The time has come to announce the
WINNERS
of
ROMANTIC PRAIRIE STYLE GIVEAWAY
The photo entries were numerous AND beautiful. Thank you for participating. I wish I could give a book to everybody but for now here are the three winners.
of
MY PETITE MAISON
of
THE PAINTED GARDEN
of
A COTTAGE MUSE
Ladies, please email me your complete street address and I will mail you a signed copy of my book, pronto!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
~~~~~~~~~~
I hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend. I spent mine working on a much neglected part of my house. Last year I invested in doing the guest house (you have all seen the photos so I won't bore you with too many, just one will do.........)
But the front windows and front room of my house were in dire need of TLC.......So, with the help of my handy neighbor, we embarked on the removal of the 1925-rusted windows and rotten wood of the front room. Also took out the side windows and replaced them with new siding and new bead board on the inside. We are only halfway done. But here is out it's coming along so far......
Old ugly rotten windows......
you can see why they had to go......
You get the picture......
Once the front window removed, we replaced the 2 big old ones with 2 smaller ones and also built a new wall where the side one was. This new siding is really cool because it's made of concrete (looks just like wood) and termite-proof. it comes already primed so I just had to paint it to match the original one (to the right of the green board)
Here is what we did behind it
Now you can see the 2 new windows in the front and the finished bead board wall
Of course I rewarded myself by "playing" with a few accessories, though there is still the other half of the room to do (next weekend) and also replace the fabric I have had on the ceiling with bead board.......
Keep in mind that this is still a work in progress...
More to come as progresses are made........
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, I have also been tending the courtyard garden and it's looking lovely at this time of the year......
This is what I see from the kitchen window..
Looking in the direction of the backyard which is beyond the gate with the blue heart
Looking at part of the guest house
Looking at the cabana and the steps to the kitchen door......
The gate from the street to the courtyard....
Also got some laundry done this weekend. The weather was just perfect for hanging clothes to dry outside......
Lastly, I came across this sweet hanging planter from IKEA
The closest store to me is in Tampa and I just don't have time to go there so I tried to order them online but they didn't offer them. I asked my sister (in France) to check her nearest Ikea store and she bought 2 for me (and 2 for herself!!) What a lovely sister I have! Lucky me.
This is hers. Mine are coming by mail so it will be a little while before I get them.
I thought you might like to get one (or 2) so check out your local IKEA.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I will not have a chance to blog a lot in the coming months as I will be "gone shooting" for book #2 and for magazines but I will try to blog while on the road.
HAPPY SPRING!!
All the progress is very lovely! You should have emailed me, I would have got the items from Tampa and sent to you! It's only 10 mins from me!
Happy Monday!
Posted by: Jackie | April 25, 2011 at 08:31 AM
Congrats to the ladies!!;)
I hope you had a beautiful Easter Fifi~
I LOVE those Ikea hanging flower pots..I will be off to Ikea tomorrow!
Hugs,
Rachel
French Farmhouse 425
www.shabbyfrenchforme.blogspot.com
Posted by: Rachel@French Farmhouse 425 | April 25, 2011 at 08:33 AM
three of my favorite girls!!
peek in at shop the shed photos.
Posted by: savvycityfarmer | April 25, 2011 at 08:39 AM
It looks so lovely! Great job and I am sure very nice to have new windows.Looking forward to the new book, I am still loving book #1.Best of luck on the road~Blessings Kim
Posted by: Kim | April 25, 2011 at 08:40 AM
Happy Spring to you too Fifi, and how lucky your winners are!... love all your beautiful photos, and your little planter is adorable!... what a sweet sister you have to send them to you... looking so forward to your next book too... xoxo Julie Marie
Posted by: Julie Marie | April 25, 2011 at 08:54 AM
congrats to the sweet winners!!!
lovin' your guest house, those old windows where gorgeous, but, yes they had to go! LoVe how your garden is looking!!!!
Posted by: stefanie | April 25, 2011 at 08:54 AM
Love your pics Fifi! I love that ikea planter too. Happy for all the winners, I didn't enter because I have your book already! Happy trails out on the open road, feel free to come over to maison decor if you wish.
Posted by: amy@maisondecor | April 25, 2011 at 08:59 AM
Gorgeous photos, as always, Fifi! Your guesthouse looks wonderful, even though you say there is more to go. I love how you did the beadboard. Congrats to the winners!
Posted by: Kathy @ Creative Home Expression | April 25, 2011 at 09:09 AM
Hi Fifi,
Congratulations to the winners (I am so excited and honored to be one of them). Your Spring garden is fabulous -you have such a way of creating charming little niches in your garden. Your new windows and the light they let in are wonderful. Fifi, you are amazing - you can get more done in a weekend than most of us get done in a year.
