May 21, 2008

French style

Originally, I started this blog with the intention of focusing on design. It has, however, morphed into something of its own. And while I do believe one can find design in anything, I thought I'd go back to the basics...to what inspires my design...

France has always held a fascination for me. I have a few antique pieces from there: the most charming chocolate candy box complete with tiny feet, circa 1860's. A leather bound book; a gift from a friend visiting Paris.


A plaster architectural piece from a Paris building
And then there are the items I have around the house that evoke a feeling of France. This velvet photograph album....possibly Marie Antoinette?

A chandelier from the 1960's with 100 crystals purchased at a flea market in LA for $35, hangs above the bed in the master bedroom.

A crystal and gold light switch cover, another flea market find, dresses up the light switch near the master bedroom closet. I chose a shimmery gold fabric to use in place of a closet door to further soften the overall look of the room.

An etched-glass apothecary jar from TJ Maxx (a steal at $7.99) filled with dried lavender in the master bath.

My ode to French style!

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."
- Coco Chanel

23 comments:

Sarah McBride said...

when I lived in France they had an antiques market the first thursday of every month in the palais de justice. It was AMAZING the things you could get for so inexpensively. One of my friends at the university owned an antiques shop in St Louis and one of the main reasons he was "back in school" was just to go to all the antique markets. He didnt care about classes or grades. We went antiquing on several occasions. It was just amazing.

Rosebud Collection said...

Everything is just lovely..There is something about things made in the past..it is the feeling they give.

LazyTcrochet said...

Your house must be so awesome! I love the chandelier especially.

Victoria said...

All beautiful, but I especially love the chandelier and the apothecary jar, as I have been fascinated by both ever since I was a child.

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

Trés riche!
You get a good sense of your home from just the few things you've shown.

Janice said...

What a gorgeous candy box. This post makes me want to hop on the Eurostar to Paris.

Grizzly Mountain Arts said...

Very pretty, Charmaine!

Anonymous said...

Ooooooh la la mon amie! Lovely little Francais inspired pieces in Eastern Oregon.... who knew?
Hope you're having a good week so far, Marie...
Au Revoir!
xoxo
Karen

picciolo said...

I love the candy box and the jar in your master bath, the shapes are just beautiful. I can see why you are drawn to french design
: )

Anonymous said...

tres chic!

I am seriously coveting that chandelier. I have a sick attraction to chandeliers. I think that eventually I will start making them. I love them so so so so much.

So, you know the small town pain, huh? I always figure that I can't find friends here because I don't like Nascar or Bud Light. Sheeeeit.

Infinite Cosmos said...

wow, i would LOVE to see the inside of your house in its entirety! You sure do have an eye for fashion (in the Coco Chanel sense)!

LeaKarts said...

What a wonderful sense of style! Your house must be stunning.

Clare said...

What beautiful pieces! I wish I had more patience for scouring flea markets and antique stores!

I just took a look at your before and after house remodel pictures on flickr - it's very inspirational to see how you were able to see through all of that wood paneling and wall paper to create something so serene and warm!

Thanks for your comments on my blog the other day - I've been away from my computer for a while!

Mrs.French said...

A lovely tribute...I love it when you share lovely, personal things from your sweet home.

Unknown said...

Dearest C, glad the postcard arrived, Cambodia's postal is much more efficient than ours :)

THAT bedroom chandelier and everthing else looks really sexy. You certainly have a flair for beauty and an eye for details. The only French thing I have is a mini Eiffel tower I bought moons ago when i was in Paris.

Marina of Argentina is hosting a home decor which I promised to do, but its just snippets of the house as I am sure the rest will be fantastic and do it with my other post on cambodia...hope everyone not bored with cambodia for now.

Happy weekend my friend :)

Banana-head Pancake said...

gorgeous! I love chandeliers.

Hey Harriet said...

You sure do have some lovely things! I don't think I could ever visit your house for fear of breaking something! I'm very clumsy! Not that I'm in the habit of visiting friends & swinging from their beautiful chandeleirs & causing damage or anything...

I don't think I own anything French. I do love old French films though. It's funny how blogs morph into something completely different to what the initial idea was. I always enjoy your blog regardless of whether it's travelling along the direction you intended. I'm enjoying the ride anyways. It's fun & cruising in style! Woohoo!

Hey Harriet said...

Oooops. I didn't spell 'chandelier' correctly. You see, that just proves that I don't swing from them. I never swing from anything I can't spell :)

Ana said...

I love ALL of this! Beautiful.

Unknown said...

Great quote & gorgeous pieces. I love to see how others work with a style that I do not have any of in my own home. Your home seems just so inviting and warm as well as rich in history :~) Your accessory pieces are perfectly matched to the colors and furnishings. The chandelier is especially killer!

Lavinia said...

Ah, the French!

Vive la France......I love all these pics, but the chandelier is an absolute show-stopper..it's sensational!

Unknown said...

That's a chocolate box???!!!? Awesome. I love French style, too. Thanks for the lovely post.

Kathy said...

Someone just gave me an antique chocolate box so i was doing research when I stumbled upon this wonderful blog...love your chocolate box pic! Oregon is a bit of heaven on earth....lucky you! :)