Armoire Amour

I know that "armoire" is French for cupboard, but for me, the word conjures up images of beautiful carved woodwork, flowing romantic lines, often painted in chalky colours, sometimes slightly distressed and mostly filled with beautiful French linens, gorgeous clothes, wonderfully scented bath products and fluffy towels or lovely vintage crockery. Yes, an "armoire" is definitely so much more than just a cupboard.

This one placed in a dining room is my favourite. I love the colour and patina. (via here)

Such beautiful detail on this one (via here)

Cleverly used as a drinks cupboard (via here)

Full of gorgeous clothes (via here)

Used here to store table linen (via here)

This one painted white - simple and lovely. I also love the stone walls. (via here)

Such a pretty detail at the top of this one (via here)

This one has a useful drawer at the bottom. Don't you love the chair? (via here)

This one is painted in a beautiful shade of blue (via here)

 Very ornate with beautiful decorative details (via here)

Used for storage in a bedroom - so romantic (via here)

 

I love all the furniture in this bedroom (via here)

Another beautifully ornate one (via here)

A simpler version - the wood looks like it could be walnut (via here)

A close up of some beautiful detail (via here)

So do you have an "armoire" that you "l'amore" ?

 

Till next time

Sharon x

Pale and Interesting

It is a very grey, wet day in Cape Town. I spent the morning watching my boys play rugby in torrential rain and the rest of the weekend will be spent helping them study for the exams they write next week. I felt like my weekend needed a bit of a lift so I found these beautiful images to share. I love the pale and subdued colours and the interesting furnishings and accessories. 

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I could easily live in a home with rooms furnished like these. Could you?

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday!


Till next time

Sharon x

My Continental Corner

I would like to introduce you to a new addition to my home.

I got this little table for a song. It was on sale because the top, which was this ugly orange coloured wood, was badly scratched. I brought it home, sanded it and painted it a soft grey colour.

I placed it in the corner of my family room, flanked it with two cafe chairs and put some pretties on top. The little green books are a set of Shakespeare plays that I inherited from my grandmother.

You might have noticed the painting behind the table. The watercolour on the left is of "Les Halles" which is an area of Paris. When my husband and I were on honeymoon in Paris, my aunt, who lives in Paris, took us to a restaurant in Les Halles where I had the best creme brulee that I have ever tasted. My mouth waters every time I look at the painting. The watercolour on the right is of Venice and was painted by my late grandmother. So I feel that this is a little "continental corner" of my home.

I am on my way to a mother's tea at my sons' school. The Grade 3 (9 year old) boys serve tea and cake to their moms and read out little poems and messages to tell their moms how much they appreciate them. Isn't it a sweet idea.

Wishing you all a lovely week.

I am linking up to Wow us Wednesday.

Till next time

Sharon x

Front doors - setting the tone

I think a front door of a house often sets the tone for the rest of the home. A beautiful door and surroundings makes the visitor look forward to what lies beyond.

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I love front doors that make a bit of a statement or add some character to a home. The slightly worn appearance of the above door adds to its appeal.

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They don't have to be huge or grand. The doorways below are fairly humble but have huge appeal.

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Greenery, whether more formal and symmetrical as in the picture below, or the more relaxed versions above also make a front entrance more inviting.

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The glimpse of the interior below looks as inviting as its front entrance promises.

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I love the iron work on the following two doors. I would love to add something like this to my front door.

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I am bravely showing you a picture of my front door. Do you agree - some pretty curvy ironwork would give it a little something? Make it less bland? I need your support to convince my husband!.

 

One thing I do love about my front door though, is my door handle. Isn't it pretty?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Till next time

Sharon x

A Basket Case

Thank-you for all your lovely comments on my previous post. For some reason, when blogger was having a hiccup on Friday, many of them were deleted. I have tried to republish them but without success. So if you commented and it has not appeared, please know that I did receive it and publish it but then lost it somewhere along the way and seem unable to retrieve it. I don't know if anyone else had the same problem?

Now onto other things....

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I have a real basket fetish! I use baskets for a myriad of different purposes at home. At last count I think I had over 100 baskets of varying shapes and sizes. When I am out shopping I am drawn to them like a magnet. I buy them for no reason at all. I bring them home and then try to find a use for them! I'm sure it is supposed to be the other way around! I love wicker baskets, willow baskets, woven baskets, wire baskets. In short - I am "a basket case"!

I found some pictures of baskets used in a variety of different ways which I hope you will enjoy.

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Till next time

Sharon x