

Congratulations if you were featured! I have pinned your posts to our Thursday Favorite Things Pinterest Board! Please grab a “featured” button to display on your blogs!

Katherine’s Corner

Peonies and Orange Blossoms

Reinvented Collection

Surrounding’s by Debi

Marilyn’s Treats

Vintage Mama’s Cottage

An InLinkz Link-up

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Angelina September 25, 2016 Fall

Country French Fall Home Tour 2016

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Hello!! Welcome to my Fall Home Tour for 2016!

I *LOVE* Fall and I am so excited to share my Fall home! Let’s have a look at the front porch, shall we?
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This year the front porch has some major style complete with a hay bale! Hey, we are living in the country after all and actually grew hay on our land! Although, this is not our hay, but that’s okay (everything is rhyming right now). I love the cinderella pumpkins stacked up! These are actually French pumpkins, Rouge Vif d’Etampes, and it is the pumpkin that inspired the artist to draw Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage.

Below, I put my MK Hunter boots out. I liked how they looked with the wreath on the front door with MK ribbon! You can see my Fall Wreath tutorial here. The mums brighten up the porch, although with my brown thumb, they are likely going to die. The little lion statue is vintage French!

When you come inside you see our dining table in the background… this year I had fun filling the antique dough bowl with white and blue pumpkins.

A sneak peek of the Fall tabelscape I created… the entire tablescape is saved for a post later this week!

Mr. Swan this year is more neutral in his decor. The dried roses and eucalyptus have been there since Spring… I just really like how they look. Some white mini boos surround him with some acorns. Mr. Swan is made by Bavent Pottery which is located in France. The company has been around since 1842.

Into the living room… a little coffee table vignette with MK tray, tea set, and velvet pumpkins brighten up the room. The fur pillow is actually there year round, but goes great with the Fall look!

In front of the fireplace is a Fall pillow. Actually, I confess, it is just a table runner secured around a pillow. Couldn’t find a table to use it on this year! My Fall fashion accessories are displayed for the photoshoot for fun!

Here is this year’s mantel. It is a little simpler than last year… just a few of the odd shaped gourds that we all love! The lavender the that was in my dough bowl earlier in the year is now in a Madeleine pot!

A closer look at the Fall mantel… love the fun gourds. The candles are faux and light up at night on a timer!

New this year are these little scarecrow and witch figurines! They are actually not Halloween, technically, they are part of a Wizard of Oz set . I just bought these two of the set because I thought they would be perfect for Fall decor! You can find them here: Scarecrow and Wicked Witch

In the corner of the room is a sneak peek at Halloween. These two houses light up. The barn makes scary noises and the bats on the right house spin in a circle. My husband loves them!

Don’t you just love this purple Indian corn?

On another table is the sunnier side of Fall… fresh cut dahlias from my garden fill vases from Astier de Villate. These are surrounded by vintage handkerchiefs. Fall isn’t all about orange pumpkins! In fact, you’ll notice inside the house I only had 1 orange real pumpkin! I actually hate the color orange… but the Fall porch is really the only place I use orange!

The velvet pumpkin vignette I blogged about last week is still up on the other side of the same room as the dahlias…

We end with a look at the scene on the kitchen island… my favorite owls are out again! This year is a new Steiff teddy on the right, and a Fall candle is burning. More on this scene is to come, just this post is already long enough!

I hope you enjoyed my little Fall home tour! Thank you for stopping by and sharing one of my favorite seasons!

Here is last year’s Fall Home Tour!

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linking up at: amaze me monday The Scoop! Make it Pretty Monday BNOTP Mon Inspire Me Tuesday Wow us Wednesdays!Share Your Style Thursday Favorite Things, Creative Circle, Thoughts of Home Home Sweet Home Feathered Nest Fridays Craftberry Bush Foodie Friday & Everything Else Best of the Weekend Share it One More Time Sundays at Home Dishing and Digging It

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And Here are a few Fall favorites…

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Angelina August 21, 2016 French Country

Touring a Modern French Country House

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Last week we had a tour of a French country farmhouse. This week we are going on a tour of a modern French country house! This was another one of the houses at the Portland Street of Dreams.

photo- jenny baines interiors

When you walk into the house you are greeted with this fabulous floating stairwell!

