Happy Labor Day

Have a wonderful Labor Day. 
This is my friend's front porch with flags and flowers! Annuals and perennials all mix beautifully. 
Here are more of my  favorite finds and photos of the week.

My companion at all times, Krumpet. 

One can never be down with him around. Look at that face! 

The painted checkerboard floor  I painted that was featured in 

Country Sampler article about my homestead.

See the left column top pic that was published.  

and this graphic from Graphics Fairy for labels that I am crazy about!

Cool enough evenings to light my outdoor fireplace, oh so fun, next time marshmallows! 
I have had it for years and it still works and makes the side stone patio look inviting.. 

New changes coming to my Brayton Cottage shop, here in rough form. Stay tuned to my new collection of skirts " BRAYTON HOMESTEAD COLLECTION"

Busy at work on my computer, using the Mona Lisa mouse pad made my friend  made me :she sells them on Etsy. 

Thank you for visiting the Homestead,

Karen

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

Classic British Black & Tan

Tans and black, so classic, to me an all season color combination. It reminds me of Burberry plaid, which I do adore. 

Anything English makes me think about my constant companion , my Yorkshire terrier,

KRUMPET

Always British, the classic detective Sherlock Holmes. Of course, I visited this pub when I visited London.

With the last name of Doyle, could I not? Have I mentioned that my Dad was a  real detective?

Checks on floors, checks on walls, 

compliment black tones in my office. The egg shaped wood box originally held to hold tea.

Kitchen Fall design at the homestead includes whites, golds, tan and yes black.

Acorns are dropping in the neighborhood, my trees are about to drop chestnuts. 

 

Really feeling like Fall now,

enjoy,

Karen

Tapestries, textures and tones

A vintage statue, it's position on my kitchen fireplace mantle designates it's important place. A  serene face and colors always calm me. The tones and textures really represent my personal style...

Tan and browns, woven baskets and wood tones are found in my office as well as the kitchen...

what? Yes the dog even has complimentary tones,

plaster and...

the real thing,

Krumpet!

Karen & Krumpet

Yorkies as Artist Muse?

Of Course Yorkies have been artist's muses!

My yorkie, Krumpet is always inspiring me...

they are so well traveled, here in Provence...

captured  in oils whilst in Paris..

painted on glassware...

of course these sweet angels are muses...

Linked with the beautiful blog

FADED CHARM

her pics are gorgeous!

thanks for visiting,

Karen & Krumpet

How Sweet the Sound as guest Blogger now posted

Please come visit HOW SWEET THE SOUND and become a follower 

of Beverly's great blog and Pink Saturday Party.

Hope you will leave a comment and let me know how I did on my 1st guest blogging gig!

thanks,

Karen

KRUMPET CARRIER

When I first picked up my adorable yorkie

KRUMPET

I did not know what to carry home in so I grapped my LL BEAN bag. He stuck his little head out and smiled. I cannot believe he is now 4 years old!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRUMPET !

look at this adorable pillow on Etsy

by semradesign

how clever to make the hair of ribbons.

thanks for visiting 

Karen and Krumpet

Linking with these beautiful parties: 

COMMON GROUND

FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE

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:

BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH

A STROLL THRU LIFE

COASTAL CHARM

Karen

FIT FOR A PRINCE: my Krumpet

Is this not the cutest dog bed?

I found the pic on google and thought my yorkie, Krumpet, would love it.

It is not Krumpet in the photo but it looks alot like him. Think it will be fun to try to reproduce this couch/ bed with old salvage pieces of wood, and also to go green and recycle. The charm and vintage vibe to the couch will fit perfect next to my canopy bed in my room.

Krumpet has a bed in every room in the homestead to insure that wherever I am working he can be near by...

Enjoy,

Karen and Krumpet

linking with:

A BOWL FULL OF LEMONS

ps. you are so right Lilybets, I would cover it in a lovely fabric, probably a tapestry.

thanks...

ORIGINAL BRAYTON HOME: BRAYTON HALL, ENGLAND

Have I mentioned that the Brayton Family who built my home, the Brayton Homestead, in 1796, came from England where they owned Brayton Hall?

Sadly,the estate is mostly gone but there is a lovely hotel and golf course. Even the cows are beautiful.

While researching details on the house, I also discovered this picture of the barn; even the animal's towels are

 monogrammed. Will build a barn in the future!

 Enjoy...

MY HOMESTEAD: LIBRARY CIRCA 1796

Can you hear the faint sound of violins?

a casual violin concert at the homestead , circa 1796, was a dream.

vintage chairs lined up waiting for guests...

tapestry and burlap pillows for the music lovers that selected the Victorian sofa...

Sunshine streams into the library...

there was even an audience of ceramic dogs enjoying the music.

spaniels and of course yorkies...

on my parent's 25th wedding anniversary silver tray...

a lovely time... 

hope you enjoyed,

Karen

Thanks for visiting!

Images: Brayton Homestead Interiors