Saturday, March 17, 2012

Random Saturday musings and a few updates

Hi there...how is your weekend going? The weather has gone from almost summer like to "not being able to put on my winter coat on fast enough" weather..go figure. Finally after two days of gloomy gray skies the sun is out but its cool. Went for an early morning walk which was wonderful, despite my cold hands! However spring is in sight, no matter what old man winter wants to say about it. This is a random post of odds and ends, starting with a few new things around the house and some fun things going on with my store. What about you? What are you up to this weekend? We are having dinner with friends, my oldest son is getting home after an almost three week trip to China, Thailand, Malaysia (business) and I cannot wait to hear all about it! Hopefully he is bringing me home a boatload of blue and white....LOL!  So first some  house biz......

I got my first room of wallpaper up! Granted its a teeny tiny room, but its still a room!  I was so excited as it was for my tiny office nook/computer room. This is a small vestibule off the master which makes for great late night computer work since I am a scaredy cat and there's no way you would find me downstairs alone at night. Its small but cozy and enough for a new desk and hutch. I would like to add a small chandelier and will add some cute decorative accessories. Also right now we have hardwood but looks like I am finally winning the battle and getting wall to wall...woo hoo! It just feels sooo much better on your feet, don't you think?

So first here was my inspiration...... in terms of color and soft feminine feel


And here is my room coming together......
Phil the paper hanger doing his thing!

One wall and my new hutch/storage 

And the other wall done with my new pale gray painted desk from Safavieh









No worries to all you OCD'ers, I fixed the lampshade, made me a bit nuts too....:)


Moving on...its the season of flower and I love spring if not for that reason alone...I love white especially. Got more white azaleas and potted them in one of my signature engraved silver cache pots..what do you think?




And we decided to keep the dining room rug, so are going full steam ahead in starting this room. A few inspirations

Chinoiserie on the walls, want it to have this tea stained kind of effect




I don't know what it is or if its a sign of the times..but now I have gotten word that "my already 3 month late in getting here" lanterns for the kitchen, are now back ordered until AUGUST! It was supposed to be April. Apparently they switched manufacturers and now its August. I am sitting tight but I do love the bell jars and may end up even keeping them. But its annoying!! First it was the master wallpaper, then my bathroom sconces (now backordered until late April) and now this.....
So here are my sconces that I am patiently waiting on for my bathroom


And  the front entry got completed...they have been working on this for the last 10 days. Love it, it really "completes the house". There are a few other things that need to be done to the exterior but slowly they are getting done. Also so nice to see some sign of life again in the yard! Check out the daffodils! Hot off the presses...these pics from my walk this morning!



Like that lightbulb fixture, huh? No worries....we arent' trying to make a fashion statement it will be replaced soon!



This will be a small side patio one day off breakfast room, the planters were all part of the original house..even the boxwoods, we are so happy to be able to use them all!



A small pond/fountain that we will restore

You know who doing his thing......


I love this early morning light, with the sky a little dusty





Teddy ready to call it a wrap......

When I tried to get him to come out so I could wash his feet, he looked at me like I was nuts


Wow he is suspicious!!!!

And finally, some wonderful goodies that were added to the store yesterday. I must say its awfully hard when you fill a store only with things you love.....you get my drift, lol! If you haven't visited please stop in and take a look. Click here to visit.


By now you  know my obsession with beautiful silver pieces! I love this line.these are smallish trays so perfect for a vanity, dressing area, bar or small console. Lovely, huh?










Added these gorgeous pillows.....oh how I love great pillows.











And a few new porcelain and hand painted tole containers.....



And would love some feedback from all you savvy tastemakers...what do you think of these? I am thinking of adding these to my online store. All very well priced to boot. Yes or no?

Love these for my sons room! A pair for under 100.

How great for a wine cellar, pantry or even a library or family room? Under 100 for 2.

Who can't use another tray and if its in French you know its fabulous!

Another style

Was thinking of these and for urns and orchids

Pretty for a ladies vanity.dressing area or even a pair or grouping on a table

Love the beautiful etching, a detail I am always drawn to

Pretty brackets?

