BRAYTON HOMESTEAD INTERIORS

Brayton Cottage Shop

2012-01-22T14:35:00.005-05:00

So excited to announce that my new shop

braytoncottage.com

is almost up and running and here are two of the categories in the store.

PARIS FLEA MARKET

my fav category~ pic I took at the Paris Flea Market Marches

another category:

ACCESSORIES

(articles to wear)

What do you think so far?

shop should be up by next week- I'll keep you posted

thanks,

Karen

Linking with Pink Saturday ,A Stroll Thru Life and Faded Charm

Interior Design

2012-01-19T18:52:00.000-05:00

Why Hire an Interior Designer?

here are some of things I keep in mind with every project I take on.

Here is an conference room for an international company that I designed.

Mustards, greens and burgundy, always classic.

you can see more on my Interior Design website.

So Why Hire an Interior Designer?

An Interior Designer should make your next project run smoother, faster and more economical.

As a designer decides, for example, on the color of your cabinets, they are considering many other choices they will be making as well. Several decisions are made simultaneously, not one at a time. This insures a cohesiveness to the space and saves your valuable time and budget.

A good designer should also save you money on your protect. Discounts are passed on to the client and costly mistakes are avoided.

Thank you for visiting,

Karen

Sunlight and color

2012-01-16T11:08:00.000-05:00

Shopping in Paris part two

I know just where I would love to go again in Paris...

where I want to dine...

with someone very special...

how I would dine...

and what I would select...

always prepared for a day, at least,

for casual shopping...

and what I would purchase.

More elegant shopping,

wait, what in Paris is not elegant?

a splurge of a lifetime...

my retreat at the end of a Paris pink day, and coming back to the apartment with

more drawings to add to the wall that I sketched that day....

Ready to go?

Karen

all pics from Brayton Interiors on Pinterest

I am in Christies Auction House Catalog!

2012-01-12T16:48:00.002-05:00

Yes, My Brayton Homestead, circa 1796 is in

CHRISTIE'S AUCTION CATALOG!

A very lovely woman from Christie's Auction house in

LONDON

contacted me that she has seen old pictures of the homestead on my blog and that Christies would be auctioning a table that was traced to have sat in the my house for over a hundred years.

was I thrilled that she asked if she could include a photograph of the Brayton Homestead.

This is the one I sent her.

Here is the gorgeous table that will be auctioned on January 20th. It had been on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of art in 2005. I am mentioned along with Brayton Homestead Interiors in the subtitle. I am still pinching myself, how exciting, do you agree?

thanks,

Karen

love it you had a moment to help me choose a header for my new online shop in last post, thanks...

Friends, I need your advice to pick a header for my shop, can you help me choose?

2012-01-09T22:55:00.006-05:00

Which do you prefer?

I cannot decide.

My new shop- BraytonCottage.com. will be opening very soon

and I cannot decide on which header I prefer.

Will be selling home decor, vintage items, handmade jewelry and accessories, etc...

I could really use your advice and opinion,

thanks so much...

Which one?

this is 1st one enlarged,

thanks,

Karen

SHOPPING IN PARIS

2012-01-08T09:15:00.011-05:00

Dreaming of shopping in Paris this summer. Been a while since I have been.

My new .com shop will be opening soon and I need to fill it up with French treasures...

would be walking around France as a free spirit with pink hair,

really, 10 years younger and I would...

returning at he end of the day of shopping to my oh so chic~ decorated Paris apartment

by me of course...

with a handful of fresh flowers

and my Krumpet waiting for me, of course

stay tuned for

BRAYTONCOTTAGE.COM

linking with Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life

and

Common Ground

thanks,

Karen

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T21:09:00.004-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

may it be filled with wonder and happiness.

New roads ahead filled with

excitement and joy!

lovely images from Pinterest that I finally joined.

linked with the lovely Faded Charm

and How Sweet the Sound

Love,

Karen

RICH DECOR : A EUROPEAN ESSENCE

2011-12-28T09:14:00.006-05:00

Lovely thoughts of the holidays still linger...

Warmth radiates from this golden dining room. Loving the combination of European antiquities, rich yet simplistically perfect.

