Form And Function....Finders And Keepers

Which comes first in your decor life my friends....is it form or is it function?

Well I'd have to say that for me as an artist and designer it's usually form. As  I design pieces for my clients and customers and purchase items for the website it has to catch my eye and be consistent with my aesthetic first. Then it has to be useful, as something that will have a purpose, add color or a decorative touch and be loved. Does this make sense? 

I'm always out scouring around and recently acquired three pieces that first struck my eye and fulfill a definite purpose. I'm more of a finder than a keeper type of gatherer, but these three gorgeous (form) and useful (function) pieces I think will be keepers.......at least for now, if I can find a place for them!

Love, love this large antique bead board cabinet in just the right shade of aqua/green that has the original chipped up paint!

I have a weakness for these old dress forms and this one is old and tattered to perfection. I do have some other dress forms that I'm going to be adding to the website...different than this one, but pretty cool...

A rather grandiose vintage Italian tole mirror that would make anyone swoon who loves Shabby Chic....

So for now....keepers, (all three) but you never know down the road if they may end up in the shop....

I've been busy filling some orders and just finished some custom silk floral arrangements for a darling website shopper....and will be busy this weekend working on 3 Mason Jar chandeliers that have been ordered as well as some other things. 

I'll be posting lots of new things on the WEBSITE sometime next week....including more items from the French brocantes and some other lovely romantic pieces. I'm also SUBSTANTIALLY MARKING DOWN some of the French Market pieces that remain...so pop on over, won't you?

Claude Monet's Giverny....Fleurs

Hello everyone....I'm doing a Friday post a little early, as I'm leaving in a just a little while for a few days at our beach home. For those of you visiting from around the world, it's a holiday weekend here in the U.S....Memorial Day. It is a day to remember the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women and our veterans...

That being said...WARNING, another photo heavy post consisting strictly of FLEURS... 

I shot these images at the home of the French painter Claude Monet in Giverny, who was one of the fathers of impressionism and my favorite painter....

Please enjoy...and if you plan on using any of my photos on the web, kindly link them back to this post. If you are interested in a print, they will be available soon on the WEBSITE in the Photography Boutique

See you next week...and for those who have shopped recently on my SHABBYFUFU website, I really appreciate you so much! We have some more French brocante items coming...and we are working on some new designs!

International Press Pass.... Casa Romantica Shabby Chic

It's been a whirlwind week and weekend, as I was very busy with my Shabbyfufu website. Grateful for that and for all who have been so supportive over the MANY years in business, I thank you! There are still some GREAT items from France listed in the shop if you haven't perused yet.....

Our American friends know that this coming weekend is the Memorial Day holiday and I'll be off to our beach home for several days, hence I'm rushing around like crazy to get everything done. I plan on relaxing up there and hope to catch up with you and visit your blogs....promise! If you can...why not leave me a comment? I'd love to see what you are up to....

The darling little Fifi O'Neill was here quite awhile ago for a shoot with Mark Lohman of my home. This was the second time that she has been here shooting and I adore her just as much as everyone does. At the time I was told that the shoot was for the Danish magazine Jeanne d'Arc Living. To my surprise it was picked up and published in the current issue of Casa Romantica Shabby Chic...a beautiful Italian magazine. A Facebook friend happened to be traveling in Italy and saw my name on the cover....otherwise I might not have known! 

The spread is just lovely...with 22 pages of photos by the talented duo of Fifi and Mark (all content from Casa Romantica Shabby Chic) and I'll share a bit of it below....

P.S. You can't buy this magazine in the U.S...it's only available in Italy, so unfortunately I can't get you a copy....

Pretty shabby chic cover of a fellow American's gorgeous home, Cindy Roberts....

The family room where we hang out and read, have friends over or watch TV. Leather sofa works well for this Miami climate and I've softened it up with lots of pillows and throws.

I've collected antique leaded windows for a long time, and under this grouping is our guinea pig pen. Pretty fancy digs, I know!

A few living room shots....

Little vintage wicker writing desk in the corner of the living room....

This china cabinet is tucked in a corner of the living room, simply because I want a clean look in the dining room. It houses a family set of Royal Copenhagen china that was passed down to us....

Me and darling Fifi...with some various vignettes ....

A corner of our Master bedroom. There are other pages of shots, but I feel like you've seen the room enough before here...

I plan on sharing more photos in the next post from my trip to France....

Have a great week my friends and please come connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and of course my website (Worldwide shipping available)! Links are all on the sidebar....