I got up this morning in the quiet, needing to replenish from the hectic week.
I made a cup of tea . . . and reached for some comforting handmade paper . . .

Taking a large sheet of handmade paper I cut it into pieces, and fashioned a small book out of them. Then I tied the bundle together for a rustic look. I added a bit of romance with a watercolor heart, and on the other side, a small photo copy of one of my favorite antique prints.

I started writing this post to share with you all my little bundle of comfort, and realized hubby wasn't awake yet.
I then reached for some gold wire and paper leaves. I've always longed to have a gold laurel wreath. The kind you see in the museums. Well, that probably won't be happening any time soon, so I decided to make a faux wreath. Definitely not up to the standards of the Greeks, but it still brings a smile to my lips.

Flowers

They sweeten and purify the air in our home.

Flowers have restorative qualities that touch the heart and soul.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by deadlines these days. I think I'll be posting less this month, but I will get about to say hello.

Wishing you a beautiful week!

The Making of Shoes . . .

It takes a day or two to complete one of my custom order shoes. And while it might be easier to work on several shoes at once, I don’t. The nature of the antique and crepe papers I work with are extremely delicate, so I'm careful to make my work space clean and clutter free. I create each shoe individually by hand, never assembly style. This helps produce shoes I can be proud of.

This style is especially difficult to make because there are so many intricate details to craft. And if you make one mistake, it's back to the drawing board. The result is worth the meticulous effort.

I've been busy creating. I'll be by soon to visit.

Decorating Journal

Years ago, when I was newly married I had a passion to create spaces that speak to the heart. The only problem was, I wasn't sure what I wanted to say. I wasn't a designer, and I didn’t have the confidence I needed to strike out on my own when it came to decorating our space.

I found myself entangled in all the magazines and decorating books I had. I wanted to follow the wise sayings of these designers, and yet I was feeling imprisoned by their style advice. What I ended up doing was taking apart the magazines and (gasp!) most of the books I owned. I took out the pages that resonated with me and created a decorating journal reference for myself. Over the years I've added and taken away from these pages, honing my eye and keeping myself true to the things that I really love and value in a room.

Keeping this journal has been good for my pocketbook, too. I find that with it, I don’t have those purchases I regret.

I've learned that I adore, curving lines, ormolu, the sparkle of a beautiful chandelier, the beauty of antique silks and lace. The colors I love range from the countryside of Provence to the purity of white. I've learned that rooms filled with a few lovely pieces, and plenty of circulating air between them, create a heavenly, airy space, where your mind and soul can rest. (More on this subject in another post.)

Knowing yourself is important when it comes to decorating your rooms. Creating this journal has taught me things about myself I never knew. I discovered that while I love beautiful things, I'm really a closet minimalist who becomes stressed living in a crowded environment.

I have some key words I use when decorating a room:

Space
Beauty
Fun
Interesting
Soothing
Flowing
Functional

Here are some of the pages in my journal. Enjoy!

Often times I pair words that reflect my design aesthetic with the photos I love.

I've had this photo for years!
This is the first bedroom I fell in love with in Victoria magazine.

Photos taken from: Victoria Magazine, Carolyn Quartermaine, Cath Kidston, Paris Apartment, eBay