Will be striving to bring this essence to my interior design work for clients this year.

The beam across the room reminds me of the apartment I rented in Paris., here below.

inside courtyard, dreamy...

DO YOU HAVE A New Year's RESOLUTION YET,
what are they?

Karen

Linking with White Wednesday at Faded Charm and Common Ground

Thank you and a giveaway Winner.....

2011-12-26T21:28:00.002-05:00

Thank you to all that participated in my Shabby Apple necklace giveaway!

I t was appreciated and fun! I love this alice in wonderland inspired necklace. The combination of an old looking cameo with a more contemporary silver casing, almost like a mirror frame is perfect!

Hoping your Christmas was magical, ours was.

the winner is

from

SWEET NOTHINGS!

thanks,

Karen

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T14:04:00.002-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

from all of us at the

Brayton Homestead

May you have a blessed holiday

tomorrow night a winner will be drawn for the jewelry giveaway

you can sign up until then,

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Karen

Plaids for decorating

2011-12-21T20:52:00.013-05:00

Never realized I used so many plaids at Christmas,

especially in my kitchen.

and plaid-like textiles in the mudroom

plaid scarf on men's skates for the outside door...

checks in the study

thanks for looking, hope you enjoyed and have a Merry Christmas,

linking with these great blog parties:

THE CHARM OF HOME

Karen

IMAGES : all Brayton Homestead Interiors

Blog giveaway ends Saturday!

2011-12-19T21:03:00.003-05:00

Alice in Wonderland

was the inspiration for the necklace in my blog giveaway

by Shabby Apple

so much wonder and cheer

especially this time of year!

you can win this great necklace to wear on the New Year!

TO ENTER:

1st chance- become a follower of Brayton Homestead Interiors and leave a comment to say you have

or leave a comment to let me know you are already a follower- thanks!

2nd chance- blog about it and leave a comment here

3rd- post about it on FACEBOOK and leave a comment here.

Thanks and enjoy,

linking with the tea party at Silken Purse

Karen

Santa in his sleigh

2011-12-18T14:02:00.008-05:00

Santa is coming to the Brayton Homestead. Some last minute touches in the mudroom. An old carriage seat I picked up this summer along with some suitcases. Can you ever have enough suitcases?

Yes, this is how long I have had my wind up singing Santa

from my dear Dad.

linking with Faded Charm

enjoy,

Karen

Shabby Apple necklace giveaway!

2011-12-17T14:53:00.001-05:00

thanks for coming to the homestead,

I hope you will please sign up for my Shabby Apple necklace giveaway.

ends December 24th!

I love this photo I found on Google, it has a Magnolia Pearl fashion

look to it...,

TO ENTER:

1st chance- become a follower of Brayton Homestead Interiors and leave a comment to say you have

or leave a comment to let me know you are already a follower- thanks!

2nd chance- blog about it and leave a comment here

3rd- post about it on FACEBOOK and leave a comment here.

Thanks and enjoy,

Karen

Merry Christmas

2011-12-15T13:10:00.009-05:00

I LOVE SNOWMAN, do you?
these are a few of my handmade paper mache boxes..

love making snowmen outside!

a fab outfit from Shabby Apple the sponsor for my giveway

do not forget to sign up for the Shabby Apple necklace- here

GIVEAWAY!

LOVE hot chocolate to drink after creating!

and I so love to make them

like these snowman boxes on my Etsy shop vintagedchic

(one in front top pic sold )

the crackling sound of a fire in the hearth is also perfect this time of year...

LINKING WITH THESE BEAUTIFUL BLOGS:

MY UNCOMMON SLICE OF SUBURBIA

photo of marshmallow on Etsy

Karen

PAINT YOUR OWN SKATES: easy tips to paint YOUR HOME portrait

2011-12-13T14:55:00.008-05:00

It is very cold here in Massachusetts! Only had a sprinkling of snow last week, but enough to make me reminisce and want to grab my ice skates and go to the Somerset marsh and skate.

Here are the basic steps I use to create the skate.

These are my handpainted ice skates., painting of the Brayton Homestead, of course. I painted them in a primitive style- aka- giant snowman the size of a house.

