It's a Party...It's a Toile Party!!!
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Hello my friends! Ohhhh boy...it's time for a party...and it's not just any ol' party but it's a TOILE PARTY!!!
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Yes...you heard me right...Pretty Organized Palace is hosting a March 24th Toile Party! I must admit, I had never been over to the Pretty Organized Palace blog before, but when I heard that she was hosting a Toile Party...it didn't take me long to find my way!
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If you haven't ever been to this wonderful blog...you've got to go! You will also find a list of Toile Party-goers...you won't want to miss out on all of the fabulous frenchy toile!!! I know a short cut....just click HERE and I'll show you the way
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I Love Toile!!!

I love toile...I just adore it! I don't know what it is about it...is it the pretty pattern? Is it the fact that it's sooooo French? Hmmm...maybe it's a little of both!

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The History of Toile or Toile de Jouy

Toile...pronounced "twahl"...is a type of decorating pattern consisting of a usually white or off-white background on which a repeated pattern depicting a fairly complex scene, generally of a pastoral theme such as (for example) a couple having a picnic by a lake. Toiles also often consist of an arrangement of flowers. The pattern portion consists of a single colour, most often black, dark red, or blue. Greens, browns and magenta toile patterns are less common but not unheard of. Toile is most associated with fabrics (curtains and upholstery in particular), though toile wallpaper is also popular.

Toile or Toile de Jouy originated in France in the late 1700s. In the French language, the phrase literally means "cloth from Jouy-en-Josas", a town of north-central France.

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Without further ado...Oh, and did I mention that I LOVE TOILE? Hehe!!! For those of you dear, sweet, faithful followers of my blog...I do apologize, for these are all photos that you've seen before! Please forgive my excitement but I just had to participate in this March 24ths Toile Party!

I have always just adored toile but just didn't have any at my place...well, until recently! A couple of months ago, I reclaimed my step-son's bedroom and made myself my very own studio/office! It was the perfect opportunity to redecorate...and you guessed it...using toile! My new little Frenchy toile studio/office is still a work in progress but I have enjoyed planning each and every little detail!!!
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My Frenchy Studio/Office in Toile

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I just adore my new Waverly toile drapes!!! They are a beigey-olive green and black! The toile pattern is called La Ferme...with country scenery and chickens...but not just any ol' chickens...these are French chickens! hehe!!!

I found these beautiful drapes on sale in the JC Penneys close-out online. They were originally $270.00...marked down to just a mere $77.00! WOW...I just couldn't believe my good fortune!!! I also purchased a new frenchy decorator drapery rod and hung these drapes as close to the ceiling as I possibly could. The panels measure 95" in length. This is a "Juliet" style valance...I just love how it hangs on the rod...and look at all of the pretty black tasseled fringe!

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I found this beautiful old chair at the antique shop. The best part...it already had a pretty black & white toile fabric seat! This little "treasure find" was only $19!
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I even found a pretty black & white toile decorative plat for my frenchy studio/office! I love Hobby Lobby...these pretty plates were marked 50% off...I only paid $5 per plate!!!
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Craft Project using Toile...

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For one of the walls in my Frenchy studio/office, I wanted to do a museum/gallery wall art grouping. I needed just one more small piece to complete the wall grouping so I made this piece using an old family photo. I wrapped black & white toile scrapbooking paper around the picture mat. I love how it turned out!!!

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This was a gift from my honey...isn't he just the sweetest? And he has such good taste!!! I'm not sure how old this hunch-backed trunk is...but it's pretty old! I just love the embossed metal inserts...the pretty black & white pattern remind me of toile!!! This trunk has found a home in my studio/office...I use it to store my "Old World" Santas. Don't forget...you can click on any of these photos to enlarge them to get a better view!
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The museum/gallery wall...

Here it is...all put together! Now you can see the pretty decorative toile plates, the little picture that I crafted using the toile scrapbooking paper, and the antique trunk!

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A close-up view...

