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

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 :

How Sweet the Sound

My Uncommon slice of Superbia

Cozy Little House

Coastal Charm