Fun book bookends at a great price point?

Cute black lab bookends?

I always love hearing from you and your feedback. Whats exciting you these days? Hope whatever you do, that you have a wonderfully relaxing weekend!! Thanks for stopping in......
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72 comments:

  1. Tina - I must be up early if I am the FIRST TO POST HERE!!!!! LOL The house is such a joy to watch in progress and it cracks me up that with this beautifully styled office - You (as would I) focus in on the lopsided lamp shade. OCD is a curse.
    I love the new items for the store... and those bookends are the most clever thing I have seen! Cute
    As for all the patience in waiting for items... that is a double edge sword, isn't it? Some say its a virtue (I know know)
    And last, love Teddy's scarf - just like him to be a style maker too!
    Happy St. Patrick's Day! Enjoy the weekend. Jalon

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  2. Hi Tina- we have been away on a family vacation, so checking in. So much to see I might forget a few things, love love the wallpaper for your desk nook, its so charming and feminine. Your front door with the newly installed stone stoop is spectacular as is the whole house!
    Your store is such a great reprenstation of your elegant style and love all the new items and like you adore silver trays. I ordered two from you, can't wait till they arrive.
    And actually love each of the new products you are considering and great prices, which always helps for guilt free shopping.
    Teddy is just way too cute.

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  3. Hi Tina,
    Looks amazing. Love the wallpaper and the storage/hutch. I too am scared to be downstairs by myself at night. I cannot watch scary movies but must have watched one on my younger years that spooked my forever. Lovely place to go for walks everyday. I would love to order from your shop but am not sure if you ship to Canada?

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  4. Love the wallpaper...so chic! Have a nice weekend!

    Allison

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  5. Everything is coming together so beautifully, Tina. I love the wallpaper-perfect finishing touch for that room. You have done an admirable job pulling everything together. My dinette lighting fixture took me over ONE YEAR to be delivered. Apologies, apologies, apologies...finally got word that it was in a crate in NY dockage...and it was 3 more months before I received it. It was worth the wait as it tied everything together in kitchen/dinette are. But it was aggravating. I can't wait to see that water feature restored! xo Diana

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  6. Tina, I love the wallpaper! Wish I had a nook like that for myself in my house (of three men!). It's beautiful. I was wondering about the brackets you pictured. I love them and have many places in my house where they would work. Can I get some information on them? I also like the French trays. Enjoy the rest of the weekend - and based on the forecast it looks as though summer-like will be back in a few days.

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  7. Good morning, Tina!

    I love the morning pictures... Sure, I still love seeing your gorgeous home, but Teddy really stoled the show today! :-)

    By the way, your store is simply dreamy! Oh I wish I could have everything!!! :-)

    Wishing you a blessed weekend and thank you so much for you support yesterday. I really appreciate it.

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  8. On your question about installing wall to wall over the hardwood, I would never do that. We ripped ours out and I think we are healthier breathing at night. I think the house is cleaner with no carpet. If you want something for your feet, just do an area rug. I couldn't live in a house I was afraid to be in at night. Feeling secure is a big deal to me even with an alarm system.

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  9. Good Morning Tina! I love your office nook area - it is so "you" - feminine and soothing. I think you're going to love it! And those tile crests are great. My husband's family has a crest and I need to find a way to incorporate displaying it somewhere in our house. Also loved that you used the old planters from the original house - well done on incorporating the old with the new! Happy St. Pat's!

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  10. Tina totally agree about wall to wall in the bedrooms. We have an old house and there is hardwood everywhere but we lived with it for a year and decided to put carpet in all the bedrooms. (we live in Boston and get cold winters)

    I am a scaredy cat too, think its more common that we realize. Love the wallpaper, its so fresh and pretty, whose is it? You turned a small nook into such an inviting pretty space.

    Your store looks incredible, and the new things- yes to all of them. I am interested in those pheasant pillows for my den, will see if they are online yet.
    Hope you have a wonderful and relaxed weekend.

