~Just some things I’m loving today~

(This photo is courtesy of www.TheBellaCottage.com)

This grouped collection of French items is just gorgeous! I love the antique chair, mirror and sofa mixed with the architectural stool and shutters and the decorative accent pillows (those are from my collection)

 

(click on pictures to be directed to their websites)

(left) I am really loving ruffled slipcovers, and these are so pretty. I love the monogram, what a great idea!  (right)  Remember that chairs and other furniture will be viewed from all angles, so little touches like these pretty ties in the back will be just as adored as the  beautiful front details.

 

This room is so bright and cozy. It is a formal living room, but because the homeowner added the ruffled slipcovers, it has given this room an inviting and relaxed feel.

(left) I am loving these vintage inspired stamps. Stamps are an easy was to add interest to anything… (right) People don’t usually think of the word sophisticated when they think of burlap, but this pretty slipcovered burlap stool with it’s charming ruffled detail, is just that!

Being creative is such a great gift to have. I think that by adding the twine to hang these frames, it has brought so much more interest to this room.

  

I thought this idea was genius! By taking this antique platter and placing a mirror in it, it has given this bathroom a gorgeous and unique wall mirror and added so much character. I am always amazed at the unique and inspiring ideas that I come across…

~A Valentine post to warm your Heart on this cold and rainy Day~

(click on pictures to be directed to these websites)

I was going to wait to do this post closer to Valentine’s Day, but today it is so cold and rainy outside that I thought it would be the perfect day to post it! It also gives you enough time, that should you want to order any of these lovely items, you could probably get them just in time for Valentine’s Day…

~Elegant Charm and the Longing for Spring~

 

This gorgeous Queen Anne cottage looks like it is right out of a fairy tale. It has beautiful wood trim, columns and a small balustrade. The shingles add to the charming exterior.

(left) This parlor has many elegant accents, but the fireplace is definitely the main focal point of the room. The Rococo-style chandelier, architectural mirror over the fireplace, statuary, furniture and greenery add so much interest and makes this a sophisticated, yet inviting space to be in. (right) This dining room is so welcoming. I love the white walls and furniture with pops of color coming from the upholstery on the chairs and the pretty blue inside the built-in cabinet.

These pair of Louis chairs are so formal and really stand out from the otherwise neutral palette of the room. The soft green wall color is so soothing and the pops of color from the flowers are such a pretty accent. The large mirror and artwork add glamour to this very upscale living room.

 

(left) I love antique settee’s. This one has been upholstered in a beautiful blue and cream striped fabric which stands out against the dark contrast of the settee’s wood frame. The drapery is elegant as are all of the elements in this space. (right) This long hallway let’s your mind wonder where it leads too. I love the desk that is tucked in to the nook and the gorgeous chandelier.

  

This amazing antique hutch has been painted a rich blue and given an aged look, making it a definite focal point in this room.

(left) Oh, this bedroom is so dreamy… I love the sheer valance above the bed. This room is so pretty and elegant. (right) The ultimate in a luxurious bathroom. The clawfoot tub, chandelier, antique chair and  marble floors add a high-end look, while the French doors add such an inviting feel.

These are just too gorgeous for words... I absolutely find nothing more beautiful than flowers. They bring such a romantic and colorful touch to any room.

 

(left) I love this vignette! The neutral palette of the starfish and the cream roses in the clear vase is so pretty, yet subtle. (right) Adding simple florals to a vintage bottle, adds instant charm. It’s simplicity is beautiful.

How gorgeous is this picture? It makes me look forward to the blooms in spring, long for the warmth of summer, and feel peace from the beauty of nature…

~If you are new to my Blog, here is a little bit about me~

This is the home of my dreams… We purchased it three years ago and gutted it for three months before we moved in. It is an English Tudor situated on just

over an acre and located just outside of Los Angeles.

This is a picture of the foyer which, when we purchased our home had a wall right in the middle. To view all of the “before” and “after” pictures, you can click on the link below:
http://agardentoremember.blogspot.com/2009/07/blog-post_25.html

A view of the Living Room. HGTV.com did an interview on my home renovation and my business (which at the time I had an online Home & Garden Boutique and I also refinished antique furniture.)
ttp://blog.hgtv.com/design/2007/09/20/aimee-boschets-affordable-antiques-2/

Some of my favorite pieces around my home. Some of my favorite things to collect are silver footed trays and bowls, candleholders, vintage frames and antique mirrors.

This is my Studio. It is so great to have a space to be able to create in.

Some more of my favorite items around my home. I love my reproduction Paris map and my antique French mirror. Cloches are another favorite of mine to collect. And I always have flowers around my home. They are such an inexpensive and pretty way to add pops of color.

This was the game room that we gutted and converted in to a 15’ by 30’ kitchen. Luckily, I have the design skills and my Husband has the craftsman skills, so between the two of us (and electricians, plumbers etc.) we were able to complete this kitchen for $22,000, including flooring, appliances, marble countertops and crown molding.

You can read all about the details and see pictures by visiting the link I posted above of the “before” and “after” photos.

To add a more custom look to our stock cabinets, we purchased four architectural posts and added them to either side of the sink and across the kitchen on either side of the stove. They give the kitchen a much more expensive look and only cost about $30.00.

I always find it interesting how I remember where I bought each piece in my home. If someone comes over and comments on something, I know right away where I bought it and how much I paid. I guess that’s because each piece, to me is a treasure that I found either at a flea market, estate sale or antique shop (of course, there are pieces I have purchased from stores) but, every piece has a story to me…

This is my Dining Room, which used to be the Kitchen. We opened up a wall to connect the two rooms. I love the cane chairs and the antique French table (one day when my kids are older, I can take off the tablecloth to reveal it’s true beauty.)