First I painted the skates entirely with white paint, including blades and lace openings. I sketched the house on one piece of paper, the snowman on another, cut around the edges of

each and kept moving the shapes around until I liked it. Then traced the shapes.

I made a straight line with a little curve for the snow, painted a deep blue around the house and snowman, even the lace openings, the painted in details. Remember in this naive primitive style, you are not looking for perfection! I glazed over the snow and the snowman with a thinned out gold paint and completed the skates with a gingham check fabric scrap for laces and a hand painted bells as snowmen.

Try painting your house!

You can always take a photograph and trace it-

Let me know if you have any questions.

stay dry and warm and thanks coming by the homestead.

Karen

IMAGES: all Brayton Homestead Interiors

Have you joined the Mad Tea party and giveaway?

2011-12-11T05:30:00.016-05:00

do not be late-

late for an important date!!

the blog giveaway ends December 24th

so sign up now

one lucky person will win this Shabby Apple Alice in Wonderland inspired necklace!

click here for details and to sign up!
LINKING WITH:
SILKEN PURSE

thanks,

Karen

CELEBRATE: Beautiful Necklace GIVEAWAY

2011-12-09T08:25:00.007-05:00

SOMETHING TO DANCE ABOUT

come enter my blog giveaway to win this beautiful pink cameo necklace with a gorgeous silver edge and chain.

to enter click here.

Ends December 24th and hope you'll take my button to the right,

Linking with: HOW SWEET THE SOUND

thanks,

Karen

St Nick

2011-12-06T17:19:00.021-05:00

St. Nicholas Day is special at the homestead

in the authentic tradition, wooden shoes are put out for St. Nicholas, not stockings

* " He had a reputation for secret gift giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose modern name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaus, itself a series of elisions and corruptions of the transliteration of Santa Nikolaus"

ours are filled with nuts, yarn and other goodies...

All to enjoy while working in the study/ office. The homestead, circa 1796, is so easy to decorate for the holidays, especially in a country cottage almost French country style-

Merry Christmas!

Karen

Linking with the beautiful:

A STROLL THRU LIFE

FADED CHARM

HOUSE OF GRACE

DIY BY DESIGN

THE COLORADO LADY

LAURIE ANNA'S VINTAGE HOME

My Uncommon Slice of Supberbia

you can sign up for my jewelry giveaway click here

IMAGES: Brayton Homestead Interiors

* Wickepedia

dreaming of a pink Christmas

2011-12-04T22:17:00.004-05:00

I am dreaming of a pink Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.

Yes, really. From a young girl to now, love pink for Christmas, well every color really.

Well, ok, pink the best. Another pic from my Brayton Homestead Interiors

guest post at Pink Saturday.

What is your favorite Christmas color?

Karen

Linking with:

THE LETTERED COTTAGE

Old mill transformation

2011-12-04T18:11:00.002-05:00

A lovely old cider mill transformed into a glorious living space. Hand rubbed greyish pink walls are the perfect background for the large Art Deco style round mirror. A slight touch of the Christmas holiday graces the back original stone walls of the bedroom, a single strand of greenery. Minimalist at it 's finest!

Karen

Santa are you listening?

2011-12-03T18:59:00.013-05:00

Hi Santa,

It's me Karen. I just wanted to tell you that I have been a very good girl this year...

I tried to make your job of gift giving very easy for you this year.

Here are my favorite things all together in these treasuries I made on Etsy.

Thank you,

Karen

Etsy is the perfect place to shop for Christmas, and make your own wish list.

For me that means always hats, jewelry, vintage oddities~ usually in pinks, grays and tans...

Karen

Blog Giveway

2011-12-03T12:52:00.002-05:00

Still plenty of time to enter the

SHABBY APPLE

giveaway, which ends on December, 24, 2011

Love for you to add my new button on your sidebar.

for more details see this post ~ and leave your comments there,

Thanks and enjoy,

Karen

Common Ground blog

2011-12-02T12:03:00.005-05:00

Come join it for the party at Common Ground, a lovely blog.
Debra hosts a party each week named INSPIRATION FRIDAY, a must see.
Her home is decorated with such beauty and love. Here her gorgeous white tree's theme is toile and tartan
so fantastic Debra

INSPIRATION FRIDAY

She always inspires me. .

thanks...

