I go in phases from great bursts of creativity to a conundrum phase….
like now, when I look at all my found treasures from over the years and
feel the urge to re-sort them. Often this is preceded by a new significant find
that I have to make room for…and then the older pieces are put in play…
Sort of like musical chairs….except that I don’t want any one
treasure to lose its seat!
I had just recently reupholstered this Louis XVI style chaise in a silvery blue peau de soie
a few years ago when I came across my SIGNED 18th century caned Louis XV canapé
here, back story here. A six foot long canape is not an easy item to tuck in just anywhere.
She has been in limbo for over a year, moving from kitchen to living room to dining room.
Usually awkwardly in front of something. So I’m thinking of moving Madame 18th century UP
into the master bedroom and Madame 19th DOWN to the dining room. I just don’t want to
hurt anything‘s feelings! When I was young I used to feel this way about my favorite
pajamas. I almost hated getting a new set and having to choose which one was to be
condemned to the drawer…
Bella Notte Olivia pillowcase detail…
So I’m throwing everything up in the air (figuratively, of course)
and trying a new mix….you do that too, don’t you? Adding something new
is always a bit stressful…it shakes up the “world order” of one’s home…
there are always those “what was I thinking” self doubts, the rebalancing of the rest.
Outside a neighbor’s huge oak came down and barreled through a wide swath
of our side yard. Hadn’t planned on re-landscaping that area just yet. But with the
destruction comes the opportunity to create an even more beautiful area.
Change is good.
I’ll show you my latest treasure soon… if it arrives mostly intact (silent prayer).
She’s old and going in the master bedroom….perhaps alongside the equally old canapé.
Will I look younger if I hang out with older things?
Have a wonderful weekend….finding new treasures, loving your old treasure…
and maybe moving things around a bit….
Trish, I can’t agee more. I am trying to edit right now. It creates chaos for a bit, and then out of that comes order.In the garden , in the house, I am scattered everywhere right now. Love the lovely images, always. Nella
you have the best stuff! LOL I want to house sit for a week! LOL
beautifully written…
Funny I was just thinking of doing the same thing this weekend to my daughters room.
She has loads of antique dolls from my Mother-In-Law, not to mention several she’s received since she was born (she’s 20 months old). Too many to display at one time I think. This weekend I’ll put a few away in hiding, high light the rest and then rotate the lot once she passes her 2nd birthday.
Sometimes “finding” old things is like getting a present.
Happy Mother’s Day!
I totally get where you are at right now. You said it all so perfectly. When I find something new and try to make it fit in I start to regret it and then it just sort of hangs around for months until one day… it finds it’s place and all regrets disappear and I silently congratulate myself on such a brilliant purchase. I love it when people write things that validate or confirm thoughts and feelings that I think only I have 🙂
Thanks Trish and Happy Mother’s Day!!!
XO
Hi Therese…thank you! We are all very much alike I think!
Hi Trish- The basket in the last photo of the post make me wonder if you can identify a specific type of basket for me. I have a photo I would love to pass along to get your thoughts but I can’t find an email for you. Let me know how to reach you! – EP
Hi Elizabeth…its lyonallen(AT)hotmail.com
Everything is so very beautiful. I look forward to seeing how your spaces turn out.
Nancy
Thank you, Nancy. I’d love to figure out how to keep the back of the settee within view…its a Silk Trading Co embroidered silk. Too pretty to put up against a wall!
Trish
I agree with you we are more alike then not — otherwise we would not be attracted to each others blogs — we learn so much from each other. This will be interesting to see how this works out — I love the Louis XVI style chaise in that silvery blue peau de soie — I would hate though for anyone sitting on it with their street clothes getting it soiled — am I being too fussy here?
I adore the cane work on the six foot long 18th century caned Louis XV canapé I see it sitting in front of a big window or a pair of french doors with the light streaming through – highlighting the gorgeous patina on that wood and cane work, the kind that comes shining through with only the finest craftsmanship and the best wood. I think I would love it in the bedroom for awhile it would brighten my day to wake up and see the early morning sun playing over the soft woods and dancing with the shadows the parts the morning sun did not yet reach.
What ever you do will be fine and you can always change around again — the fun of having lovely things to move about display, enjoy treasure. Oh life is sweet.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Joanny
Trish,
I placed my sette in front of my double windows and I keep the drapes open all the time so when people drive by my home they can see the back of my camelback of my sette.
And inside my home, I can enjoy curling up with a cup of coffee in my overstuffed French country chair that is placd in front of the sette. The sette is a steal coming from an estate sale for $50.00 and I had it reupholstered in a gold and salmon silk stripe fabric. But mine can’t hold a candle to your post!
