Essentially French!

There is a style of interior decorating that for me remains a perennial favourite and at it's heart is essentially French. Armoires in chalky greys, putty coloured linen, sparkling chandeliers, rustic market baskets, Louis 14th chairs, bleached dry woods in palest tones, armorial crests, oversized rustic candlesticks and chunky wooden lamps, ticking and toile and elaborate swept framed Rococo mirrors - a recipe for heaven in my books! Here are just a few of my favourite finds:   

Above image: a shop filled with divine chalky rustic French furniture and accessories for the home - i gigi general store (take a look at their virtual tour video of the shop - DIVINE!)

 Above images: 1.gorgeous vintage furniture and brocante from Lisa Luby Ryan 2.contemporary Belgian kitchen in grey, white and oak from Timeless Living 3.traces of antique paint on a stunning vintage crested mirror by French antique specialist Brownrigg Interiors 4.Svanby Grey skirted slipcover Henriksdal dining chair by Ikea 5.colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry(the colour palettes I put together are my suggestions for the general room schemes and don't particularly refer to paint unless specifically stated)

Above image:grey linen slip covered dining chairs and palest blonde woods in a pretty white dining/kitchen - Funda properties - Holland

Above image: pretty French chairs in pale white and ticking linen from Appley Hoare Antiques

Above image:the stunning dining area in the kitchen of blogger Seizoen & Stijl - linen slipcovered chairs, rustic wooden table in a soft palette of grey, and taupe. Fabulous industrial metal lights!

Above image: soft vintage French styling from Seizoen & Stijl blog - linen slipcovered chair in a gorgeous putty shade, rustic wooden table and vintage baskets and accessories.

Above images:1. antique styled accessories from Aidan Gray Home 2.washed white slipcovered sofa (the Ektorp in Blekinge white from Ikea is similar)against a grey willow basket at the lovely home of blogger Freudentanz 3.zinc grey lanterns from Authentic Provence 4. soft white draped curtains and 'string' coloured tieback featured in the pretty contemporary country interior from i gigi interior design service 5. colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry(the colour palettes I put together are my suggestions for the general room schemes and don't particularly refer to paint unless specifically stated) 

Above image:Soft damson grey washed linen sofa, rustic metal industrial tables and windows dressed with yards of draped stone linen curtains - Marco Meneguzzi Design 

Above image: antique wooden French buffet and fabulous limed chunky wooden table lamps by Life in Oxfordshire

Above images: 1.vintage French styled mirror in soft shades of washed grey by Camel and Yak 2. French influenced living room with pretty rustic console table with chalky grey jar lamps, baskets for storage and crystal chandelier by Home Unique Netherlands 3.original vintage French grainsack cushion from Anton and K 4.draped shades of stone and taupe linen curtains - Marco Meneguzzi Design 5. colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry(the colour palettes I put together are my suggestions for the general room schemes and don't particularly refer to paint unless specifically stated)     

Above image:gorgeous oak beams in this conservatory dining room with pretty chandelier, linen covered Louis chairs, glazed dresser and limestone tiled floor - House to Home magazine

Above image: antique French furniture from Anton and K featuring a lovely bleached oak linen press 

Above images:1. gorgeously ornate faux stone candle holder from Bliss and Bloom 2.large grey wash wicker baskets from Camel and Yak 3.stunning raw wood and linen French chair from i gigi general store 4. heavenly antique mirror, console and accessories from Room 17 featured here in the divine home seen on the room seventeen blog 5. colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry(the colour palettes I put together are my suggestions for the general room schemes and don't particularly refer to paint unless specifically stated)

Above images:1.Svanby Grey long slipcover Henriksdal dining chair by Ikea also available in Blekinge white 2.embroidered monogram linen cushion along with other French inspired goodies from UK shop Lots of living 3.gorgeous rustic French accessories including these lovely twiggy wreaths from Room 17 4.antique flax linen flour sack cushions from Hen and Hammock 5.linen lined wicker storage baskets from Summerill and Bishop 6.antiqued metal and glass brazier candle holder from Interiors by Vale 7. colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry(the colour palettes I put together are my suggestions for the general room schemes and don't particularly refer to paint unless specifically stated)   