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  11. Hi Tina I love the wallpaper and the desk and hutch in that room.

    The silver trays are very pretty too. I like your stuff.

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  12. Way too much pretty here! LOVE your wallpaper and that gray/blue desk, so beautiful!
    Your front door looks like something out of the Loire Valley and Teddy looks like he is the master of his domain, he is very sweet looking.
    All of your stores offerings are just gorgeous, and your price points even prettier. I really like all the new things you are considering and now am headed over to buy myself one of those beautiful silver trays for my new vanity!

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  13. Wow the wallpaper looks great! I love your late night office space! The potted azaleas look stunning in the silver as well. I kept wondering about your dog's dewy paws coming back inside the house....:)

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  15. Oh Tina, where do I begin???? First off, the idea of a teenie tiny room just for you is exquisite. The color scheme you have chosen for your 'alone time room' is so relaxing.
    -I (just this week) tea stained a few items of my own because I love the look.
    -Your entrance is perfection. I have a board on pinterest specific to entryways, yours will definitely be added.
    I already know what I am going to ask you to find for your shop....you have shown wonderful dog bookends in this post and in other posts. I have an olde english bulldog that has satisfied my need to nurture these past two years.
    I plan on sending you a pic (or 2 or 3:-). I have not been able to find bookends that I like so far that accurately display my breed. I may ask you to hunt for me.
    Have a wonderful weekend catching up with your son. Very exciting.

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  16. Good morning Tina, It's so nice to see that you are feeling well and that you are enjoying your house. Teddy certainly looks happy! I love your "little" office area. The wallpaper is going to be amazing! Have a great weekend,

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  17. Love your sconces! Just wondering where you purchased them from?
    Thanks, Doreen

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  18. Oh darling Tina,

    What can I say but that I am overjoyed to see your manor coming together the way you DREAM of it. Don't dreams come true when we work hard for them? You certainly have dear one. Teddy looks happy and pleased as punch with his little pond, and may only LOVE shelter you all the days of your life.

    YIPEEEEEEEEE!!!! Anita

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  19. Happy Saturday & Great post for "almost Spring." Love your new shopping finds - especially the gold brackets! Please keep following your "taste extraordinaire" in making choices for your new shop! I plan to make a purchase very soon!

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  20. LOVE your computer niche. That wallpaper is so GORGEOUS! And I am not a huge wallpaper fan. I like bits and pieces in a home but that is the prettiest I have ever seen. I love the hutch and desk too. They are perfect for that space. I have a very similar desk in my little laptop area/office. http://3peanuts.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-little-office.html

    I picked it up for a song at a little antique shoppe outside of DC and it has a beautiful leather top with nailhead detail.


    Have fun with your friends at dinner. We have been so busy doing so many little day trips from Sp[ring Break that we are being lazy this weekend.

    Kim

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  21. The wallpaper is so pretty...and I'm glad you kept the rug. It is gorgeous! Happy Saturday.

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  22. Good morning! Loved today's post, seeing the outside of your house is always such a great inspiration for me! I have to ask, what was the old house like? With a pond and those planters, it must have been a classic!
    Are your new pieces available today? The trays are great and the new silver are stunning! Have a great weekend!

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  23. Good Morning, Loved my Saturday morning read as always and am trying to buy one each of the new pheasant pillows! The order keeps coming up with two of the same item :-( I am sure it must be an error on my part! Help! Maybe they come as a pair and I am not getting it. lol. Now this is the best part of having the store ..... Please feel free to e mail me. pkadallas@aol.com

    Cheers and Happy St. Patricks day,

    Did I mention how beautiful the house is looking?

    All the best,

    Pam

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  24. Your house now - Stunning and beautiful!

    Love the images of your early morning walk with the dog, you captured the atmosphere and it feels as I walked along with you both....