Take good care of yourself on the road for your book and magazine shoots.
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Erin
Posted by: Erin | April 25, 2011 at 09:14 AM
Dearest Fifi,
Quite some window and wall metamorphosis done to the guest house!
Enjoy your new adventure and stay well.
Lots of love,
Mariette
Posted by: Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder | April 25, 2011 at 09:37 AM
It is looking great Fifi! I love your courtyard.
xo
Penny
Posted by: Penny @ The Comforts of Home and Lavender Hill Studio | April 25, 2011 at 09:43 AM
Hi Fifi!
Your guest house looks amazing! Love the beadboard! Your gardens are beautiful too. I am sure you will miss it all while you are on the road. Take care and safe travels! My door and the door at the shop are always open to you if you make it to my neck of the woods!
I am so excited I won your book! Thank you so much!!
Posted by: Sandi ~ A Cottage Muse | April 25, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Votre blog est toujours pour moi un régal... Vous me faites rêver... douce Fifi...
bisous
Posted by: Martine Alison | April 25, 2011 at 10:23 AM
what a great giveaway Fifi...and congrats to the winners - I know Tracie, but not so much the others...I'll have to go stop by :)
that makeover you did? super nice! I'm hoping to see that in an upcoming magazine??
and I LOVE that planter that had the muted dusty miller (is it zinc?)
what beautiful views you have! it' sonly 48* here still! ugh!!
Posted by: Anne Marie | April 25, 2011 at 10:39 AM
It all looks amazing...what a difference the beadboard made! What would we all do without beadboard! :) It's so bright and cheery in your guest cottage...I could live there.
And of course, your styling is beautiful.
I love how your yard and flowers look like they've always been there...blooming where they want...I LOVE that look.
Good luck on your travels and can't wait for book #2. Sarah xo
Posted by: Sarah at meandmyyellowhouse | April 25, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Hi Fifi,
I am thrilled for myself and for Erin and Sandi too.
What a lovely day this is knowing I'll have a signed Romantic Prairie Style book coming to ma maison... should I start planning where I'll place it right now? Me thinks... oui!!
Oh, your window replacement, you know that's something of the many things on my list here for this old, well worn but very loved home we have here. You make window replacement even a thing of excitement for moi. Love your courtyard and all the beautiful plants and flowers. I want to borrow your idea and place one of my memorial hearts under a cloche, I love that, think I saw it in your book too and need to put it to good use.
Wonderful for Sylvie to pick you up some plant hangers, they are so cute. We don't have an Ikea close here too but there is one on the way to Alameda Flea so maybe I'll stop this Sunday if I'm not too worn out.
Love you, Sweet Princess!
xoxo~Tracie
Posted by: My Petite Maison | April 25, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Hi Fifi...how are you??? great decorating in your guesthouse !!!......when can i come ?? and be your guest ??? hahahah!! enjoy your new week darling...love Ria...xxx...
Posted by: It's Me | April 25, 2011 at 12:08 PM
Happy Spring, Fifi! Congrats to your winners!
Posted by: Ricki Jill Treleaven | April 25, 2011 at 12:55 PM
gorgeous, just gorgeous! I love every picture and that guest house is a dream!
Posted by: Sandra | April 25, 2011 at 01:00 PM
Hello, Fifi! Your guest cottage is absolutely enchanting. Love all the outdoor photos, too.
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
http://angelicaccents.blogspot.com
Posted by: Stephanie | April 25, 2011 at 01:28 PM
Congratulations to the winners! You have been industrious - guess I better get inspired - I want to build a fancy chicken coop this year. Happy Spring, Linda
Posted by: Linda Bloom | April 25, 2011 at 02:59 PM
Congrat's to the lucky winners! Your Guest house makeover is coming along wonderfully ~ love the beadboard!! Have a wonderful time on your photoshoots :) Can't wait to see what book #2 will be...fabulous, of course!!
Warmest hugs, Brenda
Posted by: Brenda @ Shabby Cats and Roses | April 25, 2011 at 03:45 PM
lucky winners!! love your home so much!! like what you did with the planter and the boots :)
cheryl x
Posted by: beachcomber | April 25, 2011 at 03:52 PM
Love what you are doing to your home!
Beadboard adds so much personality to a room.
Can't wait to see the rest of the room.
Love your garden..... so welcoming.
I am here from Jennifers blog... I hope to win your fabulous book.
Smiles,
Dolly
Posted by: Dollys' Cherry Heart | April 25, 2011 at 08:13 PM
This is my first visit to your blog, I love it.
