Master Bedroom Décor Tip: Move The Bed

Change your perspective.  Sleep in a different area of your room….better yet, wake up to a different view in your room.

I know some of you cannot change the position of your bed or move it to another wall because of the specifics of the room.  But if you can, try it.  Even if you have always resisted.

We all know the bed is supposed to be the focal point in the room…right? But it doesn’t always have to be.  

I fought with myself for years on this one.  Our master bed had always been between the windows since we built the house.  THE .SAME .WALL .FOR .9 .YEARS…  

…until the other day when I released all the reasons in my head why it wouldn’t work and focused on what possibilities could be…

Now everything is better: the armoire looks better, the built-ins look better, and I love SEEING the light peeking thru the windows in the morning.  I had spent far too much time re-arranging things AROUND the bed instead of the bed itself!!!

Now my advice is: change your bed to another wall and wake up to something different that can spark your creativity.  Just go for it.  You’ll be surprised at the way it makes everything else look better.

My husband and I both absolutely love the new arrangement in our room so much that we believe we’re sleeping better and getting more rest.  Take the plunge…move something BIG in your house.

Blessings,

Kim

Best Valentine’s Day Present Ever: Summer 2015 French Vintage Shopping Tour: Dare to Dream!

Bonjour Friends!

What present are you wishing for on Valentine’s Day?  Chocolates? Jewelry?

I have an idea for you…

The 2015 French Vintage Shopping Tour that I help host with Sunday Brocantes will take place July 31 – August 7.  This will be a wonderful time to discover fabulous antiques and vintage items for your home while experiencing the charming Normandy countryside and finishing the tour at the famous Marche aux Puces in Paris.  This tour is décor-driven with lots of home inspiration focusing on French furniture and interiors.

Outdoor brocantes and markets along with private warehouses filled with antiques are a paradise for those who have always wanted to shop in France.

The tour offers a relaxing stay in a beautiful 17th c manior complete with historical charm and up-to-date facilities including a lovely spa.

You will be smitten with the picturesque port towns in Normandy.

And then there’s the famous beaches…

What are you waiting for?  This is the perfect year to take that trip to France.  Dare to dream…

This is the 3rd group tour I’ve done with Cat at Sunday Brocantes and I can’t wait to share it with a new group of ladies again this year.

Details:

Your trip begins in charming Normandy villages and stunning seaside resort towns, and concludes with exploring the world renowned Paris Flea Market, fully escorted and assisted. While shopping at small brocantes, exquisite antique shops and the flea markets purchases are collected and prepared for delivery back home after the trip concludes. When not shopping, guests partake in local culture at farm markets, dine in stylish bistro’s and fabulous restaurants for wine and tasting menus.
Included in your 7 day/7 night package:  Price $3500 per person double occupancy / $4990 single occupancy**

• Transportation to and from Paris and all local transportation throughout the tour.
• 7 nights accommodations in a classic 18th century seaside Normandie manoir with full service spa facilities, beautifully decorated bedrooms, large private bathrooms, WIFI, and all of the amenities, sea-view outdoor spaces to relax as well as walking distance to the beaches and shops.
• Stops at shops, markets, brocantes, warehouses, and vintage sources.
• Expert assistance with purchasing, packing and transporting your items home.
• Expert French speaking native to translate, negotiate, assist and share local cultural information during your stay.
• A hosted afternoon activity and aperitif at Rabbit Hill.

…. And more!
**Single occupancy is one person per room, one bed.  Double occupancy is two persons per room with two beds.
A $500 non-refundable deposit will secure your spot.   This tour offers a total capacity of 6 participants.

Please contact me at kimhites@gmail.com for reservation information.  There are currently ONLY 4 spots available.

Hope to see you in France,

Kim

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Fall Brocanting Tour To France: Part 2

The girls and I had so much fun on the 2014 Fall Brocanting Tour to France: From Paris to Normandy from September 26 – October 3.  We extended our stay in Paris at the end of the tour until October 6…why not stay longer?  You can read about the first part of the tour HERE.

Here is an overview of the last 5 days we were in France.

Day 6:  It was an early start for us today as we traveled to Caen to shop my favorite warehouses for French furniture and accessories.  I could stay in these places forever!  I think our tour host had to literally drag us out of here!

This is French antique heaven for me!

