Did someone say Fleur-De-Lis

Did someone say Fleur De Lis!! Yes that is a design I adore...

We tore apart the bathroom in the spring and painted, then I decorated...I talked my husband into adding another light into the bathroom, and I found this adorable miniature chandelier at Lowes...totally unexpected (roughly $85)...and it looks exactly like a $300 one on Horchow's web site made by another manufacturer in bright brass......The red curtain and valance are hung on their own rods just forward of the tub/shower area.  The shower liner is behind on it's own rod and I keep it tucked to the side so you can't see it.  So, yes there are three rods in all to do this! 

These are Sid Dickens Memory Plaques and the vase was sent to me by a new friend from New Mexico, which has the Fleur De Lis symbol on it too!

I found this tapestry on line and knew it had to be in here!  I started out with wanting to do a "French" theme, and it got a big of Tuscan mixed in with it. I just love this tapestry, makes me think of a castle.....  

This is a close up of the tile accent in the bathroom.  I chose these 9 years ago- I was on the track for this kind of decorating then and didn't know it!

I still have my brass faucets and don't plan to change them...I'm not one to jump too fast on trends...I figure brass will make a come back anyway!  Then I will be en vogue again! We did change the hardware on the cabinetry to an oiled rubbed bronze finish and I think that helped warm things up and allow the brass to still fit in just fine!  

 This is a project I put together for above the commode...I bought this large print, then picked a section to cut away and place behind the multi opening mat...

 I also removed the towel bar that came with the cabinet...I've had fancy towels on it for years and they never get used, so I decided to be different and do away with it.

I covered the hole created from removing the rod with this little decorative piece I found in the lamp hardware section.  It was a brass finished plastic piece and I sprayed it with an oil rubbed bronze paint.

You can't see much of it here, but the sconce next to the cabinet also has the Fleur De Lis design! 

Hope you enjoyed my bathroom tour!

French Infusion Cont'd

Le Manteau....

      This is an ongoing experiment of elements on the mantel for me.   I'm using items I already owned and new ones, trying to blend and create this French look I'm goaling for....

     I've had people always say, your good at this you should do it for a living, but truthfully I'm just the average person trying to decorate like a professional....There is a lot to learn and it helps if you have a large wallet to grab the items you want to get your look.  

     I am also working with an existing fireplace with a mantle that I love, but it certainly isn't the first choice for the French look.  

     I found these two pedestal vases at a local decorators store that is going out of business.... I knew I wanted them immediately although I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them.  I visualized them in the dining area, which didn't work the way I thought.  I had ordered a new arched mirror to try with the fireplace mantel area and after it was put up, it suddenly came to my mind to try these on the mantel..

This is a newly acquired piece from another store going out of business.... ugh... such sadness these days. 
This is a Theodore Alexander piece from the Atelier de la Madeleine line.  I had visualized this by my front door, which didn't work.  The color clashed with the wall color but when we set the drawers out in this living room it seemed like it was the place to be!  
I am very pleased with it, I've got my table linens in the drawers and still have one free drawer to use.  
Again, I am playing with decorating ideas...the topiary is a little project of mine, and I don't think it's going to stay there.... Notice the lamp...that was from the same store....it's a Wildwood brand lamp...and if you know the brand you will appreciate that I picked it up for under $200...

    OK, this is for people with a sense of humor!



    

  What is sad is that for a brief few moments I  thought it might work! I thought I was so smart... put a brass plate over top of the urn and set the lamp on it...brilliant!!  NOT!!!  LOL..... You have to try or you don't know!!  (I plead temporary insanity!)
You know what they say about proportions....

This had potential, but for the spot I was setting it in, it just became lost.  

My mother and father went to Europe for a 7 country tour back  in the early 80's....this Murano glass set was selected by my Mother in Venice.  

The picture is a real oil painting that a young lady my son was dating, brought back for me from France.  I was so appreciative of her getting this for me, but the dominate blue color has been difficult for me to blend in.  For now I have relocated these items into a display cabinet.

So for today this is my Exposé !!!

Comments are welcome!

Speaking of Last Vestiges....

Brrr....there is a real chill in the air this evening......These will soon disappear after the first hard frost....

I've decided to get in a few more pictures of the Morning Glories and the Sweet Autumn Clematis (that just started blooming this week)....

 Morning glories do no like to freeze!  They will die off rapidly with the frost!

 Talk about you late bloomers!! LOL

Bunny Williams, PBS Video

I recently discovered Bunny Williams and her book "An Affair With A House"

After running around many blogs I discovered this link and have to share it...It takes a few minutes to get to the home and garden area, but it's worth viewing!

http://watch.wliw.org/video/1316842238/