Friday, August 26, 2016

Decorate Your Home And Garden With Artichoke Décor



I've been away for a bit nursing an old shoulder injury that thanks to a recent fall has been causing quite a bit of pain, especially when attempting to use the computer for any real length of time. Thanks for your patience and I hope you enjoy the latest post




Legend has it that there was once was a beautiful young mortal woman named Cynara who was a favorite lover of the Greek god Zeus. Cynara, however, eventually chose to return to her mortal parents thus angering Zeus enough to transform her into an artichoke. Greeks and Romans alike would then consider the fruit of this thistle plant to be a delicacy and aphrodisiac.


Wedding portrait of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, childhood friend of Henry VIII and Mary Tudor, Henry's sister, c.1516


Could the nobility of England also have heard the legend as well?


 And even across the pond we seem to connect the artichoke with sensuality.


The artichoke became the passion of the day's rulers. The wife of King Henry II of France, Caterina de Medici introduced the artichoke to France in the early 16th century, bringing it to court  with cooks who had knowledge on how to prepare them. At a time when women were forbidden to eat artichokes she is said to have dined on them in public and even to have fainted often from eating too many of them. Henrietta Maria, queen to Charles I of England, kept a garden devoted to artichokes at her manor in Wimbledon. 

Today, aside from enjoying their tantalizing taste, the stylized artichoke is a favored home decor accent that is classic yet works equally well in contemporary homes. Whether you like yours in stone or au naturale, the artichoke is still on trend.


seasonsofwinterberry.tumblr.com

Legends aside, the artichoke is a classic motif in decorating...... 

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and has historical background for accenting the garden with timeless allure as far back as the 16th century.


via Pinterest

We are use to seeing finials in the form of an artichoke on carved stone gates and other forms of garden architecture.


Today stone artichoke inspired decor is still in demand for garden ornamentation. Place a statue like this along a pathway, on your porch, patio, or poolside for a unique garden accent.


A stone artichoke is a sure way to add old world Mediterranean charm to your own backyard.



Even centuries ago homeowners would bring the artichoke motif inside in the form of such things as carved finials on stairway newel posts.

Today stone or wooden artichoke finials are still big on traditional style. With a slightly distressed finish they are perfect for a European style interior.



Just like antique furniture brings a timeless sophistication to any living space, an artichoke statue compliments interiors from shabby to Italian or French inspired.



The look of antique garden artichoke statuary adds a decorative element to any console table or shelf in your home. They are great accents to add to a vignette.


I love these garden architectural elements that look like clusters of artichokes instead of just a single plant.



You can bring this classical trend and influence to today's world in small doses if you like. Artichoke finales on the ends of your drapery rods are always a good look.


The classic and chic look of this lamp accentuates the alternating leaf pattern of the artichoke and causes it to become a bit more modern.


Considered a classic masterpiece, the iconic artichoke light fixture was first designed by Poul Henningsen for a restaurant in Copenhagen called the Langelinie Pavilion that still hosts some originals even today. The fixture consists of 72 individual leaves in 12 circular rows that shield the light source, and serve to redirect and reflect the light onto the underlying leaves. I adore the artichoke light when used in classical interiors like the one above. Such a great mix of old world elegance and modern charisma.

via Pinterest

Lars Bolander

Artichoke art can add a classic or whimsical concept to your interior. Here Lars Bolander uses a large Henry Koehler artichoke painting as a quirky backdrop for antique French furniture and global souvenirs.


Artichoke art is also great if you want to be a part of the botanical trend in decor.

images via Pinterest



White artichoke decor is chic and elegant and adds a touch of charm to your decor whether you create a vignette in your foyer or make it part of a dining room centerpiece.

cudesso.com

Grouped together for impact or scattered throughout an area, this delicate white artichoke accessory will fit in any decor.


Here a couple of ceramic white artichokes make an upscale statement to a shelving unit.





If you prefer more color, these great Stray Dog artichoke lamps will liven up any room.


Or maybe instead of stone and porcelain you like your artichoke decor to be organic and the real deal. The artichoke is a popular choice for vegetable inspired tabletop decor. Fill up a vintage basket or try a fresh artichoke centerpiece. They look great with magnolia leaves.

Southern Accent Magazine





There are so many ways to use nature’s delicacies in your decor and the artichoke is still a wonderful design element even in it's natural state.


Use them to add a presence of art in any unique space that you need an extra special accent.

Click here to see the previous post

http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2016/08/decorating-with-deer-mounts-for-french.html








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Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Decorating With Deer Mounts For A French Chateau Look



I hesitated in even putting this blog post together because I knew it could cause controversy and may be upsetting to some. I fully understand because I am an animal lover, almost to a fault. Also let it be known that I am against hunting as a sport, always have been and always will be. I can understand that there was a time men had to hunt to feed their families and I am OK with that because people come first. But now that this country is well served with grocery stores full of meat, to me there is no reason for hunting. However, I live near a reserve where local hunters are invited in periodically for hunting purposes (bows and arrows only I believe). They do this because the deer population gets too crowded with not enough food etc. for the animals to maintain good health. The undernourished animals become weak and their health suffers. I can accept this and like the fact that it is done with bows and arrows instead of guns (which in my opinion show no sign of being a sport).

