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

Dance away the weekend

Looking forward to the weekend to kick up my heels, put on my newish tuille dancing skirt and dance away!

Hoping that this truck will come to pick me up at the Homestead and wisk me away to the ball- no wait,

 that is Cinderella and it is not a van with a spectacular chandelier but mice and a pumpkin...!

A great week was spent on my Interior Decorating client work and

many sales of scarves on my shop! A blast!

even was included in a Facebook group named

SCARF ADDICTED

you have to check it out

- one member evenmentioned my grey lace scarf!

One more day, Krumpet, and we will walk and DANCE!!

Linking with:

FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE

Karen

Brayton Cottage Shop

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

feed the birds...

" Feed the birds

tuppence a bag

tuppence, tuppence

tuppence a bag."

I love Mary Poppins, and I love feeding the birds. Why have I not put out birds feeders before to be enchanted each morning by who comes to visit? The pair of morning doves? the little chickadees or the bossy blackbird? Krumpet & I do not care, just keep visiting, you too!

Work Space Wednesday VII

An amble wood desk, a pair of French Bergere chairs and a huge inspiration board are a few of the elements in this room that inspire me. It's snowing here in Massachusetts, a day to be working home in your workspace/ studio!
enjoy...
Image: Ruby Press

Work Space Wednesday VI

Going to your studio everyday is a pleasure, the space reflects you. So much thought and effort went into the design and it shows. Eclectic at it's finest; it showcases so many of your favorite antiques, art, travel mementos and work supplies of course...

Multi picture groupings are so effective whether they are an eclectic mix or multiples of similar subjects in similar frames. Here I drink my latte at a local coffee house surrounded by a collection of photographs of Italy...

Adjoining the coffee house is an art gallery. This room featured apparel made from unexpected materials, for instance plastic bags, I love it!

An easy transition into multiple groupings of framed pieces is an ensemble of family photographs perfect up a stairway grand or small.

enjoy....
IMAGES: Jac de Viller Photography

Brayton Homestead Interiors

Brayton Homestead Interiors

Domino Magazine

Work Space Wednesday I

I have decided to start a post named Work Space Wednesday. My thoughts are that if you have to work, why not make your environment as interesting as possible? Here, a textile artist has a great worktable, a cool bin on rollers to toss fabrics into and storage bins to store supplies, all in the corner of a room!
Where ever your work space is, have a beautiful mid week day...
Image: Flikr~ decorology

A Study in Blue

You have been daydreaming of a long bath all day. Beautiful white peonies and a plush white towel await you. Wall sconces are dimmed and reflected in the gorgeous over sized mirror, time to unwind...

As you journey to your sitting room you can't help to look up to admire the glass chandelier that reminds you of a big blue iced cupcake...

You have arrived ~ so relax, smell the flowers and enjoy a good book.
*Check the fab blog Paris Hotel Boutique to see the chandelier & more.
Images: House Beautiful 1& 2, Lucina Moodie

Settee with Style

With the feel of throne, the back like a headboard, country checks that I love and a groovy granny square seat, please take a seat and enjoy. I visited the incredible Mackenzie-Childs farmhouse, showroom and workshop in Aurora, NY where the they create their wonderful whimsical pieces. Additionally, much wine was sampled during wine tastings at the surrounding Finger Lakes Wineries! I especially love the hand painted landscape on the settee's backboard, and all the Dry Rieslings.....
Images: Mackenzie-Childs

The Holiday

Imagine a beautiful woman from America, frustrated from the end of a relationship, switches houses and spends two weeks in a dream like home in England. An English charmer, thoroughly British country cottage. Her other half in the switch, the lovely lady from England will reside in a gorgeous and impeccably decorated American home, they have traded homes for a 2 week escape from their lives.

Yes, I have been catching up on my movies. A designer's dream to peak into such wonderfully decorated residences. Loving the painted check floor. Don't you just adore the stone wall surround to the amazing soaking tub?

Image: The Holiday

Lovely Fresh Air

Happy Wednesday! The sun is shining! Open the French doors and allow the fresh air to gently enter in..........

Elegant yet whimsical

The table is set, the room is decorated, let's start the party. It's mom's 87th birthday and no ordinary setting will do for the matrioc of the the Doyle family. Elegant and artistic just like you Mom.....

Image: Violise Lunn

Celebrate!

Hope your week was wonderful, mine was a week to celebrate!

~Relaxing , special Mothers’ Day with my son, Mom & family.
~ Paris Hotel Boutique- I won elegant French Stationary on her chic blog giveaway.

~ One Little Bird graciously mentioned in her charming blog.

~ Red Planet blog pictured and linked on her upbeat blog's list.

How was your week? Hoping you have a wonderful weekend...

Image: Please Sir

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

Cozy Retreat

Retreat to this cozy room and let your troubles escape you! Let the wood beams envelop you and raise your feet on the yummy chenille ottoman. No worries, the slipcover can be removed and laundered. The repetition of brown and white on the striped round carpet and in the contrast of walls and beams create a casual atmosphere, while the blue French chairs add a formal sophistication. Perfect for another rainy April day. Enjoy!
Image:House Beautiful

Birds and Bunnies

Pink walls, green chairs and a beautiful toile tablecloth create a lovely setting for dining any time, especially for Easter. So perfect that after you have overeaten you may rest on the pink settee in the background, along with pillows for everyone, they thought of everything.
Image: Real Living

Don’t these sweet birdies circling the chandelier look like they are chirping a happy tune? Dripping with glass crystals and adorned with the most beautiful Art Deco style lamp shades this chandelier can certainly illuminate my Easter table!
Image: Real Living

All these Easter colors reminded of a photograph I had taken in Montreal. Outrageous pink birds with bright yellow head feathers certainly caught my idea in this store window. Who knew artificial birds could have such visual impact?
Image: Brayton Homestead Interiors

Eclectic charm

Raspberry, blueberry and vanilla combine to make an eclectic living room. A traditional sofa becomes Modern with a clean white fabric and a mix of pillows. I love a white couch on an oriental carpet! The charming Moroccan base to the end table and fresh contemporary art on the walls harmonize beautifully. Do not be afraid to mix styles and express yourself…..
Unusual raspberry hued parrot tulips in a simple glass drinking picture is an eclectic mix in itself.; can’t you picture the flowers on that Moroccan end table along with the lovely strawberry platter and luscious pomegranates? How exotic!
Images: Domino, Country Living, Rice

Hot Chocolate

Warm browns and rich leather create old world charm. This is the living room I designed for a lovely family, a young couple and their three children. The color palette and textures combine to achieve a sophisticated yet comfortable space. My signature ~ Comfortable Tradtional. Isn't it welcoming?
Image: Brayton Homestead Interiors