WESTERN SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOUSE WALK. . . .

ALWAYS ELEGANT ~ THE THEME FOR THIS YEARS HOUSEWALK ~ 2011  The preparation was more than I had ever imagined.  It was like doing a showcase home of which I had done about 15.  The difference was about 1000 people would be going through OUR  home, upstairs and downstairs with every room being decorated to the best of my ability.  Here is my story. . .      

It was just a little over a year ago that I was asked to be on the housewalk for the Western Springs Historical Society.  I was honored to be asked and accepted the invitation soon after being asked.  I felt much had to be done to 'update' our home and so began my thinking on what I would do. . . . I had fallen in love with all that was gray and begun studying the many gray tones that would soon be a part of our 'new look'.  I must say the beginning was easy as I picked out the warm grays that seem to complement our already existing furniture and draperies.  What followed and the end result, even suprised me. 

The WALK brought many of my former clientele from the surrounding communities which was another reason I must make sure they felt I STILL HAD IT!!  I knew it was important to first please myself (my husband almost always loves what I do) and then to make sure that I could execute some of the inspirations I had gained from many of those new friends in the blogging community that I have come to so respect!

As people arrived, this is how they were greeted:

As Tablescape Chair, the florist assigned to me or who I had assigned to myself ,is

more like it, was STEMS AND TWIGS, of Western Springs.  We have done many

events together and they know my likes and dislikes.  When I have an idea, they listen

 to my heart and never disappoint.  Thank you once again Angela for hearing my

heart speak! 

I had an old garden green wall basket that I wanted  to be heavily mossed. It would reflect

in flower colors what they would be seeing inside. . . . . the accent color would be pink

in the home ~

To see more of their work, go to Stems and Twigs.com.

WELCOME. . .

My French console behind the open door. . . A Shefield, sterling silver footed

 container done with pastel pink roses, hydrangeas, snowballs, white stock

and perconium.

The famous patisserie table from a buying trip to France. . . . anyone who

has ever seen it, never seems to forget it.  Originally, it began its life in a

patisserie (French pastry shop).  It's latest home before me, was a French butcher shop.

It truly is one of my favorite things. . . .

My new dining room. . . . the old French country chairs updated and sassy with

their new gray tones.  Indoor/outdoor white linen ~

Evening serenity showing a new woven jute area carpet~

Daylight serenity. . . I called Caryn Aikens who had done my chairs, to see

if she had any free time to do a stencil on the ceiling.  Once  again Caryn caught my

heart and soul on the ceiling, no less!  Caryn's website: Caryns Decorative Painting.com

The little service table in front of the sofa that faces the fireplace arrived

on Saturday morning.  It was one of those last minute decisions that falls

into the category of cutting it close!  I needed something there that was not of

great proportions . . . . found this in the eves of my garage while on a cleaning binge.

Since I had no plans for a centerpiece, I decided to give each guest a pink

rose that I put into small mini vases that used to hold wax/dinner lites.

I had saved these in hopes that someday I would find a use for them and

I did!

Since I lean toward French influence in our home, I asked a dear friend

who had also done events with me, to do the Eiffel Tower cookies that she had

done for me once before.  As we enter the Great Room, she also had done the

macaroons, made so populare by Laduree.  Toni's Sweets of Hinsdale, Illinois

is a fabulous French bakery.  Her new Chicago bakery to open soon.  Her website,

Toni's Sweets.com,   Toni is always ready to add to and to make whatever I do more

special.  Her talent, ability and love of her art form will never dissappoint.  Many

thanks Toni for always being so gracious and so giving.

The vintage urn dressed for the party~

About 5 or 6 weeks ago I picked up Brooke, from Velvet and Linen

who was in town with her family and off we went to SHOP THE SHED.

This wonderful event is put on once a year by Joy Waltmire of the blogspot

http://savvycityfarmer.blogspot.com/      While shopping the shed, I found this vintage urn and knew exactly where it would be going for the house walk.

Here it is laying on its side upon my arrival home.

In my kitchen as the tour progresses, was a vignette of freshly

baked breads and some herbs.

Freshly baked chocolate croissants from Toni's Sweets

There was a vignette with macaroons (very French style!), real flower

cupcakes from Stem's and Twigs, a silver plated Champagne bucket and my very

own arrangement of Asian lilies and pink roses~

First level guest room accented with pastel pink sheets!

A missed vignette in the living room ~

An antique pine armoire from the Cotswold's~

that houses my collection of cookbooks.

Reflections on tumbled marble~

Little gold bird on windowsill ~

A mantel vignette~

A toile loft guest room . . . .

Looking down from the loft bedroom ~

Another peak from the loft bedroom~

Ready for rest. . . . .

Another kitchen vignette~

ORGANIZED

My new Ikat fabric on an old chair~Place?

My design studio

Given to me upon the closing of the store. . . hanging in my studio

above a door ~

A special wine dinner at Socca, our sons other

restaurant in the city of Chicago, with Salvadore Faregamo,

the grandson of the well know shoe designer.  He was in Chicago

presenting his new wines from his vineyard in Italy.

The sketch below was given to me by the Western Springs Historical

Society as a thank you for opening our home.

Another little visitor . . . .

My out of comfort zone color.  I used the equivalent Panetone color of

the year ~ honeysuckle ~ This was a big step for me. . . I had to 

that yummy chaise, from Summerhill, with the soft aqua mattlasse fabric that

was nearly new.  Great complement to the honeysuckle.

Under the eves. . . . . and quite cozy for our grand daughter.  She loved

it, but what little girl doesn't like pink!  We just hope our guests do too!!!

A cozy place to read........

A Manuel Canovas duvet cover with quilted plaid

Euro pillows ~ 

Booties under foot, and out the door . . . . .

TOMORROW ~ THE GARDEN