Friday, September 30, 2011

~ Bleu ~


I'm adding a few touches of Bleu in my home decor here at 425



I was inspired to add some bleu here and there after receiving my beautiful grainsack pillow from
I love the pale bleu stripes,so soft and it's also handsewn




The touch of bleu blends perfectly with all of my whites

I like to add greenery to unexpected pieces like the antique french enamel sugar canister below
I love the bleu lettering



Bleu ~ Blue

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend
xo,
Rachel
















Wednesday, September 28, 2011

~ French Farmhouse Mantel ~


Hi friends ~ I hope your week is off to a great start
I just wanted to share with you some photos of some changes I've made to my mantel now that the season is changing





I love mixing textures and fabrics
First I layered two chippy white antique mirrors
 I displayed an antique french alarm clock with old french fabric boxes
zinc pots from Belgium with coffee berries and my new mercury glass candlesticks from Target I purchased last week (only $12.99-16.99 each).
Soon I will be adding some pumpkins..


Well that's my french farmhouse inspired mantel for now
I hope you all have a wonderful week
xo,
Rachel








Sunday, September 25, 2011

~ New Favourites ~


I wanted to share with you a few of my new favourite finds



I recently discovered Trader Joe's ~French Market~ Sparkling Lemonade, It is so refreshing and my family loves it. I love the packaging too,very french. ($2.99)
Also, Target sells these plastic tumblers in assorted sizes. They look identical to the ones Anthropologie sells but they are kid friendly and inexpensive. 



 I purchased 6-8 of each style tumblers and goblets. I first found about about these tumblers on Tausha's blog Simply Me Tausha sometimes uses these as flower vases and they look so pretty. ($2.99-$3.99 )

Two of my favourite places to shop, Target and Trader Joes  



My new favourite place for fresh flowers is Trader Joes ($3.99) for bunches
LOVE these roses



I displayed them in my favourite chippy french bottle rack
You can find similar antique french bottle racks on Etsy

~Let me know if you end up trying a few of my new favourites and how you like them~

Have a wonderful Sunday
xo,
Rachel






Friday, September 23, 2011

~ Inspiration ~


Hi friends I hope you are having a wonderful week so far
I just wanted to share with you some photos of my inspiration board I put in my home office/guest room yesterday.




I wanted a very large corkboard but didn't want to spend alot (usually $30 and up for this size) so I found one at Goodwill ($3.99) and spray painted it white.
I added some of my favorite french finds, the french enamel T (my husband's initial),lavender,antique french monogram pages,clippings from favorite magazines, inspiration photos etc.
It's a great place to keep little ephemera, cards and photos from time to time instead of storing them away


And always so nice to have fresh flowers and candles in your home office/guest room
I purchased these beautiful flowers at Trader Joes this morning




My inspiration board is still a little bare but I'm sure I will fill it up soon enough


You can see a favorite photo of my little Claire


I love antique french ephemera
You can find alot of it on Etsy



Well that's my inspiration board so far~ I'll share more of it with you as it comes along
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend friends! :)

* I also want to welcome my newest sponsors: 

                                                                    
                                                                               

xo,
Rachel

And...
* THANK YOU for all of your sweet comments on my Romantic Homes feature *

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

~ Comfortable In Farmhouse White ~

Today's guest post is from Susi, a writer for Arcadian Lighting ~ www.arcadianlighting.com

Living with all white rooms can make some of us nervous, but farmhouse white interiors are comfortable and inviting. Farmhouse white decorating is about comfort, not pristine, perfect rooms. Warm whites, woods with patina, painted surfaces that show their age all combine to make life comfortable in farmhouse white.

Kitchen Wall Decor

Pinterest (via)

A classic white farmhouse kitchen, with bin style drawer pulls and open shelves, feels comfortable and homey. Dark wood counters add bit of contrast to ground all the white.

Country Kitchen

Flickr (via)

Another casual farmhouse kitchen—this one with a slightly modern French feeling to it. White painted floors brighten up the open kitchen. Love the classic white subway tiles and the simple ceiling light right above the counter..

French Country Living Room

Home Interior Design (via)

A white farmhouse style living room feels cozy and welcoming with layered shades of whites and neutrals. Quirky folk art and soft textiles create a comfortable, interesting room.

French Country Dining Room

DecorPad (via)

Don’t let the fancy crystal chandelier throw you off; this is a comfortable farmhouse style dining room. The white painted garden chairs and the extra long farmhouse table create enough space for hearty family gatherings.

French Country Linen Room

DecorPad (via)

Yes, this is a laundry room. So gorgeous! Recessed ceiling lights bathe the creamy white of the room in a warm glow. Love the farmhouse table for folding clothes and linens.

Country Bedroom

Pinterest (via)

An all white farmhouse style bedroom doesn’t feel stark with natural wood architectural elements and furnishings. Love the big four poster bed covered in white linens. Beautiful.

French Country Bedroom

Country Living (via)

Another take on a farmhouse white bedroom. The French painted bed and subtle florals, along with the chandelier, give this room a quiet, feminine feeling.

