A Sonoma Wedding

A long-time, loyal client from San Francisco is getting married. Imagine the delight when she called and asked if we'd consult on helping create a magical experience. They've picked a wonderful winery where the grounds are green and lush and the air is scented of oak, cedar and eucalyptus.

We'll call this lovely client "B". "B" is a Francophile having lived in Paris several years. She also likes simplicity, nature and is a girly-girl minus the lace. After several phone calls and brainstorming sessions, we settled on a theme: "French Femininity" (her fiancee is a go-with-the-flow kinda' guy! What mama wants, mama gets!).

More to come, but these ultra feminine votives are headed to Sonoma where "B" is planning her special day. I know she's going to love them as much as I do. After the nuptials, each guest will take one home. {Now that's a party favor I can sink my teeth into!}

Now offered for the masses at $43/ea measuring 4" high x 3.5" wide. Not water safe so if you plan to use as a delightful vase, be sure to insert a cup inside. Under Mercury Glass at "Vintageweave Interiors"

Kris Kringle Flew In

That's me these days: Kris Kringle....

....I'm busy racing around town decorating clients' homes for the holidays....and I'm LOVING IT. As a result I'm really so in the Christmas spirit (and Hanukkah as I'm coming out of my eyeballs with blue bulbs!).

Have been so busy that I've not had a chance to take any pictures, but did remember to snap a quick couple while in Ojai Valley this week...don't you love an abundance of white roses??

We're all sold out of the antique carts, but more will arrive in the Spring should you wish to add one to your porch!

I'm SO LOVING this new Midori Ribbon in 4"....brown and bright red....oh la la! What a glam statement ($179/27 yards by emailing us at vintageweave@aol.com)


When the holidays slow a bit we'll take a few days off and then unload our newly-arrived container of goodies from France!! More soon....

Driving Miss Pumpkin

{updated 10/26: all antique wagon carts have now sold! Sorry if you were placed on the wish list!}

{Antique Cart, circa late 1800's; $780 at vintageweave@aol.com. Several available; each varies slightly}
Five Houses Down!
Four Houses to Go!
..........................................WHEW!

Busy decorating for the Fall/Halloween season for many clients.  Front porches transformed, fences  swathed, buffet tables set, and the pumpkin deficit has been adequately impacted!

Nuthin' but fun, laughter, and more fun!


{Fall burlap bottle wraps; $17.50 by contacting vintageweave@aol.com}
It's a busy weekend driving up and down the coast and back down and up again playing Fall Kringle! Back to blogging sometime soon...

Hollywood Homes

Busy working on a two clients' homes in the Hollywood Hills. One a Hollywood producer, the other a Hollywood actor....it's only fitting that they live in the hills among the stars in the sky and stars on the ground!

Logistically-speaking, I lucked out in that both live near this interesection. Can you imagine driving past this gorgeously-maintained public corner everyday?

More to come once there's stuff to show. Nothing but contractor work right now...

Crowning Glory

Today the crowned jewel arrived in my inbox...."Might I be available to assist with a styling for a photoshoot for O At Home Magazine?"

All I could think about is "How fast does my car go?" (Pretty fast thanks to the Europeans)

I love decorating. I love styling.

I love making clients squeal with delight over a found treasure angled in just the right way in just the right spot.

More to come....

Lady Chanel and Her Chandelier

Famously and defiantly-single Coco Chanel.

Need more be said? A modern woman's woman. A muse for any generation.

This stunning chandelier was in her infamous apartment in Paris' Right Bank (more on her apartment later, which sadly is off limits to us common folk: the public.)

Designed by Paris-based decorator Maison Jansen in 1930 for Coco. (Jansen also worked for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Shah of Iran, and the Kennedy White House.)

A Timeless Bronze and Crystal 8 Candle Arm Chandelier Conveying Great Elegance and Taste.

However THIS chandelier for Lady Chanel, featured double C drops (!!!) and some shaped in her lucky number. Er, need you ask?? That would be the number FIVE of course....

Side bit of trivia: A model of elegance herself, Jacqueline Kennedy was so taken by the chandelier during a tour of the house while in Paris for Fashion Week one year, she had one designed on a larger scale for the YELLOW ROOM of the White House while she and JFK were residents......

A gorgeous reproduction can be fitted for any of our homes for a mere $43,400! That's a lot of quilted bags and patent leather Chanel shoes, guys! Just call on Thomas Gallery, www.tomthomasgallery.com!

