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October 2012 Your Guide To Inspired Living
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YOUR GUIDE TO INSPIRED LIVING OCTOBER 2012
French Connections
Château Style
Publisher and Editor-in-ChiefKathryn Severns Avery
Design and LayoutHallie Davis
Special Projects ManagerRobert Sawyer
How to contact us:
My Life with StyleCommunity Lifestyle Publishing787 Kendall CourtLakewood, CO 80214(303) [email protected]
Cover photo courtesy of Bruce Buck, Design by Lauren Ostrow Interior Design, Inc.
Copyright ©2012 Community Lifestyle Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Unauthorized commercial use of this publication is strictly prohibited.
My fi rst trip to Paris was on my honeymoon. My husband and I stayed in an apartment on Rue de Verneuil across the Seine from the Louvre in Arrondissement 6. The apartment was beautiful and owned by the friend of a friend. We were so fortunate. Almost everything we wanted to see while in Paris was within walking distance.
At sunset on our fi rst night there we took a leisurely cruise on a mouche boat towards the Eiff el Tower. The lights of the city began to emerge and I understood for the fi rst time why people fall in love with Paris. I, too, was smitten.
This summer Chris and I returned to France to celebrate fi ve years of marriage. While we did stay in Paris a few nights (alas, our beloved honeymoon apartment was sold to designer Karl Lagerfeld) we spent time on the Normandy Coast and in Provence. My love for France deepened.
What I learned on this trip was to appreciate the “soul” of France. The French revere beauty in all forms. They savor their food, their wine, their history, their gardens, their relationships, and life itself.
Letter From the Editor
Kathryn Severns Avery
Kathryn Severns
Avery
I brought back some lovely souvenirs from my trip and beautiful photographs that you’ll see in this issue. But the best thing I brought home was a commitment to enjoy the beauty around me, to thoughtfully prepare food, to savor a good glass of wine, and spend unhurried time with friends.
La vie est bonne!
RLetter From the Editor What’s Inside . . .
Fabulous Finds
French Connections
In Love with Lavender
French Gardens
Royal Inspiration
Château Style
French Country
Romantique
DIY Chic Masquerade
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12
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Watch for glowing links as you fl ip through the pages and click for more info!
FabulousFinds
Three French Hens Butter Dish from Pottery Barn $29.50
20 x 30 French Country Cow Photo by Lucy
Snowe Photography
$125
French Wire Hamper & Liner from Pottery Barn $149
1920s French Bowling Set from Restoration Hardware $299
Steampunk Brass Giant Bee Necklace from The Gold Bug $55 R
See Something You Like? Click on it to Learn More!
12 x 12 French Bulldog Records Illustration on Canvas from Stephen Fowler $80
Wine, Bread, & Cheese
French Connections
Both Denver and Colorado have an abundance of French connections. Denver is the location of one of 12 French Consulates in the United States. Colorado is one of 15 states with chapters of The French-American Chamber of Commerce.
Alliance Française, which encourages study of French language and culture, has a Denver chapter.
Maison la Belle Vie
Pierre Michel
The metro area boasts more than a dozen French restaurants and several are owned by French ex-pats. French bakeries, including Pierre Michel Colorado’s only organic French bakery, abound.
While not entirely devoted to French cheeses, The Truffle Cheese Shop in Cherry Creek offers cheese tours in France.
Travel west to Palisade and you’ll find Maison la Belle Vie an authentic French-style vineyard and winery which boasts several award-winning vintages. Owner John Barbier grew up in the Loire Valley in France where his family had been making wine for the past 150 years.
The Truffle Cheese Shop
Lavender Shortbread1 c. softened unsalted butter1 c. powdered sugar1 tsp. vanilla extract2 ½ cups flour¼ tsp. salt1 tsp. dried lavender*Fresh lavender blossoms for garnish*Waxed paper
Mix together the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and dried lavender. Add salt and flour and mix thoroughly. Roll dough into a cylinder. Wrap tightly with waxed paper and refrigerate for 2 hours. Place ¼ inch dough slices on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake cookies at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned on the bottom. Cool and garnish with fresh lavender blossoms.
* Make sure to use pesticide-free lavender.
In Love with Lavender
click here for tips on growing your own perfect
lavender in colorado!
Color InspirationColor Inspiration
Lavender EssenceLavender sachet pouches refresh dresser drawers.
Give your favorite massage oil a lift by adding drops of lavender oil.
Stop the sting of sunburn by adding lavender oil to aloe vera gel.
Place a cotton ball with a drop of lavender oil inside your pillow case to help you relax and fall asleep.
Create relaxing, aromatic, bath salts by mixing lavender oil with Epsom salt.
Lav•en•der /’lȃ ‘vən-dər/ (n. or adj.)
purification,
longevity, love,
feminine, grace,
chastity, gentle,
delicate, wisdom,
tranquil, elegant.
nostaligia.
In Love with Lavender
Color Palettes from design-seeds.com
French Gardens
French fl owers and gardens are among the most beautiful in the world. From the formal gardens at Versailles to the fl owerpots adorning shutters in quaint villages, the French are fanatical about their fl owers.
Photo by Dave Bovard
Flowers are a great source of pride in towns and villages throughout France. The designation “Four Flowers” is the highest award in the national Towns and Villages in Bloom competition. Winners proudly display the number of flowers awarded in this competition on their town or village signs.
