SUPER Glamourous French and Shabby Chic furniture

Posted by Mr Wong at 8:32 AM 1 comments

You'll love this shop I'm sure - Sweetpea and Willow, in Ireland and London, has so many gorgeous things I could furnish my whole house with their stuff!

Okay - this bed. I LOVE that the opulent white wash frame is paired with a modest gray linen. Seriously I might have to get this bed one day.


Isn't this the cutest chair?






What do you think? Think you could find a thing or two you like?
See more at Sweetpea and Willow

Some great inspiration: Victorian Shabby Chic

Posted by Mr Wong at 8:02 AM 0

Way too long ago a reader asked me for suggestions to create a "Victorian Shabby Chic" style. I'm ashamed that I'm just getting to it now - but better late than never?

Here's what she writes:
"...we are just starting major renovations on an old Victorian house (built in 1891). One of my challenges is that I don't want the house to be overly Victorian. We are retaining as many of the historical elements as we can (trim, doors, wood floors, etc.) but are making a lot of changes to make the house more suitable for today (adding bathrooms, making a master suite, etc.). The style I am going for is "shabby chic country Victorian", which is I think is a totally made up term that my friend and I came up with. I was wondering if you have any thoughts or images that may fit this "style".

Well, here are a few pics I pulled from my collection that I thought might just fit the bill...


via Vogue Living

The stool with the aged patina adds a "shabby" element to keep the space from being too "perfect" Victorian.

Gotta love the floor!
Two images above via Lonny Mag

via House to Home

via Boligtorvet

Here' another example of a "shabby" piece of furniture that will keep a space from looking too fluffy. I really like the look of a filing cabinet or locker mixed in with victorian furnishings.
via House Doctor

Mixing and matching throws and pillows on your seating will make the space cozier and "shabbier"

A modern chandelier like the one above is Victorian in shape, but the color and finish keeps the fixture from being too chintzy.

Victorian homes often feature gorgeous original wood architectural elements. If the wood is dark, a great way to brighten the space is to add a mirror with a bit of edge, like the one above

Use contrasting colors (like white chairs and a black table), to keep the space awake
four images above via Domino


via Country Living

via Living Etc



Do you have any tips for a "victorian shabby chic" look?

An eco-friendly, US-made friendly new store with absolutely gorgeous home decor!

Posted by Mr Wong at 7:54 PM 0

I was introduced to this store by the owners and I was really, really impressed when I looked at the website. They obviously have really great taste as anyone can see by their collection of found and vintage pieces - and some of their own designs! (Talented hubby even builds some of the furniture!}

Their philosophy is one I like as well - "We believe that homes should be a cultivation of things you love and need and we take that approach in finding our products. Our focus is on community and sustainability so we try to source as much as possible from small, u.s. companies and many of our furniture pieces are made from salvaged wood or repurposed pieces."

Below I've pulled a few of my favs. They also carry a lot of smaller home goods - candles, pottery, tea towels, etc.







What do you think?

Go see more at Redefine Home.

A glam Copenhagen apartment with classical touches

Posted by Mr Wong at 8:04 AM 0

Happy Friday! One place we didn't make it to on our travels but I really, really want to visit is Copenhagen. I don't think I'd be allowed to just wander around people's flats though which is - from all the house tour photos I've seen, one of the most beautiful aspects of the city.











so pretty!
via Indenfor & Udenfor

A gorgeous starter home with Scandinavian bones and quirky vintage accents

Posted by Mr Wong at 11:53 AM 0

I think this place is so well done for being this couple's first home. It looks like they either had the same style, or were able to combine them very well. It's refined, without looking too mature, and is just all around charming. What do you think?



I *ADORE* this bedroom. So soft and pretty and serene.





I really like the dark wood counter tops - it's a nice contrast with the white.

via Indenfor & Udenfor

Period houses galore - people who live in centuries old homes

Posted by Mr Wong at 3:21 PM 0

I literally stumbled across the site, Period Properties the other day, and down the rabbit hole I fell! It's like flipping through a fairy tale and seeing how people - rich and poor, lived hundreds of years ago. The catch is people live there now, have tried to preserve the character of the home, and tell their renovating stories.


unreal



I could totally call this cottage my own :)








My mother would love this room!

So - what do you think? Could you live in a home this old and so historically decorated?