Chic Home Blog

MilesTalbott Furniture & Shabby Chic® Brand

2010-03-04T20:25:21Z

I received this email regarding my last blog post and I thought I would share it with you...

Hi,

I just read the article that was written by Gary Evans of Furniture Today regarding the launch of our new Shabby Chic Line and was more than a little alarmed that I had been misquoted as saying that the new line would have everything that had come to be “true and holy” about Shabby Chic. Obviously the intent was to let the industry know that the line would stay true to the origins of Shabby Chic, not to imply Divinity. I’m truly sorry if this misquote has offended anyone. Please be aware that phrase has not appeared in any of our official press releases. I’ve attached the release we prepared for you to review.

Kindest Regards,

Jim

Jim Stokes

Managing Partner

Miles Talbott Furniture

P: 336 885-7500 ext 225

f: 336 886-4902

www.MilesTalbottFurniture.com

I would like to thank Mr. Stokes for clearing it up for me and I am sorry for the delay in posting. Mr Stokes also forwarded the press release in pdf form and I would be happy to share it with anyone interested, just email me: shabbyrosechic@gmail.com

When Is It Going Too Far?

2010-02-24T05:08:00Z

In regards to a press release issued today:

"Jim Stokes, managing partner with Miles Talbott, said about the new Shabby Chic line of mid to high price furniture: "It will stick close "to what people have come to know and love about Shabby Chic®" with updated designs, "and what is true and holy about Shabby Chic®"

I am more than just a little offended, last time I looked Shabby Chic® was not a religion.
It is just a brand of furniture! Shame on you and whoever wrote this press release.

As a furniture dealer and an interior designer, I had been looking forward to being able to offer the line to some of my die hard SC clients. I (ethically) can no longer support her or her brand. But I will definitely be writing an honest review of the new line when I get back from the show for my readers who still love her and that shabby design style and previewing new products.

Romantic Ruffles

2010-02-05T22:11:00Z

courtesy of CountryLiving.com

The new Country Living has a wonderful piece on ruffles for the home and for your wardrobe. I was especially excited about this picture because we will be carrying the Pom Pom line in our shop. You won't find them in our online shop they are part of our newly designed website that will be debuting soon.

There are also linen guest towels

bedskirts, totes and curtain panels to match.

White Linen Ruffled Tablecloth is 72" x 72". $ 155.00 Shipping is free.
If you can't wait and wish to purchase it now or want more info on what you see please email me at shabbyrosechic@gmail.com

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your moments,

~ S ~

photos: Pom Pom at Home and Countryliving.com

Heart and Home

2010-02-01T18:12:00Z

I have wanted a nice full old fashioned tulle heart for a few years and never found anything that came close what I had envisioned so I have been formulating in my head for months how to achieve the look I wanted. I tried a few techniques with wire forms and tied on pieces and it was definitely not what I wanted. Last week in the midst of the absurdity I decided to get my mind on something else and this is what I came up with...

I had picked up the perfect color pink vintage tulle netting at an estate sale last summer and it turned out just the way I wanted. I didn't keep track of the amount of netting needed but I ruffled up 3" strips of netting by folding them in half and basting close to the fold, then I hot glued them to a styrofoam heart form. You could probably add whatever you like to decorate it with but for me that would take away from the simple beauty of the vintage tulle.

Enjoy your moments,

~ S ~

2010 Color of the Year

2010-01-24T04:01:00Z

Pantone's prediction for this years hot color is.....

Turquoise.

I am not one to decorate based on this year's hot colors, never have been. I design with what I love, in or out. But if you love turquoise this will be the year for you to pick up some great pieces. Here are a few of my favorites so far...

Pottery Barn

Doxa Home

It is a soothing color and definitely looks stunning with white!

My version of this years hot color.

It is important to remember that when you decorate your home, never be guided by the years hot pick, only with what you love and the colors that make you feel good when you walk in a room.

