Vive la layette!
Chintz: Beyond the slipcover
(Important note: Zoë Josephine Lind was born to my daughter and son-in-law at 7:25 p.m., last Friday, as the Predators were knocking off the Red Wings. She weighed in at 11 lbs, 4 oz. A c-section was not required. Heroes do play here.)
Chintz brings to mind a down-stuffed chair, a sofa worn soft by family and friends. It's where a piping cup of tea is sipped, a novel is read, rain is heard on the window pane. It's also a style of pottery that features "tightly grouped, highly detailed and vibrant all-over floral patterns," as described on the website for Royal Winton. There is plenty of chintz ware to be found in gift shops and among the department store tabletop displays. But Royal Winton chintz sets the standard. Originally know as Grimwades, the artisans at the Royal Winton factory still produce this most English of tableware.
My first encounter with chintz ware was a bonbon stand not unlike the one above, which I recently added to my collection. Details of the pattern, Royal Winton's Florence, below. The black background is particularly stunning, I think.
One of the richest patterns is Julia, below and at top, from my collection. Like Florence, Royal Winton is still produced. Notice the art deco influence in the shape of the nut dish, at top, next to my grandmother Mammy's portrait. She was something of an art deco design during her dance card days.
Note a couple of other patterns, below, from the Royal Winton website. Brings to mind clotted cream and scones.
Chintz brings to mind a down-stuffed chair, a sofa worn soft by family and friends. It's where a piping cup of tea is sipped, a novel is read, rain is heard on the window pane. It's also a style of pottery that features "tightly grouped, highly detailed and vibrant all-over floral patterns," as described on the website for Royal Winton. There is plenty of chintz ware to be found in gift shops and among the department store tabletop displays. But Royal Winton chintz sets the standard. Originally know as Grimwades, the artisans at the Royal Winton factory still produce this most English of tableware.
My first encounter with chintz ware was a bonbon stand not unlike the one above, which I recently added to my collection. Details of the pattern, Royal Winton's Florence, below. The black background is particularly stunning, I think.
One of the richest patterns is Julia, below and at top, from my collection. Like Florence, Royal Winton is still produced. Notice the art deco influence in the shape of the nut dish, at top, next to my grandmother Mammy's portrait. She was something of an art deco design during her dance card days.
Note a couple of other patterns, below, from the Royal Winton website. Brings to mind clotted cream and scones.
Keep an eye out for Royal Winton or Grimwades chintz ware. eBay is a good place to browse and learn about the patterns, including old ones no longer in production. There are plenty of plates, dinner-size and smaller, and cups and saucers. I look for the odd little piece. Bargains are rare to non-existent.
But when you find one you can afford, don't miss out on it, especially if you like a plump, worn, slipcovered sofa on a rainy afternoon. A piece of Royal Winton chintz ware completes it.
à bientôt...Tatie
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Posted in Chez nous: interior design, Les trésors: Collecting
Tagged antique, artisanal, Chintz ware, design, elegance, grace, Grimwades, Nashville Predators, old roses, Royal Winton, taste
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She'll be Running With Scissors!
These two tiny frocks are repurposed couture -- each was a wispy adult blouse that I restructured as a baby girl's "float," as I like to call them. Chouette (meaning owl), at top, features the tiny pleats and clever buttons of the original, along with olive rayon ribbon rosettes at the shoulders. Lapins aux violettes (rabbits amid the violets), right, was recreated from a voile blouse with the tiniest bunnies all over. The rayon ribbon violets were added.
No layette would be complete without the ubiquitous Onesies. I've added some flounce with ruffles all around. Ciel moderne (modern sky), at right, is trimmed with a retro flour sack print that I found at Scott's antique market in Atlanta. Rose baroque (baroque pink), below, is ruffled with a pink and baroque print with tiny bunnies hiding amid the swirls and flourishes. Both feature tiny ribbon blossoms.
If you haven't yet touched any of the bamboo sustainable fabrics, do so at your earliest opportunity -- it's as soft as a puff of spun sugar. I found a pack of three bamboo receiving blankets and created Rosier des nuages (rose bush in the clouds), below, featuring roses made of ombre picot ribbon and old French lace. I'll make Zoë one more of these comfy covers and reserve the third one for my own snugly needs!
Posted in Atelier: Arts and crafts, L'aiguille: Sewing, knitting and embroidery, La dentellière: antique lace and vintage textiles
Tagged Antique lace, artisanal, baby booties, bamboo fabric, chic, chouette, classic children's clothing, couture, design, Felting, float dress, onesie, paper dolls, rayon ribbon, receiving blanket, Repurposed apparel, Ribbon roses, ribbon rosettes, Running With Scissors, taste, Upcycled couture, Zoë
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La Poste: Time to get fresh
Here we are again, yearning for spring and finding glints of light and life amid the rich brown of sleeping earth. Like eggshells as fresh-looking seed starter pots. Remodelista included some rich, sleepy browns in its 28 February files, in a couple of totally unrelated items.
The brown of the ancient pressed tin fleur de lys ceiling tiles grow fresh, sitting above washed white tile walls, at Iris Café in Brooklyn Heights.
I find restored bricks and brick walls to have a clean, fresh feel. The wall above, also at Iris Café, stands up well to the baroque detailing of old picture frames.