We just completed our Master Bedroom about nine months ago. We wanted a wall color that was soothing and calming. I brought in warmth with the bedding, French headboard and drapery as well as some small decorative accent pieces. To brighten it up and balance out the color tones, I added some pops of white throughout the room with the antique vanity, settee, nightstands, chandelier and antique cabinet.

~My French Collection~

Here are some of the products in my line.

To view my entire Collection, you can visit my wholesale website: www.AGardenToRemember.com or my Etsy Shop: www.GardenAdornments.etsy.com

Last year I designed a line of vintage inspired, beaded jewelry and wood jewelry. They were featured on Poppytalk Handmade: http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2008/07/something-special-garden-to-remember.html

and Modish: http://www.modishblog.com/modish/2008/06/into-the-secret.html

Another passion of mine is photography. I love taking pictures slightly off center. I love the way it adds more interest to a piece. My favorite things to photograph, besides my children are anything with an architectural element. I also love to photograph nature, especially flowers.

Poppytalk Handmade featured one of my pictures:

http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2008/07/something-special-garden-to-remember.html

The most important people in my life, my children and my Husband…

~I Crown You… My Etsy Pics of the week~

(click on the pictures above to be directed to these Etsy shops)

Every week I will be choosing a theme and sharing my favorite items that I come across on Etsy. For those of you who are not familiar with Etsy, it is an online marketplace where there concept is, to Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade.

Today’s theme is Crowns. I chose them because they are reminiscent of so many things, such as royalty, honor, strength, and power. But to those of us who love the French, cottage look, we love them for their elegance, charm and whimsical touches that they add to our homes through bedding, stationary, home decor, vintage items and reproduction pieces. Their scrolled details and beautiful curves, make them the ideal pieces to collect and display.

www.Etsy.com

~How to Create an Upscale, Cottage Bedroom on a Budget~ ALL products featured are from Target~

Yes, all of the items pictured are REALLY from Target. It is possible to create the beautiful room of your dreams on any budget.

I like to go neutral on furniture and add pops of color and texture through accessories, rugs, art, drapery and bedding.

(click on any picture to be directed to each product)

(left) Beautiful artwork adds elegance to any room. (right) They even offer wallpaper. Choose one wall to cover and add an instant focal point to your room.

I was amazed at all of the upscale products that I found at Target. These are beautiful items that are available in every price range.

(left) A gorgeous French wall clock. I love the rich colors and the aged feeling that it gives. (right) An elegant damask decorative pillow. The perfect accent to add to your bed, chair or settee.

This headboard is simply gorgeous. The neutral color adds warmth, while the tufted details add sophistication and it’s curved shape is sure to add romance to any bedroom…

~My Interview with The Old Painted Cottage~

Each month I will be doing a Q & A interview with someone who inspires me. The interviews will be on Websites, Blogs or Boutique shops.

This months interview is with Jennifer, the owner of The Old Painted Cottage. Jennifer has an online boutique with fabulous finds to shop for and she also has a beautiful Blog full of inspiring ideas.

Recently Jennifer and her Husband, Adam completely gutted their home. All of the pictures shown in this post are of their beautiful Cottage 8!

(Jennifer’s answers are in blue)

1) Can you tell me when you started your website and a little bit about the products that you carry?

I started my website 4 years ago. After selling on eBay for over 8 years, I decided to branch out on my own and set up shop online. The products I carry always vary, as I like to focus mainly on old things, one of a kind objects, and things you just can't turn away from.

2) Do you remember when you first started collecting antiques? And the first piece you bought?

Absolutely. I was about 11 years old, and the first antique I bought was an old wind up clock at a thrift store. The clock didn't work, but I was intrigued with its shape and style, and paid five dollars for it.

3) Did anyone specific influence you?

I tend to think of myself as a bit of a sponge, soaking up everything around me. While I can't note a specific source of influence, I can be seduced by beautiful things, and things that intrigue me and push me to look outside of myself.

4) Your Cottage8 home has had a lot of publicity, where are some of the places your home has been featured?

When I first featured my home {our little Cottage8} on our blog, there were so many bloggers that reached out to me and shared photos of our home and our story on their blogs. It was incredibly endearing to say the least. Since then, our home has been featured on Design Sponge, Houzz, and Sheffield's School of Interior Design. There is a future project in the works right now, but I have to keep that one under wraps for the time being.

5) What items are currently inspiring you?

Industrial pieces, dark woods against contrasting whites, unconventional lighting, rustic objects and natural elements.

6) Can you tell me what future projects you are working on and any new things that we can look forward to with your home, website and Blog?

Right now, my living room is getting all my attention. It's the one room that never felt fully pulled together for me, until just recently. Getting all the right pieces on a budget has been the biggest challenge with this project, so it has been a slow pull. But I am incredibly pleased with the outcome so far, and will be posting photos on my blog about our progress with this room.

Thank you Jennifer, not only for being a good friend, but for sharing all of your amazing talents and continually inspiring me!

To shop for some of the gorgeous finds that Jennifer has available, visit her website: www.TheOldPaintedCottage.com

To read about all of the places that Jennifer has
been featured and to see all of her “before” and “after” Cottage 8 pictures as well as inspiring ideas,
visit her Blog:
www.TheOldPaintedCottage.blogspot.com