On a lighter note, I think a hot pick in anything is someone throwing something out there and waiting to see how gullible we are and how many people they can get to buy it! ( yes, I was born a rebel )

Stay warm and enjoy your moments,

~ S ~

photo credits: shabbyrosechic.com, housebeautiful.com, countryliving.com, Pottery Barn, Doxa and technophobe

Sometimes....

2010-01-21T23:10:00Z

When life makes you cry....

God can make you smile ....

credit : Shabbyrosechic.com

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from my Chic Home to Yours!

2009-12-31T22:48:00Z

I finally got back to my computer and just in time. I didn't have time to share my Christmas tree or my Christmas wish for you so I am going to wrap it all up in this post!

In response to a few emails, I have weighed the pros and cons of fresh versus fake and my feeling is this; most fresh trees are farmed and not cut out of our National forests, most fake trees are made overseas with chemicals that are very unhealthy and it takes over 1000 years to breakdown a fake tree. I see them in the trash all the time and have friends that buy new ones every couple of years (sorry guys). They can't make a fake tree smell so good and that whole picking out the tree is a holiday event for us, a tradition that I like to do. This year we all got caught in the rain and all wound up soaked to the bone but I wouldn't trade that day for anything. I do however think every year that it would be nice to be able to put one up sooner, because it is fresh we usually get it about 1 1/2 before Christmas. I have decided the greener choice is to buy fresh, and I have always believed in supporting our farmers and during these hard economic times I think they could use it. ( and if the truth be told I have always dreamed of being a Christmas tree farmer with my own Christmas store right along side it and dressing like Mrs Santa every year.)... and growing trees helps the environment, making fake trees does not.

We did go shorter this year. Now I know it doesn't look like it but I have over 150 ornaments tucked into that tree. I lost count after 150. I have added much more white this year, the white bulbs remind me of snowballs, then I have iridescent glass ornaments, crystal ornaments and silver ornaments all vintage. When it was done I really missed my shiny brites so I picked out the dark pink, blues and greens for my pops of color. I used a couple of my rugs instead of a tree skirt for the illusion of snow. I really miss my white Christmas', this year more than usual. The star on top I picked up a few years ago on 70% after Christmas sale Joanns. It was the last one and was only $ 9.00. I call it my Star of Bethlehem, it looks like all the pictures I have ever seen of that special star and is so beautiful when it is lit that you can't stop looking at it.

Thank you all for your years of friendship and support. I truly could not have come this far without everyone of you!

My Christmas wish for you is for the
Happiest of Holidays full of Joy, Peace and Love
and from my Chic home to yours a
Happy New Year filled with Hope and Prosperity!

~ Sandra ~

See you next year!

Christmas Decorating for the Chic Cottage Home

2009-12-21T17:46:00Z

My work has slowed down, I have finished designing my Christmas Collection for 2010 and now it is all about the family. Today I will finish up my shopping with my granddaughter and I have started my baking for gifting. Still haven't finished my new website design, I didn't think it would take so long but I think my clients and customers will love the new set up. Once Christmas is over I will have to concentrate on finishing before I get started on the new collection.

P.S. to my last post: Most of my silverplate and silver pieces were purchased for less than $5 a piece, I find them everywhere. In the meantime I have more of my Christmas decorating pics to share with you.

# 3. Vintage Glass Ornaments...

Glass bulb ornaments aren't just for the tree, they can add a touch of Christmas and a pop of color to any room.

I buy old ornaments whenever I see them, it is sad for me to think they don't have a home anymore. Silly I know... So I have an abundance and this year I decided to keep the decorations in white and use my ornaments as accents all over.

This centerpiece started out as one silverplate platter, one cracked glass hurricane cover that I picked up at a yard sale and one of my candles. I placed them in the center and just filled in with different sized vintage glass ornaments.

It is stunning with the candle lit for our holiday dinners.

I filled a bowl for my coffee table...

they are loosely placed in the bowl, I don't glue anything down.

I placed them in my planters on my window ledges, the vintage white satin balls provide some texture and I got those at an estate sale a few weeks ago...

or use all one color ...

courtesy: Country Living

If you haven't heard Faith Hill sing " A Baby Changes Everything" click it on my Christmas playlist, it is beautiful and one of my new Christmas favorites.

