Homestead blooms

August is in full swing and I still had not shared my yard's bounty. Especially proud of the

hydrangeas and their beautiful blue tones.

This year the color is particularly nice, a bit darker than past years. Can you believe I saved this 

flower that was being thrown out by a neighbor, left out for the trash pickup years ago. 

Did not even think it would survive.

Clematis made a good show at the homestead too. Lots of grey washed wood here,

 I think the color gives an aged appearance. 

This is all in my side entrance area and the back of the ell of the house. The house section to the right is the original portion built in 1796. The left side, with the door, is the modern area, added in 1856, when kitchens became in vogue! The entire addition was just kitchen, still is.

thanks for visiting. 

Karen

Weekend Thanks

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

sharing some homestead photos from last summer.

Only just started to dress up the Brayton Homestead  now..

will be recreating this again, old suitcase with flowers,

but that one rotted, oh well...

it is such an easy house to decorate...

I think it's age just gives it character,

planted roses along the front stone wall last year

and added these big red gates...

this year a big expensive new roof, yikes...

wishing you and your family a wonderful weekend

remembering those that made it possible..

Karen

Spring Time

I love Spring and Easter time...

Easter is at the Brayton Cottage shop.

Any item ordered soon will arrive before Easter for gift giving,

Even gift wrapped!

The bunny will be here soon.

this cute vintage basket is at the cottage now,

a lovely Art Nouveau trinket box as well, 

BRAYTON COTTAGE

a vintage watering can with a verdigris finish, flowers will be blooming soon!

hope you do have a chance to come by my shop, I would love it if you'd visit!

thanks,

LINKING WITH

HOW SWEET THE SOUND

Karen

English Garden Wedding

There is going to be an

ENGLISH GARDEN WEDDING

and not only am I invited

but I am so blessed

to also be the

WEDDING PLANNER!

so to look my best I have chosen this great vintage hat for myself,

at Stella Designs, you see

this is my client's daughter's wedding, and has I had the privilege

to decorate their house and the grounds...

They also asked me to plan the wedding.

In fact the color scheme is similar to their living room below that I designed...

Think 1920's Art Deco, English Garden, a touch of French, meets young Great Gatsby's soiree in Newport, Rhode Island. I just love the William Morris English wallpaper with the curvy Swedish clock and custom made furniture...

My Party dress is picked, my shoes selected. Can you picture me around my house practicing
walking in these?

       I'll take plenty of pictures and post them.

Thanks...

Karen

Images: google, etsy, google. Brayton Homestead Interiors website portfolio, Nordstrom, google

homestead roses...

Blush Pink Roses for the sitting room or Crimson for the Library? Which shall I choose to bring inside? Small in size, yet big in impact, a cutting garden is such a treat at my homestead...

Hope you are having a lovely week....

Image: Brayton Homestead Interiors

inspiration

What inspires you?

Long after I posted about inspiration boards I have been wanting to make one. I make design boards for my client so why not make one for for my ideas and wishes.

Gisele would say "Do not just dream about it ~visualize it coming true and it will"

So here are my inspirations~ fresh flowers always around the house, continued family meals around the table with great conversation, get back to knitting, etc.. Not all are literal translations of the photos but a feeling or emotion.

OK , yes,
there is the photo and expectation of
owning a French Chateau...

IMAGES: Brayton Homestead Interiors

Over the River and Through the Woods...

....to Grandmother's house we go...

Especially if she resides in a thatched cottage...

This beautiful OLD needlepoint depicts an enchanted country cottage. With its thatched roof and pastoral scenery it perfectly evokes the spirit of the upcoming holidays. Very shabby chic. Oh, to be so tattered and yet so lovely…

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors ~ vintagedchic

Rose Corner Garden

Have a wonderful day! Roses tucked into a little corner spot surrounded by mint at the homestead. Iced tea with mint anyone?

Image: Brayton Homestead Interiors

Garden Guardian

Lovely carving on stone column overlooks a stately ocean front home nearby. Don't you love the patina growing the color of gold?

Glass vase with cabbage roses and gold~ just added to my shop, HOMESTEADonBRAYTON. Love the heart shape.

Daisies abound in my garden between the original stones, what a welcoming site.
Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors

Magenta Bursts

Happy Thursday!
Soft magenta, pink and chartreuse on needlepoint- I LOVE needlepoint!~ any of my decorating clients would tell you that.
**This pillow is available- email me for pricing**

Magenta bursts of color against a graphic white trellis - a pretty scene of peonies spotted driving. So tired of the rain, cannot wait for sunny days.......
Image : Brayton Homestead Interiors

Nature’s Slumber

Lay your head down on the soft down pillow, look up through the trees and peak at the bird’s’ nest. No, you are not camping. The ultimate in Faux Bois, an old technique of creating wood grain in different mediums, is this incredible bed by Shawn Lovell! As if you are laying under the stars, the frame of metal tree trunks with high reaching limbs come together at the top like a canopy, punctuated by a bird’s nets at the very top. Oh, sweet dreams….
Image: Shawn Lovell

French Country Dog House

As he enters his house the dog thinks to himself, Joie de vivre, what a lucky dog I am. Euro Antique Market has the most incredible finds to purchase including this French Country antique dog house. I am whisked away to the French countryside every time I visit her shop and blog; treat yourself and visit! Can you imagine this incredible dog house in my yard for Krumpet? Alas, it is sold, but it will not stop be from dreaming about it and all their other lovely finds. Thank you for all the enjoyment....
Image: European Antique Market

Sunroom retreat

I want to hide away in this gorgeous sun room. It has all the comforts of home and more! Imagine the overhead glow of chandeliers and the moonlight? A comfy chair, fresh fruit, beautiful flowers and a cup of tea, OK, maybe it would be Merlot. Enjoy the view......

Image: Country Living

Spring, finally......

HAPPY HAPPY SPRING!!
Go outside and play in the dirt!! Start thinking about your outside rooms! Love the work of Freida Maria. Many years ago my sister brought a pencil outline of my foot to Holland and returned with a custom made pair of wood clogs for me. My sister is the most wonderful person. I still have the clogs; they are more comfortable than you would think. But, they are wood!
More decorating tips tomorrow....
Image: Frieda Maria

Quintessential Spring!

Happy Monday!
Thank you for stopping by for the Tip of the day.
Could there be anything more spring-like than flowers? Placing flowers in a room brings in nature and breathes life! Try placing them in unexpected containers like pitchers or tureens other than vases. Consider displaying your arrangement in your kitchen and bedrooms not just on the dining room table.
Come back soon for more decorating tips. Leave a comment to let me know you are enjoying my blog. Thanks…

Image: House Beautiful

Secret garden

Waiting patiently for all the flowers to spring up in my garden. Here's a pic of my little secret garden tucked in the bend of my stone wall as it was last year just starting.......................

Image: Brayton Homestead Interiors