    Happy weekend, Tina,
    and greetings from the Périgord - k

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  25. Hi Tina,
    You should be ready to film "Downten Abby" at your lovely abode soon!
    Cheers!,
    Barbara

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  26. Tina! Your office is coming together nicely and I love the wallpaper! The area surrounding your home is so pretty and what I nice area to take a walk with your Pup! I had to laugh regarding the messy paws - in WA state we receive so much rain/snow that our dogs are always muddy. They "wait" and lift there paws for a warm water rinse (hubby installed outside for the purpose of paw cleaning) prior to coming in -- and I wash a lot of towels! Loving all your store items and I can't wait to receive the items I've ordered thus far and I thanks so much for all your help!

    Enjoy the visit with your son tonight! How exciting it will be to hear his stories.

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  27. Ohhh Tina!! I love that wall paper in your office! It really looks so beautiful and stands out nicely! Your front yard looks great and I love the entry and that cute Teddy of yours!Looks like your having fun adding new things to your store! How fun is that! Love the new items!

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  28. Tina,
    I love the wallpaper you have chosen, I love your gorgeous dining table, love your frontdoor (amazing), love the flower pots at your terrace, love seeing Teddy sooooo happy, love the pond you will restore, love.......................................................................everything about your home!!! Oooohhhhhh soooooo beautiful! There are now words for!!!
    Thank you so much for sharing my friend!!
    Happy weekend!
    xx
    Greet

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  29. Tina, Love the new space with the wallpaper. You're actually getting me to think about trying wallpaper in my own home. You're also killig me with your store 'cuz I love everything! Love how your home is coming together and can't wait to see the dining room with the wallpaper. Ciao!

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  30. One more thing, I agree with my friend Mona from Providence Ltd. The wall paper is stunning!

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  31. Love,Love,Love your "nook, beautiful wallpaper and the graceful lines of your desk - very inspiring place to work. The dining rug to die for love the subtle blues in the grey. And what a stunning morning walk; great way to start the day. Hope all your back-orders get fulfilled early. Thanks for sharing your house journey, it makes me smile.

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  32. LOVE the wallpaper in your office, it's so pretty and feminine! Your entrance is truly stunning, so happy for you that it's all coming together just the way you had envisioned. I love all the items you posted that you're thinking of adding to the store... and at such affordable prices :) Can't thank you enough for opening the online store, I'm having so much fun shopping! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  33. Dear Tina,

    I love your dining room wall paper choice? Could you share where it comes from?

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  34. Love the wallpaper! Your office is coming together nicely.

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  35. I don't know what to comment on first, the silver, the gorgeous pillows, how cute Teddy is, how magnficent your home is, what great taste you have or how much I am coveting those beautiful porcelain pieces, wow. So much to love and admire.
    I told my mom about your store and she bought that dog pillow and some of the silver from you yesterday, she said and i quote "why can't we have one store that has all these things" and she is right! Keep up the great work.

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  36. Hi Tina...

    Ohhh my...your new wallpaper is GORGEOUS, my friend! It truly is perfect for your office! I love the soft colors and feel of it and your new desk and hutch are fabulous!!! What a beautiful space! I also enjoyed the photos of your entryway...simply magnificent! I have had sooo much fun watching your beautiful home "unfold"! Thank you so much for sharing it with us...it's always such a treat!!!

    Love, love, LOVE the new items that you have just added to your shop! Going there now to take another peek!

    Have a wonderfully sweet weekend, dear lady!

    Chari

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  37. Happy Happy Saturday to YOU!! Lovely wallpaper, so nice to have in your work space. Peaceful and serene, I am sure it will give you lots of motivation and great ideas while working in there. The silver trays are stunning. xo Kathysue

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  38. OMG! You are so blessed as you make decisions and continue with the house of your dreams. That it is and I have so enjoyed watching and sharing your progress. What a beautiful place to dream, create and enjoy! Love your new space off your master bedroom. I love second floor spaces late at night as well. You are so blessed Tina. . . what a home!!

