Showing posts with label Victorian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Victorian. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Chartreuse , Tapestry & Recycled Wood



Thank you for visiting Brayton Homestead. Our homestead was built in 1796 and it a wonderful home to live in. Rich textures and materials create a a warm and inviting feeling. Hope you enjoy the tour of our front entrance. 


The front door entry,circa 1796, boasts original wide pine floor boards, antiques, tapestry and lots of the color chartreuse.  I found this Victorian rocker with it's tapestry upholstery at an antique auction. The background color of the tapestry inspired all the hall's collectibles. The pillows are made from old carpets. Mixing patterned textiles is one of my decorating signatures in my design business. 


Upon entering the hallway there are doors on either side to enter formal parlors. Straight ahead is a stairway that leads up to the second floor bedrooms. Two old white chippy corbels sit at the edge of the stairs. They break up all the wood tones while adding color and texture. I love adding recycled architectural salvage to any space.
    

More chartreuse! More tapestry! I had the corner cabinet made from old floor boards from another part of the house that were too damaged to repair. That is very unusual at the Homestead, we save and restore everything, but these boards were too damaged and weak. We recycled them to have a new life as a piece of furniture.


Vaseline glass pieces, Kewpie dolls, a bird's nest and photographs all mingle together, inspired by one color! 


You never know where your decorating inspiration may come from, here it was a tapestry rocker. I added an old footstool near and a tapestry throw for more texture and pattern.  I love the bohemian, yet Victorian look a mix of textiles create.


Inspiration is everywhere! Explore and enjoy
and
Thank you for visiting the Brayton Homestead!

Karen

Linking with :



Monday, February 3, 2014

Layering items on my Bookshelves


I love bookshelves and I love books! Here in my living room I have a set of shelves in oak, live the barrister bookcases. I had only books on the shelves. It seemed boring to me so I stated to layer items. First I added the basket on a few books laying down then added my vintage basket.   


Why not add some of my favorite items in front as well? My collection of velvet Victorian what nots where tucked away and deserved to be shown. They fit perfectly in front of the books and had room for a few paperweights. As most of the subjects of these books are England. London and royals the Victorian era velvets remind me of Doyle's Sherlock Homes books. Watson, I need the perfect magnifying glass to finish the display.

Thanks for visiting the Homestead,
Karen


Saturday, September 8, 2012

Red Roses equals Paris Chic


Red Roses for this lady. My own personal favorite color combination mixes tawny pinks, pinkish tans, claret and burgundy contrasted by rich black tones.


My bedroom best highlights this Victorian influenced color ensemble. Think faded burgundy oriental carpets, dried pink roses edged with tea stain browns, and the soft peach of a cherubim face...


Old roses painted on old fabric and perfectly dried blossoms say natural elegance...


and create a style I call "Paris Flea Market meets Shabby Chic".


another bedroom view, just begging for all these fabulous lampshades.


These eye candy shades are lovelies that I hope to recreate for my decorating clients and my Brayton Cottage shop..

HAPPY INSPIRATION TO YOU TOO!

Karen

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Your home your castle...


They say a person's home is their castle, I can agree with that. 


I try to offer items at Brayton Cottage to make your home beautiful at a good price...


William Morris' quote says it best... 

If I were asked to say what is at once
the most important production of art  
and the thing we most longed for,
I should answer,
A beautiful house.

- William Morris




I hope you can visit
Linking with

thanks,
Karen

Monday, May 7, 2012

Time...


Whites cast rich reflections, 


enhance textures and exude warmth... 


An ivory handled pocketknife in the shape of a ladies' shoe...


and a Bakelite terrier amid vintage textiles
all at the
Linking with:


sorry for any confusion, I have 2 Brayton Cottage shops
one on Etsy- Brayton Cottage 
and my own.com- Brayton Cottage 

thanks,
Karen

Monday, March 12, 2012

Time Change



Have you adjusted to the time change?


I changed mine at midnight Saturday. loved the glow in my living room so ran to get my  camera and started snapping pictures.


Ever since I started blogging I am always snapping pics. 
Ok, I was like that before too...
doll is for sale at Brayton Cottage

LINKED WITH:
Karen

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Cottage Life


A cottage life, so very simple, so very enchanting


That is the feeling I have tried to capture at



romantic lace scarves have been added to the shop



I am linking with these beautiful blogs:


thank you for visiting,
Karen

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Dress Form Party!!




Join the Dress Form Party at The Polka Dot Closet!


I did and what fun!
and what fun taking pics of my crazy mannequin. Not enough light inside so I carried it outside.


Collecting dress forms have become increasingly difficult to find, and I love them.



An expandable mannequin comes in handy when altering garments, here it has been relegated to holding my pins. Many will be available at the Brayton Cottage shop.


Krumpet enjoyed the photo fun as well!


he loves to part of everything..


you must visit the
POLKA DOT CLOSET  to see all the dress forms.

and thanks  for visiting here, 

Linking with:

Karen

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Santa in his sleigh



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

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Federal Style: OUR Living Room


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:
Karen

Monday, November 7, 2011

SHOPPING: LIVING IN ANOTHER ERA?

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:
and