I wish you all happiness and many joyful moments,

~ S ~

Christmas Decorating - My Chic Home

2009-12-18T01:44:00Z

I am still tweaking my Christmas decorations, I have a ritual I go through every year, put up the decorations I want to use that year, walk around getting the feel for a couple of days, then I start moving, adjusting and tweaking until it's perfect. Usually the tweaking isn't done until a week before the big day, that gives me only one more day to perfect my decor! I better finish this post and get back to work......

# 2. Get out the Silverplate...
(or any dishes, plates or trays you have on hand.)

I have a few pieces of vintage silver and silverplate that I love to use throughout the house, so this year I found new ways to incorporate them into my holiday decorating...

I used one of my large trays to put together a centerpiece for my buffet.
I purchased the trees last year online, the wonderful glittered reindeer
I picked up at Joann's after Christmas sale.
I pick up as much as I can in white Christmas decorations during the clearance sales...

I used an oval scalloped edge shallow bowl to create this Christmas centerpiece for my dining room table, more on this piece in my next post...

then I used some of my smaller dishes as candle holders throughout my home.
Christmas is the most romantic of all the holidays don't you think?
And nothing says romantic more than candlelight.
One more week til Christmas Eve, I can't wait!

I hope you are all having fun and enjoying your moments,

~ S ~

Christmas Decorating - Chic #1

2009-12-11T00:15:57Z

Things have been hectic this month between my design jobs, painting and redesigning the castle, the twin grandsons, the favorite granddaughter and taking care of my Nana...I finally grabbed a minute to blog and thought I would share some of my own Christmas decorating ideas.

# 1. Display Your Collections...

I have been collecting glass and crystal Christmas trees for a few years now,
this year I decided to keep the mantle simple......

I paired them with my vintage glass reindeer.... an ebay find

and my photo frames which I will be filling with vintage
Christmas pics for the holidays

I added a strand of white silicone tipped lights from shabbyrosechic.com
behind them so they sparkle at night...

The look is simple and chic

In case you are wondering, the frame is waiting for a mirror along with two others. My hubby is a glazier (mirror guy) but I am always on the bottom of his list so this year I am asking Santa for a little help.

~ S ~

Fighting the Urge...

2009-11-19T19:47:00Z

I am sorry about my absence this week, my 88 year old Nana was hospitalized and had a pacemaker put in, she is home now but we are having to figure out her care plan, along with all of the trips to the hospital and to her house which means I have been on the road quite a bit at all hours of the day and night. I have noticed that there are a lot of people who have done their Christmas decorating early!

I have a confession to make I love, love, looooove Christmas and I am truly fighting the urge to decorate now. It seems we are all in need of a little more Christmas magic than usual. My usual routine is to pull out all of my Christmas decor the day after Thanksgiving so while everyone else is doing the "black Friday" thing I have put on my Santa hat, cranked up the holiday tunes and am cheerfully decorating for Christmas, but now I am thinking so what if I pull it out now, it's only a week early. I have even seen lit and decorated Christmas trees in peoples windows this week and that makes it even tougher to fight the early urge. Are any of you decorating yet or have finished decorating?

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas decorating ideas:

Simple and Chic

Modern Touches

Fill your favorite bowls, compotes and vases with bulbs, beads and garlands.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your moments,

~ S ~

photos: Country Living, Country Home and BHG.com

Shabby or Chic Fireplace Redo

2009-11-12T17:59:00Z

Shabby Cheap to Much Better

So I hopped off my soap box and hopped on the painting wagon and look what I accomplished yesterday...

Yes I decided to paint the tacky fireplace in a warmer, creamy colored white

with the warmer white it doesn't blend into the wall, remains a focal point with interest without being in your face...look at me..look at me! Doesn't it look soooo much better? It was definitely worth it.

