French Style: Houses + Rooms / Maisons + Pièces

Les aime tous ~!

Magnifiques!... de belles idées..!

Passez une bonne journée!

xo

Valerie

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two pretty spaces

I am in Baton Rouge for a week or so on personal business, which makes blog time short and sweet -- just like this living room and the back porch shown here -- 

Truly idea-worthy and admire-able spaces~

I need to find a camera -- the newer home designs here in ( I spent a lot of time here growing up, so I can say this...)overcrowded, traffic-infested Baton Rouge are complete havens of privacy, peace and beauty in design. Gorgeous!  --  

xo

Valerie

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Bedrooms: SMART new looks.

Oh the Joy of  restful, refreshing sleep! Or simply enjoying some time alone: to lie quietly in a stylish,, artfully designed bedroom: to and gather one's thoughts,,maybe do a little reading -- or pinning, blogging or both -- or perhaps a quick nap...High School Graduation for my son was late this afternoon, but with arriving early, the post-ceremonial picture-taking and meeting and greeting, followed by a multi-family dinner out..It was an 81/2 hour affair!

 I enjoyed myself a great deal, felt the pangs of separation getting stronger, pushed back a few tears and a few glasses of wine..I am exhausted! No wonder bedrooms come to mind!

These bedrooms include some very smart takes on a lot of popular design ideas, including theruse of beams, industrial elements, natural fiber, toile, and mirrored furniture. Take a look!

The Pioneer Lady, Ree Drumond's daughter's room:

Designer Tracy Reese's bedroom:

Renovated and designed by Mike + Trina Burke of A Country Farmhouse:

A Braebourne Farm find:

And then some Dandy scenes from 1st Dibs:

So smart, quite inspiring, and it's just fun to see a sophisticated edge to the styles


Have a great day!
xo
Valerie





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Easy, Breezy, Calm + Elegant = STYLE

Bacall has it, lots of people have it, 

rooms and outdoor spaces have it. 

It's impressive but never stuffy. 

Here it is:

~ Style ~

There is nothing like it. And simplicity is at its core. 

Have an easy, breezy day!

xo

Valerie

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Rustic Elegance, Easy as Pie**

** Recipe Included for a simple, awesome pie

Rustic, elegant, pleasing....

So lovely and relaxing!

An elegant yet humble kitchen:

Saltine Cracker Pie.
This divine meringue pie is magic.  The simple recipe has such humble ingredients, you cannot believe the results. 



No one would guess that this divine meringue pie comes from such humble beginnings, but the best is usually the simplest, right? 

• This is my mother-in-law's version. Sinfully  delicious:
• 16 Saltine Crackers, Crumbled
• 9" Pie Pan, Buttered
• 3 Egg Whites
• 1/4 t. cream of tartar
• 1 C Sugar
• 1/2 C Pecans, Chopped
• 2 tsp Vanilla
• 
  
• Beat egg whites until foamy
• Add cream of tartar and beat egg whites until stiff
• Gradually Add sugar to egg whites slowly
• Fold the crumbled crackers into the egg whites.
• Fold in pecans and vanilla
• Pour into the buttered pie pan
• Bake at 350º F for 30 minutes. Cool and refrigerate.

Top it with whipped cream,throw in  pineapple preserves mixed with the whipped cream ,or use chocolate whipped cream, ice cream ...yum!

Simple Ingredients, elegant results. 

Have a great day!

xo

Valerie

• 
  

Luxury Apartment Design

Movin' On Up : Apartment Elegance

First stop, Heaven on Earth, right here:

http://www.digsdigs.com

Duplex stairwell:

Beauty. And no yard maintenance...

Have an easy-going day!

xo

Valerie

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Classic Art Beautifully Updated for Modern Tastes

Dutch Touch Art  is a company that I found while looking at  some One King's Lane stuff.  I really did not know that I had missed the boat, so to speak -- that everyone else had already found it, and many were buying it. Clueless though I may have been, I was...well, I was in love. I have always thought that if the stuffiness of some of the art from past centuries could be eliminated, I would own as much as I could. And then, better late thqan never, I found it! This company offers an "updated collection of traditional classics, merging old with new".
 The work is done by artists who create the oil-based paintings, following the style of artists from their country of origin  -- such as the Dutch masters.  So, the old style is made new with brighter colors, more clarity, and  updated compostion and scale.  If you haven't seen it, look now!

This painting below, which I just love, is called  The Art Cupboard, after a 17th century painting 

by an unknown artist.  It is79" Wide by 59" High.

The Dutch Touch Art Company is a family-run business that has made me very happy. 
This is their website link: .http://www.dutchtouchart.com/

Have a beautiful day!
xo
Valerie




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