Above image: limed oak and linen French style upholstered bed from De Bongerd in the Netherlands in this stunning pretty neutral attic bedroom scheme 

Above image:sublime French mirrored armoire in a pretty taupe bedroom with lavish pin tucked, draped curtains featured in the Wealden Times with photograph by David Merewether  

Above images: 1.lanterns, candlestick lamps and French style limewashed furniture featured in a coastal cottage - House to Home magazine 2.white ornate French style mirror from Out there interiors 3.Travertine tiled ensuite bathroom/shower room with pretty deep buttoned chair in a gorgeous shade of mushroom and classical stone mirror featured in House to home magazine 4.embroidered monogram linen pillow by Pom Pom Interiors 5. colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry (the colour palettes I put together are my suggestions for the general room schemes and don't particularly refer to paint unless specifically stated)

Above image: elegant neutral tones in this master bedroom with winged headboard by Sims Hilditch Interiors of Bath

Above image: gorgeous linen French chair and fur throw from Room 17

Above image: antique stone angel from Life

For more information on anything shown in the above images and links to tutorials, please click on the names under each photograph to go through to their respective web sites. I create my mood boards/colour palettes with a computer programme called Photoshop by Adobe which is available for both Apple Mac and PC computers.

The colour swatches shown above I create as a suggestion for furnishings, carpets, ornaments, fixtures, fittings and paints. They do not come from manufacturers charts but I am sure that if you want to use them for paint shades that your favourite supplier will be happy to help match them. 

As always, if I have featured your photograph and you would rather I didn't, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will remove it with my sincerest apologies. 

With warmest wishes

 

Contemporary Country Colours

Fresh, clean earth tints form a soothing colour palette for today's country living. Shades of Clay, Slate, French grey, Shutter Blue, Mulberry, Damson, Willow leaf and Gooseberry green set against chalky white add a contemporary twist to traditional country styling. Modern material such a stainless steel and aluminium contrast against the natural elements of pale stone and bleached wood. Here are a few of my most recent finds starting with the heart of the country home - the kitchen.  

Above image: detail of Sims Hilditch interior design for Neptune - gorgeous bespoke kitchens and new home accessories range

Above image: a divine new kitchen design from Sims Hilditch interior design for Neptune

Above images: gorgeous new table linen china and cutlery from the Neptune range

Above images: 1. gorgeous new candle range from Neptune 2.table linen china and cutlery from the new Neptune range 3. paint shade in "Lily" by Neptune 4 from the new lighting range by Neptune

Above image: pretty contemporary coloured enamel kitchen ware from Garden Trading 

Above image: bespoke kitchens and fabulous furniture range from Neptune

Above image: 1.gorgeous pale chalky kitchen by Plain English 2. & 4.table linen and china from the new Neptune accessories range 3.beautiful handcrafted kitchens and furniture from Neptune Colour watches: The Paper Mulberry colour suggestions

Above image: handmade kitchens by Chalon in gorgeous pale chalky shades with slate grey accents try Farrow and Ball "French Grey" number 18 for a similar colour to the door and skirting board

Above image: divine oak framed homes by Border Oak with interior design and styling by Merry Albright The Paper Mulberry note: try "Card Room Green" number 79 from Farrow & Ball for a similar shade to the kitchen island - we have used it on our back door and windows

Above image: planter pots on tray in "Shutter Blue" by Garden Trading

Above image: bespoke kitchens and fabulous furniture range from Neptune

Above image: the gorgeous kitchen and dining room of interior stylist and photographer Helena Bernald of the wonderful blog The Swenglish Home

Above images: 1.lovely new lighting range from Garden Trading in fabulous colours such a "Shutter blue", "Clay" and "Slate" 2.metal trough planter by Garden Trading 3.a set of numbered, French styled, ceramic mixing bowls by Garden Trading Colour swatches: The Paper Mulberry colour suggestions 

