Thursday, 27 January 2011

Victorian Inspired vignette.

I think my style of decorating could be best described as Victorian inspired, English Country.
Achieved for the most part with auction finds, inherited pieces, flea market bargains and contemporary accents.

Chandelier, painting, lithograph and mirror
 all found at the Bayeux Hotel de Vente

Vintage Malicorne faience duck vase,
handpainted with a breton musician on the front.
Souvenir of St. Malo.
Over the years these two books have been invaluable sources of interior design inspiration, they epitomise the look that I aspire to in our home.

From “Victorian Style” written by Judith & Martin Miller -
“covers all aspects of Victorian interiors. Illustrated with over 400 colour photographs, the book reflects the diversity and eclecticism of the period.....”
First published in 1993 and available on Amazon, click here.

From “Classic Decorative Details, author Lady Henrietta Spencer Churchill -
“with the help of this book, you can become an instant expert on collecting silver, glass and ceramics, find out how to hang pictures, display leather bound books and make dramatic impact with flowers and fruit”...........
First published in 1994 and available on Amazon still, click here.

Quimper double shoe salt, silver bonbon basket and spoon,
a trio of vintage Famous Five books.
Many thanks to our wonderful hostesses
Courtney @ French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday, and Debra @ Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

The large mirror reflects the staircase seeming to widen the hallway even more
to Laurie @ Bargain Hunting With Laurie for A Few of My Favourite Things Saturday

Copeland Spode Italian plate, HR Quimper card holder,
 Old English, Poole silver dish, the perfect vide poche for my keys.

to Mary @ the little red house for Mosaic Monday who has some beautiful tulips in her mosaics today,

and Kathy @ A Delightsome Life for Tuesday's A Return to Loveliness Party inspired by Victoria magazine.
Click on the links above, or on their buttons on my sidebar, to visit these great blogs and see who else is participating this week.
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26 comments:

  1. Sheila27 January 2011 at 06:26

    Hello Maggie - I really enjoyed seeing all the lovely things you have in your home. They are nicely grouped and displayed. It must give you great pleasure to be surrounded by antiques and special finds.

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  2. Carol at Serendipity27 January 2011 at 06:33

    Maggie,

    Just lovely. Your photographs of all your treasures are just stunning.

    Carol

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  3. Angela27 January 2011 at 08:25

    What lovely photographs - the clever use of mirrors brings so much extra light too. Thank you for sharing your home with us.

    I love the Quimper pottery

    Blessings x

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  4. Sarah27 January 2011 at 08:33

    Hi, Maggie. You've done a lovely job with beautiful touches throughout. Lady Churchill would approve!
    Always fun to see more your beautiful Normandy home. I'm looking forward to spending some time there in the fall. ;-)
    Have a great day, my friend. ~ Sarah

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  5. Elizabethd27 January 2011 at 11:53

    Very attractive, you have made some lovely 'vignettes'.

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  6. Barbara29 January 2011 at 05:50

    Ah Maggie...it's such fun to see your tables and treasured items arranged so perfectly. I love eclectic mixes in a home..so much more inviting.
    Happy weekend!

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  7. The Charm of Home29 January 2011 at 06:39

    Hi Maggie,
    It is nice to meet you. I find your blog enchanting! I also love Victorian and English Country. I am also loving that you live in such a wonderful historic place (ghost included). I added your shop to my favs in Etsy. I will have to make sure Sarah from Hyacinths from the Soul knows about you she collects Quimper. Look forward to coming by again soon! Thank you for stopping by.
    Sherry

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  8. lvroftiques29 January 2011 at 13:58

    Hi Maggie!!
    Not only are you living my dream life in France! I LOVE your style as well! Beautiful snaps my friend! I aspire to a very similar victorian style *winks*
    I tried to buy both the books you recommended. But Victorian Style was nearly 4 times as much (with shipping) in the US as UK *le sigh* So for now it shall have to linger on the wish list. However Classic Decorative Details was a good bit cheaper here in the US about 2.5 pounds with shipping. Go figure? No rhyme or reason to it. Thanks for the inspiration! And thanks for stopping by my little blog for a visit! Vanna

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  9. Debra@CommonGround29 January 2011 at 17:26