Meanwhile, back outside, the bricks and stones of a Victorian yard in Cornwall, England are made fresh by white cold frames sporting tender sprouts.
Speaking of sprouts, stay tuned. Something fresh and fancy coming soon! à bientôt...Tatie
(La Poste is a frequent feature where I share some little bit of design or creativity found in my email inbox.)
Posted in Chateau et maison: architecture, Chez nous: interior design
Tagged antique, baroque, cold frames, design, Easter eggs, egg shells, eggshell, fleur de lys, fresh, freshness, grace, restored bricks, robin's egg, rusty tin tiles, taste, Victorian yard
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La Poste: Mediterranean tile, from the kilns of craftsmen
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Posted in Bon voyage: travel, Chez nous: interior design, La belle France
Tagged artisanal, clay tiles, France, Italian colorwashed plaster, Italy, Portugal, Provence, Spain, taste, terra cotta
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La Poste: Black. White. A pinch of Poirot?
Catching up on Remodelista newsletters, I picked up a little black and white goodness to share. Special touch: I saved the images with the Silver filter in my CameraBag app. This espresso machine took on a rich noir feel.
The façades of a couple of elegant Paris hotels look like deco-era photos, but both were only recently photographed. Sunlight throws a creamy finish on the masonry.
A couple of entryways, above and below, each beckon with a bit of mystery.
More intrigue: Tapers, like intricately turned wood, stand tall in mercury glass and tarnished silver candlesticks below. Framed by a battered old whitewashed door, a question seems to hang in the air.
I just may stick with a black and white palette in my craftwork this year. Ideas welcome. à bientôt...Tatie
La Poste is an occasional feature that showcases design and craftmanship from newsletters and blogs that I enjoy.
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Posted in Chateau et maison: architecture, Chez nous: interior design, La belle France
Tagged Black and white, CameraBag Silver filter, design, elegance, France, intrigue, mercury glass, mystery, noir, Paris, Poirot, tarnished silver
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Pink and green: a marriage made in ... Paris
Posted in Bon voyage: travel, Chez nous: interior design, La belle France, Les trésors: Collecting
Tagged AKA, Alpha Kappa Alpha, chouette, Easter eggs, elegance, France, grace, Ladurée, Nashville Predators, old roses, Paris, pastels, pink and green, robin's egg, Shea Weber, shell pink, taste
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La Poste: Heathrow without tears
Instead of taking that expensive and overly long taxi ride into London upon arrival at Heathrow, here's an option: a warm little village inn and pub just a short drive away.
From Remodelista.com comes word of The Crown in Amersham. This is the England that most of us think of and want to visit. With traditionally outfitted lodging,The Crown is said to offer better fare at table than you might expect in Britain, with a chef on the place. (Candidly, I always enjoy a hearty English pub supper topped off with a sticky pudding.)
The lovely old courtyard of the traditional coaching inn adds to the restful atmosphere, which, for me is an absolute must after a grueling trans-Atlantic flight. It also would make a nice last stop before heading home.
à bientôt...Tatie
La Poste is an occasional feature in which we share news from our e-mailbox or elsewhere on the Web.
Posted in Bon voyage: travel
Tagged antique, elegance, England, Engliish countryside, Heathrow, inn, lodging, pub food, relaxation in Europe, sticky pudding, travel
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Pierrot post cards and Franklin Pangborn
The French Pierrot character is alternately frightening and fascinating.
One minute, you look at him, and he's leering at you like the creepy uncle who lived with one of your little childhood friends.
The next, he's the personification of Art Deco, as pristine and fastidious as another little friend's uncle, the one who reminds you of Franklin Pangborn.
If you'd like to see a wonderful selection of Pierrot illustration, look at what seller cygnet2 has on eBay.
Her collection of ephemera has everything from French perfume labels and handwritten menus to vintage European luggage labels and Pierrot post cards. All original and priced accordingly.
Relax with a warm cup of something good, and look up cygnet2's auctions. Find something you can't live without!
à bientôt...Tatie
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Posted in Uncategorized
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La Poste: Haberdashery, high tea and sterling
Fine silver along with rich wood and upholstery make a combination that hits on so many senses: touch, taste and, of course, visual. Perhaps there's no finer way to serve something for the senses than with vintage silver butler trays, above. Add an element of men's haberdashery for a peppery note, and you have the intriguing highlights of a recent Remodelista report.
One item presented Obsolete, a Venice, California, furniture maker and their chair that's all tufts and men's haberdashery tailoring. This piece is upholstered in men's fine shirting.
It's not much of a jump at all to a table appointed for tea at the Wolseley in London, where late afternoon light reflects off a silver tea setting and an intimate gathering among friends.
Then, it's back to the deep and delicious tones of Obsolete's library chair upholstered in men's suiting.
I'm longing for crisper temperatures and the shadows they cast that remind me of a European autumn. These treats for the senses almost hit the spot.
á bientôt...Tatie
La Poste is an occasional feature of Atelier Chéri where I share a particularly good blog post or newsletter item from my email inbox.
Posted in Bon voyage: travel, Chez nous: interior design, Les trésors: Collecting
Tagged antique, autumn, design, elegance, fine furniture, haberdashery, London, sterling silver, tea
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