White Winter

Decision Dilemma!

Should I strap on a pair of skates and enjoy this cool weather...

or stay cuddled under a down comforter
and wile way the hours with a hot cup a tea, new magazines...

and lovely books....

with my special dog, Krumpet

as it has been snowing so much here and we are expecting more...

I use to love sledding in the snow,
now I am more of a snow picture-taker...

I am definitely thinking about my next trip to Paris...

and the so cool picture I left behind at the Paris Flea Market
of the Mona Lisa and a Dog
-got Krumpet son after my return...

after considering all those great choices,
in the words of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz

"There is no place like home"
Happy White Wednesday
at Faded Charm

and always inspired by Debra at

COMMON GROUND

thank you Debra for the kind words and mention on your post sweet friend

Images: etsy, google, French Blue, Brayton Homestead Interiors 4 & 5, google, Brayton Homestead Interiors 7-9

Deer friends

You are all so DEER to visit during this busy holiday season! From the real thing, figurines to a young model Emily so doe-like, deers to me feel like Christmas. Let us not forget Rudolph.

linking up to the wonderful

WHITE WEDNESDAY

and

Common Ground's lovely

VINTAGE INSPIRATION

Please Have a Blessed Christmas.

The Nutcracker Ballet

To marvel at a performance of the

Nutcracker Ballet is on my wish list to do this season...

Ballet's are a magical experience! After dancing ballet for years,

it is always a ballerina's desire to be a part
of the Nutcracker ....

the music, the lights, the excitement

and the costumes!

Merry Christmas!

Images: google

Wondrous White Wonderland

Wishing You

The Most Wondrous of a Winter White Wonderland

this

White Wednesday

...just a lovely mohair and paper vintage ornament on my bedroom mantle...

Image: Brayton Homestead Interiors

my Sepia Mantle

Have a Merry Monday!

Please enjoy these pictures of my study for Christmas at the homestead and thank you for visiting. My sepia display includes a cloth Santa I made from vintage fabrics, a reindeer made by a friend during art school, lanterns my sister Aggie bought for me in Morocco, raffia and wood beads all compliment the original 1796 fireplace and raised panel door...

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors

my newly finished vintage jewelry creations

I am creating jewelry for Christmas gifts, and am so enjoying it. Only problem is that as family and clients see the pieces, they are asking and buying them.

Ok, it is a good problem...

Starting with a Victorian carved pin then adding a gold tone vintage dragonfly finding,

this is my newest creation

"DRAGONFLY"

It started with a whole pile of metal and jewelry findings

I have been collecting and the inspiration form gorgeous pin I purchased from

COMMON GROUND.

am linking to Faded Charm's

WHITE WEDNESDAY.

So I have decided to sell some necklaces starting at

ranging from $25.00 to $75-depending 0n the materials.

OAK- all made from one of a kind findings, many Victorian .

They can be purchased by email.

whttp://www.braytoncottage@comcast.net

There are about 10 original one of a kind pieces left to this collection

The necklaces match or compliment the handmade earrings made with Victorian crystal beads in my Brayton Cottage shop on right.

Images: all Brayton Homestead Interiors

any cookie recipes?

Every year I would host a cookie exchange but this year I am invited to one! I alternate between my gingerbread men ( shown above) or sugar cookies. Looking for something different this year, any recipes you would like to share?

~ the Tattered Cottage has a yummy recipe to share for Vanishing Cookies

~ Olive Cooper posted her incredible bar recipe, wow-

~ Uncovered Ruby has a melty Carmel Pecan Bar you must check out

thanks,

Karen

Image: Brayton Homestead Interiors

vintage inspiration at the Brayton Homestead

I am linked to Common Ground's great Vintage Inspiration Friday

My living room mantle is decorated very simply this year. I am inspired by the watercolor painted of my homestead in the 1940's and by the violin that my son played for eight years...

Alas, the daily practice sessions are no more . After his last high school concert he put the instrument on the mantle and it has stayed unplayed. I loved to listen, even the squeaky times.

Maybe one song this Christmas Doyle, please...

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors

worn and white

With all these wonderful worn White cloth doll bodies you must have guessed

that it is Faded Charm's

WHITE WEDNESDAY

these charmers sit in my personal home office

and represent my closest family members

this is my blue eyed son

DOYLE

I purchased the 3 muslin dolls on Ebay and intended to make Santas but just loved them as they were; they are my Mom and two wonderful sisters. Big hazel eyed doll, is my twin brother...

and yes, the zany blue eyed brunette is me!

Have a wonderful week!

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors

Christmas came early at the homestead, my gate!

CHRISTMAS

came early at the

HOMESTEAD! maybe you remember my sketch for my

dream gate

well it has arrived and I love it,

do you?

it is not totally working yet, needs more welding.

Did you know that you can make any paint color into a solid stain

like this one?

but it will be ready to greet my family on the holiday

cannot wait to open the gates on

THANKSGIVING!

thanks Ed

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors

Martha's Vineyard client's white kitchen

white and black with accents of red

and a Mackenzie Child teapot...

Texiles and

TEXTURES

can be enjoyed in my client's Martha's Vineyard kitchen

it was a joy to design and decorate,

the kitchen sitting area overlooks the landscape

featuring birdhouses on pine and oak trees

NATURE'S BEST

is reflected in the rooms colors and finishes.
This gorgeous house can be
rented for your next vacation...

A perfect place to relax and peruse
the wonder of Faded Charm's
WHITE WEDNESDAY.

IMAGES: all Brayton Homestead Interiors

BARN CHICK PARTY # 4

It's BARN CHICK PARTY #4! Time flies when you are having fun. Especially in barns like this one above. It does not hurt that this is also a local winery!

Ever so grateful that you came to the party and join in if you can. No barn pics are even necessary to link up. I mean, this post is about wine tasting, oh yeah- and barns...

Soaring original wood beams

in this excellent example of Victorian Barn Architecture

create an abundance of ambiance...

Oh thank you again Chicks for making these

parties so much fun!

There will be more parties in the Spring...

The winery provides a nice variety of lovely

wines to sample...

Krumpet and I hated to leave.

Yes. I said my dog, Krumpet.

The barn doors are always opened for guest dogs

to play with owner's pets...

If you prefer pour yourself a cup of tea

Did I hoot how thankful
I am that you Barn Chicks
be here?

Does the
BRAYTON HOMESTEAD
look like fall?

It is perfect for Thanksgiving...

When I just visiting my client on MARTHA'S VINEYARD, I picked up this magazine, "Edible Vineyard". Did you know that the island is covered in acorns? I did not. You may remember that I love acorns and etched them in the image below...

These nuts were a staple in the diet of Native Americans. The Native Americans probably taught the first Pilgrims how to first boil acorns in water. This removed the tannins, a substance that usually was unpalatable and made the acorns bitter. The acorns could then be eaten as is or they were ground up to make a flour for breads and cakes. Think I may try a bread for Thanksgiving.

Hoping you enjoyed yourself

it was wonderful to have you here!

linked to Faded Charm's charming

WHITE WEDNESDAY

and

linked to Common Ground's lovely

VINTAGE INSPIRATION FRIDAY

IMAGES: Brayton Homestead Interiors 1-9 &11, Etsy 10 & 12