Venerable Nate

Designer extraordinaire and all-around-great-guy, Nathan Turner, popped in to say hi this week......and look for treasures. We love his visits as he's cuddly and cute and has the most fabulous eye. If you've not visited his LA shop you MUST--a treat for the antique senses! Nathan Turner Antiques, 636 Almont Drive


His frequent contributions in DOMINO are surely seen by many of you. I love his sense of style!

Nate is working on yet another fab entertaining photo shoot........this time at his parent's ranch where he's putting together a rustic, nothing perfect, nothing matching setting. Can't wait for it to hit newsstands in a Western Interiors issue early next year.

If you can't see his smiling face in person, check out his
website. Nate is so personable but sadly you won't find much on his blog---the dude is just too busy!

Ottoman Slipcover Magic

It started with the zebra ottoman. While chic, not the right look for an upcoming casual party so a slipcover was called into action. If guests spill drinks or leave shoe marks, it's easily remidied with a quick wash. All you need do is smile and say "no problem'............!

Just a great, rusty, chippy-paint candleholder...........

Sigh. The simple things make me happy.

Mattress Springs Reborn

In my quest for green, eco-friendly mattresses for several clients, I've visited many, many warehouses where the experts have taken me from start to finish and back again in the mattress-making process. I've seen more mattress springs than I care to remember!

 It got me to thinking of all the things that could be done with a mattress spring, besides the usual melting and recycling down of the metal.

LE BEFORE....


Enter my fabulously talented French Friend! He came up with a brilliant idea and I took it from there.

What a fun way to display items in a boutique or at a party!

Imagine the possibilities.....

..............photos....host a chili cook off or bake sale and post the recipes....table seat numbers at a party.......display of vintage French pages and papers will be our use at Vintageweave!

LE AFTER...

Inspiration Photo of the Week

...OR Things To Do With That Beat Up Frame B4 You Toss It
OR Things To Do To A Door....
OR Things That Make You Say WOW....

(FromThe New French Decor)

July 4th Preparations

Every year we have the most fun designing the ambiance for a client's annual 4th of July Beach Extravaganza. She has an incredible beachfront property, and each July 4th Malibu rewards its residents with a most spectacular fireworks display to behold {you know, because just LIVING in Malibu isn't reward enough.}

She's a huge lover of the flea market look so imagine our delight when we found several of these 1920's French enamel blue tables! Unfortunately they are too small for our needs so we'll only be using one or two to house the towers of cupcakes and brownies. (Several similar sets available at Vintageweave! Each square table come with two blue chairs.)


I squealed upon unearthing about 50 of these fantastic red and blue antique Grain Sacks. There are ten tables and these will serve as runners ($65/ea)--aren't they wonderful??


European enamelware in reds and blues and whites filled with colorful tinsel sparklers alongside glow light "sparklers" for use by the kids will complete the look.


Vintage french tea towels, which we'll monogram with her initials in old-world style fonts of red thread, will wrap around inexpensive glass vases from the floral supply.



Also incorporating several dozen of these red and blue cotton woven pillows. These just arrived to the boutique and we're gaga crazy for them! 26" Pillows w/ down feather insert: $75


Buckets of corn with greens still attached, pulled before they turn gold, will fill zinc pots throughout the buffet tables. {You can get these directly from any local farmer}

Last but not least, the thoughtful party favor for each family in attendance. This will be filled with a beach towel and several toiletries such as suntan lotion, travel size wipes, etc:


Never too early to plan your own backyard, beach or park event! Most items shown here are available in multiples so contact us soon: www.vintageweave.com or vintageweave@aol.com
vintageweave.blogspot.com

It's a Rare Thing...

...but sometimes I just can not bring myself to sell my flea market finds....{Click on any photo to enjoy detailing}
For my guest room redo:

{Discover remnants of gorgeous new and vintage French fabrics: check.
Have seamstress and/or FG make into pillows: check.}


{Antique Enamel French Wall Basin}

Dream Provencial Bathroom

(Click photo to enlarge if you can't see full room)
I love EVERYTHING about this bathroom! Well....Ok, so I would change a few things:

Add a couple of off-white or ecru cotton rugs to the floor;
Definately add a little table that houses a TON of burning candles;
Add one strategically-placed petite French chair;
Switch out Palm plant for a hydrangea plant.