“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.”- Claude Monet
Photo by Kathryn Severns Avery
This exquisite home features classic French details including functional shutters painted a traditional shade of blue.
An ornate washstand has been converted into an outdoor sink and has a complementary potting station.
Oversized planters add height to the display of plants and fl owers.
The pergola with graceful, arched, supports adds both beauty and shade.
Image and design by AHBL Landscape Group
Image and design by AHBL Landscape Group
Fall is the time to plant for spring!
Image and design by AHBL Landscape Group
Royal Inspiration
This bedroom, created for Marie Antoinette, shows the over-the-top opulence found throughout Château de Fontainebleau. The bed, made by Sené and Laurent, was never slept in by the ill-fated queen.
Layers of intricate patterns and textures are almost dizzying to look at.
The exquisite benches and pillows are all handcrafted and took months to complete.
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Photo Courtesy of Ron RosenzweigDesign by Jackie Armour, JMA Interior Decoration
Château Style
Château StyleThis beautiful bedroom uses layers of elegantly patterned fabrics to create an opulent feel.
An oversized tassel adds a luxurious touch to the lamp.
The wallpaper is similar to a pattern shown below found at Fontainebleau.
RR R
Photo Courtesy of Ron RosenzweigDesign by Jackie Armour, JMA Interior Decoration
This bright and cheerful living room mixes formal and informal elements in a way that is elegant yet inviting.
The diamond stitching in the couch fabric elevates the piece from ordinary to extraordinary.
The custom built-in cabinets create a beautiful focal point and place for displaying decorative objects.
Traditional French country colors are stunningly regal in this study.
Cording in the seams highlights the graceful lines of the chairs.
Ornate crown mouldings and window casings add to the luxurious feel of this room.
The tufted ottoman is exquisitely crafted.
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Photo Courtesy of Bruce Buck Design by Lauren Ostrow Interior Design, Inc.
French toile fabric and wallpaper adorns the bedroom and bathroom.
The arched headboard mimics arches framing the bathtub, built-in vanity, and sink.
An oval window above the vanity provides natural light essential for applying makeup.
Photos Courtesy of Ron RosenzweigDesign by Jackie Armour, JMA Interior Decoration
French CountryLayers of fabrics, patterns, colors, and accessories are hallmarks of French Country style. This kitchen mixes casual and elegant elements to create an inviting and comfortable space.
A ceramic rooster adds a colorful accent to the island and is a popular French Country theme.
Photos Courtesy of Ron RosenzweigDesign by Jackie Armour, JMA Interior Decoration
A charming painted dog house is both functional and decorative.
Fabric used on the chairs and window seat cushion is repeated in the window cornice.
Mirrored candle sconces repeat the rooster motif.
RPhotos Courtesy of Ron RosenzweigDesign by Jackie Armour, JMA Interior Decoration
Floral, striped, and checked fabrics are artfully combined in this French Country living room.
The butterscotch-colored couches pull in the warm yellow tones found in the window treatments and wall color.
Charming blue and white skirted ottomans provide extra seating.
Photo Courtesy of Bruce Buck Design by Lauren Ostrow Interior Design, Inc.
Photos Courtesy of Ron RosenzweigDesign by Jackie Armour, JMA Interior Decoration
These rooms provide excellent examples of mixing traditional and modern styles.
In the living room, an upholstered plaid ottoman does double duty as a coffee table.
The floral fabric chairs repeat colors found in the wallpaper in the hallway and in the Oriental rug.
Solid color fabrics on the couches provide a contrast to the patterned elements in the room.
Dramatic patterns and colors create a stunning bedroom.
The black lamp, books, plate, picture, shell, and ginger jar perfectly accessorize the drum table night stand.
The gray plaid cushion on the headboard of the bed contrasts with, yet compliments, the formal wallpaper pattern.
Artwork by Lowell Herrero
Photo Courtesy of Restoration Hardware
This French tower clock creates a fabulous focal point in a room decorated with a luxurious mix of modern and rustic styles.
The metal coffee table base mimics the base of the benches in Marie Antoinette’s bedroom.
It’s easy to envision curling up with a good book on this monochromatic couch. Comfy cushions and a warm throw make it very inviting.
Rustic Elegance
Romantique
No one does romance quite like the French. This bedroom is filled with romantic touches. Comfortable bedding, soft lighting, and artfully displayed decorative touches work together to create a perfect room for romance.
The living room (shown right) with soft yellow walls and furniture in shades of blue and white uses the traditional French Country palette. Armoires with French Provincial accents are great for storage.
You’ll need tulle, scissors, ribbon,
black fabric paint, saran
wrap, tape and CLICK HERE
FOR THE MASK TEMPLATE.
Chic Masquerade
DIY Mask with Printable Template
Supplies
Masquerade balls have been a French tradition for hundreds of years. Here is a DIY mask to make you the belle of your Halloween ball.
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Project & Photos Courtesy of Sprinkles in Spring
1. Print out the template and place on table. Then tape a piece of plastic wrap over it.
2. Cut out your tulle to at least 10”x5” and tape on top of plastic wrap.
3. Make sure everything is taped down securely and start tracing the black part of the template with fabric paint.
4. Let it dry overnight. Gently peel tulle away from saran wrap.
5. Cut out around the mask, including eyeholes.
6. Cut two pieces of ribbon 20” each. Spread a little fabric glue on the tips and attach them to the mask. Let dry 1-2 hours.
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Masquerade
Happy Halloween!
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