This is the living room! The views are spectacular… I didn’t include a picture but you can see Mt. Hood!

photo-bob greenspan instagram

I liked the X’s in the built in cabinets here.

photo- jenny baines interiors

A tour of the kitchen, again I like the X’s!

Ship lap is so hot right now. Shiplapped cabinets here. I like the herringbone marble backsplash!

Ah-ha! I spy the sink and sink faucet I am going to have in my house!

The sliding barn door in the pantry!

I really liked this pantry! LOVE.

At the street of dreams the builders are there in the house and are there to answer questions. I had the pleasure of talking to the builder and he said the wood beams here were washed with baking soda to give it this cool look!

Cute little butler’s pantry.

Breakfast nook!

The master bedroom, excuse the blurriness.

I liked this master shower.

Master bathroom.

This powder room was cool. The chevron shiplap was neat!

I liked the sink faucets here.

These folding down drying racks are so clever! I am going to have to do this in my house!

I liked the idea of having the washer and dryer raised up, I know it is not a new concept but I still like it!

The hallway/mudroom from the garage was shiplapped too!

This may be my favorite part of the house… a little built in doggy bed. To the right of the doggie bed you could pull out the food bowl (you can see the food bowls inside the cabinet if you look hard enough!)

Another bathroom!

The very nice outdoor living space.

These bubblers on the cabo deck in the pool are exactly what I want to do!

A look at the house exterior. This photo is not mine.

picture – bobgreenspan instagram

This house is called Maison de Reve and was built by Westlake Development group. Interior design from Jenny Baines Interiors.

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Angelina August 16, 2016 French Country

Purple Transferware Tablescape

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In this post – using antique or vintage transfer ware for your every day table!

I put together this purple transferware table earlier this year and photographed it but then I forgot to post it! I had fun putting this table together.

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I took down the antique purple transferware plates from the walls and enjoyed how the look with the grey of the table and chargers.

They also go great with my Juliska purple goblets!

I put these antique Staffordshire cows in the center of the table to complete the look.

Why store all of your antiques on the walls or in the display cabinets? Pull them out and use them!

These Staffordshire figures remind me of the white cows that Charles Faudree always decorated with!

When taking this picture, I realized the fabric on the antique Swedish chair goes with the purples on the plate and goblets!

A mixture of peonies and ranunculus sit in the center of the table. This is meant to be a simple table to show off the antiques.

Antique monogrammed napkins were at every place setting.

You can create a similar table too and use your transfer ware!

If you are going to dine on the transfer ware, I would suggest either using plastic utensils so you don’t scratch the plate or putting a clear glass plate on top.

I just love the look of the antique purple transferware.
I think it is a really interesting color.
Hope you all enjoyed my little table!

Written at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

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Angelina August 14, 2016 French Country

Touring a French Farmhouse

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GUESS WHAT. I toured a French Farmhouse at the Portland Street of Dreams just recently and I LOVED it.

I knew you all would too… so the very next day that I came home I started writing this blog post!

I am so excited to show this house with you all!

It is like… Chip and Joanna (Fixer Upper) meets some French Country.

Don’t you all love this??? I knew I would love this house when the first thing I saw was a cow painting. I am very certain the sconces on the fireplace are these.

You may notice in the corner the Darlana pendant that I wrote a whole blog post about!

Love the dining room table, chairs, and chandelier! I am certain the chandelier is this one from Aidan Gray. Edit – correction, was informed the chandelier is from RH, so I suspect it is likely this one. I actually own the dining table – it is this one.

Blue velvet is a “thing” now. Notice it is incorporated on the couch as pillows.

LOVE the wall sconces. They are the Darlana sconce pendant.

A different view of the dining room…

How CUTE is this pantry? Love the shiplap and the barn door!

I liked this pantry – the color palette is really pretty. I like the little drink fridge and the open shelves!

Moving our way into the family room and the kitchen!

Fixer Upper lovers will adore this! Isn’t super on trend???

What I thought was interesting was the use of mixed metals – the sink faucet is brushed nickel whereas the cabinet hardware is an aged/antiqued brass.