I also managed to paint two frames so hubby can put mirror in them. All of that in 6 and a half hours.( I really couldn't face my computer one more day, i needed a break and I am almost done with new website.) Note to anyone who paints this kind of brick, it took a half a gallon, use a cheap brush you don't mind ruining because I found that pouncing the paint on was a much more efficient way and only took one coat to cover. If I had brushed it I would still be painting and roller would have been far to messy. This kind of brick has lots of nooks and crannies and the grout was really rough. Be sure to use a stiff brush and brush down brick first to get off loose bits, vacuum then wash off, I used an old wet towel. I don't tape or use drop cloths if I don't have to. I am really all about instant gratification in my own home.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your moments,

~ S ~

Foreign Products, Simple, Shabby and Not Chic

2009-11-10T21:04:00Z

I shop Target occasionally and last year I found 6 Name Brand, off white velvet slipcovers for dining room chairs that I had planned to use when I got the perfect chairs, well holidays are coming and although I don't have the perfect chairs, I have chairs that will do. So I whipped out my wonderful slipcovers to get my holiday decorating started only to be totally disappointed. When I took them out of the package I found that they weren't even all the same color, two had a yellow tint to them which I didn't notice until they were together, the sewing was puckered and uneven and two were actually shorter at the bottom hem than the rest. I tried steaming them and ironing them which did not help. This is not the first time I have been disappointed, I purchased a pair of curtains (same brand) with a rose print that were mismatched in length had a noticeable mistake in the print, I returned them 3 times only to find that was how they were made.

P.S. I have now been using them for 1 1/2 months and the seams are pulling apart and unraveling after being washed one time. Needless to say I will not be shopping the brand ever again.

It seems to me that along with jobs for American workers we have also shipped over our okay to make things of lesser quality, to take advantage of and poorly pay workers in other countries. As a business owner it is discouraging to see my choices for offering made in the U.S.A. products becoming harder and harder to find. As a consumer it upsets me that I am not allowed to make the choice between a cheap product made in another country and the exact same product made in the U.S.A. with a higher price tag. I think they would find that there are a lot of consumers like me willing to pay more to keep the jobs here even if I have to save longer to get it made in the U.S.A. Pretty soon there won't be any jobs left here except the minimum wage jobs left at places like Walmart, which by the way I personally have picketed by not buying there for over 8 years now, I am now adding Target to my cause. I am trying to replace items the shop has purchased that have been made in other countries with products that I know have been made with better quality and fairly treat their workers. I am committed to bringing in more items that have been made in the USA.

Now every once in a while I feel it is necessary to get on my soap box, I am stunned at the direction we are headed as a country. I am sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings in the process.

~ S ~

Upstyled Chic, Chic Bedrooms and Gift Ideas

2009-10-23T21:31:51Z

I am loving my new upstyled chic and things are progressing slowly but progressing none the less with my home's redesign. I am taking pictures but we are jumping around on projects as money allows so when all the pieces are together I will post the pics and share all of my before and afters.

Chic Bedrooms

cottage chic ...

This room is a cross over, it has the cottage feel but if you got rid of the paneling on the wall and painted the walls white and kept everything else the same the room would become a more modern version of the other chic style. I know from your emails that some of you are not the chippy paint, knick knack type and you can still have the look without all the clutter and mess.

TIP... if you aren't happy with your headboards and footboards, slipcover them. You can have them custom made for you, sew them yourself or get a friend or relative that loves to sew do it for you.

Our Gift Ideas for the Bedroom

When you need a lot of style in a small space this Rococo accent table is a perfect choice. In the bedroom it can be used in a seating area or as bedside tables. Find it here...

Our chic carved wood tray table is a great accent next to your bed or in the guest bedroom. Perfect for evening tea or morning coffee.Find it here...

For a touch of romance these are beautiful placed on either side of mirror or used as sconces by the bed. Find it here...