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  39. Hello Tina. Yipee for one room of wallpaper.. loved your choice. Your hutch and desk fits just perfectly. The items you added to the shop are all lovely and I especially like the silver trays. The potted whites are gorgeous in the kitchen. I particularly enjoyed that walk with you and see that you are also a gal who aprreciates the beautiful morning light. The front entrance to your casa is totally splendid and of course I can not tell you enough how much I adore the black iron work!

    What did I miss....oh yes.. the dining table is a feast and so hpaay you kept the rug... a winner that one.

    Have a great Sunday

    Hugs

    Veronica

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  40. Oh such a fun post to read on this lazy Saturday! I just baked a batch of oatmeal butterscotch cookies and am looking around etsy and ebay and then saw your post! I LOVE that wallpapered room for your late night blogging~you are sooo cute sharing your scardy cat side with us. I can totally picture you researching your blog and getting things for your store in that room at the pretty desk.
    My sister has been finding great vintage things today for my shop out in Missouri~she hit on a fabulous antique market. So excited about adding things to the shop, so I know just how you feel. I love all of your silver trays!! I think they are my favs. And So nice to show how you can use them, with the pretty azalea topiary.
    Wow, I was so exctied to go for a walk with you and Teddy too~and laughed out loud when you wrote about Teddy being suspicious!! Hilarious! I am babysitting for my sons nervous Chihuahua this whole week. It is something else with the shih tzu and the pit bull and the tiny nervous one...crazy time in the Maison.
    And son is home for college break, missed him a lot. Have fun when yours gets home from his trip~how exciting. I used to live on Soi 3 Ruam Rudi in Bangkok!
    xxooo

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  41. I love the wallpaper also...can you share who it is by and enough info so that I could order it for my dining room? No one will know that I copied you.....

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  42. I heart EVERYTHING on this post. First your house and teddy, that wallpaper (excellent choice) all the goodies in your store and I want those ginger jar pillows and the beautiful crest framed art. I love your eye and you stay very true to your style which is so important.

    Always a thrill to stop in and see whats going on over in The Enchanted world.

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  44. hello there beautiful!

    Oh Tina, you are just a princess, a real queen. Your kind friendship and words just made me feel so wonderful. Thank you that you enjoy my ideas, my music choices and whimsy. It is a delight to know that someone is happy because I wrote something from my heart.

    Ahhhhh.....you are in this magnificent castle, I am in mine, and we are both looking up at the same glorious sky. How fabulous that lives can be touched by the magic of kindness. Give that Teddy boy a squeeze for me.....Anita

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  45. Hi Tina, the house looks great. I love the silver trays and catch pots you are selling in your store!

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  46. Tina,

    Happy St. Patrick's Day! Wallpaper is perfect...how fun. The store items are really unique and yes I'd add the wall plaques to the store. Entrance looks gorgeous and sweet Teddy is taking things in stride and enjoying himself.
    Back orders are a sign of our times and it's getting worse hard time competing with the internet and trying to lower their costs/overhead.

    Everything is looking wonderful.

    Bette

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  47. i can't believe how much inspiration you pack into a single post, tina. you make the rest of us look friggin lazy!

    omg your nook area for blogging is g to the orgeous. i love its swedish feel, and i know you're going to be productive in this space.

    i've been back and forth to chicago this weekend where it has been over 80 degrees! people were walking around drunk at 9:00 am today, st patrick's day. CRAZY.

    best to you.

    michele

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  48. Tina, I am desperately searching for the right chinoiserie mural paper for a client. Can you share where you found yours? Thanks! Debbie

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  49. Love, love, love your hutch and wallpaper in your office! Also, your bathroom sconces are beautiful! The source please when you have a moment to share. Thanks. The exterior facade of your home is wonderful as are the different vistas and views! Love what you've added to your shop, also.