I love the grey cabinet on the right. The paint color on that cabinet hutch is Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray 7017.

Don’t you love the Lacanche Range??

I love this little vignette below! Notice the back splash – it looks like painted brick but I think it is actually tile that looks like brick. I really like it and like how it is a little different than the subway tile that we see everywhere.

I thought the fireplace surround with the chevron marble was pretty.

Here is a picture from the interior designer looking at the family room from the other direction – it was roped off so we couldn’t go over there.

Now, how lovely is this hallway?? It is the mudroom – with the garage on the right, exit on the left, and the sliding barn door is the powder room.

Here is the powder room… thought it was kinda cute with the subway tile going up the wall.

This flooring material was interesting. It is from Ann Sacks. As for the laundry room, I like the white cabinets with the grey counters. I think I’m going to do that!

Now walking into the master suite… isn’t the ceiling cute?

The master bathroom looks like a nice place to relax…

The sink faucet is from Kohler.

Oh look, a view from above!

There was a cute fire pit and BBQ in the backyard!

Oh, and a pool of course!

A little tour of the guest house…

Wood was used as the counter top material. While I think it looks neat I know that it would warp and show rings from glasses.

Oh, forgot to mention that the floors in the house are French pine from Fp Bois.

Now, the outside of the house is not very French farmhouse. It is more like a house you would find in the Hamptons.

Oh, I forgot to include this from the laundry room.

The Street of Dreams this year included 5 houses surrounded by a vineyard. Below is the club house -made to look like a darling barn!

The house we just toured was built by Stafford Homes and Land. The Interior design was done by The Urban Coop. This house was 8200 sq ft.

Check out some of my favorite budget French country Farmhouse finds below (click right to scroll)

Like French Country Farmhouse Style?? Check out my French country farmhouse!

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Angelina August 7, 2016 French Country

Building the French Farmhouse – a study of French shutters

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Well, we are still plodding along with designing the house. We are actually done (I think!) with the design and it is going to structural engineering now!

So, now that we are pretty much done with the design, now I am tasked with actually picking out the windows and shutters I want to use as it is one of the first things to go up and there is a long lead time for these items.

So, for about half the windows in the house we will be having working shutters on the windows. Yes, they have to be working! That is key! In France, the shutters are actually called volets and they actually open and close – unlike most shutters in the USA that are there for looks alone.

So, why have a working shutter?

Security – they provide excellent security as if you are away you can just close up the house and a robber can’t just break in.

Insulation – here in the hot hot California valley it is nice to be able to close up South facing side of the house to keep the heat out. Oh, then there’s the part where the bedrooms can be pitch black for sleeping – important to someone who works nights!

The sizing is always right – it drives me *nuts* when I see houses with shutters that are disproportionate… a 1 foot shutter next to a 4 foot window? If that shutter were to close it would leave 3 feet of the window exposed! I know it’s for looks but volets would never work like that! I know it is super nit picky and sorry if your house has that (soooo many houses do, including my childhood house!), but I just don’t understand why builders can’t build faux shutters that are least the appropriate size. (rant ended).

This website (in French, but I have it translated to English) talks about the proper volet. There are several different types, rolling ones, swing shutters, folding flap shutters.

I’m interested in swing shutters only.

Below are rolling shutters…

Below are folding flap shutters…

The different types of swinging shutters….

We were debating about what type of panel to go with. We are leaning to the B-n-B (Board and Batten). The Board ad Batten seems to be more French country and less formal than the other types.

So, I thought I’d turn to photos of houses in France.

Below, is board and batten.

Two different types of shutters… ground floor is raised panel and upper floor is board and batten.

Panel…

Horizontal ones…

Board and Batten…

Board and batten up on the windows and the horizontal ones on the door

Louvered…

Mixture…

We found this company, Timberlane, who makes what seems to be pretty nice working shutters. They have several types of Board and Batten and we were debating between the “closed vertical groove”…

…and the “open”. We were leaning towards the open one because we think it looks more authentic. What do YOU think??

The other company we are looking at is Southern Shutter. Have you heard of anything of either Timberlane or Southern Shutter? Are there other companies you know of that are quality and we should consider?

