Can't Wait

Valentine's Day

source history of valentines day/web

Valentine's Day...

It is not exactly known why the 14th of February is known as Valentine's Day or if the noble Valentine really had any relation to this day. The history of Valentine's Day is impossible to be obtained from any archive and the veil of centuries gone by has made the origin behind this day more difficult to trace. It is only some legends that are our source for the history of Valentine's Day.
The modern St. Valentine's Day celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman tradition. As per one legend, the holiday has originated from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis/Lupercalia, a fertility celebration that used to observed annually on February 15. But the rise of Christianity in Europe saw many pagan holidays being renamed for and dedicated to the early Christian martyrs. Lupercalia was no exception. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius turned Lupercalia into a Christian feast day and set its observance a day earlier, on February 14. He proclaimed February 14 to be the feast day in honour of Saint Valentine, a Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century. It is this St. Valentine whom the modern Valentine's Day honours.

oxox, lulu

White Wednesdays

The Queen Of Winter!

Hyacinths represents an awakening!

Hyacinths in white mean, loveliness and I will pray for you!

happy wednesday!

oxox..lulu

I Heart Candles!

Ok sidebar..

I have to say something about my son's haircut in the second picture! What is it with men (my husband) feeling like they know how to cut other men's (my son's) hair?

Twice now my husband has cut my son's hair and completely ruined it, i.e. those short bangs in the second picture, the one with him eating the ribs!

The first time he cut it, I  had just gotten home from work to find my 8 month old shaved bald. He said that he did it so that my son's hair would grow back thicker! Have you ever heard of such a thing? 

Back to.... I HEART CANDLES

 I found this great old school box.  I love chippy white patina against shinning subway tiles.

I filled it with a candelabra, ironstone, linens and flatware.
Me likey soooo much!

I love changing my centerpieces often! and mean often.....found this oval Barbola mirror.

Filled it with more I Heart Candles!

so pretty...

candles in the winter a dreamy...

don't forget to decorate your candles..

 

I would like to let people know, I offer Design Consultations! Not that any of you need it, however, if you are stuck on a room, or need advice, or just plain frustrated..I am here to help. Email me for details..  Lgemini28@aol.com

love to share,

oxox lulu

Vintage Inspiration Boards

I made these boards awhile back. I was searching for something to put my favorite design pictures, or inspirational quotes, family photo's etc on. A place to display my everyday reminders of all things beautiful. I searched and searched and did not find much. Soo....I made these..

Vintage Inspiration Boards!

Vintage Frames, Vintage Ribbon, Vintage Fabric!

Shabby Chic

Vintage Frame

Soft yellow floral print 1930's 

Ribbon Soft Yellow 1920's Sweden

sold

Rooster fabric 1950's

Ribbon Deep Green 1920's France

Frame Old

sold

Vintage Reproduction Jack Russel Print

Ribbon Sienna 1930's France

Antique Frame circa 1910

sold

Vintage Reproduction All Breed Dog Print

Tin Frame was custom made out of old ceiling tins and painted chocolate

Ribbon Chocolate 1920's france

sold

Vintage Mirror Frame
Rachel Ashwell Serenity Fabric

Ribbon White 1930's Sweden

..Rachel Ashwell has this one in one of her office's..custom made for her

Vintage Fame

Water Color Fabric one of Rachel Ashwells older prints

Ribbon Soft Lavender 1920's Denmark

Vintage Frame

Apple Fabric 1950's

Ribbon Red 1930's France

I was into blue at the moment..don't ask

All of these were custom made by Fosso's Upholstery. But,  can be made easily by yourself. Especially with all you very talented women out there!

I have tons of Vintage Fabric, Ribbon and Frames

 I was thinking of making more....what are your thoughts?

oxox, lulu

Sherwood Country Club

Sherwood Country Club (and a little lesson)

At the beginning of my career in Interior Design we were blessed with a great opportunity to redesign a home that belonged to (can't say the name online, sorry), a kinda famous person. Who sold it to a young couple with 3 kids moving here from out of state. 

They were so excited when they bought it. It was a difficult transaction. The kinda famous person wouldn't make up there mind if they wanted to sell it or not.  Anyways, I will save you from real estate nightmares. We have all had them.

We really enjoyed working with our clients.

The home's bones were very Traditional. The designer before us decided to theme the home in what some might call Tommy Bahama. Which I love, for the right house, but it didn't fit the bones of this house. Grass wallpaper everywhere, floral wallpaper in the dinning room below, with window treatments that had palm trees on them in every room.  

So, we took it all down, which is where a big lesson comes in, ALWAYS TAKE  BEFORES PHOTOS!!! we were so excited and needed job that we just started working away.  These photos were taken 4 years ago, with my not so fun camera. We tried to contact the former owners to get better photo's, but they are no where to be found, and I think it's illegal to stalk people. LOL

I love these photos and work though, because it shows were we have been and how far we have come.

