A love dedication to pretty handpainted furniture...

(The Paris Apartment)

My post on friday about the stunning apartment in NYC featured a gorgeous old Italian handpainted side table that made my heart sing.

This led me to scroll through my files and find a bunch of images I had to compile into a love dedications post.

(OK magazine)

I am completely head over heels in love with pretty handpainted furniture old and new and especially of the French/Italian floral variety.

Pammy's bed for example, is just about the most beautiful piece of furniture I've ever seen. I turn green when I think about the lucky lucky bugger who purchased it, probably for a steal, at her recent yard sale ;)

(1stdibs)

Hand painted furniture really began it's origins in Italy around 1283 AD, introduced by Marco Polo who discovered the art whilst travelling through China. Within the next 100 years the Italian Renaissance had its beginnings; the Venetian school of artists, exemplified by Titian, was in full sway by the early 1500's.

(info from Patina)

(Patina)

(1stdibs)

(House to Home)

(Taverne Agency)

(Charles Faudree)

(Candace Olsen)

(TBA)

(narratives photo agency)

^This is the bed I dream for my daughter :)


(The nostalgia fairy @ flickr)


I would dearly love a piece of my own but without the $15, 000 price tag lol. I'd be more likely to afford a nice piece like the one above. Lovely old queen anne style dressing tables sell all the time on Ebay, if only I could find someone to paint some lovely floral details, it'd look just like and just as beautiful as the real deal. Miss Kris why don't you live in Sydney?! hehe ;)

(A cherished painted chest my Dad bought me for my 30th birthday)


Does anyone own a gorgeous piece of furniture similar to the ones I featured? If so I would LOVE to see a pic. Also if anyone know's of a place I could find one for myself I'd be ever so grateful to be pointed in the right direction :)

More Blue and White splendour...

(Thibaut)

One of my newest favourite images is this picture of a laundry room with Thibaut toile wallpaper. I don't know that I'd ever be brave enough to paper an entire room, perhaps a large panel, however this room, to me, looks stunning. I could definately see myself actually enjoying the boring household chores in a room like this.

^^ This room is definately something special

(the above 9 images are from pointclickhome)

(Kishani Perera via Desire to Inspire)

(J.K Place - Capri)

(the above 4 images are from House Beautiful)

(TBA)

(Cote de Texas)

^^Possibly my most favourite Kitchen image ever. That single blue and white motif is absolutely glorious.

(TBA)

(TBA)

I love love love skirted vanities :)

I have been daringly thinking about painting a wall in my kitchen a similar shade of blue as my kitchen features are similar to this pic. I have timber floors, white cabinetry and black blue pearl granite counter tops as well as loads of blue&white china.

(the above 6 images are from housetohome)

I am also looking for a similar shade of blue to this wall for my sons room.

There are an endless amount of blue and white interior images you can find online, my collection was just a small example of favourites. I hope you find some inspiration amongst them :)

A love dedication to Aubusson tapestry...

(Melissa Levinson @ 1stdibs)

Ok so lets tick the checklist....My favourite elements of what I consider to be the perfect home consist of a piece of tufted furniture, the colour duck/robins egg blue, a beautiful bathroom, flea market finds, forged iron and now to add to my love dedication list - Aubusson tapestries!

As it's sunday and I'm just too darn lazy to retype it in my own words, here I have copied and pasted a brief description of the history of Aubusson and it's AMAZING weavings ;)

The history of tapestry weaving is continuous. In the 5th cent. A.D. and in the centuries immediately afterward, monasteries and convents were the centers of the craft. By the 15th cent., tapestry weaving had reached a high degree of perfection, and from this century date many great Gothic sets rich with gold thread. A fine specimen is the set of Burgundian Sacraments; a late 15th-century example of a verdure background is the Lady and the Unicorn set (Musée de Cluny). Fine weaving was done at Beauvais in the mid-17th cent. Weavers at Aubusson, France, began in the 16th cent. to make a textile that was gradually improved. The baroque style dominated the 17th cent.; the rococo and classical styles appeared in the 18th cent. Fine examples were woven from the cartoons of François Boucher, who worked both for the Beauvais and the Gobelins looms. The history of the tapestries from the Aubusson regions were well-known for its tapestry and carpets, which have been famous throughout the world since the 14th Century. Its origins were born with the arrival of weavers from Flanders, who took refuge in Aubusson around 1580. There is a famous collection of Aubusson tapestries at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. The style of the tapestries produced have changed with the centuries, from scenes of green landscapes through to hunting scenes. In the 17th Century, the Aubusson and Felletin workshops were given "Royal Appointment" status. A down turn in fortunes came after the French revolution and the arrival of wallpaper. However tapestry made something of a comeback during the 30's, with artists such as Cocteau, Dufy, Dali Braque, Calder, Picasso being invited to Aubusson to express themselves through the medium of wool. Aubusson Tapestry still thrives today, preserving a range of traditional skills.

(Porchlight interiors)

When it comes to formal living rooms this heavenly space designed and owned by Hayley Hayes an Interior Stylist and blog author from Brisbane (featured in Australian Home Beautiful magazine oct 06) is pure perfection. I absolutely adore the ornate pasterwork on the ceilings, the neutral walls and louis style furniture, the scattered Rachel Ashwell cushions, the contrasting dark timber floors and of course the piece de resistance, that - too die for - aubusson rug!

From this photo it looks like the background on the rug is blue but in the magazine it looks more cream. Which ever colour, it's stunning!

(Antiques on old plank road @ 1stdibs)

(Jacqueline Adams Antiques @ 1stdibs)

Oooh as much as I LOVE that pillow I also love that louis settee!

(Marcoz @ flickr)

You may well have noticed I have a penchant for aubusson tapestries in PINK! ;)

Who wouldn't love this gorgeous hall runner?

(PrettyPetals @ flickr)

(Manhattan Rug Warehouse)

After mentioning my affection for pink rugs this duck egg blue rug took my breath away. I have to have it!! lol

(Lifestyle Antiques)

An antique pair of pink silk and aubusson feature cushions - Let us pray! ;)

(Kathleen Rhea of The House Of Rhea)

(Hollyhock @ 1stdibs)

How adorable is this little stool? Well for a measly $3,800 US it can be YOURS! hehe

(Candice Olsen via Cote de Texas)

(The House That A-M built and AtticMag)

I currently have 6 gorgeous aubusson cushions but no rug as yet. They are all packed in storage awaiting their special day when they can be displayed and admired in the room they so royally deserve.

If any of you have a piece of aubusson tapestry please email me the link to your pics cause I would LOVE to see them :)