Monday, March 14, 2011

Color Recall: The 1980's

The following is number four in the series called color recall written by my mother...
COLOR RECALL
As usual, our family spent most of the 1980s abroad.  


Image via Picasa

I do recall mauve and a grayed blue (what we still thought of as Williamsburg blue) were extremely popular at the time.  
With deep regret I recall an interior decorating project with my sister during the early 80’s.  She had recently moved back into the house we grew up in.  A pre-civil war dwelling, it was one of the oldest houses in our small northern town.  Because of the previously mentioned design trend, we got into our heads that the wainscoting in what had been our family dining room should be updated.  What we failed to take into consideration was that our plan involved tampering with an original (historic) cherry finish.  This is a task only the seriously deranged would undertake.   With scrapers and paint remover in hand, we painstakingly removed all the original finish and then painted the wainscoting off-white.  This color, coordinated (in our minds) much better with the new highly sought after mauve-blue decorating scheme of the rest of the house.  Our mother, who had passed away many years before, would have never forgiven us—and adding insult to injury she HATED blue…and I wonder why so many years later we even considered doing such a thing as we  both value “old things”.  My house is full of vintage furniture and hers is bursting at the seams with country memorabilia .    But none the less, we bowed to a theme that never really appealed to me -- I am not much for pastel colors and neither is she—but one that seemed feminine and ultra modern.   

My sister and I have grown older and wiser, but we will never forget growing up in a home, reputed to be a rest home for soldiers returning from the Civil War,  and both of us still make our living space part of ourselves.  The comparison between the city mouse (me) and country mouse (her) is the subject of a separate posting.  I’ll also tell you more about our old house--that is if Fresh Quince will give her mother another opportunity to revisit the past.

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Thanks once again mom! What do you all recall about the 80's? As for myself I have a distaste for light grey, pale blue and pink together but I've found a few images that make the color combinations a little more palatable to my modern aesthetic...

Bremmerman Image via Little Green Notebook

Image via Bijou et Boheme

Image via unknown source

Hal Williamson via House Beautiful

Hillary Thomas via Lonny

Gil Shafer

Have a wonderful Monday! xx Danielle

Friday, March 11, 2011

Fridays Finest Finds

To all my friends who haven't entered the Fresh Quince giveaway yet, go here and enter. Who doesn't want a pair or 2 of boyshorts, while benefiting charity at the same time???? Thanks again to Future:Standard, such an awesome environmentally and ethically minded company!

I'm back on DC's Craigslist today. So here are my fresh finds in the DC Metro area...

Pair of French Painted Gilt Bedside Tables $750 {yes i know pricey, but these are some gorgeous ladies. you could always ask if they would be willing to go lower}...
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The sweet ladies above would look great in this room {you could paint that design on your wall if you can't find a headboard to match...i'll do a post on painted headboards soon}...

Nate Berkus

Beautiful Horchow Mirror $75 {just get it for this price}...
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Jonathan Adler Lampert Sofa $1600 {love this. want this. need this}
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And guess what's in the latest Lonny Issue????...
Inspirational image via Lonny

Antique French Matine Toile Chair $350 {belle dame..no?}...
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Large Gold Velvet Couch $250 {invite me for movie night. i'll bring popcorn}...
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2 Aqua Glamorous Parsons Chairs $125 {great occasional chairs. nice nailheads and firm body, i mean firm cushion}..
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French Antique Occasional Table $125 {i think this is a steal. fabulous side table for a large living room}...
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Designer Country French Bergere Chair $250 {not my colors, but hey if it matches your home it's a great price and then in 5-10 years you could paint and reupholster}...
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Beautiful White Sideboard $225 {painted and ready to find her forever home. totally gorgeous!}

French Rose Side Table $65 {i know shabby chic look and i usually don't go for this style, but she's cute.}...
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Or you could put the table above in your modern bright bedroom?...
Inspirational Image ???

Hollywood Regency Cabinet $150 {anything and everything from this seller is awesome. trust me...great prices on MCM}...
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Unique Zebra Sofa $700 {hot. dudes, let me design your living room around this bad ass sofa}...
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6 Dining Room Chairs $9/each {yes $9 folks. please forgive my overuse of folks, but my son is always clowning around saying stuff like 'watch out folks'. anyway did you hear me $9 folks + pink + missoni inspired = awesomeness}...
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Beautiful Side Chairs $200/both {paint white. new fabric, unless you like it of course}...
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Four Custom Upholstered Chairs $175/each {these were custom upholstered, well worth the price if you ask me and how gorgeous?????}...
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Do you need any more chairs Ms. Kasler, because the chairs above would look great in the dining room you designed?...
Inspirational Image designed by Suzanne Kasler

Dining room table and 6 chairs $150 {wow what a deal. let's have a painting party and then order take out}...
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How stunning could the above chairs look in green? This stunning...
Inspirational Image Designer Nick Carter

Dragon Armoire $750 {adore dragons}
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So what do you have stored in that dragon cabinet of yours???
Inspirational image via Decor Pad

Vapor Chairs $320 {do you even see them? how cool around a painted ornate vintage table or something sleeker}...
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Gorgeous Vintage Dresser $125 {so i e-mailed my sis about this gorgeous girl and guess what, she's gettin' it. seriously friends, i am going to do a post on how many items i have found for friends and family...tons}...
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Awesome Bar Cart $75 {really? do i have to say anything about this beauty. i've already told my friend she needs to get it now, she has been looking for a bar cart for almost an entire year and i have sent many suggestions, but this is the one i think she's gonna get. fingers crossed}...
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Fill it up and let's party...

Inspirational image via AB Home

Modern Dining Table $100 {modern, sleek. get some vintage chairs and voila you have something unique going on}...
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Inspirational image via Craigslist posting (some people know how to sell their stuff)

Cute Vintage Desk $50 {totally sweet for kids room. i would just change the knobs to something more fun}...
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Purple Oriental Rug $220 {i have seen a ton of oriental rugs in my life living overseas, but i can honestly say i have never seen a purple one. paint your living room teal and stick this bad boy in it}...
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MCM Desk $30 {incredible price folks}...
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Paint the above desk hi-gloss black and then get back to work...
Inspirational image via Decor8

I need to stop somewhere, so thought I would stop here...
Uh $6000 {yes totally outrageous for cl, should be at an antique store. but if they took off $5800...I would be willing to buy right away}....


Sometimes gilt can be a little too much, so paint the CL mirror white and hang above your mantel, stunning huh?....
Inspirational image via dcbydesign blog

And paint the CL console as well...
Inspirational image via designer unknown, tell me if you know

It never ceases to amaze me what I can find on Craigslist!!! I wish you all a wonderful weekend filled with soon to be found treasures! xx Danielle