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For more photos and history on my Frenchy studio/office you can click HERE.

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French Country Dining Room and Toile...
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I have started collecting red transferware dishes. They go beautifully in my red and olive green dining room. While redecorating this room awhile back, I decided to use some of my red transferware as wall art. I made this grouping using some of my favortie pieces....I think the red transferware looks so pretty on the olive green wall...they have that frenchy toile look!

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A close-up view...you can click on the photos to enlarge them! I just love the pretty toile designs on these pieces!!!

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Toile and Tablescaping...

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I used some of my red & white transferware (dessert plates) in my Valentine's Day tablescape! They added just the right, romantic touch!!!
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A close-up view of the place setting. For more photos of my French Country dining room you can click HERE.

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Toile in the Tea Rose Bedroom...
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I found this darling little rocker at a yard sale for just $5. I reupholstered it using an olive green & beige toile! I found this pretty toile fabric at JoAnn's...it was on sale for just $1.50 per/yd. The total cost to redo this rocker was $8...not bad!
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The newly reupholstered rocker in the Tea Rose bedroom. For more photos of the Tea Rose bedroom you can click HERE.

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Well my friends...it's been quite a party...a toile party that is!!! hehe! I hope that you enjoyed all of the toile! Did I mention that I just LOVE TOILE? hehe! I hope to incorporate more of it into my home in the future...so stay tuned, we may just have to have another Toile Party!!!
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I would just like to thank Pretty Organized Palace for hosting such a lovely Toile Party...don't forget to go by her place and see more of the lovely French Toile de Jouy!!! Thank you so much for coming by...I just love it when you visit, please leave me a comment to let me know you were here!
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Happy Toile!

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"Metamorphosis Monday...The Saga Continues"

Hello my friends...and welcome to "Metamorphosis Monday"! I have just had so much fun participating in "Met Monday", hosted by my dear friend Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch! Run over to Susan's and see her landscaping project and while you're there, don't forget to check out all of other participant's projects and transformations!

The Saga Continues....My Frenchy Studio/Office

As many of you know, if you've been following my blog, I have been in the middle of a decorating project....my little Frenchy Studio/Office! I have made progress but there is still so much that I would like to do! Slowly...but surely! Hehe! A few days back on my blog, I showed you some of my Valentines Day "treasure finds". Click here and you can see them!

Well...I have been busy utilizing some of those new "treasure finds"! Here are a few photos of my Frenchy Studio/Office now....

The Desk

I am really loving my old desk! I moved the antique garden gate to the wall behind the desk so that I can use it as a bulletin board! I still have several projects in mind for the garden gate. And...my new frenchy lamp that my friend Laura custom made just for moi...is in the mail and on its way to my house. I can't wait to get it and try it out on the desk! Soooo...stay tuned...as soon as I get the lamp, I'll post photos!!!

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The Waverly Toile Drapes

My new toile drapes are pressed and hung! I just love them!!! I purchased a double drapery rod...it's hard to see in this photo but the drapery finials look like antique door knobs which was a perfect look for this room. This is a "Juliet" valance...I love how it hangs and all of the pretty little black tassels! I kept the decorative iron panel in the window (it just sits on the sill and lays against the window but I'm thinking of placing it more permanently (hanging it from the top of the window casing with chain or something?) I just love the look and feel of the decorative iron scrolls in the window...you should see all of the pretty shapes it makes in the room when the sun is shining through it!!! I found the old ladder back chair with a rush seat at a yard sale last summer...for only $2...I couldn't pass it up!

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The New China Hutch

I do have plans to refinish the hutch. I'm leaning toward painting it black! I also have very pretty frenchy looking wood appliques to add to the hutch...another project for another day! But in the meantime, I have added a few "pretties" to the top of the hutch! Some of my Valentines Day treasures have found a home here. Do you see the little black bird house? I added a pretty vine around it. On the opposite end is an old iron crown...it has fleur di lis on it. I placed it on top of a stack of old books...and if you look real close, you can see a little bird has nested in the inside of the crown! Hehe!!!