IMAGES: Common Ground

BLOG GIVEAWAY: SHABBY APPLE JEWELRY

2011-11-30T15:47:00.007-05:00

Having a wonderful giveaway here at Brayton Homestead

for a lovely necklace from

SHABBY APPLE

SHABBY APPLE contacted me and asked if I would like to pick out
a piece of their vintage inspired jewelry for a giveaway. I was so excited as I thought their jewelry would be a perfect fit...

love the whole store, including this candle in the home section,
so with much thought, I selected the

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

inspired necklace.

Shabby Apple is a wonderland to visit, it is fabulous!

Love the fashions, jewelry and home accents.

Love this outfit head to toe to accent..

with this necklace, pink of course...

TO ENTER:

1st chance- become a follower of Brayton Homestead Interiors and leave a comment to say you have or are already a follower- thanks!

2nd chance- blog about it and leave a comment here

3rd- post about it on FACEBOOK and leave a comment here.

Thanks and enjoy,

Karen

have a pink week!

2011-11-28T15:34:00.010-05:00

have you completed your holiday shopping?

have you started?

Been making pink things all year but so much more to do.I h

Still looking for something special for my son and his fiance. It sure gets difficult to find something each year, but I will and enjoylooking...

enjoy!

Brayton Homestead is linking with these great blogs:

A Stroll Thru Life

and

Faded Charm

p.s. candle holder and winged ornament are at Brayton Cottage, thanks.

IMAGES: Brayton Homestead Interiors

How Sweet the Sound as guest Blogger now posted

2011-11-25T15:58:00.002-05:00

Please come visit HOW SWEET THE SOUND and become a follower

of Beverly's great blog and Pink Saturday Party.

Hope you will leave a comment and let me know how I did on my 1st guest blogging gig!

thanks,

Karen

WEDDING ROYALTY: Ralph Lauren

2011-11-20T09:13:00.006-05:00

One an only imagine how beautiful a wedding dress

RALPH LAUREN

could be?

Have I mentioned that my handsome son, Doyle, and Ivy's wedding is next October,

one thrilled Mom!

Ralph Lauren's handsome son recently married niece of President G.W. Bush.

The Lauren's wedding photos will be featured in Vogue magazine. This BARN CHICK cannot wait to the photographs. A Ralph Lauren wedding dress and cowboy boots, heaven...

Did you know he has a store in PARIS? click here.

Linking with the beautiful blog

FADED CHARM

IMAGE: Vogue magazine and Ralph Lauren

KRUMPET CARRIER

2011-11-18T14:05:00.002-05:00

When I first picked up my adorable yorkie

KRUMPET

I did not know what to carry home in so I grapped my LL BEAN bag. He stuck his little head out and smiled. I cannot believe he is now 4 years old!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRUMPET !

look at this adorable pillow on Etsy

by semradesign

how clever to make the hair of ribbons.

thanks for visiting

Karen and Krumpet

Linking with these beautiful parties:

BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH

CHRISTMAS ITEMS: vintagedchic

2011-11-15T07:36:00.006-05:00

The elves are filling the shop at vintagedchic

fun retro it items such a chenille santa ornaments SOLD and

crochet hanger SOLD

are now available

with more added daily..

come on by,

vintagedchic

Karen

Linking with: FADED CHARM

SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

VERY MERRY VINTAGE STYLE

THE COLORADO LADY

SAVED BY LOVE CREATIONS

Federal Style: OUR Living Room

2011-11-12T09:16:00.005-05:00

Welcome to our library/ living room.

A relaxing weekend has prepared me for a busy work week.

Right now I am working on great interior design project.

It is a fabulous commercial space that I will be designing

for my client in an "Industrial Chic" style.

my living room at the homestead is not Industrial style,

which I love

more Federal meets Victorian~

on the music stand is a watercolor painting I did of a bird nest...

Krumpet loves this room too.