See, here is an open board and batten (in like the cutest little window EVER)

The OTHER question for you is… what about the hardware?

We really like the cutesy hinge hardware on the shutters below.

Here, someone did the same hardware BUT they put it above and below the horizontal board and I do not like it that way. It has to be on the horizontal board.

See, like below, they put the hardware on the horizontal board.

Or, do we leave them plain, like so…

Or here…

What do you all think??
Open board and batten vs closed vertical groove?
Fancy shutter hardware vs plain shutters?

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Angelina August 1, 2016 antique

French Antiquing trip to Portland and Kitchen Faucets

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Earlier in the month we went up to Portland to do some antiquing and shopping! We went up to the Portland Antique Show at the Exposition Center. There are tons of booths… and we walked 17,000 steps (thanks apple watch and fit bit for counting!)

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I thought I’d share some pics from the show and various antique stores around town! At the end of the post I am going to ask your opinion about some kitchen faucets for the French Farmhouse!

Considered this antique French piece to use as a vanity base for a sink *but* it was only 27″ tall. Much too short for a sink!

The pictures from the cases below are from a fabulous booth… she always has the coolest small things!

I *may* have purchased these little lion statues. Ok I did purchase them. They are from France and probably from the 1940s, so not super old, but the shields they have on them display the Fleur de Lis!

I’ve been looking for an antique handmade quilt for my bed, but these did not quite fit the bill… maybe next time…

Love this little French shop in town, she carries both new and old items…

Well, I found a pair of sconces to go home with me… I think I will use these above the fireplace!

Oh boy, I’m tired, time for a chocolate break… (Aren’t these little chocolate and marzipan treats so cute?)

What’s this? A place full of Madeleine pots? Antique fountains and fun?

Hmmm, what color to choose to place around our little fountain? I envision a little French courtyard with what I’m calling the Orangerie but really it will have four pots around the fountain – one with lemon, one with lime, one with orange, and one with a satsuma tree! I think this dark green would look best with these little trees in them, don’t you think?

But this color is cool too. Do you spy all of the vintage/antique garden follies?

Oh, and I purchased this. Yes it’s a picture of a picture but it was in pieces in the shop. I’m going to cut off the top (the horror!) and put a marble top with a sink in it! I know wood colored wood is totally out but I don’t care I love this French piece!

We walked around the Portland International Rose Garden… one of my favorite places in the city.

This bee was totally asleep in this pretty rose…

A sailboat having a nice Summer day on the Columbia River…

Oooh, La La! Dessert? NO! This is breakfast!

You see, *these* are the desserts…

I have also been searching for the kitchen sink faucet. Found these three I really liked. I obviously like bridge faucets. I think we will go with either polished nickel or polished chrome. I think I am leaning towards polished nickel because it is a little warmer. I thought I would go with the trendy brass color but then I haven’t seen one in person that I have liked, so I don’t know about that now.

Which one do you like better? #1 below…

Or #2?

Or perhaps #3??

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Angelina July 10, 2016 French Country

Antoinette Poisson and Handmade French Paper

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A while ago on one of my trips to San Francisco, I visited one of my favorite boutiques, Sue Fisher King. She had some fabulous pillows from Antoinette Poisson. I had never heard of Antoinette Poisson before, she told me a little history of the company, and now I have done my own research.

Antoinette Poisson is a Parisian atelier located by the Bastille that creates hand-blocked and hand-painted wallpapers, known as dominos, that are either reproduced or inspired by 18th century dominos.

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

The company is named after the Marquise de Pompadour (her actual name is Jeanne Antoinette Poisson).

There are currently 14 patterns that the company creates. Four are exact reproductions, four are reimaginings of the old, and the rest are the company’s own design.

Dominos were originally made to cover the interior of chests, cabinets, or small rooms. They are 32x42cm each and go for approximately 50 euro each.

They create the patterns in several color ways.

Isn’t it lovely?? I love this paper.

In the picture below, you can see a remnant of an old domino and then the newly recreated one in the background!

Here someone used their creations to line a cabinet! Don’t you just love it???