I haven't decided if I really like this vignette yet...it may change! I sure am open to suggestions on decorating the top of this hutch!

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Just a closer view...I turned the light on inside the hutch!

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Close-up of the bird house. Just look...even my little black bird house has a "fleur di lis" on top...hehe!!! This little fiddle belongs to my honey. His parents bought it for him when he was only 4 yrs. old while they were in Mexico...my honey calls it his "Mexican Fiddle"! I thought it looked cute...nestled into the vine!

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A close-up of "Tweet" the bird and the iron "fleur di lis" crown. I'm looking for a little bird's nest to place under Tweet!

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Wall Art

This wall art can be found on the wall just to the left of the hutch. I just love the frenchy mirror...I hung one of my "treasure finds" (after Christmas sale...19 cents) with a black ribbon from the mirror!

This picture (photo & frame) is an antique. The little boy in the center of the photo was Russell's Grandfather when he was just a young child...probably taken about 1902. I love the old ornate frame...and the bubble glass!

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A close-up of the frenchy mirror with the pretty little decorative bauble!

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Well my friends...I hope that you've enjoyed the tour of my little frenchy Studio/Office. It's a work in progress...as I make changes, I will post photos! I'm so happy that you stopped by today!!! Please don't forget to visit Susan and all of the other "Metamorphosis Monday" participants!


Have a marvelous Monday!

Love ya'll,
Chari

Metamorphosis Monday

The Continuing Saga of the Little Frenchy Studio/Office...

Hello Friends! Here we are at the beginning of a new week...and it's "Metamorphosis Monday"! This is my 4th post for this fun Monday event. It's hosted by our dear friend Susan over at "Between Naps on the Porch". This week Susan is sharing how she transformed her beautiful wicker porch swing...you just have to see it! She also has a list of all the sweet bloggers that are participating in this Monday's metamorphosis...you'll want to see them also!!!

I tell ya what...I have the best honey ever!!! For Valentines Day he took me to the city for shopping....I got to go to all of my favorite antique shops and Hobby Lobby! I was truly in my "7th heaven"...hehe! I found a few goodies....all for my little frenchy studio/office! This room is starting to take on a "mind of its own"...hehe!!! I sure have enjoyed playing in there...and of course, as I have mentioned before...I have always wanted a room that I could decorate in toile...and voila...I finally have it! The decorating process has been slow...but I'm savoring each and every minute of it!!!

My first little "treasure find" was this little black bird house. I found it at one of my favorite antique shops for only $4.00....I think I got a bargain! One of my goals for this Valentines Day shopping trip was to find something to decorate the top of my new china hutch. I wanted something with some height to it....and I think that this little bird house will fit the bill...what do you think?

I love that it stands on a pole...it's black (which goes very nicely with all of the black accents in this room)...and just look at the frenchy little carved detailing!

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My New/Old Desk Chair

I was really needing a chair for my desk...and lo and behold, look at what I found! This little beauty was hiding in the corner of one of the antique shops...I almost missed it...hehe!!! As soon as I seen it...it called out to me..."Here...over here...yes, over in the corner...see me? Ohhhh, please take me home with you!"

I just couldn't believe that it already had a pretty black & white toile seat on it! I love the carvings in the back of the chair....ahhh...so pretty and a perfect fit with my desk!!! I thought the price was right for only $19.00!

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French Topper

I found this pretty wooden French topper over at Hobby Lobby and just fell in love with it immediately! I'm not exactly sure what I'll do with it yet but I'm sure that I can find something...hehe!!!

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Fabric

Hobby Lobby was having a 30% off sale on all of their decorative fabric...look at what I found! Again, I'm not sure what I'll do with it...maybe pillows? The striped piece is a heavy silk...I bought a yard of it for only $11.99! Maybe I'll use it on the seat of my new/old desk chair. The black fabric with the little beige fleur di lis on it is really a pretty piece...it was only $6.99 for a yd. of it!

