All posts filed under: French vintage

kitchen talk – small space decor

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I can honestly say that the best kitchen I ever had in my lifetime was a galley style with the simplest decor in a San Francisco high-rise apartment. Everything was within reach, easy to clean and a wonderful window, so strategically placed that I seldom had to worry about airing out the kitchen. Mind you I didn’t even have a fan or a vent and the appliances were the simplest and probably the most durable. So, in light of missing my galley kitchen, I decided to share some photos of my favorite galley kitchen decor.

herringbone pattern hardwood floors – a san francisco lifestyle

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The beauty of living in a wonderful city like San Francisco is that you can actually choose to live in a Victorian or Edwardian style building with its original hardwood floors,  from the late 19th to early 20th century, still intact. I don’t know about you, but no matter how flooring suggestions evolve through the centuries, there is nothing more appealing than hardwood floors – especially if it’s distressed  herringbone design or pattern – throughout the home. So, just in case you disagree or are wondering what herringbone pattern is, just take a look below and then let me know what you think?

inspiration: outdoor special occasion table setting

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Call me crazy but I am ready for Spring, although it isn’t officially Spring until around March 22nd, I am ready for it right now. So, as I feel my stress level escalating to code orange from being cooped up indoors most of the day, I have decided to turn to my collection of outdoor special occasion table setting photos  to put a smile back on my face and give me a moment to daydream about Springtime. If you feel like I do today, find something that inspires you  and take a moment to escape mentally.

eiffel tower in home decor

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Oh what I would give to have a place with a view of the real Eiffel Tower (above photo) but since I haven’t figured out a way to do just that, I decided to include photos of  decorating ideas which may just help.  Let me know what you think?

healthy eating: understanding champagne

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I admit I am one of those women who have converted from drinking wine to drinking champagne. The funny thing is it took me a while to learn about wine and by the time I finally got a clear understanding of wine types and pairing, I decided to convert to champagne when I made the decision to eat healthy. So now I am trying to understand and learn about what makes for a good or excellent champagne or since I am from California – sparking wine.  I know, I know there is no comparison and the two are not the same. But, now that I am able to address the beverage by its proper title based on what part of the world it’s from (California, USA or Europe), I want to understand how to choose quality “bubbly” so that I am in line with my healthier eating agenda. I found my answer here, from one of the best (French of course) wine conesuir I can think of 🙂 and based on what she says, these are …

decor: splashes of white kitchen design

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No matter how hard I try to avoid the color white in the kitchen, the more I seem to lean towards it. I guess it is my way of making sure all things are clean and bright since I spend a good amount of time in the kitchen cooking and baking. For some reason dark cabinetry doesn’t inspire me enough to spend any time in the kitchen. I feel a kitchen is a canvas and all food products are the colors which give it the character to be a warm and inviting kitchen. So, here I go again, looking at white cabinetry as an option, but this time I would use white marble countertops. As for  the floor color, texture and style, that is yet to be determined because it is contingent upon the actual location of the kitchen in the apartment (a.k.a flats and lofts)  I am currently searching to purchase and redecorate. Here are my top pics for ideas, let me know what you think?

decor: the do’s of art walls

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Lately I have been looking at suggestions for art walls. Since I plan to live in an apartment type dwelling I think this decorating suggestion may work, not sure in which room but I am considering the option. Now, art wall is a tricky thing to incorporate in a home and if not done correctly it can be an eye sore for sure. Hanging photos of your family along a hallway, in my opinion, does not constitute an art wall. A true art wall is a group of odd size and shape black and white and/or some tasteful color photos stratigically grouped together to create, well, a work of art 🙂 So, for this piece I have included photos of some of my favorite art walls in hopes I will find a way to dupplicate or even create my own style from it. Tell me what you think?

decor – all things powder blue

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I wish there was a way we could redecorate our homes with every season because I just can’t seem to get enough of the variations in decorating styles for a home makeover. One choice of color I have always loved and consider the most peaceful is the color powder blue, however incorporating the color throughout an entire house is a bit much in my opinion. For me it would probably be a bedroom or a bathroom and maybe the kitchen in the photograph below. Wow. Anyway, check out the pictures below and let me know what you think or if you have considered the color powder blue in your decor, how did it turn out?

boutique hotel pick – chateau de mirambeau – bordeaux

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There are two quotes from Ernest Hemingway which I truly appreciate and probably live by, as I am an avid wine drinker and an “amateur” connesieur (if there is such a thing). Anyway the quotes are as follows: “Wine improves with age, the older I get the better I like it” “Wine is the most civilized thing in the world” With that said, I figured I better  include one of my favorite properties located in one of the greatest wine regions of the world, Bordeaux, France. Now although my hotel pick – Chateau De Mirambeau isn’t really a boutique hotel and more like a luxury hotel, I am still catagorizing as such because of the ambiance and the romantic feel of  the property. Chateau de Mirambeau, is located in the Mirambeau village between Bordeaux and Cognac and with it’s  14 rooms and 9 suites, you can only imagine how challenging it is to book a room, if not planned well in advance. Anyway, I will let their website do the talking, in the meantime enjoy …

wedding gowns for the woman over 40

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Selecting the right gown for a second marriage or “renewal of vows” is probably the most challenging for women over 40. But, if tastefully chosen, it can be the most rewarding experience ever. With that said, now is the perfect time to consider the options for a spring, summer and even fall weddings or “renewal of vows” ceremony. In my research I have come across some amazing gowns to consider and yes they are all from Oscar de la Renta. Enjoy!