I've Been Busy....Want to Know What I've Been Up To?

Sorry I haven't been updating here as much as I had planned.  I've been busy with other tasks, such as running the official Artfire Vintage Guild thread these past two weeks.  If you like vintage wares, hop on over to the thread to see what we are sharing today.  Here's the link to the "Promotions" section in the forums.  Look for any thread beginning with "VINTAGE [WEEKDAY]" and see what everyone else is promoting today, along with my posts.  The most popular thread these past two weeks has been yesterday's "post the alphabet" thread, in which sellers took turns posting images of their products beginning with consecutive letters of the alphabet.

Meanwhile, I've been faced with a bit of a predicament.  Most of my inventory is fairly small items, but most of my boxes are large.  I've also got some vintage vinyl LPs (like this original Bambi soundtrack), but I can't find boxes anywhere in those dimensions.  Rather than buy a bundle of boxes, which can cost a lot of money and generates more for the landfills, I think it's time for me to experiment with resizing boxes.  The added challenge with LPs, for instance, is the need for extra reinforcement against warping or crushing the box.  I believe I have enough that I can waste a few boxes until I learn this skill.

Yesterday, I photographed several trendy items and a few books.  I got this very impressive elephant listed in my Artfire store already, and finally listed my wire vanity basket (remember this from my French vignette?) in my Etsy store.  I still have this nautical themed plaque and a 40s-era copy of Tom Sawyer left to post from my photo session yesterday.  Pretty cool, huh?  I like how the yellow pine this fellow carved it on shines a very golden brown color.  I think it's pretty cool.  What do you think?

Off to get ready for my mother's birthday celebration.  Thanks for visiting!

Trend Watch: Old French Chic

A very popular influence in interior decorating these days is the French style.  From the decadence of Louis XIV's court to the rustic simplicity of the French countryside,  we are seeing the French influence everywhere--French writing on everything from clothing and furniture to kitchen utensils, pastels and white with silver or gold flourishes, the eminence of the fleur-de-lis, lavender sachets and barn wood with old-country appliqued embellishments, and elaborate crystal and mirrors paired with engraved aged silver and gold.

There are several branches of the French trend you might have spotted.  French country has rustic peasant-style influences, reminiscent of sunny southern France, with its fields of lavender, vineyards, and white-washed cottages.  Then there is French Classical/Traditional, which definitely reminds you of the gilded, crystal, and white palaces of the French court and Versailles. Finally, there is a sort of French shabby chic trend, which uses worn, tarnished, or peeling elements of the traditional style in such a way that it resembles relics of a glitzier past.

Whatever your taste, you will probably find something you like in the French style.  It is airy, delicate, and bright, which might make it a perfect fit for dim spaces or rooms that seem too open and spare.  Do you like French style decorating but don't know how to get started in your own home?  If so, I sincerely hope this French style vignette will get those interior design juices flowing!