This is one of my favorites and a romantic bedroom isn't complete without a big, white, soft, cozy, faux fur blanket. Perfect for snuggling up with your honey or your kiddies in the cold winter months. Find it here...

photo credits: House Beautiful, Country Living

Yearly Fall Field Trip

2009-10-23T19:10:00Z

Last Friday we took our yearly field trip to Live Oak Canyon pumpkin patch with our granddaughter. We had fun as usual, they have rides, including a pony ride.....

petting zoos ....

tons of pumpkins....

pale blue pumpkins ....

white pumpkins, my favorites ....

these warty pumpkins, ugly perhaps, but the texture and feel was oddly addicting ....

in all shapes and colors, including pink .... yes I said pale pink ...

this one was creepy and pink ....

There is a corn maze, a gift shop and a big hay fort for the kiddies to climb on. It is a great place to take the family and be sure you sign up for the newsletter because every year you will get free coupons and a schedule of the events they have planned and after Thanksgiving it is the best place to buy a Christmas tree.

Of course our time with our granddaughter.... priceless!

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy your moments,

~ S ~

Chic Designer Lamps

2009-10-05T18:09:00Z

I absolutely love these lamps, I love them so much that I own a pair and have used them in a few of my clients homes recently, after seeing mine they couldn't resist!

I will be using them in my new living room. I am not crazy about vintage lighting unless it has been totally rewired which can be costly and because I have so many vintage pieces I really want to have some modern accents to freshen up the look.The pictures really don't do them justice and they are the perfect modern accent for a shabby, cottage chic living room, bedroom or office. The base is gorgeous , leaded crystal and they are stunning. I can now offer them to you through Shabby Rose.
Shop here

If your not into the roses they are equally as fabulous with a white silk drum
or ivory linen drum shade

My makeover is progressing rather slowly, maybe now that it is cooler I will start moving a little faster. I have been getting busier with my design business and of course my makeover is last on the list. But I did make a paint choice .... after careful consideration I have decided to go with "Ultra Hide White". I am tiring of the many faces of white, they seem to be too dull, too dirty, too non committal and have decided it is time to go for the pure, clean, white, white. This helped my decision...

Our home does not have a lot of natural light and the beige white from the previous owners has got me down so I am going for bright white, I am softening the look by using an eggshell finish and the contrast should make my vintage pieces look much better, so we will see....

Have a wonderful day, enjoy your moments and smile...

~ S ~

Photo: Lighting Shabbyrosechic.com Living room?

P.S. 10/6/09 last night 2 of the new shows sets included one of the same lamp bases and one had the floor lamp base and linen shade. Yes I know what you must be thinking....
and yes that is what I look at when I am watching the tube...

Chic Style - Fall Colors

2009-09-28T17:04:00Z

We are just shy of being three months away from Christmas and I can hardly contain myself. Although I am happy we are now into fall ( in the desert country it doesn't make much difference in temperature) it is hard to concentrate. I don't do much for Halloween, just enough to keep the kiddies happy. Thanksgiving is really all about my table because the day after is the beginning of my Christmas and I don't want to be bothered with cleaning up a lot of fall or Thanksgiving decorations because that would cut into my Christmas decorating time.

My fall color picks for this year are:
white, bronze (metallic brown) and pale pink.

I have spray painted many faux pumpkins white, cream and just a couple in pale pink. This year I am adding some decorations that I have painted in a gorgeous metallic bronze. Thank goodness the newest fad in pumpkins over the last few years has been white but they definitely cost more.

The hubby and kiddies can decorate outside however they want as long as they clean it up.
Love that you can buy white pumpkins...

Every year I go out in search of fall decorations to add to my holiday repertoire. Just remember anything can be painted.

Here are a few fall decorating ideas:

Photos above: Romantic Homes

Photo: marthastewart.com

Shoppng is half the fun, so get going and enjoy your moments!

~ S ~

Shabby and Chic in 5 Easy Steps

2009-09-16T23:32:00Z

Fall has almost arrived and that means the kids are back in school and the holidays are coming. Time to feather the nest, get ready for company and the winter months ahead. Here are 5 easy steps to a Shabby Chic room:

1. Simplify - Keep only what you use and love. If you have lots of things rotate them out throughout the year. Less is more.

2. Paint - pick out your favorite white and get started on your walls and any furniture you don't like the way it is

3. Rugs - Area rugs help anchor your room. Vintage or new. They area great way to help camouflage carpet or flooring that you don't care for.

