DINING ROOM PROGRESS

If you have been following my progress on my dining room, you know it has been kind of slow going. I wanted to get it just right so I am taking my time. I ordered about eight swatches for the curtains and all the panels twice before getting the color right. I think you'll like it!

I also found an amazing pair of Italian candle sconces at a store downtown, they are just beautiful. 

 My plan is to be able to dine by candlelight!

 The blue curtains are perfect!

 It's hard to see because I cannot get a photo of both sconces in one shot, but they are on either side of the large bay window.

 The color of the little blue birds in the chinoiserie wallpaper are the exact color of the curtains.

FINISHED and FABULOUS!!!!!

It's done and I L.O.V.E. love it! 

I knew I was excited to see how Chinoiserie would look in my dining room, but it turned out more bewitching than I had even imagined. It changes the entire feeling of the room and just brings it to life. 

Since I am a true believer in imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, (you better not blog if you don't intend to be copied), here are the details for this paper.

Carlisle Company (I believe they are an offshoot of Schumacher)

Pattern number WC4360

Repeat is 25 1/4"

Double roll bolt is 60.75 SQFT

It is a nice wide roll, 27", which covers a big section at a time.

OK, enough chitter chatter, here are the photos! 

I've included some close ups of the arrangements as well.

 The window with the topiary looks out to the backyard and the pool. The window with the daffodils looks over the pasture with huge evergreens in the background. it really has the best views.

I did a wall closeup so you can see the detail.

 Stella insisted on being in every photo!

 The blue fabric on the chair and the blue in the framed prints picks up the pale blue in the wallpaper perfectly. I still have frames and pictures stacked in the window because I can't bear to cover the wallpaper and put them back up! I think they will find homes elsewhere.

I am also resisting curtains, but because this is a south and west facing room I am going to have to do something. Ideas???

 Directly outside this window is a little kitchen garden. they rusted arbor that you see through the window leads through a fence into the pool area.

 She thinks she owns the place!

 Cherry blossoms, synonymous with spring!

 This rectangular planter is one I ordered from Tina over at The Enchanted Home. She has a new online store with fabulous items. Check it out,  http://www.theenchantedhomeshop.com/

 Again, larger shot.

 Divine daffodils!

 I put Dolly the dress form in the photo because I am getting ready to do a window display downtown again. To see the previous one I did at Christmas click here, http://livingwithlis.blogspot.com/2011/11/holly-and-boughs-on-dress-form.html  

I will post photos when the window is completed.

 Just pretty!

 From the other side of the room.

Halfway there...

My wallpaper came much faster than they predicted so yesterday I started in! I have never worked with such high quality paper, as in designer, and what a difference! It is thick and it does not stretch, the pattern lines up beautifully. But unlike other papers, it does not come pre-pasted so that is a bit of a trick. Trial and error, I put too much paste on the first piece and there were bubbles, but by morning, they were all gone!

I love it.

 Beautiful and elegant

 The bay window will be my undoing. I have never papered a bay window before so I am following my painter's lead as to where to paper. Keep your fingers crossed it ends well, so many angles and edges!

 This pattern and colorway are divine.

 When I am involved in a project that is all I do. The kitchen gets ignored, the laundry piles up and I barely even get dressed for the day. I just dive in and work.  Things are kind of a mess over my way!

Can't wait to show you the finished product!

Chinoiserie. More! More! More!

While waiting for my gorgeous wallpaper to arrive I find myself trolling the web for images and ideas for even more uses for Chinoiserie. It did not disappoint! I found a plethora of images, both expected and surprising. From furniture to walls to lampshades to fashion, this beautiful design can be found on just about anything.

One of the things I like about it is that you can use as much or as little as you like. Frame a panel of wallpaper and it is a beautiful piece of art. Maybe just a couple of throw pillows? Or go all out and do the entire room, Lis style. 

Some examples for your viewing...

An example of framing one panel, truly beautiful

 I want these

I like these 

I bought this! Gotta love Etsy.

 She is styling!

 So pretty

Waiting for my red carpet moment.

 Completely wearable and lovely

 These are ridiculously beautiful!

As you can see from this historical gown, Chinoiserie has been around a long time...

 Cache pot

 Chairs to die for

 Beautiful table settings

 Blue porcelain with pink dahlias, DIVINE!

 Ditto

Who wouldn't want a Chinoiserie mouse pad?

More exquisite rooms.

 All these photos are too much, but this is the one that started me down this rabbit hole

I love him.