After my blog, “Seeing Blue”, in April, several of you sent emails asking me to show the new sofa when it arrived. Here it is…”Madeline”, the name the manufacturer has given it. The lighting in the north facing living room is not great for photos but the fabric on the sofa is a denim-blue velvet which picks up the blue in the carpet spot on.
All dressed up…my husband wonders where he’s supposed to sit, let alone stretch out!!! Isn’t that what a bed is for?
On one of those recent weekends when Spring felt more like Winter, I decided to restyle the bookcase. This was not a quick turnaround. I knew I’d have to “edit” some books (which does not come easy for me, but was necessary) if I wanted to add some “blue” accents and decor pieces to break up solid shelves of books.
The before…
And after…
The first section, on the left, has some of my favourite fiction books including those written by Jane Austin, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Edith Wharton. I’ve framed several quotes that I particularly love.
The middle section is mostly biographies and autobiographies of fashion icons and politicians.
The top shelf has a framed sketch of the door to Chanel’s 31 Rue Cambon boutique. There’s a sketch of Jackie Kennedy and Karl Lagerfeld along side books about them, and my favourite Hemingway quote sits atop his books.
The third section is dedicated to Paris. On the top shelf I’ve added some small Eiffel Towers I collected on early trips to Paris, and a framed photo of Cafe de Flore, because of some wonderful memories made there. The middle shelf has a small framed print titled, “Artist Apartment”, and the bottom has a framed photo of the Eiffel Tower, several John Derian Paris paper weights, and a framed quote about Paris.
This is what happens when I’m bored. Some of you may find this frivolous and/or silly but shouldn’t are homes be a reflection of who we are and the “things” we treasure?
Happily, I’m no longer bored. I think it’s safe to say that Spring has finally arrived, although it’s not unheard of to see snow on the long weekend in May. Garden season is full on with yard clean up and frequent trips to the garden centres. This is a bit risky I know, but I’ve already planted most of my containers. I’m encouraged to see that most, if not all, the perennials have come through winter and are greening up nicely. The tulips are blooming and the lilacs are about to burst. The peonies are well on the way and even the roses are starting to leaf out.
How glorious it is to feel the sun on your skin, dirt on our fingers, and those stiff and sore muscles that have slacked off all winter. I hope you are outdoors too.
Enjoy, xox Judy❤️