19th century French floor tiles

  In most of the old houses around here if you let your gaze drop to the ground, you'll find that you are standing on an old 19th century decorative tiled floor.   These tiles are tough enough to resist to most conditions, and  even when walls need re-plastering or the actual floor level has moved, the tiles can be retrieved and relaid straight.

Typically the decorative tiles were laid as a 'rug' to echo the shape of the room.  A border around the edge.  Today it is possible to find complete 'rugs' of tiles for sale in the most beautiful colours.

It is not unusual in the old houses like ours, to find a decorative pattern used in the entrance hall and the kitchen with wooden parquet, or brick red tomettes laid in the adjacent living and dining areas.

I love the subtle colours of the floors, they seem to bring warmth and whimsy to today's neutral tones.  In the  bathroom below 19th century tiles have been reworked as a the wall on a walk in shower.  Gorgeous yellow with the grey woodwork

Of course some tile patterns are more intricate than others, some designed to impress others to comfort (those things never change!), but to me it's a bonus to find an old house that still has this decorative floor pattern intact.

PS  If you haven't entered yet, don't forget the fantastic Diane James Home giveaway, 2 days to go!

5 Months Already?

How can it be that my baby boy is 5 months old today?

My sweet little Boo Boo is going to be on the move before we know it.

I love every square inch of this baby boy.  His chubby cheeks, his huge grins, his soft skin, his smell, his belly laughs, his rubber band wrists, his super-chub thighs....... oh, and those eyes, I love those baby blues......I could go on and on.  Caspian Finn is honestly the sweetest, happiest little guy I have ever met.  Always smiling, easy going ~ definitely a dream baby if I could have ordered him up myself.

I'd like to push the pause button right now and freeze this moment in time.  Ok, I'm pushing it......right.....now.

It's all going by way to fast.

Happy 5 months to my sweet little guy ~ you are truly such a joy!

Henry's Nursery- "The Big Board"- Part 1

Okay as promised nursery details are here.  Let's start with the single item I had the most questions regarding- Henry's Big Board as we call it.

It all started with a simple idea.  I wanted a huge board in Henry's room for pictures, etc. but I wanted something different than cork board.  I am going to have Patrick write about the initial conversations of what I envisioned but this was the very primitive sketch of what I wanted.  

In the beginning I planned on using old reclaimed floor planks from a local company that specializes in those sort of things but when hanging something over a crib, weight quickly becomes an issue.  Originally I wanted this board to be much larger but again, over a crib changes some details.

So after a lot of debate about safety Patrick went to work.  I had also planned on using amazing hardware for the corners but we ran into a lot of issues so in the end we used simple brackets to connect the boards.

 While most of my original ideas were scrapped/edited for one reason or another, one idea did make it all the way through- burlap upholstery tape woven across the back to hold up pictures, etc.  Ordered from an upholstery supplier this part was easy- weave, tighten and staple.

Several of you asked how we attached it to the wall so I included this picture to show the supports behind the board.  These boards (painted to match the wall) are screwed into the studs and the board was attached to these with hanging hardware.  I can tell you that board is not going anywhere, we were very careful about safety over the crib.

 Up after completion.

 I decided to include this too (although it is less than flattering) but it shows another view of the ceiling and light.

Closer view of materials.

Part II- Items on the board coming next.....

 First Image (the one better than the rest) courtesy of Paula of Two Ellie

light and space in an old French bastide

If I were to move back down to the South of France with it's beautiful light and gentle living, I would definitely love a house with proportions like these.  Tall ceilings, wide open windows, gently light colours.  Everything feels calm and uncluttered, the living looks easy.

 I love the long dresser in this picture, so great for displaying plates or even lining up dishes for a big family lunch!

The furniture is not overdone, mostly vintage or brocante pieces, the accent is on colour, patina and textures.  The bareness of the walls in the sitting room provide a striking set for the two huge orchard ladders.

Fittingly it is the bedroom that is given the most comfortable treatment, with a big soft armchair, and of course the wonderfully simple baldaquin over the bed.

