CHEZ FIFI

FROM FAR AWAY

I know my guest house has been featured in many US and European magazines but I am sharing this feature from DAPHNE'S DIARY, a lovely Dutch publication I work with because their layout is different and a nice departure from the usual. 

The magazine is not available in the States, unfortunately (they send me copies because Mark Lohman --photographer- and I have home stories in them). It's too bad because it's a very cool publication with lots of DIY projects. Maybe one day it will be sold here.

By the way, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, my blog has now reached over    

TWO MILLION HITS

so keep checking for an upcoming "Thank You" Giveaway!

 

 

LOOKING BACK

You know how it is: with the end of the year nearing it's only natural to look back. And the older one gets the more one tends to look back further than the passed year. 

I was trying to figure out how many homes I have styled over the past 10 years (and before---going back when digital didn't even exist....where did all the years go and how did they go so fast!) but I lost count after 500. The thing is that I actually do remember each home and each gracious homeowner and each one holds a special place in my heart, and always will.

While attempting to classify the homes by locations and dates I felt overwhelmed by the gigantic task at hand and, instead, went back to some favorite details. 

Thank you to each of you would have allowed us in your homes and made us feel so welcome.

Thank you for making my work such a pleasure.

Thank you for making my life beautiful.

Thank you for making me feel useful.

Know that, though you are all far away, you are always in my heart.

I look forward to the opportunity of visiting more homes and making new friends.

Wishing you all the very best for 2013....and beyond!

 

    

IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

While on a shoot in November I ended up with a big bunch of branches to use as props in one of the homes. I brought them back to my house and they sat in a corner until yesterday whenl I decided to spray paint them white and put them in an old copper pot next to the fireplace in the guest house. Needless to say it was an easy trasformation and a good fit not only for the holidays but anytime. The icone is painted on wood and came from a yard sale many moons ago.

The simple and lovely grey stockings come from the fairy fingers of artist

 DORE CALLAWAY

These one-of-a-kind Nordic-inspired stockings are available on

  DORE'S ETSY

They also come in white matelasse.

Either in grey canvas duck or white matelasse, they are equally beautiful.

It's not too late to get one (or more) for Christmas so treat yourself. You deserve it, right?

A Canadian friend made this little crochet doves for me. I love their symbol and simplicity. She uses a fabric softner to keep their shape. Their small size is just right for this tiny tree.

There is nothing more meaningful that handmade gifts.

JOYEUX NOEL.

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!!!