Joyeuse Pâques

I’m thinking of Paris this weekend and how thrilling it would be to stroll by the many chocolateries  and patisseries during the Easter holiday.

A favorite moment of mine in Montmartre last fall was watching this charming family that I was fortunate enough to capture in photos.  It was a charming (of course, EVERYTHING is charming in Paris) small patisserie and as we were approaching on the cobblestone streets I noticed “un garçon” running ahead of his parents straight toward the window of the shop.  His family caught up with him as he was standing on the ledge to get a better view of the goodies inside.  (J’adore the soft mint green color of the façade.)

At his persuasive pleading in French, his mother agreed to purchase a yummy treat.  Ahhhhh, quintessential Paris moment.

I was also reminded of this colorful box of macaroons from Ladurée that was sent to us as a welcome gift from Philippe, the owner of the Paris apartment that we rented.  I can honestly tell you they were as good as they look.  You can visit the famous macaroon maker here http://www.laduree.fr/en/scene

What lucky shoppers to find themselves in this scrumptious place.  Oh, Paris how I miss you.  Food is such an art form in France and everything is elevated to a more delicious state!

 

My mind travels back to a myriad of endless treats awaiting eager patrons such as myself.  I find it is not a chore to wait in line.  It is quit pleasant listening to the chatter in French as I make my selections.  My mouth thanks me for the reward of tasting such confection perfection.  How I would love to have any of the following deserts spread out on my Easter table with all their French yumminess!

Œufs de Pâques en biscuits roses

(Easter eggs in pink biscuits)

Crème au chocolat à la cassonade

(cream in chocolate brown sugar)

Macarons chocolatés

(chocolate macaroons)

Petits nids à la noix de coco

(small coconut nests)

Petits œufs à la nougatine

(small egg nougatine)

Lapins aux pépites de chocolat

(rabbit with chocolate nuggets)

Poule au nid

(chicken in a nest!)

(images 7 thru 13 from Marie Claire Maison)

(recipes here, but in French: http://www.marieclairemaison.com/,recettes-de-paques-originales-et-gourmandes,200088,500064.asp)

I came across this photo below on “google images” and loved it’s simplicity and color.  It reminds me of this season so symbolic of life, growth, and re-emergence.

 

Remember:  HE IS RISEN!

Now that’s something to celebrate!

Blessings,

Kim

Linking up to:

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Be Inspired Friday at Common Ground

Show And Tell Friday at Romantic Home

 

Family Room Media Wall Reveal

Can you believe it?  I finally have something completed in my house!!!

ONE WALL… YAY!  (just 3 months, 4 major trips, and 2 college move-ins later)

I’m lovin’ this simple board and batten treatment (and so is the hubby).

I must give credit where credit is due.  This was not my idea.  I repeat. This was not my idea.  I got this idea from outrageously talented Mandi from Vintage Revivals when I visited her blog after seeing her on the Nate Berkus show back in the summer.  Click HERE and HERE to see her examples.  She also has the tutorial HERE on how to do this.  Thanks, Mandi!

I knew this would be a perfect wall treatment for my awkward “not-done-properly when we built the house” media wall.

So here’s the breakdown:

Blah wall that’s masquerading as a media wall.  Doesn’t it resemble a jigsaw puzzle?

The new wall color that you see on the top is Sherwin Williams Wool Skein and it rocks!

I had already pre-measured everything and had the lines drawn onto the wall of how I wanted it to look.  The pencil lines just don’t show up in the photos.

Beginnings of a transformation.  Already better.  No more jigsaw.  Much more continuity.

My excitement is building.

 I can’t even believe it’s the same wall.

The lead carpenter, Brad, did an awesome job.  (Yes, I used our contractor.  I’m a wimp when it comes to more than just spray or chalk paint!).  Brad even installed a hidden panel to access the wiring to the surround sound.

And, voilà!

Materials for my project:

Existing crappy built-ins

2 carpenters

MDF board

Wood filler, caulk, nail guns and such

Oh, and saws and sandpaper

2 painters

Primer

1 gallon gloss paint—Queen Anne’s Lace

Did I actually say “finished”?  Now I’m wondering if I should add some artwork or cool letters or something to the top squares.

Maybe some vintage frames like Mandi used.

I wanted some contrast and texture so I picked up these baskets at Target and added some different antique enamel number tags from my French collection.

I knew they’d come in handy someday.

I may have even gotten carried away with the number tags!  But I love them!

Some might even think I have an obsession with Hermes orange right now!  I’m not sure where I’m going with it yet, but I can’t seem to resist it.

Remember the bright orange tray that I spray painted week before last using high gloss paint?

Guess where it ended up?

How do you like my lacquered Hermes tray?  (Hey, it’s my story and I’m sticking to it!).

Another great French basket from my friend, Cat sits atop the table.  Please visit her Etsy shop HERE.

I’ve had this antique Provencial tile for quite some time.

Here’s a different view of the room.  (Bad lighting when you are facing windows). The half-finished part.  The old heavy drapes came down and I’m going to do simple linen side panels over the existing blinds.

I now have the original Levier painting over the sofa.  Read about it HERE.

Can you say Dark Brown?  I realize we have too much chocolate brown leather furniture in here.  It just sort of happened that way.  It’s Bernhardt so it’s not getting replaced and besides, it’s easy to keep clean with Murphy in the house.  I’ll have to lighten the room up in other ways.

Checklist of what’s left to do in the family room:

Linen panels for windows

Decide on additional artwork

Style the fireplace mantel

Change the ceiling fixture

More pops of color with pillows (obviously with orange since that seems to be the direction I’m headed)

But for now….right now….I’m happy with my new and improved wall.

Happy Decorating,

Kim

Partying at:

WOW! Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

An Inexpensive Gilded Table Project

I woke up to this today:

But we still had power.  Let’s all continue to remember those adversely affected by the superstorm Sandy in our thoughts and prayers.

NOW:

I’m lovin’ all the little gold metal accent tables that have been so prevalent lately.  Their diminutive size and clean lines lend themselves well to many décor solutions.

My favorite style has to be this one:

(Sorry for the blurry image…this is in Suzanne Kasler’s foyer and she uses this table again in more of her designs).

It is based on an antique French design.

But I also like this style:

World’s Away also has some smart designs like this one in an hourglass shape.

This one with the ever popular “X” motif.

Or this simple round one.

One Kings Lane has Worlds Away tables occasionally and if you’re lucky you can catch them at a great price.

I needed a very small accent table next to a fireside chair in my master bedroom. 

Remember all those spray paint cans I showed you yesterday?

 

 

Well, it just so happens I had an old white, rusty metal table that I was saving for just the right time.  I think it had been a garden table, but I got it on the cheap at an antique shop a while back and liked the straight lines and sturdiness of it.  I don’t have any better “before” photos.

 

A little bit of gold spray paint and Voilà!  A table masterpiece ala Kim!

 

It even had the original glass on the top.

 

The imperfections speak volumes and it was probably handmade.

 

I LOVE tables with shelves on the bottom for stashes of great books.

Not bad for something I already had, huh!

The curved feet add a cool detail!

 

Mr. Chair is much happier now that he has a buddy.  The master bedroom is progressing.

On another note, the contractors DID show up today!  Yipee!  By the end of the week I should have a new media wall in the family room!

Happy Decorating,

Kim

Linking up to:

WOW! Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style