Finding the Perfect Lighting Fixture

I have been searching for new lighting for a few rooms at the homestead. Something fun and fanciful would be perfect.   

Then, I thought to look at my Pinterest board: see here: https://www.pinterest.com/braytonhome/

 Do you have a favorite?

I'm Back!

I missed blogging! I have been involved in many projects, in many directions But, I have missed posting and reading your posts~ Additionally and thankfully, my Interior Design business has busy!

Making recycled jewelry has been a wonderful pastime.

I love making necklaces the most. 

Getting lost in putting together the parts of the pendant is wonderful pastime!

The Brayton Homestead is still a most magical place to live! 

Our sitting room, my favorite place for sipping tea...

                                   and gardening can always transport you to a happy place!
                                                    Hoping you have all been well!

She Shed Dreams

 I so intended to create my She Shed this Summer. I envision a bright space created using recycled materials. I have been collecting antique doors and windows for the exterior for my oasis.

Creating a place fit for a queen for the day! Fresh fruit, croissants and freshly squeezed juice served on an old vintage silver tray  sounds divine.  

Mostly creams and white accented with wood tones (worn and aged, of course) will give the inside a vintage hideaway retreat. Will keep collecting antique furniture and architectural pieces and shoot for next year!

thanks for visiting!

Smells great: Looks great!

I love making these Heart shaped homemade cinnamon decorations for Valentine's Day!

This easy to make cinnamon dough recipe is so easy to make! It makes wonderful smelling decorations!

This easy to make cinnamon dough recipe is so easy to make! The lovely homemade Country smelling decorations dry to a clay-like consistency. 

Here is the recipe: 

Dust hands with cinnamon for handling

• 1 cup applesauce
• 1-1 1/4 cup (130 grams) ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground cloves (optional)

You can add a teaspoon of cloves, ginger and allspice to round out the fragrance.

 To get them dry quicker, bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 150 degrees for one hour. Remove from the cookie sheets and bake on the oven racks for another hour and a half. (Don't roll thinner than 1/4 inch if you're using this method.) I like to let mine air dry.

Enjoy,

Karen

 Visit: www.braytonhomesteadinteriors.com

My new favorite appetizer!

My new favorite and easy dip/ ball! So easy to make and you may have many of the ingredients already!

Enjoy!

Pinecone Cheese Spread Appetizer

5 min

Ingredients: 1 8 ounce package Cream Cheese (I substitute Neufchatel Cheese to save calories), 2 T Dijon mustard, 3 T jalapeno peppers (or more to add spiciness), Pretzel crisps or crackers to serve, ⅓ C sliced almonds, 2 C shredded Colby Jack or Cheddar Cheese

www.braytonhomesteadinteriors.com

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas, well about to start!!

Enjoying one last pumpkin chocolate chip muffin and on to Christmas flavored and decoration at the Brayton Homestead!

Happy Birthday Krumpet!

Dear Krumpet turned 9 years old! What a sweet soul he is! A great companion and good listener!

Thanks for visting!

www.braytonhomesteadinteriors.com

Small touches to create a Fall mantle scape in my kitchen

I added a burlap wreath and decorative apples to my mantle design to create more of a Fall feel. The kitchen mantle already had my watercolors and frame .

I think the Burlap strapping draped through the mantle scape pulled the Autumn look together. Adding a few chestnuts from the homestead yard  added a bit more texture; but only gathered a few from my yard this year. The squirrels got there first!

Happy Fall!

Garden is so lush this year!

My garden is especially full this year at the Brayton Homestead. I think it is because in New England we have had high temperatures early.

The clematis are particularly full this year; love them!

The purple clematis contrast nicely with the pink and pale yellow roses. These plants have never bloomed together before! Hope they do again...

Thanks for visiting Brayton Homestead interiors and have a wonderful week,

Karen 

New studio display~ recycled vintage!

 Many new recycled necklaces, (well vintage and recycled parts) in my studio! Do you like my new display? It was easy to create and portable for shows! Keep a lookout for a giveaway for one of my pieces! www.braytoncottage.com

Remembering

"Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy the freedoms we share in this great nation"; a lovely quote from Susan Freeman. The Doyle family had a lovely day and hoping you did too! #BraytonHomesteadInteriors #braytonhomestead220

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!

Recycled an old window screen into a necklace holder for my studio. With an old house 220 years old , I pick them up whenever I find them. Too small for my windows; Recycle & Reinvent!!

www.braytoncottage.com

Happy First Day of Spring!

Happy First Day of Spring! Thinking of being out in a balcony in France!

Not that it is not lovely at the Brayton Homestead, but tonight here in Bew England, we are supposed to get snow! Yes SNOW!

 I am going to look at pictures of gardens from Romantic Homes magazine and plan my summer plantings while sipping tea- here a mug ring from my Brayton Cottage online shop...

http://www.braytoncottage.com/shop/viewcategory.php?groupid=3

Enjoy!

Thinking Spring!

I am thinking Spring! Typically, my style is more traditional with a lot of vintage and recycled materials; but I love everything about this room from Anthropologie!       Remember using murals when I started my design business...

#Anthropologielove#braytonhomesteadloves Anthropologie 

Snow at the Homestead!

Love how the snow glistens on the architectural details, making then stand out even more!

Here at the Brayton Homestead,  our house particularly shimmers with this lovely white coating in the recent snow storm. Historic houses like ours, built in the Federal period, have architecture that features clean simple lines and are symmetrical in design.

Thanks for visiting the Brayton Homestead...

Textures for Winter Warmth

Winter textures, warm and inviting. Woven  bottle cover, painted crunchy textures add visual warmth to any room.

My handmade hearts have old buttons and newly handyed fabric, sitting on the fireplace mantle.
Some items are available on my online shop; www.braytoncottage.com. Thanks for visiting the Brayton Homestead.

Happy Shiny New Year**

Wishing you a *Shiny* New Year* !

A Country Homestead Christmas

My Homestead front door is completed; do you like it? 

Inspired by my recent visits to Colonial Williamsburg, I kept the decorations simple and authentic!

So fortunate that the woodwork is original, circa 1796. Fresh greens, red berries and a Tartan plaid ribbon bow is all that is needed at the Brayton Homestead!

  

Presented at FORT ADAMS, my 2nd fashion show

Hi,  I am excited to tell you that my Brayton Homestead Collection of clothing I designed was featured in another fashion show! The setting was perfect for my military style presentation at the famous FORT ADAMS in Newport, Rhode Island. I am just back for vacation (after the show) so I will post more photographs later.

thanks for visiting the homestead,

Karen

Published in Country Sampler magazine 1 year ago!

I cannot believe it has been a year since my home, the Brayton Homestead, was published in Country Sampler Magazine! Boy does time fly. It seems like yesterday that Fifi O'Neil, the fantastic stylist and author of Prairie Style was here!

The house, built in 1796, has most of the original woodwork. These pictures are of one of the rooms, the bedroom, that was featured. The kitchen and sitting room were also in the magazine. Yes, I love pink, chenille and pillows!

Another wall in the bedroom has the original fireplace with  my favorite wood work in the house. Painting detailed woodwork in an off white shows off all the curves. I love mixing shades of pink and maroons with brown to keep the colors grounded. My favorite vintage leopard hats adorn the mantle along with an angel watercolor I painted. Symmetry on the mantle works here in a room that is off- centered with a door and a chaise lounge.

Thanks for coming to the Homestead. Hoping you enjoyed  pictures from Country Sampler Magazine!

Karen

thanks for visiting friends!

linking with:

My Uncommon Slice of Suberbia

Cozy Little House