How simple is this table?!  Two  bench supports and plank table top rounded at the corners.  What makes it spectacular is its size.

This is my favourite picture,; I love the grey of the lamp stand against the neutral stone wall.   The way the side table height has been raised, and those amazing little vases attached to the lamp - those I want!

Another example of French understatement, less is more.  Simple materials, neutral colours, comfort in textiles with looking for anything fancy.    The overall effect feels soothing to me - what do you think?

all pictures with thanks to campagne et doecoration

{ Snowy Day Craft }

One of the biggest surprise hits of my designer room at the Philadelphia Home Show
was the monogrammed cork "M" I made for a desk accessory.
I was totally surprised at how many comments it got.
It was a last minute project I came up with when I realized I needed a few accessories for the desk.

Since it was such a hit, I thought I'd show you how to make your own.
Step one: gather all you girlfriends and drink a few bottles of wine.

Step two: print our a large letter on the printer.

 Step: Three: Use the paper letter as a guide and hot glue all your corks together.
(I mapped mine out on top of the print out first before I started gluing to make sure I had enough corks.)

I know you really didn't need a tutorial to figure this out, but I gave you another reason to have another glass of wine tonight.

Monday, Monday...Inspiration

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Rick Rack Travel Tissue Holder ~ Tutorial

These last couple weeks we have been sick with some pretty nasty colds around here ~ tis the season, I guess.  It is the worst feeling to be caught out and about without a tissue in sight.  I mean, what is a girl to do? I've been meaning to make some travel tissue holders for the last year and I finally sat down and sewed some of these little cuties.

As most of you know, I've got a thing for rick rack, so I decided to incorporate one of my favorite trims into the design.  This project is a really great way to use up scraps as it only takes two small squares of fabric.  If you are in a 'scrap busting' kind of mode, this is going to be a great project to put those scraps to good use. 

Also, if you are just starting out sewing, this is a perfect beginner project and if you are a seasoned pro, these fun travel tissue holders will take you minutes to sew together.  Let's get started....... 

Rick Rack Travel Tissue Holder

by The Cottage Mama

Supplies:

1 - 6" x 7.5" piece of fabric (exterior)

1 - 6" x 7.5" piece of fabric (lining)

Rick Rack

Basic Sewing Supplies

Optional: Wonder Tape

Instructions:

Cut your fabric.  You will need two pieces for each tissue holder.  One for the exterior and one for the lining.  Also, pick out a coordinating color of rick rack trim.

Pin rick rack to both sides of the exterior piece of fabric.  Line the rick rack up with the edge of the fabric.  Another option is to use Wonder Tape to temporarily adhere the rick rack to the fabric.  Wonder Tape is a double-sided tape that washes away and won't gum up your needle.  Apply it to the back of the rick rack, peel off the paper backing and stick it to the fabric.  Again, Wonder Tape is totally optional.

Place the lining fabric on top of the exterior fabric with the right sides facing each other.  By right sides, I mean the printed side of the fabric.  Stitch down both sides that have the rick rack using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Turn right side out and press.  This should allow the rick rack to just peak through on either side.  This was a standard, regular sized rick rack.  If you choose to use a smaller or jumbo rick rack, you will need to adjust it so that the right amount peaks through with the 1/4" seam allowance.

Place the fabric with the exterior fabric side up.  Fold in both sides, so now you see the lining.  Fold in so that the seams where the rick rack are seen are overlapping each other.  Pin in place.

Stitch down both sides of the tissue holder using a 1/4" seam allowance.  Trim edges with pinking shears or use a zig-zag stitch for finishing.  Clip corners and turn right side out pressing out the corners.

The rick rack is entirely optional as well, but I think it adds a nice, vintage detail.

Fabric is 100% cotton, 'City Weekend' by Oliver + S for Moda Fabrics.

Once your tissue holder is complete, just fill with travel sized tissue packs with the plastic wrapper removed.  I plan to make one of these to keep in each of my purses, one for the car, and maybe one for each of my kids.  These really are the easiest thing to sew and make a very ordinary item such as tissues into something special and fun!