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  50. All is beautiful...but I just LOVE that Teddy. He can come visit me anytime....he will have to wash his paws before coming in from a walk though!
    xo

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  51. Everything looks so gorgeous Tina!! And I love your Teddy, so like our Golden Retriever, his picture always makes me smile, I see he is enjoying 'his' new surroundings! :) xo K

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  52. SO gorgeous! I am in love with that wallpaper! Please take a moment to check out my decor blog, Hello Lovely http://hellolovelydecor.blogspot.ca/
    I think you will really enjoy it! Have a lovely day!
    Sarah

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  53. That sweet Teddy leads the way! Oh, he is so huggable.
    And I LOVE your office, Tina...gorgeous and calming. Everything is beautiful, stunning. The new pieces in your shop...LOVE!
    xoxo,
    - Irina

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  54. Spectacular wallpaper! You have such the eye for detail...I am always speechless with awe.

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  55. Yay for Teddy photos!! :) They always make me smile. And your home is just so exquisite--that really is the word. I really don't know what more to say! So glad that we are all able to tag along and dream...

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    Replies
    1. Ps. I left a comment on Jeanne's lovely blog. You had mentioned commissioning her--I wrote that perhaps an exclusive line of notecards for your store could be interesting? She is just so talented that one, needs a little extra push!

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  56. Is that Aerin Lauders dressing Room? Beautiful!! Please share your wallpaper source..Thank you!!

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  57. The wall paper is beautiful! The rug is to die for and cant wait to see the dinning room when it is completed.

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  58. "ENCHANTING" is the one word that comes to mind with your home and bits of your life you share!!! Truly!!! I could go on and on but that one word sums up the feeling!

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  59. hi Tina! As always, I'm so impressed with all of your progress (I feel like a slug for taking forever to get slipcovers, curtains and interior shutters done ;) I love your wallpaper and too funny about the lampshade- that made me laugh. I just made my first visit to your new shop and it is fabulous! I love all your beautiful treasures and I'm sure it will be a huge success!
    all my best,
    joan (aka the slug;)

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  60. I love your new office nook--that wall paper is so pretty!! Loved seeing the pictures of your pup as well!

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  61. So exciting! It is all so perfect! The completed exterior entry c'est tres formidable! Le Grand Chateau!
    Your new 'merch' is all fantastic, I especially like the silver and French trays.
    In my world, SM is working on my blog and Etsy. I am very excited about that.
    Hugs from C O L D So Cal, Chris

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  62. That wallpaper works so beautifully!
    I love the silver trays...hmm I might need one for my upstairs washroom.

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  63. Tina, I'm sooooo jealous! That's the kind of pretty, feminine, elegant antiques I wish my husband had brought home so I could create a lovely space like you have with that do die for wallpaper. Just so heavenly, I'm crying with envy as I look at my dark, chunky, rustic pieces and have no idea what to do with them!

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  64. Love the crests you mention for your son's room! I have 3 little boys and am always looking for classy sophisticated decor for their rooms. I will totally buy these!!

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  65. The brackets are my favorite, of course along with the silver and crystalof course. What a lovely place to spend the early morning hours. Thanks for sharing. The entry beautifully sets the stage for the gorgeous interior. And thanks for setting the lamp shade aright.

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  66. Amazing Tina…I so love to see Teddy! The house is fantastic!!!!!
    Hugs

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  67. I LOVE YOUR WALL PAPER!!! i have similar looking one in my powder room and I am starting to develope a craving to have more rooms with wall paper, being European I feel it is always in style but people in Canada seem to think the opposite. How many places will you be putting a wall paper in? Thanks for all your inspirations, I love your store too. I really want to order the silver tray for my vanity stuff ...just haven't gotten around to deciding which one. They are alll beautiful!
    hugs Zaneta

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  68. I LOVE YOUR WALL PAPER!!! i have similar looking one in my powder room and I am starting to develope a craving to have more rooms with wall paper, being European I feel it is always in style but people in Canada seem to think the opposite. How many places will you be putting a wall paper in? Thanks for all your inspirations, I love your store too. I really want to order the silver tray for my vanity stuff ...just haven't gotten around to deciding which one. They are alll beautiful!
    hugs Zaneta

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  69. I've fallen head over heels in love with your house. That's what my dream house will look like.

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  70. Tina...that wallpaper is absolutely perfect! I would love to be in an office that is so pretty!!!

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Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!