Design du Monde

I will be sending many of you emails in the coming days to announce the change of venue.

Design du Monde

I feel it is time to change my blog name. This one does not go with my focus on design.

Please visit me at DesignduMonde.blogspot.com for the ongoing dialogue on the World of Design and designing the World from my Virginia  home.

Local art

Happy Day by Kerry Steele

I can't get enough art these days. I've been a regular on eBay and Etsy to round out my collection and even browsed locally.

Ana Rendich

Fredericksburg, Virginia has several galleries worth seeing including Art First.

Currently, they are featuring an All Member's Exhibition that opens tonight.

Ruth Ann Loving

The galleries in historic old town Fredericksburg all work together to promote local artists. That alone is worth supporting. I have yet to attend an opening but its on my busy list.

Shirley Whelan

I saved this painting by Shirley Whelan for last to give you a little food for thought. The style reminds me of the iconic American painter Edward Hopper. Not so much in the subject matter, but rather the technique and general feel. 

My question is: Does that make it better art? What do you think?

Edward Hopper, House by the Railroad, 1925

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.

I think I have Spring fever

I'm not really sure where this is going.

I've had ugly computer problems and gorgeous weather.

I spent a lovely afternoon at Dixie's in Frederickburg...

having my hair done. Just like in a movie, in was a gaggle of sweet ladies with Southern accents.

I have little to complain about.

I had the first dinner out, alone with my husband in two years.

We had after dinner drinks at Sammy T's in Old Town Fred.

Its not some cookie cutter place as the name might suggest.

The name certainly does not fit the the historic charm of this watering hole and its popularity

has been steady since we first visited less than a year ago.

I still pinch myself a bit when I remember that I live here.

It may seem like small potatoes to some, living here that is, but it has been a long time wish of mine to be in a place I really love,once again.

Fab  Fred antique stores coming soon.

I love Fred

 Don't worry my husband is down with Fred too. This  is our  Fred.

I will soon regain my status as Virginia resident.

It excites me.

It thrills me beyond belief to be in the state of my birth and upbringing.

Hannah and Silas Burke lived in what is now the "wilds of Northern Virginia". Silas was my great great something grandfather. I am hating losing that war. This land is $$$$$$ !

This is old Fredericksburg, Virginia.

For the city folks to the North  I can only advise you to ignore the signs that say "Thar be Dragons Beyond".

In Freder icksburg you'll find a real old fashioned pharmacy with a counter serving real vanilla Coke. There are antique and vintage stores at every price point (often low) and every level of collector including the most discerning.

I only hope I can make something of new constuction that is worthy of Spotsylvania's (county) history.

And its looks like I'll be doing it in this house.

 Advice is welcome.

 Pics to follow after closing.

I wish I was in the land of cotton,

Old times there are not forgotten...

 

Look away, look away..

Virginia is for Lovers!

This weekend involved a trip through several towns in Virginia. This door above is one of a number of places that would be great to call home.

Old Town Fredericksburg is a charmer and we ended up spending much of our morning driving and walking through its neighborhoods.

Without knowing what we would find, we headed towards the historic district. That lead us through the neighborhoods by Mary Washington College.

Instead of cruddy student housing we saw houses like the two above.

And these.

When we arrived in the historic district we decide to walk it. It is chock full of history. Like Kenmore Plantation that was home to George Washington's sister Betty.

George was a very good boy. He built this house for his mother, Mary, so she had a home in her old age and a garden to tend. Ferry Farm, his boyhood home is nearby and perhaps the spot of the legendary cherry tree.

The Washington's were busy here. George's brother built the Rising Sun Tavern.

The house next door happened to be for sale. I said to my husband that I have dreamt of living somewhere like this. I stopped to admire it and he struck up a conversation with the owner who happened to be outside. She is the nice lady in the corner of this photo.

It was built in 1907. Of course, my husband charmed his way into a tour of the house. I felt a bit guilty but was glad I got to see it. I did not photograph the inside. It seemed too rude. The back garden was lovely and smelled of boxwood and magnolia, which was in bloom.

The charm was everywhere.

There was not a tiny sniff of the apathy and decay that I have seen in other places.

The grand houses...

are well kept.

Even this more modest row house is cute as a bug's ear.

If you are still not convinced that Fredericksburg is as charming as it gets, let me tell you that this drugstore actually has an old-fashioned lunch counter. It comes complete with stools that spin and a Coca-cola fountain.