While I would never encourage anyone to hunt an animal for a trophy, I do like the interiors of French chateaus that were known as hunting lodges, and the time-honored use of antlers and mounts as a decorative element. I think this look is very classic and tasteful when done right.

This week-end I found a beautiful deer mount in the back of an old thrift shop and after debating for a bit, I decided that this was no place for such a beautiful creature and that I would purchase it and give it a place of prominence in the entry hall of my European inspired home. I would encourage you to do the same if you like the look.There are many deer mounts already out there that could be given a place of honor instead of being relegated to walls and bins in thrift store or tossed out in garage sales. I am sorry if you are offended by my decision, but I feel like now my deer is being honored and for that I feel good.



The deer mount has always been a popular decor element in French interior design. Here they flank the gate of Pavillon de la Lanterne. Once a hunting lodge overlooking Versailles built in 1787 for the prince de Poix, Louis XVI's chief bodyguard, the home is now the summer residence of French President François Hollande.


An exterior wall at Versailles features a plaster deer mount that contains the actual antlers of a deer once killed by Louis XIV. At one time there was nothing at Versailles except a small medieval hunting lodge. It was later converted into a magnificent chateau by Louis XIV. By the high-middle ages hunting, no longer means of survival, was considered more a relaxing activity for the idle royalty and nobility. Deer mounts adorned the the walls of hunting lodges as the style became popular with the aristocracy.


There is something about deer mounts and French chateau decorating that go together. Here. European elegance meets rustic country and old-world character.
John Saladino

In the French chateau, an elegantly mounted deer head or skull would be a means to show off the owners skill and perseverance. The French culture is rich with hunting stories and legends.



Deer mounts in designer Timothy Corrigan's circa 1700's Château du Grand-Lucé in France's Loire Valley.



A deer mount will provide you with a large, dramatic art piece which you can use to create a focal point in your space.

via Pinterest

Halls and foyers are perfect spaces for displaying a deer mount.


Accent a beautiful entry and stairway with deer mounts. Even on a smaller scale it can look elegant.


Deer mounts and antlers provide a sophisticated approach to decorating a home that still inspires us today.

Deer mounts or antlers and crystal chandeliers screams French chateau style. It is rustic meets elegance at it's best.
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decor10blog.com

There are many great fakes out there so choose a resin deer mount for your space.


A fabulous French chateau dining room with assorted deer mounts. They add such a chic and elegant touch. If you try this look on a smaller scale in your home, be sure to pair them with hunt scenes either in the form of paintings or tapestries. 

Château de Brissac kitchen via Pinterest


Add a deer mount to an old world style kitchen for instant European flair. 


Château de Montgeoffroy kitchen with deer mounts. Limestone walls are a great background for mounts and antlers.

Even if you can only cover a section of the wall in limestone, it will lend to the chateau look and set off your deer mount.

Lisa Farmer-Eye For Design

Or you can create a faux limestone wall like I did in my hall complete with deer mount (purchased from antique shop). This was taken at Christmas last year.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design

Lisa Farmer-Eye For Design

We love the French hunting lodge style and have some roebuck and whitetail antler mounts in our dining room along with other hunt decor. Some are sheds and others were bought in antique shops. We don't kill to get our mounts. I look at it as a sort of animal rescue. Instead of wasting away they are now on display and bringing honor to the animal.

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Antique furniture, a collection of antique white dishes, and a deer mount all work to enhance the European character of this room.


We seem to have a love affair with decorating our walls with deer......even finding them painted on the walls of cave dwellers.


What a gorgeous piece of French furniture and window. The deer mount gives this buffet vignette even more refinement.

Charles Faudree

Try incorporating antlers or mounts to achieve the graceful and inviting style of French Provincial decorating.


Charles Faudree used them in some of his fantastic French Country designs.


An elegant traditional setting using deer mount and canine art. Proof that your home doesn't have to be huge to still pull off the look.



These wall art pieces are an easy fit for both elegant, country, and cottage interiors. Antiques are an important component of the decor and a well placed deer mount (even a plaster one like this) goes a long way towards chic.


Great vignette with deer mount, French table, and lots of books!!

via Pinterest

The white deer mount is perfect for a room decorated in French grey and white. I guess the deer is painted or whitewashed.


Remember that a deer mount needn't be strictly associated with the American lodge look that many people automatically think of when they are mentioned. They can be quite an asset to your decor when used is a stylish way.

An iron deer mount makes a great patio accent and brings European flair to your outdoor entertaining area. This one graces Ralph Lauren's restaurant in Paris.


Large antique Paris Porcelain coffee pot featuring a deer. Deer inspired decor is another way to bring the look to your interiors.

images via Pinterest

Or look for a beautiful deer mount embellished crystal chandelier.

magnolialane.co.u

You will find many deer inspired items to choose from.


Click here to see the previous post

http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2016/07/decorating-with-french-bergere-chair.html







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