Posted by: vikki | April 25, 2011 at 09:38 PM
everything looks so cute you always make me smile
Posted by: Laurie Campbell | April 25, 2011 at 11:45 PM
Your work in progress is amazing! I wish my 'in progress' reno looked as good as your's does! We still have a large hole in our basement where the plumbing is being run for a bathroom, and all the basement things (furniture, accessories, bar things, etc) waiting to find their new place are being 'stored' on our main living level. I have never had such a chaotic house! Last week the dog brought up a hunk of scrap wood from downstairs and started chewing it in the diningroom. Looking at the lovely, charming pics of your reno and beautiful yard reminds me that the steps to the goal might be muddy, but the end result is worth it. Thanks for sharing, have a wonderful time on your next great adventure.
Posted by: Patty/BC | April 26, 2011 at 12:33 AM
Hello Fifi!
I could live the rest of my life in your guest house, it is just so wonderful!
I'm here via Jennifer at The Old Painted Cottage. I'm already a follower of your blog and have been for a number of months now. Just love reading it and drooling over your photography, and decor. So lovely!
Best,
Kimberly
Posted by: Kimberly | April 26, 2011 at 12:57 AM
Lovely guest room make-over! You have the candleabra that I have always wanted to buy from Wisteria! Your garden is lovely! I do love white and silver gardens.I love clothes that are hung outside, they smell so fresh. I have a wood rack and dry things that way.I did see those planters on-line from IKEA, but wasn't able to get one because it is a3 hr drive to the IKEA store! Good luck with your next book! Hints?
Posted by: Susan Hemann | April 26, 2011 at 03:06 AM
Congrats to the winners! Your touches around your lovely cottage are so inspiring. Good luck on your latest venture!!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Posted by: Susan Freeman | April 26, 2011 at 03:33 AM
Congratulations to the winners! What a lovely post! Everything is so pretty - it always makes me feel good to read your blog,
Hugs
Jacqui
Posted by: Jacqui Murtough | April 26, 2011 at 04:46 AM
Congratulations to all the deserving winners, and most of all to you, Fifi, and all the hard work you finished.
Don't forget to sign my copy of RPS and send it back in the SASE I left for you before your shooting tour, I haven't actually read RPS yet!
xo
Sandy
Posted by: Sandy @ My Shabby Streamside Studio | April 26, 2011 at 06:21 AM
Hi Fifi,
It`s Cindy from Winnipeg here. Your renovations look wonderful, how nice that you have a neighbor that you can depend on to help you. Your interior with new bead board and batting is beautiful and in keeping with your present decor. You have such a beautifully romantic style. I love that style, but my husband does not, so I just enjoy looking at what others do.
Spring has sprung here, the river isn`t too high in East Kildonan and the temps have been in the 60`s!
Your garden is so beautiful, the roses especially! I love the plant hanger on the gate!
Congratulations to the winners of your book, I still haven`t ordered one, I need to do it soon. I also love the IKEA plant hanger, our IKEA should be open in another year or so.
Have a lovely day, Hugs, Cindy
Posted by: Cindy | April 26, 2011 at 06:25 AM
Fifi, lovely progress on your home. The beadboard wall is lovely. Where did you get the concrete siding. I have the same wood siding as you but love the woodlike look of the concrete. Love your courtyard.
Posted by: Peggy | April 26, 2011 at 06:52 AM
How nice to have a "handy neighbor!" So much work to renovate, I know...but so worth it in the end. Your home is just lovely Fifi. I really like your shabby shutters and the heart shaped rock. Have a safe journey this summer on your photo shoots and hopefully I can meet you at your book signing here in Nor-Cal! Marcia
Posted by: Marcia | April 26, 2011 at 07:18 AM
Hi Fifi.....your re-no looks fabulous. I enjoy your blog so much and all your pictures are so enlighting. Makes me want to go and re-do everything, hehe. Oh, and congrats to the winners of your book. I was probably one of the first people to order mine and I look it over constantly.....what a pleasure. I can't wait to see the second book.
Linda
Posted by: Linda Rubin | April 26, 2011 at 07:23 AM
YOu did all that in one weekend with the neighbor!Plus, laundry too!VERY IMPRESSIVE FIFI!Look forward to the next re-do!LOve the boots with the flowers!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: elizabeth kirkpatrick | April 26, 2011 at 07:46 AM
Hi Fifi, it's always a pleasure to see the transformations of your home ! beautiful !I am totaly in love with your kitchen table, the pink patina is so perfect !
xoxo
Posted by: Tania - Grange de Charme | April 26, 2011 at 08:49 AM
hello my fifi!
first, congrats to your lucky winners. they will adore each page of your truly beautiful book.
second, your "renewable energy" continues to inspire me to no end. your home is such a lovely extension of all that you are: a fairy rockstar powerhouse!
with love and admiration always ~
xo
elyse
Posted by: elyse | April 26, 2011 at 08:51 AM
to lovely fifi, my friend, looks amazing !!! Love the clothes hanging...so cute !!and the ceilings ,love it all!!! Have a great day !! Congrats Tracie!!!