Linking with:

A STROLL THRU LIFE

COASTAL CHARM

Karen

DESIGN WEBSITE

2011-11-10T09:37:00.004-05:00

My design website has been up and running for a few months...

perhaps a party is in order?

maybe a giveaway?

you can view selections made for client's homes

like tiles for a bathroom,

near a bedroom with period wallpaper in a William Morris pattern with

custom tapestry bedding to compliment.

in a lovely older home and much more.

BRAYTON HOMESTEAD INTERIORS WEBSITE.

thanks for looking..

Karen

come share in more pink at the lovely blog party at

HOW SWEET THE SOUND

IMAGES: Brayton Homestead Interiors

SHOPPING: LIVING IN ANOTHER ERA?

2011-11-07T09:43:00.018-05:00

While I was shopping for a bathroom light fixture I realized...

I should have lived in another era...

oh, so me...

join the tea party at Silken Purse
and check out this tea cup here...

also while shopping I fell in love with

these rose knobs for my vanity...

loving this new, old looking handmade pocketbook...

and always hats.

maybe I chose the new face for my Brayton Cottage because I want to dress like the girl in the photo.

timing is key..

but I continue to dress in my unconventional style

here is my dressing area

regardless of the era I live in.

Remember I wore this hat to the wedding that I was also the wedding planner?

So have fun with your fashion choices, make your own style and have fun!

Karen

Linking with:

A STROLL THRU LIFE

FADED CHARM

COLORADOLADY

COUNTRY FRENCH COTTAGE

click here for a link to the treasury.

and

HOW SWEET THE SOUND

FIT FOR A PRINCE: my Krumpet

2011-11-05T13:12:00.006-04:00

Is this not the cutest dog bed?

I found the pic on google and thought my yorkie, Krumpet, would love it.

It is not Krumpet in the photo but it looks alot like him. Think it will be fun to try to reproduce this couch/ bed with old salvage pieces of wood, and also to go green and recycle. The charm and vintage vibe to the couch will fit perfect next to my canopy bed in my room.

Krumpet has a bed in every room in the homestead to insure that wherever I am working he can be near by...

Enjoy,

Karen and Krumpet

linking with:

A BOWL FULL OF LEMONS

ps. you are so right Lilybets, I would cover it in a lovely fabric, probably a tapestry.

thanks...

TREASURY: MY ETSY FAVORITES

2011-11-04T21:54:00.004-04:00

I have not made an etsy treasury in months. It was so much fun! forgotten how much I enjoyed doing so.

These are some of my favorite items at Brayton Cottage. Seems I am enamored of hats, deer, vintage black apparel, the color pink, picture frames and tin work. Oh, you knew that didn't you ?

please enjoy,

Karen

Linking with: PINK SATURDAY

New Designs

2011-11-02T22:06:00.009-04:00

Have you seen the new line of frames on my

Brayton Cottage Shop?

They are a collection of new ceiling tin frames

Hand Painted and Aged

Do you like the new line?

thanks for coming by, more on the way...

bottom frame SOLD

Karen @ Brayton Cottage

IMAGES: BRAYTON HOMESTEAD INTERIORS

THE NEW FACE FOR THE COTTAGE

2011-11-01T13:53:00.018-04:00

Have you seen the new face of Chanel?

No, I really mean, Have you seen the new face of The Brayton Cottage Shop?

The BRAYTON COTTAGE is one of my two shops on Etsy.

I thought it needed a new face to coordinate with my shop’s header design.

It all started with this wonderful old photo from 1924 that I purchased.

I do hope you can come and visit

Thank you,

Karen

BRAYTON COTTAGE

Linking with these beautiful blogs:

FADED CHARM
KNICK OF TIME TUESDAY
NO MINIMALIST HERE
COMMON GROUND
FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE

IMAGES: BRAYTON HOMESTEAD INTERIORS

FALL_ AT MY HOMESTEAD

2011-10-30T11:40:00.009-04:00

Well, The Frost is certainly on the pumpkin in Massachusetts!

finally posting pics of the homestead dressed for Fall

and it snowed here the other day!...

I just painted my door red, It is less pink in person.

I used the same stain that I covered the fence I had made

last year- see post.

I have also added copper along the bottom of the house.

