Chalk Farm » Home decorating

Who doesn’t adore vintage grain sacks?

Jennifer — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 21:17:55 +0000

Who of us doesn’t love Vintage Grain Sacks? My heart starts racing whenever I see them, especially when I spot them in a booth piled high in different colors. European grain sacks have shown up everywhere from pillows to curtains in home decor lately. They range in different shades, from sun-bleached whites, warm greys and sandy colored hemp linen. Some of them have bands of blue or red, or initials. Rare grain sacks can even be found with text or designs printed on them. Farmers back in the day would individualize these designs so that they could identify their own sacks when they were transporting grain, flour or sugar. Some of the sacks were even further distinguished with a family’s monogram, the town they lived in and the year they were made. Some vendors have extensive collections that are very rare, like this pillow below from 3 Fine Grains.

Furniture becomes even more special when it’s upholstered in soft grain sacks.

Grain Sacks are a beautiful addition to a table. Use them as runners or napkins.

I always have Grain sack pillows in the house. Currently, I have some blue ones on my son’s bed, and red striped ones in our study on a linen sofa. This photograph is from Dreamy Whites.

I have a few grain sack pillows I’m selling this week from an incredible vendor I found here in Southern California. I only purchased four, but I promised her I’d be back to snatch up a few more once these sold. Her pillows are beautiful, with down inserts and a hidden zipper closure. You can find them in the textile section of the store. Here are a few photos.

Have a wonderful week!

Jennifer

MIMI’ lou items have arrived from Paris

Jennifer — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:30:06 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I’m so excited to tell you about a favorite line that I’m now carrying. Mimi’lou is a French designer brand created in 2005. Behind the brand is talented artist Miriam Derville who started turning her illustrations into wall decals. With the success of the wall art, the collection quickly expanded into home textiles and accessories. I first saw this chic and beautiful line at Bonton, the exquisite Parisian children’s shop and I’m now one of a few shop owners in the United States carrying it. I love the colors and detail of every single item. They are charming and have a sweet vintage feel to them, yet they are decidedly contemporary at the same time. I can picture these sweet images in a sweet French inspired nursery or a cool mid-century modern kids room bursting with colors. Inspired by the fanciful and quirky world of children, each design has a story to tell…. Take a peek in the BABY section of the online store. Merchandise is limited.

Have a great week!

Jennifer

Once upon a time, and long ago…

Jennifer — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:15:28 +0000

It seems like ages since the store was up and running. It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I left Glenridge Avenue. I’m so excited to get the online store going, and it’s fun to look back and see some of the original things I had in the shop. It’s definitely evolved over time, with more of an emphasis on French design these days. If you see anything in the pictures you want or remember wanting, give a shout out and I’ll see if I can get it for you.

Let’s start at the very beginning…

Jennifer — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:17:16 +0000

I’m a big believer in working with what you have, and working on a budget. You may be dreaming of more space or of a different kind of house, but do you know how easy it is to change things with a few small touches and some paint? My house was a dark brown box when I bought it, but I could see it’s potential. A modest 1913 Craftsman style home, the original owners didn’t exactly put the finest materials into the place, so I had no qualms about painting all of the woodwork a refreshing white. The walls were covered in a dingy brownish floral wallpaper which had to go immediately as well. I painted everything Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue, and the trim is Benjamin Moore White Dove. It’s my favorite of all whites because it is soft, without leaning towards the ivory side. Ivory paint can look a little yellow in certain light and can leave your trim looking dirty. This color works in whatever room you’ve got. Use a semi-gloss finish so you can wash fingerprints off easily.

I absolutely love a blue and white color scheme. Initially, I started with a Swedish feel to my house, but too many Gustavian pieces left me feeling a little cold. My eye has always gravitated toward French pieces that are white, light and earthy.
Like most white loving cottage dwellers, I am a fan of slipcovered sofas. With kids and dogs, they are easy to clean. The armchairs in my Living Room are covered with inexpensive burlap. I love the look and it’s a fast way to change the look of a chair without spending a fotune or worrying about what will happen if Fido or your precious toddler get anywhere near it. Here are some before and after pictures of my “renovation”, which merely consisted of paint, lighting, and my collection of flea market finds.