Laman

Happy Birthday to Me!


I love this photo. I posted it two years ago on my birthday and I think I might make it an annual tradition. What could be better than a paper crown and a doll in a cake?! I also want to thank everyone who already sent me lovely birthday wishes! I really appreciate your continued support and encouragement! Here's to wonderful birthdays for everyone this year! XOXO!
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Luxury Design Ideas

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Luxury Design Ideas

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Modern Interior Design Styles

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Modern Interior Design Styles

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More of the Maine Beach Cottage

I wanted to share with you more of the photos Jamie Salomon of Salomon Photography, sent to me of Interior Designer, Francine O'Donnell's wonderful Beach House in Maine. Of course the blue ceilings in some of the rooms really caught my eye, but it's the whimsical, vintage decor that kept me wanting to see more.
From dining room above you can see the kitchen (and the beautiful blue ceiling) through the doorway. Notice the fabulous door moulding.
I like the use of the garden table with marble top and a mix of two different chairs. The addition of old chippy garden urns and the crystal chandelier adds to the warm, relaxed feeling.
Here you see a better photo of the table. Adding a thin stone piece on the radiator creates an instant shelf and display area for the owner's garden urns. Painted antique desk continues to enhance the cottage feel.
What an incredible eye O'Donnell has! She truly has a gift for combining vintage objects into beautiful vignettes.
Here is a closer look. Urns, statues, marble, painted tables, iron furniture, distressed mirror!! Fabulous!!
An old stove becomes a table for two antique garden chairs!! So many great ideas!!
Here is a great shot of the dining room looking in from the living room and beyond into the kitchen.
Gray walls continue from the dining room into the living room and provide a great backdrop for the interesting artwork. Clever mix of florals and painted antiques continue the cottage vibe.
Another view shows more vintage mirrors and books.
Another stone piece creates a radiator shelf.
Garden statue brings additional whimsy to this room.
The bedroom has a gorgeous antique iron bed.
Again we see a garden table base topped with stone - I love the artwork.
One of my favorites is this whimsical ampersand "framed" with two vintage frames. So creative!!
Finally the bath with industrial cart holding bath products and towels. Above vintage hand mirror becomes an art piece on the wall!
Francine O'Donnell's Maine Beach cottage is filled with great ideas for bringing a more whimsical flair to your decor!! Thank you Francine and Jamie for sharing this great home with us!
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An Invitation to a Large Antique Sale

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For sale at 2226 Quenby, this house is furnished in French antiques for a large open house this weekend.

Last year, antiques dealer Mignon Topping of French Collectibles came to Houston, bringing with her a collection of gorgeous French antiques and modern art.   The sale lasted a weekend and was held at an open house on Virginia St.  This weekend, Mignon is back with more antiques, showcasing another new house for sale in Southampton by the Rice Village at 2226 Quenby.  I went by the house this Thursday after Mignon had spent all day setting up  and everything looked just beautiful.    The sale is all  this weekend long:  April 16-18, Friday through Sunday – 11:oo am until 5:00 pm.   If you are into French antiques, don’t miss this. 

 

 image The entry hall.

Walking into the house, there is a large entry hall, with the dining room on the right and a library on the left.  The family room and kitchen is in the back, located through the archway.  Mignon  has furnished the entire downstairs with antiques mostly procured in France.  Additionally, there are many rugs of all sizes, along with a large assortment of modern art work.   I was stunned by the quality of her antiques – the collection of chairs, mirrors, and chests was staggering.   Although the antiques are very fine, I found the prices to be surprisingly reasonable.   If you like French antiques, I highly suggest you stop by 2226 Quenby this weekend. 

 

 

imageI had my eye on this painted console and trumeau.   There are so many wonderful mirrors! 

 

 

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This chair was gorgeous.   Hard to resist.  Look at the hardware on this chest – so beautiful!  And the clock is adorable – painted in a light cream with a turquoise accent color.