Above image: gorgeous contemporary farmhouse in Oxfordshire location for photography and film by locations agency Light locations

Above image: divine bespoke kitchen furniture and china range from Neptune

Above image: the "Chichester" kitchen from Neptune 

Above image: classic jug in "Gooseberry" by Garden Trading

For more information on anything shown in the above images please click on the names under each photograph to go through to their web sites. The colour swatches featured are my suggestions for accent shades and do not relate to specific paints unless otherwise stated, but I'm sure your favourite paint companies would be happy to suggest matches! 

With warmest wishes

 

An old farmhouse in the morning sun

With a glorious morning here in England and the restoration of our old farmhouse(built in the early to mid 1500's)coming on in leaps and bounds it seemed an ideal time for a few quick photographs! I am thrilled to say that we have finished the first floor and attic bedrooms and the new carpets have been laid and we are enjoying 'paddling' around in bare feet! The trials and hard work of the last few years have been soothed by the comforts of freshly painted rooms and furniture free from layers of inch thick dust. We have a little way to go with the soft furnishing but here are a few photo's of our old farmhouse in her new Spring look!

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - an occasional table in the smallest bedroom showing one of the wall beams that we uncovered under layers of wallpaper. The lamp is from Laura Ashley the white box picture frame from Homebase (rose from the garden - a climbing rose named Iceberg) 

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - the smallest bedroom - the vintage wrought iron daybed is French and can be turned into a child's cot.

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - the smallest bedroom - the antique corner cupboard was from a Victorian kitchen and we have left it unpainted inside with the warm colour of the old pine giving a lovely contrast.

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - the smallest bedroom - this shows the wobbly ceilings we have throughout the house (the floors are the same) and the depth of the window ledge shows the thickness of the old wattle and daub walls.

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - the smallest bedroom - the sunlight shows the texture of the original lime plaster and the rather quirky uneven height windows. If you crawl on the windowsill on the left it takes you behind the wall on to the staircase(see below)!

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - the landing on the first staircase - the windowsill that leads through to the smallest bedroom! It also makes a great spot to sit and read. The windows are painted in Farrow and Ball Green Stone, sadly no longer available.

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - the smallest bedroom - the 'secret' windowsill passage that leads through to the staircase (shown above). The Rococo style mirror is a new find (see below). The curtains are made from a gorgeously thick slub cotton fabric bought at The Conran Shop around 20 years ago, over the years I have re-made the curtains to suit various windows.   

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - the smallest bedroom - I couldn't resist this mirror which is a soft chalky taupe shade (my photography is awful!)

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - the second staircase - this leads up to the attic bedrooms. If you crawl along the windowsill it takes you behind the wall on the right into the smallest bedroom shown above!

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - down the second staircase from the attic bedrooms to the first floor landing. The balustrades are the original old oak

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - the first floor landing - this also shows the white travertine marble floor in our bathroom and the wobbly floors, walls, etc! Walls painted in 'Chalk' by Zoffany

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - one of the first floor bedrooms (more photographs to follow at a later date) my Husband made the cupboard which is painted in Laura Ashley 'Ivory'

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - the view from our bedroom across the landing to the smallest bedroom 

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - our bedroom - the curved structure on the left of the cupboard is the chimney from the room below. The dark furry blob on the settee is Fingle our cat! The cupboard in painted in Farrow and Ball 'Stony Ground' no.211

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - our bedroom - the newly restored fireplace (more photo's to follow at a later date)

Above image: The Paper Mulberry our restoration project - our backdoor (painted in Farrow and Ball Card room green no.79) with grapevine above. The lead pots are actually fibreclay reproductions.  

As the we are now in full flourish finishing the restoration work on our house I will be posting once a month to allow time for both! 

Update: this was our home until November 2012, we would like to wish the new owners every happiness in their new home!

With warmest wishes