    Great resources you have. Your vignette on the gorgeous dresser is just lovely! Thanks for linking up with VIF!!
    hugs,
    Debra

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  10. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage29 January 2011 at 19:35

    Love your post-Beautiful photographs and great inspirations! Thank you for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

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  11. Donna@Conghaile Cottage30 January 2011 at 07:48

    Gorgeous Maggie, I too am Victorian inspired...Your home is exquisitely decorated. I LOVE every detail. The duck vase is SO Unique, I LOVE HIM!!!AND AH the Quimper is gorgeous! I do not have any "YET". I fell deep in love with Quimper through Sarah of
    http://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/
    I LOVE her to pieces and really look forward to her posts. They are so much fun and informative! HUGS TO YOU SARAH!!!
    I LOVE your staircase and the chandelier and painting and mirror... EVERYTHING is So Perfect!!! Thank you for sharing your home with us.
    Hugs to you, Donna

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  12. Bargain Decorating with Laurie30 January 2011 at 14:16

    Maggie, how beautiful everything looks! Of course, I especially LOVE the duck vase and that double shoe salt! That lamp is also magnificent. Is it something old that was wired as a lamp? Thank you for linking all of this beauty to Favorite Things. laurie

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  13. Pondside30 January 2011 at 18:06

    It's so nice to look at beautiful things - beautiful views. I think it's important to choose beauty - and then share it. Thank you!

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  14. Savannah Granny30 January 2011 at 22:31

    Thank you for visiting and your kind comments. I was in Normandy in October. Just on tour, would love to had more time for the community. We were there on our national election in November. Very somber and ironic we were there on that day.
    I am your newest follower. Hugs, ginger

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  15. Suzy30 January 2011 at 23:23

    You've got a beautiful home. My sweet hubby is not much into antiques so I live vicariously through others :-)

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  16. http://jackieinsurrey.blogspot.co.uk/31 January 2011 at 05:32

    Hi Maggie, beautiful photographs of your treasures. We are staying in Saint-Martin-de-Varreville in June, which I believe is near Bayeux.
    Jackie.

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  17. Sarah @ Modern Country Style31 January 2011 at 06:30

    Hi MAggie,

    What a beautiful home you have...and in Normandy? Ooooh, I'm soooo jealous!

    So jealous, in fact, that I have to follow along!

    Sarahx

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  18. A Garden of Threads31 January 2011 at 06:53

    You have a beautiful home. So welcoming. Great shots in the mosaic. Hope you have a great week.

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  19. Anonymous31 January 2011 at 06:59

    Your home is lovely, I LOVE the antiques. Wish I had the "knack" to decorate ;)

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  20. Sarah31 January 2011 at 07:38

    Maggie, back for another peek. It is all so lovely!~ Sarah

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  21. Sweet European Dreams31 January 2011 at 22:03

    Hi Maggie, thanks so much for stopping by my page the other day - I'm so glad to have found your blog now. I used to live very near you in Germany - Baumholder area. We passed by Normandy quite often on our day trips into France. I'm headed back "across the pond" in a few weeks for a short visit - I can't wait! I love your collections - beautiful! -diane

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  22. La Vie Quotidienne1 February 2011 at 07:19

    How fortunate you are to live in such a beautiful home. I know that Normandy is very, very lovely. I really enjoyed seeing some of your interiors with all of the amazing objects ~exquisite. And I loved your header! Thank you for visiting me and leaving such a nice comment.(-:

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  23. Kathy1 February 2011 at 07:47

    What gorgeous things you have found to accent your home - truly a Victorian setting - I was just thinking of romantic scenery - movies etc...yours would fit in nicely. Thank you for joining A Return to Loveliness, you've made it all the more special,
    Kathy

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  24. Lorrie1 February 2011 at 08:30

    Everything in your home looks like it fits and has a story behind it. Love the look.

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  25. Confessions of a Plate Addict2 February 2011 at 05:19

    Hi Maggie! What beautiful vignetttes! Of course, my eyes went straight to your wonderful Quimper! Have a great week!...hugs...Debbie

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  26. Lynn2 February 2011 at 13:35

    One can easily tell how much your love your beautiful home and the treasures you fill it with. Lovely photos. Thank you for sharing.

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Thanks for stopping by, your visit just made my day!

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