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As soon as I seen the striped fabric I just knew that it would coordinate perfectly with the Waverly toile drapes....

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Decorative Plates

Ohhh boy...I really hit the jackpot on this shopping trip...everything I bought was on sale....yeeeehawww!!! I just hate paying full price for anything and almost never do!!! Hobby Lobby had these pretty decorative plates on sale for 50% off...so I only paid $5 ea. for them! I love them...and they'll go perfectly in my frenchy toile studio/office!!!


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So there you have it...just couldn't wait to share all of my new "treasure finds" with you!

My dear friend Kathysue suggested that I move my antique garden gate behind my desk and use it for a bulletin board...what a perfect idea!!! Thank you, Kathysue! I can pin notes to the wire or just stick them in the mesh work...this will work perfectly for notes!!! As you can see...I hung one of my antique gold transferware plates with a black ribbon on my new gate/bulletin board.

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I bought a few other items on my shopping trip...maybe I'll share them with you tomorrow, in the meantime...I hope you enjoyed seeing my new "treasure finds"! I just have to give a special thank you to my honey...I had a wonderful time on my Valentines Day shopping trip! He really spoiled me with all of these gifts...my honey is the best!!! I love you, Russell!!!

Well my friends...stay tuned...for continued progress in my frenchy toile studio/office! Thank you so much for letting me share it with you!!!

Have a marvelous "Metamorphosis Monday"!!!

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Love ya'll,

Chari

Update: My Frenchy Studio/Office

New French Candelabra Lamp

Hello my friends! Many of you know that I recently claimed a space in my home for a frenchy studio/office just for moi! I hate to admit it, but progress has been slow...nevertheless, slow but sure! My newest addition to my studio/office is a french lamp, custom designed, just for my desk! My dear friend Laura makes these beautiful lamps...she just does a fabulous job! She makes several different styles...with different finishes...each lamp is custom designed and truly unique! For those of you familiar with Rate My Space...Laura is known as "Lovelane" there....she has a beautiful home...and it's full of toile!!! She's one of the most talented decorator/designers that I know!!! To see more of Laura's fabulous lamps and her beautiful home...just click here!

Anyway, Laura just finished making my lamp and sent these photos to me....Ooooh, I'm just soooo excited...I just can't wait to get it and try it out on my old antique desk! Just look at the style of it...ooh la la...so french...so beautiful!

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A close-up of the beautiful cherub....I just adore cherubs!!!

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I just love the glass base....

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Ohhh myyyy...just look at the fabulous frenchy detailing on the arms of the candelabra! The design of it is just everything that I love!!! And...I love the glass finial that Laura put on the top!

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Another view...she added black shades to show me what it would look like!

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Isn't this candelabra lamp just exquisite? I love the black shades and will find some to add to the lamp when I get it! Just a little note here...these photos were taken at Laura's house...just look at that pretty little french girl bust...she's sooo beautiful!!!

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Do you remember the Waverly Toile drapes that I purchased to go in this room? I'm still waiting for drapery rods...I ordered them, received them to only find out that they had sent the wrong ones...so I've sent them back and reordered! I'm hoping that they'll get here today!

I think my new frenchy candelabra lamp will be perfect with the toile drapes! I can't wait to get them up and see how they look!

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I just want to give my dear friend Laura a very special thank you! Not only do I love the candelabra lamp that she custom made just for me...but every time I look at this pretty lamp, I will think of her! Thank you, Laura...I love you, my friend!!! You did a fabulous job making this lamp and you read me so perfectly...it's everything that I absolutely adore!!!

Well my friends....I'm so glad that you stopped by! I'll be posting again as my little frenchy studio/office progresses...so do stop by again! Leave me a comment and let me know that you stopped in!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Love ya'll,

Chari

Yeeehawww...I Got It...I Got It!!!

