A Tour of Karens Cottage.... Part 1

Part 1 of a three part series.

 Today we are going on a little tour of one of my daughters homes.  Karen has decorated some of her living spaces in black and white with a touch of red  and she is a master at it. Both she and her husband love all things french. Her husband lived in France for a number of years and speaks french fluently. They love not only french design but also french food. She has a wonderful collection of french cookbooks. (Photo coming in future posts.) They have three children...two teenage sons and a 12 year old daughter. For Part 1 of the tour we are starting with
                                                                                    

Her Cozy Sitting Room

First off Karen does all her own sewing. When she was little her favorite thing was my sewing machine so she learned to sew at a very young age and has been in love with it ever since. She made

*All the slipcovers and pillows herself.

*All the drapes and valances.

*Purchased thrift store frames and painted all of them plus many, many other thrift store items.

*Covered all the lampshades....again thrift store finds.

*Enlarged art herself and framed it making her own wall art.

This cast off sofa she covered with material that she had left over from a model home that she did for a contractor at a parade of homes. Her designs won that contractor an award for best in decorating.That bolt of black and white fabric was the jumping off point for her to do some of her living spaces in the black and white color theme.

Notice how she uses frames within frames with the backgrounds between the frames in paper prints. The plates were either given to her as gifts or again thrift store finds.

The pictures on the wall are really straight. I took this photo at an angle so it only looks crooked but is not. She has taken a picture of the Savior and made it the centerpiece for this wall grouping. You will find alot of religious art throughout her home because their religion and family are the focus of their lives.

This wall is adjacent to the love seat wall. You can't help noticing the beautiful antique christening gowns. She collects them and displays them. The one on the left and in the corner to the bottom right are from the very early 1900's. The one on the right that is hanging is from the civil war era. It was purchased at an estate auction for a mere $25. What a find!

The sofa table and large mirror anchor this wall. Isn't this just a lovely grouping. She painted both the table and the mirror herself. The red berries at the top of the mirror add a pop of color that brings the eye up.

         Karen loves to do vignettes and has done several here.

She has grouped things with balance yet diversity.

Love how the red berries and red italian book add color and interest.

Also did you notice the white battenberg lace runner. She loves various laces and uses them throughout her decorating.

This vignette adds another pop of red at another heighth to give added interest. She has some beautiful religious books that she likes to display and as a reminder to whom their faith belongs.

She made a gathered and fitted cover for the ottoman out of a coordinating print. She then topped it off with a black and white toile paisley print throw. The throw was a gift to her from her marvelous mother (moi). (Big smile)!!!

This photo shows two of her slipcovered chairs and is the window wall across from the love seat wall.

This black slipcovered  chair is her favorite chair.

This lace piece she purchased at a very small 'hole in the wall' thriftstore in a tiny touristy town. And she got it for $1. She was just delighted.

The toss pillows she made with fabric remnants.

Another lovely vignette on this little accent table. Again she made the topper and the table covering. Also the drapes.

This cute little guy is 'Thor.' They adopted him from a shelter. He was so shaggy they thought he was gray. They didn't find out he was really white and black until they had him groomed. Isn't he just adorable. When he shows his teeth, Karen says he's smiling. So he 'posed' for this photo. (smile)

                                                                                   

Karen uses alot of ginghams. And so with this slipcovered chair.

Here is the whole sitting area. It is so cozy and inviting. Its a pleasure to just go and sit and visit and enjoy viewing all her vignettes and artwork. A truly lovely beginning to her charming cottage. It is so warm and welcoming!

Hope you have enjoyed our tour of Karens Sitting Area. Isn't it just wonderful!! Over the few weeks I will be sharing  Parts 2 and 3 with you.

Thanks for joining me. Its always fun to have you visit.

Nann

I am participating in:

Voila...French Inspiration
http://frenchcupboard.blogspot.com/

Sundays Best Par.tay
http://my1929charmerblog.com/sundays-best-15-par-tay/

Tikled Pink Fridays
http://www.504main.com/
Seasonal Sundays
http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2012/01/seasonal-sundays-84giveaway.html

Vintage Inspiration Friday

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/vintage-inspiration-friday-73-cooking.html

Inspiration Friday

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/

Feathered Nest Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

2805 Potpourri Party

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Rock and Share Party

http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/

Thursdays at Kristen's Creations

http://kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com/

Open House Party

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2012/01/inspiration-for-your-valentines-day.html#more

Overflowing With Creativity

http://www.itsoverflowing.

 Cozy Home Scenes

 http://cozyhomescenes.blogspot.com/2012/01/your-cozy-home-party-2.html          

Thriving on Thursdays

http://domesblissity.blogspot.com/2012/01/thriving-on-thursdays-linky-party-3.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Domesblissity+%28Domesblissity%29