Home decorating - Chalk Farm

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April 11th, 2013

A little History Lesson about Gustavian furniture…

I absolutely love Gustavian furniture. I have mixed pieces of it with all of my other furnishings over the years and I find it to be timeless and versatile.

The history of Gustavian furniture began in 1771, when the future king of Sweden, Gustav III, returned home to Sweden after an extended stay at the court of Louis XVI at Versailles. The young monarch was highly influenced by the Neoclassical style and sought to recreate it in Sweden.

The Gustavian style that evolved is a restrained interpretation of the French Louis XV and Louis XVI style. Initially, Gustavian furniture was reserved for royal palaces. However, the style soon gained popularity with the average citizen. While palaces were graced with gilded furniture, countryside homes were decorated with painted furniture; either white-washed or painted gray or soft cream. The light painted finishes provided a reflective quality that was desired during the long dark winters.

The Gustavian style has increased in popularity over the years. I love the simplicity of the design and the unique patina of the aged, painted wood.

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Beautiful, isn’t it? I often can source Gustavian pieces, so if you are looking for something special, just let me know and I will try and find it for you.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

xo Jennifer

10 Comments • Posted in: Home decorating

January 14th, 2013

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in my dining room…

Hello and Happy Monday. So, I promised my husband that I would do my best to stop decorating our house for a little while. (Translation: I’m not supposed to buy anything). I’ll admit, that’s a bit like asking a dog not to wag its tail around here. I’m constantly rearranging things and always looking for another little treasure to add, however, this month has given me the opportunity to change up a few things around the house that I already have.

I love my dining room hutch, but I’ve never really cared for the dark wood inside. I had heard of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, but had never tried it. I figured I’d give it a try, and now I’m hooked. For those of you who don’t know, Annie Sloan is the matriarch of an incredible paint that you can use on any surface, no prep work needed. Unlike other paint which requires you to strip and sand down the piece you want to refinish, this paint requires none of that. And once you get hooked, you can really start to have fun playing around with different colors and finishes. A quick search on google images will reveal some pretty beautiful pieces, and they can all be easily replicated by you!

So here is what my cabinet looked like when I started…..

I chose a beautiful color called Duck Egg….

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The paint is very thick, so I used a tiny bit of water to thin it out….After it dried, I applied Annie Sloan Clear Wax….

Then, I filled the cabinet with my white pottery and some coral……

My dining room has a beautiful chandelier from the 1930′s…..

The new paint color brings out the pattern in this fabric I have on a few chairs in my dining room.

The paint is available all over the country. If you cannot find a location near you, you can have it delivered right to your door.

Have a great week.

xo Jennifer

9 Comments • Posted in: Home decorating

October 28th, 2012

Bringing France home to Westlake Village…

It can be really hard work finding antiques to sell. For those of you who know what I’m talking about, let’s all take a collective big sigh that another weekend is over. There are the estate sales, the flea markets, the garage sales and the thrift stores. All of it can get exhausting! The thrill of the hunt really is a lot of fun, but when you are searching full-time for treasures because its your JOB….well, it has its ups and downs.

Take yesterday’s series of yard sales, many of which listed “Antiques” in their ads. Yes, well, I suppose Smurfs can be considered antiques to a certain group of people. There was an old oak table that nearly broke my foot when I touched it and its top fell over. It’s owner explained, “it just needs a little love.”

Are casserole dishes from the 1970′s antiques? If they are, then that makes me old enough to be an antique too, so I’m voting NO!

Then there are the piles of old shoes, ratty-haired Barbies and cast-off dishes. A lamp with a battered shade, A broken eliptical machine, and two sofas that looked like something furry had been inhabiting them.

There was the 20 mile drive that led to a Pez dispenser collection, and the 30 minute drive that ended with a driveway full of Hello Kitty toddler clothes.

Occasionally though, there are the moments that make it all worth it. Those moments when your heart races because you see something so good, you want to hug the person rummaging in the bin next to you. The 4 antique frames from Belgium, the two sterling silver champagne buckets, the weathered white wooden garden urns covered in dirt begging for new blossoms. Ah yes, the moments when the truck is full and you’re patting yourself on the back for a job well done.

Sometimes, you can be really unlucky. And sometimes, luck is your middle name, as it was for me this weekend.

This gal was just trying to off-load some no longer wanted collectibles…and this Francophile pounced.

Here are some photos:

A vintage set of 5 Ceramic canisters from France ….

An enamelware coffee pot from Belgium….

Several Old French tins….

French linens…

A porcelain set of 5 French canisters…

More enamelware…

And lastly…..

I mean, could you just die? How gorgeous is this!

This one has already found a place on my mantle, and it’s staying here with me. The hardest part of all this treasure hunting, is having to part with all of the treasures. They are all listed on etsy, but…. I get to keep them all until they go to a new home.

You can find them here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChalkFarmHome

Have a great week!

xo Jennifer

No Comments • Posted in: Home decorating

October 14th, 2012

Perroquet Wallpaper by Nina Campbell

I first saw Nina Campbell‘s Perroquet wallpaper in Domino magazine and I knew I had to have it! I ended up wallpapering my powder room in my last house with the Black color and I loved it. It made the tiny space so dramatic.

Eliza is nearing the 3 year mark and it’s time to start thinking about creating her “Big Girl” room. I found a beautiful antique white wrought iron bed yesterday at a yard sale in perfect condition. I started daydreaming about how I would design her room, and I immediately thought of this wallpaper, but this time, I’d use it in white.