Yeeehawww...I got it!!! I won the ebay bid for the wood applique that I wanted for my china hutch! I got it for a mere $10.50...not to bad for such a sizable...very ornate...wood applique! I can't wait to get it...and I'm definitely going to add our family initial "L" to the center of that pretty medallion.

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who came a runnin' when you heard my S.O.S. go out...hehe!!! You girls are the best!!!

I was just sitting here thinking about how much fun that was...I love getting your input. You are all so talented and I look at it this way...two heads are always better than one! Sooooo...I've decided to put up all of the photos of my new "frenchy" studio/office as it is now (which at the present is just a hodge-podge of things)...and ask for your consideration...ideas...etc...in decorating this little "frenchy toile" room!

The only thing concrete in this room is the wall color...it's been recently painted and I just don't want to do it again...hehe! Not to mention, I love the wall color...they are a khaki/olive green...as you can see in the photos. Of course, I've added the china hutch and an old antique desk...many of the items are left over from it's former state as a bedroom...and I've already been throwing items in here with the thought that they might be used!

But remember...nothing is concrete yet...so what do you think?

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Here is the china hutch (once again)...I'm trying to "frenchify" it! The pretty wood applique is a good start I think. Many of you suggested that I paint the hutch...and in the beginning I was very hesitant about doing that simply because it's a keepsake...know what I mean?...however, last night my honey told me that I could and should do with it as I please. Whew...I was worried about that! One thing I definitely think that hutch needs is a new back. I really dislike the dark colored wood behind the shelving inside the hutch...I was thinking that it needs painted...or maybe some pretty fabric??? I'm also up for ideas on what to do with the doors on the bottom...how can they be "frenchified"???

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I ordered new drapes...a simple toile fabric made by Waverly. The fabric is a darker shade of the wall color...khaki/olive with black! Honestly, they really weren't my first pick considering all of the beautiful toile fabric...but I got such a great deal that I couldn't hardly pass them up (and I am on a pretty strict budget). These drapes were originally $270.00 but I got them on a close-out sale for just $77.00....yeeehawww...or maybe I should say Mon Dieu...Je le prends!!! So I have a pair of pinch-pleated panels and two "Juliet" styled valances. Of course, they will need pressed...hehe!

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Ohhhh my...I told you that I was just throwing everything in this room that I might be able to use. I still have the old antique garden gate on the wall (I used it as a headboard for the twin bed that was in here). I love this old gate and would like to leave it in the room...I moved my old hunched-back trunk in front of it, although you really can't see it right now for all of the art that I have propped up against it...hehe!

We recently acquired these pieces...Russell's Dad had seven of the most beautiful antique framed family photos and art stored away in an old trunk! I just about peed my pants when I found them...so sorry, that is so crude but it's so true!!!

The big gold rectangle frame that is propped up against the wall is one of my favorites...it was purchased for a portrait done of Russell's Great-Grandparents. I know that the portrait was done in the 1880's...so this gorgeous frame is at least that old!!! And just look at the beautiful oval frame that is sitting in front propped up against the trunk...it is a photo done of the original Lambert homestead...I love, love, love this!!!

So what do you think...can I make any of these beautiful works of art work in this room? Maybe an entire wall done in a museum style placement???

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This next photo is of the wall opposite of the china hutch. I haven't changed anything on the shelf...it's as it was when this was a bedroom. This is the old antique desk that I brought in. It's pretty rough but has alot of character...I think I will leave it as it is! I need to decorate the top of it though...wink! See the two pictures up on the shelf...they are two prints that I brought back from Paris. Maybe I can do a pretty demure toile or damask fabric for the matte???

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Just a close up of the art and my leather "Paris" box...it's filled with eucalyptus and peacock feathers.

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Well my friends...there you have it...my frenchy studio/office as it is right now. I'd just adore hearing your ideas and opinions!!! Thank you so much again, for coming to my rescue yesterday...hehe!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari