textural tables

As I recently took a look around my family room, I thought it had, or was about to have too much texture.

The orange beast was reincarnated in a lovely, warm gray.

To that was added my kid proof rustic table and accessories. Soon to come are bamboo shades and drapes...

in this Robert Allen fabric on four windows behind the sofa.

I have Kirsch wrought iron rods for them. Hmm, rustic-y.

There are two medium tone wood dressers and an antique wood milking chair in the room.

Also, this chair in a black velvet will be arriving in a week or so.

I figured I need something light and fresh, maybe shiny and sleek too to tone down all the wood and rich texture in this very bright room.

So I bought one of these and almost bought a very, boring and safe second when I found this...

on Etsy. Yay! I'm so excited that every thing is coming together. I'll post photos as soon as it all arrives.

Score II and what to do.

I went on the hunt for dining chairs in old town Fredericksburg yesterday.

 I did not find the chairs I wanted but find plenty of goodies.

At River Run Antiques I found this fabulous bookcase with drop front drawer. There was no price but my husband really liked the pics and I'll have to go back to see whether or not its in the budget.

Terrible picture, cool table.

This portrait caught my eye as did several other paintings that were too high on the wall to get a good picture of.

These chairs at R & R Antiques were cute but not quite right.

Next to those chairs was this and...

this case of goodies.

If your ship is missing a wheel, they have that too.

Diving ?

I am confused about the name of the next store. The sign just says Fredericksburg clock repair but that had the loveliest displays instead of the usual jumble of things.

I considered these charming glasses.

And a few things from this display.

I couldn't think of a spot for this primitive box so it stayed there.

There was an entire section of well loved toys that reminded me of The Velveteen Rabbit. The pictures of that area didn't come out very well.

A barber's pole and disco ball! Everything I've ever dreamed of! Kidding, of course.

Yet another shop proved chock full of chinoiserie, including these guys for $20. I think I might be headed back for them.

What did I buy?

Three vintage Vera scarves that I love, love love.

This groovy one has the colors in my 16 year old son's room. I just don't know what to do with it.

 A pillow would be unappreciated and drooled on. Gross.

The happy colors in this one have me considering framing it for my littlest girl's room to go with this painting I just bought on Etsy.

 She will be one chic little girl!

What would you do with these scarves? I need ideas.

crazy about chinoiserie

I have been, at first tempted, then hungry for, and now have an insatiable craving for anything chinoiserie.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the term, " Chinoiserie is a French term, signifying "Chinese-esque", refers to a recurring theme in European artistic styles since the seventeenth century, which reflect Chinese artistic influences. It is characterized by the use of fanciful imagery of an imaginary China, by asymmetry in format and whimsical contrasts of scale, and by the attempts to imitate Chinese porcelain and the use of lacquer like materials and decoration." , and I love it.

Thibaut has some fabulous wallpapers and fabrics that fit the bill.

Iconic images that they include are

pagodas...

birds in blossoming trees and

figural depictions of romanticized Chinese life.

After reading a recent post at Cote de Texas

I am more convinced than ever that I should wallpaper a ceiling or more specifically my dining room ceiling.

Since the top half of the walls will be a Benjamin-Moore Moroccan Red and the wainscoting below a simple white, I was leaning towards the Thibaut above called Cantonese in the aqua colorway.

Its a tough choice.

How would you incorporate a Chinese styled item into your home? Would you go  all in like these Thibaut rooms or add a piece or two as you find them?

magic carpets

I just bought two Persian rugs on ebay and I'm feeling quite fortunate at the deal I got. There were so many unfamiliar, descriptive words associated with the listings that I went in search of their meanings only to be overwhelmed by the information I found.

Persian carpets can be divided into three groups; Farsh / 'Qālii' (sized anything greater than 6x4 feet), Qālicheh (meaning rug, sized 6x4 feet and smaller), and nomadic carpets known as Gelim (گلیم) Kilim, (including Zilu, meaning rough carpet)

Persian rugs are typically designed using one of four patterns: all-over, central medallion, compartment and one-sided. Some abstract asymmetrical design can be found but most of these can be described as one-sided or unidirectional.

One of the rugs I bought is a Tabriz from Iran.

The majority of carpets from Tabriz have a central medallion and quartered corner medallions superimposed over a field of scrolling vine ornament, sometimes punctuated with mounted hunters, single animals, or animal combat scenes.

The rugs I purchased are not as unusual as these. They are most red and blue as is the Persian rug that belonged to my grandmother.

Rug I bought

 The rugs I bought are "semi-antique" and slightly worn which actually adds value if the rugs are the real thing, i.e. not something you got at Kohl's. I love the character the imbue and the classic colors works well in my home.

Do you use area rugs? Have a favorite?