 

 

 

image The dining room in the house is really nice – very large.  I loved this dining room table and set of chairs.   Mignon puts it all together so well – it actually looks like a furnished house.    Amazing how it all fits together inside the house. 

 

 

 

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Another gorgeous chest.  Not all the art work is contemporary – there are many canvases that are antique.

 

 

 

image OK.  I’ll say it again – another gorgeous chest!  Seriously, I can’t remember when I’ve seen such a large collection of chests this beautiful.   Notice the smaller mirror in front of the larger one.  Mignon has brought a number of smaller mirrors which are great for powder rooms.   I loved this trumeau – it’s painted a very light green color. 

 

image The front library has this wonderful painted Swedish desk which I adored!  

 

 

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Hiding in the corner of the library is this perfect French antique barometer. 

 

 

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Another chest, paired with contemporary art work.

 

 

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The library is closed off from the foyer by a pair of French doors. 

 

 

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The foyer – looking towards the front door and dining room.  The rugs are fabulous – there are so many of all sizes.

 

 

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The arched walkway between the foyer and family room – two painted French chairs sit next to a wonderful painted table.  I loved this table – small painted ones like this are so hard to find. 

 

 

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The family room is filled with more chairs, benches, tables, chests, mirrors, and this fabulous French sofa. 

 

 

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More family room:   two wonderful sets of candlesticks, a set of bergeres, and a fabulous gilt tray table!

 

 

 image The family room – looking towards the back yard with the kitchen off to the right.   This coffee table has a beautiful patina.

 

 

 

image A vignette in the family room.

 

 

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Close up of the chest, seen above. 

 

 

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And a close up of the painted French chaise longue.  I really like the standing lamp.

 

 

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Hello!!!   Yet, another fabulous chest.  I TOLD you!!!!    Here, Mignon has layered mirrors again, the smaller one is just perfect. 

 

 

 

image Next to the family room through a large arch, is the breakfast area and kitchen.    Another great mirror.  The table is so pretty too!

 

 

 

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The kitchen has great cabinetry and appliances.

The house is really pretty, very well finished throughout.  It was built on spec by Stephen Blalock of Blalock Builders.   A real plus for this house is its location in Southampton where many of the garages are located in alleyways so that there are no driveways or front loading garages.   This small detail makes such a huge difference in the way a neighborhood looks.    Why aren’t all garages located off back alleyways?  When did we stop building houses like that?  Why?

 

 

image In the back of the house, there is a large covered brick porch, which Mignon has furnished, of course!

 

 

 

image On the back porch, located off the breakfast area, there is an assortment of dining tables and more chests. 

 

 

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This painted chair with its original embroidered fabric is stunning.

 

 

imageThere is an assortment of mirrors placed in the downstairs powder room, so be sure to peek inside.

 

 

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How adorable is this wooden dog bed?!!   I was lusting for this for Miss Sammie Jo. 

 

 

image The house, seen here on HAR without the furniture, is listed for sale by Linda Walsh  Johnson with Greenwood King Realtors, HERE.   The house is 2 1/2 stories with 5 bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths.  The square footage is 4,961.

 

 

image The dining room is connected to the kitchen by a wet bar, located through the archway on the left.

 

 

image The front library, located through French doors.

 

 

image The family room, overlooking the back yard.

 

 

image The family room, facing towards the foyer and front door.

 

 

image The breakfast and kitchen are off the family room.   The covered porch is to the right, off the breakfast area.

 

 

image The kitchen is very large with great appliances.

 

 

imageThe upstairs landing has built in shelves.  

 

 

image The master bathroom with white marble.   There is a large media room upstairs with two more rooms and a bathroom located on the third level.

 

 

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Finally, a special thanks to Mignon Topping for allowing me to photograph the house Thursday.  Good luck this weekend! 

The antique sale runs this Friday through Sunday, April 16-18,  11 am until 5 pm at 2226 Quenby.

To contact Mignon of French Collectibles directly, please call 404-271-6362 or by email at toppingm@bellsouth.net

For more information on the house itself,  see HAR HERE.

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