CHEZ FIFI

THE LATEST HOMES

Recently, my favortie photographer Mark Lohman and I shot quite a few homes for various magazines and I will share some snippets from some of them (wish I could show you more but that's against the rules!)

As you will see they vary in styles from romantic to vintage, country and French, and beach cottages, each with its own charm.

ROMANTIC

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COTTAGE

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 VINTAGE

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Colorful little Tropical cottage 

 

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FRENCH COUNTRY (as you know this is my house redo)

with a loving American touch

 

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ROMANTIC AGAIN

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BEACH COTTAGE

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More next time..............

easy christmas centerpiece.......

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I have been away on shoots but home now until next year.

I started thinking about a centerpiece for the holidays and realized I had a lot of pretty votives and all I needed to do was to add a few more. Fortunately, Pottery Barn had a 30% off sale on all candles and related accessoires so I got a number of new mercury votives. They come in various sizes and colors and are very affordable (between $6.50 and $10 after the 30% ).

The tiny round ones are from Pier 1 and only $1.99 each,

The clear glass ones with a bit of sparkles around the rim are from Michaels and were 50% off (about $3.00 each).

I also had a large mirror  (originally from Home Goods) that makes a perfect "tray" to gather all of them.

Here are some close ups

The turquoise ones come from a shop here in Sarasota call COQUILLAGE ON PALM. These were the most expensive at $11 each.

I love how the ones from Pottery Barn are colored inside......

So, this will be my holiday centerpiece and the good thing about it is that I can use those votives year round. I am going to look for a sturdy vintage shelf to display them in a different way after the holidays. I have not lit the candles yet but can't wait. You can also use those little candles that work with batteries if you don't want too much light in the middle of the table....Hope you like!

WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS AND BEYOND!!!

FRENCH COUNTRY 101.....

 

The French are very fond of items that show the patina of time and those who demonstrate the artisan's touch. Zinc and wire elements are very much part of the French Country interiors.

While working on the premiere issue of French Country Style I came across some of the ones I have had for many years: a frame, a finial, cache pots, a "thing" which I use as a candle holder (never really knew what it was meant for originally).....

  

This cache pot is not only good for potted plants but to hold a vase with flowers as well

I use this cage-like item (the top comes off) as is or to hold a small candle but the top gets very hot.......

 

This works equally well with one large candle but I like it best best with a grouping of short pillar-type candles.

 

This is an old cheese cover. Great for keeping flies away when eating al fresco!

The graphic simplicity of little wire houses make them pretty & whimsical decorating accents. Mine hang on the wall in the little cabana but I have used them indoor as well.

 

Wire baskets let you see what they store, which is quite practical

Check next post with more French Country elements.

Enjoy!