The original wood work form 1796 was getting bad and it cannot be replaced as in it part of the base of the house. I love the verdigris patina it is developing.

Linking with:

IT'S A VERY CHERRY WORLD

THE HOUSE IN THE ROSES

thank you,

Karen

IMAGES: Brayton Homestead Interiors

VICTORIANA: at THE BRAYTON COTTAGE

2011-10-24T20:41:00.018-04:00

WHITE ANGORA KITTENS

frolic amid Victorian treasures.

A glance into a celluloid hand mirror to admire her pretty pink bow.

Why not roll atop the antique vanity, smell the French powder and hide behind the cabbage roses?

Available at

BRAYTON COTTAGE SHOP

Linking with: A HOUSE IN THE ROSES, A STROLL THRU LIFE

COASTAL CHARM , MY UNCOMMON SLICE OF SUBERBIA

SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE, FADED CHARM and SILKEN PURSE

thank you,

Karen

IMAGE: Brayton Homestead Interiors

MY OFFICE ORGANIZING: PRETTY AND PRACTICAL

2011-10-17T18:56:00.019-04:00

How do you organize your home office?

Is it possible to create a space that looks good and is practical?

Here is how I try to keep my things together...

In a primitive black painted cabinet in my study/ home office, I house things that are for sale on my shops and magazine photos I save for future inspiration.

this is just one storage solution I use,

always looking for other inventive ideas...

do you have any ideas to share?

LINKING WITH:

A Stroll Through Life

A Bowl Full of Lemons

IMAGES: Brayton Homestead Interiors

A CORNER OF A BEDROOM: my dressing area

2011-10-14T16:56:00.010-04:00

A corner of my bedroom serves as a dressing area

to select an accessory that is right on hand is a pleasure.

a new purchase, a dancing skirt,

looks like here in Massachusetts it will be singing and dancing

in the rain!

a lovely portrait I bought that reminds me of my

banana curl years.

So glad you could visit!

thank you,

Karen

Linking with Pink Saturday

Funky Junk Interiors

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors

AUTUMN BOUNTY: HOMESTEAD TABLE SCAPE

2011-10-13T01:28:00.010-04:00

The magic of Fall is here

with all it's Autumnal bounty! please journey with me and partake in a fall lunch...

image you hear rustic leaves dropping...

under the harvest moon!

Thank you for sharing your time with me here

at my homestead table

and please visit

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY

TRANSFORMATION THURSDAY

VINTAGE THINGIE THURSDAY

TIME TRAVEL THURSDAY

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

INSPIRATION FRIDAY

POTPOURRI PARTY

VINTAGE INSPIRATION FRIDAY

the beautiful blogs that I am linking to this week!

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors

CRAZY? WORKING ON CHRISTMAS ITEMS!

2011-10-07T15:49:00.002-04:00

Yes, I am working on Christmas items!

Mentioned on my last post. Dyeing crochet pieces, painting and aging wood boxes and placing with angels atop, painting and aging the inkwell.. Basically, if it stands still it becomes pink. I use my bedroom fireplace mantel to make them store them and view them for changes...

more coming.Thanks for stopping by !

Karen

Image: Brayton Homestead Interiors

MUST SEE: MATTHEW MEAD'S HOLIDAY GEM!

2011-10-05T11:46:00.013-04:00

Have you seen Matthew Mead's HOLIDAY edition ?

here is a pic from it- is it not gorgeous?

I just ordered mine HERE and you can too

Also, check out his great giveway and video!

Been working on a Christmas items myself- ornaments and boxes

and pink inkwell- above pic

and

SO THRILLED to be featured in a lovely post

at The Brambleberry Cottage!

thank you for showing my apples in the crock, Kim!

Linking with these fab blogs!

2805

HOW SWEET THE SOUND

IMAGES: Matthew Mead 1

Brayton Homestead Interiors 2

SIMPLE PLEASURE: A FALL TABLE VIGNETTE

2011-10-04T16:27:00.006-04:00

It is so easy to create a Autumn display; so many textures and colors can work together.

Here in the library at the homestead I have combined white ceramics pumpkins

and twigs from the yard that are always plentiful in this season...

then stacked some antique books

to fill the large coffee table, which used to be a pre primary school table. I put it on small metal vintage rollers so I can move it around the room.