Thank you for giving me ideas on ways to make hand sew pillows using my little left over scrap fabic and lace.
I just say GREAT, WONDERFUL & BEAUTIFUL pictures, in a lovely environment that makes me freeze of joy!
Do you remember that you gave me permission to borrow the pictures from your blog? If you don’t have changed your mind I will do it very soon, on my Wabi & Sabi blog, and then I link back to you! Please let me know!
I must tell you again…… your blog it’s the real Rolls Royce!
Lots of love from Sweden
Agneta
Sorry… I mean
Do you remember that you gave me permission to borrow S O M E pictures from your blog? /Agneta
Of course Agneta. I appreciate when you link back to where you found them in my blog to keep accompanying credit, additional info with the picture. XO
Hi Trish,
Change can be good ~ Love all your beautiful treasures that you have shown and I hope that you get them sorted how you want them.
I know exactly what you are saying about your favourite pair of Pyjamas ~ I feel the same way about some of mine.
Have a lovely weekend and Mother’s day.
Hugs
Carolyn
Ah, the bittersweet angst of “what to do, what to do” with a momentary panic of “What was I thinking?” played against that invisible calculator adding up what might be what my husband calls those “inventory moments” (when it doubt, put it in inventory—the basement).
I love all of the sweetness (you are my favorite grey lady) and romance of your treasures with their careful juxtapositions. You have such a lively artistic soul. And by the way, I’ll gladly be the older so that you can look younger. My hair is almost your favorite color. An early Happy Mother’s Day to you. So appropriate for you since you mother us along with such beautiful images.
HBD…priceless! Yes…I fear something might be “inventoried”. Oh the drama…the angst…to be continued.
Somehow I feel if I invited you all over for coffee (bring your flower buckets and pruning shears…I have lots of roses to share!) all my design dilemmas would be solved by the end of the morning! Thank you all for your comments!
Hi Trish,
If I had such lovely treasures to play with I’d be moving them round all day. Beautiful pictures, beautiful colours. Love the comparison between an 18th century canapé and a pair of pyjamas! Not something I’ve often thought about!
Have a lovely weekend, I’m sorting my not so precious treasures for a foire a tout tomorrow.
Sharon
PS Someone once told me that in Chinese ‘change’ and ‘opportunity’ are the same word.
I just came across your wonderful blog. Love everything. Thank you for the journey
I know what you mean and you say it right. I do it everyday in my shop and I love it
Thank you Trish, I hope you like my post today, with your pictures 😉
Agneta
What a beautiful chaise! and the pillow, too. Given that the chaise has already seen your kitchen, I take it you’re tried it at a table? I’m thinking, that would be a way to show off the back; people would see it when they’re going to sit there. Then again, it’s probably too low for a dining table.
Hi Jean. Well I moved the small settee with the pretty back down into the dining room…its back turned to pass through traffic. I’ve missed that floral detail! I think the height will be fine…we’ll see how many complaints I get.
Trish..ouch!! on the oak tree coming down! I dread that in our neighborhood, it does happen! (we have 5 huge oaks on our property..)
OK love the settee, the back is gorgeous..do not put in direct sunlight!…and I really like the framed collection..what are those letters?
Gorgeous post!
xx
Kit PS Happy Mothers Day!
Hi,
What a lovely blog you have ! I will be back 🙂
xo
Anci
Lovely – especially the settee!
Trish,
I so love the framed letters! I fell in love with them! And that piece of furniture under these letters! Oh everything matches so well! You are so talented!!!!
xx
Greet
I know all will be resolved, you will flatter both and they will preen and pose for You all the More. awaiting your results. Gaye
Hi Trish!
I love that Gray bed in that room…….. I think change is good, especially in your case where your taste seems to have been consistent over the years so mixing it up is fun and it works. The canape is so special just love that piece,and the gray bed………You’re causing me to have a dilema…….I may need to tweak some things myself…Maryanne xo Can’t wait to see the “thing”. I’ll keep my fingers crossed it arrives safely……
Just gorgeous pieces, Trish! I adore the bed and the canape…so many pretty treasures!
I understand what you mean about moving pieces around…it seems to give them a new life somehow. I recently
took a large lantern that I had in my bedroom and put it in my bathroom instead. I didn’t know what I was going
to do with it, but wanted it in there…I ended up putting my hand soap, lotion and room spray inside — it now sits
pretty on the counter + contains these lovely containers. It makes washing your hands more of a treat, somehow…
xo
I love the framed documents – what a great idea!