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

Lilacs Say Welcome to My Kitchen

Welcome back to my Federal kitchen at the homestead. Could not resist bringing lilacs from the year into the kitchen, albeit they make me sneeze!

Maybe you remember when I restored the kitchen fireplace wall

 to it's 1796 original look..

Under the wood that covered this and the rest of the kitchen walls

 lurked a beehive oven and opening for wood storage. 

Last post I mentioned that an old portrait of the Brayton Homestead hung over the living room mantle, now over the kitchen mantle. I love the barn board wood ceiling even though it is not authentic!

Baskets on the hearth keep linens handy...

Thanks for visiting 

from my kitchen to yours...

Dogs in my living room

I took some photos of the opposite wall to my living room mantle showed on my last blog post. Thank you for your kind words on my mantle of mementos. 

My circa 1796 home still has many of it's original architectural features.

    

You can get a peak of the lovely raised panel wainscoting that I really love. It is painted a brown color, my fav go to color. Creamy white wallpaper and tapestry old Victorian couch

keep things light.

An old preschool table is my coffee table; it holds a huge silver tray and porcelain dogs. 

A side view highlights wood beams, a sculpture form Rome and family photos. I prefer the contrast of dark deep tones like brown, navy blue and burgundy against creams and tans; kind of my decorating signature personally and professionally..

A big tapestry bow holds a reproduction painting and is flanked by wall shelves.

The houndstooth hat that the dog figurine is sporting is actually

 Krumpets!

Thanks for visiting and have a great week!

Karen

SIMPLE PLEASURE: A FALL TABLE VIGNETTE

  

It is so easy to create a Autumn display; so many textures and colors can work together.

Here in the library at the homestead I have combined white ceramics pumpkins

and  twigs from the yard that are always plentiful in this season...

then stacked some antique books

to fill the large coffee table, which used to be a pre primary school table. I put it on small metal vintage rollers so I can move it around the room.

Hope you enjoyed!

Linking with:

WHITE WEDNESDAY

SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE
and
THE SHABBY CREEK COTTAGE

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors

my son's room

Here is my son's room, all grown up, graduated from college

and home~ a wonderful son. Yes, we are Celtics fans.

You never know where you are going to find barn doors

as I just had these made for his closet doors.

I designed these months ago and they were recently installed.

New wood~old hinges.

Guess I have had barns on my mind for a while!

please enjoy- love you Doyle.

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors