Feeling trad

Yesterday, after an audible sigh, my husband said, "You want all traditional furniture, don't you?

"So you've gone over to the old side?" he continued.

Yes. Yes I have and I want nothing more in my house than chintz slipcovers, old wood, and a few fussy and/or crusty accessories. I want no more slick mid-century pieces. No more eclectic mix ala Domino or Lonny. I want cozy, practical and pretty things.

You? Do tell.

This post is created especially for Raina, who I think has the same longings.

Chintz vs. Toile takedown!

Do you cringe at the large expanses of toile? 

Is toile too '90s French country for you?

I have to admit that I was once a toile-aholic. I loved french country style decor.

Actually in France

These days I am inclined to avoid toile and think of it mostly as something best seen in France.

But, oh how I loved my toile!

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Chintz, long regarded as granny fabric or *gasp* shabby chic has always been a source of warm fuzzy feelings for me. My British great-grandmother transformed her living room every year in the Spring with Chintz curtains and slipcovers on everything. There was nothing shabby about it. The glorious cabbage roses on glazed cotton made for a cheerful yet elegant space.

Chintz is big right now and I am thrilled.

I particularly love the way designers are keeping it from being too sweet and girly but fresh and modern.

 Are you rooting for Chintz or Toile?

Spring flowers

Beauty or no, I believe the yuck of winter is behind us here in central Virginia. Being the brilliant woman that I am, I neglected to look at the thermometer on Saturday until 3 o'clock. It was 65 and sunny folks and I thought it was just another cold day. I get a second chance tomorrow with an expected high in the 70s.

I am so focused on Spring that I find it hard to think of anything else. Here are a few of the things that got me through the colder than normal winter.

HERE

I have a huge obsession with abstract art with a floral theme and not just my own. This lovely is by Wendy McWilliams who has been cranking out the Spring looks lately.

Tulips have long been a favorite of mine and remind me of Spring but not nearly the way that the scent of hyacinths do.

Sometimes I fantasize about chintz slipcovers ala English country house all through my own house, doesn't everyone?

I think I will get my chintz fix when I decide on a fabric for my daughter's room.

This fabric, Orangerie from Designer's Guild, often comes to mind for being at once feminine and edgy.

This lovely illustration by Cecil Beaton is the very room that would cure my need for sunny blooms all year Tomorrow I will have a giant grin on my sunlit face.
Are you ready for Spring?

Feelin' Chintz-y

Thibaut- St. Antoine

Well folks, I am off to the D.C. Design House today but I wanted to spend a little time on something that I think about often. Chintz. Floral chintz to be exact. Chintz is actually any glazed cotton but its name has become synonymous with these classic florals.

I almost used a floral chintz in my living room but it would not look right in my house. It would read "silly in suburbia" instead of "eclectic, classic estate."

Nicky Haslam

I have several ideas for when I win the lottery and buy a grand estate in horse country.

Colefax and Fowler fabric

Home of Tory Burch

Honestly, I had an inspiration board all planned out in my head but try to find a chintz chair for sale. Seriously, try and tell me where you found it. I looked but if you read yesterday's post you know I looked when I should have been doing something else.

Would you risk looking "Granny" with a floral print?

Stop by tomorrow for Design House pictures.