Friday, March 29, 2013

Decorate With White Kitchens.....An Old Favorite Is Back In Style



I love white kitchens and have never had anything else whether it was on trend or dated. Of course you who follow me know I don't live and die by the trend of the moment. I am however glad to see an old friend welcomed back and this is the case with the white kitchen. It is a stunning, clean, bright and open look, and can be quite formal. If you want them to look warmer just dress them up with colorful art and accessories or  design them with the earthy charm of a French style cuisine. Wooden beams and dark wood floors all add up to a very cozy kitchen. Also I love Persian rugs in a wood and white kitchen. It all just depends on your particular style and personality. 

I hope you will come away from this post with a different perspective on the white kitchen. Hopefully you will see how they can be designed to evoke warmth and charm.


Subway style tile backsplash is perfect for this white kitchen.


I like the island in this kitchen, very handy AND aesthetically pleasing.

The deep sink, plate racks and glass cabinet doors make this a charming kitchen.

This kitchen had me from the window treatments!

Don't be afraid to add a different color to your center island.....


or the insides of you cabinets.


Natural exposed beams are such great accents for any kitchen, but especially a white one.





Such a pretty kitchen. I love the sconces!


The black stove and beautiful ceiling are standouts in this kitchen.




No one could label this a cold, sterile kitchen.



I love this happy kitchen! White is so pretty when punched up with bits of color.


Another charming white kitchen.



I love the crystal chandeliers. I am looking for one for my kitchen as we speak!

lh6.ggpht.com/...

What a lovely eating area. I love the Queen Anne chairs used as kitchen chairs.




Click here to see the previous post!

This blog post was published by
Lisa Farmer
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , ,

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Needlepoint.....Creating Heirlooms For Your Interiors


This is a post I recently did as a guest post for a needlepoint blog belonging to a friend of mine. I thought I would share it here for my readers as well.

 My mother gave me many gifts in her lifetime, but the one I treasure the most is the time and effort she took to teach me to do needlepoint. She taught me when I was a teen and at the time I had no idea how later in life I would grow to love making beautiful needlepoint pieces for my home. I have always loved historic homes and have renovated two, filling them with antiques and of course beautiful needlework. I think it is such a shame mothers today aren't teaching their daughters the art of needlework. I have a 17 year old son so I won't be passing my mother's gift on.....unless he gives me a granddaughter someday!! Indulge me as I share a post about beautiful, romantic, needlepoint images. I hope they will inspire you to create some heirlooms of your own.



Sir Joshua Reynolds captured three ladies moderately absorbed in their needlework. Being handy with a needle was a basic task all 18th Century women were expected to master.


Such a pretty heart picture made from petitpoint (smaller stitches than needlepoint). What a wonderful little frame.

The chair is covered in needlepoint and the two framed pictures are also needlepoint.

google.com

I think needlepoint gives your interiors a decidedly European flavor.


Even small pieces add that antique touch.


A stunning French chair covered in needlepoint. Maybe the N is for Napoleon.


Tiny little stitches create this vintage brooch.

google.com

Needlepoint has always been very popular in  France as well.

google.com

This is a beautiful antique bench with needlepoint top.


A Louis XVI footstool covered in needlepoint.


I came across this fabulous bell pull. I love needlepoint with black backgrounds. It's harder to do but worth the effort.


Some of the needlepoint pillows I have done are displayed in my bedroom.


Needlepoint was used to completely upholster chairs and settees. I have recovered chair bottoms but can't imagine a whole chair. They are stunning.

bhg.com


I think this box of chocolates is so clever and such a good idea for Valentine's Day.


Graham Rust needlepoint designs are wonderful and have an old world appeal.



 Very tiny stitches called petite point adorn this Continental Glass. During the Biedermeier period (about 1825-1850)


This is a large oval antique petite point  picture I found on one of my treasure hunting trips. It has tiny micro stitching and is amazing up close.  It is hard to believe anyone can do this by hand but you can see her mistakes and the oval is off where she miscalculated. Also to the right is a  bell pull that I did in needlepoint.


With the popularity of Downton Abby, interest in English decorating is increasing. You will notice lots of needlepoint pillows like the one in this chair.



These pictures are done in needlepoint but you can also see the petite point in the faces,hair, arms, and animals.


Here are a few new needlepoint pillows that will give your interiors an English look. You can buy them completed or purchase the kit and do it yourself.







These new designs have an old fashioned appeal.


Here is a great example of needlepoint and petite point. To me the most elegant pieces are when the two are mixed.


Fabulous needlepoint rug.


These are from the 1800's Can you imagine wearing shoes like this?


These antique needlepoint purses are exquisite. I collect petite point compacts and would love to add some purses to my collection.



You can find needlepoint on some of today's fashions.


So much work in this fabulous skirt!


Some more of my pillows. These are in the hall.


A Pontremoli Needlepoint Rug made in 1920

google.com

Some fun new patterns. There are so many lovely things you can make for yourself or for your home and needlepoint is easy and very relaxing. Visit a stitchery shop sometime and take a look for yourself. 


Check out this needlepoint  ipad cover!



     



Happy Stitching!!


Click here to see the previous post!

This blog post was published by
Lisa Farmer
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Follow Me On Facebook Follow Me On Pinterest Subscribe to my RSS Feed Send Me An Email