4. Furniture - Bring in your furniture, be sure to leave some open space, light and airy is part of the shabby chic look. Use slipcovers, white of course and in washable fabrics if you want to change the look of what you have. If your room has too much furniture, the feeling will be heavy and cramped.

5. Accessories - This is when you can bring in some color. Edit, edit, edit what you have and keep it simple. Soft, squishy pillows, art and candles are all must haves.

Let your personality show! Have fun with it!

~ S ~

photo credits: House Beautiful

My Chic New Color Palette

2009-09-02T21:13:05Z

I thought I would share with you my new color palette I am putting together for my living room /dining room/kitchen's makeover. I think It will probably take me right up to Thanksgiving to get it all done. My home is always at the bottom of my list of things to do.

The main color will be white but I found a vintage piece of silk brocade in a champagne color (perfect on a pillow), I have some vintage linen pleated curtains that I am reworking for my windows in the dining room and then some new fabrics.The rooms are all connected and visible so they will have to blend. I will be incorporating some dark wood for contrast, shiny silver and/or dark bronze for my metal accents and my color will be little touches of pink. I am going to Los Angeles next week to finish up a bathroom my hubby and I did for a client in Bel Air and will be stopping by a few fabric warehouses looking for a few more accent fabrics, some white denim ( would love to find some brushed white denim) and something in a dark chocolate maybe. The problem I have with fabric is that I can picture what I want in my mind, the hard part is finding it. I want my last few choices to bring in a modern, slightly contemporary feel for a little pop.

I have a pine armoire hiding my T.V. and I have already talked hubby into helping me make it over. He is going to mirror it for me after I paint it and I want to replace some of the molding. And we have to repaint the entire inside of our home. I will be purchasing some new and vintage pieces and reupholstering some of what I have. So next week I hope to find the fabrics I need and pick out the paint, hmmm I am thinking white or possibly white. (giggles)

Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Labor Day weekend!

~S~

Shabby chic isn't a style?

2009-09-01T19:03:00Z

As a designer I get asked this question quite a bit, so I will start with definitions as defined by Dictionary.com ...

shabby

1.	impaired by wear, use, etc.; worn: shabby clothes.

2.	showing conspicuous signs of wear or neglect: The rooms on the upper floors of the mansion had a rather shabby appearance, as if they had not been much in use of late.

3.	wearing worn clothes or having a slovenly or unkempt appearance: a shabby person.

4.	run-down, seedy, or dilapidated: a shabby hotel.

5.	meanly ungenerous or unfair; contemptible, as persons, actions, etc.: shabby behavior.

6.	inferior; not up to par in quality, performance, etc.: a shabby rendition of the sonata.

chic

1.	attractive and fashionable; stylish: a chic hat.

–noun

2.	style and elegance, esp. in dress: Paris clothes have such chic.

3.	stylishness; modishness: the chic of the firstnighters

According to a letter I received from them, Shabby Chic® is only a brand of furnishings, stores and books and not actually a design style. The term cannot be used to define a style or describe a product that is not approved by them. (Thank you for clearing that up.)

I got caught up in the romantic country version a few years ago, like many others, until I took a look around in January and felt like I was living in my grandmother's house. I have come full circle and I am back to where I began as a designer and I am hoping to bring another generation and convert others to a cleaner more simplistic design style, Chic Home style and that brings us to my blog.... I am sure you have noticed the change, I have been bringing you room pics, tips, diys and product ideas that are more in line with my design style and I will keep in mind that many of you still lean towards the romantic country, cottage chic style (words supplied by the brand regarding her style)and will continue to try to keep you inspired as well.

Giveaway News!

This time we used a random number generator ( my granddaughter) she picked 13, which means that Anna Marie Bader, you are the winner of the Shabby Rose giveaway.....

Congratulations Anna!!!

I have included an extra couple of surprises for you, just email me your address and I will send it on its way!

Have a wonderful week and enjoy your moments...

~ S ~