Thought I would include some pictures of their pillows so you could enjoy the patterns!

Also, I found these cute little garden maps they have created!!

So, what do you think? Have you ever heard of this company?

If you are interested in reading more about this company, I highly suggest checking out A Gent of Style – in this post they actually visited the shop and have tons of beautiful pictures!! There is also this article from House and Garden UK, and this one from architectural digest.

You can check out the official website here and if you’re interested in shopping go to Sue Fisher King. *I was not compensated to write this post*.

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Angelina July 5, 2016 French Country

You can buy your own fully remodeled French Chateau!

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Interior designer Timothy Corrigan’s Château du Grand-Lucé is for sale. This 18th century chateau is located on 74 acres in France’s Loire Valley! The chateau was fully remodeled and it took 6 years and 10 million dollars to complete!

I will let the pictures do the talking… All of these photos are from Architectural Digest.

All the photos below are from Stribling & Associates.

The Chateau can be yours for a cool $11.4 million! Read about the sale here. This article here talks about the renovation. For more interior photos, you can visit the official website here. This chateau apparently was wired with wifi(maybe the only chateau to do so, who knows! So you can surf the ‘net while sitting in the gardens!)

Did you all enjoy dreaming that you could live in this chateau? I certainly had a fun time!

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Angelina June 12, 2016 French Country

Ritz Paris Reopens After 4 Year Remodel

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The Ritz in Paris has finally reopened after its 4 year long $450 million dollar remodel!

Let’s all just take a look at drool at these beautifully decorated rooms…

I’m not going to say much another than I love it all.

Ok I can’t hold my tongue anymore… I LOVE this room below, I love the fabric.

This is the Coco Chanel suite, below!

Well, I just love all of these rooms. I love French country but I also really love French formal. I would love to do something like this below in my office. But I know it all costs $$$.

I am hoping someone will write an article about the interior design of this renovation! Would love to know about all the fabrics and details, wouldn’t you?

Book your stay at the Ritz Paris here. Or just glance around the website and PRETEND like you’re going to book and then tear up at the price. (this may have happened)

Oh husband… could we go??? *please please please*

Images are from Vogue Living AU and The Ritz Paris

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Angelina June 7, 2016 entertaining

A French Country Evening and a Secret to Living a Glamorous Life

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Hello! I’m here today sharing with you a little French country evening! I have prepared a French raspberry tart for us to enjoy (some of us will enjoy it with our eyes, other with our mouths!)

I made the raspberry tart… the recipe will be coming soon.

Want to know a secret to living a glamorous life?

Make the ordinary… extraordinary!

What do I mean by that? So, here for instance, we are having dessert. Yes, I know it is a raspberry tart, but really it could be any dessert!

I am using some sterling forks to eat. Now, you say, that’s nice, but I can’t do that because of… money or *insert excuse* (too busy, it’s too fragile, that’s too fancy for me)…

Well, except you can!

You don’t have to have own whole sterling set of silverware. (Don’t tell the sterling dealer that). Just… buy two forks. You can find them in a pattern you like for a decent price either on Ebay or an antique mall that won’t break the bank. The forks don’t have to be a matching pattern either, honestly!

Pull out your nicer crystal… I know you have at least two nice cups from your wedding!

Dine on some antique plates that are hand painted and beautiful! I pulled these pretty pink and gold ones off of the wall! Just don’t put them in the dishwasher or use a knife on them (otherwise they will scratch or be ruined!).

You say, I don’t have antique plates… well I know for a FACT that you can pick up some pretty hand painted antique plates for a song.

Don’t keep your antiques stored on the wall or your cupboard… use them! We have some friends that are antique dealers that always dine on antique fine china… Why? Because they can, that’s why!

I also picked some roses from the garden. They smelled delightful. You don’t have to have flowers from the store. Just pick some from your garden!

You see… you don’t have to go out and dine to have a glamorous life… just stay at home!

But pulling out and using some of your nicer things “just cause” can make an ordinary day extraordinary and make you feel special.

You will feel like the Queen of your castle… because you are!

So that’s how I spent my French country evening. Enjoying a tart, sipping on some sparkling lemonade, and watching the stars appear over the countryside.

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