So other than THAT: I'm ready to draw my bath.
Don't you love the white washing of the wood tub surround? And the amazing use of fabric? And the gorgeous floral motif INSIDE the tub? and the floors? and the antique mercury globes surrounding the room? And the crystal sconce- similar to the version sold at Vintageweave- near the sink?
(Photo: Living in Provence by Taschen books)

Drawer Liners

I love drawer liners. Such an unexpected treat for the senses upon opening a cabinet, desk or bathroom drawer. Materials I love to line with:

vintage music sheets, vintage love letters, beautiful material scraps, wallpaper clips, photocopied collage of photographs and my most favorite, scented liners intended just for drawers....

Now at Vintageweave get your favorite pattern and scent!

Lavender, Fresh Linen, Tresors des Mers (Wisteria and Jasmine) Rose or Rice Flower (love the black and white print).

All heavenly scents. $24.50/box ( 6 sheets) or $22/box for two boxes or more.



line the entire drawer, 3/4 does the trick just fine.




Simple indulgences.
It's what makes daily life fun and interesting.
Drawer Liners

The Islands of Paris: Part I

One of our more charming and delightful clients has a fabulous apartment on Ille de la Cite, which is point zero for the grid system in all of Paris. On a recent trip we were given the keys to work on filling it with furniture and providing the Vintageweave touch.

She's got FAB taste and has wonderful accessories (yes, some from VW!). Her collection of black and white photographs lining the white embossed wall covering walls were sensational. REALLY fell in love with her ceilings. {more pics later}
From the living room windows the view is MAGNIFIQUE! She looks RIGHT UPON Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral...holy moly I'd never leave Paris! This pic below is her view of this artistic masterpiece of French Gothic design (albeit from a different angle, but the beauty is the same). I'll give you a minute. The green overtakes your body with envy I know.



Did you know?
*Notre Dame means "our lady" in French;
*Construction began in 1163, with completion around 1335;
*This masterpiece was horribly desecrated during the French Revolution in late 1790's. Much of the religious imagery was
either damaged or destroyed (can you even IMAGINE how beautiful it must have looked like before???);
*A serious and steadfast restoration began in the 19th C, bringing her back to her original breathtaking beauty;
*A formal maintenance and restoration program begin in the late 1990's and is still going on now;
*It is an active Roman Catholic Church today and where the French Archbishop sits. Ohhh to hear a mass given in the elegant French language and the
hymns sung by a French choir is indescribable loveliness.

Ok so you did your soul some good now do your palette some good: On this island you MUST have ice creme (or a tartine) at Bertillian, 31 Rue St Louis. Known as the best ice cream in all of Paris, this spot doesn't disappoint! Flavors rotate but my personal fave is banana coconut...mmmmm......

Pasadena Showcase House 2008

Vintageweave was honored when asked to play a small part in this amazing undertaking!


A little bit about the house itself: The property, overlooking the San Gabriel Mountains, was built in 1919 by architect Henry Harwood Hewitt whose job it was to create the owner's Moorish Design, so Henry was sent on an expense-paid trip to Alhambra and Granada, SPAIN to study, learn, and copy! It's been said that the 14-room, Spanish Colonial Revival house rivals that of the construction of Hearst Castle, and this home certainly is a castle. The original cost of this award-winning architectural masterpiece was $250,000...GULP....that may have been an incredible amount back then, but this is California, after all, where homes prices are so exorbitantly priced so you can imagine the value today is well over $8.5M. Some notable owners of this castle have been J.A. Powers (RKO Pictures), Patrick Anthony Powers (one of the founders of Universal Pictures) and others.

Thanks to the two amazing designers who brought us in...big shout out to lovely and talented Antoinette Loupe (In the Loupe).




Can you imagine walking past this every morning??! Oh, how the other .000002 percent live......!

Black and White Photography

Our friend Happy W. takes these amazing photographs that line the walls of our home and boutique {Ballet Dancers' Embrace-above}. An extensive traveler, he uses no posed models but instead snaps artistic images that speak to his heart in France, Cuba, Spain, Russia, Mexico and beyond. To say creative juices run through his blood is an understatement. In addition to winning numerous national and international photography awards as a fine art photographer, Happy is a successful Music Industry Executive, Music Producer, talent manager, film producer, sports manager, and a fellow Midwesterner. He's humble and oh-so-down-to-earth which is reflected in his photographs, evoking the same calm he possesses.

We love mixing these photographs with vintage prints, antique Parisian leather club chairs, chippy-white columns and wonderfully-patina farmhouse tables. Contact us if interested in acquiring one of his limited-edition prints or in seeing more of the collection.

This one always reminds my of my grandmother and aunts. I love it so.