After we shopped ‘til we dropped, a casual delicious dinner helped finish our evening.

Day 7:  Another busy day of brocanting with lots of stops and getting to visit a French linen mill with to-die-for authentic French linen fabric.

A highlight of the trip was a visit to Cat’s home, Rabbit Hill.  She has done an amazing job of decorating and it’s truly a study in French Country décor.  She cooked dinner for us which was delicious slow-cooked duck and we ended the meal with a fantastic homemade pear tart as we ate by candlelight.

Day 8:  As we came to an end to the actual tour, it was a road trip back into Paris for the Marche aux Puces at St Ouen.  We added a couple more “bodies” to our stash!

We had a wonderful apartment in the St. Germain area on the Left Bank with a view of a beautiful cathedral right across the street.

Day 9:  I always look forward to the Porte de Vanves flea market and this  one didn’t disappoint.

The brocante only lasts until 1:00 so we headed to the right bank to check out the très chic store, Merci.

Day 10:  It’s always fun to find a brocante you’ve never been to and that’s exactly what we did on our last day.  It was an interesting mix of items set out on a long street in the 13th arrondissment.

Our last evening was spent strolling the cobblestone streets of St. Andre des Arts and Rue de Buci.  There was a magical glow in Paris this evening as dusk settled in and the business and street lights began to burn.

It’s always hard to say good-bye but we headed home very early the next morning.  The last 2 posts have been a general overview of our tour.  I’ll be posting more in-depth about the places we visited and the wonderful pieces we bought.

Au Revoir,

Kim

Fall Brocanting Tour To France: Part 1

The 2014 Fall Brocanting Tour to France: Paris to Normandy was a huge success.  The weather was unseasonably warm and we had abundant sunshine for most of the time.  The ladies and I had lots of fun shopping and we enjoyed our time with tour hosts, Cat and Alain from Sunday Brocantes.

Here is an overview of the first 5 days of the trip. 

Day 1:  We arrived in Paris and had a lovely driving tour of the city before stopping to eat at a quaint café near the Jardin du Luxembourg.

In the afternoon, on our way to Normandie, we were lucky enough to stop at Bord de Scène,  home and shop to the charming Christelle.

See some beautiful photos of her place in this article:

http://www.e-magdeco.com/2012/04/bord-de-scene.html

 

Day 2:  We enjoyed a beautiful morning at the brocante and market in Deauville then on to the picturesque town of Honfleur for an afternoon of shopping.

Three American gals living in Paris joined us for this fun-filled day.

Day 3:  An exciting morning was spent at an outdoor “vide grenier” in a neighboring town.  It basically ran through the whole town!  There were lots of hidden treasures here.

We spent the afternoon at a French auction house and participated in the exciting auction of some awesome French antiques.  It was a privilege indeed!

Day 4:  After the excitement of the previous days, this was our “free day” to do some relaxing.  A leisurely stroll through Honfleur was the perfect choice.

We pampered ourselves by ending the day in the spa at the manior!

Day 5:  Halfway through the tour we had a very informative day of sightseeing at a grand chateau where we studied French furniture styles and periods.

We ended every evening at our lovely home away from home….a majestic Norman manior overlooking the port at Le Havre.

Stay tuned for an overview of our last 5 days of the Fall Brocanting Tour to France!

Au Revoir,

Kim

Bon Voyage!

I’m headed to France tomorrow for our annual Brocanting Tour in Normandy and Paris.  Some lovely ladies will be joining me for a week long shopping spree for French antiques.  Cat, from Sunday Brocantes is a wonderful tour provider and I look forward to seeing her again and visiting her beautiful home, Rabbit Hill.  I’m especially excited to see her newly finished “barn room” this year.

Here is a photo of an upstairs hallway in the gorgeous manior that will become our home away from home for the week.

I can’t wait to stroll through the charming port town of Honfleur.

I will be posting pictures daily on Instagram so you can follow me there.

www.instagram.com/kimberlyhites

Some of you may know that I just joined the Thoroughbred Antique Gallery in Lexington and have a gallery space offering French Country antiques and décor.  I have been so busy that I haven’t had time to post the progress, but I will do better when I return!

 

Hopefully, I’ll find a lot more treasures in France to bring home for clients like these Empire sconces.

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for some French inspiration.

www.instagram.com/kimberlyhites

Au Revoir,

Kim