Posted by: tausha salat | April 26, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Bravo !!!!!!! c'est absolument magnifique toute cette ambiance merveilleuse ! A bientôt
Le jardin des Simples
Posted by: le jardin des simples | April 26, 2011 at 12:51 PM
Congrats to the winners, I've been so busy with my upcoming move that I didn't get a chance to enter..ugh! Maybe next time:)
Thank you so much for the garden inspiration. I love the planter from Ikea!
Posted by: Fabulous Finds Studio | April 26, 2011 at 02:50 PM
What a beautiful transformation, Fifi! One can NEVER have too much beadboard! lol! You continue to amaze me with your talent, your ideas, and your style, girl! And I just ADORE your clothes and the way you dress!!!!! Where do you shop? Have a safe trip - and looking forward to your second book for sure! ♥
xoxo laurie
Posted by: laurie@heavenswalk | April 26, 2011 at 03:19 PM
Hi Fifi
I just received your book for my birthday and I'm loving it. I had seen it on Something White blog and when I found my boyfriend had logged into his Amazon account on my computer I subtly added it to his wishlist...luckily he took the hint! Congratulations on the book, a great concept and beautifully realised.
Lucy
Posted by: Lucy | April 26, 2011 at 04:06 PM
Your guest house is amazing! You can do anything, can't you? You can even make laundry look beautiful;) Love your beautiful pictures and can't wait to see what you are up to next.
~Debra xxx
Capers of the vintage vixens
Posted by: Debra | April 27, 2011 at 05:41 AM
Beautiful hanging flower pots, and beautiful photos! Congratulations on the success of your book!
Posted by: Elisabeth | April 27, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Ooo la la!!!What inspiration for those of us also "in progess" ! Lastnight I dreamt of my new bathroom in floor to cieling beadboard, and this morning w/ your new photos, voila! I will miss you while you're gone on your travels. I look forward to everything FIFI. Love your gardens and flowers! Travel safe, Fifi!xoxo Sara
Posted by: Sara De Costa Graffam | April 27, 2011 at 08:09 AM
Oh I just love beadboard to!! Love all the beautiful pictures!! Congratulations on your book! I knew it would be the best!!!
Posted by: elma | April 27, 2011 at 06:01 PM
Encore une fois, un merveilleux billet avec des photos sublimes - les travaus entrepris ont donné de superbes résultats ... c'est très joli ces lambris ! Et ces très jolis vêtements qui te vont si bien !!! Tout me plait ...
Quelques semaines sans te voir, il faudra bien que je sois patiente !
A très bientôt alors, Fifi !
Bisous
Solène
Posted by: Solène | April 28, 2011 at 04:51 AM
Ohhh...this book will be fantastic!! I am afraid I am a little bit too late for your give away, congratulations to the winners!
Hugs, Ingrid
Posted by: Home & Lifestyle | April 28, 2011 at 06:34 AM
I am so behind on all of my blog reading but have had so much fun catching up tonight on yours. I am drooling over all of the eye candy! Hope you are doing well and that you had a fabulous Easter!
Posted by: Dear Lillie | April 30, 2011 at 07:48 PM
Love the reno! It looks great! Love all the flowers. I'm heading to the garden center this weekend for some more hydrangeas and maybe some holly hock and peonies....!
~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage
Posted by: Mikey Fuller | May 03, 2011 at 03:54 AM
Never got my book. Iam o disapointed in this.I paid withdebit and still nothing.Could you please check.It was when you were getting 30 books in.Lynd Henry 6008 Red Glitter St North Las Vegas,Nev
Posted by: Lynda Henry | May 09, 2011 at 01:00 AM
Fifi,
The concrete siding you used on your home looks fantastic! Can you tell me where you purchased it? I've been looking for the longest time for something just like it for my older home!
Thanks,
Lauren
Posted by: Lauren Holly | June 21, 2011 at 12:47 AM
Je dévore ton livre depuis plus d'1 mois !!!
C'est un réel plaisir de découvrir combien il y a pleins de détails !!!
Posted by: kristinco | August 03, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Hello, i am french and i've just found your blog so nice ! We make me dream !
And in french : Merci beaucoup Fifi, c'est un grand plaisir de vous lire et je vous met en lien dans mon blog "Charlotte rêve au Touquet" !
Christelle North of France
Posted by: lamirand | August 23, 2011 at 10:22 AM