Tuesday, December 24, 2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!


Can you see me, Krumpet with all the gifts?


Mom has been wrapping all day and she is still not done! New gifts
nestle with old toys she collects... 


I think I am waiting quite patiently. Blue paper for one nephew, pink for a niece. I got a new toy too! 
Our tree has ornaments old and new, mostly old. Many handmade treasure from Doyle over the years.
An old fashion tree with a jumble of colors and materials works best in our living room, well that's what I was told.


Glad you could visit us, I think I am going to get another treat now, 
so bye and Merry Christmas.


You should visit these great blog parties too.
Krumpet and Karen

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Snowman jars in the kitchen


Every year I put out the paper mache jars I created. Large glass carrots noses
in snow man heads covered in glitter.


The large jar hold all my cookie  cutters, so convenient.  When not holding deserts the cake plate
corals vintage check ornaments and my snow man ornaments. ( Smaller boxes on my Etsy shop)/

Greens and plaid ribbons adorn the mantle and table. Love Christmas decorations, don't you?


Hope you enjoyed my holiday kitchen decor,
thanks for visiting,
Karen



Friday, November 29, 2013

Our Homestead Thanksgiving




Our Thanksgiving was wonderful. I hope yours is to! Turkey was yummy, 
Mom's recipe for Portuguese stuffing was almost reached, gets closer every year. 


I did get a great thumbs up from Mom, now 91! Always so encouraging.


Plaids were the table theme this year and my sister's glitter turkey!


Mom fills the wood nut bowl she gave me every year, a Doyle tradition.
The tablecloth I just bought at Christmas Tree Shop worked out great. 


Feathers and  beaded fruit hang from the light fixture by plaid ribbons, so easy to do for easy ambiance. Every loved it- a new  tradtion!

Karen

Monday, November 18, 2013

Fifi at my home, really!



It really is true. Fifi O'Neill came to my home and the homestead will never be the same. nor I!!!
When I mentioned in my last post that she works magic I was correct, but wow!! 


Everything she touched came to life. Yes, it really is her in my kitchen, right?  



,  Utmost professional and talented, but Fifi was so charming, thoughtful,  beautiful and of course talented!!


Krumpet followed her around like, yup, a puppy dog!!! An experience of a lifetime that I will never forget!
 Mark Lohman, the incredible photographer was so talented.: his way of viewing the room's angles, and the lighting!  
Thank you my new friend, Fifi..
Karen

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Getting my homestead ready for Fifi!!


Decorating, cleaning and excitingly waiting for Fifi Oneill's visit to my home very soon. Again pinch me for the dream come true. Fifi will be styling my house for the photographs. Wow, seems unreal to be saying that. 




If you do not know who Fifi is, she is the author of the books: Romantic Prarie Style and Romantic Prairie Cookbook. She also is published in several magazines,.Above is one of Fifi's incredible taste and style.
Will keep you posted. Thanks for all your kind words,
Karen

Monday, October 28, 2013

Fifi O'Neil is coming to my house!!!



Yes, the fabulous, one and only Fifi O'Neill is coming to photograph my home. Pinch me! This a is a dream of a lifetime. Just to meet her is a thrill, but to have her take pictures is so humbling!  Working hard to get the homestead ready.



Her iconic and gorgeous book, ROMANTIC PRAIRIE STYLE is worn bare from reading it constantly since I pre ordered it! Her personal style and decorating genius is incredible. Hope my 216 year old house is up to the task.



Chez Fifi image from Google images

Have you seen the magic she creates? Have to get the 216 year old homestead ready for our visit from Fifi. Cannot wait!!

thanks for visiting,
Karen


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

A healing weekend


Spent most of my time in bed this weekend, healing from an outpatient procedure that
wore me out,
 but, feeling much better now.


Cocooned under my canopy ( above) I rested and read my newest Aunt Dimity series book,
Have you read any of Nancy Atherton's books take place in the Cotswold's of England?
link is here to her books: http://www.aunt-dimity.com/
When Krumpet, my yorkie, was not on the bed with me, he rested right where you see him here!


also added new items to my Shop, 
shameless promoting, yes.


looking out into my living room (above)  forced me to start thinking about dressing the room up for Fall... 


My homestead, (above) all dressed up.
looking forward to the holiday weekend. Have not dressed for the fall yet.
Have a great week.
Karen

* top image from Google
all other images are mine of my Brayton Homestead

Monday, August 19, 2013

Little Birdie, please hold my rose



A fun weekend of church sales and flea markets! I purchased items to sell on my Brayton Cottage shop
and etsy shop. My favorite little thing that I kept for myself is the bird vase. 
Here in my homestead kitchen. 


The vase is connected to the bird with a piece of old wire.


I believe it was hand done by the previous owner and I love it! I have seen  a similar vase that the vase was part of the original design, but I love it's handmade charm. I have seen  a similar vase that the vase was part of the original design, but I love it's handmade charm.


A late rose and fern from my garden seem right at home. 



Paired with a little block, D for Doyle, my son's name pictured here with my yorkie, Krumpet. 


An old shelf to the left holds a myriad of mementos.
 Very old candle holders flank each corbel  on either side of the shelf. 

Makes me smile each time I see it all. hope you have a great week!
Karen

Monday, August 12, 2013

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

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Book away the summer


My living room's books have company with another
 dog under glass.


You may remember my dogs under glass cloche on a 
silver tray on my coffee table...



This is my favorite dog figurine of all. It may be a copy of the
RCA dog.


Surrounded by paperweights, a pleasant vignette it make,
hope you enjoyed !
Karen 


So excited and honored to be featured at 
THE DEDICATED HOUSE.
check out her beautiful blog here: Dedicated House



Monday, June 10, 2013

changes at Brayton Cottage shop


Changes are happening at
 New represents changes to the category, 


It will still offer my handmade jewelry, the
 BRAYTON BLUSH COLLECTION.



The popular cotton scarves continue to be available in grey, ivory, rose, lilac and black,
however, this is the beginning of changes and improvements.
hope you can visit and let me know what you think,
and
THANK YOU PAULA at IVY and ELEPHANTS for featuring my
Bedroom post on your link party this week!
Karen



Monday, June 3, 2013

Bedroom mantle for summer


These hot days are perfect for relaxing. My chaise lounge calls me 
when I want to read but do not want to unmake my bed.


The bedroom is visible from the parlor so I try to keep it made up. 
clearly I am not using the bedroom fireplace in this weather
 but is always nice to look at.


A vintage hat I bought on Etsy for a wedding I attended a
and  was also the wedding planner, accompanies 
a handmade deer box and vintage candlesticks and candle followers.



An etching I created of my son, pillows I made of leftover fabrics
and a huge tapestry pillow fill the corner...


thanks for visiting the homestead,
always appreciate the visit.

I am so grateful and flattered to have my last post featured at the beautiful
blog
thank you Paula!