French Country Bathroom

Heidi Claire (via)

An all white bathroom doesn’t have to feel stark and cold. Warm, creamy whites on the wall, pretty bathroom light fixtures and lots of interesting glass and woven accessories create a comfortable bathroom

Content provided by Arcadian Lighting ~ www.arcadianlighting.com

"Arcadian Lighting is the best source for lighting fixtures and accessories at discount prices. Arcadian Lighting has been in the lighting industry for over 15 years selling decorative home lighting fixtures and lamps online, and has become one of the top Internet retailers for home lighting products."


Thank you so much Susi for your guest post today

~Have a wonderful week friends~
xo,
Rachel

Friday, September 16, 2011

~ Cabbages and Roses ~ Thank You ~


I received this lovely package in the mail this morning from



They are the Northcote Range pattern by Cabbages and Roses for Moda
Lu Tapp had a giveaway on her blog and these beautiful fabrics are what I won  :)
I'm going to start taking sewing classes soon
It's something that I've been wanting to do for a while now



I want to make a lavender pillow out of the fabric above
I just covered another lavender pillow to see how it will look

THANK YOU

and also
THANK YOU friends/readers for all of your wonderful comments on my Romantic Homes feature

One last thing....I also want to welcome my new sponsors :

* maison de michele *
* Ruffled Linens *
* Sunday Brocantes *

xo,
Rachel






Wednesday, September 14, 2011

~ Thank You ROMANTIC HOMES Magazine ~


Hi friends
I was so thrilled when my friend Lara told me she saw my blog featured in the new October issue of Romantic Homes

It's a little surreal being recognized in such an amazing home decor magazine
My favourite magazine :) 



Thank you so much Romantic Homes
and Beth Livesay

And thank you all of my friends/readers for visiting my blog and leaving me such kind words on a daily basis.
Have a wonderful week friends
xo,
Rachel





Monday, September 12, 2011

~ My favourite spot ~ {A Repost}


{Repost}

My favourite spot in our 1930s home is the cozy nook off of our kitchen
This is where my husband and I have our morning coffee and my boys and I talk about our day in the evening
I love the original built ins where I display and store my collection of white ironstone and entertaining pieces.



It's my favourite spot to sip coffee while reading a new decorating magazine
or sit and talk to a good friend
I like to change out the pillow covers and add fresh flowers to make the space even more cozy and comfortable


($1.99 thriftshop pillow fabric)






I hope you all had a wonderful weekend
I have enjoyed visiting your beautiful blogs
Hugs,
Rachel

Sunday, September 11, 2011

~ 9.11.01 ~

Hi friends
I want to share with you a post my friend Andrea just posted on her blog for 9.11
It left me speechless
You can read her story HERE
Make sure to give someone special a hug today and let them know how much you love them
In memory of those who lost their loved ones
xo,
Rachel

Friday, September 9, 2011

~ maison de michele ~ Giveaway winner is... ~

( maison de michele )


The winner of the maison de michele giveaway @425....

True Random Number Generator 70 

Congrats to #70  Sandi from A Cottage Muse 

Please email me :  french.farmhouse@hotmail.com  
let me know if you would like the blue or red grainsack pillow :)

Thank you for all of your entries
~ I have a very special giveaway coming up in October that you will love ~

Have a wonderful weekend friends
xo,
Rachel

Thursday, September 8, 2011

~ maison de michele ~ A giveaway at 425 ~Now Closed ~

Pair of European Grain Sack Pillows standard size NR
(maison de michele)
Hi again friends!
As promised in my last post I'm back with a wonderful giveaway for you! :)
I want to introduce you to one of my favourite etsy shops

Vintage European Grain Sack Pillow Blue Striped

~ "Things I love...the color white, sewing by hand, vintage handloomed hemp linens, painting antique furniture in French or Gustavian styles, enamelware, caning, french bistro chairs, being amongst the first people into our local flea market and hearing the sounds of the vendors setting up, anything in the style of Louis XVI, soft soothing colors, and grapefruit scented candles. My Etsy store is a tribute to these loves. " ~
Michele 
(maison de michele)

Vintage European Grain Sack  Market Tote
(maison de michele)
LOVE this grainsack tote..
I was amazed when I found out Michele made her own beautiful linen sofa slipcover without a pattern or a sewing machine..all by hand.  You can see more of her creations by visiting her blog
Michele shares photos of her beautiful 100 year old San Francisco apt on her blog as well as recent fleamarket finds and inspirations.
Vintage European Grain Sack Pillow Blue Striped
(maison de michele)

**And now for the giveaway!!! One of my friends/readers will recieve either a blue or red (your choice) grain sack pillow from Michele's shop!  ($65.00 value)**


Antique European Grain Sack Pillow
(maison de michele)

Michele's grain sack pillows are hand sewn ~ beautiful ~ and have so much charm and history
Perfect for french farmhouse decor

vintage french bistro chair blue and green
(maison de michele)
Michele also sells antique french bistro chairs in her shop

Vintage European Grain Sack Body Bolster Pillow
(maison de michele)
 I am in LOVE with the grain sack body pillow in her shop..maybe it will be mine someday.. ;)
lol
* Now to enter for your chance to win just simply leave me a comment and let me know what your favourite item is in Michele's shop  maison de michele * For a second entry  post my giveaway on your blog /sidebar *
Good luck friends!
 I will be using random.org to choose a winner next week

~ And thank you Michele for your generousity ~