Vivez Bien * Live Well

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Making an Entrance



 
If you want to make your house into a home that really reflects your personality and interests, the best place to start is in your entrance hall. A table or chest filled with a collection of things that have meaning to you, or that you find interesting or beautiful is a great way to tell your visitors a bit about yourself. Take a look at these lovely examples....


 This collection of things is quite eclectic, but the symmetry keeps it from looking chaotic.



The vase of blossoms add just the right height and scale, preventing the mirror from overpowering the table and objects below.




Such a lovely combination of textures.



Placing baskets or other similar containers under the table adds interest and can be useful as storage for shoes or other bits and pieces.



A weathered door placed on a trestle, some old books and battered suitcases, driftwood and other found objects.... you can put something like this together without spending a cent.


Using materials found in nature looks wonderful and is easily changed when you tire of your tablescape.



 
Also pay attention to the backdrop...I love this collection of mirrors. Gather some old picture frames from junk shops, place mirrors in them and voila!



Play with the height, scale and arrangement...until it feels right.




Fewer, larger items usually make more of an impact than many smaller ones.




Don't be afraid to put the practical evidence of your daily life on display, as long as it is done with some style.





Hopefully you have been inspired by some of these ideas so you too can "make an entrance".
 
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
 
 
Till next time
 
Sharon x
 
Image source: 1. Estilio Rustico, 2. Tumblr, 3. Atlanta Homes Magazine 4. Simply Pix, 5. Designer David Easton, 6. Veranda, 7. Velvet and Linen, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Tumblr 14 Josephine Ryan 15 Tracery Interiors, 16. Tumblr, 17 Casa decorada, 18. Decorista Daydreams 19. Decorpad 20. Estilo Rustica 21. Remodelista, 22. Style for living
 

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Pumpkin colours

 
We had a wonderful trip to Paris and I promise to post some pics as soon as I get organised enough. Life has been somewhat busy since we got back and some days our time away seems like it was all just a dream. While on that subject of "busy-ness", I read somewhere that having a busy, busy life isn't the status symbol that some people seem to think it is...it's just a sign of bad time management. Makes one think, doesn't it?

 
Moving on to other things....  Halloween is not really a big thing here in South Africa. The kids have caught on to the trick or treating idea - any excuse to gather a collection of sweets and treats, but generally people don't decorate their houses or celebrate the day in any significant way, as they do in the USA. But, because many of my blog friends and readers are American, I thought a post featuring the rich autumn colours of pumpkins might be appropriate.

























Wishing you a all good week ahead and try not to be too busy! Doing nothing every now and then is good for the soul!
 
Till next time
 
Sharon x


Images all from Tumblr and Pinterest

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Raw beauty - brick floors


One normally associates brick flooring with patios or paving, but I'm sure these pictures will convince you that brick floors work equally well inside the house.


It is a great option for kitchens, low maintenance and hard wearing.










It works particularly well in laundry rooms and utility areas...




.....but brick flooring doesn't have to be confined to the "back rooms" of the house. Here are some examples of where it has been used to great effect in entrance halls...








and living and dining rooms...










...and it is the perfect flooring to use for a wine room or cellar...
 

....and, while you are at it, why not use it on the ceiling as well?

 
Finally, it works surprisingly well in a bedroom or bathroom as illustrated here.


 
 
I hope you all have a wonderful week. I am off to Paris on Wednesday so I will say au revoir for a while but will certainly get back to blogging on my return.
 
Till next time
 
Sharon x
 
 
 
Image source: 1. via tovestoogfirbeinte.blogspot  2. via Casa Decorada 3. via Décor de Provence 4. via Dust Jacket Attic 5. via The Inspired Room, 6.via Thompson Custom Homes 7. via David Bowen of Salisbury Artisans 8. via Canal Blog 9. via Beneath my Heart 10. via Niagara Novice Blog 11. Via Ruedeemily 12. via Houzz 13. via Atlanta Homes Mag 14. via Cote de Texas 15. via Search Har.com 16. via Colour outside the lines 17. via Charming Spaces 18. via Casa Decorada 19. via Iron Gate Interiors 20. via Attic mag 21. via Belle Atelier on Tumblr 22. via Ezpong 23. Via Segreto 24.
via Searching for Style 25. source unknown