a white (and silver) christmas countdown

Image: The Laurel Hedge

I am very in love with this gorgeous knitted stocking with little crystal embellishments. It (almost) makes me want to start knitting! But I think I will leave that to the experts and try and source a ready-made version...if anyone knows of where to find, please let me know. Doesn't the colour of the wool look lovely against the white boards? It makes me feel excited about Christmas and the chance to decorate.

Image: The Laurel Hedge

I adore silvered glass baubles such as these. I can't get enough! I have seen them for sale in a store in Hobart, Store and co. I think I will have to go shopping... I am picturing them hanging from white painted branches in a galvanised tin tub. With a bit of linen thrown into the mix. Somewhere.

Image: Château de Moissac

And candles. Of course.

As my countdown to Christmas begins I contemplate how fortunate I am. I have wonderful family and friends to share the time with and can't wait to cook together, laugh together, and to give more of myself. Well, that is the plan, anyway...

chateau de moissac...a French dream

The most beautiful chateau in France? Quite possibly... I fell in love with these images, all from Chateau de Moissac.

Candles make an impact upon entrance.

French doors opening to a gorgeous room with a French chandelier.

The kitchen really sealed the deal for me, I could move in immediately! Note the unusual step ladder, we have almost the exact model in our store right now (and many others very similar just arrived). I particularly like the floor to ceiling cabinets stacked full of white china...

Another view through into the kitchen. The stone flooring is divine.

A rustic dining room with an antique trestle table and benches. Note the French cheese board on the table. We have a fresh supply of these boards in the store, but they are selling fast!

The urn in the corner appears to be marble or stone of some kind. The hall lantern is lovely too.

A French chaise longue in the bedroom. We found a similar chaise on our last buying trip, but it didn't fit into the shipment. We now have to wait even longer for it!

A very comfortable living room. And cosy with the open fire. I like the use of the table at the back of the sofa.

A dreamy bathroom! The double pedestal basin is unusual. And the wall sconces either side of the mirror make sense.

More antiques including a French painted oak cupboard in the corner.

The chandelier is amazing but I am more drawn to the collection of mercury glass candlesticks on the buffet.

A more formal dining room, it looks ready for a white Christmas. For more visit Chateau de Moissaic. In the meantime, we can just dream...

shopping for my bathroom...antique French jars and Italian candlesticks

As my bathroom is nearing completion (finally!) I am starting to look around for a few highlight pieces. Just that little something special to make the room unique. I mentioned in a previous post that I was tempted with these Italian silvered candlesticks which look fabulous wherever they have been placed around the store. Well, they have had their chance to find another home, but it looks like they will just have to come home with me!

I love the detail. They date to around c.1800 and have a lovely red colour underneath the silver.

We once had this lovely 19th century decorated apothecary jar in store, many years ago. I was sorry to see it sell but the lady who bought it put it into her bathroom and it looked fabulous. It was her little something to make her bathroom unique.

Whilst quite a bit plainer, I have always admired these three jars that we have had in store for a while. They too are apothecary jars, French I believe. I really like the chunky ground lids. I plan to put the jars in my bathroom cabinet (the one with the glazed doors I showed in a previous post). I don't mind if I leave them empty, but the sea urchins look interesting, do they not? I may have to find some other jars to display the urchins in store.

I already have an antique mirror for my bathroom but I cannot help but think how great this early 20th century Venetian mirror would look above the pedestal basin...I will have to ponder further there, for the moment it will have to stay on the wall in the soft furnishings room as I think I have been greedy enough for one week, or two (or three!)...

the humble candlestick

(Image via min lilla veranda www.minlillaveranda.blogspot.com)

(Image via house of atmosphere www.houseofatmosphere.blogspot.com)

(Image via French Larkspur www.frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com)

(Images via min lilla veranda www.minlillaveranda.blogspot.com)

I was very taken with these images from some a blog I found recently www.minlillaveranda.blogspot.com (which means my little veranda). I love the grouping of various candlesticks, as well as the soft warmth of the metal and pewter.

(Image source unknown)

Here is a collection of shinier candlesticks. I am not sure whether they are silver or brass or both, but don't they look really good together?

This is a pair of Italian silvered candlesticks that we have in the store. They are actually carved wood and date to the 18th century. I would love to have them in my bathroom (if it is ever finished!) on a table beside the bath. How lovely would that be?