 This is their formal dinning room, we added the wainscotting panels painted them white and used a neutral tone on the walls above. The drapery panels are a gorgeous chocolate linen with a roman shade underneath. The chandelier and sconces are from Niermann Weeks. Check them out they have amazing lighting, http://www.niermannweeks.com

The table is from Barclay Butera (talented designer). 

 http://www.barclaybutera.com/

Botancial prints are from Dan Marty Designs, who unfortunately is no longer in business, but is now working with Maison Au Nautral No. 819

http://www.maison819.com/

Accessories from all over the place..LOL

My most FAVORITE THING IN THE WORLD!

The Mora Clock with an antique finish!

( I will be doing a post on these amazing clocks
check for it)

This is the Formal Family Room
with fireplace.

Accessories & chairs from Barclay Butera

Custom silk stripped drapery panels with balloon swags.. We were really loving the stripes.
Ok, funny thing about this view. Do you all know the sitcom "Mash", the one with the army folk, some where doctors that would help the injured army guys.

If you look closely out the window. That mountain was the one they shot when the helicopter was flying over it in the opening scene. LOL

We called it "Mash Mountain."

'

This room was my favorite. The Family Room off the Kitchen.  That is a French Clock face of a big ben clock somewhere in Europe, that was from Dan Marty Designs.

Custom upholstered sofa's in a gorgeous deep green linen, loveseat have a fantastic deep green damask print. Chairs again in our stripes! Ottoman was customized and tufted huge on purpose for the 3 kids to jump on. 

Kitchen area was my favorite. We painted the walls a neutral tone and added window treatments. Furniture for some reason I can't remember were we got them from..it will come to me...

another shot of the Kitchen Family Room

The kid's room's were a top priority, they wanted them to feel settled as soon as possible.

The Daughter's Room

We painted the walls in her daughter's room a soft pink, added the chair rail and used a neutral tone above. The furniture and bedding all from Pottery Barn Kids.

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/

So cute, I wanted a room like this when I was her age..

Twin bed's are perfect for sleepovers.

Study, Study..That's all she did

The Son's Room

We added the wainscotting panels and neutral paint color to the walls. The art work was given to them by grandma. The bedding and furniture all from Pottery Barn Kids

They lived near a lake and he loved boats.

The window treatments are a dark blue denim.

One of the reason I love design is that I can live vicarioulsy through my clients.  I love all styles, Traditional, Tuscan, Contemporary etc.. etc.. and it goes on and on..In my dream land I would buy a house for every style I love..ugh thats endless. 

....however..My TRUE love..... is WHITE! WHITE! WHITE!

Also check out this cute blog I came across

http://donatellastyle.blogspot.com/

happy days,

lulu

I

Agoura Antique Mart Blog 2010

Our fabulous most popular Agoura Antique Mart has started a blog!  Proprietor Maria Bartolet and staff of The Agoura Antique Mart would like to share their amazing goodies in her beautiful store on a regular basis. We will see all the stunning vignettes, new trends, and one of kind vintage items weekly. You will be able to order from her website and or call the store. So please stop by and become a loyal follower of The Agoura Antique Mart Blog.  http://agouraantiquemart.blogspot.com/

Creamy white Ironstone paired with Vintage Silver.  Embroidered pillows sit on gorgeous Bergere Chairs re-upholstered in

soft linen

(photos & vignettes by lulu)

Stunning French Wedding Cloche with Praying Madonna's, and Jesus on a cross

Please visit

oxox, lulu

Madonna & Chippy

I love Madonna (born Madonna Louise Ciccone 1958) the singer always and forever! How many times did she re-event herself?..I lost count

But , I also love love (I am saying love alot, must be because its close to Valentines Day, and I tend to scream love more.)
Anywhoo, I also love The Praying Madonna.

Images of The Madonna alone and Madonna and Child are pictorial or sculptured representations of Mary, Mother of Jesus. These Images are central icons of Roman Catholicism and Estern Orthodox Christianity. Madonna meaning "The Lady."

My very own little Praying Madonna with my favorite pair of chippy white candleholders

my other love (there I go again) is anything white and chippy..like these gorgeous cut post used as candleholders!

love, lulu

P.S

great future posts on the way, some more how too's and some great before and after's.

..thanks for stopping by!

New Years Wreath

My doors looked so empty after the Holidays! I mean we have been decorating them since September..Stars always remind me of the New Year..We bought this Star Fish Garland years ago..and I should have bought more..soo

I thought I would make more.  Quick and easy.

Marterials Needed: 

Star Fish (at Michaels or any Nursery) any size you want

Extra shells (your choice)

Hot glue gun

Natural Rope (thats the name of it)

Lay the rope down. Line up all three stars on top of the rope to space.

Spacing is your choice it looks great close together or farther apart

Wind the rope around top of the stars hot glue gun in place..its very easy to manipulate the rope with the glue

Glue the rope to the back of the stars (there fragile and need to be secured)

add more shells and place them randomly up and down the rope

add a shell to the end of the rope

and...  Ta Da

Garland for my backyard gate..

or just about anywhere all year long..me likey

I hope I explained myself well. This is my first time taking pictures and explaining it together.  The project was quick and easy, documenting the how to is another story..LOL

But, I will get better promise..If you have any questions just email me.

Happy Saturday

lulu