Hope you enjoyed!

Linking with:

WHITE WEDNESDAY

SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE
and
THE SHABBY CREEK COTTAGE

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors

FALL: ARE YOU READY?

2011-10-02T20:39:00.011-04:00

So | are you ready?

there's woodsy owls and skeletons and scary cats'

oh my!

I just | love| to make collages, especially seasonal and vintage, of course? I do not know why I like to create collages, perhaps they remind me of working on a jigsaw puzzle_ trying to make all the pieces fit, love them too.

all creatures found at

vintagedchic

do not be scared!

Linking with

The Brambleberry Cottage!!

A STROLL THROUGH LIFE

thanks for the feature on your beautiful blog post

Image: Brayton Homestead Interiors

AN APPLE A DAY: MY COUNTRY KITCHEN

2011-09-27T19:16:00.019-04:00

Thanks for visiting the Brayton Homestead!

here is my Fall table setting for a family get together...

an old linen tablecloth. I just started to use my vintage linens.

kept thinking I should save them for another occasion. Now I think that all diners are special

and deserve beautiful linens.

Somerset, Ma, where I live in the big old homestead,

is known for making pottery. The section in town where the pottery was made is called

"Pottersville"

I am lucky to own a piece of Somerset pottery, here filled with apples.

It is so easy to put together a simple table. I did not even need to purchase flowers just put the

paper mache apples into the crock

don't they look real?

another view, this time to the kitchen fireplace, with a garland a sugared apples...

Hope you enjoyed , and remember to try to make each meal feel special.

Linking to these fab blogs:

LAURIE ANNA'S VINTAGE HOME

THE CHARM OF HOME

A HOUSE IN THE ROSES

WHITE WEDNESDAY

IT'S A VERY CHEERY WORLD

SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

2805

and

KNICK OF TIME

Images: all Brayton Homestead Interiors

PHOTO SHOOT AT THE HOMESTEAD: VINTAGE FASHION

2011-09-25T14:58:00.017-04:00

Thanks for visiting | my fashion shoot | at the homestead!

We had a Fall Fashion shoot at the Brayton Homestead.

The beautiful model, Emily, presented the clothes perfectly. A young girl with an incredible range in her modeling: a talent with a very bright future. What a pleasure to photograph her. Clothing is available on my vintagedchic store.

Shown wearing a very old black dress, not hemmed to accommodate the person who purchases it. Keep in mind with her boots she must be 6'. Hope you enjoyed this part of the Fashion photo shoot at the Homestead. Please take a visit to vintagedchic and come back for great vintage jackets available next...

linked to the fab:

FRENCH CUPBOARD

and:

Boogie Board Cottage

Cottage Charm

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors 1-3

SUMMER TREAT: AIRING LAUNDRY

2011-09-21T12:25:00.009-04:00

A summer treat is airing laundry out to dry.

Decided to take a pick of this a bit ago, it just made me smile...

of course Ralph Lauren sheets and textiles always make me happy

(backwards dust ruffle)

I love the Fall season but did not want the summer to end...

Summer has it's treats

but Autumn has it's joys~ apples, fall leaves, pumpkins

Halloween, Thanksgiving...

Enjoy,

Karen

Linking with these fab blogs!

Sue Loves Cherries

Common Ground

Laurie Anna's Vintage Home

The Charm of Home

Boogie Board Cottage, 2805

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors

MY FALL DECORATING: TANS & TEXTURES

2011-09-18T15:48:00.013-04:00

Fall Decorating in my home office

is about tans, browns and natural textures...

a wood egg shaped tea caddy and old radio

mix with work binders...

old rusty tin holds supplies:

it all sits apart an old television...

my sewing basket always handy

all against check wallpaper and a hooked rug

and a peak at a big Pottery Barn frame with sepia pics of Paris...

Just starting placing Fall touches around the homestead,

it is my favorite season!

enjoy...

Karen

all Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors

thanks for your question Olive, it is a hooked rug.

LINKING WITH THESE FAB BLOGS!

A Stroll Thru Life, Faded Charm,

BIG NEWS: MY INTERIOR DESIGN WEBSITE IS NOW ON THE WEB!

2011-09-16T09:40:00.001-04:00

Please share my joy

http://braytonhomesteadinteriors.com/,

My Interior design website, is now on the web. It took longer than I thought to complete to achieve the look I was going for. I am very pleased, what do you think? Reflecting my style of "Comfortable Traditional" turned out to be a more challenging effort that I predicted. My work is traditional yet a bit eclectic, vintage but not stuffy, elegant but always comfortable.

How did I do? Love your comments...

Thanks,

Karen

WELCOME: MY INTERIOR DESIGN WEBSITE IS LAUNCHED!

2011-09-14T12:27:00.003-04:00

Welcome to

BRAYTON HOMESTEAD INTERIORS

Blog

I am so glad you visited.

Here on my blog I journal about my Interior Design business,

the ongoing restoration of the Brayton Homestead, family, friends and my yorkie Krumpet.

My Interior Decorating website

http://www.braytonhomesteadinteriors.com/

has just been launched!

it is also named

Brayton Homestead Interiors

the website.

the website is just for my decorating business.

Here can see examples of my interior design work.

Hope that you come to visit and would love to hear your thoughts!

Thank You,

Karen

Images: all Brayton Hometead Interiors

POLKA DOTS: VERSATILE WONDERS!

2011-09-12T09:52:00.016-04:00

Do You?

When decorating, polka dots coordinate nicely with stripes and solids.

I like to mix them with plaids and tapestries too but a bit more thought is needed to make it work.

polka dots can be nostalgic or whimsical...

handmade or vintage...

I especially love red and white polka dots!

the color combination is perfect.

Can be seen in decorating, fashion and nature. Polka dots can be classic,

or modern. Try them in your next project.

Have a wonderful week!

Karen

Images: 1-3 google, 4 Brayton Homestead, 5 Etsy, 6 & 7 Brayton Homestead, 8 google

TAKE A LOOK: MY CLIENT"S KITCHEN!

2011-09-05T19:06:00.008-04:00

Sharing a client's kitchen I decorated.

This project included selecting all finishes: tile, counter tops, lighting, paint, furniture,

window treatments, art, accessories, etc...

Roosters are the theme all year round with beaded fruit and greens perfect

for fall into the holiday season.

Tiffany style ceiling lights add a vintage glow to the room to enhance the

more functional down spot lighting a kitchen requires.

Hope you enjoy and have a great week...

linking with A Stroll Thru Life

The House in the Roses

Savvy Southern Style

Faded Charm

and Colorado Lady

Karen

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors

HEY LOOK: I found a beehive oven under my fireplace mantle!

2011-08-31T10:24:00.008-04:00

Hope to complete my Homestead project like this

with the inclusion of my new find

A Beehive Oven!

It looked like this (below) -loved it, but needed love

yet easy to decorate for the seasons...

but

Bored with no electricity during the weekend storm

we decided to tear down the boards on my kitchen fireplace,

and discovered the original fireplace

dating to when the Brayton Homestead was built in

1796.

I already knew there was a brick cubby for wood,

it had a door out of the same boards as the fireplace.

Have wanted to take down the boards for such a long time but knew it would

it was any one's guess to what would be lurking behind ...

voila!

first found a great cupboard with a cool round latch

but still have not concluded what was it's use...

then found the beehive oven -originally known as a baking oven. now called

beehive oven because of it's shape

a peak inside the beehive oven...

the jagged bricks are intentional for the heat of the fireplace to be transported to the oven.

here original wood piece and very old wallpaper...

an original kitchen like this would have been called the keeping room.

This is what I have left to work with,

what a challenge!

I have a few ideas- do you have any?

Karen

TAKE A WHIRL: A PARIS CAROUSEL!

2011-08-26T11:03:00.006-04:00

Have you ever had a single experience that stays with you forever. Walking around the corner in Paris to this unexpected site is one of those lovely moments to me.

majestic, regal and fun all at once.

Have a lovely weekend.

Karen

please be safe all that are in arms way of the storm.

Linking with these beautiful blogs: